Why will not the government and people tof these States become acquainted with these Records? They are published among them for this purpose.
They would then begin to know and understand what was to be done with these remnants, and what part they have to act in the great restitution of Israel, and of the kingdom of God. They would also know the object of the labors, and the final destiny of the Latter-day Saints as a Church and people. And this very subject has been a source of wonder and conjecture, and sometimes even of anxiety among the [p.12] people, ever since the first organization of the Saints in the year 1830.
And more than all this, they would know the destiny of this Republic, and of all other Governments, States, or Republics in America—and the purpose of God in relation to this continent, from the earliest ages of antiquity, till the present, and from this time forth till the heavens and the earth shall pass away, and be created anew. All these subjects are made plain in these ancient Records, and are rolling on in fulfilment.
If the rulers and people will now inform themselves on these momentous subjects, and fulfil the duties we have just pointed out to them, they will then be entitled to a continuation of the great national blessings and favors they have heretofore enjoyed; yea, and to more abundant favors from His bountiful hand, who first raised them to national greatness. They will in that case be prospered and enlarged, and spread their dominion wide and more wide over this vast country, till not only Texas and Oregon, but the whole vast dominion from sea to sea, will be joined with them, and come under their protection as one great, powerful and peaceful empire of Liberty and Union. Millions of people would also come from all nations, their silver and their gold with them, and would take protection under our banner, till in less than half a century from the present time we would have upwards of a hundred millions of population, all united and free, while civilisation, arts, cultivation and improvement would extend to the most wild regions of our continent, making our “wilderness like Eden and our deserts like the garden of the Lord.” Or, if they will go still further, and obey the fulness of the gospel, they would then be entitled, not only to temporal blessings, but to the gifts of the Holy Spirit, and thus be prepared to receive their king, Messiah, and to dwell for ever under his peaceful government in this happy country.
But, so long as they remain indifferent and ignorant on these subjects, and so long as they continue to breathe out slanders, lies, hatred and murder against the Saints and against the [p.13] remnants of Israel, and to speak evil of and oppose the things which they understand not, so long the blood of the Saints and of the martyrs of Jesus must continue to flow, and the souls to cry from under the altar for vengeance on a guilty land, till the great Messiah shall execute judgment for the Saints, and give them the dominion.
It is in vain to suppose that the sword, the musket, the thunder of cannon, or the grating and rattle of chains, bolts and bars, will take away the faith, hope or knowledge of a Latter-day Saint. They know some facts—and these will continue to be known facts when death and war in their most horrid forms are raging around them. They cannot shut their eyes upon these facts to please either governors, rulers, or the raging multitude.
We would now make a solemn appeal to our rulers and other fellow-citizens, whether it is treason to know? or even to publish what we know? If it is, then strike the murderous blow, but listen to what we say.
We say, then, in life or in death, in bonds or free, that the great God has spoken in this age.—And we know it.
He has given us the Holy Priesthood and Apostleship, and the keys of the kingdom of God, to bring about the restoration of all things as promised by the holy prophets of old.—And we know it.
He has revealed the origin and the Records of the aboriginal tribes of America, and their future destiny.—And we know it.