| 602 Here they will be threshed with all sorts of difficulties, trials afflictions, and every thing to mar their peace which they can imagine, and thousands which they cannot imagine, but he that endures the threshing till all the chaff, superstition, folly and unbelief is pounded out of him, and does not suffer himself to be blown away as chaff by the foul tongues of slander, but endures faithful to the end shall be saved.
I you are prepared for all these things; if you choose rather to suffer afflictions with the people of God than to enjoy the pleasures of sin, for a little moment, come up hither; Come direct to New Orleans, and up the Mississipi [Mississippi] river, for the expense is so much less, and the convenience of water navigation is so much greater than it is by Montreal, New York of Philadelphia, that it is wisdom for the saints to make New Orleans their general established port, and be sure to start at such times that they may arrive here during the cold months, for the change from the cold climate of England, to this place, in the hot season, is too great for the health of emigrants, till there is more faith in the church.
In this region of country there are thousands and millions of acres of beautiful prairie, unocupied [unoccupied], which can be procured on reasonable terms, and we will hail the time with joy when these unoccupied lands shall be turned into fruitful fields, and the hands of those who are now idle for want of employ, shall be engaged in the cultivation of the soil. When the brethren arrive they will do well to call on some of the twelve, inasmuch as they desire council, for by so doing, they may escape the influence of designing men, who have crept in unawares, and would willingly subvert the truth, by conniving to their own advantage, if they have the opportunity.
The church has commenced a new city 20 miles below this, and 1 mile below Warsaw, called, Warren, where many city lots, and farms in the vicinity, can be had on reasonable terms; and it will be wisdom for many of the brethren to stop at that place, for the opportunity for erecting temporary buildings will be greater than at this place, also the chance for providing food, will be superior, to those who wish to labor for it.
Warsaw is at the foot of the Desmoine [Des Moines] Rapids, and one of the best locations for mercantile purposses [purposes], there is in this western country.
So far as the brethren have the means they will do well to come prepared with a variety of mechanic tools according to their professions, such as carpenters, joiners, cabinet makers, hatters, coopers, masons, printers, binders, tanners, curriers &c. and all sorts of manufactory and foundery [foundry] implements, [convenient for transportation,] so that when they arrive they may be prepared to establish themselves in business, and give employment to spinners, weavers, moulders [molders], smelters, and journeymen of every description; for all sorts of woolens, cottons, hardware &c., will find a ready market in new countries, and a great field is now open to the capitalisits [capitalists] in this vicinity, even though the capital be small, and we would urge the importance of the immediate establishment of all kinds of manufactories among us, as well for the best interests of the individuals concerned, as for the church generally.
Cities cannot be built without houses, houses cannot be built without materials, or occupied without inhabitants, the inhabitants cannot exist without food and clothing; food and clothing cannot be had without planting, sewing, and manufactoring [manufacturing], so that Zion and her stores cannot be built without means, without industry, without manufactoring [manufacturing] establishments, unless the windows of heaven were opened and cities and their appendages were rained down among us. But this we do not expect till the New Jerusalem descends, and that will be some time hence; therefore it is necessary and according to godliness and the plan of salvation in these last days, that the brethren should see to all ihese [these] things and clothe and adorn themselves with the labor of their own hands, build houses and inhabit them, plant vineyards and eat the fruit thereof.
Brethren pray for us, and the first Presidency, the leader of the people, even Joseph, that his life and health may be precious in the the sight of heaven, till he has finished the work which he has commenced; and for all the elders of Israel, that every man may be faithful in his calling, the whole household of faith, and all subjects of prayer.
Brethren farewell. May the blessings of heaven and earth be multiplied unto you, in sptrit [spirit] and in body, in basket and in store, in the field and in the shop, on the land and on the sea, in the house and by the way, and in all situations and circumstances, until you shall stand on Mount Zion, and enter the celestial city, in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
BRIGHHM [BRIGHAM] YOUNG,
HEBER C. KIMBALL,
ORSON PRATT,
WILLIAM SMITH,
LYMAN WIGHT,
WILLFORD WOODRUFF,
JOHN TAYLOR,
GEO. A. SMITH
WILLARD RICHARDS.
Nauvoo, Hancock co., Ill. Nov. 15, 1841.
Northbridge, Mass., Oct. 10, 1841.
Br. Robinson, Sir --
I have lately come from Salem and expect to return there in a few days.
I have labored in that city and its vicinity nearly four weeks. Truth is rapidly gaining ground, and prejudice wearing away, and considering the circumstances under which I commenced there, the overwhelming tide of public opinion, the multitude of falsehoods in circulation, the entire ignorance of the real character and principles of the Latter Day Saints which there prvailed [prevailed], the number of chapels, churches and priests, the superstiton [superstition] of the people, and considering too, that Salem is the place where witchs [witches] formerly performed such wonders for which they lost their lives, I think the prospects are very flattering.
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