Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith

Section Two (1834-1837) | Officers in Transgression

1"The Presidency of Kirtland and Zion say that the Lord has manifested by revelation of His Spirit, that the High Priests, Teachers, Priests, and Deacons, or in other words, all the officers in the land of Clay County, Missouri, belonging to the Church, are more or less in transgression, because they have not enjoyed the Spirit of God sufficiently to be able to comprehend their duties respecting themselves and the welfare of Zion; thereby having been left to act in a manner that is detrimental to the interest, and also a hindrance to the redemption of Zion.

2Now if they will be wise, they will humble themselves in a peculiar manner that God may open the eyes of their understanding.

3It will be clearly manifested what the design and purposes of the Almighty are with regard to them, and the children of Zion, that they should let the High Council, which is appointed of God and ordained for that purpose, make and regulate all the affairs of Zion, and that it is the will of God that her children should stand still and see the salvation of redemption." Then follows the substance of the Messenger and Advocate article.

4This letter has the following postscript written personally by the Prophet, to Brother Peck, and is a gem which manifests the profound sympathy of the Prophet for the faithful in Israel: P.S.-- Brother Hezekiah Peck: We remember your family with all the first families of the Church who first embraced the truth.

5We remember your losses and sorrows; our first ties are not broken; we participate with you in the evil as well as the good, in the sorrows as well as the joys; our union, we trust, is stronger than death, and shall never be severed. Remember us unto all who believe in the fulness of the Gospel of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. We hereby authorize you, Hezekiah Peck, our beloved brother, to read this epistle and communicate it unto all the brotherhood in that region of country.

6Dictated by me, your unworthy brother, and fellow laborer in the testimony of the Book of Mormon, Signed by my own hand in the token of the everlasting covenant. JOSEPH SMITH, JUN.--M&A, June, 1835, also DHC 2:229-231.