[2]. "Whoso receiveth you receiveth me, and the same will clothe you and give you money. And he who feeds you, or clothes you or gives you money, shall in no wise lose his reward: and he who doeth not these things is not my disciple; by this you may know my disciples." (Doc. & Cov., sec. lxxxiv.)
CHAPTER XXVII.
Official Denunciation of Thieves at Nauvoo—The Moral Law of the Church—Abandonment of Ramus as a Stake of Zion—Baptism for the Dead, an Epistle.
Wednesday, 24.—Elder Joseph Fielding, who sailed from Liverpool, on the Tyrean, with 204 Saints, arrived at Warsaw with his company; and Elders Willard Richards and John Taylor went to meet them and to give such counsel as their situation required.
Friday, 26.
Affidavit of Hyrum Smith—Denouncing Theft.
Whereas it hath been intimated to me by persons of credibility that there are persons in the surrounding country, who profess to be members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, who have been using their influence and endeavors to instil into the minds of good and worthy citizens in the state of Illinois, and the adjoining states, that the First Presidency, and others in authority and high standing in said Church, do sanction and approbate the members of said Church in stealing property from those persons who do not belong to said Church, and thereby to induce persons to aid and abet them in the act of stealing, and other evil practices; I therefore, hereby disavow any sanction or approbation by me, of the crime of theft, or any other evil practice, in any person or persons whatever, whereby either the lives or property of our fellow men may be unlawfully taken or molested; neither are such things sanctioned or approbated by the First Presidency, or any other person in authority or good standing in said Church, but such acts are altogether in violation of the rules, order, and regulations of the Church, contrary to the teachings given in said Church, and the laws of both God and man. I caution the unwary, who belong to the aforesaid Church, and all other persons, against being duped or led into any act or scheme which may endanger their character, lives, or property, or bring reproach upon the Church; and I certify that I hold my person and property ready to support the laws of the land, in the detection of any person or persons who may commit any breach of the same. To which I subscribe my name, and testify, this 26th day of November, 1841.
Hyrum Smith.
Sworn to and subscribed before me this 26th day of November, 1841.
Ebenezer Robinson, J. P.
I attended city council and presented a bill for "an ordinance in relation to Hawkers, Pedlars, Public Shows, and Exhibitions, in order to prevent any immoral or obscene exhibition," which passed the council by unanimous vote.
The Prophet's Estimate of the Book of Mormon.
Sunday, 28.—I spent the day in the council with the Twelve Apostles at the house of President Young, conversing with them upon a variety of subjects. Brother Joseph Fielding was present, having been absent four years on a mission to England. I told the brethren that the Book of Mormon was the most correct of any book on earth, and the keystone of our religion, and a man would get nearer to God by abiding by its precepts, than by any other book.