Chapter XXVI

Affairs in Kirtland and Nauvoo--Epistle of the Twelve to the Saints in the British Islands--Orson Hyde's Prayer on the Mount of Olives, Dedicating the Holy Land Preparatory to the Return of the Tribes of Israel.

_Wednesday, October 20, 1841_.--The following extract of a letter from Elder Hyde, dated Jaffa, October 20, 1841, on his way to Jerusalem.

_Extract from Orson Hyde's Letter_.

On my passage from Beyrut to this place (Jaffa) night before last,
at one o'clock, as I was meditating on the deck of the vessel,
as she was beating down against a sultry wind, a very bright
glittering sword appeared in the heavens, about six feet in length,
with a beautiful hilt, as plain and complete as any cut you ever
saw; and what is still more remarkable, an arm with a perfect hand
stretched itself out, and took hold of the hilt of the sword. The
appearance really made my hair rise, and the flesh, as it were,
crawl on my bones. The Arabs made a wonderful outcry at the sight.
Allah! Allah! Allah! [O Lord, O Lord, O Lord] was their exclamation
all over the vessel. I mention this because you know there is a
commandment of God for me, which says, "Unto you it shall be given
to know the signs of the times, and the sign of the coming of the
Son of Man."

Yours in Christ,

Orson Hyde.

_Saturday, 23_.--I attended the city council.

_Minutes of Conference held at Lima_.

Lima [Adams county, Illinois] conference convened pursuant to
previous appointment. Elders Brigham Young, John Taylor, and
Willard {440} Richards, of the Twelve Apostles, were in attendance.
Elder Brigham Young was unanimously chosen president, and James C.
Snow, clerk of the conference.

President Young then made some preliminary remarks, setting forth
and explaining the object of the meeting; followed by President
Isaac Morley. Elder James C. Snow then represented the branch of
the Church at Lima, consisting of 424 members, including 9 High
Priests, 32 Elders, 4 Priests, 5 Teachers, and 4 Deacons, mostly in
good standing.

President Young, Elders Taylor and Richards, then made some very
appropriate remarks, showing and proving the absolute necessity
of finishing and completing the House of the Lord now building in
Nauvoo, in preference to anything else that can be done, either by
mental or physical exertion, in spreading light, knowledge, and
intelligence among the nations of the earth.

Conference adjourned till tomorrow, ten o'clock.

In the evening President Morley met with his counselors together
with President Young, Elders Taylor, and Richards, and brethren
of the Lima branch, for the purpose of entering into certain
resolutions necessary, in order to become more active in forwarding
the work on the House of the Lord.

After much deliberation, it was moved and seconded, that all those
who are willing to consecrate one tenth of their time and property
to the building of the temple at Nauvoo, under the superintendence
of President Morley and counselors, to signify it by the uplifted
hands; when the motion was carried unanimously.

Sunday morning, at ten o'clock conference met pursuant to
adjournment.

Elder John Taylor delivered an address, upon the object of Christ's
mission into this world, the resurrection and redemption of the
Saints, and pointed out very clearly the course to be pursued in
order to become the sons of God, through the ordinances of the
gospel, that the Saints may, at last, be exalted at the right hand
of God, to dwell with Him eternally in the heavens.

After an intermission of one hour, the sacrament was administered
by President Young and Elder Richards. The minutes of the
conference were then read and accepted.

President Young made some very just remarks on the priesthood,
authority, and calling.

Conference adjourned _sine die_.

Benediction by President Morley.

Brigham Young, President,

James C. Snow, Clerk.

{441} _Extract of a Letter from Parley P. Pratt--Emigration of
Saints, and Status of the Work in England_.

Manchester, England.

On the 20th of September, the ship _Tyrean_ sailed from Liverpool
for New Orleans, under a charter of the Latter-day Saints; she had
upwards of two hundred Saints on board, with Elder Joseph Fielding
at their head. By chartering [the vessel] we saved the company [of
Saints] at least 500 or 600 dollars. The splendid new ship _Chaos_,
1,200 tons burthen, will sail on the 5th of November, under our
charter. She will have from one to two hundred Saints on board,
with Patriarch Peter Melling at their head.

The Saints in this country are generally rejoicing, and filled with
the testimony of Jesus. Great zeal is manifested by the officers in
general, of whom there are probably more than a thousand. We are
increasing in numbers, and in gifts and blessings. New branches of
the Church are rising in many places, and great additions made to
the old ones. Manchester and vicinity has poured forth a stream of
emigration for the last eighteen months, and still we numbered at
our conference, two weeks ago, nearly sixteen hundred members, and
between one and two hundred officers; all these within one hour's
journey of Manchester.

There has been a general time of pruning; we have cut off upwards
of one hundred members from this conference in a few months; this
causes the young and tender branches to grow with double vigor.

_Thursday, 28_.

_Copy of a Letter of Attorney from Joseph Smith, "Sole Trustee in
Trust for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints," to
Reuben McBride, of Kirtland, Ohio_.

