# The Evening and the Morning Star, v1n07, editorial matter attributed to W. W. Phelps (editor)
# Date: December 1832 (Independence, Missouri)
# Source: http://www.centerplace.org/history/ems/v1n07.htm (centerplace.org transcription). Pieces: THE RESURRECTION OF THE JUST; THE WAY OF JOURNEYING FOR THE SAINTS OF THE CHURCH OF CHRIST; THE INDIANS; ZION; THE CHOLERA. Notes: unsigned editorials in Phelps-edited issue (confidence medium; 'To Man' June 1832 signed W. W. PHELPS = high); revelations, scripture extracts, reprints, hymns, and others' letters excluded; quoted matter and detected unmarked scripture paragraphs stripped; transcriber bracket-corrections removed (original spelling retained).

[THE RESURRECTION OF THE JUST]

The resurrection of the just, though one of the greatest promises of the Lord, in the gospel, is, we think, less understood, by the world at large, than many other things revealed to man, by his holy prophets. At present, excepting the church of Christ, which the world calls Mormonites, we do not know of a single sect that holds to, or has faith in the resurrection of the just in the flesh; or, in other words, a church or society that mean and hope, by obeying the commands of God in all things; by repentance and baptism for the remission of sins, to receive the gift of the Holy Ghost by the laying on of the hands; hold out faithful to the end, and after death, rise, when the Redeemer comes in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory, and live in the flesh, on earth, and reign with him a thousand years. It is a solemn fact that the right meaning of scripture, has been perverted, and the light of the gospel darkened, by the wisdom or cunning of man. Enoch, who walked with God, and built up Zion, in the latter part of the first thousand years of this world, preached the resurrection, and confirmed the doctrine by being translated, with Zion, to the bosom of God. The promise of the resurrection, to Enoch, as published in the third number of the Star, is:

This promise to Enoch, and many others to others, have been withheld from man, for many generations, on account of wickedness, and for want of faith;-Still the bible has ever contained the blessed promise, though not as plain as the Lord has revealed in these last days. In fact the redemption of the bodies of the righteous, is one of the glorious mysteries of the Lord, unfolded unto them in the gospel:

The prophets knew what the resurrection meant, having had the eyes of their understandings opened, in some instances, by the power of God, to behold the just rise from the dust, at the morning of the resurrection to meet Christ in the air: and live again in the flesh, on earth, a thousand years, while satan is bound. The apostles preached this doctrine with great power, showing that Christ had actually risen from the tomb, in the flesh, as a sample of what should follow.-The 15th Chapter of first Corinthians, contains many important things on the resurrection of the just, at the second coming of the Savior as well as hints and instructions, on the resurrection of all: Paul says: Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; by which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all, that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; and that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures: And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve: After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep. After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles. And last of all he was seen of me also, as one born out of due time. For I am the least of the apostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me, was not in vain; but I labored more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was in me. Therefore whether it were I or they, so we preach, and so ye believed. Now if Christ be preached that he rose from the dead, how say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead? But if there be no resurrection of the dead, then is Christ not risen. And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain. Yea, and we are found false witnesses of God; because we have testified of God that he raised up Christ: whom he raised not up, if so be that the dead rise not. For if the dead rise not, then is not Christ raised: And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins. Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished. If in this life only, we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable. But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the first fruits of them that slept. For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. But every man in his own order: Christ the first fruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming.

This promise alone, to the house of Israel, is enough to establish the resurrection of the righteous, in the flesh; and the remainder of the chapter goes to confirm it, so that Israel may dwell in the land of his fathers; but to make the matter plainer, let us quote Paul's words to the Thessalonians:

alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. In this Paul does not say the righteous rise in the flesh, but he says, we which are alive, and remain, shall be caught up together with them, (the rising dead, such as the pure members of the Lord's church in the days of the apostles, &c., that died in the hope of a glorious resurrection) to meet the Lord in the air, which is just as plain as to have said, we which remain when the Lord comes the second time, shall be caught up in the body to meet him.

