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Vol. V.. No. 21.] CITY OF NAUVOO, ILL. Nov. 15, 1844. [Whole No. 105
HISTORY OF JOSEPH SMITH.
(Continued.)
And there shall be silence in heaven for the space of half an hour, and immediately after shall the curtain of heaven be unfolded, as a scroll is unfolded after it is rolled up, and the face of the Lord shall be unveiled; and the saints that are upon the earth, who are alive, shall be quickened, and be caught up to meet him. And they who have slept in their graves shall come forth; for their graves shall be opened, and they also shall be caught up to meet him in the midst of the pillar of heaven: they are Christ's the first fruits: they who shall descend with him first, and they who are on the earth and in their graves, who are first caught up to meet him; and all this by the voice of the sounding of the trump of the angel of God.
And after this another angel shall sound, which is the second trump; and then cometh the redemption of those who are Christ's at his coming; who have received their part in that prison which is prepared for them, that they might receive the gospel, and be judged according to men in the flesh.
And again, another trump shall sound, which is the third trump: and then cometh the spirits of men who are to be judged, and are found under condemnation: and these are the rest of the dead, and they live not again until the thousand years are ended, neither again until the end of the earth.
And another trump shall sound, which is the fourth trump saying, these are found among those who are to remain until that great and last day, even the end, who shall remain filthy still.
And another trump shall sound, which is the fifth trump, which is the fifth angel who committeth the everlasting gospel, flying through the midst of heaven, unto all nations, kindred, tongues and people; and this shall be the sound of his trump, saying to all people both in heaven and in earth, and that are under the earth; for every ear shall hear it, and every knee shall bow, and every tongue shall confess, while they hear the sound of the trump, saying, fear God, and give glory to him who sitteth upon the throne, forever and ever: for the hour of his judgment is come.
And again, another angel shall sound his trump, which is the sixth angel, saying, she is fallen, who made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication: she is fallen! is fallen!
And again, another angel shall sound his trump, which is the seventh angel, saying, it is finished! it is finished! the Lamb of God hath overcome, and trodden the wine-press alone; even the wine-press of the fierceness of the wrath of Almighty God: and then shall the angels be crowned with the glory of his might, and the saints shall be filled with his glory, and receive their inheritance and be made equal with him.
And then shall the first angel again sound his trump in the ears of all living, and reveal the secret acts of men, and the mighty works of God in the first thousandth year.
And then shall the second angel sound his trump, and reveal the secret acts of men, and the thoughts and the intents of their hearts, and the mighty works of God in the second thousandth year: and so on, until the seventh angel shall sound his trump; and he shall stand forth upon the land and upon the sea, and swear in the name of him who sitteth upon the throne, that there shall be time no longer, and satan shall be bound, that old serpent who is called the devil, and shall not be loosed for the space of a thousand years. And then he shall be loosed for a little season, that he may gather together his armies: and Michael the seventh angel, even the archangel, shall gather together his armies, even the hosts of heaven.-And the devil shall gather together his armies; even the hosts of hell, and shall come up to battle against Michael and his armies: and then cometh the battle of the great God! and the devil and his armies shall be cast away into their own place, that they shall not have power over the saints any more at all; for Michael shall fight their battles, and shall overcome him who seeketh the throne of him who sitteth upon the throne, even the Lamb. This is the glory of God, and the sanctified; and they shall not any more see death.
Therefore, verily I say unto you, my friends, call your solemn assembly, as I have commanded you; and as all have not faith, seek ye diligently and teach one another words of wisdom: yea, seek ye out of the best books, words of wisdom: seek learning even by study, and also by faith. Organize yourselves; prepare every needful thing, and establish a house, even a house of prayer, a house of fasting, a house of faith, a house of learning, a house of glory, a
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house of order, a house of God; that your incomings may be in the name of the Lord; that your outgoings may be in the name of the Lord; that all your salutations may be in the name of the Lord, with uplifted hands unto the Most High.
Therefore, cease from all your light speeches; from all laughter; from all your lustful desires; from all your pride and lightmindedness, and from all your wicked doings. Appoint among yourselves a teacher, and let not all be spokesmen at once; but let one speak at a time, and let all listen unto his sayings, that when all have spoken, that all may be edified of all, and that every man may have an equal privilege.
See that ye love one another; cease to be covetous, learn to impart one to another as the gospel requires; cease to be idle, cease to be unclean; cease to find fault one with another; cease to sleep longer than is needful; retire to thy bed early, that ye may not be weary; arise early, that your bodies and your minds may be invigorated: and above all things, clothe yourselves with the bonds of charity, as with a mantle, which is the bond of perfectness and peace: pray always, that you may not faint until I come: behold, and lo, I will come quickly, and receive you unto myself: Amen.
And again, the order of the house prepared for the presidency of the school of the prophets, established for their instruction in all things that are expedient for them, even for all the officers of the church, or in other words, those who are called to the ministry in the church, beginning at the highest priests, even down to the deacons; and this shall be the order of the house of the presidency of the school: He that is appointed to be president, or teacher, shall be found standing in his place, in the house, which shall be prepared for him. Therefore, he shall be first in the house of God, in a place that the congregation in the house may hear his words carefully and distinctly, not with loud speech. And when he cometh into the house of God, (for he should be first in the house; behold this is beautiful, that he may be an example.)
Let him offer himself in prayer upon his knees before God, in token, or remembrance, of the everlasting covenant, and when any shall come in after him, let the teacher arise, and with uplifted hands to heaven; yea, even directly, salute his brother or brethren with these words:
Art thou a brother or brethren, I salute you in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, in token, or remembrance, of the everlasting covenant, in which covenant I receive you to fellowship in a determination that is fixed, immovable and unchangeable, to be your friend and brother, through the grace of God, in the bonds of love, to walk in all the commandments of God blameless, in thanksgiving, forever and ever Amen.
And he that is found unworthy of this salutation, shall not have place among you; for ye shall not suffer that mine house shall be polluted by them.
And he that cometh in and is faithful before me, and is a brother, or if they be brethren, they shall salute the president or teacher with uplifted hands to heaven with this same prayer and covenant, or by saying, Amen, in token of the same.
Behold, verily I say unto you, this is a sample unto you for a salutation to one another in the house of God, in the school of the prophets. And ye are called to do this by prayer and thanksgiving as the Spirit shall give utterance, in all your doings in the house of the Lord, in the school of the prophets, that it may become a sanctuary, a tabernacle of the Holy Spirit to your edification.
And ye shall not receive any among you, into this school, save he is clean from the blood of this generation; and he shall be received by the ordinance of the washing of feet; for unto this end was the endurance of the washing of feet instituted.
And again, the ordinance of washing feet is to be administered by the president, or presiding elder of the church. It is to be commenced with prayer; and after partaking of bread and wine he is to gird himself, according to the pattern given in the thirteenth chapter of John's testimony concerning me. Amen.
I wrote to N. E. Seaton Esq., editor of the - - as follows:
Kirtland, January, 4th, 1833.
Mr. Editor,
Sir, Considering the liberal principles, upon which your interesting and valuable paper is published, myself being a subscriber, and feeling a deep interest in the cause of Zion and in the happiness of my brethren of mankind, I cheerfully take up my pen to contribute my mite, at this very interesting and important period.
For some length of time I have been carefully viewing the state of things, as they now appear, throughout our christian land; and have looked at it with feelings of the most painful anxiety, while upon the one hand, beholding the manifest withdrawal of God's Holy Spirit, and the vail [veil] of stupidity which seems to be drawn
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over the hearts of the people; and upon the other hand beholding the judgments of God that have swept, and are still sweeping hundreds and thousands of onr [our] race, (and I fear unprepared) down to the shades of death. With this solemn and alarming fact before me, I am led to exclaim, "O that my head were waters, and mine eyes a fountain of tears, that I might weep day and night," &c.
