Origin of the "Reorganized" Church and the Question of Succession

By Elder Joseph F. Smith, Jr.

Salt Lake City

1909

INTRODUCTION.

During the summer of 1906 and continuing until the summer of 1907, a number of Reorganite ministers who were engaged in missionary work in Salt Lake City and Ogden, were greatly encouraged by one or two apostates and the local anti-"Mormon" press. Their method of proselyting was of the usual nature, a tirade of abuse and false accusation hurled at the authorities of the Church. Encouraged by the anti-"Mormon" help, they became extremely vindictive in their references to President Brigham Young and the present Church authorities. Their sermons were so bitter and malignant—which has been the character of most of their work from the beginning, in Utah—that they raised considerable protest from many respectable citizens. Even non-"Mormons" declared that in no other community would such vicious attacks be tolerated. It appeared at times that these missionaries were attempting to provoke the "Mormon" people to some act of violence, that it might be seized upon and published to the world through the anti-"Mormon" press that they had been mobbed, and thus capital for their cause be made of it. Fortunately they were not molested to the credit of the people so constantly abused. One of these meetings was attended by a prominent gentleman from the East who was somewhat acquainted with Utah and her people, he said, in conversation with the writer a few days later, that never in his experience has he witnessed such a thing before. "If that fellow"—referring to a Reorganite who has since been promoted in his church—"should come to our town and abuse the ministers of our church, calling them murderers, thieves and liars, as he did Brigham Young and your churchmen, we would kick him off the streets."

While this agitation was going on, a number of the young people of Ogden appealed to their stake presidency asking that some reply to those assaults be made for the benefit of those who were not grounded in the faith, and in danger of being deceived. Acting on this request the presidency of the Weber Stake invited the writer to speak along these lines in the Ogden Tabernacle. The invitation was accepted and two discourses were delivered, the first, March 10, 1907, on the subject of the "Origin of the Reorganized Church," and the other April 28, 1907, on the question of "Succession." These remarks were subsequently published in the Deseret News, and many requests were received asking that they be published in pamphlet form, where they could be preserved by those who had to meet the ministers of the "Reorganization." An edition was therefore published in the summer of 1907, which has been disposed of, evidently without supplying the demand, for in the summer of 1909 the orders for the pamphlet were so great that is was deemed necessary to issue a second edition. In the meantime a reply appeared in the Saints' Herald, commencing with the issue of June 30, and ending that of July 21, 1909. This reply will be remembered more for the unfair way matters were treated and the fact that the greater part of the evidence was left untouched, than for any merit in the argument presented. Wherever it was deemed necessary, for the sake of those who may be deceived, answers are given in this work in footnote references to the argument set forth in the Reorganite "defense." However, there was nothing presented in the "defense" that really required any reply; by reading carefully the discourses mentioned, the ordinary reader can readily perceive the trickery, deception and sophistry, of the Reorganite reply.

Part one of this book contains the discourse delivered in Ogden on the "Origin of the 'Reorganized' Church;" part two contains the discourse on the "Succession in the Presidency," and part three deals with the most prominent differences existing between the Church and the "Reorganization," wherein they accuse us of departing from the doctrines of the Prophet Joseph Smith. This matter in part three is added by request of a number of parties who have had to meet the sophistry of the Reorganite missionaries.

This book is not put forth to replace any other work, neither with the idea that it will turn Reorganite ministers from the folly of their ways; but with the hope that some honest soul who have been deceived may see the light and embrace the truth, and that the feet of the weak may be strengthened in the path of righteousness that they may not falter on their way. Neither is it intended to be an exhaustive treatise in of the subjects it contains; the idea has been in the main, to present matters that have not been treated elsewhere.—J. F. S., Jr.

ORIGIN OF THE "REORGANIZED" CHURCH.

The Question of Rejection—Salvation for the Dead

* * * * *

Remarks made in the Weber Stake Tabernacle, Ogden City, March 10, 1907, by Elder Joseph F. Smith, Jr.

* * * * *

My beloved brethren and sisters and friends: The great majority of you who are assembled here today are, without doubt, members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and I suppose that most of you have a divine testimony of the truth of this latter-day work—the Gospel of Christ—which we have received. To you who have a testimony, my remarks shall not be addressed particularly, but if you will bear with me in what I have to say that I may be led to say something that will strengthen the faith of those who may be weak, or that will encourage those who have no faith at all, I will feel amply paid.

I am not here for the purpose of assailing any man for his religion, for we Latter-day Saints hold that every man is entitled to his religious views and should have the privilege of worshiping according to the dictates of his conscience, let him worship, how, where, or what he may. And we will protect him in this right. But we are opposed to the custom adopted by certain men who travel through the settlements of our people abusing the authorities of the Church, distorting our doctrines and defaming the dead, for the purpose of destroying the faith and confidence of the Latter-day Saints. Therefore in treating the subject of the "Reorganized" Church this afternoon, it will be in the spirit of self-defense.

We will first consider the statement made by the senior senator from Michigan, Mr. Burrows, in his speech delivered in the United States Senate on the 11th of last December. After stating that the membership of the Church at the martyrdom in 1844, was 50,000 adherents, he continues:

"The death of Joseph Smith in 1844, carried dismay and demoralization throughout the entire membership of the Mormon Church, scattering its adherents in divers directions and for the time being seemed to presage the complete overthrow and dissolution of the organization. Recovering, however, from the shock, the scattered bands soon reappeared in various parts of the country and promulgated their doctrines with increased zeal, and set to work to reassemble and reorganize their scattered forces, resulting finally in the formation of what is now known and recognized as the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, with headquarters at Lamoni, Iowa, and presided over by Joseph Smith, a son of the prophet."

He continues:

"During this period of disintegration one Brigham Young, who had identified himself with the 'Mormon Organization' as early as 1832, a man of indomitable will and undaunted courage, bold and unscrupulous, seized upon the occasion of the demoralization incident to the death of the prophet to place himself at the head of some 5,000 Mormons, and marching over desert and mountain, established himself with his adherents in the valley of Salt Lake, July 24, 1847, then Mexican territory, where he undoubtedly indulged the hope that the new doctrine of polygamy about to be publicly proclaimed by him might be promulgated with impunity and practiced and maintained without interference by the United States."^[1]

Now, this is not true. The senior senator from Michigan has here stated the position of the "Reorganized" Church as capably and clearly as any member of that sect could possibly have done, and in exactly the same way that they have stated it for the past forty-seven years. Why he was led to make such a statement he best may know, but it shows the careful coaching that he has received by members of the "Reorganized" Church in their opposition to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

In a pamphlet published by that organization in 1864, the following appears:

"The greater portion of the Church did not follow this Brigham Young, and in obedience to the revelation in relation to gathering, remained around about the land of Zion, waiting for the Lord to again reveal Himself; and today where there is one Saint who was in the Church in the days of Joseph the martyr, now associated with Brigham Young, there are ten of those old members standing aloof or rejoicing under the administration of the word of the Lord through his son Joseph."

