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Letter to Church Brethren, 15 June 1835

Source Note

JS, Letter,
Kirtland Township

Located ten miles south of Lake Erie. Settled by 1811. Organized by 1818. Latter-day Saint missionaries visited township, early Nov. 1830; many residents joined Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Population in 1830 about 55 Latter-day Saints and...

More Info
, Geauga Co., OH, to “brethren in the Lord”, 15 June 1835; handwriting of
William W. Phelps

17 Feb. 1792–7 Mar. 1872. Writer, teacher, printer, newspaper editor, publisher, postmaster, lawyer. Born at Hanover, Morris Co., New Jersey. Son of Enon Phelps and Mehitabel Goldsmith. Moved to Homer, Cortland Co., New York, 1800. Married Sally Waterman,...

View Full Bio
; signature of JS; one page; negative photostatic copy of photograph; JS Collection, CHL.
Negative photostatic copy of a photograph measuring 6⅝ × 4¾ inches (17 × 12 cm); the dimensions of the original manuscript are unknown. The copy captured only the recto of the original manuscript; nothing is known about the verso of the manuscript, and the verso of the copy is blank. The copy was folded in half at one time.
The photostatic copy was donated to the Church Historian’s Office sometime in the 1930s by Ethel Longstroth Goates.
1

Memorandum, 12 Apr. 1995, CHL.


Comprehensive Works Cited

Memorandum, 12 Apr. 1995. CHL.

According to one source, sometime before November 1932, Goates received an envelope that her father had given her sister, which contained “records and documents signed by” early church members, including JS. It is likely that this letter was included in that material.
2

“Treasures of Truth,” 52.


Comprehensive Works Cited

“Treasures of Truth.” Improvement Era 36, no. 1 (Nov. 1932): 52.

The locations of the original manuscript and the source photograph are unknown.

Footnotes

  1. [1]

    Memorandum, 12 Apr. 1995, CHL.

    Memorandum, 12 Apr. 1995. CHL.

  2. [2]

    “Treasures of Truth,” 52.

    “Treasures of Truth.” Improvement Era 36, no. 1 (Nov. 1932): 52.

Historical Introduction

On 15 June 1835, JS wrote a letter to his “brethren in the Lord.” It is unclear who these brethren were or where they were located. This may have been a form letter sent to different branches of the church, but JS’s notation at the end to give love to his relatives suggests that this particular letter was directed to a specific location.
1

A later account indicates that the letter may have been received by an individual with the last name Doremus, although no other information about this person is known. At this time, JS had relatives in several different locations, including New York, New England, and Missouri. (Memorandum, 12 Apr. 1995, CHL; Lucy Mack Smith, History, 1845, 246; JS History, vol. B-1, addenda, 5nR; Letters to John Burk, Sally Waterman Phelps, and Almira Mack Scobey, 1–2 June 1835.)


Comprehensive Works Cited

Memorandum, 12 Apr. 1995. CHL.

Smith, Lucy Mack. History, 1845. CHL. MS 2049. Also available at josephsmithpapers.org.

JS History / Smith, Joseph, et al. History, 1838–1856. Vols. A-1–F-1 (original), A-2–E-2 (fair copy). Historian’s Office, History of the Church, 1839–ca. 1882. CHL. CR 100 102, boxes 1–7. The history for the period after 5 Aug. 1838 was composed after the death of Joseph Smith.

The letter declares that a collection of JS’s revelations—the Doctrine and Covenants—and JS’s revision of the Bible
2

JS worked on his Bible revision from 1830 to 1833. He saw the project as an inspired process of revising, clarifying, and expanding the biblical text. (See Faulring et al., Joseph Smith’s New Translation of the Bible, 6, 46–47.)


Comprehensive Works Cited

Faulring, Scott H., Kent P. Jackson, and Robert J. Matthews, eds. Joseph Smith’s New Translation of the Bible: Original Manuscripts. Provo, UT: Religious Studies Center, Brigham Young University, 2004.

were nearly ready for publication. However, more funds were required before these texts could be published.
JS and other church leaders had discussed publishing his Bible revision since at least 1832 when JS implied that the revision would be published only under his direct supervision.
3

Letter to William W. Phelps, 31 July 1832.


A June 1833 letter to church leaders in
Jackson County

Settled at Fort Osage, 1808. County created, 16 Feb. 1825; organized 1826. Named after U.S. president Andrew Jackson. Featured fertile lands along Missouri River and was Santa Fe Trail departure point, which attracted immigrants to area. Area of county reduced...

