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Letter from Mephibosheth Sirrine, 25 May 1842

Source Note

Mephibosheth Sirrine

27 Oct. 1811–25 Apr. 1848. Carpet weaver. Born in Philipstown, Putnam Co., New York. Son of Isaac Sirrine and Sarah. Married first Mariah Wheeler, by 1835, likely in Putnam Co. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, by Aug. 1838. Served...

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, Letter,
Canton

Township located approximately twenty miles west of Detroit. Formed 1834. Population in 1854 about 1,900. Mephibosheth Sirrine corresponded with JS from township in 1842 regarding missionary work in state.

More Info
, Wayne Co., MI, to JS, [
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], 25 May 1842. Featured version published in Times and Seasons, 1 July 1842, vol. 3, no. 17, 838–839. For more complete source information, see the source note for Letter to Isaac Galland, 22 Mar. 1839.

Historical Introduction

On 25 May 1842,
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
member
Mephibosheth Sirrine

27 Oct. 1811–25 Apr. 1848. Carpet weaver. Born in Philipstown, Putnam Co., New York. Son of Isaac Sirrine and Sarah. Married first Mariah Wheeler, by 1835, likely in Putnam Co. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, by Aug. 1838. Served...

View Full Bio
wrote from
Canton

Township located approximately twenty miles west of Detroit. Formed 1834. Population in 1854 about 1,900. Mephibosheth Sirrine corresponded with JS from township in 1842 regarding missionary work in state.

More Info
, Michigan, to 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
, Illinois, updating him on the state of the church in and around Canton and reporting on his proselytizing efforts. Sirrine had left
New York City

Dutch founded New Netherland colony, 1625. Incorporated under British control and renamed New York, 1664. Harbor contributed to economic and population growth of city; became largest city in American colonies. British troops defeated Continental Army under...

More Info
in 1838 to preach in southeastern
Michigan

Organized as territory, 1805, with Detroit as capital. De facto state government organized within territory, 1836, although not formally recognized as state by federal government until 1837. Lansing became new state capital, 1847. Population in 1810 about...

More Info
, where he organized a
branch

An ecclesiastical organization of church members in a particular locale. A branch was generally smaller than a stake or a conference. Branches were also referred to as churches, as in “the Church of Shalersville.” In general, a branch was led by a presiding...

View Glossary
.
1

Mephibosheth Sirrine, [Washtenaw Co., MI], 8 Feb. 1840, Letter to the Editors, Times and Seasons, Mar. 1840, 1:73–74.


Comprehensive Works Cited

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

By 1840, he was still living in Michigan with his wife, Mariah Wheeler, and three children.
2

1840 U.S. Census, Superior, Washtenaw Co., MI, 92.


Comprehensive Works Cited

Census (U.S.) / U.S. Bureau of the Census. Population Schedules. Microfilm. FHL.

In 1841, Sirrine presided over a church
conference

A meeting where ecclesiastical officers and other church members could conduct church business. The “Articles and Covenants” of the church directed the elders to hold conferences to perform “Church business.” The first of these conferences was held on 9 June...

View Glossary
in Michigan.
3

Rufus Beach, Livonia, MI, 2 Mar. 1841, Letter to the Editor, Times and Seasons, 1 Apr. 1841, 2:366.


Comprehensive Works Cited

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

As indicated in this May 1842 letter, he relocated with his family to
La Harpe

Located about twenty-five miles east of Nauvoo. Settled 1830. Originally called Franklin. Developed, platted, and renamed La Harpe, by 1836. Immigration and missionary work led to creation of branch of Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in area, ...

More Info
, Illinois, sometime between June 1841 and February 1842, after which he returned to Michigan to proselytize.
In the letter featured here,
Sirrine

27 Oct. 1811–25 Apr. 1848. Carpet weaver. Born in Philipstown, Putnam Co., New York. Son of Isaac Sirrine and Sarah. Married first Mariah Wheeler, by 1835, likely in Putnam Co. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, by Aug. 1838. Served...

View Full Bio
’s proselytizing report focused on a public debate he had recently had with a Methodist minister.
4

Sirrine had previously debated a Baptist, a Methodist, and two Universalist ministers in January 1840. (Mephibosheth Sirrine, [Washtenaw Co., MI], 8 Feb. 1840, Letter to the Editors, Times and Seasons, Mar. 1840, 1:73–74.)


Comprehensive Works Cited

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

Sirrine’s letter was published in the 1 July 1842 issue of the Times and Seasons and was one of several letters reporting on missionary work that JS, during his tenure as editor, published in the church newspaper.
5

See, for example, Letter from William Appleby, ca. Mar. 1842.


The original letter from Sirrine is apparently not extant.

