| 11 High to dwell therein for there is not place found on the earth; that he may come and restore again that which was lost unto you, or which he hath taken away even the fullness of the priesthood." And brethren, great and glorious will be the blessings realized by us as a people if we build this house in the appointed time. Even now when the building is not half completed behold the great privileges realized thereby, A Baptismal Font has been built in the lower apartment, where we have the privilege of being baptized for our dead and redeeming them, that they may come forth in the first resurrection; the full interest of which was published in a letter from President Joseph Smith the 23d number of this paper, and we shall now have the privilege as before stated of meeting within the walls of the Temple where the almighty has promised to meet with us.
Now brethren, if so great and glorious have been the blessings realized in so early a stage of the work what may we expect when the building is completed, and a house prepared where the Most High can come and restore that which has been taken away in consequence of transgression; even the FULNESS [fullness] of the priesthood.
Truly, no exertion on our part ought to be lacking but to double our diligence because great, yea very great are the consequences pending.
As we have already said, we feel thankful to the brethren for the interest they have taken, not only on the present, but on all former occasions, They have come forth like Saints of God and great will be their reward. Not long since they were naked, destitute, afflicted, and smitten having been twice plucked up by the roots; but again they lift their heads with gladness and manifest a determination to fulfil [fulfill] the revelations and commandments of the Most High if it be at the expense of all their property and even their lives. Will not God reward them? Yea, verily!
In the midst of our reveries, we found but one circumstance, to break in upon the happy scenery before us, and that was, the absence of our prophet. The silent whisper to us was, oh, that we could see the iron hand of oppression removed from off the man whom the great God has appointed to be our leader, and he permitted to be in our midst, free, and untramelled [untrammeled] the power and malice of an ungodly set of persecutors;-that we could have the privilege of hearing his voice within these walls every Sabath, [Sabbath] and learning from his lips the great things of the kingdom of God, and that we could receive his counsels from day to day upon all important subjects. Surely the oppressor's power will soon be brought to an end, and liberty, that sacred ocean in which every philanthropic souls loves to swim, and which was so dearly bought by our forefathers, shall be enjoyed by every citizen of these United States. But cease my soul to ponder upon these gloomy subjects; and thou man of God take courage and rejoice; the God that delivered Daniel out of the lion's den is yet able. and will deliver his anointed one, out of the grasp of all wicked men; we shall again see good days, for Zion shall blossom as the rose and flourish as the green bay tree; and if we have to endure the abuse and insults of an ungodly generation even a generation of vipers, the great God is in our midst, and when their wrath waxes hot against the Saints, the still small voice whispers in the ears of the faithful, peace, be still.
Brethren, let us be faithful and fulfil [fulfill] the commandments given to us. Let us hasten and build this house for Lord. Let our exertions not relax, neither our love wax cold, but double our diligence and one and all lay to with all our mights, and we shall soon have the happiness of realizing greater blessing than has yet entered into our hearts to conceive.
Let us not forget that we have another house also, to build in this place, even the NAUVOO HOUSE; and, which is as important to us as the Temple; inasmuch as great things are depending upon that house, and it is commanded us of God. Let us all remember the Nauvoo House as well as the Temple for we (i. e. the church) are abundantly able to build them both in due season, let us therefore go forward boldly in the accomplishment of those things which God has required at our hands and it will be well with us, notwithstanding the malice of our enemies.
May the great God fill the hearts of his Saints with joy and peace; their understanding with knowledge and inspire them with his spirit to do his will; and may the richest, the greatest and choicest of heaven's blessing be poured on the head of the man, who is hated of the ungodly, but who is anointed of the Most High and the honored instrument in his hand to bring to pass the establishment of the kingdom of God on the earth in these last days, even so. Amen. W. C.
Nauvoo, Oct. 28th 1842.
Friday evening 5 o'clock-Elder Cahoon, one of the Committe [committee] just informs me that the work is completed and the seats &c formed ready for meeting next Sabbath. Truly the exertions of the brethren have been noble on this occasion. W. C.
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