More Info
, Missouri, reiterated that the revision would not be published until JS and others in
Kirtland

Located ten miles south of Lake Erie. Settled by 1811. Organized by 1818. Latter-day Saint missionaries visited township, early Nov. 1830; many residents joined Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Population in 1830 about 55 Latter-day Saints and...

More Info
, Ohio, could “attend to it [them]selves.”
4

Letter to Church Leaders in Jackson Co., MO, 25 June 1833.


By August 1833, church leaders were planning the construction of a
printing office

Following destruction of church printing office in Independence, Missouri, July 1833, JS and other church leaders determined to set up new printing office in Kirtland under firm name F. G. Williams & Co. Oliver Cowdery purchased new printing press in New ...

More Info
in Kirtland where the Bible revision, as well as other publications, could be printed. In April 1834, a revelation instructed JS and others to secure a copyright for the book.
5

Revelation, 2 Aug. 1833–B [D&C 94:10]; Revelation, 23 Apr. 1834 [D&C 104]; see also Letter to Church Leaders in Jackson Co., MO, 6 Aug. 1833.


It is unclear whether that copyright was ever obtained, but
Eber D. Howe

9 June 1798–10 Nov. 1885. Newspaper editor and publisher, farmer, wool manufacturer. Born at Clifton Park, Saratoga Co., New York. Son of Samuel William Howe and Mabel Dudley. Moved with family to Ovid, Seneca Co., New York, 1804. Located at Niagara District...

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, one of JS’s main critics in
Ohio

French explored and claimed area, 1669. British took possession following French and Indian War, 1763. Ceded to U.S., 1783. First permanent white settlement established, 1788. Northeastern portion maintained as part of Connecticut, 1786, and called Connecticut...

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, stated that by late 1834 JS’s Bible revision was “ready for the press, in its amended form, and will be forthcoming, as soon as the state of their [church leaders’] finances will permit.”
6

Howe, Mormonism Unvailed, 131.


Comprehensive Works Cited

Howe, Eber D. Mormonism Unvailed: Or, A Faithful Account of That Singular Imposition and Delusion, from Its Rise to the Present Time. With Sketches of the Characters of Its Propagators, and a Full Detail of the Manner in Which the Famous Golden Bible Was Brought before the World. To Which Are Added, Inquiries into the Probability That the Historical Part of the Said Bible Was Written by One Solomon Spalding, More Than Twenty Years Ago, and by Him Intended to Have Been Published as a Romance. Painesville, OH: By the author, 1834.

This 15 June 1835 letter from JS indicates that funding was still an issue, although by the end of May 1835, printing of the Doctrine and Covenants was well underway.
7

William W. Phelps, Kirtland, OH, to Sally Waterman Phelps, Liberty, MO, 26 May 1835, William W. Phelps, Papers, BYU. An article in the May 1835 issue of the Latter Day Saints’ Messenger and Advocate stated that if the editors were “prospered a few weeks,” they would “have this volume ready for distribution.” (Editorial, LDS Messenger and Advocate, May 1835, 1:122.)


Comprehensive Works Cited

Phelps, William W. Papers, 1835–1865. BYU.

Latter Day Saints’ Messenger and Advocate. Kirtland, OH. Oct. 1834–Sept. 1837.

The urgent need for money may have been related to
Edmund Bosley

25 June 1776–15 Dec. 1846. Miller. Born at Northumberland, Northumberland Co., Pennsylvania. Son of John P. Bosley and Hannah Bull. Married Ann Kelly of Northumberland Co. Lived at Livonia, Livingston Co., New York, 1792–1834. Moved to Kirtland, Geauga Co...

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backing out of an agreement he had made in September 1834 to loan church leaders funds for printing. In July 1835, Bosley was called before the
Kirtland

Located ten miles south of Lake Erie. Settled by 1811. Organized by 1818. Latter-day Saint missionaries visited township, early Nov. 1830; many residents joined Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Population in 1830 about 55 Latter-day Saints and...

More Info
high council

A governing body of twelve high priests. The first high council was organized in Kirtland, Ohio, on 17 February 1834 “for the purpose of settling important difficulties which might arise in the church, which could not be settled by the church, or the bishop...

View Glossary
to answer charges of breaking that agreement. It is possible that JS knew of Bosley’s change of mind before writing this letter.
8

Minutes, 14 July 1835.


