Key to the Science of TheologyPratt, Parley P. (Parley Parker)
Religion
Key to the Science of Theology
Pratt, Parley P. (Parley Parker)
Latter Day Saint churches; Latter Day Saint churches -- Doctrines
From this centre of science and heavenly light, there emanated rays,
by the aid of a foreign ministry, penetrating afar, and lighting up
the dawn of that effulgent day which is destined to break over all the
earth, and shine for ever.
Apostles, High Priests, Elders, Counsellors and Ministers of every
degree, here thronged our youthful Prophet and hero, and were taught
in this great school of Theology and spiritual philosophy; while a
hundred thousand disciples in the nation and beyond the seas, looked
to this centre for light and instruction.
Such was the progress of the science of Theology, revived in the
present age; such the result of fourteen years of the ministry of an
unlettered youth, crying in the wilderness the proclamation of
repentance, baptizing for the remission of sins, and holding the keys
of this divine, eternal power.
His unparalleled success, and still increasing influence, now alarmed
his former persecutors, and raised their jealousy and envy to the
highest pitch of frenzy and madness.
Several counties of Illinois combined with the former enemies, who had
robbed and destroyed the Saints in Missouri, and, calling public
meetings, passed resolutions to destroy the city of Nauvoo, and to
force the Saints, once more, to abandon their homes and farms to the
possession of the land pirates. They also entered into covenant, to
take the life of the young Joseph.
To resist this overwhelming storm, our hero and Prophet marshalled his
legion of six thousand men, in his beloved city of Nauvoo, prepared
for the most vigorous defence, and awaited the onset. The cowardly
enemy soon discovered the impropriety of an open attack, and resolved
on stratagem. They caused a magistrate of their own number to issue a
writ; and sent a constable to bring the person of Joseph into the
midst of those who had sworn to kill him. To yield to this mockery
would be to lose his life. To resist it would be construed into
treason and would bring on him the whole forces of the State. This
stratagem succeeded--Nauvoo, its legion and its general, were declared
in rebellion. His Excellency, Thomas Ford, Governor of the State of
Illinois, mustered an army, marched to the scene of conflict, took
sides with the enemy, and in fact incorporated their entire forces
with his own troops.
With this formidable force he marched to Carthage, a small town
eighteen miles from Nauvoo. He then sent a captain, named Singleton,
to take command of the Nauvoo legion, and demanded its
Lieutenant-General to repair to Carthage, and place himself in the
hands of those who had publicly combined to take his life. Sooner than
have submitted to these insults and humiliating demands, the legion
would have joyfully marched to Carthage, and cut to pieces this
cowardly band of rebels against American institutions and all the
rights of man.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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