Latter Day Saints' Messenger and Advocate/Volume 2/Number 12/Editorials

Editorials
KIRTLAND, OHIO, SEPT, 1836.

This number of the Messenger and Advocate closes the 2d volume, and we hope our numerous friends and patrons, who have not already forwarded their names and subscription money, for the next Volume, or made a special contract to that effect, will do so, on or before the first week in Oct. at which time we intend to issue our first number of the 3d Volume. Such as are in arrears to us for papers and do not cancel our present demand, nor comply with the above notice, by letter (post paid) or through the medium of friends here, may reasonably expect their names to be stricken from our Subscription List.

By a letter recently received from the west, we learn that our brethren are still in trouble. Our enemies, and even brethren who are weak in the faith, may be ready to conclude God would never call people to suffer such persecution and privations in his cause. We say he always chastises his saints for their disobedience to his will when they know what it is. We have in this month's paper published an extract from a revelation given on the subject of the gathering of the saints: those, who are disposed, may read it and then they will be able to judge how far short, those moving to the west have fallen of keeping the commandments given them.

We have preceded the extract above named with such remarks as then hastily occurred to our minds, which will be found in another column, but we hardly feel to dismiss the subject, without once and again urging upon our brethren who are about to remove to the west, to strictly keep the commandments which have been given.—Do not leave the homes you have until you can send or carry means to purchase others, or have friends to procure them for you.

The excitement is still great among our enemies and nothing but, the restraining power of God hinders them from exterminating the whole of our brethren at a blow, they are denied the privileges of common citizens, and are continually at the mercy of a lawless mob, who are as ruthless, to say the least as the Savage of the Rocky Mountains. Some of our enemies are doubtless desperate in their hostility through fear, of the great numbers that emigrate to that country, and the false rumors that circulate concerning them. These things are natural, and to be expected while so much wickedness and perversity of sentiment prevails as now actuates the hearts of the children of men. We hope the saints will be wise and prudent and know of a surety that the hand of God is in all these things. He suffers the wicked to afflict you for your benefit, while they are oppressing and tyrannizing over you, they are filling up the measure of their iniquity and ripening for destruction. One word more and we have done; if you are suffering for your transgressions, it should excite humility and reformation; but if you suffer for righteousness' sake, your very sufferings "shall work out for you a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory."

Several deaths have occurred in our town since we issued our last number of the Messenger and Advocate. Some of them have been in families that patronize our paper, and surviving friends may expect we shall give an obituary notice. But we think they can have no claim on us, unless they make their request to us, and furnish the particulars relative to the decease of their friends.

Extract from the Book of Covenants
We have published below the 9th and 10th paragraphs of a revelation given in Dec. 1833 and now published in the 238 and 239 pages of the book of doctrine and covenants. We have published said paragraphs, for the instruction and understanding of those who have never read said revelation. Many are ready to cry out against the Saints, and murmur against the dealings of God with his people. But from only once reading of those paragraphs, it will be seen, that in scarcely a single instance has the commands of God been heeded. The Saints have neglected the necessary preparation beforehand; they have not sent up their wise men with money to purchase land, but the rich have generally staid back and with held their money, while the poor have gone first and without money. Under these circumstances what could be expected but the appalling scene that now presents itself? The Lord always chastises his people, the people to whom he gives immediate revelation, more quickly, and apparently more severely for their transgressions, than he does those who disregard all revelation. We do hope the saints here and elsewhere; will learn humility, wisdom and obedience by the things which their brethren in the West now have to suffer.

