In D&C 124:2-14 we read the following, wherein the Apostles of the Church are commanded to issue a “solemn proclamation" to the leaders of the world:
Your prayers are
acceptable before me; and in answer to them I say unto you, that you are now
called immediately to make a solemn proclamation of my gospel, and of this
stake which I have planted to be a cornerstone of Zion, which shall be polished
with the refinement which is after the similitude of a palace. This
proclamation shall be made to all the kings of the world, to the four corners
thereof, to the honorable president-elect, and the high-minded governors of the
nation in which you live, and to all the nations of the earth scattered abroad.
Let it be written in the spirit of meekness and by the power of the Holy Ghost,
which shall be in you at the time of the writing of the same; For it shall be
given you by the Holy Ghost to know my will concerning those kings and
authorities, even what shall befall them in a time to come. For, behold, I am
about to call upon them to give heed to the light and glory of Zion, for the
set time has come to favor her. Call ye, therefore, upon them with loud
proclamation, and with your testimony, fearing them not, for they are as grass,
and all their glory as the flower thereof which soon falleth, that they may be
left also without excuse—And that I may visit them in the day of visitation,
when I shall unveil the face of my covering, to appoint the portion of the
oppressor among hypocrites, where there is gnashing of teeth, if they reject my
servants and my testimony which I have revealed unto them. And again, I will
visit and soften their hearts, many of them for your good, that ye may find
grace in their eyes, that they may come to the light of truth, and the Gentiles
to the exaltation or lifting up of Zion. For the day of my visitation cometh
speedily, in an hour when ye think not of; and where shall be the safety of my
people, and refuge for those who shall be left of them? Awake, O kings of the
earth! Come ye, O, come ye, with your gold and your silver, to the help of my
people, to the house of the daughters of Zion. And again, verily I say unto
you, let my servant Robert B. Thompson help you to write this proclamation, for
I am well pleased with him, and that he should be with you; Let him, therefore,
hearken to your counsel, and I will bless him with a multiplicity of blessings;
let him be faithful and true in all things from henceforth, and he shall be
great in mine eyes; But let him remember that his stewardship will I require at
his hands.
Commenting on this pericope, Robinson
and Garrett in vol. 4 of A Commentary on the Doctrine and Covenants
wrote:
2–14.
Make a solemn proclamation. The Saints were first commanded to
publish a proclamation of peace to the world on 28 March 1835 (see D&C
105:39). A proclamation was published on 15 January 1841 from Nauvoo addressed
to the Saints scattered abroad. It is not clear whether this proclamation was
in fulfillment of the command given in Doctrine and Covenants 105. Four days
later, on 19 January 1841, the Saints were commanded to issue another
proclamation (see v. 2). This proclamation was to be addressed to the kings of
the world and federal and state leaders in the United States (see v. 3). It was
to be written under the direction of the Holy Ghost to warn these leaders that
God was in command and they were as grass which would soon fall (see vv. 5–7).
The leaders were to be invited to soften their hearts and allow the gospel to
be preached in their lands (see vv. 9–11).
Although
several assignments were given and some effort expended, because of the
pressure of building the temple and various disruptions, this proclamation was
not written during the lifetime of Joseph Smith. After his death, the Quorum of
the Twelve took responsibility to fulfill the command by issuing a proclamation
to the world in 1845. The proclamation reviewed the history of the Church and
the problems it faced as a result of the persecution in Ohio, Missouri, and
Illinois. It testified of the future establishment of Zion and the second
coming of the Lord, and it invited leaders of the various lands to open their
doors to the preaching of the gospel.
That
the Proclamation of the Twelve Apostles was published in fulfillment of the
revelation is made clear by Wilford Woodruff in the Millennial Star of
15 October 1845, and that it was actually composed by Parley P. Pratt is
acknowledged by Brigham Young in his letter to Parley of 26 May
1845.4 Elder B. H. Roberts indicated that the author was Parley P. Pratt.
(Smith, History of the Church, 7:558n)
On
3 October 1975, Ezra Taft Benson, then president of the Quorum of the Twelve,
referred to this proclamation and read portions of it in a general conference
address. (See Benson, Conference Report, Oct. 1975, 46–49. For the full text of
the proclamation, see Clark, Messages of the First Presidency, 1:252–66)
I thought it would be useful to reproduce the
transcriptions of both these proclamations.
"Proclamation to
Saints scattered abroad" (January 15, 1841)
We
have to congratulate the Saints on the progress of the great work of the
"last days," for not only has it spread through the length and
breadth of this vast continent, but on the continent of Europe, and on the
islands of the sea, it is spreading in a manner entirely unprecedented in the
annals of time. This appears the more pleasing when we consider, that but a
short time has elapsed since we were unmercifully driven from the state of
Missouri, after suffering cruelties and persecutions in various and horrid
forms. Then our overthrow, to many, seemed inevitable, while the enemies of
truth triumphed over us, and by their cruel reproaches endeavored to aggravate
our sufferings. But the Lord of Hosts was with us, the God of Jacob was our
refuge, and we were delivered from the hands of bloody and deceitful men; and
in the state of Illinois we found an asylum, and were kindly welcomed by
persons worthy the character of freemen.
It
would be impossible to enumerate all those who, in our time of deep distress,
nobly came forward to our relief, and, like the good Samaritan, poured oil into
our wounds, and contributed liberally to our necessities, and the citizens of
Quincy en masse, and the people of Illinois, generally, seemed to emulate each
other in this labor of love. We would, however, make honorable mention of
Governor Carlin, Judge Young, General Leech, Judge Ralston, Rev. Mr. Young,
Col. Henry, N. Bushnell, John Wood, J. N. Morris, S. M. Bartlett, Samuel
Holmes, and J. T. Holmes, Esquires, who will long be remembered, by a grateful
community, for their philanthropy to a suffering people, and whose kindness, on
that occasion, is indelibly engraved on the tablets of our hearts in golden
letters of love.
