History of Utah, 1540-1886 - Brigham Young University

86 THE STORY OF MORMONISM.
" Harken, O ye elders of my churca, saith the Lord
your God, who have assembled yourselves together,
according to my commandments, in this land, which
is the land of Missouri, which is the land which I
have appointed and consecrated for the gathering of
the saints; wherefore this is the land of promise, and
the place for the city of Zion. And thus saith the
Lord your God, if you will receive wisdom here is
wisdom. Behold the place which is now called Independence
is the centre place, and the spot for the
temple is lying westward upon a lot which is not far
from the court-house: wherefore it is wisdom that
the land should be purchased by the saints; and also
every tract lying westward, even unto the line running
directly between jew and gentile; and also every
tract bordering by the prairies, inasmuch as my disci-
ples are enabled to buy lands."
Further, Sidney Gilbert was made church agent, to
receive money and buy lands; he was also directed to
establish a store. Partridge was to partition the
lands purchased among the people; Phelps was
made church printer. But the last two becoming a
little headstrong on entering upon their new duties,
Joseph found it necessary to reprimand and warn
them. Harris was held up as an example to emulate,
for he had given much to the church. It was ordered
that an agent be appointed to raise money in
Ohio to buy lands in Missouri, and Rigdon was commissioned
to write a description of the new land of
Zion for the same purpose. Ziba Peterson was dispossessed
of his lands, and made to work for others,
in punishment for his misdemeanors.
Thus the latter-day saints had come to the border
line of civilization, and looking over it into the west
they thought here to establish themselves forever.
Here was to be the temple of God; here the city of
refuge ; here the second advent of the savior. Meanwhile
their headquarters were to be at the town of
Independence.