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Journal, December 1841–December 1842

December 1841 • Undated Page 36 11, 13 December 1841 • Saturday, Monday Page 33 13 December 1841 • Monday • First of Two Entries Page 26 13 December 1841 • Monday • Second of Two Entries Page 33 14 December 1841 • Tuesday Page 26 15 December 1841 • Wednesday Page 31 16 December 1841 • Thursday Page 31 17 December 1841 • Friday Page 26 22 December 1841 • Wednesday Page 36 24 December 1841 • Friday Page 39 26 December 1841 • Sunday Page 39 27 December 1841 • Monday Page 39 28 December 1841 • Tuesday Page 39 29 December 1841 • Wednesday Page 43 30–31 December 1841 • Thursday–Friday Page 44 1, 5 January 1842 • Saturday, Wednesday Page 44 4 January 1842 • Tuesday Page 48 5 January 1842 • Wednesday Page 31 6 January 1842 • Thursday Page 57 12, 14, 16 January 1842 • Wednesday, Friday, Sunday Page 48 15 January 1842 • Saturday Page 58 16 January 1842 • Sunday Page 58 17 January 1842 • Monday • First of Three Entries Page 43 17 January 1842 • Monday • Second of Three Entries Page 56 17 January 1842 • Monday • Third of Three Entries Page 58 18 January 1842 • Tuesday Page 58 19 January 1842 • Wednesday Page 58 20 January 1842 • Thursday Page 58 21 January 1842 • Friday Page 58 22 January 1842 • Saturday Page 58 23 January 1842 • Sunday • First of Two Entries Page 59 23 January 1842 • Sunday • Second of Two Entries Page 66 24 January 1842 • Monday Page 59 25 January 1842 • Tuesday • First of Two Entries Page 59 25 January 1842 • Tuesday • Second of Two Entries Page 66 26 January 1842 • Wednesday Page 59 27 January 1842 • Thursday Page 59 28 January 1842 • Friday • First of Two Entries Page 59 28 January 1842 • Friday • Second of Two Entries Page 67 29 January 1842 • Saturday Page 60 30 January 1842 • Sunday Page 60 31 January 1842 • Monday Page 60 2 February 1842 • Wednesday Page 60 3 February 1842 • Thursday Page 60 4 February 1842 • Friday Page 60 10 February 1842 • Thursday Page 60 11 February 1842 • Friday Page 60 12 February 1842 • Saturday Page 60 13 February 1842 • Sunday Page 60 14 February 1842 • Monday Page 61 17 February 1842 • Thursday Page 61 18 February 1842 • Friday Page 61 19 February 1842 • Saturday Page 61 20 February 1842 • Sunday Page 61 21 February 1842 • Monday Page 61 22 February 1842 • Tuesday Page 61 23 February 1842 • Wednesday Page 61 24 February 1842 • Thursday Page 61 25 February 1842 • Friday Page 61 26 February 1842 • Saturday Page 61 27 February 1842 • Sunday Page 88 28 February 1842 • Monday Page 88 1 March 1842 • Tuesday Page 88 2 March 1842 • Wednesday Page 88 3 March 1842 • Thursday Page 88 4 March 1842 • Friday Page 89 5 March 1842 • Saturday Page 89 6 March 1842 • Sunday Page 89 7 March 1842 • Monday Page 89 8 March 1842 • Tuesday Page 89 9 March 1842 • Wednesday Page 89 10 March 1842 • Thursday Page 89 11 March 1842 • Friday Page 90 12 March 1842 • Saturday Page 90 13 March 1842 • Sunday Page 91 14 March 1842 • Monday Page 91 15 March 1842 • Tuesday Page 91 16 March 1842 • Wednesday Page 91 17 March 1842 • Thursday Page 91 18 March 1842 • Friday Page 91 19 March 1842 • Saturday Page 91 20 March 1842 • Sunday Page 91 21 March 1842 • Monday Page 91 22 March 1842 • Tuesday Page 91 23 March 1842 • Wednesday Page 91 24 March 1842 • Thursday Page 91 25 March 1842 • Friday Page 91 26 March 1842 • Saturday Page 91 27 March 1842 • Sunday Page 92 28 March 1842 • Monday Page 92 29 March 1842 • Tuesday Page 92 30 March 1842 • Wednesday Page 92 31 March 1842 • Thursday Page 92 1 April 1842 • Friday Page 92 2 April 1842 • Saturday Page 92 3 April 1842 • Sunday Page 92 4 April 1842 • Monday Page 92 5 April 1842 • Tuesday Page 92 6 April 1842 • Wednesday Page 92 7 April 1842 • Thursday Page 92 8 April 1842 • Friday Page 93 9 April 1842 • Saturday Page 93 10 April 1842 • Sunday Page 93 11 April 1842 • Monday Page 93 12 April 1842 • Tuesday Page 93 13 April 1842 • Wednesday Page 93 14 April 1842 • Thursday Page 93 15–16 April 1842 • Friday–Saturday Page 93 17 April 1842 • Sunday Page 93 18 April 1842 • Monday Page 93 19 April 1842 • Tuesday Page 93 20 April 1842 • Wednesday Page 93 21 April 1842 • Thursday Page 94 22 April 1842 • Friday Page 94 23 April 1842 • Saturday Page 94 24 April 1842 • Sunday Page 94 25 April 1842 • Monday Page 94 26 April 1842 • Tuesday Page 94 27 April 1842 • Wednesday Page 94 28 April 1842 • Thursday Page 94 29 April 1842 • Friday Page 94 30 April 1842 • Saturday Page 94 1 May 1842 • Sunday Page 94 2–3 May 1842 • Monday–Tuesday Page 94 4 May 1842 • Wednesday Page 94 5 May 1842 • Thursday Page 94 6 May 1842 • Friday Page 95 7 May 1842 • Saturday Page 95 8 May 1842 • Sunday Page 95 9 May 1842 • Monday Page 95 10 May 1842 • Tuesday Page 95 11 May 1842 • Wednesday Page 95 12 May 1842 • Thursday Page 95 13 May 1842 • Friday Page 95 14 May 1842 • Saturday Page 95 15 May 1842 • Sunday Page 122 16 May 1842 • Monday Page 122 17 May 1842 • Tuesday Page 122 18 May 1842 • Wednesday Page 122 19 May 1842 • Thursday Page 122 20 May 1842 • Friday Page 123 21 May 1842 • Saturday Page 123 22 May 1842 • Sunday Page 123 23 May 1842 • Monday Page 123 24 May 1842 • Tuesday Page 123 25 May 1842 • Wednesday Page 123 26 May 1842 • Thursday Page 124 27 May 1842 • Friday Page 124 28 May 1842 • Saturday Page 124 29 May 1842 • Sunday Page 124 30 May 1842 • Monday Page 124 31 May 1842 • Tuesday Page 124 1 June 1842 • Wednesday Page 124 2 June 1842 • Thursday Page 124 3 June 1842 • Friday Page 124 4 June 1842 • Saturday Page 124 5 June 1842 • Sunday Page 124 6 June 1842 • Monday Page 124 7 June 1842 • Tuesday Page 124 8 June 1842 • Wednesday Page 124 9 June 1842 • Thursday Page 124 10 June 1842 • Friday Page 124 11 June 1842 • Saturday Page 125 12 June 1842 • Sunday Page 125 13 June 1842 • Monday Page 125 14 June 1842 • Tuesday Page 125 15 June 1842 • Wednesday Page 125 16 June 1842 • Thursday Page 125 17 June 1842 • Friday Page 125 24 June 1842 • Friday Page 125 25 June 1842 • Saturday Page 125 26 June 1842 • Sunday Page 125 27 June 1842 • Monday Page 126 28 June 1842 • Tuesday Page 126 29 June 1842 • Wednesday Page 126 30 June 1842 • Thursday Page 127 Copied Correspondence • 30 June–17 August 1842 Page 168 2 July 1842 • Saturday Page 127 3 July 1842 • Sunday Page 127 4 July 1842 • Monday Page 127 5 July 1842 • Tuesday Page 127 6 July 1842 • Wednesday Page 127 9 July 1842 • Saturday Page 127 10 July 1842 • Sunday Page 127 11 July 1842 • Monday Page 127 12 July 1842 • Tuesday Page 127 15 July 1842 • Friday Page 127 16 July 1842 • Saturday Page 128 17 July 1842 • Sunday Page 128 18 July 1842 • Monday Page 128 19 July 1842 • Tuesday Page 128 22 July 1842 • Friday Page 128 24 July 1842 • Sunday Page 128 26 July 1842 • Tuesday Page 128 27 July 1842 • Wednesday Page 128 31 July 1842 • Sunday Page 128 3 August 1842 • Wednesday Page 128 4 August 1842 • Thursday Page 128 6 August 1842 • Saturday Page 129 7 August 1842 • Sunday Page 129 8 August 1842 • Monday Page 129 9 August 1842 • Tuesday Page 129 10 August 1842 • Wednesday Page 129 11 August 1842 • Thursday Page 129 12 August 1842 • Friday Page 130 13 August 1842 • Saturday Page 130 14 August 1842 • Sunday Page 131 15 August 1842 • Monday Page 134 16 August 1842 • Tuesday Page 135 17 August 1842 • Wednesday Page 165 19 August 1842 • Friday Page 166 20 August 1842 • Saturday Page 166 21 August 1842 • Sunday Page 166 23 August 1842 • Tuesday Page 179 24 August 1842 • Wednesday Page 182 26 August 1842 • Friday Page 182 27 August 1842 • Saturday Page 182 28 August 1842 • Sunday Page 182 29 August 1842 • Monday Page 182 30 August 1842 • Tuesday Page 184 31 August 1842 • Wednesday Page 184 1 September 1842 • Thursday Page 184 2 September 1842 • Friday Page 184 3 September 1842 • Saturday Page 184 4 September 1842 • Sunday Page 189 6 September 1842 • Tuesday Page 190 7 September 1842 • Wednesday Page 190 8 September 1842 • Thursday Page 192 9 September 1842 • Friday Page 196 10 September 1842 • Saturday Page 196 11 September 1842 • Sunday Page 196 12 September 1842 • Monday Page 201 13 September 1842 • Tuesday Page 203 14 September 1842 • Wednesday Page 203 15 September 1842 • Thursday Page 205 16 September 1842 • Friday Page 205 17 September 1842 • Saturday Page 205 18 September 1842 • Sunday Page 205 19–20 September 1842 • Monday–Tuesday Page 205 21 September 1842 • Wednesday Page 205 22 September 1842 • Thursday Page 205 23 September 1842 • Friday Page 205 24 September 1842 • Saturday Page 205 25 September 1842 • Sunday Page 205 26 September 1842 • Monday Page 205 27–28 September 1842 • Tuesday–Wednesday Page 205 29 September 1842 • Thursday Page 205 30 September 1842 • Friday Page 205 1 October 1842 • Saturday Page 205 2 October 1842 • Sunday Page 206 3 October 1842 • Monday Page 206 4 October 1842 • Tuesday Page 206 5 October 1842 • Wednesday Page 206 6 October 1842 • Thursday Page 207 7 October 1842 • Friday Page 207 10 October 1842 • Monday Page 207 15 October 1842 • Saturday Page 207 20 October 1842 • Thursday Page 207 21 October 1842 • Friday Page 207 23 October 1842 • Sunday Page 207 28 October 1842 • Friday Page 208 29 October 1842 • Saturday Page 208 30 October 1842 • Sunday Page 208 31 October 1842 • Monday Page 209 1 November 1842 • Tuesday Page 209 2 November 1842 • Wednesday Page 209 3 November 1842 • Thursday Page 209 4 November 1842 • Friday Page 209 5 November 1842 • Saturday Page 209 6 November 1842 • Sunday Page 210 7 November 1842 • Monday Page 210 8 November 1842 • Tuesday Page 210 9 November 1842 • Wednesday Page 210 10–12 November 1842 • Thursday–Saturday Page 210 13 November 1842 • Sunday Page 210 14 November 1842 • Monday Page 210 16 November 1842 • Wednesday Page 210 22 November 1842 • Tuesday Page 210 23 November 1842 • Wednesday Page 210 26 November 1842 • Saturday Page 210 27 November 1842 • Sunday Page 210 28 November 1842 • Monday Page 210 29 November 1842 • Tuesday Page 211 30 November 1842 • Wednesday Page 211 1 December 1842 • Thursday Page 211 2 December 1842 • Friday Page 211 3 December 1842 • Saturday Page 211 4 December 1842 • Sunday Page 212 5 December 1842 • Monday Page 212 6 December 1842 • Tuesday Page 212 7 December 1842 • Wednesday Page 212 8 December 1842 • Thursday Page 212 9–20 December 1842 • Friday–Tuesday Page 212

