| 577 many of the brethren stepped forward to their rescue, and not only expended all they possessed for the relief of suffering innocence, but gave their notes and bonds to obtain more means with which to help those who could not escape from the overwhelming surge of banishment from all that they possessed on earth.
Deaths, wounds, and sickness, from the mob, and the cold and shelterless situation of the brethren, followed in quick succession; and all the means which could possibly be obtained from each other, in addition to the noble charities of the citizens of Illinois, were brought in requisition to sustain a remnant of the saints, who now mostly inhabit this place. To accomplish this the president and bishops loaned [borrowed] money and such things as could be obtained, and gave their obligations in good faith for the payment of the same; and many of the brethren signed with them at different times and in different places to strengthen their hands and help them carry out their designs, fully expecting that, at some future day, they would be enabled to liquidate all such claims to the satisfaction of all parties.
Many of these claims have already been settled, many have been given up as canceled by those who held them, and many yet remain unsettled. The saints have had many difficulties to encounter since they arrived at this place. In a new country, destitute of houses, food, clothing, and nearly all the necessaries of life, which were rent from them by an unfeeling mob, having to encounter disease and difficulties unnumbered, it is not surprising that the church has not been able to liquidate all such claims, or that many individuals should yet remain involved, from the foregoing circumstances; and while things remain as they are, and men remain subject to the temptations of evil as they now are, the day of release and year of jubilee cannot be; and we write you especially at this time, brethren, for the purpose of making a final settlement of all such claims, of brother against brother, of the brethren against the presidency and bishops, etc., etc.-claims which have originated out of the difficulties and calamities the church has had to encounter, and which are of long standing, so that when the temple is completed there will be nothing from this source to produce jars and discords, strifes and animosities, so as to prevent the blessings of heaven from descending upon us as a people.
To accomplish this most desirable object we call on all the brethren who hold such claims to bring them forward for a final settlement; and also those brethren who have individual claims against each other, of long standing, and the property of the debtor has been wrested from him by violence, or he has been unfortunate and languished on a bed of sickness till his means are expended; and all claims whatsoever between brother and brother, where there is no reasonable prospect of a just and equitable settlement possible, that they also by some means, either by giving up their obligations or destroying them, see that all such old affairs be adjusted so that it shall not give occasion for difficulties to arise hereafter. Yes, brethren, bring all such old accounts, notes, bonds, etc., and make a consecration of them to the building of the temple, and if anything can be obtained on them it will be obtained, and if nothing can be obtained when the temple is completed we will make a burnt offering of them, even a peace offering, which shall bind the brethren together in the bonds of eternal peace, and love, and union; and joy and salvation shall flow forth into your souls, and you shall rejoice and say, It is good that we have hearkened unto counsel and set our brethren free, for God hath blessed us.
How can we prosper while the church, while the Presidency, while the bishops, while those who have sacrificed everything but life, in this thing, for our salvation, are thus encumbered? it cannot be. Arise
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