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| Source document in Mormon Publications: 19th and 20th Centuries online archive: Times and Seasons Vol. 5 |
| TIMES AND SEASONS | ||
| "TRUTH WILL PREVAIL" | ||
| Volume V. No. 2.] | CITY OF NAUVOO, ILL. JANUARY 15,1844 | [Whole No. 86. |
HISTORY OF JOSEPH SMITH.
(Continued)
The next day after the above was received, I also received the following revelation, relative to the gifts of the Holy Ghost; given at Kirtland, March 8th, 1831.
Revelation given March, 1831.
Hearken, O ye people of my church, for, verily I say unto you, that these things were spoken unto you for your profit and learning; but notwithstanding those things which are written, it always has been given to the elders of my church, from the beginning, and ever shall be, to conduct all meetings as they are directed and guided by the Holy Spirit: nevertheless ye are commanded never to cast anyone out from your public meetings, which are held before the world: ye are also commanded not to cast anyone, who belongeth to the church, out of your sacrament meetings: nevertheless, if any have trespassed, let him not partake until he has made reconciliation.
And again I say unto you, ye shall not cast anyone out of your sacrament meetings, who is earnestly seeking the kingdom: I speak this concerning those who are not of the church.
And again I say unto you, concerning your confirmation meetings, that if there be any that is not of the church, that is earnestly seeking after the kingdom, ye shall not cast them out; but ye are commanded in all things to ask of God who giveth liberally, and that which the Spirit testifies unto you, even so I would that ye should do in all holiness of heart, walking uprightly before me, considering the end of your salvation, doing all things with prayer and thanksgiving, that ye may not be seduced by evil spirits, or doctrines of devils, or the commandments of men, for some are of men, and others of devils.
Wherefore, beware lest ye are deceived! and that ye may not be deceived, seek ye earnestly the best gifts, always remembering for what they are given; for verily I say unto you, they are given for the benefit of those who love me and keep all my commandments, and him that seeketh so to do, that all may be benefitted [benefited], that seeketh or asketh of me, that asketh and not for a sign that he may consume it upon his lusts.
And again, verily I say unto you, I would that ye should always remember, and always retain in your minds what those gifts are, that are given unto the church, for all have not every gift given unto them: for there are many gifts, and to every man is given a gift by the Spirit of God: to some it is given one, and to some is given another, that all may be profited thereby; to some it is given by the Holy Ghost to know that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, and that he was crucified for the sins of the world; to others it is given to believe on their words, that they also might have eternal life, if they continue faithful.
And again, to some it is given by the Holy Ghost to know the differences of administration, as it will be pleasing unto the same Lord, according as the Lord will, suiting his mercies according to the conditions of the children of men. And again it is given by the Holy Ghost to some to know the diversities of operations, whether it be of God, that the manifestations of the Spirit may be given to every man to profit withal.
And again, verily I say unto you, to some it is given, by the Spirit of God, the word of wisdom; to another it is given the word of knowledge, that all may be taught to be wise and to have knowledge. And again, to some it is given to have faith to be healed, and to others it is given to have faith to heal. And again to some it is given the working of miracles; and to others it is given to prophesy, and to others the discerning of spirits. And again, it is given to some to speak with tongues, and to another it is given the interpretation of tongues, and all these gifts cometh from God, for the benefit of the children of God. And unto the bishop of the church, and unto such as God shall appoint and ordain to watch over the church, and to be elders unto the church, are to have it given unto them to discern all those gifts, lest there shall be any among you professing and yet not be of God.
And it shall come to pass that he that asketh in spirit shall receive in spirit; that unto some it may be given to have all those gifts, that there may be a head, in order that every member may be profited thereby: he that asketh in the spirit, asketh according to the will of God, wherefore it is done even as he asketh.
And again I say unto you, all things must be done in the name of Christ, whatsoever you do in the spirit; and ye must give thanks unto God in the spirit for whatsoever blessing ye are blessed with: and ye must practice virtue and holiness before me continually; even so: Amen.
The same day that I received the foregoing
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revelation, I also received the following, setting apart John Whitmer as a historian, inasmuch as he was faithful; given at Kirtland, March 8th, 1831.
Revelation to Joseph Smith, Jr. and John Whitmer, given March, 1831.
Behold it is expedient in me that my servant John should write and keep a regular history, and assist you, my servant Joseph, in transcribing all things which shall be given you, until he is called to further duties. Again, verily I say unto you, that he can also lift up his voice in meetings, whenever it shall be expedient.
And again I say unto you, that it shall be appointed unto him to keep the church record and history continually, for Oliver Cowdry [Cowdery] I have appointed to another office. Wherefore it shall be given him, inasmuch as he is faithful, by the Comforter, to write these things; even so: Amen.
Upon inquiry how the brethren should act in regards to purchasing lands to settle upon; and where they should finally make a permanent location; I received the following revelation, given at Kirtland, March 1831.
Revelation given March 1831.
It is necessary that you should remain, for the present time, in your places of abode, as it shall be suitable to your circumstances; and inasmuch as ye have lands, ye shall impart to the eastern brethren; and inasmuch as ye have not lands, let them buy for the present time in those regions round about as seemeth them good, for it must needs be necessary that they have places to live for the present time.