SAINTS FOLLOWED PRESIDENT YOUNG.

And this is not true. Now I intend to show that at the martyrdom the Latter-day Saints followed President Brigham Young and the Twelve. And too, in accordance with divine revelation. For we learn in the Doctrine and Covenants that the quorum of Apostles is equal in authority with the First Presidency and it is their right to take the lead of Church affairs and the presidency in the absence of the First Presidency, or when that quorum is invaded by the death of the President of the Church.

At the time of the martyrdom the Church in and about Nauvoo, the headquarters, numbered not to exceed 20,000 souls. This information is based on the best possible authority. And while this was not all the Church membership in the United States, it was the great bulk of the Saints, as the following will show:

In the Times and Seasons, volume 2, page 274, in a "Proclamation to the Saints scattered abroad," and signed by the Presidency Joseph Smith, Sidney Rigdon, and Hyrum Smith, dated January 15, 1841, we read the following:

"The population of our city is increasing with unparalleled rapidity, numbering more than 3,000 inhabitants. Every facility is offered in the city and adjacent country, in Hancock county, for the successful prosecution of the mechanical arts, and the pleasing pursuits of agriculture. The waters of the Mississippi can be successfully used for manufacturing purposes, to an almost unlimited extent.

"Having been instrumental in the hands of our Heavenly Father in laying a foundation for the gathering of Zion, we would say, let all those who appreciate the blessings of the Gospel, and realize the importance of obeying the commandments of heaven, who have been blessed of heaven with the possession of this world's goods, first prepare for the general gathering, let them dispose of their effects as fast as circumstances will possibly admit, without making too great sacrifice, and remove to our city and county—establish and build up manufactories in the city, purchase and cultivate farms in the county—this will secure our permanent inheritance, and prepare the way for the gathering of the poor. This is agreeable to the order of heaven, and the only principle on which the gathering can be effected—let the rich, then, and all who can assist in establishing this place, make every preparation to come on without delay, and strengthen our hands, and assist in promoting the happiness of the Saints. This cannot be too forcibly impressed on the minds of all, and the elders are hereby instructed to proclaim this word in all places where the Saints reside, in their public administrations, for this is according to the instructions we have received from the Lord."

Now, this shows that the Saints "scattered abroad" were commanded of the Lord to gather at Nauvoo and in Hancock county, Illinois. It will go without saying that all the faithful Latter-day Saints would take advantage of this commandment and therefore the faithful Saints, or the great majority of them would soon be located at Nauvoo. Again in this same volume, page 434, we find another proclamation to the Saints abroad, signed by President Joseph Smith, in which he says:

"The First Presidency of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, anxious to promote the prosperity of said Church, feel it their duty to call upon the Saints who reside out of this county to make preparations to come in, without delay. This is important and should be attended to by all who feel an interest in the prosperity of this the corner stone of Zion. Here the Temple must be raised, the university be built, and other edifices erected which are necessary for the great work of the last days; and which can only be done by a concentration of energy and enterprise. Let it therefore be understood, that all the stakes, excepting those in this county and in Lee county, Iowa, are discontinued, and the Saints instructed to settle in this county as soon as circumstances will permit."

This was on May 24, 1841, and we find in the same volume, page 520, an epistle from the Twelve to the "Saints scattered abroad," in which the following is found:

"We say to all Saints who desire to do the will of heaven, arise, and tarry not, but come up hither to the places of gathering as speedily as possible, for the time is rapidly approaching when the Saints will have occasion to regret that they have so long neglected to assemble themselves together and stand in holy places awaiting those tremendous events which are so rapidly approaching the nations of the earth.

"It will be recollected that in a recent communication from the First Presidency, all places of gathering are discontinued, excepting Hancock county, Ill., and Zarahemla in Lee county, I. T., opposite Nauvoo."

At the conference of the Church held in October, 1841, Almon W. Babbitt was disfellowshipped for persuading Saints who were emigrating to Nauvoo to remain and build up Kirtland, Ohio, as the minutes say, "until such time as he shall make satisfaction." This shows how important this doctrine of gathering was. Therefore the great bulk of the Latter-day Saints, at the time of the martyrdom, were located at Nauvoo and its vicinity.

It is in order now to show that these Latter-day Saints sustained President Brigham Young and the Twelve.

On the 8th day of August, following the martyrdom, a special conference was held in Nauvoo at which time the claims of Sidney Rigdon and the rightful claim of the Twelve Apostles were presented for the vote of the Latter-day Saints. At this conference President Young, in addressing the Saints said:

"I will ask you as quorums, Do you want Brother Rigdon to stand forward as your leader, your guide, your spokesman? President Rigdon wants me to bring up the other question first, and that is, Does the Church want, and is it their only desire to sustain the Twelve as the First Presidency of this people? * * * * All that are in favor of this, in all the congregation of the Saints manifest it by holding up the right hand. (There was a universal vote.) If there are any of the contrary mind, every man and every woman who does not want the Twelve to preside, lift up your hands in like manner, (no hands up.) This supersedes the other question, and trying it by quorums." (History of the Church, Aug. 8, 1844.)

Also at the general conference held the following October the Apostles were again unanimously sustained by the vote of the Church as the presiding quorum and Presidency of the Church. (Times and Seasons, 5:692). Mark you this was by the unanimous vote of the Saints.^[2]

Now, in the exodus from Nauvoo these Saints—the great bulk of the Church, continued to be true and faithful and followed the Twelve Apostles.

Governor Thomas Ford, in his "History of Illinois," states that in 1846 there were 16,000 Church members with the Twelve on the plains of Iowa, while the 1,000 that remained, a small remnant, were those who were unable to sell their property, or who having no property to sell, were unable to get away. (History of "Reorganized" Church iii:164). And this remnant followed as soon as they were able.

