| 279 injure the cause of the true Latter Day Saints, or make their condition worse than it was when I found them; and I mean by God's help to keep that covenant.
"Now, knowing many of the rocks on which the church was split, is it not my duty to keep clear of them, each and every one of them! There is but one answer: most certainly it is. By keeping the church separated for the present (how long, God alone knows) I know that some of the rocks will be missed, and many difficulties overcome that we, as a body, existing at any one designated place could never meet. How I obtained this knowledge is not my province, at this time, to say. I know the anxiety that is felt by all to be gathering home to Zion, I see the increasing desire to secure happiness, but things seen by prophetic eye seem near at hand when years MAY intervene before they are brought to pass.
"Men may differ in their views, a thing to-day may seem as to-morrow, and weeks, nay months may pass away, and still it is in the morrow. Speculative theories may be urged as truth; yet no change is made in God's plan of salvation, and he disposes of events, and of men and their destinies, despite their theories and their views.
"To those who are disposed to cavil at things they may not understand, in regard to the gathering of the saints, I would recommend a careful reading of the seventh paragraph of section one hundred and two, Book of Doctrine and Covenants:-
"'And let all my people who dwell in the regions round about, be very faithful and prayerful, and humble before me, and reveal not the things which I have revealed unto them, until it is wisdom in me that they should be revealed. Talk not judgment, neither boast of faith, nor of mighty works; but carefully gather together, as much in one region as can be consistently with the feelings of the people. And behold, I will give unto you favor and grace in their eyes, that you may rest in peace and safety, while you are saying unto the people, execute judgment and justice for us according to law, and redress us of our wrongs.' I would also
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