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Minutes, 10 February 1843

Source Note

Quorum of 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
, Minutes,
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, 10 Feb. 1843; 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
; one page; Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, Minutes, 1840–1844, CHL. Includes docket, redactions, and notation.
Single leaf, measuring 12¼ × 7¼–7⅝ inches (31 × 18–19 cm). The leaf was unevenly cut or torn along the left and right sides.
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
, who had served as the regular clerk of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles since at least 1841, docketed the minutes and at a later point—possibly in fall or winter 1845–1846 while preparing JS’s history—made a handful of minor graphite redactions. Richards presumably retained the minutes in his possession after inscribing them. In 1846
Thomas Bullock

23 Dec. 1816–10 Feb. 1885. Farmer, excise officer, secretary, clerk. Born in Leek, Staffordshire, England. Son of Thomas Bullock and Mary Hall. Married Henrietta Rushton, 25 June 1838. Moved to Ardee, Co. Louth, Ireland, Nov. 1839; to Isle of Anglesey, Aug...

View Full Bio
apparently used both the minutes and JS’s journal to construct the account of this meeting for JS’s history.
1

See JS, Journal, 10 Feb. 1843; and Historian’s Office, JS History, Draft Notes, 10 Feb. 1843, 15–16.


The minutes were likely among the “Minutes of the Twelve 1840 to 1844” listed in an 1846 inventory of the Church Historian’s Office (later Church Historical Department).
2

“Schedule of Church Records. Nauvoo 1846,” [1], Historian’s Office, Catalogs and Inventories, 1846–1904, CHL.


Comprehensive Works Cited

Historian’s Office. Catalogs and Inventories, 1846–1904. CHL. CR 100 130.

Andrew Jenson, who began working in the Church Historian’s Office in 1891 and served as assistant church historian from 1897 to 1941,
3

Jenson, Autobiography, 192, 389; Cannon, Journal, 9 Feb. 1891; Jenson, Journal, 9 Feb. 1891 and 19 Oct. 1897; Bitton and Arrington, Mormons and Their Historians, 47–52.


Comprehensive Works Cited

Jenson, Andrew. Autobiography of Andrew Jenson: Assistant Historian of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. . . . Salt Lake City: Deseret News Press, 1938.

Cannon, George Q. Journals, 1855–1864, 1872–1901. CHL. CR 850 1.

Jenson, Andrew. Journals, 1864–1941. Andrew Jenson, Autobiography and Journals, 1864–1941. CHL.

Bitton, David, and Leonard J. Arrington. Mormons and Their Historians. Salt Lake City: University of Utah Press, 1988.

initialed the document to indicate that he had reviewed it. By the mid-1970s, the minutes were included as part of the Brigham Young Office Files at the Church Historical Department (now CHL).
4

Brigham Young Office Files, 1832–1878, microfilm, Aug. 1975, CHL.


Comprehensive Works Cited

Brigham Young Office Files, 1832–1878. CHL. CR 1234 1.

In 1986 the minutes of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles for the 1840s in the Young files were transferred to the Office of the First Presidency. The minutes were returned to the CHL in 2008 but cataloged separately from the Young files in 2016.
5

See the full bibliographic entry for Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, Minutes, 1840–1844, in the CHL catalog.


The document’s early docket, inclusion in the 1846 inventory, and subsequent provenance indicate continuous institutional custody.

Footnotes

  1. [1]

    See JS, Journal, 10 Feb. 1843; and Historian’s Office, JS History, Draft Notes, 10 Feb. 1843, 15–16.

  2. [2]

    “Schedule of Church Records. Nauvoo 1846,” [1], Historian’s Office, Catalogs and Inventories, 1846–1904, CHL.

    Historian’s Office. Catalogs and Inventories, 1846–1904. CHL. CR 100 130.

  3. [3]

    Jenson, Autobiography, 192, 389; Cannon, Journal, 9 Feb. 1891; Jenson, Journal, 9 Feb. 1891 and 19 Oct. 1897; Bitton and Arrington, Mormons and Their Historians, 47–52.

    Jenson, Andrew. Autobiography of Andrew Jenson: Assistant Historian of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. . . . Salt Lake City: Deseret News Press, 1938.

    Cannon, George Q. Journals, 1855–1864, 1872–1901. CHL. CR 850 1.

    Jenson, Andrew. Journals, 1864–1941. Andrew Jenson, Autobiography and Journals, 1864–1941. CHL.

    Bitton, David, and Leonard J. Arrington. Mormons and Their Historians. Salt Lake City: University of Utah Press, 1988.