In the census report for 1850—three years after the settlement of Salt Lake valley, we learn that the population of Utah was 11,380, all Mormons. That same year the population of Pottawattomie county, Iowa, was 7,828, all Mormons, the Latter-day Saints at Kanesville. Thus we see that 19,208 members of the Church who had followed President Brigham Young in the exodus from Nauvoo, were located at these two places. And that is not all, there were other settlements of the Saints at Garden Grove, Mount Pisgah, St. Louis, and other places where temporary settlements for the Saints were formed during that exodus. These also later gathered to Utah. Thus we see that almost the entire membership of the Church as it stood in 1844, is accounted for in the following of President Brigham Young and the Twelve. That the Church was not threatened with dissolution the following statistics will show—I have not at hand the increase of membership of the Church during that period in the United States, but the increase in Great Britain is as follows: In the year 1844, the population of the Church in the British Isles was 7,797. Six years after the martyrdom—December, 1850—that membership had increased to 30,747. This does not show much of a dissolution or falling away.

WHO FORSOOK THE CHURCH?

I do not intend to convey the idea that there was not a falling away, an apostasy, at the time of the martyrdom and the exodus from Nauvoo, for there were many who forsook the cause, but compared with the Church membership, they were but few. Who were they? Did the faithful Saints forsake the Church at that time? Did those who risked their lives—who were shot with the Prophet and Patriarch forsake the Church? No! We do not find the faithful Latter-day Saints, who had the Gospel rooted in their hearts turning away. Then who were those who forsook the cause? I will tell you.

In the parable of the sower the Savior said:

"Behold a sower went forth to sow; and when he sowed some seed fell by the wayside, and the fowls came and devoured them up. Some fell upon stony places where they had not much earth; and forthwith they sprung up, because they had no deepness of earth; and when the sun was up, they were scorched; and because they had no root, they withered away."

"But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that heareth the word, and anon with joy receiveth it; yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while; for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended."

"The Mormons as I saw them, though a majority, were but a portion of the Church as it flourished in Illinois. When the persecution triumphed there, and no alternative remained for the steadfast in the faith but the flight out of Egypt into the wilderness, as it was termed, all their fair weather friends forsook them." * * * * *

"So the Mormons have been as it were, broken and screened by calamity. Their designing leaders have left them to seek after fortunes elsewhere. Those that remain of the old stock are the masses, always honest in the main and sincere even in delusion; and their guides are a few tried and trusty men, little initiated in the plotting of synagogues, and more noted for services rendered than bounties received. They are the men whom I saw on the prairie trail, sharing sorrow with the sorrowful, and poverty with the poor; the chief of them all, a man of rare natural endowment, to whose masterly guidance they are mainly indebted for their present prosperity, driving his own ox team and carrying his sick child in his arms."

"Their camp [that is the camp of the exiles, the pioneers] is in the western part of Iowa, some 200 miles west of Nauvoo. Their situation according to our informant, is as miserable as it well could be. Their stock of provisions they took with them, is getting fast reduced, so much so, that they can proceed no further; neither can they go back. They are there without shelter, other than tents and wagons, and their tents so indifferent that they will not shed the rain, which has been incessantly falling since their arrival. In this awful condition is to be found the aged and infirm, the mother and tender infant. When our informant left, they were going to fence in some 300 or 400 acres of land, for the purpose of raising a crop of corn to try and preserve life. The remains of their furniture, which in part consists of beds and bedding, they are sending off to Missouri to exchange for corn and bacon to sustain life. * * * * This said Young professed to be a follower of Christ, and hold communion with Him, and to receive revelations from Him; but where are his pretensions now? He has got, according to our informant, some 800 or 1,000 people far into the wilds, without food, without shelter, and himself being judge, without object. * * * A state of wretchedness beyond this is not easily conceived of. Our informant says when he left, which was some three weeks since [and I may add that it is quite evident from this account why he left] the mud, by reason of the incessant rains, was six inches deep round their camp."

I suppose that there are some present this afternoon who realize the hardships through which the pioneers had to pass that tried men's souls and that only the faithful were able to endure.

I have now shown that the great majority of the Latter-day Saints followed President Brigham Young and were true to the Church. We get a good idea of the number who scattered from the testimony of William W. Blair.

FEW JOINED REORGANITES.

Of the members of the Church who were in fellowship in 1844-6, the "Reorganized" Church has received no more, and likely less than 1,000 converts, which fact shows that the apostasy was not so great in 1844-6 as has been stated by the Senator from Michigan and members of the "Reorganization." This statement is based on the testimony of William W. Blair, one of the original members of the "Reorganized" Church, as he testified before the United States court of appeals for the Western district of Missouri, in 1894, in the temple lot suit, which was for the possession of property in the hands of the "Church of Christ," or "Hedrickites."

Before that court Mr. Blair, who was for many years a member of the presidency of the "Reorganized" Church, testified that "1,000 was probably too high an estimate for the members of the original Church, that had joined the 'Reorganized' Church." He could "approximately say," that 1,000 had joined the "Reorganized" Church, and "possibly that estimate was too large." (Record pp. 180, 181).

ORIGIN OF "REORGANIZED" CHURCH.

We will now consider the origin of this "Reorganized" Church. Many people have been lead to believe that this society had its origin at the martyrdom, or immediately following the martyrdom. But this is not the fact. Properly it did not come into existence until 1860—16 years after the martyrdom, but the two men who were mainly responsible for the organization commenced their work in 1852-3. These men were Jason W. Briggs and Zenas H. Gurley. Perhaps a brief outline of their lives would be interesting.

Jason W. Briggs who was really the founder of the "Reorganized" Church, or, who perhaps did more than any other one man to bring about that sect, was born June 25, 1821, at Pompey, Onondaga county, N. Y. It is said he joined the Church at Potosi, Wis., about 1841, but most of the history of this man we get through the records of the "reorganization." His home was at Beloit, Wis., from 1842 to 1854.^[3] He remained with the Church under the leadership of President Young and the Twelve until the year 1846 (Reorg. Hist., 3:737). It is interesting to note in this regard that the exodus commenced February 4, 1846, so we are quite safe in saying that this man was one of "the fair weather friends."

After the exodus he joined James J. Strang, and in his organization labored in the ministry quite extensively (Reorganite History 3; 737), filling short missions to various parts of New York and in Wisconsin.

