The Papers
Browse the PapersDocumentsJournalsAdministrative RecordsRevelations and TranslationsHistoriesLegal RecordsFinancial RecordsOther Contemporary Papers
Reference
PeoplePlacesEventsGlossaryLegal GlossaryFinancial GlossaryCalendar of DocumentsWorks CitedFeatured TopicsLesson PlansRelated Publications
Media
VideosPhotographsIllustrationsChartsMapsPodcasts
News
Current NewsArchiveNewsletterSubscribeJSP Conferences
About
About the ProjectJoseph Smith and His PapersFAQAwardsEndorsementsReviewsEditorial MethodNote on TranscriptionsNote on Images of People and PlacesReferencing the ProjectCiting This WebsiteProject TeamContact Us
Published Volumes
  1. Home > 
  2. The Papers > 

Letter from Lyman Wight and Others, 15 February 1844–A

Source Note

Lyman Wight

9 May 1796–31 Mar. 1858. Farmer. Born at Fairfield, Herkimer Co., New York. Son of Levi Wight Jr. and Sarah Corbin. Served in War of 1812. Married Harriet Benton, 5 Jan. 1823, at Henrietta, Monroe Co., New York. Moved to Warrensville, Cuyahoga Co., Ohio, ...

View Full Bio
,
George Miller

25 Nov. 1794–after July 1856. Carpenter, mill operator, lumber dealer, steamboat owner. Born near Stanardsville, Orange Co., Virginia. Son of John Miller and Margaret Pfeiffer. Moved to Augusta Co., Virginia, 1798; to Madison Co., Kentucky, 1806; to Boone...

View Full Bio
,
Phineas R. Bird

29 Jan. 1802–25 July 1850. Weaver, stone mason. Born in Trenton, Hunterdon Co., New Jersey. Son of Benjamin Bird and Mary. Moved to Romulus, Seneca Co., New York, by 1810. Moved to Wells, Bradford Co., Pennsylvania, by 1820. Captain in U.S. Army, 10 Jan. ...

View Full Bio
,
Pierce Hawley

14 Nov. 1788–16 Aug. 1858. Farmer. Born in Vergennes, Addison Co., Vermont. Son of Gideon Hawley and Lavinia Darrough. Moved to Ferrisburg, Addison Co., by 1790. Married first, ca. 1812. Served in War of 1812. Moved to White Co., Illinois, ca. 1818. Married...

View Full Bio
, and
John Young

May 1811–30 Oct. 1886. Lumber and sawmill worker, clerk, farmer. Born in Jackson Co., Tennessee. Son of David Young and Elizabeth Vance. Possibly baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by John D. Lee at same time as his parents and siblings...

View Full Bio
, Letter,
Black River Falls

Post village located on Black River. Site of pine lumber industry. County seat. Population in 1850 about 460. Committee of church members wrote to JS and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles from village, 15 Feb. 1844.

More Info
, Crawford Co., Wisconsin Territory, to JS and the
Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

Members of a governing body in the church, with special administrative and proselytizing responsibilities. A June 1829 revelation commanded Oliver Cowdery and David Whitmer to call twelve disciples, similar to the twelve apostles in the New Testament and ...

View Glossary
, [
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
, Hancock Co., IL], 15 Feb. 1844; handwriting of Otis Hobart; five pages; JS Collection, CHL.
Two leaves measuring 12⅛ × 7¾ inches (31 × 20 cm) and an additional small slip of paper measuring 3¼ × 7⅝ inches (8 × 19 cm) that was cut from a larger leaf. The paper of the first two leaves is ruled (though the lines are now almost completely faded). The letter was written on both sides of both leaves and on the recto of the smaller slip of paper (with the verso left blank). The first two leaves were folded three times horizontally and twice vertically, and the small slip of paper was folded twice vertically. The document has undergone conservation.
The letter was received by JS in
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
folded together and wrapped with another letter of the same date from
Lyman Wight

9 May 1796–31 Mar. 1858. Farmer. Born at Fairfield, Herkimer Co., New York. Son of Levi Wight Jr. and Sarah Corbin. Served in War of 1812. Married Harriet Benton, 5 Jan. 1823, at Henrietta, Monroe Co., New York. Moved to Warrensville, Cuyahoga Co., Ohio, ...

