The Wentworth Letter | Page 4

we arrived in the state of Illinois in
1839, where we found a hospitable people and a friendly home; a
people who were willing to be governed by the principles of law and
humanity. We have commenced to build a city called "Nauvoo" in
Hancock co., we number from six to eight thousand here besides vast
numbers in the county around and in almost every county of the state.
We have a city charter granted us and a charter for a legion the troops
of which now number 1500. We have also a charter for a university, for
an agricultural and manufacturing society, have our own laws and
administrators, and possess all the privileges that other free and
enlightened citizens enjoy.
Persecution has not stopped the progress of truth, but has only added
fuel to the flame, it has spread with increasing rapidity, proud of the
cause which they have espoused and conscious of our' innocence and of
the truth of their system amidst calumny and reproach have the elders
of this Church gone forth, and planted the gospel in almost every state
in the Union; it has penetrated our cities, it has spread over our villages
and has caused thousands of our intelligent, noble, and patriotic citizens
to obey its divine mandates, and be governed by its sacred truths. It has
also spread into England, Ireland, Scotland, and Wales: in the year
1839 where a few of our missionaries were sent over five thousand
joined the standard of truth, there are numbers now joining in every
land.
Our missionaries are going forth to different nations, and in Germany,
Palestine, New Holland, the East Indies, and other places, the standard

of truth has been erected: no unhallowed hand can stop the work from
progressing, persecutions may rage, mobs may combine, armies may
assemble, calumny may defame, but the truth of God will go forth
boldly, nobly, and independent till it has penetrated every continent,
visited every clime, swept every country, and sounded in every ear, till
the purposes of God shall be accomplished and the Great Jehovah shall
say the work is done.
We believe in God the Eternal Father, and in his son Jesus Christ, and
in the Holy Ghost.
We believe that men will be punished for their own sins and not for
Adam's transgression.
We believe that through the atonement of Christ all mankind may be
saved by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the Gospel.
We believe that these ordinances are 1st, Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ;
2d, Repentance; 3d, Baptism by immersion for the remission of sins;
4th, Laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost.
We believe that a man must be called of God by "prophesy, and by
laying on of hands" by those who are in authority to preach the gospel
and administer in the ordinances thereof.
We believe in the same organization that existed in the primitive
church, viz, apostles, prophets, pastors, teachers, evangelists &c.
We believe in the gift of tongues, prophesy, revelation, visions, healing,
interpretation of tongues &c.
We believe the bible to be the word of God as far as it is translated
correctly; we also believe the Book of Mormon to be the word of God.
We believe all that God has revealed, all that He does now reveal, and
we believe that he will yet reveal many great and important things
pertaining to the Kingdom of God.
We believe in the literal gathering of Israel and in the restoration of the
Ten Tribes. That Zion will be built upon this [the American] continent.
That Christ will reign personally upon the earth, and that the earth will
be renewed and receive its paradisiac glory.
We claim the privilege of worshipping Almighty God according to the
dictates of our conscience, and allow all men the same privilege let
them worship how, where, or what they may.
We believe in being subject to kings, presidents, rulers, and magistrates,
in obeying, honoring, and sustaining the law.

We believe in being honest, true, chaste, benevolent, virtuous, and in
doing good to all men; indeed we may say that we follow the
admonition of Paul "we believe all things we hope all things," we have
endured many things and hope to be able to endure all things. If there is
anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praise worthy we seek
after these things.
Respectfully &c., JOSEPH SMITH

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