SIDNEY  RIGDON'S  PITTSBURGH
MESSENGER & ADVOCATE

1844 Articles





1844   |  1845 Jan-Jun   |  1845 Jul-Dec   |  1846




Excerpted  M. & A. Articles:

Oct 15, 1844   pdf version (full issue)

Nov 01, 1844   pdf version (full issue)

Dec 02, 1844   pdf version (full issue)

Dec 16, 1844   pdf version (full issue)



Pennsylvania newspapers   |   Strang's newspaper   |   Wm. Smith's newspaper   |   LDS papers
Sidney Rigdon: Post-Nauvoo   |   Appeal to LDS (1863)   |   Stephen Post Collection

 


Vol. I.                                 Pittsburgh,  October 15, 1844.                                 No. 1.



TO  THE  PUBLIC.

In presenting this paper to the reading public, long established usage with editors, has made it a matter of respect to our readers, that we should say a few things in relation to the course we shall pursue in managing the editorial department.

We have held it as a maxim from early life, that there was a degree of courtesy and condescension, due from one member of society to another, from which men are not at liberty to depart, only when measures of self-defence rendered it an imperious duty a man owed himself. Men have their religious belief, which to themselves, if to none others, is sacred: they also have their feelings; both of which should be regarded, and treated in a manner becoming the true character of man. It is our intention, in conducting this paper, to exclude from its columns, all matters tending to lessen the character of any person in the estimation of society, or injure their feelings, unless the attempt to maintain our own religious belief should have this effect, or setting forth that of others in its true light.

We have never, at any time, supported a system of religion which rendered necessary an attack on the character of any person to support it, nor never expect to. If our religious belief cannot be maintained on the principles of truth, it is our intention to let it fall.

An appeal to the revelations of heaven, in all disputed points, is an end of all strife with us. To the law and to the testimony, and not men's characters, shall be our standing motto. Attacks made on our own character by others, we have rarely, very rarely condescended to notice, and this course we will carry out in conducting the editorial department of this paper. We have always let our general course of conduct sustain our character, and if this will not do it, we have but little faith in our being able to do it by our pen.

We are told by him, whom the world ought to reverence, that all the law, and all the prophets, hang on two principles, love to God, and love to man, and it is our wish that these principles should govern us in the management of this paper; but, if our patronage will justify it, our readers shall know more of this hereafter.
SIDNEY RIGDON.        



Steamboat Osprey,      
Sept. 25th, 1844.      
Mr. Sam'l. Forgeus.

Dear Brother: -- I take my pen in hand, this morning, to write you a few lines -- informing you of some matters and things as they exist at the present time among the Saints, particularly in Nauvoo. * * * *

I think that, if I succeed in my business in St. Louis to-morrow, I shall send my wife and children to Pittsburgh next week...

The 12th paragraph of Sec. ed (D&C)... expressly says that the Twelve act under the direction of the First Presidency. Much more might be said in support of this position...

On the subject of Joseph Smith having informed the Twelve that they must bear off this kingdom to the nations, I answer there was no necessity of his repeating this admonition to them, inasmuch as the Lord made this duty obligatory upon them by repeated revelations through him; but the Lord never said through Joseph that they should be leaders without a head or First Presidency. They assert that the burden of the church was put upon them by Joseph... examine the 3d and 4th chapters of Isaiah. The first three verses of the 3d chap. tell who the Lord will take away from Jerusalem. (I will just say perhaps you will see its application upon Nauvoo fulfilled.) The subsequent part of the chapter tells an awful tale about oppression -- the spoil of the poor -- the beating of the people to pieces -- the sin of Sodom, which was more particularly whoredom; also women rule over them, the princes, and if you please, the Twelve and others; and mark what is said about the daughters of Zion, and their corruptions; and after the Lord positively mentions the horrible disease which usually follows such abomination, and also the judgment of God upon them....

The 3d paragraph of 101 Sec. Book of Cov. ... says, "the Lord will raise up a man who shall be great like unto Moses, and like him shall he lead this people out of bondage." This could not be Joseph Smith, for he was raised up seven years before this revelation was given; here then are two testimonies, and the one actually given by Joseph Smith. Now the only question that can arise, is, who remained on earth at the death of Joseph and Hiram, with the ordination of Prophet, Seer, and Revelator? I answer peremptorily, Sidney Rigdon was the only man that was then in the church on earth, who was ordained to this office, and that too by revelation. You will find an account of this ordination in the Times and Seasons, bearing date, June 1st 1841. Prior to this he was ordained by revelation to be one of the 1st presidency of the church... made equal with Joseph in holding the keys of the kingdom, and also the keys of the school of the prophets, which was to be organized and instituted for the salvation of the Gentiles, Jews, and as many as will come....

the Lord gives him still a greater calling, which is, that he shall be a spokesman before the Lord's face, not Joseph Smith: and also this very remarkable promise, that he shall again lift up his voice upon the mountains. When he commenced his ministry among the Campbellites, it was among the mountains of Pennsylvania. Recollect that Nephi says, that a spokesman will the Lord raise up unto Joseph, who shall be mighty in word and writing, and who shall carry the word of the Lord to the fruit of his loins, (Lamanites.) Has S. Rigdon ever this? if not, must he not yet do it, or the word of God fails? Yes verily....

I will now remark to you that the objection is presented at every step by the Twelve and their adherents, that S. Rigdon has not been faithful, but conspired against Joseph and the Church. As regards his being faithful, I will not assert that he is free from errors; and perhaps he was negligent with regard to the discharge of his duty; but I answer, the Lord has said he would scourge him, and I think it will not be pretended to the contrary by any one that he has borne more persecution, slander, falsehoods, privations, and afflictions of various kinds, than most men in this age; at all events Joseph said that he had. And as for Joseph saying he would have him no longer for counsellor, it was not his prerogative to shake him off; he did not call and consequently could not reject him, but at any rate we all know when he was tried before the conference last October, every thing was there disposed of, and Elder Rigdon was sustained by the people and honorably acquitted of all charges against him... You may now ask what our views are relative to Joseph? to which I reply, just what the Lord has said about him, that he should hold the keys which he had received, which were the keys of Elijah or in other words the keys of the doctrine, but we do not believe that he has ever received the keys of David, spoken of by John in the 3d chap. of Rev. which opens and no man closes, &c. But, enquires the objector, you believe Joseph transgressed? I answer, he himself confessed he was but a man and liable to sin like other men. But, says one, do you believe that he was cut off for transgression? I reply, he had the promise, if he remained faithful, he should translate the other plates of the Book of Mormon, which are now sealed; also that he said and did many things in direct opposition to the word of God, as given through himself; but we do not judge him, we leave him in the hands of a just and merciful God....

And now I will bring my case to a close by referring to the case of David, as given in the 12th Chapter of the second Book of Samuel, where it is said, "the Lord rebuked David for wickedness, in having Uriah killed," but told him he had given him all his master's wives &c. &c., and would have given him more if he had not enough, but this is not true, the language of the Lord, as represented, is, "I would have given thee such and such things," but here I will observe that I do not wish to cavil or dispute the translation, only I shall claim the privilege of saying that, as the Book of Mormon was translated by the gift and powder of God, it is more precious and more to be esteemed by the saints than ten thousand garbled translations of uninspired linguists of King James' day, or any other day, and now remember, that the 2d chapter of the book of Jacob says emphatically, that David and Solomon truly had many wives, but this thing was abominable before my face, wherefore this people shall not seek to excuse themselves for committing whoredoms; but if they do, (and they did,) they were to be scourged, and the Lamanites, whom they hated, were to destroy them... I say, let the saints of God, but especially the corrupt leaders and people, look out that those wicked Gentiles do not spoil them and their possessions, for the Lord said to them in 1834, through Joseph Smith in revelation, section 101, and paragraph 3d, that if they pollute their inheritances, they shall be thrown down. And now to conclude, I will say, David is said to have done wickedly in these things, and was punished for it....
Yours respectfully,      
JOHN A. FORGEUS.      



Minutes of a Conference held in Pittsburgh, Oct. 12th 1844.

The conference was opened in the usual manner, and on motion, Elder R. Savery was appointed President, and Elder J. Logan, Secretary.

Elder B. Winchester then stated the object of the meeting which was, to distinctly ascertain the minds of the members of the church in this place, relative to the heretical doctrines taught and practiced in Nauvoo, by the quorum of the Twelve and some of their associates, and also the claims of Elder S. Rigdon. On these points Elders Winchester, Savery, and several others, made some very appropriate and forcible remarks; after which, the following preamble and resolutions were adopted without a dissenting vote: --

Whereas the quorum of the Twelve, and their adherents in Nauvoo, having rejected Elder S. Rigdon as the presiding officer of the church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, and thus violating the law of the church, as found in the Book of Doctrine and Covenants, which we esteem most sacred and dear to all lovers of truth, for no other reasons, in our opinion, than his having claimed his lawful standing in the church, and his decided opposition to the nefarious doctrine of polygamy, and other things odious in their nature and tendency; for the truth of which, it now becomes our painful duty to say to all our friends and brethren in Christ, we have the most positive and decisive evidence; wherefore, --

1. Resolved, that we feel it our imperative duty, to receive and sustain Elder S. Rigdon in the office of first president of the church, whereunto, according to the Book of Doctrine and Covenants, the Lord has called him; and also that we uphold him in this office by our faith and prayers.

2. Resolved, that in consequence of the most flagrant violation of the original, or true principles and order of the church, by the Twelve and their abettors, by rejecting Elder Rigdon, and practising the doctrine of polygamy, despoiling female virtue and chastity by seducing them, and tyranizing over those who will not sanction their works of darkness, and many other like things, for which we regard them as apostates, and men fallen from the true order of the church, into a state of wickedness and corruption; therefore, we hold no fellowship with them, and as a branch of the true church, standing upon the original platform, and the acknowledged and received doctrine of said church, we do not consider ourselves identified with them.

3. Resolved, that we sincerely request and advise all our friends and brethren that stand connected with us in the true cause of God, to join with us in our effort and that we may redeem our characters from the odium and disgrace that the Twelve and others have brought upon us all, or in other words, all the church, by their evil practices, as mentioned in preamble and previous resolution.

4. Resolved, that we hereby avow to all men both far and near, that we have the most implicit confidence in the Bible, Book of Mormon, and Book of Doctrine and Covenants, and that we receive them as our rule of faith and practice.

5. Resolved, that Elders Wingate, Wm. Richards, J. B. Newton, and B. Winchester, have authority from this conference to go as messengers to the eastern branches of the church, and set before them the true state of the church, and regulate the affairs of the same.

6. Resolved, that a copy of these minutes be handed to the editor of the "Messenger and Advocate," for publication.

On motion, conference adjourned sine die.

All things passed off quietly in the conference. The saints were cheerful and seemed to be in good spirits, and a general spirit of union pervaded the whole congregation.
      RICHARD SAVERY, Pres't.
James Logan, Sec'y.



Pittsburgh, Oct. 15, 1844.      
Br. J. Gregg -- Dear Sir: -- Yours of the 14th inst., was received per mail this morning. The intelligence was cheering; these early evidences of the virtue and firm integrity of the saints speaks volumes in favor of their future prospects. What, dear brother, can withstand the truth when its advocates are uncompromising in their attachment to virtue and holy principles. Since the world began, all the dispensations delivered to men of the living God, have been thrown into confusion by the introduction of doctrines and practices which were at war with Godliness, and subversive of all that was good and noble. Hence the distraction of the religious world. At some tomes past so great were the departures from truth, by those who professed to be prophets of God, that if a Noah, a Daniel, and a Job, had been among them, the could save their own souls only, and not be able even to save a son or daughter. Such an attempt has Satan made on us, and was maturing his plan so completely to effect our overthrow, that the few left who could not be corrupted could do nothing more than save their own souls; but the iniquity was discovered before the adversary had gotten the fangs of his corruption so fastened on us that we could not unfasten them.

I have been informed, since Mr. Page published his Bull, and subsequent departure from this place, that he had attempted to teach the doctrine of spiritual wives in this city some time since. This will account for his sudden departure from both this place and yours.

It would seem almost impossible that there could be found a set of men and women, in this age of the world, with the revelations of God in their hands, who could invent and propagate doctrines so ruinous to society, so debasing and demoralising as the doctrine of a man having a plurality of wives; for it is the existence of this strange doctrine -- worse than the strange fire offered on the altar, by corrupted Israel -- that was at the root of all the evils which have followed, and are following the church, the very mention, of which could not fail to redden the cheek of decency with a blush.

The whole of the revelations of God in all ages, charge the prophets and leaders of the people, with being the authors of the corruptions, which from time to time overrun the people of God. We need not marvel then that like evils have befallen us. The crime of the people was that they loved to have it so, they were not charged with introducing the corruptions, but having pleasure in them after the prophets, and leaders, had introduced them. It is no small degree of satisfaction to me, to find the people rising in the exercise of their just rights, and casting off, not only the leaders, but those who are led by those corruptors' seducing spirits which introduce doctrines of demons.

Those who read the New Testament with care, cannot avoid seeing that the apostles have declared that a corruption like that we complain of, was to make its appearance in the last days. See Second Timothy, 3d chapter, from the 1st to the 9th verse inclusive. These sayings which the apostles, at Nauvoo, have applied to the professing world, are as applicable to themselves as to any others now living, or any others who have lived since the days of Paul. In the 6th verse we are told that "For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts." Now what sort are those who creep into houses and lead astray silly women? The answer is given in the preceding verse. Persons that can do that are such as are without natural affection, boasters, proud inventors of evil things, heady, high-minded, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God. When we see such men as above described, they, according to Paul, would do other things; that is, enter into houses and lead astray silly women.

That the Twelve and their adherents have entered into houses and led silly women astray, is a fact susceptible of the highest proof; and we are authorized by Paul to apply all the rest he has said to them. "For if this sort enter into houses and lead astray silly women," what sort? we ask; the before described religionists, for says Paul, "they have a form of godliness." The conclusion then is, that they effected the ruin of silly females by, or through a form of godliness.

Paul says, the corruption he has described was to take place in the last days. Now, from this, the people of the last days are authorized to call any thing of the kind which may make its appearance, it matters not by whom these corruptions were introduced, Prophet, Apostle, Evangelist, or Pastor, whosoever introduces them, has an account to settle with Paul in the great day when the affairs of the universe shall be adjusted before an umpire who cannot err, for either these doctrines and practices are corruptions, or else Paul stands charged with a departure from the truth.

From what is said in the 9th verse, the iniquity complained of, was to be a thing conducted in secret. "But they shall proceed no further, for their folly shall be manifest unto all men;" Nothing can be plainer than that this abomination of leading silly women astray, was to be a secret thing -- carried on privately, and the exposure of it was to put a final stop to their wickedness. "But they shall proceed no further, for their folly shall be manifest."

This secret working in matters of religion is, and always has been evidence of corruption. The saints always have been warned against the secret works of darkness; light and truth not only manifest themselves, but also make manifest the secret works of darkness. It is equally plain according to Paul, that no such thing could be carried on, however secretly it might be done, without detection. "For their folly SHALL be made manifest."

Those leaders of silly women, if they had regarded the scriptures, might have known that their race was a short one, and that their wickedness would be made manifest; for thus had Paul written more than 1700 years ago, and as proof that Paul was inspired behold it has come to pass in our day and before our eyes.

It is a fact, so well known, that the Twelve and their adherents have endeavored to carry this spiritual wife business in secret, that I hardly need mention it here, and have gone to the most shameful and desperate lengths, to keep it from the public. First, insulting innocent females, and when they resented the insult, these monsters in human shape would assail their characters by lying, and perjuries, with a multitude of desperate men to help them effect the ruin of those whom they had insulted, and all this to enable them to keep these corrupt practices from the view of the world. I could bring facts which can be established in any court of justice, in relation yo these vile abominations practised under the garb of religion that would make humanity blush. No falsehood too great and no perjury too daring, in order to conceal these heaven-daring abuses of mankind; but I say in the language of Paul, they shall go no further, for their folly is now being made manifest, and will not cease until it is manifest unto all.

How often have these men and their accomplices stood up before the congregation, and called God and all the holy Angels to witness, that there was no such doctrine taught in the church; and it has now come to light, by testimony which cannot be gainsaid, that at the time they thus dared heaven and insulted the world, they were living in the practice of these enormities; and there were multitudes of their followers in the congregation at the time who knew it. These things only tend to confirm the fact that the church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is the true church of God, for we now see in that body fulfilling, what the Apostles and Prophets said should take place in that order of things which God acknowledged. According to both prophets and apostles, the true church in the last days would be tried, with all the corruptions which had overthrown all the previous orders, kingdoms or churches which God had set up; and before she could be exalted to her true glory, to overcome all the inventions of Satan or of man; but more of this in our next.

