--- title: Improvement Era description: Monthly periodical of the Mormon church, 1897 onward. This library holds the issues of November 1897 to December 1930. authors: - Young Men’s Mutual Improvement Associations collections: - periodicals tags: - magazine - improvement-era periodical: Improvement Era volume: 9 number: 2 published: 1905-12 publisher: Young Men’s Mutual Improvement Associations publisher_place: Salt Lake City language: en type: magazine reference: 'Young Men’s Mutual Improvement Associations, "An Unpublished Letter of the Prophet Joseph," *Improvement Era* 9, no. 2 (December 1905): 167–169.' source: url: https://archive.org/details/improvementera0902unse transcription: Transcribed from the Internet Archive scan of each issue (the item for each issue is named in the issue's own source); unnumbered advertising leaves are omitted, printed page numbers are kept as page markers. identifier: improvementera0902unse start_page: 167 end_page: 169 rights: status: public-domain basis: US publication 1930 or earlier (published 1905-12) source: https://archive.org/details/improvementera0902unse publication_year: 1905 note: The Internet Archive item metadata carries a blanket "© Copyright by Intellectual Reserve, Inc." notice. The library owner judged it inapplicable because this issue was published in 1905, before 1931; a scan-level notice does not restore copyright. --- # An Unpublished Letter of the Prophet Joseph — JOSEPH SMITH THE PROPHET. 165 of Joseph Smith's calling and mission among men, let the results of his life's work dispel the shade. What sect or church, other than the Church of Jesus Christ, re-established and founded through the authorized administration of Joseph Smith, even pro- fesses that its organization and operation are after the manner of Christ's Church of former days? Where is another church to be found ready to solemnly proclaim and defend its title to bear the name of Jesus Christ, and to demonstrate its possession of the Holy Priesthood. Proof of actual and unbroken succession in the apostolic office from the chosen twelve ordained by The Christ in person, has been attempted in vain. Moreover, the great falling away already begun in apostolic days— the general apostasy with con- sequent loss of priesthood and authority, was clearly foretold, and is plainly admitted by unbiased theologians of modern times. The assumption that any man, or combination of men, or the human family in its entirety, can originate or create among themselves the authority of heaven — the right to administer in the sacred ordinances of the gospel of Christ, and the power to speak in the name of the Lord, is so illogical and absurd as to be its own refu- tation. If man cannot obtain this power of himself, he cannot delegate or transmit the same to his fellows by ordination or other ceremony. Where shall we search for a church other than that founded through the authority conferred on Joseph Smith, that asserts the weakest pretense of claim to the restored priesthood? Had the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints origi- nated in deceit, were its professed authority and power man-created and self-assumed, were its title but a name, and that name of man's choosing, were this Church but one among the many small sects and parties that have grown as a fungus in the night, only to wither and rot under the next day's sun; in short, if it be not what it claims to be, how are to be explained its steady growth, its orderly development, its stability and vitality, its marvelous recuperative capacity, its varied manifestations of vigor and life of which neither men nor demons can rob it. It boldly declares its own immortality, and affirms that human power shall never avail to destroy it. So declared the prophet at its inception; so each successor to the seat of prophet-presidency has reiterated; ! ; —! 166 IMPROVEMENT ERA. so does its history warrant; so shall the years and centuries con- firm. There is but this answer to the greatest question of the age: Joseph Smith was truly the Prophet of the Most High God. Salt Lake City, Utah. A CENTURY SONG— DECEMBER 23, 1905. One hundred years —how quickly gone How full last century's lines were hung With signs of this Millennial dawn, Which ancient prophets saw and sung. Great books of truth, for ages sealed, The nineteenth century revealed The birth, the life, and death it holds, Of him whose work that truth unfolds. A humble youth, no thought had he, Of worldly fame, he only sought, To be from error's creeds kept free, And learn the truth, as Jesus taught. He asked in faith, with heart so pure. That he God's presence could endure Father and Son — vision fair Came, answering his fervent prayer. A century since that prophet's birth, And still the doubting nations scorn; Will they e'er sense salvation's worth, Or why the Son of God was born? Peace, peace, Zion! sing thy songs; All glory to thy God belongs; Thy children testify with joy, Of Joseph Smith, the prophet boy. L. L. Greene Richaeds. Salt Lake City, Utah. — AN UNPUBLISHED LETTER OF THE PROPHET JOSEPH. Mrs. Susa Young Gates possesses an autograph letter writ- ten by Joseph Smith the Prophet, which she has kindly permitted the Era to publish. Concerning its history she writes: This letter, written by the hand of the Prophet Joseph Smith to his brother Hymm Smith, is one of possibly two or three such original letters in existence. The Prophet had a secretary, or scribe, as a rule, and was far too busy and en- grossed to attend to his personal correspondence.But this letter, which has been examined by Presidents Lorenzo Snow, Joseph F. Smith and George Q. Cannon, is pronounced a genuine autograph letter. The history of the present ownership is this :The Patriarch Hyrum Smith lived for about a year in the home of Newel Knight, who acted as the Patriarch's secretary. It was during this period that the letter from the Prophet was received by the Patriarch. When the Patriarch moved away from Brother Knight's house, the letter was left behind. Brother Knight valued it very highly, and kept it till his death, which occurred in the Pottawattamie lands, when he was on his way to the Valley. His second wife, Lydia Knight, traveled with him, and she, too, ap- preciated the value of the letter. Years after, she had it framed in a solid, quaint, home-made frame, with glass on both sides. The present owner of the relic wrote Aunt Lydia Knight's History in the early '80s. Aunt Lydia, with that fine, splendid independence of character which was so much a part of her, wished to pay the writer for the work done. But this the writer would not listen to. She told Aunt Lydia that there was one thing that she possessed that would be precious in her sight, and which would more than repay any obligation between the two. Aunt Lydia agreed to consult her children about it, and especially her stepson Joseph, whose claim was first, of course, because his mother, the first wife, was alive when the letter was written, and it was she who had taken care of it for years. The consent was given, and at Aunt Lydia's death the framed letter was sent to the writer. The contents of the letter have never before been made public. Susa Young Gates. THE PROPHET'S UNPUBLISHED LETTER. KiRTLAND, Geauga Co., ,Ohio, March 3, 1831. Brother Hyrum: We arrived here safe, and are all well. I