Mom and I were up for our big day, today. It was our Rendezvous day! We had our morning devotional and prayers and a nice long walk this morning around the flats in Nauvoo. We got back home at just about 7:15am and made our preparations for the day.
We served together in the John Taylor Home. This was our full shift day working from 9:45am to 5:00pm. Then our Rendezvous Play was at 8:15pm tonight because of the Halloween activity that the city of Nauvoo puts on annually, with the help of all the Nauvoo Missionaries.
It is an interesting editorial that John Taylor wrote in the last edition of the Nauvoo Neighbor almost 170 years ago on October 29, 1845; Think about it....
"As we are making all the preparation in our power to leave the United States next spring, because we are compelled by mobocracy, on account of the weakness of the law and the stupidity or hypocrisy of its executors, to quit the 'asylum of the oppressed', we have thought it advisable to discontinue the Neighbor at this number.
In coming to this conclusion, we fall back on our reserved rights, that we will leave a nation that will not protect its own citizens from the violence of corrupt men; that we will flea from a liberty so terrible that it allows murder and arson to be committed with impunity by a portion of its citizens, because they are a mob; and we abandon the estates and tombs of our fathers because the glory of American freedom has been singed by the blaze of looks in a frolic of enthusiasm to the devil.
It may be thought by some that this step of discontinuing the Neighbor is premature, but, when it is understood that the people of the United States gloat themselves on public opinion, and that opinion, is put in motion and reiterated by men who could whisper, 'sub-rosa', that "it was well that Joseph Smith was killed, for he would revolutionize the world with Mormonism", it will be considered a wise move, for why need we expend money and time, to warn a nation that already is grating its teeth at us, and menacing a threat by a conventional nod, to be gone or we will blot you out from under heaven?
We will suffer wrong than to do wrong, and if there is any glory attached to expelling the Saints from the United States, let the United States blaze in that glory; and if there is any disgrace winding around the escutcheons, and monuments where freedom once was, let it smoke on, till it comes up before Jehovah, and (maybe) he will reward the unfaithful stewards according to their works.
We could fight our way clear, but wisdom says let the wicked slay the wicked: There is room enough upon the earth for many nations to live in peace, and enjoy the little happiness allotted them without "clashing brave men's armor," to terrify cowards or whet the appetites of monsters. The Gospel whispers peace. Our greatness consists of our faith, our union and our submission. The power that made Nauvoo; that gathered thousands from various climes and kingdoms; that reared the Temple; and that whispers to us now; peace be still and see the salvation of God, can guide us to bring forth a better city, an hundred fold gathering, and five times as good a temple, in five years, where demagogues will not deceive us for our votes, and then connive at our extermination; yea, aside from vexatious lawsuits, we can enjoy more life in five years, than the world has, can, or will realize while money buys judgement, and popularity holds the destinies of the people"
Vice and virtue are the extremes of greatness; the former descends to degradation, and the latter exalts to glory, and that the nation is upon the brink of ruin which is so far lost to decorum, that it refuses to punish sin. The secrets of this nation will be searched out with candles, and wo to the blood stained mansions of misery! Pride and wickedness often go across lots so as to enter the banquet of folly at the back door, for fear of the displeasure of good men. He that hath ears to hear let him hear, for the "dreadful revelry" is nigh and the sorrow too.
We owe the United States nothing; we go out by force as exiles from freedom. The government and people owe us millions for the destruction of life and property in Missouri and Illinois. The blood of our best men stains the land, and the ashes of our property will preserve it till God comes out of His hiding place, and gives this nation a hotter portion that He did Sodom and Gomorrah. "When they cease to spoil, they shall be spoiled, for the Lord hath spoken it".
Here are some pictures I took later on this morning as we were walking to the John Taylor Home. I wanted to catch these shots with a little more light than we have at 6:30am!
It is an interesting editorial that John Taylor wrote in the last edition of the Nauvoo Neighbor almost 170 years ago on October 29, 1845; Think about it....
"As we are making all the preparation in our power to leave the United States next spring, because we are compelled by mobocracy, on account of the weakness of the law and the stupidity or hypocrisy of its executors, to quit the 'asylum of the oppressed', we have thought it advisable to discontinue the Neighbor at this number.
