Journal of Discourses
Unpublished Volume I
Unpublished3 Volume II
Oliver Cowdery Morning and Evening Star
Oliver Cowdery The Evening and the Morning Star
Evening and Morning Star 1-5 (Starts on 5)
Evening and Morning Star 1-8 (starts on 8)
VOL. I, NO. 10, INDEPENDENCE, MO. MARCH, 1833.
THE CHURCH OF CHRIST. {beliefs-lds}
HE that is Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, even Jesus Christ, is the head of the church, and the gates of hell cannot prevail against it.--Adam was the first member of the church of christ on earth, and the first high priest after the order of the Son of God.
In order to show the rise of the church in the first days, we take an extract from the words of Enoch:
[Moses 6:43-68] And Enoch continued his speech, saying, The Lord which spake with me, the same is the God of heaven, and he is my God, and your God, and ye are my brethren, and why counsel ye yourselves, and deny the God of heaven?
The heavens hath he made: the earth is his footstool; and the foundation thereof is his:
Behold he hath laid it, an host of men hath he brought in upon the face thereof.
And death hath come upon our fathers: nevertheless we know them, and cannot deny, and even the first of all we know, even Adam:
For a book of remembrance we have written, among us, according to the pattern given by the finger of God:
And it is given in our own language.
And as Enoch spake forth the words of God, the people trembled, and could not stand before his presence:
And he saith unto them, because that Adam fell we are; and by his fall came death; and we are made partakers of misery and wo.
Behold satan hath come among the children of men, and tempteth them to worship him:
And men have become carnal, sensual and devilish, and are shut out from the presence of God.
But God hath made known unto my fathers, that all men must repent.
And he called upon our father Adam, by his own voice, saying, I am God: I made the world, and men before they were.
And he also said unto him, If thou wilt turn unto me, and hearken unto my voice, and believe, and repent of all thy transgressions, and be baptized even by water, in the name of mine only begotten Son, which is full of grace and truth, which is Jesus Christ, the only name which shall be given under heaven, whereby salvation shall come unto the children of men:
And ye shall ask all things in his name; and whatever ye shall ask, it shall be given.
And our father Adam spoke unto the Lord, and said, Why is it that men must repent and be baptized by water?
And the Lord said unto Adam, Behold I have forgiven thee thy transgressions in the garden of Eden.
Thence came the saying abroad among the people, That Christ hath atoned for original guilt, wherein the sins of the parents cannot be answered upon the heads of the children, for they are whole from the foundation of the world.
And the Lord spoke unto Adam, saying, inasmuch as thy children are conceived in sin, even so when they begin to grow up, sin conceiveth in their hearts, and they taste the bitter, that they may know to prize the good.
And it is given unto them to know good from evil: wherefore they are agents unto themselves, and I have given unto you another law and commandment:
Wherefore teach it unto your children, that all men, every where, must repent, or they can in no wise inherit the kingdom of God:
For no unclean thing can dwell there, or dwell in his presence:
For in the language of Adam, Man of Holiness is his name; and the name of his only Begotten, is the Son of Man, even Jesus Christ, a righteous Judge which shall come.
I give unto you a commandment to teach these things freely unto your children, saying,
That, inasmuch as they were born into the world, by the fall which bringeth death, by water and blood and the Spirit, which I have made, and so become of dust a living soul, even so ye must be born again of water and the Spirit, and cleansed by blood, even the blood of mine only Begotten into the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven; that ye may be sanctified from all sin, and enjoy the words of eternal life in this world, and eternal life in the world to come, even immortal glory:
For by the water ye know the commandment; by the Spirit ye are justified, and by the blood ye are sanctified, that in you is given the record of heaven; the Comforter; the peaceable things of immortal glory.
The truth of all things; that which quickeneth all things, which maketh alive all things; that which knoweth all things, and hath all power according to wisdom, mercy, truth, justice, and judgment.
And now, behold I say unto you, this is the plan of salvation unto all men: the blood of mine only Begotten which shall come in the meridian of time:
And behold all things has its likeness, and all things are created and made to bear record of me, both things which are temporal, and things which are Spiritual; things which are in the heavens above; and things which are on the earth; and things which are in the earth; and things which are under the earth, both above and beneath: all things bear record of me.
And it came to pass when the Lord had spoken with Adam, our father, that Adam cried unto the Lord, and he was caught away by the Spirit of the Lord, and was carried down into the water, and was laid under the water, and was bro't forth out of the water;
And thus he was baptized, and the Spirit of God descended upon him: and thus he was born of the Spirit, and he became quickened in the inner man:
And he heard a voice out of heaven saying, Thou art baptized with fire, and with the Holy Ghost:
This is the record of the Father, and the Son, from henceforth and forever: and thou art after the order of him who was without beginning of days or end of years, from all eternity to all eternity. Behold thou art one in me a son of God; and thus may all become my sons. Amen.
In addition to this, we make a further extract from the words of Enoch, as published in the Star of August last. It shows to what a state of purity the church had arriven in his day, besides being a good example for every disciple to follow, that means to do the will of God, in our day, in order to abide a celestial glory in his presence. It reads thus:--[Moses 7:16-19] "And the Lord came and dwelt with his people, and they dwelt in righteousness. The fear of the Lord was upon all nations, so great was the glory of the Lord, which was upon his people: And the Lord blessed the land, and they were blessed upon the mountains, and upon the high places, and did flourish.
And the Lord called his people Zion, because they were of one heart and of one mind, and dwelt in righteousness; and there was no poor among them: and Enoch continued his preaching in righteousness unto the people of God. And it came to pass in his days, that he built a city that was called the city of holiness, even Zion."
As before said, Christ is the head of his church, and from him comes every good and perfect gift. And for the perfecting of the saints and so forth, he has bestowed offices and ordinances, with order, for the benefit of the whole church.--The high priest-hood, of which order is he, the Son of God, or this priest-hood being a type of his order, is set forth as follows, by Alma:
[Alma 13:1-20] "And again: my brethren, I would cite your minds forward to the time which the Lord God gave these commandments unto his children; and I would that ye should remember that the Lord God ordained priests, after his holy order, which was after the order of his Son, to teach these things unto the people; and those priests were ordained after the order of his Son, in a manner that thereby the people might know in what manner to look forward to his Son for redemption.
And this is the manner after which they were ordained, being called and prepared from the foundation of the world, according to the foreknowledge of God, on account of their exceeding faith and good works; in the first place being left to choose good or evil; therefore they having chosen good, and exercising exceeding great faith, are called with a holy calling, yea, with that holy calling which was prepared with and according to a preparatory redemption for such:
And thus they having been called to this holy calling on account of their faith, while others would reject the Spirit of God on account of the hardness of their hearts and the blindness of their minds, while, if it had not been for this, they might had as great privilege as their brethren.
Or in fine: in the first place they were on the same standing with their brethren, thus this holy calling being prepared from the foundation of the world for such as would not harden their hearts, being in and through the atonement of the only begotten Son, which was prepared:
And thus being called with this holy calling, and ordained unto the high priest-hood of the holy order of God, to teach his commandments unto the children of men, that they also might enter into his rest, this high priest-hood being after the order of his Son, which order was from the foundation of the world; or in other words, being without beginning of days or end of years, being prepared from all eternity to all eternity, according to his foreknowledge of all things. Now they were ordained after this manner: being called with a holy calling, and ordained with a holy ordinance, and taking upon them the high priesthood of the holy order, which calling, and ordinance, and high priesthood, is without beginning or end; thus they become high priests forever, after the order of the Son, the only begotten of the Father, which is without beginning of days or end of years, which is full of grace, equity and truth. And thus it is. Amen.
Now as I said concerning the holy order of this high priesthood: there were many which were ordained and became high priests of God; and it was on account of the exceeding faith and repentance, and their righteousness before God, they choosing to repent and work righteousness, rather than to perish; therefore they were called after his holy order, and were sanctified, and their garments were washed white, through the blood of the Lamb.
Now they, after being sanctified by the Holy Ghost, having their garments made white, being pure and spotless before God, could not look upon sin, save it were with abhorrence; and there were many, exceeding great many, which were made pure, and entered into the rest were many, exceeding great many, which were made pure, and entered into the rest of the Lord their God.
And now, my brethren, I would that ye should humble yourselves before god, and bring forth fruit mete for repentance, that ye may also enter into that rest; yea, humble yourselves even as the people in the days of Melchizedek, who was also a high priest after this same order which I have spoken, who also took upon him the high priest hood forever.
And it was this same Melchizedek to whom Abraham paid tithes; yea, even our father Abraham paid tithes of one tenth part of all he possessed.
Now these ordinances were given after this manner, that thereby the people might look forward on the Son of God, it being a type of his order, or it being his order; and this, that they might look forward to him for a remission of their sins, that they might enter into the rest of the Lord.
Now this Melchizedek was a king over the land of Salem; and his people had waxed strong in iniquity and abominations; yea, they had all gone astray: they were full of all manner of wickedness; but Melchizedek having exercised mighty faith, and received the office of the high priesthood, according to the holy order of God, did preach repentance unto his people.
And behold, they did repent; and Melchizedek did establish peace in the land in his days; therefore he was called the Prince of Peace, for he was the king of Salem; and he did reign under his father.
Now there were many before him, and also there were many afterwards, but none were greater; therefore of him they have more particularly made mention. Now I need not rehearse the matter; what I have said may suffice.
Behold the scriptures are before you; if ye will arrest them, it shall be to your own destruction."
After the high priesthood comes elders, priests, teachers, and deacons. Now the offices are separate, for the edification and benefit of the whole church, and, though the elders and bishops are appendages to the high priesthood, & the teachers and deacons are appendages to the lesser priesthood, yet these offices are important to their places, and regular in their gradation: from deacon to teacher, from teacher to priest, from priest to elder, from elder to high priest.
As the angels are the ministers of the Almighty, so are these the servants of Christ, and each accountable in his place.
A private member has no authority to preach, neither administer ordinances; nor has a teacher or deacon, authority to baptize, or confer blessings; nor has a priest power to confirm the members, for all things must be done according to the articles and covenants, which are from the Lord.
Let us give one plain figure: The sun does not borrow its light of the moon, neither does the sun shine less bright in her presence, but the moon does: so, also, when ever the lesser officer, in the church, is in the presence of the greater, the greater takes the lead.
The church of Christ is the place for his saints to prepare for the celestial kingdom, and no man can expect to enter into it, except by being born again; for without water and the Spirit, he is not a legal heir, according to the plan of salvation.
The world is full of strange doctrines, and one says, lo, here is Christ, and another says lo, there is Christ; but, O man be not deceived! Truth is not in every man's mouth, nor is the fulness of the gospel taught in every painted chapel.
Our Savior has said, Whatever is highly esteemed among men, is an abomination in the sight of God.
If these plain words are not enough to cause men to beware, let them look or travel abroad among those that pretend to worship in the world, and see if they answer the definition which James gives of religion. He says, [James 1:27} Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.
Lip service and pride are abominable in the sight of the Lord. Every thing that is not good; every thing that is not plain, and tending to virtue, whether in the world, or among those that profess to be christians; or in the church of Christ, is not of God.
The church of Christ, in these last days, was established by the Savior, for the restoration of his people, as he has spoken by the mouth of his prophets, and for the gathering of his saints to stand upon mount Zion, when he comes in his glory.
The world endeavors to worship the Lord by wisdom, when it is expressly written, that the world by wisdom knows not God; and thousands risk their souls from year to year, on the say-soes, creeds and covenants of men, when it is written, [2 Ne. 28:31] Cursed is he that putteth his trust in man, or maketh flesh his arm, or shall hearken unto the precepts of men, save their precepts shall be given by the power of the Holy Ghost.
Truth, meekness, faith and charity, are the necessary qualifications of the church, and without them, all service, all profession, and all works are vain.
No man can love the world, or the things that are in it, and be a disciple of the blessed Savior. To be a saint, yea a true member of the church, thou must be at peace with the world. And again it is written, [3 Ne. 12:33-48; 3 Ne. 13:1-24] Thou shalt not foreswear thyself, but shalt perform unto the Lord thine oaths.
But verily, verily I say unto you, swear not at all; neither by heaven, for it is God's throne; nor by the earth, for it is his footstool; neither shalt thou swear by the head, because thou canst not make one hair black or white; but let your communication be yea, yea; nay, nay: for whatsoever cometh or more than these are evil.
And behold, it is written, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth: but I say unto you, that ye shall not resist evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.
And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloak also. And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain. Give to him that asketh thee, and to him that would borrow of thee, turn thou not away.
And behold, it is written also, That thou shalt love thy neighbor, and hate thine enemy: but behold I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you and persecute you, that ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good; therefore those things which were of old time, which were under the law, in me, are all fulfilled.
Old things are done away, and all things have become new; therefore I would that ye should become perfect even as I, or your Father which is in heaven is perfect. Verily, verily I say, that I would that ye should do alms unto the poor; but take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven.
Therefore, when ye shall do your alms, do not sound a trumpet before you, as will hypocrites do in the synagogues, and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily, I say unto you, they have their reward.
But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth; that thy alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly.
And when thou prayest, thou shalt not do as the hypocrites: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues, and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily, I say unto you, they have their reward.
But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly.
But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.
Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of before ye ask him. After this manner therefore pray ye.
Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name: thy will be done in earth as it is in heaven; And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors: and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: for thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.
For, if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: but if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. Moreover, when ye fast, be not as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast.--Verily, I say unto you, they have their reward.
But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thy head, and wash thy face; that thou appear not unto men to fast, but unto thy Father, which is in secret: and thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly.
Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and thieves break through and steal: but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal. for where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.--The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light: But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore, the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness!
No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.
The church of Christ, of these last days, is the same it was in the first days, or in any days; it required repentance and baptism for the remission of sins, and the promise of the gift of the Holy Ghost: it required also, an obedience to the commandments of God, in all things.
The disciples of Jesus must love the Lord without disguise; and must love their neighbor as themselves. They must do good in all cases, and shun every appearance of evil.
Faith is an evidence of a saint, for without faith, he can not worship in Spirit and in truth: faith, being the gift of the Holy Ghost, is the assurance of things not seen: the evidence of what is promised from the Lord, by keeping his commandments.
To obtain faith, we must pray; for by prayer we obtain the Spirit, and the Spirit guides to truth, and truth is light, and light comes from God. The propriety of this reasoning can be seen by the daily transactions of the world, as well as among the children of God: for in the world, when men have ceased to call upon the name of the Lord in faith, believing he will answer them, then the Lord, in a measure holds his Spirit from the inhabitants, and they run to evil; and also, when the children of God doubt his promises as they pray, he withholds his blessings.--But when there is confidence in God, by being obedient to his will, and keeping his commandments in all things, his blessings are not withheld: for instance, Moses lifted his rod over the Red Sea, and it parted, and the children of Israel went over on dry ground; or Elijah called down fire from heaven, that the people might know, the Lord is God. And now with these samples from the many recorded in scripture, let the saints that are sick, ask to be healed in the name of Jesus, or let those who are authorized, command evil spirits to depart in the name of Jesus; or ask blessings in the name of Jesus, and it shall be done.
When faith and works have come up before the Lord, and the saint has testimony of the Spirit, that these things are pleasing in his sight, let him remember, that without charity he can not be saved in the kingdom of God. No one can keep all the commandments and do them without charity.
When a saint walks in holiness before the Lord, he will love his neighbor as himself, he will pray for his enemies; he will visit the sick, and comfort them; he will feed the hungry, and clothe the naked as long as he has means to do with; and when they are exhausted he will pray for more; and while pitying the poor and stengthening the weak, the angels will rejoice over his acts of goodness.
If any man means to do the will of God, he must keep himself unspotted from the world; because he is an agent unto himself and can do good, and pray seasonably unto him for what is necessary in this life, and to fit him for the life to come.
The prayers of the righteous avail much; yea, they ascend up to heaven before God, and the angels rejoice.
Enoch, through grace, obtained a right to pray, (or rather) pray and enquire of the Lord, and the Lord showed him great things.
Without prayer one can not be a member of the church of Christ.
The wicked pray not, or not in faith, and the Lord pours out his wrath upon the nations that forget him.
The bible says men began to call upon the name of the Lord in the days of Cain, and there is a sample in the days of Abraham when he journeyed to Gerar, and the king took his wife: God said, [Gen. 20:7] Now therefore restore the man his wife; for he is a prophet, and he shall pray for thee, and thou shalt live: and if thou restore her not, know thou that thou shalt surely die, thou and all that are thine.
So Abraham prayed unto God: and God healed Abimelech, and his wife, and his maid servants.
It is an evidence of godliness, as well as a joyful sound of devotion, to hear the prayers of the saints offered up to God, morning midday and evening: it makes the humble soul think of what John saw in heaven: [Rev. 5:8] And the four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odors, which are the prayers of the saints.
After Hannah had vowed to the Lord, and he had answered her petition, she prayed, and said: [1 Sam. 21-10]
My heart rejoiceth in the Lord, my horn is exhalted in the Lord: my mouth is enlarged over my enemies; because I rejoice in thy salvation. There is none holy as the Lord: for there is none besides thee: neither is there any rock like our God.
Talk no more so exceeding proudly; let not arrogancy come out of your mouth: for the Lord is a God of knowledge, and by him actions are weighted.--The bows of the mighty men are broken, and they that stumbled are girded with strength. They that were full, have hired out themselves for bread; and they that were hungry ceased: so that the barren hath borne seven; and she that hath many children is waxed feeble.
The Lord killeth, and maketh alive: he bringeth down to the grave, & bringeth up. The Lord maketh poor, and maketh rich: he bringeth low, and lifteth up. He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, and lifteth up the beggar from the dunghill, to set them among princes, and to make them inherit the throne of glory; for the pillars of the earth are the Lord's, and he hath set the world upon them. He will keep the feet of his saints, and the wicked shall be silent in darkness; for by strength shall no man prevail.
The adversaries of the Lord shall be broken to pieces; out of heaven shall he thunder upon them: the Lord shall judge the ends of the earth; and he shall give strength unto his king, and exhalt the horn of his Anointed.
Here then we find, that when we have prayed, and the Lord has answered our request, it is good to give thanks, in prayer also, that the will of God may be done on earth as in heaven.
When Solomon dedicated the Temple, [1 Kgs. ;8:22-24] he spread forth his hands towards heaven:--And he said, Lord God of Israel, there is no god like thee, in heaven above, or on earth beneath, who keepest covenant and mercy with thy servants that walk before thee with all their heart: who hast kept with thy servant David my father that thou promisedst him: thou spakest also with thy mouth, and hast fulfilled it with thy hand, as it is this day.
Therefore, [1 Kgs. 8:46] if they sin against thee, (for there is no man that sineth not,) and thou be angry with them, and deliver them to the enemy, so that they carry them away captives unto the land of the enemy, far or near; if they shall bethink themselves, and repent, then hear thou their prayer and their supplication in heaven thy dwelling-place, and maintain their cause, and forgive thy people that have sinned against thee.
Repentance, babtism, prayer, humility, meekness, faith, love and charity, make saints for the church of Christ; and when he speaks they know his voice; and when he shall come in the clouds of heaven, they, if they have kept the faith till the end, whether in life or death, will be ready at the sound of the first trump, to rise and meet him, and reign with him in peace, when the wicked will not trouble, and where the weary will find rest.
<"Reflections">
William Phelps "Reflections," E&MS 1 (Mar 1833)
REFLECTIONS.
THERE are but few among those that pretend not to serve the Lord according to his commandments, that have any correct idea how the Lord manifests his power unto the children of men. Some talk of miracles as the only way to establish the Lord's words; and some think if they could converse with angels, they would be satisfied; but when we look back and reflect upon what has taken place since the beginning, we must say, that men have to exercise faith before they can enjoy these privileges.
It is true, that many may see signs; but let us ask, are these signs unto salvation? For, when the flood came, notwithstanding it was a miraculous event to those that lived in that period, who will say that the inhabitants then, except Noah and his family, were saved by it?
Again, when men had conceived the idea of building a tower to get to heaven, and the Lord came down and confounded the language, and dispersed them over the face of the whole earth, it must have been to them somewhat miraculous, but where will we turn to learn, that many were convinced, & turned to God to live?
We might bring all the miracles which Moses wrought before the Egyptians, and ask how many of that nation were converted by them, and what would be the answer? Read the account and the answer is ready.
When the herald cried aloud, To you it is commanded, O people, nations, and languages, that at what time ye hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut psaltery, dulcimer, and all kinds of music, ye fall down and worship the golden image that Nebuchadnezzar the king hath set up; but Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego, for not obeying the great command, were cast into the furnace, heated seven times hotter than it was wont to be, and preserved by the power of God, who among all the children of Babylon were converted to pure religion? Nebuchadnezzar acknowledged the hand of God in it, but he soon went to crop the grass of the field, as an ox, till seven times passed over him.
When saints know the power of God has been exerted for their salvation, or the destruction of the wicked, they are willing to give God the glory:
Yea: like Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego, they can lift up their voices and say: Blessed art thou, O Lord God of our fathers: and to be praised and exalted above all for ever.
And blessed is thy glorious and holy name: and to be praised and exalted above all for ever.
Blessed art thou in the temple of thy holy glory: and to be praised and glorified above all for ever.
Blessed art thou that beholdest the depths, and sittest upon the cherubims: and to be praised and exalted above all for ever.
Blessed art thou on the glorious throne of thy kingdom: and to be praised and glorified above all for ever.
Blessed art thou in the firmament of heaven: and above all to be praised and glorified for ever.
It is the duty of the children of the Lord, to thank him for all things that they receive of him; and it is well pleasing unto him, also, for them to sing songs of joy when he has manifested his power or goodness unto them.
The examples of singing, when the Lord had done great things, are many. The Lord asked Job where he was when he laid the foundation of the earth, when the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy.
When Pharaoh and his host had been drowned in the Red Sea, [Ex. 151-4] Then sang Moses and the children of Israel this song unto the Lord, and spake, saying, I will sing unto the Lord, for he hath triumphed gloriously: the horse and his rider hath he thrown into the sea.
The Lord is my strength and song, and he is become my salvation: he is my God, and I will prepare him a habitation; my father's God, and I will exalt him.
The Lord is a man of war: the Lord is his name.
Pharaoh's chariots and his host hath he cast into the sea: his chosen captains also are drowned in the Red sea.
When Deborah and Barak had delivered Israel, [Judg. 5:1-5] Then sang Deborah and Barak the son of Abinoam on that day saying, Praise ye the Lord for the avenging of Israel, when the people willingly offered themselves.
Hear, O ye kings; give ear, O ye princes; I even I, will sing unto the Lord; I will sing praise to the Lord God of Israel.
Lord, when thou wentest out of Seir, when thou marchedst out of the field of Edom, the earth trembled, and the heavens dropped, the clouds also dropped water. The mountains melted from before the Lord, even that Sinai from before the Lord God of Israel.
Thus sang the children of Israel, whenever the Lord performed great things for them. Most of the Psalms were written to praise God for his mercy forever, after he had manifested his power and goodness to his people; yea, even his Anointed; and they were written by the gift of the Holy Ghost, and are full of prophecy for the benefit of the righteous. But enough has been said on this point.
You that love the Lord, prepare for temptation.
You that love the Lord, set your hearts in order that you may endure all things in time of trouble.
You that love the Lord, cleave unto him, and keep in the way you should go, that your joy may be increased at the last end.
You that seek the Lord, trust in him, that you may be contented when you are changed from the common condition of the world, to the lot of a saint, or in other words, while in prosperity prepare for adversity, that as gold seven times tried in the fire, you may shine brighter and brighter as you approach nearer and nearer to God. You that love the Lord, believe in him and he will help you when you need.
You that love the Lord, wait for him, and your reward is certain.
You that love the Lord, prepare your hearts, and humble yourselves in his sight; and fall into his hands, rather than the hands of men, for his mercy is great.
Be not dismayed at the transaction of men, these things must needs be.
Say with the Psalmist, [Ps. 2:1-7] Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing? The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the Lord, and against his Anointed, saying, let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us.
He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh: the Lord shall have them in derision. Then shall he speak unto them in his wrath, and vex them in his sore displeasure. Yet have I set my King upon my holy hill of Zion.
I will declare the decree: the Lord hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee.
THE EVENING AND THE MORNING STAR.
<"The Star">
William Phelps "The Star," E&MS 1 (Mar 1833)
THE STAR.
WE take this opportunity to tender our thanks to the public and our friends, for their patronage bestowed upon us, and ask a continuance. For the benefit of ourselves, and subscribers, as many of them live at a distance, we have concluded to consider them subscribers to the second volume, till they order otherwise.--With our present arrangement and intention, we hope to publish more original matter in the second volume, than we have in the first.
Number one of the present volume has run out, and we calculate, as it contained the Articles and Covenants, to republish them in the first number of the second volume.