In September of 1849, with B. G. Wright, he organized the Waukesha branch of Mr. Strang's church (Hist. Reorganized Church, 3; 737-8). Now, remember this was in September, 1849, and the organization of this branch was in the Strangite church. About this same time he also organized the Beloit branch for the same organization.^[4]

In 1850 he left Mr. Strang's organization and joined with William Smith, who had himself been a follower of Mr. Strang until excommunicated from that organization. In William Smith's church Mr. Briggs accepted the position of "apostle;" but at the time of the disintegration of William Smith's church in 1851, he withdrew, and in 1852 joined with Zenas H. Gurley. These two men then organized what was called at the time the "New Organization of the Church," but today known as the "Reorganized" Church.

In 1886, together with the family of Zenas H. Gurley,^[5] Mr. Briggs withdrew from the "Reorganization," which he had begotten. (Saints' Herald, 33; 248-9). His reasons for withdrawing we will consider later.

Zenas H. Gurley was more active in the Church previous to the martyrdom. He was ordained a Seventy in Nauvoo in 1844, and when the Twenty-first quorum of Seventy was organized, April 6, 1845, he was chosen as the senior president, he being the oldest of the presidents chosen. He was a native of New York state, born May 29, 1801, and was therefore 43 years of age in 1844.

We know something about this man's career between the martyrdom and the exodus from the minutes of this quorum of Seventy. And as this record contains some very interesting items I will read a few of them here. In the minutes of November 2, 1845, we read:

"President Zenas H. Gurley apologized for his absence the two last meetings. He then enlarged upon the subject (i. e., the subject before the quorum). He said he had received the assurance of an addition of power of the Priesthood upon every accession of authority he had received. We ought to be the best men living in consideration of our privileges as members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, enlightened as it was with divine revelation, He exhorted the brethren not to aspire but to rise upon their own merits and to visit the poor in their afflictions."

In the minutes of November 9, we are informed that President Erastus H. Derby, one of the presidents of that quorum, said:

"Brother Brigham advised and counseled the Saints to get ready for emigration in May, 1846. If he (Derby) possessed the wealth of the whole nation he would not stay behind the Church going into the wilderness."

Immediately following these remarks, Zenas H. Gurley arose and said, as the minutes read, that "He confirmed the same." That is, he too would rather forsake the wealth of the whole nation than fail to go with the Church into the wilderness. Then continuing his remarks, he said:

"Small prototypes of great national events were given by command of God, by the ancient prophets, and the like would probably nowadays distinguish what God is about to do in the earth. * * * Certain characters have been elected from before time to fulfill certain purposes in the earth, called though they were from all nations, tongues, and ranks. * * * The order of free masonry was outrageously violated by the people of Hancock; but the pledges, obligations and vows of the Latter-day Saints would, if adhered to, exalt them to thrones dominions and power."

This was in relation to temple work. On the 21st of December, 1845, he said:

"He remembered forcibly the sayings of the first presidents of Seventy, that we should so live that no charge can be brought against us. A few years ago the men in high standing in this Church (the Twelve) were as little as we are. They obtained their exaltation by patient submission to right, and minding their own business. * * * There are many young men in this quorum able to travel a great way. You will be called on to go, also to receive your endowment. Keep always meek and a teachable spirit. The willow always bends in the breeze and is also firm in the root. Though many have gone out from the Church."—now remember this—"YET it increases as fast as ever and evinces to the world as great affinity and identity to the eternal plan of Jehovah as ever it did."

This does not sound much like a falling away or a dissolution of the Church, does it? And this is the testimony of Zenas H. Gurley given before he left the Church. Again, on the 3rd of January, 1846, the minutes say:

"Zenas H. Gurley enlarged on the subject of liberally donating to the Church necessities. God said He has so shaped the scheme of salvation as that to be saved and appear approved of God, we must sacrifice of all that we possess. * * He felt filled with the Spirit. The course the Church is pursuing has been spoken of by Jesus Christ and the holy prophets of olden time."

There is his endorsement of the course of the Church. And on January 10, 1846:

"Zenas H. Gurley arose and said that the presidents of the quorum had received their endowment."

Continuing he said—mark you, he was one of those presidents:

"He observed that it was remarkable for an unusual outpouring of the Holy Spirit. He felt for the quorum that they should receive their endowment. The Church authorities, the quorum of Seventy in succession, to furnish the people engaged in the endowment, one day each, and he wanted the quorum (Twenty-first) to acquit themselves from every obligation."

It may be interesting to know that this man and his wife were endowed in the Temple January 6, 1846. Here is the testimony of Zenas H. Gurley in relation to the Temple ceremonies when he was in full fellowship in the Church and was in possession of the spirit of his calling. At that time he declared most emphatically that on that occasion the Spirit of the Lord was unusual in its outpouring. If that is true and he could testify to it then, there cannot be anything so very bad in these glorious privileges of which he testified. In later years when he had lost the spirit of the Gospel and was fighting the work he had formerly upheld, he denounced in bitterness these sacred ordinances that he on this occasion sanctioned. His former testimony is the one that is consistent.

On the 17th of January, 1846, the minutes say:

"President Zenas H. Gurley arose and said * * The business before the meeting was the arranging for a donation for the benefit of those of the Priesthood engaged in the Temple. (Not on the Temple but in it). He beautifully observed that it was his design, and also his council's to exalt the Twenty-first quorum, and the quorum should reciprocally return the favor; give support and influence towards its welfare."

Then on the 25th of the same month:

"President Zenas H. Gurley arose and said that the business before the meeting was to select persons to receive their endowment. He had received direction to select 10 or 12 to go in the Temple. He desired the brethren not to think it was partiality to make this selection. The most important point to be considered was to learn obedience. This was the principle taught by Jesus Christ."

He then proceeded to name the brethren for this purpose, and continuing his remarks he said:

"The Saints who have passed through the trials of the Church were generally rooted and grounded in love and have a witness in their hearts or they would not have remained."

And I say amen to that. I wish with all my soul that Zenas H. Gurley had been one of them for his own sake, for it was but 10 days after he made this utterance, that the exodus from Nauvoo began, and this is the last reference we have of Zenas H. Gurley while connected with the Church! What became of him? "Because he had no root he withered away." The terrible trials the Saints were forced to undergo in the wilderness were too great for him; he could not stand the test. And while he had declared that he would go with the Saints even if it required that he should sacrifice the wealth of the whole nation, when put to the actual test, his heart failed him and he sought safety in flight, he sought his life, but lost the life eternal!

