Untitled

TIMES AND SEASONS.

"TRUTH WILL PREVAIL."

VOL. 2, NO. 12.] CITY OF NAUVOO, ILLINOIS, APRIL 15, 1841.[WHOLE NO. 24.

TIMES AND SEASONS,

D. C. SMITH, EDITOR.

THURSDAY, APRIL 15, 1841.

Celebration of the aniversary [anniversary] of the church-Military parade-Prest. Rigdon's address-Laying the corner stones of the Temple.

We should do violence to our feelings, were we to pass by, without comment, the interesting scenes that passed before us during the past week. It being the season for the constituted authorities in the church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, to assemble for the purpose of deliberation and action upon the important concerns of the Redeemer's kingdom; to hail and welcome their co-workers in the vineyard; and to instruct and be instructed in things pertaining to their temporal and spiritual salvation; as might be expected, the Saints flocked in from the several stakes, branches, and the surrounding country in multitudes, to witness the interesting operations that were to transpire during the Conference. At an early hour, on the 6th inst. the several companies constituting the Nauvoo Legion, with two volunteer companies from Iowa T. making sixteen companies in all, assembled at their several places of rendezvous, and were conducted in due order to the ground assigned for general review. The appearance, order, and movements of the Legion, were chaste, grand and impressing; and reflect great credit upon the taste, skill, and tact of the men comprising said Legion, especially the chief officer of the day, Maj. General Bennett. We doubt whether the like can be presented in any city in the western country.

At half past 7 o'clock, A. M., the fire of artillery announced the arrival of Brigadier Generals Law and Smith, at the front of their respective Cohorts; and at 8 o'clock Major General Bennett was conducted to his post under the discharge of cannon, and took command of the Legion.

At half past 9 o'clock A. M. Lieutenant General Smith with his guard, staff and field officers, arrived at the ground, and were presented with a beautiful silk national flag, by the Ladies of Nauvoo, which was respectfully received and hailed by the firing of cannon, and borne off by Colonel Robinson, the Cornet, to the appropriate position in the line; after which, the Lieutenant General with his suit passed the lines in review. At 12 M. [N] the procession arrived upon the Temple ground, inclosing [enclosing] the same in a hollow square, with Lieutenant General Smith, Major General Bennett, Brigadier Generals Law and Smith, their respective staffs, guard, field officers, distinguished visiters [visitors], choir, band, &c. in the center, and the ladies and gentlemen citizens surrounding in the interior. The superior officers together with the banner, architects, principal speaker &c. were duly conducted to the stand at the principal corner stone, and the religious services were commenced by singing from page 65 of the new hymn book.

Pres't. Sidney Rigdon then addressed the assembly. We regret that the address cannot be given to our readers entire instead of a very imperfect outline. He remarked,

"That the circumstances under which he addressed the people were of no ordinary character, but of peculiar and indescribable interest-that it was the third occasion of a similar nature, wherein he had been called upon to address the people, and to assist in laying the corner stones of houses to be erected in honor of the God of the Saints-various scenes had transpired since the first was laid-he, with some who were with him on that occasion, had waded through scenes, that no other people had ever been, not cursed, but blessed with-had seen the blood of the innocent flow, and heard the groans of those dying for the witness of Jesus-in all those scenes of tribulation, his confidence, his courage, and his joy had been increasing instead of diminishing-now the scene had changed; persecution had in a measure subsided; peace and safety, friendship and joy,

crowned their assembling; and their endeavors to serve God were respected and viewed with interest-that the Saints had assembled, not to violate law and trample upon equity and good social order; not to devastate and destroy; but to lift up the standard of liberty and law, to stand in defence [defense] of civil and religious rights, to protect the innocent, to save mankind, and to obey the will and mandate of the Lord of glory; to call up to remembrance the once crucified, but now exalted and glorified Savior-to say that he is again revealed, that he speaks from the heavens, that he reigns; in honor of him to tell the world that he lives, and speaks, and reigns, and dictates-that not every people can build a house to him, but those only whom he himself directs-that the present military display is not to usurp; but to command as they are commanded and directed; to honor, not the world, but him that is alive and reigns, the all in all, the invisible, but beholding, and guiding, and directing-that the Saints boast of their King; of his wisdom, his understanding, his power, and his goodness-that they honor a God of unbounded power and glory-that he is the chief corner stone in Zion, also the top stone-that he cannot be conquered-that he is working in the world to guide, to conquer, to subdue-that as formerly, so now he works by revelation-that this is the reason why we are here, and why we are thus-that the Saints have sacrificed all things for the testimony of Jusus [Jesus] Christ, that some from different parts of Europe and from Canada as well as the different parts of the United States are present, and among all a unanimity of purpose and feeling prevails and why? Because the same God over all had spoken from the heavens, and again revealed himself-he remarked, that he defied the devil to collect such an assemblage; none but Jesus would or could accomplish such things as we behold; the devil will not build up, but tear down and destroy; the work of Jesus is like himself in all ages-that as light shines from the east and spreads itself to the west, so is the progress of spiritual light and truth-that Jesus is a God of order, regularity, and uniformity-that he works now by revelation and by messengers as anciently-shows himself-lifts the veil &c. that such things are marvelous, but nevertheless true-that the order of laying the corner stones was expressive of the order of the kingdom-that the minutie [minutia] were subject matter of revelation, and all the scenery acts of obedience, and understood by the Saints-that the ancient prophets are near to witness the fulfillment of their predictions-that we are highly favored of God, and brought near to the spirits of just men made perfect-he then closed by exhortation, first to the surrounding multitude, and lastly to the church."

