Chapter XXV

The General Conference of the Church at Nauvoo--Doctrinal Sermon by the Prophet--Baptism for the Dead--Angels and Ministering Spirits--Epistle of the Twelve Reviewing Status of the Church.

[Sidenote: Suit Against Geo. M. Hinckle.]

George M. Hinckle, who robbed my house in Far West while I was in prison, passing down the river with a flat boat, I commenced suit against him before the District Court, now sitting at Burlington, Iowa. I sent Elias Smith, and Geo. W. Gee to attend to the suit; but Hinckle gave security, and got it put off till spring.

Day stormy and cold, a few assembled, but conference did not organize.

I received a letter from Benjamin Winchester, requesting to be excused from accompanying Elder Erastus Snow on his mission to Salem, Massachusetts, on account of ill health and pecuniary embarrassments, and expressing his conviction that Elder John E. Page had means enough to accompany Elder Orson Hyde to Jerusalem.

_Saturday, October 2, 1841_.

_Minutes of the General Conference of the Church Held at Nauvoo_.

Conference met in the Grove. The Presidency being absent laying the
corner stone of the Nauvoo House, the meeting was called to order
by President Brigham Young; the several quorums were arranged and
seated in order.

President Brigham Young opened conference by prayer.

The conference then made choice of President Joseph Smith to
preside, and Elias Smith and Gustavus Hills, Clerks. Meeting
adjourned until 2 p. m.

Prayer by Orson Pratt.

{424} _2 p. m_., President Joseph Smith opened the meeting. Choir
sung the 18th hymn.

The President then read a letter from Elder Orson Hyde, dated
Ratisbon, July 17, 1841, giving an account of his journey 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 Robert B. Thompson, deceased.
James Sloan was nominated and elected.

Elder Lyman Wight nominated Bishop George Miller to preside over
the High Priests' quorum in place of Don Carlos Smith, deceased. He
was duly elected.

President Brigham Young then presented the business commenced at
the late special conference of the 16th of August with regard
to the appointment of suitable and faithful men to the several
important stations of labor in this and other countries.

Elder Lyman Wight addressed the conference on the importance of
order, uniformity of instruction, and unanimity of effort to spread
the work of the kingdom.

President Joseph Smith made some corrections of doctrine, quoting
I Cor. xii: 28, showing the principle of order and unity in the
offices of the Priesthood.

The Patriarch Hyrum Smith made remarks disapproving of the course
pursued by some Elders in counteracting the efforts of the
presidency to gather the Saints, and in enticing them to stop in
places not appointed for the gathering, particularly referring to
the conduct of Elder Almon W. Babbitt of Kirtland.

Elders Lyman Wight, and Henry W. Miller testified that they had
traveled in places where Elder Babbitt had been, on his return
from his visit to Nauvoo, [he had] taught doctrine contrary to the
revelations of God, and detrimental to the interests of the Church.

Moved and carried that Elder Almon W. Babbitt be disfellowshiped
until he shall make satisfaction.

Choir sang Hymn 124. Prayer by Elder George A. Smith.

Conference adjourned until tomorrow at nine o'clock.

_Sunday, 3_.

Conference assembled in Nauvoo according to adjournment; prayer by
Elder Heber C. Kimball.

President Joseph Smith, by request of the Twelve Apostles gave
instructions on the doctrine of baptism for the dead, which were
listened {425} to with intense interest by the large assembly. He
presented baptism for the dead as the only way that men 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 kindred into the kingdom of God.

He explained the 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
sepulchre) 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.

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 [i. e. personage], Jesus Christ went
in body after His resurrection, to minister to resurrected bodies.
There has been a chain of authority and power from Adam down to the
present time.

The best 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 in the world to come. There is a way to release
the spirits of the dead; that is by the power and authority of
the Priesthood--by binding not 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, suppose the case of two men,
brothers, equally intelligent, learned, virtuous and lovely,
walking in uprightness and in all good conscience, so far as they
have 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 {426} embraces it, and is made the heir of eternal
life. Shall the one become the partaker of glory and the other be
consigned to hopeless perdition? Is there no chance for his escape?
Sectarianism answers "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.

Many objections are urged against the Latter-day Saints for not
admitting the validity of sectarian baptism, and for withholding
fellowship from sectarian churches. Yet to do otherwise would
be like putting new wine into old bottles, and putting old wine
into new bottles. What! new revelations in the old churches? New
revelations would 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. So 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.

