According to this FB post I found, we are just about to the purge point. What a tough time - but a time of relief. Putin can't get here fast enough..... Just to jog your memory, Orson was one of the 12 Apostles and was Jewish and was sent to dedicate the Holy Land for the return of the Jews in 1844:
This is an amazing quote from Orson Hyde regarding America's history,
past as well as future. This comes from an excellent talk entitled,
"Celebration of the Fourth of July." The whole talk is worth reading,
but the quote below is particularly interesting. I included a link in
case you'd like to read the whole talk. I believe we have reached the
time he spoke of.
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"In those early and perilous times, our men were few, and our resources
limited. Poverty was among the most potent enemies we had to encounter;
yet our arms were success ful; and it may not be amiss to ask here, by
whose power victory so often perched on our banner? It was by the agency
of that same angel of God that appeared unto Joseph Smith, and revealed
to him the history of the early inhabitants of this country, whose
mounds, bones, and remains of towns, cities, and fortifications speak
from the dust in the ears of the living with the voice of undeniable
truth. This same angel presides over the destinies of America, and feels
a lively interest in all our doings. He was in the camp of Washington;
and, by an invisible hand, led on our fathers to conquest and victory;
and all this to open and prepare the way for the Church and kingdom of
God to be established on the western hemisphere, for the redemption of
Israel and the salvation of the world.
"This same angel was with
Columbus, and gave him deep impressions, by dreams and by visions,
respecting this New World. Trammeled by poverty and by an unpopular
cause, yet his persevering and unyielding heart would not allow an
obstacle in his way too great for him to overcome; and the angel of God
helped him—was with him on the stormy deep, calmed the troubled
elements, and guided his frail vessel to the desired haven. Under the
guardianship of this same angel, or Prince of America, have the United
States grown, increased, and flourished, like the sturdy oak by the
rivers of water.
"To what point have the American arms been
directed since the Declaration of our National Independence, and proven
unsuccessful? Not one!
"The peculiar respect that high Heaven has
for this country, on account of the promises made to the fathers, and
on account of its being the land where the mustard seed of truth was
planted and destined to grow in the last days, accounts for all this
good fortune to our beloved America.
"But since the Prophets have
been slain, the Saints persecuted, despoiled of their goods, banished
from their homes, and no earthly arm to interpose for their rescue, what
will be the future destiny of this highly-favored country? Should I
tell the truth as it clearly passes before my mind's eye, my friends
might censure me, and I might be regarded as an enemy to my country. If I
should not tell the truth, but withhold it to please men, or to avoid
giving offense to any, I might be regarded, by the powers celestial, as
the enemy of God. What shall I do under these circumstances? Shall I be
guilty of the crime of hesitating for a moment? No. Neither time nor
place to hesitate now.......
"So sure and certain as the great
water courses wend their way to the ocean, and there find their level—so
sure as the passing thundercloud hovers around yonder Twin Peaks of the
Wasatch Mountains, and upon their grey and barren rocks pours the fury
of its storm, just so sure and certain will the guardian angel of these
United States fly to a remote distance from their borders, and the anger
of the Almighty wax hot against them in causing them to drink from the
cup of bitterness and division, and the very dregs, stirred up by the
hands of foreign powers, in a manner more cruel and fierce than the
enemies of the Saints in the day of their greatest distress and anguish;
and all this because they laid not to heart the martyrdom of the Saints
and Prophets, avenged not their blood by punishing the murderers,
neither succored nor aided the Saints after they were despoiled of their
goods and homes.
"Would to God that we could forget this part of
our experience in the land of our fathers! But we cannot forget it. It
is incorporated in our being. We shall carry it to our graves, and in
the resurrection it will rise with us. Had the United States been as
faithful a guardian to the Latter-day Saints as the angel of God has
been to them, she would never know dissolution, nor be humbled in
dishonor by the decrees of any foreign powers.....
"When Justice
is satisfied, and the blood of martyrs atoned for, the guardian angel of
America will return to his station, resume his charge, and restore the
Constitution of our country to the respect and veneration of the people;
for it was given by the inspiration of our God."
Haun's Mill was just the very tip of the iceberg of Saints that had be killed. Being forced out of Missouri and settling in Illinois many died from disease and privation while establishing Nauvoo. Then being forced out of Nauvoo in the middle of winter with meager preparations, many more died again. My great great grandfather's wife died in that process. Who knows how many died with many children and elderly.
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