means of salvation to men individually; and it was the truth,
not men, that saved them; but men, by actively engaging in rites
of salvation substitutionally became instrumental in bringing
multitudes of their kindred into the kingdom of God.
He explained the difference between an angel and a ministering
spirit; the one a resurrected or translated body, with its spirit
ministering to embodied spirits--the other a disembodied spirit,
visiting and ministering to disembodied spirits. Jesus Christ
became a ministering spirit (while His body was lying in the
sepulchre) to the spirits in prison, to fulfill an important part
of His mission, without which He could not have perfected His work,
or entered into His rest. After His resurrection He appeared as an
angel to His disciples.
Translated bodies cannot enter into rest until they have undergone
a change equivalent to death. Translated bodies are designed for
future missions.
The angel that appeared to John on the Isle of Patmos was a
translated or resurrected body [i. e. personage], Jesus Christ went
in body after His resurrection, to minister to resurrected bodies.
There has been a chain of authority and power from Adam down to the
present time.
The best way to obtain truth and wisdom is not to ask it from
books, but to go to God in prayer, and obtain divine teaching. It
is no more incredible that God should _save_ the dead, than that he
should _raise_ the dead.
There is never a time when the spirit is too old to approach
God. All are within the reach of pardoning mercy, who have not
committed the unpardonable sin, which hath no forgiveness, neither
in this world, nor in the world to come. There is a way to release
the spirits of the dead; that is by the power and authority of
the Priesthood--by binding not loosing on earth. This doctrine
appears glorious, inasmuch as it exhibits the greatness of divine
compassion and benevolence in the extent of the plan of human
salvation.
This glorious truth is well calculated to enlarge the
understanding, and to sustain the soul under troubles, difficulties
and distresses. For illustration, suppose the case of two men,
brothers, equally intelligent, learned, virtuous and lovely,
walking in uprightness and in all good conscience, so far as they
have been able to discern duty from the muddy stream of tradition,
or from the blotted page of the book of nature.
One dies and is buried, having never heard the Gospel of
reconciliation; to the other the message of salvation is sent,
he hears and {426} embraces it, and is made the heir of eternal
life. Shall the one become the partaker of glory and the other be
consigned to hopeless perdition? Is there no chance for his escape?
Sectarianism answers "none." Such an idea is worse than atheism.
The truth shall break down and dash in pieces all such bigoted
Pharisaism; the sects shall be sifted, the honest in heart brought
out, and their priests left in the midst of their corruption.
Many objections are urged against the Latter-day Saints for not
admitting the validity of sectarian baptism, and for withholding
fellowship from sectarian churches. Yet to do otherwise would
be like putting new wine into old bottles, and putting old wine
into new bottles. What! new revelations in the old churches? New
revelations would knock out the bottom of their bottomless pit. New
wine into old bottles! The bottles burst and the wine runs out!
What! Sadducees in the new church! Old wine in new leathern bottles
will leak through the pores and escape. So the Sadducee saints mock
at authority, kick out of the traces, and run to the mountains of
perdition, leaving the long echo of their braying behind them.
He then referred to the [lack of] charity of the sects, in
denouncing all who disagree with them in opinion, and in joining in
persecuting the Saints, who believe that even such may be saved,
in this world and in the world to come (murderers and apostates
excepted).
This doctrine presents in a clear light the wisdom and mercy of
God in preparing an ordinance for the salvation of the dead,
being baptized by proxy, their names recorded in heaven and they
judged according to the deeds done in the body. This doctrine
was the burden of the scriptures. Those Saints who neglect it
in behalf of their deceased relatives, do it at the peril of
their own salvation. The dispensation of the fullness of times
will bring to light the things that have been revealed in all
former dispensations; also other things that have not been before
revealed. He shall send Elijah, the Prophet, &c., and restore all
things in Christ.
President Joseph Smith then announced: "There shall be no more
baptisms for the dead, until the ordinance can be attended to in
the Lord's House; and the Church shall not hold another General
Conference, until they can meet in said house. _For thus saith the
Lord_!"
Prayer by President Hyrum Smith.
Adjourned for one hour.
Afternoon conference opened by the choir singing hymn 105, and
prayer by Elder Lyman Wight.
President Brigham Young addressed the Elders at some length, on
the importance of teaching abroad the first principles of the
Gospel, leaving the mysteries of the kingdom to be taught among the
Saints, {427} also on the propriety of many of the Elders remaining
at home, and working on the Lord's House; and that their labors
will be as acceptable to the Lord as their going abroad, and more
profitable for the Church. That those who go abroad must take a
recommend from the proper authorities, without which they will not
be fellowshiped; and that those who go, and those who remain make
consecrations more abundantly than heretofore.
Elder Lyman Wight followed with remarks of a similar purport;
resigning his mission of gathering means for the Temple and Nauvoo
House.
The conference appointed Elias Higbee, John Taylor, and Elias
Smith, to petition Congress for redress of wrongs sustained in
Missouri; and Elder John Taylor to present the petition.
Closed by the choir singing hymn 125, and prayer by President John
Smith.
Conference assembled on the morning of Monday, the 4th.
Prayer by Elder George A. Smith.
President Joseph Smith made a lengthy exposition of the condition
of the temporal affairs of the Church, the agency of which had been
committed to him at a general conference in Quincy--explaining the
manner that he had discharged the duties involved in the agency,
and the conditions of the lands and other property of the Church.
On motion, resolved: that Elder Reuben McBride be invested with
power of attorney to settle the business at Kirtland, left in an
uncertain condition by Elder Oliver Grange, deceased.
Prayer by Elder Lyman Wight.
Adjourned for one hour.
Afternoon conference opened. Prayer by President John Smith.
Elder Lyman Wight spoke at some length on the subject introduced in
the former part of the day, and on the old debts and obligations
that are frequently brought up from Kirtland and Missouri; one
of which, in the form of a $50 note, he held in his hand, and
proclaimed it as his text.
On motion, voted unanimously, that the trustee-in-trust be
instructed not to appropriate Church property to liquidate old
claims that may be brought forward from Kirtland and Missouri.
President Hyrum Smith presented to the notice of the conference
some embarrassment growing out of his signing as security, a
certain obligation in Kirtland in favor of Mr. Eaton.
Voted, that Church property here shall not be appropriated to
liquidate said claim.
President Brigham Young made some appropriate and weighty remarks
on the importance of more liberal consecrations and more {428}
energetic efforts to forward the work of building the Temple and
Nauvoo House; and after purchasing Elder Wight's text, by paying
him fifty cents, tore it in pieces and gave it to the winds,
saying, "Go ye and do likewise, with all old claims against the
Church."
Choir sang hymn 104, and President Hyrum Smith closed by prayer.
_Tuesday, 5th_. Conference opened by the choir singing hymn 274,
and prayer by Elder Orson Pratt.
Elder Orson Pratt, by request of President Joseph Smith, read a
letter from Smith Tuttle, Esq., one of the proprietors of the
Hotchkiss purchase, in reference to some misunderstanding in the
adjustment of their claims, and conciliatory of any hard feelings
growing out of such misunderstanding.
President Brigham Young spoke on the contents of the letter, and
expressed his earnest desire that the business might be speedily
adjusted, and a proper title obtained by the Church.
Elders Lyman Wight and Hyrum Smith followed with appropriate
remarks.
On motion, voted, That President Joseph Smith write to Mr.
Hotchkiss on the subject.
On motion by President Joseph Smith, voted, that the Twelve write
an epistle to the Saints abroad, to use their influence and
exertions to secure by exchange, purchase, donation, &c., a title
to the Hotchkiss purchase.
President Brigham Young presented an appeal from the decision of
the Elders' quorum on a charge made against Elder John A. Hicks by
Dimick B. Huntington for a breach of the ordinances of the city,
for falsehood and schismatical conversation. After hearing the
testimony in the case it was voted that Elder John A. Hicks be cut
off from the Church.
Closed by the choir singing hymn 275; prayer by President Brigham
Young.
Adjourned for one hour.
Afternoon conference opened by the choir singing hymn 104, and
prayer by Elder Orson Pratt, who then read the minutes of a special
conference held in Nauvoo, August 16, 1841.
President Joseph Smith made remarks explanatory of the importance
of the resolutions and votes passed at that time
On motion, voted, that this conference sanction the doings of said
special conference.
President Brigham Young proposed to the congregation, that those
who would take laborers on the Lord's House to board, while thus
laboring, should manifest their willingness by rising and giving
their names. About sixty persons arose.
{429} Conference closed by the choir singing hymn 284, and prayer
by President Brigham Young.
Conference adjourned _sine die_.
Although the conference commenced under discouraging circumstances
owing to the inclemency of the weather, yet a vast number of the
brethren and visitors from abroad were present, and on Saturday and
Sunday, the weather having become favorable, the congregation was
immense. The greatest unanimity prevailed; business was conducted
with the most perfect harmony and good feelings, and the assembly
dispersed with new confidence in the great work of the last days.
Joseph Smith, President.
Elias Smith,
Gustavus Hills,
Clerks.
An earthquake at Constantinople, occasioning extensive destruction of
property.
Elder Joseph Beebee writes from New York that he has been preaching in
that city, and has baptized twenty-nine.
_Wednesday, 6_.--Elder Woodruff arrived in Nauvoo.
Elders Kimball, Richards, and Woodruff laid hands on President Young,
who was very sick, and he recovered.
_Thursday, 7_.
_Minutes of a Meeting of the Council of the Twelve_.
Elders Brigham Young, Heber C. Kimball, Orson Pratt, Lyman Wight,
John Taylor, Wilford Woodruff, and Willard Richards, of the quorum
of the Twelve Apostles, assembled in council at the house of Elder
John Taylor. Voted, that
Elder John D. Lee go on a mission to Jackson and Rutherford
counties, Tennessee.
Elder David Evans, to Augusta, Iowa Territory.
Elder Elisha H. Groves, to Iowa county, Wisconsin.
Elder Hiram Clark, to Pike, Brown, and Adams counties, Illinois.
Elder Joseph Ball, to South America.
Elder Harrison Sagers, to Jamaica.
Elder William Bosley, to Utica, New York.
Elder Amasa Lyman, to New York City.
Elder Arza Adams to Kingston, Canada.
Elder Lyman Stoddard, to go with Elisha H. Groves to Wisconsin.
{430} Elder Phinehas H. Young, to Cincinnati, Ohio.
Elder Abraham Palmer, to Chicago, Illinois.
Elder George W. Gee, to Pittsburg, Pennsylvania.
Elder James Blakesley, to Nauvoo, Illinois.
Elder John D. Parker, to New Orleans, Louisiana.
Voted, that Phinehas H. Young be ordained to a High Priest and
recommended accordingly.
That Daniel Garns be nominated for president of the Elders' quorum.
That a conference be held at Father Morley's, at Lima, on Saturday
and Sunday, the 23rd and 24th instant.
That a committee of three, namely, Brigham Young, Willard Richards,
and John Taylor be a committee to draft an address to the eastern
churches, as directed by the general conference.
Adjourned to Bishop Miller's tomorrow evening at 6 o'clock.
Brigham Young, President.
Willard Richards, Clerk.
_Saturday, 9_.
_Copy of a Letter to Smith Tuttle, Esq.--The Hotchkiss Land
Troubles_.
Dear Sir:--Your kind letter of September was received during our
conference, which is just over, containing a full and particular
explanation of everything which gave rise to some feelings of
disappointment in relation to our business transactions; and I
will assure you it has allayed on our part every prejudice. It
breathes the spirit of kindness and truth. I will assure you that
we exceedingly regret that there has been any ground for hardness
and disappointment. But as far as I am concerned, I must plead
innocent, and you will consider me so, when you come to know all
the facts. I have done all that I could on my part. I will still do
all that I can. I will not leave one stone unturned.
Now the facts are these: I sent my brother Hyrum, and Doctor
Galland with means in their hands--say not money--but with power to
obtain either property or money which was necessary to enable them
to fulfill the contract I made with Mr. Hotchkiss. My brother Hyrum
was under the necessity of returning to this place on account of
his ill health, leaving the business in the hands of Dr. Galland,
with the fullest expectation that he would make over the property
or money to Mr. Hotchkiss, and make everything square so far as the
interest is concerned, if not the principal. He was instructed to
pay the interest that had accrued, and should accrue up to the fall
of 1842, so as to be in advance of our indebtedness.
