Letter from William W. Phelps, with Appended Letter from Orson Hyde and John E. Page, 29 June 1840, as Published in Times and Seasons
Source Note
, Letter, , Montgomery Co., OH, to JS, [, Hancock Co., IL], 29 June 1840, with appended letter from and , [, Montgomery Co., OH], to JS, , and , [, Hancock Co., IL], 29 June 1840. Version published in Times and Seasons, 1 Feb. 1841, 2:304–305. For more complete source information, see the source note for Letter to Isaac Galland, 22 Mar. 1839.
that you will take no advantage of his open and frank confession. If he can obtain your fellowship, he wants to come to as soon as he can. But if he cannot be received into the fellowship of the , he must do the best he can in banishment and exile.
Brethren, with you are the keys of the kingdom: to you is power given to “exert your clemency, or display your vengeance.” By the former, you will save a soul from death, and hide a multitude of sins: by the latter, you will forever dtscourage a returning prodigal, cause sorrow without benefit, pain without pleasure, ending in wretchedness and dispair.
But former experience teaches that you are workman in the art of saving men: therefore, with the greatest confidence do we recommend to your clemency and favorable consideration the author and subject of this communication.
“Whosoever will, let him take of the water of life freely;” says, he will; and so far as we are concerned, we say he may.