Know all men by these presents, that I, Joseph Smith, of Nauvoo,
Hancock county, and State of Illinois, "sole trustee in trust
for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints," have
made, constituted and appointed, and by these presents do make,
constitute, and appoint, Reuben McBride, of Kirtland, Lake county,
and state of Ohio, my true and lawful attorney for me and in my
name, and for my use as "sole trustee in trust for the Church
of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints," to ask, demand, sue for,
recover, and receive all such sum or sums of money, debts, goods,
wares, and other demands which are or shall be due, owing, payable,
or belonging to me, as trustee in trust as aforesaid, by any manner
or means whatsoever; also, to dispose of in my name, to grant,
bargain, sell, release, and confirm all or any part of my real
estate as trustee in trust as aforesaid, in and about Kirtland,
Lake county, and state of Ohio, and throughout any of the northern
and {442} eastern states, and to receive all such sum or sums of
money accruing therefrom, for me and for my use as sole trustee
in trust for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and
to take up the power of attorney which I gave to Oliver Granger,
and all the papers and obligations of every description specified
therein, or in his possession by virtue thereof, and to settle the
same in my name, for me and for my use as above described; and I,
as trustee in trust as aforesaid, hereby give and grant unto the
said Reuben McBride, my attorney, full power and authority in and
about the premises, to have, use, and take all lawful ways and
means in my name for the purposes aforesaid, and upon the receipt
of any such debts, dues, or sums of money (as the case may be),
acquittances, or other sufficient discharges, for me and in my name
as aforesaid Trustee, to make and give, and generally to do all
other acts and things in the law whatsoever needful and necessary
to be done, in the before mentioned places, for me and in my name
as aforesaid Trustee, to do, execute, and perform, as fully and to
all intents and purposes, as I might or could do, if personally
present. Hereby ratifying all and whatsoever my said attorney
shall, in the place above specified, by virtue hereof.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 28th
day of October, 1841.

Joseph Smith, (L. S.)

Witness: John Taylor, John S. Fullmer.

_Friday, 29_.--Those of the Twelve Apostles who were in Nauvoo, met in council.

_Saturday, 30_.--I attended the city council, and spoke against the council remitting a fine assessed against John Eagle by a jury of twelve men, considering that the jury might be as sensible men as any of the city council, and I asked the council not to remit the fine.

Lyman Wight, Willard Richards, and Wilford Woodruff were elected councilors, and Hiram Kimball and George W. Harris, Aldermen.

In obedience to an order from the mayor, I called out two companies of the Nauvoo Legion, and removed a grog shop kept by Pulaski S. Cahoon, which had been declared a nuisance by the city council.

_Sunday, 31_.--I was in council with the brethren at brother Hyrum's office.

{443} Attended a council with the Twelve Apostles. Benjamin Winchester being present, complained that he had been neglected and misrepresented by the Elders, and manifested a contentious spirit. I gave him a severe reproof, telling him of his folly and vanity, and showing him that the principles which he suffered to control him would lead him to destruction. I counseled him to change his course, govern his disposition, and quit his tale-bearing and slandering his brethren.

I instructed the council on many principles pertaining to the gathering of the nations, the wickedness and downfall of this generation, &c.

After having received the following minutes--"A conference was held at Kirtland, Ohio, Oct. 2, 1841. Almon W. Babbitt, president, and William W. Phelps, clerk. Resolved, that Thomas Burdick, Bishop of Kirtland, and his counselors, be constituted a company to establish a press in Kirtland, and publish a religious paper, entitled _The Olive Leaf_, and that the Saints adjacent be solicited to carry the above resolution into effect"--my brother Hyrum wrote to the brethren in Kirtland, of which the following is an extract--

_Excerpt of Hyrum Smith's Letter to the Saints in
Kirtland--Disapproving of Certain Plans for Building up Kirtland_.

All the Saints that dwell in that land are commanded to come away,
for this is "Thus saith the Lord;" therefore pay out no moneys,
nor properties for houses, nor lands in that country, for if you
do you will lose them, for the time shall come, that you shall not
possess them in peace, but shall be scourged with a sore scourge;
yet your children may possess them, but not until many years shall
pass away; and as to the organization of that branch of the Church,
it is not according to the Spirit and will of God; and as to the
designs of the leading members of that branch relative to the
printing press, and the ordaining of Elders, and sending out Elders
to beg for the poor, are not according to the will of God; and in
these things they shall not prosper, for they have neglected the
House of the Lord, the baptismal font, in this place, wherein their
dead may be redeemed, and the key of knowledge that unfolds the
dispensation of the fullness of times may be turned, and the {444}
mysteries of God be unfolded, upon which their salvation, and the
salvation of the world, and the redemption of their dead depends;
for "thus saith the Lord," there shall not be a general assembly
for a general conference assembled together until the House of
the Lord and the baptismal font shall be finished; and if we are
not diligent the Church shall be rejected, and their dead also,
saith the Lord. "Therefore, dear brethren, any proceedings of the
Saints otherwise than to put forth their hands with their might to
do this work, is not according to the will of God, and shall not
prosper; therefore, tarry not in any place whatever, but come forth
unto this place from all the world, until it is filled up, and
polished, and sanctified according to my word, saith the Lord. Come
ye forth from the ends of the earth, that I may hide you from mine
indignation that shall scourge the wicked, and then I will send
forth and build up Kirtland, and it shall be polished and refined
according to my word; therefore your doings and your organizations
and designs in printing, or any of your councils, are not of me,
saith the Lord, even so. Amen."

Hyrum Smith,

Patriarch for the whole Church.

_Monday, November 1_.--I attended the city council, spoke and acted on many local matters, and contended at great length against paying the owner of a city nuisance, damages sustained by the removal of that nuisance. [1]

{445} Sidney Rigdon resigned his seat in the city council, on account of ill health.

_Tuesday, 2_.--I executed letters today revoking the power of attorney given to Almon W. Babbitt.

_Saturday, 6_.--Wilford Woodruff took the oath as a councilor in the city council.

