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Discourse, 22 January 1843, as Reported by Wilford Woodruff

Source Note

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....

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, Hancock Co., IL, 22 Jan. 1843]. Featured version copied [ca. 22 Jan. 1843] in Wilford Woodruff, Journal, vol. 5, 1 Jan. 1843–31 Dec. 1844, pp. [4]–[9]; 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,...

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; Wilford Woodruff, Journals and Papers, 1828–1898, CHL. For more complete source information, see the source note for Discourse, 17 Jan. 1843, as Reported by Wilford Woodruff.

Historical Introduction

On 22 January 1843, JS delivered a discourse at 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
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, during the Sunday morning worship service. He spoke on the kingdom of God and John the Baptist, subjects he had addressed in remarks to a smaller audience in his home on 17 January.
1

Discourse, 17 Jan. 1843. JS’s journal notes that on 28 October 1842, “the brethren finished laying the temporary floor, and seats in the Temple.” The following May, a correspondent reported to the New York Herald that the temple was “going on rapidly” and that services were held “on the first floor every Sabbath,” during which JS frequently addressed the Saints. (JS, Journal, 28 Oct. 1842; “Late and Interesting from the Mormon Empire on the Upper Mississippi,” New York Herald [New York City], 30 May 1843, [2]; see also Clayton, History of the Nauvoo Temple, 40–41.)


Comprehensive Works Cited

New York Herald. New York City. 1835–1924.

Clayton, William. History of the Nauvoo Temple, ca. 1845. CHL. MS 3365.

In his journal entry for 22 January,
William Clayton

17 July 1814–4 Dec. 1879. Bookkeeper, clerk. Born at Charnock Moss, Penwortham, Lancashire, England. Son of Thomas Clayton and Ann Critchley. Married Ruth Moon, 9 Oct. 1836, at Penwortham. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by Heber...

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noted that JS made at least some of his remarks in response to a pair of related questions raised at a recent lyceum meeting regarding whether the baptisms that John performed were for the remission of sins and whether God’s kingdom was established prior to the day of Pentecost.
2

Extant records do not indicate exactly when this lyceum meeting was held, but JS may have given his 17 January 1843 discourse in connection with it. During 1841 the lyceum met on Tuesdays. JS’s 17 January discourse was given on a Tuesday and addressed the same topics that JS chose to speak on in the 22 January meeting. (Discourse, 17 Jan. 1843; Historical Introduction to Discourse, ca. 2 Feb. 1841.)


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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inscribed content from both the 17 January and the 22 January discourses in his journal, but he recorded this 22 January discourse in fuller detail. In both discourses, JS maintained that the kingdom of God on earth was organized prior to the day of Pentecost, or the day when the Holy Ghost was bestowed on the New Testament saints. In addition, he declared that because the kingdom of God had been a cohesive entity since the days of Adam, the baptism of John constituted a necessary Christian rite for the remission of sins, distinct from but related to the subsequent bestowal of the Holy Ghost.
3

Whether Jesus Christ’s kingdom was established before or on the day of Pentecost was a heavily debated subject among nineteenth-century theologians. (See Discourse, 17 Jan. 1843.)


While JS referred to the kingdom of God in revelations and discourses as early as 1829, this discourse marks an attempt to define the kingdom of God.
4

Revelation, Apr. 1829–A [D&C 6:3, 13]; see also Historical Introduction to Discourse, 17 Jan. 1843.


In giving this sermon, JS may have had in mind a 1 January discourse of
Orson Hyde

8 Jan. 1805–28 Nov. 1878. Laborer, clerk, storekeeper, teacher, editor, businessman, lawyer, judge. Born at Oxford, New Haven Co., Connecticut. Son of Nathan Hyde and Sally Thorpe. Moved to Derby, New Haven Co., 1812. Moved to Kirtland, Geauga Co., Ohio, ...

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in which he referred to John the Baptist as he discussed God revealing his will to his servants.
5

JS, Journal, 1 Jan. 1843; Historical Introduction to Discourse, 17 Jan. 1843.


