| 864 TIMES AND SEASONS.
"TRUTH WILL PREVAIL."
Vol. VI. No. 7.] CITY OF NAUVOO, ILL. April 15, 1845 [Whole No. 115.
HISTORY OF JOSEPH SMITH.
[Continued.]
On the 5th of October, 1833, I started on a journey east and to Canada, in company with Elders Rigdon and Freeman Nickerson, and arrived the same day at Lamb's tavern, in Ashtabula; and the day following, the Sabbath, we arrived at Springfield, whilst the brethren were in meeting, and Elder Rigdon spoke to the congregation; and a large and attentive congregation assembled at Brother Rudd's in the evening, to whom we bore our testimony.
October 8th. Elders Phelps and Hyde presented the petition of the saints in Jackson county to the Governor of Missouri, who gave them for answer that the Attorney General of the state, was absent, and on his return he would inform them of his conclusions, by mail, addressed at Independence; whither they immediately returned.
We continued at Springfield until this time, when we removed to Brother Roundy's at Elk Creek; and continuing our journey on the evening of the 9th arrived at a tavern; and on the 10th, at Brother Job Lewis' in Westfield, where we met the brethren, according to previous appointment, and spake to them as the spirit gave utterance, greatly to their gratification.
This day October 10th, Elder Williams wrote as follows, from Kirtland to the saints in Missouri:
Dear Brethren:
It is a long time since we have received any intelligence from you, save a letter received by Brother Elliott from Elder John Whitmer, which informed us that he had wrote four letters since Elder Oliver Cowdery left; but we have not received any of them, nor from any other one in Zion, except one from Bishop Partridge of August 13th, and have had no information concerning the riot, and the situation of the brethren in Zion, to be depended upon; and considering that the enemy have commenced intercepting our letters, I direct this to Mrs. Billings, thinking by so doing, that you may get it.
The brethren here are all engaged in the work of the Lord, and are using every exertion in their power for the welfare of Zion, and for the promotion of the great cause of our Redeemer. Immediately after the arrival of Oliver, we sat in council to know what should be done. The decision of the council was, that measures should be immediately taken to seek redress by the laws of your country, for your grievances; accordingly two messengers were dispatched for that purpose. (Let this suffice, for this may fall into the hands of the enemy.) We have received no revelation for a long time, and none concerning the present situation of Zion, which has been written; but is has been manifested to Joseph, and communicated to me by him, that the brethren in Zion should not sell any of their inheritances, nor move out of the county, save those who signed the agresment [agreement] to go, and if it becomes necessary for those to move, for their personal safety, let them be directed by wisdom, and seek for homes where the Lord shall open the way.
If Elder Phelps is obliged to move from that place, let him take his family and Elder Cowdery's wife, and come to Kirtland, but not to bring any thing with him, except his bedding and clothing; and let Elder Gilbert furnish him with the means to bear his expenses; but it would not be expedient for Elder Phelps to come, provided the prospect is favorable for a reconciliation, so that the saints are not obliged to leave the county. We can do no more for you than we are doing, but we have this great consolation that God will deliver Zion, and establish you upon the land of your everlasting inheritance. Remember that this is only for the trial of your faith, and he that overcomes and endures to the end, will be rewarded a hundred fold in this world, and in the world to come eternal life: so brethren you have great reason to rejoice, for your redemption draweth nigh.
President Joseph and Sidney are absent on a mission, and we do not expect their return till some time in November. They have gone down the lake to Niagara, from thence they expect to go into Upper Canada as far as Long Point, and preach in all the most noted places on their way.
We held a council this morning on the subject of building, &c. It was decided by the council that we should discontinue the building of the temple during the winter for want of materials; and to prepare and get all things in readiness to recommence it early in the spring. It was also agreed, to set the hands immediately to erect a house for the printing office, which is to be thirty by thirty eight feet on the ground the first story to be occupied for the school of
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