"To undertake this laborious duty was the voluntary offer of

our dearly beloved friend, that profound and renowned Rabbi,

the zealous and honorable _Aaron Selig Ashkenazi_. He is a man

confirmed in the {175} fear of the Lord, of a faithful stock;

and him we depute as our messenger, worthy of all trust, to make

proclamation unto the communities of Israel 'according to the sight

which he has seen in the Holy Mount,' and to him we have given

letters of authorization, containing full particulars as to his

pious mission, and every necessary information relating thereto.

"Now, therefore, let the righteous behold and rejoice. Let the

pious exult and triumph in gladness. The day ye have so long hoped

for is come, and ye see it. The crown of holiness will again adorn

its former abode. Therefore, arise, and take upon yourselves,

according to the words of this letter, to devote a portion of your

wealth as a sacred tribute towards erecting 'the Temple of the Most

Holy King on the mountain of the Lord'--that ye may have a portion

and a righteous record in Jerusalem.

"Let no one among you refuse his aid, but let the poor man

contribute his mite for himself and his household freely, as the

rich dispenses the bounty wherewith the Lord hath blessed him. Let

fathers and their offspring, the aged and the youthful, alike arise

in mercy to Zion at this propitious season.

"Let each man encourage his neighbor and say, 'We will be zealous

and persevering for our people and the City of our God. And for the

love of Zion, and the sake of Jerusalem, we will not rest nor be

easy until Jerusalem is praised throughout the earth, and foremost

in our joys, even as we have vowed:--If I forget thee, Jerusalem,

let my right hand forget her cunning; if I prefer not Jerusalem

above my chief joy.'

"Such are the words of your brethren who address you for the

glory of God, and for the honor of His land, His people and His

inheritance--continually praying for our exiled brethren, and

offering up our orisons on holy ground and particularly near the

_Western Wall_, that it may be well with you everlastingly as you

yourself desire, and we most sincerely wish.

"Signed at Jerusalem, the 18th day of year 5597 a. m., by the

Wardens of the Medrash, and members of the Building Committee, on

behalf of the Congregation of German Jews in this Holy City.

["Signed] Hirsh Joseph,

"David Reuben,

"Nathan Saddis,

"Abraham S. Salmons,

"Mordecai Avigdor,

"Uriah S. Hyam."

The undersigned Assessors of the Bethdin, by the direction of

the {176} Rev. Chief Rabbi, hereby certify that Rev. Aaron Selig

Ashkenazi is actually deputed for the purpose mentioned in the

above circular.

"London, the 7th Tebath,

"24 Dec. 5599.

"Israel Levy,

"Aaron Levy,

"A. L. Barnett."

_Monday, August 3_.--Elders Wilford Woodruff and George A. Smith are at

Ledbury, Herefordshire.

_Tuesday, 4_.--Elder Heber C. Kimball left Manchester for

Herefordshire, and Joseph Fielding is at Bedford.

_Wednesday, 5_.

_Extract of a Letter from Wilford Woodruff to the Editor of the

Millennial Star--Reporting Labors_.

Beloved Brethren:--Since Elder George A. Smith and myself left

Manchester for the purpose of going to the south of England, we

have visited the churches which lay in our route, and found them

universally prospering and receiving additions.

We preached in Leek on Sunday, July 10th, and Elder Smith baptized

six persons after meeting: and numbers were also baptized in the

churches at the Staffordshire Potteries while we were there. We

passed through West Bromwich and Birmingham, and found numbers

who were anxiously wishing for some of the Elders to visit that

region and labor among them. We arrived in Ludbury, Herefordshire,

July 22nd, and here spent about two weeks in visiting the churches

through this region, and I am happy to inform you, that we have

found the Saints universally rejoicing in the truth, and the work

progressing upon every hand.

Elder Thomas Richardson has baptized about forty since he came,

and Elder William Kay about twenty; they are both much blessed in

their labors. Elder Kington is laboring constantly in this wide

field, which is under his care; and he with the Elders and Priests

generally throughout this region are blessed with many souls as

seals of their ministry. We baptized forty on Sunday last in this

region, making 250 since the conference. The churches here now

number about 800 members and appear [to be] in a very prosperous

state. We are expecting Elder Kimball every hour, and soon after

his arrival we shall leave the Saints in this region, for the

purpose of visiting the city of London and warning the inhabitants

thereof.

Wilford Woodruff.

{177} _Saturday, 8_.--Soon after the July conference at Manchester,

Elder Parley P. Pratt started for America for the purpose of getting

his family and taking them to England, meantime leaving the _Star_ in

charge of President Brigham Young, assisted by Elder Willard Richards.

_The Prophet's Letter to John C. Bennett--Bidding Him Welcome to

Nauvoo, to partake of--its Poverty_.

Nauvoo, Hancock County, Illinois,

August 8th, 1840.

Dear Sir:--Yours of the 25th ultimo, addressed to Elder Rigdon and

myself, is received, for which you have our thanks, and to which I

shall feel great pleasure in replying.

Although I have not the pleasure of your acquaintance, yet from

the kindness manifested towards our people when in bondage and

oppression, and from the frank and noble mindedness breathed in

your letter, I am brought to the conclusion that you are a friend

to suffering humanity and truth.

To those who have suffered so much abuse, and borne the cruelties

and insults of wicked men so long, on account of those principles

which we have been instructed to teach to the world, a feeling of

sympathy and kindness is something like the refreshing breeze and

cooling stream at the present season of the year, and are, I assure

you, duly appreciated by us.

It would afford me much pleasure to see you at this place, and from

the desire you express in your letter to move to this place, I hope

I shall soon have that satisfaction.

I have no doubt you would be of great service to this community

in practicing your profession, as well as those other abilities

of which you are in possession. Since to devote your time and

abilities in the cause of truth and a suffering people may not

be the means of exalting you in the eyes of this generation, or

securing you the riches of the world, yet by so doing you may rely

on the approval of Jehovah, "that blessing which maketh rich and

addeth no sorrow." Through the tender mercies of our God we have

escaped the hands of those who sought our overthrow, and have

secure locations in this state, and in the territory of Iowa. Our

principal location is at this place, Nauvoo, (formerly Commerce),

which is beautifully situated on the banks of the Mississippi,

immediately above the lower rapids, and is probably the best and

most beautiful site for a city on the river. It has a gradual

ascent from the river nearly a mile, then a fine, level, and

fertile prairie--a situation in {178} every respect adapted to

commercial and agricultural pursuits, but like all other places on

the river, is sickly in summer.

The number of inhabitants is nearly three thousand, and is fast

increasing. If we are suffered to remain, [9] there is every

prospect of its becoming one of the largest cities on the river, if

not in the western world. Numbers have moved in from the seaboard,

and a few from the islands of the sea (Great Britain).

It is our intention to commence the erection of some public

buildings next spring. We have purchased twenty thousand acres in

the Iowa Territory opposite this place, which is fast filling up

with our people. I desire all the Saints, as well as all lovers

of truth and correct principles, to come to this place as fast as

possible, or [as rapidly as] their circumstances will permit, and

endeavor, by energy of action and concentration of talent, &c.,

&c., to effect those objects, that are so dear to us. Therefore my

general invitation is, Let all that will, come, and partake of the

poverty of Nauvoo freely.

I should be disposed to give you a special invitation to come

as early as possible, believing you will be of great service

to us; however, you must make arrangements according to your

circumstances. Were it possible for you to come here this season

to suffer affliction with the people of God, no one will be more

pleased to give you a more cordial welcome than myself.

A charter has been obtained from the legislature for a railroad

from Warsaw, being immediately below the rapids of the Mississippi,

to this place--a distance of about twenty miles, which if carried

into operation will be of incalculable advantage to this place, as

steamboats can only ascend the rapids at a high stage of water. The

soil is good, and I think not inferior to any in the state. Crops

are abundant in this section of country--and I think provisions

will be reasonable.

I should be very happy could I make arrangements to meet you in

Springfield at the time you mention--but cannot promise myself that

pleasure. If I should not, probably you can make it convenient to

come and pay us a visit here, prior to your removal.

Elder Rigdon is very sick, and has been for nearly twelve months

with the fever and ague, which disease is very prevalent here at

this time. At present he is not able to leave his room.

Yours, &c.,

Joseph Smith, Jun.

To J. C. Bennett, M. D.

P. S.--Yours of the 30th is just received, in which I am glad to

learn that your increasing desire to unite yourself with a people

"that are {179} everywhere spoken against," and the anxiety you

feel for our welfare--for which you have my best feelings; and I

pray that my heavenly Father will pour out His choicest blessings

in this world, and enable you by His grace to overcome the evils

which are in the world, that you may secure a blissful immortality

in the world that is to come.

J. S., Jun.

_August 10_.--Colonel Seymour Brunson, aged forty years, ten months

and twenty-three days, died at Nauvoo. Colonel Brunson was among

the first settlers of this place. He has always been a lively stone

in the building of God and was much respected by his friends and

acquaintances. He died in the triumph of faith, and in his dying

moments bore testimony to the Gospel that he had embraced.

_Saturday, 15_.

_Letter of John C. Bennett to Messrs. Smith and Rigdon--Announcing

that he will soon be in Nauvoo_.

Wayne County Illinois, August 15, 1840.

_Reverends Joseph Smith, Jun., and Sidney Rigdon_.

Respected Friends:--I have written you several communications to

Commerce and Nauvoo, supposing they were different places, but a

brother to a lady in your community, now in this place, informs me

that they are one and the same.

I have received no reply to my letters, and attribute the delay

to a press of business or professional absence. I have come to

the conclusion to join your people immediately, and take up my

abode with you. Let us adopt as our motto--_Licut partribus sit

Deus nobius_--(as God was with our fathers, so may He be with

us), and adapt the means to the end, and the victory is ours. The

winged warrior of the air will not cease to be our proud emblem of

liberty, and the dogs of war will be forever chained.

I shall be with you in about two weeks, and shall devote my time

and energies to the advancement of the cause of truth and virtue,

and the advocacy of the holy religion which you have so nobly

defended, and so honorably sustained.

My love to all the brethren.

With sentiments of fraternal regard.

Yours respectfully,

J. C. Bennett.

Footnotes:

1. Formerly a town in Kent and Surrey, England, on the Thames, noted

for its dock yards, now part of London.

2. Lorenzo Snow was born April 30, 1814, in Mantua, Portage county,

Ohio. He was the eldest son of Oliver Snow and Rosetta L. Pettibone.

The early years of his life were spent upon his father's farm. Later

he entered Oberlin College, a Presbyterian institution, in the town

of Oberlin, in Lorain county, Ohio, about sixty miles southwest of

Kirtland. In June, 1836, he visited Kirtland and attended the Hebrew

classes, then being taught in the Temple. While in Kirtland he became

a convert to the faith of the Latter-day Saints and was baptized by

Elder John Boynton, one of the Twelve Apostles. The following year he

did some missionary work among his relatives and friends in Ohio, and

in 1836, with his parents, who in the meantime joined the Church, he

moved to Missouri, and shortly afterwards went upon a preaching mission

through the states of Kentucky and Illinois. A few days before starting

upon this mission mentioned in the text, namely, 17th of July, 1840, he

was ordained a seventy by President Joseph Young, and the day following

was made a High Priest under the hands of Don Carlos Smith. The

testimony which this man received of the truth of the Gospel is very

interesting, and seems to have remained with him throughout his long

life, in all the freshness of its first impression upon him. Having

received the usual promise of a testimony of the truth of the work if

he obeyed the Gospel, he sought that testimony most earnestly in prayer

with the following result as stated by himself:

"I had no sooner opened my lips in an effort to pray than I heard

a sound just above my head like the rushing of silken robes; and

immediately the Spirit of God descended upon me, completely enveloping

my whole person, filling me from the crown of my head to the soles of

my feet, and oh, the joyful happiness I felt! No language can describe

the almost instantaneous transition from a dense cloud of spiritual

darkness into a refulgence of light and knowledge, as it was at that

time imparted to my understanding. I received a perfect knowledge that

God lives, that Jesus Christ is the son of God, and of the restoration

of the Holy Priesthood, and the fullness of the Gospel. It was a

complete baptism--a tangible immersion in the heavenly principle or

element, the Holy Ghost; and even more physical in its effects upon

every part of my system than the immersion by water."

3. When the great offense of Elder William W. Phelps is taken into

account--amounting as it did to a betrayal of the Prophet and the

Church in Missouri, during the troubles of the Saints in that

state--this letter is remarkable. The Prophet's frank forgiveness of

his erring brother, gently chiding his wrong-doing, but at the same

time remembering in a large way that brother's former devotion and

labors; the Prophet's willingness to have the prodigal return and

occupy his former high standing among the Saints--all this exhibits a

broad-mindedness and generosity that can come only from a great soul,

influenced by the spirit of charity enjoined upon his disciples by the

teachings of the Son of God. One of the surest evidences of Joseph

Smith's greatness of mind and of the inspiration of God upon him is

to be seen in his treatment of those who had fallen but were willing

to and did repent of their sins. His capacity to forgive under these

circumstances seemed boundless.

