| 87 such as do this, shall have the prayers and blessing of a poor and an afflicted people whose blood has flowed to test the depths of their sincerity, and to crimson the face of freedoms soil with MARTYR'S BLOOD.
Mr. Hyde is instructed by this conference to transmit to this country nothing but simple facts for publication, entirely disconnected with any peculiar views of theology, leaving each class to make their own comments and draw their own inferences.
Given under our hands, at the time and place before mentioned. JOSEPH SMITH, jr. Ch'r. ROBERT B. THOMPSON, Clerk.
Bro's Smith and Robinson, will discover, by the conference minutes, that our worthy brother, Elder John E. Page, was duly appointed by said conference to accompany me in this mission; and to receive the same credentials as my own.
Yours sincerely,
ORSON HYDE.
Perry, Pike co. Ill. March 26th, 1840.
BRO'S ROBINSON AND SMITH,
It has been some over three month since we (Bro's William Burton and myself) commenced laboring in this village and its vicinity, including a small part of Brown co.
When we commenced proclaiming the sacred truth of the everlasting gospel to the inhabitants of the before mentioned places, there was but little appearance of much success; but we cannot always correctly determine what will be effected by a presentation of pure, simple, unadultered [unadulterated] truth, in it purity, excelencies [excellencies], and unblemished beauties, accompanied by the corresponding evidence, with an exhibition of its general utility and application to individuals in order to produce peace, love, and joy in this life, which is an earnest of that glory and immortality to be given to the heirs of the celestial kingdom in eternity. I have learned from experience, that, though men may be filled with prejudice produced by the many varying false, malicious reports circulated in order to hinder the progress of the fullness of the gospel, by mobs, hireling priests and their dupes; yet, when they hear the unalloyed truth spoken by the power of the Holy Ghost, their prejudice gradually gives way to the spirit of examination, (if they are honest,) and truth, the legitimate offspring of investigation when rightly directed, bursts upon their minds in all its superior grandure [grandeur]. Who can stop the work of the great God? Can persecution in all its direful forms? Can tribulation? Can all the power of earth and hell? I answer no! no!!-For as the great king of day rising in the east causes the dew of night to disappear forever, while he illumines the western horizon by his genial rays, so will error, lies, and gross darkness which now covers the people as a thick mantle, be forever swept away by the benign influence of truth, and the knowledge (not a think about) of the Lord cover the earth, and all shall know (not believe about) him from the least unto the greatest: I have baptized twenty in this and Brown county, since we have been preaching here, notwithstanding we have had to fight hard against rumor with her many tongues. Bro. Burton started home the 10th inst.; he is a faithful minister of Christ, and though young in the cause, has been a great assistant to me in the good work.
I organized a branch of the church in Brown county on thursday last, about seven miles from this place, consisting of eleven members, seven of which I baptized, four were members before, Bro. Loderwick Ferre, and elder was elected to preside over this branch, Bro. William Rickmore was elected Teacher, and Bro. Samuel Rickmore Deacon, and were ordained under my hands: this Branch I have named the Moroni branch of the church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. This branch own a school-house, it is spacious and will perhaps accommodate a hundred people.
On last Sunday I arganized [organized] a branch of the church in Brown county, between four and five miles from this village, consisting of eighteen members; this branch elected Br. Stephen Abbott to the office of an elder, Br. Levi Powel Priest, Br. William Jaques Teacher, Br. John Brown Deacon: they were ordained under my hands: Br. Abbott was elected to preside over this branch. On Tuesday last I baptized three more,
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