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Account of Meeting and Discourse, 18 June 1842

Source Note

Account of Meeting, and JS, Discourse,
Nauvoo

Principal gathering place for Saints following expulsion from Missouri. Beginning in 1839, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints purchased lands in earlier settlement of Commerce and planned settlement of Commerce City, as well as surrounding areas....

More Info
, Hancock Co., IL, 18 June 1842. Featured version copied [ca. 18 June 1842] in Wilford Woodruff, Journal, vol. 4, Jan. 1841–Dec. 1842, p. [154]; handwriting of
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,...

View Full Bio
; Wilford Woodruff, Journals and Papers, 1828–1898, CHL.
Wilford Woodruff, Journal, vol. 4, Jan. 1841–Dec. 1842; handwriting of
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,...

View Full Bio
; 183 pages; Wilford Woodruff, Journals and Papers, CHL. Includes charts, drawings, redactions, and use marks.
This account appears in
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,...

View Full Bio
’s fourth journal, which measures 6¼ × 4 × ⅞ inches (16 × 10 × 2 cm), with brown leather binding. The volume contains 124 leaves (248 pages) measuring 6 × 3¾ inches (15 × 10 cm), with an additional loose leaf of yellow paper that was folded and placed at the end of the journal. The outer edges of the leaves have a shell pattern with blue and red bodies and white veins. The front and back covers contain the remnants of a brass clasp that was presumably used to hold the book closed. Toward the top of the spine, the inscriptions “WW” and “1841–2” are written in black ink. A fragment of an old Church Historian’s Office sticker inscribed “184[1]” and “18[42]” remains near the bottom of the spine.
On an unknown date, the inside of the front cover of the journal was labeled by an unidentified scribe: “3 | January 1st 1841, | to | December 31, 1842,”.
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,...

View Full Bio
inscribed his journal in two parts on the first 182 pages, leaving two pages blank between the parts. The remainder of the volume is blank, except for three pages that Woodruff later used to record baptisms for the dead that he and his wife, Phebe Carter Woodruff, participated in during 1842 and 1844.
It is unclear when Woodruff donated the volume to the Church Historian’s Office (now CHL).
Willard Richards

24 June 1804–11 Mar. 1854. Teacher, lecturer, doctor, clerk, printer, editor, postmaster. Born at Hopkinton, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts. Son of Joseph Richards and Rhoda Howe. Moved to Richmond, Berkshire Co., Massachusetts, 1813; to Chatham, Columbia Co...

View Full Bio
and his assistants drew upon the volume for information as he wrote volume C-1 of the multivolume manuscript history of the church during 1845.
1

See JS History, vol. C-1, 1232, 1242, 1244; and Woodruff, Journal, 6 and 29 Oct. 1841; 14 Nov. 1841.


Comprehensive Works Cited

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

George A. Smith

26 June 1817–1 Sept. 1875. Born at Potsdam, St. Lawrence Co., New York. Son of John Smith and Clarissa Lyman. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by Joseph H. Wakefield, 10 Sept. 1832, at Potsdam. Moved to Kirtland, Geauga Co., Ohio,...

View Full Bio
and the Church Historian’s Office staff similarly drew upon the journals in writing an addendum for volume C-1 during 1854.
2

See JS History, vol. C-1 Addenda Book, 19–20, 44–45; and Woodruff, Journal, 7 and 21 Nov. 1841.


Comprehensive Works Cited

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

Woodruff’s “Private Papers” were listed in a catalog record that was produced by the Church Historian’s Office in March 1858.
3

“Historian’s Office Catalogue Book March 1858,” [25], Historian’s Office, Catalogs and Inventories, 1846–1904, CHL.


Comprehensive Works Cited

Historian’s Office. Catalogs and Inventories, 1846–1904. CHL. CR 100 130.

