| 1003 waves would dash over it, that I could not see it; by and by, on the swell of a billow it would heave in view again, and again, in the midst of the conflicting elements seem to be buried in the mighty ocean. Thus it made its way on the bosom of the waters; so I consider that nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, until they are destroyed with war, and the attending calamities; for God has designed the overthrow of the wicked, and he has designed they should accomplish it themselves. But in the midst of the wreck of nations and the downfall of kingdoms,-the kingdom of God will go through among the kingdoms of the world, just like that little craft upon the bosom of the deep, and not be beaten into pieces. This little kingdom cannot be broken; it cannot be given to other people; but it will ride in safety in the midst of the angry elements.
Thus God makes use of the nations of the earth, to break one another to pieces, and destroy each other. Here are the saints of the Most High collected together, and looking on the scene; at the same time their prayers are ascending to their heavenly Father, that he will make bare his arm and overrule the events of the nations; and thus continue to add to the increase of his kingdom. They will destroy themselves and every drop of blood shed by our enemies, you may depend upon it, only provokes the almighty to trouble the nations and to stir up, and increase the power of his servants. It is only pricking the veins of our enemies, and making their blood run to no purpose.
Is it not the case, that since the death of our brethren our cause has advanced, and become stronger? Yes, it has. Was it because these men were not a benefit to us while they lived? By no means. But their death has proved to us greater power, strength and force, than their lives could have done. Thus, you see all things shall work together for good to them that fear God, and are called according to his purpose.
These men have laid the foundation of this kingdom, and it is not for me to say, that they will not bring forth the capstone.
I have been reading a very curious scripture, contained in the revelations of John: it reads as follows:-
"And be [he] that overcometh and keepeth my words unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations, and he shall rule them with a rod of iron, as the vessel of a potter shall they be broken to shivers, even as I received of my father."
Well, now ther [there], this scripture is not confined to a single individual; neither was it confined to the Savior of the world; for more have overcome beside him. Another scripture says.-"And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death."-(Revelations chap. xii. verse 11.)
Well, to him that overcometh, it mattereth not who it is; they were individuals, such as Joseph and Hyrum Smith; who, while in this life, purposed to be counted worthy of these honors, by building up the kingdom of God, and establishing universal righteousness. But they went to work, and slew these men of God; they designed to blot out that power from under the heavens, and stay the further progress of light and truth; but this circumstance has given a fresh start to the power of truth, and has spread more light in advance, already abroad on the earth; and so Joseph Smith, who has gone to the courts on high, may yet have dominion, not only over the United States, but over all the nations of the earth. Has he not overcome by his own blood? has he not fought the good fight of faith, even to the laying down of his life? has he not overcome, and kept the works of God unto the end? Well, to him that overcometh, and keepeth my works to the end, will I give power over the nations, and he shall rule them with a rod of iron. As the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers. By his death has he become the ruler over the nations of the earth, and he will break them to pieces, as the vessels of a potter; and he will so order the events to bring it about.-Ah! but says one, I had no idea of any man having any such power as this. There are a great many truths that the Gentile world know not; for eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither hath it entered into the heart of man the things that God hath prepared for them that love him.
The blood of these men has not yet been avenged. Had the murderers suffered, according to the law of the land, it would have been the first instance in the history of the world, that the nations of the earth have avenged the blood of God's anointed. I know of no such an instance, where the murderers of the prophets were killed to atone for their blood, and thus pay the debt.
And where is there an instance of the martyrdom of God's servants, that God has not avenged the crime upon the whole nation? Depend upon it, that these prophets whom God raised up, and who are killed by the people, he has taken unto himself, and has given the destinies of that nation into the hands of that prophet, who has been slain by them. This is
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