View Full Bio
and others in
Wisconsin Territory

Area settled by French, before 1700. Became part of U.S. by Treaty of Paris, 1783. Territory officially formed, 1836, with Belmont established as capital. Capital moved to present-day Burlington, Iowa, 1837. Territory initially included all or part of present...

More Info
. The second letter was docketed (likely serving as a docket for both letters).
1

See Letter from Lyman Wight and Others, 15 Feb. 1844–B.


The letter featured here was docketed by Andrew Jenson, who began working in the Church Historian’s Office (later Church Historical Department) in 1891 and served as assistant church historian from 1897 to 1941.
2

Jenson, Autobiography, 192, 389; Cannon, Journal, 9 Feb. 1891; Jenson, Journal, 9 Feb. 1891 and 19 Oct. 1897; Bitton and Arrington, Mormons and Their Historians, 47–52.


Comprehensive Works Cited

Jenson, Andrew. Autobiography of Andrew Jenson: Assistant Historian of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. . . . Salt Lake City: Deseret News Press, 1938.

Cannon, George Q. Journals, 1855–1864, 1872–1901. CHL. CR 850 1.

Jenson, Andrew. Journals, 1864–1941. Andrew Jenson, Autobiography and Journals, 1864–1941. CHL.

Bitton, David, and Leonard J. Arrington. Mormons and Their Historians. Salt Lake City: University of Utah Press, 1988.

By 1973 the document had been included in the JS Collection at the Church Historical Department (now CHL).
3

See the full bibliographic entry for JS Collection, 1827–1844, in the CHL catalog.


The document’s early provenance and its later inclusion in the JS Collection suggest continuous institutional custody.

Footnotes

  1. [1]

    See Letter from Lyman Wight and Others, 15 Feb. 1844–B.

  2. [2]

    Jenson, Autobiography, 192, 389; Cannon, Journal, 9 Feb. 1891; Jenson, Journal, 9 Feb. 1891 and 19 Oct. 1897; Bitton and Arrington, Mormons and Their Historians, 47–52.

    Jenson, Andrew. Autobiography of Andrew Jenson: Assistant Historian of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. . . . Salt Lake City: Deseret News Press, 1938.

    Cannon, George Q. Journals, 1855–1864, 1872–1901. CHL. CR 850 1.

    Jenson, Andrew. Journals, 1864–1941. Andrew Jenson, Autobiography and Journals, 1864–1941. CHL.

    Bitton, David, and Leonard J. Arrington. Mormons and Their Historians. Salt Lake City: University of Utah Press, 1988.

  3. [3]

    See the full bibliographic entry for JS Collection, 1827–1844, in the CHL catalog.

Historical Introduction

On 15 February 1844, a committee of
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
members in
Wisconsin Territory

Area settled by French, before 1700. Became part of U.S. by Treaty of Paris, 1783. Territory officially formed, 1836, with Belmont established as capital. Capital moved to present-day Burlington, Iowa, 1837. Territory initially included all or part of present...

More Info
drafted two letters to inform JS, his counselors in the
First Presidency

The highest presiding body of the church. An 11 November 1831 revelation stated that the president of the high priesthood was to preside over the church. JS was ordained as president of the high priesthood on 25 January 1832. In March 1832, JS appointed two...

View Glossary
, and the
Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

Members of a governing body in the church, with special administrative and proselytizing responsibilities. A June 1829 revelation commanded Oliver Cowdery and David Whitmer to call twelve disciples, similar to the twelve apostles in the New Testament and ...

View Glossary
about the progress of the Latter-day Saints in Wisconsin in obtaining lumber for 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
in
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, and 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
as well as their efforts to proselytize among the Chippewa and Menominee nations living in Wisconsin. The letters also shared the committee’s recent conclusion that church leaders should consider sending an expedition to scout the
Republic of Texas

France established colony in area, 1685. First Spanish settlement created, 1718. After Mexican War of Independence from Spain, 1821, area became part of Mexico and immigration increased. Conflict between Mexican government and Texian residents resulted in...

More Info
as a
gathering

As directed by early revelations, church members “gathered” in communities. A revelation dated September 1830, for instance, instructed elders “to bring to pass the gathering of mine elect” who would “be gathered in unto one place, upon the face of this land...

