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  2. Documents, Volume 5, Part 6 Introduction: 20 April–14 September 1837

Part 6: 20 April–14 September 1837

The documents created from mid-April to mid-September 1837 mark a turbulent period for JS and the
church

The Book of Mormon related that when Christ set up his church in the Americas, “they which were baptized in the name of Jesus, were called the church of Christ.” The first name used to denote the church JS organized on 6 April 1830 was “the Church of Christ...

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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. Economic concerns, intensified by the national financial panic of 1837, exacerbated existing dissatisfaction with JS’s leadership, and in May 1837, dissenters—including some prominent church members—accused the church president of dishonesty and misconduct and challenged his ecclesiastical authority.
Discontent with the
First Presidency

The highest presiding body of the church. An 11 November 1831 revelation stated that the president of the high priesthood was to preside over the church. JS was ordained as president of the high priesthood on 25 January 1832. In March 1832, JS appointed two...

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, and especially with JS, began early in 1837.
1

In his reminiscent history, Brigham Young recounted that dissenters came together to depose JS as church president and replace him with David Whitmer. It is not clear when this took place, though it may have occurred as early as February 1837. (Historian’s Office, Brigham Young History Drafts, 14; Esplin, “Emergence of Brigham Young,” 235.)


Comprehensive Works Cited

Historian’s Office. Brigham Young History Drafts, 1856–1858. CHL. CR 100 475, box 1, fd. 5.

Esplin, Ronald K. “The Emergence of Brigham Young and the Twelve to Mormon Leadership, 1830–1841.” PhD diss., Brigham Young University, 1981. Also available as The Emergence of Brigham Young and the Twelve to Mormon Leadership, 1830–1841, Dissertations in Latter-day Saint History (Provo, UT: Joseph Fielding Smith Institute for Latter-day Saint History; BYU Studies, 2006).

JS’s supporters gave discourses in January warning church members not to “murmer” against the church president, but during JS’s absence from
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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on business in February,
Wilford Woodruff

1 Mar. 1807–2 Sept. 1898. Farmer, miller. Born at Farmington, Hartford Co., Connecticut. Son of Aphek Woodruff and Beulah Thompson. Moved to Richland, Oswego Co., New York, 1832. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by Zera Pulsipher,...

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reported, “many were stir’d up in their hearts & some were against him.” Shortly after his return, JS gave a discourse silencing “the complainers,” who according to Woodruff “saw that he stood in the power of a Prophet.”
2

Woodruff, Journal, 10 and 15 Jan. 1837; 19 Feb. 1837; Kirtland Elders Quorum, “Record,” 18 Jan. 1837.


Comprehensive Works Cited

Woodruff, Wilford. Journals, 1833–1898. Wilford Woodruff, Journals and Papers, 1828–1898. CHL. MS 1352.

Kirtland Elders Quorum. “A Record of the First Quorurum of Elders Belonging to the Church of Christ: In Kirtland Geauga Co. Ohio,” 1836–1838, 1840–1841. CCLA.

Expressions of dissatisfaction increased, however, despite another discourse JS gave in April warning against dissension. The reasons for this opposition were not specified in contemporary documents.
3

Woodruff, Journal, 9 Apr. 1837. For an overview of the different reasons for dissent in 1837, see Esplin, “Emergence of Brigham Young,” 235–238.


Comprehensive Works Cited

Woodruff, Wilford. Journals, 1833–1898. Wilford Woodruff, Journals and Papers, 1828–1898. CHL. MS 1352.

Esplin, Ronald K. “The Emergence of Brigham Young and the Twelve to Mormon Leadership, 1830–1841.” PhD diss., Brigham Young University, 1981. Also available as The Emergence of Brigham Young and the Twelve to Mormon Leadership, 1830–1841, Dissertations in Latter-day Saint History (Provo, UT: Joseph Fielding Smith Institute for Latter-day Saint History; BYU Studies, 2006).

On 23 May,
Parley P. Pratt

12 Apr. 1807–13 May 1857. Farmer, editor, publisher, teacher, school administrator, legislator, explorer, author. Born at Burlington, Otsego Co., New York. Son of Jared Pratt and Charity Dickinson. Traveled west with brother William to acquire land, 1823....

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wrote a letter to JS accusing him of extortion and lying and censuring him for allegedly using his influence as the church president for his own benefit. In Pratt’s estimation, JS had led the church into unfair financial practices, such as speculation.
4

Letter from Parley P. Pratt, 23 May 1837.