We
would likewise make mention of the legislators of this state, who, without
respect to parties, without reluctance, freely, openly, boldly, and nobly, have
come forth to our assistance, owned us as citizens and friends, and took us by
the hand, and extended to us all the blessings of civil, political, and
religious liberty, by granting us, under date of December 16, 1840, one of the
most liberal charters, with the most plenary powers ever conferred by a
legislative assembly on free citizens, "The City of Nauvoo," the
"Nauvoo Legion," and the "University of the City of
Nauvoo."
The
first of these charters (that for the "City of Nauvoo") secures to
us, in all time to come, irrevocably, all those great blessings of civil
liberty which of right appertain to all the free citizens of a great civilized
republic; it is all we ever claimed. What a contrast does the proceedings of
the legislators of this state present when compared with those of Missouri,
whose bigotry, jealousy, and superstition, prevailed to such an extent as to
deny us our liberty and our sacred rights. Illinois has set a glorious example
to the whole United States, and while she requires of us implicit obedience to
the laws, (which we hope ever to see observed) she affords us the protection of
law, the security of life, liberty, and the peaceable pursuit of happiness.
The
name of our city (Nauvoo) is of Hebrew origin, and signifies a beautiful
situation, or place, carrying with it, also, the idea of rest; and is truly
descriptive of the most delightful location. It is situated on the east bank of
the Mississippi river, at the head of the Des Moines Rapids, in Hancock county,
bounded on the east by an extensive prairie of surpassing beauty, and on the
north, west, and south, by the Mississippi. This place has been objected to by
some on account of the sickness which has prevailed in the summer months, but
it is the opinion of Doctor Bennett, that Hancock county, and all the eastern
and southern portions of the City of Nauvoo, are as healthful as any other
portions of the western country, to acclimatized citizens; whilst the
northwestern portion of the city has experienced much affliction from fever and
ague, which, however, Doctor Bennett thinks can be easily remedied by draining
the sloughs on the adjacent islands in the Mississippi.
The
population of our city is increasing with unparalleled rapidity, numbering more
than 3,000 inhabitants. Every facility is afforded, in the city and adjacent
country, in Hancock county, for the successful prosecution of the mechanical
arts and the pleasing pursuits of agriculture. The waters of the Mississippi
can be successfully used for manufacturing purposes to almost an unlimited
extent.
Having
been instrumental, in the hands of our heavenly Father, in laying a foundation
for the gathering of Zion, we would say, let all those who appreciate the
blessings of the Gospel, and realize the importance of obeying the commandments
of heaven, who have been blessed of heaven with the possession of this world's
goods, first prepare for the general gathering; let them dispose of their
effects as fast as circumstances will possibly admit, without making too great
sacrifices, and remove to our city and county; establish and build up
manufactures in the city, purchase and cultivate farms in the county. This will
secure our permanent inheritance, and prepare the way for the gathering of the
poor. This is agreeable to the order of heaven, and the only principle on which
the gathering can be effected. Let the rich, then, and all who can assist in
establishing this place, make every preparation to come on without delay, and
strengthen our hands, and assist in promoting the happiness of the Saints. This
cannot be too forcibly impressed on the minds of all, and the Elders are hereby
instructed to proclaim this word in all places where the Saints reside, in
their public administrations, for this is according to the instructions we have
received from the Lord.
The
Temple of the Lord is in process of erection here, where the Saints will come
to worship the God of their fathers, according to the order of His house and
the powers of the Holy Priesthood, and will be so constructed as to enable all
the functions of the Priesthood to be duly exercised, and where instructions
from the Most High will be received, and from this place go forth to distant
lands. Let us then concentrate all our powers, under the provisions of our
magna charta granted by the Illinois legislature, at the "City of
Nauvoo" and surrounding country, and strive to emulate the action of the
ancient covenant fathers and patriarchs, in those things which are of such vast
importance to this and every succeeding generation.
The
"Nauvoo Legion" embraces all our military power, and will enable us
to perform our military duty by ourselves, and thus afford us the power and
privilege of avoiding one of the most fruitful sources of strife, oppression,
and collision with the world. It will enable us to show our attachment to the
state and nation, as a people, whenever the public service requires our aid,
thus proving ourselves obedient to the paramount laws of the land, and ready at
all times to sustain and execute them.
The
"University of the City of Nauvoo" will enable us to teach our
children wisdom, to instruct them in all the knowledge and learning, in the
arts, sciences, and learned professions. We hope to make this institution one
of the great lights of the world, and by and through it to diffuse that kind of
knowledge which will be of practicable utility, and for the public good, and
also for private and individual happiness. The Regents of the University will
take the general supervision of all matters appertaining to education, from
common schools up to the highest branches of a most liberal collegiate course.
They will establish a regular system of education, and hand over the pupil from
teacher to professor, until the regular gradation is consummated and the
education finished.
This
corporation contains all the powers and prerogatives of any other college or
university in this state. The charters for the University and Legion are
addenda to the city charter, making the whole perfect and complete.
Not
only has the Lord given us favor in the eyes of the community, who are happy to
see us in the enjoyment of all the rights and privileges of freemen, but we are
happy to state that several of the principal men in Illinois, who have listened
to the doctrines we promulgate, have become obedient to the faith, and are
rejoicing in the same; among whom is John C. Bennett, M. D.,
Quartermaster-General of Illinois. We mention this gentleman first, because,
that during our persecutions in Missouri, he became acquainted with the
violence we were suffering while in that state, on account of our religion; his
sympathy for us was aroused, and his indignation kindled against our
persecutors, for the cruelties practiced upon us, and their flagrant violation
of both the law and the Constitution. Amidst their heated zeal to put down the
truth, he addressed us a letter, tendering to us his assistance in delivering
us out of the hands of our enemies, and restoring us again to our privileges,
and only required at our hands to point out the way and he would be
forthcoming, with all the forces he could raise for the purpose. He has been
one of the instruments in effecting our safety and deliverance, from the unjust
persecutions and demands of the authorities of Missouri, and also in procuring
the city chapter. He is a man of enterprise, extensive acquirements, and of
independent mind, and is calculated to be a great blessing to our community.
