Let every individual remember that their tithings and consecrations

are required from what they have, and not what they expect to

have some time hence, and are wanted for immediate use. All money

and other property designed for tithing and consecrations to the

building of the Temple must hereafter be presented to the Trustee

in Trust, President Joseph Smith, and entered at the recorder's

office, in the book before referred to; and all receipts now holden

by individuals, which they have received of the building committee

for property delivered to them, must also be forwarded to the

recorder's office for entry, to secure the appropriation of said

property according to the original design.

The Elders everywhere will instruct the brethren both in public

and in private, in the principles and doctrines set forth in this

Epistle, so that every individual in the Church may have a perfect

understanding of his duty and privileges.

Brigham Young,

Heber C. Kimball,

Orson Pratt,

William Smith,

Lyman Wight,

Wilford Woodruff,

John Taylor,

Geo. A. Smith,

Willard Richards.

Nauvoo, Illinois, December 13, 1841.

Footnotes:

1. This has reference to the blacklegs that infested the upper

Mississippi region, and who plied their trade in disposing of

counterfeit money and stolen goods along the river. The character of

the old inhabitants in Northern Illinois at this time, (1840-44),

Governor Ford describes in his "_History of Illinois_" as follows:

"Then, again, the northern part of the State was not destitute

of its organized bands of rogues, engaged in murders, robberies,

horse-stealing, and in making and passing counterfeit money. These

rogues were scattered all over the north; but the most of them were

located in the counties of Ogle, Winnebago, Lee, and DeKalb. In the

county of Ogle, they were so numerous, strong, and well-organized, that

they could not be convicted for their crimes. By getting some of their

numbers on the juries, by producing hosts of witnesses to sustain their

defense by perjured evidence, and by changing the venue from one county

to another, and by continuances from term to term, and by the inability

of witnesses to attend from time to time at a distant and foreign

county, they most generally managed to be acquitted."

2. The above references are published to correspond in current editions

of the Doctrine and Covenants. The revelation quoted was given as a law

to the Church, February 9, 1831. It was given in the presence of twelve

Elders, at Kirtland, in fulfillment of the promise that the Lord made

to the church while yet located in New York, in a revelation commanding

them to move from the eastern countries to the Ohio; "And there," said

the Lord, "I will give unto you my law, and there you shall be endowed

with power from on high." (Doctrine and Covenants, section 38: 32.) As

introductory to the revelation the Prophet said under date of February

9: "According to the promise heretofore made, the Lord gave the

following revelation embracing the Law of the Church;" and indeed, it

is appropriately so called, for it embraces well nigh every moral law

of the Gospel, and is a most valuable chapter of divine instructions to

the Church.

3. About this time there were gangs of robbers operating up and down

the Mississippi River, from which the Saints suffered, as many of their

horses and cattle were stolen, but more serious injury arose from the

fact that the acts of these robbers were attributed to the Saints

themselves, and did much to prejudice the minds of the public against

them. Governor Ford in his "History of Illinois," from 1814 to 1847 in

referring to these charges against the Saints, and speaking of events

taking place about this time in Nauvoo, said: "It was a fact also,

that some larcenies and robberies had been committed, and that Mormons

had been convicted of the crimes, and that other larcenies had been

committed by persons unknown, but suspected to be Mormons. Justice,

however, requires me here to say, that upon such investigation as I

then could make, the charge of promiscuous stealing appeared to be

exaggerated." (History of Illinois, Ford, p. 329.)

The practice of charging these robberies upon members of the Church

continued through the next three or four years. Speaking of the time

somewhat later than the period with which our annals above deal, the

Governor said: "On my late visit to Hancock county, I was informed

by some of their violent enemies, that the larcenies of the Mormons

had become unusually numerous and insufferable. They indeed admitted

that but little had been done in this way in their immediate vicinity.

But they insisted that sixteen horses had been stolen by the Mormons

in one night, near Lima in the county of Adams. At the close of the

expedition, I called at this same town of Lima, and upon inquiry was

told that no horses had been stolen in that neighborhood, but that

sixteen horses had been stolen in one night in Hancock county. This

last informant being told of the Hancock story, again changed the venue

to another distant settlement in the northern edge of Adams." (History

of Illinois, p. 331.)

And thus sensational reports of "Mormon stealings" were made the

shuttle-cock between the battle-doors of various neighborhoods.

In addition to the very emphatic utterances of the Prophet Joseph, his

brother Hyrum, and the Twelve, the _Times and Seasons_ editorially said:

"THIEVES.

"We are highly pleased to see the very energetic measures taken by

our citizens to suppress thieving. It has been a source of grief unto

us that there were any in our midst who would wilfully take property

from any person which did not belong to them, knowing that if any

person, who does, or ever did belong to this Church, should steal,

the whole Church would have to bear the stigma, and the sound goes

abroad that the Mormons are a set of thieves and robbers, a charge

which we unequivocally deny, and pronounce a falsehood of the basest

kind. That there are some amongst us base enough to commit such acts

we do not pretend to deny, but whether they are all members of this

Church or not, we do not know; but some who are have been caught in

their iniquity, and one was among the missing after a warrant was

out for him; circumstantial proof is so strong against him, that his

guilt is established without a doubt. We have heard that some of those

characters have said that such things are sanctioned by the authorities

of the Church, this is the most base of all lies: and we would here

warn all well disposed persons, to be aware of such characters, and if

any such thing is ever intimated to them, to heed it not, unless it be

to report such persons to the proper authorities so that they can be

brought to condign punishment; for know assuredly that if you listen to

them, they will prove an adder in your path, and eventually lead you

down to destruction."--_Times and Seasons_, p. 615.

4. See Vol. III., p. 171.

{476}

CHAPTER XXVIII.

Kirtland _vs_. Nauvoo--Political Attitude of the People of Nauvoo

Declared--Publications Mormon and Anti-Mormon for 1841--Close of the

Year.

_Tuesday, December 14, 1841_.--I commenced opening, unpacking, and

assorting a lot of dry goods in the second story of my new store,

situate on the northwest corner of block 155. [1] The joiners and

masons are yet at work in the lower part of the building.

_Wednesday, 15_.--In reply to inquiries concerning Almon W. Babbitt,

and the printing press at Kirtland, contained in a letter written at

Kirtland, November 16, 1841, by Lester Brooks and Zebedee Coltrin,

acting presidents, and Thomas Burdick, Bishop and council, to President

Joseph Smith and Brigham Young, it was decided as follows:

_Decision in the Case of Almon W. Babbitt and Kirtland_.

It remains for Almon W. Babbitt to offer satisfaction, if he

wishes so to do, according to the minutes of the conference. You

are doubtless all well aware that all the stakes, except those in

Hancock county, Illinois, and Lee county, Iowa, were discontinued

some time since by the First Presidency, as published in the _Times

and Seasons_; but as it appears that there are many in Kirtland

who desire to remain there, and build up that place, and as you

have made great exertions according to your letter, to establish a

printing press, and take care of the poor, &c., since that period,

you may as well continue operations according to your designs, and

go on with your printing, and do what you can in righteousness to

build up Kirtland, but do not suffer yourselves to harbor the idea

that Kirtland will rise on the ruins of Nauvoo. It is the privilege

of brethren emigrating from any quarter to come to this place, and

it is not right to attempt to persuade those who desire it, to stop

short.

The foregoing is an extract from my letter in reply.

{477} The Twelve Apostles were in council at Elder Kimball's.

[Sidenote: Affairs at Ramus.]

_Tuesday, 16_.--William Wightman of Ramus, delivered to President

Joseph Smith, sole trustee-in-trust, the deed to the unsold and bonded

lots of land in the town of Ramus, bearing date December 8, 1841; also

the plat of the "first addition to Ramus," and the notes which have

been received of individuals who have purchased lots, and the bonds

of William Miller, September 21, 1840, and of Ute Perkins, November

26, 1840, and of William J. Perkins, November 7, 1840, and of John

F. Charles, November 16, 1841, for lots of land adjoining Ramus, and

which may hereafter be added to the town plats (a part of the land

included in William Miller's bond is included in the first addition to

Ramus, and the notes were transferred to the sole trustee-in-trust, for

the benefit of the whole Church, by a vote of the Ramus conference,

December 4 and 5, 1841), after applying sufficient of said property to

liquidate the claims of those from whom the town was purchased, and

also paying two notes given by William Wightman for money borrowed to

pay for the above property, viz., to Lyman Prentice $11.45, and James

Cummins $50.00, and some other small demands against said Wightman

which have been contracted for the benefit of the Church in Ramus.

_Saturday, 18_.--I attended the city council, and stated circumstances

which I had heard concerning mobocracy, from a person late from

Macombe, and requested an ordinance passed, so that persons ordering

any person to leave their peaceful homes could be dealt with

rigorously; also presented the following--

_Expressions of Gratitude to James Gordon Bennett and the New York

Herald_.

Resolved by the city council of the city of Nauvoo, that the

high-minded and honorable editor of the _New York Weekly Herald_,

James Gordon Bennett, Esq., is deserving of the lasting gratitude

of this {478} community, for his very liberal and unprejudiced

course towards us as a people, in giving us a fair hearing in his

paper, thus enabling us to reach the ears of a portion of the

community, who, otherwise would ever have remained ignorant of our

principles and practices.

Resolved, That we recommend our fellow citizens to subscribe for

the _New York Weekly Herald_, and thus be found patronizing true

merit, industry, and enterprise.

_Sunday, 19_.--The Twelve were in council at Elder Brigham

Young's--morning.

Meeting at my house in the evening.

The subjoined minutes are from Elder Wilford Woodruff's journal--

_Minutes of a Meeting of the Twelve in the House of the Prophet_.

Elder Heber C. Kimball preached at the house of President Joseph

Smith, on the parable in the 18th chapter of Jeremiah, of the clay

in the hands of the potter, that when it marred in the hands of the

potter it was cut off the wheel and then thrown back again into

the mill, to go into the next batch, and was a vessel of dishonor;

but all clay that formed well in the hands of the potter, and was

pliable, was a vessel of honor; and thus it was with the human

family, and ever will be: all that are pliable in the hands of God

and are obedient to His commands, are vessels of honor, and God

will receive them.

President Joseph arose and said--"Brother Kimball has given you a

true explanation of the parable," and then read the parable of the

vine and its branches, and explained it, and said, "if we keep the

commandments of God, we should bring forth fruit and be the friends

of God, and know what our Lord did.

"Some people say I am a fallen Prophet, because I do not bring

forth more of the word of the Lord. Why do I not do it? Are we able

to receive it? No! not one in this room. He then chastened the

congregation for their wickedness and unbelief, 'for whom the Lord

loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son and daughter whom

he receiveth,' and if we do not receive chastisements then we are

bastards and not sons."

On the subject of revelation, he said, a man would command his son

to dig potatoes and saddle his horse, but before he had done either

he would tell him to do something else. This is all considered

right; but as soon as the Lord gives a commandment and revokes that

decree and commands something else, then the Prophet is considered

fallen. Because we will not receive chastisement at the hand of the

Prophet and {479} Apostles, the Lord chastiseth us with sickness

and death. Let not any man publish his own righteousness, for

others can see that for him; sooner let him confess his sins, and

then he will be forgiven, and he will bring forth more fruit. When

a corrupt man is chastised he gets angry and will not endure it.

The reason we do not have the secrets of the Lord revealed unto us,

is because we do not keep them but reveal them; we do not keep our

own secrets, but reveal our difficulties to the world, even to our

enemies, then how would we keep the secrets of the Lord? I can keep

a secret till Doomsday. What greater love hath any man than that he

lay down his life for his friend; then why not fight for our friend

until we die?

Elder Brigham Young said--one thing lay with weight on his mind;

that is, that we should be prepared to keep each commandment as it

came from the Lord by the mouth of the Prophet, and as the Lord had

commanded us to build a temple, we should do it speedily.

_Monday, 20_.--I communicated to the _Times and Seasons_, as follows--

_The Prophet on the Attitude of the Saints in Politics_.

To My Friends In Illinois--The Gubernatorial Convention of the

state of Illinois has nominated Colonel Adam W. Snyder [2] for

Governor, and Colonel John Moore for Lieutenant-Governor, of the

state of Illinois, election to take place in August next.

