I addressed the council, and criticized James Sloan's account current charging for room, candles, fuel, etc., etc., as extras. Willard Richards, Newel K. Whitney, and William Clayton [were engaged] all day preparing papers for the settlement of the Lawrence estate.
I gave the following recommend to Elder Brigham Young.
Credentials of Brigham Young.
To all Saints and Honorable Men of the Earth, Greeting:
DEAR BRETHREN AND FRIENDS:—I, Joseph Smith, a servant of the Lord, and trustee-in-trust for the Temple of the Lord at Nauvoo, do hereby certify that the bearer hereof, Brigham Young, an elder and one of the Twelve Apostles of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, has deposited with me his bond and security, to my full satisfaction, according to the resolution of the conference held in this city on the 6th day of April last.
He, therefore, is recommended to all Saints and honorable people as a legal agent to collect funds for the purpose of building the Nauvoo House and Temple of the Lord. Confident that he will honor this high trust, as well as ardently fulfill his commission as a messenger of peace and salvation, as one of the Lord's noble men, I can fervently say, May the Lord clear his way before him and bless him, and bless those that obey his teaching, wherever there are ears to hear and hearts to feel.
He is the friend of Israel, and worthy to be received and entertained as a man of God; yea, he has, as had the ancient apostles, the good word, even the good word that leadeth unto eternal life.
Wherefore, brethren and friends, while you have the assurance of the integrity, fidelity and ability of this servant of the living God, and trusting that your hearts and energies will he enlivened and deeply engaged in the building of those houses directed by revelation for the salvation of all Saints, and that you will not rest where you are until all things are prepared before you, and you are gathered home with the rest of Israel to meet your God, I feel strong in the belief and have a growing expectation that you will not withhold any means in your power that can be used to accomplish this glorious work.
Finally, as one that greatly desires the salvation of men, let me remind you all to strive with godly zeal for virtue, holiness, and the commandments of the Lord. Be good, be wise, be just, be liberal; and above all, be charitable, always abounding in all good works. And may health, peace and the love of God our Father, and the grace of Jesus Christ our Lord be and abide with you all, is the sincere prayer of your devoted brother and friend in the everlasting Gospel,
JOSEPH SMITH. City of Nauvoo, June 1, 1843.
Similar letters were given to Elders Heber C. Kimball, Orson Pratt, Orson Hyde, Wilford Woodruff and George A. Smith.
Signed a conveyance of Eric Rhodes' bonds to Joseph Smith to William Clayton.
Gave a letter of instruction to George J. Adams, who is to accompany Elder Orson Hyde on his mission to Russia.
Elders Addison Pratt, Benjamin F. Grouard, Knowlton F. Hanks and Noah Rogers started on their mission for the Society Islands at two p.m., on the steamer Sarah Ann, for St. Louis.
The quorum of the Twelve Apostles met in council in my office, to make arrangements to start on their mission to collect funds for the Temple and Nauvoo House.
Friday, 2.—Closed the contract whereby I gave two notes for $1,375, and became half owner of the steamboat Maid of Iowa. Continued in the office with Captain Dan Jones most of the morning, which was very rainy.
In the afternoon rode out in the city to invite several friends to take an excursion on Maid of Iowa tomorrow, and had a long conversation with a Presbyterian minister.