| 586 bless him an hundredfold, even of the things of the earth, for this righteous act! My heart is full of desire today, to be blessed of the God of Abraham with prosperity, until I will be able to pay all my debts; for it is the delight of my soul to be honest. O Lord, that thou knowest right well. Help me, and I will give to the poor.
"Brothers William, John, and Joseph Tippits started for Missouri, the place designated for Zion, or the saints' gathering place. They came to bid us farewell. The brethren came in to pray with them, and Brother David Whitmer acted as spokesman. He prayed in the Spirit, and a glorious time succeeded his prayer, joy filled our hearts, and we blessed them and bade them Godspeed, and promised them a safe journey, and took them by the hand and bade them farewell for a season. May God grant them long life and good days. These blessings I ask upon them for Christ's sake. Amen.
The High Council met at my house on the 24th, to take into consideration the redemption of Zion. And it was the voice of the Spirit of the Lord that we petition the Governor; that is, those who have been driven out should petition to be set back on their own lands next spring, and that we go next season, to live or die on our own lands, which we have purchased in Jackson County, Missouri. We truly had a good time, and covenanted to struggle for this thing, until death shall dissolve the union; and if one falls, that the remainder be not discouraged, but pursue this object until it is accomplished; which may God grant unto us in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Also, this day drew up a subscription for enrolling the names of those who are willing to go up to Missouri next spring, and settle; and I ask God in the name of Jesus, that we may obtain eight hundred or one thousand emigrants.
"I spent the 25th at home.
"This morning the Twelve returned from their mission to the East, and on the same day, the Council of the Presidency of the Church, consisting of Joseph Smith, Jr., Sidney Rigdon, David Whitmer, W. W. Phelps, John Whitmer, Hyrum Smith, and Oliver Cowdery, met to
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