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Elders’ Journal, November 1837

Source Note

Elders’ Journal of the Church of Latter Day Saints,
Kirtland Township

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
, Geauga Co., OH, Nov. 1837. For more complete source information, see the source note for Elders’ Journal, Oct. 1837.

Historical Introduction

In November 1837, the second issue of the church’s new periodical, Elders’ Journal of the Church of Latter Day Saints, was published 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
, Ohio. The paper was first published in October 1837 as an instrument for the
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...

View Glossary
of 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
to “communicate to others, all things pertaining to their mission, and calling as servants of the living God, and messengers of righteousness to the nations among whom they are sent.”
1

Sidney Rigdon, Elders’ Journal Prospectus, LDS Messenger and Advocate, Aug. 1837, 3:545.


Comprehensive Works Cited

Latter Day Saints’ Messenger and Advocate. Kirtland, OH. Oct. 1834–Sept. 1837.

As editor of the Elders’ Journal, JS was ultimately responsible for its content, including editorial selections in the November issue that introduced conference minutes, prefaced a letter from
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, ...

View Full Bio
in
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...

More Info
, articulated an editorial philosophy, and implored subscribers to remit payment for their subscriptions. Though JS authored an account of his trip to
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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and an attending list of questions, the extent of his involvement in writing the other editorial pieces is unclear.
2

See Travel Account and Questions, Nov. 1837. For more on JS’s role in editing content in the October and November issues of the Elders’ Journal, see Historical Introduction to Elders’ Journal, Oct. 1837.


Given that he did not return to Kirtland from
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
, Missouri, until 10 December 1837, the November issue was likely not published until after that date.
3

Vilate Murray Kimball, Kirtland, OH, to Heber C. Kimball, Preston, England, 19–24 Jan. 1838, Heber C. Kimball, Collection, CHL; Thomas B. Marsh to Wilford Woodruff, in Elders’ Journal, July 1838, 36–38.


Comprehensive Works Cited

Kimball, Heber C. Collection, 1837–1898. CHL. MS 12476.

Note that only the editorial content created specifically for this issue of the Elders’ Journal is annotated here. Articles reprinted from other papers, letters, conference minutes, and notices, are reproduced here but not annotated. Items that are stand-alone JS documents, such as JS’s travel account, are annotated elsewhere.
4

See “Editorial Method”.


Footnotes

  1. [1]

    Sidney Rigdon, Elders’ Journal Prospectus, LDS Messenger and Advocate, Aug. 1837, 3:545.

    Latter Day Saints’ Messenger and Advocate. Kirtland, OH. Oct. 1834–Sept. 1837.

  2. [2]

    See Travel Account and Questions, Nov. 1837. For more on JS’s role in editing content in the October and November issues of the Elders’ Journal, see Historical Introduction to Elders’ Journal, Oct. 1837.

  3. [3]

    Vilate Murray Kimball, Kirtland, OH, to Heber C. Kimball, Preston, England, 19–24 Jan. 1838, Heber C. Kimball, Collection, CHL; Thomas B. Marsh to Wilford Woodruff, in Elders’ Journal, July 1838, 36–38.

    Kimball, Heber C. Collection, 1837–1898. CHL. MS 12476.

  4. [4]

    See “Editorial Method”.

Asterisk (*) denotes a "featured" version, which includes an introduction and annotation. *Elders’ Journal, November 1837 *Elders’ Journal, November 1837 *Elders’ Journal, November 1837 *Minutes, 17 September 1837–A *Travel Account and Questions, November 1837 *Minutes, 7 November 1837 *Minutes, 10 November 1837

Page [17]

ELDERS’ JOURNAL
OF THE CHURCH OF LATTER DAY SAINTS.
Vol. I. No. 2.]-
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
, OHIO, NOVEMBER, 1837. -[Whole No. 2.
 

Editorial Note
The first editorial passage from the November Elders’ Journal introduces minutes of a
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
assembly held 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
on 17 September 1837 to discuss the building up of
Zion

A specific location in Missouri; also a literal or figurative gathering of believers in Jesus Christ, characterized by adherence to ideals of harmony, equality, and purity. In JS’s earliest revelations “the cause of Zion” was used to broadly describe the ...