During his 22 January sermon, JS elaborated that John was a minister in the kingdom of God and that it was necessary to receive revelation to establish the kingdom.
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 the discourse in his journal around 22 January 1843. The account’s level of detail suggests that Woodruff worked from a nonextant daybook or rough notes as he inscribed the sermon in his journal.
6

Woodruff frequently made notes in a daybook that he then used to compose journal entries at a later date.


Around that same date,
Clayton

17 July 1814–4 Dec. 1879. Bookkeeper, clerk. Born at Charnock Moss, Penwortham, Lancashire, England. Son of Thomas Clayton and Ann Critchley. Married Ruth Moon, 9 Oct. 1836, at Penwortham. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by Heber...

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and
Franklin D. Richards

2 Apr. 1821–9 Dec. 1899. Carpenter, businessman, newspaper editor. Born at Richmond, Berkshire Co., Massachusetts. Son of Phinehas Richards and Wealthy Dewey. Raised Congregationalist. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by Phinehas ...

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recorded less-detailed accounts of the sermon. In their accounts, both Woodruff and Clayton made conscious efforts to preserve JS’s own voice, using “I” rather than “he.” Richards also tried to capture JS’s voice, introducing his account as “Joseph’s words 1843,” but he preserved only three statements from the discourse. Due to illness,
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...

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did not leave an account of the sermon in JS’s journal, noting merely that JS “preached at 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
on the setting up of the Kingdom.”
7

Richards, Journal, 14–22 Jan. 1843; JS, Journal, 22 Jan. 1843.


Comprehensive Works Cited

Richards, Willard. Journals, 1836–1853. Willard Richards, Papers, 1821–1854. CHL. MS 1490, boxes 1–2.

His rough draft notes for JS’s history demonstrate that he had access to the account in Clayton’s journal. Accordingly, the 22 January 1843 entry in a draft of JS’s history reflects Clayton’s description of the sermon.
8

Historian’s Office, JS History, Draft Notes, 22 Jan. 1843, 11; JS History, vol. D-1, 1457. In revising the history of this period during the 1850s, Leo Hawkins canceled the majority of the Clayton account and inserted in the addenda for volume D-1 a new summary of the sermon that drew upon the account in Woodruff’s journal. Hawkins likely made the insertion sometime between 1 July and 13 October 1854, when the Church Historian’s Office journal notes that he was working on the volume. (Historian’s Office, Journal, 1 July and 13 Oct. 1854; JS History, vol. D-1, addenda, 4–6; Jessee, “Writing of Joseph Smith’s History,” 441.)


Comprehensive Works Cited

Historian’s Office. Journal, 1844–1997. CHL. CR 100 1.

Jessee, Dean C. “The Writing of Joseph Smith’s History.” BYU Studies 11 (Summer 1971): 439–473.

The accounts of the sermon written by Woodruff, Clayton, and Franklin D. Richards are each featured here.

Footnotes

  1. [1]

    Discourse, 17 Jan. 1843. JS’s journal notes that on 28 October 1842, “the brethren finished laying the temporary floor, and seats in the Temple.” The following May, a correspondent reported to the New York Herald that the temple was “going on rapidly” and that services were held “on the first floor every Sabbath,” during which JS frequently addressed the Saints. (JS, Journal, 28 Oct. 1842; “Late and Interesting from the Mormon Empire on the Upper Mississippi,” New York Herald [New York City], 30 May 1843, [2]; see also Clayton, History of the Nauvoo Temple, 40–41.)

    New York Herald. New York City. 1835–1924.

    Clayton, William. History of the Nauvoo Temple, ca. 1845. CHL. MS 3365.

  2. [2]

    Extant records do not indicate exactly when this lyceum meeting was held, but JS may have given his 17 January 1843 discourse in connection with it. During 1841 the lyceum met on Tuesdays. JS’s 17 January discourse was given on a Tuesday and addressed the same topics that JS chose to speak on in the 22 January meeting. (Discourse, 17 Jan. 1843; Historical Introduction to Discourse, ca. 2 Feb. 1841.)

