Correspondence

To the Publishers of the Times and Seasons.

Illinois Town, March 19th, 1843

Dear Brethren:-A multiplicity of cares and duties since my arrival from England, have for some time prevented me from making any report for the press; but being now confined for a few days to my boarding-house by the icy chains of our long winter, and by other circumstances, I take this opportunity to communicate a few things, which I hope will prove acceptable to your readers.

I took leave of the place now called "Nauvoo," about the last of August, 1839, on my way to England. There was then no town or village of any note in that place, and with the exception of a few farm houses and a few log cabins, the saints were generally dwelling in tents, or in the open air, with naught but eternity for their covering, being "destitute, afflicted, and tormented." They had "fallen among thieves, had been robbed, plundered, and driven and left by the way side, half dead."

Under these circumstances, having no place to put my family, I took them with me. We journeyed about six hundred miles by land, in a carriage, and arrived at Detroit. We then took water down the lakes, down the canal, and down the Hudson river, and arrived at N. York late in Autumn, where, being kindly received by the saints we determined to winter.

During the winter I visited Philadelphia several times, Boston once, and the city of Washington once; and several other places both in town and country, preaching the gospel to thousands and tens of thousands, many of whom received the word gladly and were baptized. I also published the truth extensively from the "press," a good work was done in New York, and in all the region round. The saints were strengthened, and sinners brought to repentance. Many brethren of the twelve, and others were co-workers in this glorious mission.-On the ninth of March, 1840, myself and a number of others sailed for England. We had a tedious voyage and suffered much. On our arrival we found the whole church in that country consisted of less than two thousand members. These were mostly firm and zealous and full of love, and good will, but for want of experience, they were ignorant in many points, and needed much instruction. A general conference was called and various regulations were entered into for the furtherance of the work.-Among other things I was appointed to edit and publish a periodical to be called the "Millenial [Millennial] Star," and to superintend the publishing department in general, in connection with others of the twelve. These duties were immediately entered upon with the utmost diligence and perseverance. We soon commenced the peridical [periodical] to the number of 2500 copies monthly.-We also compiled and published 3000 copies of a hymn book, partly original and partly selected. This work was in the hands of the saints in about three months. In a short period, four or five thousand copies of an English edition of the Book of Mormon were printed, bound, and ready for sale. We also published three thousand copies of Elder Hyde's celebrated "Timely Warning," ten thousands copies of an address to the people of England; most of which were distributed gratis among the people. Numerous other tracts were also published in defence [defense] of the truth, and in reply to some few of the numerous attacks of our enemies. This work, together with ministering the word, ordaining elders, and the care of the churches, it will readily be perceived kept us all very busy for many months. In the mean time, the church had increased to many thousands and the standard of truth had been raised in nearly all the principal towns of England and Scotland. London, Glasgow, Edinburg, Birmingham, Bristol, Cheltenham, Manchester, Liverpool, and numerous other towns of smaller note together with various parts of the agricultural districts had heard the word, and had given rise to organized

societies of the saints all in the short space of a few months: and the Lord confirmed the word with signs following.

In April 1841, the twelve (myself excepted) were called home to their families and to the bosom of the church in America. On their departure the publishing department was left solely to my management, under somewhat embarrassed circumstances, being indebted between one and two thousand dollars, and but a little prospect of an immediate demand for the works on hand. The presidency of the church, which had now become numerous, devolved also upon me to a much greater extent than before. Although I had still the assistance of elders Richards and Snow of America, who were mighty men of God, and a host of faithful and zealous fellow laborers of the English and Scotch.

By prudent management and diligence in business, and by the blessing of God, I was enabled to pay all their due, and to publish a second edition of the hymn book 1500 copies, an English edition of my Voice of Warning, consisting of 2500 copies; 3000 copies of a large tract entitled "Heaven on Earth;" 3000 copies of a large tract on the mission of elder Hyde to Jerusalem; 10,000 copies of a "letter to the Queen," and some other works, and to continue the monthly periodical. I was also enabled to subscribe near 500 dollars for the temple, and as much more for the Nauvoo House, as well as to support a numerous family, and to feed the hungry and clothe the naked, and aid the poor to emigrate, and the missionaries on their journeys, both by sea and land. In these things I have spent many thousand dollars, some on the worthy, who will thank God for deliverance, and some on the unworthy, who curse me, and lie about the saints as a reward for my kindness to them. In all these duties the cause of Zion and of the suffering poor, at home and abroad, has been near and dear to my heart, with an eye single to this, I have toiled by day, and studied and prayed upon my bed in the silent watches of the night.