It must needs be necessary, that ye save all the money ye can, and that ye obtain all that ye can in righteousness, that in time ye may be enabled to purchase lands for an inheritance, even the city, The place is not yet to be revealed, but after your brethren come from the east, there are to be certain men appointed, and to them it shall be given to know the place, for to them it shall be revealed; and they shall be appointed to purchase the lands, and make a commencement, to lay the foundation of the city; and then ye shall begin to be gathered with your families, every man according to his family, according to his circumstances, and as is appointed to him by the presidency and the bishop of the church, according to the laws and commandments, which ye have received, and which ye shall hereafter receive; even so; Amen.
About this time came Lemen Copley, one of the sect called Shaking Quakers; and embraced the fullness of the everlasting gospel, apparently honest hearted, but still retained ideas that the Shakers were right in some particulars of their faith; in order to have more perfect understanding on the subject, I inquired of the Lord and received the following revelation.
Revelation to Sidney Rigdon, Parley P. Pratt, and Lemon Copley, given March 1831.
Hearken unto my word my servant Sidney, and Parley, and Lemon, for behold, verily I say unto you, that I give unto you a commandment, that you shall go and preach my gospel, which ye have received, even as ye have received it, unto the Shakers. Behold I say unto you, that they desire to know the truth in part, but not all, for they are not right before me, and must needs repent: wherefore I send you, my servants Sidney and Parley, to preach the gospel unto them; and my servant Lemon shall be ordained unto this work, that he may reason with them, not according to that which he has received of them, but according to that which shall be taught him by you, my servants, and by so doing I will bless him, otherwise he shall not prosper: thus saith the Lord, for I am God and have sent mine only begotten Son into the world, for the redemption of the world and have decreed that he that receiveth him shall be saved, and he that receiveth him not, shall be damned.
And they have done unto the Son of man even as they listed; and he has taken his power on the right hand of his glory, and now reigneth in the heavens, and will reign till he descends on earth to put all enemies under his feet: which time is nigh at hand: I the Lord God have spoken it: but the hour and the day no man knoweth, neither the angels in heaven, nor shall they know until he comes: wherefore I will that all men shall repent, for all are under sin, except them which I have reserved unto myself, holy men that ye know not of: wherefore I say unto you, that I have sent unto you mine everlasting covenant, even that which was from the beginning, and that which I have promised I have so fulfilled, and the nations of the earth shall bow down to it; and, if not of themselves, they shall come down, for that which is exalted of itself shall be laid low of power: wherefore I give unto you a commandment, that ye go among this people and say unto them, like unto mine apostle of old, whose name was Peter: Believe on the name of the Lord Jesus, who was on the earth, and is to come, the beginning and the end; repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ, according to the holy commandment, for the remission of sins: and whoso doeth this shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost, by the laying on of hands of the elders of this church.
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And again, I say unto you, that whoso forbiddeth to marry, is not ordained of God, for marriage is ordained of God unto man: wherefore it is lawful that he should have one wife, and they twain shall be one flesh, and all this that the earth might answer the end of its creation: and that it might be filled with the measure of man, according to his creation before the world was made. And whoso forbiddeth to abstain from meats, that man should not eat the same, is not ordained of God; for behold the beasts of the field, and the fowls of the air, and that which cometh of the earth, is ordained for the use of man, for food, and for raiment, and that he might have in abundance, but it is not given that one man should possess that which is above another:-wherefore the world lieth in sin; and wo be unto man that sheddeth blood or that wasteth flesh and hath no need.
And again, verily I say unto you, that the Son of man cometh not in the form of a woman, neither of a man traveling on the earth:-wherefore be not deceived, but continue in steadfastness, looking forth for the heavens to be shaken; and the earth to tremble, and to reel to and fro as a drunken man; and for the valleys to be exalted; and for the mountains to be made low; and for the rough places to become smooth: and all this when the angel shall sound his trumpet.
But before the great day of the Lord shall come, Jacob shall flourish in the wilderness;-and the Lamanites shall blossom as the rose: Zion shall flourish upon the hills, and rejoice upon the mountains, and shall be assembled unto the place which I have appointed. Behold I say unto you, go forth as I have commanded you; repent of all your sins; ask and ye shall receive; knock and it shall be opened unto you: behold I will go before you, and be your rereward [rearward]; and I will be in your midst, and you shall not be confounded; behold I am Jesus Christ, and I come quickly; even so: Amen.
During the month of April, I continued to translate the scriptures as time would allow.-In May a number of elders being present, and not understanding the different spirits abroad in the land, I inquired and received from the Lord the following revelation.
A revelation given May 1831.
Hearken, O ye elders of my church, and give ear to the voice of the living God; and attend to the words of wisdom which shall be given unto you, according as ye have asked and are agreed as touching the church, and the spirits which have gone abroad in the earth. Behold varily [verily] I say unto you, that there are many spirits which are false spirits, which have gone forth in the earth, deceiving the world; and also satan hath sought to deceive you, that he might overthrow you.
Behold I the Lord have looked upon you, and have seen abominations in the church, that profess my name; but blessed are they who are faithful and endure, whether in life on in death, for they shall inherit eternal life. But wo unto them who are deceivers, and hypocrites, for thus saith the Lord, I will bring them to judgment.
Behold verily I say unto you, there are hypocrites among you, and have deceived some, which has given the adversary power, but behold such shall be reclaimed; but the hypocrites shall be detected and cut off, either in life or in death, even as I will, and wo unto them who are cut off from my church, for the same are overcome of the world: wherefore, let every man beware lest he do that which is not in truth and righteousness before me.
