After which we immediately commenced our researches through this

great metropolis, for the honest in heart and the meek of the

earth. We first commenced by visiting the ministers and preachers

of the various orders, and requested the privilege of delivering

our message unto the people in their churches and chapels; but of

course you will not be astonished when we inform you that they

denied us this privilege, and rejected our testimony.

We went to and fro through the city of London, from day to day,

endeavoring to get some door open whereby we could warn the

people and search out the honest in heart; when on diligent

search we found the whole city given to covetousness, (which is

idolatry), priestcraft, tradition, superstition, and all manner

of abominations, wickedness and uncleanness; and all doors closed

against us.

We did not hesitate to stand in the midst of the streets, and,

Jonah like, cry repentance unto the inhabitants of that mighty

city--the {222} metropolis of England--the pride and glory of

Britain--the boast of the Gentiles, and the largest commercial city

in the world--containing over one million five hundred thousand

souls, who are ripening in iniquity and preparing for the wrath of

God; and like the ox going to the slaughter, know not the day of

their visitation.

We shall long remember standing together in the midst of that

people, and bearing a message which will prove a savor of life unto

life, or of death unto death, not only unto them, but unto all

those unto whom the sound of the everlasting Gospel shall come;

even unto the whole world; and the judgment of the great day shall

manifest the truth of it unto all nations. And it will ever sweeten

the memory of that eventful period of our lives, to know that our

labors, on that occasion, were not in vain; but we were enabled

through toil, labor, diligent search, perseverance, and the great

mercy of God, to find some of the blood of Ephraim--a few honest

souls who were willing to receive and obey the Gospel; and that we

were enabled to lay the foundation of a work in the city of London,

which will not be removed until the city is warned, so that they

will be left without excuse; and the Saints gathered out to stand

in holy places, while judgment works. Until that time, the seed

which we have sown there, will bring forth fruit, and the fruit

will redound to the honor and glory of God.

We have baptized eleven only, in the city of London, but through

the faith and the mercy of God, we ere long expect a harvest of

souls in that place; but we are willing to acknowledge, that in

our travels, either in America or Europe, we have never before

found a people, from whose minds we have had to remove a greater

multiplicity of objections, or combination of obstacles, in order

to excite an interest in the subject and prepare the heart for the

reception of the word of God, than in the city of London.

While conversing with the common people concerning the Gospel, we

found their highest attainments to be, "Why, I go to church or

chapel and get my children christened, what more is necessary?"

When we conversed with the learned, we found them too wise to be

taught, and too much established in the traditions of their fathers

to expect any change in the last days. While conversing with the

ministers of the various orders of the day, upon the principles of

the Gospel, they would inform us that the ancient order of things

was done away, and no longer needed; and some of them had preached

forty years the good old religion, and God was with them, and they

needed no more revelation, or healing the sick, or anything as

manifest in the days of the Apostles, for we can get along without

them in this day of refinement, light and knowledge.

When we arose to preach unto the people repentance, and baptism

{223} for the remission of sins, the cry of "Baptist, Baptist,"

would be rung in our ears. If we spoke of the Church and body of

Christ being composed of Prophets, and Apostles; as well as other

members, "Irvingites, Irvingites," would immediately dash into the

mind. If in the midst of our remarks, we even for once suffered the

saying to drop from our lips, "The testimony of Jesus is the spirit

of prophecy," "O, you belong to Johanna Southcote," would be heard

from several places at once. If we spoke of the second coming of

Christ, the cry would be, "Aitkenites." If we made mention of the

Priesthood, they would call us "Catholics." If we testified of the

ministering of angels, the people would reply, "The Irvingites have

their angels, and even the Duke of Normandy is ready to swear that

he has the administering of angels every night."

These salutations, in connection with a multitude of others, of a

similar nature, continued to salute our ears from day to day, until

we were about ready to conclude that London had been such a perfect

depot of the systems of the nineteenth century, that it contained

six hundred three score and six different gods, gospels, redeemers,

plans of salvation, religions, churches, commandments, (essential

and non-essential), orders of preaching, roads to heaven and to

hell; and that this order of things had so affected the minds of

the people, that it almost required a horn to be blown from the

highest heavens, in order to awaken the attention of the people,

and prepare their minds to candidly hear and receive the doctrine

of one Gospel, one faith, one baptism, one Holy Ghost, one God, and

one plan of salvation, and that, such as Christ and the Apostles

preached.

But notwithstanding this, we do not feel discouraged concerning a

work being perfected in London, but firmly believe that many souls

will embrace the fullness of the Gospel there, though it will be

through faith, diligence, perseverance, and prayer.

Having spent twenty-three days together in this first mission

in the metropolis, and the time drawing near for our October

conference, Elder Woodruff left the city on the 10th of September

for the purpose of attending several conferences. He attended the

Bran Green and Gadfield Elm conference, held in Worcester on the

14th of September, and also the Froomes Hill conference, held in

Herefordshire on the 21st of September. At these two conferences,

he heard represented, 40 branches of the Church, containing

1,007 members, and 113 officers, viz., 19 Elders, 78 Priests, 15

Teachers, and 1 Deacon; the whole of whom had received the fullness

of the Everlasting Gospel, and been baptized in less than seven

months in that part of the vineyard which he first opened in the

month of March; and the work is still progressing very rapidly

throughout that region; and among the number baptized {224} there

have not been much less than one hundred preachers of various sects.

He also attended the conference in the Staffordshire Potteries,

which met at Hanley on the 28th of September; where were

represented 231 members, 9 Elders, 32 Priests, 9 Teachers, and 9

Deacons; most of whom received the work since our arrival there

last winter and spring. While he was attending these conferences,

Elders Kimball and George A. Smith continued their labors in London

until the first of October, at which time we met together again in

Staffordshire, and enjoyed each other's company while journeying

together to Manchester, where the quorum of the Traveling High

Council, with many Elders and Saints had the privilege of once more

sitting in a general conference together, on the 6th of October in

the Carpenter's Hall, where we heard represented 3,636 Saints, and

383 official members.

At the July conference there were 2,513 Saints, and 256 official

members, making an increase in three months of 1,113 Saints and 127

official members, besides over 200 Saints, including many Elders,

Priests, Teachers and Deacons, who have emigrated to America; which

would make over 1,300 additions to the Church in Europe during the

last three months, and over two thousand since our conference in

Preston on the 15th of April; which representation at that time was

1,671 Saints, and 132 official members.

Thus you see the Lord hath given us an increase, and blessed the

labors of the servants of God universally in this land, for which

we feel thankful; and our constant prayer to God is that His

kingdom may roll forth, that the messengers bearing the everlasting

Gospel may be diligent, meek, and humble, not weary in well doing,

but waiting with patience for their reward, which lies at the end

of the race, that their joy may be full.

Heber C. Kimball,

Wilford Woodruff,

George A. Smith.

_Saturday, 17_.--A conference was held in Philadelphia, Elder Orson

Hyde presiding; 896 members were represented, including 24 Elders, 11

Priests, 6 Teachers, 5 Deacons, in Pennsylvania, New York City, New

Jersey, and vicinity.

[Sidenote: Remarkable Visions by Orson Pratt.]

Parley P. Pratt and family arrived in Manchester, and resumed the

editorial labors of the _Star_. Brother Orson Pratt has recently

published a pamphlet, entitled "An interesting account of several

Remarkable Visions, and of the late Discovery {225} of Ancient American

Records," comprising 31 pages giving a brief sketch of the rise of the

Church.

_Monday, 19_.

_Letter of Joseph and Hyrum Smith to the Saints in

Kirtland--Reproving the Saints for Neglect of their Brethren and

Sisters During the Missouri Persecutions_.

Nauvoo, Hancock County, Illinois,

October 19th, 1840.

_To the Saints in Kirtland, Ohio_:

Dear beloved brethren in the kingdom and patience of Jesus

Christ:--We take this opportunity of informing you that we yet

remember the Saints scattered abroad in the regions of Kirtland,

and feel interested in their welfare as well as in that of the

Saints at large. We have beheld with feelings peculiar to ourselves

the situation of things in Kirtland and the numerous difficulties

to which the Saints have been subjected, by false friends as well

as open enemies.

All these circumstances have more or less engaged our attention

from time to time. We likewise must complain of the brethren who

are in office and authority in the stake of Kirtland, for not

writing to us, and making known their difficulties and their

affairs from time to time, so that they might be advised in matters

of importance to the well being of said stake; but above all, for

not sending one word of consolation to us while we were in the

hands of our enemies, and thrust into dungeons. Some of our friends

from various sections sent us letters which breathed a kind and

sympathetic spirit, and which made our afflictions and sufferings

endurable. All was silent as the grave [from Kirtland]; no feelings

of sorrow, sympathy, or affection [was expressed] to cheer the

heart under the gloomy shades of affliction and trouble through

which we had to pass.

Dear brethren, could you realize that your brethren were thus

circumstanced, and were to bear up under the weight of affliction

and woe which was heaped upon them by their enemies, and you stand

unmoved and unconcerned! Where were the bowels of compassion?

Where was the love which ought to characterize the Saints of the

Most High? Did those high born and noble feelings lie dormant,

or were you insensible to the treatment we received? However, we

are disposed to leave these things to God, and to futurity, and

feel disposed to forget this coldness on the part of the Saints

in Kirtland, and to look to the future with more pleasure than

while we contemplated the past; and shall by the assistance of our

heavenly Father, take such steps as we think best {226} calculated

to promote the interests of the Saints, and for the promotion of

truth and righteousness, and the building up of the kingdom is

these last days.

The situation of Kirtland was brought before the general

conference, held at this place on the 3rd instant, when it was

resolved that Elder Almon W. Babbitt should be appointed to preside

over the stake of Kirtland, and that he be privileged to choose his

own counselors. We therefore hope that the Saints will hold up the

hands of our beloved brother, and unite with him in endeavoring to

promote the interests of the kingdom.

It has been deemed prudent to advise the eastern brethren who

desire to locate in Kirtland, to do so; consequently you may

expect an increase of members in your stake, who probably will be

but young in the faith, and who will require kind treatment. We

therefore hope the brethren will feel interested in the welfare of

the Saints, and will use all their endeavors to promote the welfare

of the brethren who may think proper to take up their residence in

that place.

If you will put away from your midst all evil speaking, backbiting,

and ungenerous thoughts and feelings: humble yourselves, and

cultivate every principle of virtue and love, then will the

blessings of Jehovah rest upon you, and you will yet see good and

glorious days; peace will be within your gates, and prosperity in

your borders; which may our heavenly Father grant in the name of

Jesus Christ, is the prayer of yours in the bonds of the covenant,

Joseph Smith,

Hyrum Smith.

An Epistle of the Prophet to the Twelve.

_To the Traveling High Council and Elders of the Church of Jesus

Christ of Latter-day Saints in Great Britain_:

Beloved Brethren:--May grace, mercy, and peace rest upon you

from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Having several

communications lying before me from my brethren the Twelve, some

of which ere this have merited a reply, but from the multiplicity

of business which necessarily engages my attention, I have delayed

communicating with you to the present time.

Be assured, beloved brethren, that I am no disinterested observer

of the things which are transpiring on the face of the whole earth;

and amidst the general movements which are in progress, none is

of more importance than the glorious work in which you are now

engaged; consequently I feel some anxiety on your account, that you

may by your virtue, faith, diligence and charity commend yourselves

to one another, {227} to the Church of Christ, and to your Father

who is in heaven; by whose grace you have been called to so holy

a calling; and be enabled to perform the great and responsible

duties which rest upon you. And I can assure you, that from the

information I have received, I feel satisfied that you have not

been remiss in your duty; but that your diligence and faithfulness

have been such as must secure you the smiles of that God whose

servant you are, and also the good will of the Saints throughout

the world.

The spread of the Gospel throughout England is certainly pleasing;

the contemplation of which cannot but afford feelings of no

ordinary kind, in the bosom of those who have borne the heat and

burden of the day; and who were its firm supporters and strenuous

advocates in infancy, while surrounded with circumstances the most

unpropitious, and its destruction threatened on all hands; like the

gallant bark that has braved the storm unhurt, spreads her canvas

to the breeze, and nobly cuts her way through the yielding wave,

more conscious than ever of the strength of her timbers, and the

experience and capability of her captain, pilot, and crew.

It is likewise very satisfactory to my mind, that there has been

such a good understanding between you, and that the Saints have so

cheerfully hearkened to council, and vied with each other in this

labor of love, and in the promotion of truth and righteousness.

This is as it should be in the Church of Jesus Christ; unity is

strength. "How pleasing it is for brethren to dwell together

in unity!" Let the Saints of the Most High ever cultivate this

principle, and the most glorious blessings must result, not only

to them individually, but to the whole Church--the order of the

kingdom will be maintained, its officers respected, and its

requirements readily and cheerfully obeyed.

Love is one of the chief characteristics of Deity, and ought to

be manifested by those who aspire to be the sons of God. A man

filled with the love of God, is not content with blessing his

family alone, but ranges through the whole world, anxious to bless

the whole human race. This has been your feeling, and caused you

to forego the pleasures of home, that you might be a blessing to

others, who are candidates for immortality, but strangers to truth,

and for so doing, I pray that heaven's choicest blessings may rest

upon you.

