| 456 make it convenient to attend, are requested to be present on the occasion, as there is business of importance to attend to.
As this conference is going to call a multitude of elders together, from different parts, we would remind them of one or two things, and as we always begin with the least first, we would inform them that it would be a good opportunity to forward or bring along subscriptions for the 'Neighbor,' and, 'Times and Seasons,' and they would thereby very much assist the press, and help to spread the principles of intelligence.
Again those who are desirous of forwarding means to the Temple can do so, and help to liberate the hands of the committee, and the Trustee in Trust.
It is in contemplation to devote all our energies to the completion of the Temple this season, and, to let the Nauvoo House stand until the Temple is finished. By a unity of efforts, it is expected that the roof can be put on by next fall, and the building be enclosed.
Another thing that we would remind the brethren of, is that of the Presidential election. Don't forget to mention this thing in your perigrinations [peregrinations]. Tell the people who would be the best man, and the most able statesman; who could stand uncorrupted by bribes, and uninfluenced by power, other than the power of justice, and the cause of right; tell them where they can find a man of morality, purity, and virtue; tell them where they can find a man of sterling integrity, who is governed by the principles of righteousness; a patriot and a philanthrophist [philanthropist], who has both the disposition and moral fortitude to administer justice, and whose delight it would be to administer to the wants of the nation; to 'break of every yoke and to let the oppressed go free.' Use all of your own influence, and get the brethren, in every part to use theirs also. Recollect, for President, GENERAL JOSEPH SMITH.
THE GATHERING.
(continued.)
In speaking of the blessings of the House of Israel, in the last days, one of the greatest blessings is that God will "gather them from among the nations," and restore them to their old possessions, that Jerusalem shall be inhabited in her own place, and that the Jews shall dwell in their own land; this at present is the great hope of the Jews, "that God will yet be favorable to Zion, and remember the outcasts of Jacob." Ezekiel, in speaking upon this subject, says:-
Ezek., xx; 33-42: "As I live, saith the Lord God, Surely with a stretched out arm, and with a fury poured out, will I rule over you: And I will bring you out from the people, and will gather you out of the countries wherein you are scattered, with a mighty hand and with a stretched out arm, and with fury poured out. And I will bring you into the wilderness of the people, and there will I plead with you face to face; like as I pleaded with your fathers in the wilderness of the land of Egypt, so will I plead with you saith the Lord God. And I will cause you to pass under the rod, and I will bring you into the bond of the covenant: and I will purge out from among you the rebels, and them that transgress against me: I will bring them forth out of the country where they sojourn, and they shall not enter into the land of Israel: and ye shall know that I am the Lord. As for you, O house of Israel, thus saith the Lord God; go ye, serve ye every one his idols, and hereafter also, if ye will not hearken unto me: but pollute ye my holy name no more with your gifts, and with your idols. For in mine holy mountain, in the mountain of the height of Israel, saith the Lord God, there shall all the house of Israel, all of them in the land serve me: there will I accept them, and there will I require your offerings, and the first fruits of your oblations, with all your holy things. I will accept you with your sweet savour, when I bring you out from the people, and gather you out of the countries wherein ye have been scattered; and I will be sanctified in you before the heathen. And ye shall know that I am the Lord, when I shall bring you into the land of Israel, into the country for the which I lifted up mine hand to give it to your fathers,"
Isaiah, while wrapped in prophetic vision beheld the same glory. He says:-
Isaiah, xi; 10-1.2: "And in that day there shall be a root of Jesse, which shall stand for an ensign of the people; to it shall the Gentiles seek, and his rest shall be glorious. And it shall come to pass in that day, that the Lord shall set his hand again the second time to recover the remnant of his people, which shall be left from Assyria, and from Egypt, and from Pathros, and from Cush, and from Elam, and from Shinar, and from Hamath, and from the islands of the sea. And he shall set up an ensign for the nations, and shall assemble the outcasts of Israel, and gather together the dispersed of Judah from the four corners of the earth."
It is unnecessary for us to enter into all the scriptural details relative to this subject; the principle is so fully demonstrated in the oracles of truth, that he that runs may read, and
(page 456) |
