Letter from Brigham Young, 7 May 1840

If we could go four ways at a time we could not fill all the calls we have for preaching. I shall expect such council from you about the comming as you shall think necessary for us and them to have. I wish to know what the prospect is about the goverment’s doing any thing for us. When we left I thought there was but a poor chance for us: concerning being called to the and sent to other countries I should like to know whether it would be propper to them to that office or not while here Had any of us better come back this fall, I suppose that some that came over with us will return Brothers and — and if he gets at liberty. I suppose you have heard that he is in prison. he has been there ever since my arrival in in and how long he will remain there the Lord only knows, he was put there through the influence of a priest as nigh as I can learn, for some old pretended claim but no one can find out what that claim is. I have just met with he tells me that the in this region of country numbers between three and four hundred, it is only about three months since commenced to labor here I have just received a letter from which stated he expected to leave his place the next day. sends his respects. I am as ever:

To Joseph Smith

The Answer was sent by which gave them permission to publish the Book of Mormon, Doctrine and covenants and Hymn Books, but not to ordain any into the quorum of the Seventies, and <​likewise​> some general instructions. the letter was sent on the 19th day of July 1840— [p. 153]