Being requested to give my advice respecting the propriety of your

returning in the spring, I will do so willingly. I have reflected

on the subject some time, and am of the opinion that it would be

wisdom in you to make preparations to leave the scene of your

labors in the spring. Having carried the testimony to that land,

and numbers having received it, the leaven can now spread without

your being obliged to stay.

Another thing--there have been whisperings of the Spirit that {228}

there will be some agitations, excitements, and trouble in the

land in which you are now laboring. I would therefore say, in the

meantime be diligent: organize the churches, and let everyone stand

in his proper place, so that those who cannot come with you in the

spring, may not be left as sheep without a shepherd.

I would likewise observe, that inasmuch as this place has been

appointed for the gathering of the Saints, it is necessary that it

should be attended to in the order that the Lord intends it should.

To this end I would say, that as there are great numbers of the

Saints in England who are extremely poor, and not accustomed to

the farming business, who must have certain preparations made for

them before they can support themselves in this country, therefore

to prevent confusion and disappointment when they arrive here,

let those men who are accustomed to make machinery, and those who

can command capital, though it be small, come here as soon as

convenient, and put up machinery, and make such other preparations

as may be necessary, so that when the poor come on, they may have

employment to come to. This place has advantages for manufacturing

and commercial purposes, which but very few can boast of; and

the establishing of cotton factories, foundries, potteries, &c.,

would be the means of bringing in wealth, and raising it to a very

important elevation.

I need not occupy more space on this subject, as its reasonableness

must be obvious to every mind.

In my former epistle I told you my mind respecting the printing of

the Book of Mormon, hymn-book, &c. I have been favored by receiving

a hymn-book from you, and as far as I have examined it, I highly

approve of it, and think it to be a very valuable collection. I am

informed that the Book of Mormon is likewise printed, which I am

glad to hear, and should be pleased to hear that it was printed

in all the different languages of the earth. You can use your own

pleasure respecting the printing of the Doctrine and Covenants. If

there is a great demand for it, I have no objections, but would

rather encourage it.

I can say, that as far as I have been made acquainted with your

movements, I am perfectly satisfied that they have been in wisdom;

and I have no doubt, but that the Spirit of the Lord has directed

you; and this proves to my mind that you have been humble, and your

desires have been for the salvation of your fellow man, and not

for your own aggrandizement, and selfish interests. As long as the

Saints manifest such a disposition, their counsels will be approved

of, and their exertions crowned with success.

There are many things of much importance, on which you ask counsel,

but which I think you will be perfectly able to decide upon, as

you are more conversant with the peculiar circumstances than I am;

and I {229} feel great confidence in your united wisdom; therefore

you will excuse me for not entering into detail. If I should see

anything that is wrong, I would take the privilege of making known

my mind to you, and pointing out the evil.

If Elder Parley P. Pratt should wish to remain in England some

time longer than the rest of the Twelve, he will feel himself at

liberty to do so, as his family are with him, consequently his

circumstances are somewhat different from the rest; and likewise

it is necessary that someone should remain who is conversant with

the rules and regulations of the Church, and continue the paper

which is published. Consequently, taking all these things into

consideration, I would not press it upon Brother Pratt to return in

the spring.

I am happy to inform you that we are prospering in this place,

and that the Saints are more healthy than formerly; and from the

decrease of sickness this season, when compared with the last, I am

led to the conclusion that this must eventually become a healthy

place. There are at present about 3,000 inhabitants in Nauvoo,

and numbers are flocking in daily. Several stakes have been set

off in different parts of the country, which are in prosperous

circumstances.

Provisions are much lower than when you left. Flour is about $4

per barrel. Corn and potatoes about 25 cents per bushel; and other

things in proportion. There has been a very plentiful harvest

throughout the Union.

You will observe, by the _Times and Seasons_, that we are about

building a temple for the worship of our God in this place.

Preparations are now making; every tenth day is devoted by the

brethren for quarrying rock, &c. We have secured one of the most

lovely situations for it in this region of country. It is expected

to be considerably larger than the one in Kirtland, and on a more

magnificent scale, and which will undoubtedly attract the attention

of the great men of the earth.

We have a bill before the legislature for the incorporation of

the city of Nauvoo, and for the establishment of a seminary of

learning, and other purposes--which I expect will pass in a short

time.

You will also receive intelligence of the death of my father; which

event, although painful to the family and to the Church generally,

yet the sealing testimony of the truth of the work of the Lord was

indeed satisfactory. Brother Hyrum succeeds him as Patriarch of the

Church, according to his last directions and benedictions. [1]

{230} Several persons of eminence and distinction in society have

joined the Church and become obedient to the faith; and I am happy

to inform you that the work is spreading very fast upon this

continent. Some of the brethren are now in New Orleans, and we

expect a large gathering from the south. I have had the pleasure of

welcoming about one hundred brethren who came with Brother Turley;

the remainder I am informed stayed in Kirtland, not having means to

get any further. I think that those who came here this fall, did

not take the best possible route, or the least expensive. Most of

the brethren have obtained employment of one kind or another, and

appear tolerably well contented, and seem disposed to hearken to

counsel.

Brothers Robinson and Smith lately had a letter from Elders

Kimball, Smith and Woodruff, which gave us information of the

commencement of the work of the Lord in the city of London, which

I was glad to hear. I am likewise informed that Elders have gone

to Australia and to the East Indies. I feel desirous that every

providential opening of the kind should be filled, and that you

should, prior to your leaving England, send the Gospel into as many

parts as you possibly can.

Beloved brethren, you must be aware in some measure of my feelings,

when I contemplate the great work which is now rolling on, and

the relationship which I sustain to it, while it is extending to

distant lands, and thousands are embracing it. I realize in some

measure my responsibility, and the need I have of support from

above, and wisdom from on high, that I may be able to teach this

people, which have now become a great people, the principles of

righteousness, and lead them agreeably to the will of Heaven; so

that they may be perfected, and prepared to meet the Lord Jesus

Christ when He shall appear in great glory. Can I rely on your

prayers to our heavenly Father on my behalf, and on all the prayers

of all my brethren and sisters in England, (whom having not seen,

yet I love), that I may be enabled to escape every stratagem of

Satan, surmount every difficulty, and bring this people to the

enjoyment of those blessings which are reserved for the righteous?

I ask this at your hands in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Let the Saints remember that great things depend on their

individual exertion, and that they are called to be co-workers with

us and the Holy Spirit in accomplishing the great work of the last

days; and in consideration of the extent, the blessings and glories

of the same, let {231} every selfish feeling be not only buried,

but annihilated; and let love to God and man predominate, and

reign triumphant in every mind, that their hearts may become like

unto Enoch's of old, and comprehend all things, present, past and

future, and come behind in no gift, waiting for the coming of the

Lord Jesus Christ.

The work in which we are unitedly engaged is one of no ordinary

kind. The enemies we have to contend against are subtle and well

skilled in maneuvering; it behooves us to be on the alert to

concentrate our energies, and that the best feelings should exist

in our midst; and then, by the help of the Almighty, we shall go

on from victory to victory, and from conquest to conquest; our

evil passions will be subdued, our prejudices depart; we shall

find no room in our bosoms for hatred; vice will hide its deformed

head, and we shall stand approved in the sight of heaven, and be

acknowledged the sons of God.

Let us realize that we are not to live to ourselves, but to God; by

so doing the greatest blessings will rest upon us both in time and

in eternity.

I presume the doctrine of "baptism for the dead" has ere this

reached your ears, and may have raised some inquiries in your minds

respecting the same. I cannot in this letter give you all the

information you may desire on the subject; but aside from knowledge

independent of the Bible, I would say that it was certainly

practiced by the ancient churches; and St. Paul endeavors to prove

the doctrine of the resurrection from the same, and says, "Else

what shall they do which are baptized for the dead, if the dead

rise not at all? Why are they then baptized for the dead?"

I first mentioned the doctrine in public when preaching the funeral

sermon of Brother Seymour Brunson; and have since then given

general instructions in the Church on the subject. The Saints have

the privilege of being baptized for those of their relatives who

are dead, whom they believe would have embraced the Gospel, if they

had been privileged with hearing it, and who have received the

Gospel in the spirit, through the instrumentality of those who have

been commissioned to preach to them while in prison.

Without enlarging on the subject, you will undoubtedly see its

consistency and reasonableness; and it presents the Gospel of

Christ in probably a more enlarged scale than some have imagined

it. But as the performance of this rite is more particularly

confined to this place, it will not be necessary to enter into

particulars; at the same time I always feel glad to give all the

information in my power, but my space will not allow me to do it.

We had a letter from Elder Hyde, a few days ago, who is in New

Jersey, and is expecting to leave for England as soon as Elder Page

{232} reaches him. He requested to know if converted Jews are to go

to Jerusalem or to come to Zion. I therefore wish you to inform him

that converted Jews must come here.

Give my kind love to all the brethren and sisters, and tell them I

should have been pleased to come over to England to see them, but I

am afraid that I shall be under the necessity of remaining here for

some time; therefore I give them a pressing invitation to come and

see me.

I remain, dear brethren, yours affectionately,

Joseph Smith.

Footnotes:

1. The last "directions and benedictions" of the Patriarch Joseph

Smith, Sen., here referred to, are stated by "Mother Lucy Smith" in her

book, "History of the Prophet Joseph" as follows:

"My son Hyrum, I seal upon your head your patriarchal blessing, which I

placed upon your head before, for that shall be verified. In addition

to this, I now give you my dying blessing. You shall have a season of

peace, so that you shall have sufficient rest to accomplish the work

which God has given you to do. You shall be as firm as the pillars

of heaven unto the end of your days. I now seal upon your head the

patriarchal power, and you shall bless the people. This is my dying

blessing upon your head in the name of Jesus. Amen."--_History of the

Prophet Joseph Smith_, p. 266.

{233}

Chapter XIII.

Introduction of the Gospel in the Isle of Man--The Nauvoo Charter.

_Wednesday, October 21, 1840_.--Elder Lorenzo Snow arrived in

Manchester, England, from Nauvoo.

_Thursday, 22_.--The committee appointed by the general conference of

the Church at Nauvoo on the 3rd inst., (my brother Hyrum presiding)

organized a Stake at Lima this evening, by appointing Isaac Morley,

president; John Murdock and Walter Cox, his counselors; also a Bishop's

Court composed of Gardner Snow, Clark Hulet and Henry Dean, with James

C. Snow, clerk.

_Friday, 23_.--Gardner Snow was ordained Bishop under the hands of

Hyrum Smith.

_Sunday, 25_.--The committee organized a Stake at Quincy. The

presidency were Daniel Stanton, Stephen Jones and Ezra T. Benson; the

latter was ordained a High Priest; also bishop and counselors, George

W. Crouse, Azariah Dustin, and Sylvester B. Stoddard.

_Tuesday, 27_.--The committee organized a Stake called Mount Hope, at

the steam mills, Columbus, Adams county. President and counselors were

Abel Lamb, Sherman Gilbert and John Smith. Bishop and counselors, were

Daniel A. Miller, Isaac Clark, and John Allen; Simeon J. Comfort, clerk.

At Freedom Stake, near Payson, Adams county, Henry W. Miller, Duncan

McArthur, and William Tenney were appointed to preside. Bishop and

counselors, Matthew Leach, Horra Kimball, and Jacob Foutz.

_Wednesday 28_.--[On this date a long communication {234} was sent to

the editors of the _Times and Seasons_ signed by Heber C. Kimball,

Wilford Woodruff and George A. Smith, detailing their visit to various

places in London, but as the communication does not in any way bear

upon the incidents of the history of the Church, it is thought

unnecessary to publish the letter _in extenso_. The following paragraph

from the letter, however, it is thought should be preserved, because

it refers to the liberty the Elders of the Church incidentally enjoyed

while engaged in the ministry; and also because it breathes that spirit

of liberty in the pursuit of knowledge characteristic of the work of

God in the last days.--Editors.]

We consider it perfectly consistent with our calling, with reason

and revelation that we should form a knowledge of kingdoms and

countries whether at home or abroad, whether ancient or modern,

whether of things past or present or to come; whether it be in

heaven, earth or hell, air or seas; or whether we obtain this

knowledge by being local or traveling, by study or by faith, by

dreams or by visions, by revelation or by prophecy, it mattereth

not unto us; if we can but obtain a correct [view of] principles,

and knowledge of things as they are, in their true light, past,

present and to come. It is under such a view of things that we are

endeavoring to avail ourselves of every opportunity in our travels

among the nations of the earth, to record an account of things as

they pass under our observation.

_Thursday, 29_.--Elder Woodruff preached twice in London, and baptized

three.

_Friday, 30_.--Elder Lorenzo Snow had a discussion with Mr. Barker, a

Methodist minister, at Hill Top, near Birmingham, and baptized two.

_Sunday, 31_.--I copy the following from the _Manx Liberal_ of this

date:

Mormonism in the Isle of Man.

_To the Editor of the Manx Liberal_:

Sir--I feel rather surprised and chagrined that the modern

delusion, viz., "Mormonism," should have made such rapid strides

in this town, hitherto considered exempt from the many systems of

irreligious creeds which abound in England, America, and elsewhere.