Footnotes

  1. [1]

    Mephibosheth Sirrine, [Washtenaw Co., MI], 8 Feb. 1840, Letter to the Editors, Times and Seasons, Mar. 1840, 1:73–74.

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

  2. [2]

    1840 U.S. Census, Superior, Washtenaw Co., MI, 92.

    Census (U.S.) / U.S. Bureau of the Census. Population Schedules. Microfilm. FHL.

  3. [3]

    Rufus Beach, Livonia, MI, 2 Mar. 1841, Letter to the Editor, Times and Seasons, 1 Apr. 1841, 2:366.

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

  4. [4]

    Sirrine had previously debated a Baptist, a Methodist, and two Universalist ministers in January 1840. (Mephibosheth Sirrine, [Washtenaw Co., MI], 8 Feb. 1840, Letter to the Editors, Times and Seasons, Mar. 1840, 1:73–74.)

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

  5. [5]

    See, for example, Letter from William Appleby, ca. Mar. 1842.

Asterisk (*) denotes a "featured" version, which includes an introduction and annotation.
*Letter from Mephibosheth Sirrine, 25 May 1842
Times and Seasons, 1 July 1842

Page 838

Canton

Township located approximately twenty miles west of Detroit. Formed 1834. Population in 1854 about 1,900. Mephibosheth Sirrine corresponded with JS from township in 1842 regarding missionary work in state.

More Info
, Wayne co Mich. May 25, 1842.
President Smith—Dear Sir:—I sit down to write a few lines to you to inform you of the spread of truth in this
State

Organized as territory, 1805, with Detroit as capital. De facto state government organized within territory, 1836, although not formally recognized as state by federal government until 1837. Lansing became new state capital, 1847. Population in 1810 about...

More Info
.
I left the town of
Laharpe

Located about twenty-five miles east of Nauvoo. Settled 1830. Originally called Franklin. Developed, platted, and renamed La Harpe, by 1836. Immigration and missionary work led to creation of branch of Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in area, ...

More Info
Hancock co.
1

Tax records indicate that Sirrine owned land in La Harpe in 1842. (Nauvoo, Hancock Co., IL, Tax Lists for District no. 3, Tax Record for 1842, p. 181, microfilm 7,706, U.S. and Canada Record Collection, FHL.)


Comprehensive Works Cited

U.S. and Canada Record Collection. FHL.

on the 15th of February in company with
Elder

A male leader in the church generally; an ecclesiastical and priesthood office or one holding that office; a proselytizing missionary. The Book of Mormon explained that elders ordained priests and teachers and administered “the flesh and blood of Christ unto...

View Glossary
C[randell] Dunn,
2

In the fall of 1839, while Crandell Dunn was living in or near Livonia, Michigan, he heard Latter-day Saint teachings for the first time when he attended a sermon by apostle Orson Pratt. On two occasions during the next six months, Dunn listened to Sirrine debate theology with Universalist and Methodist preachers. Sirrine baptized Dunn in July 1840 in Superior, Michigan. Dunn moved to Illinois in the summer of 1841, arriving in La Harpe in July. He was ordained an elder in October 1841 and set off with Sirrine on his first mission the following February. (Dunn, Journal, vol. 1, pp. 2–6.)


Comprehensive Works Cited

Dunn, Crandell. Journals, 1842–1858, 1878–1880, 1881–1882. Crandell Dunn, Papers, 1842– 1895. CHL.

and after a journey of three weeks, preaching occasionally on the way, arrived at Br. [Ira] Rice’s
3

See Dunn, Journal, vol. 1, p. 6; and 1840 U.S. Census, Superior, Washtenaw Co., MI, 94. Rice joined the church sometime around 1840. (Rice and Rice, Footprints of Ira Rice, 9.)


Comprehensive Works Cited

Dunn, Crandell. Journals, 1842–1858, 1878–1880, 1881–1882. Crandell Dunn, Papers, 1842– 1895. CHL.

Census (U.S.) / U.S. Bureau of the Census. Population Schedules. Microfilm. FHL.

Rice, Eva A., and Loretta C. Rice. Footprints of Ira Rice. Logan: Utah State University, 1973.

town of Superior, Washtenaw co. Michigan. I then visited the different
churches

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
in this part of the
State

Organized as territory, 1805, with Detroit as capital. De facto state government organized within territory, 1836, although not formally recognized as state by federal government until 1837. Lansing became new state capital, 1847. Population in 1810 about...

More Info
, and found them in a prosperous condition generally speaking. I then fell in company with Elder
W[illiam] Burton

View Full Bio

, who had been laboring in this
State

Organized as territory, 1805, with Detroit as capital. De facto state government organized within territory, 1836, although not formally recognized as state by federal government until 1837. Lansing became new state capital, 1847. Population in 1810 about...

