| 899 of the gospel, and our prayers are daily to our Father, that it may be greatly spread, even till all nations shall hear the glorious news and come to a knowledge of the truth.
We have received letters from our brethren in Missouri of late, but we cannot tell from their contents, the probable extent that those persons, who are desirous to expel them from that country, will carry their unlawful and unrighteous purposes. Our brethren have applied to the executive of that state, who has promised them all the assistance that the civil law can give; and in all probability with us, a suit has been commenced ere this.
We are informed, however, that those persons, are very violent, and threaten immediate excision upon all those who profess this doctrine. How far they will be suffered to execute their threats, we know not, but we trust in the Lord, and leave the event with him, to govern in his own wise providence.
I shall expect a communication from you on receipt of this, and hope you will give me information concerning the brethren, their health, faith, &c.; also, inform me concerning our friends with whom we formed acquaintance.
You are aware, no doubt, dear brother, that anxieties inexpressible crowd themselves continually upon my mind for the saints, when I consider the many temptations to which we are subject, from the cunning and flattery of the great adversary of our souls: and I can truly say with much fervency I have called upon the Lord for our brethren in Canada. And when I call to mind with what readiness they received the word of truth by the ministry of Brother Sidney and myself, I am truly under great obligations to humble myself before him.
When I contemplate the rapidity with which the great and glorious day of the coming of the Son of Man advances, when he shall come to receive his saints unto himself, where they shall dwell in his presence and be crowned with glory and immortality: when I consider that soon the heavens are to be shaken, and the earth tremble and reel to and fro; and that the heavens are to be unfolded as a scroll when it is rolled up; and that every mountain and island are to flee away, I cry out in my heart, what manner of persons ought we to be in all holy conversation and godliness.
You remember the testimony which I bore in the name of the Lord Jesus, concerning the great work which he has brought forth in the last days. You know my manner of communication, how that in weakness and simplicity, I declared to you what the Lord had brought forth, by the ministering of his holy angels to me, for this generation, I pray that the Lord may enable you to treasure up these things in your mind, for I know that his spirit will bear testimony to all who seek diligently after knowledge from him. I hope you will search the scriptures to see whether these things are not also consistent with those things the ancient prophets and apostles have written.
I remember Brother Freeman and wife, Ranson also, and Sister Lydia and little Charles, with all the brethren and sisters. I entreat for an interest in all your prayers before the throne of mercy, in the name of Jesus. I hope that the Lord will grant that I may see you all again and above all that we may overcome, and sit down together in the kingdom of our Father.
Your brother, &c,
JOSEPH SMITH
Nothing of note transpired from the falling of the stars on the 13th, to this date, November 19th, when my heart is somewhat sorrowful, but I feel to trust in the Lord, the God of Jacob. I have learned in my travels that man is treacherous and selfish, but few excepted.
Brother Sidney is a man whom I love, but is not capable of that pure and steadfast love for those who are his benefactors, as should possess the breast of a president of the Church of Christ. This with some other little things such as a selfishness and independence of mind, which, too often manifested, destroys the confidence of those who would lay down their lives for him-but, notwithstanding these things he is a very great and good man; a man of great power of words, and can gain the friendship of his hearers very quick. He is a man whom God will uphold, if he will continue faithful to his calling. O God, grant that he may for the Lord's sake: Amen.
The man who willeth to do well, we should extol his virtues and speak not of his faults behind his back. A man who wilfully [willfully] turneth away from his friend without a cause, is not easily forgiven. The kindness of a man should never be forgotten. That person who never forsaketh his trust, should ever have the highest place for regard in our hearts, and our love should never fail, but increase more and more, and this is my disposition and sentiment.
Brother Frederick G. Williams is one of those men in whom I place the greatest confidence and trust, for I have found him ever full of love and brotherly kindness. He is not a man of many words, but is ever winning, because of his constant mind. He shall ever have place in my heart, and is ever entitled to my confidence. He is perfectly honest and upright and seeks with all his heart to magnify his presidency in the Church of Christ, but fails in many instances, in consequence of a want of
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