The tenacity with which they cling to this horible doctrine, even without any proof from the scriptures, must forever show the absurdity of supposeing that they have expunged it from the scriptures— Indeed they have endeavoured to twist the word evry way to support it. I can easily believe that wicked unbelieveing persecuteing wretches will be punished according to their works, and be degraded in form and faculties as far below the Saints as a dog is below us. Which idea is often expressed in the scriptures— Is it meet to take the childrens bread and cast it to dogs— And to them is reserved the blackness of darkness forever Punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power— But I need not quote scripture to you only to show my own ideas— yet I will say that I never knew that a dog, or an Idiot, was tormented in their minds on account of their degradation or mental darkness— much less did I suppose that their misery was perpetual like burning in flames of fire— How can I think that such endless torment is necessary or consistant with the character or feelings of a mercifull God— Surely he will prevent it if he can— Such doctrine must have originated in Pagan darkness and not from that light which has pledged itself to finish transgression, and to make an end of sin— to swallow up death in victory— and to destroy him who has the power of death, that is the Devil— and especially as we know that it is not the fear of Endless torments that can do away sin; (Or Pagans would have been made holy long ago.) But the bringing in a better hope— even the hope of Eternal life which God <​who​> cannot lie; promised before the world began.

Please give me a candid answer to all these things, and where I am wrong, set me right, for which you shall be entitled to my thanks and greatfull acknowledgments—

Ps A Friend in due time will call at the for an Answer—

Gen Joseph Smith [p. [3]]