4. The article which appeared first in a periodical, entitled "Memorial

Concerning God's Ancient People of Israel," and then in the _London

Times_, seems to have been written by a Christian Jew. It deals largely

with the promises of God to ancient Israel, especially as to their

return as a people to Palestine. The closing paragraph is an appeal to

the Protestant powers of the north of Europe and America to assist in

this restoration: "As the spirit of Cyrus, king of Persia, was stirred

up to build the Lord a temple, which was in Jerusalem (2 Chron.,

xxxvi:22, 23), who is there among you, high and mighty ones of all the

nations, to find the good pleasure of the holy will of the Lord of

heaven, saying to Jerusalem, 'Thou shalt be built,' and to the temple,

'Thy foundation shall be laid?' (Isa. xliv:28). The Lord God of Israel

be with such. Great grace, mercy and peace shall descend upon the

people who offer themselves willingly; and the free offerings of their

hearts and hands shall be those of a sweet smelling savor unto him who

hath said, 'I will bless thee (Gen. xii:3), and contend with him that

contendeth with thee.'" (Isa. xlix:25).

5. "This was a Dr. John C. Bennett, a man who seems to have been

without any moral character, but who had filled positions of

importance. Born in Massachusetts in 1804, he practiced as a physician

in Ohio, and later in Illinois, holding a professorship in Willoughby

University, Ohio, and taking with him to Illinois testimonials as to

his professional skill. In the latter state he showed a taste for

military affairs, and after being elected brigadier-general of the

Invincible Dragoons, he was appointed quartermaster-general of the

state in 1840, and held that position at the state capital when the

Mormons applied to the legislature for a charter for Nauvoo." ("The

Story of the Mormons," Linn, 1901).

6. Translation: In essentials, unity; in non-essentials, liberty; in

all things, charity.

7. Gently in the manner, firmly in the act.

8. Elder John Taylor was accompanied on this mission by Brothers

McGuffie and William Black. Elder Taylor had baptized Brother

McGuffie while laboring in Liverpool; and as the new convert had some

acquaintances in Newry, county Down, Ireland, he thought it advisable

to take him along. A large company of saints went with them to see

them off. The day after sailing, Elder Taylor and companions arrived

in Newry, a beautiful Irish village nestling among rolling hills,

characteristic of that part of Ireland. Brother McGuffie obtained the

court house to hold a meeting in, and sent around the bell-man to give

notice of it. A congregation of six or seven hundred gathered in at

seven o'clock in the evening, and Elder Taylor preached to them. This

was the introduction of the Gospel into Ireland.

9. "If we are suffered to remain" sounds somewhat prophetic and ominous.

{180}

Chapter X.

A Missouri Kidnapping--Continued Development of the Work in Great

Britain--The Death of Joseph Smith, Sen., First Patriarch of the Church.

[Sidenote: Settlement of a Difficulty.]

_Monday, 17_.--Met with the High Council of Nauvoo at my office, also

the High Council of Iowa. John Batten preferred many charges against

Elijah Fordham. After the testimony, and the councillors had spoken,

I addressed the Council at some length, showing the situation of the

contending parties, that there was in reality no cause of difference;

that they had better be reconciled without an action, or vote of the

Council, and henceforth live as brethren, and never more mention their

former difficulties. They settled accordingly.

_Tuesday, 18_.--Elders Kimball, Woodruff, and George A. Smith left

Cheltenham for London, one hundred and ten miles, where they arrived

in seven and a half hours, at William Allgood's, No. 19 King Street,

Borough, and were kindly received by Mrs. Allgood, who took them to the

King's Arms Inn.

Great distress is prevailing in Ireland; no work, and provisions very

scarce.

The truth is spreading rapidly in England and Scotland.

_Friday, 21_--Testimony of Benjamin Boyce:

_The Kidnapping of Benjamin Boyce, Mr. Brown, et al_.

I left my home in Nauvoo to go to Adams county, where I had lived

the summer before, for the purpose of meeting some debts. I fell in

company with a Mr. Brown, who stated to me that he was in search

of some horses that had strayed from him. We had not proceeded

far {181} together, before we were hailed by twelve armed men,

who demanded of us where we were going. I stated to them where I

was going, and likewise Mr. Brown stated his business. They then

asked if we were "Mormons;" we said we were; they then said that

we could go no further; they said they were sworn to kill all the

damned "Mormons" that they could find, and took us prisoners, tied

us with ropes, and took us to a boat, and four of the company (one

by the name of Martin, the others not known) took us to Missouri,

to a little town called Tully, where we were put under guard, and

kept till 11 o'clock in the evening, when three men came to us

with a long rope, and tied it round each of our necks. I asked

them what they were going to do with us; one said they were going

to take us to the river, kill us, and make catfish bait of us, his

name was Uno. They then led us to the woods, I should think about

three-quarters of a mile distant; they then parted us, took and

stripped me naked, and tied me fast to a tree; one of the company

cocked a pistol and placed it close to my ear, and swore, if I

attempted to get away, that he would blow out my brains. They

then commenced to whip me with large gads which they had for the

purpose, and literally mangled me from my shoulders to my knees.

There were in the company, as near as I could recollect, twelve

or fourteen: they were stripped of their hats and coats, with

their sleeves rolled up, and collars open, which made them look

like murderers and robbers. The names, as far as I can recollect,

Monday, Uno, and Martin; the others I do not recollect. After

keeping me tied in this condition I should think an hour and

a half, they then brought Mr. Brown to me, and after some

consultation, loosed me from the tree where I was tied, and led

us back to the town, put us in a room where I saw Noah Rogers and

James Allred. They then tied them about the neck, and led them out,

and in the course of the night, they brought them back to the room

where we were.

Brother Rogers said they stripped him, and whipped him very badly.

This was on the seventh of July. The next day Rogers and myself

were taken before a magistrate; nothing proven against us, only

that we were "Mormons:" and we were ordered to prison. Brown and

Allred, by some means, were liberated, but we (Rogers and myself)

were put in jail and put in irons until the 21st of August, when

through the kindness of God we made our escape and returned to

Nauvoo.

Benjamin Boyce.

_Sunday, 23_.--Ten persons who had been baptized were confirmed at

Carpenter's Hall, Manchester. [1]

{182} _Saturday, 29_--Elder Kimball writes: "The brethren are beginning

to excite attention in some of the public grounds in London." Out-door

preaching is common in England.

_Sunday, 30_.--Twenty were confirmed at the hall in Manchester. [2]

[Sidenote: The Beginning of Open Air Meetings.]

Elders Kimball, Woodruff, and George A. Smith, after having spent ten

days visiting the clergymen and preachers and others of the several

denominations, asking the privilege of preaching in their chapels,

and being continually refused by them in a contemptuous manner, they

determined to preach in the open air, Jonah-like; and accordingly went

to Smithfield Market [3] (to the spot where John Rogers [4] was burnt

at the stake), for the purpose of preaching at 10 a. m., {183} where

they were notified by the police, that the Lord Mayor had issued orders

prohibiting street preaching in the city. A Mr. Connor stepped up and

said, "I will show you a place outside of his jurisdiction," and guided

them to "Tabernacle Square," where they found an assembly of about 400

people listening to a preacher who was standing on a chair. When he got

through another preacher arose to speak. Elder Kimball stated to the

first clergyman, "There is a man present from America who would like

to preach;" which was granted; when Elder George A. Smith delivered

a discourse of about twenty minutes, on the first principles of the

Gospel, taking for his text, Mark xvi: 16; after which Elder Kimball

asked the preacher to give out another appointment at the same place

for the American Elder to preach; when he jumped up and said, "I have

just learned that the gentleman who has addressed you is a Latter-day

Saint; I know them--they are a very bad people; they have split up

many churches, and have done a great deal of hurt." He spoke all

manner of evil, and gave the Latter-day Saints a very bad character,

and commanded the people not to hear the Elders, "as we have got the

Gospel, and can save the people, without infidelity, socialism, or

Latter-day Saints."

Elder Kimball asked the privilege of standing on the chair to give out

an appointment himself. The preacher said, "You shall not do it; you

have no right to preach here;" jerked the chair away from him, and ran

away with it. Several of the crowd said, "You have as much right to

preach here as he has, and give out your appointment;" whereupon Elder

Kimball gave out an {184} appointment for 3 o'clock p. m.; at which

time a large congregation was gathered.

After opening the meeting by singing and prayer, Elder Woodruff spoke

about thirty minutes, from Gal. i: 8, 9, upon the first principles of

the Gospel. Elder Kimball followed upon the same subjects. The people

gave good attention, and seemed much interested in what they had heard.

The inhabitants who lived around the square opened their windows

to four stories high; the most of them were crowded with anxious

listeners, which is an uncommon occurrence. The meeting was dismissed

in the midst of good feeling.

Mr. Henry Connor invited the Elders to his house. Soon after they

arrived here, Elder Kimball felt impressed to return to the place of

preaching. When he got there he found a large company talking about the

things which they had heard in the afternoon, and they wished him to

speak to them again. He did so, when several persons invited him home

with them. While Elder Kimball was preaching, several persons came to

Brothers Woodruff and Smith to converse on doctrine, when Mr. Connor

offered himself for baptism.

_Monday, 31_.--Elder Kimball baptized Henry Connor, watchmaker, 52

Ironmonger's Row, London, in Peerless Pool, being the first baptized in

that place, and confirmed him the same evening.

[Sidenote: The Electric Telegraph.]

The electric telegraph is beginning to be used on the Great Western

Railroad in England, between Drayton and Paddington, by which

intelligence is communicated at the rate of two hundred thousand miles

per second.

_An Address by the First Presidency to the Church_.

_To the Saints Scattered Abroad_:

Beloved Brethren:--We address a few lines to the members of the

Church of Jesus Christ, who have obeyed from the heart that form of

doctrine which has been delivered to them by the servants of the

Lord, {185} and who are desirous to go forward in the ways of truth

and righteousness, and by obedience to the heavenly command, escape

the things which are coming on the earth, and secure to themselves

an inheritance among the sanctified in the world to come.

Having been placed in a very responsible station in the Church, we

at all times feel interested in the welfare of the Saints, and make

mention of them continually in our prayers to our heavenly Father,

that they may be kept from the evils which are in the world, and

ever be found walking in the path of truth.

The work of the Lord in these last days, is one of vast magnitude

and almost beyond the comprehension of mortals. Its glories are

past description, and its grandeur unsurpassable. It is the theme

which has animated the bosom of prophets and righteous men from the

creation of the world down through every succeeding generation to

the present time; and it is truly the dispensation of the fullness

of times, when all things which are in Christ Jesus, whether in

heaven or on the earth, shall be gathered together in Him, and

when all things shall be restored, as spoken of by all the holy

prophets since the world began; for in it will take place the

glorious fulfilment of the promises made to the fathers, while

the manifestations of the power of the Most High will be great,

glorious, and sublime.

The purposes of our God are great, His love unfathomable, His

wisdom infinite, and His power unlimited; therefore, the Saints

have cause to rejoice and be glad, knowing that "this God is our

God forever and ever, and He will be our Guide until death." Having

confidence in the power, wisdom, and love of God, the Saints have

been enabled to go forward through the most adverse circumstances,

and frequently, when to all human appearances, nothing but death

presented itself, and destruction inevitable, has the power of God

been manifest, His glory revealed, and deliverance effected; and

the Saints, like the children of Israel, who came out of the land

of Egypt, and through the Red Sea, have sung an anthem of praise

to his holy name. This has not only been the case in former days,

but in our days, and within a few months, have we seen this fully

verified.

Having through the kindness of our God been delivered from

destruction, and having secured a location upon which we have

again commenced operations for the good of His people, we feel

disposed to go forward and unite our energies for the upbuilding

of the Kingdom, and establishing the Priesthood in their fullness

and glory. The work which has to be accomplished in the last days

is one of vast importance, and will call into action the energy,

skill, talent, and ability of the Saints, so that it may roll forth

with that glory and majesty described by the prophet; and will

consequently require the {186} concentration of the Saints, to

accomplish works of such magnitude and grandeur.

The work of the gathering spoken of in the Scriptures will be

necessary to bring about the glories of the last dispensation. It

is probably unnecessary to press this subject on the Saints, as we

believe the spirit of it is manifest, and its necessity obvious to

every considerate mind; and everyone zealous for the promotion of

truth and righteousness, is equally so for the gathering of the

Saints.

