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Letter to Church Leaders in Kirtland, Ohio, 15 December 1841

Source Note

First Presidency (including JS), Letter, [
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], to [church leaders], [
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
, Lake Co., OH], 15 Dec. 1841. Featured version copied [ca. 15 Dec. 1841] in JS, Journal, 15 Dec. 1841, in Book of the Law of the Lord, p. 31; handwriting of
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...

View Full Bio
; CHL. For more complete source information, see the source note for Revelation, 19 Jan. 1841 [D&C 124].

Historical Introduction

On 15 December 1841 JS and 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
replied to a letter from
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,
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
leaders
Lester Brooks

5 Nov. 1802–22 July 1878. Stove plate molder. Born in Lanesborough, Berkshire Co., Massachusetts. Son of Sheldon Brooks and Sarah Noble. Moved to Pittsfield, Berkshire Co., before 1820. Married Amy Sophia Hazen, July 1827. Moved to Waterville, Oneida Co.,...

View Full Bio
,
Zebedee Coltrin

7 Sept. 1804–21 July 1887. Born at Ovid, Seneca Co., New York. Son of John Coltrin and Sarah Graham. Member of Methodist church. Married first Julia Ann Jennings, Oct. 1828. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by Solomon Hancock, 9 Jan...

View Full Bio
,
Thomas Burdick

17 Nov. 1795/1797–6 Nov. 1877. Farmer, teacher, judge, postmaster, clerk, civil servant. Born at Canajoharie, Montgomery Co., New York. Son of Gideon Burdick and Catherine Robertson. Married Anna Higley, 1828, at Jamestown, Chautauque Co., New York. Baptized...

View Full Bio
, and
Hiram Winters

5 Apr. 1805–21 Oct. 1889. Shoemaker, manufacturer, farmer. Born in Washington Co., New York. Son of Andrew Winters and Hannah Wood. Moved to Seneca Co., New York. Moved to Jamestown, Chautauque Co., New York, by 1824. Married Rebecca Burdick, in Jamestown...

View Full Bio
that enquired about the status of the former president of the Kirtland
stake

Ecclesiastical organization of church members in a particular locale. Stakes were typically large local organizations of church members; stake leaders could include a presidency, a high council, and a bishopric. Some revelations referred to stakes “to” or...

View Glossary
,
Almon Babbitt

Oct. 1812–Sept. 1856. Postmaster, editor, attorney. Born at Cheshire, Berkshire Co., Massachusetts. Son of Ira Babbitt and Nancy Crosier. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, ca. 1830. Located in Amherst, Lorain Co., Ohio, July 1831....

View Full Bio
; a proposed printing office; and Kirtland’s status 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 the Latter-day Saints.
1

Letter from Lester Brooks et al., 16 Nov. 1841.


The majority of church members left Kirtland for
Far West

Originally called Shoal Creek. Located fifty-five miles northeast of Independence. Surveyed 1823; first settled by whites, 1831. Site purchased, 8 Aug. 1836, before Caldwell Co. was organized for Latter-day Saints in Missouri. William W. Phelps and John Whitmer...

More Info
, Missouri, during the first half of 1838, but a small number of Latter-day Saints remained in the vicinity of the once-flourishing community.
2

See Kirtland Elders Quorum, “Record,” 3 Jan.–24 June 1838.


Comprehensive Works Cited

Kirtland Elders Quorum. “A Record of the First Quorurum of Elders Belonging to the Church of Christ: In Kirtland Geauga Co. Ohio,” 1836–1838, 1840–1841. CCLA.

In May 1839 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
Commerce

Located near middle of western boundary of state, bordering Mississippi River. European Americans settled area, 1820s. From bank of river, several feet above high-water mark, ground described as nearly level for six or seven blocks before gradually sloping...

More Info
, Illinois, appointed
Oliver Granger

7 Feb. 1794–23/25 Aug. 1841. Sheriff, church agent. Born at Phelps, Ontario Co., New York. Son of Pierce Granger and Clarissa Trumble. Married Lydia Dibble, 8 Sept. 1813, at Phelps. Member of Methodist church and licensed exhorter. Sheriff of Ontario Co. ...

