697 will go and do honor to the Lord for this, say amen; and all the people, said amen.
On motion the conference adjourned until the 6th of April next, at 10 o'clock, A. M.
Meeting dismissed by prayer, from Elder H. C. Kimball.
BRIGHAM YOUNG, Pres.
WM. CLAYTON, Clerk.
TIMES AND SEASONS.
CITY OF NAUVOO,
NOVEMBER 1, 1844.
Sidney Rigdon Esq.,-has resuscitated the "Latter-day Saints Messenger and Advocate," at Pittsburg [Pittsburgh], Pa. We understand that through this medium the accessories to the murder of Joseph and Hyrum Smith, with John C. Bennett as the ne plus ultra, will form a union of all the excommunicated members from the church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.-He that cannot endure a kingdom of glory, can go into one of darkness: for there is no space without a kingdom, and no kingdom without a space.
THE TIMES.
A newspaper, to keep pace with the times must be filled up with very curious matter.-Politics of course, must take the first column, first rank, first reading, and chief seat in the parlour [parlor], church and legislative hall. But while this motley group of statesmen, officers, voters, and aspirants, are filling the whole country with music, long speeches, liberty poles and all sorts of shows, defamation, anecdotes, folly, fame and slander, patrole [patrol] the high ways in such elegant meanness, that a wise man cannot tell whether it were better to pity or censure the customs of the Americans of the present day:-
"This bids to serve, and that to fear mankind."
In the midst of all this 'fire and fustian' for a 'little brief authority,' the same paper comes lumbering on with news from all nations; riots, earthquakes, thieves, missionary boards, failures in trade, great bargains, estates on sale, marriages, deaths and murder. This all seems according to Daniel: 'many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased.'-But how long shall it be to the end of these wonders? Millerism has failed the third time, and hereafter very few will hitch their cars of calculation to an engine of such general disappointment. What then shall be done? Take the newspapers; they must and will contain a specimen of the thoughts and intents of the hearts of men, for the apostles said: 'This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, truce breakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, high-minded, lovers of pleasure more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.'
But what does such timely instructions benefit the people? Politics, mobs, deception, and societies for the promotion of truth, religion and wealth grow with the growth, and flame with the fire that must eventually burn to the lowest hell, unless the people turn from the evil of their ways.
Another marvellous [marvelous] wonder engrosses thousands. Mammoth news papers, double, and even thribble [triple?], flood the great reading community of the east, and sprinkle the west, with 'novels' as destitute of truth, true science and practical knowledge, as satan's promises were to Eve when she eat [ate] the forbidden fruit.-Well, what must be done in such a case?-Why, read the fancied brains of disappointed men and women, and then go to the theatre [theater]; and ten to one, but you will be just like them. When ducks feed on fish, their flesh tastes fishy: when man drinks whiskey, he is generally drunk; and when the present generation sow vanity they reap vanity; and when the people feast on lies and light reading-what can be expected? Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?
Every body, from the curious state of parties and the jarring motion of societies, governments and kingdoms, fears that the bonds of national security are bursting; but, from the dreadful anxiety of all to go a-head, no body believes it. No, there is none, save the Latter Day Saints, that believe or care for the welfare of the world. The Saints are actually the 'Rechabites' of this age, as much as the descendants of Recheb were in the days of Jeremiah, when Israel went into captivity.
Newspapers that were once considered honorable, now make sport of character, murder and treason not excepted. In fact, the order of the day is such, that the front ranks of men in high and low life, appear to be playing at a game of brag, and they are so determined to win, that conscience, clemency and courtesy, have as small a share of their lives and time,
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