TO ALMIRA SCOBEY
1835 JUNE 2

ALS. Joseph Smith, Kirtland, Ohio, to Almira Scobey, Liberty, Clay County, Missouri, 1 p., appended to letter of William W. Phelps, Kirtland, to Sally Phelps, Liberty, 2 June 1835, William W. Phelps Collection, LDS Church Archives.

Zion's Camp disbanded near Fishing River in Clay County, Missouri, on 22 June 1834 when, in the face of renewed violence, Joseph Smith read a revelation stating that "the redemption of Zion" was being postponed "for a little season" and that it was not necessary for the camp "to fight the battles of Zion." For those who had participated in the march to Missouri, the revelation promised a special "blessing and endowment" in the temple then being built at Kirtland.519

Among fifteen men subsequently named to receive this honor was the Church printer, William W. Phelps. Although newly appointed to the Missouri high council, Phelps was instructed to leave his family and plan to remain in Kirtland for a time to assist with Church printing. Leaving his wife and six of his seven children, Phelps started for Ohio with his eldest son (12-year-old William Waterman) and John Whitmer on 25 April 1835. He arrived in Kirtland three weeks later.520

During the next 11 months, while living in the Prophet's home in Kirtland, Phelps's only contact with his family was through the letters he wrote. On two occasions Joseph availed himself of the opportunity to fill unused space in a Phelps letter with a message of his own. One letter, written by William to his wife Sally on 2 June 1835, contains a few lines from Joseph to his cousin Almira Scobey, who, along with Sally Phelps, was living in Liberty, Missouri, at the time.521 Another letter, dated July 20, was written by Joseph to Sally Phelps.

[Kirtland, Ohio, June 2, 1835]

Cousin Almyra, Scoby

Brother W W phelps has left a little space for me to occupy and I gladly improve it, I would be glad to see the Children of Zion and del[i]ver the <word> of Eternal life to them from my own mauth but cannot this year nevertheless the day will come that I shall injoy this priviluge I trust. and we all shall receive an inheritance in the land of refuge which is so much to be desired seeing it is under the direction of the Allmighty therefore let us live faithful before the Lord and it shall be well with us I feel for all the Chilldren of Zion and pray for them in all my prayrs peace be multiplyed unto their redeemtion and favor from God Amen

Joseph Smith Jr