View source for Source:Hyde:JD 6:61:Hyde:why did not the Saviour come himself to communicate this intelligence to the world

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==Orson Hyde (1854): "Some one may say, 'If this work of the last days be true, why did not the Saviour come himself to communicate this intelligence to the world?'"==

This statement by Orson Hyde is commonly misunderstood to be a reference to angels in the First Vision. However, Orson Hyde was not talking of the First Vision in this instance, but rather the events that would occur at the end of the world. Elder Hyde wanted to impress upon that Saints that the latter-day work of gathering (the figurative harvest imagery) was inaugurated by angels and they would also play a role in the figurative separation of the wheat and the tares.

Orson Hyde said:
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When we take a more extensive view of the subject, we find that the grand harvest is reserved until the last—until the winding up scene; for it is said, "The harvest is the end of the world, and the reapers are the angels," by whose agency this reaping dispensation was committed to the children of men. Some one may say, "If this work of the last days be true, why did not the Saviour come himself to communicate this intelligence to the world?" Because to the angels was committed the power of reaping the earth, and it was committed to none else. And after the mighty champions that hold the keys of this dispensation came and brought the intelligence that the time of harvest was now—that the time of the end was drawing nigh,—when this proclamation was made, and the announcement saluted the ears of the children of men, what was to be done next? Behold, the gathering of the Saints begins. <ref>{{JDfairwiki|author=Orson Hyde|vol=6|disc=61|start=335|date=6 April 1854}}</ref>
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[[Category:First Vision/Angels]]