| 963 important, and of great utility if we could avail ourselves of counsel and directions from your Excellency, believing there will be a day, in negociations [negotiations] for peace, in which an executive interposition, would produce a salutary effect to both parties.
In this communication, with honesty of heart I have endeavored briefly to touch upon a few interesting points in plain truth, believing that I have given no wrong bias on either side, and with earnest prayers to our great Benefactor, that the chief ruler of this state, may come to a full knowledge of the grand outrage in Jackson county. I subscribe myself,
Your obedient servant,
ALGERNON S. GILBERT.
To his Excellency DANIEL DUNKLIN, Jefferson City, Mo.
On the evening of the 11th of January, Joseph Smith, jr., Frederick G. Williams, Newel K. Whitney, John Johnson, Oliver Cowdery and Orson Hyde united in prayer, and asked the Lord to grant the following petitions:
That the Lord would grant that our lives might be precious in his sight, that he would watch over our persons, and give his angels charge concerning us and our families, that no evil nor unseen hand might be permitted to harm us.
That the Lord would also hold the lives of all the united order, and not suffer that any of them shall be taken.
That the Lord would grant that Brother Joseph might prevail over his enemy, even Doctor Hurlbert, who has threatened his life, whom Joseph has caused to be taken with a precept; that the Lord would fill the heart of the court with a spirit to do justice, and cause that the law of the land may be magnified in bringing him to justice.
That the Lord would provide in the order of his providence, the bishop of this church with means sufficient to discharge every debt that the order owes, in due season, that the church may not be brought into disrepute and the saints be afflicted by the hands of their enemies.
That the Lord would protect our printing press from the hands of evil men, and give us means to send forth his record even his gospel, that the ears of all may hear it, and also that we may print his scriptures; and also that he would give those, who were appointed to conduct the press, wisdom sufficient, that the cause may not be hindered, but that men's eyes may thereby be opened to see the truth.
That the Lord would deliver Zion, and gather in his scattered people to possess it in peace; and also, while in their dispersion, that he would provide for them that they perish not by hunger or cold; and finally, that God, in the name of Jesus, would gather his elect speedily, and unveil his face, that his saints might behold his glory, and dwell with him. Amen.
As soon as the Governor intimated, or the news began to circulate, that the Mormons, (as the people styled the church) would be restored to their possession in Jackson county (if they desired to be) the "priests' of all denominations, as the men behind the scene, with the mob, began to set their springs in motion, and by their secret councils, and false publications and insinuations, soured the public mind, and veiled the administration of the laws, so that anything like a return to their houses and lands, or recovery of damages for losses sustained, seemed as distant as the day of judgment. The power of wickedness and darkness walked hand in hand together, and the saints mourned.
January 16th. I visited Brother Jenkins Salisbury, and spent the night. O Lord! keep us and my family safe, until I return unto them: O my God, have mercy on my brethren in Zion, for Christ's sake: Amen.
CONFERENCE MINUTES.
From the N. Y. Messenger.
Minutes of a conference held at Cambria, Niagara county, N. Y.
Elder D. H. Redfield was called to the chair, and James Kenny chosen clerk.
The president then arose and gave some valuable instruction on the object of calling this conference together, that we might console them, and that they might be prepared for the blessings that God designs to bestow on his servants, and whether they, as a church, would sustain the Twelve, und [and] the authorities at Nauvoo, and carry out the principles that their prophet and patriarch have given for their salvation.
Resolved, that we sustain the Twelve in their calling, and uphold them by our prayers and influence, and build the Temple at Nauvoo.
Elder Farr then arose and addressed the brethren upon the vision of Daniel, in setting up of the kingdom of God in the last days, and the necessity of obeying the commands of God and the blessings that would follow.
High priests present, two; elders, ten; priest, one; teachers, one.
Representation of branches:-
Cambria branch, represented by James Kenny, ten members, including four elders, all in good standing.
Akron branch, by Brother Hart, twenty two
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