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Letter from Parley P. Pratt, 24 October 1841

Source Note

Parley P. Pratt

12 Apr. 1807–13 May 1857. Farmer, editor, publisher, teacher, school administrator, legislator, explorer, author. Born at Burlington, Otsego Co., New York. Son of Jared Pratt and Charity Dickinson. Traveled west with brother William to acquire land, 1823....

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, Letter,
Manchester

City in northwest England, located on River Irwell. Noted for manufacture of cotton, linen, and silk goods. Population in 1831 about 187,000. Some early church publications for British Saints, including a hymnal and Latter-day Saints’ Millennial Star, published...

More Info
, Lancashire, England, 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, 24 Oct. 1841; handwriting of
Parley P. Pratt

12 Apr. 1807–13 May 1857. Farmer, editor, publisher, teacher, school administrator, legislator, explorer, author. Born at Burlington, Otsego Co., New York. Son of Jared Pratt and Charity Dickinson. Traveled west with brother William to acquire land, 1823....

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; four pages; JS Collection, CHL. Includes address, postal stamps, postal notation, and dockets.
Bifolium measuring 9¾ × 8 inches (25 × 20 cm). The letter was written on all four pages and then trifolded twice in letter style, addressed, sealed with a red adhesive wafer, and postmarked in Philadelphia. The letter was later folded for filing.
The document was docketed in its original trifolded state by
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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, who served as JS’s scribe from December 1841 until JS’s death in June 1844 and served as church historian from December 1842 until his own death in March 1854.
1

JS, Journal, 13 Dec. 1841 and 21 Dec. 1842; Orson Spencer, “Death of Our Beloved Brother Willard Richards,” Deseret News (Salt Lake City), 16 Mar. 1854, [2].


Comprehensive Works Cited

Deseret News. Salt Lake City. 1850–.

After the letter was folded for filing, it was docketed a second time by
Leo Hawkins

19 July 1834–28 May 1859. Clerk, reporter. Born in London. Son of Samuel Harris Hawkins and Charlotte Savage. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by John Banks, 23 Oct. 1848. Immigrated to U.S. with his family; arrived in New Orleans...

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, who served as a clerk in the Church Historian’s Office from 1853 to 1859.
2

“Obituary of Leo Hawkins,” Millennial Star, 30 July 1859, 21:496–497.


Comprehensive Works Cited

Latter-day Saints’ Millennial Star. Manchester, England, 1840–1842; Liverpool, 1842–1932; London, 1932–1970.

The letter is listed in a Church Historian’s Office inventory from circa 1904. By 1973 it 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 dockets, inventory, and inclusion in the JS Collection indicate this letter has remained in continuous institutional custody since its receipt in 1842.

Footnotes

  1. [1]

    JS, Journal, 13 Dec. 1841 and 21 Dec. 1842; Orson Spencer, “Death of Our Beloved Brother Willard Richards,” Deseret News (Salt Lake City), 16 Mar. 1854, [2].

    Deseret News. Salt Lake City. 1850–.

  2. [2]

    “Obituary of Leo Hawkins,” Millennial Star, 30 July 1859, 21:496–497.

    Latter-day Saints’ Millennial Star. Manchester, England, 1840–1842; Liverpool, 1842–1932; London, 1932–1970.

  3. [3]

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

Historical Introduction

On 24 October 1841,
Parley P. Pratt

12 Apr. 1807–13 May 1857. Farmer, editor, publisher, teacher, school administrator, legislator, explorer, author. Born at Burlington, Otsego Co., New York. Son of Jared Pratt and Charity Dickinson. Traveled west with brother William to acquire land, 1823....

View Full Bio
wrote a letter from
Manchester

City in northwest England, located on River Irwell. Noted for manufacture of cotton, linen, and silk goods. Population in 1831 about 187,000. Some early church publications for British Saints, including a hymnal and Latter-day Saints’ Millennial Star, published...

More Info
, England, 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, to report on the British mission and to confirm his intention to send funds for the construction of 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. Pratt was a member of 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
, and he and the rest of the
quorum

An organized group of individuals holding the same office in the Melchizedek priesthood or the Aaronic priesthood. According to the 1835 “Instruction on Priesthood,” the presidency of the church constituted a quorum. The Twelve Apostles also formed a quorum...

View Glossary
were called in an 1838 revelation dictated by JS to serve an overseas mission to Great Britain.
1

Revelation, 8 July 1838–A [D&C 118].


Several of the apostles eventually headed east a year later in 1839. Pratt departed
New York

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
on 9 March 1840 and arrived in
England

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,...