Colonel Moore, like Judge Douglas and Esquire Warren, was an

intimate friend of General Bennett long before that gentleman

became a member of our community; and General Bennett informs us

that no men were {480} more efficient in assisting him to procure

our great chartered privileges, than were Colonel Snyder, and

Colonel Moore. They are sterling men, and friends of equal rights,

opposed to the oppressor's grasp, and the tyrant's rod. With

such men at the head of our State, government will have nothing

to fear. In the next canvass, we shall be influenced by no party

consideration, and no Carthagenian coalescence or collusion with

our people will be suffered to effect, or operate against General

Bennett, or any other of our tried friends, already semi-officially

in the field; so the partizans in this county, who expect to divide

the friends of humanity and equal rights, will find themselves

mistaken--we care not a fig for Whig or Democrat; they are both

alike to us, but we shall go for our friends, our tried friends,

and the cause of human liberty, which is the cause of God. We

are aware that "divide and conquer" is the watchword with many,

but with us it cannot be done--we love liberty too well--we have

suffered too much to be easily duped--we have no catspaws amongst

us. We voted for General Harrison because we loved him--he was a

gallant officer and a tried statesman; but this is no reason why

we should always be governed by his friends. He is now dead, and

all of his friends are not ours. We claim the privilege of freemen,

and shall act accordingly. Douglas is a master spirit, and his

friends are our friends--we are willing to cast our banners in

the air, and fight by his side in the cause of humanity and equal

rights--the cause of liberty and the law. Snyder and Moore are his

friends--they are ours. These men are free from the prejudices

and superstitions of the age, and such men we love, and such men

will ever receive our support, be their political predilections

what they may. Snyder and Moore are known to be our friends; their

friendship is vouched for by those whom we have tried. We will

never be justly charged with the sin of ingratitude--they have

served us, and we will serve them. [3]

Joseph Smith.

Lieutenant-General of the Nauvoo Legion.

{481} _Tuesday, 21_.--I received from Edward Hunter a letter on

business, to which I wrote the following reply--

_The Prophet's Letter to Edward Hunter--Business Affairs at Nauvoo_.

Nauvoo, Dec. 21, 1841.

_Mr. Edward Hunter_,

Beloved Brother:--Yours of the 27th of October came to hand at

a late date, but I am now able to say to you that the power of

attorney is executed and sent up to the clerk's office for the seal

of the state, and {482} will be forwarded direct from them; it is

now on the way most probably.

Your letter did not arrive till after Mr. Potter returned with the

goods, which I received in safety; and Brother Potter has started

on a mission to the inhabitants of Jamaica, one of the West India

isles.

I will accept the goods as you propose, on your debt, so far as it

goes, and answer the remainder on the payments which you mention,

as they become due.

I have purchased ninety acres of timber land in the vicinity

of Nauvoo, a little up the river, and have made proposals to

McFall, but as yet, am waiting for him to receive answers from his

correspondent in the east. I shall be able to purchase all the wood

land you will want, in a little time.

As respects steam engines and mills, my opinion is, we cannot have

too many of them. This place has suffered exceedingly from the want

of such mills in our midst, and neither one nor two can do the

business of this place another season. We have no good grain or

board mill in this place; and most of our flour and lumber has to

be brought twenty miles; which subjects us to great inconvenience.

The city is rapidly advancing, many new buildings have been erected

since you left us, and many more would have arisen, if brick and

lumber could have been obtained. There is scarcely any limits which

can be imagined to the mills and machinery and manufacturing of all

kinds which might be put into profitable operation in this city,

and even if others should raise a mill before you get here, it need

be no discouragement either to you or Brother Buckwalter, for it

will be difficult for the mills to keep pace with the growth of

the place, and you will do well to bring the engine. If you can

persuade any of the brethren who are manufacturers of woollens or

cottons to come on and establish their business, do so.

I have not ascertained definitely as yet how far the goods will go

towards liquidating Dr. Fosters's note, or finishing your house;

but this I can say, I will make the most of it, and benefit you

every possible way.

Your message is delivered to Mrs. Smith, and she will be glad

to have returns on her letter of attorney, as speedily as

circumstances will permit, according to the understanding thereof.

I am happy to hear of your welfare, and the health of your family;

and also to inform you that the health of Nauvoo has much improved

since last summer, and considering the very mild state of the

weather most of the time, it is excellent.

Myself and family are in health, and our enemies are at peace with

us, as much as can be expected in this generation. Should anything

{483} new occur, which may be for our advantage, you will please

write, and I will do the same. I remain, yours in the Gospel of

Christ,

Joseph Smith.

P.S.--You will endeavor to have the money on your letter of

attorney from Mrs. Smith, ready to furnish a fresh supply of goods

early in the spring. J. S.

_Wednesday, 22_.

Nauvoo, December 22, 1841.

_Revelation to John Snyder and Amos B. Fuller_.

The word of the Lord came unto Joseph the Seer, verily thus saith

the Lord, let my servant John Snyder take a mission to the eastern

continent, unto all the conferences now sitting in that region; and

let him carry a package of epistles, that shall be written by my

servants the Twelve making known unto them their duties concerning

the building of my houses which I have appointed unto you, saith

the Lord, that they may bring their gold and their silver, and

their precious stones, and the box-tree, and the fir-tree, and all

fine wood to beautify the place of my sanctuary, saith the Lord;

and let him return speedily with all means which shall be put into

his hands, even so. Amen.

Elder Amos B. Fuller, of Zarahemla, stated to me that he had settled

all his debts, made all necessary provision for his family, and desired

to know the will of God concerning him.

_Revelation_.

"Verily thus saith the Lord unto my servants the Twelve, let them

appoint unto my servant A. B. Fuller a mission to preach my Gospel

unto the children of men, as it shall be manifested unto them by my

Holy Spirit. Amen."

This day I commenced receiving the first supply of groceries at the

new store. Thirteen wagons arrived from Warsaw, loaded with sugar,

molasses, glass, salt, tea, coffee, &c., purchased in St. Louis. The

original stock purchased in New Orleans having been detained at St.

Louis by one Holbrook, innkeeper, under false pretenses.

[Sidenote: Work on the Proclamation to Kings of the Earth.]

This evening I commenced giving instructions to the scribe concerning

writing the {484} proclamation to the kings of the earth, mentioned in

the revelation given January 19, 1841.

[Sidenote: Immigration Agency in England.]

_Friday, 24_.--This evening I had a consultation with President Young

and Bishop Whitney about establishing an agency in England for the

cheap and expeditious conveyance of the Saints to Nauvoo, and for our

convenience in merchandise; and I said, "in the name of the Lord we

will prosper, if we will go forward in this thing."

Elder Truman Gillett, Jun., returned from a short mission to Van Buren

county, Iowa, where he baptized fourteen, bringing $20 as a donation to

the building of the Temple, from Samuel Moore.

[Sidenote: Xmas at Nauvoo, 1841.]

_Saturday, 25_.--Being Christmas, Brigham Young, Heber C. Kimball,

Orson Pratt, Wilford Woodruff, John Taylor, and their wives, and

Willard Richards spent the evening at Hiram Kimball's; and after

supper, Mr. Kimball gave each of the Twelve Apostles a fractional lot

of land lying on the west side of his second addition to Nauvoo.

Alpheus Gifford, a member of the Church since 1831, and a faithful

Elder in the Church [it was he who baptized Heber C. Kimball] died at

his home some five miles above Nauvoo. [4]

_Conference Minutes--New York and Maine_.

At a conference held in Batavia, Genessee county, New York, 11

branches, comprising 15 Elders, 7 Priests, 7 Teachers, 4 Deacons,

and 207 members were represented.

A conference met in the Universalist Church, in Hope, Waldo {485}

county, Maine, when Fox Islands, with five Elders, 1 Priest, 2

Teachers, 1 Deacon, and 100 members, also the Main Land, with

6 Elders, 2 Priests, 3 Teachers, 1 Deacon, and 68 members were

represented; Otis Shaw, president, and Calvin C. Pendleton, clerk.

[Sidenote: Purpose of the Gift of Tongues.]

_Sunday, 26_.--The public meeting of the Saints was at my house this

evening, and after Patriarch Hyrum Smith and Elder Brigham Young had

spoken on the principles of faith, and the gifts of the Spirit, I read

the 13th chapter of First Corinthians, also a part of the 14th chapter,

and remarked that the gift of tongues was necessary in the Church;

but that if Satan could not speak in tongues, he could not tempt a

Dutchman, or any other nation, but the English, for he can tempt the

Englishman, for he has tempted me, and I am an Englishman; but the gift

of tongues by the power of the Holy Ghost in the Church, is for the

benefit of the servants of God to preach to unbelievers, as on the day

of Pentecost. When devout men from every nation {486} shall assemble

to hear the things of God, let the Elders preach to them in their own

mother tongue, whether it is German, French, Spanish or "Irish," or any

other, and let those interpret who understand the language spoken, in

their own mother tongue, and this is what the Apostle meant in First

Corinthians xiv: 27. [5]

[Sidenote: Instructions to the Twelve.]

_Monday, 27_.--I was in council with Brothers Brigham Young, Heber C.

Kimball, Willard Richards and John Taylor, at my office, instructing

them in the principles of the kingdom, and what the Twelve should do in

relation to the mission of John Snyder, and the European conferences,

so as to forward the gathering of means for building the Temple and

Nauvoo House; that Brigham might go with John Snyder on his mission if

he chose, but the object of the mission could be accomplished without.

_Tuesday, 28_.--I baptized Sidney Rigdon in the font, for and in behalf

of his parents; also baptized Reynolds Cahoon and others.

[Sidenote: Warren and Warsaw Affairs.]

_Thursday and Friday, December 30th and 31st_--Calvin A. Warren, Esq.,

Mark Aldrich and Daniel S. Witter, visited me at my office, and after

much explanation and conversation concerning Warren and Warsaw, In

which Esquire Warren manifested the kindest and most confidential

feelings and Aldrich and Witter expressed their entire approbation of

past proceedings of the Presidency, they all agreed that if I did not

succeed in the next attempt to establish and build up Warren, that

they would fully excuse me from all censure, and would feel satisfied

that I had done all that could reasonably be required of any man in a

like case, be the consequence what it might to themselves; and Esquire

Warren frankly acknowledged that his temporal salvation depended on

the success of the enterprise, and {487} made liberal proposals for

the benefit of the brethren, to help forward the undertaking. The

party retired manifesting the best of feeling, and expressing the most

perfect satisfaction with their visit, with me and all concerned.

[Sidenote: A Prophecy Respecting Warsaw.]

Thursday evening at the office, while conversing with Calvin A. Warren,

Esq., about the proceedings at Warsaw, I prophesied in the name of the

Lord, that the first thing toward building up Warsaw was to break it

down, to break down them that are there, that it never would be built

up till it was broken down, and after that keep them entirely in the

dark concerning our movements; and it is best to let Sharp [6] publish

what he pleases and go to the devil, and the more lies he prints the

sooner he will get through; not buy him out or hinder him; and after

they have been in the dark long enough, let a certain set of men go

there who will do as I tell them, a certain kind of men, some of those

capitalists from the Eastern States, say from Pennsylvania; wise men

who will take the lead of business, and go ahead of those that are

there before they know what we are about, and the place will prosper,

and not till then.

The following list shows some of the books, pamphlets, letters, &c.,

published for and against the Latter-day Saints in 1841.

_Mormon Literature, (pro et con) 1841_.

"A Proclamation to the Saints Scattered Abroad:" January 15, by

Joseph Smith, Sidney Rigdon, Hyrum Smith.

Twenty-three numbers of the "Times and Seasons," published at

Nauvoo.

Twelve numbers of the "Millennial Star," published in England by

Parley P. Pratt.

First European edition of the Book of Mormon, published in England,

21st January, by Elders Brigham Young, and Willard Richards.

{488} A third edition of the "Voice of Warning" was published in

Manchester, England, by Parley P. Pratt.

"A Letter to Queen Victoria of England, Touching the Signs of the

Times, and the Political Destiny of the World:" in pamphlet form,

by Parley P. Pratt, Manchester, England.

Five hundred copies of "An Address to the Hebrews," in the Dutch

language, by Orson Hyde. Published in Rotterdam, Holland, in July;

being the first pamphlet pertaining to the Church of Jesus Christ

of Latter-day Saints, written in a foreign language.

A pamphlet containing 116 pages, 8vo., by Orson Hyde, containing "A

Synopsis of the Faith of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day

Saints:" addressed to the German nation in their own language.

A Small Collection of Hymns, by Christopher Merkley.

"Evidences in Proof of the Book of Mormon:" a work of 256 pages, 32

mo. Published at Batavia, New York, by Charles Thompson.

A lengthy "Address to the Citizens of Salem, Massachusetts, and

Vicinity," by Erastus Snow, and Benjamin Winchester, October.

"Gospel Reflector," a monthly periodical, by Benjamin Winchester,

published in Philadelphia.

"Proclamation and Warning to the Inhabitants of America," by

Charles Thompson.

The editor of the "Times and Seasons" noticed the following "From

the 'Upper Mississippian,' a series of letters, entitled 'Nauvoo

Mormon Religion,' &c., the writer no doubt intended to give a fair

statement, and in the main did so; but respecting our faith (on

some points), the Book of Mormon, &c., he is wide of the mark."

An article published in the "North Staffordshire Mercury," showing

the difference between the Baptists and Latter-day Saints.

