A LETTER FROM APOSTLE J. TAYLOR TO PRES. W. PHILLIPS
Rosenstrasse No. 27, Hamburg, November 24, 1851.
BROTHER PHILLIPS--I take the present opportunity to greet you with a few words; for while it is always a pleasure for me to write to my friends, perhaps it is not less satisfactory for you to hear from me. With continual pleasure I recall my visits to Wales; such a warm and honest feeling and such kindness and respect shown to me are what causes me to feel at home in your midst.
I was glad to hear through the "Star" that you have gone so far with the Book of Mormon, and that the Doctrine and Covenants is finished; and I am sure that you will be glad to finish such a difficult task, not only because it will free Bro. Davis from such a huge responsibility which rests on him at present, but also because it will be a means of making the gospel known among the old Britons, as they are taught by the seed of Joseph, as well as a comfort to the hearts of the Saints and edifying the faithful servants of God. The truth is always pleasing; but it is never as effective as it is in the native tongue of a nation.
Perhaps it will not be uninteresting to you to hear that things are going along well in France. Bro. Bolton baptized thirteen at Le Havre lately; he also organized a branch and ordained a priest. Elder Hurt, who was formerly in Birmingham, has gone there to preach, and there are also other missionaries in Paris. We intend to hold a conference in Paris on the 20th of December; and I would be very happy if you could come to our meeting on that occasion. The Book of Mormon is going steadily in French, and we hope to have it ready to sell soon.
I find myself here in the midst of another nation, speaking a different language; and after fighting and overcoming French, I encounter the same difficulties here as well. I have just published the first issue of a monthly publication in German, i.e., "Zions Panier." I am sending two to you and two to Bro. Davis. Tell Bro. Davis that I mentioned "Zion's Trumpet" in it, for I do not think that he can read it.* I have also begun to publish the Book of Mormon in German, and it is to be finished in three months and stereotyped as well. I wish to have all my papers and books stereotyped in France, as well as here, so that any number of them can be printed. I know that it is expensive; but is saves a great deal of cost and trouble afterwards. Between writing, correcting, reading, learning, and teaching others, I have plenty to do. I generally have plenty of work; and if I do not have it, I make it.
You will be glad to hear that I have made all the necessary arrangements in connection with the sugar business, so that I shall be ready, if I have the sugar-beets, to produce 300 tons a year, and as good sugar as there is.
I shall soon have to changed my work and be in the midst of woolen and worsted machines to prepare for the move to the valley; at any rate, since we have bodies and spirits, and our kingdom is temporal and spiritual, I think that one is as important as the other. Our work is to teach how to live well in this world and prepare for the world to come. I rejoice frequently that I am not connected with anyone from the narrow systems which men have, and which bind and shackle the feelings, restrict the view, weaken the abilities, and deprive man from that excellent independence, that philanthropy, those lofty ideas, and those reasonable hopes, which nothing but the gospel can impart. Our religion enjoys the mind, extends the abilities, nurtures peace and happiness, lifts the hopes; it magnifies and elevates man to his true position; it believes that in this world he is a son of God, that the earth and all its blessings were created for his sake. It opens the eternal scenes to his soul, and he then ponders his future and glorious fate. The heaven and the earth are his; for his sake the sun shines, the earth bears its fruit, the trees leaf, the flowers bloom, and the birds sing. For his sake the earth produces its most splendid beauty and pours out its most pleasant aromas. For him the holy city was built, the New Jerusalem, and for him the earth is purified. For him angels were prepared as companions; and a new heaven and earth will soon await
to receive him. "All things are ours; and we are Chirst's; and Christ is God's." Therefore, let us strive to teach men to appreciate the blessings which the gospel brings within their reach; and while turmoil disturbs the world--while fire, and sword, and sickness, and blood destroy the nations--while earthquakes tremble, thrones roll down, empires are destroyed, and the wrath of God is felt among the nations--our endeavor is to stand as publishers of salvation, messengers of heaven, and missionaries of truth; to pour oil on the wounds of an injured world; and while walking amid plagues, swords, and death to show to a corrupt and lost world the hopes of the gospel, salvation of Zion, and the establishment of the kingdom of God.
I was led to some of the above reflections because of the condition in which I found the nations of Europe. It seems that the black clouds of war are descending from every side; mistrust and uncertainty flourish everywhere; and that which was at first but a prophecy in our midst is now beginning to be uncovered. The situation of France, Germany, Austria, Italy, Denmark and Sweden foreshadows something terrible to come. All peoples look for change, for turmoil, blood, etc.-- yea, everyone expects something frightful in 1852; and while they appear to fear their coming storm, everyone rushes as if blood-thirsty to the battle. Emperors, kings, princes and people all fear it, and they all await it. It appears as if "woe" had been written on everything. I pity the people and mourn because of their condition, for I fear that thousands of wretches will be put down in the dust. This is that thing spoken of by our Lord: "Men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth." They are things which were prophesied by Joseph Smith. They are things which I saw myself years ago. Therefore, I feel it more accutely as the day draws near. Yet the nations are drunk and mad. Isaiah says: "And it shall be, as with the people, so with the priest; as with the buyer, so with the seller; because they have transgressed the laws, changed the ordinance, broken the everlasting covenant; therefore the inhabitants of the
earth are burned, and few men left." Our revelations tell us that after our testimony will come the testimony of earthquakes, wars, blood, etc. In any event, our work is to do our duty, and let the Lord arrange his own causes.
I hope that I shall have the pleasure of visiting with you before I leave England. After my conference in Paris, I intend to visit the Isle of Jersey and hold a conference on the 26th of December. Perhaps I shall be with you sometime in the beginning of January; but since I shall hear from you yet, there is no cause to name the time presently.
What is the condition of the pastor which you mentioned to me? Is his condition such that he can go? If so, how is his condition with a look at his family? I am speaking of these things, because the time is getting near. Be so good as to let me know, and have him write to Bro. Pack, No. 4, Bond Street, St. Heliers, Jersey, since Bro. Pack is taking care of the sheep.
If you see anything in the above clumsy writing worth publishing, it is at your service for the end that you see best.
Give my love to Brother and Sister Davis, Sister Phillips and yourself, together with all the Saints.
Yours in the eternal covenant,
JOHN TAYLOR
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*Although we do not profess to be able to read the publication of Bro. Taylor, we have translated some of it at random, hoping that when he comes here he can translate it back from Welsh. The translation is as follows:
"We have various publications which are printed in various parts of the world. In Utah Territory, in California, we have a newspaper called "Deseret News," and another in Kanesville, in the State of Iowa, i.e., the "Frontier Guardian;" and there is a publication in Liverpool called the "Millennial Star," and another in Wales, i.e., "Udgorn Seion;" another in Paris, i.e. "Étoile du Déseret," and another in Copenhagen, i.e., "Skandinaviens Stjerne." All of these are being carried forth in a skillful and talented manner." EDITOR.
[Translated from the original Welsh in Udgorn Seion, 1851, p. 395-9, by Ronald D. Dennis, 1529 W. 1170 North, Provo, Utah]
