20. Thus they formed congregations of the rich, for the poor could not afford to live among them; this was an abomination in the sight of the Lord.

21. They paid their tithes and offerings and called themselves righteous,

22. Yet they forbade their children to befriend the children of men and women who labored with their hands, who earned little money, or who were despised by the world.

23. And when they remembered the poor—those who lived in small houses, with many children sleeping in each room—they said to themselves,

24. If only these people had not sinned, the Lord would have blessed them as we have been blessed;

25. Or, If only these people had learned to restrain themselves, they would not have so many children and so they would not be so poor;

26. Or, If only these people had educated themselves, they would be wise enough to live better than this, as we are;

27. Or, If only these people would work harder, they would not have to live in such poverty.

28. And many of the poor, hearing these things, believed them, and despised themselves even more than the rich despised them, and all their dreams and longings were for the rewards of the world, and they turned away their hearts from righteousness.

29. Thus the world had led away the believers to the worship of Mammon; yet the believers imagined themselves to be righteous because they attended their meetings and paid their tithes.

30. And the Lord looked upon them and said, Where is the people who will be ready to receive me at my coming?

31. Where is the people who are good to the needy,

32. Who honor men and women for their works and not for their possessions,

33. For their wisdom and not their worldly education,

34. For their righteousness and not their vain display?

35. Yea, the Lord looked out upon his church and said, Where is Zion?

36. Have I not given them prophets and teachers, doctrine and covenants?

37. Why then do they seek the honors of the world?

38. Why then do they steal from the poor, and then say that the Lord has blessed them?

39. For all things belong to me, saith the Lord, and all who labor righteously, with all their might, are worthy of an equal share of the bounty of the land;

40. Therefore any man who takes more than he needs, and does not give his surplus to the bishop to share it with the poor, has taken that which I have not given him;

41. Verily, verily, saith the Lord unto that man, you will have what you have stolen for a little season, but you will have no joy in it,

42. And at the last day you will stand with those who have no reward, because you did not share with the humblest of my brethren, and so you have no part in their inheritance.

43. The wicked world has nothing of itself, so whatever the world bestows is stolen property.

44. If the world gives you much, then you must give away much,