In coming to this conclusion, we fall back on our reserved rights, that we will leave a nation that will not protect its own citizens from the violence of corrupt men; that we will flea from a liberty so terrible that it allows murder and arson to be committed with impunity by a portion of its citizens, because they are a mob; and we abandon the estates and tombs of our fathers because the glory of American freedom has been singed by the blaze of looks in a frolic of enthusiasm to the devil.
It may be thought by some that this step of discontinuing the Neighbor is premature, but, when it is understood that the people of the United States gloat themselves on public opinion, and that opinion, is put in motion and reiterated by men who could whisper, 'sub-rosa', that "it was well that Joseph Smith was killed, for he would revolutionize the world with Mormonism", it will be considered a wise move, for why need we expend money and time, to warn a nation that already is grating its teeth at us, and menacing a threat by a conventional nod, to be gone or we will blot you out from under heaven?
We will suffer wrong than to do wrong, and if there is any glory attached to expelling the Saints from the United States, let the United States blaze in that glory; and if there is any disgrace winding around the escutcheons, and monuments where freedom once was, let it smoke on, till it comes up before Jehovah, and (maybe) he will reward the unfaithful stewards according to their works.
We could fight our way clear, but wisdom says let the wicked slay the wicked: There is room enough upon the earth for many nations to live in peace, and enjoy the little happiness allotted them without "clashing brave men's armor," to terrify cowards or whet the appetites of monsters. The Gospel whispers peace. Our greatness consists of our faith, our union and our submission. The power that made Nauvoo; that gathered thousands from various climes and kingdoms; that reared the Temple; and that whispers to us now; peace be still and see the salvation of God, can guide us to bring forth a better city, an hundred fold gathering, and five times as good a temple, in five years, where demagogues will not deceive us for our votes, and then connive at our extermination; yea, aside from vexatious lawsuits, we can enjoy more life in five years, than the world has, can, or will realize while money buys judgement, and popularity holds the destinies of the people"
Vice and virtue are the extremes of greatness; the former descends to degradation, and the latter exalts to glory, and that the nation is upon the brink of ruin which is so far lost to decorum, that it refuses to punish sin. The secrets of this nation will be searched out with candles, and wo to the blood stained mansions of misery! Pride and wickedness often go across lots so as to enter the banquet of folly at the back door, for fear of the displeasure of good men. He that hath ears to hear let him hear, for the "dreadful revelry" is nigh and the sorrow too.
We owe the United States nothing; we go out by force as exiles from freedom. The government and people owe us millions for the destruction of life and property in Missouri and Illinois. The blood of our best men stains the land, and the ashes of our property will preserve it till God comes out of His hiding place, and gives this nation a hotter portion that He did Sodom and Gomorrah. "When they cease to spoil, they shall be spoiled, for the Lord hath spoken it".
Here are some pictures I took later on this morning as we were walking to the John Taylor Home. I wanted to catch these shots with a little more light than we have at 6:30am!
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| It was raining Fall leaves! |
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| Much better color along Main Street |
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| Mom sweeping leaves in front of the John Taylor Home |
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| Such colorful tree leaves! |
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| Entering the parlor of John Taylor's home |
Mom and I were off at 5:00pm and headed for home to get ready for the Rendezvous Play. It was scheduled for 8:15pm tonight because of the Halloween activity put on by the City of Nauvoo. We got to the Cultural Hall at the appointed time of 30 minutes before show time, 7:45pm, and had our meeting and prayers together.
By the way, the Editor (me), and the Relief Society President (mom), had a great night on stage! We have certainly felt the Lord's Hand in our efforts to perform on stage. We had a precious lady come down the steps from the Cultural Hall after the play and said with some tears, that she, "felt the Spirit", as we performed the play. For us as missionaries learning the foreign language of "theater", that was the best compliment we could have received as a cast.
I can't get over those colors! Beautiful! Great pictures! Mom looks beautiful as always!! So fun that the Orchards were able to see you and deliver our hugs!!!
ReplyDeletePretty powerful quote from John Taylor!!