{431} I had also made arrangements with the eastern churches, and
had it in my power to deed over lands for the whole debt, and had
expected that an arrangement of that kind would have been entered
into.
I am well assured that Dr. Galland did not look for any means
whatever, to pay the interest at any rate, if not the principal;
and, why he has not done according to my instructions, God only
knows. I do not feel to charge him with having done wrong, until I
can investigate the matter, and ascertain to a certainty where the
fault lies. It may be through sickness or disaster, this strange
neglect has happened. I would to God the thing had not happened.
When I read Mr. Hotchkiss' letter, I learned that he was
dissatisfied. I thought that he meant to oppress me, and felt
accordingly mortified and sorrowful in the midst of affliction, to
think that he should distrust me for a moment that I would not do
all that was within my power.
But upon having an explanation of the whole matter, my feelings are
changed, and I think that you all have had cause for complaining.
But you will in the magnanimity of your good feelings, certainly
not blame me when you find that I have discharged an honorable duty
on my part.
I regret exceedingly that I did not know some time since what I
now know, that I might have made another effort before it got so
late. Cold weather is now rolling in upon us. I have been confined
here this season by sickness, and various other things that were
beyond my control; such as having been demanded by the governor of
Missouri, of the governor of this state, and he did not have moral
courage enough to resist the demand, although it was founded in
injustice and cruelty. I accordingly was taken prisoner, and they
put me to some ten or eleven hundred dollars' expense and trouble,
such as lawyer's fees, witnesses, &c., &c., before I could be
redeemed from under the difficulty. But I am now clear of them once
more.
And now in contemplating the face of the whole subject, I
find that I am under the necessity of asking a little further
indulgence--say, till next spring, so that I may be enabled to
recover myself, and then, if God spares my life, and gives me power
to do so, I will come in person to your country, and will never
cease my labors until the whole matter is completely adjusted to
the full satisfaction of all of you. The subject of your debt was
fairly presented before our general conference held on the first of
this month, consisting of ten thousand people for their decision on
the wisest and best course in relation to meeting your demands.
The Twelve, as they are denominated in the _Times and Seasons_
were ordered by the conference to make arrangements in the Eastern
branches of the Church, ordering them to go to you and turn over
their {432} property as you and they might agree, and take up our
obligations and bring them here, and receive property here for
them; and I have been ordered by the conference to write this
letter to you, informing you of the measures which are about to be
taken to make all things right.
I would inform you that Dr. Galland has not returned to the western
country as yet. He has a considerable amount of money in his hands,
which was to have been paid to you, as we intended. He is on his
way, for aught we know, and is retarded in his journey by some
misfortune or other. He may return, however, as yet, and give a
just and honorable account of himself. We hope this may be the
case. I am sorrowful on account of your disappointments. It is a
great disappointment to me, as well as to yourselves.
As to the growth of our place, it is very rapid, and it would be
more so, were it not for sickness and death. There have been many
deaths, which leaves a melancholy reflection, but we cannot help
it. When God speaks from the heavens to call us hence, we must
submit to His mandates.
And as for your sincerity and friendship, gentlemen, we have not
the most distant doubt of it. We will not have any. We know it is
for your interest to do us good, and for our welfare and happiness
to be punctual in fulfillment of all our vows, and we think for the
future you will have no cause for complaint. We intend to struggle
with all our misfortunes in life, and shoulder them up handsomely,
like men.
We ask nothing, therefore, but what ought to be required between
man and man, and by those principles which bind man to man, by
kindred blood, in bearing our own part in everything which duty
calls us to do, as not inferior to any of the human race; and we
will be treated as such, although we differ with some in matters
of opinion in things (viz., religious matters), for which we only
feel ourselves amenable to the Eternal God. And may God forbid that
pride, ambition, a want of humanity, in any degree of importance,
should have any unjust dominion in our bosoms.
We are the sons of Adam. We are the free born sons of America, and
having been trampled upon, and our rights taken from us--even our
constitutional rights, by a good many who boast themselves of being
valiant in freedom's cause, while their hearts possess not a spark
of its benign and enlightening influence--will afford a sufficient
excuse, we hope, for any harsh remarks that may have been dropped
by us, when we thought there was an assumption of superiority
designed to gall our feelings.
We are very sensitive as a people--we confess it: but we want to
be pardoned for our sins, if any we have committed. With regard to
the {433} time when the first payment of interest should be called
for, it appears we misunderstood each other, but suffice it to
say, that it shall not prevent our making arrangements concerning
the whole matter. It is still, however, my firm conviction that my
understanding concerning the interest was correct.
I remain, gentlemen, with sentiments of respect, yours, &c.,
Joseph Smith.
_Monday, 10_.--The Twelve met for the purpose of counsel, and spent
most of the day in visiting the sick.
Elder Erastus Snow writes from Northbridge, Massachusetts. He had been
laboring in Salem and vicinity four weeks, organized a branch of thirty
members, and the prospects are flattering.
_Tuesday, 12_.
_An Epistle of the Twelve Apostles, to the Brethren Scattered
Abroad on the Continent of America, Greeting_:
Beloved Brethren:--It seemeth good to us to write unto you at this
time concerning the great things of the kingdom of our God, and
more especially as we have been called upon by the late general
conference so to do, that the work may not be hindered, but that
all may understand their privilege and duty in this day of glorious
events, so that by exercising themselves therein, they may attain
unto those blessings which God has in store for His people in the
last days.
We have abundant occasion, and we rejoice exceedingly at the
privilege we have had of beholding so many thousands of our
brethren and sisters as were assembled at the late conference;
and for the perfect harmony and good feeling which prevailed
throughout all their deliberations; for the great amount of
valuable instructions by President Joseph Smith and others; and
for the disposition which we have seen manifested, by all who were
present, to carry into effect all those noble plans and principles
which were derived from heaven, and have been handed down to earth
to carry forward the great and glorious work which is already
commenced, and which must be consummated to secure the salvation of
Israel.
While the minutes of the general conference are before you, which
will be read with interest by every lover of Zion, we shall
recapitulate some items, and detail more particularly to the
understanding of those who had not the privilege of being present
on that interesting occasion, {434} the past, present and future
situation and prospects of the Church, and the stakes, and those
things which immediately concern their best interests.
A short time since, and the Saints were fleeing from their enemies.
Whippings, imprisonments, tortures, and death stared them in the
face, and they were compelled to seek an asylum in a land of
strangers. They sought, they found it within the peaceful bosom
of Illinois--a state whose citizens are inspired with a love of
liberty, whose souls are endowed with those noble principles of
charity and benevolence which ever bid the stranger welcome, and
minister to his wants; in this state, whose soil is vieing with
its citizens in all that is good and lovely, the Saints have found
a resting place where, freed from tyranny and mobs, they are
beginning to realize the fulfillment of the ancient prophets--"They
shall build houses and inhabit them, plant vineyards and eat the
fruit thereof, having none to molest or make afraid."
In this city, the Church has succeeded in securing several
extensive plats of land, which have been laid out in city lots, a
part of which have been sold, a part has been distributed to the
widow and orphan, and a part remains for sale. These lots are for
the inheritance of the Saints, a resting place for the Church, a
habitation for the God of Jacob; for here He has commanded a house
to be built unto His name where He may manifest Himself unto His
people as in former times, when He caused the ark, the tabernacle,
and the temple to be reared, and the cloud, and the fire to rest
down thereon; and not that the temple be built only, but that
it be completed quickly, and that no more general conference be
held, till it shall be held therein; and that the Nauvoo House be
finished for the accommodation of the brethren from afar, and the
stranger who shall come up hither to inquire after the work of the
Lord, and worship in His temple.
Scores of brethren in this city have offered to board one and two
laborers each, till the temple is completed, many have volunteered
to labor continually, and the brethren generally are giving
one-tenth part of their time, or one-tenth part of their income,
according to circumstances; while those sisters who can do nothing
more, are knitting socks and mittens, and preparing garments for
the laborers, so that they may be made as comfortable as possible
during the coming winter. In view of these things we would invite
our brethren for many miles distant around us, to send in their
teams for drawing stone, lumber, and materials for the building;
and at the same time load their wagons with all kinds of grain
and meat, provisions, and clothing, and hay, and provender in
abundance, that the laborer faint not, and the teams be made
strong; also that journeymen stonecutters, &c., come, bringing
their tools with them, and enlist in the glorious enterprise.
{435} Most of the plats in this city before referred to, as well
as several farms and large lots of land in this, and adjoining
counties are paid for, and secured to the Church by good and
sufficient titles; while the town plat for the town of Warren,
near Warsaw, is secured on such conditions that the brethren can
be accommodated with lots on very reasonable terms; but the large
plat in Nauvoo, purchased of Messrs. Hotchkiss, Tuttle & Co., of
New Haven, Connecticut, remains unpaid for, and the time has now
arrived, when it is very desirable on the part of the Church, as
well as on the part of the gentlemen of whom it was purchased,
that payment should be made, and a warrantee title secured; to
accomplish which we have been called upon by the united voice of
the general conference to address the churches in the eastern
states, to advise with the brethren in those regions, and devise
ways and means whereby this debt may be liquidated, Hotchkiss & Co.
satisfied, the plat secured to the Church, and the brethren in the
East at the same time transfer their real estate from the place
where it now is, to this city or region of country, according to
their desire.
The contract for the "Hotchkiss purchase" in Nauvoo, consisting
of upwards of five hundred acres, was entered into on or about
the 9th of August, 1839, for the specified sum of fifty-three
thousand five hundred dollars, and security was given to Messrs.
Horace R. Hotchkiss, Smith Tuttle and John Gillet, for the amount
of the same, in two notes of equal amount, one payable in ten
years, and the other in twenty years from the date thereof; signed
by Messrs. Hyrum Smith, Joseph Smith and Sidney Rigdon. In August
last interest to the amount of six thousand dollars or upwards
had accumulated on said notes, which it has not been in the power
of the Church to pay up to the present time. The nature of this
purchase and the situation of the Church is such, that it is
necessary that the notes should be taken up, the interest stopped,
and a warrantee title secured immediately; a correspondence is now
in progress with Messrs. Hotchkiss and Co., to effect this thing,
and bring forward a final settlement.
But, say you, what can we do to accomplish this great and desirable
object? Let the brethren in the eastern states who have lands which
they wish to dispose of, so that they may remove hither, and secure
to themselves an inheritance among the Saints either in the cities
or farms in the vicinity, and are willing to have their lands in
the East made over to Messrs. Hotchkiss and Co. towards the payment
of the foregoing notes, communicate with us immediately, at this
place, stating to us the extent and value of their property.
Then, as soon as we shall have received communications concerning
property, sufficient to cancel the obligations, and the necessary
preliminaries are understood with Messrs. Hotchkiss and Co.,
we will dispatch {436} an agent to New Haven to complete the
negotiation, transfer your property, take up the notes and secure
a deed; and those whose property is thus transferred can have the
value thereof here in city lots or lands in the vicinity; and thus
your property will prove to you as good as money, inasmuch as you
desire to emigrate; and you will no longer be obliged to tarry
afar off because that money is so scarce you cannot sell and get
your pay. If there are those among you to whom God has given in
abundance, and they desire to appropriate some portion thereof
for the benefit of His people, for the redemption of Zion, for a
blessing to the widows of those who have been slain for the word
of God,--and been buried in a well,--for a sustenance to their
fatherless children, and provide for them a habitation, they
cannot do it more effectually than by devoting a portion of their
sustenance toward liquidating this claim.
To those brethren who live so far distant that they cannot send
in their loaded teams, and yet desire to assist in building the
Lord's house, we would say, gather yourselves together and bring
of your substance, your silver, and gold, and apparel, and of your
superabundance cast into the treasury of the Lord, and see if He
will not pour you out a blessing till there is not room enough to
receive it.
Brethren, the blessings of the kingdom are for you, for the body of
Christ, for all the members, and God will help those who will help
themselves, and bless those who will bless each other, and do as
they would be done unto. The gold and the silver is the Lord's; all
the treasures of the earth, the flocks and the herds of the fields,
and the cattle on the thousand hills are His; if He were hungry,
would He crave thy food, or thirsty, would He ask thy drink? Nay!
He would only ask that which was His own, He would feast on His own
flocks and quench His thirst at His own springs. This God is the
God of the Saints, He is your God and He has made you stewards of
all that has been committed to you, and will require His own with
usury, and will you not be faithful in a little, that you may be
made rulers over many cities? Yes, you will, we know you will.