Source Note

JS, Journal, Dec. 1841–Dec. 1842; handwriting of
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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,
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
,
Eliza R. Snow

21 Jan. 1804–5 Dec. 1887. Poet, teacher, seamstress, milliner. Born in Becket, Berkshire Co., Massachusetts. Daughter of Oliver Snow and Rosetta Leonora Pettibone. Moved to Mantua, Trumbull Co., Ohio, ca. 1806. Member of Baptist church. Baptized into Church...

View Full Bio
, and
Erastus Derby

14 Sept. 1810–3 Dec. 1890. Tailor, carpenter, farmer, joiner. Born in Hawley, Hampshire Co., Massachusetts. Son of Edward Darby and Ruth Phoebe Hitchcock. Moved to Ohio, by 1834. Married Ruhamah Burnham Knowlton, 10 Aug. 1834, in Carthage, Hamilton Co., Ohio...

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; signatures of
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...

View Full Bio
and
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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; 90 pages; in “The Book of the Law of the Lord,” Record Book, 1841–1845, CHL. Includes shorthand; also includes redactions and use marks.
JS’s journal for December 1841–December 1842 was inscribed in a large, leather-bound blank book made with thick paper. The paper bears a star-shaped watermark in the middle of each leaf and was printed with forty-seven blue lines on each side. The text block was originally formed with thirty gatherings of eight leaves each. The second gathering, however, has only six leaves. This six-leaf gathering was either a binding error or one sheet came loose from the binding before the book was inscribed (the book’s inscription and pagination runs through this gathering without skipping any text or page numbers). The gatherings were sewn all along. Each set of front and back endpapers consisted of a gathering of four leaves of unlined paper, but only two leaves are now extant in the back gathering. The trimmed pages measure 16¼ × 10½ inches (41 × 27 cm). Headbands were sewn onto the text block. The exterior pages of the endpapers are joined to the pasteboards with a strip of pink cloth. Marbled papers featuring a shell pattern with green body and veins of red and yellow are glued to the inside covers of the boards and to the exterior page of each gathering of endpapers. The leaf edges are stained green. The text block is bound in a ledger style to the boards. The spine was constructed with four false raised bands demarcating five panels. The boards and spine are covered in suede leather with additional leather strips over the top and bottom of the book. The suede leather was blind tooled on the outside covers, the raised bands of the spine, and the turned-in edges on the inside cover. The additional leather strips, which also cover the first and fifth panels of the spine, are embossed with dual lines and vegetal designs along the borders and have gold line filling. The spine is further embossed with the number “6” in 20-point type on the fifth panel. The second and fourth panels have black-painted squares of paper glued to them. These feature gold lining and decoration at the top and bottom. The completed volume measures 17 × 11 × 2¼ inches (43 × 28 × 6 cm) and includes 244 free leaves. A penciled inscription at the inside top corner of page [ii]—the verso of the front marbled flyleaf—gives what appears to be an expensive price for this high-quality blank book: “bth | 10.00”.
Robert B. Thompson

1 Oct. 1811–27 Aug. 1841. Clerk, editor. Born in Great Driffield, Yorkshire, England. Methodist. Immigrated to Upper Canada, 1834. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by Parley P. Pratt, May 1836, in Upper Canada. Ordained an elder by...

