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Letter from Joseph Bosworth, 17 February 1834

Source Note

, Letter, , Summit Co., OH, to “Breathren in Christ” (including JS), , Geauga Co., OH, 17 Feb. 1834; sent copy; handwriting presumably of ; four pages; JS Collection, CHL. Includes address, postal markings, and docket.
Bifolium measuring 12⅞ × 8 inches (33 × 20 cm). The letter was trifolded twice, addressed, and sealed with a red adhesive wafer. A docket in the handwriting of reads: “Feby 17th 1834 | | Vission”. The document was refolded, apparently at a later time, probably for filing purposes.
The letter has presumably remained in the possession of the LDS church since its reception.

Historical Introduction

In this letter, recounted two visions he experienced the night of 16 February 1834, one week after meeting with JS and others at a conference in , Medina County, Ohio. As the letter indicated, Bosworth was a former associate of and , two men who before joining the had been associated with ’s religious movement. Bosworth’s association with Rigdon and Scott suggests that he too had been involved with Campbell and the Disciples of Christ. Bosworth’s belief in the reality of visions—as opposed to Campbell’s disregard for such experiences in modern times—may have influenced his decision to join the Church of Christ. Bosworth’s probable familiarity with at least some of JS’s visionary experiences—including his and Rigdon’s “Vision” of 16 February 1832, published in the July 1832 issue of The Evening and the Morning Star—may have contributed to his desire to share his own visions with church leaders in , Ohio. No response to Bosworth’s letter has been located.

Footnotes

  1. [1]

    Minutes, 9 Feb. 1834.

  2. [2]

    Alexander Campbell, “A Restoration of the Ancient Order of Things, No. I,” Christian Baptist, 7 Feb. 1825, 50; Alexander Campbell, “The Creed Question,” Christian Baptist, 2 Apr. 1827, 197.

    Christian Baptist. Bethany, VA. 1823–1830.

  3. [3]

    Vision, 16 Feb. 1832, in “A Vision,” The Evening and the Morning Star, July 1832, [2]–[3] [D&C 76].

    The Evening and the Morning Star. Independence, MO, June 1832–July 1833; Kirtland, OH, Dec. 1833–Sept. 1834.

Page [2]

taken of to View an other Sight which then presented itself to my view— I now Saw— two armies one from the north and the other from the South parraded in two Strait Lines faceing Each other near together Extending from East to wist as <​I​> thought through the hole Earth all mounted on horses Equipt with arms of warfare in the highist pomp all Standing Still prepared for a most tremendious battle—. I Saw no fighting Except one Exchange of Shots by a few men Verry far in the west So far that I could not here the report of guns but Saw the motion and the Smoke of burning powder I Stood on the groun[d] with Some of my Breathren where this great Light Shone So bright not armed our Selves in this battle nor was I the Least Intimidated Brother Stood by and Said Br Joseph a I am <​not​> a <​not​> fraid on which I asked him if [he] Saw the Smoke in the west
thus the Scene closed and <​I​> Came out of my Vision— I then arose out of bed put on my cloth[e]s Left my house and went to my usual Lonely place of Secret prayer— and there prostrating my boddy and face to the Dust gave thanks to God for the things which he had Shown to me and prayed to God in the name of Jesus Christ if it was Consistant for me to know the interpetation or any part of it that it might be given to me.
I then returned to my house and Soon retired to rest again it being about the 12th hour of the night— on which I all most immediately had the following revalation or Vision as an interpetation of the first
Vision Second
first I Saw my self in Various parts and in in Differant Congregations of men and Woman many of which I Knew— Laboring with great Diligence in the word of God and proclaiming the things which I had Seen in a Vision of the two Lights and the Great armies of horse men. Many times relating all the particualars with Great Candor— on which Some believed and Some persecuted me most unsufferably [p. [2]]
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Document Information

Related Case Documents
Editorial Title
Letter from Joseph Bosworth, 17 February 1834
ID #
203
Total Pages
4
Print Volume Location
JSP, D3:431–435
Handwriting on This Page
  • Joseph Bosworth

Footnotes

  1. [2]

    Thomas Gordon was a member of the Church of Christ in the New Portage, Ohio, area. (Minute Book 1, 8 Sept. 1834; 18 Nov. 1835; 10 June 1836.)

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