Dear brethren, feeling desirous to carry out the purposes of God

to which work we have been called; and to be co-workers with

Him in this last dispensation; we feel the necessity of having

the hearty cooperation of the Saints throughout this land, and

upon the islands of the sea. It will be necessary for the Saints

to hearken to counsel and turn their attention to the Church,

the establishment of the Kingdom, and lay aside every selfish

principle, everything low and groveling; and stand forward in the

cause of truth, and assist to the utmost of their power, those to

whom has been given the pattern and design. Like those who held up

the hands of Moses, so let us hold up the hands of those who are

appointed to direct the affairs of the Kingdom, so that they may be

strengthened, and be enabled to prosecute their great designs, and

be instrumental in effecting the great work of the last days.

Believing the time has now come, when it is necessary to erect

a house of prayer, a house of order, a house for the worship of

our God, where the ordinances can be attended to agreeably to

His divine will, in this region of country--to accomplish which,

considerable exertion must be made, and means will be required--and

as the work must be hastened in righteousness, it behooves the

Saints to weigh the importance of these things, in their minds,

in all their bearings, and then take such steps as are necessary

to carry them into operation; and arming themselves with courage,

resolve to do all they can, and feel themselves as much interested

as though the whole labor depended on themselves alone. By so doing

they will emulate the glorious deeds of the fathers, and secure

the blessings of heaven upon themselves and their posterity to the

latest generation.

To those who feel thus interested, and can assist in this great

work, we say, let them come to this place; by so doing they will

not only assist in the rolling on of the Kingdom, but be in a

situation where they can have the advantages of instruction from

the Presidency and other authorities of the Church, and rise higher

and higher in the scale of intelligence until they can "comprehend

with all Saints what is the breadth and length, and depth and

height; and to know the love of Christ which passeth knowledge."

{187} Connected with the building up of the Kingdom, is the

printing and circulation of the Book of Mormon, Doctrine and

Covenants, hymnbook, and the new translation of the Scriptures. It

is unnecessary to say anything respecting these works; those who

have read them, and who have drunk of the stream of knowledge which

they convey, know how to appreciate them; and although fools may

have them in derision, yet they are calculated to make men wise

unto salvation, and sweep away the cobwebs of superstition of ages,

throw a light on the proceedings of Jehovah which have already

been accomplished, and mark out the future in all its dreadful and

glorious realities. Those who have tasted the benefit derived from

a study of these works, will undoubtedly vie with each other in

their zeal for sending them abroad throughout the world, that every

son of Adam may enjoy the same privileges, and rejoice in the same

truths.

Here, then, beloved brethren, is a work to engage in worthy of

archangels--a work which will cast into the shade the things which

have been heretofore accomplished; a work which kings and prophets

and righteous men in former ages have sought, expected, and

earnestly desired to see, but died without the sight; and well will

it be for those who shall aid in carrying into effect the mighty

operations of Jehovah.

By order of the First Presidency,

Robert B. Thompson, Scribe.

_Saturday, September 5_.--Elders Young and Richards went from

Manchester to Liverpool, and in the evening organized a company of

Saints bound for New York, by choosing Elder Theodore Turley to

preside, with six counselors.

_Minutes of the High Council Meeting, at the Office of Joseph

Smith, Jun., Nauvoo, September 5th, 1840_.

Joseph Smith, Jun., preferred charges against Elder Almon W.

Babbitt, predicated on the authority of two letters, one from

Thomas Burdick, the other from Oliver Granger and Levi Richards,

accusing Elder Babbitt as follows:

First. For stating that Joseph Smith, Jun., had extravagantly

purchased three suits of clothes while he was at Washington City,

and that Sidney Rigdon had purchased four suits while at the same

place besides dresses in profusion for their families.

Second. For having stated that Joseph Smith, Jun., Sidney Rigdon

and Elias Higbee had said that they were worth one hundred thousand

dollars each, while they were at Washington, and that Joseph Smith,

{188} Jun., had repeated the same statement while in Philadelphia,

and for saying that Oliver Granger had stated that he also was

worth as much as they (that is, one hundred thousand dollars).

Third. For holding secret councils in the Lord's House, in

Kirtland, and for locking the doors of the house, for the purpose

of prohibiting certain brethren in good standing in the Church,

from being in the Council, thereby depriving them of the use of the

house.

Two were appointed to speak on the case, namely, Thomas Grover,

Austin Cowles.

Council adjourned till the 6th September, at 2 o'clock, when

Council met according to adjournment, the evidences were all heard

on the case pending, and the councilors closed on both sides. The

parties spoke at length, after which, Joseph Smith withdrew the

charge, and both parties were reconciled to each other, things

being adjusted to their satisfaction.

_Sunday 6_.--Elder Young preached.

_Monday 7_.--This evening, Elders Kimball, Woodruff and George A.

Smith, preached in the south Temperance Hall, London.

On Monday night, Elders Brigham Young and Willard Richards, stayed on

board the _North America_ with the Saints, and on Tuesday morning,

about nine o'clock, the vessel went out with a steamer. The Elders

accompanied them fifteen or twenty miles, and left them in good

spirits. Elder Richards returned to Manchester the same evening and

Elder Young on the 10th.

[Sidenote: The Generosity of John Benbow.]

Elder John Benbow, who had previously furnished two hundred and

fifty pounds towards printing the hymn book, Book of Mormon, etc.,

relinquished all claim to said money, except such assistance as his

friends, who might wish to emigrate to America the next season, might

need, leaving the remainder to the disposal of Brigham Young, Willard

Richards, and Wilford Woodruff, who borrowed said moneys for the

benefit of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, forever,

also the avails of the Gadfield Elm Chapel, when sold.

_Wednesday, 9_.--There was a terrific storm on the North of Scotland.

{189} [Sidenote: Earthquake at Mount Ararat.]

_Friday, 11_.--There was a terrible earthquake at Mount Ararat, which

destroyed the town of Makitchevan, damaged all the buildings at Erivan,

and devastated the two districts of Sharour and Sourmate in Armenia.

A considerable mass was loosened from Mount Ararat and destroyed

everything in its way for nearly five miles. The village of Akhouli was

buried, with one thousand inhabitants.

_Sunday, 13_.--Elder Kimball baptized four in London.

[Sidenote: The Death of Joseph, Sen.]

_Monday, 14_.--My father, Joseph Smith, Sen., Patriarch of the whole

Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, died at Nauvoo.

_Biography of Joseph Smith, Sen., Presiding Patriarch of the

Church, by the Prophet Joseph, his Son_.

Joseph Smith, Sen., was born on the 12th day of July, 1771, in

Topsfield, Essex county, Massachusetts; he was the second of the

seven sons of Asahel and Mary Smith. Asahel was born in Topsfield,

March 7th, 1744. He was the youngest son of Samuel and Priscilla

Smith. Samuel was born January 26th, 1714, in Topsfield; he was

the eldest son of Samuel and Rebecca Smith. Samuel was born in

Topsfield, January 20, 1666, and was the son of Robert and Mary

Smith, who emigrated from Old England.

My father removed with his father to Tunbridge, Orange county,

Vermont, in 1791, and assisted in clearing a large farm of a heavy

growth of timber. He married Lucy, daughter of Solomon and Lydia

Mack on the 14th of January, 1796, by whom he had

Alvin Smith, born February 11th, 1798, died November 19th, 1824.

Hyrum, born February 9th, 1800.

Sophronia, born May 16th, 1803.

Joseph, born December 23rd, 1805.

Samuel Harrison, born March 13th, 1808.

Ephraim, born March 13th, 1810, died March 24th, 1810.

William, born March 13th, 1811.

Catherine, born July 28th, 1812.

Don Carlos, born March 25th, 1816.

Lucy, born July 18th, 1824.

At his marriage he owned a handsome farm in Tunbridge. In 1802,

{190} he rented it and engaged in mercantile business, and soon

after embarked in a venture of [raising] ginseng [5] to send

to China, and was swindled out of the entire proceeds by the

shipmaster and agent, he was consequently obliged to sell his farm

and all of his effects to pay his debts.

About the year 1816 he removed to Palmyra, Wayne county, New York,

bought a farm and cleared two hundred acres, which he lost in

consequence of not being able to pay the last installment of the

purchase money at the time it was due. This was the case with a

great number of farmers in New York, who had cleared land under

similar contracts. He afterwards moved to Manchester, Ontario

county, New York, procured a comfortable home with sixteen acres of

land, where he lived until he removed to Kirtland, Ohio.

He was the first person who received my testimony after I had seen

the angel, and exhorted me to be faithful and diligent to the

message I had received. [6] He was baptized April 6th, 1830.

In August, 1830, in company with my brother Don Carlos, he took a

mission to St. Lawrence county, New York, touching on his route at

several of the Canadian ports, where he distributed a few copies

of the Book of Mormon. He also visited his father, brothers and

sister residing in St. Lawrence county, bore testimony to the truth

which resulted eventually in all the family coming into the Church,

excepting his brother Jesse and sister Susan.

He removed with his family to Kirtland in 1831; was ordained

Patriarch and President of the High Priesthood [in Kirtland] [7]

under the hands of Oliver Cowdery, Sidney Rigdon, Frederick G.

Williams and myself, on the 18th of December, 1833; was a member of

the First High Council, organized on the 17th of February, 1834,

(when he conferred on me and my brother Samuel H., a father's

blessing).

{191} In 1836 he traveled in company with his brother John two

thousand four hundred miles in Ohio, New York, Pennsylvania,

Vermont, and New Hampshire, visiting the branches of the Church in

those states and bestowing patriarchal blessings on several hundred

persons, preaching the Gospel to all who would hear, and baptizing

many. They returned to Kirtland on the 2nd of October, 1836.

During the persecutions in Kirtland in 1837, he was made a

prisoner, but fortunately obtained his liberty, and after a very

tedious journey in the spring and summer of 1838, he arrived at Far

West, Missouri. After I and my brother Hyrum were thrown into the

Missouri jails by the mob, he fled from under the exterminating

order of Governor Lilburn W. Boggs, and made his escape in

midwinter to Quincy, Illinois, from whence he removed to Commerce

in the spring of 1839.

The exposures he suffered brought on consumption, of which he died

on this 14th day of September, 1840, aged sixty-nine years, two

months, and two days. He was six feet, two inches high, was very

straight, and remarkably well proportioned. His ordinary weight was

about two hundred pounds, and he was very strong and active. In

his younger days he was famed as a wrestler, and, Jacob like, he

never wrestled with but one man whom he could not throw. He was one

of the most benevolent of men; opening his house to all who were

destitute. While at Quincy, Illinois, he fed hundreds of the poor

Saints who were flying from the Missouri persecutions, although he

had arrived there penniless himself.

_Tuesday, 15_.--The funeral of Joseph Smith, Sen., took place this day,

when the following address was delivered by Elder Robert B. Thompson:

_The Discourse of Elder Thompson at the Funeral of Joseph Smith,

Sen_.

The occasion which has brought us together this day, is one of no

{192} ordinary importance: for not only has a single family to

mourn and sorrow on account of the death of the individual, whose

funeral obsequies we this day celebrate; but a whole society; yes,

thousands will this day have to say, _a Father in Israel is gone_.

The man whom we have been accustomed to look up to as a

_Patriarch_, a Father, and a Counselor is no more an inhabitant

of mortality: he has dropped his clay tenement, bid adieu to

terrestrial scenes, and his spirit now free and unencumbered, roams

and expatiates in that world where the spirits of just men made

perfect dwell, and where pain and sickness, tribulation and death

cannot come.

The friends we have lost prior to our late venerable and lamented

Father, were such as rendered life sweet, and in whose society we

took great pleasure, and who shed a lustre in the several walks

of life in which they moved, and to whom we feel endeared by

friendship's sacred ties. Their virtues and kindnesses will long be

remembered by the sorrowing widow, the disconsolate husband, the

weeping children, the almost distracted and heart-broken parent,

and by a large circle of acquaintances and friends. These, like

the stars in yonder firmament, shone in their several spheres, and

filled that station to which they had been called by the providence

of God, with honor to themselves and to the Church; and we feel to

mingle our tears with their surviving relatives.

But on this occasion we realize that we have suffered more than an

ordinary bereavement, and consequently we feel the more interested.

If ever there was a man who had claims on the affections of the

community, it was our beloved but now deceased Patriarch. If ever

there was an event calculated to raise the feelings of sorrow in

the human breast, and cause us to drop the sympathetic tear, it

certainly is the present; for truly we can say with the king of

Israel, "A prince and a great man has fallen in Israel." A man

endeared to us by every feeling calculated to entwine around and

adhere to the human heart, by almost indissoluble bonds. A man

faithful to his God and to the Church in every situation and under

all circumstances through which he was called to pass.

