Saturday, May 25, 2024

Transcription of Brigham Young's January 11, 1843 Speech

  

Feeling a deep sense of gratitude to our Heavenly Father, for the great blessings which he has conferred on us, in the deliverance of our believed 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 last, as a day of humiliation fasting, praise, prayer and thanksgiving, 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 so, until he has finished the great work committed to his charge, and that all those who have 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 such 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 unto it and be saved, we will humble ourselves with fasting and supplications, 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 different meetings, and give a history of their proceedings.

 

In our fastings, humiliations, and thanksgivings, let us not 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 had all his business deranged, and has been recently obliged to expand 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 the 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 regions 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 laborer is worthy of his hire. (Brigham Young, "Proclamation to the Saints in Nauvoo," January 11, 1843, repr. The Wasp 1, no. 37 [January 14, 1843]: 147, emphasis in bold added)

 

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