An Epistle of the Twelve

To the saints scattered abroad in England, Scotland, Ireland, Wales, the Isle of Man and the eastern continent, Greeting;

Beloved Brethren:-We rejoice and thank our Heavenly Father daily in your behalf, that we hear of your faithfulness and diligence in the great work unto which you have been called, by the Holy Spirit, through the voice of the servants of the Most High, who have been and are now amongst you, for the purpose of instructing you in those principles, which are calculated to prepare the children of men for the renovation of the earth and the restitution of all things spoken by the prophets.

Several months have passed away, since we bid adieu to our brethren and sisters on the islands of the sea, and passed over the great deep to our homes, our kindred, the bosom of the church and the stakes of Zion; but neither time nor distance can efface from our memories the many expressions of kindness which we have heard from your lips and experienced from your hands, which have so often ministered to our neccessities [necessities], while we were wandering in your midst, like our master, having no place to lay our heads only as furnished by your liberality and benevolence; and it is a subject of no small consolation to us that we have this testimony of so many of your that you are the disciples of the Lord Jesus; and we give you our warmest thanks, and our blessing that you have not only ministered to us, but that you continue to minister to our brethren, who are still laboring amongst you, for which, an hundredfold shall be returned into your bosoms.

After parting with the saints in Liverpool, and sailing thirty days, much of the time against head winds, with rough sea, which produced much sea-sickness among the brethren and sisters who accompanied us, we arrived in the city of New York, where we were received by the brethren, with open hearts, and by whom we were entertained most cordially some days, till we were rested from the fatigues of the ship; we were then assisted on our journey, and taking different routes, and visiting many of the churches in different states, we have all safely arrived in this city.

In our travels in this land we have discovered a growing interest among the people generally, in the great work of the Lord. Prejudice is giving place to intelligence; darkness to light; and multitudes are making the important discovery that error is abroad in the earth, and that the signs of the times proclaim some mighty revolution among the nations. The cry is from all quarters, send us elders to instruct us in the principles of your religion, that we may know why it is that you are had in derision by the multitude, more than other professors are. Teach us of your principles and your doctrines and if we find them true we will embrace them.

The saints are growing in faith, and the intelligence of heaven is flowing into their understanding, for the spirit of the Lord is with them, and the Holy Ghost is instructing them in things to come. The spirit of union is increasing, and they are exerting themselves to come up to the gathering of the faithful, to build up the waste places and establish the stakes of Zion.

Since our arrival in this place there has been oue [one] special and one general conference of the church, and the twelve have been called to tarry at home for a season, and stand in their lot next to the first Presidency and assist in counciling [counseling] the brethren and in the settling of emigrants &c., and the first great object before us, and the saints generally, is to help forward the completion of the Temple and the Nauvoo House; buildings which are now in progress according to the revelations, and which must

be completed to secure the salvation of the church in the last days, for God requires of his saints to build him a house wherein his servants may be instructed, and endued with power from on high, to prepare them to go forth among the nations, and proclaim the fullness of the gospel for the last time, and bind up the law and seal up the testimony, leaving this generation without excuse, and the earth prepared for the judgments, which will follow. In this house all the ordinances will be made manifest, and many things will be shown forth, which have been hid from generation to generation.

The set time to favor the stakes of Zion is at hand, & soon the Kings and the Queens, the princes and the nobles, the rich and the honorable of the earth, will come up hither to visit the Temple of our God and to enquire [inquire] concerning his strange work; and as Kings are to become nursing fathers, and Queens nursing mothers in the habitations of the righteous, it is right to render honor to whom honor is due; & therefore expedient that such, as well as the saints, should have a comfortable house for boarding and lodging when they come hither, and it is according to the revelations that such a house should be built.

The foundation of this house, and also of the Temple, are laid and the walls of the basement stories of each nearly completed; and the finishing of the whole is depending on the exertions of the saints. Every saint on earth is equally interested in these things, and each is under equal obligations to do all in their power to complete the buildings by their faith and by their prayers; with their thousands and their mites, their gold and their silver, their copper and their zinc, their goods and their labors, until the top stone is laid with shoutings and the place is prepaired [prepared] to be filled with the glory of the Highest; and if there are those among you, who have more than they need for the gathering, and for assisting the destitute, who desire to gather with them, they cannot make a more acceptable offering unto the Lord, than by appropriating towards the building of his Temple.