I had thought that {235} the powerful and argumentative addresses

of the dissenting ministers would have checked such a gross piece

of imposition in its infancy, and thus prevented the great mass of

our town's people from becoming dupes of designing knaves, "and

being led away by every wind of doctrine." Above all, I imagined

the two pamphlets issued by that holy, religious and devout man of

God, Mr. Hays, Wesleyan minister, (to which connection I have the

happiness and honor to belong) would have been quite sufficient

to prove the fallacy of such a system, and prevent its further

spread. But, sir, alas! alas! the case is quite the reverse;

numbers continually flock to the Wellington room, and listen with

eagerness to the principles there advocated. The members of our

society (Methodists) seem to be most conspicuous in sanctioning and

promoting this vile and abominable doctrine.

Oh, sir, the result to our connection will be dreadful! the havoc

tremendous; just think of the majority of our _leading_ and

intelligent men aiding and abetting a cause of this description!

Oh, sir, lamentable and heart-rending to witness the beaming

countenances, and smiles of approbation displayed recently at

Taylor's meeting! I could enumerate a host of our members who

regularly attend those anti-Christian meetings; but I will just

mention, with your permission, the names of a few who attended one

of the last meetings. (Here followed a list of names.)

O! Mr. Editor! I quake for the consequence; such a wholesale

conversion to Mormonism was never before witnessed in any town or

country. What will become of our society? What will become of our

class meetings? What will become of our brethren in the faith? And

above all, what will become of poor Mr. Hays [1] that nice and

humble man, who so nobly stood forward to expose the errors of the

Mormon system; God bless him and preserve him from want! But, Mr.

Editor, what makes the case worse is, that a rumor is prevalent

that all these pious men are to be baptized! That is duly immersed

in the salt water of Douglas Bay, by that abominable creature,

Taylor! Surely, there must be something enchanting about the vile

man. Immersion! (my hand shakes while I write) and in winter, too!

Oh, sir! the thought chills my very soul; surely this American

dipper intends to drown them; he can have no other object in view,

therefore, brethren of the Methodist society, beware! Drowning is

not to be envied, and that too in your sins. Besides, what would

the venerable John Wesley, (if he {236} were alive) say to such

conduct? What will the conference say? And what will the world say?

I leave these questions to yourselves to answer. In conclusion,

brethren, I recommend you to read, mark, learn and inwardly digest

the things which belong to your eternal peace, and listen no longer

to the follies of men.

A Staunch Wesleyan.

Duke Street, Douglas, 29th Oct.

_Sunday, November 1, 1840_.--The committee organized a Stake,

Geneva, Morgan county, Illinois, and called it Geneva Stake;

presidents--William Bosley, Howard S. Smith, and Samuel Fowler.

Bishop's Court--Gardner Clark, Moses Clare, and David Orton.

Elder Levi Richards arrived in Manchester.

_Tuesday, 3_.--The English bombarded St. Jean D'Acre, during which a

powder magazine exploded, killing over two thousand men.

_Thursday, 5_.--The committee organized a Stake of the Church at

Springfield; presidents--Edwin P. Merriam, Isaac H. Bishop, and Arnold

Stephens. Bishop's Court--Abraham Palmer, Henry Stephens, and Jonathan

Palmer.

_Monday, 9_.--Elder George A. Smith received counsel to leave London

and go to Staffordshire for his health, as he had injured his lungs by

preaching in the streets, so that he discharged considerable blood from

them.

_Tuesday, 10_.--Elder Smith took leave of Elder Woodruff and traveled

to Birmingham, met Elder Alfred Cordon, preached and baptized five in

the evening.

[Sidenote: Opposition to the Work in England.]

_Thursday, 12_.--The _Weekly Dispatch_, England, having published a

sarcastic article against the Saints in that country, and blaming the

Bishop of Gloucester, and his tithe-fattened clergy for allowing the

"Mormons" to delude and baptize five hundred in his Diocese, Elder

Wilford Woodruff replied to this, but the _Dispatch_ refused to publish

his reply.

_Saturday, 21_.--Elders Young, Kimball and Richards, visited the Church

at Bolton.

{237} _Thursday, 26_.--Elders Brigham Young, Heber C. Kimball, and

George A. Smith preached to the Saints in Hanley this day, and on the

27th at Stoke-upon-Trent.

_Saturday, 28_.--Elders Young and Kimball left for London.

Elders Elias Higbee and Robert B. Thompson, the committee appointed at

the October Conference, wrote a petition to Congress for the redress

of the grievances of the Latter-day Saints in Missouri, setting forth

their wrongs and sufferings, in substance the same as my petition in

connection with Elias Higbee and Sidney Rigdon, of the 28th day of

November, 1839.

_Thursday, December 3_.--Elders Young, Kimball and Woodruff visited the

tower of London, the Horse Armory, Jewel Room and the Thames Tunnel.

_Friday, 4_.--Elders Young and Woodruff visited Buckingham Palace and

Westminster Abbey.

[Sidenote: Excommunication of Sidney Roberts.]

There was a conference in New York City, Elder Orson Hyde presiding.

The revelations of Elder Sidney Roberts were objected to, which were

that a certain brother must give him a suit of clothes, and a gold

watch, the best that could be had, also his saluting the sisters with

holy kiss. Elder Roberts justified himself in these things. Much good

counsel was given him, but he said he knew the revelations he had

received were from God, and would make no confession; consequently the

conference cut him off, and demanded his license, which he refused to

give up.

Elder John Taylor has been preaching and baptizing for some time in the

Isle of Man, where the work is now progressing.

_Saturday, 5_.--Elder Brigham Young writes as follows:

_Letter of Brigham Young to the Presidency, Detailing Movements of

the Mission in England_.

No. 40, Ironmonger Row, St. Luke's, December 5th, 1840.

Beloved Brethren--I have just returned from a walk with Brothers

Kimball and Woodruff. We have only been as far as St. Paul's and

{238} returned by Smithfield Market about three miles. Brother

Kimball and myself had fine weather for our journey here; it was a

beautiful day that we left Macclesfield for Burslem. We found the

brethren in Macclesfield in good spirits, and in a good state as

to appearance. They appear to be well suited with Brother James

Galley; I think he will be a useful man in this kingdom. We found

Brother George A. Smith in Burslem, not in the best of health. He

is like the rest of us, the climate does not agree with him; he is

affected with a bleeding at the lungs. We stayed with him at the

Potteries. I preached two evenings. The Church is in a good state;

some of the members have a pretty hard time of it. Brother Smith

will stay there for the present.

Saturday, 28th, left for the next stopping place in Grets Green,

where we spent the Sabbath. On Saturday evening we called to see

Sister Roden, Father Patrick's daughter; she was very glad to see

us, and wanted we should stay all night. Her husband was very

kind to us, and bid us or other Elders welcome to his house at

any time. We could not stay; took tea with them, and agreed to

send Elder Lorenzo Snow there if he could come; blessed them, and

left them. I preached in the morning to the Saints in Grets Green,

stayed afternoon meeting, and then walked to Birmingham; was very

tired; heard Elder Snow preach; he is a nice young man, I think.

Brother Kimball also spoke to the people after Brother Snow had

got through. We found Brother Robert Williams here; he opened the

meeting; he seems to be full of the Spirit.

On Monday at 12 o'clock, Brother Kimball and myself took the

railway. Brother Williams started on foot for London. We arrived

here on Monday evening about six o'clock; found Brother Woodruff

well and in good spirits. We have been pretty busy since we have

been here.

Brigham Young.

A great part of the city of Messina, Sicily, was this day destroyed

by an earthquake. Such was the force of the first shock that the

inhabitants of the town were buried in an instant beneath the ruins.

_Sunday, 6_.--Elders Young and Kimball preached in Barratt's Academy,

London, and administered the sacrament in the evening.

[Sidenote: Elder Taylor's Defense of the Work.]

_Monday, 7_.--Elder John Taylor issued his third pamphlet in defense

of the truth, against the attacks of the Rev. Robert Hays, Wesleyan

Minister, Douglas, Isle of Man; the three containing thirty-five pages

of closely printed matter, {239} which are a complete expose of the

corruptions of the Wesleyan priesthood, and a clear illustration of the

truth of the Latter-day work.

Elders Brigham Young, Heber C. Kimball, and Wilford Woodruff, visited

the Anatomical Department of the College of Surgeons, London.

_Wednesday, 9_.--Elders Young and Kimball visited St. Paul's Cathedral,

the Monument, London and Southwark Bridges and also the British Museum.

_Thursday, 10_.--Elder Levi Richards left Manchester for Herefordshire.

_Sunday, 13_.--I attended the High Council at my office. Robert D.

Foster was on trial for lying, slandering the authorities of the

Church, profane swearing, etc. Witness was examined in part and trial

adjourned to the 20th.

_Monday, 14_.--Ebenezer Robinson and Don Carlos Smith dissolved

co-partnership. The _Times and Seasons_ is to be continued by Don

Carlos Smith.

_Wednesday, 16_.--This day the act chartering the "City of Nauvoo,"

the "Nauvoo Legion," and the "University of the City of Nauvoo," was

signed by the Governor, having previously passed the House and Senate.

Following is the act _in extenso_.

An Act to Incorporate the City of Nauvoo.

Section 1. Be it enacted by the people of the State of Illinois,

represented in the General Assembly, that all that district of

country embraced within the following boundaries, to wit: beginning

at the north east corner of section thirty-one in Township seven,

north of range eight, west of the fourth principal meridian, in the

county of Hancock, and running thence west to the northwest corner

of said section, thence north to the Mississippi river, thence west

to the middle of the main channel of the said river; thence down

the middle of said channel to a point due west of the southeast

corner of fractional section number twelve in township six, north

of range nine, west of the fourth principal meridian, thence east

to the southeast corner of said section twelve, thence north on the

range line between township six north, and range eight and nine

west, to the southwest corner of section six in township six north

of range eight west, thence east to the southeast corner of {240}

said section, thence north to the place of beginning, including

the town plats of Commerce and Nauvoo, shall hereafter be called

and known by the name of the "City of Nauvoo," and the inhabitants

thereof are hereby constituted a body corporate and politic by the

name aforesaid, and shall have perpetual succession, and may have

and use a common seal which they may change and alter at pleasure.

Sec. 2. Whenever any tract of land adjoining the "City of Nauvoo"

shall have been laid out into town lots, and duly recorded

according to law, the same shall form a part of the "City of

Nauvoo."

Sec. 3. The inhabitants of said city, by the name and style

aforesaid, shall have power to sue and be sued, to plead and be

impleaded, defend and be defended, in all courts of law and equity,

and all actions whatsoever; to purchase, receive and hold property,

real and personal, in said city, to purchase, receive, and hold

real property beyond the city, for burying grounds, or for other

public purposes, for the use of the inhabitants of said city, to

sell, lease, convey or dispose of property, real or personal, for

the benefit of the city, to improve and protect such property, and

to do all other things in relation thereto as natural persons.

Sec. 4. There shall be a City Council, to consist of a Mayor, four

Aldermen, and nine Councilors, who shall have the qualifications

of electors of said city, and shall be chosen by the qualified

voters thereof, and shall hold their offices for two years, and

until their successors shall be elected and qualified. The City

Council shall judge of the qualifications, elections and returns of

their own members, and a majority of them shall form a quorum to

do business, but a smaller number may adjourn from day to day, and

compel the attendance of absent members, under such penalties as

may be prescribed by ordinance.

Sec. 5. The Mayor, Aldermen and Councilors, before entering upon

the duties of their office, shall take and subscribe an oath or

affirmation that they will support the Constitution of the United

States, and of this State and that they will well and truly

perform the duties of their offices to the best of their skill and

abilities.

Sec. 6. On the first Monday of February next, and every two years

thereafter, an election shall be held for the election of one

Mayor, four Aldermen, and nine Councillors; and at the first

election under the Act, three Judges shall be chosen _viva voce_

by the electors present. The said Judges shall choose two Clerks,

and the Judges and Clerks, before entering upon their duties,

shall take and subscribe an oath or affirmation such as is now

required by law to be taken by Judges or Clerks of other elections

and at all subsequent elections, the necessary number of Judges

and Clerks shall be appointed by the City Council. At the first

election thus held, the polls shall be opened at 9 o'clock a. m.

and closed at 6 o'clock p. m.; at the close of the polls the votes

shall be counted {241} and a statement thereof proclaimed at the

front door of the house at which said election shall be held; and

the Clerks shall leave with each person elected, or at his place of

residence, within five days after the election, a written notice

of his election; and each person so notified shall within ten

days after the election take the oath or affirmation hereinbefore

mentioned, a certificate of which oath shall be deposited with the

Recorder, whose appointment is hereafter provided for, and be by

him preserved; and subsequent elections shall be held, conducted

and returns thereof made as may be provided for by ordinance of the

City Council.

Sec. 7. All free white male inhabitants, who are of the age of

twenty one years, who are entitled to vote for State Officers,

and who shall have been actual residents of the city sixty days

next preceding said election, shall be entitled to vote for City

Officers.

Sec. 8. The City Council shall have authority to levy and collect

taxes, for city purposes, upon all property, real and personal,

within the limits of the city, one-half per cent per annum, upon

the assessed value thereof, and may enforce payment of the same

in any manner, to be provided by ordinance, not repugnant to the

Constitution of the United States or of this State.

