After singing by the choir, conference opened by prayer by the President.

"The object of the conference was then presented by the President, who stated that President Joseph Smith (who was then absent on account of the death of his child) had called a special conference to transact certain items of business necessary to be done previous to the October conference, such as to select men of experience to send forth into the vineyard, take measures to assist emigrants who may arrive at the place of

gathering, and prevent impositions being practiced upon them by unprincipled speculators, etc., etc.; and he hoped no one could view him and his brethren as aspiring because they had come forward to take part in the proceedings before them; for he could assure the brethren that nothing could be farther from his wishes and that of his Quorum than to interpose with church affairs at Zion and her stakes, for he had been in the vineyard so long he had become attached to foreign missions, and nothing could induce him to retire therefrom and attend the affairs of the church at home but a sense of duty, the requirements of heaven, or the revelations of God; to which he would always submit, be the consequence what it might; and the brethren of his quorum responded Amen.

A list of names of the elders and cities were read by the president, and a few were selected by nomination and designated as follows: Voted that Elders H. G. Sherwood go to New Orleans, Louisiana, A. O. Smoot go to Charleston, South Carolina, B. Winchester go to Salem, Massachusetts, Erastus Snow go to Salem, Massachusetts, John Murdock go to Baltimore, Maryland, Samuel James go to Washington, District of Columbia. On motion of V. Knight, seconded by Samuel Bent:

Resolved, that the Quorum of the Twelve select the individuals to go and preach in such places as they may judge expedient, and present the same to the conference, with a view of expediting the business of the day.

The situation of the poor of Nauvoo City was then presented to the conference by Bishops Knight and Miller, and a collection taken for their benefit.

After singing, conference adjourned until two o' clock p. m.

Conference assembled at two p. m. and was addressed by Elders L. Barnes and H. G. Sherwood concerning the spread of the gospel and the building up of the kingdom of God in these last days.

President Joseph Smith now arriving proceeded to state to the conference at considerable length the object of their present meeting, and in addition to what President Young had stated in the morning, said that the time had come when the Twelve should be called upon to stand in their place next to the First Presidency, and attend to the settling of emigrants and the business of the church at the stakes, and assist to bear off the kingdom victorious to the nations; and as they had been faithful and had borne the burden in the heat of the day, that it was right that they should have an opportunity of providing something for themselves and families, and at the same time relieve him so that he might attend to the business of translating.

Motion seconded and carried that the conference approve of the instructions of President Smith in relation to the Twelve, and that they proceed accordingly to attend to the duties of their office.

Motion seconded and carried unanimously that every individual who shall hereafter be found trying to influence any emigrants belonging to the church, either to buy of them (except provisions) or sell to them (excepting the church agents), shall be immediately tried for fellowship, and dealt with as offenders, and unless they repent shall be cut off from the church.

President Rigdon then made some appropriate remarks on speculations.

It was moved that the conference accept the doings of the Twelve in designating certain individuals to certain cities, etc.; when President

Joseph Smith remarked that the conference had already sanctioned the doings of the Twelve, and it belonged to their office to transact such business with the approbation of the First Presidency, and he would then state what cities should now be built up; viz., Nauvoo, Zarahemla, Warren, Nashville, and Ramus.

Resolved that this conference adjourn to the time of the General Conference in October next. Closed with prayer by President Young.

BRIGHAM YOUNG}, President.

ELIAS SMITH, }

LORENZO BARNES}, Clerks

-Times and Seasons vol. 2, pp. 521, 522.

MENCING OCTOBER 1, 1841

Friday, October 1. In consequence of the inclemency of the Weather the congregation were prevented from assembling in conference for business.

Saturday. 2d, a. m. The conference assembled on the meeting ground, but as the Presidency were absent laying the corner stone of the Nauvoo House, business was delayed, and the conference organized themselves in their several quorums in order. Bro. B. Young opened divine service and Bro. O. Pratt closed. The conference then made choice of Bro. Joseph Smith to preside in conference, and appointed Elias Smith and Gustavus Hills as secretaries.

P. M. President Joseph Smith opened by calling the choir to sing a Hymn, sung eighteenth hymn. The president then read a letter from Bro. O. Hyde giving an account of his journeys and success in his mission, which was listened to with intense interest; and the conference, by vote, expressed their approbation of the style and spirit of said letter. The President then made remarks on the inclemency of the weather and

the uncomfortable situation of the saints with regard to a place of worship and a place of public entertainment.