View Glossary
place for southern Latter-day Saints and converted Native Americans.
Church members had been logging pine in
Wisconsin Territory

Area settled by French, before 1700. Became part of U.S. by Treaty of Paris, 1783. Territory officially formed, 1836, with Belmont established as capital. Capital moved to present-day Burlington, Iowa, 1837. Territory initially included all or part of present...

More Info
since 1841 to provide lumber for the construction 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
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 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
.
1

See Rowley, “Mormon Experience in the Wisconsin Pineries,” 119–148; George Miller, St. James, MI, to “Dear Brother,” 26 June 1855, Northern Islander, 16 Aug. 1855, [4]; and George Miller, St. James, MI, to “Dear Brother,” 26 June 1855, Northern Islander, 23 Aug. 1855, [1]–[2].


Comprehensive Works Cited

Rowley, Dennis. “The Mormon Experience in the Wisconsin Pineries, 1841–1845.” BYU Studies 32, nos. 1 and 2 (1992): 119–148.

Northern Islander. St. James, MI. 1850–1856.

According to the letter, church administrators in Wisconsin Territory had concluded that by July 1844 the logging operation could supply more than enough lumber for both buildings. In addition, a delegation from the Menominee had recently visited the Wisconsin Saints to inform them that they would have to pay federally regulated rates for logging on the
Black River

Rises in Portage Co. (now in Taylor Co.), runs southwest 150 miles through central Wisconsin Territory, and empties into Mississippi River. First lumber mill built on river, 1818. In Sept. 1841, Nauvoo temple committee and trustees of Nauvoo House Association...

More Info
above the falls, thereby limiting the profits that the lumber operation could generate for the church. Although this development changed the prospects for using the lumber mills to raise money, the meeting helped solidify relations between the Saints and the Indian nation. Noting the poor prospects for making money in Wisconsin Territory and recent proselytizing success in the southern
United States

North American constitutional republic. Constitution ratified, 17 Sept. 1787. Population in 1805 about 6,000,000; in 1830 about 13,000,000; and in 1844 about 20,000,000. Louisiana Purchase, 1803, doubled size of U.S. Consisted of seventeen states at time ...

More Info
, the Wisconsin Saints wanted to abandon the lumber venture and establish a new gathering center in
Texas

France established colony in area, 1685. First Spanish settlement created, 1718. After Mexican War of Independence from Spain, 1821, area became part of Mexico and immigration increased. Conflict between Mexican government and Texian residents resulted in...

More Info
. The committee expected they would have more success raising money for the church by converting and gathering slaveholders who could be persuaded to consecrate the profits of enslaved labor to the church.
Church leaders in
Wisconsin Territory

Area settled by French, before 1700. Became part of U.S. by Treaty of Paris, 1783. Territory officially formed, 1836, with Belmont established as capital. Capital moved to present-day Burlington, Iowa, 1837. Territory initially included all or part of present...

More Info
also believed it was possible to convert large numbers of the Menominee and Chippewa and persuade them to sell their lands and move to
Texas

France established colony in area, 1685. First Spanish settlement created, 1718. After Mexican War of Independence from Spain, 1821, area became part of Mexico and immigration increased. Conflict between Mexican government and Texian residents resulted in...

More Info
. Before the committee wrote this letter,
Lyman Wight

9 May 1796–31 Mar. 1858. Farmer. Born at Fairfield, Herkimer Co., New York. Son of Levi Wight Jr. and Sarah Corbin. Served in War of 1812. Married Harriet Benton, 5 Jan. 1823, at Henrietta, Monroe Co., New York. Moved to Warrensville, Cuyahoga Co., Ohio, ...

View Full Bio
contacted JS in January 1844 and asked for permission to preach to the Menominee and Chippewa because of the interest that Native American leaders had expressed in the church.
2

JS, Journal, 20 Feb. 1844. In January 1844, Wight and George Miller sent Mitchel Curtis and Stephen Curtis to Nauvoo to inquire if Wight should proselytize among these two tribes. JS told the messengers that Wight should “do what he thinks best. & he shall never be brought into difficulty about it by us.”


The committee hoped that relocating to Texas or elsewhere in the West would open the doorway to proselytize among many indigenous groups throughout the Americas.
Church members in
Wisconsin Territory

Area settled by French, before 1700. Became part of U.S. by Treaty of Paris, 1783. Territory officially formed, 1836, with Belmont established as capital. Capital moved to present-day Burlington, Iowa, 1837. Territory initially included all or part of present...