Dr.
Isaac Galland also, who is one of our benefactors, having under his control a
large quantity of land, in the immediate vicinity of our city, and a
considerable portion of the city plat, opened both his heart and his hands, and
"when we were strangers, took us in," and bade us welcome to share
with him in his abundance, leaving his dwelling house, the most splendid
edifice in the vicinity, for our accommodation, and partook himself to a small,
uncomfortable dwelling. He sold us his large estates on very reasonable terms,
and on long credit, so that we might have an opportunity of paying for them
without being distressed, and has since taken our lands in Missouri in payment
for the whole amount, and has given us a clear and indisputable title for the
same. And in addition to the first purchase, we have exchanged lands with him
in Missouri to the amount of eighty thousand dollars. He is the honored
instrument the Lord used to prepare a home for us, when we were driven from our
inheritances, having given him control of vast bodies of land, and prepared his
heart to make the use of it the Lord intended he should. Being a man of
extensive information, great talents, and high literary fame, he devoted all
his powers and influence to give us a standing.
After
having thus exerted himself for our salvation and comfort, and formed an
intimate acquaintance with many of our people, his mind became wrought up to
the greatest feelings, being convinced that our persecutions were like those of
the ancient Saints, and, after investigating the doctrines we proclaimed, he
became convinced of the truth and of the necessity of obedience thereto, and,
to the great joy and satisfaction of the Church, he yielded himself to the
waters of baptism, and became a partaker with us in our sufferings,
"Choosing rather to suffer afflictions with the people of God than enjoy
the pleasures of sin for a season."
In
connection with these, we would mention the names of General James Adams, judge
of probate, of Sangamon county; Dr. Green of Shelby county, R. D. Foster, and
Sidney Knowlton, of Hancock county; Dr. Knight, of Putnam county, Indiana; many
others of respectability and high standing in society, and nearly all the old
settlers in our immediate neighborhood. We make mention of this that the Saints
may be encouraged, and also that they may see that the persecutions we suffered
in Missouri were but the prelude to a far more glorious display of the power of
truth, and of the religion we have espoused.
From
the kind, uniform, and consistent course pursued by the citizens of Illinois,
and the great success which has attended us while here, the natural advantages
of this place for every purpose we require, and the necessity of the gathering
of the Saints of the Most High, we would say-let the brethren who love the
prosperity of Zion, who are anxious that her stakes should be strengthened and
her cords lengthened, and who prefer her prosperity to their chief joy, come
and cast in their lots with us, and cheerfully engage in a work so glorious and
sublime, and say with Nehemiah, "We, His servants, will arise and
build." It probably would hardly be necessary to enforce this important
subject on the attention of the Saints, as its necessity is obvious, and is a
subject of paramount importance; but as watchmen to the house of Israel-as
shepherds over the flock which is now scattered over a vast extent of country,
and the anxiety we feel for their prosperity and everlasting welfare, and for
the carrying out the great and glorious purposes of our God, to which we have
been called, we feel to urge its necessity, and say-Let the Saints come here;
this is the word of the Lord, and in accordance with the great work of the last
days. It is true, the idea of a general gathering has heretofore been
associated with the most cruel and oppressing scenes, owing to our unrelenting
persecutions at the hands of wicked and unjust men; but we hope that those days
of darkness and gloom have gone by, and, from the liberal policy of our state
government, we may expect a scene of peace and prosperity we have never before
witnessed since the rise of our Church, and the happiness and prosperity which
now await us, is, in all human probability, incalculably great. By a
concentration of action, and a unity of effort, we can only accomplish the
great work of the last days which we could not do in our remote and scattered
condition, while our interests, both temporal and spiritual, will be greatly
enhanced, and the blessings of heaven must flow unto us in an uninterrupted
stream; of this, we think there can be no question.
The
greatest temporal and spiritual blessings which always flow from faithfulness
and concerted effort, never attended individual exertion or enterprise. The
history of all past ages abundantly attests this fact. In addition to all
temporal blessings, there is no other way for the Saints to be saved in these
last days, [than by the gathering] as the concurrent testimony of all the holy
Prophets clearly proves, for it is written-"They shall come from the east,
and be gathered from the west; the north shall give up, and the south shall
keep not back." "The sons of God shall be gathered from far, and His
daughters from the ends of the earth."
It
is also the concurrent testimony of all the Prophets, that this gathering
together of all the Saints, must take place before the Lord comes to "take
vengeance upon the ungodly," and 'to be glorified and admired by all those
who obey the Gospel." The fiftieth Psalm, from the first to the fifth
verse inclusive, describes the glory and majesty of that event.
"The
mighty God, and even the Lord hath spoken, and called the earth from the rising
of the sun unto the going down thereof. Out of Zion, the perfection of beauty,
God hath shined. Our God shall come, and shall not keep silence; a fire shall
devour before Him, and it shall be very tempestuous round about Him. He shall
call to the heavens from above, and to the earth (that He may judge the
people). Gather my Saints together unto me; those that have made covenant with
me by sacrifice."
We
might offer many other quotations from the Scriptures, but believing them to be
familiar to the Saints, we forbear.
