Chapter XXXII

The Bennett-Dyer Correspondence--The Prophet's Discourse on the Subject of the Resurrection, and the Salvation of Children--Epistle of the Twelve to the Saints in England Concerning Their Emigration to America.

[Sidenote: Tax Controversy.]

_Wednesday, March 2_.--I read the proof of the _Times and Seasons_, as editor for the first time, No. 9, Vol. III, in which is the commencement of the Book of Abraham; [1] paid taxes to Mr. Bagby, in the general business office for county and state purposes, but refused to pay the taxes in the city and town of Commerce, as the demand was illegal, there being no such place known in law, the city and town of Commerce having been included in the city plat of Nauvoo, but continued by our enemies on the tax list for the purpose of getting more money from the Saints; I commenced a settlement with Gilbert Granger on the estate [Kirtland] of his father, Oliver Granger; and continued in my office till nine in the evening, having received a visit from General Dudley of Connecticut.

_Thursday, 3_.--I attended council in the general business office (over the store) at nine o'clock a. m.

[Sidenote: Attempted Settlement with Gilbert Granger.]

In the afternoon, continued the settlement with Gilbert Granger, but finally failed to effect anything, except to get Newel's note. [2] Granger refused to give up the papers to me, which he had received of his father, the same being Church property, although I presented him deeds, {543} mortgages and paper to the amount of some thousands against his father, more than he had against the Church.

I also wrote Hiram Barney, Esq., of New York, in reply to his letter of the 24th of January, offering him one hundred dollars per acre, for his twenty acres of land in this city, lying somewhere between the Hotchkiss purchase on the north, and Galland's purchase on the south, or to take an agency to sell the same.

[Sidenote: Book of Abraham Fac-simile.]

_Friday, 4_.--At my office exhibiting the Book of Abraham in the original to Brother Reuben Hedlock, so that he might take the size of the several plates or cuts, and prepare the blocks for the _Times and Seasons_; and also gave instruction concerning the arrangement of the writing on the large cut, [3] illustrating the principles of astronomy, with other general business.

Attended city council, and moved "that when property is sold at sheriff's, marshal's or constable's sale under ordinance of this city, the persons having their property sold shall have the privilege of redeeming the same, by paying the principal and fifteen per cent on principal, with cost and charges, within thirty days after sale."

_Saturday, 5_.--Attended the city council, and spoke at considerable length on the powers and privileges of our city charter; among other business of importance, the office of registrar of deeds was established in the city of Nauvoo, and I was chosen registrar by the city council.

_Sunday 6_.--I preached at Elder Orson Spencer's near the Temple.

_Monday, 7_.--At the general business office. Peter Melling, the Patriarch from England, brought to the office cash $13.47 1/2, and clothing $65 from Parley P. Pratt and Amos Fielding, of England; I transacted much general business and wrote the mayor as follows:

{544} _Letter of the Prophet to John C. Bennett--on Bennett's
Correspondence Anent Slavery_.

Editor's Office, Nauvoo, Illinois, March 7, 1842.

_General Bennett_:

Respected Brother:--I have just been perusing your correspondence
with Doctor Dyer, on the subject of American slavery, and the
students of the Quincy Mission Institute, and it makes my blood
boil within me to reflect upon the injustice, cruelty, and
oppression of the rulers of the people. When will these things
cease to be, and the Constitution and the laws again bear rule? I
fear for my beloved country--mob violence, injustice and cruelty
appear to be the darling attributes of Missouri, and no man taketh
it to heart! _O tempora! O mores_! What think you should be done?

Your friend,

Joseph Smith.

_Correspondence between Dr. C. V. Dyer and General J. C. Bennett_.
[4]

Chicago, January 3, 1842.

Dear Sir:--I am not sure that I am not indebted to you for your
last letter, not having answered it, as I remember. But as I
have been very sick during the long interval of my silence, you
will readily excuse any apparent neglect on my part. I thank you
for your paper sent me, the _Times and Seasons_, and have got
much information from it, and since that, from other sources, in
relation to the outrages committed upon the Latter-day Saints by
the authorities as well as the people of the state of Missouri;
and my blood boiled with indignation to see the whole Christian
world--and the whole political world, too, look tamely on, and
never raise a warning voice--a voice of expostulation, nor even
giving the facts in the case! O what outrages will not be allowed
or winked at by those in authority, and the people generally, if
they happen to be inflicted upon those who bear an {545} unpopular
name, espouse an unpopular cause, and are poor and obscure! It
seems as if we had again fallen upon the middle ages, when the
privileged classes could pour out their sympathies by the hour,
and the very circumstantial and minute details of the loss of
the life, or any other serious evil that befell one of their own
number; but they could write [of] of hear without emotion, and
even with satisfaction and joy, the history of the massacre of a
thousand defenseless women and children, if they belonged to the
common sort of people. Just read, for example, Madame de Sevigne's
account in a letter to her daughter, dated "Aux Rochers," 30
Oct., 1675, in the second volume of De Toquerville's Democracy in
America. What, my dear sir, do you think of the treatment which the
subject of American slavery receives at the hands of the American
press--amongst the people generally, and especially in the halls
of Congress? What think you of the sentencing of three men from
the Quincy Mission Institute in this state, a short time since,
to twelve years confinement in the penitentiary of Missouri, for
no crime at all, or only such as God would regard as a virtue?
Please look into this matter, and see if you cannot join with the
benevolent and fearless, and call the attention of the nation or
the state, to these outrages of Missouri, I send you a paper, and
mark one of the pieces for your perusal. Read it. I do not know
whether you have examined the whole subject of American slavery;
but if you have not, I beseech you to do so, and let me hear from
you. Is it not sin? Yes. Then is it not right to repent of it? Yes.
When? God allows not a moment. Is not repentance and abandonment
of sin safe, so long as God commands, and stands ready to look
after the consequences? Certainly so. Well, can any court, either
state or national, rob me of liberty for twelve years (even against
their own state laws), for acting precisely in accordance with the
letter and spirit of the Constitution of the United States, and the
precepts of Jesus Christ? Is it to be submitted to tamely, that
three men shall be immured in a dungeon for twelve years, torn from
their families and friends, and from society and usefulness, for
barely teaching a fellow being how to go to a place where he may
learn the sciences--have his own wages, aye, and his own person?
Let me hear from you. Have we not a right to sympathize with each
other?

