| 782 in subjection to the counsel of higher authorities.
Resolved, that all those who absent themselves from our sacrament meetings, we consider weak in the faith.
Conference adjourned until December, 15th.
Conference met pursuant to adjournment, and opened with singing and prayer by Elder Thomas Derby. The President then stated the object of the conference for the benefit of those that were not present at the previous meeting. We then ascertained the minds of the residue of the members, which terminated in favor of the Twelve.
The conference then dropped sister Rebeca Ann Wire, according to her own request as she could not believe in the Twelve.
Conference then adjourned.
J. W. CRIPPEN, Pres't.
Thomas Derby, Clerk.
TO THE LADIES AND GENTLEMEN OF ST. LOUIS.
RESPECTED FRIENDS:-
Your attention is herewith invited to the building of the TEMPLE OF GOD, in the city of Nauvoo, Illinois. That noble edifice is now in a forward state of erection, and its walls, thus far, have been reared in 'troublesome times,' and ere the altar was completed, the life-blood of victims, the first-born of our race, was shed by the priests of Baal, who thought to do God a service.
Hitherto have we had to labor upon the building with one hand, and wield the sword with the other, to parry the thrusts of mobocrats, and keep marauders at bay. Our wealth was not great in the beginning, and we have had a defensive war to maintain ever since the foundation stone was laid. It is true that our first elders are fallen in the contest, and while their blood cries from the floor of Carthage jail into the ears of the Lord of Sabbaoth, and throws the crimson blush of guilt upon the plighted faith of the State, to perpetuate the memory of the disgraceful and murderous deed, we wish the top-stone of our Temple to be brought for h to celebrate the worship of Almighty God, and to perpetuate the memory of those noble martyrs, who voluntarily laid down their lives for their brethren.
Though these obstacle have been thrown in our way, our purpose is not changed, neither is our zeal abated. But after having fallen among thieves-been beaten and bruised-neglected by the Levite, and spurned at by the priest, we would ask if there are not good Samaritans in St. Louis that will pour in a little of the mammon of unrighteousness to aid us in completing our house of worship?
Should any be inclined to put forth a helping hand, the bearer of this, Mr.--who is duly authorized, will take your name, and the amount you donate for the above purpose, in his memorandum, which will be transcribed upon a large book designed to be kept in the archives of the Temple, and to be accessible to all, that when curiosity or other cause may lead any one to examine that has donated, he will find his name there recorded, together with the sum that he has given.
Done in conformity with the wishes of the Temple Committee in the city of Nauvoo.
JAMES RILEY.
Presiding Elder of the Latter-Day Saints in St. Louis.
MAHOMETANISM.
That our Elders and readers may understand a little about Turkish religion, we extract the following sketch from the 'Universal Traveller [Traveler]."
'The religion of European Turkey is the Mahometan, Christian, and Jewish. The Christian embraces the Armenian, Catholic, and Greek churches. Mahometanism, however, is the prevailing faith, and its professors, acting upon the principle of exclusion inculcated in the Koran, regard with disdain and aversion, all who adopt a different faith.
The Koran is the bible of the Mahometans. It was the work, as our readers will know, of Mahomet, the founder of this religion, who was born in Mecca, A. D. 569. In his youth he was a travelling [traveling] merchant. His fortunes and influence were established by his marriage of a rich widow by the name of Cadjah, in whose service he had been employed. At the age of forty, he began to promulgate his religion which, partaking somewhat of Judaism and Christianity, has been called a 'Christian heresy.' In successive years, he published portions of the Koran, as suited his convenience, accommodating his revelations to exigences [exigencies] as they occurred. At first, his success was small, his converts few; but at length he gathered strength, made himself master of Arabia, and now for more than twelve hundred years, Mahometanism has prevailed to a great extent in Asia, and also in Africa. Turkey in Europe is one of its strongholds.
The Koran inculcates the belief of six articles or commandments.
1st. The belief in one only God.
2d. The belief in Mahomet's apostolical [apostolic] character.
3d. The observance of the Ramazan Fast.
4th. The practice of the five prayers and ablutions.
5th. The application of two and a half percent, of property to the poor.
6th. The performance of the pilgrimage to Mecca.
(page 782) |