I think that it is high time for a christian world to awake out of sleep, and cry mightily to that God, day and night, whose anger we have justly incurred. Are not these things a sufficient stimulant to arouse the faculties, and call forth the energies of every man, woman, and child, that possesses feelings of sympathy for their fellows, or that is in any degree endeared to the budding cause of our glorious Lord? I leave an intelligent community to answer this important question, with a confession, that this is what has caused me to overlook my own inability, and expose my weakness to a learned world: but, trusting in that God, who has said that these things are hid from the wise and prudent and revealed unto babes, I step forth into the field to tell you what the Lord is doing, and what you must do, to enjoy the smiles of your Savior in these last days.
The time has at last arrived when the God of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Jacob, has set his hand again, the second time, to recover the remnants of his people, which have been left from Assyria, and from Egypt, and from Pathros, &c., and from the islands of the sea, and with them to bring in the fulness [fullness] of the Gentiles, and establish that covenant with them, which was promised when their sins should be taken away. See Romans 11:25, 26, and 27, and also, Jeremiah 31:31, 32, and 33. This covenant has never been established with the house of Israel, nor with the house of Judah, for it requires two parties to make a covenant, and those two parties must be agreed, or, no covenant can be made.
Christ, in the days of his flesh, proposed to make a covenant with them, but they rejected him and his proposals, and in consequence thereof, they were broken off, and no covenant was made with them at that time. But their unbelief has not rendered the promise of God of none effect: no, for there was another day limited in David, which was the day of his power; and then his people, Israel, should be a willing people;-and he would write his law in their hearts, and print them in their thoughts; their sins and their iniquities he would remember no more.
Thus after this chosen family had rejected Christ and his proposals, the heralds of salvation said to them "lo we turn unto the Gentiles," and the Gentiles received the covenant, and were grafted in from whence the chosen family were broken off: but the Gentiles have not continued in the goodness of God, but have departed from the faith that was once delivered to the saints, and have broken the covenant in which their fathers were established: (see Isaiah 24:5,) and have become high minded, and have not feared; therefore, but few of them will be gathered with the chosen family. Has not the pride, high-mindedness, and unbelief of the Gentiles, provoked the Holy One of Israel to withdraw his Holy Spirit from them, and send forth his judgments to scourge them for their wickedness? This is certainly the case.
Christ said to his disciples, (Mark 16:17, and 18,) that these signs should follow them that believe: in my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; they shall take up servants, and if they drink any deadly thing it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick and they shall recover: and also, in connexion [connection] with this, read 1st Corinthians 12th chapter. By the foregoing testimonies, we may look at the christian world and see the apostacy [apostasy] there has been from the apostolic platform; and who can look at this and not exclaim, in the language of Isaiah, "the earth is defiled under the inhabitants thereof, because they have transgressed the laws, changed the ordinances, and broken the everlasting covenant."
The plain fact is this, the power of God begins to fall upon the nations, and the light of the latter day glory begins to break forth through the dark atmosphere of sectarian wickedness, and their iniquity rolls up into view, and the nations of the Gentiles are like the waves of the sea, casting up mire and dirt, or, all in commotion, and they are hastily preparing to act the part allotted them, when the Lord rebukes the nations; when he shall rule them with a rod of iron, and break them in pieces like a potters vessel. The Lord declared to his servants, some eighteen months since, that he was then withdrawing his spirit from the earth; and we can see that such is the fact, for not only the churches are dwindling away, but there are no conversions, or, but very few; and this is not all, the governments of the earth are thrown into confusion and division; and DESTRUCTION, to the eye of the spiritual beholder, seems to be written by the finger of an invisible hand, in large capitals,
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upon almost every thing we behold.
And now what remains to be done, under circumstances like these? I will proceed to tell you what the Lord requires of all people, high and low, rich and poor, male and female, ministers and people, professors of religion, and non-professors, in order that they may enjoy the Holy Spirit of God to a fulness [fullness], and escape the judgments of God, which are almost ready to burst upon the nations of the earth.-Repent of all your sins, and be baptised [baptized] in water for the remission of them, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, and receive the ordinance of the laying on of the hands of him who is ordained and sealed unto this power, that ye may receive the Holy Spirit of God; and this is according to the Holy scriptures, and the Book of Mormon; and the only way that man can enter into the celestial kingdom. These are the requisitions of the new covenant, or first principles of the gospel of Christ: then "add to your faith, virtue; and to virtue, knowledge; and to knowledge, temperance; and to temperance, patience; and to patience, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, charity; (or love,) and if these things be in you, and abound, they make you to be neither barren, nor unfruitful, in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ."
The Book of Mormon is a record of the fore fathers of our western tribes of Indians; having been found through the ministration of an holy angel, and translated into our own language by the gift and power of God, after having been hid up in the earth for the last fourteen hundred years, containing the word of God which was delivered unto them. By it we learn that our western tribes of Indians are descendants from that of Joseph that was sold into Egypt, and that the land America is a promised land unto them, and unto it, all the tribes of Israel will come, with as many of the Gentiles as shall comply with the requisitions of the new covenant. But the tribe of Judah will return to old Jerusalem. The city of Zion, spoken of by David, in the one hundred and first Psalm, will be built upon the land of America, "and the ransomed of the Lord shall return and come to it with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads," and then they will be delivered from the overflowing scourge that shall pass through the land. But Judah shall obtain deliverance at Jerusalem. See Joel 2:32. Isaiah 26:20, and 21st. Jeremiah 31: and 12 Psalms 50:5. Ezekiel 34:11, 12, and 13. These are testimonies, that the good Shepherd will put forth his own sheep, and lead them out from all nations where they have been scattered in a cloudy and dark day, to Zion, and to Jerusalem; besides many more testimonies which might be brought.
And now I am prepared to say by the authority of Jesus Christ, that not many years shall pass away, before the United States shall present such a scene of bloodshed as has not a parallel in the history of our nation; pestilence, hail, famine, and earthquakes will sweep the wicked of this generation from off the face of the land, to open and prepare the way for the return of the lost tribes of Israel from the north country. The people of the Lord, those who have complied with the requisitions of the new covenant, have already commenced gathering together to Zion, which is in the State of Missouri; therefore I declare unto you the warning which the Lord has commanded me to declare unto this generation, remembering that the eyes of my Maker are upon me, and that to him I am accountable for every word I say, wishing nothing worse to my fellow men than their eternal salvation; therefore, "fear God and give glory to him for the hour of his judgment is come"-Repent ye, repent ye, and embrace the everlasting covenant, and flee to Zion before the overflowing scourge overtake you, for there are those now living upon the earth whose eyes shall not be closed in death until they see all these things, which I have spoken, fulfilled. Remember these things; call upon the Lord while he is near, and seek him while he may be found, is the exhortation of your unworthy servant,
JOSEPH SMITH, jr.
(To be continued.)
FROM THE "ISLANDS OF THE SEA."
Ship Timoleon, Pacific Ocean, April 25th 1844, Latitude 25 deg. 19 min. south, Longitude 149 deg. 11 min. west from Greenwich.
ELDER W. W. PHELPS-DEAR BROTHER IN CHRIST:-As I promised before we left Nauvoo to write to you, I embrace this opportunity as we are nearing Tahita; as in all probability we shall find a ship there bound for home, I have not that portion of interesting matter which I no doubt should have if we had entered our field of labor; but as we have performed a passage that has conveyed us more than three quarters around the globe, a rude sketch of our voyage may not be uninteresting to you, as I know you to be a historian. I wrote from the Cape de Verds to my wife, and the particulars as to that place you have no doubt learned before this. I have also commenced a letter to Br. Brigham Young, in which I have given a brief detail of our situation on shipboard.
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With you I will commence a brief journal.