View Full Bio
to return to Kirtland to “take the Charge and oversight 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
and preside over the general affairs of the Church in that place.”
3

Minutes, 4–5 May 1839; Authorization for Oliver Granger, 6 May 1839.


In early October 1840 Almon Babbitt was appointed to preside over the church in Kirtland.
4

Minutes and Discourse, 3–5 Oct. 1840.


On several occasions in 1839 and 1840, the First Presidency directed converts emigrating from
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
or 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 settle 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
; however, in a proclamation to “the Saints scattered abroad” in January 1841, JS indicated that “all those who appreciate the blessings of the gospel, and realize the importance of obeying the commandments of heaven,” should move 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
, Illinois.
5

Letter to Heber C. Kimball and Brigham Young, 16 Jan. 1839; Minutes, 4–5 May 1839; Minutes and Discourse, 3–5 Oct. 1840; Letter to the Saints in Kirtland, OH, 19 Oct. 1840; Proclamation, 15 Jan. 1841. In a 26 January 1841 communication to Oliver Granger, JS appeared to convey a more flexible attitude regarding the individuals migrating from the East: “I feel desireous that the Eastern brethren should come to this place [Nauvoo], but at the same time, those who had rather move to Kirtland than to this place are at liberty to do so.” (Letter to Oliver Granger, 26 Jan. 1841.)


In a 24 May 1841 missive published in the 1 June issue of the Times and Seasons, JS reiterated that church members should “make preparations to come in, without delay,” and declared that all stakes aside from those in
Hancock County

Formed from Pike Co., 1825. Described in 1837 as predominantly prairie and “deficient in timber.” Early settlers came mainly from mid-Atlantic and southern states. Population in 1835 about 3,200; in 1840 about 9,900; and in 1844 at least 15,000. Carthage ...

More Info
, Illinois, and
Lee County

First permanent settlement established, 1820. Organized 1837. Population in 1838 about 2,800; in 1840 about 6,100; in 1844 about 9,800; and in 1846 about 13,000. Following expulsion from Missouri, 1838–1839, many Saints found refuge in eastern Iowa Territory...

More Info
, Iowa Territory, were discontinued.
6

Letter to the Saints Abroad, 24 May 1841.


In his capacity as a missionary in 1840,
Almon Babbitt

Oct. 1812–Sept. 1856. Postmaster, editor, attorney. Born at Cheshire, Berkshire Co., Massachusetts. Son of Ira Babbitt and Nancy Crosier. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, ca. 1830. Located in Amherst, Lorain Co., Ohio, July 1831....

View Full Bio
had encouraged church members in the eastern United States to settle in Kirtland, and he continued to do so openly in 1841 as the presiding authority in Kirtland, despite JS’s directive.
7

Letter from Sidney Rigdon, 3 Apr. 1840; Revelation, 19 Jan. 1841 [D&C 124:2, 84]; Minutes and Discourse, 1–5 Oct. 1841.


Babbitt’s intractable position on Kirtland as a gathering place for the Saints likely contributed to the church’s decision in October 1841 to disfellowship him.
8

Minutes and Discourse, 1–5 Oct. 1841. Unaware that he had been disfellowshipped earlier in the month, Babbitt wrote to JS on 19 October 1841 to explain his position and seek clarification. While Babbitt may have been the most visible advocate of Kirtland as a gathering place, other members of the Kirtland branch apparently shared his viewpoint by fall 1841. In a 12 September 1841 meeting of the Kirtland elders quorum, President Amos Babcock remarked on “the Elders teaching the places of gethering and he Sho[w]ed that Kirtland [was a] place of gethering for the Saints in the last days and that Nauvoo was Also a place of gethering.” The men then voted and came to a nearly “unanimous agreemment with the Elders that Kirtland was a place of gethering.” (Letter from Almon Babbitt, 19 Oct. 1841; Kirtland Elders Quorum, “Record,” 12 Sept. 1841.)


Comprehensive Works Cited

Kirtland Elders Quorum. “A Record of the First Quorurum of Elders Belonging to the Church of Christ: In Kirtland Geauga Co. Ohio,” 1836–1838, 1840–1841. CCLA.

In early November, JS revoked Babbitt’s legal authority to act as a financial
agent

A specific church office and, more generally, someone “entrusted with the business of another.” Agents in the church assisted other ecclesiastical officers, especially the bishop in his oversight of the church’s temporal affairs. A May 1831 revelation instructed...

