Tiffin, Seneca County, Ohio July 24, 1846.

Brother Daniel and Sister Phoebe: Phoebe's letter mailed at Montrose on the 2nd of this month was received in due time, and would have been replied to immediately, but it came in the midst of the toil and business of court, which has just closed; and I take the earliest moment to answer. It is needless to say that we had long looked for and long expected a letter from you or Sister Lucy.

Now, brother Daniel and Sister Phoebe, what will you do? Has Sister Phoebe written us the truth? and if so, will you venture with your little ones into the toil and fatigues of a long journey and that for the sake of finding a resting place when you know of miseries of such magnitude as have, as will and as must rend asunder the tenderest and holiest ties of domestic life? I can hardly think it possible, that you have written us the truth, that though there may be individuals who are guilty of the iniquities spoken of —yet no such practice can be preached or adhered to, as a public doctrine. Such may do for the followers of Mahomet; it may have done some thousands of years ago; but no people, professing to be governed by the pure and holy principles of the Lord Jesus, can hold up their heads before the world at this distance of time, and be guilty of such folly, such wrong, such abomination. It will blast, like a milldew, their fairest prospects, and lay the axe at the root of the tree of their future happiness.

You would like to know whether we are calculating to come on and emigrate to California. On this subject everything depends upon circumstances not necessary for me here to speak of. We do not feel to say or do anything to discourage you from going if you think it best to do so. We know, in part, how you are situated. Out of the Church, you have few, or no friends, and very little or no society —in it you have both. So far as going West is concerned, I have thought it a wise move — indeed I could see no other, and though the journey is long and attended with toil, yet a bright future has been seen in the distance if right counsels were given and a departure in no way from the original faith, in no instance, countenanced. Of what that doctrine and faith are and were I ought to know, and further it does not become me now to speak.

On the 27th May we had an addition to our little family, of another daughter, who died on the 3d of this month. So we are left again with Mona, and Mona only —we have lost five children.

Brother Lyman visited us on the 15th of May, and Brother Warren and Sister Patience on the 25th of June. They are well, and as we learn by letters, our friends in Kirtland are well. Father and mother enjoy good health, and hold out well, for persons of their age. Lawrence is postmaster. Lyman has recently moved from the William Smith house to the [illegible] up near by Russels. Warren still lives on the Bailey farm. Franklin is clerk in the stage office of Niel, Moore & Co., at Wheeling, West Virginia, and he often complains, in his letters to us, that he has written you, but gets no reply. You ought to write him.

Now, Brother Samuel, I shall expect, for the receipt of this, that you will write them and explain to them why you do not write oftener. When you see Lucy, give our love to her. I shall write Phineas, and direct to Nauvoo. I have not written any of you for a long time, thinking it doubtful whether you would receive letters, when exiled, persecuted, &c.

Now, don't forget to write to us. May the Lord have mercy on you, and protect and spare you

Truly your brother and friend,

OLIVER COWDERY.

P. S. Elizabeth and Mona send love.