The journeyings, and gatherings and buildings of the Saints are
nothing new, and as they are expecting, looking and praying for the
completion of the dispensation of the fullness of times, they must
also expect that their progress will be onward, or they will be
of no avail, for what is not of faith is sin, and can you believe
that God will hear your prayers and bring you on your journey,
gather you and build your houses, and you not put forth your hand
or make one exertion to help yourselves? No. Therefore, inasmuch
as the Saints believe that Father Abraham journed to a distant
land at the command of the Highest, where himself and household,
(whose household we are if we keep the commandments) might enjoy
the fruits of their labors unmolested, {437} and worship the God
of heaven according to the dictates of their own conscience and
His law; that his seed afterwards gathered to Canaan, the land of
promise; that the people of God were commanded to build a house
where the Son of Man might have a place to lay his head, and the
disciples be endowed with power from on high, and were with one
accord in one place; they must also believe that this dispensation
comprehends all the great works of all former dispensations; and
that the children must gather as did the fathers, must build a
house where they may be endowed, and be found together worshiping
and doing as their fathers did when Jehovah spake, and the angels
of heaven ministered unto them; and if these things are not in this
generation, then we have not arrived at the dispensation of the
fullness of times as we anticipate, and our faith and prayers are
vain.
Is it possible that we labor in vain and toil for nought, and that
we shall be disappointed at the last? No! We know assuredly that
the set time to favor Zion has come, and her sons and daughters
shall rejoice in her glory. The time has come when the great
Jehovah would have a resting place on earth, a habitation for
His chosen where His law shall be revealed, and His servants be
endowed from on high, to bring together the honest in heart from
the four winds; where the Saints may enter the baptismal font for
their dead relatives, so that they may be judged according to men
in the flesh, and live according to God in the spirit, and come
forth in the celestial kingdom; a place over which the heavenly
messengers may watch and trouble the waters as in days of old, so
that when the sick are put therein, they shall be made whole; a
place wherein all the ordinances shall be made manifest, and the
Saints shall unite in the songs of Zion, even praise, thanksgiving
and hallelujahs to God and the Lamb, that He has wrought out their
deliverance, and bound Satan fast in chains.
What then shall we do? Let us all arise, and with one united and
mighty exertion, by the strength of Israel's God, oppose the powers
of darkness, and every being and principle that may rise up against
us and complete the work already commenced. Let us not for a moment
lend an ear to evil and designing men who would subvert the truth
and blacken the character of the servant of the Most High God, by
publishing abroad that the Prophet is enriching himself on the
spoils of the brethren.
When Brother Joseph stated to the general conference the amount
and situation of the property of the Church, of which he is
Trustee-in-Trust by the united voice of the Church, he also stated
the amount of his own possessions on earth; and what do you think
it was? We will tell you: his old Charley (a horse) given him in
Kirtland, two pet deer, two old turkeys and four young ones, the
old cow given him by a {438} brother in Missouri, his old Major,
(a dog) his wife, children and a little household furniture; and
this is the amount of the great possessions of that man whom God
has called to lead His people in these last days, this is the
sum total of the great estates, the splendid mansions and noble
living of him who has spent a life of toil and suffering, of
privation and hardships, of imprisonments and chains, of dungeons
and vexatious lawsuits, and every kind of contumely and contempt
ungodly men could heap upon him, and last of all report him as
rolling in wealth and luxury which he had plundered from the spoils
of those for whose good he had thus toiled and suffered. Who would
be willing to suffer what he has suffered, and labor near twenty
years, as he has done, for the wealth he is in possession of?
Brethren, in view of all these things, let us be up and doing. Let
those in the eastern states use all diligence in communicating to
us their ability to assist in the Hotchkiss payment, being assured
that no exertion they can make will equal what has already been
made for them and the Church generally; and let all the Saints
come up to the places of gathering, and with their mites and their
abundance as God has given them in trust, help to build up the old
waste places which have been thrown down for many generations,
knowing that when they are completed they will belong unto the
people of the Most High God, even the meek, the honest in heart,
they shall possess all things, in the due time of the Lord. Be not
covetous, but deal in righteousness, for what the Saints shall not
possess by purchase and in righteousness they shall not possess,
for no unrighteous thing can enter into the kingdom; therefore
beloved brethren, deal gently, love mercy, walk humbly before God,
and whatever your hands find to do, do it with your might, keeping
all the commandments, and then, whether in life or in death, all
things will be yours, whether they be temples or lands, houses or
vineyards, baptisms or endowments, revelations or healings, all
things will be yours, for you will be Christ's and Christ is God's.
Brigham Young,
Heber C. Kimball,
Orson Pratt,
Lyman Wight,
John Taylor,
Wilford Woodruff,
George A. Smith,
Willard Richards.
Nauvoo, October 12, 1841.
{439}
CHAPTER XXVI.
Affairs in Kirtland and Nauvoo--Epistle of the Twelve to the Saints
in the British Islands--Orson Hyde's Prayer on the Mount of Olives,
Dedicating the Holy Land Preparatory to the Return of the Tribes of
Israel.
_Wednesday, October 20, 1841_.--The following extract of a letter from
Elder Hyde, dated Jaffa, October 20, 1841, on his way to Jerusalem.
_Extract from Orson Hyde's Letter_.
On my passage from Beyrut to this place (Jaffa) night before last,
at one o'clock, as I was meditating on the deck of the vessel,
as she was beating down against a sultry wind, a very bright
glittering sword appeared in the heavens, about six feet in length,
with a beautiful hilt, as plain and complete as any cut you ever
saw; and what is still more remarkable, an arm with a perfect hand
stretched itself out, and took hold of the hilt of the sword. The
appearance really made my hair rise, and the flesh, as it were,
crawl on my bones. The Arabs made a wonderful outcry at the sight.
Allah! Allah! Allah! [O Lord, O Lord, O Lord] was their exclamation
all over the vessel. I mention this because you know there is a
commandment of God for me, which says, "Unto you it shall be given
to know the signs of the times, and the sign of the coming of the
Son of Man."
Yours in Christ,
Orson Hyde.
_Saturday, 23_.--I attended the city council.
_Minutes of Conference held at Lima_.
Lima [Adams county, Illinois] conference convened pursuant to
previous appointment. Elders Brigham Young, John Taylor, and
Willard {440} Richards, of the Twelve Apostles, were in attendance.
Elder Brigham Young was unanimously chosen president, and James C.
Snow, clerk of the conference.
President Young then made some preliminary remarks, setting forth
and explaining the object of the meeting; followed by President
Isaac Morley. Elder James C. Snow then represented the branch of
the Church at Lima, consisting of 424 members, including 9 High
Priests, 32 Elders, 4 Priests, 5 Teachers, and 4 Deacons, mostly in
good standing.
President Young, Elders Taylor and Richards, then made some very
appropriate remarks, showing and proving the absolute necessity
of finishing and completing the House of the Lord now building in
Nauvoo, in preference to anything else that can be done, either by
mental or physical exertion, in spreading light, knowledge, and
intelligence among the nations of the earth.
Conference adjourned till tomorrow, ten o'clock.
In the evening President Morley met with his counselors together
with President Young, Elders Taylor, and Richards, and brethren
of the Lima branch, for the purpose of entering into certain
resolutions necessary, in order to become more active in forwarding
the work on the House of the Lord.
After much deliberation, it was moved and seconded, that all those
who are willing to consecrate one tenth of their time and property
to the building of the temple at Nauvoo, under the superintendence
of President Morley and counselors, to signify it by the uplifted
hands; when the motion was carried unanimously.
Sunday morning, at ten o'clock conference met pursuant to
adjournment.
Elder John Taylor delivered an address, upon the object of Christ's
mission into this world, the resurrection and redemption of the
Saints, and pointed out very clearly the course to be pursued in
order to become the sons of God, through the ordinances of the
gospel, that the Saints may, at last, be exalted at the right hand
of God, to dwell with Him eternally in the heavens.
After an intermission of one hour, the sacrament was administered
by President Young and Elder Richards. The minutes of the
conference were then read and accepted.
President Young made some very just remarks on the priesthood,
authority, and calling.
Conference adjourned _sine die_.
Benediction by President Morley.
Brigham Young, President,
James C. Snow, Clerk.
{441} _Extract of a Letter from Parley P. Pratt--Emigration of
Saints, and Status of the Work in England_.
Manchester, England.
On the 20th of September, the ship _Tyrean_ sailed from Liverpool
for New Orleans, under a charter of the Latter-day Saints; she had
upwards of two hundred Saints on board, with Elder Joseph Fielding
at their head. By chartering [the vessel] we saved the company [of
Saints] at least 500 or 600 dollars. The splendid new ship _Chaos_,
1,200 tons burthen, will sail on the 5th of November, under our
charter. She will have from one to two hundred Saints on board,
with Patriarch Peter Melling at their head.
The Saints in this country are generally rejoicing, and filled with
the testimony of Jesus. Great zeal is manifested by the officers in
general, of whom there are probably more than a thousand. We are
increasing in numbers, and in gifts and blessings. New branches of
the Church are rising in many places, and great additions made to
the old ones. Manchester and vicinity has poured forth a stream of
emigration for the last eighteen months, and still we numbered at
our conference, two weeks ago, nearly sixteen hundred members, and
between one and two hundred officers; all these within one hour's
journey of Manchester.
There has been a general time of pruning; we have cut off upwards
of one hundred members from this conference in a few months; this
causes the young and tender branches to grow with double vigor.
_Thursday, 28_.
_Copy of a Letter of Attorney from Joseph Smith, "Sole Trustee in
Trust for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints," to
Reuben McBride, of Kirtland, Ohio_.
Know all men by these presents, that I, Joseph Smith, of Nauvoo,
Hancock county, and State of Illinois, "sole trustee in trust
for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints," have
made, constituted and appointed, and by these presents do make,
constitute, and appoint, Reuben McBride, of Kirtland, Lake county,
and state of Ohio, my true and lawful attorney for me and in my
name, and for my use as "sole trustee in trust for the Church
of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints," to ask, demand, sue for,
recover, and receive all such sum or sums of money, debts, goods,
wares, and other demands which are or shall be due, owing, payable,
or belonging to me, as trustee in trust as aforesaid, by any manner
or means whatsoever; also, to dispose of in my name, to grant,
bargain, sell, release, and confirm all or any part of my real
estate as trustee in trust as aforesaid, in and about Kirtland,
Lake county, and state of Ohio, and throughout any of the northern
and {442} eastern states, and to receive all such sum or sums of
money accruing therefrom, for me and for my use as sole trustee
in trust for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and
to take up the power of attorney which I gave to Oliver Granger,
and all the papers and obligations of every description specified
therein, or in his possession by virtue thereof, and to settle the
same in my name, for me and for my use as above described; and I,
as trustee in trust as aforesaid, hereby give and grant unto the
said Reuben McBride, my attorney, full power and authority in and
about the premises, to have, use, and take all lawful ways and
means in my name for the purposes aforesaid, and upon the receipt
of any such debts, dues, or sums of money (as the case may be),
acquittances, or other sufficient discharges, for me and in my name
as aforesaid Trustee, to make and give, and generally to do all
other acts and things in the law whatsoever needful and necessary
to be done, in the before mentioned places, for me and in my name
as aforesaid Trustee, to do, execute, and perform, as fully and to
all intents and purposes, as I might or could do, if personally
present. Hereby ratifying all and whatsoever my said attorney
shall, in the place above specified, by virtue hereof.
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 28th
day of October, 1841.
Joseph Smith, (L. S.)
Witness: John Taylor, John S. Fullmer.
_Friday, 29_.--Those of the Twelve Apostles who were in Nauvoo, met in
council.
_Saturday, 30_.--I attended the city council, and spoke against the
council remitting a fine assessed against John Eagle by a jury of
twelve men, considering that the jury might be as sensible men as any
of the city council, and I asked the council not to remit the fine.
Lyman Wight, Willard Richards, and Wilford Woodruff were elected
councilors, and Hiram Kimball and George W. Harris, Aldermen.
In obedience to an order from the mayor, I called out two companies of
the Nauvoo Legion, and removed a grog shop kept by Pulaski S. Cahoon,
which had been declared a nuisance by the city council.
_Sunday, 31_.--I was in council with the brethren at brother Hyrum's
office.