The next reference we have of him in the minutes of the Twenty-first quorum is in 1855, where the statement is made that he had fled from the Church and was associated with James J. Strang. Of his connection with Mr. Strang, I prefer to read to you the account from the history of the "Reorganized" Church, for you know then we will have it correct. On page 744 of volume three we have the following:

"After the death of Joseph Smith, Elder Gurley investigated the claims of the various leaders, and finally accepted those of James J. Strang as being the most reasonable. A letter written by him from Gananoque, Canada West, November 6, 1849, and published in Gospel Herald, volume 4, page 187, indicates that he was then on a mission to Canada in the interest of the organization under Strang. On January 1, 1850, he again wrote from Landsdown, Upper Canada, still engaged in the same work.

"A letter written January 10, 1850, from Pittsburg, Canada West, manifested zeal in his work."

We have already shown how he manifested great zeal in his work in the Twenty-first quorum before he left the Church. But to continue:

"March 15, 1850 he wrote from St. Lawrence, New York, that he was assisting Brother Silsby in organizing the brethren and helping them in getting ready for Beaver. He was present at a conference held at Voree, Wisconsin, June 1 and 2, 1850, and in these minutes we find this entry: 'Brother Z. H. Gurley was'—

Then there is an ellipsis, no doubt it would be interesting to know what follows, and the account continues—

'sent to the northeastern parts of Wisconsin, on the presentation of President Strang.'"

Now, please note carefully what follows:

"It was probably while on the mission thus appointed that Elder Gurley raised up the Yellowstone branch, the members of which helped to form the nucleus of the Reorganization."—Page 744-5.

We have already seen that Jason W. Briggs raised up the Waukesha branch of the Strangite church in 1849, also that he raised up the Beloit branch for the same organization, and now we have the admission fatal to their organization, that the Yellowstone branch was also raised up to Mr. James J. Strang. These branches you see became the nucleus of the "Reorganization." They were not connected with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, according to their own admission, but were organized for the Church of James J. Strang. Yet, mark you, these Strangite branches were admitted into what was called the "New organization," or the "Reorganization," on their original baptisms.^[6] It is quite evident that the "Reorganization" is the offspring of the church of this man James J. Strang.

Now let us return to Jason W. Briggs. In Mr. Heman C. Smith's "True Succession," pages 134-135, we have an alleged revelation that this man received that was the cause of the coming together of the so-called "Reorganized" Church. I have already told you that he was the most important man in this movement, if not the father of it. The "revelation" is as follows:

"Therefore, let the elders whom I have ordained by the hand of my servant Joseph, or by the hand of those ordained by him, resist not this authority, nor faint in the discharge of duty, which is to preach my gospel as revealed in the records of the Jews, and the Book of Mormon, and the Book of Doctrine and Covenants; and cry repentance and remission of sins through obedience to the gospel, and I will sustain them, and give them my Spirit; and in mine own due time will I call upon the seed of Joseph Smith, and will bring one forth, and he shall be mighty and strong, and he shall preside over the High Priesthood of my Church; and then shall the quorums assemble, and the pure in heart shall gather, and Zion shall be reinhabited, as I said unto my servant Joseph Smith."

WHY BRIGGS SECEDED.

In this alleged revelation we have this man teaching lineal Priesthood or the right of succession from father to son. We also have him teaching the literal gathering to Zion of the honest in heart. We will now see what his reasons were for withdrawing from the "Reorganized" Church. We find on pages 248-249 of volume 33 of the Saints' Herald that the reasons why this man withdrew from the "Reorganization" with the family of Zenas H. Gurley, were as follows:

That he could not believe in:

(1) "The literal gathering of the Church into Jackson and the adjoining counties in the state of Missouri (or any one or more places) known as a local Zion."

(2) "Temple building and ceremonial endowments therein."

(3) "Baptism for the dead."

(4) "Tithing as a law applicable to the Church."

(5) "The law of consecration by which individuals are made legal heirs to the Kingdom of Zion."

(6) "A sole mouthpiece of God to the Church."

(7) "The plenary inspiration of and consequent absolute authority of what are called the sacred books."

(8) "The doctrine of 'cursing our enemies,' and of 'avenging God upon them to the third and fourth generations.'"

(9) "To the foregoing may be added the revelation of January 19, 1841, section 107 D. & C., (124 our edition), which enjoins upon the Church the building of a hotel, called the 'Lord's boarding-house,' for Joseph Smith and posterity to dwell in from generation to generation, as also the promise contained therein, viz: 'And as I said unto Abraham concerning the kindreds of the earth, even so I say to my servant Joseph, in thee and thy seed shall the kindreds of the earth be blessed."

"This coupled with the provisions in section 43, that 'none else should or could receive revelation for the Church' and the provision of section 19, that the Church shall receive Joseph's words and commands the same as if from God's own mouth,—establish in our judgment a lineal descent of authority, equivalent to an imperial dynasty, which is foreign to the spirit and genius of the Gospel of Christ."

This communication was dated March 28, 1886, and was signed by Jason W. Briggs, (president of their apostles); Zenas H. Gurley, (a member of that quorum); Gracie Gurley, Margaret Gurley, Edwin H. Gurley, Mida Gurley.

We see that this Mr. Briggs repudiated the fundamental portions of his alleged revelation. In the "revelation" he teaches the gathering, but here he says he does not believe in the gathering, either to Jackson county or to any other place to be known as a local Zion. In his "revelation" he teaches lineal Priesthood, but when he withdraws from the church one reason was that he could not believe in "a sole mouth-piece of God to the Church," and in an "imperial dynasty," which he erroneously thought was taught in the revelation. Thus he repudiates his "revelation," denies the divine mission of the Prophet Joseph Smith, and repudiates the standard works of the Church.^[7] Unstable to the last, this man would not rest content in this organization which he was such a potent instrument in bringing into existence.^[8]

There is another thing in his so-called "revelation" that is interesting. He declares that the Lord would raise up one of the seed of Joseph Smith who would be mighty and strong. Now, evidently this refers to Joseph Smith, president of that organization. Joseph Smith of the "Reorganized" Church declares that he is not the one mighty and strong and the "Reorganized" Church has backed him up by resolution in that conclusion.^[9]

QUESTION OF REJECTION.

We now come to the question of the rejection of the Church. Our friends tell us that the Church was rejected for the reason that they failed to complete the Nauvoo Temple "in the sufficient time granted by the Lord." They say that the Temple was not finished. The president of the "Reorganization" has made the following statement in this connection:

"The basement was fitted for occupation and the baptismal font was ready for use. The auditorium on the first floor was completed sufficiently to be seated and occupied for assembly purposes. The stairway on the south side was completed for use. The auditorium on the second floor, the stairway on the north side, nor any other portion of the building except those above named were completed; though the small rooms above the second floor auditorium were used by President Young and the resident Church authorities for various purposes." (History of Reorganized Church, 2:562).