View Glossary
in Kirtland and replaced him with
Reuben McBride

16 June 1803–26 Feb. 1891. Farmer. Born at Chester, Washington Co., New York. Son of Daniel McBride and Abigail Mead. Married Mary Ann Anderson, 16 June 1833. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 4 Mar. 1834, at Villanova, Chautauque...

View Full Bio
.
9

Revocation of Letter of Attorney, 2 Nov. 1841; JS to Reuben McBride, Letter of Attorney, 2 Nov. 1841, in JS Letterbook 2, pp. 213–214; see also Power of Attorney to Reuben McBride, 28 Oct. 1841.


After learning that
Babbitt

Oct. 1812–Sept. 1856. Postmaster, editor, attorney. Born at Cheshire, Berkshire Co., Massachusetts. Son of Ira Babbitt and Nancy Crosier. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, ca. 1830. Located in Amherst, Lorain Co., Ohio, July 1831....

View Full Bio
had been disfellowshipped, his former counselors,
Lester Brooks

5 Nov. 1802–22 July 1878. Stove plate molder. Born in Lanesborough, Berkshire Co., Massachusetts. Son of Sheldon Brooks and Sarah Noble. Moved to Pittsfield, Berkshire Co., before 1820. Married Amy Sophia Hazen, July 1827. Moved to Waterville, Oneida Co.,...

View Full Bio
and
Zebedee Coltrin

7 Sept. 1804–21 July 1887. Born at Ovid, Seneca Co., New York. Son of John Coltrin and Sarah Graham. Member of Methodist church. Married first Julia Ann Jennings, Oct. 1828. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by Solomon Hancock, 9 Jan...

View Full Bio
, along with
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
bishop

An ecclesiastical and priesthood office. JS appointed Edward Partridge as the first bishop in February 1831. Following this appointment, Partridge functioned as the local leader of the church in Missouri. Later revelations described a bishop’s duties as receiving...

View Glossary
Thomas Burdick

17 Nov. 1795/1797–6 Nov. 1877. Farmer, teacher, judge, postmaster, clerk, civil servant. Born at Canajoharie, Montgomery Co., New York. Son of Gideon Burdick and Catherine Robertson. Married Anna Higley, 1828, at Jamestown, Chautauque Co., New York. Baptized...

View Full Bio
and Burdick’s counselor
Hiram Winters

5 Apr. 1805–21 Oct. 1889. Shoemaker, manufacturer, farmer. Born in Washington Co., New York. Son of Andrew Winters and Hannah Wood. Moved to Seneca Co., New York. Moved to Jamestown, Chautauque Co., New York, by 1824. Married Rebecca Burdick, in Jamestown...

View Full Bio
, wrote to JS on 16 November 1841 seeking clarification about Kirtland’s status as a “
stake

Ecclesiastical organization of church members in a particular locale. Stakes were typically large local organizations of church members; stake leaders could include a presidency, a high council, and a bishopric. Some revelations referred to stakes “to” or...

View Glossary
to
Zion

A specific location in Missouri; also a literal or figurative gathering of believers in Jesus Christ, characterized by adherence to ideals of harmony, equality, and purity. In JS’s earliest revelations “the cause of Zion” was used to broadly describe the ...

View Glossary
.” They also inquired, “What shall be done with the ‘
House of 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
,[’] and Church property”?
10

Letter from Lester Brooks et al., 16 Nov. 1841. Oliver Granger, JS’s other agent in Kirtland, oversaw various land transfers and was entrusted with the keys to the House of the Lord until he died in August 1841. (Agreement with Oliver Granger, 29 Apr. 1840; Letter to Oliver Granger, between ca. 22 and ca. 28 July 1840; Letter to Oliver Granger, 4 May 1841.)


Additionally, the Kirtland leaders informed JS of their efforts to establish a printing company, which they had explained in a 2 October conference was intended “the more effectually to promulgate the gospel.”
11

“Kirtland Conference Minutes,” Times and Seasons, 1 Nov. 1841, 3:587–589. During the same conference, Kirtland church members voted that Bishop Burdick and his counselors establish a publishing company in Kirtland and that the subscription money be “held in trust and managed by the said company, for the benefit of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.” The minutes also stipulated that the company would print a periodical called the Olive Leaf. There is no evidence that the publishing company ever printed anything.


