Jan 1^st 1858
This is the first day of a new Year of 1858 It is a
vary plesant warm day, calm and serene, is it an omen of
peace and serenety to Zion for a year to come. time must
determin. we live in a day and generation which is big with
Events As the Church and kingdom of God advances to fulfill
its destiny it carries in its train Events, and is accomplishing
a work which is of the Deepest interes to all mankind whether
the living or the Dead who have ever tabernacled or ever will
tabernacle upon this the footstool of our God. All Prophets or Apostles
or inspired men of God who have written or spoken concerning
this Generation whether Recorded in Records revealed or sealed
have pointed out clearly the events as they have transpired
and as they will transpire before our Eyes. It has now
been over 30 years since Joseph Smith the prophet received the
gold plates from the Hand of the Angel Moroni from which He
translated the Book of Mormon And it will be 28 years the
6^th day of next April since the first Branch of the Church of
Jesus Christ was organized upon the Earth containing 6 members
This little Branch of the Church like a small mustard seed has
been nourished by the hand of God through all of its difficulties
afflictions and persecutions, untill it is becoming the greatest off
all herbs according to the parable of the Saviour who refered to
it. It has continued to grow and flourish in the midst of a
strong warfare and opposition of wicked men and Devils
Untill it is growing into a kingdom in the midst of these moun-
tains and Everlasting Hills as spoken of by Daniel and other
Prophets. The Church and kingdom of God has had to wade
through a scenery of persecution oppression and Blood inflicted
upon her by the inhabitants of the United States from its first
commencement up to the present time untill many have been slain
and martered for their religion including the Prophet Joseph
who was the founder of the Church in this dispensation who was
shot in Carthage Jail with his Brother Hiram by a wicked and
hellish mob. As the Church has increased so has the opposition
increased against it untill the inhabitants of cities, towns,
counties and states rihave ^a^risen up in their wrath determined
to destroy the saints of God from off the Earth. The governors
rulers and people have all been united in this persecution and
inasmuch as the Saints of God continued to grow and thrive the
whole United States Government with President James Buca
Buchannan at there head have sent an Army of 2500 men
to lay a foundation for our destruction. The Saints of God have
prayed that the Lord would hedge up their way that they could
not come into our valley to shed our Blood or that we need not
shed their Blood and the Lord has heard the prayers of his saints
and has hedged up their way they came as far as Forts Bridger
& supply on the East side of the mountains and there have to remain
for the winter while we are still enjoying our homes and Firesides
in peace to all human appearance that Great Nation the
United States with 25000000 of souls are determined to
Expend their treasures & use their force for the Destruction
of the Church and kingdom of God from of the Earth who
are now dwelling in thes vallies of the mountains. But we trust