Hanley, February, 16, signed "A Baptist." Replied to by Parley

P. Pratt, who showed the difference between the Baptists and

Former-day-Saints.

A severe article against the Latter-day Saints, which filled

several columns of fine print, was published in "Edinburgh

Intelligencer" of April 7th, taken from the "Athenaeum" on the

subject of the "Book of Mormon and the Latter-day Saints." Replied

to by Parley P. Pratt. May.

Mr. J. B. Rollo, of Edinburgh, Scotland, published a pamphlet

entitled "Mormonism Exposed." Replied to by Parley P. Pratt, July

10.

The "Preston Chronicle" of April 24, published a long article

against the Latter-day Saints, which was replied to by Parley P.

Pratt, in the "Millennial Star," July 10.

A bitter article was published in the "Cheltenham Free Press" of

{489} August 23rd, headed "Latter-day Saints' Swindle," replied to

by Parley P. Pratt in the "Star" of October.

"A Few Plain Facts, Showing the Folly, Wickedness and Imposition of

the Rev. Timothy R. Matthews." By George J. Adams, Bedford, England.

The St. Louis, Missouri, "Atlas" published a favorable article

entitled, "The Latter-day Saints."

The "Juliet Courier" published a favorable account of the late

trial of Joseph Smith. Monmouth, June.

The "Philadelphia Saturday Courier" and the "Public Ledger" on July

10, published several articles anathematizing the Latter-day Saints.

A slanderous pamphlet entitled "Mormonism Unmasked," by A. Gardner,

of Rochdale, England.

"The Mormons--Arrest of Joe Smith" was the heading of an article

published in the "New York Herald of Commerce," and copied in many

of the Eastern papers.

"The Christian Messenger and Reformer" published an account of the

Latter-day Saints, collected from the book of Edward D. Howe, of

Painsville, Ohio.

Thomas Sharp, editor of the "Warsaw Signal," devoted his entire

time to slandering, to lying against and misrepresenting the

Latter-day Saints.

Footnotes:

1. On the corner of Granger and Water streets, in the southwest part of

the city.

2. Governor Ford, in his "History of Illinois," gives the following

biographical information about Adam W. Snyder, and as I can find

nothing concerning him elsewhere, I quote Ford:--

"In December, 1841, a state Democratic convention assembled at

Springfield, and nominated Adam W. Snyder as the Democratic candidate

for governor, to be elected in August, 1842. Mr. Snyder was a native

of Pennsylvania, and a distant relative of Gov. Snyder of that state.

In his early youth, he learned the trade of a fuller and woolcarder.

He came to Illinois when he was about eighteen years old; settled

in the French village of Cahokia: followed his trade for several

years: studied law; removed to the county seat, where he commenced

his profession, in which he was successful in getting practice. In

1830 he was elected to the State Senate, and was afterwards elected

to Congress, from his district; and was again elected to the State

Senate in 1840. Mr. Snyder was a very showy, plausible and agreeable

man in conversation, and was gifted with a popular eloquence, which was

considerably effective. He was a member of the Senate when the Mormon

charters were passed, and had taken an active part in furthering their

passage." In fact Mr. Snyder was chairman of the Judiciary committee,

to which the charters were referred, and he reported them to the Senate

with a recommendation that they pass.

3. For some time there had been an agitation going on in respect

of the Saints and their relationship to the politics of the State;

and political capital was sought to be made by manifestations of

friendliness or of hostility towards them. Although, in the main, the

people of Nauvoo had sustained the Whig candidates, both locally and

nationally, in the preceding election, including the Whig candidate for

Congress, Mr. John J. Stuart, yet there were outbreaks against them

both among the Whig politicians and in the Whig press of Illinois. "The

Whig newspapers," writes Governor Ford, in his "History of Illinois,"

"teemed with accounts of the wonders and enormities of Nauvoo, and of

the awful wickedness of a party which could consent to receive the

support of such miscreants. Governor Duncan, [nominated in opposition

to Snyder] who was really a brave, honest man, and who had nothing to

do with getting the Mormon charters passed through the legislature,

took the stump on this subject in good earnest, and expected to be

elected governor almost on this question alone" (History of Illinois,

Ford, p. 269.)

The position of the Saints in their relation to the political parties

in the state of Illinois is tersely set forth by the late President

John Taylor in his review of affairs at Nauvoo, leading up to the

martyrdom of the Prophet; which document was prepared at the request of

the Historians of the Church, and filed in the archives of the Church

as the testimony of an eye witness and participant in those events.

The document, under the title of "The Martyrdom of Joseph Smith," was

published by permission of the author in Tyler's "History of the Mormon

Battalion." Of the political situation at Nauvoo--which was forming

at the period to which the political announcement of the text above

belongs--President Taylor says:

"There were always two parties, the Whigs and Democrats, and we could

not vote for one without offending the other; and it not unfrequently

happened that candidates for office would place the issue of their

election upon opposition to the 'Mormons,' in order to gain political

influence from religious prejudice, in which case the 'Mormons' were

compelled, in self-defense, to vote against them, which resulted almost

invariably against our opponents. This made them angry; and although

it was of their own making, and the 'Mormons' could not be expected

to do otherwise, yet they raged on account of their discomfiture, and

sought to wreak their fury on the 'Mormons.' As an instance of the

above, when Joseph Duncan was candidate for the office of governor of

Illinois, [in the campaign to which the document in the body of the

text above relates] he pledged himself to his party that, if he could

be elected, he would exterminate or drive the 'Mormons' from the state.

The consequence was that Governor Ford was elected." (History of the

Mormon Battalion, Introduction, pp. 12 and 13.)

It cannot in truth be claimed that any favor shown by the Democratic

party, as such, to the Mormon people was the cause of the announcement

of the above independent attitude in politics. For while Judge Douglas,

a leading Democrat, had recently rendered a decision favorable to the

Prophet, liberating him from the clutches of Missouri, it should be

remembered that the Judge had but pronounced upon the course of the

officers of the states of Missouri and Illinois and found that course

at variance with the law, and there was no alternative but to set

the Prophet free. But it was the law that vindicated Joseph Smith,

not the favor of Judge Douglas. And then, if a Democratic Judge had

decided a case in favor of the Prophet, it should be remembered that

it was the act, and I might say the unwarranted, the illegal act, of a

Democrat, Governor Carlin, which had put the life and liberty of the

Prophet in jeopardy by issuing an illegal requisition for his arrest

and deliverance to Missouri, This to show that it was not any favor

that had been shown by the Democratic party, as such, that prompted

the assumption of an independent attitude in politics by the Prophet;

but that for weal or woe, the attitude was taken as a measure of

self-defense, and for the protection of the people in whose interest it

was announced.

4. Alpheus Gifford was born in Adams township, Berkshire county,

Massachusetts, August 25, 1793. At the age of eighteen, having scarcely

sufficient learning to enable him to read the Bible, he commenced

preaching the Gospel, not for hire, but for the salvation of souls.

In 1817, he married Anna Nash, who bore him seven sons and three

daughters. In the spring of 1831, hearing of the doctrines taught by

Joseph Smith, he made diligent inquiry, and found they were scriptural,

and was baptized and ordained a priest; he brought home five Books of

Mormon which he distributed among his friends; he was then living in

Tioga county, Pennsylvania. Soon after he went to Kirtland, Ohio, to

see the Prophet Joseph Smith and the brethren, when he was ordained an

Elder; he was accompanied by his brother Levi Elial Strong, Eleazar

Miller, Enos Curtis and Abraham Brown, who were baptized. On returning

to Pennsylvania he preached and baptized many, among whom was Heber C.

Kimball. The gifts of the Gospel were enjoyed by many; signs following

those that believed, devils were cast out; the sick were healed; many

prophesied; some spake with new tongues; while others interpreted the

same. Mr. Calvin Gilmour, with whom Brother Gifford had previously been

associated in preaching, heard him speak in tongues and interpret.

Gilmour declared he understood the languages and that they were

interpreted correctly, but that he would rather be damned than believe

in Mormonism.

In June, 1832, Brother Gifford started for Missouri; traveled to

Cincinnati and wintered there with a few Saints, who had been baptized

by Lyman Wight. He arrived in Jackson county, Mo., in March, 1833,

where he preached much. He was driven with the saints in the fall

of that year. He removed to Clay county, and subsequently went to

Kirtland, Ohio, and attended the dedication of the Temple and received

the ordinances there administered. He returned to Missouri, and removed

with the Saints to Far West, Caldwell county. In the winter of 1839

he was driven from Missouri. He located in the Morley settlement near

Lima, Illinois, and subsequently removed five miles above Nauvoo, where

he died December 25, 1841. (The above is taken from a sketch of his

father's life by Samuel K. Gifford, furnished the Church Historian in

November, 1861, and filed in the History of the Church under date of

December, 1841.)

5. "If any man speak in an unknown tongue, let it be by two, at the

most by three, and that by course, and let one interpret. But if there

be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the Church; and let him

speak to himself and to God."

6. This reference is to Thomas Sharp, editor of the Warsaw _Signal_, a

bitter anti-Mormon, and described by the late President John Taylor, as

"a violent and unprincipled man, who shrank not from any enormity."

{490}

CHAPTER XXIX.

The Opening of the Year 1842--Whereabouts of the Twelve

Apostles--Correspondence of Elder Hyde from Trieste--Report of High

Council on Affairs in Nauvoo--Events and Conditions in British Mission.

[Sidenote: Sundry Labors of the Prophet.]

_Saturday, January 1, 1842_.--I again have the pleasure to report the

location of the Twelve Apostles. Brigham Young, Heber C. Kimball,

Orson Pratt, John Taylor, Wilford Woodruff and Willard Richards are in

Nauvoo. George A. Smith, in Zarahemla, Ohio. Orson Hyde in quarantine

at Trieste, Italy. Parley P. Pratt in Liverpool. Lyman Wight in Ohio.

William Smith in New Jersey. John E. Page somewhere in the Eastern

States.

I commenced placing goods on the shelves of my new store, assisted by

Bishop Newel K. Whitney and others; and in the evening attended city

council.

Five hundred and twelve Saints were reported at the Glasgow Conference

of this date.

Several of the Twelve spent the day at Sylvester B. Stoddard's and in

the city council, which lasted from 6 p. m. until midnight, on the

trial of Gustavus Hills.

_Sunday, 2_.--Meeting at my house, day and evening; Brother Hyrum and

Elder Woodruff preached.

_Tuesday, 4_.--I wrote Dr. John M. Bernhisel, of New York, on business.

Joseph Duncan, candidate for Governor of Illinois, made an inflammatory

speech against the Saints at Edwardsville, a mass of falsehoods.

{491} _Wednesday, 5_.--William Wightman signed over and delivered the

town plat of Ramus to me, as sole Trustee in Trust for the Church of

Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

My new store was opened for business this day for the first time, it

was filled with customers, and I was almost continually behind the

counter, as clerk, waiting on my friends.

I dictated a letter to Edward Hunter, West Nantmeal, Pennsylvania, as

follows:

_The Prophet's Letter to Edward Hunter--Reports Opening of the New

Store_.

Nauvoo, January 5, 1842.

_Mr. Edward Hunter_.

Beloved Brother:--I am happy that it is my privilege to say to you

that the large new building which I had commenced when you were

here is now completed, and the doors are opened this day for the

sale of goods for the first time. The foundation of the building is

somewhat spacious (as you will doubtless recollect) for a country

store.

The principal part of the building below, which is ten feet high,

is devoted exclusively to shelves and drawers, except one door

opening back into the space, on the left of which are the cellar

and chamber stairs, and on the right the counting room; from the

space at the top of the chamber stairs opens a door into the large

front room of the same size with the one below, the walls lined

with counters, covered with reserved goods.

In front of the stairs opens the door to my private office, or

where I keep the sacred writings, with a window to the south,

overlooking the river below, and the opposite shore for a great

distance, which, together with the passage of boats in the season

thereof, constitutes a peculiarly interesting situation, in

prospect, and no less interesting from its retirement from the

bustle and confusion of the neighborhood and city, and altogether

is a place the Lord is pleased to bless.

The painting of the store has been executed by Edward Martin, one

of our English brethren; and the counters, drawers, and pillars

present a very respectable representation of oak, mahogany and

marble for a backwoods establishment.

The Lord has blessed our exertions in a wonderful manner, and

although some individuals have succeeded in detaining goods to a

considerable amount for the time being, yet we have been enabled to

secure goods in the building sufficient to fill all the shelves as

soon as they were completed, and have some in reserve, both in loft

and cellar.

{492} Our assortment is tolerably good--very good, considering the

different purchases made by different individuals at different

times, and under circumstances which controlled their choice to

some extent; but I rejoice that we have been enabled to do as well

as we have, for the hearts of many of the poor brethren and sisters

will be made glad with those comforts which are now within their

reach.