We
would wish the Saints to understand that, when they come here, they must not
expect perfection, or that all will be harmony, peace, and love; if they
indulge these ideas, they will undoubtedly be deceived, for here there are
persons, not only from different states, but from different nations, who,
although they feel a great attachment to the cause of truth, have their
prejudices of education, and consequently, it requires some time before these
things can be overcome. Again, there are many that creep in unawares, and
endeavor to sow discord, strife, and animosity in our midst, and by so doing,
bring evil upon the Saints. These things we have to bear with, and these things
will prevail either to a greater or less extent until "the floor be
thoroughly purged," and "the chaff be burnt up." Therefore, let
those who come up to this place be determined to keep the commandments of God,
and not be discouraged by those things we have enumerated, and then they will
be prospered-the intelligence of heaven will be communicated to them, and they
will, eventually, see eye to eye, and rejoice in the full fruition of that
glory which is reserved for the righteous.
In
order to erect the Temple of the Lord, great exertions will be required on the
part of the Saints, so that they may build a house which shall be accepted by
the Almighty, and in which His power and glory shall be manifested. Therefore
let those who can freely make a sacrifice of their time, their talents, and
their prosperity, for the prosperity of the kingdom, and for the love they have
to the cause of truth, bid adieu to their homes and pleasant places of abode,
and unite with us in the great work of the last days, and share in the
tribulation, that they may ultimately share in the glory and triumph.
We wish it likewise to be distinctly understood, that we claim no privilege but what we feel cheerfully disposed to share with our fellow citizens of every denomination, and every sentiment of religion; and therefore say, that so far from being restricted to our own faith, let all those who desire to locate themselves in this place, or the vicinity, come, and we will hail them as citizens and friends, and shall feel it not only a duty, but a privilege, to reciprocate the kindness we have received from the benevolent and kind-hearted citizens of the state of Illinois.
JOSEPH SMITH.
SIDNEY RIGDON,
HYRUM SMITH,
Presidents of the Church.
Nauvoo, January 15th, 1841. (from Clarke, Messages
of the First Presidency, vol. 1)
A Proclamation of the Twelve Apostles of the Church of Jesus
Christ of Latter-day Saints (April 6, 1845)
TO
ALL THE KINGS OF THE WORLD; TO THE PRESIDENT OF
THE
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA;
TO
THE GOVERNORS OF THE SEVERAL STATES AND TO THE
RULERS
AND PEOPLES OF ALL NATIONS.
[Liverpool
Published
by Wilford Woodruff,
James
and Woodburn,
1845]
Greeting.
KNOW ye that the kingdom of God
has come, as has been predicted by ancient prophets, and prayed for in all
ages; even that kingdom which shall fill the whole earth, and shall stand for
ever.
The great Elohim, Jehovah, has
been pleased once more to speak from the heavens, and also to commune with man
upon the earth, by means of open visions, and by the ministration of HOLY
MESSENGERS.
By this means the great and
eternal High Priesthood, after the order of his Son (even the Apostleship) has
been restored or returned to the earth.
This High Priesthood or
Apostleship, holds the keys of the kingdom of God, and power to bind on earth
that which shall be bound in heaven, and to loose on earth that which shall be
loosed in heaven; and, in fine, to do, and to administer in all things
pertaining to the ordinances, organization, government and direction of the
kingdom of God.
Being established in these last
days for the restoration of all things spoken by the prophets since the world
began, and in order to prepare the way for the coming of the Son of Man.
And we now bear witness that his
coming is near at hand; and not many years hence, the nations and their kings
shall see him coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.
In order to meet this great event,
there must needs be a preparation.
Therefore we send unto you, with
authority from on high, and command you all to repent and humble yourselves as
little children, before the majesty of the Holy One; and come unto Jesus with a
broken heart and a contrite spirit, and be baptized in his name, for the
remission of sins (that is, be buried in the water in the likeness of his
burial and rise again to newness of life, in the likeness of his resurrection),
and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit, through the laying on of the
hands of the Apostles and elders, of this great and last dispensation of mercy
to man.
This Spirit shall bear witness to
you, of the truth of our testimony, and shall enlighten your minds, and be in
you as the spirit of prophecy and revelation. It shall bring things past to
your understanding and remembrance, and shall show you things to come.
It shall also impart unto you many
great and glorious gifts; such as the gift of healing the sick, and of being
healed, by the laying on of hands in the name of Jesus; and of expelling
demons; and even of seeing visions, and conversing with Angels and spirits from
the unseen world.
By the light of this Spirit,
received through the ministration of the ordinances--by the power and authority
of the Holy Apostleship and Priesthood, you will be enabled to understand, and
to be the children of light; and thus be prepared to escape all the things that
are coming on the earth, and so stand before the Son of Man.
We testify that the foregoing
doctrine is the doctrine or gospel of Jesus Christ, in its fulness; and that it
is the only true, everlasting, and unchangeable gospel; and the only plan
revealed on earth whereby man can be saved.
We also bear testimony that the
"Indians" (so called) of North and South America are a remnant of the
tribes of Israel, as is now made manifest by the discovery and revelation of
their ancient oracles and records.
And that they are about to be
fathered, civilized, and made one nation in this glorious land.
They will also come to the
knowledge of their forefathers, and of the fulness of the gospel; and they will
embrace it, and become a righteous branch of the house of Israel.
And we further testify that the
Lord has appointed a holy city and temple to be built on this continent, for
the endowment and ordinances pertaining to the priesthood; and for the
Gentiles, and the remnant of Israel to resort unto, in order to worship the
Lord, and to be taught in his ways and walk in his paths; in short, to finish
their preparations for the coming of the Lord.
And we further testify, that the
Jews among all nations are hereby commanded, in the name of the Messiah, to
prepare, to return to Jerusalem in Palestine, and to rebuild that city and
temple unto the Lord.
And also to organize and establish
their own political government, under their own rulers, judges, and governors,
in that country.
For be it known unto them that we
now hold the keys of the priesthood and kingdom which is soon to be restored
unto them.