And now come, saith the Lord by the spirit, unto the elders of his church, and let us reason together, that ye may understand: let us reason even as a man reasoneth one with another face to face: now when a man reasoneth, he is understood of man, because he reasoneth as a man; even so will I the Lord reason with you that you may understand: wherefore I the Lord asketh you this question, unto what were you ordained? To preach my gospel by the Spirit, even the comforter which was sent forth to teach the truth; and then received ye spirits which ye could not understand, and received them to be of God, and in this are ye justified? Behold ye shall answer this question yourselves, nevertheless I will be merciful unto you: he that is weak among you hereafter shall be made strong.
Verily I say unto you, he that is ordained of me and sent forth to preach the word of truth by the Comforter, in the spirit of truth, doth he preach it by the spirit of truth, or some other way? and if by some other way, it be not of God: therefore, why is it that ye cannot understand and know that he that receiveth the word by the spirit of truth, receiveth it as it is preached by the spirit of truth?
Wherefore, he that preacheth and he that receiveth, understand one another, and both are edified and rejoice together; and that which doth not edify, is not of God, and is darkness; that which is of God is light, and he that receiveth light and continueth in God, receiveth more light, and that light groweth brighter and brighter, until the perfect day. And again, verily I say unto you, and I say it that you may know the truth, that you may chase darkness
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from among you, for he that is ordained of God and sent forth, the same is appointed to be the greatest, notwithstanding he is least, and the servant of all: wherefore he is possessor of all things, for all things are subject unto him, both in heaven and on the earth, the life, and the light, the spirit, and the power, sent forth by the will of the Father, through Jesus Christ, his Son, but no man is possessor of all things, except he be purified and cleansed from all sin; and if ye are purified and cleansed from all sin, ye shall ask whatsoever ye will in the name of Jesus , and it shall be done: but know this, it shall be given you what you shall ask, and as ye are appointed to the head, the spirits shall be subject unto you:
Wherefore it shall come to pass, that if you behold a spirit manifested that you cannot understand, and you receive not that spirit, ye shall ask of the Father in the name of Jesus, and if he give not unto you that spirit, that you may know that it is not of God: and it shall be given unto you power over that spirit, and you shall proclaim against that spirit, with a loud voice, that it is not of God; not with railing accusation, that ye be not overcome; neither with boasting, nor rejoicing, lest you be seized therewith: he that receiveth of God, let him account it of God, and let him rejoice that he is accounted of God worthy to receive, and by giving heed and doing these things which ye have received, and which ye shall hereafter receive; and the kingdom is given you of the Father, and power to overcome all things, which is not ordained of him: and behold, verily I say unto you, blessed are you who are now hearing these words of mine from the mouth of my servant, for your sins are forgiven you.
Let my servant Joseph Wakefeild, in whom I am well pleased, and my servant Parley P. Pratt, go forth among the churches and strengthen them by the word of exhortation; and also my servant John Corrill, or as many of my servants as are ordained unto this office, and let them labor in the vineyard; and let no man hinder them of doing that which I have appointed unto them: wherefore in this thing my servant Edward Partridge, is not justified, nevertheless let him repent and he shall be forgiven. Behold ye are little children, and ye cannot bear all things now; ye must grow in grace and in the knowledge of the truth. Fear not, little children, for you are mine, and I have overcome the world, and you are of them that my Father hath given me; and none of them that my Father hath given me shall be lost:-and the Father and I are one: I am in the Father and the Father in me: and inasmuch as you have received me, ye are in me and I in you: wherefore I am in your midst; and I am the good shepherd, (and the stone of Israel: He that buildeth upon this rock shall never fall.) And the day cometh that ye shall hear my voice and see me, and know that I am. Watch, therefore, that ye may be ready; even so:-Amen.
AN APPEAL TO THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF MAINE.
Respected fellow citizens,-I was born in the county of York, district of Maine, in the year 1,793. My first lesson on the principles of political and religious freedom, was learned among her brave and virtuous sons; and when in after years, we had come to the resolve that, the number of our citizens, the great extent of our territory, as well as the geographical position which we occupied, all claimed sovereignty, we as a band of enlightened freemen arose, and obtained for her the title of "free and independent" among the sister states. More than forty years of my life can I boast of being a happy citizen of Maine. With her hardy republicans I passed through all the vicissitudes and privations of peace and war, during that period. My father, as is well known to thousands, was identified with the long line of illustrious patriots, who achieved our liberties in the war of the revolution. From him I received the first impression of the rights of man. By him I was taught, before I understood the terms, that men are naturally born free, and as such have an indefeisable [indefeasible] right to worship God according to the dictates of their own understanding of his perfections. But the lesson we have so recently learned from the executive of a sovereign state, admonishes us that the day of American liberty is on the wane. That unless something to retrieve her lost character be shortly done, we may as well content ourselves, and expect the days of a Nero and a Calagulia [Caligula]. It is not unknow [unknown] to you that the entire church of Latter Day Saints have been expelled from the State of Missouri, for the simple fact that they believed the fullness of the gospel of Christ, had been restored to them through the ministration of angels; and that the Book of Mormon, was a divinely inspired record of the aboriginees [aborigines] of the western hemisphere. These two facts were sufficient in that state, with L. W. Boggs at the head of the executive department, to exterminate us in the chill of winter; to burn our dwellings-to rob us of our property-to ravish, torment, and murder our women and helpless children. After paying hundreds of thousands of dollars for land, and making improvements worthy the character of American