To the saints that trust in the Lord, the whole bible, seemingly, has a reference, in a greater or less degree, to the resurrection of the just. The Psalmist said the righteous shall inherit the land, and Christ said the meek shall inherit the earth, and so we might go on, and make quotations, till we had brought all that relates to the gospel, from Genesis to Revelations, but, to shorten the matter, and, we may say, to unfold the subject, and bring it to the common understanding of such as seek the truth, let us take a paragraph or two from the book of Mormon. In that, Alma says: Behold, I say unto you, that there is no resurrection; or I would say, in other words, that this mortal does not put on immortality; this corruption does not put on incorruption, until after the coming of Christ. Behold, he bringeth to pass the resurrection of the dead. But behold, my son, the resurrection is not yet. Now I unfold unto you a mystery; nevertheless, there are many mysteries, which are kept, that no one knoweth them, save God himself. But I shew unto you one thing, which I have inquired diligently of God, that I might know; that is, concerning the resurrection. Behold, there is a time appointed that all shall come forth from the dead. Now when this time cometh, no one knows; but God knoweth the time which is appointed. Now whether there shall be one time, or a second time, or a third time, that men shall come forth from the dead, it mattereth not; for God knoweth all these things; and it sufficeth me to know that this is the case; that there is a time appointed that all shall rise from the dead. Now there must needs be a space betwixt the time of death, and the time of the resurrection. And now I would inquire what becometh of the souls of men, from this time of death, to the time appointed for the resurrection? Now whether there is more than one time appointed for men to rise, it mattereth not; for all do not die at once; and this mattereth not; all is as one day, with God; and time only is measured unto men; therefore there is a time appointed unto men, that they shall rise from the dead; and there is a space between the time of death and the resurrection. And now concerning this space of time. What becometh of the souls of men, is the thing which I have inquired diligently of the Lord to know; and this is the thing of which I do know. And when the time cometh when all shall rise, then shall they know that God knoweth all the times which are appointed unto man. Now concerning the state of the soul between death and the resurrection. Behold, it hath been made known unto me, by an angel, that the spirits of all men, as soon as they are departed from this mortal body; yea, the spirits of all men, whether they be good or evil, are taken home to that God who gave them life. And then shall it come to pass that the spirits of those which are righteous are received into a state of happiness, which is called paradise; a state of rest; a state of peace, where they shall rest from all their troubles, and from all care, and sorrow, &c.-And then shall it come to pass, that the spirits of the wicked, yea, which are evil; for behold, they have no part nor portion of the Spirit of the Lord; for behold, they chose evil works, rather than good; therefore the spirit of the Devil did enter into them, and take possession of their house; and these shall be cast out into outer darkness; there shall be weeping, and wailing, and gnashing of teeth; and this because of their own iniquity; being led captive by the will of the Devil. Now this is the state of the souls of the wicked; yea, in darkness, and a state of awful, fearful looking for of the fiery indignation of the wrath of God upon them; thus they remain in this state, as well as the righteous in paradise, until the time of their resurrection. Now there are some that have understood that this state of happiness, and this state of misery of the soul, before the resurrection, was a first resurrection. Yea, I admit it may be termed a resurrection; the raising of the spirit or the soul, and their consignation to happiness or misery, according to the words which have been spoken. And behold, again it hath been spoken, that there is a first resurrection; a resurrection of all those which have been, or which are, or which shall be, down to the resurrection of Christ from the dead. Now we do not suppose that this first resurrection which is spoken of in this manner, can be the resurrection of the souls, and their consignation to happiness or misery. Ye cannot suppose that this is what it meaneth. Behold, I say unto you Nay; but it meaneth the re-uniting of the soul with the body of those from the days of Adam, down to the resurrection of Christ. Now whether the souls and the bodies of those of which have been spoken, shall all be re-united at once, the wicked as well as the righteous, I do not say; let it suffice, that I say that they all come forth; or in the other words, their resurrection cometh to pass before the resurrection of those which die after the resurrection of Christ. Now my son, I do not say that their resurrection cometh at the resurrection of Christ; but behold, I give it as my opinion, that the souls and the bodies are re-united, of the righteous, at the resurrection of Christ, and his assension into heaven. But whether it be at his resurrection, or after, I do not say; but this much I say: That there is a space between death and the resurrection of the body, and a state of the soul in happiness or in misery, until the time which is appointed of God that the dead shall come forth, and be re-united, both soul and body, and be brought to stand before God, and be judged according to their works; yea, this bringeth about the restoration of those things of which have been spoken by the mouths of the prophets. The soul shall be restored to the body, and the body to the soul; yea, and every limb and joint shall be restored to its body; yea, even a hair of the head shall not be lost, but all things shall be restored to its proper and perfect frame. And now my son, this is the restoration of which has been spoken by the mouths of the prophets: And then shall the righteous shine forth in the Kingdom of God. But behold, an awful death cometh upon the wicked; for they die as to things pertaining to things of righteousness; for they are unclean and no unclean thing can inherit the Kingdom of God; but they are cast out, and consigned to partake of the fruits of their labors or their work, which have been evil; and they drink the dregs of a bitter cup.