  4. [4]

    Brigham Young Office Files, 1832–1878, microfilm, Aug. 1975, CHL.

    Brigham Young Office Files, 1832–1878. CHL. CR 1234 1.

  5. [5]

    See the full bibliographic entry for Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, Minutes, 1840–1844, in the CHL catalog.

Historical Introduction

On 10 February 1843, JS attended a meeting with the
Quorum of 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
in his home 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. The meeting had been scheduled a day earlier after
apostle

A title indicating one sent forth to preach; later designated as a specific ecclesiastical and priesthood office. By 1830, JS and Oliver Cowdery were designated as apostles. The “Articles and Covenants” of the church explained that an “apostle is an elder...

View Glossary
Parley P. Pratt

12 Apr. 1807–13 May 1857. Farmer, editor, publisher, teacher, school administrator, legislator, explorer, author. Born at Burlington, Otsego Co., New York. Son of Jared Pratt and Charity Dickinson. Traveled west with brother William to acquire land, 1823....

View Full Bio
“asked for some council” following an informal meeting with JS and others.
1

JS, Journal, 9 Feb. 1843; see also Instruction, 9 Feb. 1843 [D&C 129].


It is unclear what Pratt wished to discuss with JS and his fellow apostles because the topics of discussion apparently changed on the morning of 10 February. That morning JS conversed with several “strangers,” including
John Cowan

25 Apr. 1781–7 Nov. 1853. Farmer. Born near Harpers Ferry, Berkeley Co., Virginia (later in West Virginia). Son of James Cowan Sr. and Mary Russell. Moved near Lebanon, Hamilton Co., Ohio, Nov. 1800. Married first Miss Sewell, ca. 1801. Married second Sarah...

View Full Bio
from Henderson County, Illinois.
2

JS, Journal, 10 Feb. 1843; JS History, vol. D-1, 1466.


During their visit, Cowan, who was not a member of 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
, claimed to have been deputized by his community to request a Latter-day Saint missionary to come preach in the area and encourage Saints to immigrate to the struggling river town of
Shokokon

Located on east bank of Mississippi River, about twenty-five miles upriver from Nauvoo. Laid out by Robert McQueen and Charles A. Smith, 1836. Location for landing rafts of lumber cut in Wisconsin Territory forests. Population never exceeded 300. JS visited...

More Info
, Illinois.
3

Four days earlier, Fields Jarvis wrote to JS offering him ferry rights in or near Shokokon. It is unclear, however, whether Cowan’s offer on 10 February was connected to Jarvis’s letter. (Letter from Fields Jarvis, 6 Feb. 1843.)


A few months later,
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
claimed that Cowan had only feigned interest in the church for his own “designing purposes.”
4

In warning Saints in the eastern United States about Cowan’s pretentions, Young described Cowan as “all love— Charm— Calculated to magnetize” and argued that he only sought to profit off JS and the Saints. It is unclear whether JS shared Young’s negative assessment of Cowan’s character. On several occasions in 1843 and 1844, Cowan met or corresponded with local and national politicians apparently on behalf of JS or the church. It is unclear whether JS sanctioned Cowan’s activities. (Boston Conference, Minutes, 11 Sept. 1843, 16–17, Historian’s Office, Minutes and Reports [Local Units], CHL; John Chambers, Burlington, Iowa Territory, to John Cowan, [Bald Bluff, IL], 10 Mar. 1843, JS Office Papers, CHL; John Cowan, New Orleans, LA, to JS, Nauvoo, IL, 23 Jan. 1844; John Cowan, New York City, NY, to JS, Nauvoo, IL, 31 May 1844, JS Collection, CHL.)


Comprehensive Works Cited

Historian’s Office. Minutes and Reports, 1840–1886. CHL.

Nevertheless, JS considered Cowan’s proposal, and the invitation became the main topic of discussion at the 10 February meeting with the apostles.
At three o’clock in the afternoon, JS and nine of the apostles met according to appointment in the same room in JS’s home where he held the
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
mayor’s court. JS formally opened the meeting at three thirty by requesting that the business agenda be handled briefly.
5

JS, Journal, 10 Feb. 1843.


In addition to agreeing to
Cowan

25 Apr. 1781–7 Nov. 1853. Farmer. Born near Harpers Ferry, Berkeley Co., Virginia (later in West Virginia). Son of James Cowan Sr. and Mary Russell. Moved near Lebanon, Hamilton Co., Ohio, Nov. 1800. Married first Miss Sewell, ca. 1801. Married second Sarah...

