Great Salt Lake Jany 4th, 1865
My dear Saint James and John
Your three letters are to hand, and an interval has been allowed for reflection before my counsel reaches you, giving an opening to show your skill as ministers of Christ; for many intricate events will arise, revealing your capacities of faithfulness. Watch, that your judgement may be approved of the Lord whom we serve. The matter in question at your very starting point is an instance. Keep in view the salvation of all the legal heirs; for if the door of the fulness is closed against one, they enter no more unless by special revelation through the legal channel. It is your prerogative to act in justice, love, mercy, righteousness, examining every difficulty with care, letting no corner of a subject escape your deliberations, seeing the beginning to the end. Thus shall a cause appear—this remove if possible from the path of the offender, and if they are repentant and worthy, they will again ascend the rail and run: if not, they go over the precipice, without a push from you, and are silenced at the great tribunal. Let this counsel embrace all such cases, bering in mind a clever workman will often adjust a disorganized engine, that without such service would be useless. With reference to Bro. Grow he has been beguiled by an exceeding clever Spirit in the enemie's camp, who was in the garden of Eden, and relishing his allurements, has fell into error and offence. He was without experience, acting alone was easily assailed, thinking himself right, my words to him were hidden. The key of birthright is given and will never be handed to any one except my successor. This principle has been written, and whoever attacks it will soon find a stopping place. Read if you have not Cainan's second interview with celestial beings. We are sent on this earth to save and prepare all for celestial glory that have a title to salvation, and when the enemy makes a grand attack upon one, hasten to the rescue; not assist him in destroying the unwary. But should the unfortunate refuse our good offices, the trouble is their own affair, not ours. The word is yet,-- see ye love one another, that men may know you are my disciples.” Use no open hostility, unless he persists in the way you describe. If he does, even the wicked will rise up against him. See him, using the power of your Priesthood to convince him of heresy in meekness, and save him from the enemy's grasp. My heart is pained greatly over him. The fulness of the Gospel is something to lay hold of, but never to let go. Small in the beginning, it met the deadly hatred of the enemies of Christ, who said “whosoever falleth upon this stone shall be broken; but whosoever this stone falleth upon, it shall grind him to powder.” These words are true and will be fulfilled. I had written this much when your respected delegate had arrived. Will send further instructions by him, namely, Bro. George Dove. My love and blessing to yourselves and all the faithful.
Yours faithfully,
Cainan