His brother Alexander makes a similar statement.

In reply to this it is only necessary to say that it made no difference whether the Temple was finished or not. The revelation of January 19, 1841, provided,

"That when I (the Lord) give a commandment to any of the sons of men, to do a work unto my name, and those sons of men go with all their might, and with all they have, to perform that work, and cease not their diligence, and their enemies come upon them, and hinder them from performing that work; behold, it behooveth me to require that work no more at the hands of those sons of men, but to accept of their offerings:

"And the iniquity and transgression of my holy laws and commandments, I will visit upon the heads of those who hindered my work, unto the third and fourth generation, so long as they repent not, and hate me, saith the Lord God.

"Therefore for this cause have I accepted the offerings of those whom I commanded to build up a city and a house unto my name, in Jackson county, Missouri, and were hindered by their enemies, saith the Lord your God:

"And I will answer judgment, wrath, and indignation, wailing and anguish and gnashing of teeth upon their heads, unto the third and fourth generation, so long as they repent not and hate me, saith the Lord your God.

"And this I make an example unto you for your consolation concerning all those who have been commanded to do a work, and have been hindered by the hands of their enemies, and by oppression saith the Lord your God."^[10]

No sane man will dare say that the Saints were not hindered by their enemies in the building of the Nauvoo Temple, both before and after the martyrdom. Nevertheless, I maintain that they were diligent in their labors as the following references will show, furthermore that the Temple was completed. In the Times and Seasons, volume 3, page 775, is to be found an editorial written by the Prophet Joseph in which he says:

"This noble edifice is progressing with great rapidity; strenuous exertions are being made on every hand to facilitate its erection; and materials of all kinds are in great state of forwardness. * * * *

"While the busy multitudes have thus been engaged in their several avocations, performing their daily labor, and working one-tenth of their time, others have not been less forward in bringing in their tithings and consecrations for the same great object. Never since the formation of this Church was laid have we seen manifested a greater willingness to comply with the requisitions of Jehovah; a more ardent desire to do the will of God; more strenuous exertions used, or greater sacrifices made, then there have been since the Lord said: Let the Temple be built by the tithing of my people. It seemed as though the spirit of enterprise, philanthropy, and obedience rested simultaneously upon old and young; and brethren and sisters, boys and girls, and even strangers, who were not in the Church, united with an unprecedented liberality in the accomplishment of this great work; nor could the widow in many instances, be prevented, out of her scanty pittance, from throwing in her two mites."

This was written in May, 1842. Remember the date, for I will have occasion to refer to this again before we are through.

This editorial reveals to us what is meant by laboring with your might and "to cease not their diligence." The Lord did not require all the time of the Saints to be devoted on that building, but a tithing—one-tenth of their time or means. That is all He required of them in order that they should fulfill the commandment. This is also set forth in the second vol. of the Times and Seasons, page 567, and in vol., 3 pages 938-9, but I take it for granted that the reference given is sufficient to cover this ground.

TEMPLE BUILT BY SACRIFICE.

Let us here pause a moment and see what it took to build the Temple. That structure cost more than one million dollars; the Saints were poor, and a great deal of the time the Temple was in course of erection they were harassed by their enemies. The Prophet Joseph was forced into exile to avoid his enemies who tried to drag him to Missouri, and therefore he could not devote his personal attention to the building of the Temple as he otherwise would have done; and in this way the work was retarded to some degree by the enemies of the people. Moreover, the building of that structure was not like building one today. The Saints could not order their timber from the lumber yard in a state of preparation for the Temple. There were no iron foundries from which they could obtain the required metal properly prepared; but on the contrary, every detail had to be performed by the Saints. The timber had to be hewed in the far off forests of Wisconsin, carried to Nauvoo, and cut into boards and for the various uses of the Temple. The stone had to be cut and polished from the quarries, and the whole work had to be supplied out of the tithing of the people. If the Lord had required all of their time how would they have supported their families? Of course, He could have cared for them, but it was but the tenth, mark you, of their time and means that was required. And yet some of our friends complain that the Temple was not completed inside of six months! Naturally under these conditions it would take a number of years to complete the building.

We have seen that the Saints were diligent up to May, 1842.^[11] Let us now see if they did not continue their diligence. Of course, there were some who were not diligent; but not of the faithful, not of those who followed the Twelve. At the April conference, 1844, the Patriarch Hyrum Smith, addressing the Saints, said:

"I am one of the committee (i. e., Temple committee); the committee tell me the quarry is blockaded, it is filled with rock, the stone cutters are wanting work; come on with your teams as soon as conference is over. It is not necessary for me to tell who will come and do it; I will prophesy that you will do it. There is not one in the city but that will do right if they know it, only one or two exceptions, and they are not worth notice; God will take care of them, and if He doesn't, the devil will." (T. & S., 5:597).

Now, I know that Hyrum Smith was a prophet of God, the Lord declared it, and his prophecy did not fail. This shows the willingness of the Saints to do this work as late as 1844.

In a communication to the Times and Seasons, October 13, 1844, signed "C," we have the following:

"The Temple is rising even faster than could have been anticipated, and has a very imposing appearance."

Again on page 744, of volume 5, Times and Seasons, (December 15, 1844), this is stated:

"The Temple has progressed with greater rapidity since the death of Joseph and Hyrum than ever it had done before; and things in this city never looked more prosperous."

And in an editorial in this same paper of May 15, 1845:

"The Temple progresses rapidly and the Saints being united (as we have heretofore said), are industrious, frugal and determined."

Then in the Times and Seasons, volume 6, page 926:

"After a little more than four years of hard labor, in truly troublesome times, and not, too, without the loss of the best blood in the Church, on the morning of the 24th ult. (April, 1845), at a little past 6, a goodly number of Saints had the honor, and glory to witness the capstone of the Temple laid in its place."

In a letter from Elder John Taylor to Joseph Cain (Mill. Star, 8:31), we find this:

"My feelings were very peculiar while standing in the font, which is of stone, and passing through the rooms when I thought how the Saints had labored and striven to complete the building."