With Bosley unwilling or unable to provide funds, money was needed from other sources.
This attempt to solicit funding for the printing of JS’s Bible revision and the Doctrine and Covenants was just one of a number of fund-raising efforts occurring at this time. For example,
Edward Partridge

27 Aug. 1793–27 May 1840. Hatter. Born at Pittsfield, Berkshire Co., Massachusetts. Son of William Partridge and Jemima Bidwell. Moved to Painesville, Geauga Co., Ohio. Married Lydia Clisbee, 22 Aug. 1819, at Painesville. Initially a Universal Restorationist...

View Full Bio
and
Isaac Morley

11 Mar. 1786–24 June 1865. Farmer, cooper, merchant, postmaster. Born at Montague, Hampshire Co., Massachusetts. Son of Thomas Morley and Editha (Edith) Marsh. Family affiliated with Presbyterian church. Moved to Kirtland, Geauga Co., Ohio, before 1812. Married...

View Full Bio
had been sent to the eastern
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
to raise funds to help church members who had been expelled from their lands in
Jackson County

Settled at Fort Osage, 1808. County created, 16 Feb. 1825; organized 1826. Named after U.S. president Andrew Jackson. Featured fertile lands along Missouri River and was Santa Fe Trail departure point, which attracted immigrants to area. Area of county reduced...

More Info
in November 1833.
9

Recommendation for Edward Partridge and Isaac Morley, 1 June 1835; “Bishop Partridge,” LDS Messenger and Advocate, June 1835, 1:139.


Comprehensive Works Cited

Latter Day Saints’ Messenger and Advocate. Kirtland, OH. Oct. 1834–Sept. 1837.

In addition,
Jared Carter

14 June 1801–6 July 1849. Born at Killingworth, Middlesex Co., Connecticut. Son of Gideon Carter and Johanna Sims. Moved to Benson, Rutland Co., Vermont, by 1810. Married Lydia Ames, 20 Sept. 1823, at Benson. Moved to Chenango, Broome Co., New York, by Jan...

View Full Bio
and
Hyrum Smith

9 Feb. 1800–27 June 1844. Farmer, cooper. Born at Tunbridge, Orange Co., Vermont. Son of Joseph Smith Sr. and Lucy Mack. Moved to Randolph, Orange Co., 1802; back to Tunbridge, before May 1803; to Royalton, Windsor Co., Vermont, 1804; to Sharon, Windsor Co...

View Full Bio
had been collecting money for the construction of the
House of the Lord

JS revelation, dated Jan. 1831, directed Latter-day Saints to migrate to Ohio, where they would “be endowed with power from on high.” In Dec. 1832, JS revelation directed Saints to “establish . . . an house of God.” JS revelation, dated 1 June 1833, chastened...

More Info
in
Kirtland

Located ten miles south of Lake Erie. Settled by 1811. Organized by 1818. Latter-day Saint missionaries visited township, early Nov. 1830; many residents joined Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Population in 1830 about 55 Latter-day Saints and...

More Info
. 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
, who were traveling through the eastern United States, were also instructed to inform the Saints of the need for donations to fund the temple construction, the redemption of land in Jackson County, and the publication of “the word.”
10

Editorial, LDS Messenger and Advocate, Apr. 1835, 1:107; Letter to Quorum of the Twelve, 4 Aug. 1835.


Comprehensive Works Cited

Latter Day Saints’ Messenger and Advocate. Kirtland, OH. Oct. 1834–Sept. 1837.

Apparently this letter did not succeed in raising the necessary money for the printing of the Bible revision. Although church leaders evidently received enough money to continue printing the Doctrine and Covenants, which was available by September 1835,
11

Historical Introduction to Doctrine and Covenants, 1835.


the body of JS’s work on the Bible was never published during his lifetime.
12

Jackson, “Joseph Smith and the Bible,” 30. Portions of JS’s revisions were published; some of his work on the book of Genesis, for example, appeared in The Evening and the Morning Star in 1832 and 1833. (“Extract from the Prophecy of Enoch,” The Evening and the Morning Star, Aug. 1832, [2]–[3]; “The Church of Christ,” The Evening and the Morning Star, Mar. 1833, [1]; “The Gospel,” The Evening and the Morning Star, Apr. 1833, [1]–[3].)


Comprehensive Works Cited

Jackson, Kent P. “Joseph Smith and the Bible.” Scottish Journal of Theology 63, no. 1 (2010): 24–40.

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

Footnotes

  1. [1]

    A later account indicates that the letter may have been received by an individual with the last name Doremus, although no other information about this person is known. At this time, JS had relatives in several different locations, including New York, New England, and Missouri. (Memorandum, 12 Apr. 1995, CHL; Lucy Mack Smith, History, 1845, 246; JS History, vol. B-1, addenda, 5nR; Letters to John Burk, Sally Waterman Phelps, and Almira Mack Scobey, 1–2 June 1835.)