He that believeth shall not make haste, but let all the saints who desire to keep the commandments of heaven and work righteousness, come to the place of gathering as soon as circumstances will permit. It is by united efforts that great things are accomplished, and while the saints are scattered to the four winds, they cannot be united in action, if they are in spirit; they cannot all build at one city, or lift at one stone of the great Temple, tho' their hearts may all desire the same things. We would not press the subject of the gathering upon you, for we know your hearts, and your means; and so far as means fail, let patience have its perfect work in your soul, for in due time you shall be delivered if you faint not.

We are not altogether ignorant of the increase of difficulty among the laboring classes in England since our departure, through the stoppage of factories and similar occurrences, and we would council those who have, to impart unto those, who have not, and cannot obtain; remembering that he who giveth unto the poor lendeth unto the Lord, and he shall receive in return four fold.

The idler shall not eat the bread of the laborer, neither must he starve who would, but cannot, find employment. Inasmuch as ye desire the fullness of the earth, let not the cries of the widow, the fatherless and the beggar, ascend to heaven or salute your ears in vain, but follow the example we have set before you, and give liberally of your abundance, even if it be but a penny, and it shall be returned unto you good measure, pressed down and running over, shall the Lord return into your store house.

Cultivate the spirit of patience, long suffering, forbearance, & charity among yourselves, & ever be as unwilling to believe an ovil [evil] report about a brother or a sister, as though it were about yourself; and as you dislike to be accused, be slow to accuse the brethren, for the measure you meet shall be measured to you again, and the Judge condemneth no man who is not accused. Keep all the commandments, nothing fearing, nothing doubting, for this is virtue, this is wisdom, and the wise, the virtuous, and meek shall inherit the earth and the fullness thereof. In all things follow the council which you shall receive from the President and council who are among you; and inasmuch as you uphold Elders Pratt and Richards and Snow, by the prayer of faith, you shall recieve [receive] right council.

Remember that those whom John saw on mount Zion were such as had come up through great tribulation; and do not imagine that you can ever constitute a part of that number without sharing a part of their trials. You must necessarily pass through perils, and trials, and temptations, and afflictions by sea and land, in your journeyings hither, and if you cannot settle it in your hearts to endure unto the end as good soldiers, you may as well remain where you are to be destroyed, as to suffer all the privations and hardships you will be obliged to suffer before the walls of Zion shall be built, no more to be thrown down, and after all to turn away and be destroyed.

The ancient prophet has said they shall wear out the saints of the Most High. This has already been fulfilled to some extent, for many, through the abundance of their persecutions, have become exhausted and laid their bodies down to rest, to rise no more till the morn of the first resurrection; and although the people of these States are at peace with us, yet, there are those who would gladly wear out and destroy the weak in faith, through the influence of their foolish lies. When you arrive on our shores, and while sailing up our rivers, you need not be surprised if your ears are saluted, by the false and filthy language of wicked and designing men, who are ever ready to speak evil of the things they understand not, and who would gladly blast the character of the Prophet of the Most High God, and all connected with him, with their foul anathemas, beyond any thing which you have ever thought of. We would not dishearten you, neither would we have you ignorant of the worst that awaits the righteous.

If the saints are not prepaired [prepared] to rejoice and be glad, when they hear the name of the prophet, and their own name, cast out as evil, as gluttonous [gluttonous], wine bibber, friend of publicans and sinners, Belsebub [Beelzebub], thief, robber, and murderer, they are not prepared for the gathering. The wheat and tares must grow together till the harvest; at the harvest the wheat is gathered together into the threshing floor, so with the saints. The stakes are the threshing floor.

