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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
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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.
Esau lusted for a favorite dish, and sacrificed his birthright to
gratify appetite. After his lustful appetite had been gratified he saw
his folly, but found no space for repentance though he sought it
carefully and with tears. There are very many who are like Esau. He
represents a class who have a special, valuable blessing within their
reach,—the immortal inheritance, life that is as enduring as the life
of God, the Creator of the universe, happiness immeasurable, and
an eternal weight of glory,—but who have so long indulged their
appetites, passions, and inclinations, that their power to discern and
appreciate the value of eternal things is weakened.
Esau had a special, strong desire for a particular article of food,
and he had so long gratified self that he did not feel the necessity
of turning from the tempting, coveted dish. He thought upon it,
making no special effort to restrain his appetite, until the power of
appetite bore down every other consideration and controlled him,
and he imagined that he would suffer great inconvenience, and even
death, if he could not have that particular dish. The more he thought
upon it, the more his desire strengthened, until his birthright, which
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