1 FORASMUCH as the Lord has revealed unto me that my enemies, both in Missouri and this State, were again in the pursuit of me; and inasmuch as they pursue me without a cause, and have not the least shadow or coloring of justice or right on their side in the getting up of their prosecutions against me; and inasmuch as their pretensions are all founded in falsehood of the blackest dye, I have thought it expedient and wisdom in me to leave the place for a short season, for my own safety and the safety of this people. I would say to all those with whom I have business, that I have left my affairs with agents and clerks who will transact all business in a prompt and proper manner, and will see that all my debts are canceled in due time, [ We get to see the character of Joseph; He basically has the whole world against him, a lot on his plate so he leaves for a time - but in his leaving he makes sure before he goes to take care of his responsibilities; he does not run or shrirk from them as many would do. Many would have just left reasoning that they will surely understand why I left and why I did not meet my obligations. ] by turning out property, or otherwise, as the case may require, or as the circumstances may admit of. When I learn that the storm is fully blown over, then I will return to you again.

2 And as for the perils which I am called to pass through, they seem but a small thing to me, as the envy and wrath of man have been my common lot all the days of my life; and for what cause it seems mysterious, unless I was ordained from before the foundation of the world for some good end, or bad, as you may choose to call it. Judge ye for yourselves. God knoweth all these things, whether it be good or bad. But nevertheless, deep water is what I am wont to swim in. It all has become a second nature to me; and I feel, like Paul, to glory in tribulation; for to this day has the God of my fathers delivered me out of them all, and will deliver me from henceforth; for behold, and lo, I shall triumph over all my enemies, for the Lord God [ Hebrew - Yahweh ( or Jehovah which means "to become" or "to exist") translated as Lord; Elohim translated as God ("the Gods") which together the words mean "He will cause Gods to be". ] hath spoken it.

3 Let all the saints rejoice, therefore, and be exceedingly glad; for Israel’s God is their God, and he will mete out a just recompense of reward upon the heads of all their oppressors. [ Really he had no were else to turn; so he and the other saints found glory in knowing that in the end the Lord would be the one delivering out the judgement and it would be sure and just; ; it would have eternal consequences and so in the end all will be accounted for to the Lord. When you are backed into a corner and no one will help you there is great pleasure in knowing that the Lord is there no matter what might happen in the short run the prize is one of eternal nature. ]

4 And again, verily thus saith the Lord: Let the work of my temple, [ The sanctioning of temple building is essentially synonymous with the sanctioning of kingdom building, of sanctioning the right to create, to create a world or a kingdom of worlds. ] , and all the works which I have appointed unto you, be continued on and not cease; and let your diligence, and your perseverance, and patience, and your works be redoubled, and you shall in nowise lose your reward, saith the Lord of Hosts [ What exactly does “host” mean? The phrase “Lord of Hosts” is the same as the “Lord of Sabaoth.” “The Lord of Sabaoth was a title of Jehovah; the hosts were the armies of Israel (1 Sam. 17:45), but also included the angelic armies of heaven” (Bible Dictionary, “Sabaoth,” ] . And if they persecute you, so persecuted they the prophets and righteous men that were before you. For all this there is a reward in heaven.

5 And again, I give unto you a word in relation to the baptism for your dead.

6 Verily, thus saith the Lord unto you concerning your dead: When any of you are baptized for your dead, let there be a recorder, and let him be eye-witness of your baptisms; let him hear with his ears, that he may testify of a truth, [ Or that he may testify to the Lord what has happened, that the ordinance has been completed. ] saith the Lord;

7 That in all your recordings it may be recorded in heaven; whatsoever you bind on earth, may be bound in heaven; whatsoever you loose on earth, may be loosed in heaven; [ (see D&C 128:5-7) There is a coorealation between the records held and kept on earth and those in heaven. ]

8 For I am about to restore many things to the earth, pertaining to the priesthood, saith the Lord of Hosts.

9 And again, let all the records be had in order, that they may be put in the archives of my holy temple, [ The records of these ordinances are to be stored in the archives of the church. ] to be held in remembrance from generation to generation, saith the Lord of Hosts.

10 I will say to all the saints, that I desired, with exceedingly great desire, to have addressed them from the stand on the subject of baptism for the dead, on the following Sabbath. But inasmuch as it is out of my power to do so, I will write the word of the Lord from time to time, on that subject, and send it to you by mail, as well as many other things. [ Follow up letter on baptism for the dead is done in what is the 128 section. ]

11 I now close my letter for the present, for the want of more time; for the enemy is on the alert, and as the Savior said, the prince of this world [ Or Satan. ] cometh, but he hath nothing in me. [ (JST John 14:30) (Doctrinal New Testement Commentary Vol 1 pg 744) ]

12 Behold, my prayer to God is that you all may be saved. And I subscribe myself your servant in the Lord, prophet and seer of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.