See Matthew 25:21, 23.

See Matthew 25:14–30; and Luke 19:11–27. Benjamin F. Johnson recalled that during this April visit, JS told him privately “that the Lord had revealed to him that plural or patriarchal marriage was according to his law.” JS sought Johnson’s assistance to introduce Johnson’s sister, Almera, to the idea of marrying JS as a plural wife. When Johnson expressed his displeasure with the concept, JS promised that “at this morning’s meeting, I will preach you a sermon that no one but you will understand.” Johnson recounted that at the meeting JS “read the parable of the Talents, and showed plainly that to him that hath shall be given more, and from him that had but one should be taken that he seemed to have, and given to him who had ten. This, so far as I could understand, might relate to families.” Johnson incorrectly identified this sermon as having occurred in the morning. (Johnson, “Life Review,” 90–91.)

Johnson, Benjamin Franklin. “A Life Review,” after 1893. Benjamin Franklin Johnson, Papers, 1852–1911. CHL. MS 1289 box 1, fd. 1.

See John 3:1–5.