And in the Times and Seasons, volume 6, page 1017:

"On Sunday, the 5th of October (1845) through the indefatigable exertions, unceasing industry, and heaven blessed labors, in the midst of trials, tribulations, poverty, and worldly obstacles, solemnized, in some instances, by death, about 5,000 Saints had the inexpressible joy and great gratification to meet for the first time in the house of the Lord in the city of Joseph (Nauvoo). From mites and tithing, millions had risen up to the glory of God, as a Temple where the children of the last kingdom, could come together and praise the Lord."

There are other passages; but these ought to suffice on this point of the diligence of the Saints. But some one will say, all this testimony is from those who are interested—from your friends. Should we take the testimony of our enemies, those who are interested in our downfall, and who are not acquainted with these facts? However, I will add the testimony of one who hoped that the Temple would not be finished. In the Messenger and Advocate of June, 1846, published by Sidney Rigdon, I quote the following:

"That people [the Saints with Brigham Young] were told that they would not finish that Temple which THEY were building. They were told that they would get the roof on, and do some of the inside work, but never would finish it."

Now mark this; he adds:

"No people ever labored harder to prove the above declaration false. No pains were spared; but where has it terminated? Just as we said it would."

Here we have the testimony of Sidney Rigdon, who opposed the Twelve and the Church and the building of that Temple. Yet he says they were diligent, but when he says it was not completed, he spoke too soon. This article was written just shortly after the exodus commenced, and at that time the Temple was not quite finished; but it was finished before all the Saints' left Nauvoo.

I suppose that it is unnecessary to continue this branch of the subject any further, but since our Church members have to meet the sophistry on the part of the elders of the "Reorganization," we will.

NAUVOO TEMPLE COMPLETED.

In proof that the Temple was completed I present the following evidence. In the Times and Seasons, volume 6, page 1017, we find the following:

"It certainly afforded a holy satisfaction to think that since the 6th of April, 1841, when the first stone was laid, amidst the most straightened circumstances, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has witnessed their bread cast upon waters; or more properly their obedience to the commandments of the Lord appear in the tangible form of a Temple, entirely enclosed, windows in, with temporary floors, pulpits, and seats to accommodate so many persons preparatory to a general conference."

And on page 1018:

"The font and the other parts of the Temple will be in readiness in a few days to commence the administration of holy ordinances of endowment, for which the faithful have long diligently labored and fervently prayed, desiring above all things to see the beauty of the Lord and inquire in His holy Temple."

Now, this was given in October, 1845, and we learn that the font—that is the permanent font, which replaced the former and temporary one—also the other parts of the Temple would be in readiness in a few days to commence the administration of holy ordinances. I wish now to refer to another reference from the writings of the president of the "Reorganization." I have already read where he declares that the font and the first floor above the basement and one stairway, also the basement, were completed. He reaffirms that in the following from an editorial in the Saints' Herald of February 17, 1904:

"Work continued to be done on the Temple until the fall of 1845, possibly until the summer of 1846"—you see he is not quite sure about it—"but the building was never finished; and whatever ordinances were performed in it took place in rooms not wholly finished."

Now note this particularly:

"The north stairway, the second or upper auditorium, and the attic were entirely incompleted."

We will now examine the Times and Seasons of January 20, 1846, and see what his testimony is worth. Here on page 1096 occurs the following:

"January thus far has been mild, which, in the midst of our preparations for an exodus next spring, has given an excellent time to finish the Temple. Nothing has appeared so much like a finish of that holy edifice as the present."

Now, I want to call your attention to this which immediately follows:

"The ATTIC story was finished in December."

That is in December 1845. You will remember that the president of the Reorganization declares that the attic was "entirely incompleted." But to continue the quotation:

"And if the Lord continues to favor us, the first story above the basement will be completed ready for meeting, in the month of February. The font, standing upon 12 stone oxen, is about ready, and the floor of the story is laid, so that all speculation about the Temple of God at Nauvoo, must cease."

Now the temporary floors were laid in October, 1845, so these floors must have been the permanent ones, and while the temporary finishing in October was for the purpose of fitting the building for the ordinances, this finishing was permanent.

Here is an interesting feature about the testimony of this man. The parts of the Temple which the president of the "Reorganized" Church says were completed—finished, the Times and Seasons here states would not be finished for a few days, or till February, but the part of the building which he says was "entirely incompleted," is here declared to have been finished in the past December, 1845. I shall not dispute with him the fact that the parts which he says were finished, were completed, for they were; but what does his testimony amount to as evidence when confronted with the statement of the Times and Seasons? Simply nothing; more than to prove that he knew nothing about it at all. Now which shall we believe? The Times and Seasons, published at the time, or the president of the "Reorganization," who made his statement some 40 years later? Remember if he admits that the Temple was finished his whole structure crumbles to the ground—it's bound to crumble anyway sooner or later, for it is built upon the sand.

Elder John Taylor, in an address to the Saints in England, published in the Millennial Star of November, 1846, (vol. 8:97) has this to say:

"Time alone can unfold this to many, but to us it has been manifested long ago, years before the Temple WAS COMPLETED, and long before the martyrdom of our Prophet and Patriarch."

Here he declares that the Temple was completed. Now our friends quote from the remarks of President Brigham Young delivered at the dedication of the St. George Temple to the effect that up to that time the Saints had never had the privilege of completing and enjoying a Temple. I call your attention to the fact that President Brigham Young left Nauvoo before the Temple was finished. He left in February, 1846, and a great portion of the Latter-day Saints were expelled from that city before they had the privilege of receiving the ordinances of the house of God, therefore President Young was correct when he said we had not up to that time had the privilege of completing and enjoying one. But I will now call your attention to the statement of President Young's made in October, 1863, (News, 13:96). Said he,

"We have already built two Temples, one at Kirtland, Ohio, and one at Nauvoo, Illinois. * * * God commanded us to build the Nauvoo Temple, and we built it, and performed our duty pretty well. There are elders present here today who labored on that house with not a shoe to their foot, or pantaloons that would cover their limbs, or a shirt to cover their arms.

"We performed the work, and performed it WITHIN THE TIME WHICH THE LORD GAVE US TO DO IT IN. Apostates said that we never could perform that work, but through the blessing of God it was completed and accepted of Him. Apostates never build Temples unto God, but the Saints are called to do this work."

The Nauvoo Temple was publicly dedicated May 1, 1846, by Elder Orson Hyde, and the following day about 3,000 Saints met in the building in a public service. It is most likely that the greater number of these Saints were also at the dedication. It is not reasonable to suppose that this building was dedicated until it was finished, for each part had been dedicated as it was finished, and the dedication on the 1st of May, 1846, was of the entire structure.^[12]

THE REVELATION ON TEMPLE WORK.

