Times and Seasons/5/6

465

________________________________________

and tremble. And let the unbelieving hold their lips, for the day of wrath shall come upon them as a whirlwind, and all flesh shall know that I am God. And he that seeketh signs shall see signs, but not unto salvation.

Verily I say unto you, there are those among you who seek signs: and there have been such even from the beginning. But behold, faith cometh not by signs, but signs follow those that believe. Yea, signs cometh by faith, not by the will of men, nor as they please, but by the will of God. Yea, signs cometh by faith, unto mighty works, for without faith no man pleaseth God: and with whom God is angry, he is not well pleased: wherefore, unto such he showeth no signs, only in wrath unto their condemnation. There were among you adulterers and adulteresses; some of whom have turned away from you, and others remain with you; that hereafter shall be revealed. Let such beware and repent speedily, lest judgments shall come upon them as a snare, and their folly shall be made manifest, and their works shall follow them in the eyes of the people.

Wherefore I the Lord am not pleased with those among you, who have sought after signs and wonders for faith, and not for the good of men unto my glory: nevertheless, I gave commandments and many have turned away from my commandments, and have not kept them. There were among you adulterers and adulteresses; some of whom have turned away from you, and others remain with you; that hereafter shall be revealed. Let such beware and repent speedily, lest judgments shall come upon them as a snare, and their folly shall be made manifest, and their works shall follow them in the eyes of the people.

And verily I say unto you, as I have said before, he that looketh on a woman to lust after her, or if any shall commit adultery in their hearts, they shall not have the Spirit, but shall deny the faith and shall fear; wherefore I the Lord have said that the fearful and the unbelieving, and all liars, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie, and the whoremonger and the sorcerer, shall have their part in that lake which burneth with fire and brimstone, which is the second death. Verily I say, that they shall not have part in the first resurrection.

And now behold, I the Lord saith unto you, that ye are not justified because these things are among you, nevertheless he that endureth in the faith and doeth my will, the same shall overcome, and shall receive an inheritance upon the earth, when the day of transfiguration shall come; when the earth shall be transfigured, even according to the pattern which was shown to mine apostles upon the mount: of which account the fulness [fullness] ye have not received.

And now, verily I say unto you, that as I said that I would make known my will unto you, behold I will make it known unto you, not by way of commandment, for there are many who observe not to keep my commandments, but unto him that keepeth my commandments, I will give the mysteries of my kingdom, and the same shall be in him a well of living water, springing up unto everlasting life.

And now, behold this is the will of the Lord your God concerning his saints, that they should assemble themselves together unto the land of Zion, not in haste, lest there should be confusion, which bringeth pestilence. Behold the land of Zion, I the Lord holdeth it in mine own hands; nevertheless, I the Lord rendereth unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's:-wherefore I the Lord willeth, that you should purchase the lands, that you may have advantage of the world, that you may have claim on the world, that they may not be stirred up unto anger; for satan putteth it into their hearts to anger against you, and to the shedding of blood; wherefore the land of Zion shall not be obtained but by purchase, or by blood, otherwise there is none inheritance for you. And if by purchase behold you are blessed; and if by blood, as you are forbidden to shed blood, lo, your enemies are upon you, and ye shall be scourged from city to city, and from synagogue to synagogue, and but few shall stand to receive an inheritance.

I the Lord am angry with the wicked; I am holding my Spirit from the inhabitants of the earth. I have sworn in my wrath and decreed wars upon the face of the earth, and the wicked shall slay the wicked, and fear shall come upon every man and the saints shall hardly escape: nevertheless, I the Lord am with them, and will come down in heaven from the presence of my Father, and consume the wicked with an unquenchable fire. And behold this is not yet, but by and by: wherefore seeing that I the Lord have decreed all these things upon the face of the earth, I willeth that my saints should be assembled upon the land of Zion;-and that every man should take righteousness in his hands, and faithfulness upon his loins, and lift a warning voice unto the inhabitants of the earth; and declare both by word and by flight, that desolation shall come upon the wicked. Wherefore let my disciples in Kirtland, arrange their temporal concerns, which dwell upon this farm.

Let my servant Titus Billings, who has the care thereof dispose of the land, that he may be prepared in the coming spring, to take his journey up to the land of Zion, with those that dwell upon the face thereof, excepting those whom I shall reserve unto myself, that shall not go until I shall command them. And let all the monies [moneys] which can be spared, it mattereth not unto me whether it be little or much sent up unto the land of Zion, unto them whom I have appointed to receive.