Dear Brother, through this letter to you, I would call on all the saints into whose hands this may come, to arise and deliver themselves from the corruption, disorder and ruin, that satan through the twelve as instruments, designs to bring upon [them], know ye that no strange thing has befallen you, than attempt is being made upon you by those in high authority, and those who are arrogating to themselves authority in violation of the order of heaven.
SIDNEY RIGDON.      

(To be Continued)




To all the Members of the Church of Jesus Christ
of Latter Day Saints.

Pittsburgh, Oct. 15, 1844.        
I embrace the present opportunity of saying to you all, that after a very careful investigation of the claims of Elder S. Rigdon to the office of the First Presidency of the Church, I am satisfied they are not only just but lawful, and as far as this matter is concerned I have made up my mind, not from either any personal preference or animosity, but from the law or rules of the Church, as found in the book of Doctrine and Covenants and Book of Mormon.

It is abundantly evident to my mind that the quorum of the Twelve and others have excited a certain portion of the Church to reject Elder Rigdon, (which is a most horrid outrage upon the laws of the same,) from a fear he would bring them to an account, or in other words, to justice for teaching and practising the doctrine of polygamy. They of course reasoned from the well known fact, that he has always been a determined opponent of any thing of the kind.

And allow me here to inform you, that it is my intention at present, to publish as soon as possible, a work in which I shall cancel the claims of Elder Rigdon at length, and expose the advocates of the "Spiritual Wife System" by referring you to facts and evidence of the most undoubted authority.
                Yours respectfully,
                                            B. WINCHESTER.



[ EDITORIAL ]

The "Times and Seasons," and the "Nauvoo Neighbor," published at Nauvoo, Illinois, are busying themselves about us exceedingly, though the editor says he reluctantly obtrudes our name before the public. Now if he would be as reluctant to publish falsehoods about us when he does obtrude our name upon the public, it would be as creditable to him.... We wrote a letter which was published in the People's Organ, at St. Louis, Mo., stating facts and nothing else but facts, in relation to what took place on our visit at Nauvoo a few weeks since; and the editor and Mr. Hyde, who have both written on the subject, knew this as well as we, and they know it now; but by giving publicity to an ignorant farce which came off in Nauvoo, they thought to impeach our character, but in this weak and ignorant attempt they will fail.

What is the matter of complaint? It is this: We said that the only crime we committed was, that there were a number of gentlemen who wished to return with us to Pittsburgh. This they said was false, and to prove it, publish an investigation said to have been had in Nauvoo, when we were charged with trying to divide the church. Now, how were we dividing the church? The only ground of this charge was that a number of persons were desirous of returning with us to Pittsburgh, and these defamers knew it. It is this they call dividing the church, and then say they opposed us for dividing the church, and not because that there were those who desired to go with us to Pittsburgh. Now reader, judge of the character of this attempt, and of the character of those who could condescend to it. I here leave them to enjoy all the pleasure their situation can give -- they are welcome to it.

But there was another and greater cause for their (the Twelve) opposition to us than the crime of having those at Nauvoo whose personal friendship made them desire to be where they could enjoy our society. Gentle reader, do you desire to know what it was? Well, it is your right, as well as the right of saint and sinner to know it. Know then, that the so called Twelve apostles at Nauvoo, are now teaching the doctrine of, what is called Spiritual Wives; that a man may have more wives than one, and they are mot only teaching it but practising it, and this doctrine is spreading alarmingly through that apostate branch of the church of Latter Day Saints. Their greatest objection to us was our opposition to this doctrine, knowing, as they did, that we had got the fact in possession; it created alarm, great alarm; every effort was used while we were there to effect something that might screen them from the consequences of exposure. This is what Mr. Hyde had allusion to on the steam boat at St. Louis, when he felt such an interest in our welfare, as he said, as to request us not for his sake or his fellow apostles sake, but for our own sake and salvation, to make any disclosures, lest we should have to retract and thereby be injured. Kind man! how fatherly and apostolical this!

I now call upon the twelve, including Mr. J. E. Page, to deny the existence of such a doctrine among them, believed, taught and practised by them. This is the doctrine which has made what these men call the division in the church. We deny it has made any division in the Church. The Church is taking Paul's advice, "From such turn away;" the Church is doing so. See the third chapter of Second Timothy, where this as well as other crimes are declared an apostacy, and the saints admonished to turn away from them. This the saints are doing, and that in great numbers too, and the separation will continue until all the saints are again found united in strict obedience to the Doctrine and Covenants of the Church.

This doctrine of a man having more wives than one, is the cause which has induced the twelve to put at defiance the ecclesiastical arrangements of the Church, and what is equally criminal, to do despite unto the moral excellence of the Doctrine and Covenants of the Church, setting up an order of things of their own in violation of all the rules and regulations known to the saints, and nowhere found in the Doctrines and Covenants of the Church, but by the authority of pretended secret communications made to themselves in the Secret Chambers, unknown to the Church only as they and some of their followers declare them, and these pretended secret communications, in direct contradiction to the written word contained in the Doctrine and Covenants of the Church.

These matters the saints are now investigating, and not only in Nauvoo but in other places to avoid these investigations, the twelve are getting up sham trials to stop the mouths of those who are determined to expose the corruptions of these transgressors. Let the saints look well to it. The time has come when the saints will have to come out and show themselves: the alternative with the saints is that they must either deny their faith or espouse the Spiritual Wife system and be taught by those who practice it, or else boldly and manfully join with those who have and are raising their voices against this most extraordinary of all doctrines, which is destroying the peace and sapping the foundation of the Church.

To satisfy the public that it was the Spiritual Wife system that caused our opponents at Nauvoo to oppose us, we give the following certificate, from a gentleman whose character stands too high for truth and veracity to be impeached by any man:

"I was at Nauvoo during all the time that Elder Rigdon was there on his last visit to that place, and am well acquainted with the cause of all the difficulties that existed, and now exist between him and the twelve and their adherents. It was said to me by many that they had no objection to Elder Rigdon but his opposition to the Spiritual Wife System.
"JOSEPH H. NEWTON."      


PROSPECTUS,
FOR
The Latter Day Saints'
MESSENGER AND ADVOCATE.
____

As much doubt still remains an the public mind, as to the true doctrine of the church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints; the subscriber proposes to publish a paper in the city of Pittsburgh, for the purpose of relieving the public mind from all dubiety in relation to the received and acknowledged doctrines of said church. The paper is to be entitled as above.

It will be the primary object of the editor to give a full and clear developement of all the doctrines of said church, carefully distinguishing between the true religious belief of said church and the strange doctrines which have crept in unawares, and are maintained by some who would fain make the public believe that they are the only legitimate authorities of the church, whose claims shall be examined and exposed to the condemnation to which they are devoted by the doctrines and covenants which have been received, and on which the church was formed and organized.

In resuscitating the Latter Day Saints' Messenger and Advocate; it is the intention of the subscriber to contend for the same doctrines, order of church government and discipline, maintained by that paper when first published in Kirtland, Ohio.

It is to the public the subscriber must look for patronage to carry out his designs believing as he does, that the paper conducted, as he intends it shall be, on the broad principles of Christian charity, will be sufficiently interesting to the reading public, whether they do or do not belong to said church, to secure the necessary patronage; and in this belief, submits his proposals to the public.
SIDNEY RIGDON.      



Note 1: Elder Sidney Rigdon's denunciation of the Twelve's secret "spiritual wifery" at Nauvoo, and elsewhere in the LDS Church, was the first such disclosure from a top ranking Mormon, since the defection of John C. Bennett in 1842. Actually, Rigdon was uncovering nothing particularly new here -- the Nauvoo Expositor had already published the secret of polygamy to the world, and many newspapers had helped spread its reports. However, Rigdon's previous stature within the Mormon movement gave his 1844 denunciations a credibility which was missing from the accounts given by other ex-leaders. Newspapers like the St. Louis People's Organ of Nov. 1, 1844 were quick to pick up Rigdon's scathing message and pass it on to the American reading public. Only later (via a surrogate writer in his second issue) would Rigdon provide the damning allegations suggesting that Joseph Smith, Jr. had been the one who initiated this evil practice among the Saints. However, Orson Hyde had already heard Rigdon claims, made in St. Louis, that he was "in possession of facts and power [sufficient] to have hurled Joseph from his station long ago" (Orson Hyde letter to Brigham Young. written from St. Louis on Sept. 16th, 1844, orgiginal in LDS Church Archives, Brigham Young Collection, Box 39, folder 18).

Note 2: Apostle Orson Hyde adroitly managed to convey a sense of Mormon denial of polygamy, without making an outright statement on the sensitive issue. In his Oct. 1, 1844 letter to the Editor of the New York Prophet, Hyde says: "since the expulsion of the Laws, Higbees, Fosters, and Elder Rigdon and his followers; the people there [Nauvoo] are now settling down in a strong and heavenly union; everything moves on like clock-work, and I will now venture a prediction, that since Nauvoo has thrown off so much bile from its stomach it will be more healthy, and less complaints and noise about spiritual wives, adultery, bogus making, &c." The Nauvoo Neighbor of Dec. 4, 1844 reprinted Hyde's accusations, giving the impression that since Rigdon's followers had left that city, wicked polygamy had disappeared along with them. Of course the men and women there, who were "in on the secret" knew better -- but they could rest easy, knowing that God forbade them from disclosing their "patriarchal order of marriage" and "blessings of Jacob" -- which was something rather different ("not just secret, but sacred") from what the foolish Gentiles denominated "polygamy" and "spiritual wifery."


 



Vol. I.                                 Pittsburgh,  November 1, 1844.                                 No. 2.



LETTER TO JAMES M. GREIG.
CONCLUDED.

It does not follow, as a consequence, that the religion thus corrupted is false and not the truth of heaven; but the very reverse. What system was it that the apostle guarded the saints of his and all succeeding days against corrupting, assuring them that in the last days a corruption would take place. Was it not the true system of heaven? Surely it was. Was it not the system of heaven, where men (monsters) were to avail themselves of their apostolic and prophetic influence, and be lifted up in the pride of their hearts, become proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, truce breakers, incontinent, and abusers of themselves with mankind? It was. Was it not those who had a place among the saints, who were so far to depart from the fear of God, and the principles of decency, as to he sufficiently daring to put at defiance the laws of man and the holy principles of the institutions of heaven, as to enter into houses and lead astray silly women, laden with sins? Need I answer it was. Was it not the true religion of heaven, which all sacred writers both of the Old and New Testament, cautioned the world and all the saints against corrupting, and corrupting by certain defined abominations minutely detailed? All will answer it was. The conclusion then is, that the true order of God, in the last days, was in danger, imminent danger of being brought into reproach and shame, by those who seek to gratify their carnal desires, in defiance of all righteousness, and, with a bold effrontery, claiming the authority of the priesthood, that their might more effectually accomplish their corrupt design, and thereby bring the whole church of God under condemnation before God; and so far sink it in the estimation of all, as to render it odious in the eyes of the world. The true church of Christ, according to the testimony of both prophets and apostles, of olden time, was in this danger in the last days. As to societies which the sacred writers never considered as of divine origin, they never thought of guarding the world against corrupting. Their object, and their only object was to preserve the institutions and ordinances of heaven from abuse; knowing, as they did, that an abuse there would sooner or later prove fatal to the world. What then, Dear Brother, shall we say? What can any man say? Why, the society where those abuses, as defined by the sacred writers, made their appearance, has surely a high degree of testimony that it is the true church of Christ in the last days. The corruptions which the sacred writers of former days, said would make their appearance is the church of Christ in the last days, have made their appearance among us.

Had Paul lived in our days, and looked at the church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, he could not have described it more minutely: the very corruptions have made their appearance, that he said would take place in the Church of Christ in the last days.

Had not these corruptions appeared among us, we should have lacked one important testimony that we were the true church of Christ; but the appearance of these corruptions has added a testimony to those who desire to know the truth, that the kingdom of heaven is with us in distinction to all others.

It may well give us boldness in the faith, and great confidence before God. We may arise in the strength of truth, and purge these things out of our midst; knowing that the Lord will aid us; seeing we are doing as commanded, to "separate ourselves from all such workers of iniquity."

By this you and the branch of the church under your charge, will see that they have done well, and may take courage, nothing fearing, for the Lord will be with such to bless them.

It may be, that the saints may not be apprised of the fact, that the scriptures have pointed out the very things which should take place in the last days, in the true church of Christ; and that, a short time before Christ's coming. Let us hear the Savior while he yet tabernacled with man in the flesh.

In the twenty-fourth chapter of Matthew, we have the Savior's own account of the things which should take place, at a time approaching his second corning. We shall confine ourselves to a few of those things which are so plain, as to admit no justifiable objection. After the Savior had said many things in the hearing of his disciples in reference to his second coming, he gives a warning to the world predicated on the things that should take place preparatory to his second advent into the world. He says this, commencing with 42d verse, "Watch therefore; for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come. But this know, that if the good man of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to have been broken up. Therefore, be ye also ready, for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh, who then is a faithful servant -- whom his Lord hath made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season? Blessed is that servant whom his Lord when he cometh shall find so doing. Verily I say unto you, that he shall make him ruler over all his goods, But if that evil servant shall say in his heart that the Lord delayeth his coming; and shall begin to smite his fellow servants, and to eat and drink with the drunken; the lord of that servant shall come in a day when he looketh not for him, and in an hour that he is not aware of, and shall cut him asunder, and appoint him a portion with hypocrites: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins which took their lamps and went forth to meet the bridegroom, and five of them were wise and five foolish."

Let me ask at what time was all this to take place, and among whom? Could there be two cases which more directly correspond? We think it would be hard to find them. If the Lord had not his eye on the church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, in the foregoing sayings, by some strange fortuitous course of events, that church got itself precisely in the same situation the kingdom of heaven is there described as being in; and the whole matter fulfilled directly on their heads. Let the world take the case as it may, I think they must acknowledge that they are a strange set of mere chances.

Have not the hearts of the honest and upright in Nauvoo had many a painful hour of reflection, and many a deep feeling of mortification, at the eating and drinking with the drunken, and the smiting of the fellow servants; if not with a rod, with what was much worse, a tongue of falsehood foul and fiendish? I might assert, without fear of exaggeration, that it was so, without one exception; for righteous being could do otherwise.

Let me particularly call your attention to the fact, that the true church of Christ in the last days was to have a division in it, one unavoidable; it was so said by the Savior 1800 years ago, and it could fail. Now sir, if none of these things which have taken place in Nauvoo had taken place, then, indeed, the world might, with more propriety, doubt our being the true church of Christ; but since the scriptures are fulfilling to the letter on our heads; I think that by proper reflection and investigation, they will change their minds.

But in relation to the division, it may be proper to say a few things. It was said, at the time when the disobedient cruel servant was cut off, that the kingdom of heaven was like unto ten virgins, five wise and five foolish. Now I ask, who were the wise virgins? Those continued to follow in the steps of servant who had been cut off, or those who on the contrary, lifted their voice and wielded their influence against the evils which had caused the Lord to cut him off, and against the corruptions which caused the Lord's displeasure. I the very little reflection will settle this matter to the full satisfaction of every honest inquirer. That which brought death to the servant could not bring life to the people.

It would be a vain attempt, on the part of any members of the kingdom of heaven, in going forth to meet the bridegroom, to expect to be welcomed to the marriage supper of the Lamb, while they were identified with, and engaged in the same practice and practices, with him whom the Lord had cut off for sinning, and sinning unto death in so doing.

To carry out the measures of that servant or prophet, would be to bring death on all who did it, sooner or later.

Now, whatever society in the last days is the kingdom of heaven, acknowledged so by the Savior himself, must pass through the scene as described by him in the 24th and 25th chapters of Matthew. This must be done or the scriptures fail. If then, indeed sir, we, the Latter Day Saints, are the true church of Jesus Christ or kingdom of heaven, then it needs only look and reflect, and all may understand that have eyes to see, or ears to hear. Concerning his second advent; he admonishes all to watch:

"And what I say unto you, I say unto all, watch." Mark, 13,27. The reason for this was, that he would come unexpectedly, as a thief in the night. Now, when was the Savior coming? In the last days surely. Who then was admonished to watch? He says, all; but of necessity, the people of the last days in particular, in whose day he was to come; and the reason assigned for this admonition was, that the servant who did so should he blessed at his coming: he should be ruler of his master's goods. But the Savior, foreseeing that this would not be the case, says, beginning at the 48th verse, "but if that servant shall say in his heart, my lord delayeth his coming, and shall begin to smite his fellow servants, and begin to eat and drink with the drunken, the lord of that servant shall come in a day when he looketh not for him, and in an hour that he is not aware of, and shall cut him asunder, and appoint him his portion with hypocrites: and there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth."

This servant, according to the Savior, was to be one who should make his appearance in the last days, and was one of the all whom he had warned to take care, lest an awful fate awaited him; and if he did not receive the admonition, the should be cut off. He was warned minutely, not to eat and drink with the drunken, or smite his fellow servants; for if he did he should be cut off. To whom then, in the last days, can this apply? Whoever it is, or was, it was one the Lord acknowledged to be his servant, and he cut him off, because he refused to obey him. Persons, acquainted with the affairs at Nauvoo, will need no comment on the above words of the Savior.

