President Young being fatigued gave place for Elder Parley P. Pratt, who got up to preach his old sermon, viz: that we continue our united and ceaseless exertions to build this temple. He referred to the discoveries of Elders Rigdon and Samuel James. They said nothing about building the temple, the city, feeding the poor, etc. We heard a great deal about the mount of Olives, brook Kedron, Queen Victoria, great battles, etc. This brought to my mind a good text in Webster’s spelling book, the “country maid and the milk pail.” He then went on to show the importance of building the temple. He bore testimony that the people had hearkened to the voice of the Lord and to his commandments, and that they were still hearkening, and consequently we should be sustained here until we shall complete the temple and receive our endowment. He showed the consequences if we did not build it. “That we should be rejected as s people with our dead.” When the Elders go abroad to teach the people, let them teach what we have to do, and what is depending on us and not spend their time in quoting multitudes of scripture to prove one point. We want to build up Nauvoo, never mind Gog and Magog, the brook Kedron, etc.; nevermind the old countries; God has something to do there by and by, but not just now. He recommended the brethren to make improvements and enlarge themselves without fear, for we shall not be moved till God suffers it. We are the only people who do not fear death, we have no need to fear it. He next said he would give the people a little religious advice. He advised those who had means to go to getting sheep to consume the vegetation and raise wool, by which means our women would be well employed in manufacturing the wool. He said in proper time we will have gold and silver, and food and clothing and palaces in abundance, we will create it, by our labor.
[Journal History of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Oct. 7, 1844, 3-4]
[transcribed and proofread by David Grow, July 2006]