The following is a transcription of M. A. Walker letter, De Kalb, Illinois to Jared Carter, Salt Lake City, Utah (MS 3696); the letter has no year, but composed during August. There are a lot of illegible words, but thought I would make the following available:
Page 1
[illegible] ignorance and vice, and [illegible] the warning
shall meet and merit
the best of respect should they reflect thereon [illegible]
declare that as their [illegible] duty, it is [illegible]
suffering of ignorance, hypocrisy, [illegible], and
[illegible]
[illegible] their [illegible], which all mankind will
[illegible]
end the [illegible] of their [illegible] [illegible]
[illegible] which it may be necessary to be
given to all men so far as [illegible]
made for the instruction of man.
Question 1st. [illegible]
The [illegible] [illegible] is given in your work entitled
[illegible] and [illegible] of [illegible]
[illegible] made therefor.
Question 2. [illegible]
To communicate my experience [illegible]
of whom were also gifted with heavenly gifts, and speak
[illegible]
rehearse and divine things [illegible]
[illegible] and [illegible] things [illegible]
[illegible] contempt, which after all [illegible]
[illegible] of the heart of God, and [illegible] nature.
[illegible]
[illegible] communicate my experience [illegible]
of whom were also gifted with heavenly gifts, and speak
[illegible]
rehearse and divine things [illegible]
[illegible] with contempt, which [illegible]
[illegible] upon the earth and [illegible]
[illegible] charity, friendship, brotherly love and
affection for each other [illegible]
[illegible] when God [illegible] and holy nature.
PAGE 2
[illegible] and thousands, whose hypocrisy and inward deceit
is [illegible]
[illegible] them [illegible] will [illegible] continue
[illegible]
This was a number [illegible]
which human nature would shrink at the
recapitulation thereof. But I am commanded to declare to the
world that the
earliest portion of my life was spent in the midst of
[illegible]
and this was impressed upon me by a nightly vision, which
seemed to me
the errors of human life in general, together with the past
follies of my own
and the future state which would [illegible] upon the earth
[illegible]
establishment of Christ’s kingdom. And as I grew in years
[illegible]
I had heavenly visions, with sacred and holy communications
were made
unto me, that I might prepare the minds of men for the
things, which even
yet must come to pass. By making known my experience to
others, I [illegible]
myself in my endeavors to promote and spread the doctrine of
Christ’s gospel. But my desire for worldly interests and
selfishness [illegible]
me the necessity of seeking worldly interests [illegible]
and by listening to the pernicious influence [illegible]
the path of my youth was lost for me. [illegible]
These revelations were revealed unto me against hypocrisy,
and all evils to which
the human race are subject, yet I continued to set forth
deep and
delusive doctrines, mingled with what I knew were just and
holy
until Him who had called me to this mighty mission caused me
to
end my career ignominiously. While thus ascribed to me in
the
propagation of the laws and formations of the church, along
with
the worldly benefit of the things for which I labored
[illegible]
the wrongfully termed laws, codes, rules, rites and
ceremonies, which
are all estranged from God and opposed to Divine wisdom
and truth, and by which means the bands of my fellowship are
[illegible]
[illegible]
I am [illegible] to declare to the world [illegible]
[illegible] not [illegible]
[illegible] the commands of [illegible]
[illegible] and to declare that [illegible]
[illegible] all the horrors [illegible]
[illegible] while continuing [illegible]
[illegible] around the place inhabited by my body.
PAGE 3
I was much surprised on learning you were in Illinois, and
feel
much surprised at learning you were in Illinois, and feel
some regret that I had not earlier followed the impression
of my mind.
Had I then felt to address you before. But thinking I might
probably see
you personally in De Kalb this summer, had flattered myself
for a more
convenient opportunity of communication. You will remember,
I think,
you think in my last letter, that I had received from
you [illegible] [illegible] [illegible] — [illegible]
[illegible] I am the more encouraged and deeper impressed
to feel the necessity of [illegible] upon me.
Also [illegible] to comply with revelation [illegible]
that you are [illegible], and I am the more encouraged and
deeper impressed
to [illegible] the task and to feel a responsibility resting
upon me.
[illegible] Brother [illegible], and there have been
[illegible]
from [illegible] I think, and [illegible]
[illegible] will be ready to believe and receive that
[illegible]
I last [illegible] the subject presented [illegible]
to [illegible] from a conscience responsibility, independent
[illegible]
other consideration. [illegible] I can [illegible]
perform the [illegible] connection with the [illegible]
the Spirit of truth. [illegible] The single language of my
heart, [illegible]
[illegible] the steps you have and am
about to take.
God and mammon. O the [illegible]
[illegible] them both [illegible]
Saints, Communicans, and Baptizers [illegible]
[illegible] [illegible] [illegible]
I am requested [illegible] from me a concern [illegible]
[illegible] impression upon me to warn
[illegible] [illegible] Mr. Bushnell and
[illegible] [illegible] [illegible]
PAGE 4
The following verse was first given as a proof
of Joseph Smith having been a true prophet before the fall.
“He was a prophet from the [illegible] with special gift to
make men wise,”
[illegible] ambition for a worldly name, [illegible]
[illegible] and [illegible]
After this the following Revelation was given:
“I am [illegible] Smith, whose [illegible] [illegible]
in various parts of the earth, and whose [illegible] is
likewise [illegible]
therefore [illegible] I am commanded to state that my career
[illegible] in a manner which human nature would [illegible]
at the
recapitulation thereof. But I am commanded to declare to the
world that the
earliest portion of my life was spent in the midst of
[illegible]
and this was impressed upon me by a nightly vision, which
seemed to me
the errors of human life in general, together with the past
follies of my own
and the future state which would [illegible] upon the earth,
great to the
establishment of Christ’s kingdom. And as I grew in years
[illegible]
I had heavenly visions, with sacred and holy communications
were made
unto me, that I might prepare the minds of men for the
things, which even
yet must come to pass. By making known my experience to
others I found
myself in my endeavors to promote and spread the doctrine of
Christ’s gospel. But my desire for worldly interests and
selfishness [illegible]
me the necessity of seeking worldly interests [illegible]
and by listening to the pernicious influence [illegible]
the path of my youth was lost for me. [illegible]
These revelations were revealed unto me against hypocrisy,
and all evils to which
the human race are subject, yet I continued to set forth
deep things and
delusive doctrines, mingled with what I knew were just and
holy
until Him who had called me to this mighty mission caused me
to
end my career ignominiously. While thus [illegible] me in
the
propagation of the laws and formations of the church, along
with
the worldly benefit of the things for which I labored
[illegible]
the wrongfully termed laws, codes, rules, rites and
ceremonies, which
are all estranged from God and opposed to Divine wisdom
and truth, and by which means the bands of my fellowship are
[illegible]
[illegible] I was cast off as a desolate and my
spirit seemed to retreat into my eternal immortality, and I
am commanded
to declare that I suffered all the horrors of the supposed
while
continuing near and around the place inhabited by my body.
From that time I was made capable to hear the first branch
of darkness beyond which I mingled with the sickly elements,
and approach
of my mind of spirits and still remain with the [illegible]
of my body
in which state we dreaded the experience of a future state.
Thereupon
I am commanded to declare to the world that I have seen in
proper
satanic [illegible], that which the conscience reaches my
sensibility with such
a just punishment when reaching the sphere wherein I
[illegible]
and I am commanded to declare to those who follow the
delusions
which are set forth by those who have [illegible] in my
name, and to this
[illegible]