He then referred to the [lack of] charity of the sects, in
denouncing all who disagree with them in opinion, and in joining in
persecuting 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 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, &c., and restore all
things in Christ.

President Joseph Smith then announced: "There shall be no more
baptisms for the dead, until the ordinance can be attended to in
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_!"

Prayer by President Hyrum Smith.

Adjourned for one hour.

Afternoon conference opened by the choir singing hymn 105, and
prayer by Elder Lyman Wight.

President Brigham 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, {427} also on the propriety of many of the Elders 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 fellowshiped; and that those who go, and those who remain make
consecrations more abundantly than heretofore.

Elder Lyman Wight followed with remarks of a similar purport;
resigning his mission of gathering means for the Temple and Nauvoo
House.

The conference appointed Elias Higbee, John Taylor, and Elias
Smith, to petition Congress for redress of wrongs sustained in
Missouri; and Elder John Taylor to present the petition.

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

Conference assembled on the morning of Monday, the 4th.

Prayer by Elder George A. 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 the agency,
and the conditions of the lands and other property of the Church.

On motion, resolved: that Elder Reuben McBride be invested with
power of attorney to settle the business at Kirtland, left in an
uncertain condition by Elder Oliver Grange, deceased.

Prayer by Elder Lyman Wight.

Adjourned for one hour.

Afternoon conference opened. Prayer by President John Smith.

Elder 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 $50 note, he held in his hand, and
proclaimed it as his text.

On motion, voted unanimously, that the trustee-in-trust be
instructed not to appropriate Church property to liquidate old
claims that may be brought forward from Kirtland and Missouri.

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

Voted, that Church property here shall not be appropriated to
liquidate said claim.

President Brigham Young made some appropriate and weighty remarks
on the importance of more liberal consecrations and more {428}
energetic efforts to forward the work of building the Temple and
Nauvoo House; and after purchasing Elder Wight's text, by paying
him fifty cents, tore it in pieces and gave it to the winds,
saying, "Go ye and do likewise, with all old claims against the
Church."

Choir sang hymn 104, and President Hyrum Smith closed by prayer.

_Tuesday, 5th_. Conference opened by the choir singing hymn 274,
and prayer by Elder Orson Pratt.

Elder Orson Pratt, by request of President Joseph Smith, read a
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.

President Brigham Young spoke on the contents of the letter, and
expressed his earnest desire that the business might be speedily
adjusted, and a proper title obtained by the Church.

Elders Lyman Wight and Hyrum Smith followed with appropriate
remarks.

On motion, voted, That President Joseph Smith write to Mr.
Hotchkiss on the subject.

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, &c., a title
to the Hotchkiss purchase.

President Brigham Young presented an appeal from the decision of
the Elders' quorum on a charge made against Elder John A. Hicks by
Dimick B. Huntington for a breach of the ordinances of the city,
for falsehood and schismatical conversation. After hearing the
testimony in the case it was voted that Elder John A. Hicks be cut
off from the Church.

Closed by the choir singing hymn 275; prayer by President Brigham
Young.

Adjourned for one hour.

Afternoon conference opened by the choir singing hymn 104, and
prayer by Elder Orson Pratt, who then read the minutes of a special
conference held in 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.

President Brigham Young proposed to the congregation, that those
who would take laborers on the Lord's House to board, while thus
laboring, should manifest their willingness by rising and giving
their names. About sixty persons arose.

{429} Conference closed by the choir singing hymn 284, and prayer
by President Brigham Young.

Conference adjourned _sine die_.

Although the conference commenced under discouraging circumstances
owing to the inclemency of the weather, yet a vast number of the
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.

An earthquake at Constantinople, occasioning extensive destruction of property.

Elder Joseph Beebee writes from New York that he has been preaching in that city, and has baptized twenty-nine.

_Wednesday, 6_.--Elder Woodruff arrived in Nauvoo.

Elders Kimball, Richards, and Woodruff laid hands on President Young, who was very sick, and he recovered.

_Thursday, 7_.

_Minutes of a Meeting of the Council of the Twelve_.

Elders Brigham Young, Heber C. Kimball, Orson Pratt, Lyman Wight,
John Taylor, Wilford Woodruff, and Willard Richards, of the quorum
of the Twelve Apostles, assembled in council at the house of Elder
John Taylor. Voted, that

Elder John D. Lee go on a mission to Jackson and Rutherford
counties, Tennessee.