What was to take place when this disobedient servant was to be cut off? We are told in the 25th chapter, "Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps and went forth to meet the bridegroom, and five of them were wise, and five of them were foolish," &c.

Mark this, that at the time when this cutting off of the servant took place, two things immediately took place, or was to take place. The going forth to meet the bridegroom, and a division in the kingdom of heaven, or true church of Christ. No doubt can remain, but that the servant here spoken of, had been sent of the Lord -- was, actually, the Lord's servant, but a disobedient one. And what follows in the 25th chapter, shows that this cutting of was to have an immediate effect on the church. Immediately after this mournful event -- for surely it must be so to every thinking man -- preparations were made for going forth to meet the bridegroom: it was then found that there were many without oil in their lamps: the consequence was, that a division took or was to take place at that time. Let us ask, a division in what? The answer is given, in the kingdom of heaven, or true church of God.

Dear Brother, I ask you, and through this letter to you, all the saints, acquainted with facts as they exist, to lay this case alongside the affairs of Nauvoo; and then reflect and consider.

But as the scriptures abound with evidence on this subject, I will invite your attention to some of the sayings of the prophet Isaiah, which only confirms what we have before written. In the 3d chapter of his prophecy, commencing at the 10th verse we have a description of Zion.

"Moreover, the Lord saith, because the daughters of Zion are haughty, and walk with stretched-forth necks, and wanton eyes, walking and mincing as they go, and making a tinkling with their feet, therefore, the Lord will smite with a scab the crown of the head of the daughters of Zion, and the Lord will discover their secret parts. In that day the Lord will take away the bravery of their tinkling ornament about their feet, and their cauls, and their round tires like the moon. The chains, and the bracelets, and the mufflers, the bonnets, and the ornaments of the legs, and the head-bands, and the tablets, and the ear-rings, the rings, and nose-jewels, the changeable suits of apparel, and the mantles, and the wimples, and the crisping-pins, the glasses, and the fine linen, and the hoods, and the veils. And it shall come to pass, that instead of sweet smell, there shall be stink; and instead of a girdle, a rent; instead of well set hair, baldness; and instead of a stomacher a girding of sackcloth; and burning instead of beauty. Thy men shall fall by the sword, and thy mighty in the war. And her gates shall lament and mourn; and she, being desolate, shall sit upon the ground. And in that day seven women shall take hold of one man, saving, we will eat our own bread, and wear our own apparel; only let us be called by thy name, to take away our reproach."

A few remarks on the foregoing quotation, will place the subject, in a point of light. so clear, that "he that runs may read."

What the prophet here said, he said about the daughters of Zion: "Moreover, the Lord said, because the daughters of Zion are haughty," &c. All then that he says afterwards, he says about the daughters of Zion, and none others. He says, "they walk with stretched-forth necks and wanton eyes, walking and mincing as they go." The representation given of them, is that of pride, haughtiness, and shameful wantonness. In the preceding part of the 3d chapter he gives us a clue to the way they got means to enable them to gratify their corrupt desires. In the 14th verse we have the following remarkable sayings: "The Lord will enter into judgment with the ancients, (or elders) of his people, and the princes thereof; for ye have eaten up the vineyard; the spoil of the poor is in your houses. What mean ye, that you beat my people, and grind the faces of the poor? saith the Lord of hosts."

The prophet here charges the ancients or elders of the people, with spoiling the poor, eating up the vineyard, and having the spoil of the poor in their houses. The awful use made of this spoil of the poor, is but too clearly set forth. It was wasted on their lust. In consequence thereof, the daughters of Zion were to walk with stretched-forth necks, and wanton eyes; they were to have the spoil of the poor in their houses, and riot on the labor of others; and to finish their corruption and abomination, seven of them were to lay hold of one man, and say, we will eat our own food, and wear our own apparel; only let its be called by thy name to take away our reproach.

This is an order of things, which I think has never existed but once, since the spread of Christianity in the world. That a collection of females could be got together, capable of such a extraordinary conduct must be a matter of astonishment to all; but the prophet said such a thing would take place, and that too, in the Zion of God; and God would enter into judgment with them for it.

Let me here remark, that wherever this thing did take place, that society was one the prophet called Zion, or the people of God. No people on earth could go so far into corruption as apostate saints. Paul said of the Corinthian church in his day, that they had abominations among them which were not so much as named among the gentiles, that a man should have his father's wife.

Comment on the foregoing would be unnecessary, if all the saints were acquainted with facts as we are. Let all those who are acquainted With Nauvoo, for two years past, just read and think. Let me ask, did not their eyes see the streets paraded by females, haughty and insolent, riding, parading and gallanting, not even to military trainings excepted, until one of the principal officers of the military gave them an open rebuke. Has it not been, and is it not now considered a reproach, by many, not to he united to some man is a wife, though he should have a half a dozen at a time? If it is not so, then they do not believe the doctrine they teach themselves.

When these things are closely examined there is so near a resemblance between the description given of the daughters of Zion by Isaiah, and what has taken place in the church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, that the conclusion is forced on the mind, that he, the prophet, had his eye on that church, and actually called that church Zion. But what gives this still greater force, is, that if the things spoken by Isaiah do not transpire in the church of Latter Day Saints, then it is not the Zion of the last days: and their preaching vain, and their faith vain; for these things will take place in the Zion of God, in the last days. But now for the other side of this picture, for Isaiah does not stop here.

In the 4th chapter, 2d verse to the close of the chapter, we have the following:

"In that day shall the branch of the Lord be beautiful and glorious, and the fruit of the earth shall be excellent and comely for them that are escaped of Israel. And it shall come to pass that he that is left in Zion; and he that remaineth in Jerusalem shall be called holy, even every one that is written among the living in Jerusalem: When the Lord shall have washed away the filth of the daughters of Zion, and shall have purged the blood of Jerusalem from the midst thereof, by the spirit of judgment, and the spirit of burning. And the Lord will create upon every dwelling-place of Mount Zion, and upon her assemblies, a cloud and smoke by day, and the shining of a flaming fire by night: for upon all the glory shall be a defence. And there shall be a tabernacle for a shadow in the day-time; from the heat and for a place of refuge, and for a covert from storm and from rain."

In the the 2d verse, the prophet says, "In that day shall the branch of the Lord be beautiful and glorious, and the fruit of the earth excellent and comely for them that are escaped of Israel."

We ask, in what day? Not the day when the daughters of Zion were rioting on the spoils of the poor, walking with stretched-forth necks, and wanton eyes, mincing as they went; when seven of them were laying hold on one man to take away their reproach: that was a day of transgression, when the women ruled over the people of Zion; when the poor were spoiled, the people beaten, and their faces ground. No beauty nor comeliness in that day; but there is a day, notwithstanding all this corruption, when the whole Zion of the Lord, which had been rioting in abominations, and the spoils of the poor, shall be beautiful and glorious? No, gentle reader, no, but the Branch of the Lord -- that which is escaped of the Israel of God -- those that fled from these corruptions, and left them who were practising them, this branch shall become beautiful and glorious. When will it become beautiful and glorious? When the Lord shall have washed away the filth of the daughters of Zion? See verse 4th. What filth will the Lord wash away? Their prudery, seven of them clinging to one man, their pride, and their wantonness, their rioting on the spoils of the poor. When the Lord is doing this with the spirit of judgment, and by the spirit of burning, the branch of the Lord that has escaped, will be becoming beautiful and glorious.

Here we might indulge ourselves in inquiring into the situation of this branch of the Lord that is to become glorious. Mark, they were those who had escaped -- who had fled from the corruptions of the polluted daughters of Zion. This is the branch that is to become glorious. The very fact of their having escaped supposes that at one time they were in the midst of those who had corrupted their way before the Lord; and under such circumstances, must have much experience, having been acquainted, not only with the things which were according to the will of God, but also the corruptions and abominations, which caused the Lord to enter into judgment with those who had corrupted their way before him. They had an opportunity of knowing what was, and what was not displeasing to the Lord. They had seen the Zion of God before it was corrupted, the peace, the joy, the union which prevailed, the good will which reigned; and they had seen it after it was corrupted; and could see and feel the change, the great change, which took place after the corruptions complained of by the prophet had crept in, and men and women began to riot on the spoils of the poor, and have stretched-forth necks, and wanton eyes. In all these matters, they were the best judges, and the only competent judges on earth. They had seen prophets lead the people astray, and enter into houses and seduce silly women, laden with sins.

Men may read of these things, and say in their hearts, they are evil, but a man who has seen them with his eyes, and heard them with his ears, knows something about them, that no other could know. He is better prepared to guard himself and others against these, and all other abominations, than those who have never had the same experience could be.

The people who have been made to feel the effect of these corruptions, are prepared to withstand prophet or apostle, who may make such an attempt again. The spirit of those who are thus corrupted, he is able to detect, at first sight, having once seen it manifested, he always knows it afterwards. Thus qualified, and thus prepared, the branch of the Lord which had escaped was every way qualified to become beautiful and glorious; and, if we can credit Isaiah, none others were, for it was the branch which had escaped the corruptions he had there described, that should become beautiful and glorious, and after that branch had become beautiful and glorious, the fruit of the earth was to become excellent and comely for them.

Let the saints and all others reflect on this. The whole glory of the world, if, we are authorized to credit Isaiah, which is to come to pass in the last days, is to begin with a branch of the Lord, which is escaped from the corruptions of those with whom, at one time, they were connected, a people who had so far departed from all the principles of truth and decency, as for seven of their women to take holdon one man and be called by his name; a people that could riot on the spoils of the poor, and grind their faces; and all this under the garb of religion. If you can find any such a branch as that, know that it shall be glorious, for the Lord, by the mouth of Isaiah, hath spoken it. And all those who wish to be sharers in the glory, let them be partakers with this branch, and they cannot fail, or the scriptures fail.

That the things here spoken of by Isaiah, were to take place in the last days, is manifest from what he says in the last part of this 4th chapter. It is there said, after the Lord has purged away the filth of the daughters of Zion, he will create upon every dwelling place of Mount Zion, and upon her assemblies, a cloud and smoke by day, and the shining of a flaming fire by night; for upon all the glory shall be a defence. And there shall be a tabernacle for a shadow in the day-time from the heat, and for a place of refuge, and from a covert front storm and from rain.

All who are at all acquainted with matters and things as they now exist, or have existed, since the days of Isaiah, know that no such things as the above have existed since his day, but if his testimony is true, they are to exist after the Lord has purged away the filth of the daughters of Zion, and purged away the blood of Jerusalem, by the spirit of burning and the spirit of judgment. And this purging, and this burning, is not to take place until after the branch of the Lord has escaped; for it is through this branch that all the glory is to come.

Then indeed, in the true Zion of God, in the last days, there were to be systems of corruption, wanton women and dissolute men, that were to corrupt themselves and cause the judgments of God to be revealed against them, and to cause a separation, and a branch to go forth from them, which in the end is to become beautiful and glorious. This the prophet says was to take place in the Zion of God; and it is only in the last days it can take place.

Now, if the church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, is the Zion of God, then fellow saint and sinner, the whole story of the spiritual wife system is told; and that it is the true church of Christ, let the corruptions of that body speak for themselves. He that hath eyes may see, and he that hath ears may hear, and he that has a heart may understand, for the very corruptions which Isaiah said should take place among the daughters of Zion, have taken place in that church, not only the corruption, but the separation also, and all the rest will doubtless follow.

Now let me call the attention of all the saints to the facts already disclosed. We have seen by the Writings of Paul that in the last days, all the church of Christ, an apostacy was to take place, that men were so far to depart from the true faith, and to be so completely led by seducing spirits, as to go into houses and lead astray silly women, laden with sins, and that too, under the sanctity of religion. This thing has actually taken place in the church of Latter Day Saints.

Isaiah says that in the Zion of God the men would become oppressors, and live on the spoils of the poor, and the women would become wanton, and seven of them would take hold on one man, to be called by his name, the same as to become his wife. This also has taken place in Nauvoo. The Savior said that before hts second advent he should have an evil servant, whom he had appointed to give meet to his house in due season, who, instead of so doing would go to eating and drinking with the drunken, and to smiting his fellow servants, and that he would cut off that servant, in an hour when he did not look for it. This also has actually taken place, not only the eating and drinking with the drunken -- smiting the fellow servants -- but the cutting off also, and that at an unexpected hour; for that servant did say, not long before his death, that he would have five years from the time he delivered the prophecy, but behold in an hour unexpected, he was cut off. The Lord said that at the time, or in the days preparatory to his coming, that the mighty men of Zion should fall in the war. This has also taken place.

Let the reader ponder these things in his heart, for one thing is certain, and that is, that what the prophets, apostles, and the Savior himself said, should take place in the last days in the Zion of God, has taken place in the church of Latter Day Saints, be they, or be they not the church of Christ; and to finish the whole, it was said that among the things which were to take place, was that of a division in the church. This is now taking place before the eyes of all living, and a branch that separated was to become beautiful and glorious. Time will determine this.

It may here not be amiss while on the subject of the division, to attend to some of the Savior's words, in addition to those already noticed. In the 13th chapter of Matthew, beginning with the 25th verse, to the 35th, inclusive, we read as follows:

"Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, the kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field; but while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat and went his way. But when the blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also. So the servants of the householder came and said unto him, Sir, didst not thou sow good seed in thy field? from whence hath it tares? He said unto them, an enemy hath done this. The servants said unto him, wilt thou that we go and gather them up? But he said, nay: lest, while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them. Let both grow together until the harvest: and in due time of harvest I will say unto the reapers, gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn."

"Another parable put he forth unto them saying, the kingdom of heaven is like to a grain of mustard-seed, which a man took and sowed in him field, which indeed is the least of all seeds; but when it is grown it is the greatest among herbs, and becometh a tree so that the birds of the air come and lodge in the branches thereof."

The Savior put forth three parables. The kingdom of heaven, according to the first, was likened to a man that sowed good seed in his field, but while he slept an enemy came and sowed tares to the field, both of which, the owner of the field said, should grow together till the harvest, and at the time of harvest, the reapers were to gather the tares, and bind them into bundles to he burned; but the wheat was to be gathered into the barn. This parable the Savior explains to his disciples, see the 37th verse, and onward. He that sowed the good seed, was the Son of man; the field, the world; the good seed, the children of the kingdom; the tares, the children of the wicked one; the enemy that sowed them, the devil; the harvest, the end of the world; and the reapers, the angels or messengers.

This parable, as explained by the Savior, shews the fact, that the last kingdom or church that Christ was to set up in the world, and if so, it must be the kingdom spoken of by Daniel, was to be corrupted, and in consequence the Lord's messengers were to make a separation in it. There were tares, and there was wheat in it which had to be separated from the other. After this separation the kingdom of heaven was to be like a grain of mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his garden, which is, indeed, the least of all seeds, but when it is grown is the greatest of herbs so that the fowls of heaven come and lodge in the branches thereof. This was to take place after the tares were separated -- after the division had taken place.

He spake another parable. The kingdom of heaven is like leaven which a woman took and hid in three measures of meal, until the whole was leavened. This also was to be after the tares were seperated. If any should doubt this, let me ask could a society, that was like tares and wheat, produce this effect, leaven the whole lump, change the nature of the whole world and bring it into subjection to the will of God, when in itself there was corruption, and material only fit to be burned? All will answer it could not, no society or order of things could change the nature of the world as leaven changes meal, and cleanse it so as to render it fit for the society of heaven, while it had a mass of corruption in itself, such as the kingdom of heaven was to have, when it had tares as well as wheat in it. The separation must take place -- the tares prepared for the burning, and then the kingdom might tower as the mustard stalk, until the fowls of heaven might lodge in the branches thereof, and then, and not till then, could it leaven the whole lump.

What more need we say then, to let all the saints see the precise situation of the church at present, and what awaits the whole church in futurity. The branch which has escaped after the separation is complete, become beautiful and glorious, and the tares be prepared for the burning.

The corruptions which have spread and are spreading in that apostate and corrupt branch of the church at Nauvoo, is one of the strong evidences which go to prove the church of latter day saints to be the true church of Christ: for in it are fulfilling the words of the prophets, of the apostles, and of the Savior of the world. All are fulfilling to the letter.

