1–3, The afflictions of the Saints will be for their good;4–8, The Saints are to befriend the constitutional law of the land;9–10, Honest, wise, and good men should be supported for secular government;11–15, Those who lay down their lives in the Lord’s cause will have eternal life;16–18, Renounce war and proclaim peace;19–22, The Saints in Kirtland are reproved and commanded to repent;23–32, The Lord reveals His laws governing the persecutions and afflictions imposed on His people;33–38, War is justified only when the Lord commands it;39–48, The Saints are to forgive their enemies, who, if they repent, will also escape the Lord’s vengeance.