Here they will be threshed with all sorts of difficulties, trials afflictions, and every thing to mar their peace which they can imagine, and thousands which they cannot imagine, but he that endures the threshing till all the chaff, superstition, folly and unbelief is pounded out of him, and does not suffer himself to be blown away as chaff by the foul tongues of slander, but endures faithful to the end shall be saved.

I you are prepared for all these things; if you choose rather to suffer afflictions with the people of God than to enjoy the pleasures of sin, for a little moment, come up hither; Come direct to New Orleans, and up the Mississippi [Mississippi] river, for the expense is so much less, and the convenience of water navigation is so much greater than it is by Montreal, New York of Philadelphia, that it is wisdom for the saints to make New Orleans their general established port, and be sure to start at such times that they may arrive here during the cold months, for the change from the cold climate of England, to this place, in the hot season, is too great for the health of emigrants, till there is more faith in the church.

In this region of country there are thousands and millions of acres of beautiful prairie, unocupied [unoccupied], which can be procured on reasonable terms, and we will hail the time with joy when these unoccupied lands shall be turned into fruitful fields, and the hands of those who are now idle for want of employ, shall be engaged in the cultivation of the soil. When the brethren arrive they will do well to call on some of the twelve, inasmuch as they desire council, for by so doing, they may escape the influence of designing men, who have crept in unawares, and would willingly subvert the truth, by conniving to their own advantage, if they have the opportunity.

The church has commenced a new city 20 miles below this, and 1 mile below Warsaw, called, Warren, where many city lots, and farms in the vicinity, can be had on reasonable terms; and it will be wisdom for many of the brethren to stop at that place, for the opportunity for erecting temporary buildings will be greater than at this place, also the chance for providing food, will be superior, to those who wish to labor for it.

Warsaw is at the foot of the Desmoine [Des Moines] Rapids, and one of the best locations for mercantile purposses [purposes], there is in this western country.

So far as the brethren have the means they will do well to come prepared with a variety of mechanic tools according to their professions, such as carpenters, joiners, cabinet makers, hatters, coopers, masons, printers, binders, tanners, curriers &c. and all sorts of manufactory and foundery [foundry] implements, [convenient for transportation,] so that when they arrive they may be prepared to establish themselves in business, and give employment to spinners, weavers, moulders [molders], smelters, and journeymen of every description; for all sorts of woolens, cottons, hardware &c., will find a ready market in new countries, and a great field is now open to the capitalists [capitalists] in this vicinity, even though the capital be small, and we would urge the importance of the immediate establishment of all kinds of manufactories among us, as well for the best interests of the individuals concerned, as for the church generally.

Cities cannot be built without houses, houses cannot be built without materials, or occupied without inhabitants, the inhabitants cannot exist without food and clothing; food and clothing cannot be had without planting, sewing, and manufactoring [manufacturing], so that Zion and her stores cannot be built without means, without industry, without manufactoring [manufacturing] establishments, unless the windows of heaven were opened and cities and their appendages were rained down among us. But this we do not expect till the New Jerusalem descends, and that will be some time hence; therefore it is necessary and according to godliness and the plan of salvation in these last days, that the brethren should see to all ihese [these] things and clothe and adorn themselves with the labor of their own hands, build houses and inhabit them, plant vineyards and eat the fruit thereof.

Brethren pray for us, and the first Presidency, the leader of the people, even Joseph, that his life and health may be precious in the the sight of heaven, till he has finished the work which he has commenced; and for all the elders of Israel, that every man may be faithful in his calling, the whole household of faith, and all subjects of prayer.

Brethren farewell. May the blessings of heaven and earth be multiplied unto you, in sptrit [spirit] and in body, in basket and in store, in the field and in the shop, on the land and on the sea, in the house and by the way, and in all situations and circumstances, until you shall stand on Mount Zion, and enter the celestial city, in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

BRIGHHM [BRIGHAM] YOUNG,

HEBER C. KIMBALL,

ORSON PRATT,

WILLIAM SMITH,

LYMAN WIGHT,

WILLFORD WOODRUFF,

JOHN TAYLOR,

GEO. A. SMITH

WILLARD RICHARDS.

Nauvoo, Hancock co., Ill. Nov. 15, 1841.

