Wednesday, April 24, 2024

Joseph Smith on the Then-Future War in November 1837 (cf. D&C 87)

 

 

Be it known unto the Saints scattered abroad, greeting:

 

That myself together with my beloved brother Sidney Rigdon, having been appointed by a general conference of elders held in Kirtland in the house of the Lord on the 18th of September for the purpose of establishing places of gathering for the Saints etc., we therefore would inform our readers that we started from Kirtland in company with V. Knight and Wm. Smith on the 27th of Sept. last, for the purpose of visiting the Far West, and also to discover situations suitable for the location of the Saints who are gathering for a refuge and safety, in the day of the wrath of God which is soon to burst upon the head of this generation, according to the testimony of the prophets; who speak expressly concerning the last days. We had a prosperous and a speedy journey; we held one meeting in Norton township, Ohio, and three in Dublin, Ia., one between Dublin and Tere Haute, Ia. two in Tere Haute, one in Palmyra, Mo. 2 in Huntsville, one in Carlton, all of which were tended with good success and generally allayed the prejudice and feeling of the people as we judge from the treatment we received, being kindly and hospitably entertained. On our arrival at the city of Far West, we found the church of Latter Day Saints in that place in as prosperous a condition as we could have expected, and as we believe enjoying a goodly portion of the Spirit of God, to the joy and satisfaction of our hearts.

 

The High council was immediately called and many difficulties adjusted, and the object of our mission was laid before them, after which the subject of the propriety of the Saints, gathering to the city of Far West, was taken into consideration. After a lengthy discussion upon the subject, it was voted that the work of the gathering to that place be continued, and that there is a plenty of provisions in the upper counties for the support of that place, and also the emigration of the Saints; also voted that other Stakes be appointed in the regions round about. Therefore, a committee was appointed to locate the same, consisting of Oliver Cowdery, David Whitmer, John Corrill, and Lyman Wight, who started on their mission before we left.

 

It was also voted that the Saints be directed to those men for instruction concerning those places, and it may be expected that all the information necessary will be had from them concerning the location of those places, roads &c. Now we would recommend to the Saints scattered abroad, that they make all possible exertions to gather themselves together unto those places, as peace, verily thus saith the Lord, peace shall soon be taken from the earth, and it has already began to be taken, for a lying spirit has gone out upon all the face of the earth and shall perplex the nations, and shall stir them up to anger against one another. For behold, saith the Lord, very fierce and very terrible war is near at hand, even at your doors. Therefore, make haste saith the Lord, O ye my people, and gather yourselves together and be at peace among yourselves, or there shall be no safety for you.

 

We furthermore say to those who wish to stop short of the city of Far West, to call on us and get information concerning those places of gathering. We would say to the Saints it is now a day of warning and not of many words; therefore, a word to the wise is sufficient. We exhort you to remember the words of the prophet Malachi which says, bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse that there may be meet in mine house, and prove me herewith saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it, and I will rebuke the devourer for your sake, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground, neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field, saith the Lord of hosts, and all nations shall call you blessed for ye shall be a delightsome land saith the Lord of hosts. We would also say to the Saints that we were much please with the location of the Far West, and also the society of that place; and we purpose of locating our families in that place as soon as our circumstances will admit.

 

 We shall be under the necessity of observing brevity in this our communication for want of room to publish it and we shall close after naming a few questions which are daily and hourly asked by all classes of people whilst we are traveling and will answer them in our next. (Joseph Smith, Elders' Journal 1, no. 2 [November 1837]: 27-28, emphasis added)

 

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