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Letter to Emma Smith, 12 November 1838

Source Note

JS, Letter, , Ray Co., MO, to , , Caldwell Co., MO, 12 Nov. 1838; handwriting of JS; three pages; CHL. Includes address, wafer seal, and redactions.
Bifolium measuring 12½ × 7½ inches (32 × 19 cm). The document was trifolded twice in letter style, sealed with an adhesive wafer, and addressed. Later, the leaves became separated and were numbered in graphite. The upper left and right corners of each leaf contain a small hole, perhaps indicating the use of a fastening device. The upper left corners of the leaves were fastened together with staples. Adhesive tape was later applied to both leaves. The letter likely remained in the Smith family’s possession until transferred to the archives of the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (now Community of Christ). In 2024, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints acquired the letter from the Community of Christ, and it is now held at the Church History Library in Salt Lake City.

Footnotes

  1. [1]

    See Richard Howard, email to Rachel Killebrew, 5 Jan. 2015; Rachel Killebrew, email to David W. Grua, 26 June 2015, copies in editors’ possession.

Historical Introduction

On 12 November 1838, JS wrote to his wife from , Missouri. He and six other church leaders—, , , , , and —were in the custody of state officials. After spending five days in , Missouri, the prisoners were transported to on 9 November. In Richmond, they and forty-six other Latter-day Saint defendants were scheduled to appear before Judge at a criminal court of inquiry, or preliminary hearing, to determine whether the state possessed sufficient evidence to hold a full trial on charges of treason and other crimes allegedly committed during the recent conflict. For the remainder of the month, JS and his companions were held in “an old log house,” while the forty-six other prisoners were confined in the unfinished Courthouse.
The day the hearing was scheduled to begin—12 November—JS wrote this letter to , perhaps from the log house jail or the county courthouse. He acknowledged receipt of an apparently nonextant missive from Emma, expressed his love and affection for her, wrote personal notes for each of their children, and included a prayer that he would be reunited with his family. He also described the loyalty and unity among the prisoners, affirmed his innocence, and explained that attorneys and had agreed to represent him and his companions. JS noted that Lieutenant Colonel was screening the prisoners’ correspondence, which may have influenced how JS crafted his letter. JS indicated that a “Brother Babbitt,” whose identity remains uncertain, would carry the letter to .

Footnotes

  1. [1]

    See Introduction to Part 3: 4 Nov. 1838–16 Apr. 1839.

  2. [2]

    Lyman Wight, Journal, in History of the Reorganized Church, 2:296–297; see also Berrett, Sacred Places, 4:243–249.

    The History of the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. 8 vols. Independence, MO: Herald Publishing House, 1896–1976.

    Berrett, LaMar C., ed. Sacred Places: A Comprehensive Guide to Early LDS Historical Sites. 6 vols. Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 1999–2007.

Page [2]

is a lovely little girl, I love hir also She is a promising child, tell her Father wants her to remember him and be a good girl, tell all the rest that I think of them and pray for them all, Br Babbit is waitting to carry our letters, for us the is inspecting them therefore my time is short <​the​> little baby is on my mind continualy Oh my affectionate , I want you to remember that I am <​a​> true and faithful friend, to you and the chilldren, forever, my heart is intwined around you[r]s forever and ever, Oh may God bless you all amen you I am your husband and am in bonds and tribulation &c
to }Joseph Smith Jr
P S write as often as you can, and if possible come and see me, and bring the chilldren if possible, act according to your own feelings <​and​> best Judgement, and indeavour to be comforted, if possible, and I trust that all will turn out for the bist. yours, J.S. [p. [2]]
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Document Information

Related Case Documents
Editorial Title
Letter to Emma Smith, 12 November 1838
ID #
419
Total Pages
4
Print Volume Location
JSP, D6:290–293
Handwriting on This Page
  • Joseph Smith Jr.

Footnotes

  1. [5]

    At least two Latter-day Saint men by the name of Babbitt were in Missouri in 1838: siblings Almon and John. (Johnson, “A Life Review,” 48.)

    Johnson, Benjamin Franklin. “A Life Review,” after 1893. Benjamin Franklin Johnson, Papers, 1852–1911. CHL. MS 1289 box 1, fd. 1.

  2. [6]

    Price and his men guarded the Latter-day Saint prisoners in Richmond. (Pratt, Autobiography, 216, 228.)

    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.

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