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inscribed nine revelations in the book on the first twenty-three pages of lined paper.
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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made minor revisions to these revelation texts. Apparently either Richards or Thompson inscribed page numbers on pages 3–18, beginning at the first page of lined paper, in a stylized script. Richards inscribed page numbers on pages 19–25 as well as on the next several dozen pages—which included journal entries for JS and records of donations in cash and in kind for the construction of the
Nauvoo 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...

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. At some point page [1], the recto of the last leaf of unlined endpaper in the front of the book, was inscribed with a title: “THE | BOOK | of the | LAW | of the | LORD”. Because these words are hand lettered in various ornate styles, the handwriting cannot be identified. A matching title appears on the spine of the volume: the square label of black paper on the second panel of the spine bears a smaller square label of white paper with a hand-lettered inscription: “LAW | — of the — | LORD.” Willard Richards inscribed pages 26–126 of the book, with help from
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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on pages 27–28 and 72–87. Clayton inscribed the rest of the volume, pages 127–477, with help from
Erastus Derby

14 Sept. 1810–3 Dec. 1890. Tailor, carpenter, farmer, joiner. Born in Hawley, Hampshire Co., Massachusetts. Son of Edward Darby and Ruth Phoebe Hitchcock. Moved to Ohio, by 1834. Married Ruhamah Burnham Knowlton, 10 Aug. 1834, in Carthage, Hamilton Co., Ohio...

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on pages 168–171 and from
Eliza R. Snow

21 Jan. 1804–5 Dec. 1887. Poet, teacher, seamstress, milliner. Born in Becket, Berkshire Co., Massachusetts. Daughter of Oliver Snow and Rosetta Leonora Pettibone. Moved to Mantua, Trumbull Co., Ohio, ca. 1806. Member of Baptist church. Baptized into Church...

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on pages 189–190 and 192–201. These clerks and scribes generally paginated the book and inscribed dateline page headers along the way as they inscribed its texts.
1

The page numbers on pages 19–71, 86–90, and 122–125 are in the handwriting of Willard Richards; on pages 72–85, 91–121, 126–167, and 171–477, in the handwriting of William Clayton; and on pages 168–170, in the handwriting of Erastus Derby. There are two pages numbered 453. Pages 476–477 constitute the last leaf of lined paper. The headers generally consist of a year or a month and year. The headers inscribed on pages 26–27, 29–71, 88–95, 119, and 121–126 are in the handwriting of Richards; the headers inscribed on pages 28, 72–87, 96–118, 120, 127–167, and 172–215 are in the handwriting of Clayton; pages 168–171, which were inscribed by Derby, have no headers. A few other pages are missing headers.


The donation records constitute the bulk of the volume. The journal entries are inscribed on pages 26, 31, 33, 36, 39, 43, 44, 48, 56–61, 66–67, 88–95, 122–135, and 164–215. As is also the case with the pages bearing donation records, many of the pages bearing journal entries have vertical margin lines inscribed in graphite. The journal entries themselves are inscribed in ink that is now brown. Pages 165–181, however, either include or are entirely in blue ink. Some of the entries begin with a descriptive heading as well as a dateline. The entry for 6 January 1842, for example, features the large heading “The New Year”. Page 58 features the large double underlined heading “Journal of President Joseph”. Many of the entries are divided by horizontal lines. Where groups of journal entries span several pages, notes written at the beginning and end of these spans reference the previous or succeeding pages of journal entries.
2

For example, page 135 points the reader to page 164, which begins by noting the continuation from page 135.


At various stages in the production of the volume,
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
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...

View Full Bio
signed their names to their work (pages 126, 181, 215).
The volume contains a number of redactions that were made as the journal entries were later revised for inclusion in the “History of Joseph Smith” published in Mormon newspapers in the mid-nineteenth century.
3

This serialized history drew on the journals herein, beginning with the 4 July 1855 issue of the Deseret News and with the 3 January 1857 issue of the LDS Millennial Star.


Most of these redactions, made in graphite, were subsequently erased.
4

Most of these now-erased graphite inscriptions are recoverable with bright white light and magnification. Pages 209–215, which were not erased, represent the state of the journal entries generally when they were used for drafting the “History of Joseph Smith.”


The upper left-hand corner of page 3 bears the graphite inscription “6”, a redactive note on page 43 is inscribed in purple pencil, and red-penciled “X”s appear in the margins next to entries on pages 164 and 180. Notes written on three white and three blue slips of paper of various sizes have been inserted in various places, as well as a clipped portion of a
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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-era elder’s certificate form with no notes (apparently just a placeholder). There are also two leaves of pink paper just inside the front of the volume. All of these slips and leaves of paper are loose and appear to have been added to the book subsequent to its use as a journal.
The book is intricately related to its successor volume, the 1844–1846 donation record, and to a volume that indexed the donation records.
5

Tithing and Donation Record, 1844–1846, CHL; Trustee-in-trust, Index and Accounts, 1841–1847, CHL.


Comprehensive Works Cited

Trustee-in-Trust. Index and Accounts, 1841–1847. CHL.

The “Law of the Lord” is listed as such in inventories of church records made in Salt Lake City, Utah, in the 1850s. These show that the volume was held for a time in the office of church president Brigham Young.
6

Historian’s Office, “Inventory. Historian’s Office. 4th April 1855,” [1]; Historian’s Office, “Inventory. Historians Office. G. S. L. City April 1. 1857,” [1]; Historian’s Office, “Historian’s Office Inventory G. S. L. City March 19. 1858,” [1]; Historian’s Office, “Historian’s Office Catalogue Book March 1858,” [11], Historian’s Office, Catalogs and Inventories, 1846–1904, CHL.


Comprehensive Works Cited

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

In 1880,
John Taylor

1 Nov. 1808–25 July 1887. Preacher, editor, publisher, politician. Born at Milnthorpe, Westmoreland, England. Son of James Taylor and Agnes Taylor, members of Church of England. Around age sixteen, joined Methodist church and was local preacher. Migrated ...

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, president of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, carried the book to a stake Relief Society conference in Salt Lake City.
7

Emmeline B. Wells, “Salt Lake Stake Relief Society Conference,” Woman’s Exponent, 1 July 1880, 9:22.


Comprehensive Works Cited

Woman’s Exponent. Salt Lake City. 1872–1914.

At some point the book was marked on the spine with an archival sticker, which was later removed. The book eventually was housed with the papers of Joseph Fielding Smith, apparently during his tenure as church historian and recorder (1921–1970), and then became part of the First Presidency’s papers when he became church president in 1970.
8

“Inventory of President Joseph Fielding Smith’s Safe,” 23 May 1970, First Presidency, General Administration Files, CHL.


Comprehensive Works Cited

“Inventory of President Joseph Fielding Smith’s Safe,” 23 May 1970. First Presidency, General Administration Files, 1921–1972. CHL.

In 2010, the First Presidency gave custody of the book to the Church History Library.
9

Letter of transfer, Salt Lake City, UT, 8 Jan. 2010, CHL.


Comprehensive Works Cited

Letter of Transfer, Salt Lake City, UT, 8 Jan. 2010. CHL.

This evidence indicates continuous institutional custody and authenticity.

Footnotes

  1. [1]

    The page numbers on pages 19–71, 86–90, and 122–125 are in the handwriting of Willard Richards; on pages 72–85, 91–121, 126–167, and 171–477, in the handwriting of William Clayton; and on pages 168–170, in the handwriting of Erastus Derby. There are two pages numbered 453. Pages 476–477 constitute the last leaf of lined paper. The headers generally consist of a year or a month and year. The headers inscribed on pages 26–27, 29–71, 88–95, 119, and 121–126 are in the handwriting of Richards; the headers inscribed on pages 28, 72–87, 96–118, 120, 127–167, and 172–215 are in the handwriting of Clayton; pages 168–171, which were inscribed by Derby, have no headers. A few other pages are missing headers.