The store has been filled to overflowing, and I have stood behind

the counter all day, dealing out goods as steady as any clerk you

ever saw, to oblige those who were compelled to go without their

usual Christmas and New Year's dinners, for the want of a little

sugar, molasses, raisins, &c., &c; and to please myself also, for I

love to wait upon the Saints, and be a servant to all, hoping that

I may be exalted in the due time of the Lord.

With sentiments of high consideration, I remain your brother in

Christ.

Joseph Smith.

[Sidenote: Rejoicing of the Prophet.]

_Thursday, 6_.--The new year has been ushered in and continued thus far

under the most favorable auspices, and the Saints seem to be influenced

by a kind and indulgent Providence in their dispositions and [blessed

with] means to rear the Temple of the Most High God, anxiously looking

forth to the completion thereof as an event of the greatest importance

to the Church and the world, making the Saints in Zion to rejoice, and

the hypocrite and sinner to tremble. Truly this is a day long to be

remembered by the Saints of the last days,--a day in which the God of

heaven has begun to restore the ancient order of His kingdom unto His

servants and His people,--a day in which all things are concurring to

bring about the completion of the fullness of the Gospel, a fullness

of the dispensation of dispensations, even the fullness of times; a

day in which God has begun to make manifest and set in order in His

Church those things which have been, and those things which the ancient

prophets and wise men desired to see but died without beholding them;

a day in which those things begin to be made manifest, which have

been hid from before the foundation of the world, and which {493}

Jehovah has promised should be made known in His own due time unto

His servants, to prepare the earth for the return of His glory, even

a celestial glory, and a kingdom of Priests and kings to God and the

Lamb, forever, on Mount Zion, and with him the hundred and forty and

four thousand whom John the Revelator saw, all of which is to come to

pass in the restitution of all things.

Conference held at Zarahemla, at which that stake was discontinued;

a branch was organized in place thereof, and John Smith appointed

president.

_Wednesday, 12_.--The ship _Tremont_ sailed from Liverpool for New

Orleans with the Saints, about this time.

The following notice was published in the _Times and Seasons_:

_Tithings and Consecrations for the Temple of the Lord_.

From this time the Recorder's Office will be opened on the Saturday

of each week for the reception of the tithings and consecrations

of the brethren, and closed on every other day of the week. This

regulation is necessary, to give the Trustee and Recorder time to

arrange the Book of Mormon, translation of the Bible, Hymn Book,

and Doctrine and Covenants for the press, all of which the brethren

are anxious to see in their most perfect form, consequently the

Saints should be particular to bring their offerings on the day

specified, until further notice, but not relax their exertions to

carry on the work.

The Elders will please give the above notice in all public meetings

until the plan is understood.

Willard Richards,

Recorder for the Temple.

Nauvoo, January 12, 1842.

I rode south about seven miles to my wood land, accompanied by Brother

John Sanders and Peter Maughan, [1] {494} and found a vein of coal

about eighteen inches thick, apparently of good quality for the western

country.

Elder Benjamin Winchester was suspended by the quorum of the Twelve

until he made satisfaction for disobedience to the First Presidency.

_Thursday, 13_.--My clerk, Willard Richards, commenced boarding with me.

The British forces having evacuated Cabul, [2] they were attacked in

the Pass, a few miles from the city, and after three days' fighting;

they were nearly all slaughtered.

[Sidenote: Book of Mormon Corrections.]

_Saturday, 15_.--I commenced reading the Book of Mormon at page 54,

American stereotype edition (the previous pages having been corrected),

for the purpose of correcting the stereotype plates of some errors

which escaped notice in the first edition.

Attended city council, and was appointed on committee of ways and means

and municipal laws.

_Sunday, 16_.--I preached at my house, morning and evening,

illustrating the nature of sin, and showing that it is not right to sin

that grace may abound.

_Monday, 17_.--Transacted a variety of business in the city. Myself and

Brother Willard Richards dined with Sister Agnes M. Smith. [3]

[Sidenote: Meeting with the Twelve.]

In the evening I attended a council of the Twelve at my office;

present, Elders Young, Kimball, Orson Pratt, Taylor, Woodruff, George

A. Smith and Richards--appointed Elder Amos B. Fuller a mission to

Chicago, according to the revelation of the 22nd of December, and Elder

Henry Jacobs to accompany him. The council were unanimously opposed to

{495} Robinson's son's publishing the Book of Mormon and other books.

_Tuesday, 18_.--This day revoked my power of attorney given to Dr.

Isaac Galland to transact business for the Church.

After transacting a variety of business, sleeping an hour from bodily

infirmities, I read for correction in the Book of Mormon, and debated

in the evening with the mayor [John C. Bennett] concerning the

Lamanites and Negroes.

For an extract of a letter from Elder Orson Hyde, "Trieste, January 1

and 18, 1842," see _Millennial Star_, vol. II, pages 166-169. [4]

Highly Interesting from Jerusalem.

We have lately received two lengthy and highly interesting

communications from Elder Orson Hyde, dated at Trieste, January

1st, and 18th, containing a sketch of his voyages and travels in

the East, his visit to Jerusalem, a description of ancient Zion,

the pool of Siloam, and many other places famous in holy writ,

with several illustrations of the manners and customs of the

East, as applicable to Scripture texts, and several conversations

held between himself and some of the Jews, missionaries, etc.,

in Jerusalem, together with a masterly description of a terrible

tempest and thunder storm at sea, with a variety of miscellaneous

reflections and remarks, all written in an easy, elegant, and

masterly style, partaking of the eloquent and sublime, and

breathing a tone of that deep feeling, tenderness, and affection so

characteristic of his mission and the spirit of his holy and sacred

office.

Elder Hyde has by the grace of God been the first proclaimer of

the fullness of the Gospel both on the continent of Europe and in

far off Asia, among the nations of the East. In Germany, Turkey

(Constantinople), Egypt, and Jerusalem. He has reared as it were

the ensign of the latter-day glory, and sounded the trump of truth,

calling upon the people of those regions to awake from their

thousand years' slumber, and to make ready for their returning Lord.

{496} In his travels he has suffered much, and has been exposed to

toils and dangers, to hunger, pestilence and war. He has been in

perils by land and sea, in perils among robbers, in perils among

heathens, Turks, Arabs, and Egyptians; but out of all these things

the Lord hath delivered him, and hath restored him in safety to the

shores of Europe, where he is tarrying for a little season, for

the purpose of publishing the Truth in the German language, having

already published it in French and English in the various countries

of the East, and we humbly trust that his labors will be a lasting

blessing to Jew and Gentile.

We publish the following extract of his communication, and we shall

soon issue the whole from the press in pamphlet form. It will, no

doubt, meet with a ready sale; and we purpose devoting the profits

to his benefit, to assist him in his mission.

_Excerpts from Elder Hyde's Letters_.

"Summoning up, therefore, what little address I had, I procured

a _valet d'place_, or lackey, and proceeded to the house of Mr.

Simons, a very respectable Jew, who with some of his family had

lately been converted and joined the English Church. I entered

their dwelling. They had just sat down to enjoy a dish of coffee,

but immediately arose from the table to meet me. I spoke to them

in German and asked them if they spoke English. They immediately

replied 'Yes,' which was a very agreeable sound to my ear. They

asked me in German if I spoke English; I replied, 'Ya, mein Herr.'

I then introduced myself to them, and with a little apology it

passed off as well as though I had been introduced by the pasha.

With that glow of warmth and familiarity which is a peculiar trait

in the German character, they would have me sit down and take a

dish with them; and as I began to relate some things relative to

my mission, the smiles of joy which sat upon their countenances

bespoke hearts not altogether indifferent. There were two ministers

of the Church of England there. One was confined to his bed by

sickness, and the other, a German, and a Jew by birth, soon came

in. After an introduction, I took the liberty to lay open to him

some of our principles, and gave him a copy of the communication

to the Jews in Constantinople to read. After he had it, he said

that my motives were undoubtedly very good, but questioned the

propriety of my undertaking from the fact that I claimed God had

sent me. If, indeed, I had gone to Jerusalem under the direction of

some missionary board or society, and left God out of the question

altogether, I should have been received as a celestial messenger.

How truly did our Savior speak, when He said, 'I am come in my

Father's name, and ye receive me not; but if another were to come

in his own name, him ye would receive.' I replied, however, that

so far as I could know my own heart, {497} my motives were most

certainly good; yet, said I, no better than the cause which has

brought me here. But he, like all others who worship a God 'without

body or parts,' said that miracles, visions, and prophecy had

ceased.

"The course which the popular clergy pursue at this time in

relation to the Divine economy looks to me as though they would

say, 'O Lord, we will worship Thee with all our hearts, serve

Thee with all our souls, and be very pious and holy; we will even

gather Israel, convert the heathen, and bring in the millennium,

if Thou wilt only let us alone that we may do it in our own way,

and according to our own will; but if Thou speakest from heaven to

interfere with our plan, or cause any to see visions or dreams, or

prophesy, whereby we are disturbed or interrupted in our worship,

we will exert all our strength and skill to deny what Thou sayest,

and charge it home upon the devil or some wild, fanatic spirit, as

being its author.'

"That which was looked upon by the ancient saints as among the

greatest favors and blessings, viz., revelation from God and

communion with Him by dreams and by visions, is now looked upon by

the religious world as the height of presumption and folly. The

ancient saints considered their condition most deplorable when

Jehovah would not speak to them; but the most orthodox religionists

of this age deem it quite heterodox to even admit the probability

that He ever will speak again. O my soul! language fails to

paint the absurdity and abomination of such heaven-opposing and

truth-excluding dogmas; and were it possible for those bright

seraphs that surround the throne above, and bask in the sunbeams

of immortality, to weep over the inconsistency and irrationality

of mortals, the earth must be bedewed with celestial tears. My

humble advice to all such is, that they repent and cast far from

them these wicked traditions, and be baptized into the new and

everlasting covenant, lest the Lord speak to them in His wrath, and

vex them in His sore displeasure.

"After some considerable conversation upon the priesthood and the

renewal of the covenant, I called upon him [i. e. the aforesaid

German-Jew church of England minister] to be baptized for the

remission of his sins, that he might receive the gift of the

Holy Ghost. 'What' said he, 'I be baptized?' 'Yes,' said I, 'you

be baptized.' 'Why,' saith he, 'I have been baptized already.'

I replied something after the following: You have probably been

sprinkled, but that has no more to do with baptism than any other

ordinance of man's device; and even if you had been immersed, you

would not have bettered your condition, for your priesthood is

without power. If, indeed, the Catholic church has power to give

you an ordination, and by that ordination confer the priesthood

upon you, they certainly had power to nullify that act, and take

the {498} priesthood from you; and this power they exercised when

you dissented from their communion, by excluding you from their

church. But, if the Catholic church possessed not the priesthood,

of course your claims to it are as groundless as the airy phantoms

of heathen mythology. So, view the question on which side you may,

there is no possible chance of admitting the validity of your

claims to it. Be it known, therefore, that ordinances performed

under the administration of such a priesthood, though they may

even be correct in form, will be found destitute of the seal of

that authority by which heaven will recognize His [own] in the day

when every man's work shall be tried. Though a priesthood may be

clothed with the wealth and honors of a great and powerful nation

and command the respect and veneration of multitudes whose eyes are

blinded by the thick veil of popular opinion, and whose powers of

reflection and deep thought are confused and lost in the general

cry of 'Great is Diana of the Ephesians,' yet all this does not

impart to it the Divine sanction, or animate it with the spirit of

life and power from the bosom of the living God; and there is a

period in future time when, in the smoking ruins of Babel's pride

and glory, it must fall and retire to the shades of forgetfulness,

to the grief and mortification of its unfortunate votaries.'

"In consequence of his great volubility, I was under the

disagreeable necessity of tuning my voice to a pretty high key,

and of spacing short between words, determining that neither his

greatness or learning should shield him from the shafts of a

faithful testimony. But there is more hope of those Jews receiving

the fullness of the gospel, whose minds have never been poisoned by

the bane of modern sectarianism, which closes the mouth of Deity

and shuts up in heaven all the angels, visions, and prophesyings.

Mrs. Whiting told me that there had been four Jewish people in

Jerusalem converted and baptized by the English minister, and four

only; and that a part of the ground for an English church had been

purchased there. It was by political power and influence that the

Jewish nation was broken down, and her subjects dispersed abroad;

and I will here hazard the opinion, that by political power and

influence they will be gathered and built up; and further, that

England is destined in the wisdom and economy of heaven to stretch

forth the arm of political power, and advance in the front ranks

of this glorious enterprise. The Lord once raised up a Cyrus to

restore the Jews, but that was not evidence that He owned the

religion of the Persians. This opinion I submit, however, to your

superior wisdom to correct if you shall find it wrong.