Northbridge, Mass., Oct. 10, 1841.

Br. Robinson, Sir --

I have lately come from Salem and expect to return there in a few days.

I have labored in that city and its vicinity nearly four weeks. Truth is rapidly gaining ground, and prejudice wearing away, and considering the circumstances under which I commenced there, the overwhelming tide of public opinion, the multitude of falsehoods in circulation, the entire ignorance of the real character and principles of the Latter Day Saints which there prevailed [prevailed], the number of chapels, churches and priests, the superstition [superstition] of the people, and considering too, that Salem is the place where witches [witches] formerly performed such wonders for which they lost their lives, I think the prospects are very flattering.

There is a branch numbering nearly thirty in this place apparently in a prosperous condition. I came here to endeavour [endeavor] to encourage and strengthen them [them] knowing that considerable time had elapsed, since any traveling elders called on them. Since my arrival a series of letters have been shown me, from Mr. -- post master of -- in this state, to his brother of this place, and from his brother, and his letters, I have learned some incidents connected with the history of this man, of late, which I think cannot fail of interesting the readers of the Times and Seasons. In communicating them to you I have suppressed names, first because I have taken this liberty without his knowledge; and secondly because of the situation of his business and property; which lies in various parts of the Union, and is estimated at about two hundred and fifty-thousand; which he says, shall with all possible despatch [dispatch], be devoted to the upbuilding of Zion. He has been quite a popular man, and the author of several works devoted to the cause of Universalism. He knew nothing of this work bnt [but] by report, until some time during the past summer, when two of his brothers, tradesmen of Boston, became acquainted with, and believers in it. Through their communications and the books they sent him, he learned something about it, but strenuously opposed it. One of his brothers immediately closed his business and went to Nauvoo, where he embraced the gospel and commenced writing letters to his unbelieving brother, which caused him six weeks or two months ago, to turn his mind seriously to reading the books and investigating the subject. The result was an entire revolution in his mind. He called together his neighbors, and night after night taught the work to them, until some of his father's family and others began to believe, and the Devil began to rage, and his emissaries broke in all the windows, and his business called him to Charleston S. C. Up to this time he had seen no elders, and had no opportunity of obeying the gospel himself. He started for Charleston Sept. 17th. His letter of the 20th written from New York says, "I arrived in N. Y. on Friday and spent some time in hunting up Mormons. I went to Br. Adams, where I was received with great kindness. On Sunday I was baptized, and after being taken into the church by the laying on of hands. Oh the blessings that rested upon me!-The next morning I had the gift of tongues.

I was ordained an elder, and am now going to spend my days in preaching the gospel," Suffice it to say that he purchased many of the various kinds of our books, that he found in New York and Philadelphia and left Philadelphia on hh [the] 23d on board a steamer. His letter tf [of] the 29th written at Charleston, says in oescibing [describing] his journey. "Meantime the dubject [subject] of religion was introduced by some one on board: I was as ready as any one to talk about it. When we commenced I was not a little surprised, to find on board three Methodist ministers who had been north to some public meeting, and an Orlhodox [Orthodox] and his delegate who had been to Philadelphia to attend an ordination. They soon found out that I was a Mormon and attacked me. It reminded me of a piece I saw in the paper last week, 'they were barking up the wrong sapling.' We continued our conversation some hours. One of the ministers feared the truth so much that he went up on the quarter deck and sat in the wind; but his mind so troubled him that he came down and sat on the cabin stairs. A guilty conscience still harrassed [harassed] him, until he came down exclaiming 'no peace for the wicked,' and asked me to pray with him. This I was ready to do, and when we arose he said he was ready to renounce Orthodoxy and be baptized. I then took the Methodist ministers and explained their discipline to them. They began to think the God without body or parts, was not like Christ who was the image of his father. They finally said they were ready to be baptized. The captain also said he believed it with all his heart. When we reached Charleston we stopped at captain Hall's, and next day the Methodist ministers, the Ortoodox [Orthodox] and his delegate, and captain Hall and his family consisting of a wife, an aged father, one son and two daughters were all baptized. After the baptism I had the gift of prophecy and ordained the ministers to the office of elders, and gave them some books and they left the work of men, took up the work of God and went on their way rejoicing. They belong in different parts of Carolina. Capt. Hall says he will

pilot his boat till spring and then he will pilot his family to the west."

