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Source: Church History Vol. 3 Chapter 34 Page: 672 (~1872)

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672 the ground lost in the battle where their father and uncle went down, and endeavoring to build upon the ruins of a past spiritual hierarchy the pure theocracy of a 'Risen Redeemer.' Where! O where are the cities of the saints?

"Mills, workshops, manufactories, are but concomitant accessories to cities and villages, and must follow in their train. The opening of new lands is necessary to proper outgrowth, and the extension of the borders of Zion; who shall say the measure is not a wise one? We believe in it, and it is one of those of the past that commends itself to us.

"The setting up and running of printing presses, and the issuing of newspapers, periodicals, and books. What can we write in reference to these measures, which really form but one, for the setting up of printing presses comprises all the rest; newspapers, periodicals, and books being children of the brain and the press.

"The church deemed it advisable at a very early day to purchase a press; and it was made a powerful auxiliary to the preaching of the word. It was insisted upon that there should be freedom of the press. Persecution arose, the causes of which we do not care to inquire as we have before stated, and people and press were successively driven from Kirtland and from Missouri. At Nauvoo the aid of the press was again invoked; the Times and Seasons, Nauvoo Neighbor, and Gospel Reflector succeeded the Evening and Morning Star, the Messenger and Advocate, and the Elders' Journal. The Millennial Star was begun in England, and still continues, we believe. This bringing into the service of the church, the labor and the results of the 'types' and 'Printers' ink,' was a correct and judicious measure; and while legitimately employed, these agents were powerful for good. There came a time when these agents were not used for the promulgation of the 'gospel of peace;' but for the purpose of a wordy defense against attack from offensive neighbors near and remote, and some issues of the church organ are sadly spoiled by the bandying of unclean and vituperative epithets, from the pens of men whom we now think might have spent their time and talent in a better labor, one of love. The measure of employing the press we

(page 672)

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