More Info
appointed this committee—consisting of
Wight

9 May 1796–31 Mar. 1858. Farmer. Born at Fairfield, Herkimer Co., New York. Son of Levi Wight Jr. and Sarah Corbin. Served in War of 1812. Married Harriet Benton, 5 Jan. 1823, at Henrietta, Monroe Co., New York. Moved to Warrensville, Cuyahoga Co., Ohio, ...

View Full Bio
,
George Miller

25 Nov. 1794–after July 1856. Carpenter, mill operator, lumber dealer, steamboat owner. Born near Stanardsville, Orange Co., Virginia. Son of John Miller and Margaret Pfeiffer. Moved to Augusta Co., Virginia, 1798; to Madison Co., Kentucky, 1806; to Boone...

View Full Bio
,
Pierce Hawley

14 Nov. 1788–16 Aug. 1858. Farmer. Born in Vergennes, Addison Co., Vermont. Son of Gideon Hawley and Lavinia Darrough. Moved to Ferrisburg, Addison Co., by 1790. Married first, ca. 1812. Served in War of 1812. Moved to White Co., Illinois, ca. 1818. Married...

View Full Bio
,
Phineas R. Bird

29 Jan. 1802–25 July 1850. Weaver, stone mason. Born in Trenton, Hunterdon Co., New Jersey. Son of Benjamin Bird and Mary. Moved to Romulus, Seneca Co., New York, by 1810. Moved to Wells, Bradford Co., Pennsylvania, by 1820. Captain in U.S. Army, 10 Jan. ...

View Full Bio
, and
John Young

May 1811–30 Oct. 1886. Lumber and sawmill worker, clerk, farmer. Born in Jackson Co., Tennessee. Son of David Young and Elizabeth Vance. Possibly baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by John D. Lee at same time as his parents and siblings...

View Full Bio
—to communicate their views to church leaders in
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
. The committee assigned Wight and Miller, both of whom were
Nauvoo House Association

A corporation established in February 1841 to oversee the building of the Nauvoo House. A 19 January 1841 JS revelation included a commandment to construct a boardinghouse for visitors to Nauvoo that would also serve as a home for JS and his family. The association...

View Glossary
trustees, to each draft a letter to send to Nauvoo. After reviewing the two drafts, the committee resolved to send both letters; the first letter, featured here, was authored by Wight and inscribed by Otis Hobart.
3

Wight later published his letter, which matches the letter featured here. (Wight, Address by Way of an Abridged Account and Journal of My Life, 1–3.)


Comprehensive Works Cited

Wight, Lyman. An Address by Way of an Abridged Account and Journal of My Life from February 1844 up to April 1848, with an Appeal to the Latter Day Saints. [Austin, TX], [ca. 1848].

The second was created by Miller and also penned by Hobart.
4

See Letter from Lyman Wight and Others, 15 Feb. 1844–B.


Some evidence suggests that Wight’s letter was meant to be read first. His letter reported the decision to send both letters, suggesting that he intended his message to be read as an introduction to both; the folds on the letters indicate that they were folded together with Wight’s letter first and Miller’s second.
5

JS’s journal entry for 10 March suggests that the letter written by Miller may have been read first. The journal reports that “a Letter was read from Lyman Wight & others Dated Feb 15. 1844. to B. Youg W. Richads &c . . . also a letter to Joseph Smith. &c— from Lyman Wight and others a committee of the branch at th[e] pinery Black River. Falls.— Feb 15. 1844.” Both letters close by listing JS, Brigham Young, and Willard Richards as the addressees. However, the greeting in the letter written by Miller was to the “first Presidency” and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, whereas the greeting in the letter written by Wight was to “Joseph Smith” and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. Since the journal entry has the letter “to Joseph Smith. &c” being read second, these greetings suggest that the men read the letter from Miller first and the letter from Wight second—the same order in which William Clayton transcribed the letters into the Council of Fifty record. (JS, Journal, 10 Mar. 1844; Council of Fifty, “Record,” 10 Mar. 1844; George Miller, St. James, MI, to “Dear Brother,” 27 June 1855, in Northern Islander, 23 Aug. 1855, [2].)


Comprehensive Works Cited

Northern Islander. St. James, MI. 1850–1856.