In order to give the progress and prospects of the church, it is necessary that our elders should transmit to us, an account of what they do from time to time. In this way, the spread of the work, and the increase of faith, can be published as one testimony that these things are of the Lord.
Our elders and friends, must recollect, that unless POSTAGE IS PAID on their letters, they have no assurance of being attended to.
<"Prospects">
William Phelps "Prospects of the Church," E&MS 1 (Mar 1833)
PROSPECTS OF THE CHURCH.
IT will be three years the sixth of April next, since the church of Christ was organized, in Manchester, New York, with six members. It has increased steadily in faith and works since; and the work has spread into several states.
The opposition to this church, a circumstance that has always been experienced by the church of Christ, from the world, because the world loves its own, has been unceasing in one place or another; yet from its six, it has increased to hundreds, that are happy to rejoice in the new covenant, which makes them heirs of the promises of the Holy One of Israel.
This church was established in these last days, by the will and commandments of the Lord, to bring to pass the gathering of his elect, even the righteous, preparatory to his second coming: and the place of gathering, as has been before published, is in the western boundaries of the state of Missouri.
To this place about a thousand persons have emigrated since the gathering commenced. About half of this number are disciples: perhaps more, as five hundred and thirty four disciples have covenanted to keep the commandments of the Lord and walk in his statutes blameless with thanksgiving forever.
As has ever been the case in the church of Christ, some have fallen away, and some have been cut off for transgressions.
As it is our intention, in a future number to give the particulars of the rise and progress of the church, we omit some things of interest.
It will be seen in another column, that this church is built upon the plan of salvation, which embraces truth, meekness, faith and charity, as necessary qualifications for its members, and relies upon all things that the Lord has commanded and spoken by the mouths of his prophets.
Many false statements have gone abroad, relative to this church; all of which will from time to time, be corrected if possible.
There are many branches of this church abroad, as has been heretofore published, viz: in Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Virginia, Pennsylvania, New York, Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Maine and Canada; and many of them will come up this season, if the Lord will.
The feeling that is manifested by the world, towards the members of this church is strange, as it does not seem to arise, because the members of the church have done wrong to their neighbors, or intend evil to any one: it is, therefore, to be regretted, that men should be persecuted for opinion's sake, or the sake of religion, when the constitution of our country allows all to worship according to the dictates of their own consciences.
The freedom of speech, the liberty of conscience, and the liberty of the press, are among the first principles of a republican government, and we hope they will be held sacred by every friend of his country.
The religion of Christ is the only source of lasting happiness, and men disagree, but when a society labor for good, according to the revealed will of God, to make men better, they ought to be respected, because no man can be too good.
In the days of the apostles, when persecution against the church of Christ, was carried to an extraordinary degree, [Acts 5:34-39] Then stood there up one in the council, a Pharisee, named Gamaliel, a doctor of the law, had in reputation among all the people, and commanded to put the apostles forth a little space; and said unto them, Ye men of Israel, take heed to yourselves what ye intend to do as touching these men: for before these days rose up Theudas, boasting himself to be somebody; to whom a number of men, about four hundred, joined themselves: who was slain; and all, as many as obeyed him, were scattered, and brought to nought. After this man rose up Judas of Galilee, in the days of the taxing, and drew away much people after him: he also perished; and all, even as many as obeyed him, were dispersed. And now I say unto you, Refrain from these men, and let them alone: for if this counsel or this work be of men, it will come to nought: but if it be of God ye can not overthrow it; lest haply ye be found even to fight against God.
If men were as anxiously engaged to do good, as they are to take the advantage of their fellow beings, every man we meet would be a FRIEND.
The gospel as preached by the disciples of the church of Christ, has been believed by many, and they have great reason to rejoice that the word of the Lord has been thus much respected.
The only way to overcome evil, is with good. He, then, that is a saint, will suffer wrong rather than do wrong. When persecuted, he will pray for his enemies, for their souls are as precious as his.
When men misuse, or abuse, he will forgive, for this is god-like.
If men wish the good-will of men, and expect a reward hereafter, let them do unto others, as they would like to have others do unto them.
The fulness of the gospel as taught by this church, is according to the word of the Lord in the book of Mormon. It is eternal truth, and we bear record of it, that our garments may be found spotless at the bar of God.
The elders of the church are to teach the scriptures which are in the bible and the book of Mormon, and invite all to come to Christ, and repent and be baptized, that they may be gathered with the people of the Lord, and be saved by keeping all his commandments.
The word of the Lord never fails, we, therefore, give a few words from one of the commandments, to show his will concerning things which will hereafter come to pass.
[D&C 58:1-11] Hearken, O ye elders of my church, and give ear to my word, and learn of me what I will concerning you; and also, concerning this land unto which I have sent you.
For verily I say unto you, blessed is he that keepeth my commandments, whether in life or in death:
And he that is faithful in tribulation, the reward of the same is greater in the kingdom of heaven.
Ye can not behold with your natural eyes, for the present time, the design of your God concerning those things which shall come hereafter, and the glory which shall follow after much tribulation; for after much tribulation cometh the blessings.
Wherefore, the day cometh that you shall be crowned with much glory; the hour is not yet, but is nigh at hand.
Remember this which I tell you before, that you may lay it to heart and receive that which shall follow.
Behold, verily I say unto you, for this cause I have sent you, that you might be obedient, and that your hearts might be prepared to bear testimony of the things which are to come: and also that you might be honored of laying the foundation, and of bearing record of the land upon which the Zion of God shall stand.
And also, that a feast of fat things, might be prepared for the poor: yea, a feast of fat things; of wine on the lees well refined.
That the earth may know that the mouths of the prophets shall not fail.
Yea, a supper of the house of the Lord, well prepared, unto which all nations shall be invited:
Firstly the rich and the learned, the wise and the noble; and after that cometh the day of my power:
Then shall the poor, the lame, and the blind, and the deaf, come in unto the marriage of the Lamb, and partake of the supper of the Lord, prepared for the great day to come.
<"The Times">
William Phelps "The Times," E&MS 1 (Mar 1833)
THE TIMES.
WE are sorry to see the United States so soon troubled, for the eyes of the world are upon this government, as an asylum of the oppressed. We hope the people of this enlightened land, in this unhappy crisis which presents itself to their view, will be calm, and in the language of Habakkuk: [Hab. 3:2] In wrath remember mercy.
A correspondent from Washington to the New-York Courier and Enquirer, over the signature of "The spy in Washington," thus wrote on the 20th of January:-
"Dark and portentious are the clouds which overshadow our land. Doubt and uncertainty accompanies every movement. Hushed, in silence, is the voice of murmur. Deep and settled anxiety is depicted in the countenance of every thinking man. In high places, reason has resigned to passion, her empire over the mind. The great and fundamental principles of our Constitution are in jeopardy. The arm of power is to be strengthened and outstretched. The feeble are to be smitten and trodden down; and the mighty are to march over their desolate places. This government of compromise and concession, is to be made, a government of force. The decree, has gone forth, and who shall stay its direful effects? conflicting and contending factions have locked arms, and stand shoulder to shoulder, in the cause of the strong against the weak."
This is a melancholy picture for a republican government. If it is really as above stated, it augurs the near approach of that day, that will try men's hearts: yea, the time that war shall be poured out upon all nations, which shall continue until the consumption decreed shall make a full end of them. For it is written: [Luke 21:11] Nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: And great earthquakes shall be in divers places, and famines, and pestilences, and fearful sights and great signs shall there be from heaven.
No one can be mistaken, if he looks at the signs of the times as they are: The harvest is nearly ripe. The hour of the Lord is nigh, even at the doors, and who are ready? not the rebellious, for they are not the blood of Ephraim. The meek only shall inherit the earth. It was said by Isaiah: [Isa. 66:15-16] Behold, the Lord will come with fire and with chariots like a whirlwind, to render his anger with fury, and his rebuke with flames of fire. For by fire and by his sword will the Lord plead with all flesh: and the slain of the Lord shall be many.
The Lord has begun to plead with all flesh, that some in these last days may have part in the first resurrection, and he will not slack his hand: No, he will continue to plead by the mouths of his servants; and by the voice of calamities, and by the voice of the thunder of heaven; and by the fierce vivid lightning, and by earthquakes till all that are alive shall know him, and serve him from the least even to the greatest. Truly, this is a day of warning and not a day of many words, among them that mean to do the will of their Lord and Master.
The Lord has said to his deciples, let the solemnities of eternity rest upon your minds, and they have every reason to do so: or if the elders go to preach to the north, or to the south, or to the east, or to the west, they can not go amiss, for the Lord has some precious souls, among every nation, kindred, tongue, and people.
Though nations shall break the links that hold governments together; though kingdoms shall dissolve, and though the friendship of many shall cease, still the kingdom of Jesus Christ will continue to increase and flourish, until the stone cut out of the mountain without hands, shall have filled the whole earth.
In view of this glorious day, notwithstanding the wicked shall be cut off, and the kingdoms of this world dissolved by the arm of the Almighty, the saints shall grow in love to one another, and to their Savior, and shall increase in faith till the curtain of heaven shall be unfolded as a scroll when it is rolled together, and they shall see the face of God.
The Lord is full of mercy, and he will call upon all men every where, to repent. There is no eye that shall not see; nor ear that shall not hear, and no heart that shall not be penetrated; when the people are so hardened in sin, that they refuse to hear the men that the Lord chooses to warn them, then he sends, plagues and pestilence, as seemeth him good, and he will continue to do so until the righteous are gathered, and the wicked destroyed.
Happy is he that is wise and seeks to save himself, for if he asks he shall receive, and when he knocks it shall be opened unto him.
The continent of America is a choice land above all others, and, ever since men have dwelt upon it, if they were virtuous, and walked uprightly before the Lord, they have been blessed: When they have not done so, they have been visited with calamities.
Perhaps few are aware, that the situation of the country, is still the same, for God is the same yesterday, today, and forever.
The following words of Alma, on the subject, are conclusive: [Alma 45:15-16] And now it come to pass that after Alma had said these things to Helaman, he blessed him, and also his other sons; and he also blessed the earth, for the righteous' sake.--And he said, Thus saith the Lord God: Cursed shall be the land, yea, this land, unto every nation, kindred, tongue, and people, unto destruction, which do wickedly, when they are fully ripe; and as I have said, so shall it be: for this is the cursing and the blessing of God upon the land, for the Lord cannot look upon sin with the least degree of allowance. He that knows the law of God cannot escape his judgments, unless he fulfils the requirements of that law.
The day of vengeance is at hand, when men must suffer the wrath of God in this world, and the world to come, unless they repent.
The saint can look upon the world and say, farewell: My God and my salvation are my all, for I want to inherit eternal life.
But the man of the world, when he looks upon the world, with all its allurements, exclaims: Let me become rich, for I want to live at ease, and enjoy the good of my life. But alas! the times change, and with them the condition of many change also; & where man looks for happiness he often finds misery, so that men might rather say: This world is hardly worth possessing, without a hope in the world to come, through the merits of Jesus Christ.
One of the great men of the earth once said: Crowns won by blood, by blood must be maintained; and a greater than man said: [Matt. 26:52] Put up again thy sword into its place: for all they that take the sword, shall perish with the sword.
The voice of the angel to the shepherds when the Savior was born was, [Luke 2:10, 13-14] Fear not: for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.--And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
What a happy time it will be, when all that are left alive on the earth, can shout and sing likewise! when the nations will learn war no more! when the man will not seek an opportunity to take the advantage of his fellow man!
There will be none to molest or make afraid then: for there will be peace on earth and good will to men.
[D&C 58:28] Men are agents unto themselves, and they can prepare for a kingdom of glory, or, for one without glory. The language of the Savior, is, [Rev. 22:17] The Spirit and the bride say, Come: and let him that heareth say, Come: [D&C 29:10] for the hour of redemption is nigh.
<"Children">
William Phelps "Children," E&MS 1 (Mar 1833)
CHILDREN.
OUR Savior said, while on earth in the flesh, [Matt. 19:14] Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven; and, in these last days, he has given a law for the benefit of children, that they may be baptized at eight years old.
It is as follows: [D&C 68:25-28] And again, inasmuch as parents have children in Zion, that teach them not to understand the doctrine of repentance; faith in Christ the Son of the living God; and of baptism and the gift of the Holy Ghost by the laying on of the hands, when eight years old: the sin be upon the head of the parents, for this shall be a law unto the inhabitants of Zion, and their children shall be baptized for the remission of their sins when eight years old, and receive the laying on of the hands: and they also shall teach their children to pray, and to walk uprightly before the Lord.
When the Lord gave the children of Israel commandments through Moses, he said, [Deut. 6:6-8] And these words which I command thee this day, shall be in thy heart: and thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thy house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.
And thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thy hand, and they shall be as frontlets between thine eyes.
If it were necessary then, to teach these things DILIGENTLY unto the children, it is so now, that they may grow up without sin, and be able to abide the presence of the Lord when he comes in his glory.
It will be a joyful task to teach the children of Zion, the printed commandments, and all things which may tend to eternal life.
Teach them also to wash themselves: to comb their hair; to be mannerly, and obedient: to be industrious; to be meek and charitable; and above all, to pray vocally and in secret.
Before they are old enough to think words for themselves, let them learn the Lord's prayer, in the book of Mormon, and repeat it when they rise in the morning and when they go to bed at night: (namely:)
[3 Ne. 13:9-13] Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed by thy name. Thy will be done in earth as it is in heaven. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.--And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever: Amen.
Again: how sweet it would sound, to hear a child say:
I must love the Lord, and trust in him, and pray to him always.
I must love my father and mother and obey them.
I must not lie; I must not steal; I must not swear, but I must be good, and the Lord will bless me.
<"Revelations">
William Phelps ed "Revelations," E&MS 1 (Mar 1833)
REVELATIONS.
A COMMANDMENT GIVEN, SEPTEMBER 4, 1830. [D&C 27:1-5, 15]
LISTEN to the voice of Jesus Christ, your Lord, your God, and your Redeemer, whose word is quick and powerful.
For behold I say unto you, that it mattereth not what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, when ye partake of the sacrament, if it so be that ye do it with an eye single to my glory; remembering unto the Father my body which was laid down for you, and my blood which was shed for the remission of your sins:
Wherefore a commandment I give unto you, that you shall not purchase wine, neither strong drink of your enemies:
Wherefore you shall partake of none, except it is made new among you, yea, in this my Father's kingdom which shall be built up on the earth.
Behold this is wisdom in me, wherefore marvel not, for the hour cometh that I will drink of the fruit of the vine with you, on the earth, and with all those whom my Father hath given me out of the world:
Wherefore lift up your hearts and rejoice, and gird up your loins and be faithful until I come: even so. Amen.
REVELATION GIVEN, HIRAM, OHIO, NOVEMBER 1, 1831. [D&C 1]
HEARKEN, O ye people of my church, saith the voice of Him who dwells on high, and whose eyes are upon all men; yea, verily I say, hearken ye people from afar, and ye that are upon the islands of the sea, listen together; for verily the voice of the Lord is unto all men, and there is none to escape, and there is no eye that shall not see, neither ear that shall not hear, neither heart that shall not be penetrated; and the rebellious shall be pierced with much sorrow, for their iniquities shall be spoken upon the house-tops, and their secret acts shall be revealed; and the voice of warning shall be unto all people, by the mouths of my disciples, whom I have chosen in these last days, and they shall go forth and none shall stay them, for I the Lord have commanded them.
Behold, this is mine authority, and the authority of my servants, and my Preface unto the Book of my Commandments, which I have given them to publish unto you, O inhabitants of the earth:
Wherefore fear and tremble, O ye people for what I the Lord have decreed, in them, shall be fulfilled.
And verily, I say unto you, that they who go forth, bearing these tidings unto the inhabitants of the earth, to them is power given, to seal both on earth and in heaven, the unbelieving and rebellious; yea, verily, to seal them up unto the day when the wrath of God shall be poured out upon the wicked, without measure, unto the day when the Lord shall come to recompence unto every man according to his work, and measure to every man according to the measure which he has measured to his fellow man.
Wherefore the voice of the Lord is unto the ends of the earth, that all that will hear may hear:
Prepare ye, prepare ye for that which is to come, for the Lord is nigh; and the anger of the Lord is kindled, and his sword is bathed in heaven, and it shall fall upon the inhabitants of the earth; and the arm of the Lord shall be revealed; and the day cometh, that they who will not hear the voice of the Lord, neither the voice of his servants, neither give heed to the words of the prophets, and apostles, shall be cut off from among the people:
For they have strayed from mine ordinances, and have broken mine everlasting covenant; they seek not the Lord to establish his righteousness, but every man walketh in his own way, and after the image of his own god, whose image is in the likeness of the world, and whose substance is that of an idol, which waxeth old and shall perish in Babylon, even Babylon the great, which shall fall:
Wherefore I the Lord, knowing the calamity which should come upon the inhabitants of the earth, {Joseph Smith, visions} called upon my servant Joseph, and spake unto him from heaven, and gave him commandments; and also gave commandments to others, that they should proclaim these things unto the world, and all this that it might be fulfilled, which was written by the prophets:
The weak things of the world should come forth and break down the mighty and strong ones; that man should not counsel his fellow man, neither trust in the arm of flesh, but that every man might speak in the name of God, the Lord, even the Savior of the world; that faith also might increase in the earth; that mine everlasting covenant might be established that the fulness of my gospel might be proclaimed by the weak and the simple, unto the ends of the world; and before kings and rulers. Behold I am God and have spoken it.
These commandments are of me, and were given unto my servants of their weakness, after the manner of their language, that they might come to understanding; and inasmuch as they erred, it might be made known:
And inasmuch as they sought wisdom, they might be instructed; and inasmuch as they sinned, they might be chastened, that they might repent; and inasmuch as they were humble, they might be made strong, and blessed from on high, and receive knowledge from time to time.
{Joseph Smith, miracles} After they, having received the record of the Nephites; yea, even my servant Joseph might have power to translate through the mercy of God, by the power of God, the book of Mormon:
And also, those to whom these commandments were given, might have power to lay the foundation of this church, and to bring it forth out of obscurity, and out of darkness, the only true and living church upon the face of the whole earth, with which I the Lord am well pleased, speaking unto the church collectively and not individually, for I the Lord cannot look upon sin with the least degree of allowance:
Nevertheless, he that repenteth and doeth the commandments of the Lord, shall be forgiven, and he that repenteth not, from him shall be taken even the light which he hath received, for my Spirit shall not always strive with man, saith the Lord of hosts.
And again, verily I say unto you, O inhabitants of the earth, for I the Lord am willing to make these things known unto all flesh, for I am no repsecter to persons, and willeth that all men shall know that the day speedily cometh, the hour is not yet, but is nigh at hand, when peace shall be taken from the earth, and the devil shall have power over his own dominion; and also, the Lord shall have power over his saints, and shall reign in their midst, and shall come down in judgment upon Idumea, or the world.
Search these commandments, for they are true and faithful, and the prophecies and promises which are in them, shall all be fulfilled.
What I the Lord have spoken, I have spoken, and I excuse not myself, and though the heavens and the earth pass away, my word shall not pass away, but shall all be fulfilled, whether by mine own voice, or by the voice of my servants, it is the same:
For behold, and lo, the Lord is God, and the Spirit beareth record, and the record is true, and the truth abideth forever and ever: Amen.
REVELATION GIVEN KIRTLAND, OHIO, JANUARY 3, 1833 [D&C 88:127-137].
THE order of the house prepared for the presidency and instruction in all things, that is expedient for the officers, or in other words them who are called to the ministry in the church, beginning at the highpriests even down to the deacons.
And this shall be the order of the house:
He that is appointed to be a teacher shall be found standing in his place, which shall be prepared for him in the house of God; in a place that the congregation in the house may hear his words correctly, and distinctly, not with loud speech.
And when he cometh into the house of God, for he should be first in the house:
Behold this is beautiful, that he may be an example, let him offer himself in prayer upon his knees before God, in token of the everlasting covenant.
And when any shall come in after him, let the teacher arise and with uplifted hands to heaven:
Yea even directly and salute his brother, or brethren with these words, saying:
Art thou a brother or brethren, I salute you in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, in token of the everlasting covenant; in which covenant I receive you to fellowship in a determination that is fixed, immoveable and unchangeable to be your friend and brother through the grace of God, in the bonds of love, to walk in all the commandments of God blameless, in thanksgiving forever and ever.
And he that cometh in, and is a brother or brethren, shall salute the teacher with uplifted hands to heaven, with this same prayer and covenant, or by saying amen, in token of the same.
Behold, verily I say unto you, this is a sample unto you for a salutation to one another in the house of God.
And to you the called to the ministry of the ordinances of the house of God; and ye are called to do this by prayer and thanksgiving, as the Spirit shall give utterance, in all your doings in the house of the Lord, that it may become a sanctuary, a tabernacle of the Holy Spirit, to your edification: Amen.
<Editorial>
William Phelps ed E&MS 1 (Mar 1833)
LETTERS.
Bath, New Hampshire, January 23, 1833. DEAR brethren, we have traveled in the states of Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts and Connecticut; and we baptized four in Blakely, Pennsylvania; and also my brother on Long Island; eight in Madison, Connecticut; twenty in Bath, New Hampshire; twenty seven in Charleston Vermont; and eighteen in Troy, Vermont. We went to a conference which was held in Spafford, New York, on the tenth of November, where brother Lyman (Johnson) baptized eight: he then, in company with brother Hazen Aldrich, started for Ohio; and I, in company with brother William Snow, started for Bath and Charleston, and baptized twelve by the way.
We have ordained several elders, since last February, and they bid fair to be faithful, and may do much good.
Brother Orson (J.) has returned from Missouri.
Brother Hazen has baptized four in Colebrook, New Hampshire. There are calls on the right hand and on the left, for faithful laborers in this region. Your brother in Christ,
ORSON PRATT.
North Moreland, Pa., February 2, 1833.
MR. PHELPS, SIR, I want you to send me the Evening and Morning Star, commencing at the first number, and also a prospectus, as soon as possible.
Send me also a book of commandments, and all other records, which shall come by the will and commandment of God: For which I enclose you a five dollar note. If this is not sufficient, send me word and I will send the remainder.
Please to continue the Star till I send you word or come up.
A word to you in the name of Christ, and this because you have the use of the press; and in this situation you have the privilege of enlightening the brethren; many of whom are in error concerning the prophet of whom Moses spake.
I conclude this is in consequence of not knowing the scriptures, on the subject, especially the book of Mormon: For Christ said, when he showed himself to the Nephites, [3 Ne. 20-23] Behold, I am he of whom Moses spake, saying: A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me: him shall ye hear in all things whatsoever he shall say unto you, &c. Book of Mormon, page 497. One truth is worth ten thousand errors.
I remain yours, &c. DANIEL STEPHENS.
Washington City, Post Office Department, Office of appt's and instructions, Feb. 5, 1833.
SIR, your letter of the 12th ult. asking the privilege of enclosing the various packages of your monthly publication, destined for the same state, in one package, is received. In reply I have to state, that there will be no impropriety in making up, and despatching by mail, your papers in the mode you propose.
I am respectfully your Obt. Serv't.
S. R. HOBBIE, Ass't. P. M. Gen'l.
W. W. Phelps Esq. Independence, Mo.
Extract of a letter from one of our correspondents, dated at Piqua, Ohio, February 13, 1833.
DEAR SIR: Your letter of January 22, was very thankfully received last evening, by myself and many persons with whom the Indians were acquainted. I am truly glad to hear from them: they were, many of them, as fine people as I wish to travel with. I expect to come through your Village again in July or August, with the remaining few of the Shawnees, who reside at Waghpaghkonnetta. It is thought they will leave here about the first of June. There are about ninety people of them in all, and if they start at that time they will arrive at the Kansas about the time named above.
I read your letter to two of the Chiefs who were in town today, and they were very much pleased to hear that their brothers were well, and pleased with their new homes. Their old Interpreter (Jo. Parks) left this place for Washington City today to try to obtain deeds for some lands he had granted to him by the Indian Nation. When he returns, which will be in about four weeks, he will commence getting ready to move, for he goes with them: he intend settling in the Indian country, on the Kansas River.
Respectfully, Yours, &c.
<"Prayer">
William Phelps "Prayer," E&MS 1 (Mar 1833)
PRAYER. {beliefs-lds}
PRAYER, if in faith, is acceptable to God at all times. In order to keep our thoughts from roving upon unlawful objects, we can follow the advice of one of the apostles of old, and pray-without ceasing in our hearts. The Lord says in these last days, call upon me while I am near. The prayer of the righteous avail much: Therefore, as it is said in the book of Mormon, [Alma 34:17-29] may God grant unto you, my brethren, that ye might begin to exercise your faith unto repentance, that ye begin to call upon his holy name, that he would have mercy upon you; yea, cry unto him for mercy; for he is mighty to save; yea, humble yourselves, and continue in prayer unto him; cry unto him when ye are in your fields; yea, over all your flocks; cry unto him in your houses, yea, over all your household, both morning, mid-day, and evening; yea, cry unto him against the power of your enemies; yea, cry unto him against the devil, which is an enemy to all righteousness. Cry unto him over the crops of your fields, that they may increase. But this is not all: ye must pour out your souls in your closets, and your secret places, and in your wilderness; yea, and when you do not cry unto the Lord, let your hearts be full, drawn out in prayer unto him continually for your welfare, and also for the welfare of those which are around you.
