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Joseph SmithTheodore Gorka, 1982
"Judge not, and ye shall
not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned:
forgive, and ye shall be forgiven" (Luke 6:37).
Joseph Smith Letter to W.W. Phelps, 22 July 1840Joseph Smith respondes to Phelps offering forgiveness and friendship. Joseph Smith Letterbook 2, 155-158.
do we recommend to your
clemency and favorable consideration the Author and subject
of this communication.
"Whosoever will let him
take of the water of life fully," Bro Phelps says, he will,
and so far as we are concerned, we say he may
In the Bonds of the Covt.
Orson Hyde
John E. Page
Nauvoo Hancock Co Ill
July 22nd 1840
Dear Brother Phelps
I must say that it is
with no ordinary feelings I endeavour to write a few lines
to you in answer to yours of the 29th ultimo, at the same
time I am rejoiced at the priviledge granted me. You may in
some measure realise what my feelings as well as Elder
Rigdon's & Bro Hyrum's were when we read your letter,
truly our hearts were melted into tenderness and compassion
when we assertained your resolves &c
I can assure you I feel
a disposition to act on your case in a manner that will meet
the approbation of Jehovah whose servant I am, and agreeably
to the principles of truth and righteousness which have been
revealed and inasmuch as long-suffering patience and mercy
have ever characterized the dealings of our heavenly Father
towards the humble and penitent, I feel disposed to copy the
example and cherish the same principles by so doing be a
Savior of my fellow men
It is true, that we
have suffered much in consequence of your behavior-the cup
of gall already full enough for mortals to drink, was indeed
filled to overflowing when you turned against us: one with
whom we had oft taken sweet council together, and enjoyed
many refreshing seasons from the Lord "Had it been an enemy
we could have borne it" In the day that thou stoodest on the
other side, in the day when strangers carried away captive
his forces and foreigners entered into his gates and cast
lots upon Far West even thou wast as one of them. But thou
shouldst not have ["]looked on
W.W. Phelps Letter to Joseph Smith, 29 June 1840W.W. Phelps asks Joseph for forgiveness and full fellowship in the Church. Orson Hyde and John E. Page also comment in the letter about forgiving Phelps. Joseph Smith Letterbook 2, 155-158.
whenever the Lord brings
us together again, I will make all the satisfaction on every
point that saints to God can require. Amen.
W. W. Phelps
Prst, Joseph Smith,
Hyrum Smith
Sidney Rigdon
Dear Brother:
We have been in this
place a few days and have preached faithfully a very great
prospect of some able and influential men enforcing the fast
in this place. We have moved along slowly, but have left a
sealing testimony: Baptized a considerable number. We shall
unite again soon. As we learn the result of our labor here
more particularly. We are well and in good spirits through
the favor of the Lord.
Bro. Phelps requests us
to write a few lines in his letter and we cheerfully embrace
the opportunity. Bro. Phelps says he would to live: But we
do not feel ourselves authorized
to act upon his case
but have recommended him to to you. But he says his poverty
will not allow him to visit you in person at this time, and
we think he tells the truth. We therefore advise him to
write, which he has done. He tells us verbally, that he is
willing to make any sacrifice to procure our fellowship,
lifes not excepted. Yet reposing that confidence in your
magnanimity that you will take to advantage of this open and
frank confession. If he can obtain your fellowship, he wants
to come to commence as soon as he can. But if he cannot be
received into the fellowship of the Church, he must do the
best he can in banishment and evils.
Brethren, with you are
the keys of the kingdom: to you is power given to "exert
your cleansing or display your vengence." By the former, you
will save a soul from death, and hide a multitude of sins.
By the latter, you will forever discourage a returning
prodigal, cause sorrow without benefit, pain without
pleasure, ending in wickedness and dispair.
Best former experience
teaches that you are workman in the art of saving souls,
therefore, with the greater confidence
W.W. Phelps Letter to Joseph Smith, 29 June 1840W.W. Phelps asks Joseph for forgiveness and full fellowship in the Church. Orson Hyde and John E. Page also comment in the letter about forgiving Phelps. Joseph Smith Letterbook 2, 155-158.