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operatives, all which were lost to us; the managers of the war, acting under the direct authority of the chief magistrate, forced us, at the point of bayonets, to sign a treaty, the items of which would have disgraced the damning deeds of a Pharaoh or Antiochous. In this treaty we covenanted to part with all our lands to defray the expences [expenses] of the war; a war which they themselves had created, and which they, with a barbarity disgraceful to savage warfare, had hitherto prosecuted against us. Another article in the treaty provided that we should forthwith leave the state of Missouri, and never make any further attempt to raise crops, or to do any thing whereby the citizens might take offence [offense]; for, said one of the prosecuting generals, "if you do, my men will be upon you, and you will be destroyed, men, women and children:" and in whatever light we looked upon the proceedings of the governor, whether our cause was just or not, it was all the same with him; our final departure from the state was the grand object with him, and he would see it accomplished. A third article claimed, that all our leading men were to be given to him (General Clark) to be tried for high treason. Among the number was our beloved Prophet. A court martial was immediately instituted, in which it was decreed that the Prophet, together with a few others, should be shot at six o'clock the next morning. This, however, was prevented by the remonstrance of one or two of Clark's officers. They were immediately conducted to prison, where they suffered the greatest indignity. Many scores suffered the same fate. Yet not the least vestige of legal preferment was ever seen in the whole affair. No testimony was had; none called against them. It has been carefully estimated by our historians that not far from fourteen thousand persons were ejected from Missouri in that infernal affair, that should suffuse with tears the face of every American. The same historians compute that not far from three hundred were either directly slaughtered, or from extreme sufferings from imprisonment-from hunger-the chills of winter, being reduced to the necessity, in many instances, of braving the winter blasts in a naked situation, were subjected to various disorders, that hurried them to a premature grave.
One more case and one only will I relate, as our history has been pretty fully made known to the people of the United States. Near Haun's Mill, a company consisting of about forty men with their families, who had not yet participated in the turmoil of those times, being mostly strangers in that part of the country who being informed of the times in other counties entered into stipulations to live in peace with their new neighbors. It was solemnly agreed that if either party should afterwards discover any thing likely to come upon the other, injurious to them, the party having a knowledge should forthwith inform the other. Thus agreeing the delegates retired each to their respective party. The saints were busy about that time in preparing their dwellings for the approaching winter; and thought themselves perfectly secure under the treaty so sacredly formed. In a very few days, however, they discovered their mistake. The very same delegates who swore friendship to the saints, came upon them in an unguarded hour, with between two and three hundred men, and drove them from place to place, till at length they were driven into an old smith's shop, were they were slaughtered indiscriminately. In that massacre some eighteen of nineteen were butchered, who from the peril of the times found one common grave. Being promiscuously heaped together in an old excavation for water. Their surviving friends at the peril of their own lives, performed their last sad rites of sepulture.
Nothing now remains to point out their lowly sepulchure [sepulcher], but their shapeless mound fast hastening to decay. But they live in our tenderest regards. In the affection of every saint while the world shall survive, they shall have an imperishable mansion; an everlasting monument to perpetuate their name. We have sought for justice in the courts of that state; we have presented our memorial to the legislature, humbly praying for the restoration of our property and our rights as American citizens. We have expended thousands and thousands of dollars in various attempts to recover our just claims; but even to this time we have not a consoling hope that Missouri will ever do anything for us. Nay, they still hold the hand of persecution, raised, if possible, to cut off our name from under heaven. Every possible scheme that can be devised, is brought into requisition for our overthrow. They have from time to time kidnapped our brethren, citizens of the state of Illinois. Loud and frequent demands are made on the governor for the body of Gen. Joseph Smith. Several times, since leaving Missouri, he has been tried in the courts of Illinois and the federal courts, and has always been honorably acquitted.
We have also presented our memorial to Congress, accompanied with a schedule of claims, but the only consolation we have yet received from them is that 'our cause is just, but government has no power to redress us.' Preparations are being made at the present time to resume our memorial in the halls of congress. Should we fail of obtaining our rights from every
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source whatever, we still shall have gained one point, 'to make it apparent to all the world, that what was wanting in this case, was neither a criminal nor a prosecutor.' Another point we shall have gained, to be the discoverers of a desiderum [desideratum] in the constitution of the United States. If neither of an independent state, neither its legislature nor the great federal compact, has power to guard the lives and property of American citizens, then we shall have made a second discovery, that the framers of our constitution did not understand the business of legislation.