"There is an increasing anxiety in Europe for the restoration of

that people [the Jews]; and this anxiety is not confined to the

pale of any religious community, but it has found its way to the

courts of kings. Special {499} ambassadors have been sent, and

consuls and consular agents have been appointed. The rigorous

policy which has hitherto characterized the course of other nations

towards them now begins to be softened by the oil of friendship,

and modified by the balm of humanity. The sufferings and privations

under which they have groaned for so many centuries have at length

touched the main-springs of Gentile power and sympathy; and may the

God of their fathers, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, fan the flame by

celestial breezes, until Israel's banner, sanctified by a Savior's

blood, shall float on the walls of old Jerusalem, and the mountains

and valleys of Judea reverberate with their songs of praise and

thanksgiving to the Lamb that was slain.

"The imperial consul of Austria, at Galatz, near the mouth of the

Danube, to whom I had a letter of introduction from his cousin in

Vienna, told me that in consequence of so many of their Jewish

subjects being inclined, of late, to remove to Syria and Palestine,

his government had established a general consul at Beyroot for

their protection. There are many Jews who care nothing about

Jerusalem, and have no regard for God. Their money is the god they

worship, yet there are many of the most pious and devout among them

who look towards Jerusalem as the tender and affectionate mother

looks upon the home where she left her lovely little babe."

_Wednesday, 19_.--I wrote Dr. Galland as follows:

_The Prophet's Letter to Isaac Galland--On Settlement of Accounts_.

Dear Sir:--By your reply of the 18th instant to my note of the

17th, I am led to conclude that you received my communication in

a manner altogether unintended by me, and that there may be no

misunderstanding between us, and that you may be satisfied that I

did not intend, and that I do not now intend anything, only upon

the principles of the strictest integrity and uprightness before

God, and to do as I would be done unto, I will state I have become

embarrassed in my operations to a certain extent, and partly from a

presentation of notes, which you, as my agent, had given for lands

purchased in the eastern states, they having been sent to me. I

have been obliged to cash them, and having no returns from you to

meet those demands, or even the trifling expenses of your outfit,

it has placed me in rather an unpleasant situation, and having a

considerable amount of your scrip on hand, enough, as I suppose, to

counterbalance the debts due you, and leave a balance in my favor,

to some extent, even if it were small; and as I was pressed for

funds, from the causes above mentioned, as well as others, I had

hoped it would be convenient for you to lend me some assistance at

the present time, and this was the reason why I sent a messenger to

you as I did.

{500} And now, sir, that we may have no misunderstanding in this

matter, I think we had better have a settlement, and if I am owing

you, I will pay you as soon as I can, and if you owe me, I shall

only expect the same in return, for it is an old and trite maxim,

that short reckonings make long friends. With this view of the

matter, I would request you to call as soon as you possibly can

make it convenient, and compare accounts, so that all things may

be understood most perfectly between us in future time, and that

all occasion for unpleasant feelings, if any such there be, may be

entirely obliterated.

I remain, sir, most respectfully yours, &c.,

Joseph Smith.

Read in the Book of Mormon, and in the evening visited Bishop Miller's

wife, who was very sick, and the Bishop absent, collecting the funds

for building the Temple and Nauvoo House.

[Sidenote: Isaac Galland Affair.]

_Thursday, 20_.--I attended a special conference of the Church at 10

o'clock a. m., concerning Dr. Galland. The conference voted to sanction

the revocation of Dr. Galland's agency, dated the 18th of January,

as published in the _Times and Seasons_, and also instructed the

trustee-in-trust to proceed with Dr. Galland's affairs in relation to

the Church, as he shall judge most expedient.

Six o'clock evening, attended a special council in the upper room of

the new store.

George Washington Gee died today. [5]

{501} _Friday, 21_.--I read the Book of Mormon, transacted a variety

of business in the store and city, and spent the evening in the office

with Elders Taylor and Richards, interpreting dreams, &c.

The presidents of the different quorums met with the High Council

at Brother Hyrum's office, to receive instructions, according to

appointment of the council on the 18th.

[Sidenote: Seventies' Quorum Affairs.]

President Joseph Young stated the reasons why the quorum of Seventies

had granted licenses; that he applied to President Joseph Smith for

permission, on the solicitations of the quorums; that their reasons

for so doing were because licenses could not be obtained from the

Church clerk. President Joseph Butterfield testified to the same, and

the council was satisfied with the testimony. The council was then

addressed by President Hyrum Smith on the Word of Wisdom.

_Saturday, 22_.--I was very busy in appraising tithing property, and in

the evening revised the rules of the city council, attended council,

and spoke on their adoption, and was elected mayor, _pro tem_. of the

city of Nauvoo.

_Sunday, 23_.--Spent the day mostly at the office, and on the

presentation of charges by Elder William Draper, Jun., silenced Elder

Daniel Wood, of Pleasant Vale, for preaching that the Church ought

to unsheath the sword, and Elder A. Litz for preaching that the

authorities of the Church were done away, &c., and cited him to appear

before the High Council of Nauvoo for trial.

_Monday, 24_.--Reckoned with William and Wilson Law in the counting

room, and examined the lots on which they are about to build a steam,

grain, and sawmill.

_Tuesday, 25_.--Signed deeds for lots, to Law; transacted a variety

of business in the city and office. In the evening debated with John

C. Bennett and others to show that the Indians have greater cause to

complain of the treatment of the whites, than the negroes, or sons of

Cain.

{502} Nauvoo Legion Headquarters,

Nauvoo Legion, City Of Nauvoo, Illinois,

January 23rd, 1842.

General Orders. All the public arms will be required to be in the

best possible condition, at the general inspection and parade,

on the 7th of May proximo, and no deficiency whatever will be

countenanced, overlooked, or suffered to pass without fine, on that

occasion. All persons, therefore, holding said arms, will take

notice, and govern themselves accordingly; and in order that the

general inspection may pass off in a truly military style, alike

honorable to the Legion, and creditable to the citizen soldiers,

the brigadiers are required to attend the battalion parades within

their respective commands, and inspect said arms in _propria

personae_, prior to the general parade. Persons disregarding these

general orders, whether officers or privates, will find themselves

in the _vocative_. The invincibles (Captain Hunter's company of

light infantry), will be detailed for fatigue duty, on escorts and

special service, and will take post by assignment, and receive

their orders direct from the major general, through his herald

and armor bearer. His Excellency the Governor of Illinois, the

circuit judge of the judicial circuit, and the members of the

bar, the officers of Hancock county, Colonel Williams and Colonel

Deming, with their respective field and staff officers of the

Illinois militia, and General Swazey and Colonel Fuller, with their

respective field and staff officers, and Captain Davis and Avery's

companies of cavalry of Iowa militia, are respectfully invited to

attend and participate in the general parade on the 7th May.

Joseph Smith, Lieutenant General.

_Wednesday, 26_.--Rode out to borrow money, to refund for money

borrowed of John Benbow, as outfit for Dr. Galland in his agency.

Transacted a variety of business, explained scripture to Elder Orson

Spencer in my office, read in the Book of Mormon in the evening. Wrote

a long letter to Edward Hunter, West Nantmeal, on temporal business.

The Church is in a prosperous condition, and the Saints are exerting

themselves to build the Temple. The health of the city is good.

Upwards of twenty-three vessels wrecked on different parts of the

British coast.

_Thursday, 27_.--Attended to baptism in general; in the afternoon, in

council with the recorder, and gave some {503} particular instructions

concerning the order of the kingdom, and the management of business;

placed the carpet given by Carlos Granger on the floor of my office;

and spent the evening in general council in the upper room.

In the course of the day, Brigham Young, and James Ivins returned, and

gave a favorable report from Dr. Galland, with his letter of attorney,

letters and papers which he had received of me and the Church.

_Friday, 28_.--While I was at my office, Emma and Sister Whitney came

in and spent an hour.

I received the following revelation to the Twelve concerning the _Times

and Seasons_, given January 28, 1842--

_Revelation_.

Verily thus saith the Lord unto you, my servant Joseph, go and say

unto the Twelve, that it is my will to have them take in hand the

editorial department of the _Times and Seasons_, according to that

manifestation which shall be given unto them by the power of my

Holy Spirit in the midst of their counsel, saith the Lord. Amen.

I also decided that Elder John Snyder should go out on a mission, and

if necessary some one go with him and raise up a church, and get means

to go to England, and carry the epistle required in the revelation

of December 22nd; and instructed the Twelve, Brigham Young, Heber C.

Kimball, Wilford Woodruff and Willard Richards being present, to call

Elder Snyder into their council and instruct him in these things, and

if he will not do these things he shall be cut off from the Church, and

be damned.

Elias Higbee, of the temple committee, came into my office, and I

said unto him; The Lord is not well pleased with you; and you must

straighten up your loins and do better, and your family also; for you

have not been as diligent as you ought to have been, and as spring is

approaching, you must arise and shake yourself, and be active, and make

your children industrious, and help build the Temple.

{504} Elder Snyder had appeared very backward about fulfilling the

revelation concerning him, and felt that he could not do it unless

the Twelve would furnish him means, when he was more able to furnish

his own means, as all the Elders were obliged to do when they went on

missions, or go without.

The High Council heard and accepted the report of their committee of

the 18th instant, as follows--

_Report of High Council Committee_.

The High Council of the Church of Jesus Christ to the Saints of

Nauvoo, greeting--

Dear Brethren:--As watchmen upon the walls of Zion, we feel it to

be our duty to stir up your minds, by way of remembrance, of things

which we conceive to be of the utmost importance to the Saints.

While we rejoice at the health and prosperity of the Saints, and

the good feeling which seems to prevail among them generally, and

their willingness to aid in the building of the "House of the

Lord," we are grieved at the conduct of some, who seem to have

forgotten the purpose for which they have gathered.

Instead of promoting union, they have appeared to be engaged in

sowing strifes and animosities among their brethren, spreading evil

reports, brother going to law with brother for trivial causes,

which we consider a great evil, and altogether unjustifiable,

except in extreme cases, and then not before the world.

We feel to advise taking the word of God for our guide, and exhort

you not to forget that you have come up as saviors upon Mount Zion,

consequently to seek each other's good--to become one, inasmuch as

the Lord has said, "Except ye become one, ye are not mine."

Let us always remember the admonition of the Apostle--"Dare any of

you, having a matter against another, go to law before the unjust,

and not before the Saints? Do ye not know the Saints shall judge

the world? and if the world shall be judged by you, are ye unworthy

to judge the smallest matters? Know ye not that we shall judge

angels? how much more things that pertain to this life? If, then,

ye have judgments of things pertaining to this life, set them to

judge who are least esteemed in the Church. I speak to your shame.

Is it so, that there is not a wise man among you? no, not one that

shall be able to judge between his brethren. But brother goeth to

law with brother, and that before the unbelievers. Now therefore

there is utterly a fault among you, because ye go to law one with

another. Why do ye not rather take wrong? {505} why do ye not

rather suffer yourselves to be defrauded? Nay, ye do wrong, and

defraud, and that your brethren. Know ye not that the unrighteous

shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived; neither

fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor

abusers of themselves with mankind, nor thieves, nor covetous,

nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the

kingdom of God" (I Cor. 6: 1-10). Who, observing these things,

would go to law distressing his brother, thereby giving rise to

hardness, evil speaking, strifes and animosities among those who

have covenanted to keep the commandments of God--who have taken

upon them the name of Saints, and if Saints are to judge angels,

and also to judge the world--why then are they not competent to

judge in temporal matters, especially in trivial cases, taking the

law of the Lord for their guide, brotherly kindness, charity, &c.,

as well as the law of the land? Brethren, these are evils which

ought not to exist among us. We hope the time will speedily arrive

when these things will be done away, and everyone stand in the

office of his calling, as a faithful servant of God, building each

other up, bearing each other's infirmities, and so fulfill the law

of Christ.

_William Marks, President; Samuel Bent, Lewis D. Wilson, David

Fullmer, Thomas Grover, Newel Knight, Leonard Soby, James Allred,

Elias Higbee, George W. Harris, Aaron Johnson, William Huntington,

Sen., Daniel Carrier, Austin Cowles, Charles C. Rich, Counselors_.

_Attest: Hosea Stout, Clerk_.

Sir Robert Sale [commander of the British forces in Afghanistan]

received a letter from Sha-Shoojah, requiring him to evacuate

Jellalabad, with which he refused to comply.

_Saturday, 29_.--I was much engaged with the tithings; in the afternoon

in my office, counseling various individuals: and in the evening in

council with Brothers Young, Kimball, Richards and others, showing

forth the Kingdom and the order thereof concerning many things, and the

will of God concerning His servants.

_Letter of G. Walker to Elder Brigham Young et al.--Affairs in

England since Departure of the Apostles_.

Manchester, England, Jan. 29, 1842.

_To President Young, Elders Kimball and Richards_.

Beloved Brethren:--Soon after your departure, a clergyman of the

{506} church of England called upon my employer, to request that

he might have an interview with me, as he had a wish to propound

certain questions to me; upon his request being complied with,

we retired to a private room, when he produced a long list of

questions, written down, opposite to which he wrote my answers.