We landed on two of those islands, St. Nicholas and St. Jagoes: we saw some others, the most interesting of which was Fogo, or Foigo la Tera; in English it would be the land of fire. It has been a volcano, and has the appearance of a great sugar loaf sat in the broad ocean with its top far above the clouds. We left those islands the 19th of November and stood to the south; light winds and calms with very warm weather attended us till after we crossed the Equator; then we took strong south east trades; they carried us towards Brazil, we were near the island of Trinidad.
We had frequent opportunities of amusing ourselves at fishing for blackfish, porpoises, terbercores, skipjacks, and dolphins; the two first are of the whale species, the largest made two barrels of spermacetti [spermaceti].
On the 3d of January 1844, ( I will now extract from my journal,) "there they b-lo-w- and l-an-d h-o!" were both cried at the mast heads at once. Whales and the island of Tristan Acunha were seen at a look. It is in latitude 36 deg. south, longitude 15 deg. west.
Fourth day. It commenced blowing fresh last night and continued to increase, and this morning it blows the heaviest gale we have experienced since we left New Bedford. We are lying under fore spencer, the fore topmast staysail is blown away.
The islands of Tristan, Nightingale, and Inaccessible, are now all in sight, and the air is full of South Sea birds of all sizes, from the Albatross down to Mother Carey's Chickens; we amused ourselves at fishing for them: we caught five Albatross nearly of a size. We measured one of them while alive: his wings from tip to tip were ten feet four inches.
Tristan makes a good appearance; it is about the size and height of Monadnock mountain in Cheshire county New Hampshire.
Eighth day. To-day the boats caught a small whale, it made eighteen barrels of oil. While they were stripping off the blubber, the seafowls came around in great abundance and devoured the whale with great voracity, and as fearless as our domestic fowls. I prepared line and hook bated with blubber, and commenced fishing for them; in less than an hour I caught enough Albatross to afford me nine dozen of quills, by taking two and four out of a wing; then I let them go.
Thirteenth day. To-day we saw several large whales; the boats gave chase and harpooned a very large one and gave him a mortal wound. He ran to windward with great fury, and by some mismanagement the line parted and he got away; he dove under water and came up near the ship; we ran up into the foretop to have a better view. I could look down on him as he came to the top; he commenced lashing the water with his fins and tail, for he was frantic with the agony of his wounds, having two harpoons in him, they were bleeding with such profusion that the water was crimsoned some distance around. This with his bellowing and spouting presented an awful scene; the boats gave chase, but he saw them before they got near enough to harpoon him again.-He dove again and ran off to windward and got away; but we expect he died that night. As I stood gazing down on him, the words of Br. Hyrum came fresh to my mind when he pronounced upon my head my patriarchal blessing, "I guess you have got to go a whaling."
From there we shaped our course for Cape Good Hope. On the 21st we saw and caught a fine sea turtle; he was basking on the surface in a pleasant sunshine; his shell was about three feet long; he was very fat and we had a fine time on turtle soup.
Twenty sixth day. We struck soundings in 60 fathoms water, the weather rather misty; supposed we were about thirty miles south of the Cape. From there we steered for the island of St. Pauls. I had heard many reports respecting the multitude of excellent fish that are about this and another island near it, called Amsterdam. We prepared our hooks and lines a few days beforehand and arrived there on the 21st of February, in latitude 38 deg. south, longitude 77 deg. east. We ran in near the land and lowered three boats well manned for the sport. As we rowed in near shore, we saw large shoals of fish in compact bodies, with their backs out of water, feeding on something that was near the surface; we found it to be breet. It is an insect that abounds in those seas, and is called by whalemen right whale feed. It looks something like frog spawns and has a reddish appearance. It goes in veins of various widths, often extending as far as the eye can see, and so plenty as to give the water a reddish appearance. Whales and other fish live on it and get very fat. When near enough we made fast to the kelp, (a coarse kind of seaweed.)
I had the pleasure of catching the two first fish, but they soon began to gather in such multitudes that in a little while we filled our boats. We also took with us an iron hoop, netted within by ropeyarns, for catching crawfish; these are about the size and shape of lobsters, except the nipper claws; but better fish
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to eat. To it we tied a fish and let it down to the bottom; in a few moments we raised it and there were about thirty piled on to it. We soon caught a barrel or two of them, and then went aboard of the ship; dressed our fish, cut off head and backbone, packed them in salt, and we had ten barrels.
While fishing we saw a French flag flying on shore; we went to it and found a company of fishermen from the Isle of France; among them was an American, a native of Albany, New York. Soon after we arrived, the ship Manhattan of Sag harbor arrived, and joined us. The next day Capt. Plaskett told the passengers if we wished to go on shore, he would send a boat to wait on us: we embraced the opportunity and found St. Pauls to be one of the greatest natural curiosities I ever saw: it is evident that the east half of the island is sunk; the island has been thrown up from the bed of the ocean by volcanic eruptions. On that side the shore is perpendicular. From the north and south points, it rises with a gradual ascent towards the centre [center], where there is a curious basin. This was once the crater through which this island was thrown up; the island fell off so near to it that the sea has broken into it a passage: there are nine feet water on the bar at high tides. As soon as you pass this, there are twenty seven fathoms all over it: it is one mile and a half in diameter, with almost perpendicular sides of two thousand feet elevation, and as round and regular as if it had been excavated by art. On the north side of the entrance are the fisher's huts; near them they had cut a zigzag foot-path to the top, and we went up; it was a hazardous tour, and I think none but sailors would have attempted it. Near the top the ascent was almost perpendicular. In many places we had to crawl on our hands and knees, pulling ourselves up by the projecting rocks, and had we made one misstep, we should have been dashed to the bottom. When we arrived at the top, we found the rim of the basin to be the highest part of the island. From it on every side but the east, the land had a gradual slope to the water. The island is about five miles long, and is covered with a rank growth of coarse grass, like that on the prairies; but not a tree nor shrub. The two ship masters, Plaskett and Cooper, were with us. We found a place where the steam was coming up; Capt. Cooper commenced digging into the dirt and burnt his fingers to a blister. The bank on the east side is an awful precipice. I laid down and crept to the edge and looked off; as I looked down the awful steep to the water, (two thousand feet,) a sensation came over my brain, that is more easily imagined than described.
Near the huts where we landed, is a number of boiling springs; the water is boiling hot. We had come crawfish in the boat; we put one into the spring, it soon cooked and we ate it.
The Commedant [Commandant] was a polite Frenchman; he could not speak a word of English. Doctor Winslow, one of our passengers, could speak good French, and he was highly delighted with our visit; treated us with great hospitality, and took much pains to go with us over the island, and show its curiosities. Near his huts were the graves of two American sailors. By their headboards we found one's name to be Charles Mallory, aged 21 years; he was first mate of a whale ship; was killed by a whale. The other was Pardon Howland jr., aged 13 years. He was killed by falling from a loft.-How lonely was the sight of those graves, on a desolate island of the sea-far, far from their friends and home!
The soil looks very rich, but the ground is so full of steam, it kills all the seed they put into the earth; and they can raise nothing.-They are bountifully supplied with every thing they need from the Isle of Franee [France]. They treated us with green peas that had been preserved in tin flasks; they were as sweet as if just taken from the garden.
At night Capt. Cooper invited us all to go on board his ship and take supper; we accepted the invitation. After we got on board both ships stood out to sea, as they had got what fish they wanted; twenty or thirty barrels each. We were waited on with much politeness and friendship; were served with fresh fish, both chowdered and fried in excellent style, with warm biscuit, butter, cheese, &c., &c. About 11 o'clock, the night being very dark, the ships made signals by hoisting lanterns; they both hove to nearly a mile apart. Our boat was hauled up to the gangway and twelve men of us got into it, which loaded her nearly to the gunwales; there was a heavy swell but not much wind. We paddled slowly over the rolling billows; the night was dark and cloudy; and when between the ships, we could see nothing but their glimmering tapers. You can better judge of our feelings in this situation, than I can describe them. Suffice it to say, we got safely on board our ship; and I felt thankful. We then filled away and stood on our course; both ships bound to the Pacific. We shaped our course for Cape Chatham, the south west point of Australia.