Whether in prosperity, surrounded by the comforts of life, a

smiling progeny, and all the enjoyments of a domestic circle; or

when called upon, like the Patriarchs of old, to leave the land

of his nativity, to journey in strange lands, and become subject

to all the trials and persecutions that have been heaped upon

the Saints with a liberal hand, by characters destitute of every

principle of morality or religion, alike regardless of the tender

offspring and the aged sire, whose silvery locks and furrowed

cheeks ought to have been a sufficient shield from their cruelty;

still, like the Apostle Paul he could exclaim, (and his life {193}

and conduct have fully borne out the sentiment) "None of these

things move me; neither count I my life dear, so that I may finish

my course with joy."

The principles of the Gospel were too well established in that

breast, and had got too sure a footing there, ever to be torn down,

or prostrated by the fierce winds of persecution, the blasts of

poverty, or the swollen waves of distress and tribulation. No;

thank God, his house was built upon a _rock_--consequently it stood

amid the contending elements, firm and unshaken.

The life of our departed father has indeed been an eventful one,

having to take a conspicuous part in the great work of the last

days; being designated by the ancient prophets who once dwelt on

this continent, as the father of him whom the Lord had promised

to raise up in the last days, to lead His people Israel; and by

a uniform consistent, and a virtuous course, for a long series

of years, he has proved himself worthy of such a son, and such a

family by whom he had the happiness of being surrounded in his

dying moments; most of whom had the satisfaction of receiving his

dying benediction.

He was already in the wane of life, when the light of truth broke

in upon the world, and with pleasure he hailed its benign and

enlightening rays, and was chosen by the Almighty to be one of the

witnesses to the Book of Mormon. From that time, his only aim was

the promotion of truth--his soul was taken up with the things of

the Kingdom; his bowels yearned over the children of men; and it

was more than his meat and his drink to do the will of his Father,

who is in heaven.

By unceasing industry of himself and family, he had secured a

home in the state of New York, where he no doubt expected, with

every honest industrious citizen, to enjoy the blessings of peace

and liberty. But when the principles of truth were introduced and

the Gospel of Jesus Christ was promulgated by himself and family,

friends forsook, enemies raged, and persecution was resorted to by

wicked and ungodly men, insomuch that he was obliged to flee from

that place, and seek a home in a more hospitable land.

In Ohio he met with many kind and generous friends, and was kindly

welcomed by the Saints; many of whom continue to this day, and can

call to mind the various scenes which there transpired; many of

which were of such a nature as not to be easily obliterated.

While the House of the Lord was building he took great interest in

its erection, and daily watched its progress, and had the pleasure

of taking a part at the opening, and seeing it crowded by hundreds

of pious worshipers. As the King of Israel longed for and desired

to see the completion of the House of the Lord, so did he; and

with him he could exclaim, "O Lord, I love the habitation of thine

house, and the {194} place where thine honor dwelleth." To dwell

in the house of the Lord, and to inquire in his temple, was his

daily delight; and in it he enjoyed many blessings, and spent many

hours in sweet communion with his heavenly Father. He has trod its

sacred aisles, solitary and alone from mankind, long before the

king of day has gilded the eastern horizon; and he has uttered his

aspirations within its walls, when nature has been asleep. In its

holy enclosures have the visions of heaven been opened to his mind,

and his soul has feasted on the riches of eternity; and there under

his teachings have the meek and humble been instructed, while the

widow and the orphan have received his patriarchal blessings.

There he saw the work spreading far and wide; saw the Elders of

Israel go forth under his blessing--bore them up by the prayer of

faith, and hailed them welcome when they again returned bringing

their sheaves with them. There with his aged partner, he spent many

happy days in the bosom of his family, whom he loved with all the

tenderness of parental affection.

Here I might enlarge, and expatiate on the "scenes of joy and

scenes of gladness" which were enjoyed by our beloved Patriarch,

but I shall pass on to an event which was truly painful and trying.

The delightful scene soon vanished; the calm was soon succeeded by

a storm and the frail bark was driven by the tempest and foaming

ocean, for many who had once been proud to acknowledge him a

father and a friend, and who sought counsel at his hands, joined

with the enemies of truth, and sought his destruction; and would

have rejoiced to see his aged and venerable form immured in a

dungeon; but, thank God, this they were not suffered to do; he

providentially made his escape, and after evading his enemies for

some time, he undertook and accomplished a journey of a thousand

miles, and bore up under the fatigue and suffering necessarily

attendant on such a journey with patient resignation. After a

journey of several weeks, he arrived in safety at Far West, in the

bosom of the Church, and was cordially welcomed by the Saints, who

had found an asylum in the rich and fertile county of Caldwell.

There he, in common with the rest of the Saints, hoped to enjoy the

privileges and blessings of peace. There, from the fertile soil and

flowery meads, which well repaid the labor of the husbandman, and

poured forth abundance for the support of the numerous herds which

decked those lovely and wide-spread prairies, he hoped to enjoy

uninterrupted, the comforts of domestic life.

But he had not long indulged these pleasing anticipations before

the delightful prospect again vanished: the cup of blessing which

he began again to enjoy, was dashed from his aged lips; and the cup

of sorrow filled to overflowing, was given him instead; and surely

he drank it to the {195} very dregs; for not only did he see the

Saints in bondage, treated with cruelty, and some of them murdered;

but the kind and affectionate parent saw--and ah! how painful

was the sight--two of his sons to whom he looked for protection,

torn away from their domestic circles, from their weeping and

distracted families, by monsters in the shape of men, who swore and

threatened to kill them, and who had every disposition to imbrue

their hands in their blood. This circumstance was too much for

his agitated and now sinking frame to bear up under; and although

his confidence in his God was great, and his conduct was that of

a Christian and a Saint, yet he felt like a man and a parent. At

that time his constitution received a shock from which it never

recovered. Ah! yes there were feelings agitated in the bosom of

our deceased friend at that time of no ordinary kind; feelings of

painful anxiety, and emotion too great for his earthly tabernacle

to contain without suffering a great and a sensible injury; and

which from that time began to manifest itself.

It would be unnecessary to trace him and his aged partner (who

shared in all his sorrows and afflictions) from such a scene, as

many of the Saints are knowing to the privations and sufferings

which they, in common with the Church, endured while moving from

that land of oppression; suffice it to say, he arrived in safety in

Illinois, broken down in constitution and in health, and since then

he has labored under severe afflictions and pain, while disease has

been slowly but surely undermining his system.

Whenever he had a short respite from pain, he felt a pleasure in

attending to his patriarchal duties, and with cheerfullness he

performed them; and frequently his labors have been more than his

strength would admit of; but having great zeal for the cause of

truth, he felt willing to be spent in the service of his God.

For some time past he has been confined to his bed, and the time of

is departure was near at hand. On Saturday evening last, a rupture

of a blood vessel took place, when he vomited a large quantity

of blood. His family were summoned to his bedside, it being now

evident that he could not long survive.

On Sunday he called his children and grandchildren around him,

and like the ancient patriarchs gave them his final benediction.

Although his strength was far gone, and he was obliged to rest at

intervals, yet his mind was clear, perfectly collected, and calm

as the gentle zephyrs. The love of God was in his heart, the peace

of God rested upon him, and his soul was full of compassion and

blessing.

All the circumstances connected with his death, were calculated

to lead the mind back to the time when an Abraham, an Isaac and a

Jacob bid adieu to mortality, and entered into rest.

{196} His death, like theirs, was sweet, and it certainly was

a privilege indeed to witness such a scene; and I was forcibly

reminded of the sentiment of the poet:

The chamber where the good man meets his fate,

Is privileged beyond the common walk of virtuous life.

There were no reflections of a misspent life--no fearful

forebodings of a gloomy nature in relation to the future; the

realities of eternity were dawning, the shades of time were

lowering; but there was nothing to terrify, to alarm or disturb

his mind; no, the principles of the Gospel, which, "bring life and

immortality to light," nobly triumphed in nature's final hour.

These principles so long taught and cherished by our lamented

friend, were honorably maintained to the last; which is not only a

consolation to the immediate relatives, but to the Church at large.

The instructions imparted by him will long be remembered by his

numerous progeny, who will undoubtedly profit by the same, and

strive to render themselves worthy of such a sire; and the whole

Church will copy his examples, walk in his footsteps, and emulate

his faith and virtuous actions, and commend themselves to his God

and to their God.

Notwithstanding his enemies frequently "shot at him, yet his bow

abode in strength, and the arms of his hands were made strong

by the hands of the mighty God of Jacob," and his courage and

resolution never forsook him.

His anxiety for the spread of truth was great, and he lived to see

great and important things accomplished. He saw the commencement

of the work, small as a mustard seed, and with attention and deep

interest he watched its progress; and he had the satisfaction of

beholding thousands on this Continent, rejoicing in its truth, and

heard the glorious tidings, that other lands were becoming heirs to

the richest blessings.

Under these circumstances, he could exclaim, like pious Simeon of

old, "Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, for mine

eyes have seen thy salvation."

Although his spirit has taken its flight and his remains will

soon mingle with their mother earth, yet his memory will long be

cherished by all who had the pleasure of his acquaintance, and will

be fresh and blooming when those of his enemies shall be blotted

out from under heaven.

May we, beloved friends, who survive our venerable Patriarch, study

to prosecute those things which were so dear to his aged heart,

and pray that a double portion of his spirit may be bestowed on

us, {197} that we may be the humble instruments in aiding the

consummation of the great work which he saw so happily begun;

that when we have to stand before the bar of Christ, we may with

our departed friend hear the welcome plaudit, "Come up hither, ye

blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the

foundation of the world." Amen.

Footnotes:

1. The entry of the text is the only one made in the Prophet's

manuscript history for the 23rd of August, but "Uncle" John

Smith, brother of the Prophet's father, and formerly president of

Adam-ondi-Ahman stake of Zion, in Missouri, makes the following entry

in his journal:

"Attended meeting at Nashville. Joseph and Hyrum Smith present and a

large assembly of saints, who voted to commence building a city at

Nashville and a place of worship." Nashville, by the way, was situated

in Lee county, Iowa, on the Mississippi river, at the head of the Des

Moines Rapids, about three miles southeast of Montrose, eight miles

north of Keokuk. The Church had purchased twenty thousand acres of land

in this vicinity and surveyed out of it a townsite on which a number of

saints located.

2. Again from the journal of "Uncle" John Smith we learn that on the

30th day of August, the Prophet Joseph was in Nashville and preached on

"Eternal Judgment and the Eternal Duration of Matter."

3. Smithfield is noted for other historical incidents than being the

scene of John Rogers' martyrdom. It is an open space of nearly six

acres in London, England. It was formerly used as a market place, but

is now partially laid out in gardens. It was the scene of Bartholomew

Fair; William Wallace was executed there; it was the place of the

meeting of Wat Tyler and King Richard II, in 1380, when the former

was stabbed by the Mayor of London, and then dispatched by the King's

attendants. It was the scene of many martyrdoms.

4. John Rogers suffered martyrdom by being burnt at the stake in

Smithfield, on the 4th of February, 1555. He was the first victim

of what is known in history as the "Marian Persecution;" and which

conferred on England's Catholic queen the title of "Bloody Mary."

Archbishop Gardiner, however, is usually credited with being the prime

instigator of that persecution, though he died before it reached its

height, and not before he had shown symptoms of relenting. Cardinal

Pole though "naturally humane and gentle," shares the guilt of

sanctioning it; "but the chief agent was Bonner, bishop of London,

in whose diocese the majority of all the executions took place. * *

* * The total number of men, women and children who were burnt--for

even children were thrown into the flames and some at the very moment

of their birth"--is computed as follows: 1555, from February--72;

1556--94; 1557--79; 1558, from February to September--(when the

persecution closed), 39; making a total of 284. It was during this

persecution that Ridley and Latimer suffered. On the way to the

execution the latter, it is said, "with a keen quaintness which

adorns his sermons," uttered the words which fortunately became

prophetic--addressing himself to his companion--"Be of good comfort,

Master Ridley; play the man; we shall this day light such a candle, by

God's grace, in England, as I trust shall never be put out." (History

of England, by William Smith, p. 156).

5. Ginseng is a plant, the roots of which are highly esteemed as

medicine, being quite generally regarded as possessing the most

extraordinary virtues, and as a remedy for almost all diseases,

but particularly for exhaustion of body or mind. In China ginseng

is sometimes sold for its weight in gold. It was once introduced

in Europe, but was soon forgotten. It is a native plant of Chinese

Tartary, and grows from one to two feet in height. Its leaves are five

fingered and almost smooth. It is doubted by many botanists if this

species is really distinct from _phanx quinquefolium_, a common North

American plant, doubtless the species referred to in the text, the root

of which is now an article of export from North America to China, and

is used to some extent as a domestic medicine in the states west of

the Alleghanies, but which European and American medical practitioners

generally regard as almost worthless.

6. From that time on the Prophet of the Dispensation of the Fullness of

Times had no truer or more constant or faithful friend than his father.