Therefore let them also repent,
and prepare to obey the ordinances of God.
And now, O ye kings, rulers, and
people of the Gentiles, hear ye the word of the Lord, for this commandment is
for you. You are not only required to repent and obey the gospel in its
fulness, and thus become members or citizens of the kingdom of God; but you are
also hereby commanded, in the name of Jesus Christ, to put your silver and your
gold, your ships and steam-vessels, your railroad trains and your horses,
chariots, camels, mules, and litters, into active use, for the fulfillment of
these purposes. For be it known unto you, that the only salvation which remains
for the Gentiles, is for them to be identified in the same covenant, and to
worship at the same altar with Israel. In short, they must come to the same
standard; for there shall be one Lord, and his name one, and He shall be king
over all the earth.
The Latter-day Saints, since their
first organization in the year 1830, have been a poor, persecuted, abused, and
afflicted people. They have sacrificed their time and property freely, for the
sake of laying the foundation of the kingdom of God, and enlarging its
dominion, by the ministry of the gospel. They have suffered privation, hunger,
imprisonment, and the loss of houses, lands, home, and political rights for
their testimony.
And this is not all. Their first
founder, Mr. Joseph Smith, whom God raised up as a prophet and apostle, mighty
in word and in deed, and his brother Hyrum, who was also a prophet, together
with many others, have suffered a cruel martyrdom in the cause of truth, and
have sealed their testimony with their blood; and still the work has, as it
were, but just begun.
A great, a glorious, and a mighty
work is yet to be achieved, in spreading the truth and kingdom among the
Gentiles--in restoring, organizing, instructing and establishing the Jews--in
gathering, instructing, relieving, civilizing, educating and administering
salvation to the remnant of Israel on this continent--in building Jerusalem in
Palestine, and the cities, stakes, temples, and sanctuaries of Zion in America;
and in gathering the Gentiles into the same covenant and
organization--instructing them in all things for their sanctification and
preparation, that the whole Church of the Saints, both Gentile, Jew and Israel,
may be prepared as a bride for the coming of the Lord.
And
now, O ye kings, rulers, presidents, governors, judges, legislators, nobles,
lords, and rich men of the earth, will you leave us to struggle alone, and to
toil unaided in so great a work? or will you share in the labours, toils,
sacrifices, honours and blessings of the same?
Have you not the same interest in
it that we have? Is it not sent forth to renovate the world--to enlighten the
nations--to cover the earth with light, knowledge, truth, union, peace and
love? and thus usher in the great millennium, or sabbath of rest, so long
expected and sought for by all good men? We bear testimony that it is; and the
fulfillment of our words will establish their truth to millions yet unborn,
while there are those now living upon the earth who will live to see the
consummation.
Come, then, to the help of the
Lord, and let us have your aid and protection--and your willing and hearty
co-operation in this, the greatest of all revolutions.
Again, we say, by the word of the
Lord, to the people as well as to the rulers, your aid and assistance is
required in this great work; and you are hereby invited, in the name of Jesus,
to take an active part in it from this day forward.
Open your churches, doors, and
hearts for the truth; hear the apostles and elders of the Church of the Saints
when they come into your cities and neighborhoods; read and search the
scriptures carefully, and see whether these things are so; read the
publications of the Saints, and help to publish them to others; seek for the
witness of the Spirit, and come and obey the glorious fulness of the gospel,
and help us build the cities and sanctuaries of our God.
The sons and daughters of Zion
will soon be required to devote a portion of their time in instructing the
children of the forest; for they must be educated and instructed in all the
arts of civil life, as well as in the gospel. They must be clothed, fed, and
instructed in the principles and practice of virtue, modesty, temperance,
cleanliness, industry, mechanical arts, manners, customs, dress, music, and all
other things which are calculated in their nature to refine, purify, exalt, and
glorify them as the sons and daughters of the royal house of Israel and of
Joseph, who are making ready for the coming of the bridegroom.
Know, assuredly, that whether you
come to the help of the Saints in this great work, or whether you make light of
this message, and withhold your aid and co-operation, it is all the same as to
the success and final triumph of the work; for it is the work of the great God--for
which his WORD and OATH have been pledged from before the foundation of the
world. And the same promise and oath has been renewed unto man from the
beginning, down through each succeeding dispensation: AND CONFIRMED AGAIN BY
HIS OWN VOICE OUT OF THE HEAVENS IN THE PRESENT AGE; therefore he is bound to
fulfil it, and to overcome every obstacle.
The loss will therefore be on
their own part, and not on the part of God or of his Saints, should the people
neglect their duty in the great work of modern restoration.
There is also another consideration
of vast importance to all the rulers and people of the world in regard to this
matter. It is this:--as this work progresses in its onward course, and becomes
more and more an object of political and religious interest and excitement, no
king, ruler, or subject--no community or individual will stand neutral: all
will at length be influenced by one spirit or the other, and will take sides
either for or against the kingdom of God, and the fulfillment of the prophets
in the great restoration and return of his long-dispersed covenant people.
Some will act the part of the
venerable Jethro, the father-in-law of Moses, or the noble Cyrus, and will aid
and bless the people of God; or, like Ruth, the Moabitess, will forsake their
people, and their kindred, and country, and will say to the Saints, or to
Israel--"This people shall be my people, and their God my God," while
others will walk in the footsteps of a Pharaoh or a Balak, and will harden
their hearts and fight against God, and seek to destroy his people. These will
commune with priests and prophets who love the wages of unrighteousness, and
who, like Balaam, will seek to curse, or to find enchantments against Israel.
You cannot, therefore, stand as
idle and disinterested spectators of the scenes and events which are
calculated, in their very nature, to reduce all nations and creeds to one
political and religious standard, and thus put an end to Babel forms and names,
and to strife and war. You will, therefore, either be led by the good Spirit to
cast in your lot, and to take a lively interest with the Saints of the Most
High, and the covenant people of the Lord; or, on the other hand, you will
become their inveterate enemy, and oppose them by every means in your power.
