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Letter to Saints Scattered Abroad, September 1840

Source Note

Robert B. Thompson

1 Oct. 1811–27 Aug. 1841. Clerk, editor. Born in Great Driffield, Yorkshire, England. Methodist. Immigrated to Upper Canada, 1834. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by Parley P. Pratt, May 1836, in Upper Canada. Ordained an elder by...

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on behalf of the 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 “the Saints Scattered Abroad,” Sept. 1840. Featured version published in “To the Saints Scattered Abroad,” Times and Seasons, Oct. 1840, 177–179. For more complete source information, see the source note for Letter to Isaac Galland, 22 Mar. 1839.

Historical Introduction

The October 1840 issue of the Times and Seasons—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
newspaper published 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—printed a letter dated September 1840 from 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...

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addressed to the “Saints Scattered Abroad.” Church leaders periodically communicated with the Latter-day Saints in outlying
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...

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through published open letters such as this one, encouraging members to move forward in “the work of the Lord” and providing news and general instruction.
1

See, for example, Letter to the Church, ca. Feb. 1834; Letter to the Church, ca. Mar. 1834; Letter to the Church, ca. Apr. 1834; and Proclamation, 15 Jan. 1841.


In this letter, the First Presidency discussed the building of a
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
at Nauvoo, announced efforts to publish new editions of Latter-day Saint scripture and a hymnal, and recommended that church members gather to
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, if they were able to do so.
The published letter identified
Robert B. Thompson

1 Oct. 1811–27 Aug. 1841. Clerk, editor. Born in Great Driffield, Yorkshire, England. Methodist. Immigrated to Upper Canada, 1834. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by Parley P. Pratt, May 1836, in Upper Canada. Ordained an elder by...

View Full Bio
as the scribe and stated that the letter was written “by order of the first Presidency.” The primary author, however, is unclear. No manuscript version of the letter appears to be extant.

Footnotes

  1. [1]

    See, for example, Letter to the Church, ca. Feb. 1834; Letter to the Church, ca. Mar. 1834; Letter to the Church, ca. Apr. 1834; and Proclamation, 15 Jan. 1841.

Asterisk (*) denotes a "featured" version, which includes an introduction and annotation. *Letter to Saints Scattered Abroad, September 1840 History, 1838–1856, volume C-1 [2 November 1838–31 July 1842] “History of Joseph Smith”

Page 178

and by obedience to the heavenly command, escape the things which are coming on the earth and secure to themselves an inheritance among the sanctified in the world to come.
1

See Acts 20:32.


Having been placed in a very responsible situation in 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
, we at all times feel interested in the welfare of the Saints and make mention of them continually in our prayers to our heavenly Father, that they may be kept from the evils which are in the world and ever be found walking in the path of truth.
The work of the Lord in these last days, is one of vast magnitude and almost beyond the comprehension of mortals: its glories are past description and its grandeur insurpassable. It has been the theme which has animated the bosom of prophets and righteous men from the creation of this world down through every succeeding generation to the present time; and it is truly the
dispensation of the fulness of times

A gift of divine knowledge, power, and authority from God to humankind; often associated with a prophet and his time period. A revelation published in 1835 identified JS and Oliver Cowdery as the recipients of keys to administer a final dispensation of the...

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, when all things which are in Christ Jesus, whether in heaven or on the earth, shall be gathered together in him,
2

See Ephesians 1:10.


and when all things shall be restored, as spoken of by all the holy prophets since the world began:
3

See Acts 3:21.


for in it will take place the glorious fulfillment of the promises made to the fathers,
4

See JS History, vol. A-1, 5–6; and Acts 26:6.


while the displays of the power of the Most High will be great, glorious, and sublime.
The purposes of our God are great, his love unfathomable, his wisdom infinite, and his power unlimited; therefore, the Saints have cause to rejoice and be glad, knowing that “this God is our God forever and ever and he will be our guide unto death.”
5

See Psalm 48:14.