And now my son, I have somewhat to say concerning the restoration of which has been spoken; for behold, some have arrested the Scriptures, and have gone far astray, because of this thing.

Now we see that the man had became as God, knowing good and evil; and lest he shold put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live forever, that the Lord God placed Cherubims and the flaming sword, that he should not partake of the fruit; and thus we see, that there was a time granted unto man, to repent, yea, a probationary time, a time ro repent and serve God. For behold, if Adam had put forth his hand immediately, and partook of the tree of life, he would have lived forever, according to the word of God, having no space for repentance; yea, and also the word of God would have been void, and the great plan of salvation would have been frustrated. But behold, it was appointed unto man to die; therefore as they were cut off from the tree of life, therefore they should be cut off from the face of the earth; and man became lost forever; yea, they became fallen man. And now we see by this, that our first parents were cut off, both temporally and spiritually, from the presence of the Lord; and thus we see they became subjects to follow after their own will. Now behold, it was not expedient that man should be reclaimed from this temporal death, for that would destroy the great plan of happiness; therefore, as the soul could never die, and the fall had brought upon all mankind a spiritual death as well as a temporal; that is, they were cut off from the presence of the Lord; therefore it was expedient that mankind should be reclaimed from this spiritual death; therefore as they had become carnal, sensual and devilish by nature, this probationary state became a state for them to prepare; it became a preparatory state. And now remember my son, if it were not for the plan of redemption, (laying it aside,) as soon as they were dead, their souls were miserable being cut off from the presence of the Lord. And now there was not means to reclaim

men from this falen state which man had brought upon himself, because of his own disobedience; therefore, according to justice, the plan of redemption could not be brought about, only, on conditions of repentance of men in this probationary state; yea, this preparatory state; for except it were for these conditions, mercy could not take effect except it should destroy the work of justice. Now the work of justice could not be destroyed: if so, God would cease to be God. And thus we see that all mankind were fallen, and they were in the grasp of justice; yea, the justice of God, which consigned them forever to be cut off from his presence. And now the plan of mercy could not be brought about, except an atonement should be made; therefore God himself atoneth for the sins of the world, to bring about the plan of mercy, to appease the demands of justice, that God might be a perfect just God, and merciful God also. Now repentance could not come unto men, except there were a punishment, which also was as eternal as the life of the soul, should be affixed opposite to the plan of happiness, which was as eternal also as the life of the soul. Now, how could a man repent, except he should sin? How could he sin, if there was no law? How could there be a law, save there was a punishment? Now there was a punishment affixed, and a just law given, which brought remorse of conscience unto man. Now if there was no law given, if a man murdered he should die, would he be afraid he should die if he should murder? And also, if there was no law given against sin, men would not be afraid to sin. And if there was no law given if men sinned, what could justice do, or mercy either, for they would have no claim upon the creature? But there is a law given, and a punishment affixed, and repentance granted; which repentance, mercy claimeth; otherwise, justice claimeth the creatures, and executeth the law, and the law inflicteth the punishment; if not so, the works of justice would be destroyed, and God would cease to be God. But God ceaseth not to be God, and mercy claimeth the penitent, and mercy cometh because of the atonement; and the atonement bringeth to pass the resurrection of the dead; and the resurrection of the dead bringeth back men into the presence of God; and thus they are restored into his presence, to be judged according to their works; according to the law and justice; for behold, justice exerciseth all his demands, and also mercy claimeth all which is her own; and t