And now behold, my beloved brethren, I say unto you, Do not suppose that is all; for after ye have done all these things, if ye turn away the needy, and the naked, and visit not the sick and afflicted, and impart of your substance, if ye have, to those which stand in need; I say unto you, if ye do not any of these things, behold, your prayer is vain, and availeth you nothing, and ye are as hypocrites which do deny the faith; therefore, if ye do not remember to be charitable, ye are as dross, which the refiners do cast out, it being of no worth, and is trodden under foot of men.
<Editorial>
William Phelps ed E&MS 1 (Mar 1833)
We regret to learn that the Typus fever is prevalent both at Quebec and Montreal. The number of sick at both places in the hospitals is unusually great, and several cases exist at private lodgings. The mortality has not hitherto been severe.
[Argus.]
EXTRACT, &c.
{beliefs-lds} THE book of Mormon contains a great many good things. The following extract from the writings of Nephi, is worth a great deal to the saint.--While war and commotions are dividing and ruining the nations, he can lift up his heart to God, that there will be peace by and by.
[1 Ne. 14:15-30] And it came to pass that I beheld that the wrath of God was poured out upon the great and abominable church, insomuch that there were wars and rumors of wars among all the nations and kindreds of the earth; and as there began to be wars and rumors of wars among all the nations which belonged to the mother of abominations, the angel spake unto me saying:
Behold, the wrath of God is upon the mother of harlots; and, behold, thou seest all these things! and when the day cometh that the wrath of God is poured out upon the mother of harlots, which is the great and abominable church of all the earth, whose founder is the devil, then, at that day, the work of the Father shall commence, in preparing the way for the fulfilling of his covenants, which he hath made to his people, which are of the House of Israel.
And it came to pass that the angel spake unto me, saying, Look! and I looked and beheld a man, and he was dressed in a white robe; and the angel said unto me, Behold one of the twelve apostles of the Lamb! behold, he shall see and write the remainder of these things; yea, and also many things which have been; and he shall also write concerning the end of the world, wherefore, the things which he shall write, are just and true; and, behold, they are written in the book which thou beheld proceeding out of the mouth of the Jew; and at the time they proceeded out of the mouth of the Jew, or, at the time the book proceeded out of the mouth of the Jew, the things which were written, were plain and pure, and most precious, and easy to the understanding of all men.
And, behold, the things which this apostle of the Lamb shall write, are many things which thou hast seen; and, behold, the remainder shalt thou see; but the things which thou shalt see hereafter, thou shalt not write; for the Lord God hath ordained the apostle of the Lamb of God, that he should write them.
And also, others which have been, to them hath he showed all things, and they have written them; and they are sealed up, to come forth in their purity, according to the truth which is in the Lamb, in the due time of the Lord, unto the house of Israel.
And I, Nephi, heard and bear record, that the name of the apostle of the Lamb was John, according to the word of the angel.
And, behold, I, Nephi, am forbidden that I should write the remainder of the things which I saw and heard; wherefore, the things which I have written, sufficeth me; and I have not written but a small part of the things which I saw.--And I bear record, that I saw the things which my father saw, and the angel of the Lord did make them known unto me.
And now I make an end of speaking concerning the things which I saw, while I was carried away in the Spirit; and if all the things which I saw are not written, the things which I have written are true. And thus it is. Amen.
ITEMS.
THE following items are taken from the newspapers of the day:--WILDERNESS OF JUDEA.--This was a neglected tract of country on both sides of Jordan. It commenced at Tekoah, in the tribe of Judah, and extended through Arabia Petrea, to the Persian gulf. In this region John the Baptist commenced the ministry, and commenced preaching until the time of his showing unto Israel. Here he first taught his countrymen. This wilderness represented the Jewish church, to which John was sent. It was at that time destitute of all religious cultivation--John went to preach repentance, and prepare the way of the Lord.
REGION ROUND ABOUT JORDAN.--This comprises that level country, on both sides of Jordan, from the sea of Gallilee to the Dead sea. Jordan, in its nearest place, is twenty three miles east of Jerusalem. Jerico, celebrated for its unusual fertility and extreme heat, is in this region; also the valley of salt, near the Dead sea, where David defeated the Syrans, and Amaziah discomfited the Edomites; and plains of Moab, where the Israelites encamped, which are called the plains and valley of Shittim. This is thirteen miles wide, and fifty six long.
New-Orleans, December 4, 1832.
FIRE!--GREAT LOSS OF PROPERTY!
This morning, just as our paper was going to press, an alarm of fire was given. We hastened to the spot and beheld a most awful sight-two steam boats in flames! one of them the Cotton Plant, just arrived from Bayou Sarah, having on boad 15 hundred and twenty four bales of cotton, besides other freight--the other the Saratoga. We have not time to give further particulars, but will merely add that the fire is supposed to have originated on board the Cotton Plant.
[From the Maysville Monitor.]
At Bradenburg, 40 miles below Louisville, the steam boat Superior burst one of her boilers, killed three persons and scalded 16 others, four of whom it was supposed could not survive.
The Portsmouth was lost in the Wabash a short time since, with her cargo.
The Citizen ran against a snag a few days ago, 50 miles below the mouth of the Ohio, in the Mississippi, and was sunk with her cargo.
The steam boat 'Seventy six, sunk below the mouth of the Ohio, with her cargo.
The steam boat Falcon, sunk below Henderson, with her cargo.
From the Louisville Journal & Focus.
INDIAN WAR.
We received, last evening, the following letter, which contains information of considerable moment. The writer has our thanks.
CANTONMENT GIBSON, January 12, 1833.
Dear Friend: I take this opportunity of informing you of our situation.--Capt. Ford's company of U. S. Rangers left this place on the 5th inst. by order of Col. Arbuncle, on an expedition against the Pawnees, but, to their surprise, they were attacked on the 9th by a band of Camansha Indians, five hundred in number. They fought with great bravery for the space of an hour and a half, but they were surrounded and overpowered and compelled to surrender themselves prisoners of war. I was at the fort when the express came in. One of the Lieutenants made his escape, and brought the information that the savages, at the time of his leaving them, were massacreing their prisoners. It is supposed, that all have been put to death. Five companies of Regulars on the receipt of the intelligence, immediately started to rescue such, as might be still alive. There is every probability of a bloody war with the Camansha Indians.
JAMES SMITH, A Ranger under Captain Boon.
Captain Wm. Armstrong, superintendent of the removal of the Choctaws east of the Mississippi, and Lieutenant Holmes, United States Agent, passed up a few days since from Nashville, the former for the western Choctaw Agency, near fort Smith, and the latter for fort Gibson.
Lieutenant Joseph A. Phillips, United States Agent, and Messrs. Cross and Irwin, who passed through this place, a few weeks ago, in charge of parties of the emigrating Choctaws, returned here last week, after safely conveying the Indians whom they had charge of, to their new country on Red River.--[Arkansas paper.]
GREAT MORTALITY.--The British brig Tweed, captain King, twenty five days from Kingston, Jamaica, put into Hampton Roads a few days since, having lost all the crew except the cook by fever twelve days previous. She was bound to Halifax, and the captain and cook were the only persons left to conduct her into port.
A violent eruption of Mount Aetna, took place on the 17th and 18th November which destroyed Bronte, a town situated nine leagues from Catania, and containing a population of 10,000 persons.
The Cholera had broken out again in Paris. The correspondent of the Journal du Havre writes under date of the 9th ult. that 150 cases of cholera had occurred that day.
FROM ABROAD.
TO give a correct, and detailed account, of all the commotions, perplexities, and calamities, which are contained in the newspapers of the day, among the nations abroad, is not our intention, nor will our limits permit it, in the Star: a sketch of the most prominent movements of men, or of the judgments of God, is all we design. We begin from the Journal of Commerce.
FROM CALCUTTA AND CHINA.
We are indebted to the Captain of the Brig Nabob,for Calcutta papers, to August 18th, containing Canton dates to the 14th, of June.
CALCUTTA, August 18.
The Elphinstone brings intelligence from Bushire to the 6th July. It is stated that the plague had almost entirely lost its violence there before May, and that towards the end of that month scarcely any instance of a fresh attack occurred.
It is reported that the disease has extended to Shiraz, but this is doubtful, although it is certain that it has reached the coast of Persia opposite to Bassadore. Almost all the former inhabitants of Bushire who are alive, have returned to the town, and their number does not exceed 2000, while Bushire contained four months before, at least 20,000 inhabitants.
CANTON, June 2.
THE CHINESE REBELLION.--The success of the rebels has been such, that another body of 2000 troops has been sent off to the seat of war, and the RED PAPER of Canton announced the intended departure to day to head the express.
The news of the wars between France and Holland and Belgium, is thus related in the New-York Courier and Enquirer:--The operations against the citadel of Antwerp are, as was to be expected, each succeeding day becoming more serious. The town itself has thus far been preserved although no positive agreement appears to have been made on this point between the two contending commanders. In the course of events likely to follow the work of destruction which is going on around it, it is impossible to say how long it will be spared. Nothing evince the least intention on the part of William of Holland to give way, on the contrary, the exasperation among his people is continually increasing. The passengers arriving in Rotterdam, from England, did not find it safe to go out after dark; and one of them had been pelted by the populace while standing at the door of his lodging. The dutch accounts of what is passing in the citadel of course represents matters in a different light to the French.
CAPITULATION OF THE CITADEL OF ANTWERP.
The capitulation is at length signed, and the brave General Chasse is a prisoner of war in the hands of the French. The negociations were carried on during the whole of the day, and it is only within the last hour that the terms have been definitively settled. Chasse at first demanded that himself and garrison should be allowed to return to Holland. To this Gerard positively refused, and desired that the citadel should surrender at discretion.
A second parlementaire was then sent by Chasse, with a different proposition. The Marshal, having consulted a Council of War, returned for answer, that Chase should give up all the forts belonging to Belgium along the Scheldt; and that, on such conditions being acceded to, he would consent to the first demand of the Dutch General. Chasse, after a little delay, sent a third parlementary with a note to Gerard, stating that he had no control over forts Lillo and Lietkenshock, which were placed under the orders of Captain Bake. Gerard at length sent his alternative to Chasse, and desired a categorical answer with as short delay as possible.
The Marshal demanded that Lillo and Liefkenshock, with all the forts dependencies of the citadel, should be given up, when the garrison would be permitted to leave the citadel with all the honors of war; or, that the dependencies only should be given up, and the garrison remain prisoners of war until the forts of Lillo and Liefkenshock were in possession of the Belgians.
Chasse accepted the latter condition, and the capitulation was signed at 10 of the clock, by which the Belgians are to take possession of the out posts of the gates of the esplanade and secours, and that the Tete de Flandre, forts Burght and D'Austruwil were to be immediately evacuated.
After twenty-four days' seige 75,000 Frenchmen, with upwards of 150 pieces of cannon, have succeeded in reducing the citadel of Antwerp, with its handful of men.
LETTERS.
LETTERS have been received, since our last: one from Columbus, one from Kirtland Mills, one from Cincinnati, and one from Piqua, Ohio; one from Florida, one from Lexington, one from St. Louis, one from Middle Grove and one from Richmond, Missouri; one from Bath, New Hampshire; one from Waterloo, and one from Homer, New York; one from Canton, one from Troy, and one from Centre Mereland, Pennsylvania; and one from Washington city.
Unpaid in the Office, one from Oxford, New York.
HOME.
NOW let us rejoice in the day of salvation, No longer as strangers on earth need we roam; Good tidings are sounding to us and each nation, And shortly the hour of redemption will come:
When all that was promis'd the saints will be given, And none will molest them from morn until even, And earth will appear as the garden of Eden, And Jesus will say to all Israel: Come home!
We'll love one another and never dissemble, But cease to do evil and ever be one; And while the ungodly are fearing, and tremble, We'll watch for the day when the Savior shall come.
When all that was promis'd the saints will be given, And none will molest them from morn until even, And earth will appear as the garden of Eden, And Jesus will say to all Israel: Come home!
In faith we'll rely on the arm of Jehovah, To guide through these last days of trouble and gloom; And after the scourges and harvest are over, We'll rise with the just, when the Savior doth come:
Then all that was promis'd the saints will be given, And they will be crown'd as the angel of heaven: And earth will appear as the garden of Eden, And Christ and his people will ever be one. [William W. Phelps]
The Evening and the Morning Star
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THE EVENING AND THE MORNING STAR
VOL. 1, NO. 11-12, APR, MAY 1833
VOL. 2, NO. 13-15, JUNE, JULY, DEC 1833
INDEPENDENCE, MISSOURI
VOL. I, NO. 11, INDEPENDENCE, MO. APRIL, 1833.
THE GOSPEL.
{beliefs-lds} BY a reference to the last number of the Star, it will be seen that the plan of salvation, was revealed to Adam, after he was driven out of the garden of Eden. To show further concerning this subject, we make an extract from a revelation concerning him, after he had been driven out:
[Moses 5:1-16] For after that he had been driven out, he began to till the earth and to have dominion over all the beasts of the field, and to eat his bread by the sweat of the brow, as the Lord had commanded him; and Eve also, his wife, did labor with him, and he knew her, and she bare unto him sons and daughters, and they began to multiply and to replenish the earth. And from that time forth, the sons and daughters of Adam began to divide two and two in the land, and to till the land and to tend flocks; and they also began sons and daughters.
And Adam called upon the name of the Lord, and Eve also his wife, and they heard the voice of the Lord from the way towards the garden of Eden, speaking unto them and they saw him not, for they were shut out from his presence.--And he gave unto them commandment, that they should worship the Lord their God, and should offer the firstlings of the their flocks, for an offering unto the Lord. And Adam was obedient unto the commandments of the Lord.
And after many days an angel of the Lord appeared unto Adam, saying, why dost thou offer sacrifices unto the Lord? And Adam said unto him, I know not, save the Lord commanded me. And then the angel spake saying, this thing is a similitude of the sacrifice of the only Begotten of the Father, which is full of grace and truth. Wherefore, thou shalt do all that thou doest in the name of the Son, and thou shalt repent and call upon God in the name of the Son forever more.
And in that day the Holy Ghost fell upon Adam, which bore record of the Father and the Son, saying, I am Jesus Christ from the beginning, hence forth and forever; that as thou hast fallen thou mayest be redeemed; and all mankind, even as many as will.
And in that day Adam blessed God and was filled, and began to prophesy concerning all the families of the earth, saying, blessed be the name of God for my transgression, for in this life I shall have joy, and again in my flesh I shall see God.
And Eve his wife, heard all these things and was glad, saying, were it not for our transgression we should never had seed, and should never had known good from evil, and the joy of our redemption, and the eternal life which God giveth unto all the obedient.
And Adam and Eve, blessed the name of God; and they made all things known unto their sons and their daughters. And satan came also among them, saying, I am also a son of God, and he commanded them saying, believe it not: and they believed it not, and loved satan more than God. And men began from that time forth to be carnal, sensual and devilish.
And the Lord God called upon men by the Holy Ghost every where, and commanded them that they should repent; and as many as believed in the Son and repented of their sins, should be saved; and as many as believed not and repented not, should be damned: and the words went forth out of the mouth of God in a firm decree; wherefore they must be fulfilled.
And Adam ceased not to call upon God, and Eve also, his wife. And Adam knew Eve his wife, and she conceived and bare Cain, and said, I have gotten a man from the Lord; wherefore he may not reject his words.
Thus we have the assurance, and so also may all the world of mankind, that Adam had the gospel preached unto him, and he believed, and was baptized, and became a son of God, and was ordained unto the high priesthood of the holy order of God, to preach repentance unto his seed, and teach them the things of the kingdom.
From this time till Enoch, from Enoch till Noah, from Noah till Melchizedek, and Abraham, and from Abraham till Moses, the order of the high priesthood, on earth, continued, and the gospel was preached.
Adam, according to the commandment, taught his children the plan of salvation, and some of them believed, for Abel was righteous and the Lord had respect unto his offering. Enoch, after he had gathered the people of the Lord, continued his preaching in righteousness, and they builded a city, even Zion.
For one proof that the order of the high priesthood was on earth between the days of Adam and Moses, we refer to the time when Abraham returned from the slaughter of the kings: [Gen. 14:18-19]And Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth bread and wine: and he was the priest of the most high God. And he blessed him, and said, blessed be Abram of the most high God, possessor of heaven and earth:
It cannot be authentically disputed, that Moses was not a high priest after this same order, for Peter said, when speaking of the Savior, [Acts 3:22] This is he of whom Moses spake, saying, A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you, of your brethren, like unto me; him shall ye hear in all things, whatsoever he shall say unto you. Moses also says, [Deut. 18:15] the Lord thy God will raise up unto thee a prophet from the midst of thee, of thy brethren, like unto me; unto him ye shall hearken.
The Lord also said by Moses: [Deut. 18:18-19] I will raise them up a prophet from among their brethren, like unto thee, and will put my words in his mouth; and he shall speak unto them all that I shall command him. And it shall come to pass, that whosoever will not hearken unto my words which he shall speak in my name, I will require it of him.
Moses preached the gospel, and sought diligently to sanctify the children of Israel, that they might enter into the rest of the Lord: even the same good tidings that Adam taught his children; for Paul said, in his letter to his Hebrew brethren, while speaking of the children of Israel: [Heb. 4:2] For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it.
The gospel, according to the best knowledge we have, means good, or glad tidings, and is the power of God unto salvation to all that believe; for therein is the righteousness of God unto salvation to all that believe; for therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith; and it is held forth, the gift of God to all men, who are transgressors of his law; and is in the plan of redemption laid from the foundation of the world for all who embrace it, that they may have hope through the atonement of Christ and the power of his resurrection, to be raised unto life eternal; and this because of their faith in him according to his promise.
The gospel, then, according to sacred history contained in the scriptures, and also the revelations which we have given us by the power of the HOly Ghost, has always been given, or preached to men, that they must repent, and become better, by obeying the commandments of the Lord, that they might be saved in the celestial kingdom.
The gospel to Adam, was: [Moses 6:52] If thou wilt turn unto me, and hearken unto my voice,and believe, and repent of all thy transgressions, and be baptized even by water, in the name of mine only begotten Son, which is full of grace and truth, which is Jesus Christ, the only name which shall be given under heaven, whereby salvation shall come unto the children of men: and ye shall ask all things in his name; and whatever ye shall ask, it shall be given.
The gospel that Enoch preached was the same, for he called upon the people to repent, and he received a commandment to baptize, &c,; and when men repented and were brought into the kingdom of God, he continued his preaching in righteousness, that the saints might know the mysteries of the kingdom; even see and know for themselves, and through the power and manifestation of the Spirit, while in the flesh, they might be able to bear the presence of God in the world of glory; for Enoch and all his people walked with God, and were translated, even taken up into the bosom of God.
The gospel that Noah preached to the inhabitants before the flood, was the same that had been preached to his fathers before him; for he was a just man, and perfect in his generations, and walked with God. To show still further, and more plain respecting the calling and preaching of Noah, we give an extract from his history, as it has been given of him in these last days:
And it came to pass that [Moses 8:13-30] Noah and his sons hearkened unto the Lord, and gave heed, and they were called the sons of God And when these men began to multiply on the face of the earth, and daughters were born unto them, that the sons of men saw that their daughters were fair, they took them wives even as they chose. And the Lord said unto Noah, the daughters of thy sons have sold themselves; for behold mine anger is kindled against the sons of men, for they will not hearken to my voice.
And it came to pass, that Noah prophesied and taught the things of God, even as it was in the beginning. And the Lord said unto Noah, my Spirit shall not always strive with man, for he shall know that all flesh shall die; yet his days shall be an hundred and twenty years; and if men do not repent, I will send in the floods upon them.
And in those days there were giants on the earth, and they sought Noah to take away his life; but the Lord was with Noah, and the power of the Lord was upon him.
And the Lord ordained Noah after his own order, and commanded him that he should go forth and declare his gospel unto the children of men, even as it was given unto Enoch.
And it came to pass, that Noah called upon men, that they should repent: but they hearkened not unto his words; and also; after that they had heard him, they came up before him, saying, behold, we are the sons of God: have we not taken unto ourselves the daughters of men? and are we not eating and drinking, and marrying and given in marriage? Our wives bear unto us children, and the same are mighty men, which are like unto them of old, men of great renown. And they hearkened not to the words of Noah.
And God saw that the wickedness of men had become great in the earth; and every man was lifted up in the immagination of the thoughts of his heart,being only evil continually.
And it came to pass, that Noah continued his preaching unto the people, saying, hearken, and give heed unto my words, believe and repent of your sins, and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ the Son of God, even as our fathers did, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost, that ye may have all things made manifest; and if you do not do this, the floods will come in upon you.
Nevertheless they hearkened not, and it repented Noah, and his heart was pained that the Lord had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart.--And the Lord said, I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth, both man and beast, and the creeping things, and the fowls of the air: for it repenteth Noah that I have created them, and that I have made them; and he hath called upon me; and they have sought his life.
But Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord: and Noah was a just man, and perfect in his generations, and Noah walked with God, and also his three sons, Shem, Ham and Japeth. The earth was corrupt before God and the earth was filled with violence. And God looked upon the earth, and behold, it was corrupt, for all flesh had corrupted his way upon the earth. And God said unto Noah, the end of all flesh is come before me, for the earth is filled with violence through them, and behold I will destroy them from off the earth.
The gospel that Moses preached, was the same that was preached by Adam, Enoch and Noah; and also the same that was preached to Abraham: for God is the same yesterday, today and forever. And it was as necessary, that men should have the gospel preached unto them before the death and resurrection of Christ, that they might know of the plan of redemption, as after he came.
To name the precise words that might constitute the term gospel, we shall not attempt to do. When the Savior came in the flesh, the gospel was the same, and it is the same now, and will continue the same forever.
The Lord said, while instructing his twelve disciples whom he had called and chosen to build up his church among the Nephites: [3 Ne. 27:13-22] Behold I have given unto you my gospel, and this is the gospel which I have given you: that I came into the world to do the will of my Father, because my Father sent me; and my Father sent me that I might be lifted up upon the cross; and after that I had been lifted up upon the cross, I might draw all men unto me; that as I have been lifted up by men, even so should men be lifted up by the Father, to stand before me, to be judged of their works, whether they be good or whether they be evil; and for this cause have I been lifted up; therefore, according to the power of the Father, I will draw all men unto me, that they may be judged according to their works.
And it shall come to pass, that whoso repenteth and is baptized in my name, shall be filled; and if he endureth to the end, behold, him will I hold guiltless before my Father, at that day when I shall stand to judge the world. And he that endureth not unto the end, the same is he that is also hewn down and cast into the fire, from whence they can no more return, because of the justice of the Father; and this is the word which he hath given unto the children of men. And for this cause he fulfilleth the words which he hath given, and he lieth not, but fulfilleth all his words; and no unclean thing can enter into his kingdom; therefore nothing entereth into his rest, save it be those who have washed their garments in my blood, because of their faith, and the repentance of all their sins, and their faithfulness unto the end.
Now this is the commandment: Repent, all ye ends of the earth, and come unto me and be baptized in my name, that ye may be sanctified by the reception of the Holy Ghost, that ye may stand spotless before me at the last day. Verily, verily I say unto you, this is my gospel; and ye know the things that ye must do in my church; for the works which ye have seen me do, that shall ye also do; for that which ye have seen me do, even that shall ye do; therefore if ye do these things, blessed are ye, for ye shall be lifted up at the last day.
One important point relative to the gospel, is, whose duty was it to preach? Christ preached the gospel, and gave authority to his disciples to do likewise; he even said, [Mark 16:15] Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel. Paul had authority to preach the gospel: for the voice of him was: [Acts 26:16-18] Rise and stand upon thy feet: for I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister and a witness, both of these things which thou hast seen, and of those things in the which I will appear unto thee; delivering thee from the people, and the Gentiles, unto whom now I send thee; to open their eyes; to turn them from darkness to light; and from the power of satan unto God; that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified, by faith that is in me.
In Paul's first epistle to his Corinthian brethren, he says: [1 Cor. 15:1] I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand. He says further: [1 Cor. 15:3-6, 8] I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; and that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures; and that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve; after that of above five hundred brethren at once; after that he was even seen of me.
He also says in his epistle to his Galatian brethren, [Gal. 1:11] that the gospel that was preached by him, was not after man. For he neither received it of man, neither was he taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ. And while writing to Timothy, he says: [2 Tim. 2:2] The things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.