{443} Attended a council with the Twelve Apostles. Benjamin Winchester
being present, complained that he had been neglected and misrepresented
by the Elders, and manifested a contentious spirit. I gave him a
severe reproof, telling him of his folly and vanity, and showing him
that the principles which he suffered to control him would lead him
to destruction. I counseled him to change his course, govern his
disposition, and quit his tale-bearing and slandering his brethren.
I instructed the council on many principles pertaining to the gathering
of the nations, the wickedness and downfall of this generation, &c.
After having received the following minutes--"A conference was held at
Kirtland, Ohio, Oct. 2, 1841. Almon W. Babbitt, president, and William
W. Phelps, clerk. Resolved, that Thomas Burdick, Bishop of Kirtland,
and his counselors, be constituted a company to establish a press in
Kirtland, and publish a religious paper, entitled _The Olive Leaf_, and
that the Saints adjacent be solicited to carry the above resolution
into effect"--my brother Hyrum wrote to the brethren in Kirtland, of
which the following is an extract--
_Excerpt of Hyrum Smith's Letter to the Saints in
Kirtland--Disapproving of Certain Plans for Building up Kirtland_.
All the Saints that dwell in that land are commanded to come away,
for this is "Thus saith the Lord;" therefore pay out no moneys,
nor properties for houses, nor lands in that country, for if you
do you will lose them, for the time shall come, that you shall not
possess them in peace, but shall be scourged with a sore scourge;
yet your children may possess them, but not until many years shall
pass away; and as to the organization of that branch of the Church,
it is not according to the Spirit and will of God; and as to the
designs of the leading members of that branch relative to the
printing press, and the ordaining of Elders, and sending out Elders
to beg for the poor, are not according to the will of God; and in
these things they shall not prosper, for they have neglected the
House of the Lord, the baptismal font, in this place, wherein their
dead may be redeemed, and the key of knowledge that unfolds the
dispensation of the fullness of times may be turned, and the {444}
mysteries of God be unfolded, upon which their salvation, and the
salvation of the world, and the redemption of their dead depends;
for "thus saith the Lord," there shall not be a general assembly
for a general conference assembled together until the House of
the Lord and the baptismal font shall be finished; and if we are
not diligent the Church shall be rejected, and their dead also,
saith the Lord. "Therefore, dear brethren, any proceedings of the
Saints otherwise than to put forth their hands with their might to
do this work, is not according to the will of God, and shall not
prosper; therefore, tarry not in any place whatever, but come forth
unto this place from all the world, until it is filled up, and
polished, and sanctified according to my word, saith the Lord. Come
ye forth from the ends of the earth, that I may hide you from mine
indignation that shall scourge the wicked, and then I will send
forth and build up Kirtland, and it shall be polished and refined
according to my word; therefore your doings and your organizations
and designs in printing, or any of your councils, are not of me,
saith the Lord, even so. Amen."
Hyrum Smith,
Patriarch for the whole Church.
_Monday, November 1_.--I attended the city council, spoke and acted
on many local matters, and contended at great length against paying
the owner of a city nuisance, damages sustained by the removal of that
nuisance. [1]
{445} Sidney Rigdon resigned his seat in the city council, on account
of ill health.
_Tuesday, 2_.--I executed letters today revoking the power of attorney
given to Almon W. Babbitt.
_Saturday, 6_.--Wilford Woodruff took the oath as a councilor in the
city council.
_Sunday, 7_.--Elder William O. Clark preached about two hours,
reproving the Saints for a lack of sanctity, and a want of holy living,
enjoining sanctity, solemnity, and temperance in the extreme, in the
rigid sectarian style.
[Sidenote: Reproof of William O. Clark.]
I reproved him as Pharisaical and hypocritical and not edifying the
people; and showed the Saints what temperance, faith, virtue, charity,
and truth were. I charged the Saints not to follow the example of the
adversary in accusing the brethren, and said, "If you do not accuse
each other, God will not accuse you. If you have no accuser you will
enter heaven, and if you will follow the revelations and instructions
which God gives you through me, I will take you into heaven as my back
load. If you will not accuse me, I will not accuse you. If you will
throw a cloak of charity over my sins, I will over yours--for charity
covereth a multitude of sins. What many people call sin is not sin; I
do many things to break down superstition, and I will break it down;" I
referred to the curse of Ham for laughing at Noah, while in his wine,
but doing no harm. Noah was a righteous man, and yet he drank wine
and became intoxicated; the Lord did not forsake him in consequence
thereof, for he retained all the power of his priesthood, and when he
was accused by Canaan, he cursed him by the priesthood which he held,
and the Lord had respect {446} to his word, and the priesthood which
he held, notwithstanding he was drunk, and the curse remains upon the
posterity of Canaan until the present day.
In the p. m., I attended a council of the Elders at my council room,
relative to some affairs in which my brother William was interested.
[Sidenote: Dedication of the Baptismal Font.]
_Monday, 8_.--At five o'clock p. m., I attended the dedication of
the baptismal font in the Lord's House. President Brigham Young was
spokesman.
The baptismal font is situated in the center of the basement room,
under the main hall of the Temple; it is constructed of pine timber,
and put together of staves tongued and grooved, oval shaped, sixteen
feet long east and west, and twelve feet wide, seven feet high from
the foundation, the basin four feet deep, the moulding of the cap and
base are formed of beautiful carved work in antique style. The sides
are finished with panel work. A flight of stairs in the north and south
sides lead up and down into the basin, guarded by side railing.
The font stands upon twelve oxen, four on each side, and two at each
end, their heads, shoulders, and fore legs projecting out from under
the font; they are carved out of pine plank, glued together, and copied
after the most beautiful five-year-old steer that could be found in the
country, and they are an excellent striking likeness of the original;
the horns were formed after the most perfect horn that could be
procured.
The oxen and ornamental mouldings of the font were carved by Elder
Elijah Fordham, from the city of New York, which occupied eight months
of time. The font was enclosed by a temporary frame building sided up
with split oak clapboards, with a roof of the same material, and was
so low that the timbers of the first story were laid above it. The
water was supplied from a well thirty feet deep in the east end of the
basement.
This font was built for the baptisms for the dead until {447} the
Temple shall be finished, when a more durable one will supply its place.
I received a letter from N. K. Whitney, stating that he had purchased
$5,000 worth of goods for me; and that he should visit Kirtland before
his return home.
Up to this period a series of storms and earthquakes have desolated
parts of the two Sicilies.
A second English edition of the Saints' hymn book has been issued by
Elder Parley P. Pratt.
A great part of Vicksburg, Mississippi, has been consumed by fire.
_Saturday, 13_.--I attended the city council, and moved that the mayor
and recorder of the city receive each one hundred dollars per annum for
their services, which became a law.
I also presented a bill for "An ordinance concerning vagrants and
disorderly persons," which passed into an ordinance as follows--
_An Ordinance Concerning Vagrants and Disorderly Persons_.
Be it ordained by the city council of the city of Nauvoo, that
all vagrants, idle, or disorderly persons; persons found drunk in
or about the streets; all suspicious persons; persons who have no
fixed place of residence, or visible means of support, or cannot
give a good account of themselves; persons guilty of profane and
indecent language or behavior; persons guilty of using indecent,
impertinent, or unbecoming language towards any city officer when
in the discharge of his duty, or of menacing, threatening or
otherwise obstructing said officer, shall on conviction thereof
before the mayor or municipal court, be required to enter into
security for good behavior for a reasonable time, and indemnify the
corporation against any charge, and in case of refusal or inability
to give security, they shall be confined to labor for a time not
exceeding ninety days, or be fined in any sum not exceeding five
hundred dollars, or be imprisoned not exceeding six months or all,
[i. e. or both imprisonment and fine] at the discretion of said
mayor or court.
I also presented a bill for "An ordinance in relation to appeals,"
which passed unanimously.
I also argued before the council the right of taxation, but {448} that
the expense of the city did not require it at present.
_Sunday, 14_.--I preached to a large congregation at the Temple.
Nine of the Twelve Apostles met in council, to prepare an epistle to
the Saints in Europe.
_Monday, 15_.
_An Epistle of the Twelve Apostles to the Saints Scattered Abroad
in England, Scotland, Ireland, Wales, the Isle of Man, and the
Eastern Continent, Greeting_:
Beloved Brethren:--We rejoice and thank our Heavenly Father daily
in your behalf, that we hear of your faithfulness and diligence in
the great work unto which you have been called, by the Holy Spirit,
through the voice of the servants of the Most High, who have been,
and are now amongst you, for the purpose of instructing you in
those principles which are calculated to prepare the children of
men for the renovation of the earth, and the restitution of all
things spoken by the Prophets.
Several months have passed away, since we bid adieu to our brethren
and sisters on the islands of the sea, and passed over the great
deep to our homes, our kindred, the bosom of the Church, and the
stakes of Zion: but neither time nor distance can efface from our
memories the many expressions of kindness which we have heard from
your lips and experienced from your hands, which have so often
ministered to our necessities, while we were wandering in your
midst, like our Master, having no place to lay our heads, only as
furnished by your liberality and benevolence; and it is a subject
of no small consolation to us that we have this testimony of so
many of you, that you are the disciples of the Lord Jesus; [2] and
we give you our warmest thanks, and our blessing, that you have not
only ministered unto us, but that you continue to minister to our
brethren who are still laboring amongst you, for which an hundred
fold shall be returned unto your bosoms.
After parting with the Saints in Liverpool, and sailing thirty
days, much of the time against head winds, with rough seas, which
produced much sea sickness among the brethren and sisters who
accompanied us, we arrived in the city of New York, where we were
received by the brethren with open hearts, and by whom we were
entertained most cordially some days, till we were rested from the
fatigues of the ship: we were then assisted on our journey, and
taking different routes, and {449} visiting many of the churches in
different states, we have all safely arrived in this city.
In our travels in this land, we have discovered a growing interest
among the people generally, in the great work of the Lord.
Prejudice is giving way to intelligence; darkness to light; and
multitudes are making the important discovery that error is abroad
in the earth, and that the signs of the times proclaim some mighty
revolution among the nations. The cry is from all quarters, send us
Elders to instruct us in the principles of your religion, that we
may know why it is that you are had in derision by the multitude,
more than other professors are. Teach us of your principles and
your doctrines, and if we find them true we will embrace them.
The Saints are growing in faith, and the intelligence of heaven
is flowing into their understanding, for the Spirit of the Lord
is with them, and the Holy Ghost is instructing them in things to
come. The spirit of union is increasing, and they are exerting
themselves to come up to the gathering of the faithful, to build up
the waste places and establish the stakes of Zion.
Since our arrival in this place there has been one special and one
general conference of the Church, and the Twelve have been called
to tarry at home for a season, and stand in their lot next to the
First Presidency, and assist in counseling the brethren, and in the
settling of immigrants, &c.; and the first great object before us,
and the Saints generally, is to help forward the completion of the
Temple and the Nauvoo House--buildings which are now in progress
according to the revelations, and which must be completed to secure
the salvation of the Church in the last days; for God requires
of His Saints to build Him a house wherein his servants may be
instructed, and endowed with power from on high, to prepare them to
go forth among the nations, and proclaim the fullness of the Gospel
for the last time, and bind up the law, and seal up the testimony,
leaving this generation without excuse, and the earth prepared for
the judgments which will follow. In this house all the ordinances
will be made manifest, and many things will be shown forth, which
have been hid from generation to generation.
The set time to favor the stakes of Zion is at hand, and soon the
kings and the queens, the princes and the nobles, the rich and the
honorable of the earth will come up hither to visit the Temple of
our God, and to inquire concerning His strange work; and as kings
are to become nursing fathers, and queens nursing mothers in the
habitations of the righteous, it is right to render honor to whom
honor is due; and therefore expedient that such, as well as the
Saints, should have a comfortable house for boarding and lodging
when they come hither, and it is according to the revelations that
such a house should be built.
{450} The foundations of this house, and also of the Temple,
are laid; and the walls of the basement stories of each nearly
completed; and the finishing of the whole is depending on the
exertions of the Saints. Every Saint on earth is equally interested
in these things, and all are under equal obligations to do all in
their power to complete the buildings by their faith, and by their
prayers, with their thousands and their mites, their gold and their
silver, their copper and their zinc, their goods and their labors,
until the top stone is laid with shoutings, and the place is
prepared to be filled with the glory of the Highest; and if there
are those among you who have more than they need for the gathering,
and for assisting the destitute who desire to gather with them,
they cannot make a more acceptable offering unto the Lord, than by
appropriating towards the building of His Temple.
