Joseph became rather chary of giving forth "revelations" after he finally left Kirtland, but it was necessary to have a revelation with reference to the Holy City. It was published accordingly in the month of January, 1841, and directed the building of a magnificent temple, to which all the Saints were to contribute a tithe of their possessions, or of their time and labour. "Let all my Saints come from afar," said this revelation, the last that the prophet appears to have issued, "and send ye swift messengers, yea, chosen messengers, and say unto them, 'Come ye with all your gold, and your silver, and your precious stones, and with all your antiquities, and with all who have knowledge of antiquities, that will come, may come; and bring the box tree, and the fir tree, and the pine tree, to

gether with all the precious trees of the earth, and with iron, and with copper, and with brass, and with zinc, and with all your precious things of the earth, and build a house to my name for the Most High to dwell therein.'" The Saints were also commanded to build "a boarding-house” for the boarding of strangers. "Let it be built in my name, and let my name be named upon it, and let my servant Joseph Smith and his house have place therein from generation to generation, for ever and ever, saith the Lord; and let the name of the house be called the Nauvoo House, and let it be a delightful habitation for man, and a resting-place for the weary traveller, that he may contemplate the glory of Zion, and the glory of this, the corner-stone thereof." This "revelation was the most elaborate of all the compositions issued under this name. It was divided into forty-six heads or paragraphs, and entered minutely into directions for raising the funds for these undertakings, and also for governing the church in all its various departments.

The building of the temple was immediately commenced. The site chosen was exceedingly fine, being on a hill commanding a magnificent view on every side. It was built of a polished white lime-stone, almost as hard as marble, and is described as having been 138 feet in length by 88 in breadth. It was surmounted by a pyramidal tower, ascending by steps 170 feet from the ground, and the internal decorations were very costly. The Mormons having grown rich and powerful under persecution, expended nearly a million of dollars upon this edifice.

The foundation-stone was laid with much pomp on the 6th of April, 1841, within less than two years and a half after the expulsion of the sect from Missouri. A writer in the Mormon paper, the Times and Seasons, described the ceremony as one of the most magnificent that had ever been witnessed in America. At an early hour on the appointed day, the prophet, who then enjoyed the title of Lieut.-General Smith "was informed that the legion was ready for review, and accompanied by his staff, consisting of four aides-de-camp and twelve guards, nearly all in splendid uniforms, took his march to the parade ground. On their approach they were met by the band, beautifully equipped, who received them with a flourish of trumpets, and a regular salute, and then struck up a lively air, marching in front to the stand of the Lieut.-General. On his approach to the parade ground the artillery were again fired, and the legion gave an appropriate salute. This," said the Mormon reporter, "was indeed a glorious sight, such as we never saw, nor did we ever expect to see such a one in the west. The several companies presented a beautiful and interesting spectacle, several of them being uniformed and equipped, while

the rich and costly dresses of the officers would have become a Buonaparte or a Washington.

"After the arrival of Lieut.-General Smith, the ladies, who had made a beautiful silk flag, drove up in a carriage to present it to the legion. Major-General Bennett very politely attended on them, and conducted them in front of Lieut.-General Smith, who immediately alighted from his charger, and walked up to the ladies, who presented the flag, making an appropriate address. Lieut.-General Smith acknowledged the honour conferred upon the legion, and stated that as long as he had the command it should never be disgraced, and then politely bowing to the ladies, gave it into the hands of Major-General Bennett, who placed it in possession of Cornet Robinson, and it was soon seen gracefully waving in front of the legion. During the time of presentation the band struck up a lively air, and another salute was fired from the artillery.

"After the presentation of the flag, Lieut.-General Smith, accompanied by his suit, reviewed the legion, which presented a very imposing appearance, the different officers saluting as he passed. Lieut.General Smith then took his former stand, and the whole legion passed before him in review."

A procession was then formed with Joseph at its head, followed by Aides-de-Camp-Brigadiers—a military band—a body of infantryand of cavalry-and a troop of young ladies eight a-breast. On its arrival at the temple block, the generals with their staffs, and the strangers present, took their position inside the foundation; the ladies formed on the outside, immediately next the walls, the gentlemen and infantry behind, and the cavalry in the rear.

The assembly being stationed, the choristers sung an appropriate hymn. Sidney Rigdon then ascended a platform, which had been prepared for the purpose, and delivered an oration, which lasted for an hour; in which he passed in review "the scenes of tribulation and anguish through which the Saints had passed, the barbarous cruelties inflicted upon them for their faith and attachment to the cause of their God, and for the testimony of Jesus, which they endured with patience, knowing that they had in heaven a more enduring substance-a crown of eternal glory. In obedience to the commandments of their Heavenly Father, and because that Jesus had again spoken from the heavens, were they engaged in laying the foundation of the Temple, that the Most High might have an habitation, and where the Saints might assemble to pay their devotions to his holy name. He rejoiced at the glorious prospect which presented itself of soon completing the edifice, as there were no mobs to hinder their labours, consequently their circumstances were very different than before."