Taking for example the calling of all the ancient servants of the Lord, we know that none have authority to build up his church, except they are called, and commissioned of him. We say nothing here, about the various modes of worship, as they are called, of the different denominations, for all men are agents unto themselves, and can worship as they please; but we are sure, that the time is not far distant, when the works of all men will be proven, and the secrets of all hearts be revealed; the wheat gathered into the garner of the Most High, and the chaff burned with unquenchable fire!
Nor do we aim to meddle with the different sects that are continually contending, lo, this is the right way and, lo, this is the right way! The apostle declared many hundred years ago, [Eph. 4:5] that there was but one Lord, one faith and one baptism, and the Lord has said by his own voice in these last days, [D&C 1:30-31] that the church of Christ, is the only true and living church upon the face of the whole earth, with which he is well pleased, speaking, as he has said, unto the church collectively, and not individually, because he can no look upon sin with the least degree of allowance.
Before we proceed further on this subject, we take another extract from the book of Mormon. Although but few, or a small portion of our fellow men believe this book: some in consequence of the cunning craftiness of those who seek the praise and glory of this world, and are thus willingly blinded, and thousands have never come to a knowledge of it, yet we know, that it contains the fulness of the gospel of Christ in plainness, and that all things necessary to instruct men to repent of their sins, and of the manner of baptism, and of the gift of the Holy Spirit by the laying on of the hands, and of the plan of salvation, is set forth in that clear and easy style, and all men who are endowed with a common understanding, may receive light and intelligence in the things of God, if prejudice does not interfere; and that by obeying its precepts, all men, if they will, may have eternal life.
The following is taken from the teachings of the Savior, after his resurrection from the dead, when he appeared to the Nephites: [3 Ne. 11:22-40] On this wise shall ye baptize; and there shall be no disputations among you. Verily I say unto you, that who repenteth of his sins through your words, and desireth to be baptized in my name, on this wise shall ye baptize them: behold, ye shall go down and stand in the water, and in my name shall ye baptize them.
And now behold, these are the words which ye shall say, calling them by name, saying: Having authority given me of Jesus Christ, I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen. And then shall ye immerse them in the water, and come forth again out of the water. And after this manner shall ye baptize in my name, for behold, verily I say unto you, that the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Ghost are one; and I am in the Father, and the Father in me, and the Father and I are one. And according as I have commanded you, thus shall ye baptize. And there shall be no disputations among you, as there hath hitherto been; neither shall there be disputations among you concerning the points of my doctrine, as there hath hitherto been; for verily, verily I say unto you, he that hath the spirit of contention, is not of me, but is of the devil, which is the father of contention, and he stirreth up the hearts of men to contend with anger, one with another.
Behold, this is not my doctrine, to stir up the hearts of men with anger, one against another; but this is my doctrine, that such things should be done away.--Behold, verily, verily I say unto you, I will declare unto you my doctrine. And this is my doctrine, and it is the doctrine which the Father hath given unto me; and I bear record of the Father, and the Father beareth record of me, and the Holy Ghost beareth record of the Father and me, and I bear record that the Father commandeth all men, every where, to repent and believe in me; and whoso believeth in me, and is baptized, the same shall be saved; and they are they which shall inherit the kingdom of God. And whoso believeth not in me, and is not baptized, shall be damned.
Verily, verily I say unto you, that this is my doctrine; and I bear record of it from the Father; and whoso believeth in me, believeth in the Father also; and unto him will the Father bear record of me; for he will visit him with fire, and with the Holy Ghost; and thus will the Father bear record of me; and the Holy Ghost will bear record unto him of the Father and me: for the Father, and I, and the Holy Ghost, are one.
And again I say unto you, ye must repent, and become as a little child, and be baptized in my name, or ye can in no wise receive these things. And again I say unto you, ye must repent, and be baptized in my name, and become as a little child, or ye can in no wise inherit the kingdom of God. Verily, verily I say unto you, that this is my doctrine; and whoso buildeth upon this, buildeth upon my rock; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against them. And whoso shall declare more or less than this, and establish it for my doctrine, the same cometh of evil, and it is not built upon my rock, but he buildeth upon a sandy foundation, and the gates of hell standeth open to receive such, when the floods come, and the winds beat upon them.
Having this plain teaching set forth before us in this generation, the question might arise, whose duty is it now to preach? Were we to consult many of our fellow men for an answer, without any assistance from the revelations of the Lord, the most probable answer would be, such as have been qualified and fitted for the ministry; but taking the word of the Lord for a guide, the answer is: Those whom he has called and chosen: As for instance, those who come forth in the resurrection of the just, are they who receive the testimony of Jesus, and believe on his name, and are baptized after the manner of his buriel, being buried in the water in his name, and this according to the commandment which he has given, that by keeping the commandment, they might be washed and cleansed from all their sins, and receive the Holy Ghost by the laying on of the hands of him who is ordained and sealed unto this power. Therefore, we say as we have said before: Taking for example the calling of all the ancient servants of the Lord, we know that none have authority to build up his church, except those who are called and commissioned of him.
Hence we begin with Adam, for he was called and chosen of the Lord. Abel was called and chosen of the Lord, and offered an acceptable offering, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts. Enoch was called and chosen of the Lord, and the Lord blessed him, and even took him and his city into his own bosom. Noah was called and chosen of the Lord, and he by faith was warned of God and prepared an ark, and he and his household were saved. Melchizedek was called and chosen, for he even had power to bless Abraham. And Paul said: [Heb. 7:7] Without all contradiction the less is blessed of the better. Melchizedek was a priest of the most high God, as is said of him in the bible; that is, he was a high priest after the holy order of God, which order holds the keys of the mysteries of the kingdom of God, even the keys of the knowledge of God, and has power to pronounce blessings according to the will and commandment of the Lord.
Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, were called and chosen of the Lord. Joseph, the son of Jacob was called and chosen of the Lord, and while speaking to his brethren, he says: [Gen. 45:7] God sent me before you to preserve you a posterity in the earth, and to save your lives by a great deliverance. Nephi, the son of Lehi, thus writes of the prophecies of Joseph: [2 Ne. 4:2] Behold he truly prophecied concerning all his seed; and the prophecies which he wrote, there are not many greater.
Moses was called and chosen to do the work of the Lord, and the evidence is, that he did it. When Aaron and Miriam spake against Moses, the Lord said unto them: [Num. 12:7-8] My servant Moses is faithful in all mine house. With him will I speak mouth to mouth, even apparently, and not in dark speeches; and the similitude of the Lord shall he behold. The historian at the close of the book of Deuteronomy, in setting forth the character of Moses, says: [Deut. 34:10-12] And there arose not a prophet since in Israel like unto Moses, whom the Lord knew face to face, in all the signs and the wonders which the Lord sent him to do in the land of Egypt to Pharaoh, and to all his servants, and to all his land, and in all that mighty hand, and in all the great terror which Moses shewed in the sigh of all Israel. Paul says in his epistle to the Hebrew, [Heb. 3:5] that Moses verily was faithful in all the house of the Lord, as a servant, for a testimony of those things which were to be spoken after.
From the days of Moses, taking all the prophets that spake the word of the Lord, as they were moved upon by the Holy Ghost, till John began to cry in the wilderness of Judea, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths strait, they were called and chosen; and INSPIRED to do the work of the Lord.
When the Savior came to the Jews he called and chose twelve, (Judas excepted) to them he gave authority to build up his church; and they, by his authority, commissioned others and so the gospel was preached to men, that they might turn unto the Lord. This state of order in the church of Christ, lasted for some time; perhaps till the Nicean council, and from that time till the book of Mormon came forth, the fulness of the gospel of our Lord and Savior to the Gentiles, and also to the house of Israel, there were many sects, that had a form, in some degree, of godliness.
But none declared, by the power of the Holy Ghost, that they were inspired by the Lord to move on his cause, although they would admit that the Lord was unchangeable, the same yesterday, today and forever; and that he gave revelations in the first thousand years; in the second thousand years; in the third thousand years; in the fourth thousand years, and in the fifth thousand years; but in the sixth thousand years, he ceased to give his precious word to fallen man, to guide them in the way to eternal life, as in olden times.
The only name given under heaven, whereby man can be saved, is Jesus Christ. Men in days of old heard the glad tidings, that the Son of Man would come in the fulness of his own time, to make intercession for the children of men, and suffer, the just, for the unjust, and rise from the dead, that the bands of the temporal death might be broken, that the resurrection might pass upon all men, that all might stand in the presence of God to be judged according to their works.--These glad tidings were communicated from heaven to earth, by the ministering of holy angels and by the voice of the living God. Thousands have looked forward with an eye of faith, and a confidence unshaken in the promises of God, to the time when the great and last sacrifice should be made for fallen man. Many have rejoiced to see the day of the Son of Man, have seen it, and were glad; and have fallen alseep after obtaining the promise, that they should see God in the flesh and should reign with him on the earth a thousand years.
All men who were willing to be instructed in the plan of salvation, before the Lord came in the flesh, if they were obedient to his commandments, have had a knowledge of his gospel, and knew how to look forward on the Son of Man by faith, for a remission of their sins. The gospel was preached to the children of Israel, and the law was added because of transgression; which law was fulfilled in Christ. Nephi while speaking of Christ some hundred years before he came in the flesh, says: [2 Ne. 25:24-27] Notwithstanding we believe in Christ, we keep the law of Moses, and look forward with steadfastness unto Christ until the law shall be fulfilled; for, for this end was the law given: wherefore, the law hath become dead unto us, and we are made alive in Christ because of our faith; yet we keep the law because of the commandments; and we talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ, we preach of Christ, we prophesy of Christ, and we write according to our prophecies, that our children may know to what source they may look for a remission of their sins. Wherefore we speak concerning the law, that our children may know the deadness of the law, and they, by knowing the deadness of the law, may look forward unto that life which is in Christ, and know for what end the law was given.
When the time was fulfilled, & the Savior had made his appearance in the flesh, the gospel was preached by himself and his disciples. The disciples of John, as they were called, whom he sent to Christ, to inquire if he was the true Messiah, were answered thus: [Matt. 11:4-5] Go and shew John again those things which ye do hear and see: The blind receive their sight, and the lame walk, the leapers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel preached to them. When the twelve were first sent forth to preach, the Lord said: [Matt. 10:5-6] Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not: but go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. Many, and precious, were the instructions which the disciples received from the mouth of their Lord, before he was lifted up upon the cross. He said to them at one time, [Matt. 13:11] Unto you it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven. In another place it is said, [Mark 4:34] that he expounded all things unto his disciples, when they were alone. Again it is said: [John 14:26] The Comforter, the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatever I have said unto you; And after he had risen from the dead, he gave them their great commission to preach his gospel to their fellow men, and says: [Matt. 28:19] Go ye, therefore, and teach all nations.
With this authority, they proclaimed the gospel on the day of pentecost; some marveled; some mocked; many were pricked in the heart, and three thousand were baptized and added to the church. The language of Peter, at the time the lame man was healed at the beautiful gate of the temple, is very plain. He said to the Jews: [Acts 3:14-15] But ye denied the Holy One and the Just, and desired a murderer to be granted unto you; and killed the Prince of life, whom God hath raised from the dead; whereof we are witnesses. [Acts 3:18-21] But these things, said he, which God before had shewed by the mouth of all his prophets, that Christ should suffer, he hath so fulfilled. Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord; and he shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you; whom the heavens must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets, since the world began.
In this positive manner spake the apostle the truth, and in this plain language he preached the gospel and bore record of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus; and about five thousand more believed the word. He declares before the high priest, being filled with the Holy Ghost, that there is none other name under heaven given among men whereby they must be saved. The language of the Lord to Adam was also positive, when he said, that Jesus Christ was the only name which should be given under heaven, whereby salvation should come unto the children of men.
When the Galatians had been troubled by some who preached a false doctrine, and pretended to have another gospel, Paul says: [Gal. 1:6-8] I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel; which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.-
The gospel that the apostle preached, was, as he said to his Corinthian brethren, the glorious gospel of Christ. It was even that by which men might be saved.
Paul was an instrument, no doubt, by the blessing of the Lord, in building up the church of Christ very extensively in many places, as well as the other apostles and those who were ordained by them. But yet very little of their preaching to those who were out of the kingdom, is to be found in the New Testament.--How much was contained in the Acts of the apostles written by Luke, before it fell into the hands of those who robbed the scriptures of their plainness; and how much was contained upon the parchments which Paul desired Timothy to bring from Troas, which were left with Carpus; and how much was written by others, we shall not here attempt to show. The epistles were written by the apostles to churches and not to the unbelieving world; consequently, the manner of the instruction to them was different in general from their discourses to the wicked who had never heard the gospel. Yet all their writings will show but one gospel, and but one manner of building up the church of Christ. And Paul declares with much plainness, that as he said before, so he now says again, [Gal. 1:8-9] if any preach any other gospel than that which they had received, let him be accursed. Truly, because there never was, nor never will be, but one gospel.
Having proceeded far enough with the subject, to show that there is but one gospel, and that the same in all ages; and that the Lord calls and chooses his own servants to labor in his vineyard, we shall next proceed to bring some scripture to show how the gospel has been preached and how the church of Christ has been established in the days of old. In the beginning the Lord said unto Adam: [Moses 6:58-61] I give unto you a commandment to teach these things freely unto your children, saying, that inasmuch as they were born into the world by the fall, which bringeth death; by water and blood and the Spirit which I have made, and so become of dust a living soul; even so ye must be born again of water and the Spirit, and cleansed by blood, even the blood of mine only Begotten, into the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, that ye may be sanctified from all sin, and enjoy the words of eternal life in this world, and eternal life in the world to come; even immortal glory.--For by the water ye know the commandment; by the Spirit ye are justified, and by the blood ye are sanctified, that in you is given the record of heaven; the Comforter; the peaceable things of immortal glory; the truth of all things; that which quickeneth all things, which maketh alive all things; that which knoweth all things and hath all power according to wisdom, mercy, truth, justice, and judgment.
This plain teaching was to Adam after he was driven out from the garden of Eden, and points out the way for his seed to be saved. From time to time were the children of men called upon to repent in days of old, by those who were chosen of the Lord to preach his gospel. From time to time were the inhabitants of the earth warned of approaching destructions and sore calamities, which were sent to scourge them because of their iniquities, by those who were called and commanded of the Lord.
The Lord is just, and he gave the gospel, after man had transgressed, that he might be brought back into his presence. By obeying the gospel and keeping the commandment men are sanctified and prepared for the Celestial kingdom where God and Christ is the Judge of all. The gospel, then, is the power of God unto salvation. It is the good news of heaven, and calls upon the children of men every where to repent.
The news that the gospel brought in days of old, was, that Jesus Christ would come into the world; that he would suffer according to the flesh; that he would rise from the dead, and thereby redeem his people from the power of the grave.
TO BE CONTINUED.
THE EVENING AND THE MORNING STAR.
TO THE BRETHREN ABROAD.
AS many false reports are in circulation abroad, respecting the disciples of our Savior in the land of Zion, we feel it our duty to correct such as may be injurous to them, and can say, that, in general, the disciples here, enjoy good health, and are as well off as the generality of new settlers. The price of corn, during the past winter, has been about one dollar per barrel, which is equal to twenty cents per bushel: and now, on prompt pay, it is very little higher; not more than twenty five cents. Wheat is from fifty to seventy five cents per bushel. The present crop now on the ground looks very fine, and with the blessings of a merciful Father, an abundance will be raised this season, as very considerable was sown last fall.--Should the spring be as properous according as the winter has been, great quantities of corn will be put into the ground. Bacon is not high, and contracts were offered not long since, of 6 to 7000 lbs. in a lot.
A mild winter and the smiling springs, are among the blessings of the Lord, in this climate, and remind us of his promise to Noah, that, [Gen. 8:22] while the earth remaineth, seed-time and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night, shall not cease: and where these blessings are improved with industry, (for all that are able in the church of Christ, have to work for their living) we can exclaim like David of old: [Ps. 37:25] I have been young, and am now old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread.
RISE AND PROGRESS OF THE CHURCH OF CHRIST. {beliefs-lds}
HAVING promised in our last number, something on the rise and progress of the church of Christ, we commence with the intention of giving a relation of a few facts, as they have occurred since the church was organized in eighteen hundred and thirty. We shall be brief in this article, as we design to give from time to time the progress of this church, for the benefit of inquirers as well as the satisfactions of those who believe.
Soon after the book of Mormon came forth, containing the fulness of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the church was organized on the sixth of April, [6 April 1830] in Manchester; soon after, a branch was established in Fayette, and the June following, another in Colesville, New York.
We shall not give, at this time, the particulars attending the organization of these branches of the church; neither shall we publish in this, the account of the persecution of those who were then called and authoritized to preach the everlasting gospel. Twenty more were added to the church in Manchester and Fayette, in the month of April; and on the 28th of June, thirteen were baptized in Colesville: and of these we can say as Paul said of the five hundred who saw the Savior after he had risen from the dead: [1 Cor. 15:6] The greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen alseep. In October, (1830) the number of disciples had increased to between seventy and eighty, when four of the elders started for the west, and founded a branch of the church at Kirtland, Ohio, around which many have since arisen.
These first four, having added one to their number, proceeded to the west, after having baptized one hundred and thirty disciples in less than four weeks and ordained four of them elders, and finally stopped in the western bounds of the state of Missouri, having been preserved by the hand of the Lord, and directed by his Spirit.
In the winter, (1831) the church in the state of New York, after a commandment had been received from the Lord, began to prepare to remove to the state of Ohio. The following is a part of the revelation referred to above: [D&C 38:31-33] 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, and there you shall be endowed with power from on high, and from thence, whomsoever I will shall go forth unto 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.
In the spring the greater part of the disciples who were in New York, removed to the Ohio. In June, the word having been preached in many places and hundreds having been baptized, a number of the elders, by the commandment of the Lord, journeyed west, proclaiming the gospel and bearing testimony of the work of the Lord in these last days; saying none other things than that which the prophets and apostles had written, and that which was taught them by the Comforter, by the prayer of faith, as the Lord has said. Many gladly received the word and were baptized, so that branches of the church were built up in many places, notwithstanding the opposition with which the elders were often met.
Indeed we have the testimony before our eyes of the faithfulness with which they discharged their duty in publishing salvation to their fellow men. Many have already come up to the land of Zion who were fruits of their labors; and by what we can learn from time to time, we are reminded of the parable of the seed, for we are certain that much of it has fallen on good ground: and we are sure, having the testimony in our hearts, that those faithful elders, although often fateagued and wearied with the length of their journey, will at the last day receive a crown of eternal life, and joy unspeakable in the everlasting kingdom of God and the Lamb, with those that they were the means of turning from darkness to light. And while reflecting on this subject, as few words from Daniel seems to be applicable: [Dan. 12:3] And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness, as the stars forever and ever. For the word of the Lord to them has thus far been verified, which says: [D&C 52:10-11] Let them go two by two, and thus let them preach by the way in every congregation, baptizing by water, and the laying on of the hands by the water's edge; for thus saith the Lord, I will cut my work short in righteousness: for the days cometh that I will send forth judgment unto victory.
In July [1831] they began to arrive in the western boundaries of Missouri, and shortly after, a branch of the church from Colesville, New York, came on by water, and thus the gathering commenced.
From this time, the progress of the church though gradual, has been more than many of great faith had anticipated. Many churches have been built up in different states, and some hundreds of members have come up to this land, and are striving to keep the commandments of the Lord, that they may be prepared, whether in life or in death, to meet him when he comes in his glory with all his holy angels.
It may be proper to say, as we have often said before, that this church is taught by the revelations of the Lord, in all things, as they have been received from time to time from the days of Adam, until now. And it is really a matter of joy to see how fast the work of the gathering is continuing amid the discouragements, persecutions, and false statements of the world.
It has been reported that the church had settled in this country, and were living as one family. This is not so.
The faith of the church has greatly increased in these first three years of its existance, in these last days. Much is said at home and abroad about Mormonites, as the world has seen fit to call the diciples of Jesus Christ, but wherever the gospel has been truly set forth; wherever the book of Mormon has been fully explained and understood, and wherever men have listened with unprejudiced minds to learn the truth for the purpose of escaping the desolation and calamities which are already abroad in the earth, there the Lord has borne record of his own work by his Spirit.
While the gifts in many instances have been manifested beyond doubt, in healing the sick, &c. some have doubted and some have believed, as in the days of the apostles; and even from the beginning this has been the case more or less, and will be till satan is bound.
We promised to correct as many falsehoods as we could, that were in circulation. In this article we have commenced, but upon looking at some of the late misrepresentations that have found their way to the public, we think the best method will be for us to continue an account of the rise and progress of the church, and publish the truth as we have done; for, of all the statements that have been published in the newspapers of the day concerning this church, not one has reached us but what in a greater or less degree was untrue; and what adds more to our astonishment, is, that these publications came from those who proffess the religion of Christ. By this however we do not intend to cast any reflections, for we remember the example of our Lord, who, when he was reviled, reviled not again.
The progress of the church has been great, and while we witness the spread of the work, knowing it is of God, we are willing to give the world all the light we can that will lead them to salvation.
OLDEN TIME. {beliefs-lds}
ON reading the fifth chapter of Genesis [Gen. 5], it will be seen that it is the book of the generations of Adam, and contains the names of ten persons from the beginning till the flood, or rather to Noah. It ought to be remembered, that these men or some of them, were the sons of God.
During the time (1656 years) from the beginning till the flood, there must have been a multitude of people on the earth, as many lived to the age of nearly a thousand years and begat sons and daughters.
Enoch, who was a man of God, lived in the latter part of the first thousand years; and when the Lord commanded him to look, he says, [Moses 7:5-11] And it came to pass that I beheld in the valley of Shum, and lo, a great people which dwelt in tents, which were the people of Shum. And again the Lord said unto me, Look, and I looked towards the north, and I beheld the people of Canaan, which dwelt in tents.
And the Lord said unto me, Prophesy, and I prophesied saying, Behold the people of Canaan, which are numerous, shall go forth in battle array against the people of Shum, and shall slay them that they shall utterly be destroyed; and the people of Canaan shall divide themselves in the land, and the land shall be barren and unfruitful, and none other people shall dwell there but the people of Canaan; for behold the Lord shall curse the land with much heat, and the barrenness thereof shall go forth forever: And there was a blackness come upon all the children of Canaan, that they were despised among all people.
And it came to pass that the Lord said unto me, Look, and I looked and beheld the land of Sharon, and the land of Enoch, and the land of Omner, and the land of Heni, and the land of Shem, and the land of Haner, and the land of Hannaihah, and all the inhabitants thereof: and the Lord said unto me, Go to this people and say unto them, Repent, lest I shall come out and smite them with a curse, and they die. And he gave unto me a commandment that I should baptize in the name of the Father and the Son, which is full of grace and truth and the Holy Ghost, which beareth record of the Father and the Son.
It ought to be known, for it is published, that after Adam and Eve were driven out of the garden of Eden, they had many children, and the children went forth two and two and began to multiply and replenish the earth; yea, and all this too, before Adam had the gospel preached unto him or was baptized. The fact is very few of the present generation have knowledge of what took place in the first thousand years.
When the first trump shall sound the second time, in the ears of all living and reveal the secret acts of men, and the mighty works of God in the first thousandth year, great things will be known.
When the first seal of the little book is opened, which will be when the above trump sounds, the saints may lift up their heads and rejoice, for the mystery of God will soon be finished: Then the history of olden time will be known; then the family record of Adam and his children down to this generation, with all the thoughts and intents of the heart, will be revealed; then the saints will be crowned and made equal with Michael the Lord's arch angel.
Few persons are aware that Adam lived long enough, in the first days, to witness the gathering of the saints, by Enoch, as well as the building up of Zion. Adam lived to see, at least, seven generations of his children around him, multiplying and replenishing the earth. Adam fell asleep in the Lord only fifty seven years before Zion, even the city of Enoch, was taken up to the bosom of God, where it has remained, and will remain till the Lord brings it again, when he comes in his glory with all his holy angels with him, to reign on earth a thousand years.
For the Lord, while speaking unto Noah after the flood, said: [JST Gen. 9:11-17] I will establish my covenant with you, which I made unto Enoch, concerning the remnants of your posterity. And God made a covenant with Noah, and said, this shall be the token of the covenant: I make between me and you, and for every living creature with you, for perpetual generations; and I will set my bow in the cloud, and it shall be for a token of a covenant, between me and the earth.
And it shall come to pass, when I bring a cloud over the earth, that the bow shall be seen in the cloud; & I will remember my covenant which I have made between me and you, for every living creature of all flesh; and the waters shall no more become a flood to destroy all flesh. And the bow shall be in the cloud, and I will look upon it, that I may remember the everlasting covenant which I make unto thy father Enoch: That when men should keep all my commandments Zion should again come on the earth, the city of Enoch which I have caught up unto myself. And this is mine everlasting covenant, that when thy posterity shall embrace the truth, and look upward, then shall Zion look downward, and all the heavens shall shake with gladness, and the earth shall tremble with joy, and the general assembly of the church of the first born, shall come down out of heaven and possess the earth, and shall have place until the end come. And this is mine everlasting covenant which I made with thy father Enoch.