A July 1858 inventory clarified that these papers included Woodruff’s journals.
4

“Contents of the Historian and Recorder’s Office. G. S. L. City July 1858,” 9, Historian’s Office, Catalogs and Inventories, 1846–1904, CHL.


Comprehensive Works Cited

Historian’s Office. Catalogs and Inventories, 1846–1904. CHL. CR 100 130.

The journals likewise appeared in an inventory produced circa 1878.
5

“Index of Records and Journals in the Historian’s Office 1878,” [14], Historian’s Office, Catalogs and Inventories, 1846–1904, CHL.


Comprehensive Works Cited

Historian’s Office. Catalogs and Inventories, 1846–1904. CHL. CR 100 130.

The volume’s inclusion in these inventories suggests continuous institutional custody.

Footnotes

  1. [1]

    See JS History, vol. C-1, 1232, 1242, 1244; and Woodruff, Journal, 6 and 29 Oct. 1841; 14 Nov. 1841.

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

  2. [2]

    See JS History, vol. C-1 Addenda Book, 19–20, 44–45; and Woodruff, Journal, 7 and 21 Nov. 1841.

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

  3. [3]

    “Historian’s Office Catalogue Book March 1858,” [25], Historian’s Office, Catalogs and Inventories, 1846–1904, CHL.

    Historian’s Office. Catalogs and Inventories, 1846–1904. CHL. CR 100 130.

  4. [4]

    “Contents of the Historian and Recorder’s Office. G. S. L. City July 1858,” 9, Historian’s Office, Catalogs and Inventories, 1846–1904, CHL.

    Historian’s Office. Catalogs and Inventories, 1846–1904. CHL. CR 100 130.

  5. [5]

    “Index of Records and Journals in the Historian’s Office 1878,” [14], Historian’s Office, Catalogs and Inventories, 1846–1904, CHL.

    Historian’s Office. Catalogs and Inventories, 1846–1904. CHL. CR 100 130.

Historical Introduction

On 18 June 1842, JS addressed a large audience at a general assembly near the
temple

Located in portion of Nauvoo known as the bluff. JS revelation dated Jan. 1841 commanded Saints to build temple and hotel (Nauvoo House). Cornerstone laid, 6 Apr. 1841. Saints volunteered labor, money, and other resources for temple construction. Construction...

More Info
construction site in
Nauvoo

Principal gathering place for Saints following expulsion from Missouri. Beginning in 1839, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints purchased lands in earlier settlement of Commerce and planned settlement of Commerce City, as well as surrounding areas....

More Info
, Illinois. The meeting was convened not long after
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...

View Glossary
leaders took disciplinary actions against
John C. Bennett

3 Aug. 1804–5 Aug. 1867. Physician, minister, poultry breeder. Born at Fairhaven, Bristol Co., Massachusetts. Son of John Bennett and Abigail Cook. Moved to Marietta, Washington Co., Ohio, 1808; to Massachusetts, 1812; and back to Marietta, 1822. Married ...

View Full Bio
and at a time when the city continued to expand to accommodate the influx of immigrants from Great Britain and the eastern
United States

North American constitutional republic. Constitution ratified, 17 Sept. 1787. Population in 1805 about 6,000,000; in 1830 about 13,000,000; and in 1844 about 20,000,000. Louisiana Purchase, 1803, doubled size of U.S. Consisted of seventeen states at time ...

More Info
.
In his remarks, JS spoke out publicly for the first time against
Bennett

3 Aug. 1804–5 Aug. 1867. Physician, minister, poultry breeder. Born at Fairhaven, Bristol Co., Massachusetts. Son of John Bennett and Abigail Cook. Moved to Marietta, Washington Co., Ohio, 1808; to Massachusetts, 1812; and back to Marietta, 1822. Married ...

View Full Bio
’s lies and immoral actions. 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...