View Full Bio
’s settlement proposal, the men discussed JS’s allegations of improper activities at the
Nauvoo post office

First post office located in area known as Venus, near west end of present-day Parley Street, 1830–1834. Name changed to Commerce post office, 11 Oct. 1834. Renamed Nauvoo post office, 21 Apr. 1840, with George W. Robinson appointed postmaster. Robinson operated...

More Info
as well as the need to call
George J. Adams

7 Nov. 1810–11 May 1880. Tailor, actor, clergyman. Born in Oxford, Sussex Co., New Jersey. Lived in Boston during 1820s and 1830s. Became Methodist lay preacher. Married Caroline. Moved to New York City, before 1840. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of...

View Full Bio
and his family back to Nauvoo because Adams was guilty of adultery.
6

After JS confronted Adams with the charge of adultery in September 1842, Adams confessed and promised to reform. However, in January 1843, while Adams was preaching in Boston, his wife, Caroline Youngs Adams, informed JS that George’s mistress had given birth to a child and she requested that JS privately recall Adams to Nauvoo for church discipline. (Letter from George J. Adams and David Rogers, 11 Oct. 1842; Letter from Caroline Youngs Adams, ca. 15 Jan. 1843.)


The men adjourned at five in the afternoon, and JS “immediately” transitioned to presiding over the mayor’s court.
7

JS, Journal, 10 Feb. 1843.


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
, JS’s personal secretary as well as the clerk of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, recorded the minutes of this meeting on a loose sheet of paper. The large size and smooth flow of Richards’s handwriting suggest that Richards wrote the first paragraph either before or after the meeting—when he had time to write in a more organized, deliberate manner. The remaining paragraphs all show signs that Richards was writing quickly, in an apparent rush to capture the quorum’s decisions and JS’s words as they occurred. At the bottom of the minutes, Richards signed for
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
as president of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and for himself as clerk of the
quorum

An organized group of individuals holding the same office in the Melchizedek priesthood or the Aaronic priesthood. According to the 1835 “Instruction on Priesthood,” the presidency of the church constituted a quorum. The Twelve Apostles also formed a quorum...

View Glossary
. At a later point—presumably that same day—Richards apparently used his minutes to construct the account of the meeting in JS’s journal, which he was keeping.
8

JS, Journal, 10 Feb. 1843.


Footnotes

  1. [1]

    JS, Journal, 9 Feb. 1843; see also Instruction, 9 Feb. 1843 [D&C 129].

  2. [2]

    JS, Journal, 10 Feb. 1843; JS History, vol. D-1, 1466.

  3. [3]

    Four days earlier, Fields Jarvis wrote to JS offering him ferry rights in or near Shokokon. It is unclear, however, whether Cowan’s offer on 10 February was connected to Jarvis’s letter. (Letter from Fields Jarvis, 6 Feb. 1843.)

  4. [4]

    In warning Saints in the eastern United States about Cowan’s pretentions, Young described Cowan as “all love— Charm— Calculated to magnetize” and argued that he only sought to profit off JS and the Saints. It is unclear whether JS shared Young’s negative assessment of Cowan’s character. On several occasions in 1843 and 1844, Cowan met or corresponded with local and national politicians apparently on behalf of JS or the church. It is unclear whether JS sanctioned Cowan’s activities. (Boston Conference, Minutes, 11 Sept. 1843, 16–17, Historian’s Office, Minutes and Reports [Local Units], CHL; John Chambers, Burlington, Iowa Territory, to John Cowan, [Bald Bluff, IL], 10 Mar. 1843, JS Office Papers, CHL; John Cowan, New Orleans, LA, to JS, Nauvoo, IL, 23 Jan. 1844; John Cowan, New York City, NY, to JS, Nauvoo, IL, 31 May 1844, JS Collection, CHL.)

    Historian’s Office. Minutes and Reports, 1840–1886. CHL.

  5. [5]

    JS, Journal, 10 Feb. 1843.

  6. [6]

    After JS confronted Adams with the charge of adultery in September 1842, Adams confessed and promised to reform. However, in January 1843, while Adams was preaching in Boston, his wife, Caroline Youngs Adams, informed JS that George’s mistress had given birth to a child and she requested that JS privately recall Adams to Nauvoo for church discipline. (Letter from George J. Adams and David Rogers, 11 Oct. 1842; Letter from Caroline Youngs Adams, ca. 15 Jan. 1843.)

  7. [7]

    JS, Journal, 10 Feb. 1843.

  8. [8]

    JS, Journal, 10 Feb. 1843.

