| 749 'key' or 'keys' come from the Son of God of his own good will and pleasure. For it is written in Jeremiah 1:5, "Before I formed thee in the belly, I knew thee, &c., and sanctified thee and ordained thee a prophet unto the nations." There are other instances to show that God ordains his servants, before they take upon them flesh, but let this suffice. The power or keys, conferred by such ordination, is made manifest by the Holy Ghost,-of which "John was filled from his mother's womb,' and went forth in the spirit and power of Elias.
But we have said enough on this subject, and will conclude that in all ages, whenever a messenger, or, we will say prophet of God, has graced the earth, his own works has been the evidence of his power, authority, and knowledge,-keys. Abel's offering was accepted.-Enoch was translated. Noah built the ark.-Moses brought the stone tables. Elijah was translated. Jesus showed Peter, James, and John the transfiguration. Joseph Smith brought forth the Book of Mormon: and what was the reception these holy men and many others met with holding the keys of light and knowledge? With a few exceptions, the answer is MARTYRDOM in the most hellish sense of the word.-And what has been the reception of those who have said they were apostles, and were not? They have built cities and towers, and been honored by the world for shedding blood, because the devil loves his own. And even the great Anti Christ of the last days, who would feign to make the world believe, (the saints know better) that he is "my servant" the branch holding the before mentioned key of David, has gone to Pittsburg [Pittsburgh] to prepare for war. "Wisdom will be justified of her children."
EXTRACT.
We take the following extract of a letter from the Prophet.
Boston, Nov. 19,1844.
I will now proceed in writing my history.-In August last, myself, in company with Elder B. Brown, left Nauvoo, having been appointed by the Twelve to visit the British Provinces.-We made our way east to western New York, where we were induced to stop and spend the then coming winter. The Lord was with us in word and in deed. We organized several branches of the church, baptized rising of one hundred and fifty souls in all, and held two public conferences, the minutes of which were forwarded to Nauvoo for publication, but for some reason did not appear. After a tarry of about eight months, we again pursued our journey eastward, by way of Montreal and Quebec, making a short stay in each of these Catholic cities, preached some and circulated some books, pamphlets, &c. From thence we proceeded down the St. Lawrence twenty five miles below Quebec, then crossing over to New Brunswick, we found ourselves in a country where no Latter-day Saint had ever journeyed, and where the fulness [fullness] of the gospel had never been heard. We had of course to clear away heaps of rubbish to prepare the people to receive the word: our labors were hard-yet the Lord was with us, and "confirmed the word with signs following," so that notwithstanding opposition from rulers, and threats-yea, violence from mobs, we were enabled to plant the standard of truth in New Brunswick, and forty-seven gathered around it, during our short stay there, who are numbered with us in the new covenant: they were organized into two branches: both in the county of York, above Fredericton. If any travelling [traveling] elders should have occasion to journey that way, they are requested to call on them. A great work might have been done, but time and circumstances would not admit of our staying longer, besides I was worn down with exercise, labors by day and by night. All things being now ready, we set out for Boston, and arrived here about the middle of October. I was happy to hear of the prosperous state of the church here, and after council with Brothers Woodruff, Adams, and others, I concluded not to return to Nauvoo until spring.-I have just returned from Peterborough; the church numbers eighty members, all in good standing who expressed their determination to uphold the Twelve, by a hearty vote, not one dissenting spirit. On my return I stopped in Lowell (Sunday last) and preached to the saints, who are well united with the exception of two or three uneasy spirits. I attended meeting last night and night before in Boston, the spirit of God rested upon the saints in power: Such meetings as I attended in all three of the above branches, is a caution to Rigdonites, who tell us "the church has fallen." O, shame on such characters for ever! who waste their strength in trying to breed sedition and divide the saints. I abhor the principle, and look with contempt upon the man who will be guilty of such things. May the Lord judge them according to their works. But I must close by saying, that I will assist all my power to support your paper.-I have just been writing to my brethren in the Provinces, to send on their money and names. If you are not pressed with matter I may address you again.
With sentiments of high esteem, I subscribe myself your fellow laborer in the gospel,
JESSE W. CROSBY.
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