Latter Day Saints' Messenger and Advocate/Volume 3/Number 3/The closing year
Messenger and Advocate.
Kirtland, Ohio, Dec. 1836.
THE CLOSING YEAR.
The moments fly—our days are numbering—and yet we live!
That, to us, important word, TIME, from the Saxon tim, tima, or Danish, time, which simply means a part or portion of duration, in performing his accustomed march has found us here, at the close of another twelve-month, though strange it is, that we are spared while others have fled.
At the close of the year 1834, it was our privilege to address the patrons of the Messenger, as its editor, in a few lines, and recur to such incidents as were thought to be of the most importance, and which would serve to awaken the mind to that sober reflection that would carry it beyond those fleeting, imaginary fancies which leave it barren and unfruitful. The close of this year has unexpectedly found us in the same situation in life, toiling at the same occupation and striving to accomplish the same end.
Though the Messenger was conducted by bro. John Whitmer for ten months since the publication of the article referred to above, and constantly filled with important admonitions to prepare for another world, yet it may not be amiss to say something of the past, even back to that time when the living were earnestly entreated to see whether all were well, in point of assurance from above, of an admission when called from the earth.
We did not complain, in our remarks of 1834, that the Lord had dealt unkindly with us, in taking from our embrace many near and intimate friends, though we mourned their loss. And we now only express our astonishment, that so many others have since gone, and we survive—it cannot be because we are better than they—if any thing, we are inclined to think it because we are not prepared to enter those fair mansions with them, and are mercifully spared to become sanctified, that by-and-by we may enjoy that rest so much desired by all who have once been permitted to gaze for a moment into the society where the wicked never come, and where one eternal round of perfection occupies the attention of the inhabitants.
Among those who have gone home to rest, we mention the names of our two brothers-in-law, Christian and Peter Whitmer, jr. the former died on the 27th of November 1835, and the other the 22nd of September last, in Clay county, Missouri. By many in this church, our brothers were personally known: they were the first to embrace the new covenant, on hearing it, and during a constant scene of persecution and perplexity, to their last moments, maintained its truth—they were both included in the list of the eight witnesses in the book of Mormon, and though they have departed, it is with great satisfaction that we reflect, that they proclaimed to their last moments, the certainty of their former testimony: The testament is in force after the death of the testator. May all who read remember the fact, that the Lord has given men a witness of himself in the last days, and that they, have faithfully declared it till called away.
It is an astonishing thought, and we venture to say, that it passes through the mind of no sober man without producing anxiety, that we must go hence! Amid all our other concerns, and even in the heat of the most absorbing earthly considerations, that reflection never steals across the mind without making a deep impression. Such is the certainty of death, notwithstanding the pride of the human heart, and such the importance attached to that solemn hour, that infidelity, with all its boasted assurance, never fails to tremble before its all powerful arm. Neither is it without its importance to the believer and professor. It is hailed and cherished as the day of release, or a dark uncertainty hangs over the heart, and stings the best enjoyment. Men do, they must, they cannot avoid, thinking of their approaching dissolution, however they seek to "put far away the evil day," and laugh at death!
It is impossible to give an accurate account of the increase of members to this church during the last year; but we feel authorized to say, that during no preceeding [preceding] year since the same was organized have their numbers been so great. That bitter animosity which was so formidable during the few first years of its progress, has gradually passed off, and the great flood of falsehoods so artfully put in circulation have began to recoil with the speed of thought, upon the heads of their inventers [inventors]; and we proudly anticipate the day when there shall be proclaimers sufficient to carry the glad news of the gospel of peace, into the remote regions of the earth. True it is, that no place has witnessed the sound as yet, without producing an abundance of fearful, false religionists, who have never failed to raise the voice till put to shame in the eyes of all intelligence—and of this class, the priests have constituted the greatest portion, who have always been overpowered, confused and con-founded when they have hazzarded [hazarded] an investigation.
The affairs of the church in the west have been very distressing: Men, women and children, have been so much and so long exposed to the inclemency of the weather, that sickness, with a number of deaths, have followed. Our enemies here, and the enemies of truth, righteousness and justice, have acted their part in this tragedy. From time to time has the country, where our brethren have lived, been flooded with false statements concerning our situation and acts; and the people of the west, not suspecting the design, have been thrown into commotion, and ready to believe it their duty to raise the oppressing hand of persecution, and drive our friends from the face of society. And even during the past summer, our friends were obliged to forego some of the most sacred rights guaranteed in the constitution and laws of our country; to save the effusion of blood. Though we highly commend them for the course they took in that critical moment, and approve, with satisfaction the part acted by the leading men of Clay county, yet, we candidly believe, that had it not been for the vile slanders and opprobrious falsehoods, circulated by our enemies here, and sent to the ears of men in the west, concerning us, and our friends in that country, they would now have been enjoying all their former blessings of prosperity and happiness. On this point we have only one opinion: When the Lord judges the secrets of men's hearts, those miserable beings will be cast off as the shedders of innocent blood and the destroyers of peace and human happiness. Be this as it may, we would they might repent, and thereby escape the wrath and indignation of God.
We are happy to have it in our power to say, now, that from the last accounts, health was restoring to that afflicted people. They have made purchases in a new place, and many families are already prepared for the winter: in all probability, they have made such an arrangement, and have cultivated that friendly understanding with their neighbors, that they will now be permitted to gather by themselves and form a community of their own. This we are willing for, and would rather choose than they should live in the midst of confusion and war; but we regret that men are so destitute of righteous principles that they will vilify the innocent, and cause strangers to become alarmed for their own safety so much as to wish our friends from among them. We repeat what we have already said, that it is all in consequence of the lies put forth by persons in this country: Men whose moral responsibility, where known, weighs no heavier in point of veracity than the acts of Judas in the scales of righteousness.