More Info
for about five months,
4

William Burton and his wife, Elizabeth Oates, were baptized in December 1837, and in the fall of 1838 they moved to Illinois. Burton served two missions in 1840 and 1841, preaching in Illinois, Indiana, Canada, Michigan, and Ohio. Beginning in fall 1841, he began to focus his labors in Michigan. In 1842, he and Sirrine preached at the same meeting on various occasions. (Burton, Autobiography, 1–4; Burton, Journal, Nov. 1839–Mar. 1840; Aug. 1841–Oct. 1843; Joseph Wood, Perry, IL, 26 Mar. 1840, Letter to the Editor, Times and Seasons, Apr. 1840, 1:87.)


Comprehensive Works Cited

Burton, William. Autobiography, no date. William Burton, Papers, ca. 1837–1851. CHL.

Burton, Wiliam. Journals, 1839–1840, 1841–1846, 1848, 1850–1851. William Burton, Papers, ca. 1837– 1851. CHL.

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

we then commenced to hold two days meetings on Saturdays and Sundays, in several counties in this part of the
State

Organized as territory, 1805, with Detroit as capital. De facto state government organized within territory, 1836, although not formally recognized as state by federal government until 1837. Lansing became new state capital, 1847. Population in 1810 about...

More Info
; great excitement began to prevail in the minds of the people, prejudice gave way, and many believed and obeyed the truth, and we have
baptized

An ordinance in which an individual is immersed in water for the remission of sins. The Book of Mormon explained that those with necessary authority were to baptize individuals who had repented of their sins. Baptized individuals also received the gift of...

View Glossary
more or less at all our meetings, during this time the priests of the various orders were howling an[d] [p. 838]
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Source Note

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Page 838

Document Information

Related Case Documents
Editorial Title
Letter from Mephibosheth Sirrine, 25 May 1842
ID #
806
Total Pages
2
Print Volume Location
JSP, D10:94–97
Handwriting on This Page
  • Printed text

Footnotes

  1. [1]

    Tax records indicate that Sirrine owned land in La Harpe in 1842. (Nauvoo, Hancock Co., IL, Tax Lists for District no. 3, Tax Record for 1842, p. 181, microfilm 7,706, U.S. and Canada Record Collection, FHL.)

    U.S. and Canada Record Collection. FHL.

  2. [2]

    In the fall of 1839, while Crandell Dunn was living in or near Livonia, Michigan, he heard Latter-day Saint teachings for the first time when he attended a sermon by apostle Orson Pratt. On two occasions during the next six months, Dunn listened to Sirrine debate theology with Universalist and Methodist preachers. Sirrine baptized Dunn in July 1840 in Superior, Michigan. Dunn moved to Illinois in the summer of 1841, arriving in La Harpe in July. He was ordained an elder in October 1841 and set off with Sirrine on his first mission the following February. (Dunn, Journal, vol. 1, pp. 2–6.)

    Dunn, Crandell. Journals, 1842–1858, 1878–1880, 1881–1882. Crandell Dunn, Papers, 1842– 1895. CHL.

  3. [3]

    See Dunn, Journal, vol. 1, p. 6; and 1840 U.S. Census, Superior, Washtenaw Co., MI, 94. Rice joined the church sometime around 1840. (Rice and Rice, Footprints of Ira Rice, 9.)

    Dunn, Crandell. Journals, 1842–1858, 1878–1880, 1881–1882. Crandell Dunn, Papers, 1842– 1895. CHL.

    Census (U.S.) / U.S. Bureau of the Census. Population Schedules. Microfilm. FHL.

    Rice, Eva A., and Loretta C. Rice. Footprints of Ira Rice. Logan: Utah State University, 1973.

  4. [4]

    William Burton and his wife, Elizabeth Oates, were baptized in December 1837, and in the fall of 1838 they moved to Illinois. Burton served two missions in 1840 and 1841, preaching in Illinois, Indiana, Canada, Michigan, and Ohio. Beginning in fall 1841, he began to focus his labors in Michigan. In 1842, he and Sirrine preached at the same meeting on various occasions. (Burton, Autobiography, 1–4; Burton, Journal, Nov. 1839–Mar. 1840; Aug. 1841–Oct. 1843; Joseph Wood, Perry, IL, 26 Mar. 1840, Letter to the Editor, Times and Seasons, Apr. 1840, 1:87.)

    Burton, William. Autobiography, no date. William Burton, Papers, ca. 1837–1851. CHL.

    Burton, Wiliam. Journals, 1839–1840, 1841–1846, 1848, 1850–1851. William Burton, Papers, ca. 1837– 1851. CHL.

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

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