apostasy
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When I closed, Mr. Randolph Alex- ander, who had never heard a "Mor- mon" Elder speak before, said, the people of the present day made him think of a pen of hogs; the keeper would make a trough, and pour into it hot or cold water, dish water, or anything else, and they would drink it; but let a stranger come along, and pour over a basket of corn on the back side of the pen, and the hogs would be frightened, and run and snort all over the pen. He said it was so with the people; the priests would feed them with any kind of doctrine, no matter how false, the people will swallow it down; but let a stranger come and preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ, which will save the people, as Mr. Woodruff has done, and the peo- ple are afraid of him.
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(I had a dream which I will here relate I saw a fruit tree, & I went into the tree in search of fruit. I soon discovered that some of the main branches on ^the^ top g^r^oing from the main body was dead; It seemed necessary to cut off the dead branches in order to save the tree so I told some person to help me cut them off & they steped on to a large green limb they were afraid it would break, so I put my sholder under it & held it up while he cut off the dead branches it cracked the green limb but it did not break. after we cut of[f] the dry limbs the wounds healed up and the tree grew finely) now let us cut of the dead bran ches of the Church that good fruit may grow and the voice will soon be herd go and build Zion and the great Temple of the Lord.
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The Home was lyted by 3 chandeliers with 12 lights in each lighthed with gass there were some 1500 people present. Mr Barrett pledged him- self to prove th Book of Mormon false & water baptism ^not^ essential to Salvation while Brother Cordon pleged himself to prove the Book of Mormon true & water baptism essential to Salvation. As Mr Barrytt arose & declyaired to the Assembly that he would prove the Book of Mormon false & water baptism not essential to Salvation 4 glass chimneys in each of the chanderliers burst
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But their has been a great difficulty in getting anything into the heads of this generation it has been like splitting hemlock knots with a corn doger for a wedge & a pumpkin for a beetle; even the saints are slow to understand I have tried for a number of years to get the minds of the saints prepared to recieve the things of God, but we freequently see some of them after suffering all they have for the work of God will fly to peaces like glass as soon as any thing comes that is contrary to their traditions, they cannot stand the fire all at all. How many will be able to abide a celestial law & go through & recieve their exhaltation I am unable to say but many are called & few are chosen
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O ye Twelve and all saints, profit by this important key [FIGURE] that in all your trials, troubles, & temptations, afflictions bonds imprisionment & death see to it that you do not betray heaven, that you do not betray Jesus Christ, that you do not betray your Brethren, & that you do not betray the revela tions of God whether in the bible, Book of Mormon, or Doctrine & Covenants or any of the word of God. yea in all your kicking, & floundering see to it that you do not this thing lest innocent blood be found in your skirts & you go down to hell. We may ever know by this sign that there is danger of our being led to a fall & aposticy, when we give way to the devil so as to neglect the first known duty but whatever you do do not betray your Friend
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I have not any doubt but that the apostates will join with the others wicked powers to try to put down the power of God. and I am glad to have the power of the kingdom of God tested & when it is fully tried it will stand, I care not what sacrifice I am called to make for such a kingdom, if its friends, welth or even life at the purchase of such a kingdom it is cheap, did the ancient Apostles, Prophets or Saints who died pay two much for that kingdom they did not.
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Men will say I will never forsake you but will stand by you at all times but the moment you teach them some of the mysteries of God that are retained in the heavens and are to be revealed to the children of men when they are prepared, They will be the first to stone you & put you to death. It was the same principle that crusified the Lord Jesus Christ.
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when the Father appointed Jesus Christ the first born to come & redeem the Earth there was contention got up the second brother Lucipher the son of the morning He wanted the honour to come & redeem the Earth but Christ was the Appointed one it was his right by appoin tment & birthright. But the war & contention became so hot & the influence of Lucipher was so great that he got one third of the hosts of Heaven to Join his standard & when he was hurled down to Hell like lightning from Heaven one third was cast down with him whare is he & those that were cast down, with those spirts that accompanied him they are here on this Earth and they have blinded the child ren of men & still seeking to overthrow the kingdom of God He is a thorn in the flesh to the children of God but this is all right & we should be contented with what God sees fit to grant unto us & to contented with our lot. If the devil had been contented & acted in his place he would not have been thrust down to Hell. Any man who seeks to do a thing that he cannot do & should not do it cast him into Hell & makes a Hell for him when men ask for things that does not belong to him & it makes him unhappy.
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Do the Latter day Saints wish the Nations of the Earth any Evil No we would save them all if we could. But it was a mercy anciently to cut off the wicked from the Earth that their posterity should not inherit the Earth to follow the wickedness of their fathers Gog & Magog will ere long gather to fight against the Saints of the Lamb of God and when hope is almost fled Christ will come and End the scenery.