More Info
on 6 April. Several months later, he returned to New York to escort his
wife

14 Jan. 1809–24 Aug. 1891. Midwife. Born in Groton, Caledonia Co., Vermont. Daughter of Aaron Frost and Susanna Gray Bennett. Moved to Bethel, Oxford Co., Maine, by 1820. Married first Nathan Stearns, ca. Feb. 1832, in Bethel. Husband died, 25 Aug. 1833. ...

View Full Bio
and children to
England

Island nation consisting of southern portion of Great Britain and surrounding smaller islands. Bounded on north by Scotland and on west by Wales. Became province of Roman Empire, first century. Ruled by Romans, through 447. Ruled by Picts, Scots, and Saxons...

More Info
because he expected to stay to preside over the mission when the other members of his quorum returned home.
2

Pratt, Autobiography, 332–333, 342–343.


Comprehensive Works Cited

Pratt, Parley P. The Autobiography of Parley Parker Pratt, One of the Twelve Apostles of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Embracing His Life, Ministry and Travels, with Extracts, in Prose and Verse, from His Miscellaneous Writings. Edited by Parley P. Pratt Jr. New York: Russell Brothers, 1874.

Pratt had been back in England for a year when he wrote this letter.
In accordance with JS’s direction, most of the apostles completed their missions and left
England

Island nation consisting of southern portion of Great Britain and surrounding smaller islands. Bounded on north by Scotland and on west by Wales. Became province of Roman Empire, first century. Ruled by Romans, through 447. Ruled by Picts, Scots, and Saxons...

More Info
during the spring of 1841. Staying behind with his family,
Pratt

12 Apr. 1807–13 May 1857. Farmer, editor, publisher, teacher, school administrator, legislator, explorer, author. Born at Burlington, Otsego Co., New York. Son of Jared Pratt and Charity Dickinson. Traveled west with brother William to acquire land, 1823....

View Full Bio
managed the
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
’s printing operations in England, chiefly the Latter-day Saints’ Millennial Star newspaper, and supervised the continued emigration of church members from England.
3

In December 1840, JS expressed his support of Pratt’s continued labors in England. Parley P. Pratt was the only apostle in Great Britain in October 1841. Heber C. Kimball, Orson Pratt, Willard Richards, George A. Smith, John Taylor, Wilford Woodruff, and Brigham Young departed for the United States in April 1841, and Orson Hyde left for Rotterdam, the Netherlands, in June. (Letter to Quorum of the Twelve, 15 Dec. 1840; Parley P. Pratt, Manchester, England, to Sidney Rigdon, Nauvoo, IL, 8 Jan. 1841, in Times and Seasons, 1 Apr. 1841, 2:364–365.)


Comprehensive Works Cited

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

In his letter, Pratt reported on emigration, church growth, and recent excommunications.
Pratt

12 Apr. 1807–13 May 1857. Farmer, editor, publisher, teacher, school administrator, legislator, explorer, author. Born at Burlington, Otsego Co., New York. Son of Jared Pratt and Charity Dickinson. Traveled west with brother William to acquire land, 1823....

View Full Bio
likely mailed the letter in late October or early November. It was stamped upon arrival in
Philadelphia

Port city founded as Quaker settlement by William Penn, 1681. Site of signing of Declaration of Independence and drafting of U.S. Constitution. Nation’s capital city, 1790–1800. Population in 1830 about 170,000; in 1840 about 260,000; and in 1850 about 410...

More Info
on 23 December 1841. A version of the letter was published in the 1 February 1842 issue of the Times and Seasons, indicating that the letter was likely received by JS sometime in January.
4

Parley P. Pratt, Manchester, England, to JS, Nauvoo, IL, 24 Oct. 1841, in Times and Seasons, 1 Feb. 1842, 3:682–683. Though the letter was formally and primarily addressed to JS, it was common practice to publish such letters reporting on missionary work. In this case, the letter published in the Times and Seasons also included words of encouragement for “the Building Committe, and to the saints in general,” and conveyances of love from Pratt and his wife to friends and fellow Latter-day Saints back home.


Comprehensive Works Cited

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

Footnotes

  1. [1]

    Revelation, 8 July 1838–A [D&C 118].

  2. [2]

    Pratt, Autobiography, 332–333, 342–343.

    Pratt, Parley P. The Autobiography of Parley Parker Pratt, One of the Twelve Apostles of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Embracing His Life, Ministry and Travels, with Extracts, in Prose and Verse, from His Miscellaneous Writings. Edited by Parley P. Pratt Jr. New York: Russell Brothers, 1874.