  2. [2]

    For example, page 135 points the reader to page 164, which begins by noting the continuation from page 135.

  3. [3]

    This serialized history drew on the journals herein, beginning with the 4 July 1855 issue of the Deseret News and with the 3 January 1857 issue of the LDS Millennial Star.

  4. [4]

    Most of these now-erased graphite inscriptions are recoverable with bright white light and magnification. Pages 209–215, which were not erased, represent the state of the journal entries generally when they were used for drafting the “History of Joseph Smith.”

  5. [5]

    Tithing and Donation Record, 1844–1846, CHL; Trustee-in-trust, Index and Accounts, 1841–1847, CHL.

    Trustee-in-Trust. Index and Accounts, 1841–1847. CHL.

  6. [6]

    Historian’s Office, “Inventory. Historian’s Office. 4th April 1855,” [1]; Historian’s Office, “Inventory. Historians Office. G. S. L. City April 1. 1857,” [1]; Historian’s Office, “Historian’s Office Inventory G. S. L. City March 19. 1858,” [1]; Historian’s Office, “Historian’s Office Catalogue Book March 1858,” [11], Historian’s Office, Catalogs and Inventories, 1846–1904, CHL.

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

  7. [7]

    Emmeline B. Wells, “Salt Lake Stake Relief Society Conference,” Woman’s Exponent, 1 July 1880, 9:22.

    Woman’s Exponent. Salt Lake City. 1872–1914.

  8. [8]

    “Inventory of President Joseph Fielding Smith’s Safe,” 23 May 1970, First Presidency, General Administration Files, CHL.

    “Inventory of President Joseph Fielding Smith’s Safe,” 23 May 1970. First Presidency, General Administration Files, 1921–1972. CHL.

  9. [9]

    Letter of transfer, Salt Lake City, UT, 8 Jan. 2010, CHL.

    Letter of Transfer, Salt Lake City, UT, 8 Jan. 2010. CHL.

Historical Introduction

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
,
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...

View Full Bio
,
Eliza R. Snow

21 Jan. 1804–5 Dec. 1887. Poet, teacher, seamstress, milliner. Born in Becket, Berkshire Co., Massachusetts. Daughter of Oliver Snow and Rosetta Leonora Pettibone. Moved to Mantua, Trumbull Co., Ohio, ca. 1806. Member of Baptist church. Baptized into Church...

View Full Bio
, and
Erastus Derby

14 Sept. 1810–3 Dec. 1890. Tailor, carpenter, farmer, joiner. Born in Hawley, Hampshire Co., Massachusetts. Son of Edward Darby and Ruth Phoebe Hitchcock. Moved to Ohio, by 1834. Married Ruhamah Burnham Knowlton, 10 Aug. 1834, in Carthage, Hamilton Co., Ohio...

View Full Bio
recorded JS’s journal entries from 13 December 1841 through 20 December 1842 in a large leather-bound blank book. The book was first used by church recorder
Robert B. Thompson

1 Oct. 1811–27 Aug. 1841. Clerk, editor. Born in Great Driffield, Yorkshire, England. Methodist. Immigrated to Upper Canada, 1834. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by Parley P. Pratt, May 1836, in Upper Canada. Ordained an elder by...

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to copy revelations. Between January 1841 and his death on 27 August the same year, Thompson recorded nine of JS’s revelations, beginning with the 19 January 1841 revelation commanding the building of the
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,
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
and a boardinghouse called the
Nauvoo House

Located in lower portion of Nauvoo (the flats) along bank of Mississippi River. JS revelation, dated 19 Jan. 1841, instructed Saints to build boardinghouse for travelers and immigrants. Construction of planned three-story building to be funded by fifty-dollar...

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. On 11 December 1841, following his election as “sole Trustee in Trust for the Church” earlier in the year, JS instructed that all donations for building the Nauvoo temple be received directly through his office rather than through the committee overseeing construction of the temple. Two days later, he appointed Willard Richards of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles as recorder for the temple and as his personal scribe. Richards then became custodian of the book Thompson had used for recording revelations, and Richards apparently began recording journal entries and tithing donations in some manner on that same day. However, the quality of inscription for the journal entries in the book suggests that they are copies of previously inscribed notes, and if Richards began making such notes in mid-December it is less certain when he began copying them into the book.
1

One of Richards’s entries records that he was ill “& did not take notes.” Other entries, such as those dictated by JS to William Clayton while in hiding, are clearly copies of previously inscribed notes. (JS, Journal, 17 June 1842; 16 and 23 Aug. 1842.)


The book apparently was kept in the “counting room” on the lower floor of
JS’s red brick store

Located in lower portion of Nauvoo (the flats) along bank of Mississippi River. Completed 1841. Opened for business, 5 Jan. 1842. Owned by JS, but managed mostly by others, after 1842. First floor housed JS’s general store and counting room, where tithing...

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on Water Street, where Richards received and entered donations and also inscribed JS’s journal.
2

Clayton, History of the Nauvoo Temple, 16; Brigham Young et al., “Baptism for the Dead,” Times and Seasons, 15 Dec. 1841, 3:626.


Comprehensive Works Cited

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

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

Journal entries and donations were kept concurrently in the book, alternating sometimes every other page and chronologically leapfrogging each other. This pattern was especially pronounced near the beginning of the book, where donations and journal entries occasionally appear together on a single page. Over time, however, larger and larger blocks of text were dedicated to either donations or journal entries until eventually, in December 1842, the journal was transferred to another book. This slow separation or disentanglement of the journal and donation records—the reasons for which are unclear—was completed long before the volume was filled; indeed, only 90 of the volume’s 478 pages include journal entries, and all of these are within the first 215 pages. In several places it is clear that lists of donations were recorded earlier than were the journal entries found on preceding pages; that is, Richards and William Clayton—who was assigned to assist in the recorder’s office 10 February 1842—left several pages blank between lists of donations and then later filled in those pages with journal entries.
3

Clayton, History of the Nauvoo Temple, 18; Clayton, Journal, 10 Feb. 1843.


Comprehensive Works Cited

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

Clayton, William. Journals, 1842–1845. CHL.

This practice sometimes left the scribes with insufficient space to finish a journal entry before running into the list of donations, requiring them to continue the entry several pages later.
4

For example, the donation records on pages 136–163 were evidently inscribed before the 16 August 1842 journal entry, which begins on page 135 and is continued on page 164.


The interspersing of journal entries with pages of donation records, as well as JS’s conscious efforts to record the names of people who helped him, suggests that the volume as a whole was understood in terms of an 1832 revelation that “a hystory and a general church reccord” must be kept “of all things that transpire in Zion and of all those who consecrate properties . . . and also there manner of life and the[ir] faith and works.” This record was to be kept in a book called “the book of the Law of God”—a book whose name parallels that of “the book of the law of the Lord” mentioned in the Old Testament.
5

JS, Kirtland, OH, to William W. Phelps, [Independence, MO], 27 Nov. 1832, in JS Letterbook 1, pp. 1–2 [D&C 85:1–2, 5]; 2 Chronicles 17:9; 34:14; Nehemiah 9:3.


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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continued the pagination of
Thompson

1 Oct. 1811–27 Aug. 1841. Clerk, editor. Born in Great Driffield, Yorkshire, England. Methodist. Immigrated to Upper Canada, 1834. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by Parley P. Pratt, May 1836, in Upper Canada. Ordained an elder by...