I am, very sincerely, your friend and obedient servant,

Charles V. Dyer.

_Gen. John C. Bennett_.

Nauvoo, Hancock county, Illinois.

Nauvoo, Ill., January 20th, A. D. 1842.

Dear Sir:--Yours of the 3rd inst., accompanied by the _Genius
of Liberty_, containing the address of Alvin Stewart, Esq., is
before me, {546} and I seize upon this, the first, opportunity to
reply. You refer me to Madame de Sevigne's letter to her daughter,
dated "Aux Rochers," 30th Oct., A. D. 1675, in the second volume
of De Toquerville's Democracy in America; and ask me to examine
the subject of American slavery. I have done so: I gave it a full
and fair investigation years ago--I swore in my youth that my
hands should never be bound nor my feet fettered, nor my tongue
palsied--I am the friend of liberty, "Universal liberty," both
civil and religious. I ever detested servile bondage. I wish to see
the shackles fall from the feet of the oppressed, and the chains of
slavery broken. I hate the oppressor's grasp, and the tyrant's rod;
against them I set my brows like brass, and my face like steel; and
my arm is nerved for the conflict. Let the sons of thunder speak,
achieve victories before the cannon's mouth, and beard the lion in
his den; till then the cry of the oppressed will not be heard; till
then the wicked will not cease to trouble, nor the weary bondman be
at rest. Great God, has it come to this--that the free citizens of
the sovereign state of Illinois can be taken and immured within the
walls of a Missouri penitentiary for twelve long years, for such a
crime as God would regard as a virtue! simply for pointing bondsmen
to a state of liberty and law! and no man take it to heart? Never,
no never, no never! Let the friends of freedom arise and utter
their voice, like the voice of ten thousand thunders--let them take
every constitutional means to procure a redress of grievances--let
there be a concerted effort, and the victory is ours. Let the broad
banners of freedom be unfurled, and soon the prison doors will be
opened, the captive set at liberty, and the oppressed go free.
Missouri will then remember the unoffending Mormons in the days
of their captivity and bondage--when murder and rapine were her
darling attribute,--why, my heart is filled with indignation, and
my blood boils within me, when I contemplate the vast injustice and
cruelty which Missouri has meted out to that great philanthropist
and devout Christian, General Joseph Smith, and his honest and
faithful adherents--the Latter-day Saints, or Mormons; but the
time has passed, and God will avenge their wrongs in His own good
time. Dr. Dyer, put your hand upon your heart, and remember Zion.
Just investigate the wrongs which our people have suffered in their
unprecedented privations, the confiscation of their property, and
the murder of their friends--the persecutions of the Waldenses in
former ages were not to be compared to it, and history affords
not a parallel. Now let us make a strong, concerted, and vigorous
effort, for Universal Liberty, to every soul of man--civil,
religious and political. With high considerations of respect and
esteem, suffer me to subscribe myself,

Yours respectfully,

_Charles V. Dyer, M. D_. John C. Bennett.

{547} P. S. Gen. Smith informs me that there are white slaves in
Missouri [5] (Mormons) in as abject servitude as the blacks, and
we have, as yet, no means of redress! God grant that the day of
righteous retribution may not be procrastinated.

J. C. B.

_Letter of John C. Bennett to Joseph Smith--Anent the Dyer-Bennett
Correspondence_. [6]

Mayor's Office, City of Nauvoo, Illinois,

March 8, A. D., 1842.

_Esteemed Friend_:

Yours of the 7th inst. has been received, and I proceed to reply,
without undue emotion or perturbation. You ask, "When will these
things cease to be, and the Constitution and the laws again
bear rule?" I reply--once that noble bird of Jove, our grand
national emblem, soared aloft, bearing in her proud beak the
words "Liberty and Law," and that man that had the temerity to
ruffle her feathers, was made to feel the power of her talons; but
a wily archer came, and with his venomed arrow dipped in Upas'
richest sap, shot the flowing label from the eagle's bill--it
fell inverted, and the bird was sick, and is--the label soon was
trampled in the dust--the eagle bound and caged. The picture is
now before you in bold relief. What think you should be done? The
master spirits of the age must rise and break the cage, restore
the label, unbind the bird, and let her tower unfettered in the
air--then will the nation have repose, and the present minions of
power hide their faces in the dust. Many of Missouri's noble sons
detest her acts of cruelty and crime, and gladly would they wipe
them from the escutcheon of her fame, and will; yes they will lend
a helping hand--and all must help, for the time is at hand--and if
man, rebellious, cowardly, faltering man, will not do the work,
the thunderings of Sinai will wind up the scene--the blood of the
murdered Mormons cries aloud for help, and the restoration of the
inheritances of the Saints; and God has {548} heard the cry--and
the moral battle must be fought, and the victory won, he who
answers by fire will cause sword and flame to do their office,
and again make the Constitution and the laws paramount to every
other consideration--and I swear by the Lord God of Israel, that
the sword shall not depart from my thigh, nor the buckler from my
arm, until the trust is consummated, and the hydra-headed, fiery
dragon slain. This done the proud southron will no longer boast of
ill-gotten gain, or wash his hands in the blood of the innocent, or
immure the freemen of the prairie State within Missouri's sullied,
poisoned, deathly prison walls. Let us always take refuge under the
broad folds of the Constitution and the laws, and fear no danger,
for the day of vengeance will assuredly come when the Omnipotent
hand of the Great God will effect the restitution of the trophies
of the brigand victories of Missouri, and again place the Saints on
high.

Yours respectfully,

John C. Bennett.

_General Joseph Smith_.

_Tuesday, 8_.--Recommenced translating from the Records of Abraham for the tenth number of the _Times and Seasons_, and was engaged at my office day and evening.

