Discourse, 8 April 1840, as Reported by Times and Seasons

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Discourse, 8 April 1840, as Reported by Times and Seasons
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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[
Commerce
Located near middle of western boundary of state, bordering Mississippi River. European Americans settled area, 1820s. From bank of river, several feet above high-water mark, ground described as nearly level for six or seven blocks before gradually sloping...
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], Hancock Co., IL, 8 Apr. 1840. Featured version published in “Conference Minutes,” Times and Seasons, Apr. 1840, 94. For more complete source information, see the source note for Letter to Isaac Galland, 22 Mar. 1839.

Historical Introduction
See Historical Introduction to Minutes and Discourses, 6–8 Apr. 1840.
Page 94
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Conference
A meeting where ecclesiastical officers and other church members could conduct church business. The “Articles and Covenants” of the church directed the elders to hold conferences to perform “Church business.” The first of these conferences was held on 9 June...
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met pursuant to adjournment, after singing the President arose and read the 3d chap. of John’s Gospel after which prayer was offered by elder
Erastus Snow
9 Nov. 1818–27 May 1888. Farmer, teacher, merchant, publisher, manufacturer. Born at St. Johnsbury, Caledonia Co., Vermont. Son of Levi Snow and Lucina Streeter. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by William Snow, 3 Feb. 1833, at Charleston...
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.

The President commenced making observations on the different subjects embraced in the chapter particularly on the 3d, 4th, 5th verses illustrating it with a very beautiful and striking figure, and throwing a flood of light on the subjects which were brought up to review.

He then spoke to the elders respecting their mission, and advised those who went into the world, to preach the gospel, to leave their families provided for, with the necessaries of life; and to teach the
gathering
As directed by early revelations, church members “gathered” in communities. A revelation dated September 1830, for instance, instructed elders “to bring to pass the gathering of mine elect” who would “be gathered in unto one place, upon the face of this land...
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as set forth in the Holy scriptures.

That it had been wisdom to, for the greater body of the church to keep on this side of the
river
Principal U.S. river running southward from Itasca Lake, Minnesota, to Gulf of Mexico. Covered 3,160-mile course, 1839 (now about 2,350 miles). Drains about 1,100,000 square miles. Steamboat travel on Mississippi very important in 1830s and 1840s for shipping...
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, in order that a foundation might be established in this place, but that now, it was the priviledge of the saints to occupy the lands in the
Iowa
Area acquired by U.S. in Louisiana Purchase, 1803. First permanent white settlements established, ca. 1833. Organized as territory, 1838, containing all of present-day Iowa, much of present-day Minnesota, and parts of North and South Dakota. Population in...
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, or wherever the spirit might lead them.

That he did not wish to have any political influence, but wished the saints to use their political franchise to the best of their knowledge.
1
Accusations of voting as a bloc followed the Saints after their exodus from Missouri. (See, for example, “The Mormons,” Iowa News [Dubuque, Iowa Territory], 1 June 1839, [2]; “The Mormons for Harrison,” Peoria [IL] Register and North-Western Gazetteer, 17 Apr. 1840, [2]; Letter from Elias Higbee, 22 Feb. 1840; and “The Mormons,” North American and Daily Advertiser [Philadelphia], 30 May 1840, [2].)
Comprehensive Works Cited
Iowa News. Dubuque, Iowa Territory. 1837–1841.
Peoria Register and North-Western Gazetteer. Peoria, IL. 1837–1843.
North American and Daily Advertiser. Philadelphia. 1839–1845.

He then stated that since
Elder 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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had been appointed to visit the Jewish people, he had felt an impression that it would be well for Elder
John E. Page
25 Feb. 1799–14 Oct. 1867. Born at Trenton, Oneida Co., New York. Son of Ebenezer Page and Rachel Hill. Married first Betsey Thompson, 1831, in Huron Co., Ohio. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by Emer Harris, 18 Aug. 1833, at Brownhelm...
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to accompany him on his mission. [p. 94]
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Editorial Title
Discourse, 8 April 1840, as Reported by Times and Seasons
ID #
538
Total Pages
1
Print Volume Location
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Printed text
Footnotes
[1]
Accusations of voting as a bloc followed the Saints after their exodus from Missouri. (See, for example, “The Mormons,” Iowa News [Dubuque, Iowa Territory], 1 June 1839, [2]; “The Mormons for Harrison,” Peoria [IL] Register and North-Western Gazetteer, 17 Apr. 1840, [2]; Letter from Elias Higbee, 22 Feb. 1840; and “The Mormons,” North American and Daily Advertiser [Philadelphia], 30 May 1840, [2].)
Iowa News. Dubuque, Iowa Territory. 1837–1841.
Peoria Register and North-Western Gazetteer. Peoria, IL. 1837–1843.
North American and Daily Advertiser. Philadelphia. 1839–1845.