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| Orson Hyde's 1840 Letter of
Introduction |
| Orson's credentials
for use on his trip to Jerusalem. |
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To all people unto whom
these presents shall come, Greeting— |
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HC
4:112–113. |
| April
6, 1840 |
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Be it known that we,
the constituted authorities of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day
Saints, assembled in Conference at Nauvoo, Hancock county, and state of
Illinois, on the sixth day of April, in the year of our Lord, one thousand
eight hundred and forty, considering an important event at hand, an event
involving the interest and fate of the Gentile nations throughout the world—from
the signs of the times and from declarations contained in the oracles of
God, we are forced to come to this conclusion. |
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| Time
for Jews to return |
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The Jewish nations have
been scattered abroad among the Gentiles for a long period; and in our estimation,
the time of the commencement of their return to the Holy Land has already
arrived. |
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| Prelude
to Second Coming, destruction of wicked |
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As this scattered and
persecuted people are set among the Gentiles as a sign unto them of the
second coming of the Messiah, and also of the overthrow of the present kingdoms
and governments of the earth, by the potency of His Almighty arm in scattering
famine and pestilence like the frosts and snows of winter, and sending the
sword with nation against nation to bathe it in each other's blood; it is
highly important, in our opinion, that the present views and movements of
the Jewish people be sought after and laid before the American people, for
their consideration, their profit and their learning. |
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| Orson
Hyde agent to visit foreign lands |
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And feeling it to be
our duty to employ the most efficient means in our power to save the children
of men from "the abomination that maketh desolate," we have, by
the counsel of the Holy Spirit, appointed Elder Orson Hyde, the bearer of
these presents, a faithful and worthy minister of Jesus Christ, to be our
Agent and Representative in foreign lands, to visit the cities of London,
Amsterdam, Constantinople, and Jerusalem; and also other places that he
may deem expedient; and converse with the priests, rulers, and elders of
the Jews, and obtain from them all the information possible, and communicate
the same to some principal paper for publication, that it may have a general
circulation throughout the United States. |
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| Render
him assistance |
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As Mr. Hyde has willingly
and cheerfully accepted the appointment to become our servant and the servant
of the public in distant and foreign countries, for Christ's sake, we do
confidently recommend him to all religious and Christian people, and to
gentlemen and ladies making no profession, as a worthy member of society,
possessing much zeal to promote the happiness of mankind, fully believing
that they will be forward to render him all the pecuniary aid he needs to
accomplish this laborious and hazardous mission for the general good of
the human family.
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Ministers
are requested to assist him
Afflicted Saints |
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Ministers of every denomination
upon whom Mr. Hyde shall call, are requested to hold up his hands, and aid
him by their influence, with an assurance that such as do this shall have
the prayers and blessings of a poor and afflicted people, whose blood has
flowed to test the depths of their sincerity and to crimson the face of
freedom's soil with martyr's blood.
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| Transmit
simple facts, not theology |
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Mr. Hyde is instructed
by this Conference to transmit to this country nothing but simple facts
for publication, entirely disconnected with any peculiar views of theology,
leaving each class to make their own comments and draw their own inferences. |
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Given under our hands
at the time and place before mentioned. |
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Joseph Smith, Jun.,
Chairman.
Robert B. Thompson, Clerk. |
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Orson Hyde
History of Orson Hyde
Orson Hyde's 1835 Complaint
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