_Sunday, 7_.--Elder William O. Clark preached about two hours, reproving the Saints for a lack of sanctity, and a want of holy living, enjoining sanctity, solemnity, and temperance in the extreme, in the rigid sectarian style.

[Sidenote: Reproof of William O. Clark.]

I reproved him as Pharisaical and hypocritical and not edifying the people; and showed the Saints what temperance, faith, virtue, charity, and truth were. I charged the Saints not to follow the example of the adversary in accusing the brethren, and said, "If you do not accuse each other, God will not accuse you. If you have no accuser you will enter heaven, and if you will follow the revelations and instructions which God gives you through me, I will take you into heaven as my back load. If you will not accuse me, I will not accuse you. If you will throw a cloak of charity over my sins, I will over yours--for charity covereth a multitude of sins. What many people call sin is not sin; I do many things to break down superstition, and I will break it down;" I referred to the curse of Ham for laughing at Noah, while in his wine, but doing no harm. Noah was a righteous man, and yet he drank wine and became intoxicated; the Lord did not forsake him in consequence thereof, for he retained all the power of his priesthood, and when he was accused by Canaan, he cursed him by the priesthood which he held, and the Lord had respect {446} to his word, and the priesthood which he held, notwithstanding he was drunk, and the curse remains upon the posterity of Canaan until the present day.

In the p. m., I attended a council of the Elders at my council room, relative to some affairs in which my brother William was interested.

[Sidenote: Dedication of the Baptismal Font.]

_Monday, 8_.--At five o'clock p. m., I attended the dedication of the baptismal font in the Lord's House. President Brigham Young was spokesman.

The baptismal font is situated in the center of the basement room, under the main hall of the Temple; it is constructed of pine timber, and put together of staves tongued and grooved, oval shaped, sixteen feet long east and west, and twelve feet wide, seven feet high from the foundation, the basin four feet deep, the moulding of the cap and base are formed of beautiful carved work in antique style. The sides are finished with panel work. A flight of stairs in the north and south sides lead up and down into the basin, guarded by side railing.

The font stands upon twelve oxen, four on each side, and two at each end, their heads, shoulders, and fore legs projecting out from under the font; they are carved out of pine plank, glued together, and copied after the most beautiful five-year-old steer that could be found in the country, and they are an excellent striking likeness of the original; the horns were formed after the most perfect horn that could be procured.

The oxen and ornamental mouldings of the font were carved by Elder Elijah Fordham, from the city of New York, which occupied eight months of time. The font was enclosed by a temporary frame building sided up with split oak clapboards, with a roof of the same material, and was so low that the timbers of the first story were laid above it. The water was supplied from a well thirty feet deep in the east end of the basement.

This font was built for the baptisms for the dead until {447} the Temple shall be finished, when a more durable one will supply its place.

I received a letter from N. K. Whitney, stating that he had purchased $5,000 worth of goods for me; and that he should visit Kirtland before his return home.

Up to this period a series of storms and earthquakes have desolated parts of the two Sicilies.

A second English edition of the Saints' hymn book has been issued by Elder Parley P. Pratt.

A great part of Vicksburg, Mississippi, has been consumed by fire.

_Saturday, 13_.--I attended the city council, and moved that the mayor and recorder of the city receive each one hundred dollars per annum for their services, which became a law.

I also presented a bill for "An ordinance concerning vagrants and disorderly persons," which passed into an ordinance as follows--

_An Ordinance Concerning Vagrants and Disorderly Persons_.

Be it ordained by the city council of the city of Nauvoo, that
all vagrants, idle, or disorderly persons; persons found drunk in
or about the streets; all suspicious persons; persons who have no
fixed place of residence, or visible means of support, or cannot
give a good account of themselves; persons guilty of profane and
indecent language or behavior; persons guilty of using indecent,
impertinent, or unbecoming language towards any city officer when
in the discharge of his duty, or of menacing, threatening or
otherwise obstructing said officer, shall on conviction thereof
before the mayor or municipal court, be required to enter into
security for good behavior for a reasonable time, and indemnify the
corporation against any charge, and in case of refusal or inability
to give security, they shall be confined to labor for a time not
exceeding ninety days, or be fined in any sum not exceeding five
hundred dollars, or be imprisoned not exceeding six months or all,
[i. e. or both imprisonment and fine] at the discretion of said
mayor or court.

I also presented a bill for "An ordinance in relation to appeals," which passed unanimously.

I also argued before the council the right of taxation, but {448} that the expense of the city did not require it at present.

_Sunday, 14_.--I preached to a large congregation at the Temple.

Nine of the Twelve Apostles met in council, to prepare an epistle to the Saints in Europe.

_Monday, 15_.

_An Epistle of the Twelve Apostles to the Saints Scattered Abroad
in England, Scotland, Ireland, Wales, the Isle of Man, and the
Eastern Continent, Greeting_:

Beloved Brethren:--We rejoice and thank our Heavenly Father daily
in your behalf, that we hear of your faithfulness and diligence in
the great work unto which you have been called, by the Holy Spirit,
through the voice of the servants of the Most High, who have been,
and are now amongst you, for the purpose of instructing you in
those principles which are calculated to prepare the children of
men for the renovation of the earth, and the restitution of all
things spoken by the Prophets.