On this part of our passage, I often used to watch the sun as it was setting, and think it
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was just rising with you, and when it arose with us, night had just commenced at home.-We arrived off there on the 8th of March, but not in sight of land. We coasted along towards Bass Straits; but, as there are many islands and rocks in that passage, and it would be near the 20th of March before we could land; the Captain thought it advisable to go around the south side of Van Diemens Land-So we hauled off to the southward. On the night of the 19th it commenced blowing in squalls of rain, sleet and snow; as the sun and moon were near each other (it being near the change) and would cross the equinox so, we expected a severe storm and prepared for it.
On the 20th, about 10 o'clock A. M., as the weather lighted up between squalls, we saw the southwest point of Van Diemens Land; it was then blowing a gale, and it continued to increase till the 21st. It then blew one of the heaviest gales I ever experienced; the wind whistled and roared through the rigging, the sea ran mountains high, and often over our decks. The Timoleon is an excellent seaboat, but not a fast sailor; she makes sure passages, but not quick ones; so the gale did us no other injury than to tear many boards off the bulwarks, and stove two whale boats; one of them was on the cranes, and the other over the stern: the one on the cranes was broken in two, so that about eight feet of the bow was hanging to the davies towing in the water.-The wind was west, and it carried us ahead with great force.
From here we shaped our course to the north west point of New Zealand. Around all of these islands has been a great resort for whalemen: our crew is made up of men that have cruised here for years; they give flattering accounts of the beauty of their climate, soil, and productions. There are large settlements of English on all of them; and had the weather been good, our Captain talked of going in there, and we intended stopping there to commence our mission, instead of continuing on to Tahita. There is a great and delightful field for our elders to occupy: some hundred thousands of English emigrants to preach to.
On the 28th in latitude 35 deg. longitude 166 deg. east, we discovered the first and only shoal of sperm whales we had seen since we left home. Four boats were lowered, and they gave chase: one of them was harpooned, but by some mishap the harpoons drew out, and the whales got away, very much to the disappointment of all hands.
On the 31st we saw some small islands off the north west point of New Zealand, called the Three Kings. Since that we have had much head wind; it is now blowing fresh and fair and we expect in two or three days to touch at an island called Oheitaroa. It is 300 miles south by west of Tahita. It is a celebrated place for hogs and fruit. The ship designs to recruit there, then proceed to Tahita, leave us passengers, and then proceed to the north-west coast of America, to fish for whales.
Dear Brother, you see I have nearly used up my paper, and must draw to a close. We feel very anxious to get all the news we can from home: from the various threats we heard and saw in the papers previous to our sailing, we expect you may have had troubles with the Carthagenians [Carthaginians], their allies, and the Missourians. Our dreams have warned us that you all may be missing from Nauvoo by this time, and I can assure you that our anxiety for you and all that is near and dear to us on earth, is very great. We feel that we are exiles for Christ's sake; and any news from home will do us good. I hope you all will not fail to establish a correspondence by letters and papers. Br. Phillip B. Lewis, of New Bedford, can give any information you may wish respecting the way of conveyance. We wish you to remember our sincerest friendship to that brother; we received great help from him.
I wish you to remember the sincerest affections of a husband and father to my family.-May God, our heavenly Father, in whom I trust, comfort and support them and you all, till we return again in peace. We have enjoyed good health since we left home. I am more fleshly than I have ever before been in my life; and I think my companions can say the same, (though they may not be so willing to own it as I am.)
Remember me to all that inquire after us. Tell the Saints to remember us in all their prayers, both private and public. Tell Br. W. Richards I will write him from Tahita, after we commence our labors. Dear Brother, accept my sincere esteem for you and yours.-I remain your brother and fellow laborer in the gospel and covenant of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
ADDISON PRATT.
P. S. Pacific Ocean, Island of Toobouai, Society Group, May 4th, 1844.
[This island lies near 22 degrees south latitude and 75 degrees west longitude from Washington. The letter was 198 days on its passage: 183 by water from Toobouai to the United States; and 15 by land from New Bedford to Nauvoo; average on 20,000 miles about 200 miles a day.]-ED.
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TIMES AND SEASONS.
CITY OF NAUVOO.
NOVEMBER 15, 1844.
UNION AND PEACE AT NAUVOO.
We take this opportunity to say to the saints abroad,-all is union and peace at Nauvoo, and the temple is rising rapidly as a token that God has not forsaken his church and people. With the same health and industry that now blesses us, if the weather permits, but a few months more will elapse, and the temple of God at Nauvoo will be a standing witness for the gathering of Israel. It affords us a great consolation, too, to add, that the saints continue to come to Zion, to walk in the ways of the Lord: it seems he is softening the hearts of the people for good; and we pray that he may continue to do so, until the waste places of Zion shall be built up, and the "great temple" be built, whereon the 'cloud and pillar' shall rest; and in which the sons of Moses and Aaron shall minister an acceptable offering on Mount Zion.
(->) For the communication of an "Old man of Israel," and the letter of Elder Addison Pratt from the islands of the Pacific Ocean, we bespeak a hearty welcome. They are genuine.
MORE SIGNS.
We have been at some pains to get translated, the following which recently appeared in the "Swabeish Mercury," a German paper:
"There appears at present wonderful signs; in Lithuania a new Messiah has risen up in the person of Towasky; and in Wirtemburg, upon the Red Mount the watchman met a man who demanded of him to call "48." And when he did so, the poor man saw, in heaven, a perfect Turkish battle. A war with the Turks will break out next year, and streams of blood will be seen underfoot."
A private letter to a gentleman of this city, from Karga, in the dutchy of Posen, in Prussia, says: "The King of Prussia has been shot at and a mob spirit is manifested every where; three or four mobs breaking out in a week."
ANCIENT WRITING.
It gratifies the curious, to see curious things and so we for once take a moment's time to lay before our readers a specimen of ancient writing about two hundred years old. Having no arbitrary characters to correspond with the manuscript, we have to imitate with letters as near as we can. Soon after printing commenced in English y with a small t over it meant "that" w and c after it meant "which," and so of many other words. Him, with a colon after it meant "Himself" teach: teaching, &c.
There are 74 octavo pages in the manuscript finely written. It was a sermon of the Reverend Thomas Kimberly, and bears date, "March 2, 1636, at Honely in Ware," Conn.
A treatise of the teaching of the Spirit.
An Assay to remove a bar that stops zealous men from embring [embracing?] the everlasting covenant with full assurance of their interest & perseuerance [perseverance?] in grace to the possession of glory: & occasions differed am. brethren, we I conceive to be That they see not their need of God who is the fountain of life, & in whose light we see light. Psal: 36.9.
1. Some zealous ones see not the need they stand in of the freenes of the fathers loueas that wtout wc they cannot be saved. Eph: 2. 4, 7. & whereas we stand in such need of grace, that if he does not freely extend his fauour to us wont xrsp: of any worth in us either for or repent: se morall obed: we cannot be justified in his sight. Rom 3.20. Psal: 139.12.
If a man rend his heart, poure out tears, se abstinence, make neuer so many prayers, ty up hims: to hearing, redding, mediation, be at co,t for minist: & ordin: & giueth much to ye poore, if a man attaine to sorrow mouings .f desires, affect, of love & peace, courage of resolutions, plenty of gifts &c. yet all this is of no worth to make a man right: before God,
So that unless he doe reely for his owne name sake set his loue on man, he is jhil dee death & condemnation: but this they see not & go they doe justife them: in their owne right & submit not to conut all losse. & by donne as lost ones, and wait for life in god's right: freely by grace extended to them. Rom: 10. 2, 3.