The church has now reached an interesting and important point in prophecy -- the period where the holy writers begin to date its prosperity. It had, according to all the sacred writers, to pass a severe scene of trial and affliction, before its prosperity could come. Corruptions must infect the head itself, before it could be prepared to go forth and meet the bridegroom. And the Lord had to show his disapprobation of the corruptions introduced, by cutting off his evil servant. After that it had to pass the severe trial of separating the wheat and tares -- which is now especially going on -- before it could tower and spread so that the fowls of heaven could come and lodge in the branches thereof and like leaven, leaven the whole lump. After all this work of trial, affliction and purification, then comes the time when the separated branch, which has been enabled to pass the ordeal, and neither faint by the way nor get corrupted, to become beautiful and glorious, through the triumph of which, the fruit of the earth was to become excellent and comely. Well then may the saints lift up their heads and rejoice, seeing the prophecies of both the old and new Testament are fulfilling before their faces, and they, the honored among men, whom the Lord has chosen, that the words of the prophets might not fail, and the testimony of Jesus be fulfilled in the eyes of all living, that all might be left without excuse at his coming. Well may they gird up their loins and prepare for the coming of the bridegroom; for behold he cometh according to his word. The way is preparing, and the day approaching. The things long since spoken of by all the holy men of old are now passing before our eyes; the mustard seed is planting -- the leaven is about being put into the meal -- the branch is separating, and all things are now making ready.

All opinions about the Savior's coming are vain, unless they me founded on the fulfillment of the ancient prophecies. Every thing there said, preparatory to him coming must be fulfilled, before he comes. It is equally so with regard to the church of Christ in the last days, all things spoken of it by the prophets must be fulfilled. The corruptions which they said should be introduced into it must defile it. When Christ said that in the days preparatory to his coming, he would have an evil servant -- for so he called him -- and that he would cut him off at an unexpected hour, this must take place, or the words of the Savior fail.

So certain then, as ever Christ was to raise up a man in the last days to lay the foundation of a great work, just so certain it was, that that servant would be cut off; for he that said one, said the other. As sure then as ever there was to he any true church in the last days, so sure it was that it would be corrupted, for the same spirit of prophecy indicted one that did the other; and so certain as the church of Christ the last days was corrupted -- and that was as sure as it existed -- so sure it was, that part of that corruption was the leading of silly women astray; and so sure as the true church of Christ was to exist in the last days, so sure, by reason of the corruptions in it, it was to divide, and sure as it divided the branch that separated was to become beautiful and glorious.

Why then, if we claim to be the church is of Christ in the last days, should the things which have transpired be matters of surprise or fear. The various systems in the world which lay claim to be the latter day work of God, to prepare the way of the Son of man, are all founded on principles at war with the prophecies, and in opposition to them; the work of God in the last days was to be a work through which all the prophecies, which had preceded the time of its commencement in the world, that had not been fulfilled, should be fulfilled. We then have this claim to be the true church of Christ, that the prophecies are now fulfilling in our midst, that the very things the Savior, prophets and apostles, said should take place in the last days, are taking place with us, and nowhere else. What higher evidence then, that we are indeed the church of Christ in truth? If this is not giving to the world testimony that we are the true church, I know not what could do it.

The saints then have but one thing to do, in relation to these abusers of themselves with mankind, that is, turn away from them and be separate, and touch not this unclean thing, but let those be clean who bear the vessels of the Lord. Separate, ye saints of the most high, from this sink of corruption, that the branch of the Lord may be glorious: for it is the separated branch that shall become beautiful and glorious, and through whom the Lord will bring peace to the earth, and though the separated branch should, at first, be among the societies of the world as a grain of mustard among seeds, yet, it shall grow and tower until the fowls of heaven come and lodge in the branches thereof; or though it should be in comparison as the leaven which is put into the meal, with the meal itself, yet, it will not cease until it has leavened the whole lump.

Thus hath the Lord spoken, "and he that hath ears to hear, let him hear."
SIDNEY RIGDON.      




To the Members of the Church of Jesus Christ
of Latter Day Saints.

Brethren Beloved: -- The time has come in the dispensations of the Most High to the Saints of the last days, when it becomes absolutely necessary for every man, for every woman, for every individual who essays to be saved in the kingdom of God, to set their feet afresh upon the rock, of which the Saviour has emphatically declared, "the gates of hell shall never prevail against it."

The time has fully come, in the history of the Church of the living God, established for the last time, when it is made a sacred and paramount duty, for every individual who would maintain the integrity of the Covenant which he has entered into with God, to lift up the voice as with the sound of a trumpet -- to cry aloud and spare not.

A heaven-daring apostacy -- an utter and entire departure from the principles of eternal life, as they are revealed to us in the Bible, Book of Mormon, and Book of Covenants, has occurred in our midst; and it remains with us individually to determine, whether we shall take part with God and righteousness, truth and virtue, or turn again to the weak and beggerly elements of sin, and thereby forfeit all claim, right, title, interest or promise, to the glorious rest of God, the ultimate beatitude of the celestial kingdom. Nothing less than this is the issue which now presents itself for our deliberate and solemn determination....

We are prepared then to enter upon the examination of those thrilling events, which have absorbed our attention for some time, and by a rigid adherence to the word of him who cannot lie, we shall be able to arrive at a correct understanding of the whole matter. Who then is that individual who sustains the important relation of revelator to the Church, for he alone is competent to a reorganization of the presidency, for without that organization we have not the order of God, and consequently never can triumph gloriously.

Fortunately, most providentially, this matter is stripped of all ambiguity, and is made clear as a sunbeam to the believer in the revelations of Jesus Christ.

Sidney Rigdon is the only man, who has been pointed out again and again, by the voice of Israel's God, as sustaining that relation -- hear him: Sect. 84, part 5. "And now verily I say unto you (Joseph Smith and Sidney Rigdon,) I give unto you a commandment, that you continue in the ministry and Presidency, and when you have finished the translation of the prophets, you shall from henceforth preside over the affairs of the church and school; and from time to time as shall be manifested by the comforter, receive revelations to unfold the mysteries of the kingdom, and set in order the churches, and study and learn, and become acquainted with all good books, and with languages, tongues and people. And this shall be your business and mission in all your lives, to preside in council and set in order all the affairs of this church and kingdom."

If this is the word of God in very deed, then is Sidney Rigdon, beyond all cavil or dispute the called of God, to preside over his Church, and Kingdom and the lawful revelator to the same.... Joseph Smith was to stand in the office in which he was then placed, until the coming of the Son of Man, unless he transgressed, when the Lord declares he would plant another in his stead; again, this other was to be appointed by Joseph himself, "If he shall transgress he shall have no power except to appoint another in his stead."

Where then is the man called of God by revelation, and ordained by Joseph Smith, as a prophet, seer, and revelator for the church? Sidney Rigdon, and Sidney Rigdon alone.

The conclusion is therefore inevitable, that either the word of God has failed, or Sidney Rigdon is planted by God himself, in the stead of Joseph Smith. Let God be true, if all men should be found liars. Why then was Sidney Rigdon rejected by the Twelve, and all their adherents, and an order of things instituted in direct violation of the order of God?

The answer is plain, because they have lost the light of the spirit of God, and are involved in Egyptian darkness; "if the light that is in you become darkness, how great is that darkness."

It now becomes necessary to touch upon another fact which affords us a key, by which we may unriddle the whole mystery of this extraordinary condition of things.

There has been taught in the church a doctrine, which to a man with the revelations of God in his hand may be deemed the most daring and damning that could be imagined to exist among any people, because it is the prolific parent of every vice, and the whole catalogue of crime follows in its train as naturally and necessarily as water will find its level. Need I say I allude to the spiritual wife system; to cover up this system, lying was taught to be justifiable, and a sermon was publicly preached, to inculcate the idea and establish the tenet, that under certain circumstances, it was rather meritorious to lie. Be it remembered, that there is no sin, which has called forth the signal wrath of Almighty God, more fully than the sin of adultery; and therefore the Lord declared he would "cut off from Israel head and tail, branch and rush in one day. The ancient and honorable (que. Patriarch) he is the head; and the prophet that teacheth lies, he is the tail. For the leaders of this people cause them to err, and they that are led of them are destroyed." Was Joseph Smith cut off for transgression? I answer, if the Lord is to be believed, he was; for he expressly promises that if Joseph abided in him, he should stand in the office in which he was placed, until the coming of the Son of Man. If Joseph is not living, and the Son of Man is not come, he must, admitting the word of God, be cut off for transgression.

Admitting this fact, we must conclude, that he transgressed the law of God; the question then arises, how did he transgress the law of God? I answer, he taught the doctrine that a man could have ten wives; the Lord has declared "thou shalt have one wife, and cleave unto her and none else." Joseph taught that David did not sin in having many wives, only in the case of Uriah.

The Lord declares, Book of Mormon, Book of Jacob, 2d chapter, "David and Solomon truly had many wives and concubines, which thing was abominable before me, saith the Lord."

But do these men who have arrogated to themselves the authority, who have at one fell swoop blotted the first presidency out of existence, laid violent hands on the reins of government, and delivered over to the buffetings of the devil him whom God has placed in the stead of Joseph Smith -- do these men preach and practice the doctrine of polygamy? They do. And coupled with Sidney Rigdon's uncompromising hostility to that doctrine, gives us the key by which we can understand the otherwise incomprehensible fatuity, which could lead them to set at complete defiance the order of heaven.... Sidney Rigdon declared: "I shall feel it my duty to publish the transactions of the secret chambers, and a faithful history of the works of darkness." Oh here lies the gist of the whole matter; treason to the cause of spiritual-wife-ism, to that accursed doctrine which makes a man's glory depend upon the number of his wives; which makes that a stepping stone to exaltation which God has a thousand times declared is the high road to hell....

give heed to that servant whom the Lord has planted in the stead of Joseph Smith, and turn away from those who teach and practice doctrines contrary to the law and the holy commandments delivered unto us.

Your brother in the new and everlasting covenant.
SAMUEL BENNETT.      



AFFAIRS  AT  NAUVOO.

Our advices from Nauvoo, are to the 20th of October. Brigham Young, one of the Twelve, had, at a meeting at Ramus, in Hancock county, discoursed thus, in a public address: "That there were a multitude of spirits, innumerable, who were flocking about the houses of ill fame, seeking for bodies, although they were illegally obtained, yet they were anxious to get them in any way; but God has devised a plan by which they can now obtain them in a legal way, without disgrace." Important information, surely. Since the delivery of the above message, the gentleman and his co-worker, Heber C. Kimball, have been absent, no reason assigned: they have gone probably to the places where their business demands.

We have seen a No. of the 'Prophet,' published in N. York City, containing a letter over the signature of Wilford Woodfruff, declaring, among other false assertions, that while we were at Nauvoo in Sept., we threatened to bring a mob on the place. This is a fabrication without the least foundation in truth. We never said so, nor thought of saying so; indeed we knew too much about the light in which the God of Heaven viewed Nauvoo and the people thereof, to feel any disposition to bring on them any evil, greater than that decreed by the great God. Do these men think, by publishing falsehoods against us or any others, that they will avert the judgment of God? ...

The ignorant corruptors at Nauvoo are busily engaged, up to the last dates, in spinning out the history of their own ignorance and shame, in an unceasing effort to do something to hide their secret doctrine from the public gaze. Do they think such fooling will any longer hide, from the world, their system of polygamy? If they do they will find their mistake by and by....



To the Editor of the Latter Day Saints'
Messenger and Advocate.

Mr. Editor:
Permit me to call your attention to a certain doctrine taught by the apostates at Nauvoo, that Joseph Smith is as much a Saviour to this generation as Jesus Christ was to the generation in which he lived. Heber Kimball declared, in a public address, on the stand, that "Joseph Smith was his Savior." Are not these the very characters whom Paul and Peter saw should be in the church of God, in the last days; who would count the blood of the covenant wherewith they were sanctified, an unholy thing; and even deny the Lord that bought them.
AN OBSERVER.      


Notes: (forthcoming)


 



Vol. I.                                       Pittsburgh,  December 2, 1844.                                       No. 3.



THE  FIRST  PRESIDENCY.

We have always considered it an indisputable and self evident axiom, that the order of God, is perfect, and indissoluble; as a system, and in its integral parts. And so in reference to the scheme of salvation; there are no redundant elements, none that can be dispensed with, and the system retain its virtue and efficacy, in the attainment of the object proposed.

The moment we admit a departure, in the smallest degree from the order of heaven, then and at that time, we open the floodgate to to libertinism, and there is no stopping place, short of manifest apostacy.

Should we once concede, that a single principle can be stricken out of existence, that the smallest diminuation can occur in the matchless organization of Deity, without impairing its adequacy; we should he driven to the inevitable conclusion, that the whole system of God is not necessary to the salvation of man; and therefore, that the thousand and one systems extant, are all saving systems. But we have not so learned Christ. We are ready to subscribe to the doctrine of Paul, that "those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary," to the safety and perfection of the body. How indispensibly necessary then, must those members be, through which sustenance is administered to the whole body; without which the body is spiritually dead, striped of all beauty and comeliness; incapable of the performance of the functions of vitality.

We think it is susceptible of the clearest demonstration, that the first presidency or the presidency of the high priesthood of the church, hold the keys of revelation for the church, to conduct, manage, and control it; in accordance with the will of God, and the revelations of Jesus Christ; that in the economy of God. it belongs of right to that quorum, and never can be delegated to any other. A very few quotations will put this matter beyond all successful controversy. "And again, the duty of the president of the office of the high priesthood, is to preside over the whole church, and to be like unto Moses. -- Behold, here is wisdom, -- yea, to be a seer, a revelator, a translator, and a prophet, -- having all the gifts of God which he bestows upon the head of the church." The Lord foreseeing the very condition of things which has arisen, uses this striking phraseology, "Behold" says he, "here is Wisdom." Alas! alas!! that men should be so lifted up, as to imagine themselves wiser than their maker. Again, "Joseph Smith jr. unto whom I have given the keys of the kingdom, which belongeth always unto the presidency of the high priesthood." We are warranted then in saying, that they do not belong to the twelve, that they have not got them, that they never can have them, and if they declare ever so boldly, and declaim ever so loudly, their assertions weigh not a feather, against a "thus saith the Lord."

The duties of the presidency of the high priesthood are specifically defined, again, and again, that there may be no mistake. "Of the Melchizedeck priesthood three presiding high priests chosen by the body, appointed (by revelation, see § 5.) and ordained to that, office, (by some one or more having competent authority,) and upheld by the faith and prayers of the church, form a quorum of the presidency of the church."

The duties of the twelve, are also specifically defined, repeatedly. The twelve travelling counsellors are called to be the twelve apostles, or especial witnesses of the name of Christ in all the world: thus differing from other officers in the church, in the duties of their calling; they are called to act, "under the direction of the first presidency;" who are appointed by God, to be their counsellors; and leaders. See § 104. We argue then, they have not been called to the presidency, of the church, but to another and very different office, and emphatically warned, "Therefore see to it that ye trouble not yourselves concerning the affairs of in church in this place saith the Lord; but purify your heart before me, and then go ye into all the world and preach my gospel unto every creature, who hath not received it." We think it is clear, that the duties of the first presidency, and the duties of the twelve, are incompatible, the one with the other; we have, we think, satisfactorily shown, that no quorum of the' church can be dispensed with, that we can not alter or amend the order of God with impunity, or without rendering it nugatory as a plan of salvation. We are then forced to the conclusion, that the order of thirgs established at Nauvoo is a monster, a hydra with twelve or more heads, assuming the place of the heavenly triune, and destined to destruction, with all the corruptions and innovations of mystical Babylon, the mother of harlots, and abominations of the earth.

It is not the church of Christ because "they have transgressed the law, changed the ordinances, and broken the everlasting covenant;" severed the connecting link between God and themselves, so that he can hold no intercourse with them, through the channel which he has mercifully opened, to bless them with the light of revelation. Would to God they had hearkened to the commandment, "to give diligent heed to the words of eternal life, for you shall live by every word that proceedeth forth from the mouth of God." "And your minds in times past have been darkened because of unbelief, and because you have treated lightly the things you have received, which vaniy and unbelief hath brought the whole church under condemnation. And this condemnation resteth upon the children of Zion, even all; and they shall remain under this condemnation until thy repent and remember the new covenant, even [the] book of Mormon and the former commandments given unto them...

But the strong point, as they seem to consider it, is the assertion, that Joseph laid the burden of the church upon their shoulders, addressing the twelve, telling them, he had given them all the keys he himself possessed, [he] knew anything about. We neither admit nor deny this, it in a matter we care nothing about; we do know verily. that Joseph taught contrary doctrine, from the conclusion which they presume to draw from these declarations. We have a surer test by which to try this matter, a touchstone that can be relied upon, that will not fail us. If Joseph Smith did really design to confer the authority to lead and preside over the church, (which we have the best reason to doubt,) upon the quorum of the twelve; we say he did that, which he had no power or anthority from God to do; for the very obvious reason, that the God of truth, is not the author of two antagonist propositions, regarding the control, management, and economy that order of things which he has established for the last time.