Several months have passed away, since we bid adieu to our brethren
and sisters on the islands of the sea, and passed over the great
deep to our homes, our kindred, the bosom of the Church, and the
stakes of Zion: but neither time nor distance can efface from our
memories the many expressions of kindness which we have heard from
your lips and experienced from your hands, which have so often
ministered to our necessities, while we were wandering in your
midst, like our Master, having no place to lay our heads, only as
furnished by your liberality and benevolence; and it is a subject
of no small consolation to us that we have this testimony of so
many of you, that you are the disciples of the Lord Jesus; [2] and
we give you our warmest thanks, and our blessing, that you have not
only ministered unto us, but that you continue to minister to our
brethren who are still laboring amongst you, for which an hundred
fold shall be returned unto your bosoms.

After parting with the Saints in Liverpool, and sailing thirty
days, much of the time against head winds, with rough seas, which
produced much sea sickness among the brethren and sisters who
accompanied us, we arrived in the city of New York, where we were
received by the brethren with open hearts, and by whom we were
entertained most cordially some days, till we were rested from the
fatigues of the ship: we were then assisted on our journey, and
taking different routes, and {449} visiting many of the churches in
different states, we have all safely arrived in this city.

In our travels in this land, we have discovered a growing interest
among the people generally, in the great work of the Lord.
Prejudice is giving way to intelligence; darkness to light; and
multitudes are making the important discovery that error is abroad
in the earth, and that the signs of the times proclaim some mighty
revolution among the nations. The cry is from all quarters, send us
Elders to instruct us in the principles of your religion, that we
may know why it is that you are had in derision by the multitude,
more than other professors are. Teach us of your principles and
your doctrines, and if we find them true we will embrace them.

The Saints are growing in faith, and the intelligence of heaven
is flowing into their understanding, for the Spirit of the Lord
is with them, and the Holy Ghost is instructing them in things to
come. The spirit of union is increasing, and they are exerting
themselves to come up to the gathering of the faithful, to build up
the waste places and establish the stakes of Zion.

Since our arrival in this place there has been one special and one
general conference of the Church, and the Twelve have been called
to tarry at home for a season, and stand in their lot next to the
First Presidency, and assist in counseling the brethren, and in the
settling of immigrants, &c.; and the first great object before us,
and the Saints generally, is to help forward the completion of the
Temple and the Nauvoo House--buildings which are now in progress
according to the revelations, and which must be completed to secure
the salvation of the Church in the last days; for God requires
of His Saints to build Him a house wherein his servants may be
instructed, and endowed with power from on high, to prepare them to
go forth among the nations, and proclaim the fullness of the Gospel
for the last time, and bind up the law, and seal up the testimony,
leaving this generation without excuse, and the earth prepared for
the judgments which will follow. In this house all the ordinances
will be made manifest, and many things will be shown forth, which
have been hid from generation to generation.

The set time to favor the stakes of Zion is at hand, and soon the
kings and the queens, the princes and the nobles, the rich and the
honorable of the earth will come up hither to visit the Temple of
our God, and to inquire concerning His strange work; and as kings
are to become nursing fathers, and queens nursing mothers in the
habitations of the righteous, it is right to render honor to whom
honor is due; and therefore expedient that such, as well as the
Saints, should have a comfortable house for boarding and lodging
when they come hither, and it is according to the revelations that
such a house should be built.

{450} The foundations of this house, and also of the Temple,
are laid; and the walls of the basement stories of each nearly
completed; and the finishing of the whole is depending on the
exertions of the Saints. Every Saint on earth is equally interested
in these things, and all are under equal obligations to do all in
their power to complete the buildings by their faith, and by their
prayers, with their thousands and their mites, their gold and their
silver, their copper and their zinc, their goods and their labors,
until the top stone is laid with shoutings, and the place is
prepared to be filled with the glory of the Highest; and if there
are those among you who have more than they need for the gathering,
and for assisting the destitute who desire to gather with them,
they cannot make a more acceptable offering unto the Lord, than by
appropriating towards the building of His Temple.

He that believeth shall not make haste, but let all the Saints who
desire to keep the commandments of heaven and work righteousness,
come to the place of gathering as soon as circumstances will
permit. It is by united efforts that great things are accomplished,
and while the Saints are scattered to the four winds, they cannot
be united in action, if they are in spirit; they cannot all build
at one city, or lift at one stone of the great Temple, though
their hearts may all desire the same thing. We would not press the
subject of the gathering upon you, for we know your hearts, and
your means; and so far as means fail, let patience have its perfect
work in your souls, for in due time you shall be delivered, if you
faint not.

We are not altogether ignorant of the increase of difficulty among
the laboring classes in England since our departure through the
stoppage of factories and similar occurrences, and we would counsel
those who have, to impart unto those who have not, and cannot
obtain; remembering that he who giveth unto the poor lendeth unto
the Lord, and he shall receive in return four fold.

The idler shall not eat the bread of the laborer; neither must he
starve who would [labor] but cannot find employment. Inasmuch as ye
desire the fullness of the earth, let not the cries of the widow,
the fatherless and the beggar ascend to heaven, or salute your ears
in vain, but follow the example we have set before you, and give
liberally of your abundance, even if it be but a penny, and it
shall be returned unto you. Good measure pressed down and running
over, shall the Lord return into your store house.

Cultivate the spirit of patience, long-suffering, forbearance and
charity among yourselves, and ever be as unwilling to believe
an evil report about a brother or a sister as if it were about
yourself, and as you dislike to be accused, be slow to accuse the
brethren, for the measure you mete shall be measured to you again,
and the Judge condemneth no man who is not accused.

{451} Keep all the commandments, nothing fearing, nothing doubting,
for this is virtue, this is wisdom, and the wise, the virtuous
and the meek shall inherit the earth and the fullness thereof. In
all things follow the counsel which you shall receive from the
president and council who are among you; and inasmuch as you uphold
Elders Pratt, Richards and Snow by the prayer of faith, you shall
receive right counsel.

