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Letter to Editor, 15 April 1843

Source Note

[
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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, (Viator, pseud.)], 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....

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, Hancock Co., IL, to the Editor of Boston Daily Bee,
Boston

Capital city of Massachusetts, located on eastern seaboard at mouth of Charles River. Founded by Puritans, 1630. Received city charter, 1822. Population in 1820 about 43,000; in 1830 about 61,000; and in 1840 about 93,000. JS’s ancestor Robert Smith emigrated...

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, Suffolk Co., MA, 15 Apr. 1843. Version published in Boston Daily Bee, 20 May 1843, p. [2]; edited by C. J. Howland. Transcription from a digital image obtained from Newspaper Collection, Boston Public Library, Boston, Massachusetts, in 2024. For more complete source information, see the source note for Letter to Editor, 22–ca. 27 Apr. 1843.

Historical Introduction

See Historical Introduction to Letter to Editor, 22–ca. 27 Apr. 1843.
Asterisk (*) denotes a "featured" version, which includes an introduction and annotation. Letter to Editor, 15 April 1843, Initial Draft Letter to Editor, 15 April 1843, Second Draft
Letter to Editor, 15 April 1843

Page [2]

-[correspondence of the “boston bee.”]-
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....

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, Ill. April 15, 1843.
To the Editor:
Sir,—These Mormons are a go-ahead people, and he who would keep up with them, must skip over many things, even in observation. The Prophet closed his Millenium on the date of my last, not stopping to attend to all the little business, and minute affairs of the kingdom, but leaving them to the Twelve. —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 ...

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, or next big lions of the
city

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....

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. There is nothing very peculiar about these men, and you would not know them from any body else, who behave themselves well, if you should happen to meet them; yet they seem to be a match for any thing when “Jo” is not present.
These Apostles got together on the Monday following the close of the Millenium, and had a consultation with six or eight hundred
Elders

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...

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, about having another day of probation, or, having the old one prolonged for a season, and it was quickly decided that there were many poor souls yet ignorant of the truth, and that it was necessary they should have the gospel preached to them before the final end could come.
At it they went and manafactured a score or two of new Elders, not as many of the sects make them, by schools, and academies, and colleges, and books, and professors, and ten years’ study at dead languages. No, but they did it by prayer, and the
laying on of hands

A practice in which individuals place their hands upon a person to bestow the gift of the Holy Ghost, ordain to an office or calling, or confer other power, authority, or blessings, often as part of an ordinance. The Book of Mormon explained that ecclesiastical...

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, and by the power of the Holy Ghost, (as they term it) and a man is ready for his business; and, Elders thus made, are those “weak things by which the Lord is going to confound the mighty.” You need not suppose by this that the Mormons despise learning. No! They are diligent in acquiring knowledge, but do not depend on book learning for salvation; but more of this in its place.
This great meeting, or, I should have said, these big lions, in concert with the the little ones, besides
ordaining

The conferral of power and authority; to appoint, decree, or set apart. Church members, primarily adults, were ordained to ecclesiastical offices and other responsibilities by the laying on of hands by those with the proper authority. Ordinations to priesthood...

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, sent out near one hundred and fifty Elders, to different parts of the land, to carry a proclamation of pardon to the sinner, and
baptise

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...

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those who had faith in their doctrines; and they were very particular to select such places as wanted, and had requested preachers to be sent to them; or to places where their elders had never been; and not intrude themselves where they were not wanted. They are very modest about this, and perhaps there is some policy, but I discovered nothing censurable in their movements. It was reported and proved that one of their Elders had been guilty of some bad conduct, abroad, and he was ummade in less than half the time it took to make him.
All the States, (
Missouri

Area acquired by U.S. in Louisiana Purchase, 1803, and established as territory, 1812. Missouri Compromise, 1820, admitted Missouri as slave state, 1821. Population in 1830 about 140,000; in 1836 about 240,000; and in 1840 about 380,000. Latter-day Saint ...

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excepted, they are jealous of their old friends yet) and the
Canadas

In late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries, Canada referred to British colonies of Upper Canada and Lower Canada. Divided into Upper Canada and Lower Canada, 1791; reunited 10 Feb. 1841. Boundaries corresponded roughly to present-day Ontario (Upper...

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, may expect a swarm of these preachers soon, for they have not done sending out their heralds, but in the midst of their business on Wednesday, a steamer was discovered coming up the
river

Principal U.S. river running southward from Itasca Lake, Minnesota, to Gulf of Mexico. Covered 3,160-mile course, 1839 (now about 2,350 miles). Drains about 1,100,000 square miles. Steamboat travel on Mississippi very important in 1830s and 1840s for shipping...

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, and the meeting adjourned.
These Mormons are determind to be the first in every thing. The steamer proved to be the “Amaranth,” followed the same day by the “Maid of Iowa,” both loaded with saints. These were the first arrivals at the
Golden City

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....

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, this spring; one four, the other eleven days, from
St. Louis

Located on west side of Mississippi River about fifteen miles south of confluence with Missouri River. Founded as fur-trading post by French settlers, 1764. Incorporated as town, 1809. First Mississippi steamboat docked by town, 1817. Incorporated as city...

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, having fought against the ice all the way. These 450 saints excluded almost all other pessengers; and the “Maid of Iowa” returned immediately to
St. Louis

Located on west side of Mississippi River about fifteen miles south of confluence with Missouri River. Founded as fur-trading post by French settlers, 1764. Incorporated as town, 1809. First Mississippi steamboat docked by town, 1817. Incorporated as city...

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, for another cargo of the same kind. Several ships have already arrived at
New Orleans

Settled by French, 1717. Acquired by U.S. in Louisiana Purchase, 1803. City, port of entry, and parish seat of justice. Population in 1840 about 100,000. Important trade center on Mississippi River. Branch of Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints established...

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, this season, freighted with Mormons, besides the thousands who have been ice bound on the
river

Principal U.S. river running southward from Itasca Lake, Minnesota, to Gulf of Mexico. Covered 3,160-mile course, 1839 (now about 2,350 miles). Drains about 1,100,000 square miles. Steamboat travel on Mississippi very important in 1830s and 1840s for shipping...

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, who to secure their safe arrival, and do good as they had opportunity, baptized the
Captain

4 Aug. 1811–6 Jan. 1862. Steamboat owner and captain, farmer, mayor. Born in Flintshire, Wales. Son of Thomas Jones and Ruth. Married Jane Melling, 3 Jan. 1837, in Denbigh, Denbighshire, Wales. Immigrated to U.S., ca. 1840. Moved to Nauvoo, Hancock Co., Illinois...

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of the “Maid of Iowa,” who is shewing himself off as diligent in their service, and appeared to enjoy himself wonderfully while here.
As the Mormons were the first to break the ice, so the prophet was the first to board the steamer, as it came up to the landing, and greet his “old friends” who had been absent some years, and had returned with their flocks as, said the prophet, “like doves to their windows.” Yes Joe sprang on the boat, the first plank that was thrown out, more like a boy who was hastening to his mate, than a great prophet, so familiar is he in his deportment; and I am sure, Sir, it would have warmed your heart, (for it did mine, as much of an infidel as I am) to see the thousands, who had assembled on the beach, ready to greet the arrival of their friends whom they had left in old
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...

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.
Yours,
V[iator]

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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Editorial Title
Letter to Editor, 15 April 1843
ID #
12528
Total Pages
1
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