View Glossary
.
1

See Minutes, 17 Sept. 1837–A; and Minutes, 17 Sept. 1837–B.


The following day,
Bishop

An ecclesiastical and priesthood office. JS appointed Edward Partridge as the first bishop in February 1831. Following this appointment, Partridge functioned as the local leader of the church in Missouri. Later revelations described a bishop’s duties as receiving...

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Newel K. Whitney

3/5 Feb. 1795–23 Sept. 1850. Trader, merchant. Born at Marlborough, Windham Co., Vermont. Son of Samuel Whitney and Susanna Kimball. Moved to Fairfield, Herkimer Co., New York, 1803. Merchant at Plattsburg, Clinton Co., New York, 1814. Mercantile clerk for...

View Full Bio
and his counselors issued a memorial to members of the church to “exert themselves with energy to send on means to build up Zion.” The appeal was distributed as a broadside and reprinted in the September 1837 issue of the Latter Day Saints’ Messenger and Advocate.
2

To the Saints Scattered Abroad, the Bishop and His Counselors of Kirtland Send Greeting [Kirtland, OH: 18 Sept. 1837], CHL; Newel K. Whitney et al., Kirtland, OH, to “the Saints Scattered Abroad,” in LDS Messenger and Advocate, Sept. 1837, 3:561–563.


Comprehensive Works Cited

To the Saints Scattered Abroad, the Bishop and His Counselors of Kirtland Send Greeting. [Kirtland, OH: 18 Sept. 1837]. CHL.

Latter Day Saints’ Messenger and Advocate. Kirtland, OH. Oct. 1834–Sept. 1837.


The following
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...

View Glossary
minutes should have been published in the Sept. No.
3

That is, the September issue of the Messenger and Advocate.


with the
Bishop

3/5 Feb. 1795–23 Sept. 1850. Trader, merchant. Born at Marlborough, Windham Co., Vermont. Son of Samuel Whitney and Susanna Kimball. Moved to Fairfield, Herkimer Co., New York, 1803. Merchant at Plattsburg, Clinton Co., New York, 1814. Mercantile clerk for...

View Full Bio
’s Appeal or Memmorial, but through a press of business it has been overlooked and not handed to us until now, however, we feel in hopes that it will serve to call the attention of our readers (those that have the last No. of the Messenger) to the second candid perusal of the Appeal.
4

See Newel K. Whitney et al., Kirtland, OH, to “the Saints Scattered Abroad,” in LDS Messenger and Advocate, Sept. 1837, 3:561–563.


Comprehensive Works Cited

Latter Day Saints’ Messenger and Advocate. Kirtland, OH. Oct. 1834–Sept. 1837.

—Ed.
——
Minutes of a conference, of the authorities of the church of Latter Day Saints assembled in the house of the Lord 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
, Sept. 17th, 1837.
President Joseph Smith jr. presided; conference opened by prayer after which Bishop
N[ewel] K. Whitney

3/5 Feb. 1795–23 Sept. 1850. Trader, merchant. Born at Marlborough, Windham Co., Vermont. Son of Samuel Whitney and Susanna Kimball. Moved to Fairfield, Herkimer Co., New York, 1803. Merchant at Plattsburg, Clinton Co., New York, 1814. Mercantile clerk for...

View Full Bio
arose and said the time had arrived when it became necessary for him to travel and necessarily must have an agent to act in his abscence, agreeably to the Provisions made in the revelations &c.— Elder
William Marks

15 Nov. 1792–22 May 1872. Farmer, printer, publisher, postmaster. Born at Rutland, Rutland Co., Vermont. Son of Cornell (Cornwall) Marks and Sarah Goodrich. Married first Rosannah R. Robinson, 2 May 1813. Lived at Portage, Allegany Co., New York, where he...