Our extract from Alma is somewhat long, but it is so full of instruction, that it needs no apology. What greater object can there be of the gospel, which was sent from heaven to Adam, and which has been preached at sundry times from his days until now, than that men might be prepared for the kingdom of God, that the kingdom of heaven might come down, and the righteous rise from the dead, and live again, in the flesh, on earth, a thousand years, before they go into eternity to dwell in the celestial kingdom? This subject is made very plain by the following extract from one of our late commandments from the blessed Redeemer:

Not to go beyond our knowledge, there are at least two resurrections yet: one of the just, at the second coming of the Savior, and another at the day of judgment, after the thousand years of peace, when the books are opened, and all men judged according to their works. Concerning the first resurrection the Vision, published in the second number of the Star, says thus: And again, we bear record for we saw and heard, and this is the testimony of the gospel of Christ, concerning them who come forth in the resurrection of the just: they are they who received the testimony of Jesus, and believed on his name, and were baptized after the manner of his burial, being buried in the water in his name, and this according to the commandment which he hath given, that, by keeping the commandment, they might be washed and cleansed from all their sins, and receive the Holy Ghost by the laying on of the hands of him who is ordained and sealed unto this power; and who overcome by faith, and are sealed by that Holy Spirit of promise, which the Father sheddeth forth upon all those who are just and true: they are they who are the church of the first-born: they are they into whose hands the Father hath given all things: they are they who are priests and kings, who having received of his fulness , and of his glory, are priests of the most High, after the order of Melchisedek, which was after the order of Enoch, which was after the order of the only begotten Son: wherefore, as it is written, they are gods, even the sons of God: wherefore, all things are theirs, whether life or death, or things present, or things to come, all are theirs, and they are Christ's and Christ is God's; and they shall overcome all things: wherefore let no man glory in man, but rather let him glory in God, who shall subdue all enemies under his feet; these shall dwell in the presence of God and his Christ forever and ever: these are they whom he shall bring with him, when he shall come in the clouds of heaven, to reign on the earth over his people: these are they who shall have part in the first resurrection: these are they who shall come forth in the resurrection of the just: these are they who are come unto mount Zion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly place, the holiest of all; these are they who have come to an innumerable company of angels; to the general assembly and church of Enoch, and of the first born: these are they whose names are written in heaven, where God and Christ is the judge of all: these are they who are just men made perfect through Jesus the Mediator of the new covenant, who wrought out this perfect atonement through the shedding of his own blood: these are they whose bodies are celestial, whose glory is that of the Son, even of God the highest of all; which glory the sun of the firmament is written of as being typical.

The above paragraph is so plain, that we might leave the subject here, but lest any should be left in doubt, or blend the second coming of the Savior with the day of judgment, we continue. In the first resurrection, Christ comes to the righteous, but at the last day, the wicked stand before God and are judged according to their works: let us read the 20th chapter of Revelations: And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the devil, and satan, and bound him a thousand years, and cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled; and after that he must be loosed a little season. And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshiped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years. But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection. Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years. And when the thousand years are expired, satan shall be loosed out of his prision , and shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle: the number of whom is as the sand of the sea. And they went up on the breadth of the earth, and compassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city:-and fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them. And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever. And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened, and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works.-And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.

[THE WAY OF JOURNEYING FOR THE SAINTS OF THE CHURCH OF CHRIST]

Feeling a great anxiety for the welfare of the disciples of our coming Lord, that they may keep his commandments blameless, at all times, and in all things relative to their salvation, it is thought proper to give some instruction upon the subject of journeying to the land of Zion. Fulfilling the commandment, and experience, have already shown, that, to come by land, especially from the state of Ohio, and this side, is the safest, and generally the quickest, and cheapest. Besides the saving of time and money, you save risks and many dangers: Firstly, of disasters upon the waters, and secondly, in some degree, the fear and trouble of the Cholera, which the Lord has sent into the world, and which may, without repentance, ravage the large towns near the waters, many years, or, at least, till other judgments come.