Sec. 9. The City Council shall have power to appoint a Recorder,

Treasurer, Assessor, Marshal, Supervisor of streets, and all such

other officers as may be necessary, and to prescribe their duties

and remove them from office at pleasure.

Sec. 10. The City Council shall have power to require, of all

officers appointed in pursuance of this Act, bonds, with penalty

and security, for the faithful performance of their respective

duties, such as may be deemed expedient; and also to require all

officers appointed as aforesaid, to take an oath for the faithful

performance of the duties of their respective offices.

Sec. 11. The City Council shall have power and authority to make,

ordain, establish and execute all such ordinances, not repugnant

to the Constitution of the United States or of this State, as they

may deem necessary for the peace, benefit, good order, regulation,

convenience, and cleanliness of said city: for the protection of

property therein from destruction by fire, or otherwise, and for

the health and happiness thereof: they shall have power to fill all

vacancies that may happen by death, resignation, or removal, in

any of the offices herein made elective; to fix and establish all

the fees of the office of said corporation not herein established;

to impose such fines, not exceeding one hundred dollars, for each

offense, as they may deem just, for refusing to accept any office

under the corporation, or for misconduct therein; to divide the

city into wards; to add to the number of Aldermen and Councillors,

{242} and apportion them among the several wards as may be most

just and conducive to the interests of the city.

Sec. 12. To license, tax, and regulate auctions, merchants,

retailers, grocers, hawkers, peddlers, butchers, pawnbrokers, and

money-changers.

Sec. 13. The City Council shall have exclusive power within the

city, by ordinance, to license, regulate, and restrain the keeping

of ferries; to regulate the police of the city; to impose fines,

forfeitures, and penalties for the breach of any ordinance, and

provide for the recovery of such fines and forfeitures, and the

enforcement of such penalties; and to pass such ordinances, as may

be necessary and proper for carrying into execution the powers

specified in this Act; provided such ordinances are not repugnant

to the Constitution of the United States or of this State, and in

fine to exercise such other legislative powers as are conferred on

the City Council of the City of Springfield, by an Act entitled an

Act to Incorporate the City of Springfield, approved February 3rd,

1840.

Sec. 14. All ordinances passed by the City Council shall, within

one month after they shall have been passed, be published in some

newspaper printed in the city, or certified copies thereof be

posted up in three of the most public places in the city.

Sec. 15. All ordinances of the city may be proven by the seal of

the corporation, and when printed or published in book or pamphlet

form purporting to be printed or published by authority of the

corporation, the same shall be received in evidence in all courts

or places without further proof.

Sec. 16. The Mayor and Aldermen shall be conservators of the peace

within the limits of said city, and shall have all the powers of

Justices of the Peace therein, both in civil and criminal cases,

arising under the laws of the State; they shall, as Justices of the

Peace, within the limits of said city, perform the same duties, be

governed by the same laws, give the same bonds and security, as

other Justices of the Peace, and be commissioned as Justices of the

Peace in and for said city by the Governor.

Sec. 17. The Mayor shall have exclusive jurisdiction in all

cases arising under the ordinances of the corporation, and shall

issue such process as may be necessary to carry such ordinances

into execution and effect; appeals may be had from any decision

or judgment of said Mayor or Aldermen, arising under the city

ordinances, to the Municipal Court, under such regulations as may

be presented by ordinance; which court shall be composed of the

Mayor as Chief Justice, and the Aldermen as Associate Justices,

and from the final judgment of the Municipal Court to the Circuit

Court of Hancock county, in the same manner of appeals {243} are

taken from judgments of the Justices of the Peace; provided that

the parties litigant shall have a right to a trial by a jury of

twelve men in all cases before the Municipal Court. The Municipal

Court shall have power to grant writs of habeas corpus in all cases

arising under the ordinances of the City Council.

Sec. 18. The Municipal Court shall sit on the first Monday of every

month, and the City Council at such times and place as may be

prescribed by city ordinance; special meetings of which may at any

time be called by the Mayor or any two Aldermen.

Sec. 19. All process issued by the Mayor, Aldermen, or Municipal

Court, shall be directed to the Marshal, and, in the execution

thereof, he shall be governed by the same laws as are or may be

prescribed for the direction and compensation of constables in

similar cases. The Marshal shall also perform such other duties as

may be required of him under the ordinances of said city, and shall

be the principal ministerial officer.

Sec. 20. It shall be the duty of the Recorder to make and keep

accurate records of all ordinances made by the City Council, and

of all their proceedings in their corporate capacity, which record

shall at all times be open to the inspection of the electors of

said city, and shall perform such other duties as may be required

of him by the ordinances of the City Council, and shall serve as

Clerk of the Municipal Court.

Sec. 21. When it shall be necessary to take private property for

the opening, widening, or altering any public street, lane, avenue,

or alley, the corporation shall make a just compensation therefor

to the person whose property is to be taken, and if the amount of

such compensation cannot be agreed upon, the Mayor shall cause the

same to be ascertained by a jury of six disinterested freeholders

of the city.

Sec. 22. All jurors compelled to inquire into the amount of

benefits or damages that shall happen to the owners of property

so proposed to be taken, shall first be sworn to that effect, and

shall return to the Mayor their inquest in writing, signed by each

juror.

Sec. 23. In case the Mayor shall at any time be guilty of a

palpable omission of duty, or shall wilfully, and corruptly be

guilty of oppression, mal conduct, or partiality, in the discharge

of the duties of his office, he shall be liable to be indicted in

the Circuit Court of Hancock county, and on conviction he shall be

fined not more than two hundred dollars, and the Court shall have

power on the recommendation of the jury to add to the judgment of

the Court that he be removed from office.

Sec. 24. The City Council may establish and organize an institution

of learning within the limits of the city, for the teaching of

the Arts, Sciences, and Learned Professions, to be called the

"University of the City of Nauvoo," which institution shall be

under the control and {244} management of a Board of Trustees,

consisting of a Chancellor, Registrar, and twenty-three Regents,

which Board shall thereafter be a body corporate and politic, with

perpetual succession by the name of the "Chancellor and Regents of

the University of the City of Nauvoo," and shall have full power to

pass, ordain, establish, and execute, all such laws and ordinances

as they may consider necessary for the welfare and prosperity of

said University, its officers and students; provided that the said

laws and ordinances shall not be repugnant to the Constitution of

the United States, or of this State; and provided also, that the

Trustees shall at all times be appointed by the City Council, and

shall have all the powers and privileges for the advancement of the

cause of education which appertain to the Trustees of any other

College or University of this State.

Sec. 25. The City Council may organize the inhabitants of said

city, subject to military duty, into a body of independent military

men, to be called the "Nauvoo Legion," the Court Martial of which

shall be composed of the commissioned officers of said Legion,

and constitute the law-making department, with full power and

authority to make, ordain, establish, and execute all such laws

and ordinances as may be considered necessary for the benefit,

government, and regulation of said Legion; provided said Court

Martial shall pass no law or act, repugnant to, or inconsistent

with, the Constitution of the United States, or of this State; and

provided also that the officers of the Legion shall be commissioned

by the Governor of the State. The said Legion shall perform the

same amount of military duty as is now or may be hereafter required

of the regular militia of the State, and shall be at the disposal

of the Mayor in executing the laws and ordinances of the city

corporation, and the laws of the State, and at the disposal of the

Governor for the public defense, and the execution of the laws of

the State or of the United States, and shall be entitled to their

proportion of the public arms; and provided also, that said Legion

shall be exempt from all other military duty.

Sec. 26. The inhabitants of the city of Nauvoo are hereby exempted

from working on any road beyond the limits of the city, and for

the purpose of keeping the streets, lanes, avenues, and alleys in

repair, to require of the male inhabitants of said city, over the

age of twenty-one, and under fifty years, to labor on said streets,

lanes, avenues, and alleys, not exceeding three days in each year;

any person failing to perform such labor, when duly notified by the

Supervisor, shall forfeit and pay the sum of one dollar per day for

each day so neglected or refused.

Sec. 27. The City Council shall have power to provide for the

punishment of offenders by imprisonment in the county or city jail,

in all cases when such offenders shall fail or refuse to pay the

fines and forfeitures, which may be recovered against them.

{245} Sec. 28. This Act is hereby declared to be a public Act, and

shall take effect on the first Monday of February next.

Wm. L. D. Ewing,

Speaker of the House of Representatives.

S. H. Anderson,

Speaker of the Senate.

Approved Dec. 16, 1840.

Thos. Carlin.

State of Illinois, Office of Secretary of State.

I, Stephen A. Douglas, Secretary of State, do hereby certify that

the foregoing is a true and perfect copy of the enrolled law now on

file in my office.

Witness my hand, and Seal of State, at Springfield, this 18th day

of December, 1840.

[L. S.]

S. A. Douglas.

Secretary of State.

The following are the Legislative powers alluded to in the 13th section

of the foregoing Act, as pertaining to the City Council of the City of

Springfield, and which consequently became a part of the Charter of the

City of Nauvoo, to wit:

_Of the Legislative Powers of the City Council_.

Sec. 1. The City Council shall have powers and authority to levy

and collect taxes upon all property, real and personal, within

the city, not exceeding one-half per cent., per annum, upon the

assessed valuation thereof, and may enforce the payment of the

same in any manner prescribed by ordinance, not repugnant to the

Constitution of the United States and of this State.

Sec. 2. The City Council shall have power to require of all

officers appointed in pursuance of the Charters, bonds with penalty

and security for the faithful performance of their respective

duties as may be deemed expedient, and also to require all

officers appointed as aforesaid, to take an oath for the faithful

performance of the duties of their respective offices upon entering

upon the discharge of the same.

Sec. 3. To establish, support, and regulate common schools, to

borrow money on the credit of the city; provided, that no sum or

sums of money shall be borrowed at a greater interest than six per

cent per annum, nor shall the interest on the aggregate of all the

sums borrowed and outstanding ever exceed one half of the city

revenue, arising for taxes assessed on real property within the

corporation.

{246} Sec. 4. To make regulations to prevent the introduction of

contagious diseases into the city, to make Quarantine Laws for that

purpose, and enforce the same.

Sec. 5. To appropriate and provide for the payment of the debt and

expenses of the city.

Sec. 6. To establish hospitals, and make regulations for the

government of the same.

Sec. 7. To make regulations to secure the general health of the

inhabitants, to declare what shall be a nuisance, and to prevent

and remove the same.

Sec. 8. To provide the city with water, to dig wells and erect

pumps in the streets for the extinguishment of fires, and

convenience of the inhabitants.

Sec. 9. To open, alter, widen, extend, establish, grade, pave, or

otherwise improve and keep in repair streets, avenues, lanes, and

alleys.

Sec. 10. To establish, erect, and keep in repair bridges.

Sec. 11. To divide the city into wards, and specify the boundaries

thereof, and create additional wards, as the occasion may require.

Sec. 12. To provide for lighting the streets and erecting lamp

posts.

Sec. 13. To establish, support, and regulate night watches.

Sec. 14. To erect market houses, establish markets, and market

places, and provide for the government and regulation thereof.

Sec. 15. To provide for erecting all needful buildings for the use

of the city.

Sec. 16. To provide for enclosing, improving, and regulating all

public grounds belonging to the city.

Sec. 17. To license, tax, and regulate auctioneers, merchants, and

retailers, grocers, taverns ordinaries, hawkers, peddlers, brokers,

pawnbrokers, and money changers.

Sec. 18. To license, tax, and regulate hackney carriages, wagons,

carts and drays, and fix the rates to be charged for the carriage

of persons, and for the wagonage, cartage and drayage of property.

Sec. 19. To license and regulate porters and fix the rates of

porterage.

Sec. 20. To license and regulate theatrical and other exhibitions,

shows and amusements.

Sec. 21. To tax, restrain, prohibit, and suppress, tippling houses,

dram shops, gaming houses, bawdy and other disorderly houses.

Sec. 22. To provide for the prevention and extinguishment of fires,

and to organize and establish fire companies.

Sec. 23. To regulate the fixing of chimneys, and the flues thereof,

and stove pipes.

{247} Sec. 24. To regulate the storage of gunpowder, tar, pitch,

rosin, and other combustible materials.

Sec. 25. To regulate and order parapet walls, and partition fences.

Sec. 26. To establish standard weights and measures, and regulate

the weights and measures to be used in the city in all other cases

not provided for by law.

Sec. 27. To provide for the inspection and measuring of lumber and

other building materials, and for the measurement of all kinds of

mechanical work.

Sec. 28. To provide for the inspection and weighing of hay, lime,

and stone coal, the measuring of charcoal, firewood, and other

fuel, to be sold or used within the city.

Sec. 29. To provide for and regulate the inspection of tobacco, and

of beef, pork, flour, meal, and whiskey in barrels.

Sec. 30. To regulate the weight, quality, and price of bread, sold,

and used in the city.

Sec. 31. To provide for taking the enumeration of the inhabitants

of the city.

Sec. 32. To regulate the election of city officers, and provide

for removing from office any person holding an office created by

ordinance.

Sec. 33. To fix the compensation of all city officers, and regulate

the fees of jurors, witnesses, and others, for services rendered

under this Act or any ordinance.

