Oliver Cowdery The Evening and the Morning Star
VOL. I, NO. 8, INDEPENDENCE, MO. JANUARY, 1833.
<"Book of Mormon">
William Phelps "Book of Mormon, E&MS 1 (Jan 1833)
THE BOOK OF MORMON. {beliefs-lds}
WHEN darkness covered the earth, and gross darkness the people; when no man did walk in the old paths, nor did search out the everlasting gospel; when the church of Christ, and the gifts which he left in it, could not be found; when men built up churches in the glory of the world; and when all flesh had become so corrupt, that a few more years might have left the cities of the world, like Sodom and Gormorrah, the Lord our Savior, saw fit in his great goodness, endless mercy, and infinite wisdom, to send an angel and signify unto man, that there was a sacred record to be unfolded in the eyes of all the nations, containing the fulness of the gospel. It was the book of Mormon: An account written by the hand of Mormon, upon plates taken from the plates of Nephi. Wherefore it is an abridgement of the record of the people of Nephi; and also of the Lamanites; written to the Lamanites, which are a remnant of the house of Israel; and also to Jew and Gentile; written by way of commandment, and also by the spirit of prophecy and of revelation. Written, and sealed up, and hid up unto the Lord, that they might not be destroyed; to come forth by the gift and power of God, unto the interpretation thereof; sealed by the hand of Moroni, and hid up unto the Lord, to come forth in due time by the way of Gentile; the interpretation thereof by the gift of God.
An abridgment taken from the book of Ether, also, which is a record of the people of Jared, which were scattered at the time the Lord confounded the language of the people when they were building a tower to get to heaven: which is to shew unto the house of Israel how great things the Lord hath done for their fathers; and that they may know the covenants of the Lord, that they are not cast off forever; and also to the convincing of the Jew and Gentiles that Jesus is the Christ, the Eternal God, manifesting himself unto all nations. And now if there be fault, it be the mistake of men; wherefore condemn not the things of God, that ye may be found spotless at the judgment seat of Christ;
This was welcome news to them that looked for the gathering of the righteous, in the last days. They, from a perusal of this book, aided by the Spirit of God, began to see eye to eye in some things, and to lift up their heads and rejoice.--But before the glorious and happy results of this book are set forth, it seems necessary to go back to the time it was brought forth. In the year one thousand eight hundred and twenty seven, the plates came forth from the hill Cumorah, which is in the county of Ontario, and state of New-York, by the power of God. In less than three years after, it was translated by the gift and power of God, and then published; and on the 6th of April, 1830, the church of Christ was organized, with six members. It may be just to remark, that this church was established by revelation, as the church of Christ always has been, since the world began, to be acknowledged by him. As in days of old, so now, the keys of the mysteries of the kingdom of God, were committed unto man, and, by a few commandments, in connexion with the book before us, the contrite and humble seeker of eternal life, had opened to the eyes of his understanding, that happy view, and bright reversion of latter day glory, which shows the nations gathering round the standard of the Lord, which was to be raised upon mount Zion, preparatory to his second coming. That vail which had been cast over the prophecies of the old Testament, or, at least, over the reading of many of them, since the day that Moses vailed his face before the children of Israel, was removed by the plainness of the book of Mormon. The doubtful points of doctrine, in the bible, which left one sect to immerse for baptism; a second to sprinkel; a third to pour, and a fourth to do without either, were cleared up by the book of Mormon. That embarrassment under which thousands had labored for years, to learn how the saints would know where to gather, that all nations might come to Zion, with songs of everlasting joy, and prepare a house, that the Lord might suddenly come to his temple, so that the mountain of the Lord's house might be established in the top of the mountains, and be exalted above the hills, and the law go forth out of Zion, in the last days, was obviated by the book of Mormon. That wonderful conjecture, which left a blank as to the origin, or forefathers of the American Indians, was done away by the book of Mormon. To use the language of one of its opposers, it opened a flood of light and might justly be called a wonderful volume.
But as there are thousands yet to receive this good book, and learn the true points of the Savior's doctrine, it may be well enough to refer them to some of the allusions to it in the bible. In the 85th Psalm, David said, [Ps. 85:11] Truth shall spring out of the earth; and righteousness shall look down from heaven. All that have been blessed with the Spirit of God, when reading this book, for the sake of truth and salvation, can bear witness to the truth of this quotation. The 29th chapter of Isa. is still plainer and much of it has been fulfilled in the eyes of this generation. It reads: [Isa. 29]--Wo to Ariel, to Ariel, the city where David dwelt! add ye year to year; let them kill sacrifices. Yet I will distress Ariel, and there shall be heaviness and sorrow: and it shall be unto me as Ariel. And I will camp against thee round about, and will lay siege against thee with a mount, and I will raise forts against thee.--And thou shalt be brought down, and shalt speak out of the ground, and thy speech shall be low out of the dust, and thy voice shall be, as of one that hath a familiar spirit, out of the ground, and thy speech shall whisper out of the dust. Moreover, the multitude of thy strangers shall be like small dust, and the multitude of the terrible ones as chaff that passeth away: yea, it shall be at an instant suddenly. Thou shalt be visited by the Lord of hosts with thunder, and with earthquake, the great noise, with storm and tempest, and the flame of devouring fire. And the multitude of all the nations that fight against Ariel, even all that fight against her and her munition, and that distress her, shall be as a dream of a night-vision. It shall even be as when a hungry man dreameth, and behold, he eateth; but he awaketh, and his soul is empty: or as when a thirsty man dreameth, and behold he drinketh; but he awaketh, and behold he is faint, and his soul hath appetite: so shall the multitude of all the nations be, that fight against mount Zion. Stay yourselves and wonder; cry ye out, and cry: they are drunken, but not with wine; they stagger, but not with strong drink. For the Lord hath poured out upon you the spirit of deep sleep, and hath closed your eyes: the prophets and your rulers, the seers hath he covered. And the vision of all is become unto you as the words of a book that is sealed, which men deliver to one that is learned, saying, Read this, I pray thee: and he saith, I cannot; for it is sealed: and the book is delivered unto him that is not learned, saying, Read this, I pray thee: and he saith, I am not learned.--Wherefore the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honor me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men: Therefore behold, I will proceed to do a marvelous work among this people, even a marvelous work and a wonder: for the wisdom of their wise shall perish, and the understanding of their prudent shall be hid. Wo unto them that seek deep to hide their counsel from the Lord, and their works are in the dark, and they say, Who seeth us? and who knoweth us? Surely your turning of things upside down shall be esteemed as the potter's clay: for shall the work say of him that made it, he made me not? or shall the thing framed say of him that framed it, he had no understanding? Is it not yet a very little while, and Lebanon shall be turned into a fruitful field, and the fruitful field shall be esteemed as a forest? And in that day shall the deaf hear the words of the book, and the eyes of the blind shall see out of obscurity, and out of darkness. The meek also shall increase their joy in the Lord, and the poor among men shall rejoice in the Holy One of Israel. For the terrible one is brought to nought and the scorner is consumed, and all that watch for iniquity are cut off: that make a man an offender for a word, and lay a snare for him that reproveth in the gate, and turn aside the just for a thing of nought. Therefore thus saith the Lord, who redeemed Abraham, concerning the house of Jacob, Jacob shall not now be ashamed, neither shall his face now wax pale. But when he seeth his children, the work of my hands, in the midst of him, they shall sanctify my name, and sanctify the Holy One of Jacob, and shall fear the God of Israel. They also that erred in spirit shall come to understanding, and they that murmured shall learn doctrine.
He that cannot see that the prophet, in this chapter, spoke of a book that should come out of the ground, would scarcely be convinced if a man should rise from the dead. In addition to the above, however, Isa. says, [Isa. 45:8] Drop down, ye heavens, from above, and let the skies pour down righteousness: let the earth open, and let them bring forth salvation, and let righteousness spring up together; I the Lord have created it. Ezek. also says: [Ezek. 37:16-17] Moreover, thou son of man, take thee one stick, and write upon it, for Judah, and for the children of Israel his companions: then take another stick, and write upon it, for Joseph, the stick of Ephraim, and all the house of Israel his companions: and join them one to another into one stick; and they shall become one in thy hand. The bible for the stick of Judah, and the book of Mormon for the stick of Joseph, in the hand of Ephraim, is all that need be said, upon these words, for no man ever pretended to know, (till the book of Mormon came,) any thing about the tribe of Joseph, or his history, notwithstanding God had declared by the mouth of Hosea, That he had written the great things of his law to Ephraim; and they are counted a strange thing. The ancient and modern practice of reading sticks, wants but little elucidation. The common school-boy ought to know, that anciently, they wrote on parchment for common use, and rolled it round a stick; and, latterly, newspapers are put into a stick for public utility.
But let us turn again to the book. The simplicity of the language, and the purity of the ideas, carry a holy spirit, as well as breathe an air of religion, that soothes the heart and feeds the soul of every son and daughter of God. Read the following: [1 Ne. 8:19-33]--And I beheld a rod of iron; and it extended along the bank of the river, and led to the tree by which I stood. And I also beheld a straight and narrow path, which came along by the rod of iron, even to the tree by which I stood; and it also led by the head of the fountain, unto a large and spacious field, as if it had been a world; and I saw numberless concourses of people; many of whom were pressing forward, that they might obtain the path which led unto the tree by which I stood.
And it came to pass that they did come forth, and commence in the paths which led to the tree. And it came to pass that there arose a mist of darkness; yea, even an exceeding great mist of darkness, insomuch that they which had commenced in the path, did lose their way, that they wandered off, and were lost.
And it came to pass that I beheld others pressing forward; and they came forth and caught hold of the end of the rod of iron; and they did press forward through the mist of darkness, clinging to the rod of iron, even until they did come forth and partake of the fruit of the tree. And after that they had partaken of the fruit of the tree, they did cast their eyes about as if they were ashamed. And I also cast my eyes round about, and beheld, on the other side of the river of water, a great and spacious building; and it stood as it were in the air, high above the earth; and it was filled with people, both old and young, both male and female; and their manner of dress was exceeding fine; and they were in the attitude of mocking and pointing their fingers towards those which had come at, and were partaking of the fruit. And after that they had tasted of the fruit, they were ashamed, because of those that were scoffing at them; and they fell away into forbidden paths, and were lost.
And now I, Nephi, do not speak all the words of my father. But, to be short in writing; Behold, he saw other multitudes pressing forward; and they came and caught hold of the end of the rod of iron; and they did press their way forward, continually holding fast to the rod of iron, until they came forth and fell down, and partook of the fruit of the tree. And he also saw other multitudes, feeling their way towards that great and spacious building.
And it came to pass that many were drowned in the depths of the fountain; and many were lost from his view, wandering in strange roads. And great was the multitude that did enter into that strange building. And after that they did enter into that building, they did point the finger of scorn at me, and those who were partaking of the fruit also; but we heeded them not.
Again, that perfect accordance with the wisdom of God, after he had said, while manifesting himself to his people, in the flesh, at Jerusalem, [John 10:16] Other sheep have I that are not of this fold, and they shall hear my voice; that he should minister to the Nephites, on this continent, is such heavenly evidence of the divinity & propriety of the book of Mormon, that all doubts, cavils, surmises, and even worldly reasons, which have been brought against its purity, shrink into little nothings.--Says Jesus my sheep know my voice. Now read: [3 Ne. 15, 3 Ne. 16]--And now it came to pass that when Jesus had ended these sayings, he cast his eyes round about on the multitude, and saith unto them, Behold,ye have heard the things which I have taught before I ascended to my Father; therefore whoso remembereth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, him will I raise up at the last day. And it came to pass that when Jesus had said these words, he perceived that there were some among them which marveled, and wondered that he would concerning the law of Moses: for they understood not the saying, That old things had passed away, and that all things had become new. And he saith unto them, Marvel not that I said unto you, that old things had passed away, and that all things had become new. Behold I say unto you, That the law is fulfilled that was given unto Moses. Behold, I am he that gave the law, and I am he which covenanted with my people Israel; therefore, the law in me is fulfilled; for I have come to fulfil the law; therefore, it hath an end. Behold, I do not destroy the prophets: for as many as have not been fulfilled in me, verily, I say unto you, shall all be fulfilled. And because I said unto you, That old things had passed away, I do not destroy that which hath been spoken concerning things which is to come. For behold, the covenant which I have made with my people, is not all fulfilled; but the law which was given unto Moses, hath an end in me. Behold I am the law, and the light: Look unto me, and endure to the end and ye shall live: for unto him that endureth to the end, will I give eternal life. Behold, I have given unto you the commandments; therefore keep my commandments. And this is the law and the prophets: for they truly testified of me.
And now it came to pass that when Jesus had spoken these words, he said unto those twelve whom he had chosen, Ye are my disciples; and ye are a light unto this people, which are a remnant of the house of Joseph. And behold, this is the land of your inheritance; and the Father hath given it unto you. And not at any time hath the Father given me commandment that I should tell it unto your brethren at Jerusalem; neither at any time hath the Father given me commandment, that I should tell unto them concerning the other tribes of the house of Israel, which the Father hath led away out of the land. This much did the Father command me, That I should tell unto them, that other sheep I have, which are not of this fold; them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one Shepherd. And now because of stiffneckedness and unbelief, they understood not my word; therefore I was commanded to say no more of the Father concerning this thing unto them. But verily, I say unto you, that the Father hath commanded me, and I tell it unto you, that ye were separated from among them because of their iniquity. Therefore it is because of their iniquity, that they know not of you. And verily, I say unto you again, that the other tribes hath the Father separated from them; and it is because of their iniquity, that they know not of them. And verily, I say unto you, that ye are they of which I said, other sheep I have, which are not of this fold; them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one Shepherd. And they understood me not, for they supposed it had been the Gentiles: for they understood not that the Gentiles should be converted through their preaching; and they understood me not that I said they shall hear my voice; and they understood me not that the Gentiles should not at any time hear my voice; that I should not manifest myself unto them, save it were by the Holy Ghost. But behold, ye have both heard my voice, and seen me; and ye are my sheep, and ye are numbered among them which the Father hath given me. And verily, verily, I say unto you, That I have other sheep, which are not of this land; neither of the land of Jerusalem; neither in any parts of that land round about, whither I have been to minister. For they of which I speak, are they which have not as yet heard my voice; neither have I at any time manifested myself unto them. But I have received a commandment of the Father, That I shall go unto them, and that they shall hear my voice, and shall be numbered among my sheep, that there may be one fold, and one Shepherd; therefore I go to shew myself unto them. And I command you that ye shall write these sayings, after that I am gone, that if it so be that my people at Jerusalem, they which have seen me, and been with me in my ministry, do not ask the Father in my name, that they may receive a knowledge of you by the Holy Ghost, and also of the other tribes which they know not of, that these sayings which ye shall write, shall be kept, and shall be manifested unto the Gentiles, that through the fulness of the Gentiles, the remnant of their seed which shall be scattered forth upon the face of the earth, because of their unbelief, may be brought in, or may be brought to a knowledge of me, their Redeemer. And then will I gather them in from the four quarters of the earth; and then will I fulfil the covenant which the Father hath made unto all the people of the house of Israel. And blessed are the Gentiles because of their belief in me, in and of the Holy Ghost, which witness unto them of me and of the Father. Behold, because of their belief in me, saith the Father, and because of the unbelief of you, O house of Israel, in the latter day shall the truth come unto the Gentiles, that the fulness of these things shall be made known unto them. But Wo, saith the Father, unto the unbelieving of the Gentiles: for notwithstanding that they have come forth upon the face of this land, and have scattered my people, which are of the house of Israel; and my people which are of the house of Israel, have been cast out from among them, & have been trodden under feet by them; and because of the mercies of the Father unto the Gentiles, and also the judgments of the Father upon my people, which are of the house of Israel, verily, verily, I say unto you, That after all this, and I have caused my people which are of the house of Israel, to be smitten, and to be afflicted, and to be slain, and to be cast out from among them, and to become hated by them, and to become a hiss and a by-word among them. And thus commandeth the Father that I should say unto you. At that day, when the Gentiles shall sin against my gospel, and shall reject the fulness of my gospel, and shall be lifted up in the pride of their hearts above all nations, and above all the people of the whole earth, and shall be filled with all manner of lyings, and deceits, and of mischiefs, and all manner of hypocrisy, and murders, and priestcrafts, and whoredomes, and of secret abominations; and if they shall do all these things, and shall reject the fulness of my gospel, behold saith the Father, I will bring the fulness of my gospel from among them; and then will I remember my covenant which I have made unto my people O house of Israel, and I will bring my gospel unto them; and I will shew unto thee, O house of Israel, that the Gentiles shall not have power over you, but I will remember my covenant unto you, O house of Israel, and ye shall come unto the knowledge of the fulness of my gospel. But if the Gentiles will repent, and turn unto me, saith the Father, behold, they shall be numbered among my people, O house of Israel; and I will not suffer my people, which are of the house of Israel, to go through among them, and tread them down, saith the Father. But if they will not turn unto me, and hearken unto my voice, I will suffer them, yea, I will suffer my people, O house of Israel, that they shall go through among them, and shall tread them down, and they shall be as salt that hath lost his savor, which is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, & to be trodden under foot of my people, O house of Israel. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Thus hath the Father commanded me, that I should give unto this people this land for their inheritance. And when the words of the prophet Isaiah shall be fulfilled, which saith, Thy watchmen shall lift up the voice; with the voice together shall they sing: for they shall see eye to eye, when the Lord shall bring again Zion. Break forth into joy, sing together, ye waste places of Jerusalem: for the Lord hath comforted his people, he hath redeemed Jerusalem. The Lord hath made bare his holy arm in the eyes of all the nations: and all the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of God.