  3. [3]

    In December 1840, JS expressed his support of Pratt’s continued labors in England. Parley P. Pratt was the only apostle in Great Britain in October 1841. Heber C. Kimball, Orson Pratt, Willard Richards, George A. Smith, John Taylor, Wilford Woodruff, and Brigham Young departed for the United States in April 1841, and Orson Hyde left for Rotterdam, the Netherlands, in June. (Letter to Quorum of the Twelve, 15 Dec. 1840; Parley P. Pratt, Manchester, England, to Sidney Rigdon, Nauvoo, IL, 8 Jan. 1841, in Times and Seasons, 1 Apr. 1841, 2:364–365.)

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

  4. [4]

    Parley P. Pratt, Manchester, England, to JS, Nauvoo, IL, 24 Oct. 1841, in Times and Seasons, 1 Feb. 1842, 3:682–683. Though the letter was formally and primarily addressed to JS, it was common practice to publish such letters reporting on missionary work. In this case, the letter published in the Times and Seasons also included words of encouragement for “the Building Committe, and to the saints in general,” and conveyances of love from Pratt and his wife to friends and fellow Latter-day Saints back home.

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

Asterisk (*) denotes a "featured" version, which includes an introduction and annotation. *Letter from Parley P. Pratt, 24 October 1841 History, 1838–1856, volume C-1 [2 November 1838–31 July 1842] “History of Joseph Smith”

Page [2]

from one to two hundred Saints on board, with
Patriarch

An ecclesiastical and priesthood office with the authority to give inspired blessings, similar to the practice of Old Testament patriarchs. JS occasionally referred to patriarchs as “evangelical ministers” or “evangelists.” Joseph Smith Sr. was ordained as...

View Glossary
Peter Melling

View Full Bio

at their head.
8

On 16 April 1840 a church conference held in Preston, England, selected Peter Melling as the first patriarch in England and ordained him the following evening. (Woodruff, Journal, 15–17 Apr. 1840; JS History, vol. C-1, 1052–1053.)


Comprehensive Works Cited

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

The
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
in this
country

Island nation consisting of southern portion of Great Britain and surrounding smaller islands. Bounded on north by Scotland and on west by Wales. Became province of Roman Empire, first century. Ruled by Romans, through 447. Ruled by Picts, Scots, and Saxons...

More Info
are generally Rejoicing, and filled with the testimony of Jesus. Great zeal is manifested by the officers in general, of which there is probibly more than one thousand.
9

The April 1841 church conference in Manchester reported 5,814 members, 136 elders, 303 priests, 169 teachers, and 68 deacons throughout the British Isles. (Minutes, Manchester, England, 6 Apr. 1841, in Millennial Star, Apr. 1841, 1:302.)


Comprehensive Works Cited

Latter-day Saints’ Millennial Star. Manchester, England, 1840–1842; Liverpool, 1842–1932; London, 1932–1970.

we are increasing in Numbers and in Gifts and blessings. New
Branches

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
of the Church are rising in many places, and great additions made to the old ones.
Manchester

City in northwest England, located on River Irwell. Noted for manufacture of cotton, linen, and silk goods. Population in 1831 about 187,000. Some early church publications for British Saints, including a hymnal and Latter-day Saints’ Millennial Star, published...

More Info
and vicinity has poured forth a stream of emigration for the last 18 months, and still we numbered on at our
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
, two weeks ago, near sixteen hundred members, in between one and two hundred officers; all these with<​in​> one hours journey of
manchester

City in northwest England, located on River Irwell. Noted for manufacture of cotton, linen, and silk goods. Population in 1831 about 187,000. Some early church publications for British Saints, including a hymnal and Latter-day Saints’ Millennial Star, published...

More Info
.
10

The 17 October church conference in Manchester took place at Carpenters’ Hall. (Minutes, Manchester, England, 17 Oct. 1841, in Millennial Star, Nov. 1841, 2:105.)


Comprehensive Works Cited

Latter-day Saints’ Millennial Star. Manchester, England, 1840–1842; Liverpool, 1842–1932; London, 1932–1970.

There has been a general time of pruning, we have cut off upwards of 100 members from this Conferene in a few months;
11

The October issue of the Millennial Star (printed about one week before the conference) expressed concern about those who had been baptized without a full testimony and ended up “blaspheming against the things now revealed, and railing against the servants of the most high.” It urged that “the rules of the church discipline should be strictly enforced, and iniquity rooted out of the church.” The next month, the Millennial Star reported that 125 members had been excommunicated, and in December the paper notified readers that church member Andrew Gardner and his followers, though professing to be Latter-day Saints, had been excommunicated for “rebelling against the constituted authorities” of the church. (“To the Elders and Priests of the Church of the Saints,” Millennial Star, Oct. 1841, 2:87; Minutes, Manchester, England, 17 Oct. 1841, in Millennial Star, Nov. 1841, 2:105; “Beware of a Deceiver,” Millennial Star, Dec. 1841, 2:128.)


