Come On, Dear Brother
The Story of W.W. Phelps and the Power of Forgiveness
In the early days of the *Restoration, William Wines Phelps — better known as W.W. Phelps — was one of Joseph Smith’s trusted friends and allies.
Restoration (in this context):
The Restoration refers to the belief, held by members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, that Jesus Christ’s original Church — with its authority, teachings, and ordinances — was lost after the death of the early apostles and was brought back (or “restored”) in modern times through the Prophet Joseph Smith. It includes the return of priesthood authority, revelation, and the establishment of Christ’s Church in its fullness.
W.W. Phelps was a brilliant writer, printer, and hymn composer, Phelps helped lay much of the foundation of the early Church’s publications, including beloved hymns that are still sung today. His talents were a blessing to the Saints. But his story wasn’t a perfect one.
During a season of personal difficulty and spiritual confusion, Phelps turned against Joseph Smith and the Church. Most notably, he gave testimony that contributed to Joseph Smith’s imprisonment in Liberty Jail — a brutal, dehumanizing place where Joseph suffered for months through the cold Missouri winter. Phelps’s betrayal was personal and deep.
In many stories, that would be the end.
Friendship broken.
Trust destroyed.
Wounds too deep to heal.
But that’s not how the story ends.
In time, W.W. Phelps felt the weight of what he had done. He humbled himself, reached out, and asked if he might be forgiven. He wrote a letter to Joseph Smith, pleading:
“I am as the prodigal son, though I never doubt or disbelieve the fullness of the Gospel…I have seen the folly of my way, and I tremble at the gulf I have passed…I ask forgiveness.”
Joseph Smith’s response is one of the most beautiful letters ever penned by a prophet of God.
He replied simply:
“Come on, dear brother, since the war is past, for friends at first, are friends again at last.”
No grudge.
No lingering resentment.
Just an open door and open arms.
Joseph Smith’s heart mirrored the heart of Jesus Christ — always willing to forgive, always eager to welcome the repentant home.
Lessons for Us
This story reflects two great truths:
First, about how we treat our family and friends:
In this life, even those we love most may hurt us. Sometimes their mistakes are severe. Betrayals, arguments, and painful misunderstandings can drive deep wedges between hearts. But if W.W. Phelps and Joseph Smith could reconcile after Liberty Jail — after betrayal during a life-or-death struggle — surely we can find it within us to forgive those around us.
Forgiveness doesn’t mean pretending the hurt didn’t happen. It means choosing mercy over bitterness, love over resentment. It means recognizing that people are more than the worst things they have done.
Second, about how Christ treats us:
In many ways, we are all W.W. Phelps.
All of us have turned away from God at times. All of us have been unfaithful to light we once cherished. We have all — in some way — betrayed the trust of the One who has given us everything.
But the Savior’s invitation remains:
“Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”
— Matthew 11:28, KJV
He does not meet our repentance with coldness or grudge. He runs to meet us, like the father in the parable of the prodigal son (Luke 15:20). His atonement is not reluctant. His mercy is not measured out with hesitation. It is abundant, immediate, and joyful.
When we come back, we are not merely tolerated — we are embraced.
We are welcomed home as His beloved brothers and sisters.
A Song of Redemption
One of the most profound evidences of W.W. Phelps’s change of heart came after Joseph Smith’s martyrdom.
Heartbroken over the loss of his friend and prophet, Phelps poured out his soul in the form of a hymn: “Praise to the Man.”
It was first performed at Joseph Smith’s funeral — a tribute, a lament, and an anthem all at once.
Today, some people wrestle with including 'Praise to the Man' in our worship. Taken out of context, it can seem unsettling — why praise a man when all glory belongs to Jesus Christ? Why sing of a flawed mortal instead of focusing solely on the Savior?
But in its proper context, the hymn takes on a much deeper meaning. Praise to the Man is not about elevating Joseph Smith above Christ — it’s about honoring a servant who gave his life to help restore Christ’s Church. It expresses gratitude, grief, and a reverent acknowledgment of sacrifice.
In the current hymnbook of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Praise to the Man is paired with the bold and triumphant melody of Scotland the Brave. While most modern hymnals link one melody to each hymn, this wasn’t always the case. Historically, hymns were sung to a variety of tunes, and Praise to the Man was originally set to a much more solemn melody called Star in the East.
You can hear the Tabernacle Choir’s stirring rendition set to Scotland the Brave:
https://youtu.be/dxbNxkqG5y0?si=iX_fSLhJWnm4vhGb
And for a contrasting tone, YouTuber Ben Abbot has recorded a version using the original, mournful tune:
https://youtu.be/Le8mK36t4ZI?si=NBCJONAWnZWgeGql
This hymn was the heartfelt outpouring of a man who had once betrayed his closest friend — and who had been forgiven, embraced, and restored. It became the song of someone who had come to understand loyalty, redemption, and brotherhood on the deepest level. And while Christ remains the foundation of our faith and worship, there is sacred meaning in honoring those who dedicate their lives to pointing others to Him.
Final Thought
W.W. Phelps didn’t just return — he went on to write more hymns, serve faithfully, and bear powerful testimony of Christ and His restored gospel. His story shows us that mistakes do not disqualify us forever.
Redemption is real.
New beginnings are possible.
For every relationship we may think is too broken to repair — including our relationship with God — there is still hope.
There is still a welcome waiting.
There is still a home to return to.