Having confidence in the power, wisdom and love of God, the Saints have been enabled to go forward through the most adverse circumstances, and frequently when to all human appearances nothing but death presented itself, and destruction, inevitable, has the power of God been manifest, his glory revealed, and deliverance effected; and the Saints, like the children of Israel who came out of the land of Egypt, and through the Red Sea,
6

See Exodus chaps. 13–14.


have sung an anthem of praise to his holy name: this has not only been the case in former ages, but in our own days, and within a few months, have we seen this fully verified.
Having, through the kindness of our God, been delivered from destruction, and secured a location upon which we have again commenced opperations for the good of his people,
7

This sentence refers to the conflicts in northern Missouri, which culminated when Missouri governor Lilburn W. Boggs ordered that the Saints be driven from the state or exterminated. Church leaders subsequently purchased extensive tracts of land in Hancock County and immediately across the Mississippi River in Lee County, Iowa Territory. The Saints viewed this acquisition of land as a deliverance from the hostilities and persecution in Missouri. (Lilburn W. Boggs, Jefferson City, MO, to John B. Clark, Fayette, MO, 27 Oct. 1838, copy, Mormon War Papers, Missouri State Archives, Jefferson City; Bonds from Horace Hotchkiss, 12 Aug. 1839–A and B; Lee Co., IA, Land Records, 1836–1961, Deeds [South, Keokuk], vol. 1, pp. 507–509, microfilm 959,238; vol. 2, pp. 3–6, 13–16, microfilm 959,239, U.S. and Canada Record Collection, FHL.)


Comprehensive Works Cited

Mormon War Papers, 1838–1841. MSA.

U.S. and Canada Record Collection. FHL.

we feel disposed to go forward and unite our energies for the upbuilding of the kingdom, and establishing the
Priesthood

Power or authority of God. The priesthood was conferred through the laying on of hands upon adult male members of the church in good standing; no specialized training was required. Priesthood officers held responsibility for administering the sacrament of...

View Glossary
in their fulness and glory.
The work which has to be accomplished in the last days is one of vast importance, and will call into action the energy, skill, talent, and ability of the Saints, so that it may roll forth with that glory and majesty described by the prophets: and will consequently require the concentration of the Saints, to accomplish works of such magnitude and grandeur.
The work of the
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
spoken of in the scriptures,
8

See, for example, Ephesians 1:10; Deuteronomy 30:3; and Isaiah 54:7.


will be necessary to bring about the glories of the last dispensation: It is probably unnecessary to press this subject on the Saints, as we believe the spirit of it is manifest, and its necessity obvious to every considerate mind; and every one zealous for the promotion of truth and righteousness, is equally so for the gathering of the Saints.
Dear brethren feeling desirous to carry out the purposes of God, to which we have been called; and to be co-workers with him in this last dispensation: we feel the necessity of having the hearty co-operation of the Saints throughout this land, and upon the Islands of the sea; and it will be necessary for them to hearken to council, and turn their attention to the church, the establishment of the kingdom, and lay aside every selfish principle, every thing low, and groveling; and stand forward in the cause of truth, and assist to the utmost of their power, those to whom has been given the pattern and design; and like those who held up the hands of Moses,
9

See Exodus 17:12.


hold up the hands of those who are appointed to direct the affairs of the kingdom, so that they may be strengthened, and be enabled to prosecute their great designs and be instrumental in effecting the great work of the last days.
Believing the time has now come when it is necessary to erect a house of prayer, a house of order, a house for [p. 178]
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Source Note

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Page 178

Document Information

Related Case Documents
Editorial Title
Letter to Saints Scattered Abroad, September 1840
ID #
575
Total Pages
3
Print Volume Location
JSP, D7:409–413
Handwriting on This Page
  • Printed text

Footnotes

  1. [1]

    See Acts 20:32.

  2. [2]

    See Ephesians 1:10.

  3. [3]

    See Acts 3:21.

  4. [4]

    See JS History, vol. A-1, 5–6; and Acts 26:6.

  5. [5]

    See Psalm 48:14.

  6. [6]

    See Exodus chaps. 13–14.

  7. [7]

    This sentence refers to the conflicts in northern Missouri, which culminated when Missouri governor Lilburn W. Boggs ordered that the Saints be driven from the state or exterminated. Church leaders subsequently purchased extensive tracts of land in Hancock County and immediately across the Mississippi River in Lee County, Iowa Territory. The Saints viewed this acquisition of land as a deliverance from the hostilities and persecution in Missouri. (Lilburn W. Boggs, Jefferson City, MO, to John B. Clark, Fayette, MO, 27 Oct. 1838, copy, Mormon War Papers, Missouri State Archives, Jefferson City; Bonds from Horace Hotchkiss, 12 Aug. 1839–A and B; Lee Co., IA, Land Records, 1836–1961, Deeds [South, Keokuk], vol. 1, pp. 507–509, microfilm 959,238; vol. 2, pp. 3–6, 13–16, microfilm 959,239, U.S. and Canada Record Collection, FHL.)

    Mormon War Papers, 1838–1841. MSA.

    U.S. and Canada Record Collection. FHL.

  8. [8]

    See, for example, Ephesians 1:10; Deuteronomy 30:3; and Isaiah 54:7.

  9. [9]

    See Exodus 17:12.

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