    Memorandum, 12 Apr. 1995. CHL.

    Smith, Lucy Mack. History, 1845. CHL. MS 2049. Also available at josephsmithpapers.org.

    JS History / Smith, Joseph, et al. History, 1838–1856. Vols. A-1–F-1 (original), A-2–E-2 (fair copy). Historian’s Office, History of the Church, 1839–ca. 1882. CHL. CR 100 102, boxes 1–7. The history for the period after 5 Aug. 1838 was composed after the death of Joseph Smith.

  2. [2]

    JS worked on his Bible revision from 1830 to 1833. He saw the project as an inspired process of revising, clarifying, and expanding the biblical text. (See Faulring et al., Joseph Smith’s New Translation of the Bible, 6, 46–47.)

    Faulring, Scott H., Kent P. Jackson, and Robert J. Matthews, eds. Joseph Smith’s New Translation of the Bible: Original Manuscripts. Provo, UT: Religious Studies Center, Brigham Young University, 2004.

  3. [3]

    Letter to William W. Phelps, 31 July 1832.

  4. [4]

    Letter to Church Leaders in Jackson Co., MO, 25 June 1833.

  5. [5]

    Revelation, 2 Aug. 1833–B [D&C 94:10]; Revelation, 23 Apr. 1834 [D&C 104]; see also Letter to Church Leaders in Jackson Co., MO, 6 Aug. 1833.

  6. [6]

    Howe, Mormonism Unvailed, 131.

    Howe, Eber D. Mormonism Unvailed: Or, A Faithful Account of That Singular Imposition and Delusion, from Its Rise to the Present Time. With Sketches of the Characters of Its Propagators, and a Full Detail of the Manner in Which the Famous Golden Bible Was Brought before the World. To Which Are Added, Inquiries into the Probability That the Historical Part of the Said Bible Was Written by One Solomon Spalding, More Than Twenty Years Ago, and by Him Intended to Have Been Published as a Romance. Painesville, OH: By the author, 1834.

  7. [7]

    William W. Phelps, Kirtland, OH, to Sally Waterman Phelps, Liberty, MO, 26 May 1835, William W. Phelps, Papers, BYU. An article in the May 1835 issue of the Latter Day Saints’ Messenger and Advocate stated that if the editors were “prospered a few weeks,” they would “have this volume ready for distribution.” (Editorial, LDS Messenger and Advocate, May 1835, 1:122.)

    Phelps, William W. Papers, 1835–1865. BYU.

    Latter Day Saints’ Messenger and Advocate. Kirtland, OH. Oct. 1834–Sept. 1837.

  8. [8]

    Minutes, 14 July 1835.

  9. [9]

    Recommendation for Edward Partridge and Isaac Morley, 1 June 1835; “Bishop Partridge,” LDS Messenger and Advocate, June 1835, 1:139.

    Latter Day Saints’ Messenger and Advocate. Kirtland, OH. Oct. 1834–Sept. 1837.

  10. [10]

    Editorial, LDS Messenger and Advocate, Apr. 1835, 1:107; Letter to Quorum of the Twelve, 4 Aug. 1835.

    Latter Day Saints’ Messenger and Advocate. Kirtland, OH. Oct. 1834–Sept. 1837.

  11. [11]

    Historical Introduction to Doctrine and Covenants, 1835.

  12. [12]

    Jackson, “Joseph Smith and the Bible,” 30. Portions of JS’s revisions were published; some of his work on the book of Genesis, for example, appeared in The Evening and the Morning Star in 1832 and 1833. (“Extract from the Prophecy of Enoch,” The Evening and the Morning Star, Aug. 1832, [2]–[3]; “The Church of Christ,” The Evening and the Morning Star, Mar. 1833, [1]; “The Gospel,” The Evening and the Morning Star, Apr. 1833, [1]–[3].)

    Jackson, Kent P. “Joseph Smith and the Bible.” Scottish Journal of Theology 63, no. 1 (2010): 24–40.

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

Page [1]

Kirtland

Located ten miles south of Lake Erie. Settled by 1811. Organized by 1818. Latter-day Saint missionaries visited township, early Nov. 1830; many residents joined Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Population in 1830 about 55 Latter-day Saints and...

More Info
June 15, 1835
Dear brethren in the Lord,
I send you my love and warmest wishes for your prosperity in the great cause of our Redeemer.
1

See Book of Mormon, 1830 ed., 400 [Alma 61:14].