The word of the Lord carries its own evidence with it. In vain have men attempted to counterfeit it. They may compass the earth with their knowledge, and look through the regions of space by their inventions, but death teaches them their frailty, and time covers their glory. The book of Mormon, as a revelation from God, possesses some advantage over the old scripture: it has not been tinctured by the wisdom of man, with here and there an Italic word to supply deficiencies.--It was translated by the gift and power of God, by an unlearned man, through the aid of a pair of Interpreters, or spectacles--(known, perhaps, in ancient days as Teraphim, or Urim and Thummim) and while it unfolds the history of the first inhabitants that settled this continent, it, at the same time, brings a oneness to scripture, like the days of the apostles; and opens and explains the prophecies, that a child may understand the meaning of many of them; and shows how the Lord will gather his saints, even the children of Israel, that have been scattered over the face of the earth, more than two thousand years, in these last days, to the place of the name of the Lord of hosts, the mount Zion.
It may be well to state, that the prophet of God, in ancient days, according to the accounts of men, kept their sacred records on plates of gold, and those of less consequence on plates of brass, copper, wood, &c., see Jahn's biblical archeology, Josephus, and others. These plates were generally made from the sixteenth to the thirty second part of an inch thick (of metal) and something like six by eight inches square, and fastened at the back with three rings through which a rod was put to carry them, or hang them. The word of the Lord, the history of the doings of the children of God, and their genealogy was engraved in a nice workmanlike manner, upon them, in Hebrew, reformed Egyptian, &c. Such was the condition of the plates, from which came the book of Mormon. As may be seen by an allusion in the book of Ether, all that was on them is not translated; wherefore, as they are sacred, when the Book of Mormon was translated from them, they were again hid up to the Lord, to come forth again in his own due time. The Ark of the covenant containing the sacred stone tables, was hid up to the Lord, in the cave where Moses climbed up to view the heritage of God, and was not to come forth till God received his people again unto mercy, when all these things and the cloud shall return, and the glory of God shall rest upon his temple. The present generation is great with events.
The people of God ought to lift up their hearts and rejoice that they live in this age; that they have been permitted through the mercy of the Lord, to have a foreknowledge of what is about to happen on earth; and that they, if faithful, whether in life or in death, will come forth in the first resurrection, and always be with the Lord. O that the world would learn wisdom and reflect, that no man can be too good to be saved! That no people ever had too much revelation to make them happy!
{beliefs-lds} The object of the book of Mormon, is the salvation of men, being good tidings, the fulness of the gospel, and manifesting the new covenant, that Israel may be gathered, and as many of all nations as will, that there may be one fold and one Shepherd. Its examples are pure; its precepts simple, and its encouragement happiness to all that love God and keep his commandments. It was not written to swell the fame of an emperor, nor published to prove the heirship of a prince, but it came to man, as the voice of God, for the living to hear from the dead. Like the gospel of the Savior, it was not proclaimed to the world by the authority of the government; nor was it received as a revelation from God, by the wise and the learned; the rich and the noble: but the poor accepted of it, and while they would, that it might go to all nations, kindreds, tongues, and people, they began to rejoice in the Holy One of Israel.
Although many have attempted to ridicule the word of God, yet no man has been able to speak out of the whirlwind and palm his word upon the righteous as a revelation. When the ingenuity of man has invented a novel, the rich and the noble; the wise and the prudent; the strong and the weak; the minister and the churchman; yea, the king and the infidel, are ready to laud it to the clouds, though every page is fiction and every line a lie. O blindness to goodness! When a revelation from God comes, the same persons are afraid of deception, and cry, beware of delusion! We again say, O blindness to goodness!!
When the Savior came to the Jews, they were so wise in their own wisdom, and so eager for the glory of the world, and for power, that, with the inspired words of the prophets, to guide them to all truth, they did not know their Lord; and though they could have furnished beds to lodge a nation, the Son of God was laid in a manger! So when the book of Mormon had come, containing the fulness of the gospel, to complete the salvation of man for the Lord's rest, even his fulness and glory; had come to call home the children of Israel from their long dispersion, to join the feast which is preparing for the righteous; had come to warn the inhabitants of the earth of judgments to come; had come to prepare the way for the second coming of the Savior, that he might meet his elect at the resurrection, and live with them in the flesh on earth, a thousand years; yea, when this book had come by the gift and power of God, that man might be brought back into the presence of his Maker, when he brought again Zion, men, poor weak men, instead of learning wisdom from the experience of eighteen hundred years, and shunning the gulf of imprudence, into which the Jews fell, echoed the folly of bigots--Blasphemy! Blasphemy!!
By the book of Mormon was made known, that Zion, even the New Jerusalem, where all nations should come up to the house of the Lord, to worship the God of Jacob, in the last days, should be built on this continent; and thanks to him who rules all things after the counsel of his own will, and whose words never fail, the people of the United States, are already witnesses of the fulfilling of this prophecy, for they daily behold the children of God, gathering into his kingdom, ready to meet the Lord when he comes in his glory. The Savior said while ministering to the Nephites, that when the remnant of Joseph began to know that they were the covenant people of the Lord, the work had begun among all nations, and when we see Indians gathered home by the government, we must exclaim; the hand of the Lord is too plain in all this, not to be noticed, and the agitation of the whole globe is too evident, not to cause wonder. While the rumors of war, and war, shake one kingdom to the centre, the pestilence and its horrors spread despair and death in another. All flesh is grass, and when the meek and the humble which to be saved, and learn the will of the Lord, while they look upon the events, convulsions, and signs of the times, witnessing in a language which he that runs may read, that the end is nigh at hand, even at the doors, they are ready to come out of Babylon and shun her plagues.
{beliefs-lds} Men generally believe upon testimony, and the rule is good. Now, as to the evidence of the truth of the bible, we have no eye witnesses to prove it, for they have been dead many hundred years, and the fashion of saying you believe it is true, because your father said so, will not amount to proof, but the testimony of the Spirit of God, is, that it is true. The book of Mormon, besides the evidence of the Holy Spirit, showing that God is the same yesterday, today, and forever, has the living witnesses to bear testimony that it is true:-
THE TESTIMONY OF THREE WITNESSES. {Visions}
Be it known unto all nations, kindreds, tongues and people, unto whom this work shall come, that we, through the grace of God the Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ, have seen the plates which contain this record, which is a record of the people of Nephi, and also of the Lamanites, his brethren, and also of the people of Jared, which came from the tower, of which hath been spoken; and we also know that they have been translated by the gift and power of God, for his voice hath declared it unto us; wherefore we know of a surety, that the work is true.--And we also testify that we have seen the engravings which are on the plates; and they have been shewn unto us by the power of God, and not of man. And we declare with words of soberness, that an angel of God came down from heaven, and he brought and laid before our eyes, that we beheld and saw the plates, and the engravings thereon; and we know that it is by the grace of God the Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ, that we beheld and bear record that these things are true; and it is marvelous in our eyes: Nevertheless the voice of the Lord commanded us that we should bear record of it; wherefore, to be obedient unto the commandments of God, we bear testimony of these things. And we know that if we are faithful in Christ, we shall rid our garments of the blood of all men, and be found spotless at the judgment seat of Christ, and shall dwell with him eternally in the heavens. And the honor be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost, which is one God: Amen.
OLIVER COWDERY, DAVID WHITMER, MARTIN HARRIS.
AND ALSO THE TESTIMONY OF EIGHT WITNESSES.
Be it known unto all nations, kindreds, tongues, and people, unto whom this work shall come, that Joseph Smith Jr. the Author and Proprietor of this work, has shewn unto us the plates of which hath been spoken, which have the appearance of gold; and as many of the leaves as the said Smith has translated, we did handle with our hands; and we also saw the engravings thereon, all of which has the appearance of ancient work, and curious workmanship. And this we bear record with words of soberness, that the said Smith has shewn unto us, for we have seen and hefted, and know of a surety, that the said Smith has got the plates of which we have spoken. And we give our names unto the world, to witness unto the world that which we have seen: and we lie not, God bearing witness of it.
CHRISTIAN WHITMER, JACOB WHITMER, PETER WHITMER, JR., JOHN WHITMER, HIRAM PAGE, JOSEPH SMITH, SEN., HYRUM SMITH, SAMUEL H. SMITH.
So much for the benefit of enquirers in the world. To the church that knows for a surety, that this book has come forth, in these last days, as a light to them that sat in darkness, by the good will of Jesus Christ, the Savior of the world, we say: Fear not little flock, for it was the Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom. Stand fast in the faith that has been delivered to you in these last days, and while the servants of the living God are preaching the everlasting gospel to the inhabitants of the world, and are gathering sons and daughters to Zion, keep the commandments and learn the peaceable things of the kingdom, that, as wise virgins, when the Lord comes to the supper, yea, the feast of fat things, prepared for the righteous, your lamps may be trimed and burning, and you ready to meet him. Remember your first love for the glory that will soon be revealed, was kindled into a sacred flame, by the good tidings contained in the book of Mormon. Remember, that the vail of darkness which still envelopes the minds of thousands in the world, was taken away from you, when, by the book of Mormon, you learned, that the Lord was about building up Zion again on the earth, as an everlasting home for the righteous.
Well may you lift up your hearts and rejoice; of all the beings beneath the Celestial kingdom, you are the most blessed! While the judgments of God, are poured out upon the wicked; yea, while the pestilence sweeps them away, as a mighty wind drives the clouds from your sight, if you love the Lord and keep his commandments, you shall be safe in mount Zion. While the treasures of snow and hail are opened, and sent forth upon the ungodly, if you love the Lord and keep his commandments, you shall be safe in mount Zion. While the mountains flow down at his presence, and every valley is exalted, and the mighty ocean rolls back to its ancient habitation, if you love the Lord and keep his commandments, you shall be safe in mount Zion. And when the Lord has come in his glory, you shall lift up your voices and sing this new song of the Lord, saying:-
The Lord hath brought again Zion: The Lord hath redeemed his people, Israel, According to the election of grace, Which was brought to pass by the faith, And covenant of their fathers. The Lord hath redeemed his people, And satan is bound; and time is no longer: The Lord hath gathered all things in one: The Lord hath brought down Zion from above: The Lord hath brought up Zion from beneath; The earth hath travailed and brought forth her strength, And truth is established in her bowels; And the heavens hath smiled upon her; And she is clothed with the glory of her God: For he standeth in the midst of his people: Glory, and honor, and power, and might, be ascribed to our God, For he is full of mercy, justice, grace and truth, And peace, for ever and ever; Amen.
<"The West">
William Phelps "The West," E&MS 1 (Jan 1833)
THE WEST. {beliefs-lds}
WHEN Moses climbed up to view the heritage of God, he lifted up his eyes westward. Isaiah says, So shall they fear the name of the Lord from the west, and his glory from the rising of the sun. When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord shall lift up a standard against him. And the Redeemer shall come to Zion, and unto them that turn from transgression in Jacob, saith the Lord. And by an article in our next. No. it will be seen, that the Jews continue to pray to God upon the ruins of the west wall of Jerusalem:
<"Moroni">
William Phelps "Moroni's Teaching," E&MS 1 (Jan 1833)
SOME OF MORMON'S TEACHING. {beliefs-lds}
KNOWING that truth, goodness and glory are eternal, and desiring that the disciples may obtain one by the aid of the other till they come to the third through diligence, patience, long-suffering and faith to the end, we select a paragraph or two from the teachings of Mormon. Notwithstanding some may suppose that they can read the same things in the book of Mormon, still, to stir up the pure minds, by way of remembrance, that they may be mindful of the words of the prophets, and of the commandments, is pleasing in the sight of God, and needful to keep them growing in grace. When the extract that we are about to make has been read once, read it again, and so on till the Lord grants you a portion of his Spirit sufficient to write as well as Mormon.
The inhabitants of Zion are brought under condemnation for neglecting the book of Mormon, from which they not only received the new covenant, but the fulness of the gospel. Has this been done for the sake of hunting mysteries in the prophecies? or has it come to pass by carelessness? O brethren, walk circumspectly before the Lord and bring fruits meet for repentance, that you pollute not the heritage of God. You cannot serve God and mammon; be good, for the just shall live by faith. But to the extract: [Moro. 7] And now I, Moroni, write a few of the words of my father Mormon, which he spake concerning faith, hope and charity: for after this manner did he speak unto the people, as he taught them in the synagogue which they had built for the place of worship. And now I, Mormon, speak unto you my beloved brethren; and it is by the grace of God, the Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ, and his holy will, because of the gift of his calling unto me, that I am permitted to speak unto you at this time; wherefore I would speak unto you that are of the church, that are the peaceable followers of Christ, and that have obtained a sufficient hope, by which ye can enter into the rest of the Lord, from this time hence forth, until ye shall rest with him in heaven. And now my brethren, I judge these things of you because of your peaceable walk with the children of men: for I remember the word of God, which saith, By their works ye shall know them: for if their works be good, then they are good also. For behold, God hath said, A man being evil, cannot do that which is good: for if he offereth a gift, or prayeth unto God, except he shall do it with real intent, it profiteth him nothing. For behold, it is not counted unto him for righteousness. For behold, if a man being evil, giveth a gift, he doeth it grudgingly; wherefore it is counted unto him the same as if he had retained the gift; wherefore he is counted evil before God. And likewise also is it counted evil unto a man, if he shall pray, and not with real intent of heart; yea, and it profiteth him nothing: for God receiveth none such; wherefore, a man being evil, cannot do that which is good; neither will he give a good gift. For behold, a bitter fountain cannot bring forth good water; neither can a good fountain bring forth bitter water; wherefore a man being a servant of the devil, cannot follow Christ; and if he follow Christ, he cannot be a servant of the devil. Wherefore, all things which are good cometh of God; and that which is evil, cometh of the devil: for the devil is an enemy unto God, and fighteth against him continually, and inviteth and enticeth to sin, and to do that which is evil continually. But behold, that which is of God inviteth and enticeth to do good continually; wherefore, every thing which inviteth and enticeth to do good, and to love God, and to serve him, is inspired of God. Wherefore take heed, my beloved brethren, that ye do not judge that which is evil to be of God, or that which is good and of God to be of the devil. For behold, my brethren, it is given unto you to judge, that ye may know good from evil; and the way to judge is as plain that ye may know with a perfect knowledge, as the daylight is from the dark night. For behold, the Spirit of Christ is given to every man, that they may know good from evil; wherefore I shew unto you the way to judge: for every thing which inviteth to do good, and to persuade to believe in Christ, is sent forth by the power and gift of Christ; wherefore ye may know with a perfect knowledge, it is of God; but whatsoever thing persuadeth men to do evil, and believe not in Christ, and deny him, and serve not God, then ye may know with a perfect knowledge it is of the devil, for after this manner doth the devil work: for he persuadeth no man to do good, no not one; neither doeth his angels;neither do they which subject themselves unto him.
And now my brethren, seeing that ye know the light by which ye may judge, which light is the light of Christ, see that ye do not judge wrongfully: for with that same judgment which ye judge, ye shall also be judged. Wherefore I beseech of you, brethren, that ye should search diligently in the light of Christ that ye may know good from evil; and if ye will lay hold upon every good thing, and condemn it not, ye certainly will be a child of Christ. And now, my brethren, how is it possible that ye can lay hold upon every good thing? And now I come to that faith, of which I said I would speak; and I will tell you the way whereby ye may lay hold on every good thing. For behold, God knowing all things, being from everlasting to everlasting, behold, he sent angels to minister unto the children of men, to make manifest concerning the coming of Christ; and in Christ there should come every good thing. And God also declared unto prophets by his own mouth, that Christ should come. And behold there were divers ways that he did manifest things unto the children of men, which were good; and all things which are good, cometh of Christ, otherwise men were fallen, and there could no good thing come unto them. Wherefore, by the ministering of angels, and by every word which proceeded forth out of the mouth of God, men began to exercise faith in Christ; and thus by faith, they did lay hold upon every good thing: and thus it was until the coming of Christ. And after that he came, men also were saved by faith in his name; and by faith they become the sons of God. And as suredly as Christ liveth, he spake these words unto our fathers, saying, Whatsoever thing ye shall ask the Father in my name, which is good, in faith believing that ye shall receive, behold, it shall be done unto you. Wherefore, my beloved brethren, hath miracles ceased, because that Christ hath ascended into heaven, and hath set down on the right hand of God, to claim of the Father his rights of mercy which he hath upon the children of men? for he hath answered the ends of the law, and he claimeth all those that hath faith in him; and they that have faith in him, will cleave unto every good thing; wherefore he advocateth the cause of the children of men; and he dwelleth eternally in the heavens. And Because that he hath done this, my beloved brethren, hath miracles ceased? Behold I say unto you, Nay; neither hath angels ceased to minister unto the children of men. For behold, they are subject unto him, to minister according to the word of his command, shewing themselves unto them of strong faith and a firm mind, in every form of godliness. And the office of their ministry is, to call men unto repentance, and to fulfil and to do the work of the covenants of the Father which he hath made unto the children of men, to prepare the way among the children of men, by declaring the word of Christ unto the chosen vessels of the Lord, that they may bear testimony of him; and by so doing, the Lord God prepareth the way that the residue of men may have faith in Christ, that the Holy Ghost may have place in their hearts, according to the power thereof: and after this manner bringeth to pass the Father the covenants which he hath made unto the children of men. And Christ hath said, if ye will have faith in me, ye shall have power to do whatsoever thing is expedient in me.--And he hath said, Repent all ye ends of the earth, and come unto me and be baptized in my name, and have faith in me, that ye may be saved.