Again, verily say unto you, I will show unto you wisdom in me concerning all the churches, inasmuch as they are willing to be guided in a right and proper way for their salvation, that the work of the gathering together of my saints may continue, that I may build them up unto my name upon holy places; for the time of harvest has come, and my word must needs be fulfilled. Therefore, I must gather together my people according to the parable of the wheat and the tares, that the wheat may be secured in that garners to possess eternal life, and be crowned with celestial glory when I shall come in the kingdom of my Father, to reward every man according to his works shall be, while the tares shall be bound in bundles, and their bands made strong, that they may be burned with unquenchable fire. Therefore, a commandment I give unto all the churches, that they shall continue to gather together unto the place which I have appointed; nevertheless, as I have said unto you in a former commandment, let not your gathering be in haste, nor by flight; but let all things, be prepared before you, and in order that all things be prepared before you, observe tde [the] commandments which I have given concerning these things, which saith, or teacheth, to purchase all the lands by money, which can be purchased for money, in the regions round about the land which I have appointed to be the land of Zion, for the beginning of the gathering of my saints: all the land which can be purchased in Jackson county, and the counties round about, and leave the residue in mine hand.

Now verily I say unto you, let all the churches gather together all their moneys; let these things be done in their time, be not in haste and observe to have all things prepared before you. And let honorable men be appointed, even wise men, and send them to purchase these lands; and every church in the eastern countries when they are built up, if they will hearken unto this counsel, they may buy lands and gather together upon them, and in this way they may establish Zion. There is even now already in store a sufficient; yea, even abundance to redeem Zion, and establish her waste places no more to be thrown down, were the churches, who call themselves after my name willing to hearken to my voice. And, again I say unto you, those who have been scattered by their enemies, it is my will that they should continue to importune for redress, and redemption, by the hands of those who are placed as rulers, and are in authority over you, according to the laws and constitution of the people which I have suffered to be established, and should be maintained for the rights and protection of all flesh, according to the moral agency which I have given unto them, that every man may be accountable for his own sins in the day of judgment, therefore it is not right that any man should be in bondage one to another. And for this purpose have I established the Constitution of this land, by the hands of wise men whom I raised up unto this very purpose, and redeemed the land by the shedding of blood.

Notice regarding David B. Gilbert
We are under the painful necessity of saying to the branches of the church of Latter Day Saints abroad, as well as to all good people to whom this notice may come, that David B. Gilbert a Botanic practitioner of medicine, was regularly received into the church in this place, and after obtaining the almost unlimited confidence of said church through the influence of some of the official members, he has in a shameful, and wicked manner, forfeited all confidence, by involving himself in debt deeply, borrowing money, and it is more than suspected, and he has stolen some and has now absconded to parts unknown. Said Gilbert is about five feet eight inches high, slim built, ruddy complexion, dark eyes; and walks rather slow for a man of his years, being, as we judge, about 28. One hundred dollars reward is offered for his apprehension and return to this place. We have withdrawn all fellowship from him, and hope such base ingratitude and consummate villa[i]ny will ere long be overtaken by even-handed justice, and be brought to condign punishment.

Extract of a letter from a sympathetic Christian
We insert below an extract of a letter from one of our numerous patrons in this State, that our readers may see the difference there is in the minds of men that are actuated by principles of humanity and common sense, divested of prejudice and the minds of those who believe in a particular creed and virtually deny the bible.

“Although I am not a believer in the Book of Mormon, I have charity to believe the followers of your faith honest, and sincere as other professing christians—and while persecution follows the profession of an honest faith I am its defender—It is not less strange, than true, and no less true than strange, that the persecutions of any age, since the establishment of christianity in America at least, have been believers in some creed, who have persecuted those who did not believe as they did, or who did not believe as they did, or who might believe a little too much for the orthodox standard—Christians persecuting christians have been the strange comment on that text "see how these Christians love one another"—Your sect is now taking its turn—I hope in God it may never be the persecutor.—

I am what the Christian world calls an Infidel;—because I am tolerant to all sects, and embrace none, but oppose the persecuting, and defend the per[s]ecuted let their faith be what it may.—

Such are my feelings, and views on this subject and, of course, am the friend of the persecuted Mormon—You will therefore accept the enclosed, and continue to send me your paper, and let me know when my second year closes.—

Respectfully Yours.