Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 3 (1876 - 1882)

Lt 53, 1880

White, James

July 1880

Portions of this letter are published in 3Bio 137.

Dear Husband:

I cannot consent to have the propositions you have made, read in the Conference, for it is directly contrary to the light which God has given you that you should not gather to yourself burdens. I cannot in any way harmonize your doing as much as you have done this spring with the direct cautions and positive counsel given you of God. I do not and cannot harmonize your present position of responsibility in accepting the president’s labors and cares even east of the Rocky Mountains. I have felt that this was a mistake. 3LtMs, Lt 53, 1880, par. 1

You remember I had some conversation with you in regard to what I had been shown of your reaching your arms out to encircle the burdens upon the Pacific coast. I was shown [it] was directly contrary to the light God had given you. I was shown that you had borne these responsibilities so long, you felt that you were lost unless you had them on your shoulders. It would be hard for you to cease being General; nevertheless, you must begin to accustom yourself to this position for your own good spiritually and for the good of the cause of God. 3LtMs, Lt 53, 1880, par. 2

I have been shown that the enemy is wily and he will lead you on to take burdens that others should carry and which God has warned you not to bear. The natural result will follow: too great perplexity and too much labor and the mental powers give way under the additional strain. Then he exults and his agents exult over your ruin. 3LtMs, Lt 53, 1880, par. 3

They will publish it broadcast that God has left His judgments to come upon you. I have been distinctly shown that you must, if you wished to preserve life and health, not be increasing your burdens, but laying them off. This is written and I have urged it upon you, but you seem to forget so easily these cautions and reproofs of God. This last proposition makes me tremble for you. I have been shown that the last sickness you had would not have been, had you heeded the cautions given you of God. You pursued the same course in reference to these warnings then that you are pursuing now. You did not heed the light given then. You are not heeding it now. I feel deeply over these things. 3LtMs, Lt 53, 1880, par. 4

I do not think the time has come for you to visit California. I cannot consent to have your propositions come before the brethren here, for I know it is not in the order of God. “Lay off the burdens,” God has said. “Shun responsibilities.” Would this look like heeding the counsel of God? Oh, no it would not be. 3LtMs, Lt 53, 1880, par. 5

I will, accompanied with Sister [Lucinda] Hall, come to the East to either go directly to Colorado or to attend the Iowa and some of the Western camp meetings first. What shall open before us we cannot now clearly see, but while there are so great financial embarrassments here in California, [neither] you nor I should stand under the load. We should not in any way discourage. We should have an interest and not withdraw our interest from the Pacific Coast, but at the same time we should not take the burdens on here. God forbids it and that is enough. 3LtMs, Lt 53, 1880, par. 6

I felt better in my lungs while at Woodland, but last evening it was foggy and storming and I had severe congestion of the lungs. Brother Glenn will have to move his family away. All are affected with their lungs. I am satisfied Colorado would be better for us both. And I think our brethren from the east will have to go from the coast and not spend much time in Oakland or San Francisco. 3LtMs, Lt 53, 1880, par. 7

Brother Perritt where Brother Rogers was at work in Health Institute has a health lift and bathing apparatus [that] he will donate to me for Colorado. If some one coming West who knew the value of these things could see them and see if it will pay to transport them, it would be a good thing, if there is any prospect of starting a health institute in Colorado. The cost was above four hundred dollars for the fixtures. Sanford Rogers might go and see perhaps if they are of any value to us. I merely propose this. 3LtMs, Lt 53, 1880, par. 8

Now let us take time to set our own hearts in order and to have repose, in the place of hurry and drive and care and worriment. We must seek a fitness for heaven. We must be right with God. We must remove spot and stain from our robes of character. Be true to yourself. 3LtMs, Lt 53, 1880, par. 9