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was nominated and elected by the unanimous voice of the conference, to act and serve the church in this office. After taking into consideration the affairs of the Latter Day Saints in general, having opportunities of becoming acquainted with the affairs of the Saints throughout the continent, and also the peculiar condition of this our city; it is deemed by this conference, (which is constituted of all the authorities and even members of the church,) of great importance to the prosperity of the cause of truth in general, that the Bishop and his Counselors send abroad their memorial, to all the Saints throughout the land, as well as to all well-wishers to the cause of Zion, That their appeal may go forth in the name and by the authority of the church, to all Saints scattered abroad. Some remarks were made by President
S[idney] 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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, relative to the duties of the Bishop, his counselors and agent, Showing the great necessity of their immediate exertion in steping forward in the dignity of their office &c. Conference closed after receiving a benediction from Presidint
S. 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...

View Full Bio
.
J. SMITH Jr. Pres’t.
G[eorge] W. Robinson

14 May 1814–10 Feb. 1878. Clerk, postmaster, merchant, clothier, banker. Born at Pawlet, Rutland Co., Vermont. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and moved to Kirtland, Geauga Co., Ohio, by 1836. Clerk and recorder for Kirtland high...

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Clerk.
————
Fox Islands, Vinalhaven Me.
Nov. 20th 1837.
Elder
Don C[arlos] Smith

25 Mar. 1816–7 Aug. 1841. Farmer, printer, editor. Born at Norwich, Windsor Co., Vermont. Son of Joseph Smith Sr. and Lucy Mack. Moved to Palmyra, Ontario Co., New York, 1816–Jan. 1817. Moved to Manchester, Ontario Co., 1825. Baptized into Church of Jesus...

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.
The 11th No. of the Messenger and Advocate containing the Prospectus for the Elders Journal has providentially fallen into my hands. It is cheering to my feelings to learn that such a paper is to be presented before the world. I believe it will become a powerful engine in removing a flood of prejudice from the minds of thousands of this generation, and encourage the Saints to persevere in the glorious cause in which they are engaged even if their path should at times be intersected with trials, afflictions, and persecutions. And while we peruse the account of the Elders of Israel, whom God hath called, commissioned and sent forth to establish light and truth in the earth and to prune his vineyard for the last time: we rejoice at their success. And as we learn of their prosperity in the ministry, while faithfully proclaiming the word of God we feel encouraged to go and do likewise.
My object in addressing you at this time, is to forward you a list of the names of some of our friends from the several Islands of the sea, who wish you to send them your valuable paper, viz: The Elders Journal of the church of Latter Day Saints, and knowing there are thousands of Saints who feel interested in the progress of the work of the Lord in these last days, and believing it to be interesting to them to learn that the Lord is raising up a people upon the Islands of the Sea, who are engaged in the same cause with their brethren and sisters, that are scattared abroad through the land. I will endeavor to give a brief account of its prospect in this part of the moral vineyard. Elder
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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and
myself

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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addressed a letter to Elder Joseph Smith jr. and the church 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
, under date Sept. 18th. We then gave an account of our visit to the Islands, the reception we met with among the people, and the commencement of the work of the Lord. On the 13th of Oct. following we held a meeting on North Fox Island Vinal [p. [17]]
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Page [17]

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Related Case Documents
Editorial Title
Elders’ Journal, November 1837
ID #
8532
Total Pages
16
Print Volume Location
Handwriting on This Page
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Footnotes

  1. [1]

    See Minutes, 17 Sept. 1837–A; and Minutes, 17 Sept. 1837–B.

  2. [2]

    To the Saints Scattered Abroad, the Bishop and His Counselors of Kirtland Send Greeting [Kirtland, OH: 18 Sept. 1837], CHL; Newel K. Whitney et al., Kirtland, OH, to “the Saints Scattered Abroad,” in LDS Messenger and Advocate, Sept. 1837, 3:561–563.

    To the Saints Scattered Abroad, the Bishop and His Counselors of Kirtland Send Greeting. [Kirtland, OH: 18 Sept. 1837]. CHL.

    Latter Day Saints’ Messenger and Advocate. Kirtland, OH. Oct. 1834–Sept. 1837.

  3. [3]

    That is, the September issue of the Messenger and Advocate.

  4. [4]

    See Newel K. Whitney et al., Kirtland, OH, to “the Saints Scattered Abroad,” in LDS Messenger and Advocate, Sept. 1837, 3:561–563.

    Latter Day Saints’ Messenger and Advocate. Kirtland, OH. Oct. 1834–Sept. 1837.

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