View Full Bio
’s revelation transcripts and, at some point in time, the title “The Book of the Law of the Lord” was inscribed in the front of the book Richards was filling with journal entries and donation records. That the revelation transcripts, donation records, and journal entries appear under the same title and pagination suggests the book’s creators understood its title to comprehend all of its parts.
During the first few months of keeping JS’s journal,
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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included events that occurred before his appointment as JS’s scribe and temple recorder as well as current journal entries. For example, in his 13 December 1841 entry on deteriorating conditions in
Warsaw

Located at foot of Des Moines rapids of Mississippi River at site of three military forts: Fort Johnson (1814), Cantonment Davis (1815–1818), and Fort Edwards (1816–1824). First settlers participated in fur trade. Important trade and shipping center. Post...

More Info
, Illinois, Richards explained what led church members to settle there in the first place. At times these retrospective entries eclipse the events of the day on which they were written and have no apparent connection to surrounding entries. The entries for 17 and 29 December 1841, for example, relate to
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...

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’s July 1841 arrival at
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
following his mission to England and to the October 1841 laying of the cornerstone for the
Nauvoo House

Located in lower portion of Nauvoo (the flats) along bank of Mississippi River. JS revelation, dated 19 Jan. 1841, instructed Saints to build boardinghouse for travelers and immigrants. Construction of planned three-story building to be funded by fifty-dollar...

More Info
, respectively, but they record nothing about the events of 17 and 29 December. Multiple entries for individual days, sometimes separated by several pages, add to the complexity of the first part of the journal and also suggest that Richards wrote retrospectively at least part of the time. Only after Richards moved into the Smith home in mid-January 1842 and was able to more closely observe JS’s actions did the entries become more regular, and even then multiple entries occasionally occurred. Immediately preceding the entry for 15 January 1842, the header “Journal of President Joseph” appears—showing that by the time he moved into JS’s home, Richards considered the daily entries he was keeping as journal entries.
6

See also the entry for 29 June 1842, in which Richards transferred “this Journal” to his assistant William Clayton.


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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kept JS’s journal in the Book of the Law of the Lord through 29 June 1842, shortly after which he left for
Richmond

Post village located along Housatonic River about 160 miles west of Boston. Settled 1760; incorporated 1765. Population in 1850 about 900. Jennetta Richards Richards corresponded with JS from village regarding his friendship with her husband, Willard Richards...

More Info
, Massachusetts, to bring his family to
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
. Among the numerous topics addressed in Richards’s entries are problems relating to the purchase of land in the Nauvoo area, the organization of the Female Relief Society, and the developing rift between JS and two of his close associates,
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 ...

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and
Sidney 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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. When Richards left for
Massachusetts

One of original thirteen colonies that formed U.S. Capital city, Boston. Colonized by English religious dissenters, 1620s. Population in 1830 about 610,000. Population in 1840 about 738,000. Joseph Smith Sr. born in Massachusetts. Samuel Smith and Orson Hyde...

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, he transferred the book—and therefore JS’s journal—to his assistant,
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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, to keep during his absence. Two months later, in early September, Clayton was appointed temple recorder, officially replacing Richards as custodian of the Book of the Law of the Lord. Some of Clayton’s entries include accounts of JS’s activities during the day as well as his activities later in the evening. In some of these entries, the record of the evening events is inscribed in an ink that differs from the ink he used to record JS’s activities earlier in the day yet matches that of the following day’s entry. This indicates that he was probably writing in the book about some events the very day they occurred.
7

Pages 207–209, for example, contain such inscriptions. Willard Richards’s entry for 10 March 1842 also indicates contemporaneous inscription.


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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’s first entry (30 June 1842) retrospectively records three events dealing with the
Nauvoo 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
—the dedication of the baptismal font on 8 November 1841, a miraculous healing in the waters of the font in February 1842, and a deposit made in the cornerstone on 25 September 1841. JS may have directed the inclusion of this material after having “heard the Recorder [
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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] Read in the Law of the Lord” the day before;
8

JS, Journal, 29 June 1842.


alternatively, Clayton may have recorded it on his own in his role as assistant temple recorder. Either way, its inclusion clearly demonstrates the desire to include information about the temple in the record. The Book of the Law of the Lord was to be kept in the temple when it was completed.
9

Brigham Young et al., “Baptism for the Dead,” Times and Seasons, 15 Dec. 1841, 3:626.


Comprehensive Works Cited

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

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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had kept JS’s journal for little more than a month when, on 8 August 1842, JS was arrested as part of an effort to extradite him 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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to stand trial for alleged complicity in the attempted assassination of former Missouri governor
Lilburn W. Boggs

14 Dec. 1796–14 Mar. 1860. Bookkeeper, bank cashier, merchant, Indian agent and trader, lawyer, doctor, postmaster, politician. Born at Lexington, Fayette Co., Kentucky. Son of John M. Boggs and Martha Oliver. Served in War of 1812. Moved to St. Louis, ca...

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.
10

JS, Journal, 8 Aug. 1842; see also Appendix 1.


JS’s subsequent efforts to avoid extradition to Missouri were attended by a flurry of letter writing among JS, his associates, and
Illinois

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...

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governor
Thomas Carlin

18 July 1789–14 Feb. 1852. Ferry owner, farmer, sheriff, politician. Born in Fayette Co., Kentucky. Son of Thomas Carlin and Elizabeth Evans. Baptist. Moved to what became Missouri, by 1803. Moved to Illinois Territory, by 1812. Served in War of 1812. Married...

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.
Eliza R. Snow

21 Jan. 1804–5 Dec. 1887. Poet, teacher, seamstress, milliner. Born in Becket, Berkshire Co., Massachusetts. Daughter of Oliver Snow and Rosetta Leonora Pettibone. Moved to Mantua, Trumbull Co., Ohio, ca. 1806. Member of Baptist church. Baptized into Church...

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, a private teacher living in the Smith home, and
Erastus Derby

14 Sept. 1810–3 Dec. 1890. Tailor, carpenter, farmer, joiner. Born in Hawley, Hampshire Co., Massachusetts. Son of Edward Darby and Ruth Phoebe Hitchcock. Moved to Ohio, by 1834. Married Ruhamah Burnham Knowlton, 10 Aug. 1834, in Carthage, Hamilton Co., Ohio...

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, who also had clerical skills, assisted Clayton in copying these and other letters into the journal. Among other things, this correspondence provides valuable insight into the thoughts and character of several 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....

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’s leading citizens.
Emma Smith

10 July 1804–30 Apr. 1879. Scribe, editor, boardinghouse operator, clothier. Born at Willingborough Township (later in Harmony), Susquehanna Co., Pennsylvania. Daughter of Isaac Hale and Elizabeth Lewis. Member of Methodist church at Harmony (later in Oakland...

View Full Bio
’s articulate and thoughtful letters to Carlin, for example, in which she argued against the legality of Boggs’s affidavit and the entire extradition proceedings, reveal a woman of ability and resourcefulness. Two of JS’s letters written to members of the church during this period provided important instructions regarding proxy baptisms for deceased persons and record keeping. Clayton and Snow also copied into the journal three of the early letters in a lengthy series between JS and his
New York

Located in northeast region of U.S. Area settled by Dutch traders, 1620s; later governed by Britain, 1664–1776. Admitted to U.S. as state, 1788. Population in 1810 about 1,000,000; in 1820 about 1,400,000; in 1830 about 1,900,000; and in 1840 about 2,400,...

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correspondent
James Arlington Bennet

21 Dec. 1788–25 Dec. 1863. Attorney, newspaper publisher, educator, author. Born in New York. Married first Sophia Smith, 8 May 1811. Served as third and later second lieutenant in First U.S. Artillery, 1 Aug. 1813–14 Oct. 1814. Published American System ...

