Latter Day Saints' Messenger and Advocate/Volume 1/Number 5/Messenger and Advocate

Messenger and Advocate.

KIRTLAND, OHIO, FEBRUARY, 1835.

A SUMMARY.

From a file of letters on hand, from the different parts of the country, we make the following extracts for the satisfaction of the churches and elders who are scattered abroad. As many false alarms are raised by designing men, that the church is breaking up and will soon be dissolved, and to make their falsehoods more current with the people, have added to it, lately, that our stone meeting house is giving way at the foundation, and will soon fall, and that in consequence of its disposition to give way, we had ceased to work on it. It is a fact, however marvellous it may appear, that we have had men come to see if this were not the case; some from a hundred to one hundred and fifty miles distant, declaring that persons directly from Kirtland, who profess to have seen it, said it was falling down. We can say to our friends, that this morning as we were coming to the office, we passed by it, and not a stone was out of place, every one filling the place assigned it, presenting a majestic appearance to the eye of the beholder, with the top of its base fifty feet above the surface of the ground, and its elevated steeple pointing to heaven, as much as to say, "I stand here in honor of that God who created the heavens and the earth, and who framed the materials of which I am composed:" but to our letters.

Letter from Warren A. Cowdery (Jan. 28, 1835)

Elder W. A. Cowdery of Freedom, Cataraugus county, N. Y. writes under date of January 28, as follows:

"I take the liberty to send you the proceedings of the conference of elders and delegates from the different branches of the church of the Latter Day Saints, assembled in this place on Saturday and Sunday, the 24th and 25th instants.

At about 10 o'clock, brother John Gould was called to the chair, and brother H. Hyde duly appointed Secretary. Prayer by brother Gould. Called on the elders and delegates to report the situation of their respective branches, the delegates from the church at Westfield, Chautauque county, reported, from which report it appears that there are 72 members in that church in good standing. In the church of Mendon and Lima, Monroe and Livingston counties, report 8 members in good standing. From this last mentioned church, the greater part have moved away; some to Kirtland, and some to Missouri, and the eight here mentioned, is the remnant which is left. The church was once large.—Java and Weathersfield, Genessee county, reported 18 in good standing: this is also the remainder of a church: many have moved to the places of gathering.

A church recently built up through the instrumentality of Elder A. J. Squires, in Portage, Allegany county, was reported, having 19 members in good standing.

There was a church reported which resides in Grove—this is in Allegany county—said to be a firm little band, 16 in number. Also in Barns in the same county, is a church of 17 members.

The church in Perrysburgh was not represented, but there are 35 members in good standing in the church. As there have been some additions lately, it is probable that there are, at present, more than thirty five in the church.

In Laoni Village, Pomfret, Chautauque county, there is a church which was represented at the conference—20 members in good standing.

The church at Freedom, where the conference was held, has 74 members in good standing.

There was a little church in Hanover, Chautauque county, consisting of 11 members which was represented by elder Hadlock: they have much persecution, but count it all joy, being deeply rooted in the faith.

The church at Genesco was represented: it contains 24 members in good standing."

It will be seen by the above, that there are 11 churches in the part of the country where the conference was held. From many of these churches a large number have moved to the places of gathering; but the door is still open in that part of the country, and many are anxiously inquiring after truth, and no doubt numerous additions will be made to many of these churches in a short time, for the prospects are flattering according to the accounts which we receive by letters from those who have an opportunity of knowing.

Letter from John Badger (Jan. 26, 1835)

Elder John Badger writes at North Danville, Vt. dated Jan. 26.

"I have baptized a few in this region. The STONE continues rolling: the glorious work though slow, but unshaken, continues progressing; many enquiring souls are among the multitude; but a multitude of priests, professors, and people of every order, sect, party, denomination, and grade, are striving with all the combined powers of darkness to stop the progressive work of the King of kings, yet, I realize, amid all this flood of persecution and commotion, that the God of heaven will turn and overturn, combinations, powers, and kingdoms, until the kingdoms of this world, become the kingdom of our God and his Christ. To all appearances there is a great field open for labor in this region, and as we have had some encouragement that some of the first elders are coming this way, we shall look for them in the spring."

Letter from Sylvester B. Stoddard (Jan. 26, 1835)

Elder Sylvester B. Stoddard writes under date of Jan. 26, from Farmington, Kenebec county, Me.

"The Lord has been with me and blessed me with a few more sheaves, for which I rejoice in God my Savior; the cause of our heavenly Father is prospering exceedingly in this section of the country, and there are calls for preaching on the right hand and on the left, and I am not able to attend to them all. The church in this place has 28 members.—We have lost one of our number—sister Hannah Corbet, a worthy member: she departed this life on the 16th of Dec. last. She died in the triumphs of faith, and without doubt has gone to the Paradise of rest.

