| 329 and blessings, and things concerning ourselves in eternity, which we cannot conceive of, unless revealed to us. We have made very little proficiency in some of these things, compared with what the Hebrew church had. Paul says, Heb. XII: 22, 24; "But ye are come unto Mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels."-"And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel." Those saints by faith, diligence, and perseverance, had come into the presence of angels, the spirits of just men made perfect, to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to God the judge of all. They had witnessed his glory, seen his power, associated with his angels, beheld the spirits of just men made perfect, and had the heavens opened to their view. These were men of like passions with us, encompassed about with infirmities and weakness, but by faith, virtue, perseverance, had attained those blessings, and have left us a pattern that we should treat in their steps.
We repeat it again, it would be more wise for us to seek God in his own appointed way, than to puzzle ourselves about questions that we cannot understand. How do we know, but that men, in this day, may be similarly situated with Paul, in his day? He said that he was 'caught up into the third heavens, and saw things which were not lawful for man to utter.' But it may be said they were heavenly pure, glorious, and why not lawful? We must leave Paul to answer that question, and content ourselves with knowing that he has said it;-and if God was to reveal himself in these days to persons, as he did to Paul, there might be something too great, incomprehensible and mysterious for man in general to understand, and for society to be acquainted with; it might be as unlawful to utter now, as in Paul's day; and might, by coming in contact with their prejudices, prepossessions and habits, prove a stumbling-block, even to the Latter Day Saints. But if we act wisely, prudently and judiciously, and walk in the steps of Paul, we may obtain the same intelligence, in the same way, and then instead of stumbling at others, or being ourselves a stumbling-block, 'our path will be that of the just which shineth brighter and brighter, unto the perfect day;' and after warring a good warfare, by patient continuance in well doing, we 'shall be crowned with glory, honor, immortality, and eternal life.'
TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN.
Know all men by these presents, before whom this may come, that elder GEORGE J. ADAMS, is fully authorized and required from this time forth to travel from place to place, to raise money by donations, contributions, or collections, both from the Saints, and all honorable men of the earth, to assist in building the Temple of the Lord at Nauvoo: and he is empowered to give a receipt for the same; and our prayer is, that the God of Israel will open the hearts of the people, that they may give liberally to assist in rolling forth the purposes of God in the last days: and all those who give, shall receive the blessings of god, and be rewarded in this world, and the world to come.
We subscribe ourselves your brethren in the bonds of the gospel
JOSEPH SMITH,
HYRUM SMITH.
Presidents of the
Church of Jesus Christ of
Latter Day Saints
Nauvoo, October 14th, 1843.
It will be seen that the date of the Conference minutes, and that of the paper, disagree. We thought that our readers would be wishful to have them in this number, and have, therefore, published them. As our hands are now all well, we hope, in a few weeks, to have all the numbers complete.
MINUTES OF A SPECIAL CONFERENCE.
Of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, held in the City of Nauvoo, commencing on the 6th of October, 1843.
Friday, October 6th, 10 o'clock A. M.
The weather proving unfavorable, the organization of the conference was postponed until the next day at 10 o'clock, A. M.
Saturday, 10 'clock A. M.
Conference assembled and proceeded to business.
President Joseph Smith was called to the chair, and Gustavus Hills chosen clerk.
Opened with singing by the choir, and prayer by elder Almon Babbitt.
The president stated the items of business to be brought before the Conference, to be,
1st. The case and standing of elder Sidney Rigdon, counsellor [counselor] to the First Presidency.
2d. The further progress of the Temple; after which, any miscellaneous business.
Elder Sidney Rigdon addressed the conference on the subject of his situation and circumstances among the saints.
President Joseph Smith addressed the conference, inviting an expression of any charges or complaints which the Conference had to make. He sated his dissatisfaction with elder Sidney Rigdon as a counsellor [counselor], not having received any material benefit from his labors or counsels since their escape from Missouri. Several complaints were then brought forward in reference to his management in the Post Office; a supposed correspondence in connection with John C. Bennett, with Ex-Governor Carlin, and with the
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