And now my beloved brethren, if this be the case that these things are true which I have spoken unto you, and God will shew unto you with power and great glory at the last day, that they are true; and if they are true, hath the day of miracles ceased? or hath angels ceased to appear unto the children of men? or hath he withheld the power of the Holy Ghost from them? or will he, so long as time shall last, or the earth shall stand, or there shall be one man upon the face thereof to be saved? Behold I say unto you Nay, for it is by faith that miracles are wrought; and it is by faith that angels appear and minister unto men; wherefore if these things have ceased, wo be unto the children of men, for it is because of unbelief, and all is vain: for no man can be saved, according to the words of Christ, save they shall have faith in his name; wherefore, if these things have ceased, then has faith ceased also; and awful is the state of man: for they are as though there had been no redemption made. But behold, my beloved brethren, I judge better things of you, for I judge that ye have faith in Christ, because of your meekness: for if ye have not faith in him, then ye are not fit to be numbered among the people of his church. And again my beloved brethren, I would speak unto you concerning hope. How is it that ye can attain unto faith, save ye shall have hope? And what is it that ye shall hope for? Behold I say unto you, that ye shall have hope through the atonement of Christ and the power of his resurrection, to be raised unto life eternal; and this because of your faith in him according to the promise; wherefore, if a man have faith, he must needs have hope: for without faith there cannot be any hope.--And again: Behold I say unto you, that he cannot have faith and hope, save he shall be meek, and lowly of heart: if so, his faith and hope are vain, for none is acceptable before God, save the meek and lowly of heart; and if a man be meek and lowly in heart, and confesses by the power of the Holy Ghost, that Jesus is the Christ, he must needs have charity: for if he have not charity, he is nothing; wherefore he must needs have charity. And charity suffereth long, and is kind, and envieth not, and is not puffed up, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil, and rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth, beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things; wherefore, my beloved brethren, if ye have not charity, ye are nothing, for charity never faileth. Wherefore, cleave unto charity, which is the greatest of all, for all things must fail; but charity is the pure love of Christ, and it endureth forever; and whoso is found possessed of it at the last day, it shall be well with them. Wherefore, my beloved brethren, pray unto the Father with all the energy of heart, that ye may be filled with this love which he hath bestowed upon all who are true followers of his Son Jesus Christ, that ye may become the sons of God, that when he shall appear, we shall be like him: for we shall see him as he is, that we may have this hope, that we may be purified even as he is pure: Amen.
<"Children">
William Phelps "Children of the Kingdom," 1 E&MS 1 (Jan 1833)
THE CHILDREN OF THE KINGDOM. {beliefs-lds}
WHILE we witness the gathering of the children of the kingdom, there is a joy flows through the heart, unknown to the world; a prospect before us, that the unbelieving will be strangers to, till, perhaps they are taken out of the world by the pestilential arrows of the Almighty. The time is near when the Savior will appear in the clouds of heaven, with power and great glory, and we rejoice to see his sons and daughters brought home, by his power, where parting will be no more, if they remain faithful. The day has come when a great light has burst upon the understanding of them that sat in darkness, and we thank the Lord, that he is opening eyes to behold it, and unstopping ears to hear it; for verily, it is the news of salvation, opening the mysteries of eternity.
It is not long since we gave the number, that had come up to Zion since the gathering commenced, and we need not, in this article, give the information again, but suffice it to say, that the work goes on, and from our knowledge of the subject, it will continue to do so, and even increase till the Lord has made a short work of it. There is a day of reckoning at hand, and a time of glory near; yea, truly this generation shall not pass away till the Lord's house shall be built in mount Zion, and the cloud of his glory shall rest upon it. Let the inhabitants of the earth remember, that the word of the Lord, of old was, that, out of Zion should go forth the law, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem, in the last days.
<"Learn Duty">
William Phelps "Let Every Man Learn His Duty," E&MS 1 (Jan 1833)
THE EVENING AND THE MORNING STAR.
LET EVERY MAN LEARN HIS DUTY. {beliefs-lds}
EVERY man ought to know his duty to God and man; especially the saint that has the benefit of revelation to guide him: he ought to know his duty, not only to say, but to do in all things. He ought to practice holiness before the Lord, that he may be counted worthy of an inheritance in Zion, and meet his Savior in peace.
Every soul that comes up to Zion for an inheritance, for the present, must prepare temporally and spiritually. He should settle all his concerns with the world, and owe no man: he should overcome the world, and be ready, when he arrives at the place of gathering, to consecrate all to the Lord, through whom the Lord has appointed for that purpose, that he may be prepared to keep the commandments, and do the will of his heavenly Father: otherwise he may not hold communion with the brethren: nor can he expect an inheritance, according to the regulations and order of the church.
While the gathering is sounded, that Israel may come in from his long dispersion, and also, as many of the Gentiles as will, the invitation is free,but unless the articles and covenants, the law and regulation; yea, verily all the commandments, are kept, all is vain. The Lord has order, and many that may come to the land of Zion, for an inheritance, without obeying all the requirements of the Lord, will be weighed in the balances and found wanting. It is not every one that says Lord, Lord, that shall abide the day of tithing. Every soul that is saved in the celestial kingdom, will be saved by its own faith and works: therefore, how necessary it is, that the saints should keep all the commandments, that others seeing a good example, may go and do likewise. If any should ask what is my duty? Let him read: To love the Lord supremely: To love his neighbor as himself: To consecrate all to the Lord: To be faithful to the end, and, above all, to have charity. A saint must be holy, or he cannot have a portion in the holy city.
Again: Let all things be in order. Let every one that quits the world for the sake of eternal life, act consistent in every thing: by obeying the commandments; by paying his just debts; by taking care of his property, if any, if not, by assisting others to do so: not hurrying up to Zion with some and leaving some to whet the appetite of an over anxious world. The Lord is never in a hurry, but gives every thing its proper proportion of time. Be cleanly; no matter what condition yours may be, cleanliness is a virtue, that will be required in Zion. Heaven shines with glory, and the Lord clothes his angels with WHITE ROBES: How necessary, then, that his saints should be decent.
In relation to consecrating, and continuing worthy, and faithful to the end, we make the following extract of a letter:-
[D&C 85] It is the duty of the Lord's clerk, whom he has appointed, to keep a history, and a general church record of all things, that transpire in Zion, and of all those who consecrate properties and receive inheritances, legally from the bishop; and also, their manner of life, and their faith and works: and also, of all the apostates, who apostatize after receiving their inheritance.
It is contrary to the will and commandment of God, that those who receive not their inheritance by consecration, agreeable to his law, which he has given, that he may tithe his people to prepare them against the day of vengeance and burning, should have their names enrolled with the people of God; neither is their genealogy to be kept, or to be had where it may be found on any of the records, or histories of the Church: their names shall not be found, neither the names of their fathers, or the names of their children, written in the book of the law of God, saith the Lord of Hosts; yea, thus saith the still small voice, which whispereth through and pierceth all things: and often times it maketh my bones to quake while it maketh manifest, saying:--And it shall come to pass, that I the Lord God will send one mighty and strong, holding the sceptre of power in his hand, clothed with light for a covering, whose mouth shall utter words, eternal words, while his bowels shall be a fountain of truth, to set in order the house of God, and to arrange by lot the inheritance of the saints, whose names are found, and the names of their fathers, and of their children, enrolled in the book of the law of God: while that man who was called of God, and appointed, that putteth forth his hand to steady the ark of God, shall fall by the shaft of death, like as a tree that is smitten by the vivid shaft of lightning; and all they who are not found written in the book of remembrance, shall find none inheritance in that day, but they shall be cut asunder and their portion shall be appointed them among unbelievers, where there is wailing and gnashing of teeth. These things I say not of myself, therefore, as the Lord speaketh he will also fulfil.
And they who are of the High Priesthood, whose names are not found written in the book of the law, or that are found to have apostatized, or to have been cut off out of the church, as well as the lesser Priesthood; or the members, in that day, shall not find an inheritance among the saints of the most High: therefore, it shall be done unto them as unto the children of the priests, as it is written in the second chapter, and 61st and 62nd verses of Ezra: [Ezra 2:61-62] And of the children of the priests: the children of Habaiah, the children of Koz, the children of Barzillai: which took a wife of the daughters of Barzillai the Gileadite, and was called after their name: These sought their register among those that were reckoned by genealogy, but they were not found: therefore were they, as polluted, put from the priesthood.
<Editorial>
William Phelps ed E&MS 1 (Jan 1833)
Revelations.
REVELATION GIVEN, JANUARY 1831. [D&C 38]
THUS saith the Lord your God, even Jesus Christ, the Great I AM, Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the same which looked upon the wide expanse of eternity, and all the seraphic hosts of heaven, before the world was made, the same which knoweth all things, for all things are present before mine eyes:
I am the same which spake and the world was made, and all things came by me: I am the same which hath taken the Zion of Enoch into mine own bosom:
And verily I say, even as many as have believed on my name, for I am Christ, and in mine own name, by the virtue of the blood which I have spilt, have I plead before the Father for them:
But behold the residue of the wicked have I kept in chains of darkness until the judgment of the great day, which shall come at the end of the earth, and even so will I cause the wicked to be kept, that will not hear my voice but harden their hearts, and wo, wo, wo is their doom.
But behold, verily, verily I say unto you, that mine eyes are upon you; I am in your midst and ye cannot see me, but the day soon cometh that ye shall see me and know that I am, for the vail of darkness shall soon be rent, and he that is not purified shall not abide the day: wherefore, gird up your loins and be prepared.
Behold the kingdom is yours and the enemy shall not overcome.
Verily I say unto you, that ye are clean but not all; and there is none else with whom I am well pleased, for all flesh is corruptible before me, and the powers of darkness prevail upon the earth, among the children of men, in the presence of all the host of heaven, which causeth silence to reign, and all eternity is pained, and the angels are waiting the great command, to reap down the earth, to gather the tares that they may be burned:
And behold the enemy is combined.
And now I show unto you a mystery, a thing which is had in secret chambers, to bring to pass even your destruction, in process of time, and ye knew it not, but now I tell it unto you, and ye are blessed, not because of your iniquity, neither your hearts of unbelief, for verily some of you are guilty before me; but I will be merciful unto your weakness.
Therefore, be ye strong from henceforth; fear not, for the kingdom is yours; and for your salvation I give unto you a commandment, for I have heard your prayers, and the poor have complained before me, and the rich have I made, and all flesh is mine, and I am no respecter to persons.
And I have made the earth rich, and behold it is my footstool: wherefore, again I will stand upon it: and I hold forth and deign to give unto you greater riches, even a land of promise; a land flowing with milk and honey, upon which there shall be no curse when the Lord cometh, and I will give it unto you for the land of your inheritance, if you seek it with all your hearts:
And this shall be my covenant with you, ye shall have it for the land of your inheritance, and for the inheritance of your children forever, while the earth shall stand, and ye shall possess it again in eternity, no more to pass away: but verily I say unto you, that in time ye shall have no king nor ruler, for I will be your King and watch over you:
Wherefore, hear my voice and follow me, and you shall be a free people, and ye shall have no laws but my laws, for I am your Law-giver, and what can stay my hand.
But verily I say unto you, teach one another according to the office wherewith I have appointed you, and let every man esteem his brother as himself, and practice virtue and holiness before me.
And again I say unto you, let every man esteem his brother as himself: for what man among you, having twelve sons, and is no respecter to them, and they serve him obediently, and he saith unto the one, be thou clothed in robes and sit thou here; and to the other, be thou clothed in rags and sit thou there, and looketh upon his sons and saith I am just.
Behold, this I have given unto you a parable, and it is even as I am, I say unto you, be one; and if ye are not one, ye are not mine.
And again I say unto you, that the enemy in the secret chambers, seeketh your lives: ye hear of wars in far countries, and you say in your hearts there will soon be great wars in far countries, but ye know not the hearts of them in your own land: I tell you these things because of your prayers:
Wherefore, treasure up wisdom in your bosoms, lest the wickedness of men reveal these things unto you, by their wickedness in a manner, which shall speak in your ears, with a voice louder than that which shall shake the earth: but if ye are prepared, ye shall not fear.
And that ye might escape the power of the enemy, and be gathered unto me a righteous people without spot and blameless:
Wherefore, for this cause I gave unto you the commandment, that ye should go to the Ohio; and there I will give unto you my law & there you shall be endowed with power from on high, and from thence, whomsoever I will shall go forth among all nations, and it shall be told them what they shall do, for I have a great work laid up in store:
For Israel shall be saved, and I will lead them whithersoever I will, and no power shall stay my hand.
And now I give unto the church in these parts, a commandment, that certain men among them shall be appointed, and they shall be appointed by the voice of the church; and they shall look to the poor and the needy, and administer to their relief, that they shall not suffer; and send them forth to the place which I have commanded them; and this shall be their work, to govern the affairs of the property of this church.
And they that have farms, that cannot be sold, let them be left or rented as seemeth them good.
See that all things are preserved, and when men are endowed with power from on high, and are sent forth, all these thing shall be gathered unto the bosom of the church.
And if ye seek the riches which it is the will of the Father to give unto you, you shall be the richest of all people, for ye shall have the riches of eternity: And it must needs be that the riches of the earth is mine to give:
But beware of pride lest ye become as the Nephites of old.
And again: I say unto you, I give unto you a commandment, that every man both elder, priest, teacher and also member, go to with his might, with the labor of his hands, to prepare and accomplish these things, which I have commanded.
And let your preaching be the warning voice, every man to his neighbor, in mildness and in meekness.
And go ye out from among the wicked. Save yourselves.
Be ye clean that bear the vessels of the Lord. Even so: Amen.
ITEMS IN ADDITION TO THE LAWS FOR THE GOVERNMENT OF THE CHURCH OF CHRIST, GIVEN APRIL, 1832. [D&C 83]
VERILY thus saith the Lord, in addition to the laws of the church, concerning women and children, who belong to the church, who have lost their husbands, or fathers:
Women have claim on their husbands until they are taken, and, if they are not found transgressors, they remain upon their inheritances:
All children have claim upon their parents until they are of age, and after that they have claim upon the church, or in other words, the Lord's storehouse for inheritances.
INDIAN TREATIES. {beliefs-lds}
THE United States continue to buy the land of Joseph, and become nursing fathers unto his children. The Globe in speaking of the treaty of peace with the Indians, states, "That the land acquired by government from the Winnebagoes contains about 4,600,000 acres, and is represented to be of excellent soil, well watered, and abounding in inducements for agriculturists to purchase and cultivate.
Advices have been received of the formation of another treaty with the Sacs and Foxes. By this compact the United States acquire about 600,000,000 acres, of a quality not inferior to any between the same parallels of latitude. It is known to abound in lead, and the Indians say in other ores.
For the tract ceded, the United States agree to pay an annuity of twenty thousand dollars for thirty years, to support a black-smith and gun-smith in addition to those now employed, to pay the debts of the tribes, to supply provisions, and, as a reward for the fidelity of Ke-o-kuk and the friendly band, to allow a reservation to be made for them of 400 miles square on the Ioway river, to include Ke-o-kuk's principal village.
Black Hawk and his two sons, the Prophet, Napope and five others, principal warriors of the hostile bands, are to be retained as hostages, during the pleasure of the President. All the other prisoners have been delivered up to the friendly Sacs and Foxes."
What a beauty it is to see the prophecies fulfilling so exactly. Nephi says: [1 Ne. 22:6-12]
Nevertheless, after that they have been nursed by the Gentiles, and the Lord hath lifted up his hand upon the Gentiles, and set them up for a standard, and their children shall be carried in their arms and their daughters shall be carried upon their shoulders: behold these things of which are spoken are temporal:
For thus is the covenants of the Lord with our fathers; and it meaneth us in the days to come, and also all our brethren which are of the house of Israel.
And it meaneth that the time cometh that after all the house of Israel have been scattered and confounded, that the Lord God will raise up a mighty nation among the Gentiles: yea, even upon the face of this land; and by them shall our seed be scattered.
And after that our seed is scattered, the Lord God will proceed to do a marvelous work among the Gentiles, which shall be of great worth unto our seed:
Wherefore, it is likened unto the being nourished by the Gentiles, and being carried in their arms, and upon their shoulders.
And it shall also be of worth unto the Gentiles; and not only unto the Gentiles, but unto all the house of Israel, unto the making known of the covenants of the Father of heaven, unto Abraham, saying, In thy seed shall all the kindreds of the earth be blessed.
And I would my brethren that ye should know, that all the kindreds of the earth cannot be blessed, unless he shall make bare his arm in the eyes of the nations.
Wherefore, the Lord God will proceed to make bare his arm in the eyes of all the nations, in bringing about his covenants and his gospel unto they which are of the house of Israel.
Wherefore, he will bring them again out of captivity, and they shall be gathered together to the lands of their inheritance, and they shall be brought out of obscurity and out of darkness, and they shall know that the Lord is their Savior and their Redeemer, the mighty one of Israel.