Were the venerable fathers of our independence permitted to revisit the earth, how would they frown with indignation at the disgrace of their country. 'In vain they toiled, they bled in vain,' if one of the states of the great E Pluribus Unum, has a right to plunder, burn, murder, and exterminate from its borders, its peaceable citizens for conscience sake. Should we fail of redress in the present congress, we shall importune at every subsequent one, till we gain the object of our most ardent desires. From our origin to the present time, we have been a law abiding people. Our book of laws that we received by immediate revelation through our beloved seer, enjoins us in the most explicit manner, not to transgress the laws of the land. These things we have always done. With all these facts before the world, we believe that government has the power, amply and adequately to redress us. We expect it. We have the most inalienable right to expect it. While the crimson current that administers to our being, shall flow, we will contend for our injured rights.-We intend to test the efficacy of the government to the core. We believe that peradventure, there may yet be virtue, and that our cause may yet be heard. We can never forget the injuries done us in Missouri. They are ever present to our minds. We feel it impossible to efface them from our memories. We can never forget the blood of our brethren, so wantonly lavished to satisfy the infernal thirsts of men, as heinous to the righteous, as the fiends of hell. Were we to forget them, heaven itself would upbraid us. The immortal shades of our martyred brethren would spurn us from their presence. Their cries with those seen under the altar of God, as viewed by the ancient prophet, would ascend to the throne of Jehovah against us. We swear by the precious memory of the illustrious dead-the fathers of our independence, that we will remember them. We will do all in our power to mete out justice to those who without the least cause have murdered our friends. And if we fail may heaven and earth bear us witness that, what is wanting in this case, is not strength in the law, arising from 'the peculiar nature of American institutions;' but a faithful and virtuous administrator. Now therefore, knowing as I do, your devoted attachment to the cause of freedom and the free institutions of your country, and believing as I have every reason to, that the voice of the oppressed will not be unheeded by you, especially when it is declared to you that many from your happy state, are at this time suffering the highest degree of injustice from mobocracy in Missouri; I, in the name of every faithful saint, especially those who received their birth and education in Maine, appeal to your wisdom, to that high legal attainment which characterizes you as a sovereign state-to your natural sense of the rights of man, and to the of patriotism that burns within your bosoms, to do all within the grasp of your power, to redress us. We declare to you and to all the world, that we are an innocent people; and that for the gospel's sake, for the sake of the principles of glorious and eternal truth; we have been mobbed, whiped [whipped], imprisoned, tormented and slain. Should any man reply that if we are persecuted for the truths sake, we ought to receive it patiently, and not seek that which is our own, we respond, that if no other consideration whatever, should prompt us, the disgraced institutions of our bleeding country demand that we make every effort to magnify her laws. We seek for justice that recurrences of deeds so frightful may not distract the nation hereafter. We make this appeal to the people of the state of Main to let them know that an injury has been done the church of Christ in the nineteenth century. An injury which if unrepaired by government, will establish the most dangerous precedence, as others of a more direful nature will have license to follow. All past experience admonishes us that in a republican government, when vice and corruption gain the ascendency [ascendancy] over virtue, the most terrible revolutions are sure to follow.
I will now relate a dream which I had, near the time that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints was driven from Jackson county, in Missouri.
In my dream, I was at the capital of the United States. All was solemn as the tomb. The voice of the eloquent orator was hushed to silence. The senator, the sage, the honorable, the rich and poor together, all were clad in mourning. Indeed, nature herself, and all things seemed to participate in the general gloom.-All was silent but the voice of one man. His, was low and solemn as the lonely sepulchre [sepulcher]. In the archives of state, there was a twilight, by which, with some difficulty, one could peruse
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the records. As I was returning from a spacious bureau, where it seemed I had been reading; in an opposite part of the room, I saw a man approaching the same bureau. I did not know him, but felt assured within myself that it was one of the ancients of the nation. He took from the bureau two or three small boxes; and as he presented one of them to me, exclaimed, 'these were the archives of state,' and while in the act of placing it in my hand, finished the sentence he had commenced, 'but it is turned to blood.' I saw while yet the words were on his tongue, the box dissolve to blood. Then I turned to view the other boxes; and they were also turned to blood.
With sentiments of respect,
I remain your humble servant,
BENJAMIN ANDREWS.
For the Times and Seasons
Pekin, Illinois, Dec. 1, 1843.
Brother Taylor:-In compliance with my promise to the citizens of Fort Wayne, (Ia.) and the surrounding country, I now proceed to inform you that they petition for an elder to be located there, for a season.
They are intelligent and liberal minded, and offer to support an elder well.
Query; If Joseph Smith and the Mormon leaders, (as they are called) are so ignorant, &c., that they are unworthy of notice, and Mormonism so gross an imposition as to call for no refutation, as the priests and men of learning in sectarianism were wont to say, why the necessity or propriety, of all denominations striving to put it down by conversation, preaching, printing books, and by circulating all manner of lies and silly stories; which notwithstanding all the sanctity with which they come clothed, do not commend themselves to the mind that is free and intelligent. Here I will mention a book published by the Methodists, having one Jonathan Kidder for its author; a respectable book in appearance on the outside, but within it is full of all manner of blasphemies and foolish stories, such as the following:
The author says he was on board the steamboat Nauvoo, on the Mississippi river, where Joseph Smith kept himself secreted, until he would be informed by some of his followers of any thing that was said against him. Then he would make a grave appearance, and take the offending person to task, as if made known to him by revelation.
These tales now become Sunday School tales, to be read in the place of tracts written by students at law for a premium; giving an account of death bed scenes, and wonderful conversions.
Thus they would fortify the youthful minds against hearing and receiving the truth. Why do the reformers of the day continually cry investigate! investigate!! And why will they investigate with their sectarian brethren, and yet refuse to investigate with the Latter Day Saints. We do not intend to wage a war with any denomination, but we want justice to take place. Therefore, let Alexander Campbell come out like a man of God, and investigate with us face to face, and let it be published to the world, as was his debate with Bishop Percell of Cincinnati, Ohio, and with others. If he feels his argumentative powers failing him, on account of age, infirmities, &c., let him select a young man in the vigor of life: or if he is convinced at last of the extreme shortness, and deficiencies of his system, let him, like an honest man acknowledge it. But if he will do neither, we call on him to cease to backbite, and misrepresent us as he does in his 'Millennial Harbinger.'