The conference was then called upon by the President to elect a general church clerk in place of R. B. Thompson, deceased. Conference made choice of James Sloan. Bro. Lyman Wight then called upon the conference to elect a President of the High Priests Quorum in place of Don Carlos Smith, deceased. Bro. George Miller was nominated and duly elected.

Bro. B. Young then presented to the notice of the conference the business commenced at a late special conference, with regard to the appointment of suitable and faithful men to the several important stations of labor in this and other countries.

Bro. L. Wight then addressed the conference on the importance of order and uniformity of instruction, and of a unanimity of effort to spread the work of the kingdom. President Joseph Smith then made some corrections of doctrine in quoting a passage from 1 Corinthians 12:28, showing it to be a principle of order or gradation in rising from one office to another in the priesthood.

Bro. Hyrum Smith made remarks disapprobatory of the course pursued by some elders in withstanding the efforts of the Presidency to gather the saints, and in enticing them to stop in places not appointed for the gathering; particularly the conduct of Elder Almon Babbitt, of Kirtland. Brn. Lyman Wight and Henry Miller having traveled in places where Bro. A. Babbitt had been in his journeying eastward from his visit to Nauvoo, testified that he had in many places taught doctrine contrary to the revelations of God and detrimental to the interest of the church.

Moved, seconded, and carried that Elder Almon Babbitt be disfellowshipped by the Conference as an elder till such time as he shall make satisfaction.

Closed with singing by the choir, hymn 124, and prayer by Bro. George Smith.

Conference adjourned till to-morrow morning, nine o'clock.

Sunday, 3d, a. m. Conference assembled and was called to order by President Marks, and divine service commenced by the choir singing hymn 274, and prayer by Bro. H. C. Kimball.

President Joseph Smith, by request of some of the Twelve, gave instructions on the doctrine of baptism for the dead, which was listened to with intense interest by the large assembly. The speaker presented baptism for the dead as the only way that man can appear as saviors on Mount Zion. The proclamation of the first principles of the gospel was a means of salvation to men individually; and it was the truth, not men, that saved them, but men by actively engaging in rites of salvation substitutionally, became instrumental in bringing multitudes of their kin into the kingdom of God. He explained a difference between an angel and a ministering spirit; the one a resurrected or translated body, with its spirit ministering to embodied spirits; the other a disembodied spirit, visiting and ministering to disembodied spirits. Jesus Christ became a ministering spirit (while his body was lying in the sepulcher) to the spirits in prison; to fulfill an important part of his mission, without which he could not have perfected his work or entered into his rest. After his resurrection he appeared as an angel to his disciples, etc. Translated bodies cannot enter into rest until they have undergone a change equivalent to death. Translated bodies are designed for future missions. The angel that appeared to John on the Isle of Patmos was a translated or resurrected body. Jesus Christ went in body, after his resurrection to minister to translated and resurrected bodies. There has been a claim of authority and power from Adam down to the present

time. The only way to obtain truth and wisdom is, not to ask it from books, but to go to God in prayer and obtain divine teaching. It is no more incredible that God should save the dead than that he should raise the dead. There is never a time when the spirit is too old to approach God. All are within the reach of pardoning mercy who have not committed the unpardonable sin, which hath no forgiveness, neither in this world nor the world to come. There is a way to release the spirit of the dead, that is, by the power and authority of the priesthood-by binding and loosing on earth.

This doctrine appears glorious inasmuch as it exhibits the greatness of divine compassion and benevolence in the extent of the plan of human salvation. This glorious truth is well calculated to enlarge the understanding and to sustain the soul under troubles difficulties, and distresses. For illustration the speaker presented by supposition the case of two men, brothers, equally intelligent, learned, virtuous, and lovely walking in uprightness and in all good conscience, so far as they had been able to discern duty from the muddy stream of tradition, or from the blotted page of the book of nature. One dies and is buried, having never heard the gospel of reconciliation; to the other the message of salvation is sent, he hears and embraces it, and is made the heir of eternal life. Shall the one become a partaker of glory and the other be consigned to hopeless perdition? Is there no chance for his escape? Sectarianism answers, None! none!! none!!! Such an idea is worse than atheism. The truth shall break down and dash in pieces all such bigoted Pharisaism; the sects shall be sifted, the honest in heart brought out, and their priests left in the midst of their corruption.