When God works who can hinder? I am deur [dear] sir your fellow laborer in the gospel. ERASTUS SNOW.

Br. Robinson Esq.

The following is a copy of a private letter, and thinking that it possibly might be interesting to some of the saints residing at a distance, I submit it to you, which is at your disposal for publication in the times and Seasons.

Your as ever,

B W.

Nauvoo, Nov. 12th 1841.

Br. Snow:

Your letter of the 19th of Oct. came to hand in due time, and I am much pleased with its contents, for surely I rejoice that you are prospered.-Although I am a great distance from you, yet my anxiety for the furtherance of the Salem Mission does not decrease, and I contemplate that before many weeks shall pass away to be with you, and make my feeble voice heard again in your hall and private places for preaching, in defence [defense] of the pnre [pure] principles of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

You request me not to do as others have done and write you a short letter; but to dispense with my common mode of writing, and write a close fine hand, and to be sure and fill up the sheet, and give you all the particulars of the most interresting [interesting] affairs of Nauvoo. This I will endeavor to do; but shall not make any sure promises, for it is possible that my mind will become so absorbed with the subject, that I shall forget to write so close and fine as you request. So much by way of introduction.

On my way from Philadelphia, I stopped at Pittsburgh and found a few saints (eight in number); among them is Elder Wm. Small from Philadelphia. They all seemed to be firm in the faith, and have not shuned [shunned] to teach the principles of righteousness every opportunity offered them; in consequence of which several have become quite believing, and I presume will embrace the faith. After a tedious passage from Pittsburgh of one week, (the Ohio river being very low,) I arrived at Cincinnati, where I took passage for St. Louis, on board the steamer Nonpareil, in company with near 200 passengers, and among them were several families of brethren bound for this place. Part of them hailed from the city of New York, the remainder from Western New York. The passengers soon learned there was a company of Mormons on board, and the news in quick succession flew from one end of the boat to the other that a Mormon preacher was among them and you will readily conjecture that Mormonism so called soon became the principle topic of conversation in almost every apartment of the boat. It was truly amusing to see the commotion and excitemnnt [excitement] that prevailed, and to hear their conversation.-The more they conversed upon the subject the more intense seemed to be their desire. Thus they continued for several days.

Sunday the 24th of Oct. the morning was clear, yet the air was somewhat cold. The darkness of night was driven away and twilight came on; but it soon followed in the train as the rays of the great ruler of the day shot acrost [across] the horizon. The steamer was facing the daring current of the far famed Mississippi. The atmosphere was clear, and the reports of the steam from the scape [escape] pipe, which were loud and followed one another in quick succession, alone seemed to disturb the solitude of the morning; the passengers arose from the slumber of night, prepared themselves for the day, and commenced prominading [promenading] the hurricane deck to view the attracting objects situated along the distant shores; but these seemed to be of minor consequence-the subject of "Mormonism' still lingered upon their minds. After the business and bustle of the morning were over, the passengers retired to the cabin and unanimously insisted upon having a Mormon sermon preached unto them.-By the ready permission of the captain, I complied with their request, and proclaimed the first principles of the gospel to an attentive audience. In the evening I addressed them with the subject of the coming forth of the Book of Mormon. I believe that the effect produced will result in much good; for there were present men from various parts of the United States: and even those most opposed acknowledged that their views were changed, and that they now had a better opinion of the society, than they had before. Those that I left on the boat after we landed at St. Louis still

continued to discuss the subject. At St. Louis, I took passage for Warsaw, from thence came by private conveyance to Nauvoo.