466

________________________________________

Behold I the Lord will give unto my servants Joseph Smith, jr. power, that he shall be enabled to discern by the Spirit those who shall go up unto the land of Zion, and those of my disciples who shall tarry.

Let my servant Newel K. Whitney retain his store, or in other words, the store yet for a little season. Nevertheless let him impart all the monies [moneys] which he can impart, to be sent up unto the land of Zion. Behold these things are in his own hands, let him do according to wisdom. Verily I say, let him be ordained as an agent unto the disciples that shall tarry, and let him be ordained unto this power: and now speedily visit the churches, expounding these things unto them, with my servant Oliver Cowdry [Cowdery]. Behold this is my will, obtaining monies [moneys] even as I have directed.

He that is faithful and endureth shall overcome the world. He that sendeth up treasure unto the land of Zion, shall receive an inheritance in this world, and his works shall follow him; and also, a reward in the world to come; yea, and blessed are the dead that die in the Lord from henceforth, when the Lord shall come and old things shall pass away, and all things become new, they shall rise from the dead and shall not die after, and shall receive an inheritance before the Lord, in the holy city, and he that liveth when the Lord shall come, and have kept the faith, blessed is he, nevertheless it is appointed to him to die at the age of man: wherefore children shall grow up until they become old, old men shall die, but they shall not sleep in the dust, but they shall be changed in the twinkling of an eye; wherefore, for this cause preached the apostles unto the world, the resurrection of the dead: these things are the things that ye must look for, and speaking after the manner of the Lord, they are now nigh at hand; and in a time to come, even in the day of the coming of the Son of man, and until that hour, there will be foolish virgins among the wise, and at that hour cometh an entire separation of the righteous and the wicked; and in that day will I send mine angels, to pluck out the wicked, and cast them into unquenchable fire.

And now behold I say unto you, I the Lord am not pleased with my servant Sidney Rigdon, he exalted himself in his heart, and received not my counsel, but grieved the Spirit; wherefore his writing is not acceptable unto the Lord, and he shall make another; and if the Lord receive it not, behold he standeth no longer in the office which I have appointed him.

And again, verily I say unto you, those who desire in their hearts, in meekness, to warn sinners to repentance, let them be ordained unto this power: for this is a day of warning, and not a day of many words. For I the Lord am not to be mocked in the last days. Behold I am from above, and my power lieth beneath. I am over all, and in all, and through all, and searcheth all things: and the day cometh that all things shall be subject unto me. Behold I am Alpha and Omega, even Jesus Christ.-Wherefore let all men beware, how they take my name in their lips: for behold verily I say, that many there be who are under this condemnation; Who useth the name of the Lord, and useth it in vain, having not authority. Wherefore let the church repent of their sins, and I the Lord will own them, otherwise they shall be cut off.

Remember, that that which cometh from above is sacred, and must be spoken with care, and by constraint of the Spirit, and in this there is no condemnation: Let my servant Joseph Smith, jr. and Sidney Rigdon, seek them a home as they are taught through prayer by the Spirit. These things remain to overcome, through patience, that such may receive a more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; otherwise a greater condemnation: Amen.

TO PARENTS.

(continued)

The parent who contemplates the honor and happiness of his children, and hopes to seal through them a reflection of glory back upon his own name, will first, not only learn the most judicious rules to apply by way of precept in his purpose, but also study to know himself virtuous and upright, as far as human liability will permit, and the nature of the case requires; for a man must be able to govern himself, before he can rule well even his own house. But notwithstanding the excellency of example in the government of children, it could not be duly appreciated by them without corresponding precept or commandment, may be rendered doubly effectual with children, if it is connected with some circumstance to make it interesting to them; for instance a gift, to confirm the sincerity of your anxiety in their welfare, or a promise of gratification in some favorite and innocent amusement. But this course would not serve to establish the confidence necessary for success in the line of parental duty; if the example did not follow in the fulfilment [fulfillment] of the promise made, or a want of constancy and virtue should betray a lack of interest in their welfare-no matter how just the requirement, and necessary for the cultivation of pure principles; for the child finding himself again and again disappointed, will listen with reluctance, or turn with disgust from

467

________________________________________

the voice of command, and nothing encouraged in his faithfulness, will comply from necessity and fear, if at all, and not from a sense of duty, pleasure or respect.

