| 94 It will be remembered that Parley P. Pratt was not at Nauvoo at the time of the death of Joseph and Hyrum Smith. He was the first of the absent members of the Twelve to return, and hence joined in the above epistle. An account of his return and a purported revelation to him, as written by himself, are quite significant. He represents himself as making the following inquiries of the Lord:-
"Shall I tell them to fly to the wilderness and deserts? Or, shall I tell them to stay at home and take care of themselves, and continue to build the temple?"
These interrogations certainly indicate that Elder Pratt was not at that time acquainted with any settled determination to leave Nauvoo and go to the West; and the answer to the queries, if it can be relied upon as a revelation, commits the Lord to the instruction to remain at Nauvoo instead of flying to the wilderness and deserts. 2
haste to build the temple of our God, and to gather together thereunto, our silver and our gold with us, unto the name of the Lord; and then we may expect that he will teach us of his ways and we will walk in his paths.
We would further say, that in consequence of the great rains which have deluged the western country, and also in consequence of persecution and excitement, there has been but little done here, either in farming or building this season; therefore there is but little employment, and but little means of subsistence at the command of the saints in this region. Therefore, let the saints abroad, and others who feel for our calamities and wish to sustain us, come on with their money and means without delay, and purchase lots and farms, and build buildings, and employ hands, as well as to pay their tithings into the temple and their donations to the poor.
We wish it distinctly understood abroad, that we greatly need the assistance of every lover of humanity, whether members of the church or otherwise, both in influence and in contributions for our aid, succor, and support. Therefore, if they feel for us, now is the time to show their liberality and patriotism towards a poor and persecuted, but honest and industrious people.
Let the elders who remain abroad continue to preach the gospel in its purity and fullness, and to bear testimony of the truth of these things which have been revealed for the salvation of this generation.
P. P. PRATT. WILLARD RICHARDS.
JOHN TAYLOR. W. W. PHELPS.
NAUVOO July 15, 1844.
-Times and Seasons vol. 5, pp. 586, 587.
2 As I walked along over the plains of Illinois, lonely and solitary, I reflected as follows: I am now drawing near to the beloved city; in a day or two I shall be there. How shall I meet the sorrowing widows and orphans? How shall I meet the aged and widowed mother of these two martyrs? How shall I meet an entire community bowed down with grief and sorrow unutterable? What shall I say? or how console and
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