The speaker then gave out a hymn, page 205, and closed by prayer.-When we consider the feeble health of the speaker, worn down, as he has been, by a long, and arduous, and ever hazardous service of the gospel truth, the unpropitious circumstances in which he was called to speak, in the open air, and to almost an innumerable multitude, there being probably not less than ten thousand persons present, we are constrained to say he acquitted himself honorably, and in a manner which, the almost breathless attention of the multitudes hanging upon the words that flowed from his lips, as he was borne on by the inspiration of his theme, fully manifested, was deeply interesting and satisfactory.

The architects then, by the direction of the First Presidency, lowered the first (S. E. corner) stone to its place, and Joseph Smith pronounced the benediction as follows, "This principal corner stone, in presentation of the First Presidency, is now duly laid in honor of the great God; and may it there remain until the whole fabric is completed; and may the same be accomplished speedily; that the Saints may have a place to worship God, and the Son of Man have where to lay his head." Pres't. Sidney Rigdon then pronounced the following, "May the persons employed in the erection of this house be preserved from all harm while engaged in its construction, till the whole is completed; in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost; even so, Amen." Adjourned for one hour.

Assembled according to adjournment

and proceeded to lay the remaining corner stones, according to previous order.

The second (S. W. corner) stone, by the direction of the Pres't. of the High Priesthood, with his Council, and Pres't. Marks, was lowered to its place, when the Pres't. of the High Priesthood pronounced the following: "The second corner stone, of the Temple now building by the church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, in honor to the great God, is duly laid, and may the same unanimity, that has been manifested on this occasion, continue, till the whole is completed; that peace may rest upon it to the laying of the top stone thereof, and the turning of the key thereof; that the Saints may participate in the blessings of Israel's God within its walls, and the glory of God rest upon the same; Amen."

The third (N. W. corner) stone, superintended by the High Council, as representatives of the twelve, (they being in Europe.) was then lowered to its place, with the benediction of Elias Higbee as follows: "The third corner stone, in representation of the Twelve, is now duly laid; and as they are, in some measure the support of the church, so may this stone be a firm support to the corner, that the whole may be completed as before purposed, and according to the order of the Priesthood."

The fourth (N. E. corner) stone, superintened [superintended] by the Bishops, was then lowered to its place, and Bishop Whitney pronounced the following, "The fourth and last corner stone, expressive of the Lesser Priesthood, is now duly laid; and may the blessings before pronounced, with all others desirable, rest upon the same forever; Amen.

The services were then declared closed, and the military retired to the parade ground and were dismissed with the approbation and thanks of the commanding officers.

The military band under the command of Capt. Duzett, made a conspicuous and dignified appearance, and performed their part honorably. Their soul stiring [stirring] strains, met harmoniously the rising emotions that swelled each bosom, and stimulated us onward to the arduous, but pleasing and honorable duties of the day.

The choir also, under the direction of B. S. Wilber, deserve commendation.

What added greatly to the happiness we experienced on this interesting occasion, is the fact, that we heard no obscene or profane language; neither saw we any one intoxicated. Can the same be said of a similar assemblage in any other city in the Union? Thank God, that the intoxicating beverage, that bane of humanity in these last days, that --what shall we call it? Devil? is becoming a stranger in Nauvoo.

In conclusion we will say, we never witnessed a more imposing spectacle than was presented on this occasion, and during the session of conference. Such an almost countless multitude of people, moving in harmony, in friendship, in dignity, told with a voice not easily misunderstood, that they were a people of intelligence and virtue, and order; in short, that they were saints; and that the God of love, purity, and light was their God, their exemplar, and director; and that they were blessed and happy.