While the Prophet was on his way to Missouri in the month of April, 1832, an event occurred afar off in Mendon, Monroe County, New York, which was the forerunner4 of mighty5 help to Joseph and strength to the Church. It was the baptism of Brigham Young on the 14th day of April, 1832, by Elder Eleazer Miller6. This destined7 successor of the Prophet had heard and accepted the truth. His sincerity8 and force of character were visible at his conversion9, and after his confirmation10 at the water's edge as a member of the Church of Jesus Christ, he was ordained11 on the same day to the Melchisedec Priesthood.
In the month of June when Joseph returned to Kirtland from Missouri he met and gave the hand of fellowship to Brigham Young, who had journeyed to Kirtland to hear the voice of the Prophet of God. A most memorable meeting was this of these two men whose names and fame were to become so indissolubly united! Of all the men of their generation they were to be the most loved and hated, their words and deeds were to be heralded12 to every corner of the earth, and, beyond those of all their contemporaries, were to make the deepest impress upon the world. If the fact be not fully13 recognized and acknowledged to-day, the hour is not far distant when it will be, that JOSEPH SMITH and BRIGHAM YOUNG were the two greatest men of their time. Providence14 had assigned each his labor3, and each faithfully performed the allotted15 task. Joseph, under the direction of the Almighty16, marked out the design and laid the foundation deep and strong; and Brigham, inspired from the same source, builded upon it carefully and judiciously17. The labor of one was designed to be the fitting complement18 to the other.
At this first visit the Prophet Joseph heard, for the first time, the gift of speaking in tongues. Brigham had received this gift, and at a meeting in the evening the Spirit rested upon him and he spoke19 in tongues. The Prophet received the gift of interpretation20, and he said it was the language spoken by our Father Adam. The Spirit also rested upon him and he spoke in tongues. After this, the gifts of speaking in tongues and interpreting tongues were received and enjoyed by many of the Saints at Kirtland and elsewhere.
From that day Joseph and Brigham were friends, attached to each other by a tie stronger and closer than that of earthly kinship. From that time on for twelve years Brigham gave earnest help to Joseph and demonstrated by his consideration and devotion that he knew the authority under which the younger man was acting21. There was a time to come when Oliver Cowdery—the fellow apostle of Joseph, who, with him, had received the Aaronic Priesthood under the hands of John the Baptist, and the Melchisedec Priesthood under the hands of the apostles Peter, James and John, heavenly messengers sent expressly to confer these two Priesthoods upon them—would waver in his fidelity22 to the truth and would oppose Joseph and leave the Church. Not many years from the time of which we write Sidney Rigdon, the trusted counselor23, the eloquent24 spokesman of the Prophet, who with him had beheld25 in vision the glories of the eternal world and borne solemn testimony26 that he had seen the Savior and knew that He lived, would turn his back upon and be ready to desert Joseph and to conspire27 against the Church. But not so with Brigham Young; but not so with the Prophet's brother Hyrum, and many others less eminent28 than these two. Hyrum Smith was the embodiment of unswerving fidelity and fraternal love. Ever by his brother's side to aid and comfort him, life had no charms for him when danger threatened the Lord's anointed. He had a mother to whom he always rendered dutiful and loving obedience30; he had a wife and children upon whom he lavished31 a wealth of affection; he had brothers and sisters to whom he was kind, considerate and helpful; but for his brother Joseph he had a love which over-mastered all these affections; it surpassed the love of woman. When death stood in the pathway and menaced with its fearful terrors Joseph and those who stood by him, the Prophet besought32 Hyrum to stand aside and not accompany him. But, however obedient he might be to the slightest wish of his brother in other directions, upon this point he was immovable. If Joseph died, they would die together. As in his life, so in his death, Hyrum Smith exhibited the perfection of human love.
