[23 July 1840]

Brother Granger

Dr Sir

It was with great pleasure I received  your’s and Bro [Willard] Richards Letter dated New York June 23rd 1840 and  was very happy to be informed of your safe arrival in that place  and your probability of success and I do hope that your anticipa tions will be realized and that you will be able to free the Lords House  from all incumbrances, and be prospered in all your undertakings  for the benefit of the Church, and pray that while you are exerting your  influence to bring about an object so desireable, that the choicest  blessings of heaven may rest down upon you. While you are endeavoring  to do so and attending to the duties laid upon you by the authorities  of the Church in this place, I am sorry to be informed not only in  your letter but from other respectable sources of the strange conduct  pursued in Kirtland by Elder Alman Babbit [Almon Babbitt]; I am indeed  Surprised that a man having the experience which Bro Babbit has  had should take any steps whatever calculated to destroy the con fidence of the brethren in the presidency or any of the Authorities of  the church. In order to conduct the affairs of the kingdom in  righteousness it is all important, that the most perfect harmony  kind feeling, good understanding and confidence should exist  in the hearts of all the brethren and that true charity— love one  towards another, should characterize all their proceedings. If  there are any uncharitable feelings, any lack of confidence, then  pride and arrogancy and envy will soon be manifested and con fusion must inevitably prevail and the Authorities of the church  set at nought; and under such circumstances Kirtland cannot  rise and free herself from <the> captivity in which she is held and  become a place of safety for the Saints nor can the blessings of Jehovah  rest upon her. If the saints in Kirtland deem me unworthy of their  prayers when they assemble together, and neglect to bear me up at  a throne of heavenly grace, it is a strong and convincing proof  to me that they have not the spirit of God.

If the revelations we have received are true, who is to lead the  people? If the keys of the kingdom have been committed to my hands,  who shall open out the mysteries thereof. As long as my brethren  stand by me and encourage me I can combat the predjudices  of the world and can bear the contumely and abuse of the world  with joy [p. 159]