View Glossary
had withdrawn fellowship from Bennett in May, charging him with seducing women while claiming the church sanctioned such adulterous behavior, but that decision was not published until the 15 June issue of the Times and Seasons.
1

JS and the rest of the First Presidency had written a notice to withdraw fellowship from Bennett on 11 May 1842, based on charges of sexual misconduct and lying. Bennett had pleaded that the decision be kept private, which likely contributed to JS’s delayed public denunciation of Bennett. (See Historical Introduction to Letter to the Church and Others, 23 June 1842; Notice, 11 May 1842; JS, Journal, 26 May 1842; and “Notice,” Times and Seasons, 15 June 1842, 3:830.)


Three days later, JS took the opportunity afforded by a large meeting to publicly expose Bennett and condemn his misconduct.
2

Bennett later claimed that he was excommunicated from the church at this 18 June meeting. However, his excommunication had apparently occurred earlier, in May 1842. Within days of this June meeting, he left Nauvoo for Springfield, Illinois. (Letter to James Sloan, 17 May 1842; John C. Bennett, Nauvoo, IL, 27 June 1842, Letter to the Editor, Sangamo Journal [Springfield, IL], 8 July 1842, [2]; [Nauvoo Masonic Lodge], Nauvoo, IL, to Abraham Jonas, [Columbus, IL], 21 June 1842, Letters pertaining to Freemasonry in Nauvoo, CHL.)


Comprehensive Works Cited

Sangamo Journal. Springfield, IL. 1831–1847.

Letters pertaining to Freemasonry in Nauvoo, 1842. CHL.

The citizens of
Nauvoo

Principal gathering place for Saints following expulsion from Missouri. Beginning in 1839, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints purchased lands in earlier settlement of Commerce and planned settlement of Commerce City, as well as surrounding areas....

More Info
also faced the problem of dealing with the city’s growing population of poor immigrants. At the 18 June meeting, JS admonished the city’s wealthy to give aid to the poor, and attendees made plans to further develop the Nauvoo Agricultural and Manufacturing Association, which was intended to promote farming, milling, and other basic economic endeavors that would help the poor. JS also directed
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...

View Full Bio
,
Brigham Young

1 June 1801–29 Aug. 1877. Carpenter, painter, glazier, colonizer. Born at Whitingham, Windham Co., Vermont. Son of John Young and Abigail (Nabby) Howe. Brought up in Methodist household; later joined Methodist church. Moved to Sherburne, Chenango Co., New...

View Full Bio
, 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...

View Full Bio
to form a committee to better manage the problems of immigration by actively helping immigrants as they arrived in the city.
In his journal,
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,...

View Full Bio
reported that “many thousands” were in attendance.
3

Woodruff’s account is the only extant description of the meeting. Due to illness, JS’s recorder, Willard Richards, was unable to attend that day.


If he followed his normal pattern of inscription, Woodruff likely first recorded notes during the meeting in a daybook, which is no longer extant, and then later copied them into his journal.

Footnotes

  1. [1]

    JS and the rest of the First Presidency had written a notice to withdraw fellowship from Bennett on 11 May 1842, based on charges of sexual misconduct and lying. Bennett had pleaded that the decision be kept private, which likely contributed to JS’s delayed public denunciation of Bennett. (See Historical Introduction to Letter to the Church and Others, 23 June 1842; Notice, 11 May 1842; JS, Journal, 26 May 1842; and “Notice,” Times and Seasons, 15 June 1842, 3:830.)

  2. [2]

    Bennett later claimed that he was excommunicated from the church at this 18 June meeting. However, his excommunication had apparently occurred earlier, in May 1842. Within days of this June meeting, he left Nauvoo for Springfield, Illinois. (Letter to James Sloan, 17 May 1842; John C. Bennett, Nauvoo, IL, 27 June 1842, Letter to the Editor, Sangamo Journal [Springfield, IL], 8 July 1842, [2]; [Nauvoo Masonic Lodge], Nauvoo, IL, to Abraham Jonas, [Columbus, IL], 21 June 1842, Letters pertaining to Freemasonry in Nauvoo, CHL.)

