Letter to Orson Hyde and John E. Page, 14 May 1840

I am happy in being informed by your letter that your mission swells “larger and larger”; it is a great and important mission, and one that is worthy of those inteligences who surround the throne of Jehovah to be ingaged in; Altho it appears great at present, yet you have but just begun to realize the greatness, the extent and glory of the same. If there is any thing calculated to interest the mind of the saints, to awaken in them the finest sensibilities; and arouse them to enterprise, and exertion, surely it is the great and precious promises, made by our heavenly Father to the children of Abraham; and those engaged in seeking the outcasts of Israel, and the dispersed of Judah, cannot fail to enjoy the Spirit of the Lord, and have the choisests blessings of Heaven rest upon them in copious effusions, Bretheren you are in the path way to Eternal Fame! and immortal Glory; and inasmuch as you feel interested for the covenant people of the Lord, the God of their Father shall bless you. Do not be discouraged on accou[n]t of the greatness of the work; only be humble, and faithful, and then you can say, “what art thou, O, great mountain, “before Zerubbable shalt thou be brought down” He who scattered Israel has promised to them; therefore, inasmuch as you are to be instrumental in this great work, he will you with power, wisdom, might, and inteligence; and every qualification necessary; while your minds will expand wider and wider, untill you can circumscribe the Earth, & the Heavens, and reach forth into eternity; contemplate the mighty acts of Jehovah, in all their variety & glory

In answer to your inquiries, respecting the translation and publication, of the Book of Mormon, Hymn Book, History of the , &c, &c; I would say, that I entirely approve of the same; and give my consent, with the exception of the Hymn Book, as a new edition, containing a greater variety of Hymns, will be shortly published or printed in this place; which, I think will be a standard work

As soon as it is printed, you shall have some [p. 146]