| 584 of the State of Missouri, and there designate the very spot which was to be the central spot for the commencement of the gathering together of those who embrace the fullness of the everlasting gospel, I accordingly undertook the journey with certain ones of my brethren; and, after a long and tedious journey, suffering many privations and hardships, I arrived in Jackson County, Missouri; and, after viewing the country, seeking diligently at the hand of God, he manifested himself unto me and designated to me and others the very spot upon which he designed to commence the work of the gathering and the upbuilding of an holy city, which should be called Zion: Zion because it is to be a place of righteousness, and all who build thereon are to worship the true and living God; and all believe in one doctrine, even the doctrine of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
"'Thy watchmen shall lift up the voice; with the voice together shall they sing: for they shall see eye to eye, when the Lord shall bring again Zion.'-Isaiah 52: 8.
"Here we pause for a moment to make a few remarks upon the idea of gathering to this place. It is well known that there were lands belonging to the Government, to be sold to individuals; and it was understood by all, at least we believed so, that we lived in a free country, a land of liberty and of laws, guaranteeing to every man or any company of men the right of purchasing lands and settling and living upon them: therefore we thought no harm in advising the Latter Day Saints, or Mormons as they are reproachfully called, to gather to this place, inasmuch as it was their duty (and it was well understood so to be), to purchase, with money, lands, and live upon them-not infringing upon the civil rights of any individual or community of people; always keeping in view the saying, 'Do unto others as you would wish to have others do unto you.' Following also the good injunction: 'Deal justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with thy God.'
"These were our motives in teaching the people, or Latter Day Saints, to gather together, beginning at this place. And inasmuch as there are those who have had different views from this, we feel that it is a cause of deep regret:
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