From the Elders

In order that it may be known who the laborers are that are pruning the Lord's vineyard, we feel it our duty, as well as a priviledge [privilege], to lay before our readers, either by summary or entire, as many of t he communications received from the travelling [traveling] elders as there is room or space so to do; knowing that the laborers in the North, are pleased to hear from those who are laboring in the South, and those in the East, to hear from the West, and those in the west to hear from the Islands of the Sea: for a knowledge of the spread of the gospel, is that which is calculated to gladden the heart and enliven the soul of every faithful laborer; and also, to stimulate those who have gone to their farms, and to their merchandize [merchandise], (like the appostles [apostles] of old to their netts [nets]) to gird on their armor, and go forth into the vineyard of the Lord, and labor with their mights, that no man shall take their crown.-Ed.

Jackson County, Ill. Dec. 26th 1839

Dear brethren in the Lord, having a few leisure moments I have taken my pen in hand to write a few lines to let you know what I have been doing since I saw you. I left Far West, last January the 14th and after a few days travel fell in company with Elder Jeremiah Mackley; we held three meetings in the State of Missouri, in the neighborhood of St. Charles; from thence we steered our course for this State, and after a few days travel we found ourselves in Jackson County where we commenced publishing the gospel, and very soon the honest in heart began to embrace the truth, after we had introduced eight souls into the kingdom and a number more believing. Br. Mackley was warned to leave and return to his family; then the whole burden rested on me; but the Lord was with me and confirmed my words with signs following; the sick were healed, and that not a few, and devils cast out also. I kept up a regular march until I had baptized 28, when Elder Benjamin Clapp arrived; we then with united force, pushed forth the conquest until we baptized 10 more;l we then organized them into branches and departed to travel to the south. I have just returned from the south and have found the brethren still firm in

the faith, except a few who have tumbled over to try the faith of others as is usual. we had very good success for the time I stayed in the south, we held 25 meetings in McNary County Tennessee, and baptized 14 persons; we held 5 meetings in Tishamingo county, State of Mississippi and baptized 6 persons, and left a number who were believing. Br. B. Clapp is still preaching in the State of Mississippi and desires other Elders to come to his assistance.

I have understood that you are publishing the papers again, and I have taken some names, and have recieved [received] the pay for the same, and if you will send the papers you shall have the pay for them when I come; I will come by April conference if the Lord will; I desire an interest in the prayers of the saints. I feel to exhort the young Elders, who am young also, to gird on their armour [armor], walk out into the field and commence reaping, for the harvest is truly plentious [plenteous] and the laborers few.-The sooner we preach the gospel, the sooner we will have rest, for God cannot, in rightousness, bring about the Millemium [Millennium] until all are warned. No more at present, only yours &c. J. D. HUNTER.

Robinson & Smith.

Monroe, Dec. 11th, 1839

Br. D. C. Smith, Dear Sir, Having recently had an opportunity to hear from you, and the brethren in Ill. by way of br. Geo. Gee, who has just come to this place; I take the present opportunity to address you, and Elder George Smith, in western Tenn. From the place I left you I travelled [traveled] eastward about one hundred miles, where I had an opportunity of preaching a few times, but the prejudices, and opposition of the people were so great, that I did not think it profitable to stay in that region of country, consequently I left, and continued traveling eastward, the distance of one hundred miles or more; where I again commenced preaching, (in Overton co. Tenn.) here, I had some success, the way opened before me, and I found many friends who were very kind, and administered to my wants. I continued preaching in Overton during the winter, in the spring I commenced baptizing, and with the assistance of Br. Lewis, who came here and stayed a few days, seventeen were united with the church. Soon after this Br. Lee, and Stewart came to this country; I went with Lee into Jackson co. where we baptized twenty one more; Elder Stewart baptized two in White co., Brothers Steward and Lee, returned home to their families.

Thus, I have given a short history of my travels, and success since I saw you. I must acknowledge that my success has not been great, but considering the difficulties under which I have labored, arising from the great prejudices of the people, in consequence of hearing so many fabulous stories concerning our difficulties in Missouri; taking these and many other things into consideration, it cannot be expected that the work will be so readily received in this country as in the north.

Yours &c. JULIAN MOSES.

Dec. 3d. 1839

Cross Keys, Union District, S. C. Br. Robinson. Having concluded the public services, usually performed by the servants of God on his Holy Day; I propose to spend the evening, in addressing a few lines to you, that you and others may know something concerning the moral condition of this part of our Lord's vineyard.