After the address the choir sung a hymn. Sidney Rigdon then invoked the blessings of Almighty God upon the assembly, and upon those who should labour upon the building. This done the Prophet went through the principal ceremony of the day, and said that the first corner stone of the Temple of Almighty God was laid. He prayed with much solemnity that the building might soon be completed, that the Saints might have an habitation to worship the God of their fathers.

"It was a gladsome sight," said the Times and Seasons, “and extremely affecting, to see the old revolutionary patriots, who had been driven from their homes in Missouri, strike hands and rejoice together, in a land where they knew they would be protected from mobs, and where they could again enjoy the liberty for which they had fought many a hard battle.

"The day was indeed propitious-heaven and earth combined to make the scene as glorious as possible."

Shortly before the foundation-stone of the temple was laid, Joseph attracted the attention of a personage, whom he appointed to a military command in Nauvoo, and who figures as Major-General Bennett in the Mormon report of that ceremonial which has just been quoted. This Bennett, being ambitious, unscrupulous, and unprincipled, seems to have had an idea that by means of Mormonism he might become of importance in America; and, without mincing the matter by fine words, he wrote to the Prophet to propose himself as his "right-hand man." "You know," said he to Joseph, "that Mahomet had his right-hand man ;" and why, he suggested, should not the new Mahomet or Moses have his right-hand man also? This curious letter ran as follows:

"Arlington House, Oct. 24th, 1843.

"DEAR GENERAL,—I am happy to know that you have taken possession of your new establishment, and presume you will be eminently successful and happy in it, together with your good lady and family. You are no doubt already aware that I have had a most interesting visit from your most excellent and worthy friend, President B. Young, with whom I have had a glorious frolic in the clear, blue ocean; for most assuredly a frolic it was, without a moment's reflection or consideration. Nothing of this kind would in the least attach me to your person or cause. I am capable of being a most undeviating friend, without being governed by the smallest religious influence.

"As you have proved yourself to be a philosophical divine, you will excuse me when I say that we must leave their influence to the mass. The boldness of your plans and measures, together with their unparalleled success so far, are calculated to throw a charm over your whole being, and to point you out as the most extraordinary man of the present age. But my mind is of so mathematical and philosophical a cast, that the divinity of Moses makes no impres

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sion on me; and you will not be offended when I say that I rate you higher as a legislator than I do Moses, because we have you present with us for examination, whereas Moses derives his chief authority from prescription and the lapse of time. I cannot, however, say but you are both right, it being out of the power of man to prove you wrong. It is no mathematical problem, and can therefore get no mathematical solution. I say, therefore, go-a-head-you have my good wishes. You know Mahomet had his right-hand man.'

"The celebrated Thomas Brown, of New York, is now engaged in cutting your head on a beautiful cornelian stone, as your private seal, which will be set in gold to your order, and sent to you. It will be a gem, and just what you want. His sister is a member of your church. The expense of the seal set in gold will be about forty dollars, and Mr. Brown assures me that if he were not so poor a man, he would present it to you free. You can, however, accept it or not, as he can apply it to another use. I am myself short for cash; for although I had some time since 2,000 dollars paid me by the Harpers, publishers, as the first instalment on the purchase of my copyright, yet I had got so much behind during the hard times, that it all went to clear up old scores. I expect 38,000 dollars more, however, in semi-annual payments, from those gentlemen, within the limits of ten years, a large portion of which I intend to use in the State of Illinois, in the purchase and conduct of a large tract of land; and, therefore, should I be compelled to announce in this quarter that I have no connection with the Nauvoo Legion, you will, of course remain silent, as I shall do it in such a way as will make all things right.

"I may yet run for a high office in your State, when you would be sure of my best services in your behalf; therefore, a known connection with you would be against our mutual interest. It can be shown that a commission in the legion was a Herald hoax, coined for the fun of it, by me, as it is not believed even now by the public. In short, I expect to be yet, through your influence, Governor of the State of Illinois.

"My respects to Brothers Young, Richards, Mrs. Emma, and all friends. "Yours, most respectfully,

"Lieut. General Smith."

"JAS. ARLINGTON BENNETT."

"P.S. As the office of Inspector-General confers no command on me, being a mere honorary title, if, therefore, there is any gentlemen in Nauvoo who would like to fill it in a practical way, I shall with great pleasure and good will resign it to him, by receiving advice from you to that effect. It is an office that should be filled by some scientific officer.

"J. A. B."

Joseph's reply to this singular and too candid epistle was quite as singular and infinitely more amusing. Joseph was too cunning a man to accept, in plain terms, the rude but serviceable offer; and he rebuked the vanity and presumption of Mr. Bennett, while dexterously retaining him for future use. He was not at all angry, though he endeavoured to appear so.