| 376 were our friends, and that the Lord had sent them there, and the time would soon come when they should embrace the gospel,' and also, 'that if we will not fight for ourselves, the Indians will fight for us.' Though all this may be true, yet, it is not needful that it should be spoken, for it is of no service to the saints, and has a tendency to stir up the people to anger.
"No prophecy spoken in tongues should be made public, for this reason: many who pretend to have the gift of interpretation are liable to be mistaken, and do not give the true interpretation of what is spoken; therefore, great care should be had, as respects this thing; but, if any speak in tongues, a word of exhortation, or doctrine, or the principles of the gospel, etc., let it be interpreted for the edification of the church.
"When you receive this letter I wish you to write immediately, and direct your letters to David Elliott, Chagrin, Cuyahoga County, Ohio, and put this mark X on the back of it, if you do not wish it broken open, and he will forward it to us; and you will please to name in your letter, where and to whom we shall direct, and thus we may evade interception.
"Yours in the bonds of love,
"F. G. WILLIAMS."
Of this period Joseph wrote:-
"At this time the evil and designing circulated a report that Zion was to be extended as far east as Ohio, which in some degree tended to distract the minds of the saints, and produced a momentary indecision about removing thither according to the commandments; but the report was soon corrected, and the brethren continued to remove to Zion and Kirtland."-Times and Seasons, vol. 6, p. 865.
While at Perrysburgh, New York, enroute to Canada Joseph received a revelation concerning their families, their mission, Zion, and other interests. 2
2 l. Verily, thus saith the Lord unto you my friends, Sidney, and Joseph, your families are well; they are in mine hands, and I will do with them as seemeth me good; for in me there is all power; therefore follow me, and listen to the counsel which I shall give unto you. Behold, and lo, I have much people in this place, in the regions round
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