To such an extreme will this great
division finally extend, that the nations of the old world will combine to
oppose these things by military force. They will send a great army to
Palestine, against the Jews, and they will besiege their city, and will reduce
the inhabitants of Jerusalem to the greatest extreme of distress and misery.
Then will commence a struggle in which
the fate of nations and empires will be suspended on a single battle.
In this battle the governors and
people of Judah distinguish themselves for their bravery and warlike
achievements. The weak among them will be like David, and the strong among them
will be like God, or like the angel of the Lord.
In that day the Lord will pour
upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem the spirit of grace and supplication, and
they shall look upon the Messiah whom they have pierced.
For lo! he will descend from
heaven as the defender of the Jews, and to complete their victory. His feet
will stand in that day upon the Mount of Olives, which shall cleave in sunder
at his presence, and remove one half to the north, and the other to the south,
thus forming a great valley where the mountain now stands.
The earth will quake around him,
while storm and tempest, hail and plague, are mingled with the clash of arms,
the roar of artillery, the shouts of victory, and the groans of the wounded and
dying.
In that day, all who are in the
siege, both against Judea and against Jerusalem, shall be cut in pieces, though
all the people of the earth should be gathered together against it.
This signal victory on the part of
the Jews, so unlooked for by the nations, and attended with the personal advent
of Messiah and the accompanying events, will change the whole order of things
in Europe and Asia, in regard to political and religious organization, and
government.
The Jews as a nation become holy
from that day forward, and their city and sanctuary becomes holy. There also
the Messiah establishes his throne and seat of government.
Jerusalem then becomes the seat of
empire, and the great centre and capital of the old world.
All the families of the land shall
then go up to Jerusalem once a year, to worship the King, the Lord of Hosts,
and to keep the feast of tabernacles.
Those who refuse to go up, shall
have no rain, but shall be smitten with dearth and famine; and if the family of
Egypt go not up (as it never rains there) they shall be smitten with the
plague. And thus all things shall be fulfilled according to the words of the
holy prophets of old, and the word of the Lord which is now revealed, to
confirm and fulfil them.
In short the kings, rulers,
priests and people of Europe, and of the old world, shall know this once that
there is a God in Israel, who, as in days of old, can utter his voice, and it
shall be obeyed.
The courts of Rome, London, Paris,
Constantinople, Petersburgh, and all others, will then have to yield the point
and do homage, and all pay tribute to one great centre, and to one mighty
Sovereign, or, THRONES WILL BE CAST DOWN, AND KINGDOMS WILL CEASE TO BE.
Priests, bishops, and clergy,
whether Catholic, Protestant, or Mahomedan [Muhammadan], will then have to
yield their pretended claims to the priesthood, together with titles, honours,
creeds and names, and reverence and obey the true and royal priesthood of the
order of Melchisedek [Melchizedek], and of Aaron; restored to the rightful
heirs -- the nobility of Israel; or, the dearth and famine will consume them,
and the plague sweep them quickly down to the pit, as in the case of Korah,
Dathan and Abiram, who pretended to the priesthood, and rebelled against God's
chosen priests and prophets in the days of Moses.
While these great events are
rolling on the wheels of time, and being fulfilled in the old world, the
Western Continent will present a scene of grandeur, greatness, and glory, far
surpassing the scene just described.
The Lord will make her that halted
a remnant, and gather her that was driven out and afflicted; and make her who
was cast afar off a strong nation; and will reign over them in Mount Zion from
that time forth and for ever.
Or, in other words, He will
assemble the natives, the remnants of Joseph in America, and make of them a
great, and strong, and powerful nation; and he will civilize and enlighten
them, and will establish a holy city, and temple, and seat of government among
them, which shall be called Zion.
And there shall be his tabernacle,
his sanctuary, his throne, and seat of government for the whole continent of
North and South America for ever; in short, it will be to the western
hemisphere what Jerusalem will be to the eastern.
And there the Messiah will visit
them in person; and the old Saints, who will then have been raised from the
dead, will be with him; and he will establish his kingdom and laws over all the
land.
To this city, and to its several
branches or stakes, shall the Gentiles seek, as to a standard of light and
knowledge; yea, the nations, and their kings and nobles, shall say -- Come and
let us go up to the Mount Zion, and to the temple of the Lord, where his holy
priesthood stand to minister continually before the Lord; and where we may be
instructed more fully, and receive the ordinances of remission, and of
sanctification, and redemption, and thus be adopted into the family of Israel,
and identified in the same covenants of promise.
The despised and degraded son of
the forest, who has wandered in dejection and sorrow, and suffered reproach,
shall then drop his disguise and stand forth in manly dignity, and exclaim to
the Gentiles who have envied and sold him--"I am Joseph; does my father
yet live?" or, in other words, I am a descendant of that Joseph who was
sold into Egypt. You have hated me, and sold me, and thought I was dead; but
lo! I live, and am heir to the inheritance, titles, honours, priesthood,
sceptre, crown, throne, and eternal life and dignity of my fathers, who live
for evermore.
He shall then be ordained, washed,
anointed with holy oil, and arrayed in fine linen, even in the glorious and
beautiful garments and royal robes of the high priesthood, which is after the
order of the Son of God; and shall enter into the congregation of the Lord,
even into the Holy of Holies, there to be crowned with authority and power
which shall never end.
The Spirit of the Lord shall then
descend upon him like the dew upon the mountains of Hermon, and like refreshing
showers of rain upon the flowers of Paradise.
His heart shall expand with
knowledge, wide as eternity, and his mind shall comprehend the vast creations
of his God, and His eternal purpose of redemption, glory, and exaltation, which
was devised in heaven before the worlds were organized, but made manifest in
these last days, for the fulness of the Gentiles, and for the exaltation of
Israel.
