Liberty Clay Co, Mo, [19] Nov. 1833

Beloved Brother Joseph

I set myself down this evening to write  you a few lines, I shall not attempt to give you a full history of what  has happened unto us within a few days <past,> for I suppose that br. [William W.] Phelps has  given you the particulars, I simply <Suffice it to> say that br. [John] Corrill & myself are  now living within 3 miles of Liberty Clay Co. & about 10 from Independence  most of our br[ethre]n have left Jackson Co, many have come to this Co,  Some have gone south & some east. When it was concluded that  we would go, there appeared to be a spirit almost universal for leav ing the land forthwith, our move has been speedy & we have had  many inconveniences to encounter, yet the Lord for the most part as  yet has given us very favorable weather, many are living as yet  in tents & shanties not being able to procure houses, <as yet.> We are in hopes  that we shall be able to return to our houses & lands before a great  while but how this is to be accomplished is all in the dark to us as yet,   br. Parley [P. Pratt] has prophesied that we shall be enabled to return  to our houses by the first of next Jany & enjoy the fruit of our  labor & none to molest or make afraid, he says he was constrained  to prophesy & if he ever spoke by the spirit of God he then did & if it  does not come to pass we may call him a false prophet. the next  night after this prophecy was delivered from 1 or 2 oclock till  day light <on the morning of the 13th Nov.> there appeared an extraordinary ph[enomenon] the heavens  were literally filled with meteors or shooting stars as they are  called, I was encamped on the N. side of Missouri opposite Independence  & it appeared to us that they shot off every way from us none come ing <directly> down very near us that came very near the ground though it is  said that they struck the ground in Independence & in other places  round about, I viewed them for more than an hour before daylight  & probably saw thousands, at one time in the N.E. there appeared  probably 50 or 100 at one time they streamed down almost as thick as  rain you have seen <that appears> at a distance when the sun shone upon it. during  this sight our people rejoiced but the worlds people were much  frightened. there has some other signs appeared of late, & rumor  says many but I put no confidence in the reports of our enemies

If we are delivered & permitted to return to our homes it must be by the  interposition of God, for we can see no prospect of help from government  & it appears to me that nought but the judgements of God will open  the way for our return, some of our br[other]s have their fears that  we shall be Driven from city to city & from sinagouge [synagogue] to sinagouge & few be left to receive an inheritance in the land, & this probably  will be the case unless we are soon restored back, for notwithstan ding that many are kind to us in this Co yet we have every reason  to believe that they will shortly be stir[r]ed up against us & want to drive [p. [1]]