Remember that those whom John saw on Mount Zion were such as had
come up through great tribulation; and do not imagine that you can
ever constitute a part of that number without sharing a part of
their trials. You must necessarily pass through perils and trials,
and temptations and afflictions by sea and land in your journeyings
hither, and if you cannot settle it in your hearts to endure unto
the end as good soldiers, you may as well remain where you are
to be destroyed, as to suffer all the privations and hardships
you will be obliged to suffer before the walls of Zion shall be
built, no more to be thrown down, and after all to turn away and be
destroyed.

The ancient prophet has said, they shall wear out the Saints of the
Most High. This has already been fulfilled to some extent, for many
through the abundance of their persecutions have become exhausted,
and laid their bodies down to rest, to rise no more till the morn
of the first resurrection; and although the people of these states
are at peace with us, yet there are those who would gladly wear
out and destroy the weak in faith, through the influence of their
foolish lies. When you arrive on our shores, and while sailing up
our rivers, you need not be surprised if your ears are saluted by
the false and filthy language of wicked and designing men who are
ever ready to speak evil of the things they understand not, and who
would gladly blast the character of the Prophet of the Most High
God, and all connected with him, with their foul anathemas, beyond
anything you ever thought of. We would not dishearten you, neither
would we have you ignorant of the worst that awaits the righteous.

If the Saints are not prepared to rejoice and be glad when they
hear the name of the Prophet and their own name cast out as evil,
as gluttonous, wine-bibber, friend of publicans and sinners,
Beelzebub, thief, robber and murderer, they are not prepared for
the gathering. The wheat and tares must grow together till the
harvest; at the harvest the wheat is gathered together into the
threshing floor, so with the Saints--the stakes are the threshing
floor. Here they will be threshed with all sorts of difficulties,
trials, afflictions and everything to mar their peace, which they
can imagine, and thousands which they cannot imagine, but he that
endures the threshing till all the chaff, superstition, folly and
unbelief are pounded out of him, and does not suffer himself to
be blown away as chaff by the foul blast of slander, but endures
faithfully {452} to the end, shall be saved. If you are prepared
for all these things; if you choose rather to suffer afflictions
with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a
little moment, come up hither; come direct to New Orleans, and
up the Mississippi river, for the expense is so much less, and
the convenience of water navigation is so much greater than it is
by Montreal, New York or Philadelphia, that it is wisdom for the
Saints to make New Orleans their general established port, and
be sure to start at such times that they may arrive here during
the cold months, for the change from the cold climate of England
to this place in the hot season, is too great for the health of
immigrants, till there is more faith in the Church.

In this region of country there are thousands and millions of
acres of beautiful prairie unoccupied, which can be procured on
reasonable terms, and we will hail the time with joy when these
unoccupied lands shall be turned into fruitful fields, and the
hands of those who are now idle for want of employment shall be
engaged in the cultivation of the soil.

When the brethren arrive they will do well to call on some of the
Twelve, inasmuch as they desire counsel, for by so doing they may
escape the influence of designing men who have crept in unawares,
and would willingly subvert the truth by conniving to their own
advantage, if they have the opportunity.

The Church has commenced a new city twenty miles below this, and
one mile below Warsaw, called Warren, where many city lots and
farms in the vicinity can be had on reasonable terms; and it will
be wisdom for many of the brethren to stop at that place, for the
opportunity for erecting temporary buildings will be greater than
at this place, also the chance for providing food will be superior
to those who wish to labor for it.

Warsaw is at the foot of the Des Moines Rapids, and one of the best
locations for mercantile purposes there is in this western country.

So far as the brethren have the means they will do well to come
prepared with a variety of mechanical tools according to their
professions, such as carpenters, joiners, cabinet-makers, hatters,
coopers, masons, printers, binders, tanners, curriers, &c., and
all sorts of manufactory and foundry implements convenient for
transportation, so that when they arrive they may be prepared to
establish themselves in business, and give employment to spinners,
weavers, moulders, smelters and journeymen of every description;
for all sorts of woollens, cottons, hardware, &c., will find a
ready market in new countries, and a great field is now open to the
capitalists in this vicinity, even though the capital be small,
and we would urge the importance of the immediate establishment of
all kinds of manufactories among us, as well for the {453} best
interests of the individuals concerned, as for the Church generally.

Cities cannot be built without houses, houses cannot be built
without materials, or occupied without inhabitants, the inhabitants
cannot exist without food and clothing; food and clothing cannot
be had without planting, sowing, and manufacturing, so that Zion
and her stores cannot be built without means, without industry,
without manufacturing establishments unless the windows of heaven
were opened, and cities and their appendages were rained down among
us. But this we do not expect until the new Jerusalem descends,
and that will be some time hence; therefore it is necessary and
according to godliness and the plan of salvation in these last
days, that the brethren should see to all these things, and clothe
and adorn themselves with the labor of their own hands, build
houses and inhabit them, plant vineyards and eat the fruit thereof.

Brethren, pray for us and the First Presidency, the leader of the
people, even Joseph, that his life and health may be precious in
the sight of heaven, till he has finished the work which he has
commenced: and for the Elders of Israel, that every man may be
faithful in his calling, the whole household of faith, and all
subjects of prayer.