View Full Bio
.
JS spent much of the last five months of 1842 in hiding to avoid arrest and extradition 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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. Periods of enforced solitude gave him time for sustained reflection and opportunity to commit his thoughts to paper. Lengthy recitations of the names and deeds of his loyal friends, and explicit references to his desire to have them recorded in the Book of the Law of the Lord are unique features of this part of his journal and contribute—like the lists of donations for the temple—to the unusual character of the book as a whole.
Although
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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returned to
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
with his family on 30 October 1842,
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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continued keeping JS’s journal in the Book of the Law of the Lord through 20 December of that year. Clayton’s entries end with a recital of his, Richards’s, and several other men’s efforts in
Springfield

Settled by 1819. Incorporated as town, 1832. Became capital of Illinois, 1837. Incorporated as city, 1840. Sangamon Co. seat. Population in 1840 about 2,600. Stake of Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints organized in Springfield, Nov. 1840; discontinued...

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, Illinois, to resolve a bankruptcy case involving JS. While there, they also counseled with Judge
Stephen A. Douglas

23 Apr. 1813–3 June 1861. Lawyer, politician. Born at Brandon, Rutland Co., Vermont. Son of Stephen Arnold Douglass and Sarah Fisk. Moved to Ontario Co., New York, 1830. Moved to Jacksonville, Morgan Co., Illinois, 1833. Served as attorney general of Illinois...

View Full Bio
, United States district attorney
Justin Butterfield

1790–Oct. 1855. Teacher, lawyer. Born in Keene, Cheshire Co., New Hampshire. Moved to Watertown, Jefferson Co., New York, ca. 1810, where he taught school and studied law. Admitted to bar, 1812, at Watertown. Practiced law in Adams, Jefferson Co., and Sackets...

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, and newly elected Illinois governor
Thomas Ford

5 Dec. 1800–3 Nov. 1850. Schoolteacher, newspaperman, lawyer, politician, judge, author. Born in Uniontown, Fayette Co., Pennsylvania. Son of Robert Ford and Elizabeth Logue Forquer. Moved to St. Louis, 1804; to New Design (later American Bottom), Randolph...

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regarding the effort to extradite JS 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 ...

More Info
. All three gave suggestions for how JS might safely and successfully proceed in the case against him. On 21 December 1842, the day following the party’s return to
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
, JS appointed Richards his “private se[c]retary & historian” and Richards began keeping a new journal for JS in a small memorandum book.
11

JS, Journal, 21 Dec. 1842.


As temple recorder, Clayton retained possession of the Book of the Law of the Lord, in which he continued to record tithing and other donations.
 
Chronological Index to Journal Entries
 
Journal entries in the Book of the Law of the Lord were not always dated sequentially. In addition, there are several dates for which more than one entry was made, often with entries for other dates intervening. This chronological index helps to locate journal entries. In this index, sequential journal entries are not individually listed, and dates with no journal entry are not noted.
DateManuscript PagePage in JSP, J2
December 184126, 31, 33, 36, 39, 43–4410–21
Dec. 18413616
11–13 Dec. 18413314–15
13 Dec. 184126, 3310–11, 15–16
14 Dec. 18412611
15–16 Dec. 18413113–14
17 Dec. 18412611
22 Dec. 18413616–17
24–28 Dec. 18413917–19
29–31 Dec. 184143–4419–21
January 184231, 43–44, 48, 56–60, 66–6714, 21–32, 36–38
1 Jan. 18424421
4 Jan. 18424823–24
5 Jan. 184231, 4414, 21
6 Jan. 18425725–26
12–16 Jan. 18424824
15 Jan. 18425826–27
16 Jan. 184248, 5824, 27
17 Jan. 184243, 56, 5820–21, 24–25, 27
18–22 Jan. 18425827–30
23 Jan. 184259, 6630, 36–37
24 Jan. 18425930
25 Jan. 184259, 6630, 37
26–27 Jan. 18425930–31
28 Jan. 184259, 6731, 38
29–31 Jan. 18426031–32
February–July 184260–61, 88–95, 122–12832–36, 38–80
August 1842128–135, 164–167, 179–18480–99, 115–124
3–15 Aug. 1842128–13580–92
16 Aug. 1842135, 164–16593–96
17–21 Aug. 1842165–16796–99
Copied Correspondence168–178100–114
23–31 Aug. 1842179–184115–124
September–December 1842184–215124–183

Footnotes

  1. [1]

    One of Richards’s entries records that he was ill “& did not take notes.” Other entries, such as those dictated by JS to William Clayton while in hiding, are clearly copies of previously inscribed notes. (JS, Journal, 17 June 1842; 16 and 23 Aug. 1842.)

  2. [2]

    Clayton, History of the Nauvoo Temple, 16; Brigham Young et al., “Baptism for the Dead,” Times and Seasons, 15 Dec. 1841, 3:626.

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

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

  3. [3]

    Clayton, History of the Nauvoo Temple, 18; Clayton, Journal, 10 Feb. 1843.

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

    Clayton, William. Journals, 1842–1845. CHL.

  4. [4]

    For example, the donation records on pages 136–163 were evidently inscribed before the 16 August 1842 journal entry, which begins on page 135 and is continued on page 164.

  5. [5]

    JS, Kirtland, OH, to William W. Phelps, [Independence, MO], 27 Nov. 1832, in JS Letterbook 1, pp. 1–2 [D&C 85:1–2, 5]; 2 Chronicles 17:9; 34:14; Nehemiah 9:3.

  6. [6]

    See also the entry for 29 June 1842, in which Richards transferred “this Journal” to his assistant William Clayton.

  7. [7]

    Pages 207–209, for example, contain such inscriptions. Willard Richards’s entry for 10 March 1842 also indicates contemporaneous inscription.

  8. [8]

    JS, Journal, 29 June 1842.

  9. [9]

    Brigham Young et al., “Baptism for the Dead,” Times and Seasons, 15 Dec. 1841, 3:626.

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

  10. [10]

    JS, Journal, 8 Aug. 1842; see also Appendix 1.

  11. [11]

    JS, Journal, 21 Dec. 1842.

Asterisk (*) denotes a "featured" version, which includes an introduction and annotation. *Letter from Thomas Ford, 17 December 1842 *Letter to Wilson Law, 16 August 1842 *Letter from Emma Smith, 16 August 1842 *Discourse, 29 October 1842 *Discourse, 29 August 1842 *Letter from Justin Butterfield, 17 December 1842 *Letter from James Arlington Bennet, 1 September 1842 *Letter from Wilson Law, 16 August 1842 *Letter to the Church, 7 September 1842 [D&C 128] *Letter to “All the Saints in Nauvoo,” 1 September 1842 [D&C 127] *Letter from Wilson Law, 17 August 1842 *Letter from Thomas Carlin, 27 July 1842 *Letter to Emma Smith, 16 August 1842 *Letter to James Arlington Bennet, 8 September 1842

Page 91

13 March 1842 • Sunday
Sunday 13 [2 lines blank]
14 March 1842 • Monday
Monday 14 Transacted a great variety of business at the
office

Term usually applied to JS’s private office, which was located at various places during JS’s lifetime, including his home. From fall 1840 until completion of JS’s brick store, office was located on second floor of a new building, possibly on Water Street ...

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15 March 1842 • Tuesday
Tuesday 15 Officiated as grand Chaplin. at the Installation of the
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
Lodge. of Free Masons, on At the
Grove

Before partial completion of Nauvoo temple, all large meetings were held outdoors in groves located near east and west sides of temple site. Had portable stands for speakers. JS referred to area as “temple stand” due to its location on brow of hill.

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. 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
. Grand Master
[Abraham] Jonas

12 Sept. 1801–8 June 1864. Auctioneer, merchant, newspaper publisher, lawyer. Born in Exeter, Devonshire, England. Son of Benjamin Jonas and Annie Ezekial. Jewish. Immigrated to U.S.; settled in Cincinnati, ca. 1819. Married first Lucy Orah Seixas, before...