He that believeth shall not make haste, but let all the Saints who
desire to keep the commandments of heaven and work righteousness,
come to the place of gathering as soon as circumstances will
permit. It is by united efforts that great things are accomplished,
and while the Saints are scattered to the four winds, they cannot
be united in action, if they are in spirit; they cannot all build
at one city, or lift at one stone of the great Temple, though
their hearts may all desire the same thing. We would not press the
subject of the gathering upon you, for we know your hearts, and
your means; and so far as means fail, let patience have its perfect
work in your souls, for in due time you shall be delivered, if you
faint not.
We are not altogether ignorant of the increase of difficulty among
the laboring classes in England since our departure through the
stoppage of factories and similar occurrences, and we would counsel
those who have, to impart unto those who have not, and cannot
obtain; remembering that he who giveth unto the poor lendeth unto
the Lord, and he shall receive in return four fold.
The idler shall not eat the bread of the laborer; neither must he
starve who would [labor] but cannot find employment. Inasmuch as ye
desire the fullness of the earth, let not the cries of the widow,
the fatherless and the beggar ascend to heaven, or salute your ears
in vain, but follow the example we have set before you, and give
liberally of your abundance, even if it be but a penny, and it
shall be returned unto you. Good measure pressed down and running
over, shall the Lord return into your store house.
Cultivate the spirit of patience, long-suffering, forbearance and
charity among yourselves, and ever be as unwilling to believe
an evil report about a brother or a sister as if it were about
yourself, and as you dislike to be accused, be slow to accuse the
brethren, for the measure you mete shall be measured to you again,
and the Judge condemneth no man who is not accused.
{451} Keep all the commandments, nothing fearing, nothing doubting,
for this is virtue, this is wisdom, and the wise, the virtuous
and the meek shall inherit the earth and the fullness thereof. In
all things follow the counsel which you shall receive from the
president and council who are among you; and inasmuch as you uphold
Elders Pratt, Richards and Snow by the prayer of faith, you shall
receive right counsel.
Remember that those whom John saw on Mount Zion were such as had
come up through great tribulation; and do not imagine that you can
ever constitute a part of that number without sharing a part of
their trials. You must necessarily pass through perils and trials,
and temptations and afflictions by sea and land in your journeyings
hither, and if you cannot settle it in your hearts to endure unto
the end as good soldiers, you may as well remain where you are
to be destroyed, as to suffer all the privations and hardships
you will be obliged to suffer before the walls of Zion shall be
built, no more to be thrown down, and after all to turn away and be
destroyed.
The ancient prophet has said, they shall wear out the Saints of the
Most High. This has already been fulfilled to some extent, for many
through the abundance of their persecutions have become exhausted,
and laid their bodies down to rest, to rise no more till the morn
of the first resurrection; and although the people of these states
are at peace with us, yet there are those who would gladly wear
out and destroy the weak in faith, through the influence of their
foolish lies. When you arrive on our shores, and while sailing up
our rivers, you need not be surprised if your ears are saluted by
the false and filthy language of wicked and designing men who are
ever ready to speak evil of the things they understand not, and who
would gladly blast the character of the Prophet of the Most High
God, and all connected with him, with their foul anathemas, beyond
anything you ever thought of. We would not dishearten you, neither
would we have you ignorant of the worst that awaits the righteous.
If the Saints are not prepared to rejoice and be glad when they
hear the name of the Prophet and their own name cast out as evil,
as gluttonous, wine-bibber, friend of publicans and sinners,
Beelzebub, thief, robber and murderer, they are not prepared for
the gathering. The wheat and tares must grow together till the
harvest; at the harvest the wheat is gathered together into the
threshing floor, so with the Saints--the stakes are the threshing
floor. Here they will be threshed with all sorts of difficulties,
trials, afflictions and everything to mar their peace, which they
can imagine, and thousands which they cannot imagine, but he that
endures the threshing till all the chaff, superstition, folly and
unbelief are pounded out of him, and does not suffer himself to
be blown away as chaff by the foul blast of slander, but endures
faithfully {452} to the end, shall be saved. If you are prepared
for all these things; if you choose rather to suffer afflictions
with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a
little moment, come up hither; come direct to New Orleans, and
up the Mississippi river, for the expense is so much less, and
the convenience of water navigation is so much greater than it is
by Montreal, New York or Philadelphia, that it is wisdom for the
Saints to make New Orleans their general established port, and
be sure to start at such times that they may arrive here during
the cold months, for the change from the cold climate of England
to this place in the hot season, is too great for the health of
immigrants, till there is more faith in the Church.
In this region of country there are thousands and millions of
acres of beautiful prairie unoccupied, which can be procured on
reasonable terms, and we will hail the time with joy when these
unoccupied lands shall be turned into fruitful fields, and the
hands of those who are now idle for want of employment shall be
engaged in the cultivation of the soil.
When the brethren arrive they will do well to call on some of the
Twelve, inasmuch as they desire counsel, for by so doing they may
escape the influence of designing men who have crept in unawares,
and would willingly subvert the truth by conniving to their own
advantage, if they have the opportunity.
The Church has commenced a new city twenty miles below this, and
one mile below Warsaw, called Warren, where many city lots and
farms in the vicinity can be had on reasonable terms; and it will
be wisdom for many of the brethren to stop at that place, for the
opportunity for erecting temporary buildings will be greater than
at this place, also the chance for providing food will be superior
to those who wish to labor for it.
Warsaw is at the foot of the Des Moines Rapids, and one of the best
locations for mercantile purposes there is in this western country.
So far as the brethren have the means they will do well to come
prepared with a variety of mechanical tools according to their
professions, such as carpenters, joiners, cabinet-makers, hatters,
coopers, masons, printers, binders, tanners, curriers, &c., and
all sorts of manufactory and foundry implements convenient for
transportation, so that when they arrive they may be prepared to
establish themselves in business, and give employment to spinners,
weavers, moulders, smelters and journeymen of every description;
for all sorts of woollens, cottons, hardware, &c., will find a
ready market in new countries, and a great field is now open to the
capitalists in this vicinity, even though the capital be small,
and we would urge the importance of the immediate establishment of
all kinds of manufactories among us, as well for the {453} best
interests of the individuals concerned, as for the Church generally.
Cities cannot be built without houses, houses cannot be built
without materials, or occupied without inhabitants, the inhabitants
cannot exist without food and clothing; food and clothing cannot
be had without planting, sowing, and manufacturing, so that Zion
and her stores cannot be built without means, without industry,
without manufacturing establishments unless the windows of heaven
were opened, and cities and their appendages were rained down among
us. But this we do not expect until the new Jerusalem descends,
and that will be some time hence; therefore it is necessary and
according to godliness and the plan of salvation in these last
days, that the brethren should see to all these things, and clothe
and adorn themselves with the labor of their own hands, build
houses and inhabit them, plant vineyards and eat the fruit thereof.
Brethren, pray for us and the First Presidency, the leader of the
people, even Joseph, that his life and health may be precious in
the sight of heaven, till he has finished the work which he has
commenced: and for the Elders of Israel, that every man may be
faithful in his calling, the whole household of faith, and all
subjects of prayer.
Brethren, farewell; may the blessings of heaven and earth be
multiplied unto you in spirit and in body, in basket and in store,
in the field and in the shop, on the land and on the sea, in the
house and by the way, and in all situations and circumstances,
until you shall stand on Mount Zion, and enter the celestial city;
in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
Brigham Young,
Heber C. Kimball.
Orson Pratt,
William Smith,
Lyman Wight,
Wilford Woodruff,
John Taylor,
Geo. A. Smith,
Willard Richards,
Nauvoo, Hancock County, Illinois, Nov. 15, 1841.
The greater part of the city of St. John's, New Brunswick, and a large
quantity of shipping, destroyed by fire.
_Wednesday, 17_.--Elders Brigham Young and Willard Richards went to La
Harpe.
_Thursday, 18_.
_Minutes of a Meeting at Ramus, Illinois--Alanson Brown, et al.
Disfellowshiped_.
Proceedings of a meeting of the Church of Jesus Christ of
Latter-day {454} Saints, held at Ramus, November 18, 1841, opened
by singing and prayer by Elder Brigham Young. The object of the
meeting was then stated by the president, which was for the purpose
of taking into consideration the cases of Alanson Brown, James B.
T. Page and William H. Edwards, who stand indicted for larceny, &c.
After the evidence was brought forward, it was unanimously
resolved, that said persons be expelled from the Church.
Appropriate remarks for the occasion were then made by Elders
Young, Richards, Savage, Gurley, and others.
A charge was then preferred against Thomas S. Edwards for assault
and battery, with evidence that a warrant was issued for his
apprehension, and against William W. Edwards for being accessory
to the same. Unanimously resolved, that Thomas S. Edwards also be
expelled from the Church; and that the proceedings of this meeting
be published in the _Times and Seasons_.
Joel H. Johnson, President.
Joseph E. Johnson, Church Recorder.
_Saturday, 20_.--Seven of the Twelve Apostles met in council at the
house of President Young, on the subject of the _Times and Seasons_;
they not being satisfied with the manner in which Gustavus Hills
had conducted the editorial department since the death of Robert B.
Thompson.
_Sunday, 21_.--My brother Hyrum and Elder John Taylor preached.
[Sidenote: Baptisms for the Dead.]
The Twelve met in council at President Young's, and at four o'clock,
repaired to the baptismal font in the basement of the Temple. Elders
Brigham Young, Heber C. Kimball and John Taylor baptized about forty
persons for the dead. Elder Willard Richards, Wilford Woodruff and
George A. Smith confirming. These were the first baptisms for the dead
in the font.
_Monday, 22_.--The following letter from Elder Orson Hyde, is from the
_Millennial Star_.
_Elder Orson Hyde's Letter--His Prayer of Dedication on the Mount
of Olives_.
Alexandria, Nov. 22, 1841.
Dear Brother Pratt:--A few minutes now offer for me to write, and I
improve them in writing to you.
{455} I have only time to say that I have seen Jerusalem precisely
according to the vision which I had. I saw no one with me in the
vision; and although Elder Page was appointed to accompany me
there, yet I found myself there alone.
The Lord knows that I have had a hard time, and suffered much,
but I have great reason to thank Him that I enjoy good health at
present, and have a prospect before me of soon going to a civilized
country, where I shall see no more turbans or camels. The heat is
most oppressive, and has been all through Syria.
I have not time to tell you how many days I have been at sea,
without food, or how many snails I have eaten; but if I had had
plenty of them, I should have done very well. All this is contained
in a former letter to you written from Jaffa.
I have been at Cairo, on the Nile, because I could not get
a passage direct. Syria is in a dreadful state--a war of
extermination is going on between the Druses and Catholics. At the
time I was at Beyroot, a battle was fought in the mountains of
Lebanon, near that place, and about 800 killed. Robberies, thefts
and murders are daily being committed. It is no uncommon thing to
find persons in the streets without heads. An English officer, in
going from St. Jean D'Acre to Beyroot, found ten persons murdered
in the street, and was himself taken prisoner, but was rescued by
the timely interference of the pasha. The particulars of all these
things are contained in a former letter.
An American traveler, by the name of Gager, who was a licensed
minister of the Congregational or Presbyterian church, left
Jerusalem in company with me. He was very unwell with the jaundice
when we left, and at Damietta, we had to perform six days
quarantine before we ascended the Nile. On our passage up, he was
taken very ill with a fever, and became helpless. I waited and
tended upon him as well as our circumstances would allow; and when
we landed at Bulack, I got four men to take him to the American
consuls at Cairo, on a litter; I also took all his baggage there,
and assisted in putting him upon a good bed--employed a good
faithful Arabian nurse, and the English doctor. After the physician
had examined him, he told me that he was very low with a typhus
fever, and that it would be doubtful whether he recovered. Under
these circumstances I left him to obtain a passage to this place.
After I had gone on board a boat, and was just about pushing off,
a letter came from the doctor, stating that poor Mr. Gager died in
about two hours after I left him. He told me before we arrived at
Cairo that he was twenty-seven years of age, and his friends lived
in Norwich, Connecticut, near New London, I think. There are many
particulars concerning his death, which would be interesting to his
friends, but I have no time to write them now.
{456} On Sunday morning, October 24, a good while before day, I
arose from sleep, and went out of the city as soon as the gates
were opened, crossed the brook Kedron, and went upon the Mount of
Olives, and there, in solemn silence, with pen, ink, and paper,
just as I saw in the vision, offered up the following prayer to Him
who lives forever and ever--
_Prayer of Orson Hyde on the Mount of Olives_.