Asterisk (*) denotes a "featured" version, which includes an introduction and annotation.
*Minutes, 10 February 1843
Journal, December 1842–June 1844; Book 1, 21 December 1842–10 March 1843 History Draft [1 January–3 March 1843] History, 1838–1856, volume D-1 [1 August 1842–1 July 1843] “History of Joseph Smith”

Page [1]

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
Friday Feb. 10[th]. 1843.
Assembled at the house of
President

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
Joseph Smith. Prest.
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
,
H[eber] C. Kimball

14 June 1801–22 June 1868. Blacksmith, potter. Born at Sheldon, Franklin Co., Vermont. Son of Solomon Farnham Kimball and Anna Spaulding. Married Vilate Murray, 22 Nov. 1822, at Mendon, Monroe Co., New York. Member of Baptist church at Mendon, 1831. Baptized...

View Full Bio
,
Orson Hyde

8 Jan. 1805–28 Nov. 1878. Laborer, clerk, storekeeper, teacher, editor, businessman, lawyer, judge. Born at Oxford, New Haven Co., Connecticut. Son of Nathan Hyde and Sally Thorpe. Moved to Derby, New Haven Co., 1812. Moved to Kirtland, Geauga Co., Ohio, ...

View Full Bio
,
P[arley] P. Pratt

12 Apr. 1807–13 May 1857. Farmer, editor, publisher, teacher, school administrator, legislator, explorer, author. Born at Burlington, Otsego Co., New York. Son of Jared Pratt and Charity Dickinson. Traveled west with brother William to acquire land, 1823....

View Full Bio
,
Orson Pratt

19 Sept. 1811–3 Oct. 1881. Farmer, writer, teacher, merchant, surveyor, editor, publisher. Born at Hartford, Washington Co., New York. Son of Jared Pratt and Charity Dickinson. Moved to New Lebanon, Columbia Co., New York, 1814; to Canaan, Columbia Co., fall...

View Full Bio
,
Wilford Woodruff

1 Mar. 1807–2 Sept. 1898. Farmer, miller. Born at Farmington, Hartford Co., Connecticut. Son of Aphek Woodruff and Beulah Thompson. Moved to Richland, Oswego Co., New York, 1832. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by Zera Pulsipher,...

View Full Bio
,
John Taylor

1 Nov. 1808–25 July 1887. Preacher, editor, publisher, politician. Born at Milnthorpe, Westmoreland, England. Son of James Taylor and Agnes Taylor, members of Church of England. Around age sixteen, joined Methodist church and was local preacher. Migrated ...

View Full Bio
,
Geo A. Smith

26 June 1817–1 Sept. 1875. Born at Potsdam, St. Lawrence Co., New York. Son of John Smith and Clarissa Lyman. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by Joseph H. Wakefield, 10 Sept. 1832, at Potsdam. Moved to Kirtland, Geauga Co., Ohio,...

View Full Bio
, &
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
of the
Quorum of the Twelve

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
— in council— with President Joseph Smith.— according to Previous appointmt of Prest. Joseph— commencing at 3½— o’clock P. M.—
Joseph requested in business. to have matter of fact & no explanation.—
Joseph— stated that
Mr [John] Cowan

25 Apr. 1781–7 Nov. 1853. Farmer. Born near Harpers Ferry, Berkeley Co., Virginia (later in West Virginia). Son of James Cowan Sr. and Mary Russell. Moved near Lebanon, Hamilton Co., Ohio, Nov. 1800. Married first Miss Sewell, ca. 1801. Married second Sarah...

View Full Bio
, had been delegated <​by the inhabitants​> to come 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
— & invite a talented mormon Preacher to go— to 20 miles above 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...

More Info
opposite
Burlington

Located in southeastern Iowa on west bank of Mississippi River. Site selected for construction of fort, 1805. Area settled, ca. 1833, by Europeans. Laid out, 1834. Incorporated 1837. Designated capital of Wisconsin Territory, 1837; capital of Iowa Territory...

More Info
.— & preach offering him a good house. & Support,— & wishing to invite as many mormons as they pleas to settle in that place.——
It was decided that
Bro [blank] Bear

View Full Bio

1

In JS’s history, Thomas Bullock clarified that “Bro Bear” referred to John Bair, a Latter-day Saint living at Nauvoo. (JS History, vol. D-1, 1466; License for John Bair, 18 Apr. 1840, in General Church Recorder, License Record Book, 34; Nauvoo, IL, Tax List for 1842, district 3, p. 218, microfilm 7,706, U.S. and Canada Record Collection, FHL.)


Comprehensive Works Cited

U.S. and Canada Record Collection. FHL.

be the man to go and settle among them according to their request
2

Four days after the meeting, JS again met with Cowan. Together they traveled up to Shokokon to survey the community, where they spent several days before JS agreed to purchase part of the town. (JS, Journal, 14–17 Feb. 1843; see Deed from Robert and Mary Crane McQueen, 20 Feb. 1843.)