Now for the affairs of Nauvoo.-The Temple, as you perhaps know, is situated on the brow of the most prominant [prominent] part of the bluff, which extends a short distance in the advance of the bluff, either to the right or to the left so that it commands a complete view of the majestic river for several miles, both north and south; and completely overlooks the flat which constitutes the western part of the city, and is so curiously formed by the extraordinary bend of the river. In consequence of the Temple being situated in the advance of the adjoining bluff, it overlooks portions of the city both to the north and to the south, that are considerable in the rear of it.

On the left, south, as you front the river the lots are mostly taken, and a great share of the improvements seem to be bestowed upon this part of the city. Near the residence of Pres't. J. Smith, which is near the termination of Main street, or where it strikes the river on the south, is situated the Nauvoo House, which is in rapid progress; the foundation which is massive and extensive, is nearly completed; and when completed will form the basement story. This house when finished, I should think from what I have seen, will surpass any house of the kind for beauty, convenience, and durability, west of the Allegany [Allegheny] mountains. On the north of the Temple there has also been a great improvement, and a large portion of that part of corporation is quite densely populated. East of the Temple lot some ten miles, which you are aware is more or less timbered land, it is completely spotted with dwellings. The large prairie east of the city presents a very pleasing prospect; several buildings are completed and others in progress. Some are engaged fencing, others plowing, and preparing their land for the ensuing season. The Temple also commands a fine view of Zarahemla, and the beautiful prairie that stretches along, at its wonted distance from the river for several miles. Several buildings are in progress in Zarahemla.

Indeed, you certainly would be astonished if you were here, at the vast improvement made in so short a space of time. If you walk through the streets of the city, or ride out on the prairie, or go over to Zarahemla, you will see nothing like idleness; but will hear the hum of industry:-nay may I not say more:-the voice of merriment. It is true, their buildings are generally quite small; for you know that many of the saints were forced out of the state of Missouri penniless in the inclement season of the year, and were only able to build temporary houses. However, several brick houses, and some extensive framed ones have lately been erected, which improve the appearance of the city very much. I assure you that when I came here I was completely astonished, and agreeably disappointed at the improvements that have been made since I was here two years ago last spring; when there was but one or two new buildings, and they were not then completed.

If you were here to see the work that has been done on the Temple, you would say that the saints here have been industrious, and contributed liberally for that work. The greater portion of the work is accomplished on the basement story, in which is situated the Baptismal Font, resting upon the twelve oxen that so much has been said about in the eastern papers. I went and examined them particularly;-they are ingeniously carved, and strikingly resemble the living original; and the Baptismal Font, I should judge from what is said in the bible, strongly resembles the "Brazen Sea." I will not here attempt to give any further description of the Temple; for it sufficeth to say, that its plan for convenience, surpasses any thing that I ever saw, and well it may; for the Lord has had something to do with it: and I believe that when it is completed; for splendor and magnificence it will outshine any thing west of Philadelphia at all events. There does not appear to be so many to work on it at present as heretofore; for many are engaged in fitting up their private dwellings for the coming winter, and preparing that they may attack it with renewed vigour [vigor] and zeal in the coming spring.

I think that the saints ought to be stirred up in the east to contribute liberally for this work (of the Lord.)

I have not heard much said about the university-there is no building as yet completed for it; but I presume in due

time the institution will prosper abundantly.

Now as to the morality of the people here:-there are some that may be some what unruly, as may be expected; but you know that if you should throw cold water into melted iron the scene would be terrific, because the contrast would be so great: so it is with the saints; if a small portion of wickedness happens among them, the contrast between the spirit of Christ and that of Darkness is so great, that it makes a great upstir and tremendous excitement: this is the case here; but in other communities the same amount of crimes would hardly be noticed. As for mobs: there is not one hundredth part as much said about here, as there is at a distance. If the state of Ill. should suffer a mob to drive us from this place, it would be like a man cutting off his nose to spite his face; for it must be admitted that the taxes collected from this people make a great addition to the state revenue and will still increase. There are no signs of a mob here, after all the noise about it in the east. In short the saints here are prospering in every thing beyond my expectations, and Nauvoo is the most beautiful place for a city that I ever saw.

I think you will change your mind after reading this, and request me to write you a short letter next time. May the Lord prosper you. Yours &c.,

B. WINCHESTER.