For the Wasp.
PROCLAMATION TO THE SAINTS IN NAUVOO.
Feeling a deep sense of gratitude to our
Heavenly Father, for the blessings which he has conferred on us, in
the deliverance of our beloved President Joseph Smith, from the oppression with
which he has so long been bound, the Travelling High Council invite the
brethren in Nauvoo, to unite with them in dedicating Tuesday, the 17th day of
January inst., as a day of humiliation fasting, praise, prayer and
thank-giving, before the great Eloheim, that he
will continue the outpouring of his holy spirit upon this people—that they
may ever walk humbly before him—seek out and follow the councils given through
his servant, and ever be united, heart and hand, in building up this stake of
Zion and the Temple, where God will reveal himself to his people; that no
strife or confusion may ever be found in our midst, but peace and righteousness
may be our companions,—and as he has hitherto sustained his Prophet in all the
difficulties he has had to encounter, so he will continue to do, until he has
finished the great work committed to his charge, and that all those who heave
been called to his assistance in the holy ministry may be diligent and faithful
in all things, that his hands may be staid on high, like unto Moses—that our
enemies, if sneh we have, may repent, and turning away from their enmity, get
forgiveness and salvation—and that they may have no dominion over the servants
of God or his saints; but that Zion may flourish upon the mountains and be
exalted on the hills, and that all nations shall flow until it and be saved, we
will humble ourselves with fasting and supplication, and sing praises unto our
God, with the voice of melody and thanksgiving, for the deliverance he has
wrought out for his servant Joseph, through the legally constituted authorities
of our Government.
The Bishops of the several Wards are requested to
see that meetings are appointed sufficient for the accommodation of the
brethren and make a report to us immediately of the same,*—and it may be
expected that some one of the brethren who visited Springfield, will be present
at the different meetings, and give a history of their proceedings.
In our fastings, humiliations, and thanksgivings,
let us forget the poor and destitute, to minister to their necessities, and
respectfully would we suggest to the consideration of the brethren the
situation of our President, who has long been all his business deranged, and
has been recently obliged to expend large sums of money in procuring his
release from unjust persecution, leaving him destitute of necessaries for his
family, and of means for prosecuting the History of the Church and the
translations which he is anxious should be in the hands of the brethren as
speedily as possible. We therefore recommend that collections be taken at the
different meetings, for his benefit, and such as have not cash will recollect
that provisions will be an excellent substitute whenever it is convenient to
bring them in; and we hope our brethren who are farmers in Laharpe, Ramus,
Zarahemly &c. and the region around, will have the opportunity of reading
these few hints. A word to the wise is sufficient. The Lord loveth a cheerful
and bountiful giver, and will restore an hundred fold—for the laboror is worthy
of his hire.
BRIGHAM YOUNG, President.
W Richards, Clerk.
Nauvoo, January 11, 1843
Taken
from The
Wasp 1, no. 37 (January 14, 1843), 147