With similar fidelity and unshaken integrity Brigham Young, from the time of this meeting in Kirtland, cordially sustained the Prophet Joseph in all his ministrations up to the day of his martyrdom. Many times during the ensuing twelve years, and especially during the great defection and apostasy33 at Kirtland, he had occasion, because of his devotion to Joseph, to exhibit the decision of character and moral courage for which he was so distinguished34 in after life. When hesitation35 and doubt were far too common, and many leading men faltered36 and fell away, Brigham stood in the midst of the storm of opposition37 like a tower of strength. The remark which he made concerning some of his brother apostles at Nauvoo, after the death of the Prophet Joseph, when he said "their hands had never trembled and their knees had never shook in maintaining and defending the principles of righteousness" applied38 with peculiar39 significance to himself and his own past connection with the work of God. But it was not in Joseph's lifetime alone that Brigham manifested his admiration40 for and devotion to his great friend. During the long period—thirty-three years—which he outlived the Prophet (when a common man under his circumstances might have been tempted41 to criticise42 the acts or peculiarities43 of his predecessor44, or to contrast his own management of affairs with that of Joseph's) no one ever heard a word drop from his lips that was not worthy45 of the two men. His own success and great and world-wide prominence46 never diminished nor obscured the deep-rooted love and loyalty47 he felt towards the man whom God had chosen to hold the keys of this last dispensation and to be his file-leader in the Priesthood.
It appears that the Prophet must have had something shown to him on this occasion concerning the future of Brigham Young; for Heber C. Kimball and Joseph Young, who both accompanied Brigham to Kirtland, each testified in his lifetime that the Prophet Joseph said to those who stood around him, "that man," pointing to Brigham Young who was a little distance off, "will yet preside over this Church." Levi W. Hancock, also, frequently testified that he heard the Prophet make this same statement concerning Brigham.
In July Joseph was gratified to receive the first number of The Evening and Morning Star from Independence. Light was already beginning to radiate from the land of Zion.
A few weeks later Elders began to come in from their missionary48 labors in the Eastern States. Their reports were interesting, as from them could be gathered the nature of the difficulties to be contended with in bringing the people to a knowledge of the truth. The importance of this missionary work was apparent. The message which the Lord had given to His servants had to be declared to all people. The Prophet sought for definite instructions concerning this labor. On the 22nd and 23rd of September, 1832, he received the word of the Lord defining some of the powers of the Priesthood and giving consolation49 and strength to such as should be called to go forth50 in the ministry51.
Let no man among you * * * from this hour take purse or scrip that goeth forth to proclaim this gospel of the kingdom. * * *
And whoso receiveth you, there I will be also, for I will go before your face: I will be on your right hand and on your left, and my Spirit shall be in your hearts, and mine angels round about you to bear you up. * * *
Search diligently53 and spare not; and woe54 unto that house, or that village or city that rejecteth you, or your words, or your testimony concerning me.
And plagues shall go forth, and they shall not be taken from the earth until I have completed my work, which shall be cut short in righteousness,
Until all shall know me, who remain, even from the least unto the greatest, and shall be filled with the knowledge of the Lord, and shall see eye to eye, and shall lift up their voice, and with the voice together sing this new song, saying—
The Lord hath brought again Zion,
Israel, According to the election of grace,
Which was brought to pass by the faith
The Lord hath redeemed his people,
And Satan is bound and time is no longer;
The Lord hath gathered all things in one;
The Lord hath brought down Zion from above.
The Lord hath brought up Zion from beneath.
The earth hath travailed and brought forth her strength;
And the heavens have smiled upon her;
And she is clothed with the glory of her God;
For he stands in the midst of his people;
Glory, and honor, and power, and might,
Be ascribed to our God; for he is full of mercy,
Justice, grace and truth, and peace,
For ever and ever, Amen.
* * * * * *
Go ye forth * * reproving the world in righteousness of all their unrighteous and ungodly deeds, setting forth clearly and understandingly the desolation of abomination in the last days;
For, with you, saith the Lord Almighty, I will rend29 their kingdoms; I will not only shake the earth, but the starry59 heavens shall tremble;
For I, the Lord, have put forth my hand to exert the powers of heaven; ye cannot see it now, yet a little while and ye shall see it, and know that I am, and that I will come and reign60 with my people.
Early in the month of October the Prophet departed with Bishop61 Whitney for the Eastern States, and made hurried visits to the cities of Albany, New York and Boston, returning to Kirtland on the sixth day of November, 1832. Three days previous to the latter date, on November 3rd, a son was born to him, whom he named Joseph.