_Wednesday, 9_.--Examining copy for the _Times and Seasons_, presented by Messrs. Taylor and Bennett, and a variety of other business in my office, in the morning; in the afternoon continued the translation of the Book of Abraham, called at Bishop Knight's and Mr. Davis', with the recorder, and continued translating and revising, and reading letters in the evening, Sister Emma being present in the office.

I also wrote Edward Hunter, as follows--

_Letter of the Prophet to Edward Hunter--Business Transactions_.

Dear Sir:--I yesterday had the pleasure of receiving your letter of
February 10. Am much pleased that you have effected a sale, and are
so soon to be with us, &c.

I have purchased the lands you desired, and will use my influence
to have the improvements made which you wish. Brother Weiler
received your letter and says he will do what he can to have all
done.

The eight hundred dollars for the Temple and Nauvoo House, I wish
you to bring in goods, for which I will give you stock and credit
as soon as received.

I wish you to invest as much money as you possibly can in goods, to
{549} bring here, and I will purchase them of you when you come, if
we can agree on terms; or you can have my new brick store to rent.
I wish the business kept up by some one in the building, as it is
a very fine house, and cost me a handsome amount to build it. Some
eight or ten thousand dollars worth of goods would be an advantage
to this place; therefore, if you or some of the brethren, would
bring them on, I have no doubt but that I can arrange for them in
some way to your or their advantage.

As to money matters here, the State Bank is down, and we cannot
tell you what bank would be safe a month hence. I would say that
gold and silver is the only safe money a man can keep these times,
you can sell specie here for more premium than you have to give;
therefore there would be no loss and it would be safe. The bank you
deposit in might fail before you had time to draw out again.

I am now very busily engaged in translating, and therefore cannot
give as much time to public matters as I could wish, but will
nevertheless do what I can to forward your affairs. I will send you
a memorandum of such goods as will suit this market.

Yours affectionately,

Joseph Smith.

_Thursday, 10_.--Gave instructions concerning a deed to Stephen Markham, Shadrack Roundy, and Hiram Clark, and letter of attorney from Miss Smith to Edward Hunter, and did a great variety of business; rode out; and in the evening attended trial at Brother Hyrum's office, the City of Nauvoo _versus_ Amos Davis, for indecent and abusive language about me while at Mr. Davis' the day previous. The charges were clearly substantiated by the testimony of Dr. Foster, Mr. and Mrs. Hibbard, and others. Mr. Davis was found guilty by the jury, and by the municipal court, bound over to keep the peace six months, under $100 bond; after which I retired to the printing office with Emma, and supped with the Twelve and their wives, who were spending the evening with Sister Hyde.

_Friday, 11_.

_Extract from the Legion Minutes_.

The Nauvoo Legion was on parade, commanded by Lieutenant-General
Joseph Smith in person. Several of the Twelve Apostles rode in
{550} the general staff as Chaplains. The line was formed at ten
o'clock, a. m., and soon the Legion marched from their usual place
of parade, below the Temple, to Water-street, in front of General
Smith's house, where the troops were inspected, and after a recess
marched west on the bank of the river, and taking a circuitous
route, resumed their usual post on the parade ground, and closed
the day in good order and with good feelings, and to the full
satisfaction of the Commander-in-Chief.

_Extract of High Council Minutes_.

In the evening President Smith attended the trial of Elder Francis
Gladden Bishop, at his (the president's) house. Elder Bishop
appeared before the High Council of Nauvoo on complaint of having
received, written, and published or taught certain "revelations"
and doctrines not consistent with the Doctrine and Covenants of the
Church. Mr. Bishop refusing to present the written "revelation" the
Mayor, (John C. Bennett) issued his warrant and brought them before
the council, when parts of the same were read by Mr. Bishop himself
to council, the whole mass of which appeared to be the extreme of
folly, nonsense, absurdity, falsehood and bombastic egotism--so
much so as to keep the Saints laughing, when not overcome by sorrow
and shame. President Joseph explained the nature of the case and
gave a very clear elucidation of the tendency of such prophets and
prophesyings, and gave Mr. Bishop over to the buffetings of Satan
until he shall learn wisdom. After a few appropriate observations
from Patriarch Hyrum and some of the council, the council voted
unanimously that Francis Gladden Bishop be removed from the
fellowship of the Church; President Joseph having previously
committed the "revelation" above referred to, to the flames.

_Saturday, 12_.--I presided over a court-martial of the officers of the Nauvoo Legion at my own house, for the purpose of deciding upon the rank and station of the several officers, and the more perfect organization of the Legion.

_Sunday, 13_.--I was with my family.

_Monday, 14_.--Transacted a great variety of business at the office.

_Tuesday, 15_.--I officiated as grand chaplain at the installation of the Nauvoo Lodge of Free Masons, at the Grove near the Temple. Grand Master Jonas, of Columbus, being present, a large number of people assembled {551} on the occasion. The day was exceedingly fine; all things were done in order, and universal satisfaction was manifested. In the evening I received the first degree in Free Masonry in the Nauvoo Lodge, assembled in my general business office.

Some time previous to this [March 15th] Sister Elizabeth Morgan died at London without medical aid, after calling for the Elders, &c., which created much excitement, and a coroner's inquest was called by Mr. Baker, who brought in a verdict of "natural death."

_The Prophet Becomes Editor of the Times and Seasons_.

This paper commences my editorial career: I alone stand responsible
for it, and shall do for all papers [i. e. Nos. of the _Times and
Seasons_,] having my signature henceforward. I am not responsible
for the publication or arrangement of the former paper; the matter
did not come under my supervision.

Joseph Smith.

We extract the following from the New York _Tribune_:

_Honor Among Thieves_.

"The paymaster of the Missouri Militia, called out to put down the
Mormons some two years since, was supplied with money some time
since, and started for Western Missouri, but has not yet arrived
there. It is feared he has taken the Saline slope."

