Footnotes

1. [1]

   JS, Journal, 2 Nov. 1835. A professor of the theory and practice of medicine, Daniel Peixotto had been a prominent physician in New York before accepting a position as professor at Willoughby Medical College, which was located in Willoughby, Ohio. Prior to his appointment at the college, he served as an editor of the New York Medical and Physical Journal, as cofounder and secretary of the Academy of Medicine of New York, and as president of the New York County Medical Society. (Hays, “Daniel L. M. Peixotto, M.D.,” 221–227.)

   Hays, Daniel Peixotto. “Daniel L. M. Peixotto, M. D.” Publications of the American Jewish Historical Society 26 (1918): 219–230.

2. [2]

   Leaders initially corresponded with Lucius Parker, a cousin of Willard Richards, about teaching Hebrew in Kirtland. When Parker informed them that he was able to teach only the rudiments of Hebrew, Cowdery replied that his “services will not be wanted” because they “wished an accomplished scholar.” Peixotto never fulfilled his contract, and Joshua Seixas was eventually selected to teach the Hebrew School in Kirtland. (Oliver Cowdery, Kirtland, OH, to Lucius Parker, Southborough, MA, 28 Oct. 1835, in Cowdery, Letterbook, 57; Oliver Cowdery, [Kirtland, OH], to John M. Henderson, Willoughby, OH, 2 Nov. 1835, in Cowdery, Letterbook, 62; see also Historical Introduction to Letter to Henrietta Raphael Seixas, between 6 and 13 Feb. 1836.)

   Cowdery, Oliver. Letterbook, 1833–1838. Huntington Library, San Marino, CA.

3. [3]

   JS, Journal, 2 Nov. 1835. Though the account in JS’s journal does not specifically mention Hebrew books, letters written by Oliver Cowdery and William W. Phelps a few weeks later suggest that the acquisition of Hebrew materials was another important aspect of the New York trip. (Oliver Cowdery, Kirtland, OH, to Warren A. Cowdery, [Freedom, NY], 22 Nov. 1835, in Cowdery, Letterbook, 63; William W. Phelps, [Kirtland, OH], to Sally Waterman Phelps, Liberty, MO, 14 Nov. 1835, in Historical Department, Journal History of the Church, 14 Nov. 1835.)

   Cowdery, Oliver. Letterbook, 1833–1838. Huntington Library, San Marino, CA.

   Historical Department. Journal History of the Church, 1896–. CHL. CR 100 137.

4. [4]

   Less than a week before this revelation was dictated, William W. Phelps, the third partner in the publishing endeavor, informed his wife that “we are also establishing a bindery to bind our own books.” (William W. Phelps, [Kirtland, OH], to Sally Waterman Phelps and the Saints, 27 Oct. 1835, William W. Phelps, Papers, BYU.)

   Phelps, William W. Papers, 1835–1865. BYU.

5. [5]

   JS, Journal, 20 Nov. 1835; Oliver Cowdery, Kirtland, OH, to Warren A. Cowdery, [Freedom, NY], 22 Nov. 1835, in Cowdery, Letterbook, 63. Contemporary sources make no mention of a bookbindery in Kirtland until January 1837, when an advertisement for one was placed in the local newspaper. (“Kirtland Printing Office and Bookbindery,” LDS Messenger and Advocate, Jan. 1837, 3:448.)

   Cowdery, Oliver. Letterbook, 1833–1838. Huntington Library, San Marino, CA.

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

6. [6]

   While Williams’s distant relatives may have remained in Connecticut, his parents and siblings appear to have been living near Cleveland, Ohio. (JS, Journal, 18 Apr. 1834; Williams, Life of Dr. Frederick G. Williams, 32–37, 206.)

   Williams, Frederick G. The Life of Dr. Frederick G. Williams: Counselor to the Prophet Joseph Smith. Provo, UT: BYU Studies, 2012.

7. [7]

   Williams, Life of Dr. Frederick G. Williams, 206.

   Williams, Frederick G. The Life of Dr. Frederick G. Williams: Counselor to the Prophet Joseph Smith. Provo, UT: BYU Studies, 2012.

8. [8]

   Joseph Smith Sr. to Frederick G. Williams, Blessing, 14 Sept. 1835; Joseph Smith Sr. to Rebecca Swain Williams, Blessing, 14 Sept. 1835, in Patriarchal Blessings, 1:30–31.

   Patriarchal Blessings, 1833–. CHL. CR 500 2.