The church in this place requests a conference to be appointed here; no doubt this would prove beneficial—it is a very central place, and thick settled: there are three considerable villages in the town, and the towns around are thick settled: it is 50 miles from Letter B. church, 60 from Errol, 80 from Saco, a little over 100 from Dalton, N. H. and 180 or 90 from Boston. They also request, if possible, some able brethren from the west—some who are acquainted with the rise of the church.—We wish to have as many travelling brethren come as can, as there are none that I know of any where near this place—say two hundree [hundred] miles. If you think proper to appoint a conference, we wish to have it noticed in the Messenger, and notify the brethren to meet at Nathan Pinkam's in Farmington.—We desire it to commence on Friday the 19th of June next, and we will have a place for public preaching the two days following."

Letter from Carvel Rigdon (Jan. 23, 1835)

Elder Carvel Rigdon writes from Alleghany county, Pa. Jan. 23.

"The people in our own neighborhood continue to believe the evil reports which are circulating through the country, and will not let us have an opportunity of telling them what we do believe; and they prevent every person they can from hearing for themselves; so that we have not had an opportunity of saying any thing here, only to some, whom we have visited in their own houses, which has raised considerable excitement among the people, lest they should be led away. Brother Samuel James and myself, visited a village on the Monongahela river, about 20 miles from this place, and succeeded in getting a meeting appointed. I addressed a considerable congregation on the all-important subject of religion; showing what it was in the Patriarchal, Jewish, and apostolic ages, and that if we ever are in possession of the religion of heaven we must be in possession of the same things—which raised a very great excitement among the people; some saying one thing and some another, some declaring that it was true, and others that it was false. We have paid them two visits since and have found a very attentive and enquiring people. But with all the opposition which is raised against us, we will be able, if I am not greatly mistaken, to build up a church in this place shortly, and that of the more respectable and intelligent part of the inhabitants. Brother Samuel James is going, in about three weeks, to take a tour in Virginia, and will visit, Greenfield again."

Elders G. M. Hinkel and H. Green, who were laboring at the time they wrote, in Lebanon, St. Clair county, Illinois, give us the following account of their success in that region, dated Jan. 19.

"Again we have the privilege of informing you of our health, which is good, and also of sending you an account of our mission in the world.

We are yet preaching in the vicinity of St. Clair, and Washington counties, and the Lord has blessed our labors in proclaiming his word, and prejudice in many places is giving way, and truth has penetrated the hearts of many: we have baptized 27 in this place, and the work is still progressing. Brethren S. Carter and Brown are about twelve miles from here; they had baptized four the last account we had, and the prospect in that place was flattering, although the high-minded Pharisees, and priests, are uniting together to overthrow the truth, yet, the Lord has turned their counsels into foolishness, in all their efforts to deceive the people: they have been confounded and put to shame, so that their only alternative is, to prohibit their members from going to hear."

Letter from Levi. B. Wilder (Feb. 15, 1835)

The following extract is taken from a letter written by elder Levi B. Wilder, dated Dalton, N. H. Feb. 15.

"I have been a member of the church of the Latter Day Saints more than one year. A small church was formed in this place in the July of 1833, consisting of 15 members: brother Stephen Burnet was the first one that sounded the glad tidings of the everlasting gospel in this place; afterwards brother Lyman Johnson came; it was by those two that the church was commenced in this place: there have been twenty two baptized, and added to this branch of the church, some have moved away so that at present the church has about as many as at first. We have had but little preaching in this place; but there seems to be a considerable number of persons who wish to hear the gospel proclaimed; we are in want of some able brother to instruct us in the way of righteousness. We have been in rather a cold state through the summer, but we have renewed our covenant, and find the Lord is ready and willing to bless us when we do our duty."

Letter from Warren Parish (Feb. 1, 1835)

Elder W. Parish writes from Paris Henry county, Ten[n]es[s]ee, February 1st. "In our last communication to you, under date of October 27, we informed you, that we had planted a church in this vicinity, consisting of seven members: we extended our labors into an adjoining county, viz: Humphreys, and from that time up till December 1st, through the blessing of the Lord, 17 more have been added to the church. In justice to the people of this district among whom we have labored, I must say, that with some exceptions, we have been treated with respect. The march of truth is onward, its progress is not to be arrested by the impotent arm of man, whose infatuated zeal, causes them to lose sight of the sacred principles of the gospel, the truths of which are irresistible as the gathering tempest, and whose benign influence will ere long sweep over the face of the universal world, and fill it with the knowledge of God as the waters cover the sea.—In all, there have been 35 baptized, and united with this church, and I expect to baptize more shortly; for many are inquiring after the old paths, and have expressed their determination to walk therein. Many are calling on every side, 'Come and preach for us.' O! join with me in prayer to God that he may send more laborers into the vineyard! for truly, there is a famine in the land for the word of the Lord as the prophet said would be. O use your influence, my dear brother, to send some laborers into the south part of the vineyard of the Lord—I mean into Tennessee."