Elder David Evans, to Augusta, Iowa Territory.

Elder Elisha H. Groves, to Iowa county, Wisconsin.

Elder Hiram Clark, to Pike, Brown, and Adams counties, Illinois.

Elder Joseph Ball, to South America.

Elder Harrison Sagers, to Jamaica.

Elder William Bosley, to Utica, New York.

Elder Amasa Lyman, to New York City.

Elder Arza Adams to Kingston, Canada.

Elder Lyman Stoddard, to go with Elisha H. Groves to Wisconsin.

{430} Elder Phinehas H. Young, to Cincinnati, Ohio.

Elder Abraham Palmer, to Chicago, Illinois.

Elder George W. Gee, to Pittsburg, Pennsylvania.

Elder James Blakesley, to Nauvoo, Illinois.

Elder John D. Parker, to New Orleans, Louisiana.

Voted, that Phinehas H. Young be ordained to a High Priest and
recommended accordingly.

That Daniel Garns be nominated for president of the Elders' quorum.

That a conference be held at Father Morley's, at Lima, on Saturday
and Sunday, the 23rd and 24th instant.

That a committee of three, namely, Brigham Young, Willard Richards,
and John Taylor be a committee to draft an address to the eastern
churches, as directed by the general conference.

Adjourned to Bishop Miller's tomorrow evening at 6 o'clock.

Brigham Young, President.

Willard Richards, Clerk.

_Saturday, 9_.

_Copy of a Letter to Smith Tuttle, Esq.--The Hotchkiss Land
Troubles_.

Dear Sir:--Your kind letter of September was received during our
conference, which is just over, containing a full and particular
explanation of everything which gave rise to some feelings of
disappointment in relation to our business transactions; and I
will assure you it has allayed on our part every prejudice. It
breathes the spirit of kindness and truth. I will assure you that
we exceedingly regret that there has been any ground for hardness
and disappointment. But as far as I am concerned, I must plead
innocent, and you will consider me so, when you come to know all
the facts. I have done all that I could on my part. I will still do
all that I can. I will not leave one stone unturned.

Now the facts are these: I sent my brother Hyrum, and Doctor
Galland with means in their hands--say not money--but with power to
obtain either property or money which was necessary to enable them
to fulfill the contract I made with Mr. Hotchkiss. My brother Hyrum
was under the necessity of returning to this place on account of
his ill health, leaving the business in the hands of Dr. Galland,
with the fullest expectation that he would make over the property
or money to Mr. Hotchkiss, and make everything square so far as the
interest is concerned, if not the principal. He was instructed to
pay the interest that had accrued, and should accrue up to the fall
of 1842, so as to be in advance of our indebtedness.

{431} I had also made arrangements with the eastern churches, and
had it in my power to deed over lands for the whole debt, and had
expected that an arrangement of that kind would have been entered
into.

I am well assured that Dr. Galland did not look for any means
whatever, to pay the interest at any rate, if not the principal;
and, why he has not done according to my instructions, God only
knows. I do not feel to charge him with having done wrong, until I
can investigate the matter, and ascertain to a certainty where the
fault lies. It may be through sickness or disaster, this strange
neglect has happened. I would to God the thing had not happened.

When I read Mr. Hotchkiss' letter, I learned that he was
dissatisfied. I thought that he meant to oppress me, and felt
accordingly mortified and sorrowful in the midst of affliction, to
think that he should distrust me for a moment that I would not do
all that was within my power.

But upon having an explanation of the whole matter, my feelings are
changed, and I think that you all have had cause for complaining.
But you will in the magnanimity of your good feelings, certainly
not blame me when you find that I have discharged an honorable duty
on my part.

I regret exceedingly that I did not know some time since what I
now know, that I might have made another effort before it got so
late. Cold weather is now rolling in upon us. I have been confined
here this season by sickness, and various other things that were
beyond my control; such as having been demanded by the governor of
Missouri, of the governor of this state, and he did not have moral
courage enough to resist the demand, although it was founded in
injustice and cruelty. I accordingly was taken prisoner, and they
put me to some ten or eleven hundred dollars' expense and trouble,
such as lawyer's fees, witnesses, &c., &c., before I could be
redeemed from under the difficulty. But I am now clear of them once
more.

