| 631 among the members of this church whose boast is: that they have prophets, apostles and revelators to guide them, while the sectarians have not. Nor are the rich alone to blame in these matters; for many of the poor either stop on the road, or come here and go away again, as they say through poverty or necessity. But if they are not prospered abroad, they excuse themselves because they have no means to settle here; and if they are prospered, then they are doing so well that they think that they had better stay where they can do the best;-and they are led on by worldly schemes, and by drunkenness and whoredom, till they care nothing for the Lord, or his saints. Scores and hundreds of young ladies come here, or start to come, and either on their way, or after they arrive, are led away and corrupted; and are finally made servants or wives to some unbelieving rascal who fears not God or regards man; and others still more wicked and unfortunate, loose [lose] their character entirely, in St. Louis, Warsaw, or some other place, where they are placed in houses of ill fame and made merchandize [merchandise] of, for fear lest they should come to Nauvoo and be deluded; while thousands on thousands stay for years in their native land and profess all the while to believe that God has commanded the church to come together.
Again, many who do come and stay here among the saints, come more with a view of being helped to a living, while they pray, and sing, and tattle, and hear and tell news, than of entering into the strict rules of persevering industry and economy, in order to procure the comforts of life.
Again; merchants, lawyers, doctors, mechanics, and others who are not of our faith, and only here in our midst for speculation, or something worse, are supported and even made rich while our real friends are neglected, and compelled to seek employment and support in other and distant towns.
Many persons are here who stand still, and are in a great measure idle, who do not take half the pains to establish themselves in business, which they would be willing to do in St. Louis, in Lowell, in Salem, or in Boston.
What is the result of all these operations and proceedings? The answer is obvious. Our city is impoverished, and many go hungry and destitute. Our people are scattered and not prepared to defend their freedom and their rights. Mobs prowl around us, and overpower us, and vex and murder at pleasure, and we are in danger of being scattered and driven.
Then a general murmur commences from these same covetous, unbelieving and disobedient saints.
They say, it cannot be that God has called ua [us] together to suffer hunger and poverty without the means of support, and why, (if this is his work,) does he not defend us from our enemies, and give us peace and plenty. Thus God and his servants have to bear the blame for all the consequences of their disobedience and neglect; while they scatter from the rest like wild quails, or pheasants; and crying as they go: 'the work of the Lord has failed, and the revelations of his prophets are falsified.
O ye Latter Day Saints! how oft would Jesus have gathered you as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, but ye would not.
So much for those who would not.
But there are thousands who would be gathered under the wing of the Almighty, and who have strove from the beginning to keep his commandments and to be counselled [counseled] by his servants.
What shall we say to them?
We say dear brethren and sisters; you have suffered much, because of false brethren and traitors, and the hypocrite and the covetous.-But, persevere without discouragement; for God Almighty will gather you under his wing: and Jesus will lead you and deliver you from all trouble and wipe all tears from your eyes. Therefore, be of good cheer; and endure in faithfulness unto the end.
As to the church at large, at home and abroad, if they will now repent of all these evils, and come together as the heart of one man; and be governed by counsel, and seek to employ themselves and each other, and to support and build up in perfect union, according to the plan of heaven; they shall be saved; and no power shall scatter or destroy them; but if not, behold your house is left unto you desolate, and the kingdom of God shall come with power for the deliverance of those who will do these things.
I am as ever, your affectionate
and humble servant, who loves
you so well that he dares tell
you the truth. P. P. PRATT.
TO THE SAINTS.
Whereas Elders James J. Strang and Aaron Smith have been circulating a "revelation." (falsely called) purporting to have been received by Joseph Smith on the 18th of June, 1844: and through the influence of which they have attempted and are attempting to establish a stake, called Voree, in Wisconsin Territory, thereby leading the saints astray: therefore, the said James J. Strang and Aaron Smith are cut off from the church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, this 26th day of August, 1844.
By order of the Council of the Twelve.
W. RICHARDS, Clerk.
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