Orson Hyde — Dedicatory Prayer for the Return of the Jews

“ALEXANDRIA, Nov. 22, 1841. DEAR BROTHER PRATT:—A few minutes now offer for me to write, and I improve them in writing to you. I have been to Jerusalem, and have performed the work which I was sent to do. On Sunday morning, October 24, a good while before day, I arose from sleep, and went out of the city as soon as the gates were opened, crossed the brook Kedron, and went upon the Mount of Olives, and there, in solemn silence, with pen, ink, and paper, just as I saw in the vision, offered up the following prayer to Him who lives forever and ever:— O Thou! who art from everlasting to everlasting, eternally and unchangeably the same, even the God who rules in the heavens above, and controls the destinies of men on the earth, wilt Thou not condescend, through thine infinite goodness and royal favor, to listen to the prayer of Thy servant which he this day offers up unto Thee in the name of Thy holy child, Jesus, upon this land, where the Son of righteousness sat in the days of his flesh, and where he poured out his soul as an offering for sin. I have now reached this place, and have been permitted to stand upon this mount, and to offer up my prayer before Thee, and to dedicate this land unto Thee, for the gathering together of Judah's scattered remnants, according to the predictions of the holy prophets—for the building up of Jerusalem again after it has been trodden down by the Gentiles so long, and for rearing a temple in honor of Thy name. Everlasting thanks be ascribed unto Thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that Thou hast preserved Thy servant and brought him in safety to this place. O Thou, who didst once inspire the hearts of Thy prophets and apostles with this glorious vision of Zion's future glory, purify our hearts by Thy Holy Spirit, and enable us to receive this testimony in all its fullness, and to walk in the light of Thy countenance, that we may be prepared for the coming of the Son of Man. Let the light of Thy truth shine forth from this land, and let the nations of the earth be gathered unto the standard which Thou hast raised up. Let the barrenness and sterility of this land be removed, and let springs of living water break forth to water its thirsty soil, that it may become a fruitful field, and that the desert may blossom as the rose. Let the children of Abraham be gathered from the four corners of the earth, and let them be restored to the land of their fathers, and let them be established in the faith of their ancestors, and let them be prepared for the coming of the Messiah. Let the walls of Jerusalem be rebuilt, and let the city be restored to its former glory, and let the temple be reared in honor of Thy name, and let the glory of the Lord be revealed in the midst of His people. We dedicate this land unto Thee, O Lord, for the gathering of Thy people, and for the building up of Thy kingdom, and for the glory of Thy name. And we pray Thee, O Lord, to bless Thy servant who has been sent to perform this work, and to protect him in his journeyings, and to bring him in safety to his home, and to grant him the desires of his heart, and to crown his labors with success, and to give him the victory over all his enemies. And we ask all these blessings in the name of Thy holy child, Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. Amen. After I had offered up this prayer, I erected a pile of stones as a witness, according to the ancient custom, and then returned to the city.”

— Orson Hyde, Letter to Orson Pratt