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Show COMMUNICATED. THE TRUE GOVERNMENT. Of the increase of this government and peace there shall be no end. - Isaiah. It must be gratifying to the Latter-day Saints to notice the growth and development of this Latter-day work; how rapidly our numbers are increasing, how much power and influence we are now able to exert. Not only is Utah under the dominion of the Saints, but towns and counties in Idaho, Wyoming, Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona, and Nevada are peopled chiefly by the prolific Mormons. Alarmed at this rapid growth, the enemies of the work say it must stop. Forty years ago and over, when this same element of increase so enraged the mobs of Missouri, the advice then was to scatter abroad among the people and do not gather together under your Bishop and Presidents. To-day [Today] it is not one state, but thirty-eight that are alarmed at the increase of this peculiar people, and this great nation calls upon most of the Christian nations of the whole world to assist them in putting a stop to the increase of the Saints. In doing so it is an acknowledgement that they themselves are powerless to stop it, and it will soon be learned that the whole world cannot stop the work of God. They know not what spirit they are of, when fighting against this gospel the kingdom. Not only are they anxious to stop our recruits from among the nations, but cruel laws are enacted to stop the increase from above. Hosts of the choice and reserved spirits await with anxiety their advent to this probationary state, that they me be of those who shall redeem Zion; but the spirit of the evil one, through his servants, who have listed to over him, says we will put a stop to that increase also. Mission Judges are sent among us to that end. Juries are packed for that purpose; yet the increase increases and the Mormons spread abroad. The voice of prophecy comes ringing across the ages to our comfort no weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall ??? against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. So, fearlessly the Saints pursue the even tenor of their way unheeding the efforts or the venom of unbelievers. One consideration only presents itself which may retard our growth; that is, are prepared to receive the dominion of which the Lord is anxious we should enjoy? Are we sufficiently schooled that we cold rule in righteousness or would we to such an extent exercise unrighteous dominion as to grieve the spirit of the Lord and cause the heavens to withdraw themselves. This only is the thing to be ????????????????? shall have learned rule, ??? but by preparation, ???? by gentleness, and our sceptre [scepter] shall be an unchanging sceptre [scepter] of righteousness and truth, then shall our dominion be an everlasting dominion and without compulsory means it shall flow unto us forever and ever, and of the increase of their government and peace there shall be no end. |