The rise of the Church, Priesthood, doctrines offices, sacraments,

&c., were the principal queries he advanced. When he demurred

to any of our principles I was proceeding to explain, he cut my

discourse short by saying he would not hold any controversy, his

object being only to obtain information. After the disposal of his

queries, he wished to be informed where he could obtain the whole

of the publications of the Latter-day Saints, as he wished to be in

possession of them; I informed him at 47 Oxford street, Manchester,

and he promised to send for them.

Soon after the visit of this reverend gentleman, I had reason to

suspect that undermining operations were in progress against me, I

therefore tendered my resignation to the directors, but they would

not accept it; and very soon after a public accountant was employed

by them to investigate their accounts for several years back, and I

was happy to be able to answer satisfactorily every question that

was asked of me respecting them.

After this another minister sent a lengthy article extracted from

an American paper, purporting to be the production of a Mr. Anthon,

with a request that I would "read, mark, learn, and inwardly

digest" the same. I replied to the statements of Mr. Anthon, and

after disposing of them paragraph for paragraph, I told him that I

was obliged by his favoring me with it, inasmuch as it satisfied

my mind, and was confirmatory of the prediction of Isaiah being

fulfilled, seeing that Mr. Anthon admitted that "the words of

the book were delivered to the learned," &c. I then proceeded to

contrast the church of England with churches established by the

Apostles; but he has not acknowledged the receipt of my letter as

yet. The clergy are building ten new churches in this town and

neighborhood, and are employing additional curates to go round to

the houses of their parishoners, to coerce or intimidate them into

an attendance upon their services in fulfillment of the words of

Paul, In the last days perilous times will come, &c., that they

would have a form of godliness, but deny the power, and would creep

into houses to lead captive silly women, &c. (See II Timothy, 1st

chapter, 1st to 8th verses.) These curates make repeated visits,

generally when the heads of families are from home, and take

special care to enquire where the family are employed, and what

place of worship they attend, &c., and leave tracts for the family

to read.

One of the Rev. Hugh Stowell's curates has paid several visits to

my house, but always in my absence, although he was requested to

call {507} when I was at home, and informed of the time when he

might meet with me.

The following discourse took place in our own neighborhood: Curate:

What religion may you be, my good woman? I am a churchwoman, sir.

What church do you usually attend? I never attend any, sir.

After reprimanding the woman for pretending to be one of his flock,

while she absented herself from the fold, he went to the house of a

poor woman who had lately joined the Saints. I am a minister of the

Church of Jesus Christ in England, and have called to inquire what

school you send your children to, and what religion you profess?

The woman replied she was a "Latter-day Saint." "Oh! delusion,

delusion!" he rejoined, and began to rail against the Saints,

whereupon she handed him the Bible, and requested him to read the

place where she casually opened to, namely the third chapter of

Micah, and to preach a discourse from that part of the Bible; but

he retreated from before her and has not troubled her since.

The Lord Bishop of Chester and the Protestant clergymen, have hired

a person of the name of Brindley to go about lecturing against

the Saints, and have commenced a monthly periodical in which the

foul slanders heaped upon the Saints in America and elsewhere are

retailed out to satisfy the malice of the enemies of truth. The

_Manchester Courier_ has had several articles against our society

and principles, and the old Spaulding romance has been resuscitated

for the occasion. The Rev. Charles Burton, Doctor of Laws, minister

of "All Saints," has been several times to see me lately, and upon

one occasion invited me to his house, where I went and discussed

our principles for several hours, until he was glad to withdraw

from the contest; I found him ignorant in a great measure of what

the Bible contains respecting the latter-days. He admitted that the

Saints would reign on earth.

The great work of the Lord is still progressing in spite of all the

opposition of lying priests and their auxiliaries of the newspaper

press. I baptized Elizabeth Smith, who resided with us when you

were in England, and she purposes coming out to America along with

us.

There is very great distress among the operatives and the poor

generally, and great excitement respecting the agitation of the

repeal of the corn laws. Great fires have frequently occurred at

the commencement of this year; a large carrier's warehouse was

consumed by fire, about from £200,000 to £300,000 ($1,000,000 to

$1,500,000) worth of cotton and grain, &c., destroyed. It was the

Union Company's carrying ware house, Piccadilly. There is great

depression in almost every branch of manufactures, and great

perplexity; and I am daily more and more convinced that the time

is not far distant when Babylon the great will be {508} fallen and

become a desolation, and the kings and the merchants of the earth

will weep and mourn over her, and she will be cast down, even as a

great mill-stone cast into the sea, and will be found no more at

all.

I opened a place for preaching at Blakesley, about six week's ago;

and there were three baptized and confirmed there last week. I was

with Elder John Brotherton at Middleton on Sunday last, where he

and Elder Hardman had obtained a room to preach to the Chartists.

[6] We have also a place opened at Disbury and Heaton.

About three weeks ago there was a letter inserted in the

_Manchester Courier_, by a writer who signs himself R. P., calling

upon the clergymen of the church of England, and the respectable

inhabitants, and the most respectable and intelligent of the

police, to attend our meetings at the Carpenters' Hall, as they had

fondly hoped that the system would have fallen to the ground by the

weight of its own absurdity; but they found that there was method

and consistency in the apparent madness of these deluded people,

and that experience had taught them that such expectations were

vain; as they had observed that there was considerable consistency

displayed, and method attending our arrangements, there being

an emigration office established in this town, &c. The writer

suspected there was a genuine American trick being practiced by the

interested parties at the head of the system, to decoy the ignorant

and unwary to perish in the swamps of New Orleans, and that they

were draining the country of their best artists; and it was high

time some steps were taken to put a stop to such practices.

We have since discovered that the writer is no other than Robert

{509} Philips, Esq., an extensive manufacturer and merchant,

brother to Mark Philips, Esq., another great manufacturer and

member of parliament for the Borough of Manchester. The editor of

the _Courier_ has been playing upon the same string for several

weeks since, and feels satisfied that from the exposure he has

given the whole system, it must inevitably die away. He was

therefore satisfied with having done his duty, and could safely

leave them to the management of the proper parties, and recommend

the police to do their duty. It appears that the gallant officer at

the head of the police (Sir Charles Shaw), has too much discretion

and good sense to be set on like a dog to worry out a society of

Christians, because the editor of the Puseyite Oracle pointed

the finger of scorn at them, because they dared to worship God

according to the dictates of their own consciences. I should have

liked very well for the police to have been there on Sunday last,

for three persons had to be put out by the brethren for disturbing

the meeting in the sacrament services.

I remain, beloved brethren, your brother and fellow laborer,

G. Walker.

P. S.--I omitted to say that the writer in the paper alluded to,

informed the public that he was endeavoring to obtain information

respecting the movements of the people. He had previously sent a

person to Elder Pratt to get him to state something in writing

respecting emigration, and after the publication of the letter

before referred to, he again sent to Elder Pratt for additional

information in writing. I happened to be at Elder Pratt's when he

made the second application, and I told Elder Pratt that he was the

individual who had published the letter in the _Courier_. Elder

Pratt sent him another letter containing the required information;

and also stated that he had no objection to submit to him, or to

the government of this country, or any of its departments, the

religious principles of our society, our place of emigration, and

indeed the whole of our movements in this and other countries, for

the strictest investigation.

The manufacturers are evidently beginning to be jealous of the

mechanics and workmen emigrating with people having so systematic

an organization as the Latter-day Saints display in their

arrangements in this town.

I remain yours, &c. G. W.

Footnotes:

1. Peter Maughan was born May 7, 1811, at Breckenridge, in the parish

of Parley, county of Cumberland, England. He married Miss Ruth Harrison

in 1829. He was baptized into the Church by Elder Isaac Russell

in 1838, and emigrated to Nauvoo with his family of six children,

now motherless, his wife having died in 1841. He came on the ship

_Rochester_, in company with Brigham Young and several other members

of the quorum of the Twelve on their return home. He was a man of keen

intelligence and commanding personal influence.

2. Cabul is the capital of Afghanistan, situated on the river Kabul.

It is noted as a commercial and strategic center, and the event named

in the text above is an incident in what is usually called the first

Afghan War. While the British were compelled to evacuate the place, as

stated in the text, they re-took it in September following.

3. Widow of the late Don Carlos Smith, the Prophet's brother.

4. The article from the _Star_ here referred to is inserted _in

extenso_, and that for the reason that so many letters of Elder Hyde's

concerning his journey to Jerusalem have already appeared in this

volume, that this one seems necessary to the completion of the history

of that mission, which must be regarded as an important movement on the

part of the Church at this period.

5. George W. Gee was the first son of Solomon and Sarah W. Gee, born

in Rome, Ashtabula county, Ohio, August 13, 1815. Was baptized at

Kirtland, Geauga county, Ohio, February 17, 1833. Married Mary Jane

Smith in Kirtland, February 5, 1838, by whom he had two sons named

Elias S. and George W. Went to Caldwell county, Missouri, 1838. Was

driven out by a mob in the spring of 1839. Went to Nauvoo, and was

ordained an Elder in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints,

at the first conference held at Nauvoo, in October, 1839. Removed to

Ambrosa, Lee county, Iowa, where he was appointed postmaster and deputy

county surveyor; he surveyed the city plats of Nashville and Zarahemla,

under the direction of President Joseph Smith. Was sent by the fall

conference in 1841, to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where he died, January

20, 1842, while in discharge of his duties, having won the affections

of all the Saints with whom he had become acquainted, by his integrity

and perseverance. His opportunity for schooling had been limited,

but by his own exertion he attained to an excellent education, and

collected quite a respectable library.

6. "Chartism" and the "Chartists," may be said to have come into

existence early in the reign of Queen Victoria, in consequence of the

formal declarations of the leaders of the Liberal party in parliament

not to proceed further in the reforms to which it was generally

understood they were pledged. "Quietly studied now," says Justin

McCarthy (1878) "the people's charter does not seem a very formidable

document. There is so little smell of gun-powder about it. Its 'points'

as they were called were six:" Manhood suffrage; annual parliaments;

vote by ballot; abolition of the "property qualification" for

members of parliament; payment of the members of parliament; and the

division of the country into equal electoral districts. "There's your

charter," said Daniel O'Connel, to the secretary of the Workingmen's

Association--"There's your charter, agitate for it, and never be

content with anything less." It was this circumstance that gave the

movement and to its supporters the same "chartism" and "chartists."

"Nothing," to again quote McCarthy, "can be more unjust than to

represent the leaders and promoters of the movement as mere factions

and self-seeking demagogues. Some of them were impassioned young poets

drawn from the class whom Kingsley has described in 'Alton Locke;' some

were men of education; many were earnest and devoted fanatics; and so

far as we can judge, all, or nearly all, were sincere." _History of Our

Own Times_, Vol. I, Chapter V. This to show that the preaching of the

Elders of the Church to the "Chartists," was no effort to unite Church

work with any wild and disorderly political movement in England.

{510}

CHAPTER XXX.

Emigration of the Saints from England to Nauvoo--The Book of Abraham.

_Sunday, January 30, 1842_.--I preached at my house morning and

evening, concerning the different spirits, their operations, designs,

&c.

_Monday, 31_.--Assisted in appraising the tithings of Saturday with

Emma. Received many calls. Read in the Book of Mormon. After dinner

visited Brother Chase who was very sick, and in the evening was in

council with Brigham Young, Heber C. Kimball, Orson Pratt, Wilford

Woodruff, and Willard Richards concerning Brother Snyder and the

printing office; spent the evening very cheerfully, and retired about

ten o'clock.

_Tuesday, February 1_.--Two large stones, for door sills, for the

Nauvoo House, were landed.

The following article is from the _Millennial Star_ of this date:

Emigration.

In the midst of the general distress which prevails in this

country on account of the want of employment, the high price of

provisions, the oppression, priestcraft, and iniquity of the

land, it is pleasing to the household of faith to contemplate a

country reserved by the Almighty as a sure asylum for the poor

and oppressed,--a country every way adapted to their wants and

conditions--and still more pleasing to think that thousands of the

Saints have already made their escape from this country, and all

its abuses and distress, and that they have found a home, where, by

persevering industry, they may enjoy all the blessings of liberty,

peace and plenty.

It is not yet two years since the Saints in England, in obedience

to the command of their heavenly Father, commenced a general plan

of emigration to the land of Zion.