SIGNS OF THE TIMES. {beliefs-lds}
SIGNS and appearances are such, that even the most unbelieving dread coming events; and no wonder, for when the Lord comes out of his place to rebuke the nations, all hearts are faint, and all knees do tremble. Every man has a right to do as he pleases, being an agent to himself, but we ardently hope, while such important signs, and extraordinary commotions, as:-
The Cholera spreading over the whole earth; The plague breaking out in India; The Revolutions of Europe; The dissolution of South Carolina from the Union; The gathering of the saints to Zion, and The assembling of the Jews at Jerusalem,
are passing in rapid succession, that some will turn to God and live. Such strange movements of men; such dreadful sickness; oh! such fearful looking for the wrath of God to be poured out upon this generation, together with the evidence of Holy writ, ought to convince every man in the world, that the end is near; that the harvest is ripe, and that the angels are reaping down the earth!
It is certainly a day of dilemmas: The political party that has just been crowned with victory, shudders at the prospect before it. Horror, with all its fearful gloom slackens in one place, and commotion, or rebellion, with all its crimson warnings, reddens in another, showing, if ever there was a time when the sword of the Lord hung by a single hair, over the heads of them that have seated themselves round the feast table, it is now. The man that undertakes to run FROM the pestilence, runs to danger: and he that would leave Europe because her kingdoms are crumbling to pieces, to come to America, beholds the links in the chain of Freedom break, as the new ropes in the hands of Sampson: and he looks, but looks in vain for peace, for the hour is nigh, when it shall be taken from the earth. In the east there is trouble; in the west there is fear; in the north there is no peace, and in the south there is consternation. Well may we exclaim, all things must change: but virtue shall endure forever.
THE BOOK OF ESTHER.
IN the remainder of the book of Esther, which the ancient men of the world, put down as doubtful, may be found the following:
The Mardocheus said, God hath done these things.
For I remember a dream which I saw concerning these matters, and nothing thereof hath failed.
A little fountain became a river, and there was light, and the sun, and much water: this river is Esther, whom the king married, and made queen.
And the two dragons are I and Aman.
And the nations were those that were assembled to destroy the name of the Jew: and my nation is this Israel, which cried to God, and were saved: for the Lord hath saved his people, and the Lord hath delivered us from all those evils, and God hath wrought signs and great wonders, which have not been done among the Gentiles.
Therefore hath he made two lots, one for the people of God, and another for all the Gentiles.
And these two lots came at the hour, and time, and day of judgment, before God among all nations.
<"The New-Year">
William Phelps "The New-Year," E&MS 1 (Jan 1833)
THE NEW-YEAR. {beliefs-lds}
MANY years have rolled away since the Morning Stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy; many years have fled since Enoch built up Zion, and the Lord took him and his city unto his own bosom; many years have passed away since the world was drowned for its wickedness; many years have been forgotten since Israel was scattered for transgressing the commandments of God; many years have vanished like a dream since the angel brought the good tidings, that the Son of God was born in the city of David, and many years have left the earth as they found it, since mankind knew the true way to holiness: But while creations have rolled on; while millions have come and gone from the earth; while seas have divided land from land; while cities have sunk, and mountains have tumbled up as standing monuments of their wickedness; yea, while the vanity of the world has flitted from generation to generation, without ever stopping to satisfy the ambition of one, or turning aside to draw a facsimile to gladden the curiosity of another, the word of the Lord has remained, as a never-failing witness of its Eternal Author.
We need not roll back the curtain of time, to view the rise and fall of kingdoms; to see the follies and vanities of departed generations; no; while men and things have passed, by the current of time, into another state, the word of the Lord remains to point the way to a better world; yea, it remains, to show the end of the ungodly, and, as saith Solomon, when they cast up the accounts of their sins, they shall come with fear: and their own iniquities shall convince them to their face.
Then shall the righteous man stand in great boldness before the face of such as have afflicted him, and made no account of his labors.
When they see it, they shall be troubled with terrible fear, and shall be amazed at the strangeness of his salvation, so far beyond all that they looked for.
And they repenting and groaning for anguish of spirit shall say within themselves, This was he, whom we had sometimes in derision, and a proverb of reproach: We fools accounted his life madness, and his end to be without honor: How is he numbered among the children of God, and his lot is among the saints! Therefore have we erred from the way of truth, and the light of righteousness hath not shined unto us, and the Son of righteousness rose not upon us.
We wearied ourselves in the way of wickedness and destruction: yea, we have gone through deserts, where there lay no way: but as for the way of the Lord, we have not known it.
What hath pride profited us? or what good hath riches with our vaunting brought us? All those things are passed away like a shadow, and as a post they hasteth by; and as a ship that passeth over the waves of the water, which when it is gone by, the trace thereof cannot be found, neither the pathway of the keel in the waves; or as when a bird hath flown through the air, there is no token of her way to be found, but the light air being beaten with the stroke of her wings, and parted with the violent noise and motion of them, is passed through, and therein afterward no sign where she went is to be found: Or like as when an arrow is shot at a mark, it parteth the air, which immediately cometh together again, so that a man cannot know where it went through: Even so we in like manner, as soon as we were born began to draw to our end, and had no sign of virtue to shew; but were consumed in our own wickedness.
For the hope of the ungodly is like dust that is blown away with the wind; like a thin froth that is driven away with the storm; like as the smoke which is dispersed here and there with a tempest, and passeth away as the remembrance of a guest that tarrieth but a day.
But the righteous live for evermore; their reward also is with the Lord, and the care of them is with the Most High.
Therefore shall they receive a glorious kingdom, and a beautiful crown from the Lord's hand: for with his right hand shall he cover them, and with his arm shall he protect them.
He shall take to him his jealousy for complete armor, and make the creature his weapon for the revenge of his enemies.
He shall put on righteousness as a breastplate, and true judgment instead of a helmet.
He shall take holiness for an invincible shield.
His severe wrath shall he sharpen for a sword, and the world shall fight with him against the unwise.
Then shall the right-aiming thunderbolts go abroad; and from the clouds, as from a well-drawn bow, shall they fly to the mark.
And hailstones full of wrath shall be cast as out of a stone-bow, and the water of the sea shall rage against them, and the floods shall cruelly drown them.
Yea, a mighty wind shall stand up against them, and like a storm shall blow them away: thus iniquity shall lay waste the whole earth, and ill-dealing shall overthrow the thrones of the mighty.
Hear therefore, O ye kings, and understand; learn, ye that be judges of the ends of the earth.
Give ear, ye that rule the people, and glory in the multitude of nations.
For power is given you of the Lord, and sovereignty from the Highest, who shall try your works, and search out your counsels.
Because, being ministers of his kingdom, ye have not judged right, nor kept the law, not walked after the counsel of God, horribly and speedily shall he come upon you for a sharp judgment shall be to them that be in high places.
For mercy will soon pardon the meanest: but mighty men shall be mightily tormented.
For he which is Lord over all shall fear no man's person, neither shall he stand in awe of any man's greatness: for he hath made the small and great, and careth for all alike.
But a sore trial shall come upon the mighty.
Unto you therefore, O kings, do I speak, that ye may learn wisdom, and not fall away: for they that keep holiness holily, shall be judged holy: and they that have earned such things shall find what to answer.
But stop, and let us reflect, that although almost six thousand years have witnessed the mighty and many scenes which have happened or been acted on earth, few men, since Israel became a chosen nation of the Lord, have lived to see an hundred New-Years: and, that, from the signs of the times, and the convultions of nations, notwithstanding about one third of this century has already been numbered among departed years, very few, if any, in their present existence, will behold the New-Year of nine-teen hundred! The destroying angel is on the earth, scattering the pestilence where the Lord will, and as some of the inhabitants are swept away by this unseen power, the residue seem to harden their hearts and forget that now is the time when all flesh is grass: The Journal of Commerce thus sums up the amount of the cholera in New-York: "COST OF THE CHOLERA.--It appears from a report recently submitted to the Board of Assistant Aldermen, that the expense of the city government on account of the cholera, amounted to $100,000. But this is a small matter in comparison with the damage occasioned by the derangement and suspension of business, the quarantining of our vessels wherever they went, the expence of sickness and flight, and the host of other inconveniences to which the calamity gave rise. Leaving out of the account, all higher considerations, such as the loss of life and the sundering of earthly ties, an assessment of $1,000,000 upon our inhabitants, (perhaps we should say two million,) would have been a cheap purchase of exemption from the scourge.
It is surprising how soon the effects of this calamity disappear. The pecuniary sufferings is no longer visible--the 6400 persons deceased since the first of July are not missed by the public--the 3000 dram shops are again in full action--the Theaters, Distilleries, and other engines of destruction, are plied as warmly as ever.
This is the reign of error, and a day of trouble, and we caution the disciples of the blessed Savior, to be aware and not assert or write, things as truth without evidence, or a knowledge of their own. The present generation is very much given to lying, and, as a natural consequence, a lie will be believed and circulated by ten persons, where the truth can scarcely be heard by one. Good is seemingly, perished among all nations, and men's hearts fail them, while looking for those things which are about to take place on the earth. No man can calculate from last year's experience, and say, as it was in eighteen hundred and thirty-two, it will be in eighteen hundred and thirty-three: For the Lord is exerting the powers of heaven, and will, ere long, shake terribly the earth; yea, his arrows are shot to the ends of it, and all flesh will know, that he hath put forth his hand to rebuke the world for its pollutions, and abominations.
In proof of this the saints are gathering home to the land of Zion, that they may be ready to meet the Lord when he comes suddenly to his temple. And besides this, the Spirit of the Lord, as it were, works upon the great men of the earth, to hasten the work of the gathering, in its time. The President of the United States, in relation to the remnants of Joseph, thus speaks in his last Message: I am happy to inform you, that the wise and humane policy of transferring from the Eastern to the Western side of the Mississippi, the remnants of our aboriginal tribes, with their own consent and upon just terms, has been steadily pursued, and is approaching, I trust, its consummation. By reference to the report of the Secretary of War, and to the documents submitted with it, you will see the progress which has been made since your last session, in the arrangement of the various matters connected with our Indian relations. With one exception, every subject involving any question of conflicting jurisdiction, or of peculiar difficulty, has been happily disposed of, and the conviction evidently gains ground among the Indians, that their removal to the country assigned by the United States for their permanent residence, furnishes the only hope of their ultimate prosperity.
This is true, and we can only say, verily all things move to further the work of the Lord: and now to conclude, we can say as we did at the beginning, many years have rolled away, since the Morning Stars sang together, but few more shall pass, till the Sons of God will shout for joy! The Lord will come the second time: The Lord will bring again Zion! Let earth rejoice, and let all things, even the bells upon the horses, be HOLINESS TO THE LORD.
<Editorial>
William Phelps ed E&MS 1 (Jan 1833)
EXTRACT of a Letter from Brs P. [Peter] Dustin, and C. [Calvin] Beebe dated Cole county, Mo. Dec. 11, 1832.
We have meetings daily, and the people have quite an inquiry into the plan to get knowledge of this great work. We have been provided for our daily support every where we go, as much so as if we were their relatives. We wonder and marvel how the heavenly Father inclines the hearts of the children of men, to feed us. Brethren, no one need fear, nor be afraid, to go out into the world, to reason out of the scriptures with the people, without money or script. We are better thus be, without a cent than we did when we had plenty of money. We have been from house to house, and from neighborhood to neighborhood. Give our love to all. Remember us in your prayers Brothers, God is love! I do feel it.
LETTERS have been received, since our last, from Lexington, and from Jefferson City Mo. from Kirtland Mills and Metplo, Ohio, and from Freedom, New-York.
Plague, Pestilence, Famine and the Sword,
IN THESE LAST DAYS!
{beliers-lds} THE Lord has declared that calamities shall cover the mocker: and he has also said, [D&C 1:2] There is no eye that shall not see, neither ear that shall not hear, neither heart that shall not be penetrated, and who can doubt it, after reading the following?
From the Weekly Courier and New-York Enquirer.
THE PLAGUE IN INDIA.--By the last arrival from England, we learn that accounts had been received there of the prevalence of the Plague at Bushire, and that its ravages were of the most dreadful description. The disease had almost wholly depopulated the district, the deaths having amounted to from 150 to 200 a day. It commenced by great weakness, and the sufferers were then attacked with swelling in the groin, the armpits, and back, the pain arising from which was excessive, and continued until death put an end to their misery. At one time there were 2,000 bodies unburied in the public streets. The sufferers when attacked crowded to the mosques, where most of them died, and it was not until decomposition had commenced that they were buried. Men were hired at high wages to perform this duty, and at one time 100 persons were so employed. In most of the houses from one to four dead bodies were left unburied for some days. In the Residency Court, dead bodies were left exposed. Notwithstanding the existence of this dreadful state of thing, several thieves had pillaged the houses. The Residency had been broken open, and every thing valuable stolen. Whole families were swept off by the disease, and the utmost distress had prevailed.
The accounts from Bombay state that much alarm existed there lest the disease should be brought to that Presidency. One vessel had arrived from Bushire, in which 70 out of 120 persons on board died of the disease on the voyage.--The Governor of Bombay had issued an order, compelling all vessels arriving from the infected districts to perform a quarantine of 30 days, and then their discharge was to be dependent upon the report of a medical officer.
Mr. Daniel Prieur, Mayor of the City of New Orleans.
The undersigned Committee, appointed by the City Council to remain permanent during the dreadful malady that desolates our city, have the honor to inform you, that in consequence of reports made to them by diverse respectable men, on the situation of the Hospital kept by D. McFarlane, they repaired thither today, at half past one o'clock, when they visited all the rooms, which they found in the most disgusting state of uncleanliness: all the vases necessary to our natural wants, being filled up, and the patients having declared that for a long while, no care had been extended to them.
In several rooms of that building dead bodies were discovered, which had been for many days in a putrified state; from that room the Committee repaired to another one near the kitchen, where they discovered the dead body of a negro, whose horrid stench plainly told, it had been lying there for several days; that finally, the Committee entered another room opposite the kitchen, where every thing was in as bad a condition as the others; that in this room several bodies were seen of men who had been dead for many days; and, that in a bed, (horrible to tell!) they found a dying man lying on a dead body, in a perfect state of putrifaction.
The undersigned, members of said Committee, declare, that all they saw was so shocking that it cannot be described; that it would be most advisable to remove from that Hospital all patients that are still alive, and to beware lest the putrified corpses within its enclosure do not occasion pestilence in that quarter, and perhaps over the whole city.
November 7.--The Standing Committee have the honor to present the following additional report:-
In one of the apartments where many patients were to be seen, they discovered, under a bed, a dead body, half corroded, whose entrails lay on the floor. In a closet upon the gallery, there were two corpses, one of which was lying on the floor, and the other had his feet upon the floor and his back upon the bed, forming a curve, his legs were pressed up and his thighs were of a livid hue. Under a shed in a yard, was a dead body of a negro, off which a fowl was picking worms. The number of dead bodies amounted to twelve or fourteen.
E. A. Banon, Reporter.
CHARLES LEE, Ald. 1st Ward.
FELIX LABATUT, Ald. 2nd Ward.
ANGUILLA.
From the Barbadoes Mercury, Oct. 20.
The following extract of a letter from Anguilla, we copy from the Antigua Free Press of the 27th Sept. The description given of the distress that has been suffered is truly affecting, and as the work of death is, according to the writer, suspended only for a while, by timely relief received, we trust those who have not yet contributed towards the assistance of the sufferers, will come forward and imitate the laudable example of their benevolent fellow colonists:-
"It is impossible for me to give you a correct view of the physical and moral destitution, wretchedness and misery of this degraded People. The famine is truly awful. The contracted muscles, shrivelled skins, and despairing countenances of a great portion of the population are a most heart rending sight.
On every side we behold hungry mothers, with haggard countenances, and weary worn-out limbs, trembling under the weight of a beloved child, whose eyes are sunk deep in their sockets, its limbs parched and withered, and its face dried and wrinkled, as though it was bending beneath the weight of four score years! They carry them to the doors of those whose sufferings are not so great:--but alas! such is the general poverty, that few are able to relieve them.
It is an affecting sight, when a little food is given, to see the hunger bitten mother sit down on the ground, bathing her squalled child with tears, while she feeds it on the fruits of benevolence, and refuses herself a taste, till her tender charge is satisfied. Strangers who have heard of the famine, and who have visited us, have said, in my hearing,that the half was not told. For some time, from 2 to 12 a day have died of starvation; but the great liberality of St. Kitt's and Nevis has suspended, at least for a while, the work of death. The drought has been dreadful. There has not been a season of rain the last eighteen months, and this, with the consumate idleness of many, is the principal cause of the famine."
AWFUL MORTALITY.--The British ship Sybella, Thornton, arrived yesterday from Rotterdam. She had on board at the time she left Holland, one hundred and thirty-two passengers, who received an addition of three, on the passage. These and no less than ninety-four others died before the vessel arrived here, for but thirty-eight of all the passengers who embarked in apparent health, reached their port of destination. They are now at the quarantine and in a most wretched condition. We have not been able to collect as yet further particulars. The above however, are sufficiently appalling.--[N. Y. Paper.]
CAPE DE VERD ISLANDS.--Capt. Britton, of the Brig Harp, at New York from the Coast of Africa, touched on his passage home at the Cape de Verd Islands, from whence he sailed but 30 days since. Capt. Britton corroborates to the fullest extent, the accounts which have already reached us of the distressed situation of the inhabitants of these Islands; they were actually in a state of starvation. Capt. Britton saw persons drop down and die in the streets from absolute want. Nor was there any appearance of relief near at hand.
