Letter to Church Officers in Clay County, Missouri, 31 August 1835, Joseph Holbrook Copy
Source Note
JS, , , , , and , Letter, , Geauga Co., OH, to church officers, , MO, 31 Aug. 1835. Version copied [not before 31 Aug. 1835]; handwriting of with notation in the handwriting of ; four pages; JS History, vol. C-1, miscellaneous papers, CHL.
of God in places where they have not been sent The and the have been established to do the business of Zion and her childre<n> are not bound to acknowledge any of those who feel disposed to run to liars and sit themselves to be their rulers let not her children be duped in this way but let them prove those who say they are and are not and fond them liars The Elders have no right to regulate the officer of Zion but they have a right to preach the gospel they will all do well to repent and humble themselves and all the and also we our selves recive this adminition and do endevor and pray to this end when the children of Zion are— strangers in a strang land their harps must be hung upon the willows and they cannot sing the song of Zion but should mourn and not dance
Therefore Breatheren remains for all such to be arou<nd> with prayr and continual supplication untill Zion is redeemed we realise the situation that the Bretheren and sisters must be in being deprived of their spiritual privilages which are enjoyed by those who sit in heavenly places in Christ Jesus where there are no mobs to rise up and bind their Consitencences Nevertheless it is wisdom that the Church should make but little or no stur in that rejion and as little excite as possible and indure their afflictions patiently untill the time apointed and of Mo fulfill his prommas in siting the Church over upon their own lands We would suggest an idere [idea] that it would be wisdom for all the members of the Church on the return of the to make known to him their names places of residence &c tha[t] it may be known where they all are when the shall give directions for you to be set over upon your lands again It is the will of the Lord that the Church should attend to their on the sabath day and let them remember the which talk not of Judgment. we are commanded not to give the childrens bread unto dogs neither to— cast perls before swine least they trample under their feet and turn again and rend you. Therefore let us be wis[e] [p. [2]]