| 682 a rich increase,-and the luxuries of the earth, and the choice fruits of the field, were in great profusion, scattered upon the plains of Eden. And I saw flocks and herds, large and numerous, feeding upon the luxuriant, waving fields-and the saints praising God in his sanctuary, and in the firmament of his power, for his mighty acts, and his excellent greatness, with the sound of the trumpet, psaltery and harp, with the timbrel and dance, with stringed instruments and organs, and upon the loud and high sounding cymbals, making melody in their hearts, and singing loud hosannas to God, and to the Lamb. And I heard a great shout in the camp of Israel, ringing through their mighty hosts-"Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come;" and the saints of light were clad in rich attire, decked with jewels and costly pearls, diamonds and the gold of Ophir. Universal peace, plenteous munificence, and unalloyed happiness, prevailed with every soul of man-all were habited in rich white robes, and glittering crowns, and gave to God the glory. And a loud voice proclaimed-This is the reward of those who have kept the faith, and endured sound doctrine, and the teachings of my prophets, contrary to the traditions of men. It is now as true as it was in the days of the priest of Midian that-"God hath spoken good concerning Israel," for the time to favor Zion, "yea, the set time, is come," when God will sway a righteous sceptre [scepter] over the nations of the earth. "How amiable are thy tabernacles, O Lord of hosts! My soul longeth, yea; even fainteth, for the courts of the Lord; my heart and my flesh crieth out for the living God." "Give unto the Lord, O ye mighty, give unto the Lord glory and strength. Give unto the Lord the glory due unto his name; worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness. The voice of the Lord is upon the water: the God of glory thundereth; the Lord is upon many waters. The voice of the Lord is powerful; the voice of the lord is full of majesty. The voice of the Lord breaketh the cedars; yea, the Lord breaketh the cedars of Lebanon.-He maketh them also to skip like a calf; Lebanon and Sirion like a young Unicorn. The voice of the Lord divideth the flames of fire. The voice of the Lord shaketh the wilderness; the Lord shaketh the wilderness of Kadesh." Look, then, at the holy land, and the glories to be revealed, and take courage. Cast off your superstitions, receive with eagerness the teachings of the prophets, and fear no danger; and the Lord of glory will be your rear-ward, purify your hearts, and preserve your souls unto everlasting life; for "Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. Blessed is the man unto whom the Lord imputeth not iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no guile." JOAB,
General in Israel.
Manchester, Oct., 24th, 1841.
Prest. J. Smith,
Dear Br,--I have just received several letters from Nauvoo, together with the Times and Seasons up to Sept. 15th, being one month and nine days on the passage. The information from that quarter cheers our hearts in regard to the peace and prosperity of Zion. We had previously heard of the death of Gen. D. C. Smith and Colonel R. B. Thompson; which filled our minds with sorrow, not for them, but for those who still live to feel their loss. Br. Carlos, I had known for eleven years, and I never knew him to turn to the right or left from the path of Jesus, or the duties of his holy profession. Br. Thompson was baptized by me in Toronto five years ago; and a more humble, constant, and charitable friend of Zion, I never knew, or one who grew faster in knowledge and usefulness. But they are gone--and it must be for some wise purpose--and the Lord's will be done!
On the 28th of Sept. the ship "Tyran" sailed from Liverpool for New Orleans, under a charter of the Latter Day Saints; she had upwards of two hundred on board, with Elder Joseph Fielding at their head.
By chartering, we saved the company at least 500 or 600 dollars.
The splendid new ship Chaos, 1200 tons burthen [burden], will sail on the 5th November, under our charter. She will have from one to two hundred Saints on board, with Patriarch Peter Melling at their head.
The saints in this country are generally rejoicing, and filled with the testimony of Jesus. Great zeal is manifested by the officers in general, of which there is probably more than one thousand. We are increasing in numbers and in gifts and blessings. New branches of the church are rising in many places, and great additions made to the old ones. Manchester
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