The speaker then answered the objections urged against the Latter Day Saints for not admitting the validity of sectarian baptism, and for withholding fellowship from sectarian churches. It was like putting new wine into old bottles, and putting old wine into new bottles. What! new revelations in the old churches! New revelations knock out the bottom of their bottomless pit. New wine into old bottles! The bottles burst and the wine runs out. What! Sadducees in the new church! Old wine in new leathern bottles will leak through the pores and escape; the Sadducee saints mock at authority, kick out of the traces, and run to the mountains of perdition, leaving the long echo of their braying behind them.

The speaker then contrasted the charity of the sects in denouncing all who disagree with them in opinion, and in joining in persecuting the saints, with the faith of the saints, who believe that even such may be saved in this world and in the world to come, (murderers and apostates excepted.)

This doctrine, he said, presents in a clear light the wisdom and mercy of God in preparing an ordinance for the salvation of the dead, being baptized by proxy, their names recorded in heaven, and they judged according to the deeds done in the body. This doctrine was the burden of the Scriptures. Those saints who neglect it, in behalf of their deceased relatives, do it at the peril of their own salvation.

The dispensation of the fullness of times will bring to light the things that have been revealed in all former dispensations, also other things that have not been before revealed. He shall send Elijah the prophet etc., and restore all things in Christ.

The speaker then announced, "There shall be no more baptisms for the dead until the ordinance can be attended to in the font of the Lord's house; and the church shall not hold another General Conference until they can meet in said house; for thus saith the Lord!"

Closed by prayer by President Hyrum Smith; adjourned for one hour.

P. M. Conference opened by the choir singing hymn 105, and prayer by Bro. Lyman Wight.

Bro. B. Young addressed the elders at some length, on the importance of teaching abroad the first principles of the gospel, leaving the mysteries of the kingdom to be taught among the saints. Also on the propriety of the elders, many of them, remaining at home, and working on the Lord's house; and that their labors will be as acceptable to the Lord as their going abroad, and more profitable for the church, that those who go abroad must take a recommend from the proper authorities without which they will not be fellowshipped, and that those who go and those who remain make consecrations more abundantly than heretofore.

Bro. Lyman Wight followed with remarks of a similar purport, resigning his mission of gathering means for the buildings.

Bro. B. Young called upon the conference to appoint a committee to petition Congress for redress of wrongs and injuries received in Missouri.

On motion Elias Higbee, John Taylor, and Elias Smith were appointed said committee.

On motion Elder John Taylor was appointed to present said petition at the city of Washington.

Closed by choir singing hymn 125, and prayer by Elder John Smith.

Monday, 4th, a. m. Conference opened by the choir singing hymn 183 and prayer by Bro. George Smith.

President Joseph Smith made a lengthy exposition of the condition of the temporal affairs of the church, the agency of which had been committed to him at a General Conference in Quincy, explaining the manner that he had discharged the duties involved in that agency, and the condition of the lands and other property of the church.

On motion, Resolved that Elder Reuben McBride be vested with power of attorney to go, settle, and if possible close a business concern left in an uncertain condition by Elder Oliver Granger deceased.

Prayer by Bro. L. Wight; adjourned for one hour.

P. M. Conference opened by the choir singing hymn 88 and prayer by Elder John Smith.

Bro. Lyman Wight spoke at some length on the subject introduced in the former part of the day, and on the old debts and obligations that are frequently brought up from Kirtland and Missouri; one of which, in the form of a fifty dollar note, he held in his hand and proclaimed as his text.

On motion, voted viva voce unanime, that the trustee in trust of church property here be instructed not to appropriate church property to liquidate old claims that may be brought forward either from Kirtland or Missouri

Pres. H. Smith presented to the notice of conference some embarrassment growing out of his signing as security a certain obligation in Kirtland in favor of Mr. Eaton.

On motion, voted that church property here shall not be appropriated to liquidate said claim.

Bro. B. Young made some appropriate and weighty remarks on the importance of more liberal consecrations and more energetic efforts to forward the work of building, etc. After purchasing Bro. L. Wight's text, by paying him fifty cents, he tore it in pieces and gave it to the winds, saying, "Go ye and do likewise." Choir sung hymn 104 and President Hyrum Smith closed by prayer. Conference adjourned to meet to-morrow morning nine o'clock.