    Sangamo Journal. Springfield, IL. 1831–1847.

    Letters pertaining to Freemasonry in Nauvoo, 1842. CHL.

  3. [3]

    Woodruff’s account is the only extant description of the meeting. Due to illness, JS’s recorder, Willard Richards, was unable to attend that day.

Asterisk (*) denotes a "featured" version, which includes an introduction and annotation.
*Account of Meeting and Discourse, 18 June 1842
History, 1838–1856, volume C-1 Addenda “History of Joseph Smith”

Page [154]

June 18th Saterday The Citizens of
Nauvoo

Principal gathering place for Saints following expulsion from Missouri. Beginning in 1839, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints purchased lands in earlier settlement of Commerce and planned settlement of Commerce City, as well as surrounding areas....

More Info
Both Male & female assembled near the
Temple

Located in portion of Nauvoo known as the bluff. JS revelation dated Jan. 1841 commanded Saints to build temple and hotel (Nauvoo House). Cornerstone laid, 6 Apr. 1841. Saints volunteered labor, money, and other resources for temple construction. Construction...

More Info
for a general meeting many thousands were assembled Joseph the seer arose & spoke upon several subjects.
Among other subjects he spoke his mind in great plainness concerning the iniquity & wickedness of Gen
John Cook Bennet[t]

3 Aug. 1804–5 Aug. 1867. Physician, minister, poultry breeder. Born at Fairhaven, Bristol Co., Massachusetts. Son of John Bennett and Abigail Cook. Moved to Marietta, Washington Co., Ohio, 1808; to Massachusetts, 1812; and back to Marietta, 1822. Married ...

View Full Bio
, & exposed him before the public. He also prophesied in the Name of the Lord Concerning the merchants in the
City

Principal gathering place for Saints following expulsion from Missouri. Beginning in 1839, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints purchased lands in earlier settlement of Commerce and planned settlement of Commerce City, as well as surrounding areas....

More Info
that if they with the rich did not open their hearts & contribute to the poor that they would be cursed by the hand of God & be cut off from the land of the living,
1

The city’s inability to properly care for the poor had persisted for some time. As Bishop George Miller remembered, it was difficult to convince those with means to contribute to the poor during Nauvoo’s early years. The immigrating “poor had to be cared for, and labor created,” but the wealthier citizens “pretended to be too poor to barely feed themselves and nurse their speculations, which they were all more or less engaged in.” JS had previously taught on the evils of economic inequality and urged those with surplus to freely contribute to the temporal welfare of others. He had also recently organized the Female Relief Society of Nauvoo, which had relief for the poor as one of its central objectives. In discourses delivered in April and May 1842, JS singled out merchants for not giving liberally enough to the cause of the temple and stated that “the rich cannot be saved without cha[r]ity. giving to feed the poor.” (George Miller, St. James, MI, to “Dear Brother,” 26 June 1855, in Northern Islander [St. James, MI], 16 Aug. 1855, [3]; Letter to the Church in Caldwell Co., MO, 16 Dec. 1838; Minutes and Discourses, 17 Mar. 1842; Discourse, 28 Apr. 1842; JS, Journal, 24 Apr. 1842; Discourse, 1 May 1842.)


Comprehensive Works Cited

Northern Islander. St. James, MI. 1850–1856.

The main part of the day was taken up upon the business of the agricultural & manufacturing society ie we have a Charter granted us by the Legislator of the
state

Became part of Northwest Territory of U.S., 1787. Admitted as state, 1818. Population in 1840 about 480,000. Population in 1845 about 660,000. Plentiful, inexpensive land attracted settlers from northern and southern states. Following expulsion from Missouri...

