Salem, Mss. [Massachusetts], August 19th, 1836.

My beloved wife

Brother Hyram [Hyrum Smith] is about to start for home to start for home before the rest of us, which seems wisdom in God, as our buisness here cannot be determined as soon as we could wish to <​have it​>, I thaught a line from me by him would not be acceptible to you, even if it did not contain but little, that you may know that you and the children are much on my mind, with regard to the graat [great] object of our mishion you will be anxtiou [anxious] to know, we have found the house since Brother Burjece left us, very luckily and providentialy, as we had one spell been most discouraged, but the house is ocupied and it will require much care and patience to rent or b[u]y it, we think we shall be able to effect it if not now within the course of a few months, we think we shall be at home about the midle of septtember, I can think of many things concerning our business but can only pray that you may have wisdom to manage the concerns that involve on you and want you should believe me that I am your sincere friend and husband in hast yours &c—

Joseph Smith Jr

Emma Smith