Tuesday 5th, a. m. Conference opened by the choir singing hymn 274 and prayer by Bro. O. Pratt.

Bro. Orson Pratt, by request of President Joseph Smith, presented and read to the conference a recent letter from Smith Tuttle, Esq., one of the proprietors of the Hotchkiss purchase, in reference to some misunderstanding in the adjustment of their claims, and conciliatory of any hard feelings growing out of such misunderstanding.

Bro. B. Young spoke on the contents of the letter, and expressed his earnest desire that that business might be speedily adjusted, and a proper title obtained by the church. Brothers L. Wight and H. Smith followed with appropriate remarks.

On motion, voted that President Joseph Smith write an answer to Mr. Hotchkiss on the subject of his claim.

On motion by President Joseph Smith, voted that the Twelve write an epistle to the saints abroad to use their influence and exertions to secure, by exchange, purchase, donation, etc., a title to the Hotchkiss purchase.

Bro. B. Young presented an appeal from the Elders' Quorum against Elder John A. Hicks, charging him with a breach of the ordinances of city and of the peace, with falsehood, and with schismatical conversation and behavior, signed by Dimick B. Huntington. After hearing sufficient testimony on his case, On motion conference voted that Elder John Hicks be cut off from the church.

Closed by the choir singing 275th hymn, prayer by B. Young. Adjourned for one hour.

P M. Conference opened by the choir singing hymn 104, and prayer by Bro. O. Pratt.

Bro. O. Pratt read to the conference the minutes of a special conference held in the city of Nauvoo, August 16, 1841.

President Joseph Smith made remarks explanatory of the importance of the resolutions and votes passed at that time.

On motion, voted that this conference sanction the doings of said special conference.

Bro. B. Young proposed to the congregation that those who would take laborers on the Lord's house into their houses to board with them while thus laboring should manifest their willingness by rising and giving their names. About sixty persons arose.

Conference closed by the choir singing hymn 284 and prayer by Bro. B. Young.

Conference adjourned sine die.

Although conference commenced under discouraging circumstances owing to the inclemency of the weather, yet a vast number of brethren and visitors from abroad were present, and on Saturday and Sunday, the weather having become favorable, the congregation was immense. The greatest unanimity prevailed; business was conducted with the most perfect harmony and good feelings, and the assembly dispersed with new confidence in the great work of the last days.

JOSEPH SMITH, President.

ELIAS SMITH, }

GUSTAVUS HILLS,} Clerks.

-Times and Seasons vol. 2, pp. 576-580

saints, a resting place for the church, a habitation for the God of Jacob; for here he has commanded a house to be built unto his name where he may manifest himself unto his people as in former times, when he caused the ark, the tabernacle, and the temple to be reared and the cloud and the fire to rest down thereon; and not that the temple be built only, but that it be completed quickly, and that no more General Conference be held till it shall be held therein; and that the Nauvoo House be finished for the accommodation of the brethren from afar, and the stranger who shall come up hither to inquire after the work of the Lord and worship in his temple. . . .

What then shall we do? Let us all arise and with one united and mighty exertion, by the strength of Israel's God, oppose the powers of darkness, and every being and principle that may rise up against us, and complete the work already commenced. Let us not for a moment lend an ear to evil and designing men, who would subvert the truth and blacken the character of the servant of the Most High God, by publishing abroad that the prophet is enriching himself on the spoils of the brethren. When Bro. Joseph stated to the General Conference the amount and situation of the property of the church, of which he is Trustee in Trust by the united voice of the church, he also stated the amount of his own possessions on earth; and what do you think it was? We will tell you: his old Charley horse, given him in Kirtland; two pet deer; two old turkeys, and four young ones; the old cow given him by a brother in Missouri; his old Major, dog; his wife, children, and a little household furniture;-and this is the amount of the great possessions of that man whom God has called to lead his people in these last days; this is the sum total of the great estates, the splendid mansions and noble living of him who has spent a life of toil and suffering, of privation and hardships, of imprisonments and chains, of dungeons and vexatious suits, and every kind of contumely and contempt ungodly men could heap upon him, and last of all report him as rolling in wealth and luxury which he had plundered from the spoils of those for whose good he had thus toiled and suffered. Who would be willing to suffer what he has suffered and labor near twenty years as he has done, for the wealth he is in possession of?

