William W. Phelps: Joseph Smith Forgave the Man Who Betrayed Him — Then Phelps Wrote 'Praise to the Man'

William Wines Phelps (February 17, 1792 – March 7, 1872) joined the Church in 1831 and quickly became one of its primary leaders. He served as the Church's printer in Missouri, published the first Latter-day Saint hymnal (1832), edited Church newspapers, and wrote many of the most beloved hymns in the Restoration tradition.

In 1838, during the Missouri crisis, Phelps made a devastating betrayal: he gave an affidavit to state authorities that was used against Joseph Smith. His testimony helped lead to Joseph's imprisonment and near-execution. The Prophet was understandably grieved by the betrayal of someone he had so trusted.

Two years later, on June 29, 1840, Phelps wrote a humble letter of repentance to Joseph Smith, confessing his sins and asking to be received back into fellowship. He wrote: 'I know my situation, you know it, and God knows it, and I want to be saved if my friends will help me... I have done wrong and I am sorry... I cannot live without a reconciliation with you.'

Joseph Smith's reply is one of the most beautiful letters of forgiveness in the historical record: 'It is true, that we have suffered much in consequence of your behavior... but now... we say, that inasmuch as long-suffering, patience, and mercy have ever characterized the dealings of our Heavenly Father towards the humble and penitent, we feel to follow in the same footsteps... Come on, dear brother, since the war is past, For friends at first, are friends again at last.'

Phelps returned to full fellowship. After Joseph Smith's martyrdom in 1844, Phelps wrote 'Praise to the Man Who Communed with Jehovah' — a hymn that has been sung at every General Conference since.