Letter from Parley P. Pratt, 22 November 1839

“The History of the Persecution,[”] and my poems— there is a  great call for Hymn Books, but none to be had, I wish  Sister Smith

10 July 1804–30 Apr. 1879. Scribe, editor, boardinghouse operator, clothier. Born at Willingborough Township (later in Harmony), Susquehanna Co., Pennsylvania. Daughter of Isaac Hale and Elizabeth Lewis. Member of Methodist church at Harmony (later in Oakland...

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, would add to the old collection such New  ones as is best and republish them immediately: If means  and facilities are lacking in the West, send it here, and it  shall be nicely done for her, and at least one thousand  would immediately sell in these parts wholesale and retail  The Book of Mormon is not to be had in this part of the  vineyard for love or money, hundreds are wanting in various  parts here abouts but there is truly a famine in that  respect: The Conference

A meeting where ecclesiastical officers and other church members could conduct church business. The “Articles and Covenants” of the church directed the elders to hold conferences to perform “Church business.” The first of these conferences was held on 9 June...

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took into consideration the  pressing calls for this “Book. and have appointed a  Committee to raise means for the publication of the  same, and also to publish it if we can obtain leave from  you, who hold the copy right. We realized that your  press and materials &c in the west were not at present,  sufficient for so large a work. We have a printer here  who does most of our work, he is a fine man, and thorough in  his business. he works very cheap and paper is also cheap  we have also Book binder who does a thorough business  is very reasonable, and a fine man to deal with. these men  have worked so much for me, that I can get business done  in their line upon accommodating terms, and in the  neatest manner. Elder Foster who is the presiding  elder in this place; Bro Ivin of N Jersey

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and myself are  the Committee. We are instructed to write to you immedi ately requesting leave to publish the Book of Mormon  say, two or three thousand copies. If you will write to us  immediately and grant us this priviledge we hereby assure  you that it shall be done exactly correct and with the  utmost care and diligence and on any terms which will  best suit you, and secure to you the proffits which may  arise. Bro Irvin is a very wealthy man. Bro Foster is  a very careful, prudent, honest man in business and  one who will go all lengths for the spread of truth and  he will carefully superintend and husband every thing  pertaining to this matter that nothing shall go at loose  ends, if intrusted to his charge, and as to myself I have [p. [78]]