| 578 an editorial from the pen of Joseph Smith. 8 A careful perusal of these articles will indicate that the erection of the temple was one of the leading purposes of the times.
then, brethren, set them free, and set each other free, and we will all be free together; we will be free indeed.
Let nothing in this epistle be so construed as to destroy the validity of contracts, or give anyone license not to pay his debts. The commandment is to pay every man his dues, and no man can get to heaven while he justly owes his brother or his neighbor, who has or can get the means and will not pay. It is dishonest, and no dishonest man can enter where God is.
We remain your brethren in the gospel of peace,
B. YOUNG, President,
HEBER C. KIMBALL.
ORSON PRATT.
WILLIAM SMITH.
JOHN E. PAGE.
LYMAN WIGHT.
WILFORD WOODRUFF.
JOHN TAYLOR.
GEORGE A. SMITH.
W. RICHARDS, Clerk.
-Times and Seasons, vol. 3, pp. 767-769.
8 THE TEMPLE.-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 a great state of forwardness, and by next fall we expect to see the building inclosed [enclosed]; if not the topstone raised with "shouting of grace, grace unto it." There have been frequently, during the winter, as many as one hundred hands quarrying rock, while at the same time multitudes of others have been engaged in hauling and in other kinds of labor. A company was formed last fall to go up to the pine country to purchase mills and prepare and saw lumber for the temple and the Nauvoo House, and the reports from them are very favorable. Another company has started this last week, to take their place and to relieve those that are already there. On their return they are to bring a very large raft of lumber for the use of the above named houses.
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 [foundation] 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, than there has 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.
We feel at this time to tender to all, old and young, both in the church and out of it, our unfeigned thanks for their unprecedented liberality,
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