LATEST FROM CANTON.--By the ship Providence, Capt. Bowers, the Editors of the Journal of Commerce have received a Canton paper of May 20, which contains the following paragraph.-
The rebellion on the frontiers of the adjoining provinces continues, and from the large bodies of troops which have left Canton, it would seem that the suppression of this revolt is no very easy matter. For some time the official reports of the progress of the Imperial arms, and the intention of the Government, have been kept quiet: at present, however, there is much stir among the officers; and it is reported that a force of several thousand men will leave Canton to-day for the seat of war, accompanied by his Excellency the Governor. A few days since, a fleet of large travelling boats passed up the river, with a detachment of troops on board, destined to reinforce the army which is now engaged with the rebels.
REBELLION IN SOUTH CAROLINA.
In addition to the above tribulations, South Carolina has rebelled against the laws of the Untied States; held a state convention, and passed ordinances, the same as declaring herself an independent nation, and, more than all, 'Resolves, That this Convention do recommend to the people of South Carolina the observance of Thursday the 31st day of January next, as a day of fasting, humiliation and prayer, on which they are invited to implore the blessings of Almighty God on the efforts that are made to restore liberty and happiness to our beloved State."
And General Jackson has ordered several companies of Artillery to Charleston, and issued a Proclamation, urging submission, and declaring such moves as that of S. Carolina TREASON. He closes thus: "May the Great Ruler of nations grant that the signal blessings with which he has favored ours, may not, by the madness of party or personal ambition, be disregarded and lost; and may His wise Providence bring those who have produced this crisis, to see their folly, before they feel the misery of civil strife; and inspire a returning veneration for that Union, which if, we dare to penetrate His designs, he has chosen as the only means of attaining the high destinies to which we may reasonably aspire."
The Evening and the Morning Star
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INDEPENDENCE, JACKSON COUNTY, MO.,
BY W. W. PHELPS & CO.
THE PRICE IS ONE DOLLAR FOR A YEAR IN ADVANCE, EXCEPT SPECIAL CONTRACTS WITH THE CHURCH. EVERY PERSON THAT SENDS US $10, (U. S. PAPER,) SHALL BE ENTITLED TO A PAPER FOR A YEAR, GRATIS. ALL LETTERS TO THE EDITOR, OR PUBLISHERS, MUST BE POST PAID.
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VOL. I, NO. 9, INDEPENDENCE, MO. FEBRUARY, 1833.
<"The Last Days">
William Phelps "The Last Days," E&MS 1 (Feb 1833)
THE LAST DAYS. {beliefs-lds}
SOMETHING singular attaches itself to the phrase, The last days. We can take up the bible, and read what took place in the beginning, without any emotion, and generally without realizing what did happen; but when we read the prophecies touching the last days, the very soul starts to know what shall be.--We can look back to the morning of creation, when God said, Let there be light, and there was light, without ever remembering that his glory covered the heavens and his brightness was before the brightness of the sun; without reflecting that when he made the firmament, and divided the waters under the firmament, from the waters above the firmament, that the great deep, even the upper deep, was, and he laid the beams of his chambers in it; and that the waters beneath were gathered into one place, so that six parts of the earth were dry: yea, we can lightly read these grand scenes of the beginning, without ever thinking that the earth has since been divided, and that the heap of great waters, has been spread over the earth to frustrate some of the wicked designs of ungodly men; but when the last days begin to cast their shadows before, we stop and wonder, with great earnestness, what is about to come to pass. We see nation rising against nation; we hear of the pestilence destroying its thousands in one place, and its tens of thousands in another; the plague consuming all before it, and we witness the terror that reigns in the hearts of the wicked, and we are ready to exclaim, The Lord is certainly about bringing the world to an account of its iniquity. Let us reflect, then, in the last days, that there was to be great tribulation: for the Savior says, [Matt. 24:7] nation shall rise against nation, kingdom against kingdom, and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes in divers places; and the prophets have declared that the valleys should rise; that the mountains should be laid low; that a great earthquake should be, in which the sun should become black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon turn into blood; yea, the Eternal God hath declared that the great deep shall roll back into the north countries and that the land of Zion and the land of Jerusalem shall be joined together, as they were before they were divided in the days of Peleg. No wonder the mind starts at the sound of the last days! Great things will come to pass in them: sickness, sorrow, pain and death, will come upon the wicked; the righteous will be gathered from all nations, as well as Israel, to Zion, and the Jews assemble at Jerusalem, to behold the Lord of glory gather all things in one, that there may be on earth, one fold and one Shepherd.
We live in a great time; one of the most eventful periods that has ever been: it is not only the time when the captivity of Jacob's tents will return, but it is the time when the wicked and their works shall be destroyed; when the earth shall be restored to its former beauty and goodness, and shall yield its increase; when plagues shall be sent to humble the haughty, and bring them, if they will, to a knowledge of God: yea, it is a time when the wicked can not expect to see the next generation; yea, it is that great time, when none shall live in the second generation unless they are pure in heart.
Esdras, or Ezra the High Priest, we suppose, seems to have had a great view of the last days, and for all that has ever appeared to the contrary, by the wisdom of man, he spake by the Spirit of God, and says:--"And I opened my mouth and began to talk before the Most High and said, O Lord, thou that shewest thyself unto us, thou wast shewed unto our fathers in the wilderness, in a place where no man treadeth, in a barren place, when they came out of Egypt. And thou speakest, saying, Hear me, O Israel; and mark my words, thou seed of Jacob.--For behold, I sow my law in you, and it shall bring forth fruit in you, and ye shall be honored in it forever. But our fathers, which received the law, kept it not, and observed not thine ordinances: & though the fruit of thy law did not perish, neither could it for it was thine; yet they that received it perished, because they kept not the thing that was sown in them.
And lo, it is a custom, when the ground hath received seed, or the sea a ship, or any vessel meat or drink, that, that being perished wherein it was sown or cast into, that thing also which was sown, or cast therein, or received, doth perish, and remaineth not with us: but with us it hath not happened so.
For we that have received the law perish by sin, and our heart also which receiveth it. Notwithstanding, the law perisheth not, but remaineth in his force.--And when I spake these things in my heart, I looked back with mine eyes, and upon the right side I saw a woman, and behold, she mourned and wept with a loud voice and was much grieved in heart, and her clothes were rent, and she had ashes upon her head.
Then let I my thought's go that I was in, and turned me unto her, and said unto her, Wherefore weepest thou? why art thou so grieved in thy mind? and she said unto me, Sir, let me alone, that I may bewail myself, and add unto my sorrow, for I am sore vexed in my mind, and brought very low. And I said unto her, What aileth thee? tell me.
She said unto me, I thy handmaid have been barren, and had no child, though I had a husband thirty years. And those thirty years I did nothing else day and night, and every hour, but make my prayer to the Highest. After thirty years God heard me, thy handmaid, looked upon my misery, considered my trouble, and gave me a son: and I was very glad of him, so was my husband also, and all my neighbors: and we gave great honor unto the Almighty.
And I nourished with great travail. So when he grew up, and came to the time that he should have a wife, I made a feast. And it so came to pass, that when my son was entered into his wedding chamber, he fell down and died. Then we all overthrew the lights, and all my neighbors rose up to comfort me: so I took my rest unto the second day at night.
And it came to pass, when they had left off to comfort me, to the end I might be quiet; then rose I up by night, and fled, and came hither into this field, as thou seest. And I do now purpose not to return into the city, but here to stay, and neither to eat nor drink, but continually to mourn and to fast until I die.
Then left I the meditations wherein I was, and spake to her in anger, saying:--Thou foolish woman above all other, seest thou not our mourning, and what happeneth unto us? how that Zion our mother is full of all heaviness, & much humbled, mourning very sore? and now, seeing we all mourn and are sad, for we are all in heaviness, art thou grieved for one son? for ask the earth, and she shall tell thee, that it is she that ought to mourn for the fall of so many that grow upon her.--For out of her came all at the first, and out of her shall all others come, and behold, they walk almost all into destruction, and a multitude of them is utterly rooted out.
Who then should make more mourning than she that hath lost so great a multitude; and not thou, which art sorry but for one? but if thou sayest unto me, My lamentation is not like the earth's, because I have lost the fruit of my womb, which I brought forth with pains, and bare with sorrows; but the earth for the multitude present in it, according to the course of the earth, is gone, as it came.
Then say I unto thee, like as thou hast brought forth with labor; even so the earth also hath given her fruit namely, man, ever since the beginning unto him that made her.
Now therefore keep thy sorrow to thyself, and bear with a good courage that which hath befallen thee. For if thou shalt acknowledge the determination of God to be just, thou shalt both receive thy son in time, and shalt be commended among women. Go thy way then into the city to thy husband. And she said unto me that will I not do: I will not go into the city but here will I die. So I proceeded to speak further unto her, and said, Do not so, but be counselled by me: for how many are the adversities of Zion? be comforted in regard of the sorrow of Jerusalem.
For thou seest that our sanctuaries are laid waste, our alter broken down, our temple destroyed; our psaltry is laid on the ground, our song is put to silence, our rejoicing is at an end, the light of our candlestick is put out, the ark of our covenant is spoiled, our holy things are defiled, and the name that is called upon us, almost profaned: our children are put to shame, our priests are burnt, our Levites are gone into captivity, our virgins are defiled, and our wives ravished; our righteous men carried away, our little ones destroyed, our young men are brought in bondage, and our strong men are become weak; and, which is the greatest of all, the seal of Zion hath now lost her honor; for she is delivered into the hands of them that hate us.
And therefore shake off thy great heaviness, and put away the multitude of sorrows, that the mighty may be merciful unto thee again, and the Highest shall give thee rest and ease from thy labor.
And it came to pass, while I was talking with her, behold, her face upon a sudden shined exceedingly, and her countenance glistened, so that I was afraid of her, and mused what it might be. And behold, suddenly she made a great cry, very fearful: so that the earth shook at the noise of the woman.
And I looked, and behold, the woman appeared unto me no more, but there was a city builded, and a large place shewed itself from the foundations: then was I afraid, and cried with a loud voice, and said, Where is Uriel the angel, who came unto me at the first? for he hath caused me to fall into many trances, and mine end is turned into corruption, and my prayer to rebuke. And as I was speaking these words, behold, he came unto me, and looked upon me.
And lo, I lay as one that had been dead, and mine understanding was taken from me; and he took me by the right hand, and comforted me, and set me upon my feet, and said unto me, What aileth thee? and why art thou so disquieted? and why is thy understanding troubled, and the thoughts of thy heart? and I said, Because thou hast forsaken me, and yet I did according to thy words, and I went into the field, and lo, I have seen, and yet see, that I am not able to express.--And he said unto me, Stand up manfully, and I will advise thee.
Then said I, speak on, my lord, in me; only forsake me not, lest I die frustrate of my hope. For I have seen that I knew not, and hear that I do not know. Or is my sense deceived, or my soul in a dream? now therefore, I beseech thee, that thou wilt shew thy servant of this vision.
He answered me then, and said, Hear me, and I shall inform thee, and tell thee wherefore thou art afraid: for the Highest will reveal many secret things unto thee. He hath seen that thy way is right: for that thou sorrowest continually for thy people, and makest great lamentation for Zion.
This therefore is the meaning of the vision which thou lately sawest: thou sawest a woman mourning, and thou begannest to comfort her: but now seest thou the likeness of the woman no more, but there appeared unto thee a city builded. And whereas she told thee of the death of her son, this is the solution: this woman, whom thou sawest, is Zion: and whereas she said unto thee, even she whom thou seest as a city builded, whereas she said unto thee, that she hath been thirty years barren: those are the thirty years wherein there was no offering made in her. But after thirty years Solomon builded the city, and offered offerings; and then bare the barren a son.
And whereas she told thee that she nourished him with labor: that was the dwelling in Jerusalem. But whereas she said unto thee, "That my son coming into his marriage chamber happened to have a fall and died:" this was the destruction that came to Jerusalem.
And behold, thou sawest her likeness, and because she mourned for her son, thou begannest to comfort her: and of these things which have chanced, these are to be opened unto thee.
For now the Most High seeth that thou art grieved unfeignedly, and sufferest from thy whole heart for her, so hath he shewed thee the brightness of her glory, and the comeliness of her beauty: and therefore I bade thee remain in the field where no house was builded: for I knew that the Highest would shew this unto thee.
Therefore I commanded thee to go into the field, where no foundation of any building was. For in the place where the Highest beginneth to shew his city, there can no man's building be able to stand. And therefore fear not, let not thy heart be affrighted, but go thy way in, and see the beauty and greatness of the building, as much as thine eyes be able to see: and then shalt thou hear as much as thy heart may comprehend.
For thou art blessed above many other, and art called with the Highest; and so are but few. But to-morrow at night thou shalt remain here; and so shall the Highest shew thee visions of the high things, which the Most High will do unto them that dwell upon earth IN THE LAST DAYS. So I slept that night and another, like as he commanded me.
And it came to pass after seven days, I dreamed a dream by night: and lo, there arose wind from the sea, that it moved all the waves thereof. And I beheld and lo, that man waxed strong with the thousands of heaven: and when he turned his countenance to look, all the things trembled that were seen under him. And whensoever the voice went out of his mouth, all they burned that heard his voice, like as the earth faileth when it feeleth the fire.
And after this I beheld, and lo, there was gathered together a multitude of men, out of number, from the four winds of the heavens, to subdue the man that came out of the sea.
But I beheld, and lo, he had graven himself a great mountain, and flew up upon it. But I would have seen the region or place whereout the hill was graven, and I could not.
And after this I beheld, and lo, all they which were gathered together to subdue him were sore afraid, and yet durst fight. And lo, as he saw the violence of the multitude that came, he neither lifted up his hand, nor held sword, nor any instrument of war: but only I saw that he sent out of his mouth as it had been a blast of fire, and out of his lips a flaming breath, and out of his tongue he cast out sparks and tempest.
And they were all mixed together; the blast of fire, the flaming breath, and the great tempest; and fell with violence upon the multitude which was prepared to fight, and burned them up every one, so that upon a sudden of an innumerable multitude nothing was to be perceived, but only dust and smell of smoke: when I saw this I was afraid. Afterward I saw the same man come down from the mountain and called unto him another peaceable multitude. And there came much people unto him, whereof some were glad, some were sorry, some of them were bound, and other some brought of them that were offered: then was I sick through great fear, and I awaked, and said, thou hast shewed thy servant these wonders from the beginning, and hast counted me worthy that thou shouldest receive my prayer: shew me now yet the interpretation of this dream.
For as I conceived in mine understanding, wo unto them that shall be left in those days! and much more wo unto them that are not left behind! for they that were not left were in heaviness.
Now understand I the things that are laid up in the latter days, which shall happen unto them, and to those that are left behind. Therefore are they come into great perils and many necessities, like as these dreams declare.
Yet is it easier for him that is in danger to come into these things, than to pass away as a cloud out of the world, and not to see the things that happen in the last days. And he answered unto me, and said, The interpretation of the vision shall I shew thee and I will open unto thee the thing that thou hast required.
Whereas thou hast spoken of them that are left behind, this is the interpretation: he that shall endure the peril in that time hath kept himself: they that be fallen into danger are such as have not works & faith toward the Almighty. Know this therefore, that they which be left behind are more blessed than they that be dead. This is the meaning of the vision: whereas thou sawest a man coming up from the midst of the sea: the same is he whom God the Highest hath kept a great season, which by his own self shall deliver his creature: and he shall order them that are left behind.
And whereas thou sawest, that out of his mouth there came as a blast of wind, and fire, and storm: and that he held neither sword, nor any instrument of war, but that the rushing in of him destroyed the whole multitude that came to subdue him; this is the interpretation: Behold, the days come, when the Most High will begin to deliver them that are upon the earth. And he shall come to the astonishment of them that dwell on the earth.
And one shall undertake to fight against another, one city against another, one place against another, one people against another, and one realm against another. and the time shall be when these things shall come to pass, and the signs shall happen which I shewed thee before, and then shall my Son be declared, whom thou sawest as a man ascending. And when all the people hear his voice, every man shall in their own land leave the battle they have one against another. And an innumerable multitude shall be gathered together, as thou sawest them, willing to come, and to overcome him by fighting.
But he shall stand upon the top of mount Zion. And Zion shall come, and shall be shewed to all men, being prepared and builded, like as thou sawest the hill graven without hands.
Abraham, Isaac and Jacob knew of a surety what should come to pass in the last days. Jacob gathered his sons around him, when he was about to fall asleep in God, and told them what should befall them in the last days. As there are many references to the last days, we use the terms last days, latter days, latter times, &c., as synonymous.
Balaam, when the Lord put words in his mouth exclaimed who can count the dust of Jacob, and the number of the fourth of Israel? Let me die the death of the righteous, and let my last end be like his!
No wonder his heart leaped for joy; he saw the glory of the last days, or, to use his own words, What this people [Israel] shall do to thy people [Balak's] in the latter days. His prophecy is great. We have it thus in Numbers.--[Num. 24] And when Balaam saw that it pleased the Lord to bless Israel, he went not, as at other times to seek for enchantments, but he set his face toward the wilderness. And Balaam lifted up his eyes, and saw Israel abiding in his tents according to their tribes, and the Spirit of God came upon him.
And he took up his parable, and said, Balaam the son of Beor hath said, and the man whose eyes are opened hath said: he hath said, which heard the words of God, and knew the knowledge of the Most High, which saw the vision of the Almighty, falling but having his eyes open: how goodly are thy tents, O Jacob, and thy tabernacles, O Israel! As the valleys are they spread forth, as gardens by the rivers' side, as the trees of lign-aloes which the Lord hath planted, and as cedar-trees beside the waters.