With feelings thus alienated, there is not therefore, at least so great a probability of the children reflecting honor back upon the head of the parent; for, if even after the child comes to the years of maturity, and finds that in consequence of a bad example he has imbibed a wrong turn of character, he should at least conscientiously, or advisedly embrace the principles and practice of virtue; and independent of parental influence become great, and useful; he could not with propriety, arise and ascribe to the parent the blessing of his accidental transition from the gloomy cells of shame and contempt, to the temple of honor and fame.

There is therefore a double inducement for the parent to exercise the necessary means for the faithful government of his children-the most sacred trust that heaven has placed in his hands-which is, not only the rich harvest of virtue and bliss that shall crown their heads, but also the perpetuation of a good name among the posterity of good and great men to the latest generation. See to it then, ye fathers, and ye mothers in Israel; ye saints of the Most High. Arise in the dignity and authority of your place and calling, and watch over your sons and your daughters with a faithful and a jealous eye; and while the attributes of truth and love hold dominion in your hearts; swaying their scepters with cleansing influence in all your borders. Gather their wandering affections, if any such there are, and by patient perseverance both in precept and example, seal them to yourselves with more than angelic fondness and purity, and prove that the fear of God is verily before your eyes; for who, that lives in the light and blaze of gospel truth and liberty as it is poured down upon the saints in these days, and traineth not his children in the path of virtue, that can say: 'The fear of the Lord is with me!' Let not then, those who have named the name of the Lord, submit to furnish ground for even the councils of the just made perfect, to find one single trace of treachery or deception in the motives connected with the performance of a duty of so great an importance as the government of children; that the hope of the blest may shine forth in your lives, and your works continue.

Having now spoken in general terms of the importance of this subject, it may not be amiss to give some reflections that are more directly in relation to practice-not aiming however, to any thing [anything] more than if possible to encourage the more faithful performance of a duty so much neglected among men.

Children are generally strict observers of the words and actions of mankind, even before they are able to understand their meaning, and not unfrequently [infrequently] attempt, innocently to imitate what they see done, or hear said, no matter how poisonous in its character, or loathing in its influences over their minds. This relates more particularly to the earliest period of life, when children are more directly under the care of the mother, and which is the very time when the most permanent formation of character takes place. So, at least, the Phrenologist would say. But it is not here the intention to follow that channel, neither is it necessary;-for the position is abundantly supported by each day's experience, that the ruling features in the character of man, are formed by the age of about twelve years. This gives the mother almost an entire sway over the destinies of our race. What then, that is virtuous, and amiable and refining should not the mother possess to be duly qualified for so important a trust?-Nor is the father in any way exempt; for, as he is the head to direct, and the chief to command, and the prince to reign in the empire of his family; and naturally possessing a deeper research of mind, a more profound judgment, and a more skillful understanding; let him apply his wisdom to control, and according to the principles of virtue, every influence that shall pass in all the realm of his own house. This brings to view a faint glimmer of the beauties of a well regulated family authority, or order by which each one may know their rightful power, and the channel of their duty, whether of instruction, or of counsel, or of obedience. But to return.

Finding that the mother holds so important a stand in the government of children, there is no source of information, whether it is by counsel, or by instruction, or by obedience, that she in wisdom could neglect, so long as she is able thereby to attain to one single spark of the fire of virtuous influence to administer in the court of her little family.

HEMONI

(To be Continued)

Elder Taylor,

Sir,-I forward this communication to you to make what disposal of it you may judge proper.

B. YOUNG.

Feb. 12, 1844.

Dear Brother Young,-I left this place on the sixth of December last, according to the council, and traveled in an easterly direction, preaching three or four times a week. I baptized two at Mackenaw, stopped at Bloomington, McLean Co. Illinois, and baptized three. I proceeded

468

________________________________________

through Vermillion Co. to middle New York, when I found brother Joseph Coon, where we together baptized eight persons in eight day's labor.

We thought it advisable to hold a conference, and organize the members into a branch. The conference was called by Elder Daniel Botsford, who was chosen chairman, and Joseph Coon; clerk. The branch was called "The Middle York Branch of Vermillion County."

