Chapter 3—Selling the Birthright Dear Brother D, I have been designing to write to you for some time, but our labors have been so constant and wearing that I have had no time nor strength to do so. In my last vision your case was shown me. You were in a critical condition. You knew the truth, you understood your duty, and you had rejoiced in the light of the truth; but because it interfered with your worldly pursuits, you were about to sacrifice truth and duty to your own convenience. You were looking at your own present pecuniary advantage and losing sight of the eternal weight of glory. You were about to make an immense sacrifice for the flattering prospect of present gain. You were just upon the point of selling your birthright for a mess of pottage. Had you turned from the truth for earthly gain, it would not have been a sin of ignorance on your part, but a willful transgression. {2T 37.3}

Kære bror D: Jeg havde tænkt mig at skrive til dig i nogen tid, men vort arbejde har hele tiden presset på så jeg ikke har haft tid og heller ikke styrke til at gøre dette. I mit sidste syn blev dit tilfælde vist mig. Du var i en (38) kritisk tilstand. Du kendte sandheden, du forstod din pligt og du kunne glæde dig over sandhedens lys; men fordi det konfliktede med din verdslige jagen, var du ved at ofre sandheden og pligten, for egen bekvemmeligheds skyld. Du så på din egen pengemæssige fordel og mistede øjet for den evige herlighedsvægt. Du var ved at gøre et overmåde stort offer med nuværende vinding for øje. Du var lige ved at sælge din førstefødselsret for en ret linser. Havde du vendt dig fra sandheden for jordisk vindings skyld, ville det ikke, fra din side, have varet en uvidenhedssynd, men en tilsigtet overtrædelse.