I shall quote my wife's 3rd Great Grandfather for as we see today history repeats. Humanity or a lack of it never changes.
This can be applied to the whole of America as now we see darkness creeping in to do its deeds upon those who only wish to live free.
"Your humble servant or servants, intend from henceforth to disapprobate everything that is not in accordance with the fullness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and is not of a bold, and frank, and upright nature. They will not hold their peace -- as in times past when they see iniquity beginning to rear its head -- for fear of traitors, or the consequences that shall follow by reproving those who creep in unawares, that they may bet something with which to destroy the flock. We believe that they will from henceforth be always ready to obey the truth without having men's persons in admiration because of advantage. It is expedient that we should be aware of such things; and we out always to be aware of those prejudices which sometimes so strangely present themselves, and are so congenial to human nature, against our friends, neighbors, and brethren of the world, who choose to differ from us in opinion and in matters of faith. Our religion is between us and our God. Their religion is between them and their God.
There is a love from God that should be exercised toward those of our faith, who walk uprightly, which is peculiar to itself, but it is without prejudice; it also gives scope to the mind, which enables us to conduct ourselves with greater liberality towards all that are not of our faith, that what they exercise towards one another. These principles approximate nearer to the mind of God, because it is like God, or Godlike.
Here is a principle also, which we are bound to be exercised with, that is, in common with all men, such as governments, and laws , and regulations in the civil concerns of life. This principle guarantees to all parties, sects, and denominations, and classes of religion, equal, coherent, and indefeasible rights; they are things that pertain to this life; therefore all are alike interested; they make our responsibilities one towards another in matters of corruptible things, while the former principles do not destroy the latter, but bind us stronger, and make our responsibilities not only one to another, but unto God also. Hence we say, that the Constitution of the United States is a glorious standard; it is founded in the wisdom of God. It is a heavenly banner; it is to all those who are privileged with the sweets of its liberty, like the cooling shades and refreshing waters of a great rock in a thirsty and weary land. It is like a great tree under whose branches men from every clime can be shielded from the burning rays of the sun.
We, brethren, are deprived of the protection of its glorious principles, by the cruelty of the cruel, by those who only look for the time being, for pasturage like the beasts of the field, only to fill themselves; and forget that the "Mormons," as well as the Presbyterians, and those of every other class and description, have equal rights to partake of the fruits of the great tree of our national liberty. But notwithstanding we see what we see, and feel what we feel, and know what we know, yet that fruit is no less precious and delicious to our taste; we cannot be weaned from the milk, neither can we be driven from the breast; neither will we deny our religion because of the hand of oppression; but we will hold on until death.
We say that God is true; that the Constitution of the United States is true; that the Bible is true; that the Book of Mormon is true; that the Book of Covenants is true; that Christ is true; that the ministering angels sent forth from God are true, and that we know that we have an house not made with hands eternal in the heavens, whose builder and maker is God; a consolation which our oppressors cannot feel, when fortune, or fate, shall lay its iron hand on them as it has on us. Now, we ask, what is man? Remember, brethren that time and chance happen to all men.
We shall continue our reflections in our next.
We subscribe ourselves, your sincere friends and brethren in the bonds of the everlasting Gospel, prisoners of Jesus Christ, for the sake of the Gospel and the Saints.
We pronounce the blessings of heaven upon the heads of the Saints who seek to serve God with undivided hearts, in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen."
(Letter from Liberty prison to those of his faith, held there on trumped up charges (lies) in very poor conditions March 25, 1839)
This man and his friends where Refused the laws and protection of the Constitution and while imprisoned upon false charges later set free, their members of their religious faith were being terrorized by those who felt them different, for greed, power, personal lusts they did fall upon and like the mobs of OWS, did steal others property, worldly goods, even chastity and life while they did linger in prison, cold, starving, very poor conditions.
Instead of lashing out, whining, crying, complaining, they did send forth many such letters, with the hope of God helping them, with a belief that the Constitution is a Glorious Standard and meant to protect the few from the mob mentality of the many.
He and those who followed his faith loved the Constitution even when they were striped of its rights by mobs and evil government leaders. Congress and even the President refused to listen to the case of these people, later this man was murdered in cold blood because he loved Jesus Christ and would not deny his testimony of him. Also at the time he was openly against slavery of any human, which did not set well with those in Missouri.
Eventually the followers would abandon the city they had built along the Mississippi River out of swamp lands into the largest city on the western frontier at the time. They would go west to the mountains outside of the United States for protection from the mobs, the government corrupted leaders of their time. To be free to practice their belief in God, even Jesus Christ. To be safe from pillage, plunder, rape, murder, terror from those who like the Occupy Wall Streeters all over America who do to mis information, lies, and their leaders using useful idiots of their day sought to steal, destroy that which was earned, the homes, farms, lands, and even the persons of this little group of people, who only sought the protection of the United States Constitution. They still are strong in the belief that America is a sacred land, that the Constitution of the United States is inspired by God, even Jesus Christ. And that it is a symbol a light unto the other nations of the world and example of what freedoms granted us by God should be also granted unto the peoples of all the worlds nations.
God Bless the Republic of America.
Yes, the author of this letter was Joseph Smith Jr. Prophet & leader of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, a good man, whose name has been defamed and blessed through out the world as was foretold it would be.
Seek to protect the Constitution, to allow all the freedoms it grants.
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