And now in contemplating the face of the whole subject, I
find that I am under the necessity of asking a little further
indulgence--say, till next spring, so that I may be enabled to
recover myself, and then, if God spares my life, and gives me power
to do so, I will come in person to your country, and will never
cease my labors until the whole matter is completely adjusted to
the full satisfaction of all of you. The subject of your debt was
fairly presented before our general conference held on the first of
this month, consisting of ten thousand people for their decision on
the wisest and best course in relation to meeting your demands.

The Twelve, as they are denominated in the _Times and Seasons_
were ordered by the conference to make arrangements in the Eastern
branches of the Church, ordering them to go to you and turn over
their {432} property as you and they might agree, and take up our
obligations and bring them here, and receive property here for
them; and I have been ordered by the conference to write this
letter to you, informing you of the measures which are about to be
taken to make all things right.

I would inform you that Dr. Galland has not returned to the western
country as yet. He has a considerable amount of money in his hands,
which was to have been paid to you, as we intended. He is on his
way, for aught we know, and is retarded in his journey by some
misfortune or other. He may return, however, as yet, and give a
just and honorable account of himself. We hope this may be the
case. I am sorrowful on account of your disappointments. It is a
great disappointment to me, as well as to yourselves.

As to the growth of our place, it is very rapid, and it would be
more so, were it not for sickness and death. There have been many
deaths, which leaves a melancholy reflection, but we cannot help
it. When God speaks from the heavens to call us hence, we must
submit to His mandates.

And as for your sincerity and friendship, gentlemen, we have not
the most distant doubt of it. We will not have any. We know it is
for your interest to do us good, and for our welfare and happiness
to be punctual in fulfillment of all our vows, and we think for the
future you will have no cause for complaint. We intend to struggle
with all our misfortunes in life, and shoulder them up handsomely,
like men.

We ask nothing, therefore, but what ought to be required between
man and man, and by those principles which bind man to man, by
kindred blood, in bearing our own part in everything which duty
calls us to do, as not inferior to any of the human race; and we
will be treated as such, although we differ with some in matters
of opinion in things (viz., religious matters), for which we only
feel ourselves amenable to the Eternal God. And may God forbid that
pride, ambition, a want of humanity, in any degree of importance,
should have any unjust dominion in our bosoms.

We are the sons of Adam. We are the free born sons of America, and
having been trampled upon, and our rights taken from us--even our
constitutional rights, by a good many who boast themselves of being
valiant in freedom's cause, while their hearts possess not a spark
of its benign and enlightening influence--will afford a sufficient
excuse, we hope, for any harsh remarks that may have been dropped
by us, when we thought there was an assumption of superiority
designed to gall our feelings.

We are very sensitive as a people--we confess it: but we want to
be pardoned for our sins, if any we have committed. With regard to
the {433} time when the first payment of interest should be called
for, it appears we misunderstood each other, but suffice it to
say, that it shall not prevent our making arrangements concerning
the whole matter. It is still, however, my firm conviction that my
understanding concerning the interest was correct.

I remain, gentlemen, with sentiments of respect, yours, &c.,

Joseph Smith.

_Monday, 10_.--The Twelve met for the purpose of counsel, and spent most of the day in visiting the sick.

Elder Erastus Snow writes from Northbridge, Massachusetts. He had been laboring in Salem and vicinity four weeks, organized a branch of thirty members, and the prospects are flattering.

_Tuesday, 12_.

_An Epistle of the Twelve Apostles, to the Brethren Scattered
Abroad on the Continent of America, Greeting_:

Beloved Brethren:--It seemeth good to us to write unto you at this
time concerning the great things of the kingdom of our God, and
more especially as we have been called upon by the late general
conference so to do, that the work may not be hindered, but that
all may understand their privilege and duty in this day of glorious
events, so that by exercising themselves therein, they may attain
unto those blessings which God has in store for His people in the
last days.

We have abundant occasion, and we rejoice exceedingly at the
privilege we have had of beholding so many thousands of our
brethren and sisters as were assembled at the late conference;
and for the perfect harmony and good feeling which prevailed
throughout all their deliberations; for the great amount of
valuable instructions by President Joseph Smith and others; and
for the disposition which we have seen manifested, by all who were
present, to carry into effect all those noble plans and principles
which were derived from heaven, and have been handed down to earth
to carry forward the great and glorious work which is already
commenced, and which must be consummated to secure the salvation of
Israel.

