The Church and its Prospects

Many of our friends and correspondents living at a distance, are anxiously enquiring [inquiring] to

know the situation of the church in this place, with regard to our neighbors. We will answer their enquiries [inquiries] in a word; all is peace and prosperity with the church in all this region of country, and the prospects are, by far, more flattering at the present time, than we have ever known them. Perfect harmony and good feeling prevails between us and our neighbors, with the exception of two or three individuals, whose names are not worthy of mention. They have laboured [labored] incessantly to create an excitement, but thus far it has proved altogether fruitless, with the exception of the little feeling created abroad, where they are not known, through the medium of the Journal of Commerce, and other low and vulgar public prints, which choose to publish a lie rather than the truth, because it takes better with the community at large:-and besides, they think to injure thousands of innocent people by so doing; but in this they are mistaken, for we can assure them that the warmer the persecution, the greater the spread of the work, the fiercer the contest the sooner it will be ended, when "truth will prevail," Mormonism rise triumphantly victorious over all opposition, and this, the gospel of the kingdom of Jesus Christ, will be preached to all the nations, kindreds, tongues and people, under the whole heaven: the honest in heart will cheerfully embrace it, and be gathered into the cities of Zion and Jerusalem, places of refuge appointed of God for the safety of his people, when he pours out his wrath and indignation upon the wicked and ungodly, and those "who know not God and obey not the gospel of Jesus Christ." But to return.

Great improvements have been made in our city, during the present season, several hundred buildings have been erected, many of which are splendid frame and brick buildings. The building committee of the Temple are making rapid advances towards the completion of that great and desirable object; the baptismal font in its base, will probably be completed in a few weeks. The Nauvoo House is also in a great State of forwardness, and the work thereon is being pushed forward with all possible diligence. We are informed that the committees of those two buildings have purchased extensive mills, and water privileges in the Pineries of Wisconsin, and a company of several men, in their employ, will leave here in a few days for that country.

The health of this place has improved very much; there has not been, it is thought, half as much sickness this season, as last, according to the number of inhabitants, nor two thirds the amount of deaths.

Happiness and joy seems to be depicted upon the countenance of all we meet; peace and prosperity is the happy lot of the saints in this place, for the present, at least.