Kirtland May 3rd 1837

Ever affectionate husband, myself and the children are well Father and Mother are not very well, tho not dangerous. I do not know what to tell you, not having but a few minutes to write, the situation of your business is such as is very difficult for me to do any thing of any consequence, partnership matters give every body such an unaccountable right to every particle of property or money that they can lay their hands on, that there is no prospect of my getting one dollar of current money or even get the grain you left for our bread, as I sent to the French place for that wheat and brother Strong5 says that he shall let us only have ten bushel, he has sold the hay and keeps the money. Dr [Warren A.] Cowdery tells me he can’t get money to pay the postage of the office. I spoke to Parish [Warren Parrish] about the money, and he appeared rather indifferent and stiff, and only observed that it was the opinion of the people, that Sharp did not intend ever to pay that money. brother Parish has been very anxious to for some time past to get the little mare, and I do not know but it would be your will to have him have her, but I have been so treated that I have come to the determination not to let any man or woman have any thing whatever without being well assured, that it goes to your own advantage, but it is impossible for me to do any thing, as long as every body has so much better right to all that is called yours than I have.

Brother Holmes went directly to keeping house. Brother Tenny has not moved yet nor does not act much like it. I do not know every thing by considerable, but it is my anxiety for your company at home, or else it is realy so that your matters would and things would be much bettered by your presence just as soon as consistant, it is impossible for me to write what I wish you to know.

If you should write after you get this, I want you to let me know as much as possible about the situation of your business, that if possible I can benefit by the information; And speak some word of encouragement to Hervey [Lyman Hervy Cowdery], for he is very faithful not only in business, but in taking up his cross in the family.

There was a young man came with Brother Baldwin and Father’s folks took him in while br B was gone and he is here <​yet and is​> very sick with the measles which makes much confusion and trouble for me, and is also a subject of much fear and anxiety unto me, as you know that neither of your little one boys have ever had them, I wish it could be possible for you to be at home when they are sick, you must remember them for they all remember you, and I could hardly pacify Julia and Joseph when they found ou[t] you was not coming home soon.

Br Robinson14 must the rest as he is waiting so adieu my Dear— Joseph.

Emma.

P.S

If you should give anyone a power of attorney, you had better give it to brother [Vinson] Knight, as he is the only man that has not manifested a spirit of indifference to your temporal interest. I mean the only one I have had occasion to say muct [much] to about your business. You may be astonished because I have not accepted some but when I see you I will tell you the reason—, be assured I shall do the best I can in all things, and I hope that we shall be so humble and pure before God that he will set us at liberty to be our own masters in a few things at least, Yours for ever.

Emma