After western Missouri was identified as the site of Zion, the process of establishing Zion resulted in divergent views and some hard feelings between leaders in Missouri and those in Ohio. In January 1833, JS sent a special plea to the Missouri leaders, an official call to repentance. In response, Bishop Edward Partridge held a solemn assembly in all the branches of the church in Missouri “to effect a perfect harmony between us & our brethren in Kirtland.” Afterwards, the Missouri high priests appointed a committee to write an epistle to JS describing the widespread repentance in Zion and to acknowledge previous errors. Enthusiastically accepting the Missouri report, JS responded to specific questions, communicated the contents of recent revelations, spoke of developments in Ohio, and offered general counsel.

JS sent this letter from Kirtland, Ohio, to Brethren in Zion, Jackson County, Missouri. Frederick G. Williams transcribed a copy of into Letterbook 1.