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being present.— A Large number of people assembled on the occasion, the day was exceedingly fine, all things were done in order, and universal satisfaction manifested.
136

Wilford Woodruff noted that a procession celebrating the lodge’s organization formed at JS’s store and marched to the grove in front of the temple. Woodruff estimated three thousand people were present. The lodge minutes add that “at the Grove, after the ceremonies of installation the Grand Master delivered a highly creditable and finished address on the subject of Ancient York Masonry, after which the lodges returned to the lodge room in Masonic order.” By the end of 1842, the Nauvoo lodge was the largest Masonic lodge in Illinois. (Woodruff, Journal, 15 Mar. 1842; List of Members, Nauvoo Masonic Lodge Minute Book, 15 Mar. 1842; Hogan, Vital Statistics of Nauvoo Lodge, 4.)


Comprehensive Works Cited

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

Nauvoo Masonic Lodge Minute Book. / “Record of Na[u]voo Lodge Under Dispensation,” 1842–1846. CHL. MS 3436

Hogan, Mervin B. Vital Statistics of Nauvoo Lodge. Salt Lake City: By the author, 1976.

Admitted a me[m]ber of the Lodge in the evening.
137

At this evening meeting JS and Sidney Rigdon were initiated as Entered Apprentice Masons. (Nauvoo Masonic Lodge Minute Book, 15 Mar. 1842.)


Comprehensive Works Cited

Nauvoo Masonic Lodge Minute Book. / “Record of Na[u]voo Lodge Under Dispensation,” 1842–1846. CHL. MS 3436

16 March 1842 • Wednesday
Wedy. 16 Continued with the Lodge.
138

In the morning JS and Sidney Rigdon were received as Fellow Craft Masons and, later that day, as Master Masons. (Nauvoo Masonic Lodge Minute Book, 16 Mar. 1842.)


Comprehensive Works Cited

Nauvoo Masonic Lodge Minute Book. / “Record of Na[u]voo Lodge Under Dispensation,” 1842–1846. CHL. MS 3436

17 March 1842 • Thursday
Thursday 17 Assisted in organizing “The Female Relief Society 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
”
139

A few weeks earlier, a group of women in Nauvoo drafted a constitution for a proposed charitable “Sewing Society.” When they showed the document to JS, he told them he had “something better” for them and called this meeting. Twenty women, JS, Willard Richards, and John Taylor attended. (Relief Society Record, 29; Relief Society Minute Book, 17 Mar. 1842.)


Comprehensive Works Cited

Relief Society Record / “Record of the Relief Society from First Organization to Conference Apr 5th 1892. Book I.,” 1880–1892. CHL. CR 11 175.

in the “Lodge Room”
140

The general business office or “Lodge Room” was located on the second floor of JS’s store.


Sister
Emma Smith

10 July 1804–30 Apr. 1879. Scribe, editor, boardinghouse operator, clothier. Born at Willingborough Township (later in Harmony), Susquehanna Co., Pennsylvania. Daughter of Isaac Hale and Elizabeth Lewis. Member of Methodist church at Harmony (later in Oakland...

View Full Bio
President. & Sisters
<​Elizabeth Ann [Smith]​> Whitney

26 Dec. 1800–15 Feb. 1882. Born at Derby, New Haven Co., Connecticut. Daughter of Gibson Smith and Polly Bradley. Moved to Ohio, 1819. Married Newel K. Whitney, 20 Oct. 1822, at Kirtland, Geauga Co., Ohio. Shortly after, joined reformed Baptist (later Disciples...

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&
<​Sarah M. [Kingsley]​> Cleveland

20 Oct. 1788–21 Apr. 1856. Born in Becket, Berkshire Co., Massachusetts. Daughter of Ebenezer Kingsley and Sarah Chaplin. Moved to New Haven, New Haven Co., Connecticut, by 1807. Married first John Howe, 7 Dec. 1807, in New Haven. Moved to Cincinnati, by ...

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councillors, <​I​> gave much instru[c]tion. read in the New Testament & Book of Doctrine & Covenants. concer[n]ing the Elect Lady.
141

A revelation dated July 1830 refers to Emma Smith as an “elect lady.” (Revelation, July 1830–C, in Doctrine and Covenants 48:1, 1835 ed. [D&C 25:3]; see also 2 John 1:1.)


& Shewed that Elect meant to be Elected to a certain work &c, & that the revelation was then fulfilled by his
Sister Emma

10 July 1804–30 Apr. 1879. Scribe, editor, boardinghouse operator, clothier. Born at Willingborough Township (later in Harmony), Susquehanna Co., Pennsylvania. Daughter of Isaac Hale and Elizabeth Lewis. Member of Methodist church at Harmony (later in Oakland...

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’s Election to the Presidency of the Society, she having previously been ordained
142

JS explained that Emma was “ordain’d at the time, the Revelation was given [July 1830], to expound the scriptures to all; and to teach the female part of community.” (Relief Society Minute Book, 17 Mar. 1842.)


to expound the Scriptures. her councillors
143

Sarah M. Kingsley Cleveland and Elizabeth Ann Smith Whitney. (Relief Society Minute Book, 17 Mar. 1842.)


were ordaind by
Elder J<​ohn​> Taylor

1 Nov. 1808–25 July 1887. Preacher, editor, publisher, politician. Born at Milnthorpe, Westmoreland, England. Son of James Taylor and Agnes Taylor, members of Church of England. Around age sixteen, joined Methodist church and was local preacher. Migrated ...

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. &
Emma

10 July 1804–30 Apr. 1879. Scribe, editor, boardinghouse operator, clothier. Born at Willingborough Township (later in Harmony), Susquehanna Co., Pennsylvania. Daughter of Isaac Hale and Elizabeth Lewis. Member of Methodist church at Harmony (later in Oakland...

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<​was​> Blessed by the same.—
18 March 1842 • Friday
Friday 18 [2 lines blank]
19 March 1842 • Saturday
Saturday 19 [2 lines blank]
20 March 1842 • Sunday
Sunday 20 Baptized 60 or 70 in 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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. confirmed them in the
grove

Before partial completion of Nauvoo temple, all large meetings were held outdoors in groves located near east and west sides of temple site. Had portable stands for speakers. JS referred to area as “temple stand” due to its location on brow of hill.

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& baptized in the Font in the P.M.
144

Prior to these baptisms, JS spoke to a large audience in the grove on baptism, death, and the Resurrection. Following the baptisms in the river, JS returned to the grove, where those who had been baptized were confirmed. The same afternoon, members of the Quorum of the Twelve baptized church members for their deceased relatives in the font in the Nauvoo temple. (Wilford Woodruff, “Sabbath Scene in Nauvoo,” Times and Seasons, 15 Apr. 1842, 3:751–753; Woodruff, Journal, 20 Mar. 1842.)


Comprehensive Works Cited

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

21 March 1842 • Monday
Monday 21 Commenced a Sittlement with
Wm 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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145

This could be the settlement between JS and Marks that was closed two weeks later. (JS, Journal, 4 Apr. 1842.)


22 March 1842 • Tuesday
Tuesday 22 At the General Business
office

Term usually applied to JS’s private office, which was located at various places during JS’s lifetime, including his home. From fall 1840 until completion of JS’s brick store, office was located on second floor of a new building, possibly on Water Street ...

More Info
(
Sarah Ann. Whhitney’s [Whitney’s]

22 Mar. 1825–4 Sept. 1873. Born in Kirtland, Geauga Co., Ohio. Daughter of Newel K. Whitney and Elizabeth Ann Smith. Located at Carrollton, Greene Co., Illinois, winter 1838–1839. Moved to Quincy, Adams Co., Illinois, winter 1839–1840, and then to Commerce...

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Birth day (17. <​years of age)​> celebration, at the Lodge Room. co. waited upon by the
Recr.

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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146

The recorder, Willard Richards.


) <​home in the eve.​>
23 March 1842 • Wednesday
Wednesday 23 At his
office

Term usually applied to JS’s private office, which was located at various places during JS’s lifetime, including his home. From fall 1840 until completion of JS’s brick store, office was located on second floor of a new building, possibly on Water Street ...

More Info
in council with
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...

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,
Recr.