Comprehensive Works Cited

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

The First Presidency responded to 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
leaders on 15 December 1841. The letter is not extant, but an extract from that letter was copied into the Book of the Law of the Lord 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...

View Full Bio
around the time it was written. The extract was prefaced with the following: “In reply to enquiries concerning
Almon Babbitt

Oct. 1812–Sept. 1856. Postmaster, editor, attorney. Born at Cheshire, Berkshire Co., Massachusetts. Son of Ira Babbitt and Nancy Crosier. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, ca. 1830. Located in Amherst, Lorain Co., Ohio, July 1831....

View Full Bio
. the Printing Press.
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
, &c contained in a letter written at Kirtland, Nov 16[th] 1841. by
Lester Brooks

5 Nov. 1802–22 July 1878. Stove plate molder. Born in Lanesborough, Berkshire Co., Massachusetts. Son of Sheldon Brooks and Sarah Noble. Moved to Pittsfield, Berkshire Co., before 1820. Married Amy Sophia Hazen, July 1827. Moved to Waterville, Oneida Co.,...

View Full Bio
&
Zebedee Coltrin

7 Sept. 1804–21 July 1887. Born at Ovid, Seneca Co., New York. Son of John Coltrin and Sarah Graham. Member of Methodist church. Married first Julia Ann Jennings, Oct. 1828. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by Solomon Hancock, 9 Jan...

View Full Bio
, acting Prests.— &
Thomas Burdick

17 Nov. 1795/1797–6 Nov. 1877. Farmer, teacher, judge, postmaster, clerk, civil servant. Born at Canajoharie, Montgomery Co., New York. Son of Gideon Burdick and Catherine Robertson. Married Anna Higley, 1828, at Jamestown, Chautauque Co., New York. Baptized...

View Full Bio
,
Bishop

An ecclesiastical and priesthood office. JS appointed Edward Partridge as the first bishop in February 1831. Following this appointment, Partridge functioned as the local leader of the church in Missouri. Later revelations described a bishop’s duties as receiving...

View Glossary
. & council. To. Presidents Joseph Smith &
Brigham Young

1 June 1801–29 Aug. 1877. Carpenter, painter, glazier, colonizer. Born at Whitingham, Windham Co., Vermont. Son of John Young and Abigail (Nabby) Howe. Brought up in Methodist household; later joined Methodist church. Moved to Sherburne, Chenango Co., New...

View Full Bio
&c. it was decided as follows.”
12

JS, Journal, 15 Dec. 1841.


Footnotes

  1. [1]

    Letter from Lester Brooks et al., 16 Nov. 1841.

  2. [2]

    See Kirtland Elders Quorum, “Record,” 3 Jan.–24 June 1838.

    Kirtland Elders Quorum. “A Record of the First Quorurum of Elders Belonging to the Church of Christ: In Kirtland Geauga Co. Ohio,” 1836–1838, 1840–1841. CCLA.

  3. [3]

    Minutes, 4–5 May 1839; Authorization for Oliver Granger, 6 May 1839.

  4. [4]

    Minutes and Discourse, 3–5 Oct. 1840.

  5. [5]

    Letter to Heber C. Kimball and Brigham Young, 16 Jan. 1839; Minutes, 4–5 May 1839; Minutes and Discourse, 3–5 Oct. 1840; Letter to the Saints in Kirtland, OH, 19 Oct. 1840; Proclamation, 15 Jan. 1841. In a 26 January 1841 communication to Oliver Granger, JS appeared to convey a more flexible attitude regarding the individuals migrating from the East: “I feel desireous that the Eastern brethren should come to this place [Nauvoo], but at the same time, those who had rather move to Kirtland than to this place are at liberty to do so.” (Letter to Oliver Granger, 26 Jan. 1841.)

  6. [6]

    Letter to the Saints Abroad, 24 May 1841.

  7. [7]

    Letter from Sidney Rigdon, 3 Apr. 1840; Revelation, 19 Jan. 1841 [D&C 124:2, 84]; Minutes and Discourse, 1–5 Oct. 1841.

