came from a distance, we had a address from our prophet after which it was
voted that Kirtland should be built up and three ^one^ man was appointed to preside
over it I think they ^it^ was brother Almon Babbit father Granger & brother Higby
—then it was motioned that a committee be appointed and commissioned to
appoint & lay up stakes for the gathering ^from Commerce to Kirtland.^— Hiram Smith Lyman Whight
and Judge Higby were chosen— then they proposed building the Lord's
house by tytheing the people they commen^ce^ to collect materials this fall and begin to
build next spring— the people meet togather and work every tenth day
br. R. Cayhoon H. Smith & one more were appointed for the committee – the house
is to 100 feet by 120 and much other business was done the meeting closed
by an address from Dr. Bennet (a quarter master general who has lately been
baptized) upon the subject of war. And by his talk you wo^u^ld conclude they
that the brethren expected war with Missourie sometime – he is a great orator.

4 ^th Sun. meeting commenced to day at 9 oclock and it was judged that
there was 5000 people on the ground. I shall not particularize the business of
this day or the morrow for my babe was quite troublesom which took my at
tention much, 5^th. brother Joseph was expected to preach today on the Priest
hood but his health would not admit of it so A. Babbit took the stand and
delivered an interesting discourse upon the same subject.— yesterday brother Joseph spoke
a short time from 29 verse of the 15 chap. of first Cor. of which I will here after speak
& this afternoon brother L. White spoke on the same subject which was very interes
ting. To-day we hear that brother Turly and his company are within 2 or three days
journey of here, and I stopped a week, to see them expecting to hear from you by then
spent most of the time with sister Kimbal she sends her respects to you— She and
family are well likewise sister Pratt & child I went to see sister Young She was not verry
well but was getting better, Elizabeth, and Vilate have been sick but are better— sister
Taylor & family are comfortably well— likewise sister Clark & Turleys family's also
sister Woodruff is comfortably as to health but her babe is not well. It has got now to be
the 15^th of the month and brother Turley has not yet arrived here – I see my subjects and
sentences are verry broken but if you knew how I have to write you would not think
it strange, for I often have to leave my pen every minute and take the babe ^and^ but have to
write with him in my lap so that I make but poor headway about this business,—
although my sentences are more broken & disconnected than they otherwise would
by reason of my little son, I do not consider it any task to take care of him and
presume you will excuse me for these reasons and to ask the Lord to spare him for
future usefulness and for a comfort to his parents.— I feel that without my babe I
should be miserable indeed – yes much more lonely than at now - you cannot think how
much I miss little Sarah Emma her death has disarmed me of all courage faith &
fortitude, I have had almost one scene of trouble since you left me by sickness &c but
I ^feel^ as though they were all light afflictions when compared with that – O pray for
me Willford that I may have grace and strength equal to my day - for I feel like a
lonely child on the earth now but I endure it as for Christ sake knowing that nothing
but a sense of duty to our heavenly ^father^ would cause us to part with the enjoyment of each of
each others society; but I will try to be patient and take as good care of our little lad as
I can untill you return, which I pray God may be soon, for it seames that you
have been gone an age,— Only ^think^ most 15 months, do tell me something about when
you think of comeing HOME - Well I have wandered far from my subject the
conference, it hend 3 days and closed on the 5^th (Monday) and I returned home after
spending a week in Commerce - We had a verry interesting conference and often did I
wish that Yo you and your quorum could have the privilege of being there. 16^th today
I hear that the brethren have commenced to draw stone for the meetinghouse. Now a few
words from Brother Joseph sermon on the living’s being baptized for the dead that they
may be judged according to men in the flesh; he has learned by revelation that those in
this church may be baptized for any of their relatives who are dead and had not a
privalege privaledge of hearing it this gospel even for their children, parents, bothers, sisters,
grandparents, uncles, & aunts,— but not for acquaintances unless they send a mi
nistering spirit to their friends on earth,— as soon as they are baptized for their
friends they are released from prison and they can claim them in the resurrection
and bring them into the celestial kingdom— this doctrin is cord^i^ally received by the church
and they are going forward in multitudes, some are going to be baptized as many as
16 times— they have to be baptized and confirmed separately for every friend— once
in one day— How many can a spirit be baptized wh— why not deputize a friend on earth
to do it for them— John Wesly can receive this work but how can his spirit be
baptize in water— It is the privilege of the oldest one in a family to be baptized
for their friends if they desire it but they can give it to another if they choose
Brother Joseph makes this doctrin look verry plain and consisten— he
has been bringing strange things forward to the church this season— strong
meat— he has delivered a course of lectures this season which were verry
interesting— I could not attend only apart of the time but often wished you
could be present— he says that the throne of God stands on the earth like this earth
only it is cleansed &c &c— says that this earth is the wickedest planate that ever God made
and that its inhabitants are will have the greatest glory if they overcome evil— and
that it was the largest when made but at different times there has been parts
taken from it, for instance when the ten tribes were lost and says they will