Brethren, farewell; may the blessings of heaven and earth be
multiplied unto you in spirit and in body, in basket and in store,
in the field and in the shop, on the land and on the sea, in the
house and by the way, and in all situations and circumstances,
until you shall stand on Mount Zion, and enter the celestial city;
in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

Brigham Young,

Heber C. Kimball.

Orson Pratt,

William Smith,

Lyman Wight,

Wilford Woodruff,

John Taylor,

Geo. A. Smith,

Willard Richards,

Nauvoo, Hancock County, Illinois, Nov. 15, 1841.

The greater part of the city of St. John's, New Brunswick, and a large quantity of shipping, destroyed by fire.

_Wednesday, 17_.--Elders Brigham Young and Willard Richards went to La Harpe.

_Thursday, 18_.

_Minutes of a Meeting at Ramus, Illinois--Alanson Brown, et al.
Disfellowshiped_.

Proceedings of a meeting of the Church of Jesus Christ of
Latter-day {454} Saints, held at Ramus, November 18, 1841, opened
by singing and prayer by Elder Brigham Young. The object of the
meeting was then stated by the president, which was for the purpose
of taking into consideration the cases of Alanson Brown, James B.
T. Page and William H. Edwards, who stand indicted for larceny, &c.

After the evidence was brought forward, it was unanimously
resolved, that said persons be expelled from the Church.
Appropriate remarks for the occasion were then made by Elders
Young, Richards, Savage, Gurley, and others.

A charge was then preferred against Thomas S. Edwards for assault
and battery, with evidence that a warrant was issued for his
apprehension, and against William W. Edwards for being accessory
to the same. Unanimously resolved, that Thomas S. Edwards also be
expelled from the Church; and that the proceedings of this meeting
be published in the _Times and Seasons_.

Joel H. Johnson, President.

Joseph E. Johnson, Church Recorder.

_Saturday, 20_.--Seven of the Twelve Apostles met in council at the house of President Young, on the subject of the _Times and Seasons_; they not being satisfied with the manner in which Gustavus Hills had conducted the editorial department since the death of Robert B. Thompson.

_Sunday, 21_.--My brother Hyrum and Elder John Taylor preached.

[Sidenote: Baptisms for the Dead.]

The Twelve met in council at President Young's, and at four o'clock, repaired to the baptismal font in the basement of the Temple. Elders Brigham Young, Heber C. Kimball and John Taylor baptized about forty persons for the dead. Elder Willard Richards, Wilford Woodruff and George A. Smith confirming. These were the first baptisms for the dead in the font.

_Monday, 22_.--The following letter from Elder Orson Hyde, is from the _Millennial Star_.

_Elder Orson Hyde's Letter--His Prayer of Dedication on the Mount
of Olives_.

Alexandria, Nov. 22, 1841.

Dear Brother Pratt:--A few minutes now offer for me to write, and I
improve them in writing to you.

{455} I have only time to say that I have seen Jerusalem precisely
according to the vision which I had. I saw no one with me in the
vision; and although Elder Page was appointed to accompany me
there, yet I found myself there alone.

The Lord knows that I have had a hard time, and suffered much,
but I have great reason to thank Him that I enjoy good health at
present, and have a prospect before me of soon going to a civilized
country, where I shall see no more turbans or camels. The heat is
most oppressive, and has been all through Syria.

I have not time to tell you how many days I have been at sea,
without food, or how many snails I have eaten; but if I had had
plenty of them, I should have done very well. All this is contained
in a former letter to you written from Jaffa.

I have been at Cairo, on the Nile, because I could not get
a passage direct. Syria is in a dreadful state--a war of
extermination is going on between the Druses and Catholics. At the
time I was at Beyroot, a battle was fought in the mountains of
Lebanon, near that place, and about 800 killed. Robberies, thefts
and murders are daily being committed. It is no uncommon thing to
find persons in the streets without heads. An English officer, in
going from St. Jean D'Acre to Beyroot, found ten persons murdered
in the street, and was himself taken prisoner, but was rescued by
the timely interference of the pasha. The particulars of all these
things are contained in a former letter.

An American traveler, by the name of Gager, who was a licensed
minister of the Congregational or Presbyterian church, left
Jerusalem in company with me. He was very unwell with the jaundice
when we left, and at Damietta, we had to perform six days
quarantine before we ascended the Nile. On our passage up, he was
taken very ill with a fever, and became helpless. I waited and
tended upon him as well as our circumstances would allow; and when
we landed at Bulack, I got four men to take him to the American
consuls at Cairo, on a litter; I also took all his baggage there,
and assisted in putting him upon a good bed--employed a good
faithful Arabian nurse, and the English doctor. After the physician
had examined him, he told me that he was very low with a typhus
fever, and that it would be doubtful whether he recovered. Under
these circumstances I left him to obtain a passage to this place.
After I had gone on board a boat, and was just about pushing off,
a letter came from the doctor, stating that poor Mr. Gager died in
about two hours after I left him. He told me before we arrived at
Cairo that he was twenty-seven years of age, and his friends lived
in Norwich, Connecticut, near New London, I think. There are many
particulars concerning his death, which would be interesting to his
friends, but I have no time to write them now.

{456} On Sunday morning, October 24, a good while before day, I
arose from sleep, and went out of the city as soon as the gates
were opened, crossed the brook Kedron, and went upon the Mount of
Olives, and there, in solemn silence, with pen, ink, and paper,
just as I saw in the vision, offered up the following prayer to Him
who lives forever and ever--

_Prayer of Orson Hyde on the Mount of Olives_.