Joseph made observation concerning the Theiving in 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....

More Info
& the
Post— office—

First post office located in area known as Venus, near west end of present-day Parley Street, 1830–1834. Name changed to Commerce post office, 11 Oct. 1834. Renamed Nauvoo post office, 21 Apr. 1840, with George W. Robinson appointed postmaster. Robinson operated...

More Info
proposing a General meeting—
3

Although general theft in Nauvoo was an ongoing topic of concern for JS, Richards’s account of this statement in JS’s journal suggests that JS was simply addressing theft in the Nauvoo post office. Since fall 1842, JS had accused postmaster Sidney Rigdon and others in the post office of stealing letters or funds sent to him in the mail. In November 1842, he even sought to replace Rigdon as postmaster. The renewed interest in the office on 10 February may have been in response to rumors that William Rollosson was beginning to draft a petition to replace Rigdon as postmaster. There is no further indication that a public meeting on the issue was ever held. (Affidavit, 29 Nov. 1841; Letter to George W. Robinson, 6 Nov. 1842; JS, Journal, 8 Nov. 1842; 10 and 13 Feb. 1843; Letter from Sidney Rigdon, ca. 13 Feb. 1843.)


Let
Bro [George J.] Adams

7 Nov. 1810–11 May 1880. Tailor, actor, clergyman. Born in Oxford, Sussex Co., New Jersey. Lived in Boston during 1820s and 1830s. Became Methodist lay preacher. Married Caroline. Moved to New York City, before 1840. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of...

View Full Bio
come 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
with his family he is orderd to come 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
. &. preach no more till he comes,—— he shall be fairly dealt with.—
4

Young and Richards wrote to Adams the next day, conveying JS’s instructions to cease preaching and return to Nauvoo. (JS, Journal, 11 Feb. 1843; George J. Adams, New York City, NY, to Brigham Young and Willard Richards, Nauvoo, IL, 10 Mar. 1843, Brigham Young Office Files, CHL.)


Comprehensive Works Cited

Brigham Young Office Files, 1832–1878. CHL. CR 1234 1.

B. 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
, Prest
W 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
Clerk} [1/4 page blank] [p. [1]]
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Source Note

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Page [1]

Document Information

Related Case Documents
Editorial Title
Minutes, 10 February 1843
ID #
10828
Total Pages
2
Print Volume Location
JSP, D11:411–413
Handwriting on This Page
  • Willard Richards

Footnotes

  1. [1]

    In JS’s history, Thomas Bullock clarified that “Bro Bear” referred to John Bair, a Latter-day Saint living at Nauvoo. (JS History, vol. D-1, 1466; License for John Bair, 18 Apr. 1840, in General Church Recorder, License Record Book, 34; Nauvoo, IL, Tax List for 1842, district 3, p. 218, microfilm 7,706, U.S. and Canada Record Collection, FHL.)

    U.S. and Canada Record Collection. FHL.

  2. [2]

    Four days after the meeting, JS again met with Cowan. Together they traveled up to Shokokon to survey the community, where they spent several days before JS agreed to purchase part of the town. (JS, Journal, 14–17 Feb. 1843; see Deed from Robert and Mary Crane McQueen, 20 Feb. 1843.)

  3. [3]

    Although general theft in Nauvoo was an ongoing topic of concern for JS, Richards’s account of this statement in JS’s journal suggests that JS was simply addressing theft in the Nauvoo post office. Since fall 1842, JS had accused postmaster Sidney Rigdon and others in the post office of stealing letters or funds sent to him in the mail. In November 1842, he even sought to replace Rigdon as postmaster. The renewed interest in the office on 10 February may have been in response to rumors that William Rollosson was beginning to draft a petition to replace Rigdon as postmaster. There is no further indication that a public meeting on the issue was ever held. (Affidavit, 29 Nov. 1841; Letter to George W. Robinson, 6 Nov. 1842; JS, Journal, 8 Nov. 1842; 10 and 13 Feb. 1843; Letter from Sidney Rigdon, ca. 13 Feb. 1843.)

  4. [4]

    Young and Richards wrote to Adams the next day, conveying JS’s instructions to cease preaching and return to Nauvoo. (JS, Journal, 11 Feb. 1843; George J. Adams, New York City, NY, to Brigham Young and Willard Richards, Nauvoo, IL, 10 Mar. 1843, Brigham Young Office Files, CHL.)

    Brigham Young Office Files, 1832–1878. CHL. CR 1234 1.

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