| 802 freedom and familiarity among the rulers in Zion. We were exceeding sorry to hear the complaint that was made in Brother Edward's letter, that the letters attending the olive leaf had been kept from him, as it is meet that he should know all things in relation to Zion, as the Lord has appointed him to be a judge in Zion. We hope, dear brethren, that the like circumstance will not take place again. When we direct letters to Zion, to any of the high priests, which pertains to the regulation thereof, we always design that they should be laid before the bishop, so as to enable him to perform his duty.-We say so much hoping it will be received in kindness; and our brethren will be careful of each others feelings, and walk in love, honoring one another more than themselves, as is required of the Lord.
Yours as ever.
Kirtland, July 2nd, 1833.
Brother John Smith:
We have just received your letter, of the 8th of June, which seems to have been written in a spirit of justification on your part. You will recollect that previous to your leaving this place, you were tried before the bishop's court, which found you guilty of misdemeanor, and decided that you should no longer retain your authority in the church; all of which, we, as presidents of the high priesthood, sanction. You name something in your letter that took place at Brother Olney's, in Shalersville, on the 27th and 28th of August, which we perfectly recollect, and had you made such a confession as you was required to, at Chippeway, all things would have worked together for your good, and as I told you; but you did not manifest that degree of humility to the brethren, that was required, but remained obstinate; for that reason God withdrew his spirit from you, and left you in darkness. In your letter you say many hard things against the brethren, especially, Father Smith, Brother Reynolds Cahoon, and Bishop Whitney, &c., all of which we highly disapprove. It seems, also, that your son Eden, is confederate with you, and needs to be reproved, together with yourself, in all humility before the Lord, or you must expect to be dealt with according to the laws of the church. We say you are no more than a private member in the church.
JOSEPH SMITH jr.
F. G. WILLIAMS,
Presidents.
Kirtland, July 2nd, 1833.
To the Brethren in Zion:
We received your letter of June 7th; one from Brothers William and Oliver; one from Brother David Whitmer, and one from Brother S. Gilbert, for which we are thankful to our Heavenly Father to hear of your welfare, as well as the prosperity of Zion. Having received your letters in the mail of today, we hasten to answer to go with to-morrow's mail.
We are exceedingly fatigued owing to a great press of business. We this day finished the translating of the scriptures, for which we returned gratitude to our Heavenly Father, and sat immediately down to answer your letters. We rejoiced greatly to hear of the safe arrival of Sister Vienna and Brother William, and thank our Heavenly Father that their lives have been spared them till their arrival. The health of the brethren and sisters in Kirtland is good at present, no case of sickness known to us. Brother Kinsbury's wife is declining fast, and cannot continue much longer, but will soon be in the paradise of God.
We are engaged in writing a letter to Eugene, respecting the two Smiths, as we have received two from them; one from John Smith, the other from the elder of the church. As to the gift of tongues, all we can say is, that in this place, we have received it as the ancients did, we wish you, however, to be careful, lest in this you be deceived. Guard against evils which may arise from any accounts given of women, or otherwise; be careful in all things lest any root of bitterness spring up among you and thereby many be defiled. Satan will no doubt trouble you about the gift of tongues, unless you are careful; you cannot watch him too close, nor pray too much; may the Lord give you wisdom in all things. In a letter mailed last week, you will doubtless, before you receive this, have obtained information about the New Translation. Consign the box of the Books of Commandments, to N. K. Whitney & Co., Kirtland, Geauga County, Ohio; care of Kelly & Walworth, Cleveland, Cuyahoga County, Ohio.
I Sidney write this in great haste, in answer to yours to Brother Joseph, as I am going off immediately, in company with Brother Frederick, to proclaim the gospel, we think of starting to-morrow. Having finished the translation of the bible, a few hours since, and needing some recreation, we know of no way we can spend our time more to divine acceptance, than endeavoring to build up his Zion, in these last days, as we are not willing to idle any time away, which can be spent to useful purposes. Doors are open continually for proclaiming; the spirit of bitterness among the people is fast subsiding, and a spirit of enquiry [inquiry] is taking its place. I proclaimed last Sunday at Chardon, our county seat; I had the courthouse;
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