"O Thou! who art from everlasting to everlasting, eternally and
unchangeably the same, even the God who rules in the heavens
above, and controls the destinies of men on the earth, wilt Thou
not condescend, through thine infinite goodness and royal favor,
to listen to the prayer of Thy servant which he this day offers
up unto Thee in the name of Thy holy child Jesus, upon this land,
where the Son of Righteousness set in blood, and thine Anointed One
expired.
"Be pleased, O Lord, to forgive all the follies, weaknesses,
vanities, and sins of Thy servant, and strengthen him to resist all
future temptations. Give him prudence and discernment that he may
avoid the evil, and a heart to choose the good; give him fortitude
to bear up under trying and adverse circumstances, and grace to
endure all things for Thy name's sake, until the end shall come,
when all the Saints shall rest in peace."
Now, O Lord! Thy servant has been obedient to the heavenly
vision which Thou gavest him in his native land; and under the
shadow of Thine outstretched arm, he has safely arrived in this
place to dedicate and consecrate this land unto Thee, for the
gathering together of Judah's scattered remnants, according to the
predictions of the holy Prophets--for the building up of Jerusalem
again after it has been trodden down by the Gentiles so long, and
for rearing a Temple in honor of Thy name. Everlasting thanks be
ascribed unto Thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that Thou
hast preserved Thy servant from the dangers of the seas, and from
the plague and pestilence which have caused the land to mourn. The
violence of man has also been restrained, and Thy providential care
by night and by day has been exercised over Thine unworthy servant.
Accept, therefore, O Lord, the tribute of a grateful heart for all
past favors, and be pleased to continue Thy kindness and mercy
towards a needy worm of the dust.
"O Thou, Who didst covenant with Abraham, Thy friend, and Who didst
renew that covenant with Isaac, and confirm the same with Jacob
with an oath, that Thou wouldst not only give them this land for
an everlasting inheritance, but that Thou wouldst also remember
their seed forever. Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob have long since
closed their eyes {457} in death, and made the grave their mansion.
Their children are scattered and dispersed abroad among the nations
of the Gentiles like sheep that have no shepherd, and are still
looking forward for the fulfillment of those promises which Thou
didst make concerning them; and even this land, which once poured
forth nature's richest bounty, and flowed, as it were, with milk
and honey, has, to a certain extent, been smitten with barrenness
and sterility since it drank from murderous hands the blood of Him
who never sinned.
"Grant, therefore, O Lord, in the name of Thy well-beloved Son,
Jesus Christ, to remove the barrenness and sterility of this land,
and let springs of living water break forth to water its thirsty
soil. Let the vine and olive produce in their strength, and the
fig-tree bloom and flourish. Let the land become abundantly
fruitful when possessed by its rightful heirs; let it again flow
with plenty to feed the returning prodigals who come home with a
spirit of grace and supplication; upon it let the clouds distil
virtue and richness, and let the fields smile with plenty. Let
the flocks and the herds greatly increase and multiply upon the
mountains and the hills; and let Thy great kindness conquer and
subdue the unbelief of Thy people. Do Thou take from them their
stony heart, and give them a heart of flesh; and may the Sun of Thy
favor dispel the cold mists of darkness which have beclouded their
atmosphere. Incline them to gather in upon this land according
to Thy word. Let them come like clouds and like doves to their
windows. Let the large ships of the nations bring them from the
distant isles; and let kings become their nursing fathers, and
queens with motherly fondness wipe the tear of sorrow from their
eye.
"Thou, O Lord, did once move upon the heart of Cyrus to show favor
unto Jerusalem and her children. Do Thou now also be pleased to
inspire the hearts of kings and the powers of the earth to look
with a friendly eye towards this place, and with a desire to see
Thy righteous purposes executed in relation thereto. Let them
know that it is Thy good pleasure to restore the kingdom unto
Israel--raise up Jerusalem as its capital, and constitute her
people a distinct nation and government, with David Thy servant,
even a descendant from the loins of ancient David to be their king.
"Let that nation or that people who shall take an active part in
behalf of Abraham's children, and in the raising up of Jerusalem,
find favor in Thy sight. Let not their enemies prevail against
them, neither let pestilence or famine overcome them, but let the
glory of Israel overshadow them, and the power of the Highest
protect them; while that nation or kingdom that will not serve Thee
in this glorious work must perish, according to Thy word--Yea,
those nations shall be utterly wasted."
{458} "Though Thy servant is now far from his home, and from the
land bedewed with his earliest tear, yet he remembers, O Lord, his
friends who are there, and family, whom for Thy sake he has left.
Though poverty and privation be our earthly lot, yet ah! do Thou
richly endow us with an inheritance where moth and rust do not
corrupt, and where thieves do not break through and steal.
"The hands that have fed, clothed, or shown favor unto the family
of Thy servant in his absence, or that shall hereafter do so, let
them not lose their reward, but let a special blessing rest upon
them, and in Thy kingdom let them have an inheritance when Thou
shalt come to be glorified in this society.
"Do Thou also look with favor upon all those through whose
liberality I have been enabled to come to this land; and in the
day when Thou shalt reward all people according to their works,
let these also not be passed by or forgotten, but in time let
them be in readiness to enjoy the glory of those mansions which
Jesus has gone to prepare. Particularly do Thou bless the stranger
in Philadelphia, whom I never saw, but who sent me gold, with a
request that I should pray for him in Jerusalem. Now, O Lord, let
blessings come upon him from an unexpected quarter, and let his
basket be filled, and his storehouse abound with plenty, and let
not the good things of the earth be his only portion, but let him
be found among those to whom it shall be said, 'Thou hast been
faithful over a few things, and I will make thee ruler over many.'
"O my Father in heaven! I now ask Thee in the name of Jesus to
remember Zion, with all her Stakes, and with all her assemblies.
She has been grievously afflicted and smitten; she has mourned;
she has wept; her enemies have triumphed, and have said, 'Ah,
where is thy God?' Her Priests and Prophets have groaned in chains
and fetters within the gloomy walls of prisons, while many were
slain, and now sleep in the arms of death. How long, O Lord, shall
iniquity triumph, and sin go unpunished?
"Do Thou arise in the majesty of Thy strength, and make bare Thine
arm in behalf of Thy people. Redress their wrongs, and turn their
sorrow into joy. Pour the spirit of light and knowledge, grace and
wisdom, into the hearts of her Prophets, and clothe her Priests
with salvation. Let light and knowledge march forth through the
empire of darkness, and may the honest in heart flow to their
standard, and join in the march to go forth to meet the Bridegroom."
Let a peculiar blessing rest upon the Presidency of Thy Church, for
at them are the arrows of the enemy directed. Be Thou to them a sun
and a shield, their strong tower and hiding place; and in the time
of distress or danger be Thou near to deliver. Also the quorum of
the Twelve, do Thou be pleased to stand by them for Thou knowest
the {459} obstacles which they have to encounter, the temptations
to which they are exposed, and the privations which they must
suffer. Give us, [the Twelve] therefore, strength according to our
day, and help us to bear a faithful testimony of Jesus and His
Gospel, to finish with fidelity and honor the work which Thou hast
given us to do, and then give us a place in Thy glorious kingdom.
And let this blessing rest upon every faithful officer and member
in Thy Church. And all the glory and honor will we ascribe unto God
and the Lamb forever and ever. Amen.
On the top of Mount Olives I erected a pile of stones as a witness
according to ancient custom. On what was anciently called Mount
Zion, [Moriah?] where the Temple stood, I erected another, and used
the rod according to the prediction upon my head.
I have found many Jews who listened with intense interest. The idea
of the Jews being restored to Palestine is gaining ground in Europe
almost every day. Jerusalem is strongly fortified with many cannon
upon its walls. The wall is ten feet thick on the sides that would
be most exposed, and four or five feet where the descent from the
wall is almost perpendicular. The number of inhabitants within the
walls is about twenty thousand. About seven thousand of this number
are Jews, the balance being mostly Turks and Armenians. Many of the
Jews who are old go to this place to die, and many are coming from
Europe into this eastern world. The great wheel is unquestionably
in motion, and the word of the Almighty has declared that it shall
roll.
I have not time to write particulars now, but suffice it to say
that my mission has been quite as prosperous as I could expect.
I am now about to go on board a fine ship for Trieste, and from
thence I intend to proceed to Regensburg and there publish our
faith in the German language. There are those who are ready and
willing to assist me.
I send you this letter by Captain Withers, an English gentleman,
who goes direct to England, on board the Oriental steamer. He has
come with me from Jerusalem. If I had money sufficient I should be
almost tempted to take passage on board of her to England, but this
I cannot do.
On receipt of this, I wish you to write to me immediately, and
direct to Regensburg, on the Danube, Bayern, or Bavaria. If you
know anything of my family tell me.
My best respects to yourself and your family, to Brothers Adams and
Snow, and to all the Saints in England.
May grace, mercy and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord
Jesus Christ, rest upon you all from this time, henceforth and for
ever. Amen.
Your brother in Christ,
Orson Hyde.
Footnotes:
1. The circumstances of removing the nuisance here referred to, for
which damages were demanded, is related in an editorial note in the
_Times and Seasons_ as follows: The "Mr. Kilbourn," referred to in the
editorial, was very bitter anti-Mormon, and became one of the Prophet's
most deadly enemies.
THE NUISANCE
"It is known to many of our patrons, that a certain young man very
injudiciously, and contrary to the remonstrances of his friends, and
in violation of the ordinances of this city, not long since erected
a small building, near the Temple square avowedly for the purpose
of transacting the business of the grocer. Said building was for a
short time occupied for that purpose; but so heavy did the from of
public disapprobation rest upon it, that it was finally vacated, and
stood some time, a lonely wreck of folly. In the meantime, the very
sanctimonious and extremely unfortunate Mr. Kilbourn of Montrose, threw
out to the public, ungentlemanly and slanderous imputations concerning
the matter, saying that the Presidency of the Church abetted and
approbated the concern, etc., and the building having become a monument
for every fool to write upon and exhibit his folly, to the annoyance of
the citizens, the city council very judiciously ordered the building
removed as a nuisance. Some opposition to the execution of this order
was exhibited, and the authorities called out a few of the military and
demolished the building. The city authorities manifest a determination
to carry out strictly the temperance ordinances of the city, and in
this we wish them 'God speed.' We suppose, however, that Kilbourn and
his junto will bray worse than ever, and 'Mormonism' be adjudged by
'witch law.' 'Take the accused, bind him head and foot, and cast him
into the pool; if he sinks and drowns he is innocent, if he floats take
him out and hang him or burn in with fire.' We say, let the poor fools
judge till they themselves are overtaken by judgment, and let they bray
till they burst their wind chests." (_Times and Seasons_, Vol. III, pp.
559-560).
2. "Whoso receiveth you receiveth me, and the same will clothe you
and give you money. And he who feeds you, or clothes you or gives you
money, shall in no wise lose his reward: and he who doeth not these
things is not my disciple; by this you may know my disciples." (Doc. &
Cov., sec. lxxxiv.)
{460}
CHAPTER XXVII.
Official Denunciation of Thieves at Nauvoo--The Moral Law of the
Church--Abandonment of Ramus as a Stake of Zion--Baptism for the Dead,
an Epistle.
_Wednesday, 24_.--Elder Joseph Fielding, who sailed from Liverpool, on
the _Tyrean_, with 204 Saints, arrived at Warsaw with his company; and
Elders Willard Richards and John Taylor went to meet them and to give
such counsel as their situation required.
_Friday, 26_.
_Affidavit of Hyrum Smith--Denouncing Theft_.
Whereas it hath been intimated to me by persons of credibility
that there are persons in the surrounding country, who profess to
be members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints,
who have been using their influence and endeavors to instil into
the minds of good and worthy citizens in the state of Illinois,
and the adjoining states, that the First Presidency, and others
in authority and high standing in said Church, do sanction and
approbate the members of said Church in stealing property from
those persons who do not belong to said Church, and thereby to
induce persons to aid and abet them in the act of stealing, and
other evil practices; I therefore, hereby disavow any sanction
or approbation by me, of the crime of theft, or any other evil
practice, in any person or persons whatever, whereby either the
lives or property of our fellow men may be unlawfully taken or
molested; neither are such things sanctioned or approbated by
the First Presidency, or any other person in authority or good
standing in said Church, but such acts are altogether in violation
of the rules, order, and regulations of the Church, contrary to
the teachings given in said Church, and the laws of both God and
man. I caution the unwary, who belong to the aforesaid Church,
and all other persons, against being duped or led into any act or
scheme which may endanger their character, lives, or property, or
bring reproach upon the Church; and I certify that I hold my person
{461} and property ready to support the laws of the land, in the
detection of any person or persons who may commit any breach of the
same. To which I subscribe my name, and testify, this 26th day of
November, 1841.
