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)
Further Reading:
Resources on Joseph Smith's Prophecies