7. This term, "High Priesthood," is often used in these annals--as it

is above--for High Priest. The intent of the above statement is to

say that "Father Smith,"--for so he was affectionately called by the

Saints--was ordained Patriarch and the President of the High Priests

in Kirtland. That he was not made President of the High Priesthood is

evident from the fact that the Prophet Joseph himself at that time was

President of the High Priesthood of the Church, a position to which

he was ordained at a Conference of High Priests in Amherst, Loraine

county, Ohio, in 1832 (see Church History, Vol. I, p. 243 and note.)

The Presidency of the High Priesthood carries with it the office of

President of the Church: "And again, the duty of the President of the

office of the High Priesthood is to preside over the whole Church, and

to be like unto Moses. Behold, here is wisdom, yea, to be a seer, a

revelator, a translator, and a Prophet, having all the gifts of God

which He bestows upon the head of the Church." (Doc. and Cov. sec. 107,

verses 91-9.)

{198}

Chapter XI.

Threatening Portents in the Actions of Missouri--General Conferences in

Nauvoo and England--The Doctrine of Priesthood.

_Tuesday, September 15, 1840_.

"The governor of Missouri, after a silence of about two years, has

at last made a demand on Governor Carlin of Illinois, for Joseph

Smith, Jun., Sidney Rigdon, Lyman Wight, Parley P. Pratt, Caleb

Baldwin, and Alanson Brown, as fugitives from justice.

"The demand it seems has been complied with by Governor Carlin,

and an order issued for their apprehension; accordingly our place

has recently received a visit from the sheriff for these men;

but through the tender mercies of a kind Providence, who by His

power has sustained, and once delivered them from the hands of the

blood-thirsty and savage race of beings in the shape of men that

tread Missouri's delightful soil; they were not to be found--as

the Lord would have it, they were gone from home, and the sheriff

returned, of course without them.

"These men do not feel disposed to again try the solemn realities

of mob law in that state; and a free and enlightened republic

should respond against it, for Missouri has no claim on them, but

they have claim on Missouri.

"What right have they to demand of Governor Carlin, as fugitives

from justice, men against whom no process had ever been found in

that state--no, not so much as the form of a process? They were

taken by a mob militia, and dragged from everything that was dear

and sacred, and tried (without their knowledge) by a court martial,

condemned to be shot, but this failing, they were forced into

confinement, galled with chains, deprived of the comforts of life,

and even that which was necessary to save life, then brought to a

pretended trial, without even having a legal process served, and

then deprived of the privilege of defense. They were taken by a

mob, tried, condemned and imprisoned by the same, and this Missouri

cannot deny.

"What a beautiful picture Governor Boggs has presented to the

{199} world, after driving twelve or fifteen thousand inhabitants

from their homes, forcing them to leave the state under the pain

of extermination, and confiscating their property, and murdering

innocent men, women and children; then, because that a few made

their escape from his murdering hand, and have found protection in

a land of equal rights, so that his plans and designs have all been

unfruitful, to that extent that he has caused 'Mormonism' to spread

with double vigor; he now has the presumption to demand them back,

in order that his thirst for innocent blood may yet be satiated.

"He has no business with them; they have not escaped from justice,

but from the hands of a cursed, infuriated, inhuman set, or race

of beings who are enemies to their country, to their God, to

themselves, and to every principle of righteousness and humanity.

They loathe Christianity, and despise the people of God; they war

against truth, and inherit lies; virtue they tread under their

feet; while vice (with her ten thousand offspring) is their welcome

associate; therefore, men on whom Missouri has no claim, she

cannot, no, she never shall have." [1]

_Sunday, 20_.--Elder Willard Richards went to Preston, held a

conference, ordained five Elders, eleven Priests, eight Teachers, one

Deacon, and returned to Manchester same day.

_Letter of Samuel Bent and George W. Harris to the

Presidency--Reporting Labors_.

Cincinnati, Sept. 23, 1840.

_To the First Presidency and High Council of the Church of Jesus

Christ of Latter-day Saints_:

We gladly embrace this opportunity of conveying a few lines to

you by Ebenezer Robinson, who we expect will leave this place for

Nauvoo in a few days.

Brother George W. Harris and myself have visited the several

branches of the Church in Adams county, Pike county, Jacksonville,

and Springfield. On our way we stopped at Terre Haute, and Pleasant

Garden, Indiana. We found the brethren generally very willing and

anxious to do all in their power to assist the Church in the great

and glorious cause that we have engaged in respecting the printing

of the several books in contemplation, but I am sorry to say I

found them destitute of the means to relieve our present necessity.

However, we have succeeded in obtaining several notes of hand from

{200} different brethren in the state of Illinois, to the amount of

about eighty-three dollars, which will come due on the first day of

October next, and we have handed them over to Ebenezer Robinson,

to be delivered to Joseph Smith, Jun., for collection. We expect

Brother Robinson will arrive with them at the time they become due.

We have obtained some money, which we have paid over to Brother

Ebenezer Robinson. We have also given our obligations as agents for

the Church, to Shepherd and Stearns to the amount of three hundred

dollars, two hundred of which becomes due on the twenty-sixth day

of November next, and the other one hundred on the twenty sixth day

of December next, being the amount due Shepherd and Stearns for the

stereotype plates.

We have taken up the bond that Brother Brown gave for the wagon

or carriage which he let Joseph Smith, Jun., have, and we have

succeeded in procuring a horse and harness to put alongside of

the other horse to make it easier for him. We got said horse and

harness by contributions from the brethren at Dayton and West

Milton, Ohio.

Brother Ebenezer Robinson (we think) has been very economical,

diligent, and persevering, and successful in the business whereupon

he was sent. He has gained the confidence of the gentlemen with

whom he has been transacting business in the city, and has done

honor to the cause of Christ and His Church of Latter-day Saints.

We can further say to you brethren, we think the course he has

taken, and our united exertions with him, have established the

credit of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in this

place (I mean as to business transactions), to that extent that we

can obtain any amount of paper, type, and other materials requisite

to carry on the printing business to a large extent, and upon terms

that will warrant our success.

We therefore shall go on with renewed courage and zeal, trusting

in the Lord to prepare the way before us, and we feel to ask your

prayers that God may peradventure expand the minds of the Saints

abroad, that they may be able to comprehend the magnitude of the

work we so much desire to accomplish, which in all probability will

induce them to donate with alacrity.

Brother John E. Page is preaching with the manifestations of the

Spirit and power in this place, and with considerable success.

We think when Brother Page leaves the city of Cincinnati, the

inhabitants thereof will be left without excuse for not receiving

the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and his garments clear from their blood

in the day of judgment.

Accept our love and best wishes.

Yours in the bonds of the New and Everlasting Covenant,

Samuel Bent,

George W. Harris.

{201} _Letter of John E. Page to the Presidency--Reporting Progress

of Palestine Mission_.

Cincinnati, September 23, 1840.

_To the President and Council of the Church of Jesus Christ of

Latter-day Saints, and also to all the Saints Assembled in General

Conference_:

Your humble servant embraces with pleasure this opportunity to

pen for your edification a few lines. I congratulate you upon

the steady march and advancement of the cause of Christ, as [it]

has fallen under my observation. Elder Hyde and myself have been

treated with respect, and had the greatest attention paid us by

the brethren and sisters; and by gentlemen and ladies of the first

class in society, we have been made welcome very heartily to their

dwellings and comforts of life. When we separate from them they

grip our hands with tears standing full in their eyes, bidding

farewell, and often leave something noble with us to help us on

our mission; and a firm promise that they will duly reflect on the

great things which we have told them. They ardently request us to

send them some competent Elder to preach to them.

Yes, dear brethren, the cause of truth is marching onward with

unparalleled rapidity, and victory! Victory! will soon be the shout

of all the faithful in Christ; and thank the Lord, thank the Lord,

is the language of unworthy me, that I have lived to see 1840, with

all its attendant evidences of the truth of the Book of Mormon, and

the Book of Doctrine and Covenants.

I must save a place in this communication to make some remarks

concerning Brother Ebenezer Robinson. I can say, in truth and

soberness, that he merits the esteem and confidence of the Saints

and all good men for his diligence and economy while getting

the Book of Mormon stereotyped, &c., here. The honest and frank

course he has pursued towards the gentlemen with whom he has

been concerned in business (viz., Messrs. Shepherd, Stearns, and

others), has won their everlasting respect and esteem, judging from

their own manifestations to me.

Dear brethren and sisters, your humble servants, Orson Hyde and

myself, sincerely solicit your special prayers, sealed with a

hearty amen.

Elder Hyde is truly a humble servant of the Lord, and a very

agreeable companion in the ministry. Our hearts are one, our faith

is one, and the strongholds of Satan quake before us. We desire

to have grace to perform our mission, that we may return to our

families and brethren with triumph and joy.

I anticipate that Elder Hyde is in New York City. I am waiting to

obtain a few copies of the third edition of the Book of Mormon. To

{202} raise means is hard, yet we trust in the Lord. I shall go to

Philadelphia as soon as possible.

I have baptized thirteen in this city; many are believing, and some

halting between two opinions; and have baptized in all since I

started, eighty-four.

I have had a vision from the Lord, which manifested the present

state of the world respecting the Jews, Jerusalem, the remnant

of Israel, and also the Gentile world. As hasty summer fruit, so

is this nation; as a vineyard of grapes fully ripe, ready to be

gathered for the press, so are all the nations of the earth.

I want the conference to send some faithful and competent Elder to

this place, to nurse the seed or word that has been sown here, and

shall leave this matter with Ebenezer Robinson to lay before the

conference.

Elders Bent and Harris are here, and are using all their energies,

both of mind and body, to fill their calling. I deem them amply

qualified to discharge the function of their office, provided they

keep humble.

Dear brethren, remember me to my family, and pray for them;

remember me to Sister Hyde, and also all of the wives of the Elders

in particular, whose husbands are in the field. Tell them to pray

for us. I hope the authorities of the Church will see that they are

provided with food and raiment, that they may enjoy life with you.

Yours in the bonds of the Covenant,

John E. Page.

_Monday, 28_.

_Extracts from Orson Hyde's Letter--Signs in the Heavens_.

Burlington County, New Jersey.

I left Elder Page at Cincinnati the latter part of August, and came

on up the Ohio river as far as Wellsburgh, Virginia. I stopped with

Father James. Here I preached twice, and baptized three persons;

came on by stage and steamboats to Pittsburg; from thence took the

canal to Leechburgh, where I stopped and preached to a small number

of Saints, raised up by the instrumentality of Father Nickerson--in

good spirits.

As I left this place about nine o'clock in the morning, the

most remarkable phenomenon occurred in the heavens that I ever

witnessed. There appeared two bright and luminous bodies, one on

the north and the other on the south of the sun; in length about

ten yards, inclining to a circle resembling a rainbow, about fifty

yards distant from the sun; apparently east about twenty-five

yards, was a body of light as brilliant almost as the sun itself;

and on the west, a great distance from the sun, {203} appeared a

white semi-circle passing half way round the horizon, and another

crossing it at right angles, exhibiting a scene of the sublimest

kind. It was a great wonder to the passengers on board the boat.

Put this with the fact that the Jews are gathering home, and that

all Europe is in commotion and on the eve of breaking out in open

hostilities; and also that the tree of liberty, which has long

flourished in the republican soil of America, has been girdled,

and her green foliage, which has shielded and protected the sons

of oppression from the scorching rays of despotic power, already

begins to wither like the accursed fig tree--and what language do

these speak to the Saints! "Lift up your heads, for your redemption

draweth near!" * * * * * *

I came on, and met with the Saints in Chester county, Pennsylvania,

laboring there about one week with Brother Barnes, where we added

six to their number. I preached about one week in Philadelphia,

and baptized twelve; came on to this place with Brothers Snow

and Barnes, and held a two-days' meeting, at which sixteen were

baptized. I shall return to Philadelphia in a few days, where I

expect to meet Brother Page, and then, if the Lord will, after

holding a few meetings in this country, we shall proceed on to New

York, there to take ship and sail over the seas.

Orson Hyde.

On the night of the 28th, Elder Heber C. Kimball had the following

dream, as related by himself:

_Elder Heber C. Kimball's Dream_.

Having great anxiety for the welfare of the small branch which

we had raised in London, I retired to rest and had the following

dream. I thought that we dug a well on high ground in order to

obtain water, and after digging some considerable time, we came to

an excellent spring; we then commenced to back it up, but before it

was finished, we had occasion to leave for a short time and when

we returned to complete it, we found it carefully filled up with

sand, and all attempts to remove it proved unavailing, we thought

it better to choose another spot on lower ground, where we were

successful. When we returned to London, we experienced a perfect

fulfillment of my dream--having to open a new preaching place at

Barrett's Academy, King Square, Goswell Road, our former place

being closed against us.

_Tuesday, 29_.--Elders Heber C. Kimball and George A. Smith left London

for the Manchester conference.

_Saturday, October 3_.