Summary (continued)

From the foregoing extracts it may be seen, how much truth there is in the reports which are circulated by many of all parties and sects. We are confident that there never has been a time since the church commenced, that the prospects have been more flattering than they are at present. In all parts of our country, multitudes are enquiring after truth. So numerous are the calls, that if the number of elders were three to every one, they could not supply them. These facts are opening the eyes of some of the worst of our enemies, among whom is A. Campbell, of "Millen[n]ial Harbinger" memory. He has recently began to howl most prodigiously; calling upon the people in great agony to read Mr. How[e]'s book, as a sure antidote against delusion. As this is all that Mr. Campbell can do, or dare do, we do not wish to deprive him of this privilege. So we say concerning Alexander, Dudley and co. let them exert themselves with all their power, for they will find it a harder task to "kick against the pricks," than to reform, as they call it, masons and sectarians,—they have undertaken a task to[o] great for them: the arm of Omnipotence is too potent for "school boys," and this they will find after they have exhausted all their power. The "black speck" will still "stain the American character," for the people will receive the everlasting gospel, nor can men nor devils prevent it. The people may rage and the heathen imagine a vain thing: but HE who sits in the heavens will laugh, the Lord will have them in derision, and ere long, he will speak to them in his wrath and vex them in his sore displeasure.

Mr. Campbell has been invited to show himself a man of principle—after repeated insults to the church of the "Latter Day Saints," and to exchange papers and cut a quill like a man; but seeing he dare not do it, (for notwithstanding the confidence which his satallites [satellites] have in him, he knows the weakness of his cause too well to hazard an investigation with an Elder of the church of the "Latter Day Saints,") we consider this effort of his in the same point of light which we do a whippet spannel, when he is afraid to face his enemy, he turns his hind parts and barks—so bark on Alexander.

Extract from the Brookville Enquirer

The following is taken from the Brookville (Ia.) Enquirer; and we copy it into the Advocate to show our friends the different feeling with which the elders of this church are received. All we have to say now on the extract, is that the Editor could not have been a sectarian—We judge him to be a Republican, and a gentleman. [Editor.]

"The Latter day Saints, or Mormons."

On last Saturday evening, for the first time, in this place, a gentleman, and minister belonging to this new sect, preached in the court house, to a very respectable audience; and discoursed briefly on the various subjects connected with his creed; explained his faith and gave a brief history of the book of Mormon—united it with the Holy Bible, &c.

By request, he tarried over Sabbath, and at 2 o'clock again opened public worship by an able address to the Throne of the Most High. He spoke for about an hour and a half to a very large audience, during which time he explained many important passages of the prophecies contained in the Old & New Testaments, and applied them according to their literal meaning. He was not lame in the attempt, and in a succinct and lucid manner imparted his belief to the audience.

He believes the book of Mormon to be a series of revelations, and other matters appertaining to the Ephraimites, Lamanites, &c. whom he believes to have been the original settlers of this continent; and that an ancient Prophet caused the plates from which the book of Mormon was translated to be buried nearly two thousand years ago, in what is now called Ontario county, New-York. He is also of the belief that Joseph Smith was cited to the plates by an angel from Heaven, and endowed with the gift to translate the engraving upon them into the known language of the country.

This book, he is of opinion, is an event intended to prepare for the great work, the second appearance of Christ, when he shall stand on the Mount of Olives, attended by Abraham and all the Saints, to reign on the Earth for the space of a thousand years.

After he had closed his discourse, on Sabbath afternoon, he remarked that if "no one had any thing to say, the meeting would be considered as closed." Rev. Daniel St. John, a clergyman of the universal order, ascended the pulpit and in his usual eloquent strain held forth for a considerable time; taking exceptions to some of the positions of the preceding speaker—more particularly as regarded his belief as to the second appearance of Christ, and his doctrine of future rewards and punishments. An interesting debate of about three hours ensued in which each had four hearings, and at the request of the audience, a division of the house was called for on the merits of the argument, and carried in favor of the Latter Day Saint by an overwhelming vote.

Though in some things he characterized the fanatic; yet, in the main, his doctrines were sound and his positions tenable. We would do injustice to the gentleman were we to omit stating, that in all the discourses, of the like character, that we have ever heard it has never fallen to our lot to hear so much harmony in the arrangement of quotations from the sacred book. No passage could be referred to that would in the least produce discord in his arguments. The whole of his discourses were delivered in a very clear and concise manner, rendering it obvious that he was thoroughly acquainted with the course he believed he was called upon to pursue, in obedience to his Master's will.

If a man may be called eloquent who transfers his own views and feelings into the breasts of others—if a knowledge of the subject, and to speak without fear—are a part of the more elevated rules of eloquence we have no hesitancy in saying ORSON PRATT was eloquent; and truly verified the language of Boileau: "What we clearly conceive, we can clearly express."