Each of the letters is dated 15 February 1844 and was signed by the five members of the committee, though the first is addressed to JS and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles while the second is addressed to the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve.
6

Letter from Lyman Wight and Others, 15 Feb. 1844–B.


The committee initially chose
John Young

May 1811–30 Oct. 1886. Lumber and sawmill worker, clerk, farmer. Born in Jackson Co., Tennessee. Son of David Young and Elizabeth Vance. Possibly baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by John D. Lee at same time as his parents and siblings...

View Full Bio
to carry the letters 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
, but it was later decided that
Miller

25 Nov. 1794–after July 1856. Carpenter, mill operator, lumber dealer, steamboat owner. Born near Stanardsville, Orange Co., Virginia. Son of John Miller and Margaret Pfeiffer. Moved to Augusta Co., Virginia, 1798; to Madison Co., Kentucky, 1806; to Boone...

View Full Bio
would bear them.
7

Letter from Lyman Wight and Others, 15 Feb. 1844–B; George Miller, St. James, MI, to “Dear Brother,” 27 June 1855, in Northern Islander, 23 Aug. 1855, [2].


Comprehensive Works Cited

Northern Islander. St. James, MI. 1850–1856.

Miller delivered the letters to JS in Nauvoo on the afternoon of Sunday, 10 March 1844. JS perused the letters, and some discussion ensued. At 4:30 p.m., JS met in the
Nauvoo Mansion

Large, two-story, Greek Revival frame structure located on northeast corner of Water and Main streets. Built to meet JS’s immediate need for larger home that could also serve as hotel to accommodate his numerous guests. JS relocated family from old house ...

More Info
with Miller, available members of the Twelve, and the temple committee to further discuss the letters. This discussion led to the provisional organization that night of what would later become the
Council of Fifty

An organization intended to establish the political kingdom of God on the earth. An 1842 editorial in the church newspaper stated that the “design of Jehovah” was to “take the reigns of government into his own hand.” On 10 and 11 March 1844, JS and several...

View Glossary
and the formal organization of the council on 11 March 1844.
8

JS, Journal, 10 Mar. 1844; Council of Fifty, “Record,” 10–11 Mar. 1844.


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
later copied these letters into the Council of Fifty record.
9

See Council of Fifty, “Record,” 10 Mar. 1844.


The original sent letter is featured here.

Footnotes

  1. [1]

    See Rowley, “Mormon Experience in the Wisconsin Pineries,” 119–148; George Miller, St. James, MI, to “Dear Brother,” 26 June 1855, Northern Islander, 16 Aug. 1855, [4]; and George Miller, St. James, MI, to “Dear Brother,” 26 June 1855, Northern Islander, 23 Aug. 1855, [1]–[2].

    Rowley, Dennis. “The Mormon Experience in the Wisconsin Pineries, 1841–1845.” BYU Studies 32, nos. 1 and 2 (1992): 119–148.

    Northern Islander. St. James, MI. 1850–1856.

  2. [2]

    JS, Journal, 20 Feb. 1844. In January 1844, Wight and George Miller sent Mitchel Curtis and Stephen Curtis to Nauvoo to inquire if Wight should proselytize among these two tribes. JS told the messengers that Wight should “do what he thinks best. & he shall never be brought into difficulty about it by us.”

  3. [3]

    Wight later published his letter, which matches the letter featured here. (Wight, Address by Way of an Abridged Account and Journal of My Life, 1–3.)

    Wight, Lyman. An Address by Way of an Abridged Account and Journal of My Life from February 1844 up to April 1848, with an Appeal to the Latter Day Saints. [Austin, TX], [ca. 1848].

  4. [4]

    See Letter from Lyman Wight and Others, 15 Feb. 1844–B.

  5. [5]

    JS’s journal entry for 10 March suggests that the letter written by Miller may have been read first. The journal reports that “a Letter was read from Lyman Wight & others Dated Feb 15. 1844. to B. Youg W. Richads &c . . . also a letter to Joseph Smith. &c— from Lyman Wight and others a committee of the branch at th[e] pinery Black River. Falls.— Feb 15. 1844.” Both letters close by listing JS, Brigham Young, and Willard Richards as the addressees. However, the greeting in the letter written by Miller was to the “first Presidency” and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, whereas the greeting in the letter written by Wight was to “Joseph Smith” and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. Since the journal entry has the letter “to Joseph Smith. &c” being read second, these greetings suggest that the men read the letter from Miller first and the letter from Wight second—the same order in which William Clayton transcribed the letters into the Council of Fifty record. (JS, Journal, 10 Mar. 1844; Council of Fifty, “Record,” 10 Mar. 1844; George Miller, St. James, MI, to “Dear Brother,” 27 June 1855, in Northern Islander, 23 Aug. 1855, [2].)