Then those that have gathered faith for a treasure, and have kept all the commandments of the Lord, will see God in the flesh; being quickened, they will have part in the first resurrection, and will be raised unto immortality: [Rev. 20:6] on such the second death will have no power.
LAMENTABLE FACTS. {beliefs-lds}
THE righteous have always been derided by the wicked, and sacred things ridiculed by those that knew not God.
The Lord said, [Matt. 7:15] Beware of false prophets, and Paul said, [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 affections, truce-breakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, traitors, heady, high-minded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.
Now let us ask the sincere, (if there by any in the world) if that sacredness is to be seen in the performances of religion, which ought to distinguish the sons of God? Are there professers who pretend to worship God, examples of piety, that will not look upon sin with any degree of allowance? Or is it not a lamentable fact, that thousands who have a form of godliness deny the power thereof? Is it not a lamentable fact, that whatever is highly esteemed by the world, is also highly esteemed by those that ought not to love the world, neither the things that are in it?
Is it not a lamentable fact, that those who pretend to worship God, are the first to persecute the church of Christ? The Jews did so in the days of the Savior.--Is it not a lamentable fact, that the time has come when men will not endure sound doctrine; but, as Paul said, [2 Tim. 4:3] After their own lust they heap up to themselves teachers having itching ears?
Is it not a lamentable fact, that in all the controversies between the sectarians, a spirit is manifest, which is any thing but that of our Lord?
But let us turn from these lamentable facts, to others whose record has lain on the pages of holy writ, for ages, to warn the inhabitants of the earth not to do likewise.
Is it not a lamentable fact, that when Adam and Eve transgressed the command of the Most High, they were driven out of the garden of Eden? Is it not a lamentable fact, that when the earth was filled with violence, and all flesh had corrupted itself, that the Lord brought a flood of waters & destroyed the inhabitants of the world, save Noah and his family?
It is not a lamentable fact, that when men began to build a Tower, that they might go to heaven as they pleased, notwithstanding there was no other name given, than Jesus Christ, whereby men could be saved, that the Lord confounded their language, and they were scattered over the face of the whole earth?
Is it not a lamentable fact, that when the Egyptians pursued the children of Israel into the Red sea, that they were drowned for their folly? Is it not a lamentable fact, that the children of Israel were scattered among all nations for disobeying the commandment of God? Let the bible answer these questions, that those that would become righteous, and be saved, when the Lord comes out of his place to destroy the wicked, may have a solemn warning to flee from the wrath to come.
THE SIXTH OF APRIL.
ON the 6th of April, between seventy and eight ordained members, representing more than five hundred members of the church of Christ, met for instruction, serving God, &c., in the land of Zion, and spent the day, from ten till four o'clock, very agreeably. It affords us much pleasure to record this little fact. When the foundations of this earth were laid, the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy: the Passover was kept solemnly by the children of Israel, and so let the solemnities of eternity rest upon our minds, since the Lord has been so merciful as to re-establish his church for the last time, in these last days.
LETTERS.
SINCE our last number, letters have been received: one from Florida, one from Palmyra, Missouri; one from Pontiac, Michigan, and one from Kirtland Mills, Ohio.
One in the office unpaid.
Brother Simeon Carter built up a new church in Hanover, Indiana, while on his way to this place last winter, containing twenty seven members.
ALL MUST COME TO PASS. {beliefs-lds}
OCCASIONALLY we extract some of the signs of the times, that those that watch for such appearances, as one evidence that the hour of redemption is near, may not look in vain. With a confidence unshaken in the promises of the Lord, they can look forward to the time of their redemption, notwithstanding every nation will have its calamities, and every year its troubles, until the consumption decreed shall make a full end of the wicked. Although calamity shall cover the mocker, and the scorner be consumed; though the mountains shall depart, and the hills be removed; though the voice of the Lord goes forth in the whirlwind, in the earthquake, in the tempest, in the thunder, and in the lightning, unto the nations, to with them to repent, until, in his wrath, they are cut off, happy will that man be, who has obeyed the gospel, and put his trust in God, and walked by faith and held out unto the end.
The righteous have nought to fear; the promise of deliverance to them is certain; though the heathen rage, though bigots cry delusion, yet they know that those who put their trust in the Lord, will never be confounded. The following from the prophecy of Isaiah is to the point: [Isa. 51:6-8] Lift up your eyes to the heavens, and look upon the earth beneath; for the heavens shall vanish away like smoke, and the earth shall wax old like a garment, and they that dwelt therein shall die in like manner: but my salvation shall be forever, and my righteousness shall not be abolished. Hearken unto me ye that know righteousness, the people in whose heart is my law; fear ye not the reproach of men, neither be ye afraid of their revilings, for the moth shall eat them up like a garment, and the worm shall eat them like wool: but my righteousness shall be forever, and my salvation from generation to generation.
Short extracts of the scenes that are passing at this day, is all that our limits will allow; for it would be beyond our power to give them in full. We begin:--CAPE DE VERDS.--A passenger in one of the vessels which carried out provisions to the Cape de Verds, states the number of deaths by actual starvation to be 30,000 (population 100,000.) He says, "Capt. Hays, of brig Emma, of Philadelphia, with a full cargo of provisions, assured me that the scene of wretchedness and dessolation at St. Antonio, where he touched long enough to discharge 500 lbs. of provisions, was beyond the power of tongue or pen to describe. The miserable inhabitants looked more like moving skeletons, than living beings--their flesh was gone, their muscles seemed dried up, and they presented the appearance of only the naked frames of men, which could scarcely be kept together. A pilot was dispatched in a boat with some half a dozen skeleton beings to hail the first vessel that could be seen, and beg of it to stop and sell them something to keep them alive for a few days longer; when the Emma hove in sight, and the entreaty pressed to stop and sell them something to eat, Capt. H. replied that he had nothing to sell, but that his vessel was loaded with provisions to give away; and that he had come for the express purpose of affording relief to any of the Islanders who needed the gratuity. They seemed incredulous at first, but when satisfied of the fact, they raised their hands in astonishment toward heaven, intimating that he must have been despatched from thence, on such an errand of mercy. Capt. H. states they even followed him to the water's edge, and there, in attempting to give three cheers with all the little energy which they possessed, they made a noise more like a sepulchral groan than the voice of the living. Capt. H. was assured that almost every morning the dying and the dead could be seen in almost every direction from the door of his informant, and that but a short time before, a boy was seen cutting a piece of flesh from the carcass of a fellow creature, to lengthen out of own miserable existence, but was found soon after, dead, with the piece of flesh in his hand. I have often heard them say-Americans kinder than our own country,-we have two kings, but they no send provisions to keep us from starving--they fight one another to see who shall govern--they care nothing about us, &c. The rains have began to fall in the Islands, and vegetation is coming forward rapidly, and the hope is cherished that something, in a few months may be obtained from the fruits of the earth, to supply the wants of the people.--[Boston Paper.]
Information has been received at Boston from Cape de Verds, that the supplies which have been sent from this country, had been received but would afford only temporary relief, as the great drouth of three years duration had been succeeded by a disasterous flood of rain, by which the crop were utterly destroyed. The islands are represented to be in a miserable condition.--[Exeter News-Letter.]
A great number of religious Jews in Poland are making preparations to visit Jerusalem, in the belief that the time predicted by their prophets has nearly arrived in which they shall be restored to the possession of that country--[Foreign paper.]
VESUVIUS.--Advices from Palermo state that the eruption of Mount Vesuvius continued up to the 9th inst. and that many foreigners had been attracted by the grandeur of the scene. The inhabitants residing at the foot of the volcano, had, however, begun to be considerably alarmed at the continuance of the phenomenon, as the lava had not only advanced, but had likewise extended itself on all sides, threatning destruction to their inhabitants.--[ib.]
IRELAND.--The cholera had made its appearance at Belturbet and Monaghan, and many cases had proved fatal.
The papers contain accounts of numerous outrages by the peasantry in search of arms, and an article of Rathangan says, there are many and extensive manufactories of gunpowder throughout the country. An unsuccessful attempt had been made to murder M. Fishbourne, Esq. agent to the Duke of Buckingham.--[ib.]
DESTRUCTIVE FIRE.--A great fire had taken place in Liverpool, in which 10 to 12,000 bales of cotton were consumed. The total damages said to be L150,000 sterling.--[ib.]
Last week we published the proceedings of a public meeting held at Galena, in consequence of a certain rumor relative to the Indians. A committee had been appointed to inquire whether any cause of apprehension need exist of a war with the Indians on our border, or whether the reports now in circulation are groundless. They reported that a disposition totally the reverse of hostilities was manifest and apparent; and that the principal chiefs offered to surrender themselves as hostages, thereby to relive them of all their fear.
It now appears from the Galena of Jan. 16th, that a party of Sac and Fox Indians recently fell upon and killed three lodges of Menomonee, and three of the principle men of Winnebagoes. This accounts for the warlike appearances which gave such uneasiness to some of the citizens of Galena: and renders the professions of peace towards the whites perfectly consistent. But it appears that the Trader, who gave the above information, expressed an opinion that the Indians are determined on a general war in the spring, either among themselves, or the whites.--[St. Louis Times.]
Copy of a letter to the editor of the Arkansas Gazette, Col. S. C. Stambaugh, Secretary to the board of United States Commissioners for settleing differences, &c. among the western tribes of Indians, dated Fort Gibson, Feb. 5, 1833.
DEAR SIR.--An express arrived at this place, yesterday, from Fort Towson, bringing the intelligence, from the Commandant of that post, that a very serious outrage has been committed by a party of Osage Indians, in Miller county, Arkansas Territory. Mr. Simkins, who is represented as a very respectable citizen, has sustained damages in loss of property, to the amount of nearly two thousand dollars; and several other houses have been plundered. Parties of Osage Indians have been discovered within a few miles of this place, within the last ten days approaching this country from the direction of Red river, loaded with articles of clothing, bed-quilts, knives, spoons, and a variety of merchandize, answering to the property stolen.
As the depredating Indians used violence, in driving families from their homes, and killed and drove off a number of cattle, it is supposed a military force will be sent in the direction of Fort Towson, from this place, as it is supposed there are still a band lurking in that vicinity. The Commissioners can do nothing more in the matter than direct the Intercourse Law, which is plain on this subject, to be carried into effect--that is to demand the stolen goods of the Indians, and if they refuse to surrender them, to report the matter to the War Department, that the proper steps may be taken, to secure indemnity to the party injured. I am sorry to say, that the Osages have been very troublesome lately--very little behind the Pawnees and Kimanchees.
The Commissioners are now in the midst of the Cherokee and Creek treaty, for the purpose of establishing their boundaries. I trust we shall get through in two or three days, and that the dispute about their lines, existing between these tribes, will be adjusted in such a manner, as not only to gratify those who have already emigrated, but also to induce the removal of the whole of the nations still remaining east of the Mississippi. You are aware that this is a matter of deep and absorbing interest to the government, and the adjustment which we hope to make, will be received with much satisfaction by the government and the states interested.
ARRIVAL OF TROOPS.--Regiments are arriving daily at several of our ports, with a hope, on the part of our misguided rulers, that their appearance will operate as a check upon the rebellious manifestations which are assuming so fixed and formidable appearance. Nothing can be more preposterous than such a hope. The people, as they are called, sneer at the military displays of the Marquis of Angelsey, and laugh outright at his sham rights and stage spectacles. Already have the priests commenced regular approaches towards the soldiery, through the columns of their acknowledged journal in the south of Ireland, which contains the following conciliatory paragraph, presenting, as the Register of this day says, a very national view of the subject. It says:
We would like to have the troops here by all means-the majority of them are our own countrymen-and they would spend among us some of the taxes which are raised from our sweat and industry.
There is no mistaking the meaning of this patriotic appeal to the national prejudices of such of the soldiers as may happen to be Irish. Whether the bait take or no, just depends upon the number of Papists that each regiment may contain, or the quantum of influence that the priests may be permitted to exercise. If they be treated with the same deference at military head quarters that they receive at those of the civic authorities-at the Castle of Dublin, the worse consequences may be apprehended.
In fact, there is but one course now open to any government--Whig or Tory-a suspension of the Habeas Copus Act, the proclamation of martial law, and the arming and calling out of Protestant yeomanry.
Dublin, Jan. 13.--The accounts from the country are terrific; and those counties which have been hitherto tranquil, are now the scene of the same system of outrages which have lately characterised the more southern parts of Ireland. A novel addition to the catalogue deserves to be noticed. The tenantry have systematically commenced refusing to pay rent except to their landlords in person.-The avowed object of this is to compell the return of the absentees; but the consequences are obvious. A privy Council was held at the Castle yesterday, but I have not heard the result.
Lord Anglesey leaves this country on the 25th instant-positively never to return to the capacity of Viceroy.--[Dulbin Evening Mail.]
FROM CONSTANTINOPLE.--We learn by the ship America, which arrived last week from Constantinople, that Captain Mathews, on going up the Archipelago in the middle of November, passed through the Egyptian fleet, consisting of 25 sail, in pursuit of the Turkisk, consisting of 40. The latter came to anchor at the mouth of the Dardanelles, and illuminated the whole squadron, presenting a sublime appearance. In consequence of the cowardice of the Turkish Admiral, he had been displaced, and the command given to the commanding officer who fought the battle of Navarino. At the time of sailing of the America, the 9th of December, it was reported and believed that 70,000 men had deserted the Turkish and joined the Egyptian standard; and it was the general opinion that unless the Grand Sultan received assistance in men and money from the European government, he would be obliged to yield to the Pacha of Egypt, and retire into Asia.
The plague had raged violently for about three weeks, during which time about 17,000 persons had died. When Captain M. sailed, it had nearly subsided.
[New York Gazette.]
EARTHQUAKES.--Captain Flint, of the British schr. Brisk, at Wilmington, (N.C.) from Nevis, reports that on the night of the eighth of February last, the Island of Nevis and St. Kitts experienced sixteen violent and distinct shocks of earthquakes, which very much alarmed the inhabitants; and on the 9th after the Brisk was under way, at 4 o'clock, experienced a considerable shock. It is to be feared that dreadful accounts will be received from these Islands, or some of the neighboring ones, from the effects of these earthquakes.--[Boston Paper.]
Lima, 13th Nov. 1832.
A few days since we were favored here with the suppression of another attempt to produce a revolution in the government. Its object was to put down President Gamara, and substitute in his place Gen. Santa Cruz, from Bolivia. Of the conspiraters five were arrested on Sunday morning-among which are three military men and two members of Congress. They are still in search of others. The head of it is Gen. Sardinia, a man of high standing, and it is said a brave officer. It was to have been accomplished by bribing the troops in the city. So great was the alarm, that a battalion was under arms within the Palace, the whole of Saturday night. The Peruvian Congress is still in session, but have done nothing of any moment as yet. The difficulties between this country and the Bolivian Republic, have rather increased--and was the finances of Peru in a fit state, I have no doubt they would be foolish enough to declare war at once--but their poverty will, I trust, prevent such a crisis. I have nothing else to tell you deserving mention.--[Adv'e.]
NAVY DEPARTMENT.
U. S. Schooner Porpoise, Port Prayn, Island of St. Jago, January 3rd, 1833.
SIR--I embrace an opportunity from Fayal via London, to inform you of the arrival of this vessel at our place, on the evening of the 25th of November, and our intention of sailing on the 28th in the further execution of your instructions.
The very many reports which have reached the United States as regards the sufferings of the inhabitants of these Islands have not been at all exagerated; although at present there are no deaths on this Island, in consequence of the relief which has been extended to them by the citizens of the United States; yet the many walking skeletons and objects of misery which continually present themselves to your view while on shore, but too plainly assure you what recently has been the dreadful situation on the Islands; on St. Antonio, from a population of 21, only 11,000 are remaining; on the small Island of Fogo 4,000 now remain from a population of 11, and several of the other Islands have suffered equally, and what is still more painful, their sad sufferings are by no means at an end. Another year they must exist, if they exist at all, from the charity of others; for these three years previous to the present, scarcely a drop of rain fell from the heavens; although they have had abundance during the present year, it has been so unseasonable as rather to be an injury than an advantage to cultivation. I have been astonished, however, while witnessing the misery of the inhabitants, to view the hills covered with cattle of various kinds, and have asked in vain for an explanation of the fact or what law could restrain starving thousands from supplying, partially at all events, their necessities. I have the honor to be most respectfully, your obedient servant,
JAMES McINTOSH, Lieut. Commanding.
Hon. Levi Woodbury, Secretary of the Navy.
OCEAN PHENOMENA--A naval friend, of high respectability and intelligence, who has seen in a recent number of the Journal, an account of a singular ball of fire, which fell on board the ship Sir Edward Hamilton, has given us the annexed extract from the Journal of a passenger on board the ship Poctolus, captain George Wilson, while on a passage from Valparaiso to Marblehead, Massachusetts:-- After a succession of heavy gales from the time we sailed from Valparaiso, till we were nearly up with Cape Horn, in which we lost our boat, &c. &c., and while in the act of taking in a close reefed foresail having scudded her under that sail as long as a due regard for the safety of the ship would allow-at about 11 o'clock A.M., we were enveloped for a few seconds in almost total darkness by a large black cloud from which came wind and hail, either of which were sufficient to take a person off his feet, provided he had hold of nothing: out of this cloud came a ball of fire, about the size of a 32 lb. shot. It descended to within three of four feet of the long boat, where it was seen by every person on board, previous to its explosion which was several seconds after its first appearance. The report of this non-descript thing was as loud as that of four or five sharp muskets fired together. It had the effect to knock down nearly every man on deck--without, however, injuring any of them, if I except the injury received from the fright, which was almost death. The air was sulphurous from some time after the bursting of the ball. The chief mate was the first who came to his senses and observing that the men were, from fear, unable to attend to the duty of the ship, he called out 'Come on!' tis only a Cape Horn show ball!
I cannot describe the effect it had upon me, better than by comparing it was a severe shock of an electric machine--to which it was very similar. Its effect upon the chief mate was, he said, as if an immense weight was pressing him down and I think he remarked at the same time, that he had once been struck with lightning and that the sensation was similar. No person on board (and we had some old, very old 'salts,') had ever witnessed any thing of the kind before. It left no trace of its having come on board, except upon our memories, and from mine I am certain it will never be erased.--Providence Journal.
FROM THE BOOK OF ETHER. {beliefs-lds}
IT is our intention to give extracts from the book of Mormon, occasionally for the benefit of the world, or such as have not this book in their possession. [Ether 2] And it came to pass that Jared, & his brother, and their families, and also the friends of Jared and his brother, and their families, went down into the valley which was northward, (and the name of the valley was Nimrod, being called after the mighty hunter,) with their flocks which they had gathered together, male and female, of every kind. And they did also lay snares and catch fowls of the air; and they did also prepare a vessel, in the which they did carry with them the fish of the waters; and they did also carry with them deseret, which by interpretation, is a honey bee; and thus they did carry with them swarms of bees, and all manner of that which was upon the face of the land, seeds of every kind. And it came to pass that when they had come down into the valley of Nimrod, the Lord came down and talked with the brother of Jared; and he was in a cloud, and the brother of Jared saw him not.
And it came to pass that the Lord commanded them that they should go forth into the wilderness, yea, into the quarter where there never had man been; & it came to pass that the Lord did go before them, and did talk with them as he stood in a cloud, and gave directions whither they should travel. And it came to pass that they did travel in the wilderness, and did build barges, in the which they did cross many waters, being directed continually by the hand of the Lord. And the Lord would not suffer that they should stop beyond the sea in the wilderness but he would that they should come forth even unto the land of promise, which was choice above all other lands, which the Lord God had preserved for a righteous people; & he had sworn in his wrath unto the brother of Jared, that whoso should possess this land of promise, from that time henceforth and forever, should serve him, the true and only God, or they should be swept off when the fulness of his wrath should come upon them.
And now we can behold the decrees of God concerning this land, that it is a land of promise, and whatsoever nation shall possess it, shall serve God, or they shall be swept off when the fulness of his wrath shall come upon them. And the fulness of his wrath cometh upon them when they are ripened in iniquity: for behold, this is a land which is choice above all other lands; wherefore he that doeth possess it shall serve God, or shall be swept off; for it is the everlasting decrees of God.
And it is not until the fulness of iniquity among the children of the land, that they are swept off. And this cometh unto you, O ye Gentiles, that ye may know the decrees of God, that ye may, repent and not continue in your iniquities until the fulness be come, that ye may not bring down the fulness of the wrath of God upon you, as the inhabitants of the land hath hitherto done. Behold, this is a choice land, and whatsoever nation shall possess it, shall be free from bondage, and from captivity, and from all other nations under heaven, if they will but serve the God of the land, which is Jesus Christ, which hath been manifested by the things which we have written. And now I proceed with my record: for behold it came to pass that the Lord did bring Jared & his brethren forth even to that great sea which divideth the lands. And as they came to the sea, they pitched their tents; and they called the name of the place Moriancumer; and they dwelt in tents; and dwelt in tents upon the seashore for the space of four years. And it came to pass at the end of the four years, that the Lord came again unto the brother of Jared, and stood in a cloud and talked with him. And for the space of three hours did the Lord talk with the brother of Jared, and chastened him because he remembered not to call upon the name of the Lord.
And the brother of Jared repented him of the evil which he had done, and did call upon the name of the Lord for his brethren which were with him. And the Lord said unto him, I will forgive thee and thy brethren of their sins; but thou shalt not sin any more, for ye shall remember that my spirit will not always strive with man; wherefore if ye will sin until ye are fully ripe, ye shall be cut off from the presence of the Lord.
And this is my thoughts upon the land which I shall give you for your inheritance; for it shall be a land choice above all other lands.
And the Lord said, Go to work and build, after the manner of barges which ye have hitherto built. And it came to pass that the brother of Jared did go to work and also his brethren, and built barges after the manner which they had built according to the instructions of the Lord.
And they were small, and they were light upon the water, even like unto the lightness of a fowl upon the water; and they were built after a manner that they were exceeding tight, even that they would water like unto a dish; & the bottom thereof was tight like unto a dish; and the sides thereof was tight like unto a dish; and the ends thereof were peacked; and the top thereof was tight like unto a dish; and the length thereof was the length of a tree; and the door thereof, when it was shut, was tight like unto a dish.
And it came to pass that the brother of Jared cried unto the Lord, saying; O Lord, I have performed the work which thou hast commanded me, and I have made the barges according as thou hast directed me. And behold, O Lord, in them there is no light, whither shall we steer. And also we shall perish, for in them we cannot breath, save it is the air which is in them; therefore we shall perish.
And the Lord said unto the brother of Jared, Behold, thou shalt make a hole in the top thereof, and also in the bottom thereof; and when thou shalt suffer for air, thou shalt unstop the hole thereof, and receive air.
And if it so be that the water come in upon the, behold ye shall stop the hole thereof, that ye may not perish in the flood.
And it came to pass that the brother of Jared did so, according as the Lord had commanded. and he cried again unto the Lord, saying, O Lord, behold I have done even as thou hast commanded me; and I have prepared the vessels for my people, and behold, there is no light in them.
Behold, O Lord, wilt thou suffer that we shall cross this great water in darkness? And the Lord said unto the brother of Jared, What will ye that I should do that ye may have light in your vessels?
For behold, ye can not have windows, for they will be dashed in pieces; neither shall ye take fire with you, for ye shall not go by the light of fire: for behold, ye shall be as a whale in the midst of the sea; for the mountain waves shall dash upon you. Nevertheless, I will bring you up again out of the depths of the sea: for the winds have gone forth out of my mouth, and also the rains and the floods have I sent forth.
And behold, I prepare you against these things; for howbeit, ye can not cross this great deep, save I prepare you against the waves of the sea, and the winds which have gone forth, and the floods which shall come. Therefore what will ye that I should prepare for you, that ye may have light when swallowed up in the depths of the sea?
BAPTISM, &c. {beliefs-lds}
IN order to keep our minds in a proper channel, and, that all men that would be saved, may have a full knowledge of the mode, and requisites of baptism, we make an extract from the book of Mormon. Before we commence it, it seems necessary, as it speaks of meeting together oft for fasting and prayer and partaking the sacrament, to refer the readers to the commandment for keeping the Sabbath, published on the first page of the second number of the star; where they will observe, that it is a duty to meet every Sabbath to pay their devotions, &c. to the Most High. It will be seen by reading this commandment, that by offering their oblations & their sacraments, unto the Most High, confessing their sins unto their brethren and before the Lord, is fasting and prayer, or in other words rejoicing and prayer. The Extract:
[Moro. 6] And now I speak concerning baptism. Behold, elders, priests, and teachers were baptized; and they were not baptized, save they brought forth fruit meet that they were worthy of it; neither did they receive any unto baptism, save they came forth with a broken heart and a contrite spirit, and witnesses unto the church that they truly repented of all their sins. And none were received unto baptism, save they took upon them the name of Christ, having a determination to serve him unto the end.