"O Thou! who art from everlasting to everlasting, eternally and
unchangeably the same, even the God who rules in the heavens
above, and controls the destinies of men on the earth, wilt Thou
not condescend, through thine infinite goodness and royal favor,
to listen to the prayer of Thy servant which he this day offers
up unto Thee in the name of Thy holy child Jesus, upon this land,
where the Son of Righteousness set in blood, and thine Anointed One
expired.

"Be pleased, O Lord, to forgive all the follies, weaknesses,
vanities, and sins of Thy servant, and strengthen him to resist all
future temptations. Give him prudence and discernment that he may
avoid the evil, and a heart to choose the good; give him fortitude
to bear up under trying and adverse circumstances, and grace to
endure all things for Thy name's sake, until the end shall come,
when all the Saints shall rest in peace."

Now, O Lord! Thy servant has been obedient to the heavenly
vision which Thou gavest him in his native land; and under the
shadow of Thine outstretched arm, he has safely arrived in this
place to dedicate and consecrate this land unto Thee, for the
gathering together of Judah's scattered remnants, according to the
predictions of the holy Prophets--for the building up of Jerusalem
again after it has been trodden down by the Gentiles so long, and
for rearing a Temple in honor of Thy name. Everlasting thanks be
ascribed unto Thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that Thou
hast preserved Thy servant from the dangers of the seas, and from
the plague and pestilence which have caused the land to mourn. The
violence of man has also been restrained, and Thy providential care
by night and by day has been exercised over Thine unworthy servant.
Accept, therefore, O Lord, the tribute of a grateful heart for all
past favors, and be pleased to continue Thy kindness and mercy
towards a needy worm of the dust.

"O Thou, Who didst covenant with Abraham, Thy friend, and Who didst
renew that covenant with Isaac, and confirm the same with Jacob
with an oath, that Thou wouldst not only give them this land for
an everlasting inheritance, but that Thou wouldst also remember
their seed forever. Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob have long since
closed their eyes {457} in death, and made the grave their mansion.
Their children are scattered and dispersed abroad among the nations
of the Gentiles like sheep that have no shepherd, and are still
looking forward for the fulfillment of those promises which Thou
didst make concerning them; and even this land, which once poured
forth nature's richest bounty, and flowed, as it were, with milk
and honey, has, to a certain extent, been smitten with barrenness
and sterility since it drank from murderous hands the blood of Him
who never sinned.

"Grant, therefore, O Lord, in the name of Thy well-beloved Son,
Jesus Christ, to remove the barrenness and sterility of this land,
and let springs of living water break forth to water its thirsty
soil. Let the vine and olive produce in their strength, and the
fig-tree bloom and flourish. Let the land become abundantly
fruitful when possessed by its rightful heirs; let it again flow
with plenty to feed the returning prodigals who come home with a
spirit of grace and supplication; upon it let the clouds distil
virtue and richness, and let the fields smile with plenty. Let
the flocks and the herds greatly increase and multiply upon the
mountains and the hills; and let Thy great kindness conquer and
subdue the unbelief of Thy people. Do Thou take from them their
stony heart, and give them a heart of flesh; and may the Sun of Thy
favor dispel the cold mists of darkness which have beclouded their
atmosphere. Incline them to gather in upon this land according
to Thy word. Let them come like clouds and like doves to their
windows. Let the large ships of the nations bring them from the
distant isles; and let kings become their nursing fathers, and
queens with motherly fondness wipe the tear of sorrow from their
eye.

"Thou, O Lord, did once move upon the heart of Cyrus to show favor
unto Jerusalem and her children. Do Thou now also be pleased to
inspire the hearts of kings and the powers of the earth to look
with a friendly eye towards this place, and with a desire to see
Thy righteous purposes executed in relation thereto. Let them
know that it is Thy good pleasure to restore the kingdom unto
Israel--raise up Jerusalem as its capital, and constitute her
people a distinct nation and government, with David Thy servant,
even a descendant from the loins of ancient David to be their king.

"Let that nation or that people who shall take an active part in
behalf of Abraham's children, and in the raising up of Jerusalem,
find favor in Thy sight. Let not their enemies prevail against
them, neither let pestilence or famine overcome them, but let the
glory of Israel overshadow them, and the power of the Highest
protect them; while that nation or kingdom that will not serve Thee
in this glorious work must perish, according to Thy word--Yea,
those nations shall be utterly wasted."

{458} "Though Thy servant is now far from his home, and from the
land bedewed with his earliest tear, yet he remembers, O Lord, his
friends who are there, and family, whom for Thy sake he has left.
Though poverty and privation be our earthly lot, yet ah! do Thou
richly endow us with an inheritance where moth and rust do not
corrupt, and where thieves do not break through and steal.

"The hands that have fed, clothed, or shown favor unto the family
of Thy servant in his absence, or that shall hereafter do so, let
them not lose their reward, but let a special blessing rest upon
them, and in Thy kingdom let them have an inheritance when Thou
shalt come to be glorified in this society.

"Do Thou also look with favor upon all those through whose
liberality I have been enabled to come to this land; and in the
day when Thou shalt reward all people according to their works,
let these also not be passed by or forgotten, but in time let
them be in readiness to enjoy the glory of those mansions which
Jesus has gone to prepare. Particularly do Thou bless the stranger
in Philadelphia, whom I never saw, but who sent me gold, with a
request that I should pray for him in Jerusalem. Now, O Lord, let
blessings come upon him from an unexpected quarter, and let his
basket be filled, and his storehouse abound with plenty, and let
not the good things of the earth be his only portion, but let him
be found among those to whom it shall be said, 'Thou hast been
faithful over a few things, and I will make thee ruler over many.'