We are not surprised that persons who could wantonly, barbarously,
and without shadow of law, drive fifteen thousand men, women and
children from their homes, should have among them a man who was so
lost to every sense of justice, as to run away with the wages for
this infamous deed; it is not very difficult for men who can blow
out the brains of children; who can shoot down and hew to pieces
our ancient veterans who fought in defense of our country, and
delivered it from the oppressor's grasp; who could deliberately and
in cold blood, murder men and rob them of their boots, watches,
&c., and whilst their victims were yet weltering in their blood,
and grappling with death, proceed to rob the widows' houses. Men
who can deliberately do this, and steal nearly all the horses,
cattle, sheep, hogs, and property of a whole community, and drive
them from their homes _en masse_, in an {552} inclement season of
the year, will not find many qualms of conscience in stealing the
pay of his brother thieves, and taking the "Saline slope." The very
idea of Government paying these men for their bloody deeds, must
cause the sons of liberty to blush, and to hang their harps upon
the willow, and make the blood of every patriot run chill.

The proceedings of that state have been so barbarous and inhuman
that our indignation is aroused when we reflect upon the scene. We
are here reminded of one of the patriotic deeds of the government
of that state, who after they had robbed us of everything we had in
the world, and taken from us many hundred thousand dollars' worth
of property, had their sympathies so far touched (_alias_ their
good name) that they voted two thousand dollars to the relief of
the "_suffering Mormons_," and choosing two or three of her noblest
sons, to carry their heavenly boon, these angels of salvation
came in the plentitude of their mercy and in the dignity of their
office to Far West. To do what? To feed its hungry and clothe its
naked with the $2,000? Verily nay! but to go into Daviess county
and steal the Mormons' hogs (which they were prohibited themselves
from obtaining under penalty of death) to distribute among the
destitute, and to sell where they could obtain the money. These
hogs thus obtained were shot down in their blood and not otherwise
bled; they were filthy to a degree. These, the Mormons' own
hogs, and a few goods, the sweepings of an old store in Liberty,
were what these patriotic and noble-minded men gave to the "poor
Mormons," and then circulated to the world how sympathetic,
benevolent, kind and merciful the Legislature of the State of
Missouri was, in giving two thousand dollars to the "suffering
Mormons." Surely "the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel."

_Wednesday, March 16_.--I was with the Masonic Lodge and rose to the sublime degree.

_Thursday, 17_.--The High Council withdrew the hand of fellowship from Elder Oliver Olney for setting himself up as a prophet, and took his license.

[Sidenote: Origin of the Female Relief Society.]

I assisted in commencing the organization of "The Female Relief Society of Nauvoo" in the Lodge Room. Sister Emma Smith, President, and Sister Elizabeth Ann Whitney and Sarah M. Cleveland, Counselors. I gave much instruction, read in the New Testament, and Book of Doctrine and Covenants, concerning the Elect Lady, and showed that the elect meant to be elected to a certain work, &c., and {553} that the revelation was then fulfilled by Sister Emma's election to the Presidency of the Society, she having previously been ordained to expound the Scriptures. Emma was blessed, and her counselors were ordained by Elder John Taylor.

_Friday, 18 and Saturday 19_.--At home and at my office engaged in business, temporal and spiritual.

_Sunday, 20_.--I preached to a large assembly in the grove, near the Temple on the west. The body of a deceased child of Mr. Windsor P. Lyon being before the assembly, changed my design in the order of my remarks.

[The following is a brief synopsis of the Prophet's remarks, by
Elder Wilford Woodruff:]

_The Prophet's Sermon on Life and Death; the Resurrection and the
Salvation of Children_.

President Smith read the 14th chapter of Revelation, and said--We
have again the warning voice sounded in our midst, which shows
the uncertainty of human life; and in my leisure moments I have
meditated upon the subject, and asked the question, why it is that
infants, innocent children, are taken away from us, especially
those that seem to be the most intelligent and interesting. The
strongest reasons that present themselves to my mind are these:
This world is a very wicked world; and it is a proverb that the
"world grows weaker and wiser;" if that is the case, the world
grows more wicked and corrupt. In the earlier ages of the world a
righteous man, and a man of God and of intelligence, had a better
chance to do good, to be believed and received than at the present
day: but in these days such a man is much opposed and persecuted
by most of the inhabitants of the earth, and he has much sorrow to
pass through here. The Lord takes many away, even in infancy, that
they may escape the envy of man, and the sorrows and evils of this
present world; they were too pure, too lovely, to live on earth;
therefore, if rightly considered, instead of mourning we have
reason to rejoice as they are delivered from evil, and we shall
soon have them again.

What chance is there for infidelity when we are parting with
our friends almost daily? None at all. The infidel will grasp
at every straw for help until death stares him in the face, and
then his infidelity takes its flight, for the realities of the
eternal world are resting upon him in mighty power; and when every
earthly support and prop fails him, he {554} then sensibly feels
the eternal truths of the immortality of the soul. We should take
warning and not wait for the death-bed to repent, as we see the
infant taken away by death, so may the youth and middle aged, as
well as the infant be suddenly called into eternity. Let this,
then, prove as a warning to all not to procrastinate repentance,
or wait till a deathbed for it is the will of God that man should
repent and serve Him in health, and in the strength and power of
his mind, in order to secure His blessing, and not wait until he is
called to die.

The doctrine of baptizing children, or sprinkling them, or they
must welter in hell, is a doctrine not true, not supported in Holy
Writ, and is not consistent with the character of God. All children
are redeemed by the blood of Jesus Christ, and the moment that
children leave this world, they are taken to the bosom of Abraham.
The only difference between the old and young dying is, one lives
longer in heaven and eternal light and glory than the other,
and is freed a little sooner from this miserable, wicked world.
Notwithstanding all this glory, we for a moment lose sight of it,
and mourn the loss, but we do not mourn as those without hope.

My intention was to have spoken on the subject of baptism, but
having a case of death before us, I thought proper to refer to that
subject. I will now, however say a few words upon baptism, as I
intended.