He shall also behold his Redeemer,
and be filled with his presence, while the cloud of his glory shall be seen in
his temple.
The city of Zion, with its
sanctuary and priesthood, and the glorious fulness of the gospel, will
constitute a standard which will put an end to jarring creeds and political
wranglings, by uniting the republics, states, provinces, territories, nations,
tribes, kindred, tongues, people, and sects of North and South America in one
great and common bond of brotherhood; while truth and knowledge shall make them
free, and love cement their union.
The Lord also shall be their king
and their lawgiver; while wars shall cease and peace prevail for a thousand
years.
Thus shall American rulers,
statesmen, citizens, and savages know, "this once" that there is a
God in Israel, who can utter his voice, and it shall be fulfilled.
Americans! This mighty and strange
work has been commenced in your midst, and must roll on in fulfillment.
You are now invited and earnestly
intreated to investigate it thoroughly, and to aid and participate in its
accomplishment.
You
ask what can be done?
We answer; protect the Saints;
give them their rights; extend the broad banner of the constitution and laws
over their homes, cities, firesides, wives and children, that they may CEASE TO
BE BUTCHERED, MARTYRED, ROBBED, PLUNDERED, AND DRIVEN, and may peaceably
proceed in the work assigned them by their God.
Execute the Law upon the
offenders, and thus rid your garments of INNOCENT BLOOD.
Pass acts, also, to indemnify them
in the millions they have lost, by your cruel and criminal neglect.
Contribute liberally of your
substance for their aid, and for the fulfillment of their mission.
Let the government of the United
States also continue to gather together, and to colonize the tribes and
remnants of Israel (the Indians), and also to feed, clothe, succour, and
protect them, and endeavour to civilize and unite; and also to bring them to
the knowledge of their Israelitish origin, and of the fulness of the gospel
which was revealed to, and written by their forefathers on this land, the
record of which has now come to light.
It is these records, together with
the other scriptures, and the priesthood and authority now conferred upon the
Saints, that will effect their final conversion and salvation; while the creeds
of man, and the powerless forms and dogmas of sectarianism will still remain
powerless and inefficient.
The
Lord has spoken, and who can disannul it? He has uttered his voice, and who can
gainsay it? He has stretched out his arm, and who can turn it back?
Why will not the government and
people of these States become acquainted with these records? They are published
among them for this purpose.
They would then begin to know and
understand what was to be done with these remnants, and what part they have to
act in the great restitution of Israel, and of the kingdom of God. They would
also know the object of the labours, and the final destiny of the Latter-day
Saints as a church and people; and this very subject has been a source of
wonder and conjecture, and sometimes even of anxiety among the people, ever
since the first organization of the Saints in the year 1830.
And more than all this, they would
know the destiny of this Republic, and of all other Governments, States, or
Republics in America; and the purpose of God in relation to this continent,
from the earliest ages of antiquity till the present, and from this time forth,
till the heavens and the earth shall pass away and be created anew. All these
subjects are made plain in these ancient records, and are rolling on in
fulfillment.
If the rulers and people will now
inform themselves on these momentous subjects, and fulfil the duties we have
just pointed out to them, they will then be entitled to a continuation of the great
national blessings and favours they have heretofore enjoyed; yea, and to more
abundant favours from His bountiful hand, who first raised them to national
greatness. They will in that case be prospered and enlarged, and spread their
dominion wide and more wide over this vast country, till not only Texas and
Oregon, but the whole vast dominion from sea to sea, will be joined with them,
and come under their protection as one great, powerful, and peaceful empire of
Liberty and Union.-- Millions of people would also come from all nations, their
silver and their gold with them, and would take protection under our banner,
till, in less than half a century from the present time, we would have upwards
of a hundred millions of population, all united and free; while civilisation,
arts, cultivation and improvement would extend to the most wild regions of our
continent, making our "wilderness like Eden, and our deserts like the
garden of the Lord." Or, if they will go still further, and obey the
fulness of the gospel, they would then be entitled, not only to temporal
blessings, but to the gifts of the Holy Spirit, and thus be prepared to receive
their king,--Messiah,--and to dwell for ever under his peaceful government in
this happy country.
But so long as they remain
indifferent and ignorant on these subjects, and so long as they continue to
breathe out slanders, lies, hatred and murder against the Saints, and against
the remnants of Israel, and to speak evil of and oppose the things which they
understand not, so long the blood of the Saints and of the martyrs of Jesus
must continue to flow, and the souls to cry from under the altar for vengeance
on a guilty land, till the great Messiah shall execute judgment for the Saints,
and give them the dominion.
It is in vain to suppose that the
sword, the musket, the thunder of cannon, or the grating and rattle of chains,
bolts and bars, will take away the faith, hope, or knowledge of a Latter-day
Saint. They know some facts -- and these will continue to be known facts when
death and war in their most horrid forms are raging around them. They cannot
shut their eyes upon these facts to please either governors, rulers, or the
raging multitude.
We would now make a solemn appeal
to our rulers and other fellow citizens, whether it is treason to know, or even
to publish what we know? If it is, then strike the murderous blow, but listen
to what we say.
We say, then, in life or in death,
in bonds or free, that the great God has spoken in this age.--And we know it.
He has given us the holy
priesthood and apostleship, and the keys of the kingdom of God, to bring about
the restoration of all things as promised by the holy prophets of old.--And we
know it.
He has revealed the origin and the
records of the aboriginal tribes of America, and their future destiny.--And we
know it.
He has revealed the fulness of the
gospel, with its gifts, blessings, and ordinances.--And we know it.
He has commanded us to bear
witness of it, first to the Gentiles, and then to the remnants of Israel, and
the Jews.--And we know it.