And after that they had been received unto the baptism, and were wrought upon and cleansed by the power of the Holy Ghost, they were numbered among the people of the church of Christ, and their names were taken, that they might be remembered and nourished by the good word of God, to keep them in the right way, to keep them continually watchful unto prayer, relying alone upon the merits of Christ, who was the author and the finisher of their faith.
And the church did meet together oft, to fast and to pray, and to speak one with another, concerning the welfare of their souls; and they did meet together oft to partake of bread and wine, in remembrance of the Lord Jesus; and they were strict to observe that there should be no iniquity among them; and whoso was found to commit iniquity, and three witnesses of the church did condemn them before the elders; and if they repented not, and confessed not, their names were blotted out, and they were not numbered among the people of Christ; but as oft as they repented, and sought forgiveness, with real intent, they were forgiven. And their meetings were conducted by the church, after the manner of the workings of the spirit, and by the power of the Holy Ghost: for as the power of the Holy Ghost led them whether to preach, or exhort, or to pray, or to supplicate, or to sing, even so it was done.
THERE are many true words spoken, but few heeded. As to the meaning of words, we are sensible, that many contradictions in terms exist, and will till wickedness is destroyed, and the Pure Language returned.
The following close hit upon the present understanding of terms, appeared not long since in the Genius of Temperance:
CIVILIZED AND SAVAGE.--We would thank any body to define these two terms, and tell exactly what makes a savage, and what a civilized personage. Among savages, every man is regarded as honest: in civilized society, we are taught to regard all as rogues. Among savages, if a family leave their wigwam to visit a neighbor, they put a stick against the door on the outside, to show the passer by they are absent: in civilized society, bars and bolts, and locks, are hardly sufficient security. Savages manage their matters without prisons: civilization fills the country with them.
Which, then, deserves to be considered barbarians? We have learned to read and savages have not: but we delight more in reading things that tend neither to make us wise, nor improve our morals, than in those which do--and where are we the better? The fault, however, is not in civilization--but in the want of it: in our semi-savage love of frippery and nonsense: in our ungoverned appetites, and uncultivated morals.
Pontiac, Michigan Territory, February 16, 1833.
DEAR SIR: I am requested by brother Jared Carter, an elder in the church of Christ, to inform you, that he will pay one dollar over to the bishop in Kirtland, and wishes you to send the Evening and the Morning Star, directing it to Jeremiah Curtis, Pontiac, Oakland County, Michigan Territory. Brother Carter has been laboring in the ministry for about five weeks past, in this county, and his labors have been blest by God, to a goodly degree; he has baptized 22 persons and received them into the church of Christ, myself, and wife, are two of the above named members, for which I desire to bless the Lord. He has ordained me an elder in the church of Christ, and I earnestly desire that God will bless me, and make me faithful, to become an instrument in his hands in building up his church and kingdom in this region.
There is a great opposition to this cause in this section of country, but hope and trust, that the Lord, will over rule and glorify his name, & subdue the hearts of his people, and make them obedient to his will.
I have been travelling with brother Carter, for two weeks past; I find him to be a faithful servant of our Lord and Master. When I view the dealings of God, towards me, I feel to adore his great and holy name, that he has opened my eyes to see the wondrous things of his kingdom, which he has commenced in these last days.
I have been a professor of the christian religion for twenty seven years, and stood among the sects, but never, until about four weeks past, have I been brought to see the errors which the different sects embrace.
Be pleased to except these few lines from a brother in the church of Christ with you, & laborer in the same great cause; although I am not personally acquainted with you, yet my heart feels to unite with you in the same great cause of our great Redeemer.
I hope, if God shall see fit to spare my life, I shall see you in Zion before long, and converse with you upon things appertaining to the kingdom of Christ.
From your brother in the Lord.
SAMUEL BENT.
FOR BAPTISM.
COME, ye children of the kingdom. Sing with me for joy to day; Gather round, as Christ's disciples, Kneel with grateful hearts and pray.
There's a line contain'd in Matthew What the Savior said to John, And the sacred words from heaven; This is my beloved Son.
As 'twas said to Nicodemus, So I must be born again; 'Tis by water and the Spirit I the promise may obtain.
So I will obey the Savior, Keep his law and do his will, That I may enjoy forever, Happiness on Zion's hill.
Matt. 3, 15.
The Evening and the Morning Star
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VOL. 1, NO. 12, INDEPENDENCE, MO., May, 1833.
REVELATIONS.
HAVING given, in a previous number, the Preface to the book of Commandments now in press, we give below, the close, or as it has been called, the Appendix. It affords us joy to lay before the saints, an article frought with so much heavenly intelligence; having previously published many from the same book for their instruction.
We hope that while they read it, they will remember, that it is a voice from him who spake as never man spake. We hope that while they are blessed with revelation upon revelation, with commandment upon commandment, and with precept upon precept, they will remember to do them. We hope that while they are thus blessed with the precious word of their Lord from heaven, in these last days, to fulfill that which was spoken in days of old, they will hearken to his counsels and lend an ear to all his precepts.
Indeed it is a source of joy to us, to know, that all the prophecies and promises which are contained in them, which have not been fulfilled, will come to pass. The saints may lift up their heads and rejoice, for their redemption will soon be perfected. Soon the curtain of heaven will be unfolded, as a scroll is unfolded after it is rolled up, and they will see their Lord face to face. In view of these coming scenes, they may lift up their heads and rejoice, and praise his holy name, that they are permitted to live in the days when he returns to his people his everlasting covenant, to prepare them for his presence.
The book from which this important revelation is taken, will be published in the course of the present year, at from 25, to 50 cents a copy. We regret that in consequence of circumstances not within our control, this book will not be offered to our brethren as soon as was anticipated. We beg their forbearance, and solicit an interest in their prayers, promising to use our exertions with all our means to accomplish the work.
[D&C 133] HEARKEN, O ye people of my church, saith the Lord your God, and hear the word of the Lord concerning you; the Lord who shall suddenly come to his temple; the Lord who shall come down upon the world with a curse to judgment; yea, upon all the nations that forget God, and upon all the ungodly among you.
For he shall make bare his holy arm in the eyes of all the nations, and all the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of their God:
Wherefore, prepare ye, prepare ye, O my people; sanctify yourselves; gather ye together, O ye people of my church, upon the land of Zion, all you that have not been commanded to tarry.
Go ye out from Babylon. Be ye clean that bear the vessels of the Lord. Call your solemn assemblies, and speak often one to another.
And let every man call upon the name of the Lord; yea, verily I say unto you, again, the time has come when the voice of the Lord is unto you, Go ye out of Babylon; gather ye out from among the nations, from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.
Send forth the elders of my church unto the nations which are afar off; unto the islands of the sea; send forth unto foreign lands; call upon all nations; firstly, upon the Gentiles, and then upon the Jews.
And behold and lo, this shall be their cry, and the voice of the Lord unto all people: Go ye forth unto the land of Zion, that the borders of my people may be enlarged, and that her stakes may be strengthened, and that Zion may go forth unto the regions round about:
Yea let the cry go forth among all people: Awake and arise and go forth to meet the Bride-groom:
Behold and lo the Bride-groom cometh, go ye out to meet him. Prepare yourselves for the great day of the Lord. Watch, therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour.
Let them, therefore, which are among the Gentiles, flee unto Zion. And let them who be of Judah, flee unto Jerusalem, unto the mountains of the Lord's house.
Go ye out from among the nations, even from Babylon, from the midst of wickedness, which is spiritual Babylon.
But verily thus saith the Lord, let not your flight be in haste, but let all things be prepared before you: and he that goeth, let him not look back, lest sudden destruction shall come upon him.
Hearken and hear O ye inhabitants of the earth. Listen ye elders of my church together, and hear the voice of the Lord, for he calleth upon all men and he commandeth all men every where to repent: for behold the Lord God hath sent froth the angel crying through the midst of heaven, saying: Prepare ye the way of the Lord, and make his paths strait, for the hour of his coming is nigh, when the Lamb shall stand upon mount Zion, and with him a hundred and forty-four thousand, having his Father's name written in their foreheads:
Wherefore, prepare ye for the coming of the Bride-groom: go ye, go ye out to meet him, for behold he shall stand upon the mount of Olivet, and upon the mighty ocean, even the great deep, and upon the islands of the sea, and upon the land of Zion; and he shall utter his voice out of Zion, and he shall speak from Jerusalem, and his voice shall be heard among all people, and it shall be a voice as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of a great thunder, which shall break down the mountains, and the valleys shall not be found:
He shall command the great deep and it shall be driven back into the north countries, and the islands shall become one land, and the land of Jerusalem and the land of Zion, shall be turned back into their own place, and the earth shall be like as it was in the days before it was divided.
And the Lord even the Savior shall stand in the midst of his people, and shall reign over all flesh. And they who are in the north countries shall come in remembrance before the Lord, and their prophets shall hear his voice, and shall no longer stay themselves, and they shall smite the rocks, and the ice shall flow down at their presence.
And an high way shall be cast up in the midst of the great deep. Their enemies shall become a prey unto them, and in the barren deserts there shall come forth pools of living water; and the parched ground shall no longer be a thirsty land. And they shall bring forth their rich treasures unto the children of Ephraim my servants.
And the boundaries of the everlasting hills shall tremble at their presence.--And then shall they fall down and be crowned with glory, even in Zion, by the hands of the servants of the Lord, even the children of Ephraim; and they shall be filled with songs of everlasting joy.
Behold this is the blessing of the everlasting God upon the tribes of Israel, and the richer blessing upon the head of Ephraim and his fellows.
And they also of the tribe of Judah, after their pain, shall be sanctified in holiness before the Lord to dwell in his presence day and night for ever and ever.
And now verily saith the Lord, that these things might be known among you, O inhabitants of the earth, I have sent forth mine angel, flying through the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel, who hath appeared unto some, and hath committed it unto man, who shall appear unto many that dwell on the earth, and this gospel shall be preached unto every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people, and the servants of God shall go forth, saying, with a loud voice:
Fear God and give glory to him: for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and sea, and the fountain of waters, calling upon the name of the Lord day and night, saying:
O that thou wouldst rend the heavens, that thou wouldst come down, that the mountains might flow down at thy presence. And it shall be answered upon their heads, for the presence of the Lord shall be as the melting fire that burneth, that as the fire which causeth the waters to boil.
O Lord, thou shalt come down to make thy name known to thine adversaries, and all nations shall tremble at thy presence. When thou doeth terrible things, things they look not for; yea, when thou comest down and the mountains flow down at thy presence, thou shalt meet him who rejoiceth and worketh righteousness, who remember thee in thy ways:
For since the beginning of the world have not man heard nor perceived by the ear, neither hath any eye seen, O God, besides thee, how great things thou hast prepared for him that waiteth for thee.
And it shall be said, Who is this that cometh down from God in heaven with died garments; yea, from the regions which are not known, clothed in glorious apparel, travelling in the greatness of his strength?
And he shall say, I am he who spake in righteousness, mighty to save. And the Lord shall be red in his apparel, and his garments like him that treadeth in the wine vat, and so great shall be the glory of his presence, that the sun shall hide his face in shame; and the moon shall withold its light; and the stars shall be hurled from their places:
And his voice shall be heard, I have trodden the wine-press alone, and have brought judgment upon all people; and none was with me; and I have trampled them in my fury, and I did tread upon them in mine anger, and their blood have I sprinkled upon my garments, and stained all my raiment: for this was the day of vengeance which was in my heart.
And now the year of my redeemed is come, and they shall mention the loving kindness of their Lord, and all that he has bestowed upon them, according to his goodness, and according to his loving kindness, forever and ever. In all their afflictions he was afflicted.
And the angel of his presence saved them; and in his love, and in his pity, he redeemed them, and bare them, and carried them all the days of old; yea, and Enoch also, and they who were with him; the prophets which were before him, and Noah also, and they who were before him, and Moses also, and they who were before him, and from Moses to Elijah, and from Elijah to John, who were with Christ in his resurrection, and the holy apostles, with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, shall be in the presence of the Lamb.
And the graves of the saints shall be opened, and they shall come forth and stand on the right hand of the Lamb, when he shall stand upon mount Zion, and upon the holy city, the New Jerusalem, and they shall sing the song of the Lamb day and night forever and ever.
And for this cause, that men might be made partakers of the glories which were to be revealed, the Lord sent forth the fulness of his gospel, his everlasting covenant, reasoning in plainness, and simplicity, to prepare the weak for those things which are coming on the earth; and for the Lord's errand in the day when the weak should confound the wise, and the little one become a strong nation, and two should put their tens of thousands to flight; and by the weak things of the earth, the Lord should thresh the nations by the power of his Spirit. And for this cause these commandments were given; they were commanded to be kept from the world in the day that they were given, but now are to go forth unto all flesh.
And this according to the mind and will of the Lord, who ruleth over all flesh; and unto him that repenteth and sanctifieth himself before the Lord, shall be given eternal life. And upon them that hearken not to the voice of the Lord, shall be fulfilled that which was written by the prophet Moses, That they should be cut off from among the people.
And also that which was written by the prophet Malachi: [Mal 4:1] For behold the day cometh that shall burn as an oven, and all the proud; yes, and all that do wickedly, shall be stubble: and the day that cometh shall burn them up saith the Lord of Hosts, that it shall leave them neither root nor branch.
Wherefore this shall be the answer of the Lord unto them: In that day when I came unto my own, no man among you received me, and you were driven out.--When I called again, there was none of you to answer, yet my arm was not shortened at all, that I could not redeem, neither my power to deliver.
Behold at my rebuke I dry up the sea. I make the rivers a wilderness: their fish stinketh, and dieth for thirst. I clothe the heavens with blackness, and make sackcloth their covering.
And this shall ye have of my hand, ye shall lay down in sorrow.
Behold and lo there are none to deliver you, for ye obeyed not my voice when I called to you out of the heavens, ye believed not my servants; & when they were sent unto you ye received them not: wherefore they sealed up the testimony and bound up the law, and ye were delivered over unto darkness: these shall go away into outer darkness, where there is weeping, and wailing, and gnashing of teeth.--Behold the Lord your God hath spoken it. Amen.
<"Preach the Word">
William Phelps "Preach the Word," E&MS 1 (May 1833)
PREACH THE WORD. {beliefs-lds}
IT is very necessary that the disciples of our Lord, especially those that have come up to the land of Zion for an inheritance, and those that have been planted in their inheritance, should have the word preached unto them, that they may understand the peaceable things of the kingdom. Wisdom is profitable for the saints. Jeremiah said: [Jer. 10:10, 12] The Lord is the true God, he is the living God, and an everlasting King; at his wrath the earth shall tremble, and the nations shall not be able to abide his indignation: he hath made the earth by his power, he hath established the world by his wisdom. And it is certainly important, that all who have come up to the land of Zion, professing to be the disciples of Christ, while blessed with knowledge and wisdom from on high, should be dictated with wisdom enough, to walk in obedience to all the commandments, and observe all the statues of their Lord, not by constraint but willingly, that their reward may be from above.
While in the world, surrounded with fashions, vanities, abominations, and evil spirits, it can not be expected that the members of the church of christ, considering their opportunities to acquire knowledge, having but little time, or opportunity, with the elders who declare the word to them, can be free from the world; neither is it expected that they will have a knowledge of the evil spirits which are abroad in the earth, nor keep all the commandments, and have an understanding of all the statues of the Lord, as perfectly, as those who have been upon the land of Zion for years. Where much is given, much will be required. How important then, that all walk perfectly, so that, when the destroying angel goes through, he may pass over them and not slay them. Not all that say Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom.
This being the last generation of the wicked, before the Lord comes to his temple, satan will exert himself, and use all his power to overthrow, or hinder the progress of Christ's kingdom. Every deception, therefore, that he is master of, will be practiced, as far as he has power, that he may deceive some, and lead them to destruction. John said in one of his epistles, supposed to have been written ninety eight years after the birth of our Lord: [John 4:1] Believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God; because many false prophets are gone out into the world. If false prophets, and evil spirits were then in the world, what less is to be expected now, since the world has been engrossed in wickedness, and lain in darkness for ages; the sacred scriptures been robbed of their plainness, and man set himself up as a guide, to direct his fellow beings to happiness by his own wisdom? Is it not important, that the disciples try the spirits, and be reminded continually of the word of the Lord to his ancient disciples, when he said: [Matt. 25:13] Watch, therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of Man cometh? For it is the pure in heart that shall see God.
After Paul had been writing to Timothy concerning things which would come to pass in the last days, he says: [2 Tim. 4:1-4] I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; preach the word; be instant in season, and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with all long suffering and doctrine. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they keep to themselves teachers, having itching ears; and they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.
It might be well to bear in mind, that Paul was then writing to the first bishop of the church at Ephesus, and notwithstanding he had previously written to his Ephesian brethren, reminding them of the great promises of the Lord, yet Timothy was required to watch, and labor with all diligence, that they might be blameless, as some of them would not endure, but turn from the truth. And when Paul called the elders of the church at Ephesus, unto him at Miletus, which was the last time they saw his face in the flesh, he said: [Acts 20:28-30] Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the flock of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. For I know this, that after my departing, shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.
After Paul had declared to his Ephesian brethren, that those who first trusted in Christ, should be to the praise of his glory, he says: [Eph. 1:13-14] in whom also, after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise, which is the earnest of our inheritance, until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory. This then, was the condition of one of the churches built up by the ancient apostles: some were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, and some would not endure sound doctrine; and even of the elders, Paul said, some should arise, [Acts 20:30] speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them, &c.; so that Timothy was charged [2 Tim. 4:2] to reprove, rebuke and exhort, with all long suffering and doctrine. And the Lord has said in these last days, [D&C 63:54] that there will be foolish virgins among the wise until he comes. This has always been the case in the church of Christ on earth, more or less since the beginning, except in the days before the city of Enoch was taken to the bosom of the Father.
To be prepared for the coming of the bridegroom, is an all-important preparation; we must have oil in our vessels, and our lamps trimmed and burning. How necessary then, that we walk in humility before the Lord: this certainly is pleasing unto him, for if we walk so, he bestows his Spirit. In this condition we can search his holy commandments, and learn our duty. For unless we keep all his commandments blameless with thanksgiving, we are not prepared to meet him.--By keeping his commandments, we have the promise of his blessings; and by keeping his commandments, we are endowed with the Comforter, and by it, we can try all the spirits and know whether they are of the Lord or not.
To have the Spirit of the Lord always in our hearts, requires a perfect walk in his statutes. A thousand things may be imagined in our minds, and for an instant supposed to be of the Lord, but to be certain, they must be compared with the word, and found to agree. The creations of the Lord, roll in their regular courses, and the stars move in their beautiful order, and will till their time is fulfilled. So likewise with his word. If it has been written and sealed up for ages; if it has been kept from the eyes of man from generation to generation, because of wickedness, when it is brought forth by his own gift and power, the same beauty will manifest itself in it, without a jar or discord, as in that which has been permitted to remain, and still more, as it is given in plainness.
Every good and perfect gift is from above: every thing that enlightens, every thing that invites to do good and persuades men to believe in Christ, is sent forth by his gift and power; every spirit then manifested which edifies, is of the Lord if he from whom it is manifested obeys his ordinances.
As all were not called, nor chosen for the same office, it behooves every disciple to watch that they are not deceived. Our Lord says: [D&C 46:13-16] To some is given by the Holy Ghost, to know that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, and that he was crucified for the sins of the world; to others it is given to believe on their words, that they also might have eternal life if they continue faithful. And again, to some it is given by the Holy Ghost to know the differences of administration, as it will be pleasing unto the same Lord, according as the Lord will, suiting his mercies according to the conditions of the children of men. And again it is given by the Holy Ghost to some to know the diversities of operations, whether it be of God or not, so that the manifestations of the Spirit may be given to every man to profit withal.
As all have not the same gift, but to some it is given to discern all the gifts, lest some should be manifested and not be of the Lord, and thereby the church be deceived, we beseech all the disciples to search diligently the revelations, and learn the order of the kingdom of our heavenly Father. In this way we shall be preserved from evil, and delivered from seducing spirits and doctrines of devils and the commandments and precepts of men. Every thing in the church of God must be conducted in order, according to the authority of the offices which he has given; for these all were given for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ.
In this way, while we are taught from the revelations, and guided by the Holy Spirit, we are strengthened, and grow up in all things, into him who is our head, even Christ; and when the rains descend, and the floods come, and the winds blow, we shall not be harmed neither moved. But if we deviate from his word, and hold not his sacred oracles carefully, we have not the assurance of his protection from the storm of the enemy, who is stirred up in great anger, knowing he has but a short time.
It requires much time and study to learn all the commandments of the Lord but when we have learned them, they will profit us, for they are sure.
We may readily see by the 14th chapter of Paul's first epistle to the Corinthians that he was careful of sacred things, and preserve order. He says: [1 Cor. 14:26] Let all things be done unto edifying. Moroni, in speaking of the manner of conducting meetings among the Nephites when they were righteous, says, they were conducted by the church after the manner of the workings of the Spirit, and by the power of the Holy Ghost.
In a revelation given for the instruction of the church in these last days, it read: But notwithstanding these things which are written, it always has been given to the elders of my church from the beginning, and ever shall be, [Moro. 6:9] to conduct all meetings as they are directed and guided by the Holy Spirit.
Again it read: [D&C 46:7-9] But ye are commanded in all things to ask of God who giveth liberally, and that which the Spirit testifies unto you, even so I would that ye should do in all holiness of heart, walking uprightly before me, considering the end of your salvation, doing all things with prayer and thanksgiving, that ye may not be seduced by evil spirits, or doctrines of devils, or the commandments of men; for some are of men, and others of devils.
Wherefore, beware lest ye are deceived! and that ye may not be deceived, seek ye earnestly the best gifts, always remembering for what they are given; for verily I say unto you, they are given for the benefit of those who love me and keep all my commandments, and him that seeketh so to do, that all may be benefitted, that seeketh or asketh of me, that asketh and not for a sign that he may consume it upon his lusts.
There is much said about miracles, and thousands suppose if they could see one performed, they would believe. When Moses had received the message from the Lord, while feeding the flocks of his father-in-law at the Mount Horeb, he returned to Egypt, and in company with Aaron, called the elders of the children of Israel together, and performed those signs in the sight of the people, which were given them of the Lord, and they believed: and when they heard that the Lord had visited the children of Israel, and that he had looked upon their affliction, then they bowed their heads and worshiped. But when they were performed before Pharoah, he said: [Ex. 5:2] Who is the Lord, that I should obey his voice to let Israel go? I know not the Lord, neither will I let Israel go.
It would seem, that some among the servants of Pharaoh believed the word of the Lord by Moses, when the hail was about to come upon the Egyptians, for they caused that their cattle and their servants should flee into the houses. And also, when the locusts were to be sent into the coasts of Egypt, some of the servants of Pharoah said: [Ex. 5:2] How long shall this man be a snare unto us? let the men go, that they may serve the Lord their God: knowest thou not yet that Egypt is destroyed?
Here we have a sample how far signs and wonders, and even judgments, convince mankind, or the wicked, of the existence and power of God.
When Moses visited his brethren the children of Israel, when he was forty years old, he supposed they would have understood how that God by his hand would deliver them; but they understood not: and in consequence of his avenging one who was oppressed, he was oblieged to flee. But after remaining in the land of Midian forty years, the children of Israel by this time, were humbled by oppression, and heavy burdens, so that, when the message from the Lord came, they were ready to believe; but Pharoah in his pride, said: [Ex. 5:2] Who is the Lord? and was driven on in his wickedness and hardness of heart, until he, and his mighty host, were drowned in the Red Sea.
After the children of Israel were saved from the power of their enemies; brought forth into the desert; fed with angel's food, and with quails to their fill; the Lord going before them by day in a pillar of a cloud, to lead them; and by night in a pillar of fire, to give them light; after hearing the voice of the living God in the thunder from Sinai, and even Aaron, Nadab, and Abihu, with seventy of the elders of Israel, went up with Moses, where they saw the God of Israel: after Moses had gone up into the mount to receive the precious oracles from his own hand, because he delayed to come down, they took their golden ear-rings fashioned them with a graving tool, after they had made them a molten calf, and said: [Ex. 32:4] These be thy gods, O Israel, which brought thee up out of the land of Egypt.
Paul, at the close of his epistle to his brethren at Rome, says: [Rom. 15:4] Whatsoever things were written aforetime, were written for our learning. Peter, in his second epistle, says, [2 Pet. 2:6] that the Lord turned the cities of Sodom & Gomorrah into ashes, condemned them with an overthrow, making them an ensample unto those that after should live ungodly. If the saints in the days of Paul, could learn by those things which were written before them, and if the Lord made ensamples of the wicked by destroying them in days of old, would it not be wisdom for those who are favored with the oracles of God in these last days, to beware and hold them carefully?