God has made certain decrees which are fixed and immovable: for
instance,--God set the sun, the moon, and the stars in the heavens,
and gave them their laws, conditions and bounds, which they cannot
pass, except by His commandments; they all move in perfect harmony
in their sphere and order, and are as lights, wonders and signs
unto us. The sea also has its bounds which it cannot pass. God
has set many signs on the earth, as well as in the heavens; for
instance, the oak of the forest, the fruit of the tree, the herb
of the field--all bear a sign that seed hath been planted there;
for it is a decree of the Lord that every tree, plant, and herb
bearing seed should bring forth of its kind, and cannot come forth
after any other law or principle. Upon the same principle do I
contend that baptism is a sign ordained of God, for the believer in
Christ to take upon himself in order to enter into the kingdom of
God, "for except ye are born of water and of the Spirit ye cannot
enter into the kingdom of God," said the Savior. It is a sign and
a commandment which God has set for man to enter into His kingdom.
Those who seek to enter in any other way will seek in vain; for God
will not receive them, neither will the angels acknowledge their
works as accepted, for they have not obeyed the ordinances, nor
attended to the signs which God ordained for the salvation of man,
to prepare him for, and give him a title to, a celestial glory; and
God had decreed that all who will not {555} obey His voice shall
not escape the damnation of hell. What is the damnation of hell? To
go with that society who have not obeyed His commands.

Baptism is a sign to God, to angels, and to heaven that we do the
will of God, and there is no other way beneath the heavens whereby
God hath ordained for man to come to Him to be saved, and enter
into the kingdom of God, except faith in Jesus Christ, repentance,
and baptism for the remission of sins, and any other course is in
vain; then you have the promise of the gift of the Holy Ghost.

What is the sign of the healing of the sick? The laying on of hands
is the sign or way marked out by James, and the custom of the
ancient Saints as ordered by the Lord, and we cannot obtain the
blessing by pursuing any other course except the way marked out by
the Lord. What if we should attempt to get the gift of the Holy
Ghost through any other means except the signs or way which God
hath appointed--would we obtain it? Certainly not; all other means
would fail. The Lord says do so and so, and I will bless you.

There are certain key words and signs belonging to the Priesthood
which must be observed in order to obtain the blessing. The sign of
Peter was to repent and be baptized for the remission of sins, with
the promise of the gift of the Holy Ghost; and in no other way is
the gift of the Holy Ghost obtained.

There is a difference between the Holy Ghost and the gift of
the Holy Ghost. Cornelius received the Holy Ghost before he was
baptized, which was the convincing power of God unto him of the
truth of the Gospel, but he could not receive the gift of the Holy
Ghost until after he was baptized. Had he not taken this sign or
ordinance upon him, the Holy Ghost which convinced him of the truth
of God, would have left him. Until he obeyed these ordinances and
received the gift of the Holy Ghost, by the laying on of hands,
according to the order of God, he could not have healed the sick or
commanded an evil spirit to come out of a man, and it obey him; for
the spirits might say unto him, as they did to the sons of Sceva:
"Paul we know and Jesus we know, but who are ye?" It mattereth
not whether we live long or short on the earth after we come to a
knowledge of these principles and obey them unto the end. I know
that all men will be damned if they do not come in the way which He
hath opened, and this is the way marked out by the word of the Lord.

As concerning the resurrection, I will merely say that all men will
come from the grave as they lie down, whether old or young; there
will not be "added unto their stature one cubit," neither taken
from it; all will be raised by the power of God, having spirit in
their bodies, and not blood. Children will be enthroned in the
presence of God and the {556} Lamb with bodies of the same stature
[7] that they had on earth, having been redeemed by the blood of
the Lamb; they will there enjoy the fullness of that light, glory
and intelligence, which is prepared in the celestial kingdom.
"Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord, for they rest from their
labors and their works do follow them."

The speaker, before closing, called upon the assembly before him
to humble themselves in faith before God, and in mighty prayer and
{557} fasting to call upon the name of the Lord, until the elements
were purified over our heads, and the earth sanctified under our
feet, that the inhabitants of this city may escape the power of
disease and pestilence, and the destroyer that rideth upon the face
of the earth, and that the Holy Spirit of God may rest upon this
vast multitude.

At the close of the meeting, President Smith said he should attend
to the ordinance of baptism in the river, near his house, at two
o'clock, and at the appointed hour, the bank of the Mississippi
was lined with a multitude of people, and President Joseph Smith
went into the river and baptized eighty persons for the remission
of their sins, and what added joy to the scene was, that the
first person baptized was M. L. D. Wasson, a nephew of Mrs. Emma
Smith--the first of her kindred that has embraced the fullness of
the Gospel.

At the close of this interesting scene, the administrator lifted
up his hands towards heaven, and implored the blessing of God to
rest upon the people; and truly the Spirit of God did rest upon the
multitude, to the joy and consolation of our hearts.

After baptism, the congregation again repaired to the grove, near
the Temple, to attend to the ordinance of confirmation, and,
notwithstanding President Smith had spoken in the open air to the
people, and stood in the water and baptized about eighty persons,
about fifty of those baptized received their confirmation under his
hands in the after part of the day.

While this was progressing, great numbers were being baptized in
the font.

{558} After this, I baptized a large number in the font myself.

_An Epistle of the Twelve to the Church of Jesus Christ of
Latter-day Saints in its Various Branches and Conferences in
Europe. Greeting_:

Beloved Brethren.--We feel it our privilege and a duty we owe
to the great and glorious cause in which we have enlisted, to
communicate to you at this time, some principles which if carried
into effect, will facilitate the gathering of the Saints, and
tend to ameliorate the condition of those who are struggling
with poverty and distress, in this day when the usual means of
support seem to be cut short to the laboring classes, through the
depression that everywhere prevails in the general business mart
of the civilized world. Our situation is such in these last days,
and our salvation spiritually is so connected with our salvation
temporally, that if one fail, the other necessarily must be
seriously affected, if not wholly destroyed. God has made us social
beings; He has endowed us with capacities for enjoying each other's
society, and it is our duty to bring those powers and privileges
into exercise, so far as we can, and for this it is our duty to
strive by all lawful and expedient measures within our reach.