He has commanded us to gather
together his saints, on this continent, and build up holy cities and
sanctuaries.--And we know it.
He has said, that the Gentiles
should come into the same gospel and covenant, and be numbered with the house
of Israel, and be a blessed people upon this good land for ever, if they would
repent and embrace it.--And we know it.
He has also said that, if they do
not repent, and come to the knowledge of the truth, and cease to fight against
Zion, and also put away all murder, lying, pride, priestcraft, whoredom, and
secret abomination, they shall soon perish from the earth, and be cast down to
hell.--And we know it.
He has said, that the time is at
hand for the Jews to be gathered to Jerusalem.--And we know it.
He has said, that the Ten Tribes
of Israel should also be revealed in the north country, together with their
oracles and records, preparatory to their return, and to their union with
Judah, no more to be separated.--And we know it.
He has said, that when these
preparations were made, both in this country and in Jerusalem, and the gospel
in all its fulness preached to all nations for a witness and testimony. He will
come, and all the Saints with him, to reign on the earth one thousand
years.--And we know it.
He has said, that he will not come
in his glory and destroy the wicked, till these warnings were given, and these
preparations were made for his reception.--And we know it.
Now, fellow-citizens, if this
knowledge, or the publishing of it is treason or crime, we refuse not to die.
But be ye sure of this, that
whether we live or die, the words of the testimony of this proclamation which
we now send unto you, shall all be fulfilled.
Heaven and earth shall pass away,
but not one jot or tittle of his revealed word shall fail to be fulfilled.
Therefore, again we say to all
people, repent, and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ, for remission of
sins, and you shall receive the Holy Spirit, and shall know the truth, and be
numbered with the house of Israel.
And we once more invite all the
kings, presidents, governors, rulers, judges, and people of the earth to aid
us, the Latter-day Saints, and also the Jews, and all the remnants of Israel,
by your influence and protection, and by your silver and gold, that we may
build the cities of Zion and Jerusalem, and the temples and sanctuaries of our
God; and may accomplish the great restoration of all things, and bring in the
latter-day glory.
That knowledge, truth, light,
love, peace, union, honour, glory, and power, may fill the earth with eternal
life and joy.
That death, bondage, oppression,
wars, mourning, sorrow, and pain, may be done away for ever, and all tears be
wiped from every eye.
In fulfillment of the work
assigned them, let the Saints throughout the world, and all others who feel an
interest in the work of God, forward their gifts, tithes, and offerings, for
the building of the temple of the Lord, which is now in progress in the city of
Nauvoo, in the state of Illinois.
Let them also come with their gold
and silver, and goods, and workmen, to establish manufactories and business of
all kinds, for the building up of the city, and for the employment and support
of the poor, and thus strengthen the hands of those who have borne the burden
and heat of the day, and who have made great sacrifices in laying the
foundation of the kingdom of God, and moving on the work thus far.
We also make a solemn and an
earnest request of all editors of newspapers, both in this country and other
countries to publish this proclamation. It certainly contains news, such as is
not met with at all times, and in every place, and cannot fail to interest the
reading public, especially those who have prayed every day of their lives for
the Lord's kingdom to to come, and for his will to be done on the earth, as it
is done in heaven.
President Wilford Woodruff, who
superintends the publishing department of the Latter-day Saints, in Liverpool,
England, is also requested to give this proclamation a wide circulation
throughout England, Scotland, Ireland, and the Isle of Man.
Elder Jones, our minister to
Wales, is hereby instructed to publish the same in the Welsh language, and
circulate it widely through that country.
It should also be translated into
German, by some of our German elders, and published both in this country, and
on the continent of Europe. Also in Spanish and in French.
Our Norwegian elders in the branch
at Norway, Illinois, should also translate and publish it in their language,
both in this country and in Norway, in Europe.
Elder Addison Pratt, our
missionary to the Sandwich Islands, should also translate and publish it there.
We also rely on our friends, the
Jews, throughout the world, to give it a wide circulation in all their tongues
and languages.
And last, but not least, we would
invite the Editor of the Cherokee Advocate, and others of the remnant of
Joseph, to publish the same as extensively as possible in the Indian tongues.
We also will endeavor on our part,
to publish at our office, No. 7 Spruce Street, New York, one hundred thousand
copies of this work, to circulate in this country, gratis; and will do our best
endeavors to send them to all presidents, governors, legislators, judges,
postmasters, rulers, and people, not forgetting the clergy.
All persons who wish to aid us in
so doing, will please forward us contributions for that purpose, directed to
our office, No. 7, Spruce Street, New York.
All who wish a number of copies
for distribution, will obtain them at the above-named office, at 50 cents per
hundred.
The world are also informed, that
further information can be had by applying to the following general publishing
offices of the Latter-day Saints:--Mr. John Taylor, Times and Seasons office,
Nauvoo, in the State of Illinois; Messrs. Pratt and Brannan, Prophet office,
No. 7, Spruce street, New York; Mr. Wilford Woodruff Millennial Star office,
Stanley Buildings, Bath Street, Liverpool, England. Also, of our travelling
[sic] elders, and in our religious meetings throughout the world.
New York April 6th, 1845.
To
The English Reader.
It will be borne in mind that the
foregoing was written in the United States of America, therefore the language,
which we have not altered, will be understood as emanating from thence.
We would also add, that any
persons desirous of assisting us in the publication of the same, can forward
their donations, &c., addressed to Wilford Woodruff, Stanley Buildings,
Bath Street, Liverpool.
W.
Woodruff.
Liverpool, October 22nd, 1845
LIVERPOOL:
PUBLISHED
BY WILFORD WOODRUFF, STANLEY BUILDINGS,
BATH
STREET.
JAMES
AND WOODBURN, PRINTERS, SOUTH CASTLE STREET.
(transcript taken from The New
Mormon Studies CD-ROM)