To one not divinely sustained the burden of work now laid upon Joseph would have been oppressive. The little time he could snatch from the labors of the ministry was devoted62 to diligent52 labor upon the translation of the Bible; and in addition he was planning for the further progress of proselyting work and for the upbuilding of Zion, in Missouri. Upon this latter subject he bestowed63 much anxious thought. He communicated with the Elders there by letter, and gave them careful instruction concerning the distribution of inheritances to the Saints and the general management of affairs in that land.
On the 25th day of December, 1832, the following revelation and prophecy were given to Joseph, at Kirtland, Ohio:
Verily, thus saith the Lord, concerning the wars that will shortly come to pass, beginning at the rebellion of South Carolina, which will eventually terminate in the death and misery64 of many souls.
The days will come that war will be poured upon all nations, beginning at that place;
For behold65, the Southern States shall be divided against the Northern States, and the Southern States will call on other nations, even the nation of Great Britain, as it is called, and they shall also call upon other nations, in order to defend themselves against other nations; and then war shall be poured out upon all nations.
And it shall come to pass, after many days, slaves shall rise up against their masters, who shall be marshaled and disciplined for war;
And it shall come to pass also, that the remnants who are left of the land will marshal themselves, and shall become exceeding angry, and shall vex66 the Gentiles with a sore vexation;
And thus, with the sword, and by bloodshed, the inhabitants of the earth shall mourn; and with famine, and plague, and earthquakes, and the thunder of heaven, and the fierce and vivid lightning also, shall the inhabitants of the earth be made to feel the wrath67, and indignation, and chastening hand of an Almighty God, until the consumption decreed hath made a full end of all the nations; * * *
Wherefore, stand ye in holy places, and be not moved, until the day of the Lord come; for behold it cometh quickly, saith the Lord. Amen.
This revelation was made known at that time to the Saints and was a subject of constant remark in the Church; in 1851 it was published to the world and obtained a somewhat wide circulation. Nearly twenty-nine years after its date, its wondrous68 fulfillment began when the first gun was fired at Fort Sumter, South Carolina. Since that time wars and rumors69 of wars have prevailed throughout the world. Peace has fled, and in view of all the Lord has said, it is not too much to expect it has fled no more to return till the reign of righteousness shall begin.
It is strange that the solemn warning uttered by Joseph in 1832 should have gone unheeded. His prophecy was not without its purpose. The Lord inspired his mind with visions of the future and with power to view the paths by which the nation might escape the impending70 disasters, but like other parts of His message of salvation71 to the human race this warning also was rejected.
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1
memorable
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| adj.值得回忆的，难忘的，特别的，显著的 | |
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labors
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| v.努力争取(for)( labor的第三人称单数 )；苦干；详细分析；（指引擎）缓慢而困难地运转 | |
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labor
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| n.劳动，努力，工作，劳工；分娩；vi.劳动，努力，苦干；vt.详细分析；麻烦 | |
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forerunner
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| n.前身，先驱（者），预兆，祖先 | |
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5
mighty
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| adj.强有力的；巨大的 | |
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miller
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| n.磨坊主 | |
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destined
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| adj.命中注定的；(for)以…为目的地的 | |
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sincerity
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| n.真诚，诚意；真实 | |
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conversion
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| n.转化，转换，转变 | |
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confirmation
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| n.证实，确认，批准 | |
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ordained
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| v.任命（某人）为牧师( ordain的过去式和过去分词 )；授予（某人）圣职；（上帝、法律等）命令；判定 | |
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12
heralded
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| v.预示( herald的过去式和过去分词 )；宣布（好或重要） | |
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13
fully
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| adv.完全地，全部地，彻底地；充分地 | |
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providence
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| n.深谋远虑，天道，天意；远见；节约；上帝 | |
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allotted
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| 分配，拨给，摊派( allot的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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almighty
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| adj.全能的，万能的；很大的，很强的 | |
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judiciously
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| adv.明断地，明智而审慎地 | |
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18
complement
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| n.补足物，船上的定员；补语；vt.补充，补足 | |
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spoke
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| n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说 | |
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20
interpretation
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| n.解释，说明，描述；艺术处理 | |
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21
acting
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| n.演戏，行为，假装；adj.代理的，临时的，演出用的 | |
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fidelity
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| n.忠诚，忠实；精确 | |
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counselor
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| n.顾问，法律顾问 | |
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24
eloquent
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| adj.雄辩的，口才流利的；明白显示出的 | |
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25
beheld