While we remain in this state of existence, we need food and
raiment, habitations and society, and without these our enjoyments
must be greatly limited, and the real object of our existence
diminished, if not wholly destroyed. Though the Saints should
possess all the common gifts of the Spirit of God, and yet remain
destitute of those comforts so much needed for the sustenance of
their bodies, they would be comparatively miserable; but when they
arrive at that state of perfection, and are clothed upon with the
more special gifts and power of increasing the widow's oil and
meal, or if receiving their food from the ravens, like Elijah,
they will not need to bestow so much attention on every trifle of
the passing moments, as they now do; and until that period arrives
they will recollect that to be in the exercise of the fullness of
spiritual blessings they must be watchful and careful to provide
things honest in the sight of all men for the sustenance and
comfort of all these frail, perishable bodies. That we may be
instruments in the hands of God of thus promoting your present and
future temporal and spiritual welfare, we write you at the present
time.

Many of you are desirous of emigrating to this country, and many
have not the means to accomplish their wishes, and if we can assist
you by our prayers and our counsels to accomplish the desires of
your hearts in this thing, so far we will rejoice and be satisfied.
You not only wish to emigrate to this section of the earth, but you
desire also to have some laudable means of comfortable subsistence
after you arrive {559} here, and this also is important. How then,
shall these things be accomplished and your souls be satisfied? We
answer, by united understanding and concert of action.

You all, or most of you, have trades or different kinds of
business, with which you have been long familiarized, and in
which you would like to continue for the purpose of procuring a
subsistence; and a great proportion of your occupation is such that
no employment can be had in this city or vicinity; for instance:
there are no cotton manufactories established here, and many of you
know no other business. You want to come here, and when here, want
to continue your labors in your accustomed branches of business;
but you have no means to get here, and when here there are no
factories, and yet factories are needed here, and there would be a
ready market for all the fabrics which could be manufactured.

Now comes the concert of action; if the Church will arise unitedly;
if the brethren will individually feel that the great work of
the Lord is depending on themselves as instruments to assist in
carrying it forward; and will unite all their means, faith and
energy, in one grand mass, all that you desire can speedily be
accomplished. A short time only will elapse before you yourselves
will be astonished at the result, and you will feel that your
desires are more than realized.

While the Saints are united, no power on the earth, or under
the earth can prevail against them; but while each one acts for
himself, many, very many, are in danger of being overthrown.
God has promised all things to those who love Him and keep His
commandments; then why be afraid that one should get a little more
than another, or that one should gain, for a little moment, what
another might lose; when Jesus has promised that the faithful shall
be one with Him, as He is one with the Father, and shall possess
all things in the due time of the Lord; not by stealth, not by
force, not by the sword, but by the gift of the Father, through
faithfulness to His commands; and the more they shall suffer, while
they work in righteousness on the earth, the greater will be their
reward, the more glorious their kingdom, the more extended their
power, when they shall arrive in the celestial paradise.

Knowing and feeling these things as we do, and having respect unto
the recompense of reward to be revealed hereafter, regardless of
all necessary privation and labor to accomplish what our Master has
given us to do, and desiring not to possess the kingdom alone, but
that all the honest in heart should be united with us in the great
and glorious work of building up Zion and her stakes, we will call
upon you, dear brethren, to unite with us, all with one accord, to
do what? To do the very things you desire should be done; to convey
you to the place where you are, and then put you in possession of
all the means {560} you may need for your support; so that you
may enjoy the fullness of the blessings belonging to the sons and
daughters of Zion's King.

Had we means we would not ask your aid; we would gladly send the
ships of Tarshish to bear you across the great waters, we would
bring you to our homes, to our firesides; we would provide you
habitations, lands and food, when you arrive among us. Our hearts
are large enough to do all this, and a great deal more; but we have
not the means; we have to labor for our own subsistence, as well
as attend to those things which are laid upon us of the Lord, and
which concern the whole Church as much as ourselves.

It is not the will of heaven that any one should be put in
possession of all things without striving for them. Where much is
given, much is required; and he who has but one talent, must be as
diligent in the use thereof as he that has ten, or he will lose his
talent and his blessing; and it becometh him who hath but one, five
or ten, to use them in the most economical manner possible, or he
will not have enough to bring him hither; and that he who hath five
pounds may have enough and to spare to him who hath but one, or in
other words to help the brethren to accomplish with a little what
otherwise would require much more than they can command, is the
object of this Epistle.

Had we the means we would send vessels of our own, laden with
flour, meats, fruits, and all sea stores necessary for the comfort
of the brethren on the water, so that they would have nothing more
to do than go on shipboard, and land at New Orleans; from thence we
would take them on our steamers, and bring them to this place, for
this is the best place for the Saints to stop at for the present.

There may be other places where individuals might have the prospect
of adding at once, more rapidly to their pecuniary interest,
than they could here; but we can only say, it is the will of the
Lord that the Saints build Nauvoo, and settle therein or in the
vicinity; and we know assuredly that those who give heed to every
word that proceedeth out of the mouth of the Lord, will be richer
eventually--and not far distant--than those who may seem to prosper
more by following their own inclinations.

Brethren, we wish not to control you or your means; it is not
for our peace or interest; nay, rather, it is a source of labor,
trouble and anxiety to have ought to do with the pecuniary business
of the Church, which we would gladly avoid, could we do it, and do
our duty--could we do it, and the things desired be accomplished,
and we stand guiltless where God hath placed us--and for this
reason we desire to make such arrangements as will most tend to
leave the business in your own hands, or in the hands of those
whom you shall select; men of your own acquaintance, in whom you
can repose confidence that they will execute {561} their trust
in righteousness. And that our plans may be understood by you,
and carried into execution, we have sent unto you our beloved
brother, Elder John Snyder, the bearer of this Epistle, and other
Epistles also, previously written by us to you; and we beseech you,
brethren, to receive him as a servant of the Most High, authorized
according to the order of the kingdom of heaven, and assist him by
all lawful means in your power, to execute the mission entrusted
to him; for great events depend upon his success; but to none will
they be greater than to yourselves.