Brethren, in view of all these things let us be up and doing. Let those in the Eastern States use all diligence in communicating to us their ability to assist in the Hotchkiss payment, being assured that no exertion they can make will equal what has already been made for them and the church generally; and let all the saints come up to the places of gathering, and with their mites and their abundance as God has given them in trust, help to build up the old waste places which have been thrown down for many generations, knowing that when they are completed they will belong unto the people of the Most High God, even the meek, the honest in heart, he shall possess all things in the due time of the Lord. Be not covetous, but deal in righteousness, for what the saints shall not possess by purchase and in righteousness they shall not possess, for no unrighteous thing can enter into the kingdom; therefore beloved brethren, deal justly, love mercy, walk humbly before God, and whatever your hands find to do, do it with your might, keeping all the commandments, and then, whether in life or in death, all things will be

yours, whether they be temples or lands, houses or vineyards, baptisms or enduements. revelations or healings, all things will be yours, for you will be Christ's and Christ is God's.

BRIGHAM YOUNG.

HEBER C. KIMBALL.

ORSON PRATT.

JOHN TAYLOR.

WILFORD WOODRUFF.

GEO. A. SMITH.

WILLARD RICHARDS.

Nauvoo, October 12,1841.

-Times and Seasons vol. 2, pp. 567, 569, 570

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

JOSEPH SMITH, (L. S.)

Witness, John Taylor, John B. Fullmer.-Millennial Star, vol. 18, pp. 741, 742.

HYRUM SMITH, Patriarch for the whole church.

-Times and Seasons vol. 3, p. 589.

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

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

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

This font was built for the baptisms for the dead until the temple shall be finished, when a more durable one will supply its place.-Millennial Star, vol. 18, pp. 743, 744.

LETTER FROM ELDER HYDE.

ALEXANDRIA, Nov. 22, 1841.

Dear Brother Pratt:-A few minutes now offer for me to write, and I improve them in writing to you. I have only time to say that I have seen Jerusalem precisely according to the vision which I had. I saw no one with me in the vision; and although Elder Page was appointed to accompany me there, yet I found myself there alone.

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

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

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

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

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

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

"Be pleased, O Lord, to forgive all the follies, weaknesses, vanities, and sins of thy servant, and strengthen him to resist all future temptations. Give him prudence and discernment that he may avoid the evil, and a heart to choose the good; give him fortitude to bear up under trying

and adverse circumstances, and grace to endure all things for thy name's sake, until the end shall come, when all the saints shall rest in peace.

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

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

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

like doves to their windows. Let the large ships of the nations bring them from the distant isles; and let kings become their nursing fathers, and queens with motherly fondness wipe the tear of sorrow from their eye.

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

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

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

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

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

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

"Do thou arise in the majesty of thy strength and make bare thine arm in behalf of thy people. Redress their wrongs, and turn their sorrow into joy. Pour the spirit of light and knowledge, grace and wisdom,

into the hearts of her prophets, and clothe her priests with salvation. Let light and knowledge march forth through the empire of darkness, and may the honest in heart flow to their standard, and join in the march to go forth to meet the Bridegroom.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Your brother in Christ

ORSON HYDE

P. S.-Mr. Gager died on the 15th instant, at four o'clock in the afternoon.

-Times and Seasons vol. 3, pp. 739-742.

As is customary on like occasions, it now becomes my duty to say a few words to the friends and patrons of the Times and Seasons, by way of farewell address.

When I look back and survey the scenery through which this church has passed, for the short space of three years, it is impossible to find words to express my feelings-to recollect that three years this present month many thousands of the members of this church were compelled to leave their peaceful and happy firesides, to sacrifice all the enjoyments of a sweet and pleasant home, which they had purchased with their own money and made comfortable by the labor of their own hands, to flee for their lives, and seek protection in a strange land, among strangers,-all to satisfy the avarice and hellish desire of an infatuated mob, and to obey the order of a second Nero, who then acted as Governor of a, said to be, free and sovereign State-all conspire to fill the mind with solemnity and sad recollections of bygone days.

It is not, however, my intention at present to dwell at length upon these things, more than to draw the contrast between those days and the present.