Hyrum Smith.
Sworn to and subscribed before me this 26th day of November, 1841.
Ebenezer Robinson, J. P.
I attended city council and presented a bill for "an ordinance in
relation to Hawkers, Pedlars, Public Shows, and Exhibitions, in order
to prevent any immoral or obscene exhibition," which passed the council
by unanimous vote.
[Sidenote: The Prophet's Estimate of the Book of Mormon.]
_Sunday, 28_.--I spent the day in the council with the Twelve Apostles
at the house of President Young, conversing with them upon a variety
of subjects. Brother Joseph Fielding was present, having been absent
four years on a mission to England. I told the brethren that the Book
of Mormon was the most correct of any book on earth, and the keystone
of our religion, and a man would get nearer to God by abiding by its
precepts, than by any other book.
_Monday, 29_.--I gave the following affidavit, and published it in the
_Times and Seasons_.
_The Prophet's Denunciation of Thieves_.
City Of Nauvoo, Illinois, November 29, A. D. 1841.
To The Public.
The occurrence of recent events makes it criminal for me to remain
longer silent. The tongue of the vile yet speaks, and sends forth
the poison of asps, the ears of the spoiler yet hear, and he
puts forth his hands to iniquity. It has been proclaimed upon
the house top and in the secret chamber, in the public walks and
private circle, throughout the length and breadth of this vast
continent, that stealing by the Latter-day Saints has received
my approval; nay, that I have taught the doctrine, encouraged
them in plunder, and led on the van--than which nothing is more
foreign from my heart. I disfellowship the perpetrators of all such
abominations--they are devils and not Saints, totally unfit for the
society of Christians or men. It is true that some {462} professing
to be Latter-day Saints have taught such vile heresies, but all
are not Israel that are of Israel; and I wish it to be distinctly
understood in all coming time, that the Church, over which I have
the honor of presiding, will ever set its brows like brass, and
its face like steel, against all such abominable acts of villainy
and crime; and to this end I append my affidavit of disavowal,
taken this day before General Bennet, that there may be no mistake
hereafter as to my real sentiments, or those of the leaders of the
Church, in relation to this important matter.
State Of Illinois, Hancock County.
Before me, John C. Bennett, Mayor of the City of Nauvoo, personally
came Joseph Smith, President of the Church of Jesus Christ of
Latter-day Saints (commonly called the Mormon Church), who being
duly sworn according to law, deposeth and saith, that he has never
directly or indirectly encouraged the purloining of property,
or taught the doctrine of stealing, or any other evil practice,
and that all such vile and unlawful acts will ever receive his
unreserved and unqualified disapproval, and the most vigorous
opposition of the Church over which he presides; and further this
deponent saith not.
Joseph Smith,
President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Sworn to and subscribed before me, at my office, in the city of
Nauvoo, this 29th day of November, A. D. 1841.
John C. Bennett,
L. S. Mayor of the City of Nauvoo.
Now it is to be hoped that none will hereafter be so reckless
as to state that I, or the Church to which I belong, approve of
thieving--but that all the friends of law and order will join in
ferreting out thieves wherever and whenever they may be found,
and assist in bringing them to that condign punishment which such
infamous crimes so richly merit.
Joseph Smith,
President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
[Sidenote: Conference in New York.]
A conference was held in New York City, Elder John E. Page presiding;
in which were represented New York City, 17 Elders, 2 Priests, 1
Teacher, 2 Deacons, 179 members. Five branches were {463} represented,
including 5 Elders, 6 Priests, 3 Teachers, 3 Deacons, 149 members. 3
Elders, 2 Priests, 1 Teacher, were ordained. There were present at
the conference, 1 Apostle, 6 High Priests, 16 Elders, 3 Priests, 2
Teachers, 2 Deacons.
_Tuesday, 30_.--Attended a council of the Twelve Apostles at President
Brigham Young's home. President Brigham Young, Heber C. Kimball,
Willard Richards, Orson Pratt, Lyman Wight, John Taylor, and Wilford
Woodruff were present.
It was voted that Ebenezer Robinson be solicited to give up the
department of printing the _Times and Seasons_ to Elder Willard
Richards.
Voted, that if Brother Robinson does not comply with this solicitation,
Elder Richards be instructed to procure a press and type, and publish a
paper for the Church.
Moved by Elder Young, and seconded by Elder Woodruff, that Lyman Wight
and John Taylor present these resolutions to Brother Robinson.
_Wednesday, December 1_.--In view of the proceedings of the meeting of
the Church at Ramus, on the 18th November, when certain individuals
were cut off from the Church for stealing, the Twelve issued the
following epistle:
_Warning of the Twelve Apostles Against Thieves_.
We are glad that the perpetrators of the above crime have been
caught in their iniquitous practices; and we are only sorry that
anybody should be found who would bail them out of prison, for such
individuals, if the charges are true, ought to be made an example
of, and not be suffered to run at large.
We have been informed that some of them have been talking of
moving into this place, but we would here inform them that persons
whose conduct has exposed them to the just censure of an indignant
public, can have no fellowship amongst us, as we cannot, and will
not countenance rogues, thieves, and scoundrels knowingly; and,
we hereby warn them that the law will be as rigorously enforced
against them in {464} this place as in any other, as we consider
such characters a curse to society, whose pestilential breath
withers the morals, and blasts the fame and reputation of any
people among whom they may sojourn. There is no person that is,
and ought to be despised more than the thief, by any respectable
community; yet more especially ought such persons to be abhorred
who have taken upon them the name of Christ, and thus with the
pretext of religion, and garb of sanctity, cloak their nefarious
practices.
We have been told that some individual or individuals have, under
false pretenses, been wishing to palm their wicked and devilish
principles upon the authorities of the Church, stating that it was
part and parcel of the Gospel which God had revealed, and that it
is one of the mysteries which the initiated only are acquainted
with. We know not how to express our abhorrence at such an idea,
and can only say that it is engendered in hell, founded in
falsehood, and is the offspring of the devil; and it is at variance
with every principle of righteousness and truth, and will damn all
that are connected with it, for all mysteries are only such to the
ignorant, and vanish as soon as men have sufficient intelligence
to comprehend them; and there are no mysteries connected with
godliness and our holy religion, but what are pure, innocent,
virtuous, just, and righteous. If this [the foregoing practice of
thieving] is a mystery, it is the "mystery of iniquity." We are
at a loss to know who could be vile enough to propagate such base
and unfounded statements, and we would say to the Church, beware
of such men! Set them down as the worst of scoundrels, and reject
their foul insinuations with the indignation and disgust that such
unhallowed and vile insinuations deserve; for such men are either
avowed apostates, or on the eve of apostasy, or have only taken
the name of religion to cloak their hypocrisy; we fear the latter,
in some instances is the case, and that Mississippi scoundrels [1]
palm themselves upon us to cover their guilt. We {465} further
call upon the Church to bring all such characters before the
authorities, that they may be tried, and dealt with according to
the law of God, and delivered up unto the laws of the land.
It is scarcely possible that any virtuous man could be made to
believe any such statements, however ignorant; yet lest through
false pretenses the innocent might be drawn into a snare, we would
quote the following from the Book of Doctrine and Covenants,
section 42, paragraph 84, 85, "And if any man or woman shall rob,
he or she shall be delivered up unto the law of the land. And if
he or she shall steal, he or she shall be delivered up unto the
law of the land." Again, section 42, paragraph 20, [2] "Thou shalt
not steal, and he that stealeth and will not repent shall be cast
out." The broad law of God is, "Thou shalt not steal," and thieves,
together with "liars and whoremongers," will eventually be found
without the city, with dogs and sorcerers. We need only say that
if we find such characters engaged in their nefarious practices,
whether in or out of the Church, we shall take them up, and deal
with them according to the law of God and man; and we wish the
Church to inform us of such delinquents, or the sin will lie at
their own door.
As there are gangs of robbers up and down this river, from whom
we have suffered much, having had many horses, cattle and other
property stolen, we purpose instituting a police for the protection
of our property, and the rigorous enforcement of the laws of our
country; and should any, who call themselves Latter-day Saints, be
found in their midst, they will be cut off from the Church, and
handed over to the law of the land.
We hope that what we have written may suffice, and take
this opportunity of expressing our decided and unqualified
disapprobation of anything like theft in all its bearings, as being
calculated to destroy the peace of society, to injure the Church
of Jesus Christ, to wound the character of the people of God, and
to stamp with eternal infamy all {466} who follow such diabolical
practices; to blast their character on earth, and to consign them
to eternal perdition.
Brigham Young,
Heber C. Kimball,
Parley P. Pratt,
Orson Hyde,
William Smith,
Orson Pratt,
John E. Page,
Willard Richards,
Lyman Wight,
Wilford Woodruff,
John Taylor,
George A. Smith.
Nauvoo, Illinois, December 1, 1841. [3]
{467} _Thursday, 2_.--I received the following revelation to Nancy
Marinda Hyde--
_Revelation_.
Verily thus saith the Lord unto you my servant Joseph, that
inasmuch as you have called upon me to know my will concerning my
handmaid Nancy Marinda Hyde--behold it is my will that she should
have a better place prepared for her, than that in which she now
lives, in order that her life may be spared unto her; therefore
go and say unto my servant, Ebenezer Robinson, and to my handmaid
his wife--Let them open their doors and take her and her children
into their house and take care of them faithfully and kindly until
my servant Orson Hyde returns from his mission, or until some
other provision can be made for her welfare and safety. Let them
do these things and spare not, and I the Lord will bless them and
heal them if they do it not grudgingly, saith the Lord God; and she
shall be a blessing unto them; and let my handmaid Nancy Marinda
Hyde hearken to the counsel of my servant Joseph in all things
whatsoever he shall teach unto her, and it shall be a blessing upon
her and upon her children after her, unto her justification, saith
the Lord.
_Saturday, 4_.--I attended the city council, and spoke in defense of
the marshal, in his not serving a warrant, when his life would have
been endangered.
[Sidenote: Conference at Ramus.]
A conference was held at Ramus on the 4th and 5th of December, 1841,
over which the Patriarch of the Church, Hyrum Smith, presided; Joseph
Johnson acted as clerk; Brigham Young, Heber C. Kimball, Willard
Richards and John Taylor, of the {468} quorum of the Twelve Apostles
were present. It was unanimously resolved by the conference that the
organization of the Church at Ramus as a Stake be discontinued and that
John Lawson be presiding Elder over the branch at Ramus, and Joseph
Johnson, clerk; and that William Wightman, the Bishop, transfer all the
Church property in Ramus to the sole Trustee in Trust, Joseph Smith,
President of the whole Church.
[Sidenote: Prophet Proof Reads Book of Mormon.]
_Sunday, 5_.--I commenced to proof read the Book of Mormon, previous to
its being stereotyped; read sixty pages.
In the evening Brother Wilford Woodruff and wife visited me. We
conversed about the Missouri troubles, and the death of David W.
Patten; also his last request. [4]
_Tuesday, 7_.--The following is a copy of a letter to Lawyers Bushnell
and Browning of Quincy:
_Letter of the Prophet to Esquires Browning and Bushnell--Payment
of Notes_.
_Esquires Browning and Bushnell_:
Gentlemen:--Your letter of the 23rd ultimo, concerning two notes
placed in your hands by Messrs. Halsted, Haines and Co., against
myself and thirty-one others, for collection, was duly received.
In reply, I must inform you, that I am not in possession of means,
belonging to me individually to liquidate those notes at present;
the reason is apparent to every one; I need not relate to you
the persecution I have suffered, and the loss and confiscation
of all my effects at various times as a reason of my inability;
you know it all, and so do the gentlemen whose notes you hold for
collection. But I wish you to say to them that if they will give
me my time (and no more than I must necessarily have), they shall
have their pay in some way or other. I have the means at command
in the East, which, with a sufficient indulgence, will enable me
to pay them every whit, but unless this is granted me, it will be
impossible for me to do so. All I ask of those gentlemen and this
generation is that they should not tie up my hands, nor thwart me
in my operations. If this is granted me, I pledge my word, yea,
my sacred honor, that all that can in fairness be demanded at my
hands, either now or at any time shall ultimately be adjusted to
the satisfaction of all concerned. This is all that I can say at
this time, or do, {469} hoping that you will communicate to Messrs.