"O my Father in heaven! I now ask Thee in the name of Jesus to
remember Zion, with all her Stakes, and with all her assemblies.
She has been grievously afflicted and smitten; she has mourned;
she has wept; her enemies have triumphed, and have said, 'Ah,
where is thy God?' Her Priests and Prophets have groaned in chains
and fetters within the gloomy walls of prisons, while many were
slain, and now sleep in the arms of death. How long, O Lord, shall
iniquity triumph, and sin go unpunished?

"Do Thou arise in the majesty of Thy strength, and make bare Thine
arm in behalf of Thy people. Redress their wrongs, and turn their
sorrow into joy. Pour the spirit of light and knowledge, grace and
wisdom, into the hearts of her Prophets, and clothe her Priests
with salvation. Let light and knowledge march forth through the
empire of darkness, and may the honest in heart flow to their
standard, and join in the march to go forth to meet the Bridegroom."

Let a peculiar blessing rest upon the Presidency of Thy Church, for
at them are the arrows of the enemy directed. Be Thou to them a sun
and a shield, their strong tower and hiding place; and in the time
of distress or danger be Thou near to deliver. Also the quorum of
the Twelve, do Thou be pleased to stand by them for Thou knowest
the {459} obstacles which they have to encounter, the temptations
to which they are exposed, and the privations which they must
suffer. Give us, [the Twelve] therefore, strength according to our
day, and help us to bear a faithful testimony of Jesus and His
Gospel, to finish with fidelity and honor the work which Thou hast
given us to do, and then give us a place in Thy glorious kingdom.
And let this blessing rest upon every faithful officer and member
in Thy Church. And all the glory and honor will we ascribe unto God
and the Lamb forever and ever. Amen.

On the top of Mount Olives I erected a pile of stones as a witness
according to ancient custom. On what was anciently called Mount
Zion, [Moriah?] where the Temple stood, I erected another, and used
the rod according to the prediction upon my head.

I have found many Jews who listened with intense interest. The idea
of the Jews being restored to Palestine is gaining ground in Europe
almost every day. Jerusalem is strongly fortified with many cannon
upon its walls. The wall is ten feet thick on the sides that would
be most exposed, and four or five feet where the descent from the
wall is almost perpendicular. The number of inhabitants within the
walls is about twenty thousand. About seven thousand of this number
are Jews, the balance being mostly Turks and Armenians. Many of the
Jews who are old go to this place to die, and many are coming from
Europe into this eastern world. The great wheel is unquestionably
in motion, and the word of the Almighty has declared that it shall
roll.

I have not time to write particulars now, but suffice it to say
that my mission has been quite as prosperous as I could expect.

I am now about to go on board a fine ship for Trieste, and from
thence I intend to proceed to Regensburg and there publish our
faith in the German language. There are those who are ready and
willing to assist me.

I send you this letter by Captain Withers, an English gentleman,
who goes direct to England, on board the Oriental steamer. He has
come with me from Jerusalem. If I had money sufficient I should be
almost tempted to take passage on board of her to England, but this
I cannot do.

On receipt of this, I wish you to write to me immediately, and
direct to Regensburg, on the Danube, Bayern, or Bavaria. If you
know anything of my family tell me.

My best respects to yourself and your family, to Brothers Adams and
Snow, and to all the Saints in England.

May grace, mercy and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord
Jesus Christ, rest upon you all from this time, henceforth and for
ever. Amen.

Your brother in Christ,

Orson Hyde.

Footnotes:

1. The circumstances of removing the nuisance here referred to, for which damages were demanded, is related in an editorial note in the _Times and Seasons_ as follows: The "Mr. Kilbourn," referred to in the editorial, was very bitter anti-Mormon, and became one of the Prophet's most deadly enemies.

THE NUISANCE

"It is known to many of our patrons, that a certain young man very injudiciously, and contrary to the remonstrances of his friends, and in violation of the ordinances of this city, not long since erected a small building, near the Temple square avowedly for the purpose of transacting the business of the grocer. Said building was for a short time occupied for that purpose; but so heavy did the from of public disapprobation rest upon it, that it was finally vacated, and stood some time, a lonely wreck of folly. In the meantime, the very sanctimonious and extremely unfortunate Mr. Kilbourn of Montrose, threw out to the public, ungentlemanly and slanderous imputations concerning the matter, saying that the Presidency of the Church abetted and approbated the concern, etc., and the building having become a monument for every fool to write upon and exhibit his folly, to the annoyance of the citizens, the city council very judiciously ordered the building removed as a nuisance. Some opposition to the execution of this order was exhibited, and the authorities called out a few of the military and demolished the building. The city authorities manifest a determination to carry out strictly the temperance ordinances of the city, and in this we wish them 'God speed.' We suppose, however, that Kilbourn and his junto will bray worse than ever, and 'Mormonism' be adjudged by 'witch law.' 'Take the accused, bind him head and foot, and cast him into the pool; if he sinks and drowns he is innocent, if he floats take him out and hang him or burn in with fire.' We say, let the poor fools judge till they themselves are overtaken by judgment, and let they bray till they burst their wind chests." (_Times and Seasons_, Vol. III, pp. 559-560).

2. "Whoso receiveth you receiveth me, and the same will clothe you and give you money. And he who feeds you, or clothes you or gives you money, shall in no wise lose his reward: and he who doeth not these things is not my disciple; by this you may know my disciples." (Doc. & Cov., sec. lxxxiv.)

{460}