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Recommendation from Thomas Ward and Hiram Clark for Lorenzo Snow, circa 5 January 1843

Source Note

Thomas Ward

9 Sept. 1808–4 Mar. 1847. Newspaper editor, schoolmaster. Born in Ludlow, Shropshire, England. Son of Richard Ward and Elizabeth. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, by Dec. 1840. Ordained an elder by Parley P. Pratt. Moved to Manchester...

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and
Hiram Clark

22 Sept. 1795–28 Dec. 1853 Born in Rutland Co., Vermont. Son of Lyman Clark and Parmela. Married first Mary Fenno. Moved to Antwerp, Jefferson Co., New York, by 1820. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, ca. 1835. Married second Thankful...

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, Recommendation, for
Lorenzo Snow

3 Apr. 1814–10 Oct. 1901. Schoolteacher. Born in Mantua, Portage Co., Ohio. Son of Oliver Snow and Rosetta Leonora Pettibone. Attended Oberlin College. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by John F. Boynton, 19 June 1836, in Kirtland...

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, [
Liverpool

Seaport, city, county borough, and market-town in northwestern England. Experienced exponential growth during nineteenth century. Population in 1830 about 120,000. Population in 1841 about 290,000. First Latter-day Saint missionaries to England arrived in...

More Info
, Lancashire, England?], to 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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(including JS),
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, [ca. 5 Jan. 1843]. Featured version copied [between ca. Jan. and Apr. 1843] in Lorenzo Snow, Letterbook, pp. [214]–[215]; handwriting of
Lorenzo Snow

3 Apr. 1814–10 Oct. 1901. Schoolteacher. Born in Mantua, Portage Co., Ohio. Son of Oliver Snow and Rosetta Leonora Pettibone. Attended Oberlin College. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by John F. Boynton, 19 June 1836, in Kirtland...

View Full Bio
; CHL. For more complete source information, see the source note for Letter from Lorenzo Snow, 10 Oct. 1842.

Historical Introduction

By early or mid-January 1843, presumably writing from
Liverpool

Seaport, city, county borough, and market-town in northwestern England. Experienced exponential growth during nineteenth century. Population in 1830 about 120,000. Population in 1841 about 290,000. First Latter-day Saint missionaries to England arrived in...

More Info
, England,
Thomas Ward

9 Sept. 1808–4 Mar. 1847. Newspaper editor, schoolmaster. Born in Ludlow, Shropshire, England. Son of Richard Ward and Elizabeth. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, by Dec. 1840. Ordained an elder by Parley P. Pratt. Moved to Manchester...

View Full Bio
and
Hiram Clark

22 Sept. 1795–28 Dec. 1853 Born in Rutland Co., Vermont. Son of Lyman Clark and Parmela. Married first Mary Fenno. Moved to Antwerp, Jefferson Co., New York, by 1820. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, ca. 1835. Married second Thankful...

View Full Bio
of the presidency 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
in Europe wrote a recommendation for
Lorenzo Snow

3 Apr. 1814–10 Oct. 1901. Schoolteacher. Born in Mantua, Portage Co., Ohio. Son of Oliver Snow and Rosetta Leonora Pettibone. Attended Oberlin College. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by John F. Boynton, 19 June 1836, in Kirtland...

View Full Bio
, who was leading a company of 250 emigrants embarking for
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 company was to present the document to 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
when it arrived. Although Snow had been serving his mission in
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...

More Info
since late 1840,
apostle

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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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....

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evidently declined his petitions to return home in September or October 1842. Pratt went on to name Snow as a counselor to Ward in the church’s European presidency.
1

Parley P. Pratt, “To the Saints in Europe,” Millennial Star, Oct. 1842, 3:110. Snow had been contemplating returning to Nauvoo since at least August 1842, when he wrote to Levi Richards that he was “perfectly relieved from any further responsibility and a free man, ready to go to Zion as soon as I can get the means.” Snow hoped that he would be able to leave for Nauvoo in the “latter part of Sept. or fore part of Oct.,” provided that Pratt did not object. (Lorenzo Snow, Bedford, England, to Levi Richards, Liverpool, England, 12 Aug. 1842, Levi Richards, Papers, CHL, underlining in original.)


Comprehensive Works Cited

Latter-day Saints’ Millennial Star. Manchester, England, 1840–1842; Liverpool, 1842–1932; London, 1932–1970.

Richards, Levi. Papers, 1837–1867. CHL.