They were few in number, generally poor, and had every opposition

{511} to encounter, both from a want of means and from the enemies

of truth, who circulated every falsehood calculated to hinder or

discourage them. Newspapers and tracts were put in circulation,

sermons and public speeches were delivered in abundance, to warn

the people that Nauvoo was a barren waste on the sea shore--that

it was a wild and uninhabited swamp--that it was full of savages,

wild beasts and serpents--that all the English Saints who should

go there would be immediately sold for slaves by the leaders of

the Church--that there was nothing to eat, no water, and no way

possible to obtain a living; that all who went there would have

their money taken from them, and themselves imprisoned, &c. But

notwithstanding all these things, thousands have emigrated from

this country, and now find themselves comfortably situated, and in

the enjoyment of the comforts of life, and in the midst of society

where God is worshiped in the spirit of truth and union, and where

nearly all are agreed in religious principles. They all find plenty

of employment and good wages, while the expense of living is about

one-eighth of what it costs in this country. For instance--beef and

pork costs about one penny per pound, flour from 2s to 3s for forty

pounds, and Indian meal about one shilling for sixty pounds; butter

from 4d to 6d per pound, while milch cows are to be had in plenty

for about £3 per head, and other things in proportion. Millions on

millions of acres of land lie before them unoccupied, with a soil

as rich as Eden, and a surface as smooth, clear, and ready for the

plough as the park scenery of England.

Instead of a lonely swamp or dense forest filled with savages, wild

beasts and serpents, large cities and villages are springing up

in their midst, with schools, colleges, and temples. The mingled

noise of mechanism, the bustle of trade, the song of devotion, are

heard in the distance, while thousands of flocks and herds are seen

grazing peacefully on the plains, and the fields and gardens smile

with plenty, and the wild red men of the forest are only seen as

they come on a friendly visit to the Saints and to learn the way of

the Lord.

Several large ships have been chartered by the Saints during the

present fall and winter, and have been filled with emigrants, who

have gone forth with songs of joy; and some of them have already

arrived safely in the promised land, while others are, doubtless,

still tossing upon the ocean.

The expense of passage and provisions to New Orleans has, at no

time this season, exceeded £4, and it is generally as low as three

pounds fifteen shillings. This is remarkable when we reflect that

each passenger has provisions and water provided in plenty for ten

weeks. But it is obtained at this low price by a union of effort

among the Saints, and by the faithful and persevering exertions

of their agents. For instance {512} they purchase provisions by

the quantity, and duty free, and the moment they bid farewell to

their native shores they hoist the _Flag of Liberty_--the Ensign of

Zion--the stars and stripes of the American Union; and under its

protection they completely and practically nullify the bread tax.

They eat free bread, free tea, free sugar, free everything, and

thus accomplish a journey of five thousand miles on the same money

that is would cost to feed them for the same length of time in

England.

Who that has a heart to feel, or a soul to rejoice, will not be

glad at so glorious a plan of deliverance? Who will not hail the

messengers of the Latter-day Saints as the friends of humanity--the

benefactors of mankind.

Thousands have gone, and millions more must go,

The Gentiles as a stream to Zion flow.

Yes, friends, this glorious work has but just commenced; and we

now call upon the Saints to come forward with united effort, with

persevering exertion, and with union of action, and help yourselves

and one another to emigrate to the Land of Promise.

In this way we shall not only bring about the deliverance of tens

of thousands, who must otherwise suffer in this country, but we

shall add to the strength of Zion, and help to rear her cities and

temples--"to make her wilderness like Eden, and her desert like the

garden of the Lord," while the young men and the middle aged will

serve to increase her legions--to strengthen her bulwarks--that the

enemies of law and order who have sought her destruction, may stand

afar off and tremble, and her banner become terrible to the wicked.

Ye children of Zion, once more we say, in the name of Israel's God,

arise, break off your shackles, loose yourselves from the bands of

your neck, and go forth to inherit the earth, and to build up waste

places of many generations.

All who would go before September next, should go in the early part

of March, as it is as late as is advisable to venture by way of

New Orleans, on account of the extreme heat of summer; and to go

by New York or Quebec, will be double the expense. Experience has

taught us that an emigrant can go from Liverpool to New Orleans,

and from thence 1,500 miles up the river to Nauvoo for something

like £5 per head, including all provisions and expenses; while by

way of New York or Quebec it will cost from ten to thirteen pounds;

and besides there is another consideration, and that is, goods will

cost but a trifle for freight up the Mississippi on a steamer,

while the expense would be immense the other way.

Therefore the Saints will please take notice, that after the 10th

of March next, emigration had better entirely cease, till about the

20th of {513} September following. If thousands should wish to go

between this time and the 10th of March, they have only to furnish

us with their names and about £4 per head (children under fourteen

years half price), and we will provide them passage and provisions,

for the voyage, and return the overplus, if any, at Liverpool.

We would again urge upon emigrants the important fact that if

they make known to us their intentions, and send their money and

names some weeks beforehand, it will be a great convenience, and

save confusion, trouble and expense. All applications should

be addressed to Messrs. Pratt and Fielding, 36 Chapel street,

Liverpool, or to the _Star_ office, 47 Oxford street, Manchester.

We do not wish to confine the benefit of our emigration plan to

the Saints, but are willing to grant all industrious, honest, and

well-disposed persons who may apply to us the same information and

assistance as emigrants to the western states, there being abundant

room for more than a hundred millions of inhabitants.

[Sidenote: Death of Laura Phelps.]

_Wednesday, 2_.--Sister Laura Phelps, wife of Morris Phelps, died,

aged 36 years. She was driven from Jackson county in 1833, was in the

persecution of Missouri, in 1838, and went from Iowa to Missouri to

assist in liberating her husband, and was left in the prison yard when

he made his escape, willing to suffer all the abuses a savage horde

could inflict upon her to set her companion free from the grasp of his

murderous enemies. Her rest is glorious.

I spent the day in council with Dr. Isaac Galland and Calvin A. Warren,

Esq.

_Thursday, 3_.--In council with Calvin A. Warren, Esq., concerning a

settlement with the estate of Oliver Granger, and delivered him the

necessary papers.

Elder Woodruff took the superintendence of the printing office, and

Elder Taylor the editorial department of the _Times and Seasons_; and

he commenced by taking an inventory of the establishment this day.

_Friday, 4_.--Instructed that an invoice of Dr. Galland's scrip be made.

[Sidenote: Debates in Nauvoo.]

Closed a contract with Ebenezer Robinson for the printing office on

the corner of Bain and Water streets, also {514} the paper fixtures,

bookbindery, and stereotype foundry, by proxy, namely, Willard

Richards, cost between 7,000 and 8,000 dollars. In the evening attended

a debate. At this time debates were held weekly, and entered into by

men of the first talents in the city, young and old, for the purpose of

eliciting truth, acquiring knowledge, and improving in public speaking.

[Sidenote: Vindication of Daniel Wood.]

_Saturday, 5_.--Elder Daniel Wood, who had been silenced by Presidents

Smith and Young, on a complaint for teaching false doctrine, came

before the High Council at Nauvoo, and proved that he had not taught

false doctrine, but had been complained of by those who had prejudice

and hardness against him, and was restored to his former standing in

the Church.

This being Tithing Day, upwards of $1,000 worth of property was

received.

The ship _Hope_ sailed from Liverpool for New Orleans with 270 Saints.

_Sunday, 6_.--Elders Brigham Young and Heber C. Kimball went to La

Harpe to hold a two-days meeting.

From this time I was engaged in counseling the brethren and attending

to the common vocations of life and my calling, reading the Book of

Mormon, &c.

_Thursday, 10_.--I was sick and kept my bed.

The war continues to rage between England and China.

_Friday, 11_.--I was convalescent, and walked twice to the store.

_Saturday, 12_.--An ordinance regulating weights and measures was

passed, also an ordinance regulating auctions, by the city council

which I attended. During the sitting of the council the subject of our

chartered rights was discussed.

In the afternoon, plead in an action of slander before the mayor, in

behalf of the city against Lyman O. {515} Littlefield, and obtained

judgment of $500 bonds to keep the peace.

_Sunday, 13_--In council with the mayor, Brother Hyrum and Elder

Willard Richards, and visited Samuel Bennett (who was sick) in company

with William Law and wife.

_Monday, 14_.--Spent the day at my office, transacting a variety of

business, and continued to do the same from day to day till the 17th.

_Thursday, 17_.--I attended a special session of the city council, when

an ordinance was passed authorizing and regulating marriages in the

city of Nauvoo.

_Letter of Alfred Cordon to Joseph Smith--Reporting Affairs in

England_.

Hanley, Stafford County, England, February 17, 1842.

President Joseph Smith:--The work in which we are engaged rolls

on in this lands and in spite of all its enemies, moves onward

in majesty and power; there are many who devote all their time

and talent in endeavoring to overthrow it; but I discover that

they can "do nothing against the truth but for the truth." Many

tracts have been published against us, containing all manner of

lies, but in the end good will be the result. "He that knoweth

God, heareth us." Some of the tools of Satan are doing more in

spreading the truth than we are able to do; one in particular, a

Mr. Brindley, is publishing a periodical showing the "errors and

blasphemies" of "Mormonism;" and in order to do this, he publishes

many of the revelations of God given to us, and through this means,

the testimony is visiting the mansions of the high and mighty

ones--the "reverends, right reverends" and all the noble champions

of sectarians receive them as a precious morsel; and they are

read with much interest; whereas, if we had sent them, they would

have been spurned from their dwellings, and would not have been

considered worth reading.

The state of this country is very awful, and is, according to

prospects, on the eve of a mighty revolution; all confidence is

gone between master and man, and men are afraid of each other;

peace is fast removing from this land; in the course of the last

few days, in many parts of this isle, they have been burning

the effigy of the great men of this nation--poverty, distress

and starvation abound on every hand. The groans, and tears and

wretchedness of the thousands of people are enough to rend the

hearts of demons; many of the Saints are suffering much {516}

through hunger and nakedness; many with large families can scarcely

get bread and water enough to hold the spirit in the tabernacle;

many, very many, are out of employment, and cannot get work to do,

and others that do work hard fourteen or fifteen hours per day, can

scarcely earn enough to enable them to live upon the earth. Surely

there is need of deliverance in Zion, and I am ready to exclaim,

thanks be to Thy name, O Lord, for remembering Thy covenants! and

that the "set time to favor Zion has come," and that He has chosen

the west for a refuge for His people.

Wishing you all success, I remain, yours in the new and everlasting

covenant.

Alfred Cordon.

[Sidenote: Confidence in the Nauvoo Charter.]

_Friday, 18_.--I attended an adjourned city council, and spoke at

considerable length in committee of the whole on the great privileges

of the Nauvoo Charter, and especially on the registry of deeds for

Nauvoo, and prophesied in the name of the Lord God, that Judge Douglas

and no other judge of the Circuit Court will ever set aside a law of

the city council, establishing a registry of deeds in the city of

Nauvoo.

_Saturday, 19_.--I was engaged in the Recorder's Office (in the first

story of the Brick Store), on the tithings, and in council in my office

with Elders Brigham Young, Heber C. Kimball and others.

A severe shock of an earthquake threw down all the parapets, bastions,

and guard houses constructed by Sir Robert Sale, and demolished a third

part of the town of Jellalabad, India.

_Sunday, 20_.--I attended the meeting on the hill. About this time the

ship _John Cummins_ sailed from Liverpool for New Orleans with Saints.

The _Tremont_ sailed on the 12th of January with 143 passengers, mostly

Saints. The expenses of passage from Liverpool to New Orleans averages

from £3, 15s to £4, including provisions.

_Monday, 21_.--I was visiting in the city in the morning, and

transacting a variety of business at the office in the afternoon and

evening.

{517} _Announcement of the Trustee in Trust for the Church

Respecting Work on the Temple_.

To The Brethren In Nauvoo City: Greeting--It is highly important

for the forwarding of the Temple, that an equal distribution of

labor should be made in relation to time; as a superabundance of

hands one week, and none the next, tends to retard the progress of

the work: therefore every brother is requested to be particular

to labor on the day set apart for the same, in his ward; and to

remember that he that sows sparingly, shall also reap sparingly, so

that if the brethren want a plentiful harvest, they will do well to

be at the place of labor in good season in the morning, bringing

all necessary tools, according to their occupation, and those who

have teams bring them also, unless otherwise advised by the Temple

Committee. Should any one be detained from his labor by unavoidable

circumstances on the day appointed, let him labor the next day, or

the first day possible.

N. B--The captains of the respective wards are particularly

requested to be at the place of labor on their respective days,

and keep an accurate account of each man's work, and be ready to

exhibit a list of the same when called for.

The heart of the Trustee is daily made to rejoice in the good

feelings of the brethren, made manifest in their exertion to carry

forward the work of the Lord, and rear His Temple; and it is hoped

that neither planting, sowing, or reaping will hereafter be made to

interfere with the regulations hinted at above.

Joseph Smith, Trustee in Trust.

_An Additional Word from the Twelve_.

Recorders Office Febr. 21, 1842.

We would also say to all the churches, that inasmuch as they want

the blessings of God and angels, as also of the Church of Jesus

Christ, and wish to see it spread and prosper through the world,

and Zion built up and truth and righteousness prevail,--let all

the different branches of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day

Saints in all the world, call meetings in their respective places

and tithe themselves and send up to this place to the Trustee in

Trust, so that his hands may be loosed, and the Temple go on, and

other works be done, such as the new translation of the Bible, and

the record of Father Abraham published to the world.