    Northern Islander. St. James, MI. 1850–1856.

  6. [6]

    Letter from Lyman Wight and Others, 15 Feb. 1844–B.

  7. [7]

    Letter from Lyman Wight and Others, 15 Feb. 1844–B; George Miller, St. James, MI, to “Dear Brother,” 27 June 1855, in Northern Islander, 23 Aug. 1855, [2].

    Northern Islander. St. James, MI. 1850–1856.

  8. [8]

    JS, Journal, 10 Mar. 1844; Council of Fifty, “Record,” 10–11 Mar. 1844.

  9. [9]

    See Council of Fifty, “Record,” 10 Mar. 1844.

Asterisk (*) denotes a "featured" version, which includes an introduction and annotation. *Letter from Lyman Wight and Others, 15 February 1844–A Council of Fifty, Minutes, March 1844–January 1846; Volume 1, 10 March 1844–1 March 1845 History, 1838–1856, volume E-1 [1 July 1843–30 April 1844] “History of Joseph Smith”

Page [2]

chose the following committee (namely)
Lyman Wight

9 May 1796–31 Mar. 1858. Farmer. Born at Fairfield, Herkimer Co., New York. Son of Levi Wight Jr. and Sarah Corbin. Served in War of 1812. Married Harriet Benton, 5 Jan. 1823, at Henrietta, Monroe Co., New York. Moved to Warrensville, Cuyahoga Co., Ohio, ...

View Full Bio
George Miller

25 Nov. 1794–after July 1856. Carpenter, mill operator, lumber dealer, steamboat owner. Born near Stanardsville, Orange Co., Virginia. Son of John Miller and Margaret Pfeiffer. Moved to Augusta Co., Virginia, 1798; to Madison Co., Kentucky, 1806; to Boone...

View Full Bio
Pierce Hawley

14 Nov. 1788–16 Aug. 1858. Farmer. Born in Vergennes, Addison Co., Vermont. Son of Gideon Hawley and Lavinia Darrough. Moved to Ferrisburg, Addison Co., by 1790. Married first, ca. 1812. Served in War of 1812. Moved to White Co., Illinois, ca. 1818. Married...

View Full Bio
Phineas [R.] Bird

29 Jan. 1802–25 July 1850. Weaver, stone mason. Born in Trenton, Hunterdon Co., New Jersey. Son of Benjamin Bird and Mary. Moved to Romulus, Seneca Co., New York, by 1810. Moved to Wells, Bradford Co., Pennsylvania, by 1820. Captain in U.S. Army, 10 Jan. ...

View Full Bio
and
John Young

May 1811–30 Oct. 1886. Lumber and sawmill worker, clerk, farmer. Born in Jackson Co., Tennessee. Son of David Young and Elizabeth Vance. Possibly baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by John D. Lee at same time as his parents and siblings...

View Full Bio
to correspond with your Revr. council, giving you our views concerning matters and things and requesting your council on the same— This committee views it inexpedient to purchase standing timber on so rapid and unnavigable a stream for the purpose of making lumber to gain wealth— The Lamanites owning this land, notwithstanding their great anxiety to receive the Gospel and the book of Mormon have a strong desire if counciled by us so to do, to go south West where game is more plenty as their only resource here for a living is the pittiful annuities and proceeds from their pine timber,
13

In the treaty with the United States ratified in 1837, the Menominee were promised an annual cash and goods annuity from the federal government for twenty years. They were to annually receive $20,000 in cash, $3,000 worth of provisions, thirty barrels of salt, $500 worth of husbandry equipment or farming utensils, and two thousand pounds of tobacco. By 1843 this annuity payment amounted to only about $10.35 per tribal member. In addition, the payments were often weeks late and the goods were of substandard quality. (Articles of Agreement [3 Sept. 1836], Public Statutes at Large, vol. 7, pp. 507, 509, art. 2; Beck, Siege and Survival, 147–155.)