Snow wrote to JS in October 1842 to inform him that he intended to leave for Nauvoo in January. It is unclear, however, whether JS ever received the letter or approved his return to Nauvoo.
2

See Letter from Lorenzo Snow, 10 Oct. 1842.


Furthermore, it is highly unlikely that any response from JS would have arrived in
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...

More Info
by January 1843. Nevertheless, by January, Snow’s return had apparently been approved, perhaps so he could lead the large group of converts who were immigrating to Nauvoo at that time. In the recommendation, Ward and Clark specifically praised Snow as “a most faithful brother and laborer in the work of the Lord.”
It is unclear exactly when
Ward

9 Sept. 1808–4 Mar. 1847. Newspaper editor, schoolmaster. Born in Ludlow, Shropshire, England. Son of Richard Ward and Elizabeth. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, by Dec. 1840. Ordained an elder by Parley P. Pratt. Moved to Manchester...

View Full Bio
and
Clark

22 Sept. 1795–28 Dec. 1853 Born in Rutland Co., Vermont. Son of Lyman Clark and Parmela. Married first Mary Fenno. Moved to Antwerp, Jefferson Co., New York, by 1820. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, ca. 1835. Married second Thankful...

View Full Bio
wrote the recommendation. Although the company of emigrants led by
Snow

3 Apr. 1814–10 Oct. 1901. Schoolteacher. Born in Mantua, Portage Co., Ohio. Son of Oliver Snow and Rosetta Leonora Pettibone. Attended Oberlin College. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by John F. Boynton, 19 June 1836, in Kirtland...

View Full Bio
was set to depart
Liverpool

Seaport, city, county borough, and market-town in northwestern England. Experienced exponential growth during nineteenth century. Population in 1830 about 120,000. Population in 1841 about 290,000. First Latter-day Saint missionaries to England arrived in...

More Info
on the Swanton on 5 January 1843, a “fear of storms” and dangerous seas delayed the ship’s departure until 16 January.
3

News Item, Millennial Star, Jan. 1843, 3:160; Lorenzo Snow, Journal and Letterbook, 65–68.


Comprehensive Works Cited

Latter-day Saints’ Millennial Star. Manchester, England, 1840–1842; Liverpool, 1842–1932; London, 1932–1970.

Snow, Lorenzo. Journal and Letterbook, 1836–1845. Lorenzo Snow, Journals, 1836–1845, 1872. CHL.

Ward and Clark presumably wrote the recommendation by 5 January, the date the company anticipated leaving. However, they may have written it earlier or even as late as 16 January, the actual date of departure.
The Swanton arrived in
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...

More Info
on 15 March 1843, and
Snow

3 Apr. 1814–10 Oct. 1901. Schoolteacher. Born in Mantua, Portage Co., Ohio. Son of Oliver Snow and Rosetta Leonora Pettibone. Attended Oberlin College. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by John F. Boynton, 19 June 1836, in Kirtland...

View Full Bio
booked passage for the company to travel 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
on a steamboat.
4

Snow’s company evidently traveled to St. Louis on the Goddess of Liberty and then journeyed from St. Louis to Nauvoo on the steamboat Amaranth. (“Emigration,” Millennial Star, May 1843, 4:14–15; News Item, Wasp, 12 Apr. 1843, [2]; JS, Journal, 12 Apr. 1843.)


Comprehensive Works Cited

Latter-day Saints’ Millennial Star. Manchester, England, 1840–1842; Liverpool, 1842–1932; London, 1932–1970.

The Wasp. Nauvoo, IL. Apr. 1842–Apr. 1843.

On 12 April 1843, Snow and the company arrived in Nauvoo, where JS and
Emma Smith

10 July 1804–30 Apr. 1879. Scribe, editor, boardinghouse operator, clothier. Born at Willingborough Township (later in Harmony), Susquehanna Co., Pennsylvania. Daughter of Isaac Hale and Elizabeth Lewis. Member of Methodist church at Harmony (later in Oakland...

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and “a large Company of the brethren & sister[s]” greeted them.
5

JS, Journal, 12 Apr. 1843.


Snow presumably presented the original recommendation to JS or another member of the First Presidency at that time. The original recommendation is apparently not extant. At some point between receiving it in
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...

More Info
and presenting it in Nauvoo, Snow copied the recommendation into his letterbook, and that version is featured here.