Why is the world in a state of alarm, and all priestscraft [priestcraft] in danger? why are things that have been hid up for ages continually coming forth? Why do mankind now treat the Latter Day Saints as they did the former day saints, 1800 years ago? Ye men of science and literature, why does Josiah Priest's antiquities, and Stephens' Yucatan, give an account of the very things that were described in the Book of Mormon, before their discovery? Why does the circumstance of the plates recently found in a mound in Pike county, Ill., by Mr. Wiley, together with ethmology and a thousand other things, go to prove the Book of Mormon true?-Ans. Because it is true!
Why were the leaves of an honest man's Bible found turned down?-Because he turned those down that favored Mormonism.
Why are all nations expecting something of great importance to burst forth upon the world. The Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven, with his mighty angels, in flaming fire, taking vengeance on them that know not God and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. The time has come for the restoration of Israel to their own land, in fulfilment [fulfillment] of the covenant of circumcision, made to Abraham, Gen. 17, ch. 8,10. God hath again spoken from the heavens, and restored the priesthood! The prophecies are fulfilling. We have also a more sure word of prophecy, whereunto we do well take heed as unto a light that shineth in a dark place until the day dawn, and the day-star arise in our hearts. The God of heaven is about to set up that kingdom which shall never be destroyed.
The little stone, seen in the prophetic vision of Daniel, has commenced to roll, and it will
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continue to move on in mighty power, with great speed, until it will fill the whole earth.
It matters not if the authorities of Missouri do set down our faith as high treason, because we believe the bible. And all the bells of Babylon have a mighty ringing, and her craftsmen incessantly-Great is Babylon, great is Babylon! as did the ancient Ephesians, yet the time is near at hand when it shall be announced, Babylon the great is fallen!! The rapidity of the latter day work is truly astonishing. If six members, organized in 1830, in the short period of twelve years gain 150,000 how many will 150,000 gain in 25 years at that rate; but I must close.
It is the fervent prayer of every saint-Roll on thy work, mighty God, Let thy kingdom come, and on earth be established.
Your's in high esteem.
H. TATE.
TIMES AND SEASONS.
CITY OF NAUVOO.
MONDAY, JANUARY 15, 1844.
THE GATHERING,
The gathering of the saints is a subject which has created not a little speculation among the religious world, although some of its leading features are very familiar to the saints. It is thought a strange thing that the saints should gather; and mankind being generally "ignorant of the scriptures, and the power of God." are ready to ascribe it to an impure motive political intrigue, a thirst after power, or some other unholy influence. It is true that the gathering of the Jews is a subject which has attained some credence, and has been advocated by a portion of our modern theologists; the scriptures pertaining to this subject have been thoroughly investigated, and the idea of "Jerusalem being inhabited again in her own place, even in Jerusalem," is one that has been entertained by many; and they have reflected with pleasure and delight upon the time when the promises made to God's ancient people should be fulfilled; when "he that has scattered the house of Israel shall also gather them." But upon what principle, for what purpose, or by whom they should be gathered, is a subject about which men are most egregiously ignorant. Nor has it entered into their minds that any other people should be gathered together, under the direction and guidance of heaven, nor that the principle of the gathering was one upon which Jehovah had acted in the different ages of the world, for the building up of his kingdom, and the accomplishment of his purposes. Whereas the scriptures are full of subjects of this kind, unfolding the designs of Jehovah, pertaining to the different nations of the earth. Not only are Israel and Judah mentioned, as objects of God's mercy, but other nations also. The Moabites, the Amorites, and the Elamites will not be among the least of those who shall participate in God's mercies. As the father of the spirits of all flesh, Jehovah does exercise a paternal care over all his creatures, and in order to accomplish this will erect a standard, for, according to the prophet, 'Zion shall be established in righteousness, and all nations shall flock to her standard."
The purposes of God, in regard to the human family, are great and comprehensive, and are marked by the most consummate wisdom, and as in the formation of worlds, the organization of the solar system, and the order of nature, his intelligence is displayed, so in regard to the well-being, safety and happiness, both present and future, of the universal world, he, as the great father of the human family, feels highly interested. It is true that he adopts plans and makes use of means, which in the estimation of men in many instances would be foreign from the point, yet when we consider, that with Him dwells wisdom, that "his thoughts are not our thoughts, nor his ways as our ways," we shall not be surprised that he makes use of means for the accomplishment of his designs, which in many instances are, to us, incomprehensible.
When the Lord created the heavens and the earth, he had a design in it, and had certain purposes to accomplish, and when he created the beasts of the field the fish of the sea, and the fowls of the air, he did it to promote his purposes and to advance his glory and when man was placed as lord of creation, it was for a purpose, and the which, though it may now be mysterious, yet when the curtain of heaven shall be withdrawn, and we shall comprehend eternal things, we shall see and acknowledge "that the judge of all the earth has done right," The council of heaven was had among the Gods' in the eternal world, pertaining to all these subjects of their creation, before ever they were formed, "or the morning stars sang together for joy;" and by him who comprehends the end from the beginning and before whom, and with whom, the present, the past and the future are one eternal now, their organization, habits, propensities, the object of that creation, the position they would take in the order of that creation, and how, and by what means they would be made happy, and increase his glory, was fully
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understood by him who has done "all things well."
The world was not made to be annihilated nor the creatures that he has formed: all of them were intended to fulfil [fulfill] the measure of his creation. The sun, the moon, the stars , the earth, man, beast, bird and fish, all occupy their several spheres, all were made for the glory of God, and all were intended to fill up the measure of their creation, and to bring about his purposes and the beast of the forest, the fish of the sea, or the fowl of the air, all are necessary in the vast works of creation and the chirping sparrow upon the house top, fulfils [fulfills] the measure of his creation, in his own sphere, as much as an archangel does in his.