Woodruff

1 Mar. 1807–2 Sept. 1898. Farmer, miller. Born at Farmington, Hartford Co., Connecticut. Son of Aphek Woodruff and Beulah Thompson. Moved to Richland, Oswego Co., New York, 1832. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by Zera Pulsipher,...

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noted that during this period “many and some in high places had risen up against Joseph” and “were striving to overthrow his influence & cast him down.” Then, at a tense meeting on Sunday, 28 May, JS and
Sidney Rigdon

19 Feb. 1793–14 July 1876. Tanner, farmer, minister. Born at St. Clair, Allegheny Co., Pennsylvania. Son of William Rigdon and Nancy Gallaher. Joined United Baptists, ca. 1818. Preached at Warren, Trumbull Co., Ohio, and vicinity, 1819–1821. Married Phebe...

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spoke in defense of JS’s actions. After their remarks
Warren Parrish

10 Jan. 1803–3 Jan. 1877. Clergyman, gardener. Born in New York. Son of John Parrish and Ruth Farr. Married first Elizabeth (Betsey) Patten of Westmoreland Co., New Hampshire, ca. 1822. Lived at Alexandria, Jefferson Co., New York, 1830. Purchased land at...

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, formerly JS’s scribe, rose to speak, and in Woodruff’s words, “stretched out his puny arm and proclaimed against Joseph.”
5

Woodruff, Journal, 28 May 1837; Mary Fielding, Kirtland, OH, to Mercy Fielding, [Upper Canada], ca. June 1837, Mary Fielding Smith, Collection, CHL.


Comprehensive Works Cited

Woodruff, Wilford. Journals, 1833–1898. Wilford Woodruff, Journals and Papers, 1828–1898. CHL. MS 1352.

Smith, Mary Fielding. Collection, ca. 1832–1848. CHL. MS 2779.

The
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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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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met the next day to address the concerns of a group of
elders

A male leader in the church generally; an ecclesiastical and priesthood office or one holding that office; a proselytizing missionary. The Book of Mormon explained that elders ordained priests and teachers and administered “the flesh and blood of Christ unto...

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, headed by
Abel Lamb

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, regarding what they saw as inappropriate behavior by five prominent church leaders.
6

Minute Book 1, 29 May 1837; Letter from Abel Lamb and Others, ca. 28 May 1837.


On the same day, with encouragement from Parrish, apostles
Luke Johnson

3 Nov. 1807–8 Dec. 1861. Farmer, teacher, doctor. Born at Pomfret, Windsor Co., Vermont. Son of John Johnson and Alice (Elsa) Jacobs. Lived at Hiram, Portage Co., Ohio, when baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by JS, 10 May 1831. Ordained...

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,
Lyman Johnson

24 Oct. 1811–20 Dec. 1859. Merchant, lawyer, hotelier. Born at Pomfret, Windsor Co., Vermont. Son of John Johnson and Alice (Elsa) Jacobs. Moved to Hiram, Portage Co., Ohio, Mar. 1818. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by Sidney Rigdon...

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, and
Orson Pratt

19 Sept. 1811–3 Oct. 1881. Farmer, writer, teacher, merchant, surveyor, editor, publisher. Born at Hartford, Washington Co., New York. Son of Jared Pratt and Charity Dickinson. Moved to New Lebanon, Columbia Co., New York, 1814; to Canaan, Columbia Co., fall...

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made formal charges against members of the church presidency, including JS, whom Pratt and Lyman Johnson accused of lying, extortion, and disrespect.
7

Charges against JS Preferred to Bishop’s Council, 29 May 1837; Complaints against Joseph Smith Sr. and Sidney Rigdon to the Bishop’s Council, 29 May 1837, Newel K. Whitney, Papers, BYU.


Comprehensive Works Cited

Whitney, Newel K. Papers, 1825–1906. BYU.

For dissenters, temporal difficulties raised questions about JS’s prophetic authority. As the Latter-day Saints faced financial losses, some were troubled by the fact that JS as prophet had encouraged investment and put his confidence in developing what turned out to be a crumbling economy.
8

See, for example, Minutes, 3 Sept. 1837; and Warren Parrish, Kirtland, OH, 5 Feb. 1838, Letter to the Editor, Painesville (OH) Republican, 15 Feb. 1838, [3].


