| 535 I am in no way connected with the Mormon Church, but am disposed to listen to reason in all cases. I have heretofore been a warm advocate of the measures of the whig party, but considering General Smith's views and sentiments to be worthy the applause of every citizen of the United States, and especially the yeomanry of the country, I in every instance advocate his principles, and use my utmost influence in his favor.
I am, Sir Yours, in haste.
AN AMERICAN.
Nauvoo Mansion, May 1.2, 1844
TIMES AND SEASONS.
CITY OF NAUVOO,
MONDAY, MAY 15, 1844
FOR PRESIDENT,
GEN. JOSEPH SMITH,
NAUVOO, ILLINOIS.
We are obliged to defer the continuation of the conference minutes until our next publication, as we deem it of the highest importance to give Gen. Smith's "views" as extensive a circulation as possible, and on account of other important matter which has overrun our columns.
We take pleasure in announcing to the saints abroad that Nauvoo continues to flourish, and the little one has become a thousand. Quite a number of splendid houses are being erected, and the Temple is rapidly progressing; insomuch [inasmuch] that there is one expectation, that before next winter closes in upon us, the topstone will have been raised, and the building inclosed [enclosed].
The saints continue to flock together from all parts of this wide spread continent, and from the islands of the sea. Three ships' company have arrived this spring from England, and are now rejoicing in the truths of the everlasting gospel. The prophet is in good health and spirits, and unwearied in his anxiety and labors to instruct the saints in the things of God and the mysteries of the kingdom of Jesus Christ. Indeed, we may truly say that those who come to scoff, remain to pray. Many have come here filled with prejudice and strange anticipations, but have been convinced that report is false with her thousand tongues, and have almost invariably left a testimony behind them. Instead of finding Mr. Smith the cunning, crafty and illiterate character that he had been represented to be, they have found in him the gentleman and scholar; frank, open, generous, and brave. But it is his immediate connexions [connections] and associates alone, that can appreciate his virtues and his talents. While his face is set as a flint against iniquity from every quarter, while the cries of the oppressed ever reaches his heart, and his hand is ever ready to alleviate the suffering of the needy.
A few artless villians [villains] can always be found who are watching for his downfall or death, but the Lord has generally caused them to fall into their own pit, and no weapon formed against him has prospered. One or two disaffected individuals have made an attempt to spread dissension, but it is like a tale that is nearly told, and will soon be forgotten. It was first represented as a monster calculated to scatter desolation around, but we are credibly informed by a person who attended their first meeting that there was much difficulty in raising a committee of seven, for there was some objection to Father--, but as none could be found to fill the vacuum, he constituted one of the seven stars!!
It will be unnecessary for us to say much about those luminaries of the last days, as they shine forth in their true colors in our columns this week, in the trial of President Smith. But to say anything by way of warning to the brethren abroad, would resemble the "ocean into tempest tossed to waft a feather or to drown a fly. By their fruits ye shall know them. Do men gather grapes of thorns or figs of thistles?
The glad tidings of salvation and the fulness [fullness] of the gospel are fast spreading from city to city, and from nation to nation. The little stone will still increase till the knowledge of God covers the earth, and righteousness and truth extend from pole to pole.
NOTICE.
We are authorised [authorized] to state that the difficulty heretofore existing between Elder William Smith, one of the "Twelve," and Elder John Horner has been settled. Elder Horner has therefore had his license restored to him again, and is satisfied that opposition to the constituted authorities of the church is bad policy; it being the bounden duty of the laboring elders abroad to sustain, strengthen, and confirm those who have been placed in authority by the new and everlasting covenant.
The above is agreeable to my feelings.
JOHN M. HORNER.
Nauvoo, May 10, 1844.
CONFERENCES.
There will be a conference held at the branch of the church in Westfield, Stokes county, N. C., on the 10th and 11th days of August, also
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