Letter from John Whitmer, 4 January 1836 [LE-24]

Document Transcript

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Kirtland O. January 4, 1836

Dear Brother

Yours came to hand 8 or 10 days
since. I hope you will pordon me for not
writing sooner, for I feel that I have a just cause
to be excused. And this because of a multiplicity of
business.

The Hebrew School commenced this day, and I
hope that I shall be able to attend it some, but
out of necesity I will be excluded part of the
time because of the press of business.

You have no doubt an idea in regard to
the endowment and if you should suppose that
God intends to endow a man to destroy another
because he repents not, I would inform you that
your idea is incorrect, but I presume that you
have no such an idea. God will indow no
man except he has obtained wisdom and under-
standing enough to use power with discretion
and according to the will of God. I presume
the solemn assembly will take place in Febru-
ary if there will be no hinderance in the comple-
tion of the house.

I have written a letter to br Seth [Willey], and
no doubt you have seen it ere this, had I
time I would write a long letter to you. But
I have not. And Elder Parish wrote you and
you have the Bible Book of Mormon & Book of
Covenants
these together with the Sipirit of God, will
will make you wise unto salvation, and give you
inteligence to lead others into the mansions of
bliss. I am sensible that you feel your weekness
in the midst of a gainsaying and idolotrous generation
while in the days of your youth, and so for pain
your brethren ^the [prophets] &c^ But be not dismayed trust in God
and you shall not be confounded, for remember
what our Savior saith of the the Ravens, and of the
Lillies of the field, they toil not neither do they spin but

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our Heavenly Father clothes them, and will he not
do as much for one of his Young servants; yes
verily he will clothe them with wisdom and inteligence
that they will be able to confound the wise. God has
said he would choose the weak things and the unlearned
to bring about his works in these last days. Therefore,
comfort yourself with the above sayings and many
others that time would fail me to enumerate, and they
are familiar to yourself, continue to be faithful and
the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob shall be your guard
and your defence and your suporter in every time
of need. Keep yourself unspoted from the eviles of
this generation and you shall be blessed forever
amen.

I have complied with your request in regard
to sending extra Nos. of Star & Messenger.
I have forwarded J. Chumbly 5 extra Nos of Reprinted
Star. And A. B. Wilson four.
And Levi Taylor 3 Nos. of the Messenger.
Isaac Hendrix 2 — — — —
Daniel Thomas 2 — — — —
C. A. Crawly 2 — — — —
N. A Calahan 2 — — — —
James Malery 2 — — — —
The four last had each 14 Nos. Therefore they have
had two Nos each over one year. consequently they
are some what in debted to the office. I would inform
you that we are very sory that any Nos. should mis-
carry for we print just such a quantity and to
supply odd numbers breaks a whole volume therefore
we loose much in consequence of the negligence or
wickedness of Postmasters. You see in what situatin
it places us, but we have one or two consolotions,
that is we have a clear conscience before the Lord and
the wicked must not think to hide their wickedness
before the Lord. I must Close by saying I am
your brother in the bonds of the New Co[v]nant.

Wilford Woodruff. John Whitmer

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John Whitmore
Janu 4th 1836

Kirtland Mills ^25^
Iwy

Elder Wilford Woodruff
Paris Henry Co
Ten.

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