Sec. 34. To regulate the police of the city, to impose fines,

and forfeitures, and penalties, for the breach of any ordinance,

and provide for the recovery and appropriation of such fines and

forfeitures, and the enforcement of such penalties.

Sec. 35. The City Council shall have exclusive power within

the city by ordinance, to license, regulate, and suppress, and

restrain, billiard tables, and from one to twenty pin alleys, and

every other description of gaming or gambling.

Sec. 36. The City Council shall have power to make all ordinances

which shall be necessary and proper for carrying into execution

the powers specified in this Act, so that such ordinances be not

repugnant to nor inconsistent with, the constitution of the United

States or of this state.

Sec. 37. The style of the ordinances of the city shall be--"Be it

ordained by the city council of the city of Springfield--[Nauvoo]."

Sec. 38. All ordinances passed by the city council shall, within

one month after they shall have been passed, be published in some

newspaper published in the city, and shall not be in force until

they shall have been published as aforesaid.

Sec. 39. All ordinances of the city may be proven by the seal of

the {248} corporation, and when printed and published by authority

of the corporation, the same shall be received in evidence in all

courts and places without further proof.

John C. Bennett who had been delegated to Springfield to carry our

petition for a City Charter, announced the passage of the bill, as

follows--

_Letter of John C. Bennett to the "Times and Seasons"--Announcing

the passage of the act incorporating Nauvoo_.

City Of Springfield, December 16, 1840.

_Editors of the Times and Seasons_:

The act incorporating the city of Nauvoo has just passed the

council of revision, and is now a law of the land, to take effect

and be in force from and after the first Monday in February

next. The aforesaid act contains two additional charters--one

incorporating the "Nauvoo Legion," the other the "University of the

city of Nauvoo."

All these charters are very broad and liberal, conferring the most

plenary powers on the corporators. Illinois has acquitted herself

with honor, and her state legislators shall never be forgotten.

Every power we asked has been granted, every request gratified,

every desire fulfilled. In the senate Mr. Little cancelled every

obligation to our people, and faithfully, and honestly, and with

untiring diligence, discharged every obligation devolving upon him

as our immediate representative in the Upper House. Mark well that

man, and do him honor. Snyder, and Ralston, and Moore, and Ross,

and Stapp, and numerous others, likewise in that branch of our

state government, rendered as very essential services; and the act

passed that body without a dissenting voice.

In the House of Representatives, Charles, our immediate

Representative in the Lower House, was at his post and discharged

his duty as a faithful representative; he is an acting, and not

a talking man, and has fulfilled all his obligations to us. Many

members in this house, likewise, were warmly in our favor; and with

only one or two dissenting voices, every representative appeared

inclined to extend to us all such powers as they considered us

justly entitled to, and voted for the law; and here I should not

forget to mention, that Lincoln, [2] whose name we erased from the

electoral ticket in November (not however on account of any dislike

to him as a man, but simply because his was the last name on the

ticket, and we desired to show our friendship to the Democratic

{249} party by substituting the name of Ralston for some one of the

Whigs) had the magnanimity to vote for our act, and came forward,

after the final vote to the bar of the house, and cordially

congratulated me on its passage.

Our worthy governor is certainly disposed to do us ample justice in

every respect, and to extend to us every facility for our future

happiness and prosperity.

Illinois has certainly done her duty, and her whole duty; and now

it becomes us to show ourselves upright, honest, just, worthy of

the favors bestowed by noble, generous, and magnanimous statesmen,

I have said that we are a law-abiding people, and we must now show

it. The state has washed her hands in granting all our petitions,

and if we do not now show ourselves approved, the curse must fall

upon our own heads. Justice, equal justice, should be our fixed

object and purpose, and the Great God will prosper us; length of

days will be in our right hand, and in our left, glory and honor.

Yours, &c.,

John C. Bennett.

The City Charter of Nauvoo is of my own plan and device. I concocted it

for the salvation of the Church, and on principles so broad, that every

honest man might dwell secure under its protective influence without

distinction of sect or party.

Footnotes:

1. Elder Taylor was also opposed by Rev. Thomas Hamilton, whom he

met in a public debate and easily vanquished. "No great honor,

however," says Elder Taylor in his account of the affair, "as he was

a very ignorant man." Elder Taylor secured for his meeting place the

Wellington rooms, and from the platform he answered all who opposed

him, and succeeded, despite all opposition, in organizing a branch of

the Church in Douglas.

2. This doubtless refers to Abraham Lincoln who was then a member of

the legislature. See Nicolay and Hay's _Abraham Lincoln_, Vol. I, p. 42

_et seq_.

{250}

CHAPTER XIV.

Vale 1840--Enter 1841--List of Publications for and against

the Church--Whereabouts of the Twelve Apostles--"Election and

Reprobation"--Proclamation to the Saints.

[Sidenote: The acquittal of R.D. Foster.]

_Sunday, December 20, 1840_.--I was called upon by the High Council

to decide the adjourned case of Robert D. Foster. Having heard the

witnesses, I decided that he be acquitted of the charges against him,

which decision the Council approved. [1]

[Sidenote: An Objector Put Down.]

This is a fair specimen of the wisdom of the nineteenth century that

opposes itself to the work of the Most High God.

"Your preacher preaches false doctrine," exclaimed a sectarian in

Manchester to one of the Saints. "Ah!" inquired the other, "wherein

does he teach false doctrine?" "Why, in telling the people to

go to America, to be sure," said the sectarian; "and" continued

he, "there is nothing in the Bible that commands people to go to

America." "Ah!" replied the other, "and there is nothing in the

Bible that commands people to stop in Manchester; so I wonder

how you dare stay in so unscriptural a place another night; for

certainly no one ought to live in England unless they can find

scripture for it, any more than in America."

_Monday, 21_.--The petition of Elias Higbee, and Robert B. Thompson,

under date of 28th November, 1840, was presented to the House of

Representatives of the United {251} States, referred to the Committee

on the Judiciary, and ordered to be printed.

_Friday, 25_.--Elders Brigham Young and George A. Smith attended a

conference at Hanley, Staffordshire Potteries, at which was represented

an increase of six Elders, twenty-six Priests, ten Teachers, nine

deacons, and three hundred and fifty-six members, since last July

Conference; and also ordained six Elders, six Priests, four Teachers,

and three Deacons.

_Sunday, 27_.--Elders Kimball and Woodruff occupied a chapel belonging

to the Independents in London. Elder Woodruff preached.

_Monday, 28_.--There are ninety-five Saints in Edinburgh, Scotland,

raised up by Elder Orson Pratt. Elder George D. Watt is now laboring in

that place.

_Wednesday, 30_.--Elder Brigham Young writes from Liverpool:

_Brigham Young's Letter to the Prophet Reporting Labors in England_.

Beloved Brother:--I write to inform you of a few particulars of my

journey to London. I left Manchester November 25th, in company with

Elder Kimball; we visited the following places, viz., Macclesfield,

Burslem, Hanley, Lane End, West Bromwich, and Birmingham. We

traveled by coach and railway, and arrived in London on Monday

30th: found Elder Woodruff in good health. He had baptized three or

four persons the day before we arrived. I stayed in London till the

11th December, when I left for Herefordshire. Brothers Woodruff and

Williams came with me to the railway station. Elder Kimball stayed

in London.

The prospect for the spread of the Gospel brightened up while we

were there. Our feelings were very clear and decisive that Elder

Kimball had better stay with Elder Woodruff. I was much interested

while there with my brethren. I pray the Lord to roll on His work

in that great city. I feel much for the people in that place! yea

my feelings are exquisite, for why, God knows; but I believe it

is for the glory of God, and the good of souls. May His name be

glorified.

I arrived in Cheltenham the same day I left London--only

about seven and a half hours going one hundred and one miles,

thirty-eight of it by coach. I stayed over the Sabbath there;

preached twice to a very attentive congregation. In the afternoon

the house was full to {252} overflowing. Elder Henry Glover is

preaching in this place, and in the region around with much

success. I think he is a humble, good man, and will do much good.

I attended the Gadfield Elm conference. The minutes of the Garway

conference were read, which had been held on the 8th. After this I

visited the brethren till the Stanley Hill conference, which was

held on the 21st. The church in Garway numbers ninety-five members,

one Elder, seven Priests, three Teachers and one Deacon. At

Gadfield Elm conference there were seventeen branches represented,

three hundred and twenty-seven members, thirteen Elders,

thirty-one Priests, nine Teachers. The Stanley Hill conference

contains twenty-five branches, which represented eight hundred and

thirty-nine members, seventeen Elders, fifty-seven Priests, sixteen

Teachers and one Deacon. Including officers there are in these

three conferences twelve hundred and sixty-one members, thirty-one

Elders, ninety-five Priests, twenty-eight Teachers and two

Deacons; making two hundred and fifty-five added since the October

conference.

I attended the conference in the Staffordshire Potteries on the

25th; we had a good meeting; but I have not the minutes before me,

so I cannot give a particular statement of the church there, yet I

can say they are prospering.

In my travels and at the conferences, there were some baptized and

many ordained. We can say truly, that the Lord is doing a great

work in the land. The Gospel is preached to the poor, and signs

follow them that believe. I arrived in Liverpool last evening and

expect to tarry here till the Book of Mormon is completed.

I am as ever, your brother in the Kingdom of Patience,

Brigham Young.

About this time, immense quantities of rain fell which produced a flood

in the east and south of France, doing immense damage, carrying with

it buildings, bridges and everything in its way. Earthquakes have been

felt in divers places the past year; and fearful sights and bloody

signs have been witnessed in the heavens, fulfilling the words of the

ancient Prophets concerning the last days.

I copy the following from a printed sheet:

Signs in the Sky.

A most wonderful phenomenon was observed last week by the

inhabitants of Hull and the neighborhood. A perfectly blood red

flag was seen flying in the heavens, which illuminated the horizon

for many miles around. At intervals it changed its form, assuming

that of a {253} cross, sword and many other shapes. At one o'clock

on Friday morning, the town was nearly as light as noon-day; the

inhabitant were parading the streets; fear and dismay pictured in

their countenances. This wonder continued until near three o'clock,

when it gradually went to the westward, illuminating the Humber as

it seemed to sink in her waters. Then for a few seconds all became

total darkness, when from the northwest by north, arose the most

beautiful light, which shot away towards the western hemisphere,

leaving in its train the most beautiful and varigated colors, and

which the eye might readily form into armies drawn up in the order

of battle, charging and retreating alternately, and then again all

was wrapped in the sable curtain of night. It appears that many

signs were seen on the same night in different parts of the kingdom.

[Sidenote: List of Books.]

The following is a list of books, pamphlets, and letters published for

and against the Latter-day Saints during the past year, so far as such

have come under my observation:

Fourteen numbers of the _Times and Seasons_ have been issued from the

office in Nauvoo, containing two hundred and twenty-four pages, edited

by Ebenezer Robinson and Don Carlos Smith, three numbers having been

issued during 1839.

Eight numbers of the _Millennial Star_ have been published at 149

Oldham Road, Manchester, England, containing two hundred and sixteen

pages, edited by Elder Parley P. Pratt.

A selection of hymns was published about the first of July, in England,

by Brigham Young, John Taylor, and Parley P. Pratt, for the use of the

Saints in Europe.

The Rev. Robert Hays, Wesleyan minister, Douglas, Isle of Man,

published three addresses in pamphlet form, against the Latter-day

Saints, which were replied to in the following order:

"An Answer to Some False Statements and Misrepresentations," published

by the Rev. Robert Hays, Wesleyan minister, in an address to his

society in Douglas, and its vicinity on the subject of Mormonism, by

John Taylor, October 7th, 1840.

{254} "Calumny Refuted, and the Truth Defended," being a reply to

the second address of the Rev. Robert Hays, by John Taylor, Douglas,

October 29, 1840.

"Truth Defended and Methodism Weighed in the Balances and Found

Wanting," being a reply to the third address of the Rev. Robert Hays

against the Latter-day Saints and also an "Exposure of the Principles

of Methodism," by John Taylor, Liverpool, December 7, 1840.

"The Latter-day Saints and the Book of Mormon;" being a few words of

warning against the Latter-day Saints, from a minister to his flock. W.

J. Morrish, Ledbury, Herefordshire, September.

A second warning by the same W. J. Morrish, October 15th.

"A Few More Facts Relating to the Self-styled "Latter-day Saints,"

by John Simmons, Church of England minister, Dymock, Herefordshire,

September 14th."

Several letters written by Mr. Curran, and published in the _Manx

Liberal_, Isle of Man, in October, were replied to by John Taylor.

"Mormonism Weighed in the Balances of the Sanctuary and Found Wanting;"

the substance of four lectures by Samuel Haining, published in Douglas,

Isle of Man; a tract of sixty-six pages.

Interesting account of several remarkable visions, and of the late

discovery of ancient American Records giving an account of the

commencement of the work of the Lord in this generation, by Elder Orson

Pratt, Edinburgh, September.

