Preston, May 25, 1840

 

To the Presidency, High Council and Bishop of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at Commerce.

 

We commend to your notice the brethren and sisters that have commendatory letters from us of this date, that you will do all that you consistently can for them, for I verily believe they have utmost confidence in you, and will receive with gratitude your advice and instruction, and cheerfully submit to the rules and regulations of the Church. They have our blessings, and we trust their subsequent conduct will entitle them to your blessings also, and the Church generally. We rejoice that we can say the work of God here is in a prosperous way. Yea, we rejoice greatly at the aspect of the times, expecting the time to be not far distant when the standard of truth will be conspicuously raised throughout this land. We have witnessed the flowing of the Saints towards Zion; the stream has begun, and we expect to see it continue running until it shall have drained the salt, or the light, from Babylon, when we hope to shout hosanna home.

 

Dear brethren, accept our love, and present it to the Church.

 

Your brethren in the new and everlasting covenant,

 

Heber C. Kimball

Joseph Fielding

William Clayton

 

Source: Letter, Heber C. Kimball and others, Preston, England to the Presidency and others, Nauvoo, Illinios, 25 May 1840, MS., Joseph Smith Letterbook 2: 168, JSC (Bx 2, fd ), LDS Church Archives; History of the Church, 4:132.