Chapter I: Introduction

The circumstances which gave rise to this mission of Elder Hyde are quite peculiar and extraordinary; and in an American publication are thus described by himself: "Something near eight years ago, Joseph Smith, a prophet and servant of the Most High God, did predict upon my head, that I should yet go to the city of Jerusalem, and be a watchman unto the house of Israel, and perform a work there which would greatly facilitate the gathering together of that people: the particulars of which it is not necessary to mention here.

"Year after year has passed away since that period, and my labours in the ministry have been confined to the Gentiles on both sides of the Atlantic.

"In the early part of March last (1840), I retired to my bed one evening as usual, and while contemplating and enquiring out, in my own mind, the field of my ministerial labours for the then coming season, the vision of the Lord, like clouds of light, burst upon my view. The cities of London, Amsterdam, Constantinople, and Jerusalem all appeared in succession before me, and the Spirit said unto me, 'Here are many of the children of Abraham whom I will gather to the land that I gave to their fathers, and here also is the field of your labours.'

"A strict observance of the movements of the Jews, and a careful examination of their faith relative to their expected Messiah--the setting up of his kingdom among them, and the overthrow of the present kingdoms and governments of the Gentiles, will serve to open the eyes of many of the uncircumcised, when faithfully laid before them, that the great day of the Lord comes not upon them unawares as a thief.

"Take, therefore, proper credentials from my people, your brethren, and also from the governor of your state, with the seal of authority thereon, and go ye forth to the cities which have been shown unto you, and declare these words unto Judah, and say: 'Blow ye the trumpet in the land: cry, gather together; and say, assemble yourselves, and let us go into the defenced cities. Let the standard be reared towards Zion. Retire! stay not; for I will bring evil from the north and a great destruction. The lion is come up from his thicket, and the destroyer of the Gentiles is on his way, he is gone forth from his place to make thy land desolate, and thy cities shall be laid waste without inhabitant. Speak ye comfortably to Jerusalem, and cry unto her that her warfare is accomplished--that her iniquity is pardoned, for she hath received at the Lord's hand double for all her sins. Let your warning voice be heard among the Gentiles as you pass, and call ye upon them in my name for aid and for assistance. With you it mattereth not whether it be little or much; but to me it belongeth to shew favour unto them who show favour unto you. Murmur not, therefore, neither be ye sorrowful that the people are slow to hear your petition; but do as has been told you. All things shall work together for your good if you are humble and keep my commandments; for it must needs be that all men be left without excuse, that a righteous retribution may be awarded to all.'

"Many other things were shown and told me in the vision which will be made public at the proper time and places. The vision continued open for a number of hours, that I did not close my eyes in sleep."

In obedience to the foregoing, Elder Hyde proceeded to lay the circumstances before the authorities of the church, and before the governor of the state of Illinois, who gave their hearty sanction to the mission, and from whom he obtained the following documents:

_Letter of commendation from the Conference at Nauvoo, to Elders
Orson Hyde and John E. Page, appointing and confirming their
appointment to the work whereunto they have been called._

"To all people unto whom these presents shall come, GREETING.

Be it known that we, the constituted authorities of the Church of
Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, assembled in Conference, at
Nauvoo, Hancock county, and State of Illinois, on this sixth day
of April, in the year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred and
forty, consider an important event at hand--an event involving the
interest and fate of the Gentile nations throughout the world.
From the signs of the times, and from declarations contained in
the oracles of God, we are forced to come to this conclusion. The
Jewish nation have been scattered abroad among the Gentiles for a
long period; and, in our estimation, the time of the commencement
of their return to the "holy land" has already arrived.

As this scattered and persecuted people are set among the Gentiles
as a sign unto them of the second coming of the Messiah, and also,
of the overthrow of the present kingdoms and governments of the
earth by the potency of his Almighty arm, in scattering famine and
pestilence like the frosts and snows of winter, and in sending
the sword, with nation against nation to bathe it in each others
blood; it his highly important, in our opinion, that the present
views and movements of the Jewish people be sought after, and laid
before the American people for their consideration, their profit
and their learning; feeling it to be our duty to employ the most
efficient means in our power to save the children of men from the
"abomination that maketh desolate," we have, by the counsel of
the Holy Spirit, appointed Elders Orson Hyde and John E. Page,
the bearers of these presents, faithful and worthy ministers of
Jesus Christ, to be our agents and representatives in foreign
lands, to visit the cities of London, Amsterdam, Constantinople and
Jerusalem, and also other places which they may deem expedient;
to converse with the priests, rulers, and elders of the Jews, and
obtain from them all the information possible; and communicate the
same to some principal papers for publication, that it may have a
general circulation throughout the United States.

As Messrs. Hyde and Page have willingly and cheerfully accepted
the appointment to become our servants and the servants of the
public in distant and foreign countries for Christ's sake, we do
confidently recommend them to all religious and christian people,
and to ladies and gentlemen making no profession, as worthy
members of society, possessing much zeal to promote the happiness
of mankind; fully believing that they will be forward to render
them all the pecuniary aid they need, to accomplish this laborious
and hazardous mission, for the general good of the human family.
Ministers of every denomination upon whom these gentlemen shall
call, are requested to hold up their hands, and aid them by their
influence, with an assurance that such as do this shall have the
prayers and blessings of a "poor and an afflicted people," who have
tested the depths of their sincerity, and love for their religion,
by the sacrifice of their blood upon a land, shadowed by the
stripes and stars of political and religious liberty.

Given under our hands at the time and place before mentioned."

(Signed) JOSEPH SMITH, JR., CHAIRMAN. ROBERT B. THOMPSON, Clerk.

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From the Governor of Illinois.

QUINCY, ILLINOIS, April 30th, 1840.

Having been informed that the Revd's. Orson Hyde and John E.
Page, elders in the church denominated Later Day Saints, are
about to depart on their mission to Europe--and having heard
the former gentleman preach--and having been made acquainted to
some extent with the characters of both, it affords me pleasure
to say, that I was much pleased with the sermon delivered by
Mr. Hyde; and the reputation of both Gentlemen for talents and
christian-like deportment, so far as I have been made acquainted,
are unexceptionable; and as such, believe them to be entitled to
the respect and kind treatment of all.

(Signed) THOMAS CARLIN, Governor of Illinois.

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UNITED STATES OF NORTH AMERICA, State of Illinois, } ss:

I, Alexander P. Field, Secretary of State, of the State of
Illinois, one of the United States of North America, and keeper of
the great seal of said State, do hereby certify that Thomas Carlin,
who took and signed the foregoing certificate, is now, and was at
the time of signing the same, Governor of the State aforesaid,
duly elected and qualified to office, with full power by the
laws of this State to issue certificates as aforesaid; that said
certificate is in due form of law, and that full faith and credit
are due his official attestations.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and the great
seal of State, at the city of Springfield, this twenty-second
day of May, in the year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred
and forty, and of the independence of the United States, the
sixty-fourth.

(Signed.) A. P. FIELD, Secretary of State."

A SKETCH

OF THE

TRAVELS AND MINISTRY

OF

ELDER ORSON HYDE.

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