Comprehensive Works Cited

Painesville Republican. Painesville, OH. 1836–1841.

In early June, JS became gravely ill, and some church members feared he would not survive.
9

JS History, vol. B-1, 762; Mary Fielding, Kirtland, OH, to Mercy Fielding, [Upper Canada], ca. June 1837, Mary Fielding Smith, Collection, CHL.


Comprehensive Works Cited

Smith, Mary Fielding. Collection, ca. 1832–1848. CHL. MS 2779.

Parrish

10 Jan. 1803–3 Jan. 1877. Clergyman, gardener. Born in New York. Son of John Parrish and Ruth Farr. Married first Elizabeth (Betsey) Patten of Westmoreland Co., New Hampshire, ca. 1822. Lived at Alexandria, Jefferson Co., New York, 1830. Purchased land at...

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characterized JS’s illness as divine punishment for transgression and for teaching “things contrary to godliness.”
10

JS History, vol. B-1, 763; Warren Parrish, Kirtland, OH, 5 Feb. 1838, Letter to the Editor, Painesville (OH) Republican, 15 Feb. 1838, [3].


Comprehensive Works Cited

Painesville Republican. Painesville, OH. 1836–1841.

In mid-June,
Parley P. Pratt

12 Apr. 1807–13 May 1857. Farmer, editor, publisher, teacher, school administrator, legislator, explorer, author. Born at Burlington, Otsego Co., New York. Son of Jared Pratt and Charity Dickinson. Traveled west with brother William to acquire land, 1823....

View Full Bio
gave a Sunday morning discourse 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...

More Info
in which, according to
Mary Fielding

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, he sought “to show that nearly all the Church had departed from God and that Brother J.S had committed great sins.”
11

Mary Fielding, Kirtland, OH, to Mercy Fielding, [Upper Canada], ca. June 1837, Mary Fielding Smith, Collection, CHL.


Comprehensive Works Cited

Smith, Mary Fielding. Collection, ca. 1832–1848. CHL. MS 2779.

Also in June 1837
John F. Boynton

20 Sept. 1811–20 Oct. 1890. Merchant, lecturer, scientist, inventor, dentist. Born at East Bradford (later Groveland), Essex Co., Massachusetts. Son of Eliphalet Boynton and Susanna Nichols. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by JS,...

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called JS a “fallen prophet,” a charge that would be repeated by dissenters throughout 1837 and 1838.
12

Heber C. Kimball wrote that as he was preparing to leave for England, Boynton told him he was a “fool as to go at the call of the fallen prophet, Joseph Smith.” Parrish and other dissenters also later characterized JS as a false prophet. (Kimball, “History,” 55; Warren Parrish, Kirtland, OH, 5 Feb. 1838, Letter to the Editor, Painesville [OH] Republican, 15 Feb. 1838, [3]; Thomas B. Marsh, Independence, MO, to Wilford Woodruff, Scarborough, ME, ca. Apr. 1838, in Elders’ Journal, July 1838, 36.)


Comprehensive Works Cited

Kimball, Heber C. “History of Heber Chase Kimball by His Own Dictation,” ca. 1842–1856. Heber C. Kimball, Papers, 1837–1866. CHL. MS 627, box 2.

Painesville Republican. Painesville, OH. 1836–1841.

Elders’ Journal of the Church of Latter Day Saints. Kirtland, OH, Oct.–Nov. 1837; Far West, MO, July–Aug. 1838.

On 23 July JS dictated a revelation that directed
Thomas B. Marsh

1 Nov. 1800–Jan. 1866. Farmer, hotel worker, waiter, horse groom, grocer, type foundry worker, teacher. Born at Acton, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts. Son of James Marsh and Molly Law. Married first Elizabeth Godkin, 1 Nov. 1820, at New York City. Moved to ...

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, the leader of the
Quorum of the Twelve

Members of a governing body in the church, with special administrative and proselytizing responsibilities. A June 1829 revelation commanded Oliver Cowdery and David Whitmer to call twelve disciples, similar to the twelve apostles in the New Testament and ...

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, to rebuke those still opposing JS.
13

Revelation, 23 July 1837 [D&C 112].


By the end of July, the dissent seemed to be waning.
Still, financial concerns remained. JS and his partners faced frequent litigation for their outstanding debts.
14

For more on spring 1837 debts, see Historical Introduction to Letter from Emma Smith, 3 May 1837; and Historical Introduction to Notes Receivable from Rigdon, Smith & Co., 22 May 1837.


