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Revelation, 8 July 1838–B

Source Note

Revelation,
Far West

Originally called Shoal Creek. Located fifty-five miles northeast of Independence. Surveyed 1823; first settled by whites, 1831. Site purchased, 8 Aug. 1836, before Caldwell Co. was organized for Latter-day Saints in Missouri. William W. Phelps and John Whitmer...

More Info
, Caldwell Co., MO, 8 July 1838. Featured version copied [ca. Aug. 1838]; handwriting of
Newel K. Whitney

3/5 Feb. 1795–23 Sept. 1850. Trader, merchant. Born at Marlborough, Windham Co., Vermont. Son of Samuel Whitney and Susanna Kimball. Moved to Fairfield, Herkimer Co., New York, 1803. Merchant at Plattsburg, Clinton Co., New York, 1814. Mercantile clerk for...

View Full Bio
; one page; Revelations Collection, CHL. Includes docket.
Single leaf measuring 12⅜ × 7¾ inches (31 × 20 cm). The top and bottom edges have the square cut of manufactured paper. The right edge appears to have been torn from a bound volume. The left edge appears to have been hand cut. The verso contains a transcript of Revelation, 8 July 1838–C, also in the handwriting of
Newel K. Whitney

3/5 Feb. 1795–23 Sept. 1850. Trader, merchant. Born at Marlborough, Windham Co., Vermont. Son of Samuel Whitney and Susanna Kimball. Moved to Fairfield, Herkimer Co., New York, 1803. Merchant at Plattsburg, Clinton Co., New York, 1814. Mercantile clerk for...

View Full Bio
. The document was folded for filing and was docketed by Whitney: “A revelation relative | to Phelps & Williams | also Tithing the Church | July 8, 1838”. Separations at folds have been repaired. The Historical Department of the LDS church cataloged this version of the revelation in the Revelations Collection in 1983.
1

Best, “Register of the Revelations Collection,” 19.


Comprehensive Works Cited

Best, Christy. “Register of the Revelations Collection in the Church Archives, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints,” July 1983. CHL.

Footnotes

  1. [1]

    Best, “Register of the Revelations Collection,” 19.

    Best, Christy. “Register of the Revelations Collection in the Church Archives, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints,” July 1983. CHL.

Historical Introduction

On Sunday, 8 July 1838, JS dictated five revelations, each of which concerned church leadership or finances; one of these revelations regarded former church leaders
Frederick G. Williams

28 Oct. 1787–10 Oct. 1842. Ship’s pilot, teacher, physician, justice of the peace. Born at Suffield, Hartford Co., Connecticut. Son of William Wheeler Williams and Ruth Granger. Moved to Newburg, Cuyahoga Co., Ohio, 1799. Practiced Thomsonian botanical system...

View Full Bio
and
William W. Phelps

17 Feb. 1792–7 Mar. 1872. Writer, teacher, printer, newspaper editor, publisher, postmaster, lawyer. Born at Hanover, Morris Co., New Jersey. Son of Enon Phelps and Mehitabel Goldsmith. Moved to Homer, Cortland Co., New York, 1800. Married Sally Waterman,...

View Full Bio
. Williams had been a counselor to JS in 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
—which also served as the church presidency in
Kirtland

Located ten miles south of Lake Erie. Settled by 1811. Organized by 1818. Latter-day Saint missionaries visited township, early Nov. 1830; many residents joined Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Population in 1830 about 55 Latter-day Saints and...

More Info
, Ohio, through 1837—and Phelps had been a counselor in the church
presidency

An organized body of leaders over priesthood quorums and other ecclesiastical organizations. A November 1831 revelation first described the office of president over the high priesthood and the church as a whole. By 1832, JS and two counselors constituted ...

View Glossary
in
Missouri

Area acquired by U.S. in Louisiana Purchase, 1803, and established as territory, 1812. Missouri Compromise, 1820, admitted Missouri as slave state, 1821. Population in 1830 about 140,000; in 1836 about 240,000; and in 1840 about 380,000. Latter-day Saint ...

More Info
. Williams was sustained as a counselor in the September 1837 reorganization conference in Kirtland, Ohio, but was rejected in the November 1837 reorganization conference in
Far West

Originally called Shoal Creek. Located fifty-five miles northeast of Independence. Surveyed 1823; first settled by whites, 1831. Site purchased, 8 Aug. 1836, before Caldwell Co. was organized for Latter-day Saints in Missouri. William W. Phelps and John Whitmer...

More Info
, Missouri. Soon after the November conference, Williams moved from Kirtland to Far West, where he remained involved in church service.
1

Williams, Life of Dr. Frederick G. Williams, 493–515, 526–527.


