Letter to Edward Partridge and the Church, circa 22 March 1839, as Published in Times and Seasons
Source Note
JS, , , , and , Letter, [, Clay Co., MO], to and the church, , Adams Co., IL, [ca. 22 Mar. 1839]. Version published in “An Extract of a Letter Written to Bishop Partridge, and the Saints in General: By J. Smith, Jr. and Others While in Prison,” Times and Seasons, July 1840, 1:131–134. For more complete source information, see the source note for Letter to Isaac Galland, 22 Mar. 1839.
plans may have been good, yet aspiring men, who had the form of godliness but not the substance, by their aspiring notions brought trouble, both upon themselves and the saints at large: However the time is coming, when God will signify many things, which are expected for the well being of the saints. We would likewise suggest for your consideration the propriety of the saints gathering up a knowledge of all the sufferings and abuse put upon them by the people of this , and also the loss of property, and the amount of damages which they have sustained, and also the names of all persons who have taken a part in their persecutions; perhaps it would be well for a committee to be appointed, to collect the statements and affidavits of brethren on this subject, and also to gather up the libilous publications which are about in the world, and present the whole concatenation of diabolical rascality, and nefarious and murderous impositions before the laws of government, and to the world at large. This we think is a duty enjoined upon us by our heavenly Father, and which must be attended to before we can ask Him to come out of his hiding place; and also that the nation may be left without excuse. It is a duty we owe to our country, whose laws have been trampled on, and set at naught—a duty we owe to our wives and children, who have been made to bow down with grief, sorrow, and anguish under the most damning hand of murder tyrany, and oppression, supported and urged on by the influence of that spirit, which has so strongly revited the creeds of the Father,s who have inherited lies upon the hearts of the children, and filled the world with confusion and prejudice, which has been growing stronger and stronger and has become a source of corruption until the earth groans under its iniquity; it is an iron yoke and a strong band. It is a duty we owe to the widow and the fatherless, whose husbands and fathers have been murdered under its iron hand, which dark and blackning deeds, are enough to make hell itself shudder and stand aghast, and the hands of satan to tremble and palsey.
These things ought then, to be attended to with great earnestness; let no man count them as small things, for there is much that lies in futurity pertaining to the saints, which depend on our present action. You are aware brethren, that a very large ship is benefited very much, by a small helm in the time of a storm, by being kept work ways with the wind and the waves; therefore dearly beloved brethren, let us cheerfully do all things that is in our power, and then we may stand still, and see the salvation of God.
We further, caution our brethren, against the impropriety of the organization of bands or companies, by covenants, oaths, penalties, or secresies, but let the time past of our experience and sufferings by the wickedness of suffice, and let our covenants, be that of the , as it is contained in the holy writ, and the things which God has revealed unto us; pure friendship always becomes weakened, the very moment you undertake to make it stronger by penal oaths and secrecy. Your humble servants intend from henceforth to disapprobate every thing that is not in accordance with the fullness of the gospel of Jesus Christ, and which is not of a bold, frank, and upright nature; they will not hold their peace as in times past, when they see iniquity begining to rear its head, for fear of traitors, or the consequences that shall follow, from reproving those who creep in unawares, that they may get something to destroy the flock. We believe, that from the experience of the saints in times past, they will henceforth be always ready to obey the truth, without having men’s persons in admiration because of advantage, we ought to be aware of those prejudices, (which are so congenial to human nature) against our neighbors, friends and brethren of the world, who choose to differ with us in opinion, and in matters of faith: our religion is between us and our God; their religion is between them and their God: there certainly is a tie to those of the same faith which is peculair to itself, but it is without prejudice, gives full scope to the mind, and enables us to conduct ourselves with liberality towards those who are not of our faith; this principle, in our opinion, approximates the nearest to the mind of God and is God-like. There is a duty, which we in common with all men, owe to Governments, laws, and the regula [p. 133]