In July JS,
Sidney Rigdon

19 Feb. 1793–14 July 1876. Tanner, farmer, minister. Born at St. Clair, Allegheny Co., Pennsylvania. Son of William Rigdon and Nancy Gallaher. Joined United Baptists, ca. 1818. Preached at Warren, Trumbull Co., Ohio, and vicinity, 1819–1821. Married Phebe...

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,
Oliver Cowdery

3 Oct. 1806–3 Mar. 1850. Clerk, teacher, justice of the peace, lawyer, newspaper editor. Born at Wells, Rutland Co., Vermont. Son of William Cowdery and Rebecca Fuller. Raised Congregationalist. Moved to western New York and clerked at a store, ca. 1825–1828...

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,
Reynolds Cahoon

30 Apr. 1790–29 Apr. 1861. Farmer, tanner, builder. Born at Cambridge, Washington Co., New York. Son of William Cahoon Jr. and Mehitable Hodges. Married Thirza Stiles, 11 Dec. 1810. Moved to northeastern Ohio, 1811. Located at Harpersfield, Ashtabula Co.,...

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,
Jared Carter

14 June 1801–6 July 1849. Born at Killingworth, Middlesex Co., Connecticut. Son of Gideon Carter and Johanna Sims. Moved to Benson, Rutland Co., Vermont, by 1810. Married Lydia Ames, 20 Sept. 1823, at Benson. Moved to Chenango, Broome Co., New York, by Jan...

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, and
Hyrum Smith

9 Feb. 1800–27 June 1844. Farmer, cooper. Born at Tunbridge, Orange Co., Vermont. Son of Joseph Smith Sr. and Lucy Mack. Moved to Randolph, Orange Co., 1802; back to Tunbridge, before May 1803; to Royalton, Windsor Co., Vermont, 1804; to Sharon, Windsor Co...

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mortgaged the
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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temple

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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to Mead, Stafford & Co. to offset their mercantile debts with the firm.
15

See Historical Introduction to Mortgage to Mead, Stafford & Co., 11 July 1837.


With the help of
Painesville

Located on Grand River twelve miles northeast of Kirtland. Created and settled, 1800. Originally named Champion. Flourished economically from harbor on Lake Erie and as major route of overland travel for western emigration. Included Painesville village; laid...

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, Ohio, lawyer
William L. Perkins

22 Jan. 1799–1 Dec. 1882. Teacher, attorney, insurance agent, politician. Born in Ashford, Windham Co., Connecticut. Son of William Perkins and Mary Lee. Moved to Hartford, Hartford Co., Connecticut, to study law, ca. 1822. Admitted to Connecticut bar, May...

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, the firms of Rigdon, Smith & Cowdery and Cahoon, Carter & Co. also renegotiated their outstanding debts with five other
New York

Located in northeast region of U.S. Area settled by Dutch traders, 1620s; later governed by Britain, 1664–1776. Admitted to U.S. as state, 1788. Population in 1810 about 1,000,000; in 1820 about 1,400,000; in 1830 about 1,900,000; and in 1840 about 2,400,...

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merchants in September.
16

See Historical Introduction to Power of Attorney to Oliver Granger, 27 Sept. 1837.


By summer 1837, the survival of the
Kirtland Safety Society

A financial institution formed to raise money and provide credit in Kirtland, Ohio. On 2 November 1836, JS, Sidney Rigdon, and others officially organized the Kirtland Safety Society as a community bank by ratifying its constitution. Sidney Rigdon served ...

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had become doubtful, and the situation was further hindered by the discord within the church.
Mary Fielding

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recorded concerns she had heard from JS: “So many of the Bank directors are become unfaithful that Brother J.S says he does not know that it will rise again. he says it can never [get] on while some pull one way and some another it requires the united efforts of all and when this will be the case the Lord only knows.”
17

Mary Fielding, Kirtland, OH, to Mercy Fielding, [Upper Canada], ca. June 1837, Mary Fielding Smith, Collection, CHL. It is not clear if the accusation of unfaithfulness described by Fielding was intended to apply to dissenters who were acting against JS and the church, to individuals practicing dishonest lending and speculation, or to both.


Comprehensive Works Cited

Smith, Mary Fielding. Collection, ca. 1832–1848. CHL. MS 2779.

