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"But in the last days it shall come to pass that the mountain of the house of the Lord shall be established in the top of the mountains and it shall be exalted above the hills; and people shall flow unto it. And many nations shall come and say come and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord and to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways and we will walk in his paths: for the law shall go forth of Zion and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem."-Micah.

From the above prophesy of Micah, and also from the 2nd chapter of Isaiah we learn certain things which the inhabitants of the earth in the last days have a right to look for, and confidently expect. We might reasonably suppose from the words "top of the mountain," that the prophets had a particular allusion to some part of the earth called high, or good above other lands. That there was, and is, such a land, not only esteemed as such by men, but also in the mind of the great God himself, we have abundant proof in the Book of Mormon, which describes the land of America as being a choice land above all other lands; then if above all other lands it may very properly be called the highest or top of the lands or mountains. The fact that this place when established is to be a place of gathering of the people, can admit of no doubt from the words of the prophesy which says, "and people shall flow unto it," that they may be taught the ways of the Lord. Then if these high privileges are to be enjoyed by the people who inhabit the earth in the last days, and we (Latter Day Saints) who say, we are living in those days; why are we not in the enjoyment of these privileges, let us enquire [inquire], do we believe these things? the answer is we do most assuredly believe them. Then where is the mountain where the house, and where the people flowing together to learn the ways of the Lord. The mountains, as we said before, we may consider definitely pointed out in the Book of Mormon. Not only so but the Lord has actually commenced the work, by raising up a prophet in these days, and through him, has definitely pointed out places of gathering for the people; and also, through this prophet has expressed his will to those who profess his name, that a house should be built for the salvation of his people, and for a place of instruction in all things which pertain to the kingdom of God on the earth,-consequently a place to be desired and sought for by the nations of the earth, where the ways of God can be taught; a place where those of many nations will gather to, and especially all who desire to serve God with singleness of heart; and when gathered, the pure in heart constitute Zion, concerning which we find much said by the ancient prophets, especially, that place which should be called Zion in the last days; and that out of Zion should go forth the law, &c.

But to show more fully the will of God concerning the house which is to be built, we make an extract from the Book of Covenants, page 209, which reads as follows:

"Verily I say unto you, that it is my will that an house should be built unto me in the land of Zion, like unto the pattern which I have given you; yea, let it be built speedily by the tithing of my people: behold this is the tithing and the sacrifice which I the Lord require at their hands, that there may be an house built unto me for the salvation of Zion: for a place of thanksgiving for all Saints, and for a place of instruction for all those who are called to the work of the ministry in all their several callings and offices, in theory, in principle, and in doctrine, In all things pertaining to the kingdom of God on earth."

Now, I would candidly ask the Saints, and all who desire to do the will of God, will we lay hold with our mights to accomplish this mighty, this glorious work, and show by our works,

that we, who enjoy the glorious privilege of living in these latter days, (in which God has begun his work to bring to pass the gathering of his elect,) are worthy of the high privileges which we enjoy, by coming up like men of God and sacrifice, and by our works show that we are such a people as the Lord would have gathered together, as described in the 50th Psalm which says: "Gather my Saints together unto me; those that have made a covenant with me by sacrifice?"

Among the sacrifices which God requires at this time is the tithing for the building of this house. Will we now exert ourselves, or will we hoard up our silver and gold and canker our souls, and have to lament in the day of our visitation that we loved our money, or our property better than we loved God and his cause, and would not do as did Abraham, give tithes of all we possess, that we might become heirs of the same glory with him? I ask, how will God look upon a people who would be thus coveteous, [covetous] after he had made known unto them his will, and told them what sacrifice he required of them? It was this covetous principle which caused the Savior to exclaim, "It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom;" because if the rich withhold their riches when God requires sacrifice, the will of God is not done by them, consequently they fall under condemnation, the Spirit is grieved and withdraws, and they are left to themselves to reap the reward of the covetous and idolators [idolaters]. But of the Saints I hope better things, that they will count all earthly riches as dross, compared with the eternal riches and glory of God which is to be revealed, and of which we, as a church, may be made the happy partakers by making every sacrifice which God requires, and worship the God which made heaven and earth and sea, and not worship gold and silver, or property, or any thing made with men's hands. We owe this sacrifice to God, we also owe this to our fellow men, knowing as we do, that much depends upon the accomplishment of these things, so that they, of all nations may come to the house of the God of Jacob, according to the words of the prophets; that they may be taught in his ways, and walk in his paths. The brethren abroad must be aware of the poverty of most of the church here, by reason of their being robbed of almost all they possessed in Missouri; therefore much depends upon the brethren abroad for means.

Most of the brethren here, have manifested a disposition worthy of imitation by the remainder in the good cause, by working every tenth day, since the last Conference, by which some materials are made ready for the building: Those who live in this place, who have not been able to put in their tenth day, will, I hope, not fail to put in an equivalent against Spring. Those who live at a distance, who cannot put in work, will, I trust, send in their tithing speedily, so that the work may be accomplished speedily: for when we consider the great things which are depending upon our exertions,-surely we should lose no time; for when the house is finished, the priesthood will be set in order, an acceptable offering can then be offered unto the Lord of Hosts; who does not desire to see, (according to the words of Malachi,) the offering of Judah and Jerusalem be pleasant unto the Lord as in the days of old, and as in former years? Then can the oracles of God be daily received if necessary for the salvation of the people, by those who are appointed to minister in the holy place. Then can God be worshipped in the beauty of holiness: then will those who are appointed to minister be as a watchman on a tower, who can warn the church of approaching danger, or dispense unto them, through the priesthood, the words of eternal life.-Then, brethren, with one accord, let us exert ourselves in doing the will of God, that the glory of God may rest down upon us, and we be preserved as a people, and finally overcome the world, and obtain a crown of eternal life in the kingdom of our God, through Jesus Christ our Redeemer, is the prayer of your unworthy brother in the Lord.

ELIAS HIGBEE, One of the Building Committee

An example animated by an ardent and sincere love, shines like the sun-it warms and invigorates.

For the Times and Seasons.

Dayton (Ohio) Dec 15, 1840.