Joseph Smith Letter (1839)

After three and a half months of unjust imprisonment in Liberty Jail, Joseph Smith wrote this letter to his wife, Emma, on March 21, 1839. He informed her of “an Epistle” that he dictated for members of the Church that has come to be known as the “Letter from Liberty Jail,” portions of which were published in Doctrine and Covenants 121, 122, and 123. He also asked about the needs and comfort of his wife and family. This letter is one of only about two dozen surviving letters written in Joseph’s handwriting.