More Info
for that purpose & the time has come for us to make use of that Charter it is divided into stock of $50. dollars each share, any person owning one share became a member of the society a stockholder, each share is entitled to one vote this is esstablished with a view of helping the poor arangments were entered into to commence operations immediately
2

In February 1841, the Illinois state legislature approved the charter for the Agricultural and Manufacturing Association, incorporating the association and allowing stock sales to fund the endeavor. The association’s initial capital was set at $100,000, divided into 2,000 shares of $50 each. The charter stated that the association’s sole purpose was “the promotion of agriculture and husbandry in all its branches, and for the manufacture of flour, lumber, and such other useful articles as are necessary for the ordinary purposes of life.” JS, Sidney Rigdon, and William Law were appointed as commissioners to receive stock subscriptions to fund the association. However, the “stock, property and concerns” of the corporation were managed by twenty trustees who were annually elected from the group of stockholders. (“An Act to Incorporate the Nauvoo Agricultural and Manufacturing Association,” Times and Seasons, 15 Mar. 1841, 2:355–356.)


Comprehensive Works Cited

Times and Seasons. Commerce/Nauvoo, IL. Nov. 1839–Feb. 1846.

Also Joseph commmanded 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 ...

View Glossary
to organize 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...

View Glossary
more according to the Law of God that is to require of those that come in to be setteled according to their council & also to appoint a committee to wait upon all who arive & make them welcome & council them what to do
B[righam] Young

1 June 1801–29 Aug. 1877. Carpenter, painter, glazier, colonizer. Born at Whitingham, Windham Co., Vermont. Son of John Young and Abigail (Nabby) Howe. Brought up in Methodist household; later joined Methodist church. Moved to Sherburne, Chenango Co., New...

View Full Bio
.
H[eber] 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...

View Full Bio
G[eorge] A. Smith

26 June 1817–1 Sept. 1875. Born at Potsdam, St. Lawrence Co., New York. Son of John Smith and Clarissa Lyman. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by Joseph H. Wakefield, 10 Sept. 1832, at Potsdam. Moved to Kirtland, Geauga Co., Ohio,...

View Full Bio
&
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...

View Full Bio
was the committee appointed to wait upon emigrants & settle them.
3

While in England, the apostles had begun helping converts immigrate to the United States. Seeking to reduce travel expenses by chartering ships, they appointed agent Amos Fielding to guide immigrants to Nauvoo. After most of the apostles returned to Nauvoo in the summer of 1841, JS called upon the apostles to stand in their “place next to the first presidency” and take on more administrative responsibilities in Nauvoo, overseeing such things as immigration and real estate transactions. At the same time that the apostles fulfilled their new responsibilities to welcome immigrants in Nauvoo, they appointed Hiram Clark to go to England and oversee emigration there. On 17 June 1842, just one day before the meeting featured here occurred, Heber C. Kimball wrote a letter to Parley P. Pratt lamenting that many immigrants to Nauvoo were disgruntled—some because the Saints “had no Housses fore them to go in when they got here. Some becaus we did not make more of them and invite them Home, and provide for them.” (Letter from Parley P. Pratt, 13 Mar. 1842; Times and Seasons, 16 May 1842, 3:790; “Epistle of the Twelve,” Millennial Star, Apr. 1841, 1:311; Discourse, 16 Aug. 1841; Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, Minutes, 14 June 1842; Heber C. Kimball, Nauvoo, IL, to Parley P. Pratt, “Manchester or Liverpool,” England, 17 June 1842, Parley P. Pratt, Correspondence, CHL.)


Comprehensive Works Cited

Latter-day Saints’ Millennial Star. Manchester, England, 1840–1842; Liverpool, 1842–1932; London, 1932–1970.

Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. Minutes, 1840–1844. CHL.

Pratt, Parley P. Correspondence, 1842–1855. CHL. MS 897.