Holsted, Haines and Co. the contents, or at all events the purport
of this letter, together with my sincere regard for their welfare,
and as regards you, gentlemen,
I remain very respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
Joseph Smith.
_Wednesday, 8_.--The Twelve who attended the Ramus conference on the
4th instant returned with nearly a thousand dollars worth of property,
consisting of horses, wagons, provisions, clothing, etc., for the
Temple, which had been donated by the Saints at Ramus.
_Friday 10_.--I wrote to Horace R. Hotchkiss, Esq.
_The Prophet's Letter to Mr. Hotchkiss--Commerce Lands_.
Dear Sir:--Your letters, dated October, 11th and November 9th,
1841, have both been received, and that of the 9th of November is
now before me. I am glad that you are pleased with the proceedings
of our last conference relative to "Mr. Hotchkiss purchase,"
concerning which there had been some unpleasant feeling which had
originated partly from a misunderstanding between us, and partly
through the inefficiency, neglect or sickness of Dr. Galland. I
wrote a letter to your friend and partner, Esquire Tuttle, some
time since, which no doubt you have seen before now, and with which
I hope you are also satisfied. I have handed your request to the
editor of the _Times and Seasons_, who will forward you the desired
papers. I am glad that James Ivins settled with you the $2,500
note, but sorry that you suffered yourself to lose in the sale of
the land you had of him. As regards the Cook's Mill Tavern stand,
and the one hundred and thirty-seven acres of pine land, which you
propose to allow the Church three thousand dollars for, I have to
say in reply, that I have consulted, not only my own feelings as
sole Trustee in Trust for the Church; but also the feelings of
those of the Church whose opinions I can always rely upon in such
matters, and the conclusion is that thirty-two hundred dollars is
the least the property ought to be sold for. You can, therefore,
have it for three thousand two hundred, which is considerably less
than it cost the Church; we are willing to make a partial sacrifice
in the property, but under the circumstances, think that you can
afford to give us two hundred dollars more than you proposed. The
health of our place is at this time pretty good, and we hope it may
continue to improve, with the improvements of the city.
I remain very respectfully yours, &c.,
Joseph Smith.
{470} _Saturday, 11_.--Late this evening, while sitting in council with
the Twelve in my new store on Water street, I directed Brigham Young,
President of the Twelve Apostles, to go immediately and instruct the
building committee in their duty, and forbid them receiving any more
property for the building of the Temple, until they received it from
the Trustee in Trust, and if the committee did not give heed to the
instruction, and attend to their duty, to put them in the way so to do.
Elder Willard Richards has left Warsaw for Nauvoo, it being considered
unnecessary for him to tarry there any longer.
[Sidenote: The Prophet's Difficulties in Writing the Annals of the
Church.]
Since I have been engaged in laying the foundation of the Church of
Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, I have been prevented in various
ways from continuing my journal and history in a manner satisfactory
to myself or in justice to the cause. Long imprisonments, vexatious
and long-continued law-suits, the treachery of some of my clerks, the
death of others, and the poverty of myself and brethren from continued
plunder and driving, have prevented my handing down to posterity a
connected memorandum of events desirable to all lovers of truth; yet I
have continued to keep up a journal in the best manner my circumstances
would allow, and dictate for my history from time to time, as I have
had opportunity so that the labors and suffering of the first Elders
and Saints of this last kingdom might not wholly be lost to the world.
_Sunday, 12_.--I preached in the morning at Snyder's Hotel.
In the evening, the Twelve met in council at Brother Heber C. Kimball's.
_Monday, 13_.--I appointed Willard Richards recorder for the Temple,
and my private Secretary and general Clerk, and he commenced his labors
in my new office in the brick store.
[Sidenote: Anti Mormonism at Warsaw.]
Some time in the fall of 1839, Daniel S. Witter, of the {471} steam
mill at Warsaw, solicited the First Presidency of the Church to make
a settlement on the school section No. 16, one mile south of Warsaw,
and the solicitations were continued by Daniel S. Witter, Mark Aldrich
and others, from time to time, till the spring or summer of 1841, when
articles of agreement were entered into between Calvin A. Warren, Esq.,
Witter, Aldrich and others, owners of the school section and the First
Presidency, giving the Saints the privilege of settling on the school
section, which had been surveyed and laid out in town lots, and called
_Warren_, on certain conditions, and Willard Richards went to Warsaw
on the 8th of September, and spent several weeks to prepare for the
reception of immigrants. In the meantime the inhabitants of Warsaw
attempted to form an anti-Mormon society, and were much enraged because
Esquire Davis (who had spoken favorably of the Saints) was appointed
clerk of the county by Judge Stephen A. Douglas.
In November two hundred and four Saints arrived at Warsaw, from
England, led by Joseph Fielding, and were visited on the 24th of
November by Elders Willard Richards, and John Taylor of the Twelve, and
counseled to tarry at Warsaw according to the instruction of the First
Presidency.
[Sidenote: Further Trouble at Warsaw.]
_December 13_.--Isaac Decker, presiding Elder at Warsaw, stated to the
Presidency of Nauvoo, that Mr. Witter had raised one dollar per barrel
on flour, and sold the sweepings of his mill to the Saints at $2.25 per
hundred; and that Witter and Aldrich had forbidden the brethren the
privilege of getting the old wood on the school section, which they had
full liberty to get; that the price of wood on the wharf had fallen
twenty-five cents per cord since the arrival of the Saints; that the
citizens had raised their rent, &c.; and the First Presidency decided
that the Saints should remove from {472} Warsaw to Nauvoo immediately;
and that the proceedings at Warsaw be published in the _Times and
Seasons_.
This morning President Young delivered the message I gave him on
Saturday evening to Reynolds Cahoon and Elias Higbee, the Temple
Committee, in presence of Elders Kimball, Woodruff, and Richards.
Elder Richards by letter instructed the Saints at Warsaw to remove to
Nauvoo.
Baptism For The Dead.
_An Epistle of the Twelve Apostles to the Saints of the Last Days_.
The building of the Temple of the Lord in the city of Nauvoo, is
occupying the first place in the exertions and prayers of many of
the Saints at the present time, knowing, as they do, that if this
building is not completed speedily, "we shall be rejected as a
Church with our dead;" for the Lord our God hath spoken it.
But while many are thus engaged in laboring and watching and
praying for this all important object, there are many, very
many more, who do not thus come up to their privilege and their
duty in this thing, and in many instances we are confident that
their neglect arises from a want of proper understanding of the
principles upon which this building is founded, and by which it
must be completed.
The children of Israel were commanded to build a house in the
land of promise; and so are the Saints of the last days, as you
will see in the Revelation given to Joseph the Seer, January 19,
1841, wherein those ordinances may be revealed which have been hid
for ages, even their anointings and washings, and baptisms for
the dead; wherein they may meet in solemn assemblies for their
memorials, sacrifices, and oracles in their most holy places; and
wherein they may receive conversations and statutes, and judgments,
for the beginning of the revelations and foundations of Zion, and
the glory and honor and adornment of all her municipals through the
medium which God has ordained.
In the same revelation the command is to "all the Saints from afar"
as well as those already gathered to this place: to arise with one
consent and build the Temple; to prepare a place where the Most
High may manifest Himself to His people. No one is excepted who
hath aught in his possession, for what have ye that ye have not
received? And I will require mine own with usury, saith the Lord;
so that those {473} who live thousands of miles from this place,
come under the same law, and are entitled to the same blessings and
privileges as those who have already gathered. But some may say,
how can this be, I am not there, therefore I cannot meet in the
Temple, cannot be baptized in the font? The command of heaven is
to you, to all, gather; and when you arrive here, if it is found
that you have previously sent of your gold, or your silver, or
your substance, the tithing and consecrations which are required
of you for this building, you will find your names, tithings and
consecrations written in the Book of the Law of the Lord, to be
kept in the Temple, as a witness in your favor, showing that you
are a proprietor in that building, and are entitled to your share
of the privileges thereunto belonging.
One of those privileges which is particularly attracting the notice
of the Saints at the present moment, is baptism for the dead, in
the font which is so far completed as to be dedicated, and several
have already attended to this ordinance by which the sick have
been made whole, and the prisoner set free; but while we have been
called to administer this ordinance, we have been led to inquire
into the propriety of baptizing those who have not been obedient,
and assisted to build the place for baptism; and it seems to us
unreasonable to expect that the Great Jehovah will approbate
such administration; for if the Church must be brought under
condemnation, and rejected with her dead, if she fail to build the
house and its appurtenances, why should not individuals of the
Church, who thus neglect, come under the same condemnation? For
if they are to be rejected, they may as well be rejected without
baptism as with it; for their baptism can be of no avail before
God, and the time to baptize them may be appropriated to building
the walls of the house, and this is according to the understanding
which we have received from him who is our spokesman.
Let it not be supposed that the sick and the destitute are to be
denied the blessings of the Lord's house; God forbid; His eye is
ever over them for good. He that hath not, and cannot obtain, but
saith in his heart, if I had, I would give freely, is accepted
as freely as he that gives of his abundance. The Temple is to be
built by tithing and consecration, and every one is at liberty to
consecrate all they find in their hearts so to do; but the tithings
required, is one-tenth of all anyone possessed at the commencement
of the building, and one-tenth part of all his increase from that
time until the completion of the same, whether it be money, or
whatever he may be blessed with.
Many in this place are laboring every tenth day for the house,
and this is the tithing of their income, for they have nothing
else; others would labor the same, but they are sick, therefore
excusable; when they get well, let them begin; while there are
others who appear to {474} think their own business of more
importance than the Lord's. Of such we would ask, who gave you your
time, health, strength, and put you into business? And will you not
begin quickly to return with usury that which you have received?
Our God will not wait always.
We would remind some two or three hundred Elders, who offered to go
on missions, some six months, others one year, and some two years,
and had their missions assigned them at the general conference to
labor on the Temple, that most of their names are still with us,
and we wish them to call and take their names away, and give them
up to the building committee.
Brethren, you have as great an interest at stake in this thing as
we have, but as our Master, even the Master-builder of the Temple,
whose throne is on high, has seen fit to constitute us stewards in
some parts of His household; we feel it important for us to see
to it that our Master is not defrauded, and especially by those
who have pledged their word, their time, their talents, to His
services; and we hope this gentle hint will suffice, that we may
not be compelled to publish the names of those referred to.
Probably some may think they could have gone on a mission, but
cannot labor, as they have no means of boarding themselves, but
let such remember that several score of brethren and sisters in
this city, offered at the general conference, to board one or more
laborers on the Temple till the same should be completed, and but
few of those as yet have had the opportunity of boarding any one.
To all such we would say, you are not forgotten, we have your names
also, and we expect soon to send someone to your table, therefore
put your houses in order and never be ready to refuse the first
offer of a guest.
Large stores of provisions will be required to complete the work,
and now is the time for securing it, while meat is plenty and can
be had for one half the value that it can at other seasons of the
year, and the weather is cool and suitable for packing. Let the
brethren for two hundred miles around drive their fat cattle and
hogs to this place, where they may be preserved, and there will be
a supply till another favorable season rolls around, or till the
end of the labor.
Now is the time to secure food, now is the time that the trustee
is ready to receive your droves. Not the maimed, the lean, the
halt, and the blind, and such that you cannot use; it is for the
Lord, and He wants no such offering; but if you want His blessing,
give Him the best, give Him as good as He has given you. Beds and
bedding, socks, mittens, shoes, clothing of every description,
and store goods are needed for the comfort of the laborers this
winter; journeymen, stone cutters, quarrymen, teams and teamsters
for drawing stone and all kinds of provision for men and beast, are
needed in abundance.
{475} There are individuals who have given nothing as yet, either
as tithing or consecration, thinking that they shall be able to do
a great deal some time hence if they continue their present income
to their own use, but this is a mistaken idea. Suppose that all
should act upon this principle, no one would do ought at present,
consequently the building must cease, and this generation remain
without a house, and the Church be rejected; then suppose the next
generation labor upon the same principle, and the same in all
succeeding generations, the Son of God would never have a place on
the earth to lay His head.