{204} _Minutes of the General Conference of the Church of Jesus

Christ of Latter-day Saints, held in Nauvoo, Hancock County,

Illinois, Beginning October 3, 1840_.

The conference was opened with prayer by President William Marks.

President Joseph Smith was then unanimously called to the chair,

and Robert B. Thompson appointed clerk.

A letter from Elders Bent and Harris, and one from Elder John E.

Page were then read by the clerk, which gave very satisfactory

accounts of their mission.

On motion, Resolved: That a committee be appointed to ordain such

as have recommends to this conference for ordination, and that

Jonathan H. Hale, Elisha H. Groves, Charles C. Rich, John Murdock,

and Simeon Carter, compose said committee, and report their

proceedings before the conference closes.

The President arose and stated that there had been several

depredations committed on the citizens of Nauvoo, and thought

it expedient that a committee be appointed to search out the

offenders, and bring them to justice.

Whereupon it was Resolved: That Joseph Smith, Elias Higbee, William

Marks, Vinson Knight, William Law, Charles C. Rich, and Dimick B.

Huntington, compose said committee.

On motion, Resolved: That Robert B. Thompson be appointed the

General Church Clerk, in the room of George W. Robinson, who

intends to remove to Iowa.

It having been requested by Elder Page, that the conference would

appoint an Elder to take charge of the church which he and Elder

Hyde had raised up in Cincinnati, on motion, Resolved: That Elder

Samuel Bennett be appointed to preside there.

The president then arose and stated that it was necessary that

something should be done with regard to Kirtland, so that it might

be built up; and gave it as his opinion, that the brethren from

the east might gather there, and also that it was necessary that

some one should be appointed from this conference to preside over

that stake. On motion, Resolved: That Elder Almon W. Babbitt be

appointed to preside over the Church in Kirtland, and that he

choose his own counselors.

Conference adjourned for one hour.

One o'clock p. m. Conference met pursuant to adjournment. An

opportunity was given to the brethren who had any remarks to make

on suitable locations for stakes of Zion. Elder H. W. Miller stated

that it was the desire of a number of the brethren residing in

Adams county, to have a stake appointed at Mount Ephrain in that

county, and stated the advantages of the place for agricultural

purposes.

{205} On motion, Resolved: That a stake be appointed at Mount

Ephraim, in Adams county.

There being several applications for the appointment of stakes,

it was Resolved: That a committee be appointed to organize stakes

between this place and Kirtland, and that Hyrum Smith, Lyman Wight,

and Almon W. Babbitt, compose said committee.

The President then spoke of the necessity of building a "House of

the Lord" in this place. Whereupon it was Resolved: That the Saints

build a house for the worship of God, and that Reynolds Cahoon,

Elias Higbee, and Alpheus Cutler be appointed a committee to build

the same.

On motion, Resolved: That a commencement be made ten days from this

date, and that every tenth day be appropriated for the building of

the house.

President Hyrum Smith arose and stated that there were several

individuals who, on moving to this place, had not settled with

their creditors, and had no recommend from the branches of the

churches where they had resided. On motion, Resolved: That those

persons moving to this place, who do not bring a recommend, be

disfellowshiped.

John C. Bennett, M. D., then spoke at some length, on the

oppression to which the Church had been subjected, and remarked

that it was necessary for the brethren to stand by each other, and

resist every unlawful attempt at persecution.

Elder Lyman Wight then addressed the meeting. Adjourned till

tomorrow morning.

_Sunday morning, October 4_.

Conference met pursuant to adjournment, and was opened with prayer

by Elder Almon W. Babbitt.

The clerk was then called upon to read the report of the Presidency

in relation to the city plat, after which the President made some

observations on the status of the debts on the city plat, which

will appear at the close of these conference minutes, and advised

that a committee be appointed to raise funds to liquidated the

same. On motion, Resolved: That William Marks and Hyrum Smith

compose said committee.

On motion, Resolved: That a committee be appointed to draft a bill

for the incorporation of the town of Nauvoo, and other purposes.

_Resolved_: That Joseph Smith, John C. Bennett, and Robert B.

Thompson be said committee.

_Resolved_: That John C. Bennett be appointed delegate, to urge the

passage of said bill through the legislature.

President Hyrum Smith then rose and gave some general instructions

to the Church. Conference adjourned for one hour.

{206} One o'clock p. m. Conference met pursuant to adjournment, and

was opened with prayer by Elder John P. Greene.

President Joseph Smith then rose and delivered a discourse on

the subject of baptism for the dead, which was listened to with

considerable interest, by the vast multitude assembled.

Dr. John C. Bennett from the committee to draft a charter for the

city, and for other purposes, reported the outlines thereof. On

motion, Resolved: That the same be adopted.

Elder Ebenezer Robinson then rose and gave an account of the

printing of another edition of the Book of Mormon, and stated that

it was now nearly completed, and that arrangements had been made

for the printing of the hymn-book, Book of Doctrine and Covenants,

&c.

Conference adjourned to Monday morning.

_Monday morning, October 5_.

Conference met pursuant to adjournment, and was opened with prayer

by Elder Lyman Wight.

Elder Robert B. Thompson, after a few preliminary remarks, read

an article on the Priesthood, composed by President Joseph Smith,

which will appear at the close of the conference minutes; after

which Elder Babbitt delivered an excellent discourse on the same

subject, at considerable length.

Conference adjourned for one hour. During the intermission a large

number was baptized.

Two o'clock p. m. Conference met pursuant to adjournment. Elder

Lyman Wight addressed the congregation on the subject of baptism

for the dead, and other subjects of interest to the Church.

The President then made some observations and pronounced his

benediction on the assembly.

Dr. John C. Bennett said that many persons had been accused of

crime, and been looked upon as guilty, when on investigation it

has been ascertained that nothing could be proved against them.

Whereupon, on motion, it was Resolved: That no person be considered

guilty of crime, unless proved so by the testimony of two or three

witnesses.

He next brought before the conference the treatment the Saints had

experienced in Missouri, and wished to know whether the conference

would take any further steps in relation to obtaining redress.

On motion, resolved: That Elias Higbee and Robert B. Thompson be

appointed a committee to obtain redress for the wrongs sustained in

Missouri.

The committee on ordinations reported that they had ordained

thirty-nine to the ministry.

{207} On motion, Resolved: That this conference be dismissed, and

that the next conference be held on the 6th day of April next.

Joseph Smith, President.

Robert B. Thompson, Clerk.

The following is the article on Priesthood referred to in the

conference minutes:

Priesthood.

In order to investigated the subject of the Priesthood, so

important to this, as well as every succeeding generation, I shall

proceed to trace the subject as far as I possibly can from the Old

and New Testaments.

There are two Priesthoods spoken of in the Scriptures, viz., the

Melchisedek and the Aaronic or Levitical. Although there are two

Priesthoods, yet the Melchisedek Priesthood comprehends the Aaronic

or Levitical Priesthood, and is the grand head, and holds the

highest authority which pertains to the Priesthood, and the keys of

the Kingdom of God in all ages of the world to the latest posterity

on the earth, and is the channel through which all knowledge,

doctrine, the plan of salvation, and every important matter is

revealed from heaven.

Its institution was prior to "the foundation of this earth, or

the morning stars sang together, or the Sons of God shouted for

joy," and is the highest and holiest Priesthood, and is after the

order of the Son of God, and all other Priesthoods are only parts,

ramifications, powers and blessings belonging to the same, and are

held, controlled, and directed by it. It is the channel through

which the Almighty commenced revealing His glory at the beginning

of the creation of this earth, and through which He has continued

to reveal Himself to the children of men to the present time, and

through which He will make known His purposes to the end of time.

Commencing with Adam, who was the first man, who is spoken of in

Daniel as being the "Ancient of Days," or in other words, the

first and oldest of all, the great, grand progenitor of whom it

is said in another place he is Michael, because he was the first

and father of all, not only by progeny, but the first to hold the

spiritual blessings, to whom was made known the plan of ordinances

for the salvation of his posterity unto the end, and to whom Christ

was first revealed, and through whom Christ has been revealed

from heaven, and will continue to be revealed from henceforth.

Adam holds the keys of the dispensation of the fullness of times;

i. e., the dispensation of all the times have been and will be

revealed through him from the beginning to Christ, and from Christ

to the end of all the dispensations that are to be {208} revealed.

"Having made known unto us the mystery of His will, according to

His good pleasure which He hath purposed in Himself: that in the

dispensation of the fullness of times He might gather together in

one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are

on earth; even in him." (Ephesians, 1st chap., 9th and 10 verses).

Now the purpose in Himself in the winding up scene of the last

dispensation is that all things pertaining to that dispensation

should be conducted precisely in accordance with the preceding

dispensations.

And again, God purposed in Himself that there should not be an

eternal fullness until every dispensation should be fulfilled and

gathered together in one, and that all things whatsoever, that

should be gathered together in one in those dispensations unto

the same fullness and eternal glory, should be in Christ Jesus;

therefore He set the ordinances to be the same forever and ever,

and set Adam to watch over them, to reveal them from heaven to man,

or to send angels to reveal them. "Are they not all ministering

spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of

salvation?" (Hebrews, i, 14).

These angels are under the direction of Michael or Adam, who acts

under the direction of the Lord. From the above quotation we learn

that Paul perfectly understood the purposes of God in relation

to His connection with man, and that glorious and perfect order

which He established in Himself, whereby he sent forth power,

revelations, and glory.

God will not acknowledge that which He has not called, ordained,

and chosen. In the beginning God called Adam by His own voice. "And

the Lord called unto Adam and said unto him, Where art thou? And

he said, I heard thy voice in the garden, and I was afraid because

I was naked, and hid myself." (See Genesis 3rd chap., 9, 10.) Adam

received commandments and instructions from God: this was the order

from the beginning.

That he received revelations, commandments and ordinances at the

beginning is beyond the power of controversy; else how did they

begin to offer sacrifices to God in an acceptable manner? And if

they offered sacrifices they must be authorized by ordination.

We read in (Genesis, 4th chap., 4th), that Abel brought of the

firstlings of the flock and the fat thereof, and the Lord had

respect to Abel and to his offering. And, again, "By faith Abel

offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which

he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his

gifts; and by it he being dead, yet speaketh." (Hebrews xi:4).

How doth he yet speak? Why he magnified the Priesthood which was

conferred upon him, and died a righteous man, and therefore has

become an angel of God by receiving his body from the dead, holding

still the keys of his dispensation; and was sent down from heaven

unto {209} Paul to minister consoling words, and to commit unto him

a knowledge of the mysteries of godliness.

And if this was not the case, I would ask, how did Paul know so

much about Abel, and why should he talk about his speaking after he

was dead? Hence, that he spoke after he was dead must be by being

sent down out of heaven to administer.

This, then, is the nature of the Priesthood; every man holding the

Presidency of his dispensation, and one man holding the Presidency

of them all, even Adam: and Adam receiving his Presidency and

authority from the Lord, but cannot receive a fullness until Christ

shall present the Kingdom to the Father, which shall be at the end

of the last dispensation.

The power, glory and blessings of the Priesthood could not continue

with those who received ordination only as their righteousness

continued; for Cain also being authorized to offer sacrifice, but

not offering it in righteousness, was cursed. It signifies, then,

that the ordinances must be kept in the very way God has appointed;

otherwise their Priesthood will prove a cursing instead of a

blessing.

If Cain had fulfilled the law of righteousness as did Enoch, he

could have walked with God all the days of his life, and never

failed of a blessing. "And Enoch walked with God after he begat

Methuselah 300 years, and begat sons and daughters, and all the

days of Enoch were 365 years; and Enoch walked with God, and he was

not, for God took him." (Gen. 5th chap., 22nd ver.) Now this Enoch

God reserved unto Himself, that he should not die at that time,

and appointed unto him a ministry unto terrestrial bodies, of whom

there has been but little revealed. He is reserved also unto the

Presidency of a dispensation, and more shall be said of him and

terrestrial bodies in another treatise. He is a ministering angel,

to minister to those who shall be heirs of salvation and appeared

unto Jude as Abel did unto Paul; therefore Jude spoke of him (14,

15 verses). And Enoch, the seventh from Adam, revealed these

sayings: "Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousand of His Saints."

Paul was also acquainted with this character, and received

instructions from him. "By faith Enoch was translated, that he

should not see death, and was not found, because God had translated

him; for before his translation he had this testimony, that he

pleased God; but without faith, it is impossible to please Him, for

he that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that he is a

revealer to those who diligently seek him." (Heb. 11, 5).

Now the doctrine of translation is a power which belongs to this

Priesthood. There are many things which belong to the powers of the

Priesthood and the keys thereof, that have been kept hid from {210}

before the foundation of the world; they are hid from the wise and

prudent to be revealed in the last times.

