| 523 Marcus Lowell, Sacramento and vicinity; M. B. Oliver, Amador County; William Potter, Elko, White Pine, and vicinity; Elders Garlick and Wardle, in Sacramento and vicinity; Elders Hiram Falk, E. C. Brand, and G. P. Slayton, and Priests J. R. Cook and J. N. Stamm, under president of mission.
Elder W. W. Blair was sustained as president of Pacific slope mission.
The following teaching of President Smith on the gathering, and the necessary preparation for it, was published in the Herald for April 15, 1869:-
"The necessity for the saints becoming self sustaining is becoming more and more apparent The widening difference existing between the faith which we preach, and that which has grown upon the people as a gospel of saving grace, is pressing home upon us the great principle of the latter-day work, the gathering.
"When speaking of this, we deprecate that indiscriminate rushing together which has, to some extent, marked the rise and rapid increase of the church at an earlier day.
"Our reasons for this are the lamentable results which have followed the real disregard to the written word upon the subject; the uncertain reliance which it has been the means of fixing in the minds of the many, upon the word which requires a due preparation, before becoming worthy to be called 'the pure in heart.'
"These are grave considerations. We have had far more difficulty in securing the confidence of the saints than in preaching the word; and, although it may be urged that there ought to be a simultaneous gathering and proselyting [proselytizing], in order to fulfill the rule of law making the observance of certain commands called celestial possible, we cannot yet see how, if this were granted, that it can precede in importance, or obviate the necessity of a complete and thorough purifying of the heart.
"In the purified heart there is no fear. Neither is there doubt of his word or distrust of his servants.
"It follows that those who may be afflicted by fear, or ,tormented by doubt and distrust are not ready to be called
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