TO MOSES NICKERSON
1833 NOVEMBER 19

FC. Joseph Smith, Kirtland, Ohio, to Moses Nickerson, Mt. Pleasant, Upper Canada, 19 November 1833, in Joseph Smith, Letterbook 1, pp. 62-65, in hand of Oliver Cowdery, Joseph Smith Collection, LDS Church Archives.

Amidst his anxiety over the trials of the Church in Missouri, Joseph Smith left Kirtland on 5 October 1833, in company with his counselor Sidney Rigdon and a recent convert, Freeman Nickerson, on a proselyting mission among Nickerson's relatives and friends in Canada. The three men arrived on 18 October at Mt. Pleasant, Upper Canada, where they spent eleven days meeting and teaching the people.483 Before departing on 29 October Joseph baptized fourteen people and organized a branch of the Church, with members of the Nickerson family as a nucleus. One of these was freeman's son, Moses Nickerson, the recipient of a letter sent by the Prophet on 19 November after he returned to Kirtland, Ohio.

Kirtland Mills, Geauga County, Ohio, Nov. 19, 1833

Brother Moses,

We arrived at this place on the 4th ult. after a fateagueing journey, during which time we [p. 62] were blessed with health as usual. We parted with father and mother Nickerson at Buffalo. They were both in good health, and expressed a degree of satisfaction for the prosperity and blessings of their journey. Since our arrival here, bro. Sidney has been afflicted with sore eyes, which is probably the reason why you have not previously heard from us, as he was calculating to write you immediately. But, though I expect that he will undoubtedly write you soon, as his eyes are considerably better, yet lest you should be impatient to learn something concerning us, I have thought that perhaps a few lines from me, though there may be a lack of fluency in address according to the literate of the age, may be received with a degree of satisfaction on your part, at least, when you call to mind the near relation with which we are united by the everlasting ties of the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.

We found our families, and the church in this place well, generally: nothing of consequence transpired while we were abscent, except the death of one of our brethren, a young man of great worth as a private citizen among us, the loss of whom we justly mourn. We are favored with frequent intelligence from different sections of our country respecting the progress of the gospel; and our prayers are daily to our Father, that it may pre greatly prevail <spread,> even till all nations shall hear the glorious news and come to aknowledge of the truth.

We have received letters from our breth[r]en in Missouri of late, but we cannot tell from their contents the probable extent that those persons who are desirous to expel them from that country, will carry their unlawful and unrighteous purposes. Our brethren have applied to the Executive of that State, who has promised them all the assistance that the civil law can give; and in all probability with us, a suit has been commenced ere this.

We are informed, however, that those persons are very violent, and th[r]eaten immediate excision upon all those who profess this faith doctrine. How far they will [p. 63] be suffered to execute their th[r]eats we know not, but we trust in the Lord, and leave the event with him to govern in his own wise providence.

I shall expect a communication from you on the reception of this, and hope you will give me information concerning the brethren, their health, faith, &c. Also inform me concerning our friends with whom we formed acquaintance.

You are aware, no doubt, dear brother, that anxieties inexpresible crowd themselves continually upon my mind for the saints, when I consider the many temptations with which we are subject from the cunning and flattery of the great adversary of our souls. And I can truely say, that with much fervency I have called upon the Lord in behalf of our b[r]ethren in Canada. And when I call to mind with what rediness they received the word of truth by the ministry of bro. Sidney and myself, I am truely under great obligation to humble myself in thankfulness before him.

When I contemplate the rapidity with which the great and glorious day of the coming of the Son of Man advances, when he shall come to receive his saints unto himself where they shall dwell in his presence and be crowned with glory & immortality; when I consider that soon the heavens are to be shaken, and the earth tremble and reel to and fro; and that the heavens are to be unfolded as a scroll when it is fol-ded <rolled> up, that every mountain and island are to flee away <away-> I cry out in my heart, What manner of person ought I to be in all holy conversasion and godliness!

You remember the testimony which I bore in the name of the Lord Jesus, concerning the great work which he has brought forth in the last days. You know my manner of communication, how that in weakness and simpleness I declared to you what the Lord had brought forth by the ministering of his holy angels to me, for this generation. I pray that the Lord may enable you to treasure these things up in your mind, for I know that his Spirit will bear testimony to all who seek diligently after knowledge [p. 64] from him. I hope you will search the scriptures, to see whether these things are not also consistant with those things that the ancient prophets and apostles have written.

I remember brother Freeman and Wife, Ranson also, and sister Lydia, and little Charles, with all the brethren and sisters. I intreat for an interest in all your prayers before the throne of mercy in the name of Jesus. I hope that the Lord will grant that I may see you all again, and above all that we may overcome and set down together in the Kingdom of our Father.

We contemplate with much pleasure a visit from you next spring, <and before if consistant with your business,> and hope we shall not be disappointed. So I close, by subscribing myself your brother in the bonds of the gospel,

Joseph Smith Jr.

PS. I said that father and mother Nickerson were well when we parted with them at Buffalo, but you will recollect that father's eyes <were> very sore while at your place: when we left him they were not well but considerably improved.

J.