| 373 of the Lord for all who were able and willing, to build up and strengthen the stake in Kirtland; and Brother Tanner was counseled accordingly.
"About this time Elders Hyde and Gould arrived at Zion, and the church having made the necessary preparations, Elders W. W. Phelps and Orson Hyde were dispatched to the Governor of Missouri, residing at Jefferson City, with the following petition."
The petition referred to has already been quoted in chapter 12.
On the 5th of October, 1833, Joseph Smith, Sidney Rigdon, and Freeman Nickerson started from Kirtland on a mission to Canada, which mission was very successful, as will be seen hereafter.
On October 10, Elder F. G. Williams, of the First Presidency, wrote a letter to the brethren in Zion, which we here present to the reader, because of its historical importance, as well as for the sound advice it gives concerning the manner of seeking redress, selling inheritances, the gift of tongues, and other matters. The epistle is found on pages 864 and 865 of Times and Seasons, vol. 6, and reads as follows:-
"Dear Brethren:-It is a long time since we have received any intelligence from you, save a letter received by Brother Elliott from Elder John Whitmer, which informed us that he had written four letters since Elder Oliver Cowdery left; but we have not received any of them, nor from any other one in Zion, except one from Bishop Partridge of August 13, and have had no information concerning the riot, and the situation of the brethren in Zion, to be depended upon; and considering that the enemy have commenced intercepting our letters, I direct this to Mrs. Billings, thinking by so doing, that you may get it.
"The brethren here are all engaged in the work of the Lord, and are using every exertion in their power for the welfare of Zion, and for the promotion of the great cause of our Redeemer. Immediately after the arrival of Oliver we sat in council to know what should be done. The decision of the council was, that measures should be immediately
(page 373) |
