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Minutes, 17 September 1837–B

Source Note

Minutes, , Geauga Co., OH, 17 Sept. 1837. Featured version copied [ca. 17 Sept. 1837] in Minute Book 1, pp. 243–245; handwriting of ; CHL. For more complete source information, see the source note for Minute Book 1.

Historical Introduction

On the evening of 17 September 1837, the of the in , Ohio, met in the . JS began the meeting with a discourse on the gathering of the Saints. According to , whom JS visited after this meeting, “Some important things were shown to Bro. Josph in vision . . . relitive to the enlargment of our Borders.” This expansion was “necessary for the Inhabitants of both here and in the West are crying the Citys are too strait for us give place that we may dwell the people are crouding in from all parts.” likewise said that the Saints “will gather” and that “Earth and hell combind cannot hinder them for gather they will hence the necessaty of planting new stakes.” The conference then authorized JS and Rigdon to appoint additional of Zion, since the present areas appointed for the Saints, in both and , were “crowded to overflowing” and would not have room for the additional church members intending to gather. The measure was unanimously approved by a vote of the assembled elders.
JS then asked the elders for volunteers to leave and preach. The 109 elders who indicated their willingness to travel were divided into eight companies, with about thirteen men in each, and were assigned a direction in which to travel. Although it had been common for the elders to return from their travels and remain at home in the winter months, Marcellus Cowdery informed that this was not the case that winter: “Brother Joseph & say that the Elders must be out all winter this year, no compulsion you know, but this is the word to the Elders, and great promises to those who go and are faithful.” Although Cowdery intended to fulfill his mission, as others certainly did, extant documentation does not provide adequate details regarding the outcome of his planned missionary endeavor.
The day following this conference, and his counselors, and , printed a broadside containing a memorial addressed to “the Saints scattered abroad.” The memorial informed church members outside Kirtland and northwest of the decision to appoint further stakes of Zion and appealed to the Saints to donate money to relieve the debts of church leaders in Kirtland and help build Zion. Whitney and his counselors also urged every individual to “give heed the very instant that they embrace the gospel, and exert themselves with energy to send on means to build up Zion: for our God bids us to haste the building of the city, saying, the time has come when the city must be pushed forward with unceasing exertions.”
Ten days after the conference, JS and left for to set the church there in order, locate new stakes of Zion, and conduct other church business. They and their companions arrived in , Missouri, by early November and there appointed a committee to locate areas for new settlements.

Footnotes

  1. [1]

    Mary Fielding, Kirtland, OH, to Mercy Fielding Thompson and Robert Thompson, Churchville, Upper Canada, 7 Oct. 1837, Mary Fielding Smith, Collection, CHL.

    Smith, Mary Fielding. Collection, ca. 1832–1848. CHL. MS 2779.

  2. [2]

    Mary Fielding, Kirtland, OH, to Mercy Fielding Thompson and Robert Thompson, Churchville, Upper Canada, 7 Oct. 1837, Mary Fielding Smith, Collection, CHL, underlining in original.

    Smith, Mary Fielding. Collection, ca. 1832–1848. CHL. MS 2779.

  3. [3]

    John Smith and Marcellus Cowdery, Kirtland, OH, to George A. Smith, Shinnston, VA, 26 Sept. 1837, George Albert Smith, Papers, CHL.

    Smith, George Albert. Papers, 1834–1877. CHL. MS 1322.

  4. [4]

    To the Saints Scattered Abroad, the Bishop and His Counselors of Kirtland Send Greeting [Kirtland, OH: 18 Sept. 1837], CHL. The memorial was also printed in the September issue of the Messenger and Advocate. (Newel K. Whitney et al., Kirtland, OH, to “the Saints Scattered Abroad,” LDS Messenger and Advocate, Sept. 1837, 3:561–564.)

    To the Saints Scattered Abroad, the Bishop and His Counselors of Kirtland Send Greeting. [Kirtland, OH: 18 Sept. 1837]. CHL.

    Latter Day Saints’ Messenger and Advocate. Kirtland, OH. Oct. 1834–Sept. 1837.

  5. [5]

    Travel Account and Questions, Nov. 1837.

  6. [6]

    Minutes, 10 Nov. 1837.

Asterisk (*) denotes a "featured" version, which includes an introduction and annotation. *Minutes, 17 September 1837–B Minute Book 1 History, 1838–1856, volume B-1 [1 September 1834–2 November 1838] “History of Joseph Smith”

Page 244

to number themselves, begining on the South Side of the , & so pass to the north, it appeared that there were one hundred & nine present who wished to travel, they were then divided into eight companies in the following manner, Beginning with No 1 to No 13 formed the first company They were appointed to travel East, The next company was from 13 to 26 They were appointed to travel South East, The next was from 26 to 39 They were appointed to travel South, The next from 39 to 52 They were to travel South west, The next from 52 to 65 They were to go directly West The next from 65 to 78 Their course was North west, The next from 78 to 91 They were to travel North, The next from 91 to 104 They were to travel North East It appeared after this division that there 5 left Nos 105, -6 -7 -8 and 9 No 105 was appointed to travel with the company that go South East, 106 with the Com’y South, 107 to travel with the South Com’y, 108 with the East Company, <​&​> 109 North. It was farther appointed that those who might desire to travel a different course from the one which was appointed to the division to which They belonged, might have the privilege of changing with one of another division. And lastly it was appointed that the different divisions appoint a meeting for themselves to make [p. 244]
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Source Note

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Page 244

Document Information

Related Case Documents
Editorial Title
Minutes, 17 September 1837–B
ID #
8745
Total Pages
3
Print Volume Location
JSP, D5:444–446
Handwriting on This Page
  • George W. Robinson

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