If the great God has revealed to us the organization of his church, and commanded it to be written for our guidance and instruction, challenging our implicit obedience. Who was Joseph Smith? or who is any other man? or set of men? that they can alter the decree of Jehovah? Woe be unto them if they attempt it, they wage an unequal warfare.

if Joseph Smith did design any such thing, he did that which hastened his destruction. -- But we said, we had the best reasons to doubt any such design, on the part of Joseph Smith. It is a well known fact, that Hyrum Smith and Sidney Rigdon, were both ordained by Joseph, as prophets, seers, and revelators for the church; it is also equally well known, that Joseph's preference was in favor of his brother Hyrum, as his successor of in case of his death; and that he labored under undue and unjust prejudice, with regard to Sidney Rigdon, this he admitted himself publicly. Now if Joseph did design Hyrum as his successor, he did not design to dispense with the first presidency. We make these remarks to shew the very great improbability, to say the least, that Joseph Smith ever had any such design, as is imputed to him. The question of moment with us to decide is, what the Lord has designed, and determined on this subject; -- and we are among the number who believe, that he will accomplish his purposes, in any event; and in spite of the efforts of man to the contrary. It this view of the subject be correct, then we may rest assured that whatever the result has been, it was in accordance with the purposes of the Almighty. Was Joseph Smith the called of God to lay the foundation of the church of God of the last dispensation? He was. Then the Lord has not been overreached, by a set of ungodly mobocrats; and he has still on the earth, a man holding equal authority, to carry on his work: in verification of his promise, that he would plant another in his, Joseph's, stead.

There is another frail prop, applied as a support to the tottering fabric. That after the crucifixion of our Savior, the twelve took the presidency and control of the church; we think there is abundant evidence, that Peter, James and John constituted the presiding three; and that their places were filled in the quorum of the twelve by others. Be that as it may, it is a matter with which we have nothing to do. We have the law and organization of heaven given to us, by adhering to which we shall acquit ourselves like men of God; or by the transgression of which we shall be condemned. There is another important circumstance connected with this affair, which we must think, develops a fixed determination on the part of the twelve, to seize the reins of givernment, law or no law. Sidney Rigdon and Amasa Lyman, are acknowledged by the twelve as having been ordained first presidents; which of course would constitute a majority of the quorum, and competent to do business; only requiring the addition of one member, to fill the vacancy occasioned by Joseph's death. It was an egregious inconsistency, to admit, that Sidney Rigdon and Amasa Lyman were legal members of the quorum of first presidency, as according to the book of Covenants, (see section 3rd.) they would constitute a quorum to do business."A majority form a quorum, when circumstances render it impossible to be otherwise." In direct violation of this, and the multiplied provisions of the law of the Lord, the twelve admit their presidency, and deny their rights to preside! Presidents! and no presidents!! We cannot call this by any better name then buffoonery. We think if any thing could betoken, a preconcerted resolution to destroy the first presidency, this must surely indicate it. But we are not left in the dark on this subject, we have before us conclusive evidence that it was determined by the twelve, before any action was had by the church at Nauvoo, to supplant Sidney Rigdon in the presidency. We say it was a gross imposition upon common sense to make the ad,ission, that they were both first presidents, and then request them to stand the one on the right hand of the twelve, and the other on the left. So it seems in the estimation of these men, a matter of small consequence, whether the church has three, twelve, thirteen, fourteen of more heads!

In no circumstances, we contend, could the order of heaven exist without the first presidency. If the Lord should take from the earth, all who held that authority, there would be no ground of hope, to the people destitute of that presiding power, for the attainment of the rest of God; and still another dispensation must be ushered in, by which alone that glorious object could be accomplished. We do however verily believe, that the Lord will surely perform that which he has promised, that "The keys of the kingdom of God are committed unto man on earth, and from thence shall the gospel roll forth unto the ends of the earth, or the stone which is cut out of the mountain without hands. shall roll forth until it has filled the whole earth." If Joseph or a hundred other prophets should transgress the law of the celestial kingdom, the great God holds their destinies in his hands, and will not suffer them to be cut off from the earth, till they have first conferred their authority upon others; and those too, individuals whom the Lord shall choose for that purpose.

It is perfectly ridiculous dor certain men to say, that they have no confidence in Sidney Rigdon as a revelator; do they dare to contend with Omnipotence? The :ord says (section 81,) that Sidney Rigdon is equal with Joseph Smith, in holding the keys to this last kingdom; and in 1841 the Lord commands Joseph to ordain him as a prophet, seer and revelator; (see Times and Seasons 431), and in January of that year, (see new edition, book of Cov. page 411,) the Lord says [it was] given Sidney Rigdon, as one of the quorum of the first presidency, to receive the oracles for the whole church. This is worthy of note, as these men, who are so wise in their own conceit, say he has been asleep for the last five years.

We presume if they will refer to the revelation published in the Times and Seasons, [with] the account of Sidney Rigdon's trial, (so called,) they will find, where he has been during that time; and where the Lord is placing him now. That like a faithful God as he is, he is plucking him out of the deep mire, and exalting [his] arm on high. But Joseph asserted, so it is said by the twelve, that Sidney Rigdon would lead the church to the devil. Where, we would ask in the name of God, and in the name of common sense, is the spiritual wife revelation leading them? Has not the result proven that God was wiser than men. This he knew well, who would withstand the introduction those doctrines of demons, which would inevitably lead those who adhered to them to destruction? Surely it has. Whenever we find men, no matter what their pretentions may be, quarrelling with the chosings and ordinations of God, we are sure they have then lost the spirit of God. "Many are called but few are chosen."

What an awful condition we should have been placed in, if no man had been found having authority to lead us into paths of righteousness.

How could we have certainly known, that Joseph Smith had transgressed, so as to forfeit his standing before God, but by his being cut off from the earth. There he was, the instrument whom God had chosen, by whom he had revealed his will, through whom the everlasting gospel saluted our ears and rejoiced our hearts, by whose instrumentality the book of Mormon was brought to light, and translated by the power of God; administered to, and ordained under the hands of heavenly messengers; declared by the voice of Jehovah to be in his hands, and that he alone could call him to account; with the promise of Him who cannot lie, that he should continue to hold the presiding authority, until the coming of the Son of Man, if he abided in him.

We loved the man. and we have been willing venture our life for his, becauge we knew him to be an instrument in the hands of God, for the accomplishment of his purposes. How then shall we describe the sorrow and anguish of heart which we experienced when we found that he was teaching the unholy spiritual wife doctrine secretly, and denying it openly; that he was running against the bosses of Jehovah's buckler, by a direct contravention of all those pure and virtuous principles, contained in that book, which had been brought to light by the manifestation of almighty power, exhibited to him personally. We trust we have learnt a lesson, which we shall never forget. of human weakness and fallibility: and that none but God can sustain and keep from falling, those that put their trust in him.
Cursed indeed is he that trusteth in man and maketh flesh his arm. We acknowledge that it is by the mercy of God that we have been sustained, and kept from that fatal error, and strong delusion, of believing a lie; and had a heart to believe the truth, when the servant of God came with a message from the heavens, declaring that God had no pleasure in unrighteousness; teaching as to observe "the new covenant even the book of Mormon;" saying in the language of that book, For behold I the Lord have seen the sorrow, and heard the mourning of the daughters of my people, because of the wickedness and abominations of their husbands." "And I will not suffer saith the Lord of hosts, that the cries of the fair daughters of this people shall come up unto me, agairst the men of my people saith the Lord of hosts: for they shall not lead away captive, the daughters of my people, because of their tenderness, save I shall visit them with with it sore curse, even unto destruction; for they shall not commit whoredoms, like unto them of old saith the Lord of hosts."

Who so blind, that they cannot see the fiat of Omnipotence, and the seal of the indignation of the living God, incontestably placed upon that worse than Mahomedon practice, which would tamper with other men's wives; which would turn the fountains of human happiness, (mutual confidence and esteem,) into the demoniac elements of suspicion, rage, murder, and despair; we say who so infatuated, so bound down in the strong delusion of the devil, that they cannot see the attestation of the wrath of God upon a man who had so far perverted his sacred office, as to teach such vile doctrines and whom he had pledged himself to sustain. only on condition, of his abiding in him. And who again so ignorant and foolish, that all the testimonies recorded in the Bible, Book of Covenants, and Book of Mormon, regarding those vices, and last of all the signal warning given to us, individually, and as a people, who [are] so wedded to sin as a sweet morsel, that they will not profit by this, and take heed in their steps.

We have the conncurrent testimony of all the prophets who spake as they were constrained by the Holy Ghost, to warn all men who believe and practice these doctrines of Beelzebab, (in authority or out of it.) but more especially those, whose duty it is to teach the way of life -- to flee the wrath to come; and we tell the truth in Christ and lie not, that certain as the existence of Jehovah, sure as he ever spake to man, there is no escape from destruction, other than discarding such doctrines and disfellowshipping all who adhere to them. The great God has decreed that he would have a people of tried integrity, that he would prove them in all things, to see whether they would keep his covenant, if they could abide a celestial law, and were meet for a celestial kingdom. One notable season of "trial as by fire" is passing over our heads, and who shall be able to stand, when we see how many have already fallen, openly apostatized from the faith once delivered to the saints, virtually denied the Bible, Book of Mormnn. and Book of Covenants, and to all intents and purposes, set at naught the counsels of God; and are teaching as a celestial law, that the highest degree of celestial glory is only to be obtained by marrying three, five, seven, ten, or more wives.

We would lay it down as a certian, fxed, and incontrovertable position, that the whole order of God is necessary to our salvation; as the first presidency is a pert of that order, we cannot be saved without it. This is the testimony of the Book of Covenants; "Whosoever receiveth my word receiveth me, and whosoever receiveth me, receiveth those, the first Presidency whom I have sent, whom I have made counsellors for my names sake unto you." -- Sect. 104, New edition.

Observe the language of the Lord -- not Joseph Smith, or any particular man, but those the first presidency, whom I have made for my names sake counsellors unto you; those who receive them receive me, and by parity of reasoning, those who reject them, reject me. It is in fact a contradiction in terms, to say we receive God, and reject his organization of the church, or his plan of saving men in any particular.

We cannot make one quorum perform the functions of two, or else on the same principle we may dispense with every quorum of the church, save one. Therefore let every man stand in his own office, and labor in his own calling; and let not the head say unto the feet it hath not need of the feet, for without the feet how shall the body be able to stand? Also the body hath need of every memeber that all may be edified together, that the system may be kept perfect. -- See. 4.

We wish all who love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity and truth, to remember that the scene through which we are now passing, is a conflict of Christ and Belial, light and darkness. Now we are compelled to determine who is on the Lord's side, for "whosoever is not with me, is against me, and whosoever gathereth not with me, scattereth." -- On the one hand, is presented to you, the perfect organization of heaven, with the man whom God has planted with his own hand in the stead of Joseph Smith at the head, with his two counsellors legally appointed by revelation and ordained under the hands of Sidney Rigdon; acknowledged in their office, and upheld by the confidence, faith and prayers of the church, that church receiving as the law and rule of their faith and practise, the book of Doctrine and Covenants; also, all those pure and holy principles inculcated in the Book of Mormon, and the Bible; with a fixed and steady purpose in the strength of Israel's God, to present an uncompromising opposition to that doctrine of devils, the spiritual wife system; which has already called forth the signal manifestation of the divine displeasure, in the cutting off [of] Joseph and Hyrum Smith from the earth.

On the other hand, is presented to you, a Babylonish beast, a corrupt and perverted monster, having no resemblance to the heavenly pattern; a traveling high council swallowing up the head, (the first presidency,) and the high council in Zion, who in their functions and prerogatives are superior in authority to the twelve travelling counsellors, whose descisions upon matters appertaining to the duties of their calling must be unanimous to give them the same validity with the decisions of the first presidency; whereas, the High Council are equal in all their decisions to the quorum of first presidency; (sec. 3d.) which quorum of high counsellors, are called to regulate all difficult matters of the affairs of the church in Zion, and it cannot be shewn that the twelve were ever called to any such thing, [to] the contrary, the Lord foreseeing what has actually come to pass, warned them not to do it at their peril. (Sec. 104, N. Ed.) How unavailing such a warning, to men who had resolved to set themselves above all that is called God, or is worshiped, in bold defiance of his order and commandments, pulling down and setting up at their own will and pleasure, in open defiance of the thus saith the Lord, until a system is formed which is presented to you as the antipodes of the order of God the best which has assumed the prerogatives of the almighty lawgiver, and challenges your admiration and homage as possessed of those attributes. In perfect keeping with the character of the organization, are the doctrines it promulgates, "glory in the highest by a mltitude of wives."

We have then clearly set before us, life and death, blessing and cursing. Choose you which you will have, the issue is plainly joined, we cannot avoid it. We do not for a moment doubt, that all who are willing to keep the commandments of God at all hazards and ask God the everlasting Father in the name of Jesis Christ for his Spirit, will be guided in the way of truth and salvation. He is true who hath promised, and if there is a failure any where, it will be on our part. See ye too it.

We think we have made such quotations from the law of the Lord, and used such arguments (as we have been able to present,) as is sufficient to shew every honest and obedient believer in the veracity of God, where truth is to be found. And wherever truth is, just in proportion as we possess it we approach God; for God is truth.
S. BENNETT.          



Thou shalt love thy wife with all thy heart, and shall cleave unto her and none else; and he that shall look upon a woman to lust after her, shall deny the faith, and shall not have the spirit; and if he repents not he shall be cast out. -- Book of Cov. § 13. ¶ 7.

You have heard that it was said by them of old time, thou shalt not commit adultery: But I say unto you, that whosoever looketh upon a woman to lust after her, hath committed adultery already in his heart. -- Mat. chap. 5.

Wherefore I, the Lord God, will not suffer that this people shall do like unto them of old. Wherefore my brethren, hear me, and hearken to the word of the Lord: for there shall not any man among you have save it be one wife: and concubines he shall have none; For I, the Lord God, delighteth in the chastity of women. And whoredoms are an abomination before me: thus saith the Lord of hosts. -- Book of Jacob, chap. 2.
It may be deemed superfluous, to enter upon an elaborate argument, to shew that polygamy is not from above, but is from beneath.

Certain it is however, that multitudes professing to receive the Bible, book of Mormon and book of Doctrine and Covenants as of divine authenticity, and as containing the pure doctrines of Jesus Christ, have been led to receive and adopt, as an article of their religious creed, the monstrous, antichristian and disgusting dogma, "that it is absolutely necessary, to the attainment of the highest degree of glory, that a man should have a plurality of wives." If it were a mere theory unreduced to practice, the case would be different; but when we see a system on unparalleled debauchery, growing out of, and flowing from it; contaminating the fair form of virtue, and blasting like the deadly sirocco, the very springs of existence, and happiness temporal and eternal; then surely if ever, it is high time for those who would maintain the ancient landmarks, who would contend earnestly for the faith once delivered to the saints; to be valiant for the truth.

Indeed we should esteem it in the highest degree criminal, to be indifferent to a state of things which has well nigh rendered the name of Latter Day Saint the synonym of treachery and debauchery. But thanks to the tender mercies of our God, he has reserved a set of men, who have not bowed the knee to this adulterous Baal; who will not hold their peace, who will never relinquish the task which they have undertaken, but with their lives, who with unwavering unceasing effort, will bear aloft the banner of truth, virtue and integrity; nothing doubting, that the God of Israel, will be their safeguard and portion forever.

If it could be a matter of doubt, with any individual, who is not caught in the snare of the devil, by a practical adoption of the doctrine of polygamy, as taught ny the apostates at Nauvoo, the test given by the Son of God, that "a tree is known by its fruit," would afford a lucid solution of the difficulty.

To tell of the despoiled innocence, and abandoned woe, parental heartbreakings, and the truthfulness of confiding love, blasted forever, by the insidious demon who has sought his opportunity, under the priestly garb, to visit the happy domicile of mutual undoubting affection, and by the avowed authority of heaven pressing his suit, and enforcing it by the most awful penal denunciations. Where is the individual, could they see these things as they are, would doubt their hellish origin? The contumely put upon the laws of God and man; the lying hypocricy and deceit practiced, to hide its malignant features from public gaze; furnish the necessary touches to fill up the diabolic picture.

When we say this crying abomination is forbidden by all the revelations of heaven, in every age, to the children of men; we tell the truth, but not all the truth; there is yet a fearful weight of testimony, remaining untold. -- Is there an ominous warning of overthrow, a denunciation of threatened punishment, a signal exhibition of Divine vengeance, recorded in the sacred books? Then they have been directed against these vices.

What concatenation of fiendish influence could so have darkened the living oracles, as thus far, to have turned the grace of our God into lasciveousness. And oh! what awful mummery, what a stupendous fraud upon the right use of words, for men who teach the plurality of wives, to prate about virtue, righteousness, and godliness. The debauchers teach virtue! The spoiler, and destroyer of virtuous innocence; righteousness!! And the contemner of all law, human and divine; -- godliness!!!

It is not at all surprising, that men who have adopted such a system, should have lost the light of the spirit of God; any other event would have given the lie to the great God; who hath declared, "they shall not have the spirit; and they shall deny the faith." How exactly we find this verified in the recent events at Bauvoo, and other places.
OBSERVER.        