"Whichever link you from the order strike,
"Tenth, or ten-thousandth, breaks the chain alike."
It is true that they move in different spheres and occupy a different glory; but although we cannot now see those various connecting links, the time will come, when we shall hear "every creature in heaven, every creature on the earth, and every creature under the earth, say blessing, and glory, and honour, [honor] and might, and majesty, and dominion, be ascribed unto Him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the lamb forever." It is true that they will occupy their several spheres, they will not all obtain the same glory, 'for there is one glory of the sun and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars; and as one star differeth from another star in glory, so also will it be in the resurrection. There are also celestial bodies, (and telestial bodies,) and bodies terrestrial; and the glory of the celestial is one,' (and the glory of the telestial is another;) and the glory of the terrestrial is another. Again, 'all flesh is not the same flesh; but there is one kind of flesh of men, another flesh of beasts, another of fishes, and another of birds.' All occupy their own place, fulfil [fulfill] their own sphere and glorify God. And as there are different glories that the children of men will inherit, in the eternal world according to their faithfulness, diligence and capacity, in keeping the commandments of God while here; each one will be enabled to find his own element, and participate in that kind of glory which is the most congenial to his nature and suited to his capacity, according to the testimony of the prophet.
"And they who are not sanctified through the law which I have given unto you; even the law of Christ must inherit another kingdom, even that of a terrestrial kingdom, or that of a telestial kingdom. For he who is not able to abide the law of a celestial kingdom, cannot abide a celestial glory: and he who cannot abide the law of a terrestrial kingdom, cannot abide a terrestrial glory: he who cannot abide the law of a telestial kingdom, cannot abide a telestial glory: therefore he is not meet for the kingdom of glory. Therefore, he must abide a kingdom which is not a kingdom of glory.
And again, verily I say unto you, the earth abideth the law of a celestial kingdom, for it filleth the measure if its creation, and transgresseth not the law. Wherefore, it shall be sanctified; yea, notwithstanding it shall die, it shall be quickened again, and shall abide the power by which it is quickened, and the righteous shall inherit it: for notwithstanding they die, they also shall rise again a spiritual body: they who are of a celestial spirit, shall receive the same body which was a natural body; even ye shall receive your bodies, and your glory shall be that glory by which your bodies are quickened. Ye who are quickened by a portion of the celestial glory, shall then receive of the same, even a fullness: and these who are quickened by a portion of the terrestrial glory, shall then receive the same, even a fullness: and also they who are quickened by a portion of the telestial glory, shall then receive of the same, even a fullness: and they who remain, shall be quickened; nevertheless, they shall return again to their own place, to enjoy that which they are willing to receive, because they were not willing to enjoy that which they might have received.
For what doth it profit a man if a gift is bestowed upon him, and he receive not the gift? Behold he rejoices not in that which is given unto him, neither rejoices in him who is the giver of the gift.
And again, verily I say unto you, that which is governed by law, is also preserved by law, and perfected and sanctified by the same: that which breaketh a law, and abideth not by law, but seeketh to become a law unto itself, and willeth to abide in sin, and altogether abideth in sin, cannot be sanctified by law, neither by mercy, justice, or judgement [judgment]. Therefore they must remain filthy still".-Page 101, Doctrine and Covenants.
It is evident from the above, that no man need murmur or complain, at the dealings of God, for he will be enabled to obtain the very thing which he is looking and living for.
The earth, as part of the creation of God, has and will fulfil [fulfill] the measure of its creation. It has been baptized by water, it will be baptized by fire: it will be purified and become celestial, and be a fit place for celestial bodies to inhabit. It will become the residence of those who have abode in a celestial law, and of none
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other; after it has become thus purified, and made celestial. It was to obtain an inheritance of this kind, that all the prophets, apostles and ancient worthies, suffered and endured so patiently, all that they had to pass through. They had found out the way to come to God; the curtain of futurity was withdrawn from before their vision, and having a knowledge of the designs and purposes of God in regard to the earth, 'they endured as seeing him who is invisible,, they 'were tempted tried, and sawn asunder;' They wandered about in sheep skins, and in goat skins; they dwelt in deserts and in dens, and in the caves of the earth, for they had respect unto the recompense of reward; they looked for a city which hath foundation, whose builder and maker is God,' Well hath Paul said 'they that say such things, declare plainly that they seek a country, * * wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he hath prepared for them a city.' what is this city? a heavenly one; but it will come to this earth when the earth is prepared to receive it; Hence John says, Rev. XXI:1-5; 'And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth passed away; and there was no more sea. And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride for her husband. And I heard a great voice out of heaven, saying, behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes, and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. And he that sat upon the throne said, behold, I make all things new.-and he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.'
This then was the thing that the ancient saints had in view; it was to obtain this glory that they sought; it was for this they suffered and endured. Eternal life with them, was the only thing desirable; it was for this they lived; for this they died. And what to men with minds unenlightened, would be folly and nonsense; to them was the greatest height of wisdom, even the teachings of Jehovah, pertaining to their eternal welfare. And as man's everlasting tabernacle was designed to be on this earth; by faith they sought, and by faith they obtained promises.' Abraham obtained a promise of the land of Canaan for himself and his posterity. The land of the Gentiles was alloted [allotted] to their several owners. Joseph had a promise of a land at the utmost bounds of the everlasting hills. Jared, at the destruction of the 'Tower of Babel' had the promise of an inheritance in this land. The twelve tribes of Israel had their inheritance divided unto them by lot, and unto various heads of families, God gave similar promises. Yet we are told that though Abraham had the land of Canaan promised to him, for an everlasting inheritance, 'God gave him none inheritance in it,' (in his lifetime) 'no not so much as to set his foot.'-Yet according to the scriptures he will do and inherit it eternally.