  8. [8]

    Minutes and Discourse, 1–5 Oct. 1841. Unaware that he had been disfellowshipped earlier in the month, Babbitt wrote to JS on 19 October 1841 to explain his position and seek clarification. While Babbitt may have been the most visible advocate of Kirtland as a gathering place, other members of the Kirtland branch apparently shared his viewpoint by fall 1841. In a 12 September 1841 meeting of the Kirtland elders quorum, President Amos Babcock remarked on “the Elders teaching the places of gethering and he Sho[w]ed that Kirtland [was a] place of gethering for the Saints in the last days and that Nauvoo was Also a place of gethering.” The men then voted and came to a nearly “unanimous agreemment with the Elders that Kirtland was a place of gethering.” (Letter from Almon Babbitt, 19 Oct. 1841; Kirtland Elders Quorum, “Record,” 12 Sept. 1841.)

    Kirtland Elders Quorum. “A Record of the First Quorurum of Elders Belonging to the Church of Christ: In Kirtland Geauga Co. Ohio,” 1836–1838, 1840–1841. CCLA.

  9. [9]

    Revocation of Letter of Attorney, 2 Nov. 1841; JS to Reuben McBride, Letter of Attorney, 2 Nov. 1841, in JS Letterbook 2, pp. 213–214; see also Power of Attorney to Reuben McBride, 28 Oct. 1841.

  10. [10]

    Letter from Lester Brooks et al., 16 Nov. 1841. Oliver Granger, JS’s other agent in Kirtland, oversaw various land transfers and was entrusted with the keys to the House of the Lord until he died in August 1841. (Agreement with Oliver Granger, 29 Apr. 1840; Letter to Oliver Granger, between ca. 22 and ca. 28 July 1840; Letter to Oliver Granger, 4 May 1841.)

  11. [11]

    “Kirtland Conference Minutes,” Times and Seasons, 1 Nov. 1841, 3:587–589. During the same conference, Kirtland church members voted that Bishop Burdick and his counselors establish a publishing company in Kirtland and that the subscription money be “held in trust and managed by the said company, for the benefit of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.” The minutes also stipulated that the company would print a periodical called the Olive Leaf. There is no evidence that the publishing company ever printed anything.

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

  12. [12]

    JS, Journal, 15 Dec. 1841.

Asterisk (*) denotes a "featured" version, which includes an introduction and annotation.
*Letter to Church Leaders in Kirtland, Ohio, 15 December 1841
Journal, December 1841–December 1842 *History, 1838–1856, volume C-1 [2 November 1838–31 July 1842] “History of Joseph Smith”

Page 31

“It remains for
Almon Babbitt

Oct. 1812–Sept. 1856. Postmaster, editor, attorney. Born at Cheshire, Berkshire Co., Massachusetts. Son of Ira Babbitt and Nancy Crosier. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, ca. 1830. Located in Amherst, Lorain Co., Ohio, July 1831....

View Full Bio
to offer satisfaction. if he wishes so to do, according to the minutes of the
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
,
1

Minutes and Discourse, 1–5 Oct. 1841.


You are doubtless all well aware that all the
stakes

Ecclesiastical organization of church members in a particular locale. Stakes were typically large local organizations of church members; stake leaders could include a presidency, a high council, and a bishopric. Some revelations referred to stakes “to” or...

View Glossary
except those in
Hancock, Co.

Formed from Pike Co., 1825. Described in 1837 as predominantly prairie and “deficient in timber.” Early settlers came mainly from mid-Atlantic and southern states. Population in 1835 about 3,200; in 1840 about 9,900; and in 1844 at least 15,000. Carthage ...

More Info
— Illinois, &
Lee county

First permanent settlement established, 1820. Organized 1837. Population in 1838 about 2,800; in 1840 about 6,100; in 1844 about 9,800; and in 1846 about 13,000. Following expulsion from Missouri, 1838–1839, many Saints found refuge in eastern Iowa Territory...