COMMUNICATIONS.
To the Editor of the Times and Seasons:
THE APOSTLES AND APOSTATES.
SIR:-Having lately arrived from the east, and having seen a new paper purporting to be "the Latter-day Saints Messenger and Advocate," resuscitated, for the avowed object of opposing the course of the constituted authorities of the church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, as left in the blood-sealed state of revelation by Joseph Smith and Hyrum his brother, who are a majority of the quorum of the first
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presidency; and having also waited patiently for Elder Phelps or some of the "Twelve" to give this "wandering star," or "cloud without water," a just judgment, I take my pen in hand to apprise the church and public of the fact, and offer a few remarks, and quote some revelations, which I think will not be amiss.
The most of the paper is made up of a letter from a man by the name of Forgeus, which appears to me the crudest mass of chaos I ever saw thrown together. The whole maneuvre [maneuver], is just the sort of matter for "the man of sin" to reveal himself in; and Sidney Rigdon Esq.' who is held up throughout the lengthy epistle, as "the stem and branch of Jesse," will use it as dexterously as a manufacturer does materials for soap:-using Forgeus as the "stick of -" to mix the royal liquid, and frothify lixivium for the host of the Gentiles, and the fragments of Israel. So much for the religious artificer, the sacred soap stick, and holy pot of (not) manna, but soft soap suds: pardon the expression, gentle reader, it is not revelation, but composition, that will just fit religious gamblers: for Rigdon, Forgeus, & Co., are as corrupt as John C. Bennett. Their feint reverence for Joseph Smith, like the touch of the torpedo, is meant to benumb his fame: their seeming praise of virtue like the sting of the asp, is slow poison to truth: and their devoted breath for the welfare of the saints, like the sirocco of Egypt, is a blasting wind to ruin their future prosperity.
The real drift of the paper, is, to support Sidney Rigdon Esq., as the head of a church, (not the church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints,) and lest any person be deceived by such "specious pretences [pretenses]" and false insinuations by misrepresenting the scriptures and revelations, I have concluded to try my skill at quoting some of the rules of the church, as left on record by the great apostle of the last dispensation, even the martyred Joseph Smith. On the 102 page of the second edition of the Book of Doctrine and Covenants, paragraph 11, read as follows:
"Of necessity there are presidents, or presiding offices growing out of, or appointed of, or from among those who are ordained to the several offices in these two priesthoods. Of the Melchizedek priesthood, three presiding high priests, chosen by the body, appointed and ordained to that office, and upheld by the confidence, faith and prayer of the church, form a quorum of the presidency of the church. The twelve traveling counsellors [counselor] are called to be the twelve apostles, or special witnesses of the name of Christ, in all the world: thus differing from other officers in the church in the duties of their calling. And they form a quorum equal in authority and power to the three presidents, previously mentioned. The seventy are also called to preach the gospel, and to be especial witnesses unto the Gentiles and in all the world. Thus differing from other officers in the church in the duties of their calling: and they form a quorum equal in authority to that of the twelve especial witnesses or apostles, just named. And every decision made by either of these quorums, must be by the unanimous voice of the same; that is, every member in each quorum must be agreed to its decisions in order to make their decisions of the same power or validity one with other. [A majority may form a quorum when circumstances render it impossible to be otherwise.] Unless this is the case, their decisions are not entitled to the same blessings which the decisions of a quorum of three presidents were anciently, who were ordained after the order of Melchizedek, and were righteous and holy men. The decisions of these quorums, or either of them are to be made in all righteousness; in holiness and lowliness of heart; meekness and long suffering; and in faith and virtue and knowledge; temperance, patience, godliness, brotherly kindness and charity, because the promise is, if these things abound in them, they shall not be unfruitful in the knowledge of the Lord. And in case that any decision, of these quorums, is made in unrighteousness, it may be brought before a general assembly of the several quorums which constitute the spiritual authorities of the church, otherwise there can be no appeal from their decision."
There are three important points in this section: First; three presidents must be chosen and upheld by the faith and prayer of the church, to be legal; a self made machine won't do. Second; these three presidents form a quorum, and can NEVER act separately-though two may form a quorum when circumstances render it impossible to be otherwise. Now, allowing that Sidney Rigdon was one of the first presidency, for the sake of argument; when Joseph and Hyrum were martyred, the presidency was left vacant, and the next quorum, (the Twelve) being "equal in power and authority" to the three first presidents, hold the same standing and keys; and, of course, must bear off the kingdom in its destined road according to the pattern. Thirdly; if their decisions and conduct were righteous, then they fulfilled the promise, otherwise, all the quorums constituting the spiritual authorities
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of the church, could repeal their decisions, and appoint whom they pleased to rule over them.
There is also another presidency which may be read at pleasure, on the 124 page of said Doctrine and Covenants; the 6th paragraph reads as follows:
"The president of the church, who is also the president of the council, is appointed by revelation, and acknowledged, in his administration, by the voice of the church; and it is according to the dignity of his office, that he should preside over the council of the church; and it is his privilege to be assisted by two other presidents, appointed after the same manner that he himself was appointed; and in case of the absence of one or both of those who are appointed to assist him, he has power to preside over the council without an assistant: and in case that he himself is absent, the other presidents have power to preside in his stead, both or either of them."
All that is necessary to remark on this subject, is that this presidency is over the high council of a stake, and has no more relevancy to the first presidency over the whole church, than a county judge has to president of the United States; in fact the high council being a tribunal for transgressors-perhaps it may justly rank as a judge to the president of the United states. No man of common sense would ever think of boosting up a man as president of a stake, to be like Moses. No, never. He is a Cushi, that proclaims such doctrine, and needs to tarry in Jericho till his beard grows.
The third presidency mentioned in said Doctrine and Covenants, is, on page 107 and reads:
"Wherefore, it must needs be that one be appointed of the high priesthood, to preside over the priesthood; and he shall be called president of the high priesthood of the church, or, in other words, the presiding high priest over the high priesthood of the church. From the same comes the administering of ordinances and blessings upon the church, by the laying on of the hands."
This presidency is different from the other two, and means the presidency over the quorum of the high priesthood. It has nothing to do with the "first presidency" over the whole church, more than to send out high priests to preside over branches, stakes, &c., in any part of the vineyard, under the direction of the Twelve. Neither has it any thing to do with the presidency over the high council, more than to act in union. Having said so much on these three presidents, let it suffice.
The Twelve are still a different presidency, because they compose a quorum that cannot be dispensed with; while, according to the very nature of the case, the before mentioned presidencies can. If there be no quorum of the first presidency, the Twelve must act in its place. If there be no stake organized, then there is no need of a high council; and so of the others, without a designated place. Not so with the Twelve, they are never twice chosen; vacancies may be filled, as was the case with Judas, or with some of our modern apostacies [apostasies]. The revelation for choosing them on the 258 and 9 pages of the said Doctrine and Covenants, is:
"And now behold, there are others who are called to declare my gospel, both unto Gentile, and unto Jew: yea, even twelve: and the twelve shall be my disciples, and they shall take upon them my name: and the twelve are they who shall desire to take upon them my name, with full purpose of heart: and if they desire to take upon them my name, with full purpose of heart, they are called to go into all the world to preach my gospel unto every creature: and they are they who are ordained of me to baptize in my name, according to that which is written; and you have that which is written before you: wherefore you must perform it according to the words which are written. And now I speak unto the twelve:-Behold my grace is sufficient for you: you must walk uprightly before me and sin not.-And behold you are they who are ordained of me to ordain priests and teachers to declare my gospel, according to the power of the Holy Ghost which is in you, and according to the callings and gifts of God unto men: and I Jesus Christ, your Lord and your God, have spoken it. These words are not of men, nor of man, but of me: wherefore you shall testify they are of me, and not of man; for it is my voice which speaketh them unto you: for they are given by my spirit unto you: and by my power you can read them one to another; and save it were by my power, you could not have them: wherefore you can testify that you have heard my voice, and know my words."