I have been here something more than a month, and preached in various parts of the district. On my first arrival, I found br. E. M. Murphy, with whom you are acquainted; and with whom I have found an asylum, till the present time. Here also, I found a few; who through the instrumentality of br. Murphy, and the use of his books, were believing the gospel. I preached a few discourses, and baptized four persons, many others are believing.-Since that, I have continued preaching two or three times a week, and do not know how long I may continue.-There are plenty of priests here, plenty of professors, and plenty of all kinds of religion, that of Jesus Christ excepted

The preaching of the Gospel here, produces the same effects, that the preaching of the same doctrine has in all places, and in all ages of the world, viz: all manner of abuse from hypocrites and vagabonds. Nevertheless, a tribute of thanksgiving and gratitude, is due to the author of all good, for in all my travels, during the last six months, through as many as eight different States, extending from the Mississippi to the Atlantic; he has not at any time left me at night without a place to lay my head; nor without a sufficient of food, to supply the demands of nature. I send you the names of five subscribers for the Times and Seasons, if the money will not answer your purpose send it back, and we will pay silver as soon as it can be sent. If any of our books can be obtained at Commerce, please notice it in you paper. Yours in the Gospel bonds

LYSANDER M. DAVIS

The following is a short extract from a letter written by Elder Orson Pratt, to his wife in this place, under date of January 6th, 1840.

I am well and hearty, after mailing the last letter to you in Pa. I went to Philadelphia, on Saturday the 21st of December, there I found President J. Smith jr., he had just arrived from Washington city, where he had been about 3 weeks-4 or 5 days after, Judge Higbee, with Porter Rockwell, came to Philadelphia; they are well. I wrote to P. P. Pratt to come and see Pres't Smith; he did so, and probably will go to Washington with him in a few days. I staid with brother Smith, in Philadelphia, about 8 days; we then took the rail road, and went some 35 or 40 miles, to a large branch of the church in Monmouth co. N. J. which numbers 90 members: there I left him on new year's day, and came to N. Y. where I am at present. Elder Winchester had when I left Philadelphia, baptized 45 in that city, and several more had given in their names for baptism, and scores believing. I preached in Chester co. Pa. about two weeks, and I think I may safely say there are hundreds believing. The work is prospering throughout all this region. Elders Taylor, Woodruff, and Turley sailed for Liverpool, Dec. 18th, while I was in Pa. none of the rest of the Twelve have yet arrived. I hear that brothers Young and Kimball are near Rochester in this state. I am all ready to start for England, and am only waiting for company. If some of the rest do not arrive soon, I think I shall start alone. There is a great call for books of Mormon. P. P. Pratt has another book printed, larger than the Voice of Warning, entitled the Millenium [Millennium], and other poems, and a piece on the eternal duration of matter.

We learn verbally [verbally] from Elder John E. Page, that within a few weeks past, he has baptized nine in the lower part of this county, about 8 miles south west from Carthage, and twenty from this place. Among those who embraced the gospel in that place is Mr. Sidney Knowlton and family, who have for several years been zealous members of the Campbellite society, and are personally acquainted with the leaders of that sect, consequently have become perfectly acquainted with all the principles of that doctrine; they are of the opinion that if Messrs. Campbell, Scott and others, had been attentive hearers to the lectures which had been delivered in their place, they would have become Mormons also. Br. Knowlton is one of the first citizens of Hancock co. and ranks with the first class of scientific Farmers. Elder Page, by the voice of that Branch of the church, ordained John J. DeGraw, to the office of an Elder.

From a letter written Nov. 7th, 1839, by Br's Daniel, and Norman B. Shearer, we learn that they have been busily engaged for the cause of the Redeemer; since they left this place, Sept. 14th, they had held twenty eight meetings, and baptized three, one of the number was formerly a Methodist preacher; some faithful elder is requested to call and instruct them more perfectly. They live three miles South of Pekin, Tazwell co. Ill.

Elder Jacob K. Chapman, writes from Harrison, Henry co. Indiana, under date of Jan. 9th 1810. He informs

us that there is a great call for preaching in that section of country.

"Here is room (he says) for several Elders," he had baptized two worthy members, and many were anxiously enquiring [inquiring] in the work.

For the benefit of those who do not have the book of Mormon, and to stir up those who have, to peruse its valuable pages more strictly, we extract the following chapter.

