Condition of Saints in Missouri--Revelation to them--With William D. Pratt, David goes to Missouri--Ministering to the suffering--Freedom from animosity--Mission to Tennessee--Healing of Mrs. Lane. Greatly were his brethren in Zion in need of whatever services David could render them. About the time of his arrival at Kirtland after receiving the word of the Lord, a letter came to the Prophet from Elder W. W. Phelps, dated Clay County, Missouri, in which among other things he says: "The situation of the Saints, as scattered, is dubious and affords a gloomy prospect. No regular order can be enforced, nor any usual discipline kept up; among the world, yea, among the most wicked part of it, some commit one sin and some another (I speak of the rebellious, for there are Saints that are as immovable as the everlasting hills,) and what can be done? We are in Clay, Ray, Lafayette, Jackson, Van Buren, etc., and cannot hear from each other oftener than we do from you. "I know it was right that we should be driven out of the land of Zion, that the rebellious might be sent away. But, brethren, if the Lord will, I should like to know what the honest in heart shall do." On December 16th, 1833, the Lord gave, in answer to this inquiry, the following revelation: "1. Verily I say unto you, concerning your brethren who have been afflicted, and persecuted, and cast out from the land of their inheritance, "2. I, the Lord, have suffered the affliction to come upon them, wherewith they have been afflicted, in consequence of their transgressions; "3. Yet I will own them, and they shall be mine in that day when I shall come to make up my jewels. "4. Therefore, they must needs be chastened and tried, even as Abraham, who was commanded to offer up his only son; "5. For all those who will not endure chastening, but deny me, cannot be sanctified. "6. Behold, I say unto you, there were jarrings, and contentions, and envyings, and strifes, and lustful and covetous desires among them; therefore by these things they polluted their inheritances. "7. They were slow to hearken unto the voice of the Lord their God, therefore the Lord their God is slow to hearken unto their prayers, to answer them in the day of their trouble. "8. In the day of their peace they esteemed lightly my counsel; but, in the day of their trouble, of necessity they feel after me. "9. Verily, I say unto you, notwithstanding their sins, my bowels are filled with compassion towards them: I will not utterly cast them off; and in the day of wrath I will remember mercy. "10. I have sworn, and the decree hath gone forth by a former commandment which I have given unto you, that I would let fall the sword of mine indignation in the behalf of my people; and even as I have said, it shall come to pass. "11. Mine indignation is soon to be poured out without measure upon all nations, and this will I do when the cup of their iniquity is full.