After the children of Israel were brought to mount Sinai, the Lord said unto Moses, [Ex. 19:3-6] Thus shalt thou say to the house of Jacob, and tell the children of Israel; ye have seen what I did unto the Egyptians, and how I bare you on eagle's wings, and brought you unto myself. Now therefore, ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine. And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and a holy nation.
But they despised the promised rest, and in their hearts turned back into Egypt, and rejected signs and wonders; and after forty years' travel, were permitted to enter the land of Canaan. In these last days their seed will again be brought to inherit the same land, the righteous among all nations be gathered according to the word of the Lord, & those who keep his commandments, see his face, while those who do not, perish.
Having taken sufficient from the history of the ancients, to show the dealings of the Lord with them, by all these examples we may in our day receive instruction. In fact, it only needs a careful examination of the records of olden time, to convince the unprejudiced and sincere, that great things await the inhabitants of the earth in the last days.
Much is said in our day relative to the literal fulfillment of ancient prophecy.--Some assert, that the ancient prophecies are to be literally fulfilled. Others say that those pointing to the coming of the Messiah, were to be, and were literally fulfilled, but the remainder of the prophecies contained in the bible, are to be Spiritually understood, and that they are not to be fulfilled literally, or are not to take place as they read, according as they were spoken by the mouths of the prophets.
We find a prophecy contained in the 18th chapter of Deuteronomy, spoken by Moses, thus, [Deut. 18:18] I will raise them up a Prophet [the children of Israel] from among their brethren, like unto thee. In the third chapter of the Acts, Peter says, [Acts 3:20-23] this is he [Christ] of whom Moses spake. Thus we see, that the words of Moses concerning the coming of Christ, were literally fulfilled. Peter says further, that it shall come to pass, that every soul which will not hear that Prophet shall be destroyed from among the people. A part of that prophecy, so far as it related to the first coming of Christ, then, according to the scriptures, has been fulfilled as it was spoken; and who will say that the remainder shall not be?
Isaiah said, [Isa. 7:14] Behold, a Virgin shall conceive and bare a Son, and shall call his name Immanuel. This prophecy according to Matthew, was literally fulfilled, probably between seven and eight hundred years after it was spoken.
The word of the Lord to the Israelites, was, that they should be scattered if they rejected his word; and in the 17th chapter of II Kings [2 Kgs. 17], we learn that they were led away captive out of their own lands. The Jews were admonished from time to time, and the Lord said that they should be carried captive to Babylon, and according to the scriptures, in the days of Zedekiah their king, they were. He also said that they should return and re-build Jerusalem, and after seventy years' captivity, this promise was literally fulfilled.
In five hundred and thirty years from the end of their captivity, the Savior was born in Bethlehem of Judea, as Matthew says: [Matt. 2:5-6] for thus it is written by the prophet, And thou Bethlehem in the hand of Judea, art not the least among the princes of Judah: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel.
Micah, who probably delivered the above prophecy, lived in the days of Isaiah, as it will be seen by the commencement of the two books. Indeed, his comes very near the words recorded in Matthew. He says, [Micah 5:2] But thou, Bethlehem, Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be Ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.
When Christ rode into Jerusalem, Matthew says [Matt. 21:4-5] all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying, Tell ye the daughter of Sion, Behold, thy King cometh unto thee, meek, and setting upon an ass, and a colt the foal of an ass. Zechariah, from whose prophecy the above no doubt is taken by Matthew, lived at, or near the time of the return of the Jews from Babylon, and is the only prophet in the Bible, who mentions a prophecy of this, or of similar kind, of our Savior's entering Jerusalem riding upon a beast.
He says, [Zech. 9:9] Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion, shout, O daughter of Jerusalem; behold, thy King cometh unto thee; he is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt of the foal of an ass. This then, has been literally fulfilled. The Lord has rode into Jerusalem according to the word of the prophet, amid acclamations of joy from the multitude, saying, [Matt. 21:9] Hosanna to the son of David! Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest!
Before the Savior was crucified, when instructing his disciples concerning the destruction of Jerusalem, and the signs of his coming, he says, [Luke 21:23-24] There shall be great distress in the land, and wrath upon this people. [The Jews.] And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away captive into all nations: and Jerusalem shall be trodden down to the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled. The prophecy concerning the destruction of Jerusalem, and the scattering of the Jews, was literally fulfilled. All who are acquainted with the history of Jerusalem, know that it has been trodden down by the Gentiles, notwithstanding all the efforts made in the holy wars, to wrest it from the power of barbarism.
In these quotations, we have a plain sample of the literal fulfillment of ancient prophecy; and not finding any rule directing them to be understood different, given by those from whose mouths were delivered, the rules of men formed by their own wisdom, certainly must fail to establish the principle in the mind of the diligent searcher after truth, that they were ever designed by the great Author of them, to be understood in the least, contrary from what they were actually spoken, by those who spake moved by the Holy Ghost.
Many parables were spoken by our Savior, and many figures, types, similitudes, &c., were set forth by the ancient prophets. We conclude then, that a parable is to be taken, or understood and applied as a parable; and that figures, types, or similitudes, are to be understood and applied as such. But if the plain word of God, without a parable, without a similitude, and without a type, spoken to man, with all the fulfillment of plain prophecy which ever has been from the beginning to Christ, and from that time to the present, for examples, is not now, in these last days to be literally fulfilled, then certainly a change has taken place, and the Lord is a respecter to persons, and dealt better with our fathers than with us! but this is not the case: he ever remains unchangeably the same.
The prophet that said, [Zech. 9:9] rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh unto thee; he is just, and having salvation, lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the fowl of an ass; which was literally fulfilled; also said: [Zech. 14:1-2] Behold, the day of the Lord cometh, and thy spoil shall be divided in the midst of thee. For I will gather all nations against Jerusalem to battle; and the city shall be taken, and the houses rifled, and the women ravished; and half of the city shall go forth into captivity, and the residue of the people shall not be cut off from the city.
It may be thought by some, that the destruction and captivity here mentioned, would refer to the time of the captivity of the Jews, by Nebuchadnezzar; but a moment's reflection is sufficient to correct the idea, as only half were to be cut off and go into captivity: and also, this prophecy was spoken after the destruction of Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar, who took all except the poor with him to Babylon, and they, [the poor] in a short time fled into Egypt, and Jerusalem and the land of Judea lay waste; and, according to the words of the prophet Jeremiah [2 Chr. 36:21], enjoyed her Sabbaths for seventy years.
Some may suppose, that if this captivity does not mean the captivity of the Jews by Nebuchadnezzar, that it may be applied to the destruction of Jerusalem after the Savior was crucified: but this is not so, because when Jerusalem was destroyed by the Romans, no part was left. According to the account, one million one hundred thousand of the Jews perished, ninety seven thousand were taken prisoners; besides an innumerable company in other places of Judea, killed themselves, or perished through famine, banishment, or other miseries.
It can be seen further by the expression of the prophet, that this captivity has not yet been, for he says that when one half of the city goes forth, and the other half not cut off, that, [Zech. 14:3] Then shall the Lord go forth, and fight against those nations as when he fought in the day of battle. By the expression above, it will be seen that all nations are to be gathered against Jerusalem at the time of this captivity, which has never been at any of her previous destructions. By the mouth of Jeremiah before the Babylonish captivity, the Lord said, [Jer. 25:9] Behold, I will send and take all the families of the north, saith the Lord, and Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon my servant, and will bring them against this land, and against the inhabitants thereof, and against all these nations round about, & will utterly destroy them, and make them an astonishment, and a hissing, and perpetual desolations.
By this prophecy from Jeremiah, it may be seen that all nations were not to be gathered against Jerusalem at the time of Nebuchadnezzar's conquest over it, but that the nations round her, were also to become subject to him as well as the Jews; for he further says, [Jer. 25:11-12] These nations shall serve the king of Babylon seventy years.--But at the end of seventy years, he would punish the king of Babylon, and that nation, and the land of the Chaldeans, and make it perpetual desolations.
But when all nations are gathered against Jerusalem to battle, and the city is taken, &c., and the Lord goes forth to fight against those nations, as when he fought in the day of battle, the prophet says, then, at that time, [Zech. 14:4] His prophet shall stand in that day upon the mount of Olives, which is before Jerusalem on the east; and the mount of Olives shall cleave in the midst thereof toward the east and toward the west, and there shall be a great valley: and half of the mountain shall remove toward the north, and half of it toward the south.
If the last quotation is to be literally fulfilled, then certainly the Lord himself will come upon the earth once more for the salvation of his people, and according to the word of the prophet, set his feet again upon the mount of Olives before the city of Jerusalem. That the captivity spoken of by Zechariah, does not mean the destruction of Jerusalem by Titus, is plain, because then the city was utterly destroyed, and according to the word of the Savior to his apostles before he was crucified, the Jews were led captive into all nations: when at the time, of which Zechariah speaks, only a half of the city is to go into captivity, while the residue are not to be cut off from the city.
At the time when the Lord sets his feet upon the mount of Olives, agreeable to Zechariah, and the mount divides so as to form a valley, he further says, [speaking of the inhabitants] [Zech. 14:5-7] And ye shall flee to the valley of the mountains; for the valley of the mountains shall reach unto Azal: yea, ye shall flee, like as ye fled from before the earthquake in the days of Uzziah king of Judah: AND THE LORD MY GOD SHALL COME, AND ALL THE SAINTS WITH THEE. And it shall come to pass in that day, that the light shall not be clear nor dark: but it shall be one day which shall be known to the Lord, not day, nor night: but it shall come to pass, that at evening time it shall be light.
If this prophecy is to be literally fulfilled yet, and the following which immediately succeeds it will also show that it has not been: then the inhabitants of the earth may rely upon the certainty of the Savior's making his appearance in person from heaven. Zechariah further says, [Zech. 14:8-11] And it shall come to pass in that day, that living waters shall go out from Jerusalem; half of them toward the former sea, and half of them toward the hinder sea: in summer and in winter shall it be. And the Lord shall be King over all the earth: in that day there shall be one Lord, and his name one.
All the land shall be turned as a plain from Geba to Rimmon, south of Jerusalem: and it shall be lifted up, and inhabited in her place, from Benjamin's gate unto the place of the first gate, unto the corner gate, and from the tower of Hananeel unto the king's wine-presses. And men shall dwell in it, and there shall be no more utter destruction; but Jerusalem shall be safely inhabited.
All who are acquainted with the situation of Jerusalem, know that there is but the small brook Cedron, which takes its rise there, and that empties into the sea of Sodom, or the lake of Sirbon, anciently called, now called the Dead Sea. But the prophet said, [Zech. 14:8] that living waters should go out from Jerusalem in summer and in winter, half toward the former sea, and half toward the hinder sea. Ezekiel who was among the captive Jews in the land of Chaldea, after giving a description of the re-settling of the Israelites in the land of Canaan in the last days, and after giving a plan, or description of the house of the Lord then to be built, says, [Ezek. 47:1-5] Afterward he brought me again unto the door of the house; and, behold, waters issued out from under the threshhold of the house eastward: for the forefront of the house stood toward the east, and the waters came down from under, from the right side of the house, at the south side of the altar. Then brought he me out of the way of the gate northward, and led me about the way without unto the outer gate by the way that looketh eastward; and, behold, there ran out waters on the right side. And when the man that had the line in his hand went forth eastward, he measured a thousand cubits, and he brought me through the waters; the waters were to the ancles. Again he measured a thousand, and brought me through the waters; the waters were to the knees. Again he measured a thousand, and brought me through; the waters were to the loins. Afterward he measured a thousand; and it was a river that I could not pass over: for the waters were risen; waters to swim in; a river that could not be passed over.
From the prophecy of Ezekiel then, we also learn, that a change is to take place at Jerusalem, if this prophecy is yet to be fulfilled; and that it yet remains to be fulfilled, must be admitted from the facts, that those waters mentioned, do not now flow; and, that the land of Palestine has never been divided into inheritances for the whole twelve tribes of Israel, as mentioned by him since they were led away captive by Shalmaneser king of Assyria in the days of Hoshea king of Israel, seven hundred and between twenty and thirty years before Christ came in the flesh.
From this prophecy of Zechariah, if we may understand him as it is written, we may conclude, that the Lord is coming on earth yet before the end, and, that from the city of Jerusalem, where now rises the small stream Cedron, living waters will go out from thence in summer and in winter; and according to Ezekiel, they will be a great river. A material change will also take place with the country south of Jerusalem according to Zechariah. The city is now situated on a rocky mountain, on all sides of which are steep ascents, except toward the north. But he says, [Zech. 14:10-11] all the land shall be turned as a plain from Geba to Rimmon, south of Jerusalem: and it shall be lifted up, and inhabited in her place. Men shall dwell therein safely; and utter destruction shall no more be known.
Again, the prophet that said, [Isa. 7:14] A virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, also said, [Isa. 3:8] Jerusalem is ruined, and Judah is fallen; because their tongue and their doings are against the Lord, to provoke the eyes of his glory. He further says, [Isa. 9:19-21] Through the wrath of the Lord of Hosts is the land darkened, and the people shall be as the fuel of the fire: no man shall spare his brother. And he shall snatch on the right hand, and be hungry; and he shall eat on the left hand, and they shall not be satisfied: they shall eat every man the flesh of his own arm: Manasseh, Ephraim; and Ephraim, Manasseh: and they together shall be against Judah.
But he says, it shall come to pass that [Isa. 11:9-13] the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea. And in that day there shall be a root of Jesse, which shall stand for an ensign of the people; to it shall the Gentiles seek: and his rest shall be glorious. And it shall come to pass in that day, that the Lord shall set his hand again the second time to recover the remnant of his people which shall be left, from Assyria, and from Egypt, and from Pathros, and from Cush, and from Elam, and from Shinar, and from Hamath, and from the islands of the sea.--And he shall set up an ensign for the nations, and shall assemble the outcasts of Israel, and gather together the dispersed of Judah from the four corners of the earth. The envy also of Ephraim shall depart, and the adversaries of Judah shall be cut off; Ephraim shall not envy Judah, and Judah shall not vex Ephraim. If this prophecy is to be literally fulfilled, then the Lord will yet gather the Israelites from their dispersion, as Isaiah further says,
[Isa. 14:1-2] The Lord will have mercy on Jacob, and yet choose Israel, and set them in their own land: and the strangers shall be joined with them, and they shall cleave to the house of Jacob. And the people shall take them, and bring them to their place; and the house of Israel shall possess them in the land of the Lord for servants and handmaids: and they shall take them captives, whose captives they were; and they shall rule over their oppressors.
Perhaps some may think, that the last quotation was fulfilled when the Jews returned from Babylon. But it will be recollected, that the house of Israel, as the ten tribes were called after their revolt from the house of David in the commencement of the reign of Rehoboam the son of Solomon, were not led to Babylon, but were taken away more than one hundred years before the Babylonish captivity.--And that this prophecy can not be applied to the Jews, will be admitted from the fact, that when they returned from Babylon, they neither took those captives, whose captives they were, nor did they rule over their oppressors.
Some may suppose, that if the above prophecy of the return of Israel, when they were to rule over their oppressors, does not mean the return of the Jews from Babylon, it is to be understood in a spiritual sense, or in some manner different from the plain words. But it can be seen in the preceding chapter, that the destruction of Babylon is spoken of by the Lord by the mouth of the prophet where he says,
[Isa. 13:17-22] Behold, I will stir up the Medes against them, which shall not regard silver; and as for gold, they shall not delight in it. Their bows shall dash the young men to pieces; and they shall have no pity on the fruit of the womb; their eye shall not spare children. And Babylon, the glory of kingdoms, the beauty of the Chaldees' excellency, shall be as when God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah. It shall never be inhabited, neither shall it be dwelt in from generation to generation; neither shall the Arabian pitch tent there, neither shall the shepherds make their folds there: but wild beasts of the desert shall lie there; and their houses shall be full of doleful creatures; and owls shall dwell there, and Satyrs shall dance there. And the wild beasts of the islands shall cry in their desolate houses, and dragons in their pleasant palaces; and her time is near to come, and her days shall not be prolonged.
It can be seen from Daniel, that this prophecy upon Babylon, so far as related to its being taken by the Medes, took place in the days of Belshazzar the son of Nebuchadnezzar; and that it has long remained desolate, a habitation for dragons, and a court for owls, a lasung monument of the literal fulfillment of ancient prophecy, can not but be admitted by all. Not a spire, not a tower, not a palace, nor scarce a wall, or even a stone remain visible, to show where once stood the ancient and splendid city Babylon, the glory of kingdoms, the beauty of the Chaldeas' excellency.
From Isaiah then, we find the prophecy of the coming of the Messiah, and the destruction of Babylon; and we find from others, that both were literally fulfilled. If we are to understand that the remainder of his prophecy is to be literally fulfilled, (and he has left no rule to the contrary) then certainly, the children of Israel may lift up their heads and rejoice, for they will yet be gathered. For the prophet, after saying that the earth should be full of the knowledge of the Lord, and that the Lord should set his hand again the second time to recover the remnant of his people, says, [Isa. 11:15-16] that the Lord shall utterly destroy the tongue of the Egyptian sea; and with his mighty wind shall he shake his hand over the river, and shall smite it in the seven streams, and make men go over dry-shod. And there shall be a highway for the remnant of his people, which shall be left, from Asyria: like as it was to Israel in the day that he came up out of the land of Egypt.
When the defended city is desolate, the habitation forsaken, and left like a wilderness, Isaiah says, [Isa. 27:12-13] It shall come to pass in that day, that the Lord shall beat off from the channel of the river unto the stream of Egypt, and ye shall be gathered one by one, O ye children of Israel. And it shall come to pass in that day, that the great trumpet shall be blown, and they shall come which were ready to perish in the land of Assyria, and the outcasts in the land of Egypt, and shall worship the Lord in the holy mount at Jerusalem.
The Lord also says by Isaiah, [Isa. 32:13-19] Upon the land of my people shall come up thorns and briers, yea, upon all the houses of the joyous city: because the palaces shall be forsaken; the multitude of the city shall be left; the forts and towers shall be for dens forever, a joy of wild asses, a pasture of flocks, until the Spirit be poured upon us from on high, and the wilderness be a fruitful field, and the fruitful field be counted for a forest. Then judgment shall dwell in the wilderness, and righteousness remain in the fruitful field. And the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness, quietness and assurance forever. And my people shall dwell in a peaceable habitation, and in sure dwellings, and in quiet resting-places, when it shall hail coming down on the forest; and the city shall be low in a low place.
From these prophecies then, we conclude, that if the Lord ever brought the children of Israel out from Egypt, and divided the waters that they might pass over in the days of Moses; even so in the last days he will gather them again, and according to the prophet, smite the river in the seven streams or beat off from the channel of the river unto the stream of Egypt and cause them to pass over dryshod. If Jerusalem and the land of Judea, were inhabited in ancient days by the children of Israel, even so in the last days they will be again.
For the Lord has said, [Isa. 52:1] Awake, awake; put on thy strength, O Zion: put on thy beautiful garments, O Jerusalem, the holy city: for henceforth there shall no more come into thee the uncircumcised and the unclean. Again he says, [Isa. 52:9] Break forth into joy, sing together ye waste places of Jerusalem: for the Lord hath comforted his people, he hath redeemed Jerusalem.
If the Lord ever made his appearance in the flesh, was born in Bethlehem of Judea, rode into Jerusalem, was smitten upon the cheek, slain upon the cross, rose from the dead and ascended on high according to the scriptures, then in these last days he will set his feet upon the mount of Olives, deliver his people, that Jerusalem become a quiet habitation, and no more be destroyed.--For the prophet said, [D&C 45:44] The Lord my God shall come and all the saints with thee: Thus will he come in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory; and while the sound goes forth, Prepare to meet the Bridegroom, we beseech all the disciples of our Lord to be also ready. For the time is at hand when every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill shall be made low, and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough places plain: and the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together, for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it.
For the time is at hand, when the Lord [Jer. 30:18-20, 22] will bring again the captivity of Jacob's tents and have mercy on his dwelling-places: for thus says the Lord by the prophet, the city shall be builded upon her own heap, and the palace shall remain after the manner thereof. And out of them shall proceed thanksgiving, and the voice of them that make merry: and I will multiply them, and they shall not be few; I will also glorify them, and they shall not be small. Their children also shall be as aforetime, and their congregations shall be established before me, and I will punish all that oppress them. And ye shall be my people, and I will be your God.
For the time is near when that which was written by Jeremiah concerning the house of Israel, will be fulfilled, which says, [Jer. 16:14-16] Therefore, behold, the days come saith the Lord, that it shall no more be said, The Lord liveth that brought up the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt; but, the Lord liveth that brought up the children of Israel from the land of the north, and from all the lands whither he had driven them: and I will bring them again into their land that I gave unto their fathers. Behold, I will send for many fishers, saith the Lord, and they shall fish them; and after will I send for many hunters and they shall hunt them from every mountain and from every hill, and out of the holes of the rocks.
For the time is near, when the Lord [Jer. 50:19-20] will bring Israel again to his habitation, and he shall feed on Carmel and Bashan, and his soul shall be satisfied upon mount Ephraim and Gilead. In those days and in that time saith the Lord, the iniquity of Israel shall be sought for, and there shall be none; and the sins of Judah, and they shall not be found: for I will pardon them whom I reserve.
None need mistake relative to the time of the fulfillment of the above prophecy; nor need any suppose for a moment that it has yet been fulfilled, for Jeremiah, (by whose mouth it was spoken) lived long after the house of Israel were led away captive, who have not since returned to their former habitation in righteousness, when their iniquity has been sought for and there was none: but the time is near.
And the time is near when the Lord will fulfil his promise to the house of Israel, and to the house of Judah, according to his covenant, [Jer. 31:34] when he will put his law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; when he will be their God, and they will be his people. When none will have occasion to say to his neighbor, or brother, Know the Lord: for all will know him from the least of them to the greatest of them. These promises are sure to the children of Israel, as the fact is certain, that the Lord gives the sun for a light by day, and the ordinances of the moon and stars for a light by night; and that heaven above can not be measured, and the foundations of the earth searched out beneath by man.
For the time is near when the Lord will rend the heavens, and come down, and the mountains flow down at his presence. When he will reign in mount Zion, and in Jerusalem, and before his ancients, gloriously: when there are none to molest or make afraid in all his holy mountain. Therefore, we again beseech the disciples of our Lord, to let solemnity rest upon their minds, to lift up their heads and rejoice, and put their trust in him whose word never fails, and whose course is one eternal round.
THE EVENING AND THE MORNING STAR.
<"Children">
William Phelps "Children," E&MS 1 (May 1833)
CHILDREN. {beliefs-lds}
[Ps. 127:3] LO, children are a heritage of the Lord, says the Psalmist; and our Savior said, [Matt. 11:19] Wisdom is justified of her children: let them, then, be trained up in the way they should go, that when they are old, they may not depart from it: let them be trained up in the commandments of the Lord, and they will be saved in his kingdom.
After Lehi had finished speaking to his sons, as he was about to leave this world, he said to the children of his eldest son: [2 Ne. 4:3-6] Behold, my sons and my daughters, which are the sons and the daughters of my first born, I would that ye should give ear unto my words; for the Lord God hath said, That inasmuch as ye shall keep my commandments, ye shall prosper in the land; and inasmuch as ye will not keep my commandments, ye shall be cut off from my presence. But behold, my sons and my daughters, I can not go down to my grave, save I should leave a blessing upon you. For behold, I know that if ye are brought up in the right way that ye should go, ye will not depart from it. Wherefore, if ye are cursed, behold I leave my blessing upon you, that the cursing may be taken from you, and answered upon the heads of your parents.
Among many nations, some of the children are schooled and taught much of the wisdom and knowledge of the world, that they may have a knowledge of men and things, and become famous. If, then, the world, merely for gain and fame, which, to their children, can not last longer than life, train them up to science and learning, for the sake of happiness in this state of existence, how much more necessary is it, that the disciples of Jesus Christ should teach their children, not only in common learning to transact business among men, but in the knowledge of God, which points out their way to eternal life?
As soon as Adam became a member of the church of Christ, by being baptized and receiving the Holy Spirit, he received a commandment to teach his children; which is the first example of teaching children, and might serve as a profitable lesson to all the disciples of our Lord in these last days to do likewise, lest the blood of their souls be required at their hands in a day to come.
We feel anxious on this point, when we reflect upon a certain clause of a revelation given for the benefit of the saints in November, 1831, and particularly for the saints in Zion, who are required to teach their children the doctrine of repentance, faith in Christ the Son of the living God, that they may be baptized, and receive the Comforter, and all this by the time they are eight years old. Certainly, then, there is to be an important duty attended to, by all who are blessed with children in Zion. In the world, surrounded with wickedness, children are allowed (many of them) to do as they please, or as their fancy leads them,being allured by the scenes of vice and folly constantly presented before them, until they grow up to years, and then are prepared themselves to fill the same paths of wretched depravity.
