260 and 261

But hate shall meet with hate, in its crude way,

unless one party is quite close to God.

And one who soweth shall the earth obey

when she shall raise what’s planted in her sod.

Be safe! Hear not the words that lead this way!

Attribute not to God what stirs your grief!

Hark only those who publish peace, and say

that strife can be quite bearable and brief!

I do not know when Jesus took up arms,

except, perhaps, to punish those with purse,

whose purse, indeed, was used to preach the harms

of loving those within poverty’s curse.

But I extend my station. I know not

the leery terms of someone else’s lot.

~~~

See kindly who the wicked seek to kill.

The righteous wish to kill no soul at all.

If one has gathered such a vile will,

seek diligently if it’s heaven’s call.

Has righteous death been wrought by hateful thought?

I do not think I know of such a case.

If ever has a godly death been wrought

it’s done with ample mercy as a brace.

So mark the wanton mob. Be wary here.

It is not patience that directs that path.

Ensure your heart and mind are kind and clear

if ever you are tempted into wrath.

Dear Lehi, Joseph, Stephen, and the rest

whose words were kind—man shall not be your test.