I will mention two names David Holman & ,— They were living in my house, I went [to] them. and asked them if they were stealing for a livelihood? [Ho]lman confessed that he had stolen from the world <​but <​not​> from the brethren,​> I [[told t]]hem to get out of my house, David asked me to forgive [him] & he lifted up his hands towards heaven & swore if I [wo]uld forgive him he would never do so again.— Soon after he went to where he was found stealing salt,— <​as is curr[e]ntly reported,​> he then stole a skiff & come took his family across the , & come across the . Stole a barrel of flour that had just been landed from a steamer,— rowed down the to & sold the flour for $200 saying he had picked it up on the & it was likely a little damaged,— get his pay, & went his way.

would not promise to quit <​stealing​> but said he would go to . I tell you to day the man that steals shall not long after be brought to the Penitentiary. They will soon be brougt to condign punishment. I demand in the presence of God that you will exert your wit and your power to bring such characters to justice, if you do not the curse of God will rest upon you, such things would ruin any people. Should I catch a latter-day saint stealing, he is the last man to whom I would shew mercy.

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President Joseph Smith said <​I think it best to continue this subject,​> I want the to make honorable poclamation abroad. concerning what the feelings of the are <​is​> <​Stealing has never been tolerated by them.​> with regard to Stealing. I despise a theif above ground. He would betray me if he could get the opprtunity. If I was the biggest rouge in the world. I would know that he would be a detriment to my cause. & if I were the biggest rouge in the world, he would steal my horse when I wanted to run away. [p. 9]