Beloved brethren, we as the messengers of the Lord feel to call

upon you to help roll on the mighty work, it is our duty so to do,

and it is your reasonable service--and the Lord will bless you in

so doing.

{518} We subscribe ourselves your humble servants, and standard

bearers to the world. Brigham Young, President,

Willard Richards, Clerk of the Twelve.

_Tuesday, 22_.--Attended to a variety of business as usual.

_Wednesday, 23_.--Settled with and paid Brother Chase, and assisted

in the counting room in settling with Ebenezer Robinson, visiting the

printing office, and gave Reuben Hedlock instruction concerning the cut

for the altar and gods in the Records of Abraham, as designed for the

_Times and Seasons_.

_Thursday, 24_.--Engaged in council with the brethren, attended to

business at the general office. In the afternoon explained the records

of Abraham to the recorder. Sisters Marinda, Mary, and others present

to hear the explanations.

_Letter of the Prophet's to an Unknown Brother on Tithing_.

Nauvoo, Feb. 24, 1842.

Beloved Brother--Yours of the 24th ult. is received, in relation

to certain tithings of your neighborhood being transferred to your

account, which you hold against the Church to the amount of $305,

including $150 of your own.

There are no receipts issued for property received on tithing; but

an entry is made in the Book of the Law of the Lord, and parties

living at a distance notified of the same.

If the parties named will pay you the sum specified in your letter,

and you will endorse the same, i. e. $305, on the obligation you

hold against the Church, and give me notice accordingly, with a

schedule of individuals' names and payments, the same shall be

entered to their credit on tithing. Yours, &c.

Joseph Smith,

Willard Richards, Scribe.

_Friday, 25_.--Engaged in counseling and general business.

_Saturday, 26_.--At the recorder's office engaged in the tithing, and

at the court at the office of the Patriarch.

_Sunday, 27_.--Engaged in counseling the Saints.

_Monday, 28_.--I offered a settlement to Father Snow by {519} Jenkins'

notes, which he declined, choosing to take land in Ramus; paid Brother

Robert Pierce $2,700, the balance due him for a farm Dr. Galland bought

of Brother Pierce in Brandywine Township, Chester county, Pennsylvania,

for $5,000, namely a deed for lot 2, block 94, $1,100, and lot 1,

block 95, $800, and lot 4, block 78, $806, the remainder having been

previously paid. The bond was cancelled and given up, and Brother

Pierce expressed his satisfaction of the whole, in the _Times and

Seasons_, as follows--

_Note of Robert Pierce--Expressing Satisfaction at Financial

Settlement_.

Nauvoo, Feb. 28, 1842.

_President Joseph Smith_.

Dear Sir--I feel anxious to express my feelings concerning the

business transactions between the Church and myself; as it is well

known to many, that Dr. Galland, as agent for the Church, purchased

my farm while I was living in Brandywine Township, Chester county,

Pennsylvania, and many supposed, or pretended to suppose, I would

get nothing in return; but I wish to say to all my old friends

and enemies in Pennsylvania, through the medium of the _Times and

Seasons_, that I have received my pay in full from the Church of

Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, through yourself, sir, as their

trustee in trust, according to the original contract; and that from

my acquaintance with yourself, and those brethren who are assisting

you in the great and increasing business of the Church, I have the

fullest confidence in all the transactions of the Church, and I

request those papers in Philadelphia, who published concerning my

sale and loss, with such bitter lamentations, to publish this also.

I am, sir, your brother and well-wisher,

Robert Pierce.

_Thursday, March 1, 1842_.--During the forenoon I was at my office and

the printing office, correcting the first plate or cut of the records

of Father Abraham, prepared by Reuben Hedlock, for the _Times and

Seasons_, and in council in my office, in the afternoon; and in the

evening with the Twelve and their wives at Elder Woodruff's, at which

time I explained many important principles in relation to progressive

improvement in the scale of intelligent existence.

{520} I commenced publishing my translations of the Book of Abraham in

the _Times and Seasons_ as follows--

Fac-Simile From the Book of Abraham--No. 1.

Explanation of the Above Cut.

Fig. 1. The Angel of the Lord.

Fig. 2. Abraham fastened upon an altar.

Fig. 3. The idolatrous priest of Elkenah attempting to offer up Abraham

as a sacrifice.

Fig. 4. The altar for sacrifice by the idolatrous priests, standing

before the gods of Elkenah, Libnah, Mahmackrah, Korash, and Pharaoh.

Fig. 5. The idolatrous god of Elkenah.

Fig. 6. The idolatrous god of Libnah.

Fig. 7. The idolatrous god of Mahmackrah.

Fig. 8. The idolatrous god of Korash.

Fig. 9. The idolatrous god of Pharaoh.

Fig. 10. Abraham in Egypt.

Fig. 11. Designed to represent the pillars of heaven, as understood by

the Egyptians.

Fig. 12. Raukeeyang, signifying expanse, or the firmament over our

heads; but in this case, in relation to this subject, the Egyptians

meant it to signify Shaumau, to be high, or the heavens; answering to

the Hebrew word, Shaumahyeem.

{521}

Fac-Simile From the Book of Abraham--No. 2.

Explanation of the Above Cut.

Fig. 1. Kolob, signifying the first creation, nearest to the celestial,

or the residence of God. First in government, the last pertaining to

the measurement of time. The measurement according to celestial time;

which celestial time signifies one day to a cubit. One day in Kolob is

equal to a thousand years according to the measurement of this earth,

which is called by the Egyptians Jah-oh-eh.

Fig. 2. Stands next to Kolob, called by the Egyptians Oliblish, which

is the next grand governing creation near to the celestial or the place

where God resides; holding the key of power also, pertaining to other

planets; as revealed from God to Abraham, as he offered sacrifice upon

an altar, which he had built unto the Lord.

Fig. 3. Is made to represent God, sitting upon His throne, clothed

with power and authority; with a crown of eternal light upon his

head; representing, also, the grand key words of the Holy Priesthood,

as revealed to Adam in the Garden of Eden, as also to Seth, Noah,

Melchisedek, Abraham, and all to whom the Priesthood was revealed.

Fig. 4. Answers to the Hebrew word Raukeeyang, signifying expanse or

the firmament of the heavens; also a numerical figure, in Egyptian

signifying one thousand; answering to the measuring of the time of

Oliblish, which is equal with Kolob in its revolution and in its

measuring of time.

Fig. 5. Is called in Egyptian Enish-go-on-dosh; this is one of the

governing planets also, and is said by the Egyptians to be the

Sun, and to borrow its light {522} from Kolob, through the medium

of Kae-e-vanrash, which is the grand Key, or, in other words, the

governing power, which governs fifteen other fixed planets or stars,

as also Floeese or the Moon, the Earth and the Sun in their annual

revolutions. This planet receives its power through the medium of

Kli-flos-is-es, or Hah-ko-kau-beam, the stars represented by numbers

22, and 23, receiving light from the revolutions of Kolob.

Fig. 6. Represents this earth in its four quarters.

Fig. 7. Represents God sitting upon His throne, revealing through the

heavens the grand Key-words of the Priesthood; as also the sign of the

Holy Ghost unto Abraham, in the form of a dove.

Fig. 8. Contains writings that cannot be revealed unto the world; but

is to be had in the Holy Temple of God.

Fig. 9. Ought not to be revealed at the present time.

Fig. 10. Also.

Fig. 11. Also.--If the world can find out these numbers, so let it be.

Amen.

Figures 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, and 20, will be given in the

own due time of the Lord.

The above translation is given as far as we have any right to give at

the present time.

Explanation on Cut No. 3.

Fig. 1. Abraham sitting upon Pharaoh's throne, by the politeness of

the king, with a crown upon his head, representing the Priesthood, as

emblematical of the grand Presidency in Heaven, with the scepter of

justice and judgment in his hand.

Fig. 2. King Pharaoh, whose name is given in the characters above his

head.

Fig. 3. Signifies Abraham in Egypt; referring to Abraham, as given also

in the ninth number of the Times and Seasons. (Also as given in the

first fac-simile of this book.)

Fig. 4. Prince of Pharaoh, King of Egypt, as written above the hand.

Fig. 5. Shulem, one of the king's principal waiters, as represented by

the characters above his hand.

Fig. 6. Olimlah, a slave belonging to the prince.

Abraham is reasoning upon the principles of Astronomy, in the king's

court.

{523} Fac-Simile From The Book of Abraham--No 3.

{524}

The Book Of Abraham. [1]

Translated from the Papyrus, by Joseph Smith. [2]

_A Translation of some Ancient Records that have fallen into our

hands, from the Catacombs of Egypt, purporting to be the writings

of Abraham, while he was in Egypt, called the Book of Abraham,

written by his own hand upon papyrus_.

In the land of the Chaldeans, at the residence of my father, I

Abraham, saw that it was needful for me to obtain another place

of residence, and finding there was greater happiness, and peace

and rest for me, I sought for the blessings of the fathers, and

the right whereunto I should be ordained to administer the same;

having been myself a follower of righteousness, desiring also to

be one who possessed great knowledge, and to be a greater follower

of righteousness, and to possess a greater knowledge, and to be a

father of many nations, a prince of peace; and desiring to receive

instructions and to keep the commandments of God, I became a

rightful heir, a High Priest, holding the right belonging to the

fathers; it was conferred upon me from the fathers; it came down

from the fathers, from the beginning of time, yea, even from the

beginning, or before the foundations of the earth, to the present

time, even the right of the first born, or the first man, who is

Adam, our first Father, through the fathers, unto me.

2. I sought for mine appointment unto the Priesthood according to

the appointment of God unto the fathers, concerning the seed. My

{525} fathers having turned from their righteousness, and from the

holy commandments which the Lord their God had given unto them,

unto the worshiping of the gods of the heathen, utterly refused to

hearken to my voice; for their hearts were set to do evil, and were

wholly turned to the god of Elkenah, and the god of Libnah, and the

god of Mahmackrah, and the god of Korash, and the god of Pharaoh,

king of Egypt, therefore they turned their hearts to the sacrifice

of the heathen in offering up their children unto their dumb idols,

and hearkened not unto my voice, but endeavored to take away my

life by the hand of the priest of Elkenah--the priest of Elkenah

was also the priest of Pharaoh.

3. Now at this time it was the custom of the priest of Pharaoh,

the king of Egypt, to offer up upon the altar which was built in

the land of Chaldea, for the offering unto these strange gods,

men, women and children. And it came to pass that the priest

made an offering unto the god of Pharaoh, and also unto the god

of Shagreel, even after the manner of the Egyptians. Now the god

of Shagreel was the Sun. Even the thank-offering of a child did

the priest of Pharaoh offer upon this altar, which stood by the

hill called Potiphar's hill, at the head of the plain of Olishem.

Now, this priest had offered upon the altar three virgins at one

time, who were the daughters of Onitah, one of the royal descent,

directly from the loins of Ham. These virgins were offered up

because of their virtue; they would not bow down to worship gods of

wood, or of stone, therefore they were killed upon this altar, and

it was done after the manner of the Egyptians.

4. And it came to pass that the priests laid violence upon me,

that they might slay me also, as they did those virgins, upon this

altar; and that you may have a knowledge of this altar, I will

refer you to the representation at the commencement of this record.

It was made after the form of a bedstead, such as was had among

the Chaldeans, and it stood before the gods of Elkenah, Libna,

Mahmackrah, Korash, and also a god like unto that of Pharaoh, king

of Egypt. That you may have an understanding of these gods, I have

given you the fashion of them in the figures at the beginning,

which manner of the figures is called by the Chaldeans Rahleenos,

which signifies hieroglyphics.

5. And as they lifted up their hands upon me, that they might offer

me up and take away my life, behold I lifted up my voice unto the

Lord my God; and the Lord hearkened and heard, and he filled me

with a vision of the Almighty, and the angel of his presence stood

by me, and immediately unloosed my bands, and his voice was unto

me, Abraham! Abraham! behold my name is JEHOVAH, and I have heard

thee, and have come down to deliver thee, and to take thee away

from thy father's house, and from all thy kinsfolk, into a strange

land that thou knowest {526} not of, and this because they have

turned their hearts away from me, to worship the god of Elkenah,

and the god of Libnah, and the god of Mahmackrah, and the god of

Korash, and the god of Pharaoh, king of Egypt; therefore I have

come down to visit them, and to destroy him who hath lifted up his

hand against thee, Abraham my son, to take away thy life. Behold I

will lead thee by my hand, and I will take thee to put upon thee my

name, even the Priesthood of thy father; and my power shall be over

thee; as it was with Noah so shall it be with thee, but through thy

ministry my name shall be known in the earth for ever, for I am thy

God.