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what is there here in this valley that should hendor this people from being happy I am happy because I do not fret about any thing that I cannot do. I wont fret about any thing what henders your praying & praising God No body but your own selves if you are seeking to weed your neighbors garden you will have business enough. but this is a happy people I wish they would prize their blessings. You have not got to mourn as did the Ancients because their children would Apostitise turn from God & be cursed Our children will not Apostitze they will not have time but will have all they can do to perform the work of God as it rolls upon them to prepare the kingdom for the coming of Christ gather up the Nations &c Then be happy & do the things required of you
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Excerpt:December 21, 1857 ~ Monday Dec 21st Monday I met with the Legislative council most of the time in the Joint session. Resolutions were offerd upon the merits of the Govornors Message which resolutions were like a Declaration of independance against wicked and ungodly men this drew speeches from John Taylor G. A. Smith W. Woodruff O. Hyde, H. Stout, Bishop Rowberry J. C. Litle W W Phelps &c many ...
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Excerpt:at the public works finished an anchor weighing 330 lbs for his boat. The Bishops of the various Wards are making their calculations to finish off the Canal this Spring, so that the waters of the Big Cottonwood can be used on our farming land and in the city. The reformation is progressing throughout this city and Territory with great interest; President Young has given much valuable information during the winter to both the Elders and people. The Spirit and ...
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Excerpt:I consider that is such a case the Lord would order it for Esstablishing stakes in some part of Zion & opening a way for the Delverance of his people. For surely the day has come for the Lord to begin to Favor Zion in some way, But my present feelings are that the Saints are in still in Nauvoo & if I was to Judge from my feelings During the Last week past, I should almost thnk that the Endowment had commenced But I have felt & still feel that the Lord will give the ...
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Excerpt:October 4, 1873 ~ Saturday Oct 4, 1873 We had more at the fair to day & at the races October 5, 1873 ~ Sunday 5 Sunday The Twelve & many of the saints are in from abroad we met at the Tabernacle at 10 oclok a small congregation in the forenoon. O Hyde spoke 55 Minuts F D Richards 24. Afternoon Erastus Snow spoke 1 Hour & 14 Minuts on the subject of Baptism ...
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Excerpt:Jan 1, 1877 for visiting Bishops and for the Priests Teachers and Deacons allso the ceilings and cornices the arch and its centre peaces its cornices above the columns with the guilded stars and other devices and ornamentation thereof, also the windows with the frames sash glass putty and fastnings that they may afford light in this appartment. also the inner and outer doors with all their hangings locks and fastnings, the seats dressing rooms partitions curtains and Veil, the Stove, utensils and the all things to be used herein with all Wood Iron Brass Nails screws ...
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Excerpt:2 the Lord and have been ordained unto the Holy Priesthood. if you are living your religion and Enjoying the spirit of inspiration which is your Duty you know as God Lives, that Joseph Smith was a prophet of God, that He received the Administration of Angels, that He brought forth the Book of Mormon and translated it By the power of God. you know He received the fulness of the Everlasting Gospel, and the Holy Priesthood, and Apostleship, and ...
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Excerpt:12 The Lord has raised up Prophets And Apostles who have cryed aloud to this Generation with the proc- lamation of the gospel for half a centaury and warned them of the Judgments which were to come, And the inhabitants of the Earth have rejected this Testimony and shed the Blood of the Lords Anointed, and persecuted the Saints of God, And the consequence is that darkness covers the Earth, and gross darkness the people and the Lord is withholding his spirit from the inhabitants of the Earth and the Devil ...
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Excerpt:Manchester Jany 28, 1840 Beloved bro Richards, I recieved yours of the 25th on Sunday together with one from sister Clayton. I am informed that my family is tolerably well for which I roejoice. I had intended to answer your letter yesterday but I concluded to wait. I thank you for the council contained in your last. Have not said any thing to the council concerning bro Arthurs case, but I think I shall have to do it yet. He seems to grow worse, last night ...
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Excerpt:there is much Excitement here about California and I wish you would tel me your opinion on the subject and also give me your council in regard to myself considering my poverty at the same time for I desire to do the will of the Lord in all things if I ever come to England again I hope I Shall be able to take many of the Saints back with me to the places of Gathering I have many things to say to you cannot say them all this time ...
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Excerpt:Saint Louis Septr 12th 1848 Brother W. Woodruff The foregoing in a copy of a letter sent to England by Brother Levi Richards and have taken the opportunity of presenting the same to you that you might understand the arrangement made there. Brother Philo Dibble's Sceneries Museum &c Beloved brethren Orson Pratt and Osrson Spencer. Levi Richards to England affords me an opportunity of addressing you upon a subject the interest of which I know lies very near your ...