Comprehensive Works Cited

The Public Statutes at Large of the United States of America, from the Organization of the Government in 1789, to March 3, 1845. . . . Edited by Richard Peters. 8 vols. Boston: Charles C. Little and James Brown, 1846–1867.

Beck, David R. M. Siege and Survival: History of the Menominee Indians, 1634–1856. Lincoln: University of Nebraska Press, 2002.

which timber is is the only inducement to the Government to purchase their lands— This committee is therefore led to take a brief view of the south and Western part of North America togeather with the Floridas,
14

Following Andrew Jackson’s invasion and occupation of the Spanish province of West Florida in 1818, Spain agreed to cede the two provinces of East and West Florida to the United States, which soon consolidated the provinces into a single territorial government. (Coker and Parker, “Second Spanish Period in the Two Floridas,” 156–157, 164; Howe, What Hath God Wrought, 97–111, 516–517.)


Comprehensive Works Cited

Coker, William, and Susan R. Parker. “The Second Spanish Period in the Two Floridas.” In The New History of Florida, edited by Michael Gannon, 150–166. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 1996.

Howe, Daniel Walker. What Hath God Wrought: The Transformation of America, 1815–1848. The Oxford History of the United States. New York: Oxford University Press, 2007.

Texas

France established colony in area, 1685. First Spanish settlement created, 1718. After Mexican War of Independence from Spain, 1821, area became part of Mexico and immigration increased. Conflict between Mexican government and Texian residents resulted in...

More Info
, West India Islands and the adjacent Islands to the Gulf of Mexico, togeather with the Lamanites bordering on the United Territoriees from Green Bay to the Mexican Gulf;
15

That is, the territories belonging to the United States: Wisconsin, Iowa, Florida, unorganized territory, and Indian Territory. (See Council of Fifty, “Record,” 26 Mar. 1844.)


all crying with One voice through the medium of their chiefs. Give us an understanding of your doctrine and principles for we perceive that your ways are equal and your rightiousness far exceeds the righteousness of all the Missionaries, that we have yet become acquainted with, that your conduct with One another is like that of ours and that all your feasts and attendant ceremonies are precisely like ours.
16

George Miller later recounted that when Oshkosh, chief of the Menominee, visited the Latter-day Saint lumber operation, he “said he believed we were right, for many things we had told him were backed up by Indian tradition; but for him, the principal chief, to act on his belief would avail nothing; that at some future period it would be best to call a council of all his chiefs, (he could not then as they were on their winter’s hunt,) and deliberately consider the whole matter, and act upon it in national council, and in that case their change of religion would be national and permanent, and that he had no doubt in bringing it about.” Wight and Miller sent Mitchel Curtis and Stephen Curtis to Nauvoo to inquire whether Wight “should preach to the Indians,” which the Menominee and the Chippewa had requested. JS told them on 20 February 1844, “I have no council to give him. he is there on his own ground. and he must act on his own responsibility. & do what he thinks best. & he shall never be brought into difficulty about it by us.” Wilford Woodruff clarified that on the subject of preaching to the Indians, “Joseph thought it wisdom not to do it He said if Lyman did any thing about it he must do it on his own responsibility but finally decided not to send any Council to him but let him act with the best wisdom he had in all things.” (George Miller, St. James, MI, to “Dear Brother,” 27 June 1855, in Northern Islander, 23 Aug. 1855, [2]; JS, Journal, 20 Feb. 1844; Woodruff, Journal, 20 Feb. 1844.)


Comprehensive Works Cited

Northern Islander. St. James, MI. 1850–1856.

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

Your servants the committee have viewed the
Colorado River

Also known as Rio Colorado, or Red River, because of area’s red clay that lends river its hue. One of longest rivers in North America; drains about 245,000 square miles. Runs southwest about 1,500 miles from Rocky Mountains in present-day northern Colorado...

