answer to questions, he said: "Christ and the resurrected Saints will reign over the earth during the thousand years. They will not probably dwell upon the earth, but will visit it when they please, or when it is necessary to govern it. There will be wicked men on the earth during the thousand years. The heathen nations who will not come up to worship will be visited with the judgments of God." In this manner, in conversations, discourses and writings, the Prophet taught the people. Attempt to Repeal the Nauvoo Charter When Governor Thomas Ford delivered his inaugural address in December, 1842, he recommended modification of the Nauvoo charter, on the grounds that many objections had been raised because of exceptional powers, which had been granted. Yet these powers had proved beneficial to the Saints, and where righteous government was administered, as it was in Nauvoo, such a charter proved to be a blessing. In the hands of despots such privileges might have been abused. When the charter was granted, the prophet said: "The city charter of Nauvoo is of my own plan and device. I concocted it for the salvation of the Church, and on principles so broad, that every honest man might dwell secure under its protective influence without distinction of sect or party." A bill was presented in the legislature to repeal certain sections of the charter shortly after that body convened. The enemies of the Saints endeavored to repeal much more than had at first been contemplated, and take from the charter many provisions like those found in the charters of the other cities in Illinois. This attempt was made purposely to hurt the "Mormons," by restricting their rights. The bill passed the house in March with a vote of 58 to 33. When it reached the senate it was tabled. The time for the repeal had not arrived. A General Missionary Call At the conference of the Church in April, 1843, a general missionary movement was contemplated. President Joseph Smith, in the course of his remarks, advised that the elders when they went forth as missionaries, should preach repentance and the things they were sent to preach. "Declare the first principles," he said, "and let mysteries alone, lest you be overthrown. Never meddle with the visions of beasts and subjects you do not understand." Following the general conference a special conference convened April 10, and continued through the 12th, presided over by the apostles. At this conference elders were chosen and their appointments given for various mission fields in Canada and the several states, excepting blighted Missouri. On the 11th of May, following, Addison Pratt, Noah Rogers, Benjamin B. Grouard and Knowlton F. Hanks, were selected to go on missions to the Pacific isles; Dan Jones, to Wales; James Sloan, to Ireland; John Cairnes and Samuel James to England, with Reuben Hedlock, who was appointed to preside in Great Britain with Hiram Clark and Thomas Ward, who were in England, as his assistants.