In addition to this, a revelation directly to the Twelve, besides many other things, says, as recorded on the 417 page of said Doctrine and Covenants:
"For unto you (the twelve) and those (the first presidency) who are appointed with you to be your counsellors [counselors] and your leaders, is the power of this priesthood given for the last days and for the last time, in the which is the dispensation of the fulness [fullness] of times, which power you hold in connection with all those who
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have received a dispensation at any time from the beginning of the creation: for verily I say unto you the keys of the dispensation which ye have received, have came down from the fathers: and last of all, being sent down from heaven unto you."
This conclusively shows that the Twelve hold the power of the priesthood in ALL the world. To make the matter plainer, however, I take an extract from President Joseph Smith's charge to the Twelve on the evening of the 27th of February, 1835:
"They are the Twelve apostles, who are called to the office of a travelling [traveling] high council; who are to preside over ALL the churches of the saints among the Gentiles, where there is no presidency established, and they are to travel and preach among the Gentiles until the Lord commands them to go to the Jews.-They are to hold the keys of this ministry; to unlock the door of the kingdom of heaven unto all nations; and to preach the gospel to every creature. This is the power, authority and virtue of their apostleship."
Elder Woodruff, one of the Twelve, having gone to England to preside; Elder Wm. Smith another of the Twelve, travelling [traveling] constantly in the eastern states, together with the labors of Elders Hyde and Page, and the last summer's tour of the whole Twelve, put along with their unabated vigilance in the vineyard since their appointment, is pretty strong testimony that "they are called, chosen, and faithful."-Thanks be to Jesus: the horrors and powers of the priesthood are not obtained, by money or craft. They are handed down by lineage from father to son, according to the order of the Son of God.
No body disputes the apostacy [apostasy] of certain men from Cain down to Sidney Rigdon, Esq.: nor is it at all to be wondered, that they all claim to be "perfect." G. M. Hinkle has the "Bride, the Lamb's wife;" John C. Bennett has been "Joab a general in Israel;" Law notwithstanding he carried pistols to shoot Joseph, is so smooth that he is nearly "a new redeemer;" and Sidney Rigdon, Esq, who it seems, from the paper before alluded to, is the "stone that builders refused or rejected," independent of Jesus Christ:-We must be plain on the subject and quote a little scripture which seems to meet the case to a nicety, whether the prophet meant so or not; because Sidney's determined to fight the Gentiles among the Allegany [Allegheny] mountains. So hear what Daniel says:
"And the king shall do according to his will; and he shall exalt himself, and magnify himself above every god, and shall speak marvellous [marvelous] things against the God of gods, and shall prosper till the indignation be accomplished: for that that is determined shall be done.
Neither shall he regard the god of his fathers, nor the desire of women, nor regard any god: for he shall magnify himself above all.
But in his estate shall he honor the God of forces: and a god whom his fathers knew not shall he honor with gold, and silver, and with precious stones, and pleasant things.
Thus shall he do in the most strong holds with a strange god, whom he shall acknowledge and increase with glory; and he shall cause them to rule over many, and shall divide the land for gain.
And at the time of the end shall the king of the south push at him: and the king of the north shall come against him like a whirlwind with chariots, and with horsemen, and with many ships; and he shall enter into the countries, and shall overthrow and pass over.
He shall enter also into the glorious land and many countries shall be overthrown; but these shall escape out of his hand, even Edom, and Moab, and the chief of the children of Ammon.
He shall stretch forth his hand also upon the countries: and the land of Egypt shall not escape.
But he shall have power over the treasures of gold and of silver, and over all the precious things of Egypt; and the Libyans, and the Ethiopians shall be at his steps.
But tidings out of the east and out of the north shall trouble him; therefore he shall go forth with great fury to destroy, and utterly to make away many.
And he shall plant the tabernacles of his palace between the seas in the glorious holy mountain: yet he shall come to his end, and none shall help him."
All this is spiritual and shows that besides Sidney's being the "stone the Jews refused," holding the key of David which actually belongs to Jesus Christ, he is a kind of god that will trouble the Ethiopians, Egyptians, Lybians [Libyans], &c., probably with bees and flies, but will come to his end and "none will help him."-It may not be amiss, however, before Sidney obtains this mighty power, to square his claims from revelations in the aforesaid Doctrine and Covenants, Section 11, page 158; and which was the first word the Lord ever said to encourage Sidney up to that time, among other things, said of Brother Joseph, "and in weakness have I blessed him, and I have given unto
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him the keys of the mystery of those thing which have been sealed, even things which were from the foundation of the world, and the thing which shall come from this time until the time of my coming, if he abide in me, and if not, another will I plant in his stead."
From the facts before us, and the blood of the martyred prophet, it is more than mere hope so, or say so, that Joseph did abide in God until he escaped in blood to bliss, giving Sidney not even the hope of a promise of the "keys of the mystery." As to the promise of his being a spokesman before the face of the Lord, if he did not transgress and get cut off by the legal authority of the church, I have not a word to say. It may be as necessary to have a Pelagoram as an Aaron, but that is no sign that either of them can enter the goodly land alive. Honor and shame can both be rewarded.
But I have not done with keys: Sidney or his "stick," makes a great ado about the keys: on the 330th page of said Doctrine and Covenants, we read:
"Verily I say unto you, the keys of this kingdom shall never be taken from you, while thou art in the world, neither in the world to come: nevertheless, through you shall the oracles be given to another; yea, even unto the church."
Sure enough-to the church: but nothing is promised to Sidney. In the next paragraph is this masterly idea:-(Sidney Rigdon and F. G. Williams) "They are accounted as equal with thee (Joseph) in holding the keys of this kingdom"-that is:-both of them were equal with Joseph, &c. One could not be "equal," because he could not constitute a quorum. It has been urged that Sidney was once ordained a prophet, seer and revelator in the church, and no doubt was so; but, what of it? On the 214th page of said Doctrine and Covenants, it reads, speaking of particular servants:
"This is an ensample unto all those who were ordained unto this priesthood, whose mission is appointed unto them to go forth: and this is the ensample unto them, that they shall speak as they are moved upon by the Holy Ghost; and whatsoever they shall speak when moved upon by the Holy Ghost, shall be scripture; shall be the will of the Lord; shall be the mind of the Lord; shall be the word of the Lord; shall be the voice of the Lord, and the power of God unto salvation."
But when was Joseph Smith ordained by man as a prophet, translator, seer, and revelator? Never. When was Moses or Jesus ordained prophets, seers, or revelators, by man? Never. God does such sacred business in heaven before hand. See Psalm 45.
On page one hundred and fifty, of said Doctrine and Covenants, it is said to Joseph Smith by the Lord, "Behold thou wast called and chosen to write the Book of Mormon, and to my ministry." The church record does not show that Joseph Smith ever transgressed, but the same record, after showing Sidney in his ups and downs, leaves him "cut off" by all the spiritual authorities, for transgressions. And now if he still persists in his course of rebellion to the constituted authorities established by revelation, and endeavors to establish a new place of gathering, contrary to former commandments, we shall not have to mutilate the following passage much, to touch his case exactly:
"Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him.
That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, not by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand.
Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition."
The saints of the last days have witnessed the outgoings and incomings of so many apostates that nothing but truth has any effect upon them. In the present instance, after the sham quotations of Sidney and his clique, from the Bible, Book of Mormon, and Doctrine and Covenants, to skulk off, under the "dreadful splendor" of "spiritual wifery," which is brought into the account as graciously as if the law of the land allowed a man a plurality of wives, is fiendish, and like the rest of Sidney's revelation, just because he wanted "to go to Pittsburg [Pittsburgh] and live." Wo to the man or men who will thus wilfully [willfully] lie to injure an innocent people! The law of the land and the rules of the church do not allow one man to have more than one wife alive at once, but if any man's wife die, he has a right to marry another, and to be sealed to both for eternity; to the living and the dead! there is no law of God or man against it! This is all the spiritual wife system that ever was tolerated in the church, and they know it.
