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Letter from Joseph Bosworth, 17 February 1834
Source Note
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
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]
- [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]
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.
and my Last Vision Closed— on which I arose and went again and gave thanks to God Just at the break of Day which Crowned the best and happiest night of my Life— the balance of which I Owe to God to whom be glory Power honor Dominion and Life for ever and ever amen
Breathren my Love to you all and may the blessings of God rest on you, take Courage for God is about to help us with Great Power and bestow Much wisdom
I will also State to you that I have had a Vision where important things are Seen in which is I think was marching out of the field and may God Bless him Far well
| Feb 17th 1834 | Fear not God is with us |
Paid 10
Mr Joseph Smith
Geauga Co
Ohio
Centre
Medina, Cy
Febry 15 <19> 1834 [p. [4]]
Source Note
Source Note
Document Transcript
Document Information
Document Information
Footnotes
Footnotes
- [5]
Alexander Campbell (1788–1866) left his association with Regular Baptists to promote, with several other Christian reformers, the restoration of primitive Christianity through an appeal to New Testament teachings and practices. Campbell’s followers and supporters came to be known as Disciples of Christ or, less formally, as Campbellites. In January 1832 Campbell’s movement merged with a similar movement led by Barton Stone, whose followers—many of whom were former Presbyterians—referred to themselves simply as Christians. (Hayden, Early History of the Disciples in the Western Reserve, chap. 1; McAllister and Tucker, Journey in Faith, 26–28; Foster et al., Encyclopedia of the Stone-Campbell Movement, 713–716.)
Hayden, Amos Sutton. Early History of the Disciples in the Western Reserve, Ohio; with Biographical Sketches of the Principal Agents in Their Religious Movement. Cincinnati: Chase and Hall, 1875.
McAllister, Lester G., and William E. Tucker. Journey in Faith: A History of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). St. Louis: Bethany Press, 1975.
Foster, Douglas A., Anthony L. Dunnavant, Paul M. Blowers, and D. Newell Williams, eds. The Encyclopedia of the Stone-Campbell Movement. Grand Rapids, MI: William B. Eerdmans, 2004.
Postmark in unidentified handwriting.