In addition to all these duties I have visited most parts of England and Scotland, and fully preached the gospel in person in most of the principle towns. I have also assisted in establishing an emigration agency in Liverpool upon a new and improved plan, which in point of expense, comfort, order and convenience, is a matter of astonishment to the oldest business men in the place, and which already commands more trade and business between Liverpool and New Orleans than all the other offices in Liverpool put together; as it reduces the expense of provisions and passage near one half, and rather adding to the comforts of omigrants [emigrants] than diminishing ought from them. By this means some thousands of the saints and others have been enabled to emigrate at a saving of many thousand dollars. The entire expense of a passenger from Liverpool to Illinois, (1500 miles inland, including provisions, will not exceed 25 dollars) heretofore it would cost them fifty at least.

Having labored diligently as God gave me wisdom in all these things, till the autumn of 1842. My soul longed after my native lands and my brethren and kindred in Zion to that degree that I could no longer bear the thought of staying away. My heart and soul was there, and oft in the night visions I was there shaking hands with my brethren, looking round on the buildings and improvements, joying in their joy, prospering in their prosperity, and selecting some "lot of inheritance near," where I might build and inhabit, and where myself and family and our brother pilgrims might rest our weary heads for a little season before we depart hence. I accordingly committed the presidency of the church, and the duties of publishing to elder Thomas Ward in connection with elders Snow and Clark, till further directions should be sent from Nauvoo; and the emigration agency to brother Clark, assisted for the time being, by brother A. Fielding, my former partner. I then took leave of the church and of the shores of Europe, amid the congratulations of a numerous circle of brethren and friends; many of whom accompanied us to the ship. I embarked on the Emerald with my family and about 250 souls, most of whom belonged to our society.

We sailed on the 20th of October, but were two weeks detained in sight of land, by a terrible gale, and head wind. After a long and tedious voyage of ten weeks, we all arrived safe in New Orleans. We then took the steamer "Goddess of Liberty" and most of the company landed safe in St. Louis, the fore part of January. But having a dislike to the out-laws who govern Missouri, I stopped with my family in Chester, Illinois: where we determined to winter.

The news of my arrival soon spread abroad, and I was warmly pressed to preach. I preached several times in that region, and baptized two young men, one of which had been a Campbellite.

After tarrying a month with my family, I purchased a horse and rode to Nauvoo; a distance of two hundred and forty miles. The people in many places would hardly let me pass without preaching to them, but I tore myself, as it were, from them, in my anxiety to see Nauvoo, and pursued my journey. On arriving at Nauvoo, I was extremely disappointed.

I had been absent about three years and six months, during which all the improvements had been made, and that by a people almost without means. Judge my feeling then, in riding through a regular town, for some three or four miles, with streets opened, lots fenced out and buildings almost innumerable; many of which were neatly built of frame or brick. I gazed, I wondered, I admired; I could hardly refrain from tears.

Lost in astonishment, I rode onward amid hundreds of people, passing in every direction, and made my way to the heart of the town, and yet unknowing and unknown. I had not as yet recognized a single face, nor had any one recognized me. I had searched out the cottage which my hands had once reared in the wilderness, the spring, the valley, the murmuring stream, where I had often toiled, or reposed in the cooling shade of the grove and quenched my thirst at nature's fountain, in by-gone years, when all was silent loneliness, no streets were opened, no gardens enclosed, no human habitation near, to disturb the quiet, or break upon the solitude of the wilderness, But O! how changed the scene! Even my cottage had been removed, to open one of the principle streets. Hills had been leveled, blocks, streets, houses, shops, gardens and enclosures were now extending in every direction; scarce a vestage [vestige] remained by which I could realize that I had ever been there before. I could only recognize the place by observing the unchanging fountain, which flowed as free amid the works of art, as it had done in former times, amid the solitude of the wilderness.

After reviewing the city for some time as "one unknown and yet well known," I at length rode near the temple, caught a glimpse of its polished walls, of strength and beauty, in the distance, and then alighted at the door of my brother, William Pratt. I was soon happily encircled with fond friends, among which was my two brothers and their families, and my aged mother, as well as many of my old acquaintances of Europe and America. The joy of this scene I shall not attempt to describe, for none can understand it but those who have been long absent from friends and home, on some errand of mercy, and then retured [returned] to greet the former circle, endeared to them by many a tie;. These understand it not by words, by being made partakers thereof.