Footnotes

  1. [1]

    Parley P. Pratt, “To the Saints in Europe,” Millennial Star, Oct. 1842, 3:110. Snow had been contemplating returning to Nauvoo since at least August 1842, when he wrote to Levi Richards that he was “perfectly relieved from any further responsibility and a free man, ready to go to Zion as soon as I can get the means.” Snow hoped that he would be able to leave for Nauvoo in the “latter part of Sept. or fore part of Oct.,” provided that Pratt did not object. (Lorenzo Snow, Bedford, England, to Levi Richards, Liverpool, England, 12 Aug. 1842, Levi Richards, Papers, CHL, underlining in original.)

    Latter-day Saints’ Millennial Star. Manchester, England, 1840–1842; Liverpool, 1842–1932; London, 1932–1970.

    Richards, Levi. Papers, 1837–1867. CHL.

  2. [2]

    See Letter from Lorenzo Snow, 10 Oct. 1842.

  3. [3]

    News Item, Millennial Star, Jan. 1843, 3:160; Lorenzo Snow, Journal and Letterbook, 65–68.

    Latter-day Saints’ Millennial Star. Manchester, England, 1840–1842; Liverpool, 1842–1932; London, 1932–1970.

    Snow, Lorenzo. Journal and Letterbook, 1836–1845. Lorenzo Snow, Journals, 1836–1845, 1872. CHL.

  4. [4]

    Snow’s company evidently traveled to St. Louis on the Goddess of Liberty and then journeyed from St. Louis to Nauvoo on the steamboat Amaranth. (“Emigration,” Millennial Star, May 1843, 4:14–15; News Item, Wasp, 12 Apr. 1843, [2]; JS, Journal, 12 Apr. 1843.)

    Latter-day Saints’ Millennial Star. Manchester, England, 1840–1842; Liverpool, 1842–1932; London, 1932–1970.

    The Wasp. Nauvoo, IL. Apr. 1842–Apr. 1843.

  5. [5]

    JS, Journal, 12 Apr. 1843.

Page [215]

whom he may recommend unto 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
at
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
Signed
Thomas Ward

9 Sept. 1808–4 Mar. 1847. Newspaper editor, schoolmaster. Born in Ludlow, Shropshire, England. Son of Richard Ward and Elizabeth. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, by Dec. 1840. Ordained an elder by Parley P. Pratt. Moved to Manchester...

View Full Bio
President of the
Church in Europe
4

In October 1842, Parley P. Pratt designated Ward as his “successor in the office of the General Presidency of the Church in Europe.” (Parley P. Pratt, “To the Saints in Europe,” Millennial Star, Oct. 1842, 3:110.)


Comprehensive Works Cited

Latter-day Saints’ Millennial Star. Manchester, England, 1840–1842; Liverpool, 1842–1932; London, 1932–1970.

Hiram Clark

22 Sept. 1795–28 Dec. 1853 Born in Rutland Co., Vermont. Son of Lyman Clark and Parmela. Married first Mary Fenno. Moved to Antwerp, Jefferson Co., New York, by 1820. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, ca. 1835. Married second Thankful...

View Full Bio
Assistant
President
5

In October 1842, Parley P. Pratt named Clark as a counselor to Ward in the general presidency of the church in Europe. (Parley P. Pratt, “To the Saints in Europe,” Millennial Star, Oct. 1842, 3:110.)


Comprehensive Works Cited

Latter-day Saints’ Millennial Star. Manchester, England, 1840–1842; Liverpool, 1842–1932; London, 1932–1970.

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Document Information

Related Case Documents
Editorial Title
Recommendation from Thomas Ward and Hiram Clark for Lorenzo Snow, circa 5 January 1843
ID #
13304
Total Pages
2
Print Volume Location
JSP, D11:315–317
Handwriting on This Page
  • Lorenzo Snow

Footnotes

  1. [4]

    In October 1842, Parley P. Pratt designated Ward as his “successor in the office of the General Presidency of the Church in Europe.” (Parley P. Pratt, “To the Saints in Europe,” Millennial Star, Oct. 1842, 3:110.)

    Latter-day Saints’ Millennial Star. Manchester, England, 1840–1842; Liverpool, 1842–1932; London, 1932–1970.

  2. [5]

    In October 1842, Parley P. Pratt named Clark as a counselor to Ward in the general presidency of the church in Europe. (Parley P. Pratt, “To the Saints in Europe,” Millennial Star, Oct. 1842, 3:110.)

    Latter-day Saints’ Millennial Star. Manchester, England, 1840–1842; Liverpool, 1842–1932; London, 1932–1970.

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