But in Zion, where the disciples are blessed with the oracles of God from time to time, they may so instruct their children, especially those that are now young, that they will be strangers to the thousand vices which now shock the meek and honest in heart, who are striving to do the will of the Lord in the world. Here they may be kept from polluting the holy Sabbath, from strolling about according to their own wills, and mingling with those who blaspheme the name of their Maker. Here they may be taught to appear before the Lord from time to time, and unite their petitions to him with their parents, and call down the richest blessings from above upon their heads: so that, out of the mouths of babes, praise may be perfected. Here they may grow up in righteousness, and be prepared to meet their Lord in peace, when he comes in his glory.
How important then, that they be watched over, and instructed in a feeling and impressive manner. How important that they be taught to be sober, and avoid every vain and foolish amusement. How important that they be taught to love one another, and always speak the truth: and that for every word they will have to give an account. How important that they be taught to avoid quarrels, and angry words. How important that they be taught that God sees their hearts, and knows the thoughts and intents of the same. How important that they be taught the example of the Savior, who, when he was reviled, reviled not again. How important that they be taught that he laid down his life for mankind, and that ere long he will judge the secrets of all hearts, and that none can escape the glance of his all-searching eye.
Up to the days, when the tower of Babel was built, there was but one language, and how far the knowledge of men extended as a whole family, we shall not pretend to say. But notwithstanding Noah and his sons were saved from destruction, because of wickedness the earth was divided in the days of Peleg, the sixth from Noah; after which Abraham was called, and unto him and his seed the promises were made.
The words that the Lord gave to Moses for Israel, were commanded to be taught diligently unto their children also, that they might grow up in the knowledge of God. Rich and important instructions may be gained from a perusal of the commandments given to the children of Israel. He said [Lev. 19:32] thou shalt rise up before the hoary head, and honor the face of the old man, and fear thy God: I am the Lord.
We said we would not pretend to say how far the knowledge of the world extended as one great family, even up to the days when the tower was built: but as to the saints, we have a right to say from facts revealed, that, before the flood, they knew more than the world will believe now: yes they had a knowledge of the mysteries of eternity, that have been hid from the eyes of the wicked men for ages and generations; mysteries and glories which have been sought for by holy men, and seen by an eye of faith, even the city of Enoch, that was taken up to the bosom of the Father.
What is learnt in childhood, is retained in age: so then, let us teach our children the great virtues that make men good; and the truth from God that guides to eternal life.
We will teach them to trust in the arm of the Lord; to respect their parents; to honor age, and not rove abroad; for hundreds that have roamed to foreign parts, have been ruined. When children, as soon as they are old enough are seen seeking employment and diversion for themselves, we may calculate, in nine cases out of ten, that they have not been taught strictly to keep the commandments of the Lord, for if they had, the words of truth would always be in their hearts: [3 Ne. 13:12] Lord, lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
Men, that have not professed to be guided by the revelations or religion of Jesus, have had wisdom enough to adopt the maxim of the poet:
"'Tis education forms the common mind, Just as the twig is bent the tree's inclin'd."
Now, if the world at large, form their minds by precept, how much more noble will it be in the sight of the Lord, for the saints to teach their children by example.
When men preach about being saved, before a scrutinizing generation, they must show, by example, that they are heirs of eternal life themselves, or who will be bettered by what they say? If children are taught to be humble, and keep the commandments of God, they set a pattern for mankind, that the angels will rejoice over. The Savior, when speaking of little children, said: [Matt. 19:14] Of such is the kingdom of heaven.
The prayers of the righteous avail much; yea, much more than many are aware of; and it ought to be impressed upon the minds of children. It ought to be impressed upon their minds also, as soon as they are old enough to know good and evil, that this life is one in which they must prepare for another: that this world will pass away, and bring them in the resurrection, into the presence of Jesus Christ, if they have kept his commandments, where they will live and reign.
It is a glorious thought, that some of the present generation will live to see great things, but it is more glorious to reflect, that the time is near when all that live will know the Lord, from the least even to the greatest: Then the children will be a heritage of God.
<"Saint John">
William Phelps "Saint John," E&MS 1 (May 1833)
SAINT JOHN. {beliefs-lds}
IT is generally admitted that Saint John wrote his book of Revelations in the year 96 after the birth of the Savior. There has been much said by many on the import of the two following verses, viz: [Rev. 22:18-19] For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: and if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, & from the things which are written in this book.
Now let the reader take notice, that the words of the prophecy of this book, meant the Revelation of Saint John, and not the whole bible as some have endeavored to make the world believe.
If John meant any other book than his Revelation, it would have been better for him to have written his gospel and his epistles first: But the Index to the Holy Bible, which is appended to many Great Bibles, has this information: Saint John is banished into the isle of Patmos by Domitian, and there receives and writes his Revelation. After the death of Domitian St. John returns to Ephesus, and at the request of the church writes his gospel.
The fact is, the various books of the bible were not put together, in form, for many hundred years after John wrote the Revelations, and when authorised to be translated into English, by king James, the translators rejected some books, as doubtful, & admitted others with a small majority of one or two votes, as is said, and all this, too, without a prophet to inquire of the Lord, and know what was right.
John was the beloved disciple of the Lord, and would never be the first to break the Revelations of his Savior.
Again: to show that the above quoted verses meant the book of Revelations, it is thus written in the tenth chapter, [Rev. 10:9-11] And I went unto the angel, & said unto him, Give me the little book. And he said unto me, Take it, and eat it up; and it shall make thy belly bitter, but it shall be in thy mouth sweet as honey.
And I took the little book out of the angel's hand, and ate it up; and it was in my mouth sweet as honey: and as soon as I had eaten it my belly was bitter.
And he said unto me, Thou must prophesy again before many peoples, and nations, and tongues, and kings.
This promise to John that he should again prophesy, brings to mind what the Savior said to him before he was crucified: [John 21:20-23] Then Peter, turning about, seeth the disciple whom Jesus loved, following: (which also leaned on his breast at supper, and said, Lord which is he that betrayeth thee?)
Peter seeing him, saith to Jesus, Lord, and what shall this man do?
Jesus saith unto him, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee, Follow thou me.
Then went this saying abroad among the brethren, that that disciple should not die: yet Jesus said not unto him, He shall not die; but If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee?
In one of the late revelations to the church in these last days, it is thus given of what was said: [D&C 7:1-3] And the Lord said unto me, John my beloved, what desirest thou? and I said Lord, give me power that I may bring souls unto thee.--And the Lord said unto me: Verily, verily I say unto thee, because thou desiredst this, thou shalt tarry till I come in my glory.
<Editorial>
William Phelps ed E&MS 1 (May 1833)
EXTRACT OF A LETTER.
Rutland, Pa. March 19, 1833.
DEAR Brethren in Zion, peace from God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ, be with you all. I rejoice much for what my ears hear and my eyes see, of the rising and spreading glory of Zion in these last days.
As the mild rays of the sun, poured forth upon the earth, causes vegetation to spring up, even so the rays that shine from Zion's hill, upon a benighted world, cause the fruits of righteousness to put forth in many parts of our land: And while we are yet struggling in the midst of spiritual Babylon, to save our souls, and them that hear us, it rejoices our hearts & feasts our souls, to hear through the medium of your Star, the success of our brethren who are also laboring in the vineyard, and have sent up their accounts to the land of Zion.
Now, inasmuch as it is requested in your paper, that the elders abroad should do thus, we, therefore take this opportunity to inform you, that we, through the grace of God, have shared a measure of the blessing shed forth in his new and everlasting covenant. About forty five have been baptized into the church where I live. Some have set out for the land of Zion, and nearly all the rest are ready to go up this spring.
I was baptized one year ago from last June, and after a close trial of about three weeks respecting the revelations and the gathering to Zion, my mind became clear, and I was ordained an elder in the church of Christ.
In the fall following, I went with brothers [R.] Potter and Bowen to Shaftsbury Vermont where a few received the work. In the winter several of us went to Mendon, New York, and the work of the Lord commenced here. From thence we went to Warsaw, then to Lake Erie, and home by the way of Angelica, preaching the word, and blessed be the name of the Lord, signs followed them that believed, insomuch that some who were sick was healed, and some spake with tongues and glorified God.
Last summer four of us from Rutland, and two from Mendon, went to the province of Upper Canada. We landed at Kingston, and labored at Ernest town and its vicinity. Here thousands flocked to hear the strange news; even so that the houses could not contain the multitude, and we had to repair to the groves. Hundreds were searching the scriptures to see if these things were so. Many were partly convinced, and some were wholly, so, when we left, and a small church was founded there. We have heard since we came away, that the cause of the Lord was prospering in that region.
Brother [Eleazar] Miller, an elder that has travelled with me in the two last routes, has baptized about twenty. I have baptized, in all, thirty-five; nine in Rutland and Sullivan; four in Columbia; seven in Troy and three in Canton, Pennsylvania; five in Shaftsbury, Vermont; one in Chenango, and one in Mendon, New York, and five in Ernest town, Upper Canada.
We have labored under some disadvantage, not having instructions till within a few months past, respecting this great work, other than the Articles book of Mormon, and the Comforter. But we remember, [D&C 82:3] that where much is given, much is required, and where little is given, little is required: Therefore by the grace of God, we mean to improve the talent, or talents that we have received, that we may gain other talents: Hence we would call upon our brethren in Zion, from whence the light is to flow, and the law is to proceed, to remember us in Babylon, and let the strong bare the infirmities of the weak. Pray the heavenly Father to open an effectual door for us, to make our escape from the midst of spiritual wickedness, to the place of the name of the Lord of Hosts, the mount Zion.
We rejoice that the time has come, that the Lord has set his hand again the second time to gather his elect. That he has already set up the ensign and lifted the standard for the gathering of the nations; that the covenants and promises made to the fathers, concerning the remnants of his people, might be fulfilled.
And above all, we have great reason to rejoice, that we, as Gentiles, have the privilege of receiving the light manifested for their restoration; and by entering into the covenant, we may become the spiritual children of Abraham, and with Israel partake of the fatnes and the fulness of the olive tree.
We long to see the time when we can see the tribes of Israel's remnants, coming up to Zion with songs of everlasting joy; we long to see the time when Jacob's face will no longer wax pale; when the bride shall be adorned and ready for the Bridegroom; and finally, we long to see the time, when Jesus shall come in the clouds of heaven, with power and great glory, and be admired by all his saints.
Your brethren in the Lord,
ELIEL STRONG, ELEAZER MILLER
The city of Florence stands in a delightful and extensive plain, fruitful, and filled with fine country places. The river Arno runs through it, over which are four fine bridges of stone: that called the Four Seasons has four large statues of marbles, respecting the four seasons of the year, at one end. It has but three arches, the vaults of which are almost flat: they are the admiration of architects. The work is of Michael Angelo Bonarotti.
Florence is near six miles in circuit, and contains above 90,000 souls, and as many in its territory. We must not expect to meet streets for palaces, like the Strada Nuova in Genoa, but it is a city so nobly adorned, that a certain person with justice remarked, it ought only to be shewn on holy-days. Its streets are spacious, well paved with large flat stones, called pietra forte, of which most of the houses are likewise built.
Its inumerable palaces, churchs, &c. are perfect models of architecture. It contains 152 churches, 89 convents, 22 hospitals, 16 public pillars, 2 pyramids, 4 bridges, 7 fountains, 17 squares, and 160 public statues, agreeable to the information of my guide. Its walls are in tolerable repair, but its strength consists chiefly in three fortresses: the first of five bastions, the other two falling into decay. They are called Belvedere, San Minato, and San Giovanni, (or St. John.) The Dome or Cathedral called our Lady del Fiore, is an immensely large Gothic edifice, founded in the year 1214.
It is covered with marble, both within and without, is 490 feet long, and to the cross on the globe upon the dome, 380 feet high; it is paved with fine marble: the choir is surrounded with pillars of marble, and with a great many figures of the same material. Over the high altar, all of marble, appears our Savior in his sepulchre, supported by Piety, in white marble: above is God the Father, holding a book in his hand. On the other side of the altar is Adam and Eve, covered with a leaf, standing under the Tree of Life, exquisitely carved in fine marble; all executed, as well as the high altar itself, by Bandinello.
Against the huge pillars in the church, stand the Twelve Apostles, curiously carved. That of St. James, by Sansovin, is most admired. One of St. Antonius of a gigantic size, is very well executed. Here are many monuments of great men, as of Dante, the Tuscan Poet; of Marsilius Ficinus, the modern great Platonic philosopher, with his epitaph. Michael Angelo used to admire the cupola as an octagon 900 feet high. Each side of the octagon is 75 feet broad. A representation of the Last Judgment is painted on the inside of it by Zuccharo and Lazari; the outside is richly gilt: above the dome is a high capital upon pillars of white marble. The gilt globe seems not larger than a man's head; yet they assured us it would contain twenty men. This dome is the work of Brunischelli.
The steeple, II Campanile, or La Torre delle Compane, is a little seperated from the church. It is a square building of a prodigious height, covered on every side with marble of different colors, red, white, and black, and adorned with innumerable great statues of incomparably carved, especially one of a bald old man by Donatelli. This towering steeple is ascended by 406 steps, and is reckoned 180 feet high. It was built by Jottus, a famous architect and painter, as we learn from his epitaph in this church, composed by the celebrated Angelus Politianus--[Foreign Paper.]
LETTERS.
SINCE our last, Letters have been received: One from Kirtland, Ohio; two from Bluffdale, and two from Mississippi-bottom, Illinois; one from Eugene, Indiana; one from Troy, and one from Rutland, Pennsylvania; one from Fieldsborough, one from Richmond, and two from Liberty, Missouri.
MEMORANDUM OF SIGNS, &c. {beliefs-lds}
IT is no more than will be expected of us to note the passing tidings, signs, and wonders of the day. The world is full of strange appearances, and all eyes are once and a while turned towards the coming events of the day, to catch a glympse of what may be expected. There are great things near, and while one nation rises to rejoice, behold another sits down to weep. Verily the fountains of the nations will soon be broken up, for the Lord hath decreed a consumption, & none can stay his hand; yea, as Daniel said: [Dan. 9:26] unto the end of the war desolations are determined:
BALTIMORE, April 5.--The cholera in Havana.--Accounts received by the Fan Fan, this morning, from Havana, represent the progress of this most dreadful of all human afflictions as truly appalling. From the 24th of February to the 24th of March, five thousand [1,000 whites, and 4,000 blacks] had died of the disease--and, on the day before the sailing of the Fan Fan, five hundred persons are state to have been taken off, and nearly the same number had been burned each day for several days previously.
CHINA.--On the 30th of October, 67 houses and 700 boats were burnt in the suburbs of Canton, (Sha-meen.) Ten persons perished. The rebels continued in force, and had destroyed two forts erecting against them at Leenchow.
Governor Le of Canton was reported to have been strangled, by order of the Emperor. Governor Le had ordered 300 members of the Triad Society to be put to death. Decapitations were frequent.
INDIAN TREATIES.--The Globe of Tuesday contains the treaty with the Menominees, as finally negotiated by Gov. Porter, of Michigan. Its chief object is to stipulate a reservation for the New York Indians on the east side of the Winnebasees, Brothertown, St. Regis and Six Nation tribes, assenting.
The same paper of the 22d, contains the Chickasaw treaty, duly ratified, stipulating for the removal of the whole Chickasaw nation west of the Mississippi.
The Cherokees are now the only Indians remaining within any of the states.
GALLATIN, Ten. March 8.--We are informed, by a gentleman direct from the neighborhood, in whom implicit credit may be placed, that seven severe cases of the cholera occurred in the family of Mr. Tribew, in the north west part of this county, 12 or 15 miles from this place, three of which proved fatal within a very short time. The eyes of one is said to have bursted.--[Union]
CHOLERA AT OPORTO.--Captain Jennings of brig Marcellus, arrived yesterday from Malaga and Gibraltar, informs that the Cholera had broken out at Oporto, and was making considerable ravages. It was carried thither by the troops sent out for Don Pedro's army, several staff officers of which died on the passage. The disease first made its appearance among those of the inhabitants visited by the troops. This intelligence was brought to Gibraltar by the Hyperion, the master of which inadvertently mentioned the fact, and he was forthwith ordered to Port Mahon. Two Portugues vessels also arrived from Oporto while the Marcellus lay at Gibraltar, and were likewise ordered off. The news created great alarm at Gibraltar. This is the first account of the cholera in either Portugal or Spain.
A Proclamation, recently issued by our Board of Health,--exhorting our Citizens to early preparations for resisting a second invasion by the Disease which caused so much consternation last summer-has been republished by many intelligent journalists in other cities of the Union. The National Intelligencer says:--The solemn facts addressed to the Philadelphians, by the enlightened Board of that city, appeal with equal force to the inhabitants of every place which has been visited by the desolating scourge and especially of one where, on its first occurrence, its ravages were experienced with such dreadful severity as in this. Let the People, as well as the authorities, look to it, and do their part also, to avert the threatened return of the destroyer.--[Sat. Courier.]
RUSSIA.--Hamburg papers of the 12th, contain letters from Saint Petersburg; their contents refer chiefly to the prevalence of the influenza, under which more than 100,000 persons were suffering. It was still more violent at Moscow, where the Theatres were closed on account of it.
CHOLERA IN HAVANA.--By the arrival of the Topaz at New York bringing news to the 18th ult. information has been received that the Cholera is raging extensively in Havana. Within four or five days before the sailing of that vessel 4 or 500 people had fallen victims to the disorder, principally among the blacks, and whites of bad habits. Some of the more respectable people however had died, and the attacks of the disorder were as sudden and its course as short as they had been in other places. Business was very much at a stand in consequence.
JAMAICA.--A paper from Jamaica of the 2d of March, says:--We have scarcely had a drop of rain for the last three months. The shrubs and trees are suffering most materially--the pastures are withered up by the fiery breezes, unrelieved by the night dews, which are very scanty in this quarter of the country. The ground near the town is quite baked and cracked by the sun, and all vegetation is at a stand. The month of March usually brings rain, and there is an apparent change in the atmosphere at this moment. The prospects of the sugar crop is most unpromising. Several placards had recently been posted in the neighborhood of St. Ann's Bay, tending to excite rebellion and disobedience among the slaves.
The New Montreal Gazette, on the subject of the cholera, says: We take leave to ask what has been done by the constituted authorities of the province on this vitally important subject? If no precautionary measures have yet been adopted, not a moment longer should be lost. It is but reasonable to anticipate a second visit of this depopulating pestilence with the returning tide of emigration from Europe; and it then becomes the imperative duty of those who have the power, to guard, as far as human agency can, against a repetition of those scenes of desolation, which made our city a charnel house, and covered the whole province with mourners.
MELANCHOLY.--The Rival which sailed from Greenock for Operto, on the 22d November, with a crew of 37 men & 428 passengers for the service of Don Pedro, was totally lost on the 4th of December, near Galway, and every soul on board perished. The vessel was commanded by Mr. William Wallace, and the men for Portugal were under the charge of Captain Bygraves. The passengers were chiefly mechanics, journeymen operatives, weavers, and laborers, from almost every town and village in the west of Scotland, but principally from Galway.
LIBERIA.--In September, 1832, J. Muhlin, agent of the Colonization Society, at Liberia, wrote as follows:--With respect to the character of the people composing this expedition, I regret to be compelled to state that they are, with the exception of those from Washington, the family of Pages from Virginia, and a few others, the lowest and most abandoned of their class. From such materials it is in vain to expect that an industrious, intelligent, and enterprising community can possible be formed; the thing is utterly impracticable, and they can not but retard, instead of advancing the prosperity of the Colony. I have noticed this subject in one of my former communications, and nothing but a thorough conviction that such an influx of vagrants cannot fail of blasting the hopes, which our friends have so long & so ardently cherished, could have induced me again to advert to it. Our respectable colonists themselves are becoming alarmed at the great number of ignorant and abandoned characters that have arrived within the last twelve months, & almost daily representations are made by those, who have applied themselves to the cultivation of the soil, of the deep depredations committed on their crops by the above described people, who can not be induced to labor for their own support.--[North Star.]
VENEZUELA.--The Spanish "Redactor' of the city of New York, contains accounts from Caracas, of the prevalence of a dreadful mortality in the Canton of Calabozo, in the department of Apure. In every house there are or have been several persons sick or dead, and in some not an individual has been spared. The few persons who have the means of removing, emigrate to distant places, abandoning their dwellings, cattle and other property. Of the poor who are sick, the greater part die, and their bodies remain unburied, which increases the impurity of the atmosphere. These disastrous effects are aggravated by the want of physicians, medicines and subsistence.
SONGS OF ZION.
AGE after age has roll'd away Since man first dwelt in mortal clay; And countless millions slept in death, That once supplied a place on earth:
According to the fate of man, Which God had fix'd in his own plan, So age must come, and age must go Till work complete is here below:
Which had been seen by saints of old, And by the prophets were foretold; Which wondrous things are drawing near: That Enoch saw, and saints did cheer.
Enoch who did converse with God: Stood on the mount and stretch'd abroad His soul wide as eternity: He rent the vail and wonders see.
With mighty faith he did expand O'er earth and heaven, o'er sea and land, Till things above and things below He did behold; yea, did them know.
His heart he tun'd to notes above, His soul o'erwhelm'd with boundless love, He sang a song in heav'nly lays, While angels' tongues join'd him in praise.
With finger end God touch'd his eyes That he might gaze within the skies; His voice he rais'd to God on high, Who heard his groans and drew him nigh.
With joy and wonder, all amaz'd, Amid the heav'nly throng, he gaz'd! While heav'nly music charm'd his ear, And angels' notes, remov'd all fear.
Hosanna, he aloud did cry, To God who dwells above the sky: Again, Hosanna did resound, Among the heav'nly hosts around.
His voice he rais'd in higher strains, Echo'd and re-echo'd again, Till heaven and earth his voice did hear: Eternity did record bare.
The trump of God around the throne proclaim'd the power of God anon, And sounded loud what should take place, From age to age, from race to race.
Among the heavenly hosts he sang God's scheme of life for sinful man, And for the gospel's saving grace, He prais'd the Father face to face.
The end of all his labors here, Were all unfolded to him there: His city rais'd to dwell on high, With all the saints above the sky.
He saw before him all things past, From end to end, from first to last; Yea, things before the world began, Or dust was fashion'd into man.
The place of Adam's first abode, While in the presence of his God: Before the mountains rais'd their heads, Or the small dust of balance weigh'd.
With God he saw his race began, And from him emanated man, and with him did in glory dwell, Before there was an earth or hell.
From age to age, whate'er took place, Was present then before his face; And to the latest years of man, Was plain before him, heav'ns' plan.
His eyes with wonder did behold, Eternal glories yet untold; And glorious things of latter time, Which angels have to tell to men.
He then did hear, in days of old, The message that to John was told; The angel which the news did bring, He heard him talk and heard him sing.
And knew before the days of John, What glories were on him to dawn, The message which he did receive, He heard and saw, and did believe.
He knew full well what John should hear, Concerning times and latter years, When God again should set his hand, to gather Israel to their lands.
The gospel then from darkest shads, Should rise and go with rapid strides, Till nations distant, far and near, the glorious proclamation hear.
The angel that this news proclaims, Should come and visit earth again, Commit the gospel, long since lost, To man, with power, as at the first.
ERE long the vail will rend in twain, The King descend with all his train; The earth shall shake with awful fright, And all creation feel his might.
The trump of God, it long shall sound, And raise the nations under ground; Throughout the vast domains of heav'n The voice echoes, the sound is given.
Lift up your heads ye saints in peace, The Savior comes for your release; The day of the redeem'd has come, The saints shall all be welcom'd home.
Behold the church, it soars on high, To meet the saints amid the sky; To hail the King in clouds of fire, And strike and tune th' immortal lyre.
Hosanna now the trump shall sound, Proclaim the joys of heav'n around, When all the saints together join, In songs of love, and all divine.
With Enoch here we all shall meet, And worship at Messiah's feet, Unite our hands and hearts in love, And reign on thrones with Christ above.
The city that was seen of old Whose walls were jasper, and streets gold, We'll now inherit thron'd in might: The Father and the Son's delight.
Celestial crowns we shall receive, And glories great our God shall give, While loud hosannas we'll proclaim, While all the heav'ns shall shout again, And all creation say, Amen.
Our hearts and tongues all join'd in one, A loud hosanna to proclaim, While all the heav'ns shall shout again, And all Creation say, Amen. [Parley P. Pratt]
The Evening and the Morning Star
IS PUBLISHED EVERY MONTH AT INDEPENDENCE, JACKSON COUNTY, MISSOURI,
BY W. W. PHELPS & CO.
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VOL. II, NO. 13, INDEPENDENCE, MO. JUNE, 1833.