Letter from Lyman Wight and Others, 15 February 1844–A
Source Note
, , , , and , Letter, Black River Falls, Pine Co., Wisconsin Territory, to JS and quorum of the twelve, , Hancock Co., IL, 15 Feb. 1844; handwriting of Otis Hobart; four pages; JS Collection, CHL.
its daily revolution. This committee views it as <a> matter of investigation, whether would the Southerner with his slaves and abundance of wealth do better to take them to some slaveholding point, keep them in lively exercise according to his former customs and habits, turning over his yearly proceeds into the hands of the trustee in trust for the whole church; or to abolish slavery and settle himself in a climate uncongenial to his nature and entirely derogatory to his former occupations in life.
After having procured the lumber for those two houses the committee is of the opinion that the preaching the Gospel and raising funds in the south would be a far more speedy way of accomplishing the work than any other that could be introduced at the present time
We Your servants, therefore will wait patiently the result of your council and Submit Ourselves to the Same with all cherfulness, Our only object being to advance the cause and Kingdom of God, stand ready to take hold whereever Your wise council may consider it to be of the most advantage— This committee view with deep regret the many different teachings this church has recieved concerning the distribution of their property, such as raising funds for the printing of tracts, evidences of the Book of Mormon, and pamphlets of various discriptions, which we consider has not advanced the cause in the least degree, but has tended directly to sap the foundation of building the houses, We therefore believe that no person embracing the doctrine of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints, should give any part or pa[r]cel of their property without a direct council written or oral from the first Presidency of the Church.
Whereas the committee having appointed & to write the views of the committee, each wrote Separate & apart having laid the same, before the committee, the committee resolved that both productions be sent without alterations. We the committee conclude by subscribing ourselves your friends and [p. [4]]