| 780 Joseph the Prophet, it is the duty of all saints to tithe themselves one tenth of all they posses when thy enter into the new and everlasting covenant; and then one tenth of their interest, or income, yearly afterwards. If the brethren will attend to this strictly, and send up the sum by agents appointed by us, whose names you will see in this paper, then we shall hold ourselves responsible for all monies [moneys] and properties delivered to those agents that the names of the several individuals who send their tithing by the legal agents may be entered upon the book of the law of the Lord; if this is not attended to strictly by the branches of the church abroad, they may be disappointed when they find that they have sent their means by unauthorised [unauthorized] agents, who have not made returns to the Trustees, and their names are not recorded as they would have been if they had harkened to counsel. On the subject of regular appointed agencies we would refer you to an article written by the Trustees, Bishops Whitney and Miller, and published in the Times and Seasons of December.
We would further say to the brethren that if there should be any of the churches to whom these agents do not come, let them send their means by honest men whom they may select from among themselves, and in whom they can place confidence; but we cannot be responsible for the conduct of any agents that we do not send, and can only give credit for that we receive. And as the churches abroad have been much imposed upon by designing men, without authority, we would warn them against such persons, and advise them not to pay their funds to traveling elders and others without a written authority from us to which shall be attached the private seal of the Twelve and their names published as above stated. Those men that we shall select for agents will be men of honor, men of integrity and respectability, in whom we can confide, and who are responsible, and able, and willing to enter into bonds for the faithful performance of their duty. This course will prevent those many impositions which have heretofore been practiced by villians [villains] wearing the garb of saints, and place the churches in a situation that they can forward their tithings with safety.
There is now in the city eight of the Twelve all in good health and spirits; our city is progressing, and the work of the Lord is rolling forth with unprecedented rapidity.
Thus, dear brethren, we have given you, in part, some of the measures and calculations, which we mean to carry into effect for your salvation, and for the furtherance of the salvation of the world. We have commenced a new year, and, as the Lord says; "All victory and glory is brought to pass unto you through diligence, faithfulness and prayers of faith," so we cannot but hope, that you will renew your exertions, your prayers, and your tithings, for the benefit of Zion, that she may arise and shine, for the good of all people.
We cannot say every thing in one short epistle, therefore, from time to time, as the Lord puts into our hearts instructions, we shall give them unto you; solemnly praying that you will increase your faith, double your diligence, walk by light and obedience, and be instant in season, to do the will of our Father in heaven:-Beware of ungodly men, who creep among you unawares; they are clouds without water, driven about by winds, and will finally be blown into outer darkness.
Our counsel to the travelling [traveling] Elders abroad is for them to return to Nauvoo by the 6th of April, to Conference, or as soon as possible afterwards and before they leave, it will be necessary for them to ordain good and wise men to preside over the branches during their absence.
May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, a veneration for the names of the first martyrs, first elders, and first prophets of the nineteenth century inspire your hearts, to hear counsel, to keep counsel, to practice holiness, live the life of Saints, and "die the death of the righteous, that your last end may be like this."
Done in council, at Nauvoo, this 14th day of January 1845.
BRIGHAM YOUNG, Pres't.
WILLARD RICHARDS, Clerk.
TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN.
This may certify that William Snow, Lorenzo Snow, Benjamin Brown , Franklin D. Richards, Edwin D. Wooley, Elisha H. Groves, Willard Snow, Alvah L. Tippets, Elijah Fordham, Jonathan H. Hale, Erastus Snow, Winslow Farr, David Pettigrew, Charles C. Rich, William Perkins, Andrew H. Perkins, David Evans, Alexander Williams, William Gheen [Green?], Aaron Johnson, Stephen Markham, Evan M. Green, Jonathan Dunham, John Pack, William Hyde, Jacob Foutz, William Moss, Martin H. Peck, James Newberry, Jonathan C. Wright, Noah Packard, Joseph W. Johnson, Jacob G. Bigler, Dominicus Carter, Edmund Fisher, Lorenzo Young, Stephen Litz, Henry G. Sherwood, Elam Luddington, David H. Redfield, Ezra T. Benson, Jesse D. Hunter, Ormus E. Bates, Thos. Pearson, Pelatiah Brown, and Jedediah M. Grant, have been appointed by the proper authorities of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, agents to collect donations and tithings for the Temple in the city of Nauvoo, and for other
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