Wednesday, January 22. In the forenoon Elder Orson Pratt wrote a letter, in behalf of the council to Elder Parley P. Pratt.
[History of Brigham Young, 1845:8]
[Journal History of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Jan. 22, 1845, 1]
[transcribed and proofread by David Grow, July 2006]
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Letter from Eld. Wm. Smith.
The N. Y. Prophet of January 25, contains cheering news from Elder Wm. Smith. In the midst of trials, tribulations and accusations from false brethren, he triumphs; and really, when we learned that his “wife was better,” we rejoiced, for it seemed good before the Lord.
We give the letter entire, that the saints generally may sympathize with Elder Smith in all his afflictions, and pray for him, and rejoice, as the Lord, in his infinite mercy, blesses him and his family.
He writes to the Prophet:
Dear Brother—
I improve this opportunity to let you know that through the mercy of God I am still alive and in the land of the living. My wife also, I rejoice to say, is better than usual, and I am in hopes will be able to journey west in the spring.
Since the arrival of Elders P. P. Pratt and Benson, the burden of church affairs will not rest so much on my shoulders, and in the reception of these brethren from the west, I am much rejoiced in having more help, for truly we might say the harvest is great, and the laborers are few. I shall continue to labor in conjunction with Elder Pratt, in the eastern churches until spring. It is well known however, by the saints that I contemplate leaving for the west soon, and I feel highly pleased to leave the presidency of the eastern churches in such competent hands, and I hope the saints will do all in their power to sustain them; with the quorum of the Twelve as the presidency over the whole church.
I would say that I have read Elder Pratt’s circular to the churches, and do most cordially approve of its sentiments. Since the death of the prophet and patriarch, the church has had to undergo almost an entire revolution of things and those away from Nauvoo have had to guess their way, or get along the best they could, and if errors have been committed, they have been of the head, and not of the heart. But as yet we have committed none as we know of, and we pray God to guide us by that Spirit that leads into all truth, and if there should be any discontented spirits, the brethren will attribute them to the right source.
Rigdonism has been through this country, but it is now dead forsooth, it never lived. It has perished in its birth, and died without usage, and those who have been led by its influence, are now without a name or church. God pity them; they know no better.
The church of Christ is well united, glory to God, and bids fair to prosper with good management. God help us now, and the gospel ship will ride safely through the storm. The winds and waves have now subsided, and she anchors in the haven of rest. Be faithful, brethren, and you will reap your reward.
I will not say more at this time; you know my feelings; it is that Zion may prosper and be built up, and the cause of truth spread throughout the whole world, and the pure in heart be blessed; and God have mercy on my enemies, and those who persecute and despitefully use us. God loves the honest in heart, and those who will stand to their posts and prove true unto death, but the traitor and hypocrite God will judge. Integrity is half the battle; let the saints put their trust in God, and put away sin, evil speaking, and every evil work, and be true to their friends and trust, and the battle is won, the victory ours. Which may God grant for his Son’s sake.
My respects to all my friends; I have not forgotten them. Amen.
William Smith.
[Times and Seasons, Feb. 1845]
[Journal History of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Jan. 25, 1845, 1]
[transcribed and proofread by David Grow, July 2006]
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Friday, January 31. Pres. Brigham Young received a letter from Elder Parley P. Pratt in relation to the prosperity of the Church under his care, and the great demand for books of Doctrine and Covenants and hymn books.
[History of Brigham Young, 1845:16]
[Journal History of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Jan. 31, 1845, 1]
[transcribed and proofread by David Grow, July 2006]
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Thursday, April 10. Pres. Brigham Young met in council with Elders Heber C. Kimball, Orson Hyde, John Taylor, Geo. A. Smith, Willard Richards and Amasa M. Lyman, in Nauvoo. A resolution was passed to disfellowship Geo. J. Adams and Samuel Brannan, and a letter was written to Elder Parley P. Pratt on the subject.
[History of Brigham Young, 1845:50]
[Journal History of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Apr. 10, 1845, 1]
[transcribed and proofread by David Grow, July 2006]
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Monday, April 28. Pres. Brigham Young met in council with Brothers Heber C. Kimball, John Taylor and Newel K. Whitney. A letter was read from Brother Parley P. Pratt in relation to his movements in the East; he thought that he had got influence with Pres. Polk and other leading men of the nation, who were determined secretly to control the officers of Illinois, so as to induce them to do away with mobs and mobocracy.
[History of Brigham Young, 1845:63]
[Journal History of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Apr. 28, 1845, 1]
[transcribed and proofread by David Grow, July 2006]
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Sunday, May 4. Pres. Young with the Twelve and wrote letters to Elder Parley P. Pratt and Ezra T. Benson, notifying the latter of his release and of Willard Snow’s appointment as his successor in Massachusetts.
[History of Brigham Young, 1845]
[Journal History of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, May 4, 1845, 1]
[transcribed and proofread by David Grow, July 2006]
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Monday, May 26. The Twelve and Trustees met in council at Bishop Miller’s and wrote a long communication to Elder Parley P. Pratt.
[History of Brigham Young, 1845:84]
[Journal History of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, May 26, 1845, 1]
[transcribed and proofread by David Grow, July 2006]
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Elder W. Woodruff.
Beloved Brother in the kingdom of God,
…In the city of New York the cause is onward, new members are joining the church, all alive on the subject of building up Nauvoo, the city of Joseph and finishing the Temple. Elders Parley P. Pratt, J.S. Brannan are going ahead with printing and circulating truth. Elder Pratt has thrown a flood of light throughout all this part of the vineyard to the joy of many Saints….
Your brother in the kingdom of peace.
Jedediah M. Grant
Philadelphia, July 12th, 1845.
[Millennial Star, 1845]
[Journal History of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, July 12, 1845, 1]
[transcribed and proofread by David Grow, July 2006]