He shall pour the water out of his buckets, and his seed shall be in many waters, and his king shall be higher than Agag, and his kingdom shall be exalted.--God brought him forth out of Egypt: he hath as it were the strength of a unicorn: he shall eat up the nations his enemies, and shall break their bones, and pierce them through with his arrows. He couched, he lay down as a lion, and as a great lion: who shall stir him up? Blessed is he that blesseth thee, and cursed is he that curseth thee.
And Balak's anger was kindled against Balaam, and he smote his hands together: and Balak said unto Balaam, I called thee to curse mine enemies, and behold, thou hast altogether blessed them these three times. Therefore now flee thou to thy place: I thought to promote thee to great honor; but lo, the Lord hath kept thee back from honor.
And Balaam said unto Balak, Spake I not also to thy messengers which thou sentest unto me, saying, If Balak would give me his house full of silver and gold, I cannot go beyond the cammandment of the Lord, to do either good or bad of mine own mind; but what the Lord saith, that will I speak? and now, behold, I go unto my people: come I will advertise thee what this people shall do to thy people in the latter days.
And he took up his parable, and said, Balaam the son of Beor hath said, and the man whose eyes are open hath said: he hath said, which heard the words of God, and knew the knowledge of the Most High, which saw the vision of the Almighty, falling but having his eyes open: I shall see him, but not now: I shall behold him, but not nigh: there shall come a Star out of Jacob, and a Scepter shall rise out of Israel, and shall smite the corners of Moab, and destroy all the children of Sheth.
And Edom shall be a possession, Seir also shall be a possession for his enemies; and Israel shall do valiantly. Out of Jacob shall come he that shall have dominion, and shall destroy him that remaineth of the city. And when he looked on Amalek, he took up his parable, and said, Amalek was the first of the nations, but his latter end shall be that he perish forever.
And he looked on the Kenites, and took up his parable, and said, Strong is thy dwelling-place, and thou puttest thy nest in a rock. Nevertheless, the Kenite shall be wasted, until Asshur shall carry thee away captive.
And he took up his parable, and said, Alas, who shall live when God doeth this! and ships shall come from the coast of Chittim, and shall afflict Asshur, and shall afflict Eber, and he also shall perish forever. And Balaam rose up, and went and returned to his place: and Balak also went his way.
Ezekiel said:--[Ezek. 38:8] After many days thou shalt be visited: in the latter years thou shalt come into the land, brought back from the sword, gathered out of many people, against the mountains of Israel, which have been always waste: but it is brought forth out of the nations, and they shall dwell safely all of them.--Isaiah [Isa. 2:2] and Micah [Micah 4:1] said: It shall come to pass in the last days, the mountain of the Lord's house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it.
Our Savior, who knew all things that should come to pass in the last days, even when he come in his glory to reign on earth with his saints, said before the end should come, there should be great tribulations, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever should be.
Paul, who had the privilege of seeing his Lord and master in the flesh, and who knew a man that was caught up into the third heaven, while on this all-important subject, thus wrote:--[2 Tim. 3:1-5] This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, truce-breakers, false accursers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, traitors, heady, high-minded, lovers of pleasure more than lovers of God; having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.
Peter, possessing the keys of the mysteries of the kingdom, wrote to them that have obtained like precious faith with us, through the righteousness of God and our Savior Jesus Christ, said in his second epistle, [2 Pet. 3:1-4] Beloved, I now write unto you; in which I stir up your pure minds by way of remembrance: that ye may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us the apostles of the Lord and Savior: knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, and saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as from the beginning of the creation.
Having such a cloud of witnesses to prove what should come to pass when the earth is ripe, or when the days of vengeance had commenced, we have double confidence to warn the world, of what shall shortly be. In the language of Jude, we can say, [Jude 1:17-18] Remember ye the words which were spoken before of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ; how that they told you there should be mockers in the last time, who should walk after their own ungodly lusts.
Jeremiah said [Jer. 22:29] O earth, earth, earth, hear the word of the Lord: and would to God that the earth would hear, before it is everlastingly too late: That instead of ridiculing the words and works of God, its inhabitants would look for themselves, and behold the great and marvelous events which are happening around them, preparatory to the end.
The bible and common history, are full of the transactions and events which have been; and the hearts of thousands quake with fear for what shall be: now let us reason from the past, for the benefit of the future. Sacred writ, shows that the Lord has always been merciful, and mindful of the children of men, and has given the inhabitants of the earth timely notice, that he was displeased with their ungodly conduct, that they may repent, and be saved, rather than be destroyed by judgments. He gave one hundred and twenty years' notice of the flood; he warned the inhabitants of Sodom and Gomorrah, before they were consumed; he did marvelous things in the sight of Pharaoh, before he and his host were swallowed up in the Read Sea, and the Lord has ever warned men before destruction: yea, from Adam, the language of the Lord has been, Repent, repent! And when men repented, the Lord forgave them; and will he be less mindful of the workmanship of his hands now? No; God will hear, if men do pray in faith.
We have an earnest desire that men should escape the calamities, that will soon be poured out upon the earth, to scourge the inhabitants. Those that will not hear, as has been the case in all ages, pass on and are punished. The inhabitants before the flood, rejected the preaching of Noah, and were drowned. The men of Sodom and Gomorrah repented not of their sins, and died in their wickedness.--Pharoah, after seeing the mighty works of the Lord, died for his folly. But the Lord is merciful, the Lord is just, and, as in ancient days, so now, even in these last days, he warns, that men may repent and live. So much for the world. To the church, a word fitly spoken is like the dew that descended upon the mountains of Zion: for there the Lord commanded the blessing life forever more. Beloved brethren, you know these are the last days, for the Lord hath said so. You, then, have not to look across the ocean for testimony, for you have it in your hearts.--You have not to send to heaven for proof, for the judgments of God are already sent forth unto victory as evidence that the end is nigh.
You are independent above all the creatures under the celestial kingdom, if you are faithful; even to the obtaining of eternal life. Walk holy before the Lord.--He has sent his everlasting covenant into the world, to be a light to the world and to be a standard for his people, and for the Gentiles to seek to it: and to be a messenger before his face to prepare the way before him. And he will reason with them that come, as with men in days of old, and show unto them his strong reason. Wherefore, while he is revealing unto you the great things that will shortly come to pass, learn wisdom, and rejoice for the day, even the day of righteousness that will soon come; yea, that day that was sought for by all holy men, and they found it not because of wickedness and abominations, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth; but obtained a promise that they should find it, and see it in their flesh, and so will you, if you continue faithful. Are you sensible of the blessings and privileges you enjoy? you can look upon the world and upon them that profess to worship their God, and see the course of evil, and shun it, because the Lord has shown you the right way. You can see some for gold; some for fame; some for blood; some for persecution; some for fun; some for pleasure; some for vanity; some for lying; some for this,and some for that, and you can pray to God to keep you from such follies, and he will do so, if your hearts are pure.
What blessings! you can shun the dreadful distress of nations, if you are humble and honest in all things before the Lord: you can overcome the world and enter into his rest, where trouble will cease. You ought to rejoice, with joy unspeakable; for while the nations are crumbling to pieces, and men are filling up the tombs without repentance, you know your redemption is nigh, and you believe that Israel will soon be gathered home to meet his God, when he comes in his glory.
Men without the Spirit of God to guide them into sacred truth have long labored six times as much for the perishable things of this world, as for the one thing needful: brethren, you have better knowledge, act accordingly, for the earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof. Counsel not the Lord but walk by faith, showing good works, that your examples may be worthy of imitation.
The love of money fills the hearts of the wicked; but what profit would it be to you, with all your knowledge, of what must shortly come to pass, if you could gain the whole world for thirty or forty years, and then loose your inheritance, and eternal life? This is a solemn question, and when the faithful enter into the joys of their Lord, they will be more apt to say: [1 Cor. 2:9] Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither has it entered into the heart of men to conceive, what the Lord has prepared for them that love him. The Lord will hear when saints do pray.
Among the great men of the earth, many have declared, with thousands to second them, that every man has his price:--but beloved, the saint has not; he is above bribery, and come life or come death, it is all the same; in the morning of the resurrection, he rises above corruption and lives with God; and his last days will be his best days: "And it shall come to pass afterward, I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions."
<Editorial>
William Phelps ed E&MS 1 (Feb 1833)
THE JEWS:--AGAIN.
THE great day is hastening on when the whole house of Israel will be gathered home from their long dispersion, to Zion and Jerusalem. The United States is a witness to the gathering at mount Zion, if her population will look at things as they are; and the old world in the east, may soon bear record, also, of the gathering at Jerusalem: [Isa. 66:19-20] for the Lord will set a sign among them, and will send those that escape of them unto the nations, to Tarshish, Pul, and Lud, that draw the bow to Tubal, and Javan, to the isles afar off, that have not heard his fame, neither have seen his glory; and they shall declare his glory among the Gentiles.--And they shall bring all your brethren for an offering unto the Lord, out of all nations, upon horses, and in chariots, and in litters, and upon mules, and upon swift beasts, to my holy mountain Jerusalem, saith the Lord, as the children of Israel bring an offering in a clean vessel into the house of the Lord. [3 Ne. 24:4] Then shall the offering of Judah and Jerusalem be pleasant unto the Lord, as in the days of old, and as in former years.
So Judah will be gathered: and when the Lord shows himself to them, with the wounds he received of them, more than eighteen hundred years before, they will know him, and rejoice in the Holy One of Israel. The Spirit of God moves upon the face of the earth, and will continue to do so, till every saint that is left alive, worships God. In the Weekly Courier and New-York Enquirer, is the following
NEWS FROM JERUSALEM.
We beg leave to invite the attention of the benevolent to the following statement of the distressed situation of the Jews in Jerusalem and their appeal for aid. We indulge a hope that the aid they seek will not be withheld, and as the Society established in this country for the convertion of the Jews, have a large fund without any ostensible mode of appropriating it to a good purpose, it is presumed that they will transmit it to Jerusalem with as little delay as possible.
[From the Christian Intelligencer.]
THE RABBI FROM THE HOLY CITY.
Dr. WESTBROOK: The following is a literal version of the letter which the Rabbi Enoch Zundil, now in our city, brought from the Jews of Jerusalem. On Monday evening last, this learned Jew met a party of our Clergymen, and other friends in Dr. Brownlee's study. Mr. Roy, an eminent Hebrew scholar, presented this version which he had made together with the original document, written in beautiful Hebrew letter,without points. It was examined by the learned gentlemen present. The evening was spent in hearing the Rabbi, who is a truly polite and accomplished man, detail many interesting things relative to Jerusalem, the holy city; and the condition of the Jews there.
He spoke of the famous Mosque, which stands on the site of Solomon's Temple: and stated that it was the custom of his afflicted and bowed down people, especially the priests, to go to the west wall of the mosque, where once stood the west wall of the temple, and kneeling down, to offer up prayers to Jehovah the Almighty God in behalf of their nation. This explains a singular expression in the beginning of the following letter.
He admitted that his people had more than once attempted, in olden times, to rebuild the temple, but that infallible proofs of God's displeasure had always prevented it. This tradition may refer to the attempts in the Emperor Julian's time.
He gave replies to many difficult questions proposed to him on various passages of the Hebrew bible. His views of the nahash, the serpent who tempted our first parent, exhibit fully as much originality as those of Dr. Adam Clark. The latter decides this shrewd being to have been the Ourang-outang:--Our Rabbi makes it a singular kind of beast, having a kind of soul; and appointed to God to be a waiter, a body attendant on our first parents. Into this creature the devil entered, and made him an instrument of the temptation. This, however, he gave out of the Cabbals and Targum.
He gave some original views on the giants of the days of Noah: showing them to be different (as in the Hebrew expression, they are strikingly distinguished) from the Goliaths and the Anakin. They were giants in wickedness, the wicked children of profligate great men, and nobles!
The Rabbi who is a thorough going Jew, felt some difficulty when requested to explain how the Jews are to determine the evidence of their coming Messiah, proceeding in lineal descent from the tribe of Judah, and house of David. For he admitted that the lists of the genealogy had utterly perished. When requested by Dr. Knox to explain the views of Daniel's seventy weeks--the Rabbi shrugged up his shoulders, and declined the task. He is fully in the belief of the Jews being recalled to their own land. And by the calculation he makes, this recall is at the very door. It is to commence in the year 1841--only nine years hence. He believes that the present movements of the victorious Egyptians are now working out their deliverance. The Jews consider the Mahometans as the head of their oppressors; and the Court of Constantinople as the head of the Mahometan power. That being laid low, and he supposes by the Pacha of Egypt, who is the avowed friend of the Jews, their deliverance will then be speedily hastened.
The Rabbi's people at Jerusalem had heard of the exceeding benevolence and charity of the Americans. These are his own words. "You did much for the Greeks: and will you not admit, even as christians, lovers of the old testament patriarchs and prophets, that you owe, at least as much, nay, much more, TO US THE JEWS?" "Yes, said a gentleman present; "we love your people for the love of Abraham and Isaac and Jacob." "Yes," said another, "we should love and aid them for the sake of Joseph and Mary!" "And above all," said a third, "for the sake of the SON OF MARY: our Redeemer, according to the flesh, was a JEW!"
And as this is the first appeal made to us as christians, by the Jews, direct from Jerusalem, we should, by responding to the voice of suffering humanity, give them an evidence that we are, as christians, their true and sincere friends.
The Rabbi begs leave to refer those who may feel disposed to aid the poor suffering Jews at Jerusalem, to the following gentlemen who have kindly undertaken to receive any funds which benevolent christians may condescend to give:--viz.
The Rev. Mr. Schroeder, The Rev. Jacob Broadhead, D. D., The Rev. W. W. Phillips, D. D., The Rev. W. C. Brownlee, D. D.
HEBREW LETTER.
[TRANSLATED FROM THE HEBREW BY MISTER ROY, OF NEW YORK.]
"From the city of the Great King, peace and blessing to the great and good gentlemen who is disposed to be benevolent to all, friends and foes. Mordicai Noah, we have written to you from the holy land, and from the city of Jerusalem, we pray always by the west wall of the temple and by all the holy places for all the nations of the earth who remember us in our low estate. The voice of Zion speaks weeping and lamenting, for the wretched state of her children: for their faces are black with hunger: all the people of foreign nations here are very poor; and unable to give us any relief. The learned men and Rabbis, widows and orphan children that were supported by Russia, Poland, and Germany, are cut off from their former supplies: and receive no compensation from those nations.--We are so poor, and in such distress, that we cannot represent our situation in writing. We are hungry, thirsty, and naked. Our children ask bread and we have none to give them. And in addition to this, the Turks have laid us under a contribution of fifty thousand dollars, which if not paid will be the ruin of all the Jews here. Dear Sir, we did not know how to help ourselves: and we heard of your great and benevolent feelings and have sent on the Rabbi Enoch Zundil, of Jerusalem, son of the great Rabbi Hersh, one of the most learned men in the world. He will fully explain to you our afflictions. We therefore pray you to help him by any way or means in your power, by obtaining donations, and forming societies among all denominations. And we will pray for you in all the holy places and from the sepulchers of the holy prophets; and we hope with all the scattered tribes, and the Messiah at their head, to meet you soon in the holy city, the desire of all nations."
(Signed)
RABBIA TOBIAS SOLLOMAN, the High Priest of Jerusalem. NATHAN MINELES, 2d High Priest. NATHAN SADDIUS, 3d High Priest. [L. S.] HARMAN COHEN, High Priest of Japheth. ISRAEL SUMMERVILLE 2d High Priest. ZALMAN COHEN 3d High Priest.
SUFFERINGS OF THE JEWS IN PALESTINE.
There prevails at the present time of general distress, great wretchedness and want among the Jewish people, in the very land of their forefathers. In the midst of their Mahomedan oppressors, and burdened with the most unrighteous and exorbitant and exactions, they are represented to be in want of the necessaries of life.
Accounts of American benevolence had reached them. They have sent hither one of their most pious and learned men, Rabbi ENOCH ZUNDIL. He is now in our city, and he brings with him the united testimonials of both the congregations in Jerusalem--the German and the Portuguese. His documents and letters have been duly examined by his brethren here, and they approve and encourage his afflicting mission of benevolence.
An article in our paper of the 26th instant, has already called public attention to this subject. But as the article was not examined by Rabbi Zundil before its publication, and has led to some misapprehension, he has requested us to state as follows:
"He is alledged, in the article published, to have given some original interpretations of scripture; but he wishes it to be distinctly understood, that, in the cases mentioned, he makes no pretention to originality." He is said to have "shrugged up his shoulders," and to have "declined the task" of explaining a certain prophecy by Daniel; but he would not have it infered from this, that he is unable or unwilling to give, at a proper time and place, the views of Jewish learned men, on this or any other subject in the old Testament."
"The letter of introduction, appended to the article in our paper, and purporting to be a translation from the Hebrew, is a letter from certain pious and learned Jews at Jerusalem to Mr. Noah of this city. The letter asks for donations from individuals or societies,--but is an appeal to the Jews and not to "all denominations." It is signed by persons who are not "High Priests, but CHIEF RABBINS."
Yet as suffering humanity ever utters a cry, that should touch the heart of all, Rabbi Zundil will be cheered by the thought, if he can carry with him the contributions, not only of his charitable Jewish brethren, but of the benevolent christians."
"He is to be seen at Number 36 Maiden lane. And he refers to the above named gentleman, who will receive and hand to him, or forward to the chief Rabbi Hirschal at London, any offerings of those who have hearts to pity and aid the suffering Jews of Palastine."