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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&c.
24 March 1842 • Thursday
Thursday 24 At his
office

Term usually applied to JS’s private office, which was located at various places during JS’s lifetime, including his home. From fall 1840 until completion of JS’s brick store, office was located on second floor of a new building, possibly on Water Street ...

More Info
. waited on the members of the Female Relief Soci[e]ty. & entered a complaint againts. Clarissa Marvel for Slander
147

At the organizational meeting of the Female Relief Society of Nauvoo on 17 March 1842, JS charged the society with “correcting the morals and strengthening the virtues of the female community.” To this end, the organization regularly took roll, voted on the worthiness of its members, and investigated charges of improper behavior. Marvel was here accused of spreading “scandalous falsehoods on the character of Prest. Joseph Smith,” concerning his relationship with Agnes Coolbrith Smith (wife of his deceased brother Don Carlos), “without the least provocation.” On 2 April 1842, following the Relief Society’s investigation of the charges, Marvel wrote a statement that she had never “at any time or place, seen or heard any thing improper or unvirtuous in the conduct or conversation” of either JS or Agnes, and that she had never “reported any thing derogatory to the characters of either of them.” The report of the Marvel investigation, presented at the meeting of 14 April 1842, cleared Marvel of charges and stated that her testimony of innocence was satisfactorily received. Mary Ann West, who lived with Agnes in Nauvoo, reported fifty years later that Agnes told her that she (Agnes) had become a plural wife of JS following the death of her husband, Don Carlos. (Relief Society Minute Book, 17 Mar. 1842; 24 Mar. 1842; [31] Mar. 1842; 14 Apr. 1842, 89; Mary Ann West, Testimony, Salt Lake City, Utah Territory, ca. 22 Mar. 1892, pp. 499–500, questions 141–144, pp. 521–522, questions 676–687, 696–699, Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints v. Church of Christ Independence, Missouri, et al. [C.C.W.D. Mo. 1894], typescript, Testimonies and Depositions, CHL.)


Comprehensive Works Cited

Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints v. Church of Christ of Independence, Missouri, et al. (C.C.W.D. Mo. 1894). Typescript. Testimonies and Depositions, 1892. Typescript. CHL.

25 March 1842 • Friday
Friday 25 [2 lines blank]
26 March 1842 • Saturday
Saturday 26 [p. 91]
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Source Note

Document Transcript

Page 91

Document Information

Related Case Documents
Editorial Title
Journal, December 1841–December 1842
ID #
6545
Total Pages
94
Print Volume Location
JSP, J2:3–183
Handwriting on This Page
  • Willard Richards

Footnotes

  1. [136]

    Wilford Woodruff noted that a procession celebrating the lodge’s organization formed at JS’s store and marched to the grove in front of the temple. Woodruff estimated three thousand people were present. The lodge minutes add that “at the Grove, after the ceremonies of installation the Grand Master delivered a highly creditable and finished address on the subject of Ancient York Masonry, after which the lodges returned to the lodge room in Masonic order.” By the end of 1842, the Nauvoo lodge was the largest Masonic lodge in Illinois. (Woodruff, Journal, 15 Mar. 1842; List of Members, Nauvoo Masonic Lodge Minute Book, 15 Mar. 1842; Hogan, Vital Statistics of Nauvoo Lodge, 4.)

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

    Nauvoo Masonic Lodge Minute Book. / “Record of Na[u]voo Lodge Under Dispensation,” 1842–1846. CHL. MS 3436

    Hogan, Mervin B. Vital Statistics of Nauvoo Lodge. Salt Lake City: By the author, 1976.

  2. [137]

    At this evening meeting JS and Sidney Rigdon were initiated as Entered Apprentice Masons. (Nauvoo Masonic Lodge Minute Book, 15 Mar. 1842.)

    Nauvoo Masonic Lodge Minute Book. / “Record of Na[u]voo Lodge Under Dispensation,” 1842–1846. CHL. MS 3436

  3. [138]

    In the morning JS and Sidney Rigdon were received as Fellow Craft Masons and, later that day, as Master Masons. (Nauvoo Masonic Lodge Minute Book, 16 Mar. 1842.)

    Nauvoo Masonic Lodge Minute Book. / “Record of Na[u]voo Lodge Under Dispensation,” 1842–1846. CHL. MS 3436

  4. [139]

    A few weeks earlier, a group of women in Nauvoo drafted a constitution for a proposed charitable “Sewing Society.” When they showed the document to JS, he told them he had “something better” for them and called this meeting. Twenty women, JS, Willard Richards, and John Taylor attended. (Relief Society Record, 29; Relief Society Minute Book, 17 Mar. 1842.)

    Relief Society Record / “Record of the Relief Society from First Organization to Conference Apr 5th 1892. Book I.,” 1880–1892. CHL. CR 11 175.

  5. [140]

    The general business office or “Lodge Room” was located on the second floor of JS’s store.

  6. [141]

    A revelation dated July 1830 refers to Emma Smith as an “elect lady.” (Revelation, July 1830–C, in Doctrine and Covenants 48:1, 1835 ed. [D&C 25:3]; see also 2 John 1:1.)

  7. [142]

    JS explained that Emma was “ordain’d at the time, the Revelation was given [July 1830], to expound the scriptures to all; and to teach the female part of community.” (Relief Society Minute Book, 17 Mar. 1842.)

  8. [143]

    Sarah M. Kingsley Cleveland and Elizabeth Ann Smith Whitney. (Relief Society Minute Book, 17 Mar. 1842.)

  9. [144]

    Prior to these baptisms, JS spoke to a large audience in the grove on baptism, death, and the Resurrection. Following the baptisms in the river, JS returned to the grove, where those who had been baptized were confirmed. The same afternoon, members of the Quorum of the Twelve baptized church members for their deceased relatives in the font in the Nauvoo temple. (Wilford Woodruff, “Sabbath Scene in Nauvoo,” Times and Seasons, 15 Apr. 1842, 3:751–753; Woodruff, Journal, 20 Mar. 1842.)

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

  10. [145]

    This could be the settlement between JS and Marks that was closed two weeks later. (JS, Journal, 4 Apr. 1842.)

  11. [146]

    The recorder, Willard Richards.

  12. [147]

    At the organizational meeting of the Female Relief Society of Nauvoo on 17 March 1842, JS charged the society with “correcting the morals and strengthening the virtues of the female community.” To this end, the organization regularly took roll, voted on the worthiness of its members, and investigated charges of improper behavior. Marvel was here accused of spreading “scandalous falsehoods on the character of Prest. Joseph Smith,” concerning his relationship with Agnes Coolbrith Smith (wife of his deceased brother Don Carlos), “without the least provocation.” On 2 April 1842, following the Relief Society’s investigation of the charges, Marvel wrote a statement that she had never “at any time or place, seen or heard any thing improper or unvirtuous in the conduct or conversation” of either JS or Agnes, and that she had never “reported any thing derogatory to the characters of either of them.” The report of the Marvel investigation, presented at the meeting of 14 April 1842, cleared Marvel of charges and stated that her testimony of innocence was satisfactorily received. Mary Ann West, who lived with Agnes in Nauvoo, reported fifty years later that Agnes told her that she (Agnes) had become a plural wife of JS following the death of her husband, Don Carlos. (Relief Society Minute Book, 17 Mar. 1842; 24 Mar. 1842; [31] Mar. 1842; 14 Apr. 1842, 89; Mary Ann West, Testimony, Salt Lake City, Utah Territory, ca. 22 Mar. 1892, pp. 499–500, questions 141–144, pp. 521–522, questions 676–687, 696–699, Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints v. Church of Christ Independence, Missouri, et al. [C.C.W.D. Mo. 1894], typescript, Testimonies and Depositions, CHL.)

    Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints v. Church of Christ of Independence, Missouri, et al. (C.C.W.D. Mo. 1894). Typescript. Testimonies and Depositions, 1892. Typescript. CHL.

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