The Word of the Lord to the Citizens of London, of every sect and

denomination; and to every individual into whose hands it may fall;

showing forth the plan of salvation as laid down in the New Testament;

namely, faith in our Lord Jesus Christ--Repentance--Baptism for the

remission of sins--and the Gift of the Holy Ghost, by the laying on of

hands, presented by Heber C. Kimball {255} and Wilford Woodruff, Elders

of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

An exposure of the errors and fallacies of the self-named "Latter-day

Saints." By William Hewitt, of Lane End, Staffordshire, Potteries.

An answer to Mr. William Hewitt's tract against the Latter-day Saints.

By Elder Parley P. Pratt.

Plain Facts; showing the falsehood and folly of the Rev. C. Bush (the

Church of England minister, of the parish of Peover, Cheshire); being a

reply to his tract against the Latter-day Saints by Parley P. Pratt.

A few remarks by way of reply to an anonymous scribbler, calling

himself "a Philanthropist," disabusing the Church of Jesus Christ

of Latter-day Saints, of the slanders and falsehoods which he has

attempted to fasten upon it. By Samuel Bennett, Philadelphia.

Mormonism unmasked, and Mr. Bennett's reply answered and refuted. By a

Philanthropist of Chester county. Published in Philadelphia.

An Appeal to the American People; being an account of the persecutions

of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and the barbarities

inflicted on them by the inhabitants of the State of Missouri, sixty

closely printed pages second edition revised by authority of said

Church, Joseph Smith, Jun., Sidney Rigdon, Hyrum Smith, Presidency.

A Reply to Mr. Thomas Taylor's Pamphlet, entitled "Complete Failure,"

etc., and also to Mr. Richard Livesey's tract, "Mormonism Exposed" by

Parley P. Pratt.

The editor of the _London Dispatch_, published an article on November

8th, against the Latter-day Saints, containing some of the false

statements of Captain D. L. St. Clair, in his tract against them, which

was replied to by Elder Parley P. Pratt, in the November number of the

_Millennial Star_.

"The Millennium, and other Poems:" to which is annexed, "A Treatise on

the Regeneration and Eternal {256} Duration of Matter," by Parley P.

Pratt, New York.

_January 1, 1841_.--Elders Brigham Young, Parley P. Pratt, and John

Taylor attended a conference in Liverpool.

Elders Heber C. Kimball, and Wilford Woodruff are in London.

Elder Orson Pratt in Edinburgh.

Elder George A. Smith in Burslem.

Elder Willard Richards in Preston.

Elders Orson Hyde and J. E. Page are _en route_ for Jerusalem.

Elder William Smith, at Plymouth, Hancock county, Illinois.

The _Millennial Star_ [No. 9, Vol. I] contains the following

communication, which I have read several times. It is one of the

sweetest pieces that has been written in these last days. I therefore

insert it entire.

_Election and Reprobation--by Brigham Young and Willard Richards_.

Do you believe in election and reprobation? To prevent the

necessity of repeating a thousand times what may be said at once,

we purpose to answer this oft-asked question in writing, so that

the Saints may learn doctrine, and all who will may understand

that such election and reprobation as is taught in the Old and New

Testaments, and other revelations from God, we fully believe, in

connection with every other principle of righteousness; and we ask

this favor of all into whose hands our answer may come, that they

will not condemn until they have read it through, in the spirit of

meekness and prayer.

The Lord (Jehovah) hath spoken through Isaiah (xiii:1), saying,

"Behold my servant whom I uphold--mine elect in whom my soul

delighteth;" evidently referring to the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son

of God, chosen, or elected by the Father. (I Peter i:20). "Who

verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was

manifest in these last times for you, who by Him do believe in God

to serve Him in the redemption of the world, to be a covenant of

the people (Isaiah xlii:6), for a light to the Gentiles, and the

glory of His people Israel, having ordained Him to be the judge

of the quick until dead (Acts x:42), that through Him forgiveness

of sins might be preached (Acts xiii:38), unto all who would be

obedient unto His Gospel." (Mark xvi:16, 17).

{257} Every High Priest must be ordained (Heb. v:1), and if Christ

had not received ordination, He would not have had power to ordain

others, as he did when He ordained the Twelve (Mark iii:14), to

take part in the ministry which He had received of His Father;

also, (John xv:16): "Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you,

and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit; (Heb.

v:4), for no man taketh this honor unto himself, but he that is

called of God, as was Aaron (v:5), so also Christ glorified not

Himself to be made an High Priest; but He that said unto Him,

Thou art my Son, today have I begotten Thee." No being can give

that which he does not possess; consequently, no man can confer

the Priesthood on another, if he has not himself first received

it; and the Priesthood is of such a nature that it is impossible

to investigate the principles of election, reprobation, &c.,

without touching upon the Priesthood also; and although some may

say that Christ, as God, needed no ordination, having possessed

it eternally, yet Christ says, (Matt. xxviii:18), "All power is

_given_ unto me in heaven and in earth;" which could not have been

if He was in eternal possession; and in the previously quoted

verse we discover that He that said unto Him [_i. e_. His Father]

glorified Him to be made an High Priest, or ordained Him to the

work of creating the world and all things upon it, (Col. i:16),

"For by Him were all things created that are in heaven, and that

are in earth," &c., and of redeeming the same from the fall, and to

the judging of the quick and dead, for the right of judging rests

in the Priesthood, and it is through this medium that the Father

hath committed all judgment unto the Son (John v:22), referring to

His administration on earth. It was necessary that Christ should

receive the Priesthood to qualify Him to minister before His

Father, unto the children of men, so as to redeem and save them.

Does it seem reasonable that any man should take it upon him to do

a part of the same work, or to assist in the same Priesthood, who

has not been called by the spirit of prophecy or revelation as was

Aaron, and ordained accordingly? And can it be expected that a man

will be called by revelation who does not believe in revelation?

Or will any man submit to ordination for the fulfillment of a

revelation or call, in which he hath no faith? We think not.

That we may learn still further that God calls or elects particular

men to perform particular works, or on whom to confer special

blessings, we read, (Isaiah xlv:4), "For Jacob my servant's sake,

and Israel mine elect, I have even called thee [Cyrus] by thy

name," to be a deliverer to my people Israel, and help to plant

them on my holy mountain, (Isaiah lxv:9, see connection) "for mine

elect shall inherit it, and my servants shall dwell there," even

on the mountains of Palestine, the {258} land of Canaan which God

had before promised to Abraham and his seed; (Gen. xvii:8), and

the particular reason why Abraham was chosen or elected to be the

father of this blessed nation, is clearly told by the Lord, (Gen.

xviii:19), "For I know him, that he will command his children and

his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the Lord,

to do justice and judgment; that the Lord may bring upon Abraham

that which he hath spoken of him;" and this includes the general

principle of election, _i. e_. that God chose, elected, or ordained

Jesus Christ, His Son, to be the creator, governor, savior, and

judge of the world; and Abraham to be the father of the faithful,

on account of His foreknowledge of their obedience to His will and

commandments, which agrees with the saying in II Tim. ii:21, "If a

man therefore purge himself from these [i. e. iniquities], he shall

be a vessel unto honor, sanctified, and meet for the master's use,

and prepared unto every good work."

Thus it appears that God has chosen or elected certain individuals

to certain blessings, or to the performance of certain works; and

that we may more fully understand the movements of the Supreme

Governor of the universe, in the order of election, we proceed to

quote the sacred writers, (Rom. viii:29, 30), "For whom He did

foreknow, He also did predestinate to be conformed to the image

of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.

Moreover, whom He did predestinate, them He also called: and whom

He called, them He also justified: and whom He justified, them He

also glorified." And whom did He foreknow? Those that loved Him,

as we find in the 28th verse of the same chapter--"And we know

that all things work together for good to them that love God, to

them who are the called according to His purpose." And "who are

the called according to His purpose?" Those whom He foreknew, for

He foreknew that those who loved Him would do His will and work

righteousness; and it is vain for men to say they love God, if they

do not keep His commandments. Cain found it so when he presented

an unrighteous offering, for God said unto him, (Gen. iv:7), "If

thou dost well, shalt thou not be accepted?" And yet he was not

accepted. "But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love

of God perfected; and hereby know we that we are in Him," (I John

ii:5), or, that we "are the called according to his purpose."

The principles of God's kingdom are perfect and harmonious, and

the Scriptures of truth must also agree in all their parts, so

that one sentiment thereof shall not destroy another, and when we

read that, "whom He did foreknow, He also did predestinate;" and

that "known unto God are all His works;" so that it might appear

from an abstract {259} view thereof, that God foreknew all, and

consequently predestinated all "to be conformed to the image of

His Son;" we ought also to read, (Mark xvi:16), "He that believeth

not shall be damned;" and (John viii:14), "If ye believe not that

I am he, ye shall die in your sins;" also (Matt. xxv:41), "Depart

from me, ye cursed, * * * for I was an hungered, and ye gave me no

meat," &c.

Paul, referring to the Saints, (Rom. 1:7), calls them beloved

of God, called to be Saints; and says, (Rom. viii:1), "There is

no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not

after the flesh, but after the Spirit," and goes on to show in his

epistle to the Romans, that the law (the law of carnal commandments

given to the children of Israel, the covenant people), could not

make the comers thereunto perfect (see also Heb. x:1), but was

given for a schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ (Gal. iii:24);

so that when He had come and offered Himself without spot unto

God (Heb. ix:14), the sacrifice of the law should be done away

in him, that the honest in heart all might come unto the perfect

law of liberty (James i:25); or the Gospel of Christ, walking

no longer after the flesh but after the spirit, and be of that

number who love God and keep His commandments, that they might be

called according to His purpose (Rom. viii:28); and these were the

individuals referred to, whom God foreknew; such as Abel, Seth,

Enoch, Noah, Melchisedek, Abraham, Lot, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph,

Moses, Caleb, Joshua, the harlot Rahab, who wrought righteousness

by hiding the servants of God, when their lives were sought by

their enemies, Gideon, Barak, Sampson, Jeptha, David, Samuel, and

the Prophets; (Heb. xi), "Who through faith, subdued kingdoms,

wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of

lions, quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the

sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight,

and turned to flight the armies of the aliens." These all died

in faith, having kept the commandments of the Most High, having

obtained the promise of a glorious inheritance, and are waiting the

fulfillment of the promise which they obtained; (Heb. xi:40), "God

having provided some better things for us, that they without us

should not be made perfect."

The Prophet Alma bears a similar testimony to the other Prophets

concerning election, in his 9th chapter [Book of Mormon] saying,

"This is the manner after which they were ordained: being called

and prepared from the foundation of the world, according to the

foreknowledge of God, on account of their exceeding faith and

good works; in the first place being left to choose good or evil;

therefore they have chosen good, and exercising exceeding great

faith, are called with a holy calling, yea, with that holy calling

which was prepared with, and according to, a {260} preparatory

redemption for such; and thus they have been called to this holy

calling on account of their faith, while others would reject the

Spirit of God on account of the hardness of their hearts and

blindness of their minds, while, if it had not been for this,

they might have had as great privilege as their brethren. Or in

fine, in the first place, they were on the same standing with

their brethren; thus, this holy calling being prepared from the

foundation of the world for such as would not harden their hearts,

being in and through the atonement of the only begotten Son, who

was prepared; and thus being called by this holy calling, and

ordained unto the high priesthood of the holy order of God, to

teach His commandments unto the children of men, that they also

might enter into His rest: this high priesthood being after the

order of His Son, which order was from the foundation of the

world: or, in other words, being without beginning of days or end

of years, being prepared from eternity to all eternity, according

to his foreknowledge of all things." (Rom. ix:11, 12), "For the

children being not yet born, neither having done any good or

evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand,

not of works, but of Him that calleth; it was said unto her, The

elder shall serve the younger." As we have before shown why God

chose Abraham to be the father of the faithful, viz., because He

knew Abraham would command his children and his household after

him; so now we see, by this, why the purposes of God, according

to election, should stand, and that for His oath's sake." (Gen.

xxii:16, 17, 18), "By myself have I sworn, saith the Lord, for

because thou hast done this thing, and hast not withheld thy

son, thine only son, that in blessing I will bless thee, and in

multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars of heaven, and as

the sand which is upon the sea shore; and thy seed shall possess

the gate of his enemies, and in thy seed shall all the nations of

the earth be blessed because thou hast obeyed my voice." Here the

Lord Jesus, coming through the seed of Abraham, is again referred

to, through whose sufferings and death, or in whom all the nations

of the earth were to be blessed, or made alive, as they had died in

Adam. (1 Cor. xv:22). In this, election is made manifest, for God

elected or chose the children of Israel to be His peculiar people,

and to them belong the covenants and promises, and the blessings

received by the Gentiles come through the covenants to Abraham and

his seed; for through the unbelief of the Jews (Rom. xi: 17) they

were broken off, and the Gentiles were grafted in; but they stand

by faith (Rom. xi: 20), and not by the oath of election; therefore

it becometh them to fear lest they cease quickly to bear fruit and

be broken off (verse 21) that the Jews may be grafted in again; for

they shall be grafted in again (verse 23), if they abide not in

unbelief.

{261} The Gentiles became partakers of the blessings of election

and promises, through faith and obedience, as Peter says, writing

to the strangers scattered abroad (1 Peter, 1st chap.), who were

the Gentiles, the "elect according to the foreknowledge of God the

Father, through sanctification of the spirit unto obedience;" (1

Peter, ii: 9) for "ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood,

an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should show forth

the praises of Him who hath called you out of darkness into His

marvelous light, (verse 10) which in time past were not a people,

but now are the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but

now have obtained mercy."

