[William Clayton Writings] On Friday, May 16th, a little after two o'clock, p.m. having been notified, I went on the temple and sat down on the top of the south-west corner stairway, on the highest part of the stone work. I then watched Brother Player set the last star, being on the west end and the second one from the south-west corner. It was set at exactly three o'clock, p.m.
At this time the carpenters were very busy raising the timbers for the upper floor of the temple, having them all framed and quite a large amount was already upon the walls and body of the building. (1)
-- May 17, 1845
General Letter from the Twelve-- The original of this General Letter to the Church is on file in the Church Historians Office.
Brigham Young and members of the Quorum of the Twelve were in temporary "retirement" at Edward Hunter's where they had gone to avoid certain writs that had been falsely issued against them. They spent their time in retirement reading and revising the History of the Church. This may account for the "newly discovered letters of the Prophet" Joseph Smith which are included in this message. For additional background see: DHC 7:408-409.
GENERAL LETTER of the Twelve to the Church from their Retirement. Point Clear, Steamboat under way, one o'clock Saturday morning, May 17, 1845. To the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the City of Joseph-Greeting: Beloved Brethren: Our whole souls bless you; and we are happy in the privilege of communicating to you a few thoughts. Much more would we rejoice were it our privilege to be in your midst the coming Sabbath and tell you all that is in our hearts; but we are pilgrims in a world of sorrow and woe. In our journeyings to proclaim the gospel and bring about salvation to the honest in heart, God is with us and we prosper; though weary, we are not cast down nor discouraged, for we know that victory is with the upright.
We are happy to hear of the great union and love manifested at your recent fast, which also the Spirit bore witness of to us, and of your liberality towards the poor, and may the abundance which you have so liberally contributed in your penury in dealing your bread to the hungry be the omen of an abundant harvest of the fruits of the earth into your granaries the present and all future seasons.
Since we commenced our journey we have discovered some letters from Brother Joseph Smith to Bishop Partridge from which we extract the following for your edification and instruction:
MESSAGE OF NEWLY DISCOVERED LETTERS OF THE PROPHET ON CONSECRATION
I proceed to answer your questions concerning the consecration of property. First, it is not right to condescend to very great particulars in taking inventories. The fact is this, a man is bound by the law of the church, to consecrate to the bishop, before he can be considered a legal heir to the kingdom of Zion; and this too without constraint; and unless he does this, he cannot be acknowledged before the Lord, on the church book: therefore to condescend to particulars, I will tell you that every man must be his own judge how much he should receive, and how much he should suffer to remain in the hands of the bishop. I speak of those who consecrate more than they need for the support of themselves and their families.
The matter of consecration must be done by the mutual consent of both parties; for to give the bishop power to say how much every man shall have, and he be obliged to comply with the bishop's judgment is giving to the bishop more power than a king has; and upon the other hand, to let every man say how much he needs and the bishop be obliged to comply with his judgment is to throw Zion into confusion and make a slave of the bishops. The fact is, there must be a balance or equilibrium of power, between the bishop and the people; and thus harmony and good-will will be preserved among you.
THE PRINCIPLE OF FASTS DEFINED
Let this be an ensample to all saints, and there will never be any lack for bread: When the poor are starving, let those who have, fast one day and give what they otherwise would have eaten to the bishops for the poor, and every one will abound for a long time; and this is one great and important principle of fasts approved of the Lord. And so long as the saints will all live to this principle with glad hearts and cheerful countenances they will always have an abundance.
We will give you another extract from the same author in a letter to Elder Phelps when in Zion:
FATE OF THE SONS OF PERDITION NOT REVEALED
Say to the brethren Hulets and to all others that the Lord never authorized them to say that the devil, or his angels, or the sons of perdition should ever be restored; for their state of destiny was not revealed to man is not revealed, nor ever shall be revealed save to those who are made partakers thereof; consequently those who teach this doctrine have not received it of the Spirit of the Lord. Truly Brother Oliver declared it to be the doctrine of devils. We, therefore, command that this doctrine be taught no more in Zion. We sanction the decision of the bishop and his council in relation to this doctrine being a bar of communion.
Let this extract remind the elders and all saints that a wise head keeps a still tongue. And that it is far better many times for men, yes and women too, to forget all they know, than to tell all they know. And better still to forget than to tell some great things which they do not know. Probably the elders in Zion know about as much about the devil's being redeemed, as the elders know about the great God of the Gods, of the God of this world, which some have spoken of, concerning which they know nothing. There are Lords many and Gods many. But who are they, and what their relation to us, or this earth? Who can answer? This is a subject not revealed, therefore let the elders be silent concerning it. And who knows anything about our suffering in this world for sins committed in a former state of existence? Let him who had the answer by revelation speak: and if no such revelation exists, let this subject also live where it belongs in eternal forgetfulness to the ignorant until
they shall be instructed from the right source.
Wisdom is justified of her children, therefore beloved brethren be wise and live up to the holy religion which you profess-to mind your own business and let your neighbors alone. Plant your gardens and till your farms; acknowledge your heavenly Father in all things; continue to raise up his house; walk humbly before him; watch and pray without ceasing; for ye know not what hour the thief will come. But be ye sure of this the thief will never come while he sees the good man of the house watching for him.
If ye are one, says Jesus, then are ye mine, and whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name he will give it unto you. Then brethren continue to be one and ask unceasingly and God will deliver you from all your enemies, break the oppressors power and continue peace in the beloved city. Brethren pray for us that we may be prospered on our journey, and be returned to the saints in peace and safety when we shall have completed our mission. We bless you and praying the God of our fathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob to bless you with every blessing even unto everlasting life and salvation in his presence in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen. {1845-May 17-DHC 7:412-414} (2)
Footnotes:
1 - Fillerup, Robert C., compiler; William Clayton Nauvoo Diaries and Personal Writings, A chronological compilation of the personal writings of William Clayton while he was a resident of Nauvoo, Illinois. http://www.boap.org/LDS/Early-Saints/clayton-diaries
2 - Clark, James R., Messages of the First Presidency (6 volumes)
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