The cream of Sidney's stick is the explanation of the parable of the twelve olive trees in said Doctrine and Covenants, at the latter end of the wonderful epistle. This must be the glory of Sidney's excellency. By the bye the
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parable was given while the church was in Jackson county, Missouri, long before the "Twelve" were chosen; and the Bible and Book of Mormon allow the house of Israel to be the vineyard of the Lord of Hosts, and the olive trees, the twelve tribes, which were scattered, and the Gentiles, the wild olive, were grafted in, and the temple at Jerusalem, not the tower, was thrown down. Such spiritualizing as Sidney stick's
"Would light up a smile in the aspect of wo!" That a fool is a fool though he thinks he is wise.
Comparitively [comparatively] judging, the whole letter is about as near to truth, light, and salvation as the toot of a rams-horn is to the tone of an organ.
One thing more, and I have done, that ne plus ultra of book making memory, Benjamin Winchester, is about to publish according to Sidney's paper, "a work in which he will cancel the claims of Elder Rigdon at length."-Now this is the unkindest cut of all. To "cancel" is to draw black lines across; or to obliterate: so, as a matter of convenienee [convenience], this religious, literary dandy, will expunge Sidney's claims and his own, as they both have been cut off from the church for unchristianlike conduct. Where little is, little is expected.
Before I conclude let me drop one word relative to trying the spirits. It is tolerably well known that God reveals his ordinances in a place appointed. He has said he will do it in the temple as soon as that is completed. The way the work now goes on it will soon be ready for washing, anointing, and the endowment; but while we are waiting, and frequently are annoyed with such animals as "Sidney's stick," it may be well to reflect on the following pattern to try spirits: it is on the 294 page of said Doctrine and Covenants:
"And again, I will give unto you a pattern in all things, that ye may not be deceived, for satan is abroad in the land, and he goeth forth deceiving the nations: wherefore he that prayeth whose spirit is contrite, the same is accepted of me, if he obey mine ordinances: he that speaketh, whose spirit is contrite, whose language is meek, and edifieth, the same is of God, if he obey mine ordinances. And again, he that trembleth under my power, shall be made strong, and shall bring forth fruits of praise, and wisdom, according to the revelations, and truths which I have given you.
And again, he that is overcome and bringeth not forth fruits, even according to this pattern, is not of me: wherefore by this pattern ye shall know the spirits in all cases, under the whole heavens."
TO OBEY MINE ORDINANCES! Ah! that is the touch stone! If a man does not tithe himself on the temple and for other purposes, his religion is a mere echo; and his professions will leave him with the rich man in hell. Read and practice the 430th page of said Doctrine and Covenants.
In conclusion let me solemnly say, and I thought so when I saw the smoky houses of Pittsburg [Pittsburgh], as I passed through on my way down the river, Sidney and his "clique" (for so I call it) are perfectly at home, and will be as long as they can kick up fuss enough to attract the Gentiles and apostates;-for misery loves company: and let me tell you when the sow that was washed hath returned to her wallowing in the mire; and the dog to his own vomit again; and such events show that judgment has begun at the house of God; and where shall the sinner and ungodly appear? Oh, let me say to the brethren, and sisters, as you have followed the glorious revelations of your late martyred prophet for good, continue and finish that splendid monument of his sublimity, the temple, where you can receive an endowment in season to triumph over the machinations of apostates, and the wiles of satan!
AN OLD MAN OF ISRAEL.
To the Editor.-SIR: Permit a stranger to say a word or two in favor of your pleasant city, I learn from your people much that never gets abroad. First, instead of broils and contention, jarrings and strife, as some, who have gone out from among you, are trying to make the world believe, you are all peace, almost a Millennium; in fact I never saw so great a union.
Second. Instead of Gen. Smith's widow, (Emma,) being cut off from the church, she is in as good standing as she ever was, and manifests to strangers, the same noble disposition.
Thirdly. The church seems more united since the death of Gen. Smith, than when I was here last year. Your "union" is almost a miracle; and there seems to be a spirit thrilling through the bosoms of all Nauvoo-let false tongues say what they may, we will carry out Joseph Smith's measures, in union, now and forever. "If you do, God is with you."
Yours respectfully,
PHILADELPHIA.
EXTRACT OF A LETTER DATED
Kalamazoo, Sept. 29, 1844
MUCH ESTEEMED BROTHER:-We had learned before receiving your letter, that our highly esteemed and much beloved Prophet and Patriarch
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had been cruelly murdered by a lawless banditti. When I received the news beyond doubt that they were dead, language can not express the feelings I then had. In solemn silence I withdrew by myself and my grief found vent in a flood of tears. The whole train of events connected with the history of their lives came rushing to my mind; their privations, their persecutions, the scourgings, imprisonments, and mobbings they had received while endeavoring to establish the principles of eternal truth on the earth once more, were all remembered by me in that dreadful hour. Is this indeed the boasted land of liberty, of equal rights, and religious toleration? Look at yonder proud flag with its stripes and stars! gracefully has it floated in the breeze of every clime, saying to the menials of other lands, "I overshadow a land which is an asylum for the oppressed of all nations." Yonder, on its mountains, in its valleys, on its wide spread prairies, is liberty religious and political. There the laws which make every man free and equal, with the privilege of worshiping [worshipping] God as he pleases, hold their supremacy.
Oh ye Americans! take down that flag, nail it to its staff no longer: it is sheer hypocrisy; liberty exists only in name; your laws are powerless when exerted in the Saints' defence [defense]; your prairies have been drenched with the blood of Saints, men, women, and children: even those noble patriots who fought for your liberties, have not escaped. Your prisons have been stained with the blood of prophets, martyred for the truth of heaven, for the testimony of Jesus. Your soil has drunk the blood of Saints as the rains of heaven; while all eternity has wept o'er the scene, and yet you boast of liberty.
Oh tell it not in Europe, publish it not in Asia, let not the children of Ham know of your folly lest they have you in derision; for savages could not but contemplate your cold blooded assassins with horror, and your cruel deeds would cast a shade of darkness over the blackest deeds of the tyrants of ancient lands. Although you have killed the Prophet Joseph, here ends your boasted triumph: the immortal conqueror of death, Jesus Christ, has passed the same way before him, and has opened the gates to eternal life; "for it became Him for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings;" "for if we suffer with Him, we shall reign with Him."
I was much pleased to learn that the Twelve had taken the presidency of the church. I believe under their supervision the church will prosper, and God will bear it off victorious; and I will say with all my heart, roll on thy work thou King of Saints; bring in everlasting righteousness, fill the earth with thy knowledge and glory, make an end of sin, bid dire commotion cease, avenge the wrongs of thy Saints, and let peace and harmony pervade the earth. Amen.
Yours, as ever,
E. M. WEBB.
From the New York Prophet.
CHURCH GOVERNMENT.
