Letter of Thomas Richards, From America
Minersville, July 15, 1847
Dear Brother in the Lord, together with all the Saints,
I send these few lines to you hoping that when they reach
you, you will receive them in full health, physical and spiritual, as we now
have here. We continue strong in the spirit and have begun the good work of
proclaiming the gospel for the last five Sundays, and besides that we are
preaching one time during the week as well. There are three here who have
obeyed the gospel. Tell Hugh Jones that Dafydd Davies
the weaver has believed, but has not yet obeyed. There is plenty of space here
to preach, but the people are very slow to come and hear. The old scarecrow has
persuaded them that Joseph Smith was a bad man. Also, Bro. Thomas Davies has
been in Pottsville
lately two Sundays in a row, and a big crowd came to listen, filling the hall
and listening attentively. There is here plenty of room to sow the 'good seed'
in this area, more than we are able to take advantage of; and there is plenty
of room for workers also without being in each other's way. I believe that many
will come to this field, though there be many obstacles to come against them,
as the sectarian ministers and their followers are telling the people not to
listen to us, lest they become deceived; and they have tried to discourage us in
many ways, but through the strength of God we get strength to stand fast in the
face of all attacks, testifying to them without hesitation that this is the
kingdom of God.
Brother Daniel Edwards, and his wife, came here a week ago
and send their regards to all the Saints.
Two brothers of Mary Evans, Cwmglo,
are in this place, and they keep throwing in our faces that it is the height of
arrogance to claim that William Hughes received that healing, and they have
heard that the whole thing was a lie, and that they have sent a letter to their
family there to be able to hear the truth. I beg of you to tell Mary Evans and
her brother, William Davies, and have them send the truth back here to their
family.
Our brother and sister in the Lord, John and Margaret
Edwards, send their regards to Dafydd and John
Roberts and their families and to all the Saints. They say that they are
pleased to notify you that they have had the privilege of obeying the eternal
gospel here even though they had refused it from you when they were there. But
the Lord saw fit to give to them a second opportunity by sending his servants
after them to this part of the world so that after waiting a long time they
could receive the opportunity joyfully, and they have strong testimonies that
they are in the kingdom
of God. They wish to
receive a letter from you since they have not received an answer to the letter
which they sent from here; and they hope to have the chance to greet you all after
that on Mount Zion.
There are eight members in this small branch, and we are
rejoicing in the Spirit and wish to have a part in the prayers of you, the
Saints. This is our request and our wish, for the sake of our Lord Jesus
Christ. Amen. I am your brother in the new covenant,
Thomas Richards
Prophwyd y Jubili
[Prophet of the Jubilee], September 1848, pp. 138-9. The English translation of this periodical is available on this website. Click "Resources" and then "Books."
