| 670 As the business of the conference is now fast crowding upon our time, we must cut short this communication by informing you that an organization and arrangement is now in progress, by which high priests and presiding officers will be appointed over each district of the country, throughout the union, who will have entire charge, under the direction of the Twelve of all spiritual matters, superintending the labors of the elders and the calling of conferences. Arrangements will also be made, for the proper payment and reception of tithing, so that it may be duly received by responsible agents and recorded. Of these particulars you will receive further communication from us soon.
Done in council at Nauvoo, this first day of October, A. D. 1844.
BRIGHAM YOUNG, Pres't.
THE TWO LAST NUMBERS.
The two preceding numbers have been much occupied with the trial of elder Rigdon. This was judged most advisable, in order that the facts and arguments might be spread before the saints. "It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God;" when the saints are the judges of the fact. But let us console ourselves that the judge of all the earth will do right. Every thing formed against Zion must eventually fall, and Zion will flourish upon the hills and in the vallies [valleys]:-after much tribulation comes the blessing. The truth is, religion-old fashioned Abel, Noah, Abraham, Israel, Moses, Shadrach, Meshach, Abednego, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Daniel, Jesus Christ, Apostolic, Mormon religion-is made up of "obedience," come life or death, with crowns for crosses; being ordained to eternal life after sin is overcome. Therefore Brethren, endure, like good soldiers, to the end, and you will be ordained to this highest honor of the priesthood. ETERNAL LIFE!
A WORD OF CONSOLATION.
Owing to the continued illness of some of our hands in the office, this number of the paper has been unavoidably delayed beyond the usual time of publication. In future we hope this will not be the case, but be overcome by punctuality which is always considered, with prompt pay, the life of business.
The October conference minutes, which are very interesting, will occupy a great portion of the next number, and if the Spirit of the Lord animates the souls of his brethren abroad with a pure desire for the spread and benefit of the kingdom of our Savior, as it does ours, there will certainly be a greater degree of unity, joy, peace and satisfaction among the Latter Day Saints than there has been. Polished steel keeps brightest by constant use; so brethren be active, prayrful [prayerful] and charitable, and your light will so shine that others can see as well as you.
DIED-In Brownstown, Michigan, on the 20th of August, last, Elder Joshua R. G. Phelps, aged 31 years.
He was on a mission to Canada, and died in the possession of the latter day faith and knowledge, which the world neither gives nor takes away. His sudden death in the midst of life and usefulness, brings to mind a verse of his, written upon an infant, some years since:-
"What is it comes and stops the breath,
And takes away the spirit?
It is the power of God, by death,
And all the world do fear it."
But the house where the good man meets his fate
Is honor'd more than the haunts of wicked men,
Therefore, 'Blessed are the dead that die in the Lord!'
For when the Lord comes they shall come with him.
Sept. 20th, l844.
NOTICE.
To the saints in Nauvoo and abroad:-
We would say that the penny subscription by the sisters, which has always been conducted and carried on by Mrs. Hyrum Smith, and Mrs. Thompson will still continue, and the payments be made and enclosed as usual with the persons names signed, and for which the Twelve will be responsible.
BRIGHAM YOUNG,
President of the Twelve.
Willard Richards, clerk.
NOTICE.
Elder Benjamin Winchester and his wife are cut off from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, for unchristian like conduct, in slandering the Church, and railing against, and speaking evil of the Twelve and others.
It is with regret that we take this course; as his parents are here in our midst, as firm members of the Church, and willing to do right.-But unpleasant duties must be done, and the authorities, character and the union of the Church be preserved for the salvation thereof.
Done by the authorities of the Twelve and others, in council assembled, at President B. Young's, Nauvoo, Illinois, this 26th day of September. 1844.
WILLARD RICHARDS, clerk.
(page 670) |