And now I speak unto you, Joseph, my last born. Thou wast born in the wilderness of mine afflictions; yea, in the days of my greatest sorrow, did thy mother bear thee. And may the Lord consecrate also unto thee this land, for thine inheritance and the inheritance of thy seed with thy brethren, for thy security forever, if it so be that ye shall keep the commandments of the Holy One of Israel. And now, Joseph my last born whom I have brought out of the wilderness of my afflictions, may the Lord bless thee forever, for thy seed shall not utterly be destroyed.-For behold, thou art the fruit of my loins; and I am a decendant [descendent] of Joseph, who was carried captive into Egypt. And great were the covenants of the Lord, which he made unto Joseph; wherefore, Joseph truly saw our day. And he obtained a promise of the Lord, that out of the fruit of his loins, the Lord God would raise up a righteous branch unto the house of Israel; not the Messiah, but a branch was to be broken off; nevertheless, to be remembered in the covenants of the Lord, that the Messiah should be made manifest unto them in the latter days, in the spirit of power, unto the bringing of them out of darkness unto light; yea, out of hidden darkness and out of captivity unto freedom. For Joseph truly testified, saying: A seer shall the Lord my God raise up, who shall be a choice seer unto the fruit of my loins. Yea, Joseph truly said, thus saith the Lord unto me: A choice seer will I raise up out of the fruit of thy loins; and he shall be esteemed highly among the fruit of thy loins.-And unto him will I give commandment, that he shall do a work for the fruit of thy loins, his brethren, which shall be of great worth unto them, even to the bringing of them to the knowledge of the covenants which I have made with thy fathers. And I will make him great in mine eyes: for he shall do my work. And he shall be great like unto Moses, whom I have said I would raise up unto you, to deliver my people, O house of Israel.-And Moses will I raise up, to deliver thy people out of the land of Egypt.-But a seer will I raise up out of the fruit of thy loins; and unto him will I give power to bring forth my word unto the seed of thy loins: and not to the bringing forth my word only, saith the Lord, but to the convincing them of my word, which shall have already gone forth among them. Wherefore, the fruit of thy loins shall write; and the fruit of the loins of Judah shall write; and that which shall be written by the fruit of thy loins, and also that which shall be written by the fruit of the loins of Judah, shall grow together, unto the confounding of false doctrines, and laying down of contentions, and establishing peace among the fruit of thy loins, and bringing them to the knowledge of their fathers in the latter days; and also to the knowledge of my covenants, saith the Lord, And out of weakness he shall be made strong, in that day when my work shall commence among all my peoble [people], unto the restoring thee, O house of Israel, saith the Lord. And thus prophesied Joseph, saying: behold, that seer will the Lord bless; and they that seek to destroy him, shall be confounded: for this promise of which I have obtained of the Lord, of the fruit of thy loins, shall be fulfilled. Behold, I am sure of the fulfilling of this promise. And his name shall be called after me; and it shall be after the name of his father. And he shall be like unto me; for the things which the Lord shall bring forth by his hand, by the power of the Lord shall bring my people unto salvation; yea, thus prophesied Joseph, I am sure of this thing, even as I am sure of the promise of Moses: for the Lord hath said unto me, I will preserve thy seed forever. And the Lord hath said, I will raise up a Moses; and I will give power unto him in a rod; and I will give judgment unto him in writing. Yet I will not loose his tongue, that he shall speak much: for I will not make him mighty in

speaking. But I will write unto him my law, by the finger of mine own hand; and I will make a spokesman for him. And the Lord said unto me also, I will raise up unto the fruit of thy loins; and I will make for him a spokesman. And I, behold, I will give unto him, that he shall write the writing of the fruit of thy loins, unto the fruit of thy loins; and the spokesman of thy loins shall declare it. And the words which he shall write, shall be the words which are expedient in my wisdom, should go forth unto the fruit of thy loins. And it shall be as if the fruit of thy loins had cried unto them from the dust: for I know their faith. And they shall cry from the dust; yea, even repentance unto their brethren, even after many generations have gone by them. And it shall come to pass that their cry shall go, even according to the simpleness of their words. Because of their faith, their words shall proceed forth out of my mouth unto their brethren, who are the fruit of thy loins; and the weakness of their words will I make strong in their faith, unto the remembering of my covenant which I made unto thy fathers.

And now, behold, my son Joseph, after this manner did my father of old prophesy. Wherefore, because of this covenant thou art blessed: for thy seed shall not be destroyed, for they shall hearken unto the words of the book.-And there shall raise up one mighty among them, who shall do much good, both in word and in deed, being an instrument in the hands of God, with exceeding faith, to work mighty wonders, and to do that thing which is great in the sight of God, unto the bringing to pass much restoration unto the house of Israel, and unto the seed of thy brethren. And now, blessed art thou, Joseph. Behold, thou art little; wherefore, hearken unto the words of thy brother Nephi, and it shall be done unto thee, even according to the words which I have spoken. Remember the words of thy dying father. Amen.