Comprehensive Works Cited

Latter-day Saints’ Millennial Star. Manchester, England, 1840–1842; Liverpool, 1842–1932; London, 1932–1970.

this causes the young and tender Branches to grow with double vigour.—
12

See John 15:2–6.


I now come to the principal subject for which I write this letter, viz. the
Temple of the Lord

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
!
13

A January 1841 revelation commanded the Saints to build a temple in Nauvoo. (Revelation, 19 Jan. 1841 [D&C 124:22–36].)


The Lord enabled us to send about sixty dollars in Gold by
Elder Fielding

26 Mar. 1797–19 Dec. 1863. Farmer. Born at Honeydon, Bedfordshire, England. Son of John Fielding and Rachel Ibbotson. Immigrated to Upper Canada, 1832. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by Parley P. Pratt, 21 May 1836, in Black Creek...

View Full Bio
; this was mostly subscribed by two or three individuals.
14

In a diary entry written before his departure from England, Joseph Fielding mentioned unnamed “Saints who mostly made Presents to Elders Pratt and [Amos] Fielding of [two shillings and sixpence] each and this chiefly, they have sent by me for the Building of the Temple in Nauvoo.” (Fielding, Journal, Feb.–Oct. 1841, 80; see also Book of the Law of Lord, 112.)


Comprehensive Works Cited

Fielding, Joseph. Journals, 1837–1859. CHL. MS 1567.

We shall probibly send as much more by the Ship Chaos, in care of
Peter Melling

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. [p. [2]]
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Document Information

Related Case Documents
Editorial Title
Letter from Parley P. Pratt, 24 October 1841
ID #
702
Total Pages
4
Print Volume Location
JSP, D8:325–330
Handwriting on This Page
  • Parley P. Pratt

Footnotes

  1. [8]

    On 16 April 1840 a church conference held in Preston, England, selected Peter Melling as the first patriarch in England and ordained him the following evening. (Woodruff, Journal, 15–17 Apr. 1840; JS History, vol. C-1, 1052–1053.)

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

  2. [9]

    The April 1841 church conference in Manchester reported 5,814 members, 136 elders, 303 priests, 169 teachers, and 68 deacons throughout the British Isles. (Minutes, Manchester, England, 6 Apr. 1841, in Millennial Star, Apr. 1841, 1:302.)

    Latter-day Saints’ Millennial Star. Manchester, England, 1840–1842; Liverpool, 1842–1932; London, 1932–1970.

  3. [10]

    The 17 October church conference in Manchester took place at Carpenters’ Hall. (Minutes, Manchester, England, 17 Oct. 1841, in Millennial Star, Nov. 1841, 2:105.)

    Latter-day Saints’ Millennial Star. Manchester, England, 1840–1842; Liverpool, 1842–1932; London, 1932–1970.

  4. [11]

    The October issue of the Millennial Star (printed about one week before the conference) expressed concern about those who had been baptized without a full testimony and ended up “blaspheming against the things now revealed, and railing against the servants of the most high.” It urged that “the rules of the church discipline should be strictly enforced, and iniquity rooted out of the church.” The next month, the Millennial Star reported that 125 members had been excommunicated, and in December the paper notified readers that church member Andrew Gardner and his followers, though professing to be Latter-day Saints, had been excommunicated for “rebelling against the constituted authorities” of the church. (“To the Elders and Priests of the Church of the Saints,” Millennial Star, Oct. 1841, 2:87; Minutes, Manchester, England, 17 Oct. 1841, in Millennial Star, Nov. 1841, 2:105; “Beware of a Deceiver,” Millennial Star, Dec. 1841, 2:128.)

    Latter-day Saints’ Millennial Star. Manchester, England, 1840–1842; Liverpool, 1842–1932; London, 1932–1970.

  5. [12]

    See John 15:2–6.

  6. [13]

    A January 1841 revelation commanded the Saints to build a temple in Nauvoo. (Revelation, 19 Jan. 1841 [D&C 124:22–36].)

  7. [14]

    In a diary entry written before his departure from England, Joseph Fielding mentioned unnamed “Saints who mostly made Presents to Elders Pratt and [Amos] Fielding of [two shillings and sixpence] each and this chiefly, they have sent by me for the Building of the Temple in Nauvoo.” (Fielding, Journal, Feb.–Oct. 1841, 80; see also Book of the Law of Lord, 112.)

    Fielding, Joseph. Journals, 1837–1859. CHL. MS 1567.

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