| 753 high priesthood, and it concentrates & centres [centers] all in one. And again, the process of laboring with a member: We are to deal with them precisely as the Scriptures direct. If thy brother trespass against thee, take him between him and thee alone; and, if he maketh thee satisfaction, thou hast saved thy brother; and if not, proceed to take another with thee, &c.; and when there is no bishop, they are to be tried by the voice of the church; and if an elder, or a high priest be present, they are to take the lead in managing the business; but if not, such as have the highest authority will preside.
With respect to preparing to go to Zion:-First it would be pleasing to the Lord that the church or churches going to Zion should be organized, and appoint a suitable person, who is well acquainted with the condition of the church; and he be sent to Kirtland to inform the bishop, and procure license from him agreeable to revelation: By so doing you will prevent confusion and disorder, and escape many difficulties that attend an unorganized band in journeying in the last days. And again, those in debt, should in all cases pay their debts; and the rich are in no wise to cast out the poor, or leave them behind, for it is said that the poor shall inherit the earth.
You quoted a passage in Jeremiah, with regard to journeying to Zion, the word of the Lord stands sure, so let it be done.
There are two paragraphs in your letter which I do not commend as they are written blindly: speaking of the elders being sent like lightning from the bow of Judah; the second, no secret in the councils of Zion. You mention these as if fear rested upon your mind, otherwise we cannot understand it. And again we never enquire [inquire] at the hand of God for special revelation only in case of there being no previous revelation to suit the case, and that in a council of high priests. For further information on the subject you have written, I will refer you to the elders who have recently left here for the east, by commandment, some of whom you will probably see soon. You may depend on any information you may receive from them that are faithful. You may expect to see Brothers Orson and Lyman, for whom we have great fellowship.
It is a great thing to enquire [inquire] at the hand of God, or to come into his presence: and we feel fearful to approach him with subjects that are of little or no importance, to satisfy the queries of individuals, especially, about things, the knowledge of which men ought to obtain, in all sincerity, before God, for themselves, in humility by the prayer of faith; and more especially a teacher, or a high priest in the church. I speak not these things by way of reproach, but by way of instruction; and I speak as being acquainted, whereas we are strangers to each other in the flesh. I love your soul, and the souls of the children of men, and pray and do all I can for the salvation of all.
I now close by sending you a salutation of peace in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ: Amen. The blessing of our Lord Jesus Christ be and abide with you all: Amen.
JOSEPH SMITH, Jr.
N. B. If it is inconsistent to send a delegate to Kirtland, to procure license for the brethren to go to Zion, it can be done by two or more elders. We have received two letters from Brother Sherwood, stating the order and condition of the church, aud [and] respecting the vision of his wife, but on account of a multitude of business they have not been answered by us: you will please read this letter to Brother Sherwood. J. S.
In April the school of the prophets closed to commence again in the fall, I also wrote a letter to the brethren in Zion, Missouri, as follows:
Kirtland, March 21, 1833.
Dear Brethren in Zion,-Agreeable to a notice we gave you, in Brother Whitney's last letter to you with respect to answering your letters, we now commence, after giving thanks to our heavenly Father for every expression of his goodness in preserving our unprofitable lives to the present time, and the health and other blessings, which we now enjoy through his mercies.
With joy we received your general epistle, written the 26th of February, which contained the confession of our brethren concerned, all of which was to our entire satisfaction. It was read by the brethren in Kirtland with feelings of the deepest interest, knowing as we did, that the anger of the Lord was kindled against you, and nothing but repentance, of the greatest humility, would turn it away; and I will assure you that expressions of joy burned on every countenance when they saw that our epistle, and the revelation were received by our brethren in Zion, and it had had its desired effect.
For your satisfaction, I here insert a revelation given to Shederlaomack, the 15th of March, 1833, constituting him a member of the United Firm.
Verily, thus saith the Lord, I give unto the united order, organized agreeable to the commandment previously given, a revelation and commandment concerning my servant Shederlaomach,
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