By John Taylor,
One of the Twelve Apostles of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-daySaints.
"O let the nations be glad and sing for joy: for thou shalt judge thepeople righteously, and govern the nations upon earth."—Psalm lxvii. 4.
Liverpool: Published by S. W. Richards, 15, Wilton Street.
London: Sold at the Latter-Day Saints' Book Depot, 35, Jewin Street;and by all booksellers.
MDCCCLII.
London: Printed by W. Bowden 5, Bedford Street, Holborn.
Chapter I. The Wisdom, Order, and Harmony of the Government of God.
Chapter II. The Government of Man.
Chapter III. On the Incompetency of the Means Made Use of by Man toRegenerate the World.
Chapter IV. What Is Man? What Is His Destiny and Relationship to God?
Chapter V. The Object of Man's Existence on the Earth; and HisRelationship Thereto.
Chapter VI. Man's Accountability to God.
Chapter VII. The Lord's Course in the Moral Government of the World.
Chapter VIII. Whose Right Is It to Govern the World? Who Has GovernedIt?
Chapter IX. Will Man Always Be Permitted to Usurp Authority Over Men,and Over the Works of God? Will the World Remain for ever Under aCurse, and God's Designs Be Frustrated?
Chapter X. Will God's Kingdom Be a Literal or a Spiritual Kingdom?
Chapter XI. The Establishment of the Kingdom of God upon the Earth
Chapter XII. The Effects of the Establishment of Christ's Kingdom, orthe Reign of God upon the Earth.
It was Elder Taylor's intention to superintend the publishing of TheGovernment of God in person, previous to his departure for Great SaltLake City last spring; but the numerous cares attending the French andGerman Missions, of which he was President; the translation of the Bookof Mormon into the French and German languages; the establishment ofL'Etoile du Déseret at Paris, and Zions Panier at Hamburg; togetherwith a multitude of other business connected with the welfare of theKingdom of God, rendered it impossible.
The manuscript was therefore handed to me by Elder Taylor, with arequest to superintend the printing of the work, which I have done tothe best of my ability.
Considering the disadvantages arising from the Author's absence duringthe reading of the proofs, I believe it is as correctly rendered, aswas possible from a manuscript copy.
The Work is now before the Public, and from one portion at least itwill meet with a cordial reception, treating as it does upon the thememost dear to their hearts—the Reign of Righteousness and Peace.
From other portions it will meet with varied reception, but willnevertheless lead the minds of all to contemplate the glory of thattime when the Messiah, even Jesus, shall come with all his holy angels,and sit upon the throne of his glory, and govern all nations upon earth.
James Linforth.
Liverpool,
August, 1852.
The Wisdom, Order, and Harmony