Our authority for thus sending Brother Snyder to you, is found in
the "Book of the Law of the Lord," page 36, as follows--

"Nauvoo, December 22, 1841. The word of the Lord came unto Joseph
the Seer; verily thus saith the Lord--Let my servant John Snyder
take a mission to the Eastern continent, unto all the conferences
now sitting in that region, and let him carry a package of epistles
that shall be written by my servants the Twelve, making known unto
the Saints their duties concerning the building of my houses, which
I have appointed unto you, saith the Lord, that they may bring
their gold, and their silver, and their precious stones, and the
box tree, and the fir tree, and all fine wood to beautify the place
of my sanctuary, saith the Lord, and let him return speedily, with
all means which shall be put into his hands: even so. Amen."

In this revelation, the brethren will discover their duty in
relation to the building of the Temple of the Lord in Nauvoo, and
the Nauvoo House; and we call upon them with united cry to give
heed unto the things written, and help to build the houses which
God has commanded, so that Brother Snyder may speedily return
with means to strengthen the hands of the laborers, and adorn and
beautify the Tabernacle of Jehovah.

Brethren, while you are thus preparing to send up your offerings
to this place, if you will act in concert with our well beloved
brother, Elder Parley P. Pratt, and the regularly constituted
authorities of the Church in England; and collect as great an
amount of cotton, linen, and woollen goods, silks, cutlery, and
hardware, &c., even all the varieties of goods which might be
useful in this country, and which can be obtained by the brethren
in this time of monied scarcity, and forward the same to us
by Brother Snyder, or your own agent, in company with him, or
otherwise, and at other times, we will pay you for those goods, in
lands, in or out of the city, in houses, cattle, and such kind of
property as you may need; and with those goods we will purchase
lands, &c., flour, meat, and all things necessary for a sea voyage,
which can be had cheaper here than in England, and charter ships,
and forward the same to England, or such places as emigration may
require, and bring back {562} in return a ship load of emigrants,
at a cheaper rate than they can now emigrate; while, at the
same time, those who remain can continue to collect and forward
merchandize as before, which will give us the means of continuing
our purchases here, of keeping ships passing and repassing, and of
building manufacturing establishments ready for the brethren when
they arrive in our midst.

While the great depression of the moneyed institutions continues
as it now is, the people are compelled to resort to all laudable
measures to effect those exchanges of property which are necessary
to accomplish their designs in removing from one place to another,
and from one kingdom to another; and by a faithful execution of
the plans proposed above, much, very much, may be effected in
emigration without the aid of cash, or with very little, at the
most; and goods may be obtained to advantage for houses and lands
which the brethren may have to dispose of, and in payment of debts
due them, when it would be impossible for them to sell for cash
at any price, or get their pay for debts due them even at a great
discount, and thus thousands and tens of thousands may be made to
rejoice in this land of plenty, while, were it not for a concert
of action, they might remain where they are for years, or never
have the opportunity of appearing among us on this side the great
waters, until the morning of the first resurrection.

But, brethren, we want to see you here. We long to see all here who
want to be here, and none others, for we desire the increase of
those who love God and work righteousness, that Zion's cords may be
lengthened, and her stakes strengthened; though the country is free
to all who will abide her laws, and we have no disposition to cast
out any from our midst who will submit thereto.

For many particulars in relation to the times and course of
emigration, and many other important items connected with the
general and particular interest of the Church, we would refer
you to our former epistles, as to enter into a particular and
minute detail of all items referred to in this epistle, would
be impossible. Brother Snyder will enter into the subject more
minutely, and with the assistance of the presidency among you, will
unfold the same, so that no one need misunderstand.

The brethren need not suppose that this thing is of our own
imagination, simply; or that the result thereof, if fully carried
into execution, will be of doubtful character. We have been
guided by the Spirit of the Lord in our deliberations concerning
the matter; and have been instructed by the Prophet of the Most
High, even Joseph, the Seer and Revelator, for the Church, whose
instructions to us are as the voice of the Lord, and whose
admonitions we ever regard as true and faithful, and worthy the
confidence of al who profess the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

{563} We have been with him in prosperity and adversity, in
sickness and health, in public and private, in all situations
where men may reasonably associate with each other, and know that
his words are true, his teachings sacred, his character unsullied
among men of truth, and that he is what the Church acknowledge him
to be, a man of God, and the spokesman of the Most High unto His
people; and we bear this testimony unto the world, calling on all
the honest in heart to uphold him by their faith and prayers, that
he may live long, enjoy much, and accomplish great things for the
kingdom which he has been the honored instrument of establishing
on the earth in these last days, even that he may lead a great
multitude into the celestial kingdom.

That the Saints may enjoy the teachings of the Prophet; those
teachings which can be had only at this place, so that they may
go on from knowledge to knowledge even to perfection, they want
to come up hither; and that the plans before suggested may by
facilitated, let some individuals with capital come immediately and
build factories--individuals who have the means, understand the
business, and are capable of superintending the concerns thereof.

There is every natural advantage at this place for facilitating
such an order of things; water, wood, and coal in abundance, and
it only wants the hand of the laborer to bring them forth in form
suited to their several uses; and, while the gold and the silver
are secreted by the hands of unprincipled speculators, let us go
forward and accomplish without gold or silver, that which might be
more easily and expeditiously done with it.

Let the brethren ever remember the admonitions we have so often
given, that Zion is not to be built up without labor, fatigue, and
trial of the faith of many; that when John saw the great company on
Mount Zion, he saw those who had come up through great tribulation;
he also saw those who had endured great tribulation after they had
arrived, and before the kingdom was completed.

The Saints of this day are of the number John saw, and those--and
those only who are willing to endure tribulation, as good soldiers,
without murmuring--will eventually find their names enrolled in the
Lamb's Book of Life, and obtain an inheritance in the holy city.

To all those who are desirous of sharing in the poverty and
sufferings incident to new countries and the children of the
kingdom, we would say, come up hither, and help us to bear the
burden, and you shall share the riches, glory and honors of the
kingdom. And those who are not willing to suffer afflictions,
losses, crosses, and disappointments with the people of God, may as
well stay away and be destroyed, as to come here and perish, for
perish they must who cannot abide a celestial law, and endure to
the end in all meekness, patience, and faithfulness.