In the summer of 1839, having a few months previous emerged from

the confines of a Missouri prison, where I had been thrust together with about sixty of my brethren, solely because we would not renounce the religion of heaven, Bro. D. C. Smith and myself purchased the remains of a printing establishment, had by the church in Missouri, which had been saved from the ruins by being buried in the earth, and after having carefully extracted the polluted soil of Missouri from the press and type, which, by the by, like ourselves, were none the better for having passed through the scrutinizing ordeal of an ungodly mob, we issued a prospectus for publishing this paper, under circumstances the most adverse possible. The only place we could obtain wherein to put our press was an underground room to an old warehouse, without any floor, and almost destitute of light. Here we succeeded in issuing a few copies of the paper, when disease (which we had contracted while laboring in a damp room) brought us upon our sick beds, and we were compelled to suspend business for several months. However, in the month of November we were permitted, through the blessings of a kind Providence, again to issue the paper, which has been published until the present time without interruption, notwithstanding two good and mighty men have fallen while acting as its editors.

The Times and Seasons is now placed on a permanent basis, with a liberal patronage, and its circulation is daily increasing. The building in which it is published was erected expressly for a printing establishment, with spacious rooms, where each branch can be carried on in its own department, without interfering with the other. The church also is in a flourishing and prosperous condition-more so than at any previous period since its rise; naught but joy and gladness seems to pervade the bosoms of the saints, and peace and happiness attend all their footsteps.

Under these circumstances I now take leave of the editorial department of the Times and Seasons, having disposed of my entire interest in the printing establishment, bookbindery, and stereotype foundry, and they are transferred into other hands. The editorial chair will be filled by our esteemed brother, President Joseph Smith, assisted by Elder John Taylor, of the Quorum of the Twelve, under whose able and talented guidance this will become the most interesting and useful religious journal of the day.

With these considerations I feel confident that the agents and friends of the Times and Seasons will exert themselves to support the press knowing that while it is under the supervision of him whom God has chosen to lead his people in the last days, all things will go right.

With these brief remarks, and a bosom filled with kind and grateful feelings towards all my friends, I will say to the patrons of the Times Farewell. E. ROBINSON.

NAUVOO, February 15, 1842.

-Times and Seasons vol. 3, pp. 695, 696.

SAINT OF THE LAST DAYS.

The building of the temple of the Lord, in the city of Nauvoo, is occupying the first place in the exertions and prayers of many of the saints at the present time, knowing as they do, that if this building is not completed speedily, "we shall be rejected as a church with our dead," for the Lord our God hath spoken it; but while many are thus engaged in laboring, and watching, and praying for this all-important object, there are many, very many more, who do not thus come up to their privilege and their duty in this thing, and in many instances we are confident that their neglect arises from want of proper understanding of the principles upon which this building is founded, and by which it must be completed. . . .

There are individuals who have given nothing as yet, either as tithings or consecration, thinking that they shall be able to do a great deal sometime hence, if they continue their present income to their own use; but this is a mistaken idea. Suppose that all should act upon this principle, no one would do aught at present, consequently the building must cease, and this generation remain without a house, and the church be rejected, then suppose the next generation labor upon the same principle, and the same in all succeeding generations, the Son of God would never have a place on earth to lay his head. Let every individual remember that their tithings and consecrations are required from what they have, and not from what they expect to have sometime hence, and are wanted for immediate use.

All money and other property designed for tithings and consecrations to the building of the temple must hereafter be presented to the Trustee in Trust, President Joseph Smith, and entered at the Recorder's office in the book before referred to; and all receipts now holden by individuals which they have received of the building committee for property delivered to them, must also be forwarded to the Recorder's office for entry, to secure the appropriation of said property according to the original design.

The elders everywhere will instruct the brethren, both in public and in private, in the principles and doctrine set forth in this epistle, so that every individual of the church may have a perfect understanding of his duty and privilege.

BRIGHAM YOUNG.

HEBER C. KIMBALL.

ORSON PRATT.

WILLIAM SMITH.

LYMAN WIGHT.

WILFORD WOODRUFF.

JOHN TAYLOR.

GEO. A. SMITH.

WILLARD RICHARDS.

Nauvoo, Illinois, December 13, 1841.

-Times and Seasons, vol. 3, pp. 625-627