Possibly in early June, and certainly before 7 July, JS and
Rigdon

19 Feb. 1793–14 July 1876. Tanner, farmer, minister. Born at St. Clair, Allegheny Co., Pennsylvania. Son of William Rigdon and Nancy Gallaher. Joined United Baptists, ca. 1818. Preached at Warren, Trumbull Co., Ohio, and vicinity, 1819–1821. Married Phebe...

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resigned as the officers of the Kirtland Safety Society and were replaced by
Warren Parrish

10 Jan. 1803–3 Jan. 1877. Clergyman, gardener. Born in New York. Son of John Parrish and Ruth Farr. Married first Elizabeth (Betsey) Patten of Westmoreland Co., New Hampshire, ca. 1822. Lived at Alexandria, Jefferson Co., New York, 1830. Purchased land at...

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and
Frederick G. Williams

28 Oct. 1787–10 Oct. 1842. Ship’s pilot, teacher, physician, justice of the peace. Born at Suffield, Hartford Co., Connecticut. Son of William Wheeler Williams and Ruth Granger. Moved to Newburg, Cuyahoga Co., Ohio, 1799. Practiced Thomsonian botanical system...

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. The Kirtland Safety Society closed sometime during the summer, likely between the end of July and the end of August. The last entry in the society’s stock ledger is dated 19 June 1837, and the last date on extant notes is 20 July 1837.
18

Historical Introduction to Notice, ca. Late Aug. 1837; Kirtland Safety Society, Stock Ledger, 36, 228; Nyholm, Mormon Currency, 45.


Comprehensive Works Cited

Nyholm, Douglas A. Mormon Currency: 1837–1937. By the author, 2010.

In the August issue of the Messenger and Advocate, JS published a notice cautioning the public against using the notes of the Kirtland Safety Society,
19

Notice, ca. Late Aug. 1837.


and in December 1837 the society was included in the
Cleveland

Cuyahoga Co. seat of justice, 1833. Situated on south shore of Lake Erie, just east of mouth of Cuyahoga River. First settled, 1797. Incorporated as village, 1815; incorporated as city, 1836. Became center of business and trade at opening of Ohio and Erie...

More Info
Daily Herald and Gazette’s list of closed or bankrupt banking institutions.
20

“Broken Banks and Fraudulent Institutions,” Daily Herald and Gazette (Cleveland, OH), 4 Dec. 1837, [1].


Comprehensive Works Cited

Daily Herald and Gazette. Cleveland. 1837–1839.

Part 6 of this volume also relates events beyond
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...

More Info
. Despite dissension and economic fears in the summer of 1837, proselytizing continued and even expanded, with
Wilford Woodruff

1 Mar. 1807–2 Sept. 1898. Farmer, miller. Born at Farmington, Hartford Co., Connecticut. Son of Aphek Woodruff and Beulah Thompson. Moved to Richland, Oswego Co., New York, 1832. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by Zera Pulsipher,...

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and
Jonathan H. Hale

1 Feb. 1800–4 Sept. 1846. Butcher, school director, assessor. Born in Bradford, Essex Co., Massachusetts. Son of Soloman Hale and Martha Harriman. Married Olive Boynton, 5 Sept. 1825, in Bradford. Moved to Dover, Strafford Co., New Hampshire, between June...

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leaving for the “eastern country” on 31 May and
Heber C. Kimball

14 June 1801–22 June 1868. Blacksmith, potter. Born at Sheldon, Franklin Co., Vermont. Son of Solomon Farnham Kimball and Anna Spaulding. Married Vilate Murray, 22 Nov. 1822, at Mendon, Monroe Co., New York. Member of Baptist church at Mendon, 1831. Baptized...

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being called to lead the first transatlantic mission to
England

Island nation consisting of southern portion of Great Britain and surrounding smaller islands. Bounded on north by Scotland and on west by Wales. Became province of Roman Empire, first century. Ruled by Romans, through 447. Ruled by Picts, Scots, and Saxons...

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in June 1837.
21

See Historical Introduction to Letter from Wilford Woodruff and Jonathan H. Hale, 18 Sept. 1837; and Historical Introduction to Recommendation for Heber C. Kimball, between 2 and 13 June 1837. Heber C. Kimball, Orson Hyde, Willard Richards, Joseph Fielding, Isaac Russell, John Goodson, and John Snider, at JS’s direction, left for England in summer 1837. The group secured passage to Liverpool, arriving there by 19 July 1837. (Historical Introduction to Recommendation for Heber C. Kimball, between 2 and 13 June 1837.)