While the minutes of the general conference are before you, which
will be read with interest by every lover of Zion, we shall
recapitulate some items, and detail more particularly to the
understanding of those who had not the privilege of being present
on that interesting occasion, {434} the past, present and future
situation and prospects of the Church, and the stakes, and those
things which immediately concern their best interests.

A short time since, and the Saints were fleeing from their enemies.
Whippings, imprisonments, tortures, and death stared them in the
face, and they were compelled to seek an asylum in a land of
strangers. They sought, they found it within the peaceful bosom
of Illinois--a state whose citizens are inspired with a love of
liberty, whose souls are endowed with those noble principles of
charity and benevolence which ever bid the stranger welcome, and
minister to his wants; in this state, whose soil is vieing with
its citizens in all that is good and lovely, the Saints have found
a resting place where, freed from tyranny and mobs, they are
beginning to realize the fulfillment of the ancient prophets--"They
shall build houses and inhabit them, plant vineyards and eat the
fruit thereof, having none to molest or make afraid."

In this city, the Church has succeeded in securing several
extensive plats of land, which have been laid out in city lots, a
part of which have been sold, a part has been distributed to the
widow and orphan, and a part remains for sale. These lots are for
the inheritance of the 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.

Scores of brethren in this city have offered to board one and two
laborers each, till the temple is completed, many have volunteered
to labor continually, and the brethren generally are giving
one-tenth part of their time, or one-tenth part of their income,
according to circumstances; while those sisters who can do nothing
more, are knitting socks and mittens, and preparing garments for
the laborers, so that they may be made as comfortable as possible
during the coming winter. In view of these things we would invite
our brethren for many miles distant around us, to send in their
teams for drawing stone, lumber, and materials for the building;
and at the same time load their wagons with all kinds of grain
and meat, provisions, and clothing, and hay, and provender in
abundance, that the laborer faint not, and the teams be made
strong; also that journeymen stonecutters, &c., come, bringing
their tools with them, and enlist in the glorious enterprise.

{435} Most of the plats in this city before referred to, as well
as several farms and large lots of land in this, and adjoining
counties are paid for, and secured to the Church by good and
sufficient titles; while the town plat for the town of Warren,
near Warsaw, is secured on such conditions that the brethren can
be accommodated with lots on very reasonable terms; but the large
plat in Nauvoo, purchased of Messrs. Hotchkiss, Tuttle & Co., of
New Haven, Connecticut, remains unpaid for, and the time has now
arrived, when it is very desirable on the part of the Church, as
well as on the part of the gentlemen of whom it was purchased,
that payment should be made, and a warrantee title secured; to
accomplish which we have been called upon by the united voice of
the general conference to address the churches in the eastern
states, to advise with the brethren in those regions, and devise
ways and means whereby this debt may be liquidated, Hotchkiss & Co.
satisfied, the plat secured to the Church, and the brethren in the
East at the same time transfer their real estate from the place
where it now is, to this city or region of country, according to
their desire.

The contract for the "Hotchkiss purchase" in Nauvoo, consisting
of upwards of five hundred acres, was entered into on or about
the 9th of August, 1839, for the specified sum of fifty-three
thousand five hundred dollars, and security was given to Messrs.
Horace R. Hotchkiss, Smith Tuttle and John Gillet, for the amount
of the same, in two notes of equal amount, one payable in ten
years, and the other in twenty years from the date thereof; signed
by Messrs. Hyrum Smith, Joseph Smith and Sidney Rigdon. In August
last interest to the amount of six thousand dollars or upwards
had accumulated on said notes, which it has not been in the power
of the Church to pay up to the present time. The nature of this
purchase and the situation of the Church is such, that it is
necessary that the notes should be taken up, the interest stopped,
and a warrantee title secured immediately; a correspondence is now
in progress with Messrs. Hotchkiss and Co., to effect this thing,
and bring forward a final settlement.

But, say you, what can we do to accomplish this great and desirable
object? Let the brethren in the eastern states who have lands which
they wish to dispose of, so that they may remove hither, and secure
to themselves an inheritance among the Saints either in the cities
or farms in the vicinity, and are willing to have their lands in
the East made over to Messrs. Hotchkiss and Co. towards the payment
of the foregoing notes, communicate with us immediately, at this
place, stating to us the extent and value of their property.