We are now commencing to prepare and print the New Translation, together with all the revelations which God has been pleased to give us in these last days,
2

This could be read as suggesting that the Bible revision would be part of the Doctrine and Covenants. However, earlier discussions indicate that the revision was meant to be a separate, stand-alone volume. An April 1833 letter stated that the revision would “go to the world together in a volume by itself,” and an April 1834 revelation instructed that a separate copyright be obtained for it. Moreover, when a council established a committee in September 1834 to prepare the Doctrine and Covenants for publication, the council foresaw that volume as containing “the doctrine of Jesus Christ for the government of the church of Latter-Day Saints,” taken from “the bible, book of mormon, and the revelations which have been given to the church up to this date.” The Bible revision was not mentioned as a part of the book. (Letter to Church Leaders in Jackson Co., MO, 21 Apr. 1833; Revelation, 23 Apr. 1834 [D&C 104]; Minutes, 24 Sept. 1834.)


and as we are in want of funds to go on with so great and glorious a work, brethren <​we​> want you should donate and loan us all the means or money you can that we may be enable[d] to accomplish the work as a great means towards the salvation of Men.
My love to my relatives &c
your brother in the bonds of the
New Covenant

Generally referred to the “fulness of the gospel”—the sum total of the church’s message, geared toward establishing God’s covenant people on the earth; also used to describe individual elements of the gospel, including marriage. According to JS, the everlasting...

View Glossary
.
3

The term “new covenant” (also referred to as “everlasting Covenant” or “new and everlasting covenant”) generally referred to the “fulness of [the] Gospel,” or the sum total of the church’s message, geared toward establishing God’s covenant people on the earth. (See Revelation, 29 Oct. 1831 [D&C 66:2]; Revelation, 1 Nov. 1831–B [D&C 1:15, 22]; Revelation, 12 July 1843, in Revelations Collection, CHL [D&C 132:4, 6, 19, 26–27, 41]; and JS History, vol. D-1, 1551; see also “Everlasting covenant” in the glossary.)


Comprehensive Works Cited

JS History / Smith, Joseph, et al. History, 1838–1856. Vols. A-1–F-1 (original), A-2–E-2 (fair copy). Historian’s Office, History of the Church, 1839–ca. 1882. CHL. CR 100 102, boxes 1–7. The history for the period after 5 Aug. 1838 was composed after the death of Joseph Smith.

Joseph Smith Jr [p. [1]]
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Document Information

Related Case Documents
Editorial Title
Letter to Church Brethren, 15 June 1835
ID #
254
Total Pages
1
Print Volume Location
JSP, D4:345–347
Handwriting on This Page
  • William W. Phelps
  • Joseph Smith Jr.

Footnotes

  1. [1]

    See Book of Mormon, 1830 ed., 400 [Alma 61:14].

  2. [2]

    This could be read as suggesting that the Bible revision would be part of the Doctrine and Covenants. However, earlier discussions indicate that the revision was meant to be a separate, stand-alone volume. An April 1833 letter stated that the revision would “go to the world together in a volume by itself,” and an April 1834 revelation instructed that a separate copyright be obtained for it. Moreover, when a council established a committee in September 1834 to prepare the Doctrine and Covenants for publication, the council foresaw that volume as containing “the doctrine of Jesus Christ for the government of the church of Latter-Day Saints,” taken from “the bible, book of mormon, and the revelations which have been given to the church up to this date.” The Bible revision was not mentioned as a part of the book. (Letter to Church Leaders in Jackson Co., MO, 21 Apr. 1833; Revelation, 23 Apr. 1834 [D&C 104]; Minutes, 24 Sept. 1834.)

  3. [3]

    The term “new covenant” (also referred to as “everlasting Covenant” or “new and everlasting covenant”) generally referred to the “fulness of [the] Gospel,” or the sum total of the church’s message, geared toward establishing God’s covenant people on the earth. (See Revelation, 29 Oct. 1831 [D&C 66:2]; Revelation, 1 Nov. 1831–B [D&C 1:15, 22]; Revelation, 12 July 1843, in Revelations Collection, CHL [D&C 132:4, 6, 19, 26–27, 41]; and JS History, vol. D-1, 1551; see also “Everlasting covenant” in the glossary.)

    JS History / Smith, Joseph, et al. History, 1838–1856. Vols. A-1–F-1 (original), A-2–E-2 (fair copy). Historian’s Office, History of the Church, 1839–ca. 1882. CHL. CR 100 102, boxes 1–7. The history for the period after 5 Aug. 1838 was composed after the death of Joseph Smith.

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