{564} Inasmuch as Elder Levi Richards has asked for counsel, we
would recommend him to return to Nauvoo, as soon as circumstances
shall permit.

Praying that you may be blessed with wisdom, intelligence, and
perseverance, in every good word and work, so that you may
accomplish your desires, and help to roll on the great work in
which you have enlisted, we subscribe ourselves your brethren and
fellow laborers in the kingdom of patience. Amen.

Brigham Young, President.

Heber C. Kimball,

William Smith,

Orson Pratt,

John E. Page,

Lyman Wight,

Wilford Woodruff,

John Taylor,

Geo. A. Smith.

Willard Richards, Clerk.

City of Nauvoo, Hancock County, Illinois, March 20, 1842.

Footnotes:

1. No. 9 of the _Times and Seasons_ was evidently not published on time, since it is supposed to have been published on March the first, and here is an account of the proofs being read on the second of March.

2. This refers doubtless to Bishop Newel K. Whitney.

3. This refers to Fac-simile No. 2, p. 521, which was published in the _Times and Seasons_ in double page size.

4. The correspondence between Dr. Dyer, Chicago, and Dr. John C. Bennett, referred to in the Prophet's letter above, is thought to be of sufficient importance to be inserted in the body of the History, though heretofore, when the history of the Prophet has been published, it has been omitted. The case of the three men from the Quincy Mission Institute being imprisoned for twelve years; in the Missouri penitentiary "for no crime at all, or only as such us God would regard as a virtue"--"for barely teaching a fellow being," as Dr. Dyer naively put it, "how to go to a place where he may learn the sciences, have his own wages, aye, and his own person." This case was one in which the three men had violated some local law of the state of Missouri against encouraging slaves to leave their masters for the purpose of going into free states as the national fugitive slave law was not then in existence, and was not enacted until 1850.

5. The "slaves" here referred to are explained in an editorial note in the _Times and Seasons_ in which the above correspondence appears (Vol. III, No. 10) to mean children of Mormon parentage still in Missouri--"the children of murdered parents; others of Mormon parents now in this city"--Nauvoo. The charge of their being "slaves" is far-fetched and was made only because of the severe stress of feeling experienced by the Saints when contemplating things that related to Missouri, and some allowance must be made for the bombast, bragadocio and hypocrisy of John C. Bennett.

6. Because of its bearing upon the character of John C. Bennett, as also to complete this Dyer-Bennett correspondence, the letter of John C. Bennett to the Prophet in answer to the note of the latter, introducing this whole correspondence, the following communication is inserted.

7. It must be remembered that the above report of the Prophet's remarks, as also the report of the King Follett sermon (preached in April, 1844, and which will appear in Volume V of this history), where the same matter of infants being enthroned in power while remaining of the same stature as when on earth, and at the time of their death, is mentioned--were reported in long hand and from memory, so that they are very likely to contain inaccuracies and convey wrong impressions. This matter of children after the resurrection remaining of the same stature as at their death is well known to be such an error. The writer of this note distinctly remembers to have heard the late President Wilford Woodruff, who reported the above sermon, say, that the Prophet corrected the impression that had been made by his King Follett sermon, that children and infants would remain fixed in the stature of their infancy and childhood in and after the resurrection. President Woodruff very emphatically said on the occasion of the subject being agitated about 1888-9, that the prophet taught subsequently to his King Follett sermon that children while resurrected in the stature at which they died would develope to the full stature of men and women after the resurrection; and that the contrary impression created by the report of the Prophet's King Follett sermon was due to a misunderstanding of his remarks and erroneous reporting. In addition to this personal recollection of the writer as to the testimony of the late President Wilford Woodruff, the following testimony of Elder Joseph Horne and his wife, M. Isabella Horne, on the same subject is important. The statements here copied were delivered in the presence of President Angus M. Cannon, of the Salt Lake Stake of Zion, and Elder Arthur Winter, at the residence of Brother Horne, in Salt Lake City, on November 19, 1896, and were reported stenographically by Arthur Winter, the Church official reporter.

_Sister M. Isabella Horne said_:

"In conversation with the Prophet Joseph Smith once in Nauvoo, the subject of children in the resurrection was broached. I believe it was in Sister Leonora Cannon Taylor's house. She had just lost one of her children, and I had also lost one previously. The Prophet wanted to comfort us, and he told us that we should receive those children in the morning of the resurrection just as we laid them down, in purity and innocence, and we should nourish and care for them as their mothers. He said that children would be raised in the resurrection just as they were laid down, and that they would obtain all the intelligence necessary to occupy thrones, principalities and powers. The idea that I got from what he said was that the children would grow and develop in the Millennium, and that the mothers would have the pleasure of training and caring for them, which they had been deprived of in this life.

"This was sometime after the King Follett funeral, at which I was present."

_Brother Joseph Horne_ said:

"I heard the Prophet Joseph Smith say that mothers should receive their children just as they laid them down, and that they would have the privilege of doing for them what they could not do here, the Prophet remarked: "How would you know them if you did not receive them as you laid them down?" I also got the idea that children would grow and develop after the resurrection, and that the mothers would care for them and train them."

"We hereby certify that the foregoing is a full, true and correct account of the statements made by Joseph and M. Isabella Horne on the subject mentioned."

Angus M. Cannon.

Arthur Winter.

We have read the foregoing, and certify that it is correct.

Joseph Horne.

M. Isabella Horne.

In the Improvement Era for June, 1904, President Joseph F. Smith in an editorial on the Resurrection said:

"The body will come forth as it is laid to rest, for there is no growth or development in the grave. As it is laid down, so will it arise, and changes to perfection will come by the law of restitution. But the spirit will continue to expand and develop, and the body, after the resurrection will develop to the full stature of man."

This may be accepted as the doctrine of the Church in respect to the resurrection of children and their future development to the full stature of men and women; and it is alike conformable to that which will be regarded as both reasonable and desirable.

{565}