[Patriarchal Blessings] [Patriarchal Blessing of Robert Campbell on May 7, 1845]
A blessing by John Smith Patriarch upon the head of Robert Campbell son of Alexander and Agnes Campbell born in Kilbarchan Renfrewshire Scotland 21st Jany 1825.
Brother Robert I lay my hands upon thy head in the name of Jesus Christ by the authority of the Priesthood I seal a father[']s blessing upon thee. Thou hast left they [thy] native land for the Gospel[']s sake and all thy former friends and crossed the mighty waters to dwell with the Saints which thing is pleasing unto the Lord and he hath many blessings in store for thee, thou art called to preach the Gospel to the nations of the earth, and it is left to thy choice where thou wilt go, nevertheless thou shalt prosper in thy labours, bring many to a knowledge of the truth, baptize and lead them to Zion, the Angel of the Lord shall go before thee to clear thy way, and shall defend thee deliver thee from all thine enemies and not a hair of thy head shall fall to the ground by their hands and no power on earth shall prevail against thee, thous [thou] shalt have power to do any miracle that will enable thee to fulfil[l] thy mission honorably, thou shalt bring thy thousands to Zio
n with much riches and establish them in the cities of the Saints, thou shalt have a Companion to assist thee in all thy labours, thou shalt have a numerous posterity to keep thy name in remembrance, thou shalt possess all the riches of heaven and earth, share in all the glory the Lord hath in store for the Saints, live till your satisfied with life, even to see the winding up scene of this generation stand on the earth with the Savior and reign with him a thousand years being clothed with all the power of the Priesthood. I seal these blessings upon thy head if thy faith does not fail and I seal you up to eternal life because thou art of the house and lineage of Joseph and of the blood of Ephraim even so Amen. (1)
-- May 7, 1845, Wednesday
[William Clayton Writings] Wednesday 7th. ... Evening met with the following brethren at Dr Richards for prayer being clothed &c. viz. B. Young, J. Taylor, W. Richards, G.A. Smith, A. Lyman, N.K. Whitney, L. Richards, Brother Kimball came in at the close of the meeting. We had a very pleasant time. The chief subjects were to pray that the Lord would hedge up the way of the mob so that they may have no power over us during court. Also that the Lord would hedge up the way of John Greenhow that he may not have power or influence to go to England and publish the book of Doctrine and covenants. Petitions were also offered for brother Miller & others who are sick. It was also agreed to send a letter to Er Woodruff in England and warn him to forestall Greenhow and get out a copy right for the Doctrine & Covenants before him. (2)
[William Clayton Writings] ``The works of the Temple progress very rapidly and there is a better feeling amongst the brethern than I ever saw,'' he wrote on May 7, 1845. ``Everything moves beautifully and harmoniously and the prayers of the saints ascend up daily that we may be sustained until the Temple and Nauvoo House are finished and the saints receive their endowment.'' (2)
-- May 8, 1845
[Anointed Quorum] Thursday evening prayer circle of "Holy Order" with Brigham Young, Heber C. Kimball, Willard Richards, John Taylor, George A. Smith, Amasa M. Lyman, Orson Pratt, John E. Page, Newel K. Whitney, Levi Richards, Joseph Young, and William Clayton at Willard Richards's office . (3)
Letter to Elder Woodruff in England-- The original of this letter is on file in the Church Historians Office. The first paragraph restates the principles concerning government expressed in the LDS twelfth Article of Faith: "We believe in being subject to kings, presidents, rulers, etc. . ." and Section 134 of the Doctrine and Covenants, the L.D.S. "Declaration of Belief regarding Governments and Laws in general." For additional background see CHC 2459-460.
COUNCIL'S LETTER to Elder Wilford Woodruff-England It is a part of our religion to support, any government, wherever we may be, that will protect us in common with other citizens; for, to this end governments are instituted; and as England has ever been true and faithful to us, as a people in common with others, the elders cannot be too particular to enjoin on all the saints to yield obedience to the laws, and respect every man in his office, letting politics wholly, entirely and absolutely alone, and preach the principles of the gospel of salvation; for to this end were they ordained and sent forth. We are for peace, we want no contention with any person or government, and should war commence between England and America, it will probably be wisdom for you and all the American elders to return immediately home, and leave all parties to fight their own battles. * *
The stones are in rapid progress for the new font [i. e. of the Temple]. The wall for the foundation of the pickets or railing around the Temple block, and the block west of the Temple (to be in one) is also commenced. The bricks are making for the Nauvoo House: one hundred and forty thousand feet of pine timber was received last Saturday for our public buildings; another raft is expected soon and we anticipate they will be enclosed early in the fall. Immigration has been greater than usual his season; perfect peace and union prevail. It is also a time of health.
We have thought it would be very agreeable to the feelings of the English saints to furnish a bell for the Temple, if this is their pleasure you can forward it the first conveyance, and we will have it hung as the building is going up. We are but little acquainted with the weight of bells; we have thought of two thousand pounds weight, but we leave this to your judgment; we want one that can be heard night or day.
We forward you with this in a package a letter of attorney constituting you an agent to transact all necessary business for the church in the United Kingdom of Great Britain, and on the continent of Europe.
5-May 10-No available copy of this Message has been located. It is a communication from the Quorum of the Twelve-To All Men. {1845-May 8-DHC 7:407-408} (4)
Footnotes:
1 - Patriarchal Blessings
2 - 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
3 - Quinn, D. Michael, The Mormon Hierarchy: Origins of Power, Signature Books, 1994, Appendex: Meetings and Initiations of the Anointed Quorum, 1842-45, http://amzn.to/origins-power
4 - Clark, James R., Messages of the First Presidency (6 volumes)
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