The Story of the Mormons, from the Date of Their Origin to the Year 1901Linn, William Alexander
History
The Story of the Mormons, from the Date of Their Origin to the Year 1901
Linn, William Alexander
Latter Day Saints -- History; Utah -- History
"But behold it is not said at any time, that the Lord should not take
when he pleased, and pay as seemeth him good.
"Wherefore as ye are agents, and ye are on the Lord's errand; and
whatever ye do according to the will of the Lord, it is the Lord's
business, and it is the Lord's business to provide for his Saints in
these last days, that they may obtain an inheritance in the land of
Zion."--"Book of Commandments," Chap. 65.
In the modern version of this "revelation" to be found in Sec. 64 of the
"Doctrine and Covenants," the latter part of this declaration is changed
to read, "And he hath set you to provide for his saints in these last
days," etc.
So eager were the Saints to occupy their land of Zion, when the movement
started, that the word of "revelation" was employed to give warning
against a hasty rush to the new possessions, and to establish a certain
supervision of the emigration by the Bishop and other agents of the
church. Notwithstanding this, the rush soon became embarrassing to
the church authorities in Missouri, and a modified view of the Lord's
promise was thus stated in the Evening and Morning Star of July, 1832,
"Although the Lord has said that it is his business to provide for the
Saints in these last days, he is not BOUND to do so unless we observe
his sayings and keep them." Saints in the East were warned against
giving away their property before moving, and urged not to come to
Missouri without some means, and to bring with them cattle and improved
breeds of sheep and hogs, with necessary seeds.
CHAPTER II. -- SMITH'S FIRST VISITS TO MISSOURI--FOUNDING THE CITY AND THE TEMPLE
On June 7, 1831, a "revelation" was given out (Sec. 52) announcing that
the next conference would be held in the promised land in Missouri, and
directing Smith and Rigdon to go thither, and naming some thirty elders,
including John Corrill, David Whitmer, P. P. and Orson Pratt, Martin
Harris, and Edward Partridge, who should also make the trip, two by two,
preaching by the way. Booth says: "Only about two weeks were allowed
them to make preparations for the journey, and most of them left what
business they had to be closed by others. Some left large families, with
the crops upon the ground."*
* Howe's "Mormonism Unveiled."
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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