Union

One of the most important subjects with which the Saints ought to be acquainted is that of Union. Casting a glance at the rise, progress, decline and fall of various kingdoms that have been established on the earth, we find that their success or overthrow has depended upon their adherence to, or neglect of, this principle. Through this the whole universe of God has been, and is still sustained in its order, beauty, and glory. It is not confined to the Great Presidency of the Celestial world, but serves as a chain by which the whole of the heavenly host are bound together in concert of action, sustaining the laws by which they are governed and preserved. The effects of deviation from this have been manifested, even in heaven, as in the case of the Son of the Morning, whose rebellion and departure from the principle spread their influence so far as to cause the dissension of the third part of the hosts of heaven, but the majority overruling, the order of heaven was preserved and the rebellious cast out. The history of the house of Israel present more striking examples of the power and influence of this principle than that of any other nation. While groaning under Egyptian bondage, the united prayers of this people were successful in causing the power of God to be shown forth in the raising up for them a deliverer in the person of Moses, whereby a deliverance was wrought out for them from the cruel and increasing tyranny of the Egyptian monarch. While they were careful unitedly to attend to the instructions given them through their leader-the power of God was more and more manifest in their own salvation and the overthrow of their enemies; but when they permitted dissensions to arise among them, the blessings of God were stayed and their way became dark and beclouded before them. Thus when

they had escaped the pursuit of their oppressors and passed through the Red sea, some murmured at their condition and longed to be again yoked in their former slavery, whereby they were detained forty years in the wilderness, and with the exception of Joshua and Caleb, none of them were permitted to enter the promised land.

When the generation who had thus proved themselves unworthy of the favor of heaven had passed away, and their successors had gained an entrance into the land which was to be theirs for ever, the influence of union, and the baneful effects of its opposite, were miraculously manifested in the wars they had to wage with the former possessors of the country, who through transgression, had entailed upon themselves the curse of heaven; as for instance, in illustration of the former, at the universal shout of the people, the walls of Jericho were levelled [leveled] and a way prepared for their entrance.

When the long continuation of warfare through the reign of the judges, and kings Saul and David had subsided, peace was restored to the land in the reign of Solomon, and with it the people had put aside their own internal broils, the effects of which were an abundant supply of the bounties of the earth, with the approval and blessings of heaven. With Solomon however this seemed to decay, for when his son, Rehoboam, had succeeded him in the government of Israel, dissensions were again introduced, causing the revolting of the ten tribes, the consequences of which were a revival of the wars from which they had rest; and eventually, in the captivity of the house of Israel, as well as the overthrow of Jerusalem and dispersion of Judah. We will, however, without dwelling further on the history of past generations, give our attention to the work which we have to perform in our times.

The history of the church of Christ, in the present age, shows that while disunion and disorganizations have been the most prominent features of the kingdoms of the world, it has continued moving steadily along, through observance of the principle of union, dispelling with its influence, the clouds of darkness which have so long curtained the minds of men while, those who have departed from the principle have not in any was affected its progress, but wrought out their own destruction. As the church becomes more numerous, and the kingdom of God is becoming more fully established, the importance of union among its members is still more manifest. It is absolutely necessary that not only a professed union, but a cementing of heart and soul should dwell with all presidents, councils, and branches of the church of Christ, in order to accomplish the designs of God in the building up of Zion, or in obtaining those blessings which it is their privilege to enjoy; for, be assured, ye saints of the Most High, that the heavens will be stayed over the heads of any presidency, quorum, council, or branch who are divided in heart, sentiment and feeling, and so will they remain, and the blessings be withheld until the evil is removed; for the Lord will never pour out the richest blessings of heaven, and the priesthood and gifts of the gospel, only upon the principle of that union which the celestial law of God requires. Will not the saints learn wisdom in this late age of the world by precept and example, without being obliged to learn it by sad experience, as did the children of Israel in their forty years wandering through the wilderness without entering the promised land which they might have accomplished in forty days, as did the spies that went before them? Or will they live up to their privileges, and unite together according to the law of God, in faith and works, and gather and build up Zion, and behold her arise in that majesty, strength, beauty, and glory, of which the prophets have spoken? else must they suffer their traditions or disunion to deprive them of these blessings, until they lay their bodies in the grave, without the sight, and their children, or another generation, have the work to perform. The signs of the times indicate good concerning Israel in the city of Joseph since the martyrdom of the prophets. It must be a source of rejoicing to every saint of God, to behold the determined spirit of perseverance and union of the thousands of saints assembled there in doing the will of God and hearkening to the counsel and sustaining the hands of those chosen of God as shepherds and counsellors [counselors] in the midst of his house, while the fruits and blessings of this union have been clearly manifest in the rearing of the Nauvoo House and the Temple of the Lord, whose tower points toward heaven, in honor of the united efforts of the Saints, reared in troublous times, almost as Jerusalem once was, with the trowel in one hand of the laborer and the sword in the other. While the saints in Nauvoo are thus straining every nerve to accomplish the designs of God, those scattered abroad ought not to leave the whole burthen [burden] with them, but unite with them in their faith and means in establishing the kingdom of God, on the earth, not forgetting to let their prayers ascend up before God, day and night, upon this subject. By the united efforts, alone, of the saints of God, in this last dispensation, the building up of Zion will be effected, and the kingdom of God on earth, be

prepared for a union with the kingdom of God in heaven; and thus shall the chain which has bound together in one the hosts of heaven, extend and grasp in its circumference all who have been obedient to the mandates of God.

W. WOODRUFF.