Why were they a peculiar people? Because God had chosen that

generation of Gentiles, and conferred on them the blessings which

descended through the Priesthood, and the covenants unto the house

of Israel, or grafted them into the good olive tree (Rom. xi: 17);

and thus the house of Israel became the ministers of salvation to

the Gentiles; and this is what the house of Israel was elected

unto, not only their own salvation, but through them salvation unto

all others; (John iv: 22) "For salvation is of the Jews," (Rom. xi:

11) and "through their fall salvation is come unto the Gentiles."

Among the promised seed we find Jesus Christ neither last nor

least, but the Great High Priest and head of all, who was chosen

to lay down His life for the redemption of the world, for without

the shedding of blood there could be no remission of sins (Heb.

ix: 22). (Deut. vii: 6, 7, 8, 9,) Moses bears a similar testimony

with Peter and Paul to the principles of election--"For thou art

an holy people unto the Lord thy God: the Lord thy God hath chosen

thee to be a special people unto Himself, above all people that are

upon the face of the earth. The Lord did not set His love upon you,

nor choose you, because ye were more in number than any people;

for ye were the fewest of all people: but because the Lord loved

you, and because He would keep the oath which He had sworn unto

your fathers, hath the Lord brought you out with a mighty hand, and

redeemed you out of the house of bondmen, from the hand of Pharaoh,

king of Egypt. Know therefore that the Lord thy God, He is God, the

faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love

Him and keep his commandments to a thousand generations;" which

proves the long continuance of the blessings of this highly favored

people.

And the Lord said unto her, (Rebecca, Gen. xxv: 23) "The elder

shall serve the younger." And why? Because that Isaac, the

father of Esau and Jacob, the husband of Rebecca, and the son of

promise to Abraham, was the heir; and as Esau was the elder son

of his father Isaac, he had a legal claim to the heirship; but

through unbelief, {262} hardness of heart, and hunger, he sold

his birthright to his younger brother Jacob (Gen. xxv: 33); and

God knowing beforehand that he would do this of his own free will

and choice, or acting upon that agency which God has delegated to

all men, said to his mother, "The elder shall serve the younger;"

for as the elder son Esau, has sold his birthright, and by that

means lost all claim to the blessings promised to Abraham; those

blessings and promises must have failed, if they had not descended

with the purchased birthright unto the younger son, Jacob, for

there was no other heir in Abraham's family; and if those blessings

had failed, the purposes of God according to election must have

failed in relation to the posterity of Israel, and the oath of

Jehovah would have been broken, which could not be though heaven

and earth were to pass away. (Rom. ix: 13) "As it is written, Jacob

have I loved, but Esau have I hated." Where is it written? (Mal.

i: 1, 2). When was it written? About 397 years before Christ,

(according to the computation of time in Scripture margin),

and Esau and Jacob were born about 1,773 years before Christ,

(according to the computation of time in Scripture margin), so Esau

and Jacob lived about 1,376 years before the Lord spoke by Malachi,

saying, "Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated," as quoted by

Paul. This text is often brought forward to prove that God loved

Jacob and hated Esau before they were born, or before they had done

good or evil; but if God did love one and hate the other before

they had done good or evil, He has not seen fit to tell us of it,

either in the Old or New Testament, or any other revelation: but

this only we learn that 1,376 years after Esau and Jacob were born,

God said by Malachi--"Jacob have I loved, and Esau have I hated;"

and surely that was time sufficient to prove their works, and

ascertain whether they were worthy to be loved or hated.

And why did He love the one and hate the other? For the same

reason that He accepted the offering of Abel and rejected Cain's

offering. Because Jacob's works had been righteous, and Esau's

wicked, and where is there a righteous father who would not do the

same thing? Who would not love an affectionate and obedient son

more than one who was disobedient, and sought to injure Him and

overthrow the order of His house? (Objection). But God seeth not as

man seeth, and He is no respecter of persons. (Acts x: 34). True,

but what saith the next verse, "He that feareth God and worketh

righteousness is accepted of Him;" but it does not say that he that

worketh wickedness is accepted, and this is a proof that God has

respect to the actions of persons; and if He did not, why should

He commend obedience to His law? For if he had no respect to the

actions of men, He would be just as well pleased with a wicked man

for breaking His law as a righteous man for keeping it; and if

Cain had done well, he would have been accepted as well as Abel

(Gen. iv: 7), and Esau as well as Jacob, which {263} proves that

God does not respect persons, only in relation to their acts, (see

Matt. xxv: 34 to the end) "Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit

the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:

for I was an hungered, and ye gave me meat," &c.; and because

that God blessed Abel and Jacob, this would not have hindered His

blessing Cain and Esau, if their works had been righteous like

unto their brethren; so God's choosing one nation to blessing does

not doom another to cursing or make them reprobate, according to

the reprobation of God, as some suppose; "But by resisting the

truth they became reprobate concerning the faith" (II Tim. iii:

8); and are "abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work

reprobate" (Titus i: 16); consequently, are not fit subjects for

the blessings of election.

Rom. ix: 15, "For He saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I

will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have

compassion." (See Exod. xxx: 13 to the 19) "My presence shall go

with thee, and I will give thee rest, * * * for thou hast found

grace in my sight, and I know thee by name, and I will make all my

goodness to pass before thee, * * * and I will proclaim the name

of the Lord before thee; and I will be gracious to whom I will be

gracious, and will show mercy on whom I will show mercy." (Rom.

ix: 16) "So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that

runneth, but of God that showeth mercy;" having His eye at the same

time directed towards His covenant people in Egyptian bondage. For

the Scripture saith unto Pharoah (Exod. ix: 16, 17), "And in very

deed for this cause have I raised thee up, for to show in thee my

power; and that my name may be declared throughout all the earth.

As yet exaltest thou thyself, against my people, that thou wilt not

let them go?"

God has promised to bring the house of Israel up out of the land

of Egypt at his own appointed time; and with a mighty hand and

an outstretched arm, and great terribleness (Deut. xxvi, 8.) He

chose to do this thing that His power might be known and his name

declared throughout all the earth, so that all nations might have

the God of heaven in remembrance, and reverence his holy name;

and to accomplish this it was needful that He should meet with

opposition to give Him an opportunity to manifest His power;

therefore He raised up a man, even Pharaoh, who, He foreknew, would

harden his heart against God of his own free will and choice, and

would withstand the Almighty in His attempt to deliver His chosen

people, and that to the utmost of his ability; and he proved

himself worthy of the choice, for he left no means unimproved

which his wicked heart could devise to vex the sons of Abraham,

and defeat the purposes of the Most High, which gave the God of

Abraham an opportunity to magnify his name in the ears {264} of the

nations, and in sight of this wicked king, by many mighty signs and

wonders, sometimes even to the convincing of the wicked king of his

wickedness, and of the power of God, (Exod. viii: 28, etc.) and

yet he would continue to rebel and hold the Israelites in bondage;

and this is what it meant by God's hardening Pharaoh's heart.

He manifested Himself in so many glorious and mighty ways, that

Pharaoh could not resist the truth without becoming harder; so that

at last, in his madness, to stay the people of God, he rushed his

hosts into the Red Sea and they were covered with the floods.

Had not the power of God been exerted in a remarkable manner, it

would seem as though the house of Israel must have become extinct,

for Pharaoh commanded the midwives to destroy the sons of the

Israelitish women as soon as they were born (Exod. i: 15, 16), and

called them to account for saving the men children alive (verse

18), and charged all his people saying, "Every son that is born,

ye shall cast into the river" (verse 22), and yet God would have

mercy on whom He would have mercy (Rom. ix: 18); for he would have

mercy on the goodly child, Moses, when he was hid and laid in the

flags (Exod. xi: 3) by his mother to save him from Pharaoh's cruel

order, and caused that he should be preserved as a Prophet and

deliverer to lead His people up to their own country; and whom He

would He hardened, for He hardened Pharaoh by passing before him

in mighty power and withdrawing His Spirit, and leaving him to his

own inclination, for he had set task-masters over the Israelites

to afflict them with their burdens, and caused them to build

treasure cities for Pharaoh, and made them to serve with rigor;

and made their lives bitter with hard bondage, in mortar and brick

and all manner of service in the field (Exod. 1st chap.); besides

destroying the men children, thus proving to the God of heaven and

all men that he had hardened his own hard heart, until he became a

vessel of wrath fitted for destruction (Rom, ix: 22); all this long

before God said unto Moses, "I will harden his (Pharaoh's) heart"

(Exod. iv: 21).

Are men, then, to be saved by works? Nay, verily, "By grace are ye

saved through faith, and that not of yourselves, it is the gift

of God" (Eph. ii: 8); "Not of works, lest any man should boast"

(v. 9); "Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but

according to His mercy He saved us" (Titus iii: 5): and yet faith

without works is dead, being alone (James ii: 17). Was not Abraham,

our father, justified by works (v. 21)? Shall we then be saved by

faith? Nay, neither by faith nor works, but by works is faith made

perfect (v. 22); but "by grace are ye saved" (Eph. ii: 8); "And if

by grace, then it is no more of works, otherwise grace is no more

grace; and if it be of works, then it is no more grace; otherwise

works is no works" (Rom. xi: 6); "Ye {265} see then how that a man

is justified by works, and not by faith only" (James ii: 24).

Rom. x: 3,4, "For they (Israel) being ignorant of God's

righteousness and going about to establish their own righteousness,

have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God; for

Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that

believeth." Thus the righteousness of God is made manifest in the

plan of salvation by His crucified son; for there is none other

name under heaven given among men whereby we must be saved, but the

name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth (Acts iv: 10, 12); but of this the

Jews were ignorant, although they themselves crucified Him; and

they have been going about wandering among all the nations of the

earth ever since, for the space of eighteen hundred years, trying

to establish their own righteousness, which is of the law of Moses,

which law can never make the comers thereto perfect (Heb. x: i.);

yet notwithstanding their darkness and long dispersion, there is

a remnant, according to the election of grace (Rom. xi: 5); whom

God will gather from among all people whither they are scattered

and will be sanctified in them in the sight of the heathen; then

shall they dwell in their land which God gave to His servant Jacob,

and they shall dwell safely therein, and shall build houses and

plant vineyards; "Yea, they shall dwell with confidence when I

have executed judgments upon all those that despise them round

about; and they shall know that I am the Lord their God" (Ezek.

xxviii: 25, 26; Is. xi: 11 to 16); and when this gathering shall

be completed, "It shall no more be said, The Lord liveth, that

brought up the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt, but the

Lord liveth that brought up the children of Israel from the land

of the north, and from all the lands whither he had driven them:

and I will bring them again into their land that I gave unto their

fathers" (Jer. xvi: 14 to the end).

Rom. xi: 7. "What then? Israel hath not obtained that which he

seeketh for; but the election hath obtained it." And why have they

not obtained it? Because they sought it not by faith, but as it

were by the works of the law, for they stumbled at the stumbling

stone; as it is written, "Behold, I lay in Zion a stumbling stone

and rock of offense" (Rom. ix: 32, 33); "to both the houses of

Israel, for a gin and for a snare to the inhabitants of Jerusalem.

And many among them shall stumble" (Isaiah viii: 14, 15); but "have

they stumbled that they should fall? God forbid; but rather through

their fall, salvation is come unto the Gentiles" (Rom. xi: 11).

"And Jerusalem shall be trodden down by the Gentiles, until the

times of the Gentiles be fulfilled (Luke xxi: 24); and when the

house of Israel shall be restored to their possessions in Canaan,

it may truly be said, the election hath {266} obtained it; for the

fulfillment of God's oath of election to Abraham as the father of

the faithful, and the promises to His children will obtain that for

Israel, which he has sought for in vain by the law of Moses."

This is the election that we believe in, viz., such as we find in

the Prophets and Apostles, and the word of the Lord Himself, and as

we have not room to give all the quotations in full, in relation

to election in this epistle, we would invite the Saints to examine

the Scriptures, in connection with these quoted; and whenever they

find election, or any other principle or blessing, given or applied

to the house of Israel, let those principles continue with the

house of Israel, and not apply that to Esau which belongs to Jacob;

or to the churches of modern times which belong to the ancient

covenant people; and always ascertain how the Lord, the Apostles

and Prophets have applied their words, and ever continue the same

application, and knowledge and wisdom will be added unto you; and

in the words of the beloved Peter and Paul, we would exhort you to

"work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God

which worketh in you both to will and to do of His good pleasure"

(Phil. ii: 12, 13); "Giving all diligence to make your calling and

election sure" (2 Peter i: 10); for this is that sealing power

spoken of in Ephesians (i: 13, 14)--"in whom ye also trusted, after

that ye heard the word of truth; the gospel of your salvation, in

whom also, after that ye believed ye were sealed with that Holy

Spirit of promise, which is the earnest of our inheritance, until

the redemption of the purchased possession, until the praise of His

glory" (2 Peter i: 11); "For so an entrance shall be ministered

unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and

Savior Jesus Christ." Amen.