Many have supposed that the doctrine of translation was a doctrine

whereby men were taken immediately into the presence of God, and

into an eternal fullness, but this is a mistaken idea. Their

place of habitation is that of the terrestrial order, and a place

prepared for such characters He held in reserve to be ministering

angels unto many planets, and who as yet have not entered into

so great a fullness as those who are resurrected from the dead.

"Others were tortured, not accepting deliverance, that they might

obtain a better resurrection." (See Heb. 11th chap., part of the

35th verse.)

Now it was evident that there was a better resurrection, or else

God would not have revealed it unto Paul. Wherein then, can it be

said a better resurrection. This distinction is made between the

doctrine of the actual resurrection and translation: translation

obtains deliverance from the tortures and sufferings of the body,

but their existence will prolong as to the labors and toils of the

ministry, before they can enter into so great a rest and glory.

On the other hand, those who were tortured, not accepting

deliverance, received an immediate rest from their labors. "And I

heard a voice from heaven, saying, Blessed are the dead who die

in the Lord, for from henceforth they do rest from their labors

and their works do follow them." (See Revelation, 14th chap., 13th

verse).

They rest from their labors for a long time, and yet their work is

held in reserve for them, that they are permitted to do the same

work, after they receive a resurrection for their bodies. But we

shall leave this subject and the subject of the terrestrial bodies

for another time, in order to treat upon them more fully.

The next great, grand Patriarch [after Enoch] who held the keys

of the Priesthood was Lamech. "And Lamech lived one hundred and

eighty-two years and begat a son, and he called his name Noah,

saying, this same shall comfort us concerning our work and the toil

of our hands because of the ground which the Lord has cursed." (See

Gen. 5th chap., 28th and 29th verses.) The Priesthood continued

from Lamech to Noah: "And God said unto Noah, The end of all flesh

is before me, for the earth is filled with violence through them,

and behold I will destroy them with the earth." (Gen. 6: 13.)

Thus we behold the keys of this Priesthood consisted in obtaining

the voice of Jehovah that He talked with him [Noah] in a familiar

and friendly manner, that He continued to him the keys, the

covenants, the power and the glory, with which he blessed Adam at

the beginning; and the offering of sacrifice, which also shall

be continued at the last time; for all the ordinances and duties

that ever have been required by {211} the Priesthood, under

the directions and commandments of the Almighty in any of the

dispensations, shall all be had in the last dispensation, therefore

all things had under the authority of the Priesthood at any former

period, shall be had again, bringing to pass the restoration spoken

of by the mouth of all the Holy Prophets; then shall the sons of

Levi offer an acceptable offering to the Lord. "And he shall sit as

a refiner and purifier of silver: and he shall purify the sons of

Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto

the Lord." (See Malachi 3:3).

It will be necessary here to make a few observations on the

doctrine set forth in the above quotation, and it is generally

supposed that sacrifice was entirely done away when the Great

Sacrifice [_i. e_., the sacrifice of the Lord Jesus] was offered

up, and that there will be no necessity for the ordinance of

sacrifice in future; but those who assert this are certainly

not acquainted with the duties, privileges and authority of the

priesthood, or with the Prophets.

The offering of sacrifice has ever been connected and forms a part

of the duties of the Priesthood. It began with the Priesthood, and

will be continued until after the coming of Christ, from generation

to generation. We frequently have mention made of the offering of

sacrifice by the servants of the Most High in ancient days, prior

to the law of Moses; which ordinances will be continued when the

Priesthood is restored with all its authority, power and blessings.

Elijah was the last Prophet that held the keys of the Priesthood,

and who will, before the last dispensation, restore the authority

and deliver the keys of the Priesthood, in order that all the

ordinances may be attended to in righteousness. It is true that

the Savior had authority and power to bestow this blessing; but

the sons of Levi were too prejudiced. "And I will send Elijah the

Prophet before the great and terrible day of the Lord," etc., etc.

Why send Elijah? Because he holds the keys of the authority to

administer in all the ordinances of the Priesthood; and without the

authority is given, the ordinances could not be administered in

righteousness.

It is a very prevalent opinion that the sacrifices which were

offered were entirely consumed. This was not the case; if you read

Leviticus, second chap., second and third verses, you will observe

that the priests took a part as a memorial and offered it up before

the Lord, while the remainder was kept for the maintenance of the

priests; so that the offerings and sacrifices are not all consumed

upon the altar--but the blood is sprinkled, and the fat and certain

other portions are consumed.

These sacrifices, as well as every ordinance belonging to the

Priesthood, will, when the Temple of the Lord shall be built, and

the sons of Levi be purified, be fully restored and attended to in

all their powers, ramifications, and blessings. This ever did and

ever will exist when the {212} powers of the Melchisedic Priesthood

are sufficiently manifest; else how can the restitution of all

things spoken of by the holy Prophets be brought to pass? It is not

to be understood that the law of Moses will be established again

with all its rites and variety of ceremonies; this has never been

spoken of by the Prophets; but those things which existed prior to

Moses' day, namely, sacrifice, will be continued.

It may be asked by some, what necessity for sacrifice, since the

Great Sacrifice was offered? In answer to which, if repentance,

baptism, and faith existed prior to the days of Christ, what

necessity for them since that time? The Priesthood has descended

in a regular line from father to son, through their succeeding

generations. (See Book of Doctrine and Covenants). [2]

Report Of The Presidency. [3]

The First Presidency of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day

Saints would respectfully report--

That they feel rejoiced to meet the Saints at another General

Conference, and under circumstances as favorable as the present.

Since our settlement in Illinois we have for the most part been

treated with courtesy and respect, and a feeling of kindness and

of sympathy has generally been manifested by all classes of the

community, who, with us, deprecate the conduct of those men whose

dark and blackening deeds are stamped with everlasting infamy and

disgrace. The contrast between our past and present situation is

great. Two years ago mobs were threatening, plundering, driving

and murdering the Saints. Our burning houses lighted up the canopy

of heaven. Our women and children, houseless and destitute, had

to wander from place to place to seek a shelter from the rage of

persecuting foes. Now we enjoy peace, and can worship the God of

heaven and earth without molestation, and expect to be able to go

forward and accomplish the great and glorious work to which we have

been called.

Under these circumstances we feel to congratulate the Saints

of the Most High, on the happy and pleasing change in their

circumstances, condition and prospects, and which those who shared

in the perils and distress, undoubtedly appreciate; while prayers

and thanksgivings daily ascend to that God who looked upon our

distresses and delivered us from danger and death, and whose hand

is over us for good.

From the unpropitious nature of the weather, we hardly expected to

behold so many of our friends on this occasion; in this, however,

we are agreeably disappointed, which gives us strong assurance that

the Saints are as zealous, untiring, and energetic as ever, in the

great work of the last days; and gives us joy and consolation, and

greatly {213} encourages us, while contending with the difficulties

which necessarily lie in our way. Let the brethren ever manifest

such a spirit, and hold up our hands, and we must, we will go

forward; the work of the Lord shall roll forth, the Temple of the

Lord be reared, the Elders of Israel be encouraged, Zion be built

up, and become the praise, the joy, and the glory of the whole

earth, and the song of praise, glory, honor, and majesty to Him

that sitteth upon the throne, and to the Lamb for ever and ever,

shall reverberate from hill to hill, from mountain to mountain,

from island to island, and from continent to continent, and the

kingdoms of this world become the kingdom of our God and His Christ.

We are glad indeed to know that there is such a spirit of union

existing throughout the churches, at home and abroad, on this

continent, as well as on the islands of the sea; for by this

principle, and by a concentration of action, shall we be able to

carry into effect the purposes of our God.

From the Elders abroad we receive the most cheering accounts.

Wherever the faithful laborer has gone forth weeping, sowing the

seed of truth, he has returned with joy, bringing his sheaves with

him; and the information we receive from all quarters is that the

laborers are few and that the harvest is great. Many wealthy and

influential people have embraced the Gospel, so that not only

will the poor rejoice in that they are exalted, but the rich in

that they are made low. The calls to the Southern States are

indeed great; many places which a short time ago would think it

a disgrace to give shelter to a "Mormon," on account of the many

misrepresentations which were abroad, now desire to hear an Elder

of the Church of the Latter-day Saints.

On the islands of the sea, namely, Great Britain, there continues

to be a steady flow of souls into the Church. Branches have been

organized in many large and populous cities, and the whole land

appears to be thirsting for the pure streams of knowledge and

salvation.

The Twelve have already printed a new edition of the hymn-book, and

they issue a monthly periodical in that land. Several families have

already arrived here from England, and a number more are on their

way to this place, and are expected this fall.

If the work rolls forth with the same rapidity it has heretofore

done, we may soon expect to see flocking to this place, people

from every land and from every nation; the polished European, the

degraded Hottentot, and the shivering Laplander; persons of all

languages, and of every tongue, and of every color; who shall with

us worship the Lord of Hosts in His holy temple and offer up their

orisons in His sanctuary.

It was in consideration of these things, and that a home might be

provided for the Saints, that induced us to purchase the present

city for a place of gathering for the Saints, and the extensive

tract of land on {214} the opposite side of the Mississippi.

Although the purchase at the time, and under the peculiar

circumstances of the Church, appeared to many to be large and

uncalled for; yet from what we now see, it is apparent to all that

we shall soon have to say, "This place is too straight, give us

room that we may dwell." We therefore hope that the brethren who

feel interested in the cause of truth, and desire to see the work

of the gathering of Israel roll forth with power, will aid us in

liquidating the debts which are now owing, so that the inheritances

may be secured to the Church, and which eventually will be of great

value.

The good spirit which is manifested on this occasion, the desire to

do good, and the zeal for the honor of the Church, inspires us with

confidence that we shall not appeal in vain, but that funds will be

forthcoming on this occasion, sufficient to meet the necessities of

the case.

It is with great pleasure that we have to inform the Church that

another edition of the Book of Mormon has been printed, and

which is expected on from Cincinnati in a short time; and that

arrangements are making for printing the Book of Doctrine and

Covenants, hymn-book, &c.; so that the demand which may exist for

these works will soon be supplied.

In conclusion we would say, brethren and sisters, be faithful, be

diligent, contend earnestly for the faith once delivered to the

Saints; let every man, woman and child realize the importance of

the work, and act as if success depended on his individual exertion

alone; let all feel an interest in it, and then consider they live

in a day, the contemplation of which animated the bosoms of kings,

Prophets, and righteous men thousands of years ago--the prospect

of which inspired their sweetest notes, and most exalted lays, and

caused them to break out in such rapturous strains as are recorded

in the Scriptures; and by and by we will have to exclaim, in the

language of inspiration--

The Lord has brought again Zion,

The Lord hath redeemed His people Israel.

_Tuesday, October 6_.

_Minutes of a General Conference in England_.

Minutes of a general conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of

Latter-day Saints, held at Carpenter's Hall, Manchester, Tuesday,

the 6th day of October, 1840, it being the first day of the seventh

month of the eleventh year of the Church; when the following

officers of the Traveling High Council were present, viz.: Elders

Brigham Young, Heber C. Kimball, Orson Pratt, Willard Richards,

Wilford Woodruff, and George A. Smith; other officers: High Priests

5, Elders 19, Priests 28, Teachers 4, and Deacons 2.

The meeting being called to order at 10 o'clock by Elder Brigham

Young, {215} it was moved by Elder Young, seconded by Elder Woodruff,

that Elder Orson Pratt be president off the conference, which was

carried unanimously. Elder George Walker was chosen clerk.

After singing, and prayer by the president, the following

statistical report was read:

Conferences and Branches. Members. Elders. Priests. Teachers. Deacons.

Preston Conference (including all the branches in the care of 665 18 23 11 2

Elders Melling and Withnall) as represented by Elder Melling

Potteries were represented by Elder Alfred Cordon 248 9 32 9 9

Birmingham Branch, represented by Elder Alfred Cordon 4

West Bromwich, represented by Elder Alfred Cordon 21 3 1

Clitheroe Conference, represented by Thomas Smith 295 10 11 9 3

Herefordshire, &c., represented by Thoedore Curtis 1007 19 78 15 1

Glasgow, and regions round about, represented by Samuel Mulliner 492 8 7 5 3

Hilsboro Branch, Ireland, represented by Theodore Curtis 5

Isle of Man Branch, represented by Hiram Clark 6

Liverpool Conference, represented by Priest William Mitchell 100 3 4 2 1

London Branch, represented by Elder Heber C. Kimball 11 2

Macclesfield, represented by Priest I. Brown 71 6 2 2

Altrincham Conference, (including Middlewich, Nortwich, and 82 1 3 3 3

Peover,) represented by Elder William Berry

Bedford Branch, represented by Elder Brigham Young 36 1 1

Stockport, represented by Elder Martin Littlewood 140 2 5 2 1

Bolton, represented by Priest Barroes 61 2 1

Duckinfield, represented by Elder Albiston 76 1 3 1

Edinburg Conference, represented by Orson Pratt 43 2

Pendlebury Branch, represented by Henry Royle 36 2

Eccles, represented by Brother E. Leather 13 3

Whitefield, represented by Elder Walker Johnson 39 1 2 3

Ratcliffe, represented by John Allen 16 1 2

Brampton, represented by Thomas Tweddle 40 1 1 1

Alston, represented by John Sanders 39 2 1 2

Newcastle-upon-Tyne, represented by Amos Fielding 6 2 1

Manchester, represented by Brigham Young 364 4 27 6 1

Ancrum, represented by Orson Pratt 9

The president brought before the conference the subject of

ordinations, and after various observations thereon, it was

proposed by Elder George A. Smith, that for the future, ordinations

be not attended to, except by the Traveling High Council or under

such restrictions as they may adopt in reference thereto. Elder

Young spoke on the subject of conferences, and also with respect

of restricting ordination; and after taking into consideration the

great expense attendant upon holding general conferences, and the

inconvenience experienced by members attending them, suggested,

that for the future, general conferences should in a great measure

be done away with, or restricted to the Traveling High Council to

hold conferences at such places and times as they may think proper.