Levi Murdock was ordained an elder to preside over the branch, Silas Springer, a priest, Perry Fitzgerald, a teacher, and David A. Judal, a deacon. There were ten members present on the occasion.

We feel encouraged to go on in the name of Lord, and labor in the vineyard, as he shall direct. We feel that there is a great work to be done. The harvest truly is great and the laborers few. We feel our weakness and inability, and we cease not to call on the name of the Lord to grant unto us wisdom and understanding, humility, and strength of body and mind, that we may go forward in the strength of Israel's God, to combat and overthrow error, and establish the principles of eternal truth in the place thereof.

Daniel Botsford.

Joseph Coon.

EARTHQUAKES.

At Coudrie, in Perthshire, a smart shock was felt on the 14th ult. The day was calm and frosty, with sunshine. The accompanying sound was very loud. At Aberfeldy, on the same day, two shocks were felt which lasted several moments. A letter from Rome states that several slight shocks of earthquake had been felt there, but no injury had arisen. The German papers state that two more earthquakes had taken place at Ragusa on the 22nd ult.-Scottish Paper.

THE LATE EARTHQUAKE IN THE CHANNEL ISLANDS.

It is remarkable that the men working when the phenomenon happened in the mines in the island of Sark, more than 400 feet beneath the surface, neither heard any noise, nor felt the least motion of the earth around them, although the effects above ground were of a very alarming character. The person engaged in the steam mill house, observed the machinery shaking most violently, and he thought the boiler had burst, the shock being so tremendously awful. At Cherbourg the houses were much shaken and the furniture displaced, and many articles were thrown down. No personal injury, however, attended the concussion.

EARTHQUAKE IN GUERNSEY

(Abridged from the Guernsey (Eng.) Star of Dec.)

On the afternoon of Friday last, at a few minutes before four o'clock, the shock of an earthquake was felt throughout the whole of the island, of a very considerable violence. For some days previous the weather had been perfectly calm, and the temperature so mild that many persons continued sea-bathing; the only remarkable meteorological circumstances being that a luminous body, resembling a clouded moon, was seen over the island at seven o'clock on Wednesday evening, which continued visible for, ten or fifteen minutes, and that the evenings, excepting during the short appearance of the meteor, were impenetrably dark. The whole of Friday, till about three o'clock, had been fine and bright, but the sky had somewhat an unusual appearance, the clouds being singularly tinted with pale green, red, and purple. At the time when the shock was felt-seven minutes before four-the sky was partially overcast, and had a rainy appearance, the wind blowing in slight squalls from the southward and south-westward, At the time above-mentioned, a loud rumbling or undulating noise was heard in every part of the island, accompanied by one or two shocks, which, to our apprehension, had much less affinity to the concussion produced by an explosion, than to the benumbing effect created by electricity. This phenomenon, it is generally agreed, lasted about four seconds, and was evidently subterranean.

The shock, as we have already stated, was felt in all parts of the island, and everywhere appears to have produced the same effects. Persons out of doors felt the earth heave under them, in some cases so violently as to oblige them to lay hold of the nearest object for support. The banks and hedges of the fields were seen to be in motion, and in the houses the furniture and goods were rocked and shaken.-Buildings of all kinds were distinctly seen to heave and shake, as well as the pier walls, the iron railings at the south west corner of the quay, and the massive quay at St. Sampson's harbour [harbor]. The vane of the town church was violently agitated, and the bell struck twice.-Many imagine that heavy pieces of furniture were being removed over their heads, whilst many more believed that their houses were falling, and there was a general rush into the streets. So severely was the shock felt in the office of this paper, that the numerous persons employed, simultaneously, and without concert, sought safety out of doors, in the full conviction that the building was falling about their ears. We have not heard of any damage beyond

469

________________________________________

the shaking down of a few tiles, bricks, &c. All the accounts which we have collected from various parts of the island differ as to the apparent direction of the shock, and the time of its occurrence. we are inclined to believe, that the shock must have taken various directions, guided either by the fissures of the earth, or by other causes acting on the electric field. The shock, we believe, took place simultaneously throughout the whole island, and we are the more inclined to this opinion from having learnt [learned]from Jersey that the shock was felt at that place precisely at the time it occurred at this town-namely, seven minutes before four o'clock. We learn from Sark, that the shock was felt in that island at about the same time, and in the same manner as in Guernsey.