Communications

Chicago, December 13, 1844.

Dear brother in the Lord:

I sit down to address a few lines to you, to inform you how we are getting along here. The brethren are in good spirits and are rejoicing in the bonds of the new and everlasting covenant.

We were glad to hear that you had a good time at conference, for the good feeling that was manifested and determination to carry out Bro. Joseph's views and principles in general, and also the Patriarch, and to stand by the "Twelve" in all their duties. We are one with you, and are determined to do all we can under your instruction in this glorious cause, in which the salvation of all men are concerned.

The branch now contains 34 members and a prospect of its increasing. This branch was re-organized on the 22nd of February last. The president was elected by ballot; the spirit of the Lord attended us and the brethren were all of one mind in choosing their head. I wish you simply to notice the time of the organising [organizing] of this branch in the Times and Seasons.

I now send the remainder of the money for that paper. I would also say that we are determined to do all we can to forward the temple; if the high priest that is appointed for this part has not left I want you to see him and tell him to come here as soon as he can. I remain your brother in the Lord, &c.

SAMUEL SHAW.

Nauvoo, Dec. 21, 1844.

Mr. Editor:

Soon after the conference of April last, I received my appointment or mission to the State of New York. I therefore took leave of my family, in company with Elder John Tanner to the place appointed, by way of the river to Pittsburg [Pittsburgh]; and from thence to Buffalo on foot, two hundred and forty miles, lifting up our voices in every place where we had opportunity, in the midst of the people, proclaiming repentance and baptism for remission of sin, and laying on of hands for the reception of the Holy Spirit, as in ancient days.

From thence we took passage on board a line boat for Troy; there were many passengers on board who desired to hear preaching, and obtained the cabin for that purpose; we commenced by prayer to the throne of grace for the aid of the Holy Spirit. I then commenced at the twentieth chapter of Mathew [Matthew], the kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man who is an householder &c.; in the midst of my discourse a number of Catholics interrupted me in a very rough and insulting manner. At length the gentlemen who had obtained the cabin for preaching, requested them to leave immediately, and I went through with my discourse. Some believed, among them a Methodist minister, who that night following was awakened by a singular dream, which I will mention:

He called the passengers around him the next morning and said I dreamed a dream last night and it troubles me. I thought I was in the midst of many people, and I lifted up my voice and cried repentance in a such a manner as I had never done before; and immediately I heard the wild beasts from the wilderness begin to roar and howl in a wonderful manner, and gather around me. I found myself in great danger. He had a feeling sense of his dream, and said, can any of you tell what it

means? I said to him perhaps you will realise [realize] it in a day to come.

We arrived at Troy on the first day of June. There the Methodist minister requested to be baptised [baptized], and I administered the ordinance on the same day. We left an appointment at his house (which is near the yellow meeting house in Stillwater, Saratoga co.) In three weeks we held several meetings there, and baptised [baptized] his wife and daughter, and ordained him an elder. If he is faithful he will realise [realize] his dream.

We travelled [traveled] through Washington, Warren and Saratoga counties, and formed an acquaintance with many people, and held many meetings and the spirit of the Lord attended our labors, and many believed. We had large congregations, having formed this circuit where we intended to labor the season. We then left our circuit and went to Vermont and New Hampshire, where we had much success among my friends whom I had not seen for near thirty years. We had not much time to stay from our circuit, therefore we were diligent in bearing testimony, and the Lord blessed us abundantly, and we left them mostly believing.

From there we went to Peterborough N. H. to the conference and their agreed with Brother Huston and Twiss to go to Claremont, where we had been laboring among my friends. We then took the parting hand with our friends and left them for the State of New York. In a few days after our departure we heard the dreadful news of the death of our beloved brethren, Joseph and Hyrum, which gave us feelings indescribable! We hardly knew what to do, or how to act, for a while. We at length resolved to visit all our acquaintances, bearing testimony to what we knew and verily believed; and then move on to the west, lifting up our voices by the way.

So we left appointments as we went to Warren county, to fill on our return; and in some towns and villages, we were introduced in to the most splendid meeting houses, and ringing of the bell at the hour of appointment; good order and treated with respect and requested to call, if we ever came that way.

So we took leave of our circuit for the west, visiting the churches by the way, extorting them to diligence and faithfulness, baptising [baptizing] many who desired to renew their covenants, and passed on through New York, Pennsylvania and Ohio to Kirtland; at which place I ;visited for the first time and held several meetings in the temple; and many dissenters came to hear the stranger. I gave them a history of my experience for twelve years in the church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Never had I more of the spirit than when I was in the house of the Lord. A sense of what Brother Joseph had passed through and the many who rebelled against him and had sought to destroy him, and lost the spirit, and became wicked men and withered away whom I had been acquainted with in Missouri, came to my view.-My feelings on this occasion were indescribable. When I was in conversation concerning the murder of our beloved brethren, I was astonished to see the spirit that was manifest in the people. Thousands of professors and ministers rejoiced to hear of the murder of our beloved brethren, manifesting a wicked spirit. I reasoned with many of them and said if Brother Joseph was a wicked man can you not see that the others are the basest of murderers? and have you not the same spirit?

When I reflect on the scenes that I have passed through this year, and realise [realize] the spirit that is in the world, as in the days of the Savior, I feel to mourn over the depravity of man; to see the wickedness of the people as in the days of Noah. Violence in the land! haters of their own blood! and increasing wickedness every year! murder becoming common! and but little notice taken of it! mobs becoming popular! the people not regarding the laws, but walking over them! When an excitement takes place in many of the towns and villages, the people do not think of the laws, but gather to gather as a mob to effect their purpose, for the time being.