{216} The meeting adjourned at 12 o'clock.

At 2 o'clock the meeting opened with prayer, after which Elder

Kimball spoke on the subject of Elders taking upon themselves the

responsibility of ordaining officers in this Church; after pointing

out the evils that might result therefrom, he proceeded to treat

upon the duty of members towards those who preside over them in

the Lord, and respecting the members administering to the temporal

necessities of those whose calling it is to labor amongst them in

spiritual things.

Moved by Elder Willard Richards, seconded by Elder Thomas Smith,

and carried unanimously, that all ordinations be confined to or

under the regulations of the Traveling High Council.

Elder Young called the attention of the conference to the case of

Emma Bolton, a sister from the Potteries, who had conducted herself

disorderly. Elder Johnson and others spoke of several cases of

improper conduct on her part; after which it was moved by Elder

Young, seconded by Elder Kimball, and carried unanimously, that

Emma Bolton be cut off from the Church.

The president [of the conference, Elder Orson Pratt], then called

the attention of the conference to a letter from Isaac Brown and

other officers of the Church at Macclesfield, concerning Elder

Heath, and also to some half a dozen charges preferred by the said

Isaac Brown, James Galley, Edward Horrocks, and John Horrocks,

against the said Samuel Heath, for several items of misconduct, and

neglecting the duties of his office; to all of which charges Elder

Heath pleaded not guilty. The complainants then entered into proof

of the several items, to which Elder Heath replied by stating that

the charges against him were in consequence of a misunderstanding,

&c. The proceedings opened a wide field for instruction from Elder

Young, followed by the president, who recommended the parties

to become reconciled to each other, stating that he did not

consider the charges preferred against Elder Heath sufficiently

substantiated to withdraw fellowship from him; when it was moved

and seconded, that no further proceeding be taken on this subject;

carried unanimously.

The conference then adjourned till 7 o'clock. p. m.

At 7 o'clock the meeting was opened with prayer.

The president having made such preliminary remarks as the

importance of the subject called forth, proceeded to call upon

those who were willing to volunteer their services to labor in the

vineyard of the Lord, when the officers gave their names as follows:

High Priests--Hiram Clark, Thomas Smith, Alfred Cordon, Thomas

Kington, Orson Pratt, Brigham Young, Heber C. Kimball, Willard

Richards, Wilford Woodruff, George A. Smith.

Elders--George D. Watt, John Parkinson, David Moss, Martin {217}

Littlewood, William Parr, Samuel Heath, John Sanders, Theodore

Curtis, Henry Royle, Thomas Tweddle, John Leigh, Amos Fielding,

Thomas Richardson.

Priests--William Snailam, William Speakman, John Needham, James

Mahon, Frederick Cook, Robert Crooks, William Mitchell, William

Black, Robert Williams, William Jones, Thomas Pollitt, Richard

Steele, John Burns, Joseph Knowles, Richard Benson, John Wyche,

William Roylance, Joseph Street, Joseph White.

Moved, seconded, and carried, that Elder George D. Watt go to

Edinburgh; Elder Alfred Cordon to Birmingham, and also take charge

of the Staffordshire Potteries Conference, and that John Burns,

Priest, go with him.

Elder Thomas Kington to take charge of the Herefordshire

Conferences as heretofore, also Garway; and William Snailam and

Joseph Knowles, Priests, to accompany him.

Robert Crooks, Priest, to go to Bolton; Thomas Richardson, Elder,

and John Needham, Priest, to go to Herefordshire; Elder Hiram Clark

to go to the Isle of Man; Elder Thomas Tweddle to Glasgow; Elder

John Sanders to labor at Alston, and go to Carlisle as soon as

practicable.

Elder Amos Fielding to go to Newcastle-upon-Tyne; Elder John

Parkinson to Greenock; Elder Henry Royle and Frederick Cook,

Priest, to Cly in Flintshire; William Mitchell, Priest, to Leeds;

Elder Thomas Smith to remain at Clitheroe; Elder John Leigh, and

James Mahon, Priest, to go to Arden, Cheshire, and Joseph White

and Richard Steele, Priests, to labor under the direction of Elder

Cordon.

Elder John Smith to be ordained High Priest, to take charge of

the church in Manchester and the regions round about: Elder Peter

Melling to take charge of the church as heretofore, in connection

with Elder H. Withnall; and John Wyche, Priest, to go into

Staffordshire, and labor under the direction of Alfred Cordon.

Moved and seconded, that the remainder of the officers who have

volunteered, be left to the Traveling High Council to dispose of,

and appoint to such places as they may judge expedient; carried.

Moved and seconded, that in consequence of there not being time to

transact all the business of this conference, the ordination of

officers be left to the Traveling High Council to ordain from time

to time such members as they may consider requisite; carried.

Elder Young then addressed the meeting on the propriety of

establishing a fund for the support and clothing of such members

as may from time to time be called out to labor in the vineyard,

and whose circumstances may require that their necessities may be

administered unto. The president then addressed the meeting on

the same subject, {218} and pointed out the difference between

preaching for money and the Elders having their necessities

ministered unto, while they are called to labor "without taking

thought for the morrow." Elder Richards followed upon the same

subject; also Elder Kimball; after which Elder Young moved, that

wherever a branch of the Church is established, two members be

appointed to receive the weekly voluntary contributions of the

members, for promoting the spread of the Gospel, and the same to be

disposed of by the vote of the church in council with the Twelve

Apostles; seconded by Elder George A. Smith, and carried.

The minutes were then read and accepted, and the conference

adjourned _sine die_.

Orson Pratt, President,

George Walker, Secretary.

_Thursday, 8_.

_Minutes of Council of the Twelve in England_.

Minutes of a Council of the Twelve, viz., Brigham Young, Heber

C. Kimball, Orson Pratt, Wilford Woodruff, George A. Smith, and

Willard Richards; also Hiram Clark, and Reuben Hedlock, High

Priests, at the house of Willard Richards, No. 1, Chapman Street,

Manchester; Brigham Young presiding.

Moved by Elder Kimball, that Elder Willard Richards take charge

of the _Millennial Star_, seconded and carried. Voted that our

publishing office be removed to London as soon as circumstances

will permit; and that Elders Hedlock and Curtis go where they

please to labor.

Willard Richards, Clerk.

Footnotes:

1. The foregoing is an editorial in the _Times and Seasons_ for

September, 1840.

2. A discourse on the same subject to the Twelve will be found in vol.

iii, p. 385, _et seq_.

3. This is the report referred to in the conference minutes.

{219}

CHAPTER XII.

Progress of the Work in Great Britain--The Saints at Kirtland Reproved

for Their Course During the Missouri Persecutions--The Prophet's

Address to the Twelve and Saints in Great Britain.

_Saturday, October 10_.--Elder George A. Smith returned to London, and

was soon followed by Elder Woodruff.

[Sidenote: Charges against Oliver Walker.]

David Fulmer preferred a charge against Oliver Walker "for reporting

certain slanderous stories of a fallacious and calumniating nature,

calculated to stigmatize, and raise a persecution against the Church

and individuals in it, in this place, [Nauvoo], and for other acts

of unchristianlike conduct," before the High Council at Nauvoo. The

defendant pleaded that "he was not prepared to meet the charge, it

being too indefinite." Council adjourned till next day.

_Sunday, 11_.--High Council met according to adjournment. The charge

against Oliver Walker was taken up, and the following substituted for

the first charge:

_Minutes of the High Council_.

_To the High Council of the Church of Jesus Christ at Nauvoo_:

For and in behalf of said Church, I prefer a charge against Elder

Oliver Walker, for several different offenses hereinafter set

forth, as said to be by him done, performed, said, and committed,

as well as various duties omitted, all of which was done at

different times, periods, places, and seasons, subsequent to

September 1st, A. D. 1838, to-wit.:

For a general course of procedure, of acts, doings, and words,

and suggestions by him, the said Elder Oliver Walker, done,

performed, said, spoken, hinted at, and suggested, both directly

and indirectly, and {220} as calculated to be derogatory to the

character of the heads and leaders of the Church, and extremely

injurious and hurtful to the upbuilding, welfare, being, and

advancement of the same, namely, for fleeing from, quitting, and

deserting the society, ranks, and needs of his brethren, in times

of difficulty with, and danger from their enemies, "the mob;"

restraining from the use of his brethren, his influence, efforts,

and needful assistance, at such times of need; as also for joining

with, and strengthening the hands, will, evil pursuits, and designs

of the mob, and Gentile enemies of the Church, by expressions,

hints, and suggestions of wavering and dubious nature, respecting

the faith and order of the Church, and of the professed calling,

qualifications, proceedings, &c., of Joseph Smith, Jun., as a Seer,

Prophet, and one called to bring to light the fullness of the

Gospel, &c., in these last days.

Likewise for advancing ideas, notions, or opinions, that the

different orders or sects, namely, Methodists and others, could by

a pursuit in their faith, order, and pursuits, as readily obtain

every celestial attainment and Gospel advantage, as they could by

embracing and pursuing the system brought forth by Joseph Smith,

Jun., in these last days.

And moreover for suggesting within the last six months, at Alton,

Nauvoo, intermediate and adjacent places, that in the Church at

Nauvoo there did exist a set of pilferers, who were actually

thieving, robbing, plundering, taking and unlawfully carrying away

from Missouri, certain goods and chattels, wares and property;

and that the act and acts of such supposed thieving, &c., was

fostered and conducted by the knowledge and approbation of the

heads and leaders of the Church, viz., by the Presidency and High

Council; all of which items set forth as aforesaid, together with

any and all corroborating acts, doings, hints, expressions, and

suggestions in any way belonging to, or connected with, any or all

of the aforesaid accusations, he, the said Oliver Walker, is hereby

notified to prepare to defend in said trial.

Dated October 11, 1840, Nauvoo.

David Fulmer.

Walker pleaded that he was not prepared to defend himself, and the

trial was deferred at his request till April conference.

_Letter of Heber C. Kimball et al. to Messrs. Ebenezer Robinson and

Don Carlos Smith--Reporting Affairs in the British Mission_.

Manchester, England, October 12, 1840.

_Messrs. Ebenezer Robinson, and Don Carlos Smith_:

Dear Brethren:--We left Manchester immediately after the July {221}

conference, for the purpose of visiting the city of London. We

visited the churches which lay on our route through Staffordshire,

Herefordshire, Worcestershire, and Gloucestershire; and we had many

interesting meetings, baptizing and confirming daily, as we passed

along. We baptized forty in one day; many new doors were opening,

and all things indicated a short work in England.

The last meeting we held among the Saints while on this journey,

was in a field in Leigh, Gloucestershire, on the 16th of August.

We had an interesting time; we baptized fifteen, and ordained one

Elder and two Priests. Two Methodist priests came twelve miles to

hear; we baptized them after the first sermon, and confirmed and

ordained them at the same time, and sent them to preach the Gospel.

We parted with the Saints there on the 17th, went to Cheltenham,

(five miles), and spent the night. There were several Saints in

that place.

On the 18th we took coach and rode forty miles, through a level

farming country, something like Illinois prairie; we passed through

Oxfordshire, leaving the Oxford University a little upon our left.

This university consists of twenty colleges endowed, and five

halls not endowed; and is considered the largest and most noted

university in the world. We then took the railroad and traveled

seventy miles, had a splendid view of Windsor Castle as we passed

along. We landed at the London terminus of the Great Western

Railway at 4 o'clock in the evening. From thence we took coach and

rode a few miles into the city; we walked over London Bridge, and

called upon Mr. Allgood, 19 King Street, Borough. Mrs. Allgood is

sister to Elder Theodore Turley's wife; she treated us kindly, gave

us such refreshments as we needed, and directed us to lodgings in

the neighborhood, where we spent the night.