The Lord of Hosts will go before his people and will also protect them from behind (be their “rearward”), but he expects us to do our part in moving the work forward.
Presiding elders in Missouri issued the following counsel in July 1833: “For the disciples to suppose that they can come to this land without ought to eat, or to drink, or to wear, or anything to purchase these necessaries with, is a vain thought. For them to suppose that the Lord will open the windows of heaven, and rain down angel’s food for them by the way, when their whole journey lies through a fertile country, stored with the blessings of life from His own hand for them to subsist upon, is also vain. For them to suppose that their clothes and shoes will not wear out upon the journey, when the whole of it lies through a country where there are thousands of sheep from which wool in abundance can be procured to make them garments, and cattle upon a thousand hills, to afford leather for shoes, is just as vain… . Do not conclude from these remarks, brethren, that we doubt in the least, that the Lord will provide for His Saints in these last days… . We know that the saints have the unchangeable word of God that they shall be provided for; yet we know, if any are imprudent, or lavish, or negligent, or indolent, in taking that proper care, and making that proper use of what the Lord has made them stewards over, they are not counted wise; for a strict account of every one’s stewardship is required, not only in time, but will be in eternity… . ‘Let not your flight be in haste, but let all things be prepared before you’ [D&C 133:15].”65