More Info
with all its beautiful hills and vallies and fertile soil with deep regret when viewing the countless thousands of inhabitants on either side thereof, without the knowledge of God or the doctrine of the
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

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
, and say in their hearts, would it be expedients to form a Mission of those true and full blooded Ep[h]raimites
17

Ephraim was one of the two sons of Joseph, the son of the patriarch Jacob (Israel). By 1831 descent from Ephraim had become associated with the membership of the church. (Genesis chap. 48; Revelation, 11 Sept. 1831 [D&C 64:36]; Revelation, 3 Nov. 1831 [D&C 133:30–34]; see also Letter to Stephen Post, 17 Sept. 1838.)


who from principle and love [p. [2]]
View entire transcript

|

Cite this page

Source Note

Document Transcript

Page [2]

Document Information

Related Case Documents
Editorial Title
Letter from Lyman Wight and Others, 15 February 1844–A
ID #
1272
Total Pages
6
Print Volume Location
Handwriting on This Page

    Footnotes

    1. [13]

      In the treaty with the United States ratified in 1837, the Menominee were promised an annual cash and goods annuity from the federal government for twenty years. They were to annually receive $20,000 in cash, $3,000 worth of provisions, thirty barrels of salt, $500 worth of husbandry equipment or farming utensils, and two thousand pounds of tobacco. By 1843 this annuity payment amounted to only about $10.35 per tribal member. In addition, the payments were often weeks late and the goods were of substandard quality. (Articles of Agreement [3 Sept. 1836], Public Statutes at Large, vol. 7, pp. 507, 509, art. 2; Beck, Siege and Survival, 147–155.)

      The Public Statutes at Large of the United States of America, from the Organization of the Government in 1789, to March 3, 1845. . . . Edited by Richard Peters. 8 vols. Boston: Charles C. Little and James Brown, 1846–1867.

      Beck, David R. M. Siege and Survival: History of the Menominee Indians, 1634–1856. Lincoln: University of Nebraska Press, 2002.

    2. [14]

      Following Andrew Jackson’s invasion and occupation of the Spanish province of West Florida in 1818, Spain agreed to cede the two provinces of East and West Florida to the United States, which soon consolidated the provinces into a single territorial government. (Coker and Parker, “Second Spanish Period in the Two Floridas,” 156–157, 164; Howe, What Hath God Wrought, 97–111, 516–517.)

      Coker, William, and Susan R. Parker. “The Second Spanish Period in the Two Floridas.” In The New History of Florida, edited by Michael Gannon, 150–166. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 1996.

      Howe, Daniel Walker. What Hath God Wrought: The Transformation of America, 1815–1848. The Oxford History of the United States. New York: Oxford University Press, 2007.

    3. [15]

      That is, the territories belonging to the United States: Wisconsin, Iowa, Florida, unorganized territory, and Indian Territory. (See Council of Fifty, “Record,” 26 Mar. 1844.)

    4. [16]

      George Miller later recounted that when Oshkosh, chief of the Menominee, visited the Latter-day Saint lumber operation, he “said he believed we were right, for many things we had told him were backed up by Indian tradition; but for him, the principal chief, to act on his belief would avail nothing; that at some future period it would be best to call a council of all his chiefs, (he could not then as they were on their winter’s hunt,) and deliberately consider the whole matter, and act upon it in national council, and in that case their change of religion would be national and permanent, and that he had no doubt in bringing it about.” Wight and Miller sent Mitchel Curtis and Stephen Curtis to Nauvoo to inquire whether Wight “should preach to the Indians,” which the Menominee and the Chippewa had requested. JS told them on 20 February 1844, “I have no council to give him. he is there on his own ground. and he must act on his own responsibility. & do what he thinks best. & he shall never be brought into difficulty about it by us.” Wilford Woodruff clarified that on the subject of preaching to the Indians, “Joseph thought it wisdom not to do it He said if Lyman did any thing about it he must do it on his own responsibility but finally decided not to send any Council to him but let him act with the best wisdom he had in all things.” (George Miller, St. James, MI, to “Dear Brother,” 27 June 1855, in Northern Islander, 23 Aug. 1855, [2]; JS, Journal, 20 Feb. 1844; Woodruff, Journal, 20 Feb. 1844.)

      Northern Islander. St. James, MI. 1850–1856.

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

    5. [17]

      Ephraim was one of the two sons of Joseph, the son of the patriarch Jacob (Israel). By 1831 descent from Ephraim had become associated with the membership of the church. (Genesis chap. 48; Revelation, 11 Sept. 1831 [D&C 64:36]; Revelation, 3 Nov. 1831 [D&C 133:30–34]; see also Letter to Stephen Post, 17 Sept. 1838.)

    © 2024 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved.Terms of UseUpdated 2021-04-13Privacy NoticeUpdated 2021-04-06