More Info
Iowa. were discontinued some time Since by 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
, as published in the Times and Seasons;
2

Letter to the Saints Abroad, 24 May 1841.


but as it appears that there are many 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
who desire to remain there. and build up that place,
3

Two months earlier Babbitt estimated there were “about 500 members in this place [Kirtland] and a good many churches agacent to this Stake.” (Letter from Almon Babbitt, 19 Oct. 1841.)


and as you have made great exertions, according to your letter, to establish a printing press, & take care of the poor,
4

During the October 1841 conference held in Kirtland, church members resolved to provide aid to the poor. In his 19 October letter, Babbitt informed JS that “we have mad[e] provihion [provision] for the poor and you must know that there was one hundred poor English Saint[s] left here at one time who could not get any further and most of them are doing well.” (Kirtland Elders Quorum, “Record,” 12 Sept. 1841; “Kirtland Conference Minutes,” Times and Seasons, 1 Nov. 1841, 3:587–589; Letter from Almon Babbitt, 19 Oct. 1841.)


Comprehensive Works Cited

Kirtland Elders Quorum. “A Record of the First Quorurum of Elders Belonging to the Church of Christ: In Kirtland Geauga Co. Ohio,” 1836–1838, 1840–1841. CCLA.

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

&c. since that period, you may as well continue operations according to your designs, & go on with your printing, & do what you can in Righteousness to build up
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
but do not suffer yourselves to harbor the Idea that
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
will rise on the ruins of
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
.
5

In their 16 November letter to JS, the Kirtland leaders wrote, “We had great hopes that Kirtland would rise from its former desolation to honor the cause of the Lord in common with Nauvoo.” In a letter sent to Oliver Granger in July 1840, JS expressed surprise that Babbitt “should take any steps whatever calculated to destroy the confidence of the brethren in the presidency or any of the Authorities of the church. . . . under such circumstances Kirtland cannot rise and free herself from the captivity in which she is held. . . . It is in consequence of aspiring men that Kirtland has been forsaken.” (Letter from Lester Brooks et al., 16 Nov. 1841; Letter to Oliver Granger, between ca. 22 and ca. 28 July 1840.)


It is the privilege of brethren emigrating from any quarter To come to this place, and it is not right to attempt to persuade those who desire it, to stop short,” (Extract from the letter of the
presidents

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...

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in reply— Decr 15[th] 1841.) [p. 31]
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Page 31

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Related Case Documents
Editorial Title
Letter to Church Leaders in Kirtland, Ohio, 15 December 1841
ID #
726
Total Pages
1
Print Volume Location
JSP, D9:28–31
Handwriting on This Page
  • Willard Richards

Footnotes

  1. [1]

    Minutes and Discourse, 1–5 Oct. 1841.

  2. [2]

    Letter to the Saints Abroad, 24 May 1841.

  3. [3]

    Two months earlier Babbitt estimated there were “about 500 members in this place [Kirtland] and a good many churches agacent to this Stake.” (Letter from Almon Babbitt, 19 Oct. 1841.)

  4. [4]

    During the October 1841 conference held in Kirtland, church members resolved to provide aid to the poor. In his 19 October letter, Babbitt informed JS that “we have mad[e] provihion [provision] for the poor and you must know that there was one hundred poor English Saint[s] left here at one time who could not get any further and most of them are doing well.” (Kirtland Elders Quorum, “Record,” 12 Sept. 1841; “Kirtland Conference Minutes,” Times and Seasons, 1 Nov. 1841, 3:587–589; Letter from Almon Babbitt, 19 Oct. 1841.)

    Kirtland Elders Quorum. “A Record of the First Quorurum of Elders Belonging to the Church of Christ: In Kirtland Geauga Co. Ohio,” 1836–1838, 1840–1841. CCLA.

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

  5. [5]

    In their 16 November letter to JS, the Kirtland leaders wrote, “We had great hopes that Kirtland would rise from its former desolation to honor the cause of the Lord in common with Nauvoo.” In a letter sent to Oliver Granger in July 1840, JS expressed surprise that Babbitt “should take any steps whatever calculated to destroy the confidence of the brethren in the presidency or any of the Authorities of the church. . . . under such circumstances Kirtland cannot rise and free herself from the captivity in which she is held. . . . It is in consequence of aspiring men that Kirtland has been forsaken.” (Letter from Lester Brooks et al., 16 Nov. 1841; Letter to Oliver Granger, between ca. 22 and ca. 28 July 1840.)

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