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  2. Church Officers in Kirtland, Ohio, September 1839–January 1841

Church Officers in Kirtland, Ohio, September 1839–January 1841

The status of the
stake

Ecclesiastical organization of church members in a particular locale. Stakes were typically large local organizations of church members; stake leaders could include a presidency, a high council, and a bishopric. Some revelations referred to stakes “to” or...

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in
Kirtland

Located ten miles south of Lake Erie. Settled by 1811. Organized by 1818. Latter-day Saint missionaries visited township, early Nov. 1830; many residents joined Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Population in 1830 about 55 Latter-day Saints and...

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, Ohio, and the composition of the ecclesiastical leadership there are somewhat unclear from September 1839 through January 1841. Although church conferences sent men to preside over members of the church in that area, there is no indication that they did so with the assistance of a bishop or
high council

A governing body of twelve high priests. The first high council was organized in Kirtland, Ohio, on 17 February 1834 “for the purpose of settling important difficulties which might arise in the church, which could not be settled by the church, or the bishop...

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.
 
Presidency
In spring 1839, a general conference of the church assigned
Oliver Granger

7 Feb. 1794–23/25 Aug. 1841. Sheriff, church agent. Born at Phelps, Ontario Co., New York. Son of Pierce Granger and Clarissa Trumble. Married Lydia Dibble, 8 Sept. 1813, at Phelps. Member of Methodist church and licensed exhorter. Sheriff of Ontario Co. ...

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to “preside over the general affairs of the Church” in
Kirtland

Located ten miles south of Lake Erie. Settled by 1811. Organized by 1818. Latter-day Saint missionaries visited township, early Nov. 1830; many residents joined Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Population in 1830 about 55 Latter-day Saints and...

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and to “take the Charge and oversight of the
House of the Lord

JS revelation, dated Jan. 1831, directed Latter-day Saints to migrate to Ohio, where they would “be endowed with power from on high.” In Dec. 1832, JS revelation directed Saints to “establish . . . an house of God.” JS revelation, dated 1 June 1833, chastened...

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.”
1

Minutes, 4–5 May 1839; Letter to Oliver Granger, between ca. 11 and ca. 28 July 1840.


An October 1840 general conference, however, appointed
Almon Babbitt

Oct. 1812–Sept. 1856. Postmaster, editor, attorney. Born at Cheshire, Berkshire Co., Massachusetts. Son of Ira Babbitt and Nancy Crosier. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, ca. 1830. Located in Amherst, Lorain Co., Ohio, July 1831....

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to preside over the church in Kirtland, even though Granger was still there and had not been released from his assignment.
2

Minutes, 3–5 Oct. 1840.


It is unclear when Babbitt assumed leadership of the church in Kirtland, and his presidency appears to have overlapped with Granger’s, even though a letter from JS to Granger clarified that Babbitt was to preside in the area.
3

Letter to Oliver Granger, 26 Jan. 1841; George W. Gee to George A. Smith, ca. 7 Jan. 1841, George A. Smith, Papers, CHL.


Comprehensive Works Cited

Smith, George Albert. Papers, 1834–1877. CHL. MS 1322.

1 September 1839 31 January 1841
Oliver Granger

7 Feb. 1794–23/25 Aug. 1841. Sheriff, church agent. Born at Phelps, Ontario Co., New York. Son of Pierce Granger and Clarissa Trumble. Married Lydia Dibble, 8 Sept. 1813, at Phelps. Member of Methodist church and licensed exhorter. Sheriff of Ontario Co. ...

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, president
Almon Babbitt

Oct. 1812–Sept. 1856. Postmaster, editor, attorney. Born at Cheshire, Berkshire Co., Massachusetts. Son of Ira Babbitt and Nancy Crosier. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, ca. 1830. Located in Amherst, Lorain Co., Ohio, July 1831....

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  1. 1

    Minutes, 4–5 May 1839; Letter to Oliver Granger, between ca. 11 and ca. 28 July 1840.

  2. 2

    Minutes, 3–5 Oct. 1840.

  3. 3

    Letter to Oliver Granger, 26 Jan. 1841; George W. Gee to George A. Smith, ca. 7 Jan. 1841, George A. Smith, Papers, CHL.

    Smith, George Albert. Papers, 1834–1877. CHL. MS 1322.

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