Part 3: February 1842

In February 1842 JS was involved in a number of business transactions, including land transfers. A major focus was acquiring property in the eastern from migrating Latter-day Saints, who received land in , Illinois, in exchange. The eastern property was then used to satisfy the ’s debts from the purchase of land in Nauvoo. After the church acquired property from Pennsylvanian in March 1841, newspapers in alleged that church leaders did not intend to honor their promise to grant him a fair exchange of property in Nauvoo. On 28 February the church completed its payment to Peirce, who then wrote a public letter, later published in the Times and Seasons, defending the church. Also on 28 February, JS finalized the transfer of property in to the church’s most significant creditors, the -based land speculating partnership of , , and , from whom the church had purchased much of the land that became Nauvoo.

Another significant business transaction that took place in February was the church’s purchase of the newspaper, Times and Seasons. On 4 February, sold it and the associated printing establishment to JS, although and oversaw day-to-day operation. On 24 February, JS signed an authorization permitting Robinson to print fifteen hundred copies of the Book of Mormon. JS also prepared to begin serial publication of the Book of Abraham in the Times and Seasons.

During this month JS also stayed apprised of the church’s proselytizing efforts through correspondence from missionaries. On 5 February, informed JS about the emigration effort in Great Britain, stating that a company of 270 British converts had begun the voyage to America. Later in the month JS received a letter from a local missionary in Britain informing him of an increase in opposition to the missionaries’ message. Meanwhile, residents of were disappointed that , who had visited their city for the previous two months, was returning to to report on an unfulfilled mission assignment. JS received both a letter from Pittsburgh resident and a petiton from Savary and others in the city, none of whom were members of the church, requesting Page’s return.

This part comprises thirteen documents. There are seven letters to or from JS, general orders for the , an agreement to purchase the Times and Seasons printing office from , an authorization allowing Robinson to print copies of the Book of Mormon, a petiton from residents of , and two representative JS land transaction documents.