An epistle from Joseph Smith the Prophet to the Latter-day Saints at Nauvoo, Illinois, containing directions on baptism for the dead, dated at Nauvoo, September 1, 1842.

1–4, Joseph Smith glories in persecution and tribulation; 5–12, Records must be kept relative to baptisms for the dead.

1 Forasmuch as the Lord has revealed unto me that my enemies, both in Missouri and this State, were again in the pursuit of me; and inasmuch as they pursue me without a cause, and have not the least shadow or coloring of justice or right on their side in the getting up of their prosecutions against me; and inasmuch as their pretensions are all founded in falsehood of the blackest dye, I have thought it expedient and wisdom in me to leave the place for a short season, for my own safety and the safety of this people. I would say to all those with whom I have business, that I have left my affairs with agents and clerks who will transact all business in a prompt and proper manner, and will see that all my debts are canceled in due time, by turning out property, or otherwise, as the case may require, or as the circumstances may admit of. When I learn that the storm is fully blown over, then I will return to you again.
Note: Religious fanatics will do anything for their leaders.
On May 6, 1842, former Missouri Governor Lilburn W. Boggs was shot and wounded in his home by an unknown attacker. John C. Bennett—a recently excommunicated former associate of Smith—publicly accused Smith of directing his bodyguard, Orrin Porter Rockwell, to carry out the attack. Boggs later signed an affidavit stating he believed Smith was an accessory before the fact. Missouri Governor Thomas Reynolds requested Smith's extradition from Illinois. Smith evaded authorities by staying with trusted friends and family members (such as Edward Hunter) in Illinois and Iowa through the end of 1842. He surrendered to authorities in late December 1842. On January 5, 1843, Federal Judge Nathaniel Pope discharged Smith, ruling that the Missouri requisition papers were legally invalid and that Smith was not in Missouri at the time of the crime to qualify as a fugitive from justice.

2 And as for the perils which I am called to pass through, they seem but a small thing to me, as the envy and wrath of man have been my common lot all the days of my life; and for what cause it seems mysterious, unless I was ordained from before the foundation of the world for some good end, or bad, as you may choose to call it. Judge ye for yourselves. God knoweth all these things, whether it be good or bad. But nevertheless, deep water is what I am wont to swim in. It all has become a second nature to me; and I feel, like Paul, to glory in tribulation; for to this day has the God of my fathers delivered me out of them all, and will deliver me from henceforth; for behold, and lo, I shall triumph over all my enemies, for the Lord God hath spoken it.
Note: Orrin Porter Rockwell was in Missouri at the time of the shooting and under the direction of Joseph Smith.
Church Elders would often meet at Porter’s home to discuss protecting members from the Missouri mobs persecuting them. But it would be of no use, as they were eventually driven out of Jackson County, forced to relocate to Illinois. Porter remained in Missouri, according to the church, to ensure the safe passage of other Latter-Day Saints out of the state. In May of 1842, the former Governor Lilburn Boggs was shot by an unknown assailant. The crime was quickly pinned on Porter Rockwell as revenge for the Executive Order a few years before. Porter would spend eight months in Jail awaiting trial, but was acquitted due to lack of evidence. After his release, Porter made his way to Nauvoo, Illinois, to join the rest of the church. Arriving on Christmas Day, 1843, at Joseph Smith’s home unannounced, hair long past his shoulders, Smith at first mistook him for a drunken Missourian and was ordering his removal before realizing it was his friend. According to the church, on this occasion, church leader Smith promised Porter that if he remained faithful to the church and did not cut his hair, he would never suffer death from a bullet.
Note: Joseph Smith was happy to see Orrin Porter Rockwell.

3 Let all the saints rejoice, therefore, and be exceedingly glad; for Israel’s God is their God, and he will mete out a just recompense of reward upon the heads of all their oppressors.
Note: Orrin Porter Rockwell was a well-known killer working for Brigham Young.
Porter followed Brigham Young to Utah and, in 1849, was appointed Deputy Marshall of Great Salt Lake City. During his time in law enforcement, he was said to be relentless.  While it is believed he killed many men as a gunfighter, religious enforcer, and Deputy Marshal, Rockwell told a crowd in 1869, “I never killed anyone who didn’t need killing”. However, many considered him an outlaw, suspecting him of the murders of several in service to the church. This included ‘Aiken affair,’ an incident involving six professional gamblers from California who would be murdered, allegedly by Rockwell, while being escorted out of Utah Territory in 1857. Rockwell would be indicted for the incident some 20 years later, but died before his trial.

4 And again, verily thus saith the Lord: Let the work of my temple, and all the works which I have appointed unto you, be continued on and not cease; and let your diligence, and your perseverance, and patience, and your works be redoubled, and you shall in nowise lose your reward, saith the Lord of Hosts. And if they persecute you, so persecuted they the prophets and righteous men that were before you. For all this there is a reward in heaven.
Note: The New Covenant abolished the tangible temple.
For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, you are God’s building. According to the grace of God which was given to me, as a wise master builder I have laid the foundation, and another builds on it. But let each one take heed how he builds on it. For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, each one’s work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one’s work, of what sort it is. If anyone’s work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward. If anyone’s work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire. Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? If anyone defiles the temple of God, God will destroy him. For the temple of God is holy, which temple you are. 1 Corinthians 3:9-17

5 And again, I give unto you a word in relation to the baptism for your dead. 6 Verily, thus saith the Lord unto you concerning your dead: When any of you are baptized for your dead, let there be a recorder, and let him be eye-witness of your baptisms; let him hear with his ears, that he may testify of a truth, saith the Lord; 7 That in all your recordings it may be recorded in heaven; whatsoever you bind on earth, may be bound in heaven; whatsoever you loose on earth, may be loosed in heaven; 8 For I am about to restore many things to the earth, pertaining to the priesthood, saith the Lord of Hosts.
Note: Baptism for the dead was a restored pagan ritual.
Otherwise, what will they (pagans) do who are baptized for the dead, if the dead do not rise at all? Why then are they (pagans) baptized for the dead? And why do we (believers) stand in jeopardy every hour? 1 Corinthians 15:29-30

9 And again, let all the records be had in order, that they may be put in the archives of my holy temple, to be held in remembrance from generation to generation, saith the Lord of Hosts. 10 I will say to all the saints, that I desired, with exceedingly great desire, to have addressed them from the stand on the subject of baptism for the dead, on the following Sabbath. But inasmuch as it is out of my power to do so, I will write the word of the Lord from time to time, on that subject, and send it to you by mail, as well as many other things.
Note: Baptism is not the Christian Gospel.
For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel, not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of no effect. For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 1 Corinthians 1:17-18

11 I now close my letter for the present, for the want of more time; for the enemy is on the alert, and as the Savior said, the prince of this world cometh, but he hath nothing in me.
Note: Joseph Smith was conman all of his adult life.
On March 20, 1826, 20-year-old Joseph Smith Jr. was arrested in South Bainbridge, Chenango County, New York, for "glass-looking" and treasure hunting (often called "money digging").

12 Behold, my prayer to God is that you all may be saved. And I subscribe myself your servant in the Lord, prophet and seer of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
JOSEPH SMITH.
Note: The New Covenant abolished the office of prophet.
God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds; who being the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the word of His power, when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, having become so much better than the angels, as He has by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they. Hebrews 1:1-4
Note: Joseph Smith was a false prophet.