“Letter VIII.” Oliver Cowdery to W. W. Phelps. Latter Day Sa

“Letter VIII.” Oliver Cowdery to W. W. Phelps. Latter Day Saints’ Messenger and Advocate (Kirtland, Ohio) 2, no. 1 (October 1835): 195–202.
LETTER VIII.
DEAR BROTHER,— In my last I said I should give, partially, a “description of the place where, and the manner in which these records were deposited:” the first promise I have fulfilled, and must proceed to the latter: The hill of which I have been speaking, at the time mentioned, presented a varied appearance: the north end rose suddenly from the plain, forming a promontory without timber, but covered with grass. As you passed to the south you soon came to scattering timber, the surface having been cleared by art or by wind; and a short distance further left, you are surrounded with the common forest of the country. It is necessary to observe, that even the part cleared was only occupied for pas- [195] turage, its steep ascent and narrow summit not admitting the plow of the husbandman, with any degree of ease or profit.