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| v.看，注视( behold的过去式和过去分词 )；瞧；看呀；（叙述中用于引出某人意外的出现）哎哟 | |
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26
testimony
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| n.证词；见证，证明 | |
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conspire
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| v.密谋，（事件等）巧合，共同导致 | |
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eminent
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| adj.显赫的，杰出的，有名的，优良的 | |
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rend
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| vt.把…撕开，割裂；把…揪下来，强行夺取 | |
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30
obedience
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| n.服从，顺从 | |
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31
lavished
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| v.过分给予，滥施( lavish的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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32
besought
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| v.恳求，乞求（某事物）( beseech的过去式和过去分词 )；(beseech的过去式与过去分词) | |
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33
apostasy
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| n.背教，脱党 | |
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34
distinguished
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| adj.卓越的，杰出的，著名的 | |
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35
hesitation
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| n.犹豫，踌躇 | |
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36
faltered
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| （嗓音）颤抖( falter的过去式和过去分词 )； 支吾其词； 蹒跚； 摇晃 | |
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37
opposition
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| n.反对，敌对 | |
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38
applied
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| adj.应用的；v.应用，适用 | |
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39
peculiar
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| adj.古怪的，异常的；特殊的，特有的 | |
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40
admiration
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| n.钦佩，赞美，羡慕 | |
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41
tempted
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| v.怂恿（某人）干不正当的事；冒…的险（tempt的过去分词） | |
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42
criticise
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| v.批评，评论；非难 | |
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43
peculiarities
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| n. 特质, 特性, 怪癖, 古怪 | |
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44
predecessor
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| n.前辈，前任 | |
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45
worthy
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| adj.(of)值得的，配得上的；有价值的 | |
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prominence
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| n.突出；显著；杰出；重要 | |
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47
loyalty
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| n.忠诚，忠心 | |
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48
missionary
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| adj.教会的，传教(士)的；n.传教士 | |
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consolation
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| n.安慰，慰问 | |
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50
forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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51
ministry
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| n.(政府的)部；牧师 | |
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52
diligent
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| adj.勤勉的，勤奋的 | |
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53
diligently
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| ad.industriously;carefully | |
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54
woe
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| n.悲哀，苦痛，不幸，困难；int.用来表达悲伤或惊慌 | |
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scourge
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| n.灾难，祸害；v.蹂躏 | |
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56
redeemed
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| adj. 可赎回的，可救赎的 动词redeem的过去式和过去分词形式 | |
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57
covenant
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| n.盟约，契约；v.订盟约 | |
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58
bowels
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| n.肠，内脏，内部；肠( bowel的名词复数 )；内部，最深处 | |
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starry
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| adj.星光照耀的, 闪亮的 | |
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60
reign
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| n.统治时期，统治，支配，盛行；v.占优势 | |
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bishop
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| n.主教，（国际象棋）象 | |
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devoted
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| adj.忠诚的，忠实的，热心的，献身于...的 | |
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bestowed
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| 赠给，授予( bestow的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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64
misery
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| n.痛苦，苦恼，苦难；悲惨的境遇，贫苦 | |
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behold
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| v.看，注视，看到 | |
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vex
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| vt.使烦恼，使苦恼 | |
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wrath
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| n.愤怒，愤慨，暴怒 | |
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wondrous
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| adj.令人惊奇的，奇妙的；adv.惊人地；异乎寻常地；令人惊叹地 | |
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69
rumors
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| n.传闻( rumor的名词复数 )；[古]名誉；咕哝；[古]喧嚷v.传闻( rumor的第三人称单数 )；[古]名誉；咕哝；[古]喧嚷 | |
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impending
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| a.imminent, about to come or happen | |
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salvation
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| n.（尤指基督）救世，超度，拯救，解困 | |
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