Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1900-12-15

IUxu HE little country known as
' Palestine is one Of the most
remarkable tracts Of land In
the world, but our special In
terest Is centered upon It's most
important city-Jerusalem'
u P.haps no other city in the
worlds history has been the
object Of so many wonderful
V~1phecies as Jerusalem. II became
he capital city OF the land OF promise
INTO ancient Israel, and II Is where
many Of Gods greatest Prophets passed
su the years Of their mortal existence
Trom Jerusalem the fame OF their
rrorhecies and wisdom went out to as
tonish all the world as well as theiF
words of warning against the wicked
,ess of the nations IL is the stage
NON which were enacted some OF the
sreatest miracles and works Of Won
Ssr that have ever been wrought by
me mower of God Here also occurred
many events that must be numbered
among the most important IN the MS
,ory of the world. Jesus and His num-
Nra Apostles passed much Of their time
among the people Of this city OF the
Prophets.
THE ENVY OF NATIONS.
Jerusalem has been a city whose inn
rortonce and beauty attracted the at
IGNITION of the whole world and was
even the envy Of the proudest nations,
and she would have continued TO pros
rer IN the blessings OF the Lord II her
iphabitants had remained faithful TO
Gods commandments, but although
many righteous deeds were performed
within her walls she was also the
sccne OF some Of the greatest wicked
ness and foulest acts since the COM
mencement Of time 1t was the people
OF Jerusalem who crucined the Re
deemer and for their awful transgres-
slons the city and her inhabitants have
been severely chastised.
FRUITS OF DGsOBEDTENCE.
Whenever God gives a commandment
He promises a choice blessing unto him
who obeys that commandment, but He
also attaches to the commandment
sure penalty upon him who disobeys It,
Through the disobedence OF the inhab-
uauts OF Jerusalem they were driven 10
the four corners Of the earth their
country was laid waste, their city de-
NTIONfl. anu TT NUS N'Nll % paw" W ~
ter desoation FOR many centuries.
However this favored city Of the
Lord IS not always 10 remain a waste
place. hut He has promised that after
ehe and her people have been sufficient
Nv chastened she shall be awakened not
only unto her former importance ana
beauty, but her brillIancy shall far eN-
coed that of her former days and she
shall again become one OF the center
places OF Gods people and the descen-
dants Of her former inhabitants SHAH be
The recipients OF the glorious blessings
pronounced upon the heads OF their
forefathers.
WILL BE REBUILT.
Those who are carefully following the
movements that are being made at the
present time win No doubt see the be-
ginning Of the fulnllment Of this proph-
ecy The Jewish people have always
looked with longing toward their an
Client city. but never since its decline
have they been so jealous In their eff
forts 20 return and rebuild the city OF
their forefathers There are movements
now on foot and great amounts Of
wealth being expended with this OBJ
feet In view
The Gospel OF Christ hrs been re-
stored. His Church has again been es-
tabished upon earth. AMI His peoplo
are now preparing for His second COM
Ing. Along with this preparation tho
time has been ushered in for the full
fnment Of the prophecies upon that an
Client land OF promise.
In 1872. while opening missions in
Italy and Switzerland. made the init
alive steps toward establishing a mis-
sion in India, and was on my way 10
that country contemplating also visit
10 Palestine 10 see what could be done
there. but the time had not yet arrived
for anything TO be done In that country,
my plans were interrupted, and | was
called 10 return home,
Twenty years later, In the fall OF 1879.
the Lord made II known that II was
now time to remove the curse from the
land, and that II should be blessed and
dedicated through the fundamentally
Of His servants preparatory TO the
gathering OF the Jews IN that holy land,
FOR the e-bulldng Of Jerusalem and
words OF the ancient Prophets concern
Ing Jerusalem and promised land. and
rs inhabitants.
President George A. Smith was called
10 select a party 10 visit Palestine ana
perform this mission. The following
letter was written Just prior to the de-
parture Of the company;
salt Lake City, Utah Territory
18th Of October, 1872.
President George a. Smith;-Dear
BrOther;--As you are about TO start on
an extensive tour through Europe and
Asia Minor, where you win doubtless be
brought In contact with men OF position
and influence In society, we desire that
you observe closely what openings now
exist, or where they may be effected,
for the introduction OF the Gospel into
the various countries you shall visit,
When you get to the land Of Pales-
tine we wish you 90 dedicate and con-
fscrate that land 20 the Lord, that Il
may be blessed with frutfulness pre-
lasatory TO the return OF the Jews, In
-,lfllment Of prophecy and the accom-
p.ishment Of the purposes Of our heay-
enly Father
We pray that you may be preserved
10 travel IN peace and safety, that you
may be abundantly blessed with words
OF wisdom and free utterance in all your
conversations pertaining TO the holy
Gospel dispelllng prejudice and sowing
s.eds or righteousness among the peO-
DIE
(signed) BRIGHAM YOUNG.
DANIEL II. WELLS"
THE PALESTINE PARTY.
The following members Of our party
made the entire journey from Utah TO
Palestine and return: President George
A. Smith, Feramorz Little and his
daughter Clara S, Little, Paul a.
Schettler, Thomas Jennings, my sister
LILA Il. Snow and myself There We're
several Others who were with the party
during only part OF the travels.
few Of the party left Salt Lake
Clty October Is. 1879, the others on the
.'th OF the same month. l could re-
iate numerous interesting experiences
Incidental to our travels between here
ana the Holy Land. but as the object
OF Nals writing Is 10 describe our visit