THE EVENING AND THE MORNING STAR.
<"Commandments">
William Phelps "Commandments," E&MS 1 (Feb 1833)
COMMANDMENTS. {beliefs-lds}
THE commandments of the Lord are sacred, and above the inventions of men. Keep them and they lead to eternal life. The first commandment was given to Adam in the garden of Eden, and man became an agent unto himself. Again, it is found in Genesis, that the Lord said: [Gen. 26:3-5] Sojourn in this land, and I will be with thee, and will bless thee: for unto thee, and unto thy seed I will give all these countries and I will perform the oath which I sware unto Abraham thy father; and I will make thy seed to multiply as the stars of heaven, and will give unto thy seed all these countries: and in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed: because that Abraham obeyed my voice, and kept my charge, my commandments, my statutes, and my laws.
When the children of Israel murmured, [Ex. 15:24-26] Moses cried unto the Lord; and the Lord shewed him a tree, which when he had cast into the waters, the waters were made sweet: there he made for them a statute and an ordinance, and there he proved them, and said, If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the Lord thy God, and wilt do that which is right in his sight, and wilt give ear to his commandments and keep all his statutes, I will put none of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians: for I am the Lord that healeth thee.
Shortly after this, [Ex. 16:28-29] the Lord said unto Moses, How long refuse ye to keep my commandments and my laws? See, for that the Lord hath given you the sabbath, therefore he giveth you on the sixth day the bread of two days: abide ye every man in his place, let no man go out of his place on the seventh day.
So the people rested on the seventh day.
Let it not be forgotten, yet, that the children of Israel were so blind to the glory before them: so stiffnecked, rebellious, and more than all, faithless, that the Lord saw fit in his infinite wisdom, to let Moses break the stone-tables containing the everlasting gospel, and in lieu thereof, to give them the law, and commandments, and a lesser priesthood, than that of the order of Melchisedec.
When the Lord shined forth from mount Paran, and came with ten thousands of his saints, from his right hand went a fiery law for them.
The world, as well as the saints, may read, and profit by the ten commandments which Moses wrote upon the second tables: [Ex. 20:2-7] I am the Lord thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.
Thou shalt have no other gods before me.
Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth: thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the Lord thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me; and shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments.
Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain: for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.
Remember the sabbath day to keep it holy.
Six days shalt thou labor, and do all thy work: but the seventh day is the sabbath of the Lord thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy man-servant, nor thy maid-servant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates: for in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the Lord blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it.
Honor thy father and thy mother; that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee.
Thou shalt not kill.
Thou shalt not commit adultery. Thou shalt not steal.
Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor.
Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's wife, nor his man servant, nor his maid-servant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbor's.
The ten commandments embrace some of the great principles of our Savior's religion, as well as rules for government and social intercourse. In fact, the word commandment is really great, coming by inspiration, and seems to whisper to the saint, THUS SAITH THE LORD!
When we remember, that the commandments of God, came by the gift and power of God: or, in other words, holy men spoke moved by the Holy Ghost, we ought to rejoice with great joy: for in this manner, spake the prophets for the saints' good, even in these last days.
The Lord is imperative on this subject, and when he says keep my commandments, he means what he says: this may be one reason why we have no account, or record, that the Lord ever acknowledged a church to be his, unless there was a prophet in it. There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one church, one gospel, and one way of being baptized for the remission of sins; one promise of receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost: one promise of reward for keeping the commandments, and one surety of eternal life by holding out faithful to the end.
The high estimation of the commandments, may be somewhat seen by reading a few verses in the 119th Psalm: [Ps. 119] Then shall I not be ashamed, when I have respect unto all thy commandments. With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments. I am a stranger in the earth: hide not thy commandments from me. Thou hast rebuked the proud that are cursed, which do err from thy commandments. I will run the way of thy commandments, when thou shalt enlarge my heart.
Make me to go in the path of thy commandments; for therein do I delight. And I will delight myself in thy commandments, which I have loved. My hands also will I lift up unto thy commandments, which I have loved. And I will meditate in thy statutes. Teach me good judgment and knowledge: for I have believed thy commandments. All thy commandments are faithful; thy persecute me wrongfully; help thou me. Therefore I love thy commandments above gold; yea, above fine gold. I opened my mouth, and panted: for I longed for thy commandments. Trouble and anguish have taken hold on me yet thy commandments are my delights. Thou art near, O lord; and all thy commandments are truth.
Lord, I have hoped for thy salvation, and done thy commandments. My tongue shall speak of thy word: for all thy commandments are righteousness. I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek thy servant; for I do not forget thy commandments.
It does seem strange that the world should be so clouded in darkness, as not to see, that the church of Christ, (for there never was, nor ever will be any other that will be admitted into the celestial kingdom,) could exist without the Comforter, even the Holy Ghost in it, whereby the members might profit by the gifts, and commandments. The two first verses of Acts read thus:--[Acts 1:1-2]The former treatise have I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach, until the day in which he was taken up, after that he through the Holy Ghost had given commandments unto the apostles whom he had chosen.
In one of the commandments to the church in Zion, is the following beautiful language: [D&C 59:1-4] Behold, saith the Lord, blessed are they who have come up unto this land with an eye single to my glory, according to my commandments; for them that live shall inherit the earth, and them that die shall rest from all their labors, and their works shall follow them, and they shall receive a crown in the mansions of my Father, which I have prepared for them; yea, blessed are they whose feet stand upon the land of Zion, who have obeyed my gospel, for they shall receive for their reward the good things of the earth, and it shall bring forth in its strength; and they also, shall be crowned with blessings from above; and they also, shall be crowned with blessings from above; yea and with commandments not a few; and with revelations in their time.
And we might quote columns, showing that the Lord is the same yesterday, today and forever, giving commandments to them that seek the riches of eternity, that man may know his will and be saved with an eternal salvation in his kingdom.
While on the subject of commandments, it may be worth while to say a few words on opinions, as the church has the sure word of prophecy.
Opinions, where we have the word of the Lord, are worth nothing. Since the days of the Savior, they have strangely divided men into almost as many sects, as the number of the name of the beast that John saw. All men have a right to their opinions, but to adopt them for rules of faith and worship, is wrong, and may finally leave the souls of them that receive them for spiritual guides, in the telestial kingdom: [D&C 76:99-108] For these are they who are of Paul, and of Apollos, and Cephas: they are they who say, there are some of one and some of another; some of Christ; and some of John; and some of Moses; and some of Elias; and some of Esaias; and some of Isaiah; and some of Enoch, but received not the gospel; neither the testimony of Jesus; neither the prophets; neither the everlasting covenant; last of all: these are they who will not be gathered with the saints, to be caught up into the church of the first born, and received into the cloud: these are they who are liars, and sorcerers, and adulterers, and whoremungers, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie: these are they who suffer the wrath of God on the earth: these are they who suffer the vengeance of eternal fire: these are they who are cast down to hell and suffer the wrath of Almighty God until the fulness of times, when Christ shall have subdued all enemies under his feet, and shall have perfected his work, when he shall deliver up the kingdom and present it unto his Father spotless,saying: I have overcome and trodden the wine-press alone, even the wine-press of the fierceness of the wrath of Almighty God: then shall he be crowned with the crown of his glory, to sit on the thrown of his power and reign forever and ever.
Now, brethren, let us turn to our day, and rejoice that the Lord has been so merciful as to give commandments unto men, that they might know his will, and know, also, when they have done it. We can lift up our hearts and be glad, for the day is nigh, & the hour at hand, when we, if faithful, shall be of one heart and one mind; yea, and shall speak a pure language, and shall see our Lord face to face.
Do good and the reward shall be given; for it is better to give than to receive. The Lord is good: he gives precept upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little and there a little, and for the sake of them that may come to a knowledge of their situation, by our good example, let us obey the Lord and keep his commandments.
<Editorial>
William Phelps ed E&MS 1 (Feb 1833)
In a letter from our brethren in the east, is the following concluding paragraph of a late
REVELATION: [D&C 88:117-126]
Therefore, verily I say unto you, my friends, call your solemn assemblies 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 by study, and also by faith.
Organize yourselves.
Prepare every needful thing, and establish an house, even an house of prayer; an house of fasting; an house of faith; an house of learning; an house of glory; an house of order; an house of God: that your in-comings may be in the name of the Lord, and your out-goings 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 high-mindedness, and from all your wicked doings.
Appoint among yourselves a teacher, and let not all be spokesman at once, but let one speak at a time, and let all listen to the 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 minds may be invigorated; and above all things, clothe yourselves with the bonds of charity, as with a mantle, which is the bonds of perfectness and peace.
Pray always, that you may not faint, until I come.
Behold I will come quickly, and receive you unto myself: Amen.
EXTRACTS OF LETTERS FROM THE ELDERS ABROAD.
Kirtland, Ohio, December 24, 1832.
BROTHERS Orson Hyde, and Samuel H. Smith, have just returned to this place, in good health and spirits, saying, that they had built up four churches; one in the state of Maine; two in Massachusetts, and one in Pennsylvania.--They have baptized sixty or more, disciples, who they say, are strong in the faith, rejoicing in the Holy One of Israel.
Brother Lyman Johnson returned a few days since, leaving Orson Pratt among the churches in the east, saying, that they had built up a number of churches, and baptized nearly one hundred.
Brothers Simeon and Jared Carter, we understand, have done wondrous works in Vermont, in breaking down prejudice in a wonderful manner. Better than one hundred have been brought into the kingdom, in a few months past, by their instrumentality.
Brothers Hyrum and William Smith have just returned home, after an absence of about three weeks, having baptized twenty-three in Pennsylvania. Brother [John] Murdock has also returned from Thompson, Ohio, where he has baptized twenty-three. There is also a number of elders in the east, that we have not heard from particularly, but understand they meet with great success. We frequently hear of new churches being established in various parts, which causes our hearts to rejoice.--Thus you see, brethren, that the cause of truth is prospering, and thanks be to our God, for he is a God of love, mercy and truth; yea, and a God of power; and as good old Daniel said, his kingdom shall break in pieces all other kingdoms, so it shall be done.
The people in this vicinity, generally, are more calm in their minds, and many of them attend our meetings, and appear more friendly than heretofore, and we have peaceable times.
I have just learned, that brothers Martin and Emer Harris have baptized one hundred persons at Chenango point, New-York, within a few weeks.--NEWEL.
Union, Missouri, January 7, 1833.
Beloved brethren, we write to you, praying that the words from the press which has been dedicated to the Lord, in these last days, for the good of men, may go forth for the good of souls; that Zion may flourish upon the hills; that her light may shine to the uttermost parts of the earth; that every secret act may be made manifest.
Brethren and sisters, our prayer to our Father, for you all, is, that your lights may shine continually unto the perfect day: for, says David, when the Lord shall build up Zion, he shall appear in his glory.
Do you remember, the prayers of the righteous availeth much? and that we are in the wicked world, struggling that we may share in that glory; and not only so, but are anxious that our fellow men may come to the standard of truth also, and be saved. For this cause we labor with much long-suffering, to but little effect; for surely, gross darkness covers the earth, and wickedness greatly prevails among the people, and the truth makes them angry, for they are joined to their idols.--We desire your prayers, that God would give us the victory unto life, and open an effectual door for us.
Beloved brethren in the ministry, be encouraged to take your staves and travel without scrip, and proclaim the ever-lasting gospel, if faithful, the heavenly Father will feed you and clothe you. It is harder to get to the hearts of the children of men now, than last winter. An old methodist preacher informed us, that, in all the cholera in St. Louis, he saw but two families shed tears. He said the people seemed to be in a dead, stupid state, and when the doors of the meeting-houses were thrown open for prayer-meeting, few attended, and they, had no feeling sense for praying, and since the cholera has disappeared, the people are worse than ever.
Brethren your privilege is great in Zion. The promises are worth more than fine gold, or any riches beneath the sun. James says, [James 2:22] seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect? The building must be without a jar, that it may remain unshaken. The time is near at hand when every man's work will be tried, and he that is holy will be holy still, &c.--If we are the body of Christ, we are one, and as he has loved us, so let us love one another.
We are about fifty miles off St. Louis, and shall bend our course to the south among the thick settlements on the Mississippi, to search for the meek. God is yet love.
CALVIN & PETER.
Cincinnati, Ohio, December 11, 1832.
The Lord has said, (by the mouth of David,) when he builds up Zion, he will appear in his glory; and when I look after Lydia and my children, something attracts my eyes more glorious, it is the recompence of reward that God has promised to the faithful: and as the Lord has called me: and as the time has come that Zion is to be builded: &, lest much of the wheat should be left for the fowls and beasts to destroy, I labor with the good servant, and suffer privations, patiently.
My mission has been rather swift, since I wrote to brother Sidney [Rigdon]. Brother Jared [Carter] and I left Benson, Vermont, for Albany, New-York. Here we tried but could not obtain a house, and went to Schenectady where we fared the same.--We then went to Chenango, preaching by the way, and visited the church that brother Page built up. From thence, to Kirtland; and thence to Amherst and New-London, where I took brother Stevens, and came to this place, and since I came here, I have baptized four. Some others are ready and waiting. The Lord is to work here, and O that he would do a great work, for great is the wickedness and unbelief.
I have baptized in all about seventy, and the Lord has kept me and supported me. The church at this place is expecting to go up to Zion next summer.
SIMEON [Carter].
A REVELATION GIVEN, AUGUST 30, 1831 [D&C 63].
HEARKEN O ye people, and open your hearts, and give ear from afar: and listen, you that call yourselves the people of the Lord, and hear the word of the Lord, and his will concerning you:
Yea, verily I say, hear the word of him whose anger is kindled against the wicked, and rebellious; who willeth to take even them whom he will take; and preserveth in life them whom he will preserve:
Who buildeth up at his own will and pleasure, and destroyeth when he please, and is able to cast the soul down to hell.
Behold I the Lord uttereth my voice, and it shall be obeyed.
Wherefore verily I say, let the wicked take heed: and let the rebellious fear, and tremble.
And let the unbelieving hold their lips, for the day of wrath shall come upon them as a whirlwind, and all flesh shall know that I am God.
And he that seeketh signs shall see signs, but not unto salvation.
Verily I say unto you, there are those among you, who seeketh signs; and there has been such even from the beginning.
But behold, faith cometh not by signs, but signs follow those that believe.
Yea, signs cometh by faith, not by the will of men, nor as they please, but by the will of God.
Yea, signs cometh by faith, unto mighty works, for without faith no man pleaseth God: and with whom God is angry, he is not well pleased: wherefore, unto such he sheweth no signs, only in wrath unto their condemnation.
Wherefore I the Lord am not pleased with those among you, who have sought after signs and wonders for faith, and not for the good of men unto my glory:--nevertheless, I gave commandments and many have turned away from my commandments, and have not kept them.
There were among you adulterers and adulteresses; some of whom have turned away from you, and others remain with you, that hereafter shall be revealed.
Let such beware and repent speedily, lest judgments shall come upon them as a snare, and their folly shall be made manifest, and their works shall follow them in the eyes of the people.
And verily I say unto you, as I have said before, he that looketh on a woman to lust after her, or if any shall commit adultery in their hearts, they shall not have the Spirit, but shall deny the faith and shall fear:
Wherefore I the Lord have said that the fearful and the unbelieving, and all liars, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie, and the whoremonger, and the sorcerer, should have their part in that lake which burneth with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.
Verily I say, that they shall not have part in the first resurrection.
And now behold, I the Lord saith unto you, that ye are not justified because these things are among you, nevertheless, he that endureth in faith and doeth my will, the same shall overcome, and shall receive an inheritance upon the earth, when the day of transfiguration shall come; when the earth shall be transfigured, even according to the pattern which was shown unto mine apostles upon the mount: of which account the fulness ye have not yet received.
And now, verily I say unto you, that as I said that I would make known my will unto you, behold I will make it known unto you, not by the way of commandment, for there are many who observe not to keep my commandments, but unto him that keepeth my commandments, I will give the mysteries of my kingdom, and the same shall be in him a well of living water, springing up unto everlasting life.
And now, behold this is the will of the Lord your God concerning his saints, that they should assemble themselves together unto the land of Zion, not in haste, lest there should be confusion, which bringeth pestilence.
Behold the land of Zion, I the Lord holdeth it in mine own hands: nevertheless, I the Lord rendereth unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's:
Wherefore I the Lord willeth, that you should purchase the lands, that you may have advantage of the world, that you may have claim on the world, that they may not be stirred up unto anger:
For satan putteth it into their hearts to anger against you, and to the shedding of blood:
Wherefore the land of Zion shall not be obtained but by purchase, or by blood, otherwise there is none inheritance for you.
And if by purchase behold you are blessed; and if by blood, as you are forbidden to shed blood, lo, your enemies are upon you, and ye shall be scourged from city to city, and from synagogue to synagogue, and but few shall stand to receive an inheritance.
I the Lord am angry with the wicked; I am holding my Spirit from the inhabitants of the earth.
I have sworn in my wrath and decreed wars upon the face of the earth, and the wicked shall slay the wicked, and fear shall come upon every man and the saints also shall hardly escape:
Nevertheless, I the Lord am with them, and will come down in heaven from the presence of God, and consume the wicked with unquenchable fire.
And behold this is not yet, but by and by:
Wherefore seeing that I the Lord have decreed all these things upon the face of the earth, I willeth that my saints should be assembled upon the land of Zion and that every man should take righteousness in his hands, and faithfulness upon his loins and lift a warning voice unto the inhabitants of the earth; and declare both by word and by flight, that desolation shall come upon the wicked.