To make short my story, suffice it to say that in company with my brothers, I visited from day to day reviewing the city and its improvements, and seeing my old acquaintances, enjoying myself in a manner which would well reward me for years of toil and suffering.

Among other gratifications I had the pleasure of several interviews with our beloved prophet, who had lately been delivered from the rage of the heathen, the vain imagination of the people, and the council of rulers who had taken council together against the Lord, and against his anointed. During my long acquaintance with him, and in all circumstances, he has ever been cheerful, but I think he never has appeared more so than of late. He seemed as animated, as happy, as boyant [buoyant], and cheerful as a child; or as a youth just setting out into the morning of life, without a cloud to obscure the prospect of his brightest hopes. In his person one can hardly recognize a veteran soldier of the cross, who has stood for twenty years as a champion of the truth, like an oak amid the tempest, while storm after storm has beat around him; yet such is the fact. Joseph Smith, that seeming youth, that joyous happy young man, whose countenance seems lit up with the sparkling brilliance of early manhood, and smooth and unruffled as the child who has never known the bitterness of human strife. That same Joseph Smith has for twenty years, labored, toiled and suffered, as the unflinching champion of eternal truth, at the head of the brave few who have dared to follow, amid contending millions he has stood for the testimony of Jesus, as became a saint and prophet; amid the clash of arms and the din of war, he has stood as a champion of human rights; as patriot in the cause of his country; and when storm after storm of persecution has beat upon him, he has stood as a martyr, often almost overwhelmed with the wrath of man but struggling still, he has at length come off triumphant over all his foes, and now stands erect, in calm and peaceful majesty; and smiles o'er all the past, his mind reaching onward and contemplating the future with increasing courage, and redoubled hope. Such is Joseph Smith the chosen of the Lord, and such the soul and hear revealed in his every feature.

As to myself I feel well satisfied, both with him and with the leaders of our society in general, in regard to the management of our affairs, both temporal and spiritual. I hope I may always be counted worthy of a place among them, and that my heart may be disposed to hearken to their council.

Nothing gives me more pain than to see some disposed to turn away from the faith, and others hardening their hearts in all manner of iniquity and wicked works; thus bringing a wound upon the cause which they once held dearer than life. O! my brethren, how can you escape the damnation of hell, if you still persist in sining [sinning] against so great a light? Verily I say unto you, it will be more tolerable in

the day of judgement [judgment] for sectarians, who die in ignorance, than for you. Repent ye then of your drunkenness, and of your cursing and blasphemy, and of your idleness, and filthiness and sloth, and of your lying, and cheating, and stealing, and extortion, and of all things wherein you take advantage of your neighbor, and cease from all your abominations, and begin to watch and to pray, and to meet with one another, and worship God in the spirit, as in former times, that you may blessed and preserved, and be permitted to enjoy the kingdom of God.

Another source of grief is to see so many of our young people and others, who profess to gather with the people of God, so soon forget the object of the gathering; forsake the society of the saints, join with the world, and with all manner of rude company, and scatter as sheep without a shepherd, or as wild partridges from their nests. I greatly fear that the Lord will say to such, as he said to the Jews of old:-"How oft would I have gathered you as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, but ye would not."

Ford my part, I want to see a gathering in earnest. I want to see the saints expend the utmost of their means in employing the poor, and in 'building up, and polishing the corner stone of Zion.' To do this with full purpose of heart, and according to the council of his servants, serving God in righteousness, is salvation; to do it not, is destruction; and that more speedy and awful than many are aware of. If the saints would do this with all their might and means; Nauvoo, in one year would be the largest city in the west-in ten years the largest in America, and in fifteen years the largest in the world.

But to resume the subject of my journal, I would say that I am now there, opposite St. Louis, waiting for the ice to clear out of the river so that I can get my family to Nauvoo. I suppose there must be as many as one thousand emigrants at different points on this river, who will pour into Nauvoo as soon as the river opens. For my part, after a mission of three or four years, I feel as courageous in returning home, (not to rest) but to commence anew, to build and settle my family, as I did when first setting out in life. I feel to say like one of old, 'as to us, we will arise and build.' I would advise every one to freely spend their means in building good permanent improvements, such as completing the Temple and the Nauvoo House, and stores, and factories, and mills, and in short, every thing which will make business and employ the poor.

I purpose soon to communicate a piece for your paper on the subject of the gathering, and perhaps may write from time to time, on various other subjects. At present I must close, by subscribing myself your brother in Christ.

P. P. PRATT.