NAUVOO  AND  THE  LEADING  MEN
OF  THAT  CITY.

Many have written in relation to Nauvoo and the people of that city -- some to flatter them, others to abuse -- it is my intention to do neither; but as far as possible I shall speak the truth, let it fall upon whom it may.

Were it not for the cause of truth, for the vindication of the innocent, and for the defence of those who have been basely slandered by men who profess to be the apostles and ministers of God, I would pass them by unnoticed; but such is the course which the leading men of Nauvoo are pursuing, that everything sacred cries aloud for an exposition of their unrighteous and unhallowed conduct.

It is strange that men, who have experienced the blessings of the gospel, who have felt the saving power of the Redeemer, who have had the light of revelation from heaven to guide their footsteps, could plunge so deep into the pit of corruption as to reject the order of heaven, and yield to the spirit of depravity so far as to sanction abominations which would make an infidel or a heathen blush. It is strange too, that men professing the gospel can deliberately lie, and with uplifted hands swear to falsehoods which would grate upon the conscience of a devil; yet such is the character of many of the leading men in the city of Nauvoo. It shows that it is a mere profession when they make religion a cloak for crime....

The twelve at Nauvoo have succeeded in riveting a chain of despotism upon the minds of the people there, and he who has the manliness to exercise independence of thought and freedom of expression, finds himself in a worse condition than a protestant in the midst of the Roman Inquisition. Instead of exercising that charity characteristic of christians, instead of acting towards those who differ with them in opinion and doctrine as the rules of the covenants direct, they sever them from the church without privilege of trial, contrary to any former precedent and in a manner never sanctioned by the gospel of the Son of God. They are forever talking about the persecutions they have received from the world abroad, and it does not seem to me to come with a very good grace from the lips of those who are the very loudest in Nauvoo to persecute and slander men who entertain an honest difference of opinion.

Wilford Woodruff, in a letter to the New York Prophet, reiterates, what others in Nauvoo have said, that "Sidney Rigdon had threatened to turn traitor to the church and bring a mob upon them," which charges I pronounce a base and black-hearted lie, (put in circulation to injure his character,) and God and Angels know it. But what else could be expected from men who have transgressed the laws of God, and who are compelled to sustain themselves, if they stand at all, upon a foundation of hypocrisy & falsehood! Can any thing better be expected of men plunged as they are in iniquity and crime? The doctrine of polygamy, so odious in the eyes of all christian communities, and in the practice of which the most unquestionable evidence fully proves them to be engaged, is sufficient to seal their eternal infamy. It is too late in the day for them to undertake to conceal these things, for like murder, "it will out," and they must stand forth exposed to the world in all their naked deformity. There are many men and women in Nauvoo who, if they dared to speak the truth, could tell a tale which would rouse the sympathies of the world.... Should any member of the church have the unfortunate reputation of having money when he goes to Nauvoo, he is immediately visited by some leading worthy who is absolutely in want of a few hundred dollars for a very few days, when it shall positively be returned. The unsuspecting brother shells out a $100 to this one and a cool $1000 to that and the other, until he finds his funds running low. The very few days elapse, and he calls on brother B. for his money, and is put off. He calls again and again until at last he receives insults instead of the return of his favors. He now begins to learn the mysteries of the kingdom, and should he have the boldness to declare that such conduct does not savor much of christianity, he is [swept] from the church; and should he escape the embraces of the "Brothers of Gideon," alias "the Danite Band," (of whom W. W. Phelps once testified,) he has need to thank his God. But thank heaven their iniquities are coming rapidly to the light of day, when their bogus operations, their infernal doctrine for the destruction of female virtue, shall be exposed as far as the name of the twelve is known....

The doctrine of Mormonism, as originally taught, is one of the purest and most beautiful systems ever delivered to the world, but base men have crept in and polluted the inheritance of the Lord, and departed from the true faith.... It needs not the pen of a prophet to tell what will be the destiny of Nauvoo under such desperate and abandoned leaders, for time will soon tell which is the true and which the bogus coin; and the base coin shall be nailed to the counter. They may well tremble, for [past] crime, like the ghost of Banquo, is staring them in the face -- the spoil of the poor is in their houses -- the spirit of the infernal world is stirring up the black waters within, and the dark tinge of the surface already manifests the depth of internal corruption.
J. H. Jr.      



                  From the Morning Chronicle.

HO!  THE  MORMONS.

==> Notice is hereby given to the public to beware of receiving the ordinance of Baptism at the hands of Mr. Sidney Rigdon, Esq., or any of his adherents, thinking to attach themselves to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints -- for Mr. S. Rigdon is at this time expelled from the aforesaid Church, and all his adherents are suspended from the performance or administration of any ordinance whatever, until they repent and adhere to the proper authorities of the said Church. For whatever Mr. S. Rigdon, or his adherents may say, or do, under the pretention or nominal name of Latter Day Saints, in a legal point of light, will be no more in connection with the true Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, than the Republic of the United States has with the Crown of England.
JOHN E. PAGE, Elder,      
And one of the Twelve travelling high council of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

Messrs. Editors. -- In the Age of the 10th inst. I observed the above notice, headed Ho! The Mormons," signed John E. Pag, Elder, informing the public that the individuals composing the Branch of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, in this City, are suspended from participation in the ordinances and privileges, of said Church until they repent and conform to the authorities (meaning the quorum of the Twelve of which he is a member) of said Church, &c. Now sir, if condemning vice, and upholding virtue constitutes an offence against the laws of God, worthy of suspension from his church, then we are Guilty. And if this branch of the church are suspended because we will not believe The Abominable Spiritual Wife Doctrine, or the doctrine of Polygamy, (which doctrine is taught by that quorum, as I have abundant evidence to believe, and he, John E. Page dare not deny it.) This is the sole cause of his issuing his contemptible Bull against us in that paper of Thursday. This is the cause of the whole matter, and as soon as I and my brethren became acquainted with the fact, that this doctrine of abomination was taught by the said Quorum of the Twelve; we called the Branch together and laid the matter before them together with the evidence, which evidence is positive. The result was, that we unanimously resolved that we would have no fellowship with any man, or any set of men, that taught such doctrine.... Instead of expelling Elder Rigdon, they [the Twelve] have rendered themselves unworthy of our fellowship, while Elder Rigdon has our undivided confidence.

By publishing the above you will do much to disabuse the public mind, and confer a favor on one who respects virtue and condemns vice.
RICHARD SAVARY.            
                     President of the Branch in Pittsburgh.


Notes: (forthcoming)


 



Vol. V.                                     City  of  Nauvoo,  Ill.  Nov. 15, 1844.                                    No. 21.


[ 177 ]

C O M M U N I C A T I O N S.
________________________

To the Editor of the Times and Seasons:

THE  APOSTLES  AND  APOSTATES.

SIR: -- Having lately arrived from the east, and having seen a new paper purporting to be "the Latter-day Saints Messenger and Advocate," resuscitated, for the avowed object of opposing the course of the constituted authorities of the church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, as left in the blood-sealed state of revelation by Joseph Smith and Hyrum his brother, who are a majority of the quorum of the first presidency; and having also waited patiently for Elder Phelps or some of the "Twelve" to give this "wandering star," or "cloud without water," a just judgment, I take my pen in hand to apprise the church and public of the fact, and offer a few remarks, and quote some revelations, which I think will not be amiss.

The most of the paper is made up of a letter from a man by the name of Forgeus, which appears to me the crudest mass of chaos I ever saw thrown together. The whole maneuvre, is just the sort of matter for "the man of sin" to reveal himself in; and Sidney Rigdon Esq.' who is held up throughout the lengthy epistle, as "the stem and branch of Jesse," will use it as dexterously as a manufacturer does materials for soap: -- using Forgeus as the "stick of ____" to mix the royal liquid, and frothify lixivium for the host of the Gentiles, and the fragments of Israel. So much for the religious artificer, the sacred soap stick, and holy pot of (not) manna, but soft soap suds: pardon the expression, gentle reader, it is not revelation, but composition, that will just fit religious gamblers: for Rigdon, Forgeus, & Co., are as corrupt as John C. Bennett. Their feint reverence for Joseph Smith, like the touch of the torpedo, is meant to benumb his fame: their seeming praise of virtue like the sting of the asp, is slow poison to truth: and their devoted breath for the welfare of the saints, like the sirocco of Egypt, is a blasting wind to ruin their future prosperity.

The real drift of the paper, is, to support Sidney Rigdon Esq., as the head of a church, (not the church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints,) and lest any person be deceived by such "specious pretences" and false insinuations by misrepresenting the scriptures and revelations, I have concluded to try my skill at quoting some of the rules of the church, as left on record by the great apostle of the last dispensation, even the martyred Joseph Smith. On the 102 page of the second edition of the Book of Doctrine and Covenants, paragraph 11, read as follows:

"Of necessity there are presidents, or presiding offices growing out of, or appointed of, or from among those who are ordained to the several offices in these two priesthoods. Of the Melchizedek priesthood, three presiding high priests, chosen by the body, appointed and ordained to that office, and upheld by the confidence, faith and prayer of the church, form a quorum of the presidency of the church. The twelve traveling counsellors are called to be the twelve apostles, or special witnesses of the name of Christ, in all the world: thus differing from other officers in the church in the duties of their calling. And they form a quorum equal in authority and power to the three presidents, previously mentioned. The seventy are also called to preach the gospel, and to be especial witnesses unto the Gentiles and in all the world. Thus differing from other officers in the church in the duties of their calling: and they form a quorum equal in authority to that of the twelve especial witnesses or apostles, just named. And every decision made by either of these quorums, must be by the unanimous voice of the same; that is, every member in each quorum must be agreed to its decisions in order to make their decisions of the same power or validity one with other. (A majority may form a quorum when circumstances render it impossible to be otherwise.) Unless this is the case, their decisions are not entitled to the same blessings which the decisions of a quorum of three presidents were anciently, who were ordained after the order of Melchizedek, and were righteous and holy men. The decisions of these quorums, or either of them are to be made in all righteousness; in holiness and lowliness of heart; meekness and long suffering; and in faith and virtue and knowledge; temperance, patience, godliness, brotherly kindness and charity, because the promise is, if these things abound in them, they shall not be unfruitful in the knowledge of the Lord. And in case that any decision, of these quorums, is made in unrighteousness, it may be brought before a general assembly of the several quorums which constitute the spiritual authorities of the church, otherwise there can be no appeal from their decision."

There are three important points in this section: First; three presidents must be chosen and upheld by the faith and prayer of the church, to be legal; a self made machine won't do. Second; these three presidents form a quorum, and can NEVER act separately -- though two may form a quorum when circumstances render it impossible to be otherwise. Now, allowing that Sidney Rigdon was one of the first presidency, for the sake of argument; when Joseph and Hyrum were martyred, the presidency was left vacant, and the next quorum, (the Twelve) being "equal in power and authority" to the three first presidents, hold the same standing and keys; and, of course, must bear off the kingdom in its destined road according to the pattern. Thirdly; if their decisions and conduct were righteous, then they fulfilled the promise, otherwise, all the quorums constituting the spiritual authorities of the church, could repeal their decisions, and appoint whom they pleased to rule over them.

There is also another presidency which may be read at pleasure, on the 124 page of said Doctrine and Covenants; the 6th paragraph reads as follows:

"The president of the church, who is also the president of the council, is appointed by revelation, and acknowledged, in his administration, by the voice of the church; and it is according to the dignity of his office, that he should preside over the council of the church; and it is his privilege to be assisted by two other presidents, appointed after the same manner that he himself was appointed; and in case of the absence of one or both of those who are appointed to assist him, he has power to preside over the council without an assistant: and in case that he himself is absent, the other presidents have power to preside in his stead, both or either of them."

All that is necessary to remark on this subject, is that this presidency is over the high council of a stake, and has no more relevancy to the first presidency over the whole church, than a county judge has to president of the United States; in fact the high council being a tribunal for transgressors-perhaps it may justly rank as a judge to the president of the United states. No man of common sense would ever think of boosting up a man as president of a stake, to be like Moses. No, never. He is a Cushi, that proclaims such doctrine, and needs to tarry in Jericho till his beard grows.

The third presidency mentioned in said Doctrine and Covenants, is, on page 107 and reads:

"Wherefore, it must needs be that one be appointed of the high priesthood, to preside over the priesthood; and he shall be called president of the high priesthood of the church, or, in other words, the presiding high priest over the high priesthood of the church. From the same comes the administering of ordinances and blessings upon the church, by the laying on of the hands."

This presidency is different from the other two, and means the presidency over the quorum of the high priesthood. It has nothing to do with the "first presidency" over the whole church, more than to send out high priests to preside over branches, stakes, &c., in any part of the vineyard, under the direction of the Twelve. Neither has it any thing to do with the presidency over the high council, more than to act in union. Having said so much on these three presidents, let it suffice.

The Twelve are still a different presidency, because they compose a quorum that cannot be dispensed with; while, according to the very nature of the case, the before mentioned presidencies can. If there be no quorum of the first presidency, the Twelve must act in its place. If there be no stake organized, then there is no need of a high council; and so of the others, without a designated place. Not so with the Twelve, they are never twice chosen; vacancies may be filled, as was the case with Judas, or with some of our modern apostacies. The revelation for choosing them on the 258 and 9 pages of the said Doctrine and Covenants, is:

"And now behold, there are others who are called to declare my gospel, both unto Gentile, and unto Jew: yea, even twelve: and the twelve shall be my disciples, and they shall take upon them my name: and the twelve are they who shall desire to take upon them my name, with full purpose of heart: and if they desire to take upon them my name, with full purpose of heart, they are called to go into all the world to preach my gospel unto every creature: and they are they who are ordained of me to baptize in my name, according to that which is written; and you have that which is written before you: wherefore you must perform it according to the words which are written. And now I speak unto the twelve: -- Behold my grace is sufficient for you: you must walk uprightly before me and sin not. -- And behold you are they who are ordained of me to ordain priests and teachers to declare my gospel, according to the power of the Holy Ghost which is in you, and according to the callings and gifts of God unto men: and I Jesus Christ, your Lord and your God, have spoken it. These words are not of men, nor of man, but of me: wherefore you shall testify they are of me, and not of man; for it is my voice which speaketh them unto you: for they are given by my spirit unto you: and by my power you can read them one to another; and save it were by my power, you could not have them: wherefore you can testify that you have heard my voice, and know my words."

In addition to this, a revelation directly to the Twelve, besides many other things, says, as recorded on the 417 page of said Doctrine and Covenants:

"For unto you (the twelve) and those (the first presidency) who are appointed with you to be your counsellors [counselors] and your leaders, is the power of this priesthood given for the last days and for the last time, in the which is the dispensation of the fulness of times, which power you hold in connection with all those who have received a dispensation at any time from the beginning of the creation: for verily I say unto you the keys of the dispensation which ye have received, have came down from the fathers: and last of all, being sent down from heaven unto you."

This conclusively shows that the Twelve hold the power of the priesthood in ALL the world. To make the matter plainer, however, I take an extract from President Joseph Smith's charge to the Twelve on the evening of the 27th of February, 1835:

"They are the Twelve apostles, who are called to the office of a travelling high council; who are to preside over ALL the churches of the saints among the Gentiles, where there is no presidency established, and they are to travel and preach among the Gentiles until the Lord commands them to go to the Jews. -- They are to hold the keys of this ministry; to unlock the door of the kingdom of heaven unto all nations; and to preach the gospel to every creature. This is the power, authority and virtue of their apostleship."

Elder Woodruff, one of the Twelve, having gone to England to preside; Elder Wm. Smith another of the Twelve, travelling constantly in the eastern states, together with the labors of Elders Hyde and Page, and the last summer's tour of the whole Twelve, put along with their unabated vigilance in the vineyard since their appointment, is pretty strong testimony that "they are called, chosen, and faithful." -- Thanks be to Jesus: the horrors and powers of the priesthood are not obtained, by money or craft. They are handed down by lineage from father to son, according to the order of the Son of God.

No body disputes the apostacy of certain men from Cain down to Sidney Rigdon, Esq.: nor is it at all to be wondered, that they all claim to be "perfect." G. M. Hinkle has the "Bride, the Lamb's wife;" John C. Bennett has been "Joab a general in Israel;" Law notwithstanding he carried pistols to shoot Joseph, is so smooth that he is nearly "a new redeemer;" and Sidney Rigdon, Esq., who it seems, from the paper before alluded to, is the "stone that builders refused or rejected," independent of Jesus Christ: -- We must be plain on the subject and quote a little scripture which seems to meet the case to a nicety, whether the prophet meant so or not; because Sidney's determined to fight the Gentiles among the Allegany mountains. So hear what Daniel says:

"And the king shall do according to his will; and he shall exalt himself, and magnify himself above every god, and shall speak marvellous [marvelous] things against the God of gods, and shall prosper till the indignation be accomplished: for that that is determined shall be done.

Neither shall he regard the god of his fathers, nor the desire of women, nor regard any god: for he shall magnify himself above all.

