| 111 organization. On October 1, 1844, they issued another epistle in which the above and similar points are more fully brought out. 1
1 AN EPISTLE OF THE TWELVE.
To the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints; Greeting.
Dear Brethren:-Having promised in our former epistles to address you from time to time, we now proceed to give you further information relative to the welfare of the church both temporally and spiritually; the building up of Nauvoo; the gathering of the saints; the building of the temple; the establishment of manufacturing and various branches of industry; the support of the poor, and the preserving of peace, good order, union, love, and truth; to the suppression of vice, and every kind of disorder, evil, and immorality.
The temple as a great and glorious public work, immediately connected with the completion of our preparations and ordinances, touching our salvation and exaltation, and that of our dead, necessarily claims our first and most strict attention. And we rejoice to say for the encouragement of all, that its walls are now ready to receive the capitals, and the arches of the upper story windows, and in fact, seven of the capitals are already reared. The timbers are also being framed, and reared on the inside. In short, it is progressing with a rapidity which is truly astonishing.
Let the saints now send in their young men who are strong to labor together with money, provisions, clothing, tools, teams, and every necessary means, such as they know they will want when they arrive, for the purpose of forwarding this work.
Brethren, bring all your tithings into the storehouse, and prove the Lord, and see if he will not pour out a blessing that there will not be room enough to receive.
Yes, brethren, we verily know and bear testimony, that a cloud of blessing, and of endowment, and of the keys of the fullness of the priesthood, and of things pertaining to eternal life, is hanging over us, and ready to burst upon us, or upon as many as live worthy of it, so soon as there is a place found on earth to receive it. Therefore, let no cunningly devised fable, no false delusive spirit, or vision, no man or set of men who go out from us, but are not of us, have any influence on your minds for a moment, to draw your minds away from this all-important work. But enter steadily and regularly upon a strict observance of the law of tithing, and of freewill offerings, till Jehovah shall say, It is enough; your offerings are accepted. Then come up to the house of the Lord, and be taught in his ways, and walk in his paths; yea, enter his sanctuary, and receive the oil of joy for mourning, and the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness.
The gathering next claims our attention as a work of salvation, to be accomplished in wisdom and prudence. Your prophets and apostles have often told you that the saints cannot gather together in large numbers, and be able to enjoy the comforts and necessaries of life, without the necessary calculations and preparations for their employment and support. Not only must farms be cultivated, houses built, and mills to grind the corn; but there must be something produced by industry, to send off to market in exchange for cash, and for such other articles as we need. This must be produced, not by singing or praying, or going to meeting, or visiting, or friendly greetings or conversation, BUT BY THE UNITED INDUSTRY, SKILL, AND ECONOMY OF THE WHOLE PEOPLE. Men, women, and children must be well, and constantly
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