_Friday, January 8_.--Elder Parley P. Pratt wrote President Sidney

Rigdon, from Manchester, England, in part as follows:

* * * * *

As to the progress of the work of God in this county, it is

increasing at every step. It is now prospering in Ireland and in

Wales, as well as in Scotland and England. It is spreading into

various new places in England. We have several hundred faithful

preachers, and the spirit of inquiry seems to be more generally

awakened. The clergy of the Church of England, the Methodist

priests, the Baptist ministers, and Unitarians, are all in arms, as

it were, against the Saints.

The country is flooded with pamphlets, tracts, papers, &c.,

published against us. * * * * * I must now inform you of the

{267} fact that we have reaped the first fruits of Campbellism in

England, at a place called Nottingham.

_A Proclamation of the First Presidency of the Church to the Saints

Scattered Abroad, Greeting_:

Beloved Brethren:--The relationship which we sustain to the

Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, renders it necessary

that we should make known from time to time, the circumstances,

situation, and prospects of the Church, and give such instructions

as may be necessary for the well being of the Saints, and for the

promotion of those objects calculated to farther their present and

everlasting happiness.

We have to congratulate the Saints on the progress of the great

work of the "last days," for not only has it spread through the

length and breadth of this vast continent, but on the continent of

Europe, and on the islands of the sea, it is spreading in a manner

entirely unprecedented in the annals of time. This appears the

more pleasing when we consider, that but a short time has elapsed

since we were unmercifully driven from the state of Missouri,

after suffering cruelties and persecutions in various and horrid

forms. Then our overthrow, to many, seemed inevitable, while the

enemies of truth triumphed over us, and by their cruel reproaches

endeavored to aggravate our sufferings. But the Lord of Hosts was

with us, the God of Jacob was our refuge, and we were delivered

from the hands of bloody and deceitful men; and in the state of

Illinois we found an asylum, and were kindly welcomed by persons

worthy the character of freemen.

It would be impossible to enumerate all those who, in our time of

deep distress, nobly came forward to our relief, and, like the good

Samaritan, poured oil into our wounds, and contributed liberally

to our necessities, and the citizens of Quincy _en masse_, and the

people of Illinois, generally, seemed to emulate each other in

this labor of love. We would, however, make honorable mention of

Governor Carlin, Judge Young, General Leech, Judge Ralston, Rev.

Mr. Young, Col. Henry, N. Bushnell, John Wood, J. N. Morris, S.

M. Bartlett, Samuel Holmes, and J. T. Holmes, Esquires, who will

long be remembered, by a grateful community, for their philanthropy

to a suffering people, and whose kindness, on that occasion, is

indelibly engraved on the tablets of our hearts in golden letters

of love.

We would likewise make mention of the legislators of this state,

who, without respect to parties, without reluctance, freely,

openly, boldly, and nobly, have come forth to our assistance, owned

us as citizens and friends, and took us by the hand, and extended

to us all the blessings {268} of civil, political, and religious

liberty, by granting us, under date of December 16, 1840, one

of the most liberal charters, with the most plenary powers ever

conferred by a legislative assembly on free citizens, "The City of

Nauvoo," the "Nauvoo Legion," and the "University of the City of

Nauvoo."

The first of these charters (that for the "City of Nauvoo") secures

to us, in all time to come, irrevocably, all those great blessings

of civil liberty which of right appertain to all the free citizens

of a great civilized republic; it is all we ever claimed. What a

contrast does the proceedings of the legislators of this state

present when compared with those of Missouri, whose bigotry,

jealousy, and superstition, prevailed to such an extent as to deny

us our liberty and our sacred rights. Illinois has set a glorious

example to the whole United States, and to the world at large,

and has nobly carried out the principles of her Constitution, and

the Constitution of these United States, and while she requires

of us implicit obedience to the laws, (which we hope ever to see

observed) she affords us the protection of law, the security of

life, liberty, and the peaceable pursuit of happiness.

The name of our city (Nauvoo) is of Hebrew origin, and signifies a

beautiful situation, or place, carrying with it, also, the idea of

rest; and is truly descriptive of the most delightful location. It

is situated on the east bank of the Mississippi river, at the head

of the Des Moines Rapids, in Hancock county, bounded on the east by

an extensive prairie of surpassing beauty, and on the north, west,

and south, by the Mississippi. This place has been objected to by

some on account of the sickness which has prevailed in the summer

months, but it is the opinion of Doctor Bennett, that Hancock

county, and all the eastern and southern portions of the City of

Nauvoo, are as healthful as any other portions of the western

country, to acclimatized citizens; whilst the northwestern portion

of the city has experienced much affliction from fever and ague,

which, however, Doctor Bennett thinks can be easily remedied by

draining the sloughs on the adjacent islands in the Mississippi.

The population of our city is increasing with unparalleled

rapidity, numbering more than 3,000 inhabitants. Every facility is

afforded, in the city and adjacent country, in Hancock county, for

the successful prosecution of the mechanical arts and the pleasing

pursuits of agriculture. The waters of the Mississippi can be

successfully used for manufacturing purposes to almost an unlimited

extent.

Having been instrumental, in the hands of our heavenly Father, in

laying a foundation for the gathering of Zion, we would say, let

all those who appreciate the blessings of the Gospel, and realize

the importance of obeying the commandments of heaven, who have

been blessed of heaven with the possession of this world's goods,

first {269} prepare for the general gathering; let them dispose

of their effects as fast as circumstances will possibly admit,

without making too great sacrifices, and remove to our city and

county; establish and build up manufactures in the city, purchase

and cultivate farms in the county. This will secure our permanent

inheritance, and prepare the way for the gathering of the poor.

This is agreeable to the order of heaven, and the only principle on

which the gathering can be effected. Let the rich, then, and all

who can assist in establishing this place, make every preparation

to come on without delay, and strengthen our hands, and assist in

promoting the happiness of the Saints. This cannot be too forcibly

impressed on the minds of all, and the Elders are hereby instructed

to proclaim this word in all places where the Saints reside,

in their public administrations, for this is according to the

instructions we have received from the Lord.

The Temple of the Lord is in process of erection here, where the

Saints will come to worship the God of their fathers, according

to the order of His house and the powers of the Holy Priesthood,

and will be so constructed as to enable all the functions of the

Priesthood to be duly exercised, and where instructions from the

Most High will be received, and from this place go forth to distant

lands. Let us then concentrate all our powers, under the provisions

of our _magna charta_ granted by the Illinois legislature, at the

"City of Nauvoo" and surrounding country, and strive to emulate

the action of the ancient covenant fathers and patriarchs, in

those things which are of such vast importance to this and every

succeeding generation.

The "Nauvoo Legion" embraces all our military power, and will

enable us to perform our military duty by ourselves, and thus

afford us the power and privilege of avoiding one of the most

fruitful sources of strife, oppression, and collision with the

world. It will enable us to show our attachment to the state and

nation, as a people, whenever the public service requires our aid,

thus proving ourselves obedient to the paramount laws of the land,

and ready at all times to sustain and execute them.

The "University of the City of Nauvoo" will enable us to teach

our children wisdom, to instruct them in all the knowledge and

learning, in the arts, sciences, and learned professions. We hope

to make this institution one of the great lights of the world, and

by and through it to diffuse that kind of knowledge which will

be of practicable utility, and for the public good, and also for

private and individual happiness. The Regents of the University

will take the general supervision of all matters appertaining to

education, from common schools up to the highest branches of a most

liberal collegiate course. They will establish a regular system of

education, and hand over the pupil from teacher to {270} professor,

until the regular gradation is consummated and the education

finished.

This corporation contains all the powers and prerogatives of any

other college or university in this state. The charters for the

University and Legion are _addenda_ to the city charter, making the

whole perfect and complete.

Not only has the Lord given us favor in the eyes of the community,

who are happy to see us in the enjoyment of all the rights and

privileges of freemen, but we are happy to state that several

of the principal men in Illinois, who have listened to the

doctrines we promulgate, have become obedient to the faith, and

are rejoicing in the same; among whom is John C. Bennett, M. D.,

Quartermaster-General of Illinois. We mention this gentleman

first, because, that during our persecutions in Missouri, he

became acquainted with the violence we were suffering while in

that state, on account of our religion; his sympathy for us was

aroused, and his indignation kindled against our persecutors, for

the cruelties practiced upon us, and their flagrant violation of

both the law and the Constitution. Amidst their heated zeal to

put down the truth, he addressed us a letter, tendering to us his

assistance in delivering us out of the hands of our enemies, and

restoring us again to our privileges, and only required at our

hands to point out the way and he would be forthcoming, with all

the forces he could raise for the purpose. He has been one of the

instruments in effecting or safety and deliverance, from the unjust

persecutions and demands of the authorities of Missouri, and also

in procuring the city charter. He is a man of enterprise, extensive

acquirements, and of independent mind, and is calculated to be a

great blessing to our community.

Dr. Isaac Galland also, who is one of our benefactors, having under

his control a large quantity of land, in the immediate vicinity of

our city, and a considerable portion of the city plat, opened both

his heart and his hands, and "when we were strangers, took us in,"

and bade us welcome to share with him in his abundance, leaving

his dwelling house, the most splendid edifice in the vicinity, for

our accommodation, and partook himself to a small, uncomfortable

dwelling. He sold us his large estates on very reasonable terms,

and on long credit, so that we might have an opportunity of paying

for them without being distressed, and has since taken our lands

in Missouri in payment for the whole amount, and has given us a

clear and indisputable title for the same. And in addition to the

first purchase, we have exchanged lands with him in Missouri to the

amount of eighty thousand dollars. He is the honored instrument the

Lord used to prepare a home for us, when we were driven from our

inheritances, having given him control of vast bodies of land, and

prepared his heart to make the use of it the Lord {271} intended he

should. Being a man of extensive information, great talents, and

high literary fame, he devoted all his powers and influence to give

us a standing.

After having thus exerted himself for our salvation and comfort,

and formed an intimate acquaintance with many of our people, his

mind became wrought up to the greatest feelings, being convinced

that our persecutions were like those of the ancient Saints,

and, after investigating the doctrines we proclaimed, he became

convinced of the truth and of the necessity of obedience thereto,

and, to the great joy and satisfaction of the Church, he yielded

himself to the waters of baptism, and became a partaker with us in

our sufferings, "Choosing rather to suffer afflictions with the

people of God than enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season."

In connection with these, we would mention the names of General

James Adams, judge of probate, of Sangamon county; Dr. Green of

Shelby county, R. D. Foster, and Sidney Knowlton, of Hancock

county; Dr. Knight, of Putnam county, Indiana; many others of

respectability and high standing in society, and nearly all the

old settlers in our immediate neighborhood. We make mention of

this that the Saints may be encouraged, and also that they may see

that the persecutions we suffered in Missouri were but the prelude

to a far more glorious display of the power of truth, and of the

religion we have espoused.

From the kind, uniform, and consistent course pursued by the

citizens of Illinois, and the great success which has attended us

while here, the natural advantages of this place for every purpose

we require, and the necessity of the gathering of the Saints of the

Most High, we would say--let the brethren who love the prosperity

of Zion, who are anxious that her stakes should be strengthened

and her cords lengthened, and who prefer her prosperity to their

chief joy, come and cast in their lots with us, and cheerfully

engage in a work so glorious and sublime, and say with Nehemiah,

"We, His servants, will arise and build." It probably would hardly

be necessary to enforce this important subject on the attention

of the Saints, as its necessity is obvious, and is a subject of

paramount importance; but as watchmen to the house of Israel--as

shepherds over the flock which is now scattered over a vast

extent of country, and the anxiety we feel for their prosperity

and everlasting welfare, and for the carrying out the great and

glorious purposes of our God, to which we have been called, we

feel to urge its necessity, and say--Let the Saints come here;

this is the word of the Lord, and in accordance with the great

work of the last days. It is true, the idea of a general gathering

has heretofore been associated with the most cruel and oppressing

scenes, owing to our unrelenting persecutions at the hands of

wicked and unjust men; but we hope that {272} those days of

darkness and gloom have gone by, and, from the liberal policy of

our state government, we may expect a scene of peace and prosperity

we have never before witnessed since the rise of our Church, and

the happiness and prosperity which now await us, is, in all human

probability, incalculably great. By a concentration of action,

and a unity of effort, we can only accomplish the great work of

the last days which we could not do in our remote and scattered

condition, while our interests, both temporal and spiritual, will

be greatly enhanced, and the blessings of heaven must flow unto

us in an uninterrupted stream; of this, we think there can be no

question.

The greatest temporal and spiritual blessings which always flow

from faithfulness and concerted effort, never attended individual

exertion or enterprise. The history of all past ages abundantly

attests this fact. In addition to all temporal blessings, there

is no other way for the Saints to be saved in these last days,

[than by the gathering] as the concurrent testimony of all the

holy Prophets clearly proves, for it is written--"They shall come

from the east, and be gathered from the west; the north shall give

up, and the south shall keep not back." "The sons of God shall be

gathered from far, and His daughters from the ends of the earth."

It is also the concurrent testimony of all the Prophets, that

this gathering together of all the Saints, must take place before

the Lord comes to "take vengeance upon the ungodly," and "to be

glorified and admired by all those who obey the Gospel." The

fiftieth Psalm, from the first to the fifth verse inclusive,

describes the glory and majesty of that event.