Again: when a number of disciples are crowded together upon a boat, they can not attend to their prayers before the Lord, in the season thereof, that they may enjoy the influence of the Holy Spirit: Wherefore, they can not set that example before the world, which will be seen among them that journey like the children of Israel, pitching their tents by the way; preaching to the inhabitants as much by deeds, as by words; walking so worthily before the Lord; keeping his commandments so strictly, in very deed, and bearing their fatigue so patiently, that the most careless people, about things of eternity, will be constrained to say: They act like the children of God. Brethren, great things are required at your hands: you have the immediate commandments of the Lord to walk by, and if you do not keep them, in every point, how do you suppose that the unbelieving can be made to believe them? or how can you expect the blessings of heaven? If you would persuade the people to keep the commandments, you must first keep them yourselves. If you would entice men to flee from the wrath to come, you must go yourselves: If you would urge men to leave the houses they now live in, you must show them better ones. Evil must be overcome with good.

In the commandment which follows, the Lord points out the way for his saints to journey. In others there are necessary cautions and hints: For instance: The bishop, or his agent, is to make known the privileges of the land from time to time, &c., that the gathering be not in haste, or by flight. Again: Every disciple that comes to Zion, as a faithful servant that would be approved, must bring with him, a certificate from the bishop in the east, or from three elders; and let not your flight be in haste, but let all things be prepared before you. And now, behold, this is the will of the Lord your God, concerning his saints:

[THE INDIANS]

It is not only gratifying, but almost marvelous, to witness the gathering of the Indians. The work has been going on for some time, and these remnants of Joseph gather by hundreds and settle west of the Missouri, and Arkansas. And is not this scripture fulfilling:

[ZION]

It was said, when the righteous gathered together, in the days of Enoch, that the Lord called his people Zion, because they were of one heart and of one mind, and dwelt in righteousness; and there was no poor among them: and such must be the case in these last days, when the Lord is pruning his vineyard for the last time, and gathering his elect from the four quarters of the earth. One can not be above another in wealth, nor below another for want of means, for the earth is the Lord's and the fulness thereof. Neither shall men labor for the Lord for wages. As it is written in the Book of Mormon:

Men have no right to trust in an arm of flesh, and for this reason, that Zion may again be built up on earth, that faith may increase, and the saints rely upon the mercies of God, and as the Lord hath said in the preface to his commandments: Wherefore I the Lord, knowing the calamity which should come upon the inhabitants of the earth, called upon my servant Joseph, and spake unto him from heaven, and gave him commandments; and also gave commandments to others, that they should proclaim these things unto the world, and all this that it might be fulfilled, which was written by the Prophets: The weak things of the world should come forth and break down the mighty and strong ones; that man should not counsel his fellowman, neither trust in the arm of flesh, but that every man might speak in the name of God, the Lord, even the Savior of the World; that faith also might increase in the earth; that mine everlasting covenant might be established; that the fulness of my gospel might be proclaimed by the weak and the simple, unto the ends of the world; and before kings and rulers.

The book of Mormon declares that the land which is now called America, is a choice land above all others, and we believe it, because the Lord has said it, and we have seen it. At present, the world thinks much of America because it is trying the experiment of a free government; and the people of the Lord are beginning to lift up their heads and rejoice, because Jesus the Redeemer is setting up his kingdom upon this choice land above all others, and it is no more to be confounded.

We came across the following, which brought to mind, the above reflections:-

[THE CHOLERA]

Our exchange papers, generally carry the idea, that the cholera has left the northern states: in the southern, however, its desolating ravages continue. Natches, is said to be afflicted to a very great extent. As to New-Orleans, the following will suffice: -> The Argus of the 29th of October says:-The cholera and yellow fever continue to send great numbers to the grave. The Protestant cemetery last week amounted to 71, and in the Catholic' to 121,-total 192.-We have been unable to find out the number of victims of each malady. The cholera, as far as we have been able to learn, has principally attacked the slaves, and persons of intemperate and unclean habits.

It is added by the Courier that some of the physicians designate the prevailing disease as the Asiatic cholera, whilst others pronounce it the cold plague. The same paper complains much of inattention to the immediate burial of those who have died, and alleges that corpses are taken to the cemetery at night and allowed to remain until the next day unburied. says the editor,

