Letter to Oliver Cowdery, circa April 1836

This being admitted, the matter can  be put to rest without much argument,  if we look at a few items in the New  Testament. Paul says:

“Servants, be obedient to them that are  your masters according to the flesh, with fear  and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as  unto Christ: Not with eye servic[e], as men- pleasers: but as the servants of Christ, doing  the will of God from the heart: With good  will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to  men. Knowing that whatsoever good thing  any man doeth, the same shall he receive of  the Lord, whether he be bond or free. And,  ye masters, do the same things unto them,  forbearing threatening: knowing that your  Master also is in heaven; neither is there  respect of persons with him.” Eph. 6: 5,6, 7,8,9.

Here is a lesson which might be  profitable for all to learn, and the prin ciple upon which the church was an ciently governed, is so plainly set  forth, that an eye of truth might see  and understand. Here, certainly are  represented the master and servant;  and so far from instructions to the ser vant to leave his master, he is com manded to be in obedience, as unto  the Lord: the master in turn is re quired to treat them with kindness be fore God, understanding at the same  time that he is to give an account.— The hand of fellowship is not with drawn from him in consequence of  having servants.

The same wri[t]er, in his first epistle  to Timothy, the sixth chapter, and the  five first verses, says:

“Let as many servants as are under the  yoke count their own masters worthy of all  honor, that the name of God and his doctrine  be not blasphemed. And they that have be lieving masters, let them not despise them,  because they are brethren: but rather do them  service, because they are faithful and belov ed, partakers of the benefit[.] These things  teach and exhort. If any man teach other wise, and consent not to wholesome words,  even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and  to the doctrine which is according to godli ness: he is proud, knowing nothing but dot ing about questions and strifes of words,  whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil  surmisings, Perverse disputings of men of  corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth,  supposing that gain is godliness: from such  withdraw thyself.”

This is so perfectly plain, that I see  no need of comment. The scripture  stands for itself, and I believe that  these men were better qualified to  teach the will of God, than all the ab olitionists in the world.

Before closing this communication,  I beg leave to drop a word to the trav elling elders: You know, brethren,  that great responsibility rests upon you,  and that you are accountable to God  for all you teach the world. In my  opinion, you will do well to search the  book of Covenants, in which you will  see the belief of the church

The Book of Mormon related that when Christ set up his church in the Americas, “they which were baptized in the name of Jesus, were called the church of Christ.” The first name used to denote the church JS organized on 6 April 1830 was “the Church of Christ...

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concerning  masters and servants. All men are to  be taught to repent; but we have no  right to interfere with slaves contrary  to the mind and will of their masters.  In fact, it would be much better and  more prudent, not to preach at all to  slaves, until after their masters are  converted: and then, teach the master  to use them with kindness, remember ing that they are accountable to God,  and that servants are bound to serve  their masters, with singleness of heart,  without murmuring. I do, most sin cerely hope, that no one who is au thorized from this church to preach  the gospel, will so far depart from the  scripture as to be found stirring up  strife and sedition against our breth ren of the South. Having spoken  frankly and freely, I leave all in the  hands of God, who will direct all things  for his glory and the accomplishment  of his work.

Praying that God may spare you to  do much good in this life, I subscribe  myself your brother in the Lord.