| 386 his father and mother, and his brothers Hyrum, Samuel, and William; which the reader may be pleased to peruse. They are found on page 947, volume 6, Times and Seasons
On December 19, 1833, William Pratt and David W. Patten started from Kirtland for Zion, bearing dispatches for the brethren in Zion.
In the December number of the Evening and Morning Star, the first published in Kirtland, the elders in Kirtland published an epistle to their brethren abroad, to which we give place, believing it will be of general interest. This may be found on page 239, volume 2, and reads as follows:-
"The Elders in Kirtland, to their brethren abroad.
"Dear brethren in Christ, and companions in tribulation:-It seemeth good unto us to drop a few lines to you, giving you some instruction relative to conducting the affairs of the kingdom of God, which has been committed unto us in these latter times, by the will and testament of our Mediator, whose intercessions in our behalf are lodged in the bosom of the eternal Father, and ere long will burst with blessings upon the heads of all the faithful:
"We have all been children, and are too much so at the
hypocrites and unbelievers; even in outer darkness, where there is weeping, and wailing, and gnashing of teeth Pray ye, therefore, that their ears may be opened unto your cries, that I may be merciful unto them, that these things may not come upon them. What I have said unto you must needs be, that all men may be left without excuse, that wise men and rulers may hear and know that which they have never considered that I may proceed to bring to pass my act, my strange act, and perform my work, my strange work. That men may discern between the righteous and the wicked, saith your God.
13. And again, I say unto you, It is contrary to my commandment, and my will, that my servant Sidney Gilbert should sell my storehouse which I have appointed unto my people, into the hands of mine enemies. Let not that which I have appointed, be polluted by mine enemies, by the consent of those who call themselves after my name; for this is a very sore and grievous sin against me, and against my people, in consequence of those things which I have decreed, and are soon to befall the nations. Therefore, it is my will that my people should claim, and hold claim, upon that which I have appointed unto them, though they should not be permitted to dwell thereon; nevertheless, I do not say they shall not dwell thereon; for inasmuch as they bring forth fruit and works meet for my kingdom, they shall dwell thereon; they shall build, and another shall not inherit it they shall plant vineyards, and they shall eat the fruit thereof. Even so. Amen.
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