Transcript

Salt Lake Emigrants.

Having recently heard from Santa Fe that the winter has been very severe there, and that they are losing many of their cattle in consequence of the deep snow; and this place being much south of the Salt Lake, and approximating near to the same Longitude west, we have reason to fear, that they have had a severer winter in the latter place than they anticipated when they wrote their last Epistle, saying to the emigrants to come with only provisions enough to last them through the journey. They will probably have to feed all their surplus grain to their stock to winter them through, and they may lose many of their cattle despite of all their exertions. If they should, it would greatly retard their farming operations for the coming season; and we therefore think it more safe and prudent for all emigrants to the above place to take at least two hundred pounds of good breadstuffs to every soul above two years old; and those under two years old need not be reckoned at all. All other provisions and niceties, according to the taste and ability of the respective families, in like proportion, if possible.

Milch [Milk] cows should be taken by all means, as many of them as possible. For bread, milk, butter, and honey constitute the usual food of the Saints. Animal food costs cruelty and blood, and should be used sparingly by those who fear God and respect the works of his hands. Let the shedding of blood, be the result of actual need; for the Lord hath said unto us: "Woe unto him that sheddeth blood when he hath no need!"

Whenever God has had a people on the earth whom he thought well enough of to speak to from Heaven, he has suffered offences to come upon them; and has even said that they must needs come. Why must they needs come? Martyrs' blood must flow to sanctify the people; for "without the shedding of blood there is no remission." Offences are borne by an enemy's hand, and by it, dealt out to the Saints. Jehovah looks upon a sacrifice of this kind for his sake, and sends pardon and forgiveness to his people. From the days of Abel to the days of Joseph Smith, this has been the case. In view of this, Jesus Christ hath said: "Except a man lay down his life for my sake, he is not worthy of me, neither can he be my disciple. The souls of them who were beheaded for the word of God and for the testimony of Jesus, are crying from beneath the altar, and waiting for their exaltation and for their blood to be avenged upon the earth.

The forgiveness of sins costs richer blood than that of beasts-therefore spare the brute as much as possible-but seek not to save your own life; for if you should effect it, you would stay the action of Jehovah in the forgiveness of sins, and consequently lose your life at last. Remember that the blood of your martyred brethren is a blessing in disguise. It is, indeed, "the seed of the church." It is the token of pardon and forgivenes to you; and the seal of condemnation and woe upon those by whom these offences come. "Rejoice ever more. Pray without ceasing, and in all things give thanks."