Saints in
Missouri

Area acquired by U.S. in Louisiana Purchase, 1803, and established as territory, 1812. Missouri Compromise, 1820, admitted Missouri as slave state, 1821. Population in 1830 about 140,000; in 1836 about 240,000; and in 1840 about 380,000. Latter-day Saint ...

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who were forced to leave
Clay County

Settled ca. 1800. Organized from Ray Co., 1822. Original size diminished when land was taken to create several surrounding counties. Liberty designated county seat, 1822. Population in 1830 about 5,000; in 1836 about 8,500; and in 1840 about 8,300. Refuge...

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in the summer of 1836 moved to the new town of
Far West

Originally called Shoal Creek. Located fifty-five miles northeast of Independence. Surveyed 1823; first settled by whites, 1831. Site purchased, 8 Aug. 1836, before Caldwell Co. was organized for Latter-day Saints in Missouri. William W. Phelps and John Whitmer...

More Info
, which by July 1837 had grown considerably and now had a population of fifteen hundred, most of whom were church members.
22

Letter from William W. Phelps, 7 July 1837.


  1. 1

    In his reminiscent history, Brigham Young recounted that dissenters came together to depose JS as church president and replace him with David Whitmer. It is not clear when this took place, though it may have occurred as early as February 1837. (Historian’s Office, Brigham Young History Drafts, 14; Esplin, “Emergence of Brigham Young,” 235.)

    Historian’s Office. Brigham Young History Drafts, 1856–1858. CHL. CR 100 475, box 1, fd. 5.

    Esplin, Ronald K. “The Emergence of Brigham Young and the Twelve to Mormon Leadership, 1830–1841.” PhD diss., Brigham Young University, 1981. Also available as The Emergence of Brigham Young and the Twelve to Mormon Leadership, 1830–1841, Dissertations in Latter-day Saint History (Provo, UT: Joseph Fielding Smith Institute for Latter-day Saint History; BYU Studies, 2006).

  2. 2

    Woodruff, Journal, 10 and 15 Jan. 1837; 19 Feb. 1837; Kirtland Elders Quorum, “Record,” 18 Jan. 1837.

    Woodruff, Wilford. Journals, 1833–1898. Wilford Woodruff, Journals and Papers, 1828–1898. CHL. MS 1352.

    Kirtland Elders Quorum. “A Record of the First Quorurum of Elders Belonging to the Church of Christ: In Kirtland Geauga Co. Ohio,” 1836–1838, 1840–1841. CCLA.

  3. 3

    Woodruff, Journal, 9 Apr. 1837. For an overview of the different reasons for dissent in 1837, see Esplin, “Emergence of Brigham Young,” 235–238.

    Woodruff, Wilford. Journals, 1833–1898. Wilford Woodruff, Journals and Papers, 1828–1898. CHL. MS 1352.

    Esplin, Ronald K. “The Emergence of Brigham Young and the Twelve to Mormon Leadership, 1830–1841.” PhD diss., Brigham Young University, 1981. Also available as The Emergence of Brigham Young and the Twelve to Mormon Leadership, 1830–1841, Dissertations in Latter-day Saint History (Provo, UT: Joseph Fielding Smith Institute for Latter-day Saint History; BYU Studies, 2006).

  4. 4

    Letter from Parley P. Pratt, 23 May 1837.

  5. 5

    Woodruff, Journal, 28 May 1837; Mary Fielding, Kirtland, OH, to Mercy Fielding, [Upper Canada], ca. June 1837, Mary Fielding Smith, Collection, CHL.

    Woodruff, Wilford. Journals, 1833–1898. Wilford Woodruff, Journals and Papers, 1828–1898. CHL. MS 1352.

    Smith, Mary Fielding. Collection, ca. 1832–1848. CHL. MS 2779.

  6. 6

    Minute Book 1, 29 May 1837; Letter from Abel Lamb and Others, ca. 28 May 1837.

  7. 7

    Charges against JS Preferred to Bishop’s Council, 29 May 1837; Complaints against Joseph Smith Sr. and Sidney Rigdon to the Bishop’s Council, 29 May 1837, Newel K. Whitney, Papers, BYU.

