Martin Harris came to Joseph and said he had to have a revelation, a commandment from the Lord. Joseph told him that he had enough commandment and didn't need more. Three times, just like with the Book of Mormon manuscript, Martin came to Joseph about this. This revelation was the result. You'll notice in verse 32 that the Lord tells Martin "This is a great and last commandment which I shall give unto you concerning this matter; for this shall suffice for thy daily walk, even unto the end of thy life."
If you had to pick a revelation in the Doctrine and Covenants that demonstrated, not only that the restored gospel is true, but also demonstrated that Joseph Smith was a prophet, this would certainly be one of the ones I would pick. There is so much revealed in this that sheds light on doctrine taught in the New Testament. Doctrine that for centuries and centuries has been confusing and unexplained.
The Christian churches of the world have taught through the centuries that those who believe in Christ will go to Heaven and those who do not will go to hell. Not only will they go to hell, they go there with the wicked for all eternity and never come out. In this revelation, the Lord reveals that eternal damnation, eternal punishment is a principle and a title. When a person suffers eternal punishment, they person suffers God's punishment, not punishment for eternity. The Lord says, "It is not written that there shall be no end to this torment." But endless torment or endless damnation is just another way of saying God's torment or God's damnation. This is probably an oversimplification, but a parent doesn't punish a child without an end to the punishment. Time out doesn't mean go sit in the corner forever. It that were the case, there would be no purpose to the punishment or the suffering.
The main emphasis of this revelation is repentance and the Lord uses the word repentance seven times in about seven verses. He commands Martin (and us) to repent. There are two ways to rid ourselves of sin, through the atonement or through our own suffering. The Lord tells Martin that if people don't repent, they have to suffer as the Lord suffered. He said this suffering was so great that it caused him, even God, to shrink from it. He says, "I, God, have suffered these things for all, that they might not suffer if they would repent; But if they would not repent they must suffer even as I." It's easy to see why the Lord, having paid so great a price, pleads with us to avoid paying the price again.
The New Testament is translated from two languages, Greek and Latin. The Greek word repent is translated from is metanoia. The Latin word repent is translated from is poenitere. Both words mean to change our minds, or change our spirits, our way of being. The result of repentance is the Lord will heal us. He told Enos that his sins were forgiven and he was made whole. Repentance enables us to be whole, to be who we really are, to feel and be complete. The Lord asks us in verse 23 to do three things in repenting, learn of him, listen to his words, and walk in obedience to the spiritual promptings he gives us. If we do this, he promises that we will have peace.
I have found that for some reason, people will not trust the atonement. Even after the Lord has forgiven them, they allow themselves to be racked with guilt. Guilt does not belong in the heart of a faithful church member, and church members have no right to cast or cause guilt to be felt. That is to assume the role of the Lord and I for one do not feel very capable of doing that.
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