Letter to Edward Partridge and Others, 10 December 1833

  • Source Note
  • Historical Introduction
Page 72
image
manifested, I am sensable that I aught not to murmer and do not murmer only in this, but that those who are innocent are compelled to suffer for the iniquities of the guilty; and I cannot account for this, only on this wise, that the saying of the savior has not been strictly observed: If thy right eye offend thee pluck it out. and cast it from thee <​or if thy right arm offend thee pluck it of[f] and cast it from thee​>. Now the fact is, if any of the members of our body are disordered, the rest of our body will be effected with them and then all is brought into bondage together. And yet notwithstanding all this, it is with difficulty that I can restrain my feelings; when I know that you my brethren with whom I have had so many happy hours, sitting as it were in heavenly places in Christ Jesus. and also haveing the witness which I feel, and even have felt, of the purity of your motives— are cast out, and are as strangers and pilgrims on the earth, exposed to hunger, cold, nakedness peril, sword &c I say when I contemplate this, it is with difficulty that I can keep from complaining and murmerings against this dispensation; but I am sensible that this is not right and may God grant that notwithstanding your great afflictions and sufferings there may not any thing sepperate us from the Love of Christ. Brethren, when we learn your sufferings it awakens evry sympathy of our hearts; it weighs us us down; we cannot refrain from tears [illegible] yet we are not able to realize only in part your sufferings. And I often hear the brethren saying they wish they were with you that they might bear a part of your sufferings; and I myself should have been with you had not God prevented it in the order of his providence, that the yoke of affliction might be less grievous upon you; God having forewarned me concerning these things for your sakes; and also , could not lighten your afflictions by tarrying longer with you, for his presence would have so much the more enraged your enemies; therefore, God hath deals dealt mercifully with us. O brethren, let us be thankful [p. 72]
manifested, I am sensable that I aught not to murmer and do not murmer only in this, that those who are innocent are compelled to suffer for the iniquities of the guilty; and I cannot account for this, only on this wise, that the saying of the savior has not been strictly observed: If thy right eye offend thee pluck it out. and cast it from thee or if thy right arm offend thee pluck it off and cast it from thee. Now the fact is, if any of the members of our body are disordered, the rest of our body will be effected with them and then all is brought into bondage together. And yet notwithstanding all this, it is with difficulty that I can restrain my feelings; when I know that you my brethren with whom I have had so many happy hours, sitting as it were in heavenly places in Christ Jesus. and also haveing the witness which I feel, and even have felt, of the purity of your motives— are cast out, and are as strangers and pilgrims on the earth, exposed to hunger, cold, nakedness peril, sword &c I say when I contemplate this, it is with difficulty that I can keep from complaining and murmerings against this dispensation; but I am sensible that this is not right and may God grant that notwithstanding your great afflictions and sufferings there may not any thing sepperate us from the Love of Christ. Brethren, when we learn your sufferings it awakens evry sympathy of our hearts; it weighs us down; we cannot refrain from tears yet we are not able to realize only in part your sufferings. And I often hear the brethren saying they wish they were with you that they might bear a part of your sufferings; and I myself should have been with you had not God prevented it in the order of his providence, that the yoke of affliction might be less grievous upon you; God having forewarned me concerning these things for your sakes; and also , could not lighten your afflictions by tarrying longer with you, for his presence would have so much the more enraged your enemies; therefore, God hath dealt mercifully with us. O brethren, let us be thankful [p. 72]
Page 72