Wherefore let my disciples in Kirtland, arrange their temporal concerns, which dwell upon this farm.
Let my servant Titus [Billimgs], who has the care thereof, dispose of the land, that he may be prepared in the coming spring, to take his journey up unto the land of Zion, with those that dwell upon the face thereof, excepting those whom I shall reserve unto myself, that shall not go until I shall command them.
And let all the moneys which can be spared, (it mattereth not unto me whether it be little or much) sent up unto the land of Zion, unto them whom I have appointed to receive.
Behold I the Lord, will give unto my servant Joseph [Smith] power, that he shall be enabled to discern by the Spirit those who shall go up unto the land of Zion, and those of my disciples that shall tarry.
Let my servant Newel [K. Whitney] retain his store, or in other words, the store yet for a little season.
Nevertheless let him impart all the money which he can impart, to be sent up unto the land of Zion.
Behold these things are in his own hands, let him do according to wisdom.
Verily I say, let him be ordained an agent unto the disciples that shall tarry, and let him be ordained unto this power; and now speedily visit the churches, expounding these things unto them, with my servant Oliver [Cowdery].
Behold this is my will, obtaining moneys even as I have directed.
He that is faithful and endureth shall overcome the world.
He that sendeth up treasures unto the land of Zion, shall receive an inheritance in this world, and his works shall follow him; and also, a reward in the world to come; yea, and blessed are the dead that die in the Lord from henceforth, when the Lord shall come and old things shall pass away, and all things become new, they shall rise from the dead and shall not die, and shall receive an inheritance before the Lord, in the holy city, and he that liveth when the Lord shall come, and have kept the faith, blessed is he; nevertheless it is appointed to him to die at the age of man:
Wherefore children shall grow up until they become old, old men shall die; but they shall not sleep in the dust, but they shall be changed in the twinkling of an eye:
Wherefore, for this cause preached the apostles unto the world, the resurrection of the dead:
These things are the things that ye must look for, and speaking after the manner of the Lord, they are now nigh at hand; and in a time to come, even in the day of the coming of the Son of man, and until that hour, there will be foolish virgins among the wise, and at that hour cometh an entire separation of the righteous and the wicked; and in that day will I send mine angels, to pluck out the wicked, and cast them into unquenchable fire.
And now behold, verily I say unto you, I the Lord am not well pleased with my servant Sidney [Rigdon], he exalteth himself in his heart, and received not counsel, but grieved the Spirit:
Wherefore his writing is not axceptable unto the Lord, and he shall make another; and if the Lord receiveth it not; behold he standeth no longer in the office which he hath appointed him.
And again: verily I say unto you, let those who desire in their hearts, in meekness, to warn sinners to repentance, let them be ordained unto this power; for this is a day of warning, and not a day of many words.
For I the Lord am not to be mocked in the last days.
Behold I am from above, and my power lieth beneath.
I am over all, and in all, and through all, and searcheth all things:
And the days cometh that all things shall be subject unto me.
Behold I am Alpha and Omega, even Jesus Christ:
Wherefore let all men beware, how they take my name in their lips:
For behold, verily I say, that many there be who are under this condemnation; who useth the name of the Lord and useth it in vain, having not authority:
Wherefore let the church repent of their sins, and I the Lord will own them, otherwise they shall be cut off.
Remember that, that which cometh from above is sacred, and must be spoken with care, and by constraint of the Spirit and in this there is no condemnation; and ye receive the Spirit through prayer:
Wherefore without this there remaineth condemnation: Amen.
THE INDIANS.
WE continue to glean items of Indian news, and it is really pleasing to see how the Lord moves on his great work of gathering the remnants of his scattered children. The Arkansas Gazette has the following:
THE EMIGRATING INDIANS.--Our latest information from Rock Roe, the general rendezvous of the Emigrating Choctaws, is to Sunday morning last, at which time about 1000 of the migrants had reached that point--upwards of 800 of whom came up on the steam boats Reindeer and Harry Hill, and the remainder came through by the land from Memphis, via the Military Road. Near 2000 more, under Col. Rector, landed on the West bank of the Mississippi, opposite Memphis, on the 4th of November, and had left for Rock Roe--about 1200 on the U. S. steam boat Archimedes, and the remainder by land, with their horses, wagons, &c. and it is probable that all reached that point on Sunday last.
It is not known with any degree of certainty at what time these emigrants may be looked for here; but, from the best information we can gain, we think they may be expected about the close of this week.
In addition to the above, we make an extract of a Letter from a gentleman,
Dated Osage Agency, January, 1833.
"The last letters from the old Creek nation state that the Creeks were about holding a grand Council, for the purpose of fixing upon the time they are to assemble, with the view of emigrating to this country. My calculation is, that not less than ten thousand will emigrate during the present year. With respect to the Cherokees, we do not calculate upon any emigration this year. About eight thousand Choctaws have already emigrated. The Cherokees and Creeks, which are now in this country, amount to seven thousand, (three thousand five hundred each) the Osages amount to between six and seven thousand: so that, in case of a war, they would soon be convinced of their weakness. The Choctaws, Creeks, and Cherokees, (according to Indian rules,) are brothers; the Delawares are their grand fathers; and the Shawnees, Senecas, &c, are their cousins. These tribes, in case of war, would combine. The Osages have no relatives; the Kansas call them friends, and sometimes join them in carrying on their war with the Pawnees."
In one of our exchange papers, we find, also, that "a delegation of the Seminole Indians of Florida, under the direction of Maj. Fagan, came up in the steamer Little Rock, on their way to explore the country west of Arkansas, with the view of selecting a new residence, near the Creeks, to which nation they belong, for the future homes of their tribe. They purchased horses at this place, and left yesterday morning, for the west, and intend proceeding direct to Fort Gibson."
DISCOVERY OF ANCIENT RUINS IN CENTRAL AMERICA.
A LATE number of the London Literary Gazette, contains a letter from Lieut. Col. Galindo, at Peten, in Central America, giving some idea of those antiquities which rescue ancient America from the charge of barbarism. These ruins extend for more than twenty miles, and must anciently have embraced a city and its suburbs. The principal edifice is supposed to have been a palace, formed of two rows of galleries, eight feet wide, separated by walls a yard thick; the height of the walls to the eaves is nine feet, and thence three yards more to the top. The stones of which all the edifices are built, are about eighteen inches long, nine broad and two thick, cemented by morter. The front of the palace contained five lofty and wide doors. Numerous statues of stone are scattered about. In another building, which Col. G. calls the study, are numerous full length figures, of about six feet high, some of them holding naked infants on their right arms, and not in the manner of the modern Indian woman, who always set their children astride on their hips. A place of religious worship and a prison, complete the list of buildings enumerated by Col. G.
"The whole of the ruins," says Col. G. are buried in a thick forest, and months might be delightfully employed in exploring them. I have seen sufficient to ascertain the high civilization of the former inhabitants, and that they possessed the art of representing sounds by signs, with which I have hitherto believed no Americans previous to the conquest were acquainted."--"The neighboring country for many leagues distant, contains remains of the ancient labors of its people, bridges, reservoirs, monumental inscriptions, subterraneous edifices, &c." "Everything bears testimony that these surprising people were not physically dissimilar from the present Indians; but their civilization far surpassed that of the Mexicans and Peruvians; they must have existed long prior to the fourteenth century."
REMARKS.--{beliefs-lds} We are glad to see the proof begin to come, of the original or ancient inhabitants of this continent. It is good testimony in favor of the book of Mormon, and the book of Mormon is good testimony that such things as cities and civilization, "prior to the fourteenth century," existed in America. Helaman, in the book of Mormon, gives the following very interesting account of the people who lived upon this continent, before the birth of the Savior.
[Hel. 3:1-16] And now it came to pass in the forty and third year of the reign of the Judges, there was no contention among the people of Nephi, save it were a little pride which was in the church, which did cause some little dissensions among the people, which affairs were settled in the ending of the forty and third year.
And there was no contention among the people in the forty and fourth year; neither was there much contention in the forty and fifth year.
And it came to pass in the forty and sixth, yea, there were much contentions and many dissensions; in the which there were an exceeding great many which departed out of the land of Zarahemla, and went forth unto the land northward, to inherit the land; and they did travel to an exceeding great distance, insomuch that they came to large bodies of water, and many rivers; yea, and even they did spread forth into all parts of the land, into whatever parts it had not been rendered desolate, and without timber, because of the many inhabitants which had before inherited the land.
And now no part of the land was desolate, save it were for timber, &c.; but because of the greatness of the destruction of the people which had before inhabited the land, it was called desolate.
And there being but little timber upon the face of the land, nevertheless the people which went forth, became exceeding expert in the working of cement; therefore they did build houses of cement, in the which they did dwell.
And it came to pass that they did multiply and spread, and did go forth from the land southward, to the land northward, and did spread insomuch that they began to cover the face of the whole earth, from the sea south, to the sea north, from the sea west, to the sea east.
And the people which were in the land northward, did dwell in tents, and in houses of cement, and they did suffer whatsoever tree should spring up upon the face of the land, that it should grow up, that in time they might have timber to build their houses, yea, their cities, and their temples, and their synagogues, and their sanctuaries, and all manner of their buildings.
And it came to pass as timber was exceeding scarce in the land northward, they did send forth much by the way of shipping; and thus they did enable the people in the land northward, that they might build many cities, both of wood and of cement.
And it came to pass that there were many of the people of Ammon, which were Lamanites by birth, did also go forth into this land.
And now there are many records kept of the proceedings of this people, by many of this people, which are particular and very large concerning them:
But behold a hundredth part of the proceedings of this people; yea, the account of the Lamanites, and of the Nephites, and their wars, and contentions, and dissensions, and their preaching, and their prophecies, and their shipping, and their building of ships, and their building of temples, and of synagogues, and their sanctuaries, and their righteousness, and their wickedness, and their murders, and their robbings, and their plundering, and all manner of abominations and whoredomes, cannot be contained in this work; but behold, there are many books and many records of every kind, and they have been kept chiefly by the Nephites:
And they have been handed down from one generation to another, by the Nephites, even until they have fallen into transgression, and have been murdered, plundered, and hunted, and driven forth, and slain, and scattered upon the face of the earth, and mixed with the Lamanites until they are no more called the Nephites, becoming wicked, and wild, and ferocious, yea, even becoming Lamanites.
In addition to the above, Nephi relates what took place at the crucifixion of the Lord, and should ruins of many cities be discovered, it would be no more than a confirmation of what was once on this land of the Lord. The account of the great destruction at the crucifixion, is confirmed by the appearance of the face of the land now, and the cracks or common scams in the rocks: We give it thus: [3 Ne. 8:5-25; 3 Ne. 9:1-12] And it came to pass in the thirty and fourth year, in the first month, in the fourth day of the month, there arose a great storm, such an one as never had been known in all the land; and there was also a great and terrible tempest; and there was terrible thunder, insomuch that it did shake the whole earth as if it was about to divide asunder; and there was exceeding sharp lightnings, such as never had been known in all the land.
And the city of Zarahemla did take fire; and the city of Moroni did sink into the depths of the sea, and the inhabitants thereof were drowned; and the earth was carried up upon the city of Moronihah, that in the place of the city thereof, there became a great mountain; and there was a great and terrible destruction in the land southward.
But behold, there was a more great and terrible destruction in the land northward: for behold, the whole face of the land was changed, because of the tempest, and the whirlwinds, and the thunderings, and lightnings, and the exceeding great qaking of the whole earth; and the highways were broken up, and the level roads were spoiled, and many smooth places became rough, and many great and notable cities were sunk, and many were burned, and many were shook till the buildings thereofhad fallen to the earth, and the inhabitants thereof were slain, and the places were left desolate and there were some cities which remained:
But the damage thereof was exceeding great, and there were many in them which were slain; and there were some which were carried away in the whirlwind, and whither they went, no man knoweth, save they know that they were carried away:
And thus the face of the whole earth became deformed, because of the tempests, and the thunderings, and the lightnings, and the quaking of the earth.
And behold, the rocks were rent in twain; yea, they were broken up upon the face of the whole earth, insomuch that they were found in broken fragments, and in seams, and in cracks, upon all the face of the land.
And it came to pass that when the thunderings, and the lightnings and the storm, and the tempest, and the quakings of the earth did cease, for behold, they did last for about the space of three hours; and it was said by some that the time was greater; nevertheless, all these great and terrible things were done in about the space of three hours; and then behold, there was darkness upon the face of the land.
And it came to pass that there was thick darkness upon the face of all the land, insomuch that the inhabitants thereof which had not fallen, could feel the vapour of darkness; and there could be no light, because of the darkness, neither candles, neither torches; neither could there be fire kindled with their fine and exceeding dry wood, so that there could not be any light at all; and there was not any light seen, neither fire, nor glimmer, neither the sun, nor the moon, nor the stars, for so great were the mists of darkness which were upon the face of the land.
And it came to pass that it did last for the space of three days, that there was no light seen; and there was great mourning, and howling, and weeping among all the people continually; yea, great were the groanings of the people, because of the darkness and the great destruction which had come upon them.
And in one place they were heard to cry, saying: O that we had repented before this great and terrible day, and then would our brethren have been spared, and they would not have been burned in that great city Zarahemla.
And in another place they were heard to cry and mourn, saying: O that we had repented before this great and terrible day, and had not killed and stoned the prophets, and cast them out; then would our mothers, and our fair daughters, and our children have been spared, and not have been buried up in that great city Moronihah; and thus were the howlings of the people great and terrible.
And it came to pass that there was a voice heard among all the inhabitants of the earth upon all the face of this land, crying, Wo, wo, wo unto this people; wo unto the inhabitants of the whole earth, except they shall repent, for the devil laugheth, and his angels rejoice, because of the slain of the fair sons and daughters of my people; and it is because of their iniquity and abominations that they are fallen.
Behold, that great city Zarahemla have I burned with fire, and the inhabitants thereof.
And behold, that great city Moroni have I caused to be sunk in the depths of the sea, and the inhabitants thereof to be drowned.
And behold, that great city Moronihah have I covered with earth, and the inhabitants thereof, to hide their iniquities and their abominations from before my face, that the blood of the prophets and the saints shall not come up any more unto me against them.
And behold, the city of Gilgal have I caused to be sunk, and the inhabitants thereof to be buried up in the depths of the earth; yea, and the city of Onihah, and the inhabitants thereof, and the city of Mocum, and the inhabitants thereof, and the city of Jerusalem, and the inhabitants thereof, and waters have I caused to come up in the stead thereof, to hide their wickedness and abominations from before my face, that the blood of the prophets and the saints shall not come up any more unto me against them.
And behold, the city of Gadiandi, and the city of Gadiomnah, and the city of Jacob, and the city of Gimgimno, all these have I caused to be sunk, and made hills and valleys in the places thereof, and the inhabitants thereof have I buried up in the depths of the earth, to hide their wickedness and abominations from before my face, that the blood of the prophets and the saints should not come up any more unto me against them.
And behold, that great city Jacobugath, which was inhabited by the people of the king of Jacob, have I caused to be burned with fire, because of their sins and their wickedness, which was above all the wickedness of the whole earth, because of their secret murders and combinations: for it was they that did destroy the peace of my people and the government of the land; therefore I did cause them to be burned, to destroy them from before my face, that the blood of the prophets and the saints should not come up unto me any more against them.
And behold, the city of Laman, and the city of Josh, and the city of Gad, and the city of Kishkumen, have I caused to be burned with fire, and the inhabitants thereof, because of their wickedness in casting out the prophets, and stoning them which I did send to declare unto them concerning their wickedness and their abominations; and because they did cast them all out, that there were none righteous among them, I did send down fire and destroy them, that their wickedness and abominations might be hid from before my face, that the blood of the prophets and the saints which I sent among them, might not cry unto me from the ground against them; and many great destructions have I caused to come upon this land, and upon this people, because of their wickedness and their abominations.
LETTERS have been received, since our last:--One from Florida: one from Fayette; one from Union, and two from Liberty, Missouri; one from Bloomfield, Indiana; two from Washington City, D. C.; one from Dayton, and two from Kirtland Mills, Ohio.
NEW HYMNS.
AN angel came down from the mansions of glory, And told that a record was hid in Cumorah, Containing the fulness of Jesus's gospel; And also the cov'nant to gather his people.
O Israel! O Israel! In all your abidings, Prepare for your Lord When you hear these glad tidings.
A heavenly treasure; a book full of merit; It speaks from the dust, by the power of the Spirit; A voice from the Savior that saints can rely on, To prepare for the day when he brings again Zion.
O Israel! O Israel! In all your abidings, Prepare for your Lord When you hear these glad tidings.
Listen O isles, and give ear ev'ry nation, For great things await you in this generation: The kingdom of Jesus, in Zion, shall flourish; The righteous will gather; the wicked must perish.
O Israel! O Israel! In all your abidings, Prepare for your Lord When you hear these glad tidings.
TO him that made the world, The sun, the moon and stars, And all that in them is, With days, and months and years, To him that died That we might live, Our thanks and songs We freely give.
Our hope in things to come, The Spirit's quick'ning power, Should turn our hearts to him, Where heavenly blessings are: That we may sing Of things above, And always know, That God is love.
When he comes down in heav'n And earth again is blest, Then all the heirs of him, Will find the promis'd rest. With all the just, Then they may sing, God is with us And we with him.
The Evening and the Morning Star
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VOL. I, NO. 10, INDEPENDENCE, MO. MARCH, 1833.