But in his estate shall he honor the God of forces: and a god whom his fathers knew not shall he honor with gold, and silver, and with precious stones, and pleasant things.

Thus shall he do in the most strong holds with a strange god, whom he shall acknowledge and increase with glory; and he shall cause them to rule over many, and shall divide the land for gain.

And at the time of the end shall the king of the south push at him: and the king of the north shall come against him like a whirlwind with chariots, and with horsemen, and with many ships; and he shall enter into the countries, and shall overthrow and pass over.

He shall enter also into the glorious land and many countries shall be overthrown; but these shall escape out of his hand, even Edom, and Moab, and the chief of the children of Ammon.

He shall stretch forth his hand also upon the countries: and the land of Egypt shall not escape.

But he shall have power over the treasures of gold and of silver, and over all the precious things of Egypt; and the Libyans, and the Ethiopians shall be at his steps.

But tidings out of the east and out of the north shall trouble him; therefore he shall go forth with great fury to destroy, and utterly to make away many.

And he shall plant the tabernacles of his palace between the seas in the glorious holy mountain: yet he shall come to his end, and none shall help him."

All this is spiritual and shows that besides Sidney's being the "stone the Jews refused," holding the key of David which actually belongs to Jesus Christ, he is a kind of god that will trouble the Ethiopians, Egyptians, Lybians [Libyans], &c., probably with bees and flies, but will come to his end and "none will help him."-It may not be amiss, however, before Sidney obtains this mighty power, to square his claims from revelations in the aforesaid Doctrine and Covenants, Section 11, page 158; and which was the first word the Lord ever said to encourage Sidney up to that time, among other things, said of Brother Joseph, "and in weakness have I blessed him, and I have given unto him the keys of the mystery of those thing which have been sealed, even things which were from the foundation of the world, and the thing which shall come from this time until the time of my coming, if he abide in me, and if not, another will I plant in his stead."

From the facts before us, and the blood of the martyred prophet, it is more than mere hope so, or say so, that Joseph did abide in God until he escaped in blood to bliss, giving Sidney not even the hope of a promise of the "keys of the mystery." As to the promise of his being a spokesman before the face of the Lord, if he did not transgress and get cut off by the legal authority of the church, I have not a word to say. It may be as necessary to have a Pelagoram as an Aaron, but that is no sign that either of them can enter the goodly land alive. Honor and shame can both be rewarded.

But I have not done with keys: Sidney or his "stick," makes a great ado about the keys: on the 330th page of said Doctrine and Covenants, we read:

"Verily I say unto you, the keys of this kingdom shall never be taken from you, while thou art in the world, neither in the world to come: nevertheless, through you shall the oracles be given to another; yea, even unto the church."

Sure enough -- to the church: but nothing is promised to Sidney. In the next paragraph is this masterly idea: -- (Sidney Rigdon and F. G. Williams) "They are accounted as equal with thee (Joseph) in holding the keys of this kingdom" -- that is: -- both of them were equal with Joseph, &c. One could not be "equal," because he could not constitute a quorum. It has been urged that Sidney was once ordained a prophet, seer and revelator in the church, and no doubt was so; but, what of it? On the 214th page of said Doctrine and Covenants, it reads, speaking of particular servants:

"This is an ensample unto all those who were ordained unto this priesthood, whose mission is appointed unto them to go forth: and this is the ensample unto them, that they shall speak as they are moved upon by the Holy Ghost; and whatsoever they shall speak when moved upon by the Holy Ghost, shall be scripture; shall be the will of the Lord; shall be the mind of the Lord; shall be the word of the Lord; shall be the voice of the Lord, and the power of God unto salvation."

But when was Joseph Smith ordained by man as a prophet, translator, seer, and revelator? Never. When was Moses or Jesus ordained prophets, seers, or revelators, by man? Never. God does such sacred business in heaven before hand. See Psalm 45.

On page one hundred and fifty, of said Doctrine and Covenants, it is said to Joseph Smith by the Lord, "Behold thou wast called and chosen to write the Book of Mormon, and to my ministry." The church record does not show that Joseph Smith ever transgressed, but the same record, after showing Sidney in his ups and downs, leaves him "cut off" by all the spiritual authorities, for transgressions. And now if he still persists in his course of rebellion to the constituted authorities established by revelation, and endeavors to establish a new place of gathering, contrary to former commandments, we shall not have to mutilate the following passage much, to touch his case exactly:

"Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him.

That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, not by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand.

Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition."
The saints of the last days have witnessed the outgoings and incomings of so many apostates that nothing but truth has any effect upon them. In the present instance, after the sham quotations of Sidney and his clique, from the Bible, Book of Mormon, and Doctrine and Covenants, to skulk off, under the "dreadful splendor" of "spiritual wifery," which is brought into the account as graciously as if the law of the land allowed a man a plurality of wives, is fiendish, and like the rest of Sidney's revelation, just because he wanted "to go to Pittsburg and live." Wo to the man or men who will thus willfully lie to injure an innocent people! The law of the land and the rules of the church do not allow one man to have more than one wife alive at once, but if any man's wife die, he has a right to marry another, and to be sealed to both for eternity; to the living and the dead! there is no law of God or man against it! This is all the spiritual wife system that ever was tolerated in the church, and they know it.

The cream of Sidney's stick is the explanation of the parable of the twelve olive trees in said Doctrine and Covenants, at the latter end of the wonderful epistle. This must be the glory of Sidney's excellency. By the bye the parable was given while the church was in Jackson county, Missouri, long before the "Twelve" were chosen; and the Bible and Book of Mormon allow the house of Israel to be the vineyard of the Lord of Hosts, and the olive trees, the twelve tribes, which were scattered, and the Gentiles, the wild olive, were grafted in, and the temple at Jerusalem, not the tower, was thrown down. Such spiritualizing as Sidney stick's

"Would light up a smile in the aspect of wo!"
That a fool is a fool though he thinks he is wise.

Comparatively judging, the whole letter is about as near to truth, light, and salvation as the toot of a rams-horn is to the tone of an organ.

One thing more, and I have done, that ne plus ultra of book making memory, Benjamin Winchester, is about to publish according to Sidney's paper, "a work in which he will cancel the claims of Elder Rigdon at length." -- Now this is the unkindest cut of all. To "cancel" is to draw black lines across; or to obliterate: so, as a matter of convenience, this religious, literary dandy, will expunge Sidney's claims and his own, as they both have been cut off from the church for unchristianlike conduct. Where little is, little is expected.

Before I conclude let me drop one word relative to trying the spirits. It is tolerably well known that God reveals his ordinances in a place appointed. He has said he will do it in the temple as soon as that is completed. The way the work now goes on it will soon be ready for washing, anointing, and the endowment; but while we are waiting, and frequently are annoyed with such animals as "Sidney's stick," it may be well to reflect on the following pattern to try spirits: it is on the 294 page of said Doctrine and Covenants:

"And again, I will give unto you a pattern in all things, that ye may not be deceived, for satan is abroad in the land, and he goeth forth deceiving the nations: wherefore he that prayeth whose spirit is contrite, the same is accepted of me, if he obey mine ordinances: he that speaketh, whose spirit is contrite, whose language is meek, and edifieth, the same is of God, if he obey mine ordinances. And again, he that trembleth under my power, shall be made strong, and shall bring forth fruits of praise, and wisdom, according to the revelations, and truths which I have given you.

And again, he that is overcome and bringeth not forth fruits, even according to this pattern, is not of me: wherefore by this pattern ye shall know the spirits in all cases, under the whole heavens."

To OBEY MINE ORDINANCES! Ah! that is the touch stone! If a man does not tithe himself on the temple and for other purposes, his religion is a mere echo; and his professions will leave him with the rich man in hell. Read and practice the 430th page of said Doctrine and Covenants.

In conclusion let me solemnly say, and I thought so when I saw the smoky houses of Pittsburg, as I passed through on my way down the river, Sidney and his "clique" (for so I call it) are perfectly at home, and will be as long as they can kick up fuss enough to attract the Gentiles and apostates; -- for misery loves company: and let me tell you when the sow that was washed hath returned to her wallowing in the mire; and the dog to his own vomit again; and such events show that judgment has begun at the house of God; and where shall the sinner and ungodly appear? Oh, let me say to the brethren, and sisters, as you have followed the glorious revelations of your late martyred prophet for good, continue and finish that splendid monument of his sublimity, the temple, where you can receive an endowment in season to triumph over the machinations of apostates, and the wiles of satan!
AN OLD MAN OF ISRAEL.      
[identified as John Taylor's pen name]


Note 1: From the on-line Vision magazine series of articles, continuing Richard and Pamela Price's 2000 book Joseph Smith Fought Polygamy:

Rigdon Revealed the Twelve Were Practicing Polygamy

After the death of Joseph and Hyrum, Brigham Young and the majority of the Twelve moved quickly to take control of the Church. On September 8,1844, they held a public conference in the Grove near the Temple in Nauvoo, where they tried President Sidney Rigdon. After they expelled Elder Rigdon he moved to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where he had been at the time of Joseph's martyrdom. One month later, he published a paper entitled The Messenger and Advocate. In his first issue, Sidney published that some of the Twelve were practicing polygamy. Sidney devoted much space in his paper to the subject of the Twelve "and their adherents" being engaged in polygamy. Rigdon wrote:

It is a fact, so well known, that the Twelve and their adherents have endeavored to carry on this spiritual wife business in secret, that I hardly need mention it here, and have gone to the most shameful and desperate lengths, to keep it from the public. First, insulting innocent females, and when they resented the insult, these monsters in human shape would assail their characters by lying, and perjuries, with a multitude of desperate men to help them to effect these corrupt practices from the view of the world. I could bring facts which can be established in any court of justice, in relation to these vile abominations practiced under the garb of religion that would make humanity blush. No falsehood too great, and no perjury too daring, in order to conceal these heaven-daring abuses of mankind....

How often have these men and their accomplices stood up before the congregation, and called God and all the holy Angels to witness, that there was no such doctrine taught in the church; and it has now come to light, by testimony which cannot be gainsaid, that at the time they thus dared heaven and insulted the world, they were living in the practice of these enormities; and there were multitudes of their followers in the congregation at the time who knew it.... SIDNEY RIGDON. (Messenger and Advocate 1 [October 15, 1844]: 14)

Elder Rigdon also printed an article by one John A. Forgeus, who proclaimed against "that odious doctrine as taught in Nauvoo and other places, that a man can have more wives than one" (ibid., 6).

Rigdon and his followers held a conference and afterwards printed the "Minutes of a Conference held in Pittsburgh, Oct. 12th 1844." The conference adopted the following resolution:

2. Resolved, that in consequence of the most flagrant violation of the original, or true principles and order of the church, by the Twelve and their abettors, by rejecting Elder Rigdon, and practicing the doctrine of polygamy, despoiling female virtue and chastity by seducing them, and tyranizing over those who will not sanction their works of darkness, and many other like things, for which we regard them as apostates, and men fallen from the true order of the church, into a state of wickedness and corruption; therefore, we hold no fellowship with them, (ibid., 6)
Apostle Taylor Denied that Polygamy Was Being Practiced

In November of 1844, Apostle Taylor's denial of Rigdon's charges against the Twelve came swiftly. Although Taylor was the husband of three wives at that time, he published in the Times and Seasons that polygamy was not taught nor practiced by the Twelve. At that time he was married to his legal wife, Leonora Cannon Taylor, whom he married July 25, 1833 (see Utah Genealogical Society 21 [1930]: 105). He married wife number two, Elizabeth Kaighin, December 12, 1843, and wife number three, Jane Ballantyne, on February 25, 1844 (see Francis M. Gibbons, John Taylor: Mormon Philosopher, Prophet of God [Salt Lake City, Utah: Deseret Book, 1985], 52, 53). Taylor as editor answered Sidney by publishing:

The saints of the last days have witnessed the outgoings and incomings of so many apostates that nothing but truth has any effect upon them. In the present instance, after the sham quotations of Sidney and his clique, from the Bible, Book of Mormon, and Doctrine and Covenants, to skulk off, under the "dreadful splendor" of "spiritual wifery," which is brought into the account as graciously as if the law of the land allowed a man a plurality of wives, is fiendish, and like the rest of Sidney's revelation, just because he wanted "to go to Pittsburg and live." Wo to the man or men who will thus wilfully lie to injure an innocent people! The law of the land and the rules of the church do not allow one man to have more than one wife alive at once, but if any man's wife die, he has a right to marry another, and to be sealed to both for eternity; to the living and the dead! there is no law of God or man against it! This is all the spiritual wife system that was ever tolerated in the church, and they know it.... An Old Man of Israel. (Times and Seasons 5 [November 15, 1844]: 715)
Apostle Taylor also reassured his readers that the communication of an "Old man of Israel," which appeared in the Times and Seasons, was "genuine" (ibid., 711).


Note 2: From Richard Van Wagoner's 1994 Sidney Rigdon, pages 369-372:

Rigdon viewed spiritual wifery and the smokescreen that concealed it as reprehensible, less to do with God's work than the affairs of men. "It would seem almost impossible that there could be found a set of men and women, in this age of the world, with the revelations of God in their hands," he reasoned in a 15 October 1844 letter to James M. Greig, "who could invent and propogate doctrines so ruinous to society, so debasing and demoralizing as the doctrine of a man having a plurality of wives." Decrying the "transactions of the secret chambers," he divulged that "the Twelve and their adherents have endeavored to carry on this spiritual wife business in secret," adding that they "have gone to the most shameful and desperate lengths to keep it from the public. First, [by] insulting innocent females, and when they resented the insultÉ would assail their characters by lying." Venting his dismay at the deceptive practices of the purportedly pious, Rigdon asked: "How often have these men and their accomplices stood up before the congregation, and called God and all the holy Angels to witness, that there was no such doctrine taught in the church; and it has now come to light." [12 Messenger and Advocate (Pittsburgh) 1 (15 Oct 1844): 13.]

Still the Twelve, privately teaching that plural marriage was the path to God's door, continued publicly to denounce Rigdon's accusations. "Wo to the man," the 15 November 1844 Times and Seasons warned, "who will thus willfully lie to injure an innocent people! The law of the land and the rules of the Church do not allow one man to have more than one wife alive at once." This retort, and others like it, assaulted Rigdon's easily aroused outrage. "Did the Lord ever tell any people," he asked in the 15 February 1845 issue of his Messenger and Advocate, "that sleeping with their neighbor's wives and daughters had any thing to do with preparing the way of the Savior's coming[?]" Yet, Rigdon pointed out, the "spiritual wife men" thought so.

"Nauvoo is a sink of corruption," he added in a 15 June 1845 editorial.
Deception in its most forbidding forms, is resorted to by them, to make people think they are different from what they are in truth. They deny, or attempt to deny, the existence of the very doctrine on which they pretend that their exaltation depends. ... A true saint would publish his faith to the world, though he would suffer death for it; and rejoice in the thought that he suffered death for Christ's sake.... Has it come to this, that men must lie, defame, and slander, in order to sustain the religion of Jesus Christ? [13. Ibid. 1 (15 June 1845): 233].

Elsewhere Rigdon described how excommunication was used as a tool in Nauvoo to silence critics of spiritual wifery. "As soon as a member became dissatisfied with the doctrine of polygamy," he explained, "and was bold enough to call it incestuous or adulterous," he or she was "arraigned, charged," and "everyone who dared vote in favor of the person charged was threatened with immediate expulsion from the church." All were thus "compelled to obey the mandate of their masters." Rigdon claimed those who would not succumb were "excluded" and "their characters assailed." [14. Democratic Free Press (Detroit), 25 Feb. 1845, clipping in Dale Morgan Collection, Utah State Historical Society, Salt Lake City. See also Messenger and Advocate (Pittsburgh) 1 (1 Jan. 1845): 88-89].

Polygamy, of course, did not emanate from the Quorum of Twelve Apostles. They merely promulgated what Smith had set in motion earlier. Therefore Rigdon could not assail plural marriage without also censuring its originator, the martyred prophet. But the key to power in post-martyrdom Mormonism, a key which the apostles quickly grasped, was to maintain and enhance an untarnished image of Smith. Rigdon had long since ceased worshipping at the shrine of Joseph Smith. Though he stated otherwise on numerous occasions, Rigdon came to believe, most likely after Smith's 1842 attempted seduction of Nancy Rigdon, that Joseph was a fallen prophet.