When I reflect on these things I am constrained to say, has peace been taken from the earth? had the dreadful day arrived spoken of by the prophets? and do I live in the time of their literal fulfillment?

From Kirtland I went to Indiana, Dearborn county, my old place of residence. My neighbors received me cordially; they opened the Baptist meeting house on the Sabbath, which was crowded with people. I felt to call on the Lord in their behalf. I had liberty in speaking from the prophets and showing the literal gathering of the house of Israel, and their restoration to the lands of their fathers. In the evening in holding forth the Book of Mormon, the spirit of the Lord was there in great power. I could have held a protracted meeting, but I had a number of appointments to fill a distance from there. I therefore took the parting hand with my old neighbors. They gave me three dollars and said remember us and call again as soon as consistent, they owned me as a friend. I passed on to Franklin and Fayette counties, where I had good success among the people until the conference at Trenton, November 16,

and 17th, which was an interesting time; I then took leave of our brethren for Nauvoo.

I have found many good friends, this year and formed an acquaintance with many people and also many enemies, who were mockers and scoffers, as spoken of by the apostles; and many of them are ministers or teachers of the people, who say all is well, crying peace, and safety when the deistical, or many of them, are viewing the world on the verge of ruin, and dreading those things that are coming on the world, because of increasing violence, mobs and a disregard to the good laws framed by our honorable fathers of the revolution. O that blind guides and false teachers would repent and obey the everlasting gospel that God may turn away judgment and save the people is my prayer.

Not having any more room I shall be obliged to close by subscribing myself your affectionate brother in the bonds of the new and everlasting covenant.

DAVID PETTEGREW.

Nauvoo, Dec. 27th, 1844.

Dear Brother:

In honor to the cause of God, a just sense of duty, and for the benefit of the saints (by request) I proceed to give a short narration, or sketch, of my mission to the east. According to counsel and direction of the twelve, in company with Elder Jesse W. Crosby, on the 30th of July, 1843, I left Nauvoo without purse or scrip, even to the value of one cent, determined to trust in the promises of the living God who has said by this you shall know my disciples; "they will feed you and clothe you and give you money; for I send you out to prove the world." In this he has verified his promise for in all our journey of seven thousand miles, and in the space of one year, four months and ten days, we have lacked nothing.

But before I left home I called my family together and by the prayer of faith and the laying on of hands for a blessing I committed them all into the hands of God for safety, until my return, which he has faithfully performed; and thanks and praise be to his most holy name.

We then proceeded to Chicago, preached a few times in Cook county; then to Jefferson county New York, where we commenced our labors, the Lord working with us in mighty power. Our labors increased and the work spread iu [in] various parts; for eight months the word being successful where it was sent, until we had raised up several new branches; ordained seven elders, and a number of priests, teachers, and deacons, and baptised [baptized] rising of one hundred and fifty. Many of the signs followed, confirming the word we had preached. During the time we held two conferences.

We now proceeded down the St. Lawrence; preached a few times in Montreal and Quebec; thence down the river St. Lawrence ninety five miles; then crossed over to St. John's river, two or three hundred miles within. Here we commenced preaching where the gospel trump had never been sounded. But the Lord had gone before us and shown some in visions that we were coming from the far west country; so that they knew us and the clothing we had on, and were ready to receive the word.

But the devil with all his forces, both priests and rulers arrayed all their artillery against us; and, to carry their diabolical purposes into effect, dispatched messengers to the Governor, with all manner of lies; such as that of breaking up all meetings of other denominations; and persuading people to leave the Province, which caused the Governor to give orders for three Justices of the Peace, to hold a court of inquiry. They collected all their forces: the devil's poor, and poor devils; both black and white, and out of all their testimony got one negro to swear that we preached contrary to the Bible, we not being permitted to make our defence [defense]. But being determined not to quit the field, we prepared ourselves with documents from Esquire Shelton and Judge Bazley, who had heard us preach. With these, and faith in God, we repaired to the capitol, before his Excellency the Governor to make our defence [defense]; where we were permitted to answer for ourselves after one or two hours deliberation; and also many questions from the Governor's wife, concerning our doctrine. Nothing being found against us worthy of death, bonds, or imprisonment, we again pursued our calling.

But the wicked were now more enraged than ever, and threatened, if we did not leave the country, we would be mobbed, which they soon carried into effect. In this I received a most liberal share, being left nearly dead on the ground; but yet, trusting in the Lord, I called on Brother Crosby to lay hands on me, and the next day traveled seventeen miles and preached according to appointment, and the word grew and prospered mightily.

We continued to preach in the day time and sleep in the woods in the night, and some times baptise [baptize] in the night, for fear of mobs.-We continued our labors until we had baptised [baptized] forty-seven; organized two branches; ordained two elders to preside over them and bid farewell to New Brunswick; praying the Lord for their welfare and prosperity.

Now one word of caution to the saints in New Brunswick, Jefferson county, and all the world:-Beware of Rigdonites, who may come to you and say they are prophets and apostles and are not; but are liars. They say "Pittsurg [Pittsburgh] is the place of gathering." Rigdon, since he was cut off from the church, has led some few apostates to Pittsburg [Pittsburgh]; and will lead them from there to the devil, if they do not repent. The Lord said the fields of the woods were the location of Zion. So said Joseph Smith; so say the Twelve, who now stand in authority to lead ;the church of the living God.

Your most humble servant and brother in the gospel.

BENJ'N BROWN.