[p. [154]]
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Document Information

Related Case Documents
Editorial Title
Account of Meeting and Discourse, 18 June 1842
ID #
858
Total Pages
1
Print Volume Location
JSP, D10:164–167
Handwriting on This Page
  • Wilford Woodruff

Footnotes

  1. [1]

    The city’s inability to properly care for the poor had persisted for some time. As Bishop George Miller remembered, it was difficult to convince those with means to contribute to the poor during Nauvoo’s early years. The immigrating “poor had to be cared for, and labor created,” but the wealthier citizens “pretended to be too poor to barely feed themselves and nurse their speculations, which they were all more or less engaged in.” JS had previously taught on the evils of economic inequality and urged those with surplus to freely contribute to the temporal welfare of others. He had also recently organized the Female Relief Society of Nauvoo, which had relief for the poor as one of its central objectives. In discourses delivered in April and May 1842, JS singled out merchants for not giving liberally enough to the cause of the temple and stated that “the rich cannot be saved without cha[r]ity. giving to feed the poor.” (George Miller, St. James, MI, to “Dear Brother,” 26 June 1855, in Northern Islander [St. James, MI], 16 Aug. 1855, [3]; Letter to the Church in Caldwell Co., MO, 16 Dec. 1838; Minutes and Discourses, 17 Mar. 1842; Discourse, 28 Apr. 1842; JS, Journal, 24 Apr. 1842; Discourse, 1 May 1842.)

    Northern Islander. St. James, MI. 1850–1856.

  2. [2]

    In February 1841, the Illinois state legislature approved the charter for the Agricultural and Manufacturing Association, incorporating the association and allowing stock sales to fund the endeavor. The association’s initial capital was set at $100,000, divided into 2,000 shares of $50 each. The charter stated that the association’s sole purpose was “the promotion of agriculture and husbandry in all its branches, and for the manufacture of flour, lumber, and such other useful articles as are necessary for the ordinary purposes of life.” JS, Sidney Rigdon, and William Law were appointed as commissioners to receive stock subscriptions to fund the association. However, the “stock, property and concerns” of the corporation were managed by twenty trustees who were annually elected from the group of stockholders. (“An Act to Incorporate the Nauvoo Agricultural and Manufacturing Association,” Times and Seasons, 15 Mar. 1841, 2:355–356.)

    Times and Seasons. Commerce/Nauvoo, IL. Nov. 1839–Feb. 1846.

  3. [3]

    While in England, the apostles had begun helping converts immigrate to the United States. Seeking to reduce travel expenses by chartering ships, they appointed agent Amos Fielding to guide immigrants to Nauvoo. After most of the apostles returned to Nauvoo in the summer of 1841, JS called upon the apostles to stand in their “place next to the first presidency” and take on more administrative responsibilities in Nauvoo, overseeing such things as immigration and real estate transactions. At the same time that the apostles fulfilled their new responsibilities to welcome immigrants in Nauvoo, they appointed Hiram Clark to go to England and oversee emigration there. On 17 June 1842, just one day before the meeting featured here occurred, Heber C. Kimball wrote a letter to Parley P. Pratt lamenting that many immigrants to Nauvoo were disgruntled—some because the Saints “had no Housses fore them to go in when they got here. Some becaus we did not make more of them and invite them Home, and provide for them.” (Letter from Parley P. Pratt, 13 Mar. 1842; Times and Seasons, 16 May 1842, 3:790; “Epistle of the Twelve,” Millennial Star, Apr. 1841, 1:311; Discourse, 16 Aug. 1841; Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, Minutes, 14 June 1842; Heber C. Kimball, Nauvoo, IL, to Parley P. Pratt, “Manchester or Liverpool,” England, 17 June 1842, Parley P. Pratt, Correspondence, CHL.)

    Latter-day Saints’ Millennial Star. Manchester, England, 1840–1842; Liverpool, 1842–1932; London, 1932–1970.

    Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. Minutes, 1840–1844. CHL.

    Pratt, Parley P. Correspondence, 1842–1855. CHL. MS 897.

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