Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 17 (1902)

Lt 78, 1902

Keck, Brother and Sister

“Elmshaven,” St. Helena, California

May 23, 1902

Portions of this letter is published in RY 118-119.

Dear brother and sister Keck,—

I wish to add a few lines to the letter I have already written you. We had a very profitable visit with Elder Butler. He left us last Wednesday morning for Healdsburg. W. C. White and his wife rode over with him in the carriage. 17LtMs, Lt 78, 1902, par. 1

We are living in the very last days of this earth’s history. Individually we are to move under the Holy Spirit’s dictation. In the terrible calamities that have recently visited our country, we see that the Lord’s time has come to blot from the earth its wicked inhabitants. The destruction of these cities is a warning to the world to prepare for what is coming upon it. May these terrible judgments arouse men and women to get ready to meet their Lord. A great work is to be done to prepare a people for the judgment, to lead men and women to turn from their wicked ways to the living God, and to stand in fear before Him. This is the light that is presented to me. 17LtMs, Lt 78, 1902, par. 2

My brother and sister, I wish you to take the matter of the union of your sister with Elder Butler to the Lord. Prayerfully consider your objections. And then, in the light of the words I have written, if your sister is disposed to unite with Elder Butler in marriage, see if you cannot give up your objection, for the reason that this union may be the purpose of God. 17LtMs, Lt 78, 1902, par. 3

I see in Elder Butler a man of usefulness, a man of intelligence and Bible study. His ministry would be much more valuable were he united with a woman who could help him in his work. Think of how much more he could accomplish with the help of a discreet, intelligent woman. He should not be left to live alone and to travel alone. The sooner he can find a good wife, the better it will be for his work. A wife could do for him those things that no male companion could do—look after his clothes, see that they are free from dust, and that he is always prepared to appear before large congregations. 17LtMs, Lt 78, 1902, par. 4

Would it not be best for you to withdraw your opposition to this union? It is not best for you in any way to oppose that which the Lord may have ordained. It may be that the Lord sees that by this union, your sister and Elder Butler could accomplish more for Him than they otherwise could. What people may say has nothing to do with this matter. If it is the Lord’s purpose, let us not be found fighting against Him. 17LtMs, Lt 78, 1902, par. 5