Book of Covenants, second edition, page 109, you will find the following. "And inasmuch as a president of the high priesthood shall transgress, he shall be had in remembrance before the common council of the church, (which is the bishop) who shall be assisted by twelve counsellors [counselors] of the high priesthood, and their decision upon his head shall be an end of controversy concerning him." Elder Rigdon was a president of the high priesthood, but was summoned to appear before the above tribunal charged with trying to overthrow the church in a secret clandestine manner, when in public he disavowed any such intention.-It was, therefore, for clothing himself with falsehood virtually, that he might be the better able to accomplish a wicked design, for which he was called in question. He did not appear, but sent word to the conference that he was sick; yet the conference had evidence that he was well and able to attend if he would. It was not the wish of the conference that he should be silent on that occasion, and make no defence [defense], but it was his own choice, and the choice of his friends, and yet his friends and prophets can put their names to a circular testifying to as great a falsehood as men could tell upon that subject, "that he was not allowed the privilege of trial, and of making his defence [defense]" The charges against him were sustained by a cloud of witnesses, and he was cut off from the church legally, by the highest tribunal, and delivered over to the buffeting of satan; this was sanctioned by all the quorums of authority in the church, and by the whole congregation, except five or six persons, and the Book of Covenants says that "this shall be an end of controversy concerning him." Those, therefore, who cleave to him as a spiritual guide under these circumstances, must, in our humble opinion, be wilfully [willfully] stupid. But to such as have been murmuring against Joseph and the church, and have become tired of serving the Lord, this will afford them a plausible
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pretext to back out; they will say, "well I don't know who is right, I will stand aloof or go with Sidney." The fact is, they want a pretext for apostacy [apostasy]; and to such, "God will send strong delusion that they may believe a lie and be damned, because they received not the love of the truth."
Page 103, B. C., new edition, is the following: "The Twelve are a traveling presiding high council to officiate in the name of the Lord under the direction of the presidency of the church," agreeably to the institution of heaven. Joseph Smith was the presidency of the church, assisted by his Brother Hyrum, and Sidney Rigdon as counsellors [counselors]. Now, let Joseph be taken away and his principal counsellor [counselor], can the junior counsellor [counselor], or a minority of that quorum act? No, he cannot. See B. C. page 103. The grand question now is,-Who shall act? If the junior counsellor [counselor] cannot act, the Twelve cannot act under his directions, because he has no power to direct them, for he is hardly one third of the presidency, admitting him to have the full confidence of the church. We ask again, who shall act? Have the quorum of the Twelve the same power and authority of the full quorum of the three first presidents? Yes, they have. Well, then, do they not become the first presidency, inasmuch as the first quorum of the presidency has ceased to be? Nothing can be more clear and certain than that they do.
On page 125, B. C. new edition, speaking of both or either of the assisting presidents presiding in the absence of the others, refers exclusively to presiding over the high council, and has no reference whatever to presiding over the whole church. But, admitting Elder Rigdon to be the legal successor of Joseph Smith, he could never legally act unless he was confirmed in that station and appointment by the voice of the church; but he never has been, neither will he ever be. The principle of doing all important business by the voice of the church, is plainly taught from one end of the Book of Covenants to the other, and Joseph always acted upon this principle.
CONFERENCE MINUTES
At a Conference, specially appointed in Tazewell county, Va., which convened on the 17th and 18th days of August, 1844, Richard H. Kenniman was chosen president, and Alfred B. Lambson appointed secretary.
Opened by singing and prayer. Elder Hamilton delivered an address on the utility of past revelations, and the duty of the saints in the last days.
The president addressed the saints on the importance of keeping the commandments, and appropriating a part of our substance towards building the houses which the Lord has said, was for the salvation of the saints.
Conference then adjourned till next day at 10 o'clock A. M.
Met pursuant to adjournment, and opened by singing and prayer.
It was motioned that Silas Eagle be ordained an elder; Wm. Carter a priest; and also Robert Young a priest for the Rich Valley branch. James Carter and Uriah G. Hyatt, priests, were ordained elders. S. Henshaw was ordained a teacher, for the Bnrks [Burks] Garden branch.
Elders Hamilton and Park were appointed to labor in Tazewell, Smith, and Washington counties. Elders King and Lambson were appointed to labor in Greenbrier and Monroe counties. Elders Carter and Biles were appointed to labor in Giles and Roanoke counties. Elder J. T. Crow was sent on a mission to the south. Elder Hyatt was appointed to labor in Patrick county. Elder Pitts was also appointed to labor in Giles county. President Kenniman and Stephen Litz were appointed to labor in South Carolina. Elder Litz was also continued as the president of Burks Garden branch.
After a few minutes intermission Elder Hamilton addressed the conference on the first principles of the gospel. The Lord's supper was administered, and one baptised [baptized].
A resolution was passed to publish these proceedings in the Times and Seasons; and the conference adjourned till the 6th of April, 1845.
RICHARD H. KENNIMAN, Pres.
Alfred B. Lambson, Sec'y.
Minutes of the regular quarterly Conference of the St. Louis Branch, held on Sunday, November 10th, 1844.
The Conference was organized by appointing Br. Riley to the chair and Br. Aaron Rogers secretary.
At 10 o'clock A. M. the Conference was opened with singing and prayer by Br. Clements: afterwards Elder Orson Hyde delivered a beautiful discourse from Mat. 25.-It was then adjourned till half past 2 P. M.
Met pursuant to adjournment, and after singing and prayer by Br. Hyde, we received some valuable instructions and afterwards transacted the following business.
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The auditing Committee handed in their report for the quarter ending Nov. 10th, which was accepted.
The following resolutions were then unanimously adopted.
Resolved, that we extend the invitation to all the Saints living in this place to unite with the Branch.
Resolved, that we hold no fellowship with any individual who will not commune with us.
Resolved, that we as a Branch feel it our duty to do all in our power to support the Times and Seasons and Neighbor, by circulating them as extensively as possible.
Resolved, that we will adhere to the principles taught by our lamented Prophet and Patriarch, and that we sustain the Twelve in carrying out the same.
Resolved, that Br. Riley be confirmed in his standing as the presiding elder over this Branch.
On motion adjourned till 7 o'clock. Met pursuant to adjournment, and after listening to a very feeling and appropriate discourse by Br. Hyde on the first principles of the gospel, the Conference was adjourned till the second Sunday in February next.
There were present of the Quorum of the Twelve 1; high priests 4; Seventies 15; elders 21; priests 13; teachers 2; deacons 5; members 172.
The congregation was the largest ever assembled in this city to hear an elder of the Latter-Day Saints preach. The room was literally overflowed; but notwithstanding the crowd, the greatest good order prevailed, and the strictest attention was given to the interesting discourses delivered by Br. Hyde.
During the Conference 17 members joined the Branch, and one presented himaelf [himself] for baptism. On the whole we had the best Conference ever enjoyed by the Saints in this place. At the close it was resolved that these minutes be forwarded to the editor of the Times and Seasons, with a request for publication. Subjoined I send you a list of thirty-three subscribers for the Times and Seasons and Neighbor.
JAMES RILEY, Pres't.
AARON ROGERS, Secretary.
POETRY.
From the New York Prophet.
TO ELDER W. WOODRUFF.
BY RACHAEL ROBINSON.
Thou art welcome, O thou chosen, You have gone at his bidding
As dew and sun to flowers, To fulfil [fulfill] his high behest,
Again in pure devotion, And at his glorious wedding
Thy spirit kindles ours; Thou wilt be an honored guest.
Sincere, unfeigned the greeting
Which hails thy kind return, Blest herald of salvation,
And at this happy meeting Bearer of joyful news
Our joyous bosoms burn. To every Gentile nation
And long rejected Jews.
Thou art a faithful servant; We thank Him who hath sent thee
Yea, more; thou art a son, To proclaim His truth and love-
With spirit pure and fervent, For the talents He hath lent thee,
Thou thy Savior's will hast done. Thou dost faithfully improve.
The Times and Seasons Is Printed and Published about the first and fifteenth of every month, on the corner of Water and Bain Streets, Nauvoo, Hancock County, Illinois, by JOHN TAYLOR EDITOR AND PROPRIETOR
TERMS.-Two Dollars per annum, payable in all cases in advance. Any person procuring five new subscribers and forwarding us Ten Dollars current money, shall receive one volume gratis. All letters must be addressed to John Taylor, editor, POST PAID, or they will not receive attention.
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