Abraham, and many of his coadjutors were willing to abide a celestial law, and therefore obtained promises by faith through the priesthood of a celestial inheritance, when the earth should be renewed; and as celestial glory was a prize worth seeking after, and enduring that they might obtain, men of faith in ancient days made every effort to get possession of the blessings flowing therefrom-it was for this that the tabernacle and arc was made; it was for this that the temple was built; and if those people who had already the Aaronic priesthood, had received the Savior when he 'came to his temple' he might, and would have unfolded to them many great and eternal principles, pertaining to futurity, connected with the priesthood, for which the temple was originally built.
It was the policy of all those ancient men of God, and the order of their Heavenly Father, to collect the people of God into one place, for the purpose of teaching them the things of God, that they might be prepared to reign with him in a celestial glory. Thus when the earth was becoming corrupt, Enoch collected together a people who were virtuous and pure; who professed a willingness to be governed by the law of God, and as the earth was then becoming corrupt, and the children of men departing from God, and his ordinances, Enoch was selected as a faithful man of God, to whom was committed the priesthood, that he might assemble together God's chosen people and save them from the contaminating influence of the world, and through the intercourse that he had with the Almighty, and the teaching of heaven, lead the people on the paths of righteousness, teach them a celestial law, and prepare them for a celestial inheritance. Thus Enoch built up Zion in his day, and as he 'walked with God,' he of course received teaching, not only pertaining to himself; but also pertaining to those chosen ones, over which God had given him the oversight: he did receive revelations and some of those revelations have been revealed to us, and after the pure in heart thus assembled, were prepared by upwards of one
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hundred years of divine teaching, and there was no hopes of reclaiming the rest of the world, Enoch, and his Zion was removed out of the world; they were not for God took them, and the saying went abroad, that 'Zion is fled'
Noah, who was left upon the earth for the purpose of preserving a pure seed after the earth should be destroyed, in consequence of having filled up the measure of their iniquity, 'and every imagination of their heart being evil, preached but in vain to the then devoted inhabitants of the earth.' He was preserved, however and his seed, and thus when the earth was laid desolate, there was a little gathering or Zion left, to fulfil [fulfill] God's purposes, in regard to the earth, and perpetuate a pure seed. Having the priesthood Noah was prepared to teach them correct principles, and the seed of Noah thus assembled together were divinely taught. But it soon became evident, that man's heart was deceitful;' that it was ready to start aside like a broken bough; and we find the people, as they became wicked, trying to arm themselves against the judgements [judgments] of God. They knew that a short time before the inhabitants of the world had been destroyed by a flood in consequence of their wickedness. They had no doubt been warned by Jared and others, of their wickedness, and what it would tend to, therefore, partly fearing lest the testimony of the servants of God might be true, and partly braving the Almighty, they commenced building a tower whose 'top would reach to heaven,' for the ostensible purpose, as they said, of 'getting them a name.' God however, took them in hand; confounded their language as a curse, and scattered them abroad upon all the face of the earth.
The brother of Jared, as a man of God, then pleaded with the almighty, that his speech and that of his family, might not be confounded, and that he and his seed might be preserved from the corruptions of the earth, and that other families who feared God might be preserved with them; and that if the Lord would drive them from that land, that he would give unto them another land, where they might fear God, and keep his statutes, and observe his ordinances. The Lord heard his prayer, and gave them an inheritance in this land.
"And it came to pass that the brother of Jared did cry unto the Lord according to that which had been spoken by the mouth of Jared. And it came to pass that the Lord did hear the brother of Jared, and had compassion upon him, and said unto him, Go and gather together thy flocks, both male and female, of every kind; and also the seed of the earth of every kind, and thy families; and also thy brother Jared and his family; and also thy friends and their families, and the friends of Jared and their families. And when thou hast done this, thou shalt go at the head of them down into the valley, which is northward. And there will I meet thee, and I will go before thee into a land which is choice above all the land of the earth. And there will I bless thee and thy seed, and raise up unto me of thy seed, and the seed of thy brother, and they which shall go with thee, a great nation. And there shall be none greater than the nation which I will raise up unto me of thy seed, upon all the face of the earth. And thus will I do unto thee because of this long time which ye have cried unto me."
Thus we find that they were taken from another people who had become corrupt, and set apart, or, gathered tagther [together], as a righteous branch of God's planting upon this land; for the purpose of raising up a righteous seed unto God, 'and there will I bless thee, and thy seed, and raise up unto ME of thy seed, and of the seed of thy brother, and of they who shall go with thee, a great nation.' The promise of God moreover, to them was, that if they continued to fear God, they should be blessed; but if they departed from his ways, they should be cursed, for the decree was, as this was 'a choice land, above all others;' that 'it should be preserved' (as a place for gathering,) 'for a righteous people; and he had sworn in his wrath, unto the brother of Jared, that whoso should possess this land of promise, from that time henceforth and forever, should serve him, the true and only God, or they should be swept off when the fulness [fullness] of his wrath should come upon them.
(To be continued)