Then, as soon as we shall have received communications concerning
property, sufficient to cancel the obligations, and the necessary
preliminaries are understood with Messrs. Hotchkiss and Co.,
we will dispatch {436} an agent to New Haven to complete the
negotiation, transfer your property, take up the notes and secure
a deed; and those whose property is thus transferred can have the
value thereof here in city lots or lands in the vicinity; and thus
your property will prove to you as good as money, inasmuch as you
desire to emigrate; and you will no longer be obliged to tarry
afar off because that money is so scarce you cannot sell and get
your pay. If there are those among you to whom God has given in
abundance, and they desire to appropriate some portion thereof
for the benefit of His people, for the redemption of Zion, for a
blessing to the widows of those who have been slain for the word
of God,--and been buried in a well,--for a sustenance to their
fatherless children, and provide for them a habitation, they
cannot do it more effectually than by devoting a portion of their
sustenance toward liquidating this claim.

To those brethren who live so far distant that they cannot send
in their loaded teams, and yet desire to assist in building the
Lord's house, we would say, gather yourselves together and bring
of your substance, your silver, and gold, and apparel, and of your
superabundance cast into the treasury of the Lord, and see if He
will not pour you out a blessing till there is not room enough to
receive it.

Brethren, the blessings of the kingdom are for you, for the body of
Christ, for all the members, and God will help those who will help
themselves, and bless those who will bless each other, and do as
they would be done unto. The gold and the silver is the Lord's; all
the treasures of the earth, the flocks and the herds of the fields,
and the cattle on the thousand hills are His; if He were hungry,
would He crave thy food, or thirsty, would He ask thy drink? Nay!
He would only ask that which was His own, He would feast on His own
flocks and quench His thirst at His own springs. This God is the
God of the Saints, He is your God and He has made you stewards of
all that has been committed to you, and will require His own with
usury, and will you not be faithful in a little, that you may be
made rulers over many cities? Yes, you will, we know you will.

The journeyings, and gatherings and buildings of the Saints are
nothing new, and as they are expecting, looking and praying for the
completion of the dispensation of the fullness of times, they must
also expect that their progress will be onward, or they will be
of no avail, for what is not of faith is sin, and can you believe
that God will hear your prayers and bring you on your journey,
gather you and build your houses, and you not put forth your hand
or make one exertion to help yourselves? No. Therefore, inasmuch
as the Saints believe that Father Abraham journed to a distant
land at the command of the Highest, where himself and household,
(whose household we are if we keep the commandments) might enjoy
the fruits of their labors unmolested, {437} and worship the God
of heaven according to the dictates of their own conscience and
His law; that his seed afterwards gathered to Canaan, the land of
promise; that the people of God were commanded to build a house
where the Son of Man might have a place to lay his head, and the
disciples be endowed with power from on high, and were with one
accord in one place; they must also believe that this dispensation
comprehends all the great works of all former dispensations; and
that the children must gather as did the fathers, must build a
house where they may be endowed, and be found together worshiping
and doing as their fathers did when Jehovah spake, and the angels
of heaven ministered unto them; and if these things are not in this
generation, then we have not arrived at the dispensation of the
fullness of times as we anticipate, and our faith and prayers are
vain.

Is it possible that we labor in vain and toil for nought, and that
we shall be disappointed at the last? No! We know assuredly that
the set time to favor Zion has come, and her sons and daughters
shall rejoice in her glory. The time has come when the great
Jehovah would have a resting place on earth, a habitation for
His chosen where His law shall be revealed, and His servants be
endowed from on high, to bring together the honest in heart from
the four winds; where the Saints may enter the baptismal font for
their dead relatives, so that they may be judged according to men
in the flesh, and live according to God in the spirit, and come
forth in the celestial kingdom; a place over which the heavenly
messengers may watch and trouble the waters as in days of old, so
that when the sick are put therein, they shall be made whole; a
place wherein all the ordinances shall be made manifest, and the
Saints shall unite in the songs of Zion, even praise, thanksgiving
and hallelujahs to God and the Lamb, that He has wrought out their
deliverance, and bound Satan fast in chains.

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 Brother 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 (a horse) given him in
Kirtland, two pet deer, two old turkeys and four young ones, the
old cow given him by a {438} brother in Missouri, his old Major,
(a 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 lawsuits, 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,
they 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 gently, 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 endowments, 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,

Lyman Wight,

John Taylor,

Wilford Woodruff,

George A. Smith,

Willard Richards.

Nauvoo, October 12, 1841.

{439}