Rigdon's supporters wrote articles insisting that Smith had been "cut off by the Lord" as early as 1841, the year he appointed Rigdon as a prophet, seer, and revelator. [15. Ibid. 1 (15 Oct. 1844): 5; 1 (1 Nov. 1844): 11; 1 (16 Dec. 1844): 54; 1 (1 Feb. 1845): 105; Phineas H. Young et al. to "Beloved Brethren," 31 Dec. 1844, Brigham Young Collection.] --- His backers reflected his own position, which for the most part he had kept to himself, "for Joseph's sake," as he later told Orson Hyde. [16.Orson Hyde to Brigham Young, 16 Sept. 1844, Brigham Young Collection]. --- "This [plural marriage] system was introduced by the Smiths some time before their death," he wrote to James Greig in October 1844, "and was the thing which put them into the power of their enemies, and was the immediate cause of their death[s]." He had "warned Joseph Smith and his family," he explained, "of the ruin that was coming on them, and of the certain destruction which awaited them." But they did not listen to him, and now "have fallen into everlasting shame, and disgrace, until their very name is a reproach; and must remain so forever." [17. Messenger and Advocate (Pittsburgh) 1 (15 Oct. 1844): 13.]

"Oh, Joseph! Joseph! Joseph! Where art thou!" Rigdon rhapsodized in an 8 November 1844 sermon in Philadelphia. "Oh, Joseph! thou wicked servant, thou hast fallen because of thy transgression! Thou hadst the promise that thou shouldst live if thou wert faithful until the coming of the Saviour! Thou didst have the promise of translating more of the sacred Records! Oh Joseph! if thou hadst not sinned thou mightest have been here, to have thundered forth from Heaven's Eternal truth!" [18. Jedediah M. Grant, A Collection of Facts Relative to the Course Taken by Elder Sidney Rigdon in the States of Ohio, Missouri, Illinois and Pennsylvania (Philadelphia: Bicking & Guilbert, 1844), 40-41. Rigdon informed the editor of The Prophet, a Mormon periodical in New York, that "there was a revelation given to Joseph Smith" "that he should live till his hair should become white, if he was faithful," and another one saying, "that if he was faithful he should live till the coming of Christ" (The Prophet, 16 Nov. 1844)].--- Two months later Rigdon's newspaper attested that Smith had "departed from the living God... and like David and Solomon he contracted a whoring spirit, and... the Lord smote him for this thing -- cut him off from the earth." [19. Messenger and Advocate (Pittsburgh) 1 (1 Jan. 1845): 75].

Spiritual wifery was not Rigdon's only charge. Much later, writing to Stephen Post, he related that in Nauvoo Smith "got weary waiting on the Lord and said in his heart the Lord delayeth his coming and he went to eating and drinking with the drunken and abusing his fellow servants and the Lord cut him off." [20. Rigdon to Post, undated letter, box 1, fd 15, Stephen Post Collection; hereafter Post Collection.] --- In a 9 May 1872 letter to Post, speaking of that "old rotten and cursed" Smith church, Rigdon wrote that Smith "corrupted [that] organization." [21. Rigdon to Post, 9 May 1872, box 2, fd 10, Post Collection.] --- That October Rigdon penned a revelation to devotee Jesse Crosby. "After the Devil had overthrown my servant Joseph and got his soul turned to the corruptions of the world," Rigdon began in the voice of God,
the devil used him for the purpose of leading all those who had been gathered to turn also from the service of the living God to serve the flesh: And after succeeding instead of the Zion of God there was a habitation of Devils.

In consequence of this awful corruption... the Lord abandoned him to his enemies and they cut him off; for he had ceased to be my servant and the promise I made to him as my servant lost its efficacy, for I had promised him the protection of life in spite of all his enemies.... I the Lord caused this to be written as it is found in the Book of Mormon, based upon the fact that I knew he, Joseph Smith, would turn from the truth & be cut off, and that all my people might know his being cut off was proof, absolute that he was a high handed transgresser of a character so heaven daring that he transfered his allegiance from the Lord to the devil so as to be one of Satan's servants instead of the Lord's. [22. Sec. 70 in Copying Book A, Stephen Post Collection, emphasis in original; see also undated Rigdon to Post letter, box 1, fd 2 -- part of letter missing. David Whitmer's discussion "concerning prophets falling into error" reasoned that "Brother Joseph belonged to the class of men who could fall into error and blindness,.. [He] belonged to the weakest class -- the class that were very liable to fall." Citing from a revelation to Smith, Whitmer noted that the directive warned: "because of transgression, IF THOU ART NOT AWARE, THOU WILT FALL" (emphasis in original). Respecting polygamy, which he also detested, Whitmer wrote:   "Brother Joseph must have set up his idol in his heart, or he would not have prayed to the Lord to know wherein David and Solomon were justified in polygamy, when God says in the Book of Mormon that they were not justified in it; that it was abominable before Him. David, Solomon, Saul, and many chosen men of God, afterwards drifted into error and lost the spirit of God, and why not Joseph Smith? Will you answer? Was not Joseph Smith a man subject to like passions? Had you been with him as much as I was, and knew him as I knew him, you would also know that he could fall into error and transgression: but with all his weaknesses, I always did love him. No man was ever perfect but Christ," (David Whitmer, An Address to All Believers in Christ By a Witness to the Divine Authenticity of the Book of Mormon Richmond, MO: David Whitmer, 1887 1:35-43)].


 



Vol. I.                                 Pittsburgh,  December 16, 1844.                                 No. 4.



For the Messenger and Advocate.

Mr. Editor,
Will you please favor me with a small space in your valuable paper, for a few remarks, in answer to the communication in the Nauvoo Times and Seasons, of an "Old Man in Israel."

I have marked well, the shameless cupidity and incorrigible mendacity, which characterizes that band of bogus makers and adulterers, at Nauvoo. I would not be understood as applying these terms to the inhabitants of Nauvoo en masse. By no means. I have every reason to believe that there are many honest and upright, who know not of the hideous moral deformity, which lurks beneath an outside seeming of sanctimony. Unless we are much mistaken in our guess, this "Old Man" is not one of those exceptions.

For the especial benefit of those whose design is to do right, and to know truth, I desire to offer a few observations. The first is, that the chaotic assemblage of discordant elements at Nauvoo, is not the Church of Christ, in any sense; neither in whole nor in part; (I speak of those adhering to the twelve,) all connexion with the body of Christ was severed, when they rejected their prophet, seer, and revelator; it was then with [suicidal] hands, they severed the connecting link, between themselves and God; and organized the Church of the Devil. Having become corrupt in their doctrines and practices, and the god of this world having blinded their eyes [this] set of men for filthy lucre's sake, forsook altogether the way of righteousness, and ran greedily in the way of Balaam for reward, and caused Israel to sin.

My next remark is that Joseph Smith was cut off by the Lord, for transgression, and [they] who say he was not, give lie to the word of God: here it is, "I have given to him the keys of the mystery of those things which have been sealed, even things which were from the foundation of the world, and the things which shall come from this time until the time of my coming, if he abide in me, and if not, another will I plant in his stead." I gather from this that the mystery of all things from the foundation of the world, is to be revealed before the coming of the Son of Man, and Joseph, if he had abided in Christ, would have been the revelator to the Church up to that time. The death of Joseph is proof strong as holy writ, that he did transgress when the Lord had promised him that he should remain till his coming, if he continued faithful...

There is another important fact promised here, "another will I (the Lord) plant in his stead;" mark the momentous declaration [----] ye who wish to be found in obedience to the God of Israel, think of it when you lie down and when you rise up, your eternal interests demand it. Who is it the Lord has planted in the stead of Joseph Smith? Be ye sure of this, his promise is fulfilled. I know of but one man (Sidney Rigdon) that makes any pretension to be planted in the stead of Joseph Smith, and I do know that he was called by revelation, and legally ordained to that office in exact accordance with the revelations and covenants. Brigham Young, the nominal head of the organization at Nauvoo, confesses above board that God never called him to stand in Joseph's stead; "You are now without a prophet in the flesh to guide you;" of course the church of which he is the head is of the Devil, according to the Book of Mormon.

I shall next remark that the first presidency and iha presidency of the high priesthood of the church, to whom the keys of revelation "always belong," are the name thing; and they are by virtue of their office presidents of the high council, also. See § 5, ¶ 6 book of cov. There is a presidency over a quorum of high priests, which was given to Carlos Smith, but that is not the presidency of the high prieethood of the clurch; front the fact, that the keys of revelation did not belong to it; and also from the fact, that there are quorums of high priests, even three, over whom he does not preside. This old grey beard, is a perfect green born, or I fear worse -- dishonest.

The most remarkable discovery of the "Old Man" is, that the first presidency and the high council "can be dispensed with," but the twelve, "according to the very nature of the case, cannot." Although I am not an "Old Man," and I do not profess an overstock of widom, yet I can see when the sun shines; and when truth, clear as the meridian sun in a cloudless day, is presented tome, I can appreciate it. Just so clearly can I see, that the twelve and their followers have rejected the plan of God for their salvation, and that God has rejected them. The quorum which receives the oracles for the church "can be dispensed with!" no more revelation necessary! Ichabod! Ichabod! Has the glory departed? The glory has departed!

A distinction is endeavored to be drawn, as to the validity of the ordination of a man, authorized of God to confer that ordination, and that of an angel. If God authorizes the act and commands its performance, it is perfectly indifferent whether an angel or a man be the instrument employed. The sanction of the Almighty is the all important part. Without it neither would avail any thing. With it either would be alike valid.

I admit that Joseph still holds the keys of the kingdom, but that he has given them to another, and through that other the oracles flow to the church.

The "Old Man" says, that it took Sidney Rigdon and F. G. Williams both, to make one of them equal to Joseph! because it took "two to make a quorum;" then of course it took Joseph and Frederick to be equal to Sidney, and so of the other! This "Old Man" is the real "Cushi" after all, and ought to tarry in Jericho, till he can comprehend a plain proposition.

The "Old Man" grows very funny over an error of the printer, which ought to be read "canvass" for "cancel," instead of a literary dandy, we would dub him a literary pedant, and a supercilious coxcomb, whose head is very full of sap.

The "Old Man" says, "wo to the man or men who willfully lie." So say we, but this wo will come whether we say it or not, for the Lord has said "they shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone;" mark this, "Old Man," did you say that a dead wife and not one living, was all the "Spiritual Wifery," ever tolerated at Nauvoo? remember you have pronounced the wo upon your own head, and God has sealed it in his word; escape is hopeless, except by speedy repentance.

Who ever doubted that the twelve were called to the office of a travelling high council? What has that to do with the presidency of the church, except to act under its direction? Nothing. But when they forsook the duties of their calling and despised the warning of the Lord, they were no longer called -- they were rejected! in that they assumed an office which they had no warrant from God to fill. -- Not the first word. It was a "self-made machine," powerless and godless.

In answer to various false and frivolous statements put forth by the "Old Man," designedly to deceive; I will state that President Sidney Rigdon never pretended to be "independent of Jesus Christ," nor the "stone which the Jews rejected;" but he does claim to hold authority under Jesus Christ, and keys above any that the twelve ever received or ever will receive, given to him by the revelations of Jesus Christ; and just because the key of David was his to give, he has given it to whom he chose.

As according to David those who are "delivered from the hand of strange children, whose mouth speaketh vanity, and their right hand is a right hand of falsehood:" become corner stones polished after the similitude of a palace; and as according to Peter, they who "are built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up a spiritual sacrifice, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ;"are all "lively stones;" he who holds the presiding authority under Jesus Christ must be a chief corner stone, and if he is rejected by the builders, "the stone which the builders rejected, the same is became the head of the corner." I apprehend that there are fixed and immutable general as well as particular principles which control the government of God, and that the law which declares that "the first shall be last, and the last first;" is one of them. An equality is thus produced, which would vindicate the ways of God to man.

I will close my remarks by the "Old Man's" quotation on trying the spirits, it is exactly apropos; "wherefore he that prayeth whose spirit is contrite, the same is accepted of me, if he obey mine ordinances: he that speaketh whose spirit is contrite, whose language is meek, and edifieth, the same is of God if he obey mine ordinances." By this same token I know that the twelve and all who adhere to them have not the Spirit of God, they have refused to obey the ordinances of God, and they cannot now legally administer a single ordinance of the house of God. The Temple! of what use is the Temple without the presence of God?
OBSERVER.            



DARKNESS  THAT  CAN  BE  FELT!

A correspondent in the Times and Seasons, in erference to the promise of the Lord to Sidney Rigdon, "and he shall lift up his voice again on the mountains, and be a spokesman before MY face," says "if he did not transgress and get cut off by the legal authority of the church, I have not a word to say." So these men have really worked themselves into the belief that they can "cut off" the promises of God! What will they do with the promise of the Lord in the book of Mormon? "and the spokesman of my loins shall declare it," have they "cut off" that also? The same writer calls the revelations of Jesus Christ ==> SHAM.



THE  PRINCE  OF  MOBOCRATS  AGAIN.

Orson Hyde who denied his threat to Prest. Rigdon; has come out in the Nauvoo Neighbor, over his own signature, against a Mr. E. S. Green, who he acknowledges has committed no breach of the law, in language as follows: -- "He is not wanted here, and that is not all." "Let those who have unsettled business with him close it up as soon as possible." "Let every man, woman, and child, frown upon him as he walks the streets. Let him be regarded as a nuisance, for nuisances can be removed by the charter of our city." This looks Neighborly, and accords well with the sanctimonious motto, "The saints singularity -- unity, liberty, charity!" pshaw, the old Samian motto would be far more appropriate.

We know nothing of the circumstances; but we have set it down as a settled principle, that a mobocrat in any case, is a mean, debauched, graceless villain, destitute of a single ennobling quality.

"All is peace and union at Nauvoo." "Every thing moves on like clock work," "less complaint respecting bogus making and spiritual wives," after all the "murmurers" are removed as nuisances, or fall under the supervision of the "true men."

Is it not passing strange that men who have professed to deplore the terrible effects of popular violence, should thus give the lie to their crocodile compunctions.



We have for some time thought, from the abandoned and dissolute conduct of the adherents of the "spiritual wife system," that they were insensibly approaching the vortex of the worst species of sensual infidelity, and the experience of every day confirms us in this opinion. How could it be otherwise. One of the most notorious Apostles of that system. whose licentious character has compelled us to believe him an infidel at heart, is acknowledged as the legitimate "father" of the whole organization. Does it require a great stretch of penetration to determine what the fruits will be, under his controlling superintendence?



Brigham Young is reported to have said, in a late number of the Times and Seasons, that those "Elders who go abroad and borrow horses or money and then run away with it will be cut off from the church without ceremony; and they need not look for that lenity which they have had heretofore."

Surely Brigham is on the road to reform since he publishes to the world that he will not in future, countenance stealing as in former times. O Brigham! Brigham! it does you honor to confess the truth. How is it about Bogus?



From the New York Prophet.

TO  THE  ELDERS  OF  THE  CHURCH  OF
JESUS CHRIST  OF  LATTER DAY SAINTS.

Whereas certain apostates are urging on an unhallowed persecution against the church by getting up vexatious law suits, thereby thinking to drive elders from their field of labour, that the Saints may the more easily fall a prey to the devouring wolf, I would, therefore, recommend all the readers to meet in council and take such measures as may be deemed necessary to expose their corruptions to the world, is our defence from their unlawful and wicked attempts to destroy.

First, Let the elders assemble in council and appoint a committee of three faithful men in every branch of the Church, and the duty of this committee shall be to publish and prosecute in law those ruthless vagabonds that are constantly traducing and vilifying the character of innocent men, and see to paying expenses.

Second, Let there be a society formed whose duty it shall be to meet as often as the case may require, and pay into the treasury a sum sufficient for all purposes of defence in law or publishing, appoint a president, clerk, and treasurer, (Elders, see to it.) The elders of New Jersey are requested to meet in Recklesstown, at the house of Elder Appleby on Saturday, 14th of December, when some important disclosures will be made, and steps taken to bring offenders to justice. I wish the elders to attend without fail.
WM. SMITH.          

The issue of the investigation, which is now going on will show, who are the apostates, and who the "devouring wolves," who ravin for the prey. We have no fears for the result. The great God has passed an irrevocable decree, that virtue shall triumph over vice. That truth shall put to shame the whoremonger and the adulterer. That abomination shall not reign. We abide the result

This inveterate despiser of all good, has already exposed his "corruption to the world," and all his phrenzied attempts to extricate himself, will inevitably result in a thorough exposition and in a more wide spread diffusion of the enormity of his crimes. Let those who would escape the infamy which must ensue remember, he that handleth pitch shall defile himself therewith.

We shall also have occasion to develop who are the "persecutors," and who have used "unlawful and wicked attempts to destroy;" as also who are "those ruthless vagabonds that are constantly traducing and vilifying the character of innocent men;" all this will appear in the sequel. To the eternal infamy and disgrace of the perpetrators.

We know the tacticks of this immaculate gentleman so well, that we should not be afraid to venture a prediction, when he gets in the "treasury a sum sufficient" he will be among the "missing." "Elders see to it."

If all the business this gentleman has been engaged in, in New Jersey, Boston, New York, Philadelphia, Nauvoo, and other places, should be among the "important disclosures" to be made at Recklesstown, we think it will shew beyond all doubt that it is high time "steps should be taken to bring offenders to justice."


Notes: (forthcoming)


 
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