I have now shown that the Temple was completed; that the Saints were diligent in their labors, and they were also hindered by their enemies. I now reaffirm what has previously been said; that it made no difference, so far as the Church and its authority is concerned, even if the Temple had not been completed, or finished, in the technical sense of that word. Some of the embellishments, the ornamentations and fixtures, may not have been placed in the building according to the original intention, and in that technical sense the building may not have been "finished completely." But if so, what difference would it make? The Lord, thank heaven, is not as technical and peevish as men are, or woe be unto all of us. The revelation does not say that the Church would be rejected with its dead if every identical board and plank or fixture was not in the building according to the original design. The thing the revelation does require is that a place be prepared, or built, where the Lord could reveal the Priesthood and its ordinances which had been taken away or that had not been restored. And, too, if the temporary floors had not been replaced by the permanent floors, the Lord could and would have revealed Himself to the Saints and would have accepted of their offering. Now let's see just what the revelation does say about this matter. Beginning at verse 25.

"25. And again, verily I say unto you, let all my Saints come from afar;

26. And send ye swift messengers, yea, chosen messengers, and say unto them; come ye, with all your gold, and your silver, and your precious stones, and with all your antiquities; and with all who have knowledge of antiquities, that will come, may come, and bring the box tree, and the fir tree, and the pine tree, together with all the precious trees of the earth;

27. And with iron, with copper, and with brass, and with zinc, and with all your precious things of the earth, and build a house to my name, for the most High to dwell therein;

28. For there is not a place found on earth that he may come and restore again that which was lost unto you, or which he hath taken away, even the fulnesss of the Priesthood;

29. For a baptismal font there is not upon the earth, that they, my Saints, may be baptized for those who are dead;

30. For this ordinance belongeth to my house, and cannot be acceptable to me, only in the days of your poverty, wherein ye are not able to build a house unto me.

31. But I command you, all ye my Saints, to build a house unto me; and I grant unto you a sufficient time to build a house unto me, and during this time your baptisms shall be acceptable unto me.

32. But behold, at the end of this appointment, your baptisms for your dead shall not be acceptable unto me; and if you do not these things at the end of the appointment, ye shall be rejected as a church, with your dead, saith the Lord your God.

33. For verily I say unto you, that after you have had sufficient time to build a house to me, wherein the ordinance of baptizing for the dead belongeth, and for which the same was instituted from before the foundation of the world, your baptisms for your dead cannot be acceptable unto me.

34. For therein (that is in Temples) are the keys of the Holy Priesthood ordained that you may receive honor and glory.

35. And after this time, your baptisms for the dead, by those who are scattered abroad, are not acceptable unto me, saith the Lord.

36. For it is ordained that in Zion, and in her stakes, and in Jerusalem, those places which I have appointed for refuge, shall be the places for your baptisms for your dead.

37. And again, verily I say unto you, How shall your washings be acceptable unto me, except ye perform them in a house which you have built to my name?

38. For, for this cause I commanded Moses that he should build a tabernacle, that they should bear it with them in the wilderness, and to build a house in the land of promise that those ordinances might be revealed which had been hid from before the world was;

39. Therefore, verily I say unto you, that your anointings and your washings, and your baptisms for the dead, and your solemn assemblies, and your memorials for your sacrifices, by the sons of Levi, and for your oracles in your most holy places, wherein you receive conversations, and your statutes and judgments, for the beginning of the revelation and foundation of Zion, and for the glory, honor, and endowment of all her municipals, are ordained by the ordinance of my holy house, which my people are always commanded to build unto my holy name."

I have read quite extensively from this revelation, now let us examine and see just what is meant. At the time this revelation was given the Saints were baptizing in the Mississippi river for their dead, this was a special privilege that the Lord granted them in their poverty and while they could prepare a place in the Temple for that ordinance. He declares that while that place was being built He would accept of their baptisms in the river, but just as soon as a place could be prepared in the Temple baptisms for the dead in the river should cease. Now you will notice that verse 31 reads:

"But I command you, all ye my Saints, to build a house unto me; and I grant unto you a sufficient time to build a house unto me."

Now I wish you to note what follows:

"And during this time your baptisms shall be acceptable unto me."

I take it that this means that the Lord would accept of their baptisms in the river until they could prepare a place where the ordinance could be attended to properly, and that He would not discontinue river baptisms until they had had sufficient time to build such a place. I want to read what the president of the "Reorganized" Church has to say on this point. Said he:

"Baptisms for the dead was a permissive rite."

Of course I do not agree with him that it was a permissive rite, but to continue the quotation:

"Baptism for the dead was a permissive rite; or to write more plainly, the Church was permitted by the Lord to baptize for the dead under certain rules."

Here is the rule:

"By terms stated in the revelation this permissive rite could be performed and would be acceptable if performed in the river while the time given the Church in which the Temple should be built was passing. After the completion of the Temple, baptisms for the dead were to be performed in it." (Saints' Herald, February 17, 1904).

We are certainly safe in saying that the Lord would not break His promise, therefore if we can discover a time when baptisms were discontinued in the river it will be a sign that the sufficient time had expired, so far as baptisms in the river for the dead were concerned. I turn to the minutes of the October conference, 1841, and read from the remarks on baptism for the dead delivered by the Prophet on the third day as follows:

"There shall be no more baptisms for the dead until the ordinance can be attended to in the font of the Lord's house; and the Church shall not hold another general conference, until they can meet in said house. For thus saith the Lord!" (Times and Seasons, Vol. II., page 578).

Remember this was in October, 1841—six months after the first stone of the Temple was laid. Was the Temple finished? No. Was the Church then rejected with its dead? Verily no! for this was 1841, and I have already referred you to the editorial of the Prophet's of May, 1842, wherein he says that never since the formation, or foundation, of the Church was laid, have the Saints been so willing to comply with the requisitions of Jehovah, and manifested a more ardent desire to do the will of God, than in the building of that Temple. Therefore they could not have been rejected. Yet the sufficient time was up.^[13] What must we then conclude? That the Temple had progressed so far that baptisms could be performed in it for the dead in accordance with the revelation, and it did not depend altogether, you will see, on the complete finishing of the building; and as the rooms were finished one by one and dedicated, they too, could be used for the ordinances of the Temple until the whole Temple was built.