  3. [3]

    Whether Jesus Christ’s kingdom was established before or on the day of Pentecost was a heavily debated subject among nineteenth-century theologians. (See Discourse, 17 Jan. 1843.)

  4. [4]

    Revelation, Apr. 1829–A [D&C 6:3, 13]; see also Historical Introduction to Discourse, 17 Jan. 1843.

  5. [5]

    JS, Journal, 1 Jan. 1843; Historical Introduction to Discourse, 17 Jan. 1843.

  6. [6]

    Woodruff frequently made notes in a daybook that he then used to compose journal entries at a later date.

  7. [7]

    Richards, Journal, 14–22 Jan. 1843; JS, Journal, 22 Jan. 1843.

    Richards, Willard. Journals, 1836–1853. Willard Richards, Papers, 1821–1854. CHL. MS 1490, boxes 1–2.

  8. [8]

    Historian’s Office, JS History, Draft Notes, 22 Jan. 1843, 11; JS History, vol. D-1, 1457. In revising the history of this period during the 1850s, Leo Hawkins canceled the majority of the Clayton account and inserted in the addenda for volume D-1 a new summary of the sermon that drew upon the account in Woodruff’s journal. Hawkins likely made the insertion sometime between 1 July and 13 October 1854, when the Church Historian’s Office journal notes that he was working on the volume. (Historian’s Office, Journal, 1 July and 13 Oct. 1854; JS History, vol. D-1, addenda, 4–6; Jessee, “Writing of Joseph Smith’s History,” 441.)

    Historian’s Office. Journal, 1844–1997. CHL. CR 100 1.

    Jessee, Dean C. “The Writing of Joseph Smith’s History.” BYU Studies 11 (Summer 1971): 439–473.

Asterisk (*) denotes a "featured" version, which includes an introduction and annotation.
*Discourse, 22 January 1843, as Reported by Wilford Woodruff
*Discourse, 22 January 1843, as Reported by William Clayton *Discourse, 22 January 1843, as Reported by Franklin D. Richards History, 1838–1856, volume D-1 [1 August 1842–1 July 1843] History, 1838–1856, volume D-1 [1 August 1842–1 July 1843] “History of Joseph Smith”

Page [4]

some say the kingdom of God was not set up on earth untill the day of pentecost & that John did not preach the Baptism of repentance for the remission of sins But I say in the name of the Lord that the kingdom of God was set upon the earth from the days of Adam to the present time whenever there has beein a righteous man on earth unto whom God revealed his word & gave power & authority to administer in his name: And whare theire is a Priest of God, a minister who has power & authority from God to administer in the
ordinances

A religious rite. JS taught that ordinances were covenants between man and God, in which believers could affirm faith, gain spiritual knowledge, and seek blessings. Some ordinances were considered requisite for salvation. The manner in which ordinances were...

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of the gospel & officiate in the
Priesthood

Power or authority of God. The priesthood was conferred through the laying on of hands upon adult male members of the church in good standing; no specialized training was required. Priesthood officers held responsibility for administering the sacrament of...

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of God, theire is the kingdom of God & in consequence of rejecting the gospel of Jesus Christ & the Prophets whom God hath sent, the judgments of God hath rested upon people cities & nations in various ages of the world, which was the case with the cities of Sodom & gomoroah who were destroyed for rejecting the Prophets.
1

See Genesis 19:23–25.


Now I will give my testimony I care not for man I speak boldly & faithfully & with authority. How is it with the kingdom of God, whare did the kingdom of God begin, whare their is no kingdom of God there is no salvation. What constitutes the kingdom of God [p. [4]]
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Document Information

Related Case Documents
Editorial Title
Discourse, 22 January 1843, as Reported by Wilford Woodruff
ID #
974
Total Pages
6
Print Volume Location
JSP, D11:357–362
Handwriting on This Page
  • Wilford Woodruff

Footnotes

  1. [1]

    See Genesis 19:23–25.

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