By christians it is contended that there is a heaven, and by infidels, that such is a vain theory, got up to scare men into communities to support the defenders of particular creeds.
That religion is made a traffic, and the souls of men merchandize, we shall not deny; but, as each generation are to make their own choice, and the present quickly following in the footsteps of the last, it is honorable in all to examine for themselves, as the past cannot laugh at our follies, nor the one to come, relieve us from former dilemmas—the things of life and the thoughts of death, being sufficient for all men.
There is a system which says there is no God, and many pretend to believe it. There is another which admits the being of a God, but contends that we know nothing of him or his attributes. Another system that there is a God, and that he has revealed himself to man, but long since c[e]ased, either because he has changed, or man has failed to approach him in a suitable manner. And another, that there is a God, that he once revealed himself to men, that now, and in all ages to come, as in former times, when men call upon him with pure hearts and holy desires, he will invariably and unceasingly open the heavens and communicate unto them, and that the least variation from this principle would show a change in a being who is unchang[e]able.
Where then, can the mind of man rest with certainty or hope? Is it in that system which contends there is no God—that the doctrine of annihilation is true? Let us see: First, we are here—we exist—we are beings—bodies—intelligences: capable of moving, acting, walking, feeling and thinking: we eat, we drink, we sleep and we rise up; yet we did not create ourselves, nor can save ourselves from dissolution and death, beyond a fixed period; and that period is so near that all may see it.
Now, the question is, whether when we lay down these bodies, we exist in another state or not? It is certain that we had no more agency in forming or creating the intelligence, without which these bodies are a lifeless lump, than we had in forming the body. And so long as the body is inactive and senseless without the soul, or intelligence, we are ready to consider it of the least value. Then, since the body, though it decays, is not annihilated, where is the presumption that the wise and intelligent part, which could no longer be confined within this tabernacle, has become extinct? Not to be lengthy on this point, but we confess, from a careful examination of its consistency and claims for belief, it falls far short of a rational system, consequently, gives neither hope nor consolation. Reason may be called what it may, and be urged upon us by whom it may, but when it opposes itself to facts it ceases to be reason, and is only to be set down in an even column with thousands of assertions which have neither reason nor common sense for a foundation.
Equally vain, though not as apparently vile, is that system which admits the being of a God, but denies his intercourse with men, as the one which contends for annihilation; for of what consequence is it to us whether he exists or not, since we know nothing of him? We cannot say whether he is a merciful being or a tyrant, and if he has any agency or power over us, why not keep us from death, or tell us of our state after?
Not to occupy time on the absurdity of that system which confesses that the great Author of our being once conversed with men, but has now ceased, we pass directly to the last subject of faith or belief. For, after having ranged through the wide field of matter, and seen the great changes in nature, and the consistency, and in fact, the certainty of the continuance of the soul, we confess we have but little faith in a person who may be called our Creator, who once spake to man, but will do so no more! It is a fact, that we shall exist hereafter, and that a God governs the universe, but when we approach the thought of death, with a certainty no further darkness and dispair [despair] overwhelm the mind. And to think that our fathers could once look into heaven, see and converse with those blessed inhabitants, and that we are their children, yet cannot obtain one view to assure us of our acceptance with him, or a seat at his right hand, is so foreign from that justice and equity by which such a being must exist, and by which alone he governs and upholds the world, that no man, once set free from those chains which bind him down and causes him to put his Maker so far off that we cannot see, hear nor speak, but will continue to seek till he arrives to that certainty which will enable him to say, "I know that my Redeemer lives."
The next, and great point is that which believes in a God who is eternal: to constitute such a being must be one that never changes. To attach to his attributes changeableness at once argues finitude; and how any rational man can spread out his hands towards heaven, and worship, (in his mind,) such a being, is past our comprehension—such is not the God we adore—it is not the being we serve. The One we worship comprehends all things, from the extent of eternity to the rip[p]ling crimson that flows and throbs through our hearts. No power so high that he does not surpass it; no depth so low that he does not comprehend it, and no extent so great that it is not circumscribed by his omni[s]cient wisdom: and yet, great as he is, he so abounds in goodness that, as a shepherd watches over his flock, carrying the feeble in his arms, so does our God condescend to notice our wants and answer the petitions of the orphan and outcast!
To acknowledge this being is more than fine gold—to serve him with a pure heart is more than all burnt offerings and sacrifices, and whether we have succeeded or failed, such has been the intention of our labors in the Messenger, to draw the minds of men to look into the perfection of that system which has charms sufficient to sustain it in a trying hour, and free our fellow-men from the grasp of hell.
It is common with all, and especially with editors, that they promise themselves and friends a great many new things for the new year; but we shall not venture to promise our friends any thing extra, on untried ground. We already owe so many apologies for the past, that if our friends will overlook our imperfections and forgive our faults we shall be glad; and we now take the opportunity to ask of all whom we may have injured or offended, either publicly or privately, a forgiveness. Much has been written and much published—it must all be tried in a perfect balance, and we receive a reward according to our acts.
In closing this address, our heart is full—we close for the year, and we know not for life, be this as God will have it. One thing we feel assured of, that many who read this, will have gone hence ere the end of another year. How important then, O how important, that we all live to God, that with the pure in heart we may be gathered into his everlasting kingdom—may it be even so, for Christ's sake. Amen. EDITOR.