Far West April 9th 1838

Mr J[ohn] Whitmer

Sir. We were desireous of

honouring you by giving publicity to your

notes on the history of the Church of Latter day

Saints, after such corrections as we thaught

would be necessary; knowing your incompetency as a historian, and that your writings coming from your pen, could not be put to the press, without our correcting

them, or elce the Church must suffer reproach; Indeed Sir, we never supposed you

capable of writing a history; but were willing

to let it come out under your name notwithstanding it would realy not be yours but

ours. We are still willing to honour you,

if you can be made to know your own interest

and give up your notes, so that they can be corrected, and made fit for the press. But if not, we

have all the materials for another, which we

shall commence this week to write

your humble Servents

Attest Joseph Smith Jr

E[benezer] Robinson Sidney Rigdon

Clerk Presidents of the whole

Church of Latterday Saints