Dayton, Ohio (June 29,
1840)
�
Brother Joseph,
�
I am alive and with the
help of God I mean to live still. I am as the prodigal Son,
though I never doubt or disbelieve the fullness of the
gospel. I have been greatly abased and humbled. And I
blessed the God of Israel, when I lately read your prophetic
blessing on my head, as follows:
�
"The Lord will chasten
him because he taketh honor to himself, and when his soul is
greatly humbled he will forsake the evil: Then shall the
light of the Lord break upon him as the noonday, and in him
shall be no darkness." I have seen the folly of my way and I
tremble at the gulf I have passed. So it is, and why I know
not. I prayed and God answered, but what could I do? Says I,
Smile repent and live, and ask my old brethren to forgive
me, and though they chasten me to death, yet I will die wish
the-- for their God is my God. The least place with them is
enough for me, yea it is bigger and better than all Babylon.
Then I dreamed "That I was in a large house with many
mansions, with you and Hyrum and Sidney, and when it was
said Supper must be made ready, by one of he cooks, I saw no
meat, but you said there was plenty and shewed me much, and
as good as I ever saw; And while cutting to cook, you and
Hyrum looked very pleasant and smiled, but Sidney's heart
and mine beat within us, and we took each others hand and
cried for Joy" and I awoke and took courage. I know my
situation, you know it, and God knows it, and I want to be
saved if my friend, will help me. Like the Captain that was
cast away on a desert Island, when he got off he went to sea
again, and made his fortune the next time. So let my lot be.
I have done wrong and I am Sorry. The blam[e] is in my own
eyes.
�
I have not walked with
my friends according to my holy anointing: I ask forgiveness
in the name of Jesus Christ of all the saints for I will do
right God helping me, I want your fellowship: If you cannot
grant that, grant me your peace and friendship, for we are
brethren, and our communion used to be sweet, and
Joseph Smith and William W. PhelpsRobert Anderson McKay, 1997
Praise to the man who
communed with Jehovah! Jesus anointed that Prophet and Seer.
Blessed to open the last dispensation, Kings shall extol
him, and nations revere (William W. Phelps, "Praise to the
Man," Hymns [1985],�no. 27).
Joseph Smith Letter to W.W. Phelps, 22 July 1840Joseph Smith respondes to Phelps offering forgiveness and friendship. Joseph Smith Letterbook 2, 155-158.
the day of thy brother,
in the day that he became a stranger neither shouldst thou
have spoken proudly in the day of distress"
However the cup has
been drunk, the will of our heavenly Father has been done,
and we are yet alive for which we thank the Lord. And having
been delivered from the hands of wicked men by the mercy of
our God, we say it is your priviledge to be delivered from
the power of the Adversary-be brought into the liberty of
God's dear children, and again take your stand among the
saints of the most High and by diligence humility and love
unfeigned, commend yourself to our God and your God and to
the church of Jesus Christ
Believing your
confession to be real and your repentance genuine, I shall
be happy once again to give you the right hand of
fellowship, and rejoice over the returning prodigal.
Your letter was read to
the saints last Sunday and an expression of their feeling
was taken, when it was unanimously resolved that W. W.
Phelps should be received into fellowship
"Come on dear Brother
since the war is past,
For friends at first
are friends again at last."
Yours as ever
Joseph Smith Jr
William W. PhelpsUnknown, unknown
"Believing your
confession to be real, and your repentance genuine, I shall
be happy once again to give you the right hand of
fellowship" (History of the Church, 4:163).
The Prophet Joseph SmithUnknown, unknown
"Hail to the Prophet,
ascended to heaven! Traitors and tyrants now fight him in
vain. Mingling with Gods, he can plan for his brethren;
Death cannot conquer the hero again" (William W. Phelps,
"Praise to the Man," Hymns [1985], no. 27).
Joseph SmithAlvin Gittins, 1959
"Ever keep in exercise
the principle of mercy, and be ready to forgive our brother
on the first intimations of repentance" (History of the
Church, 3:383).
The First VisionGary Kapp, 1998
"Joseph, my son, thy
sins are forgiven thee" (in Personal Writings of Joseph
Smith, comp. Dean C. Jessee [2002], 11).
