, , England, to JS and Quorum of the Twelve, [, Hancock Co., IL], 10–21 Jan. 1844; handwriting of ; docket in handwriting of ; twenty-four pages; JS Collection, CHL.
Page 7
the Temperance Hall Was one for the West Branch and Bethlahem chapel was another for the East Branch the Elders were inexperancd and there had Been some strange teachings in the Conference Elder Bo[o]th in his teachings out in the Publick Squares Spoke against Government and that this Kingdom now set up was to Breake in peceicess all other kingdoms and there was a warrent isued for him his apprehention but Elder Benson Being in the General Poleice office got Nuse of it and gave Elder Booth timly Warning not to apeare in the Streets to preach again had this not been don Elder Benson told me he would have been arrested the Next sabbath and transportation would have Been his fate the presept <is> still <is>sayes in the office against him there are many Strange Religgions in and much opposission owing in the main to imprudent teachings some wer cut of[f] for not observing the words of wisdom Some sisters were cut off because they would not come before the church and confess that the Elders wire Right in cuting their husbands off the geting of places to preach in Seamed Like the Comencment of a New Era with the prosperity of the work in many strangers came to heare Where as before many of the members would not go to such places to worship I thought that the Labors of at Present was most needed in at this time for I consider that should Be the centr of the intrests of the church in Briten for itis the Nobilety from all Parts of Europe <are hear more or Less> and prudent steps in this part might be the means of spreding the gospel to other Nations throug[h] those visitors
there is some Dissadisfaction ammong the Saints in but Before I left Seven or Eight were Baptisd and a greater union prevailed Writ[e]s of Late that the prespect Brightens in Many are making aplycations for Baptisim &c [p. 7]