    Whitney, Newel K. Papers, 1825–1906. BYU.

  8. 8

    See, for example, Minutes, 3 Sept. 1837; and Warren Parrish, Kirtland, OH, 5 Feb. 1838, Letter to the Editor, Painesville (OH) Republican, 15 Feb. 1838, [3].

    Painesville Republican. Painesville, OH. 1836–1841.

  9. 9

    JS History, vol. B-1, 762; Mary Fielding, Kirtland, OH, to Mercy Fielding, [Upper Canada], ca. June 1837, Mary Fielding Smith, Collection, CHL.

    Smith, Mary Fielding. Collection, ca. 1832–1848. CHL. MS 2779.

  10. 10

    JS History, vol. B-1, 763; Warren Parrish, Kirtland, OH, 5 Feb. 1838, Letter to the Editor, Painesville (OH) Republican, 15 Feb. 1838, [3].

    Painesville Republican. Painesville, OH. 1836–1841.

  11. 11

    Mary Fielding, Kirtland, OH, to Mercy Fielding, [Upper Canada], ca. June 1837, Mary Fielding Smith, Collection, CHL.

    Smith, Mary Fielding. Collection, ca. 1832–1848. CHL. MS 2779.

  12. 12

    Heber C. Kimball wrote that as he was preparing to leave for England, Boynton told him he was a “fool as to go at the call of the fallen prophet, Joseph Smith.” Parrish and other dissenters also later characterized JS as a false prophet. (Kimball, “History,” 55; Warren Parrish, Kirtland, OH, 5 Feb. 1838, Letter to the Editor, Painesville [OH] Republican, 15 Feb. 1838, [3]; Thomas B. Marsh, Independence, MO, to Wilford Woodruff, Scarborough, ME, ca. Apr. 1838, in Elders’ Journal, July 1838, 36.)

    Kimball, Heber C. “History of Heber Chase Kimball by His Own Dictation,” ca. 1842–1856. Heber C. Kimball, Papers, 1837–1866. CHL. MS 627, box 2.

    Painesville Republican. Painesville, OH. 1836–1841.

    Elders’ Journal of the Church of Latter Day Saints. Kirtland, OH, Oct.–Nov. 1837; Far West, MO, July–Aug. 1838.

  13. 13

    Revelation, 23 July 1837 [D&C 112].

  14. 14

    For more on spring 1837 debts, see Historical Introduction to Letter from Emma Smith, 3 May 1837; and Historical Introduction to Notes Receivable from Rigdon, Smith & Co., 22 May 1837.

  15. 15

    See Historical Introduction to Mortgage to Mead, Stafford & Co., 11 July 1837.

  16. 16

    See Historical Introduction to Power of Attorney to Oliver Granger, 27 Sept. 1837.

  17. 17

    Mary Fielding, Kirtland, OH, to Mercy Fielding, [Upper Canada], ca. June 1837, Mary Fielding Smith, Collection, CHL. It is not clear if the accusation of unfaithfulness described by Fielding was intended to apply to dissenters who were acting against JS and the church, to individuals practicing dishonest lending and speculation, or to both.

    Smith, Mary Fielding. Collection, ca. 1832–1848. CHL. MS 2779.

  18. 18

    Historical Introduction to Notice, ca. Late Aug. 1837; Kirtland Safety Society, Stock Ledger, 36, 228; Nyholm, Mormon Currency, 45.

    Nyholm, Douglas A. Mormon Currency: 1837–1937. By the author, 2010.

  19. 19

    Notice, ca. Late Aug. 1837.

  20. 20

    “Broken Banks and Fraudulent Institutions,” Daily Herald and Gazette (Cleveland, OH), 4 Dec. 1837, [1].

    Daily Herald and Gazette. Cleveland. 1837–1839.

  21. 21

    See Historical Introduction to Letter from Wilford Woodruff and Jonathan H. Hale, 18 Sept. 1837; and Historical Introduction to Recommendation for Heber C. Kimball, between 2 and 13 June 1837. Heber C. Kimball, Orson Hyde, Willard Richards, Joseph Fielding, Isaac Russell, John Goodson, and John Snider, at JS’s direction, left for England in summer 1837. The group secured passage to Liverpool, arriving there by 19 July 1837. (Historical Introduction to Recommendation for Heber C. Kimball, between 2 and 13 June 1837.)

  22. 22

    Letter from William W. Phelps, 7 July 1837.

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