Comprehensive Works Cited

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

However, like
Oliver Cowdery

3 Oct. 1806–3 Mar. 1850. Clerk, teacher, justice of the peace, lawyer, newspaper editor. Born at Wells, Rutland Co., Vermont. Son of William Cowdery and Rebecca Fuller. Raised Congregationalist. Moved to western New York and clerked at a store, ca. 1825–1828...

View Full Bio
,
Lyman Johnson

24 Oct. 1811–20 Dec. 1859. Merchant, lawyer, hotelier. Born at Pomfret, Windsor Co., Vermont. Son of John Johnson and Alice (Elsa) Jacobs. Moved to Hiram, Portage Co., Ohio, Mar. 1818. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by Sidney Rigdon...

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, and some other
Latter-day Saints

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...

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who relocated to Far West, Williams sympathized with Phelps and
John Whitmer

27 Aug. 1802–11 July 1878. Farmer, stock raiser, newspaper editor. Born in Pennsylvania. Son of Peter Whitmer Sr. and Mary Musselman. Member of German Reformed Church, Fayette, Seneca Co., New York. Baptized by Oliver Cowdery, June 1829, most likely in Seneca...

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in their conflict with the
Zion

JS revelation, dated 20 July 1831, designated Missouri as “land of Zion” for gathering of Saints and place where “City of Zion” was to be built, with Independence area as “center place” of Zion. Latter-day Saint settlements elsewhere, such as in Kirtland,...

More Info
high council

A governing body of twelve high priests. The first high council was organized in Kirtland, Ohio, on 17 February 1834 “for the purpose of settling important difficulties which might arise in the church, which could not be settled by the church, or the bishop...

View Glossary
in Far West.
2

Oliver Cowdery, Far West, MO, to Warren Cowdery, 21 Jan. 1838, in Cowdery, Letterbook, 80–83; Oliver Cowdery, Far West, MO, to Warren Cowdery and Lyman Cowdery, [Kirtland, OH], 4 Feb. 1838, in Cowdery, Letterbook, 83–86.


Comprehensive Works Cited

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

Phelps and Whitmer were removed from office in early February 1838 and excommunicated in early March.
3

See Letter from Thomas B. Marsh, 15 Feb. 1838; and Minute Book 2, 10 Mar. 1838.


It seems that Williams aligned himself with JS and the church from that time until around late May or early June, when he apparently began associating again with Cowdery and other dissenters who had been excommunicated. At some point, Williams may also have been excommunicated, as he was later rebaptized and reconfirmed.
4

Williams, Life of Dr. Frederick G. Williams, 538–545.


Comprehensive Works Cited

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

In mid-June several Latter-day Saints in
Caldwell County

Located in northwest Missouri. Settled by whites, by 1831. Described as being “one-third timber and two-thirds prairie” in 1836. Created specifically for Latter-day Saints by Missouri state legislature, 29 Dec. 1836, in attempt to solve “Mormon problem.” ...

More Info
, Missouri, signed a letter warning
Cowdery

3 Oct. 1806–3 Mar. 1850. Clerk, teacher, justice of the peace, lawyer, newspaper editor. Born at Wells, Rutland Co., Vermont. Son of William Cowdery and Rebecca Fuller. Raised Congregationalist. Moved to western New York and clerked at a store, ca. 1825–1828...

View Full Bio
,
David

7 Jan. 1805–25 Jan. 1888. Farmer, livery keeper. Born near Harrisburg, Dauphin Co., Pennsylvania. Son of Peter Whitmer Sr. and Mary Musselman. Raised Presbyterian. Moved to Ontario Co., New York, shortly after birth. Attended German Reformed Church. Arranged...

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and
John Whitmer

27 Aug. 1802–11 July 1878. Farmer, stock raiser, newspaper editor. Born in Pennsylvania. Son of Peter Whitmer Sr. and Mary Musselman. Member of German Reformed Church, Fayette, Seneca Co., New York. Baptized by Oliver Cowdery, June 1829, most likely in Seneca...

View Full Bio
,
Phelps

17 Feb. 1792–7 Mar. 1872. Writer, teacher, printer, newspaper editor, publisher, postmaster, lawyer. Born at Hanover, Morris Co., New Jersey. Son of Enon Phelps and Mehitabel Goldsmith. Moved to Homer, Cortland Co., New York, 1800. Married Sally Waterman,...

View Full Bio
, and
Johnson

24 Oct. 1811–20 Dec. 1859. Merchant, lawyer, hotelier. Born at Pomfret, Windsor Co., Vermont. Son of John Johnson and Alice (Elsa) Jacobs. Moved to Hiram, Portage Co., Ohio, Mar. 1818. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by Sidney Rigdon...

View Full Bio
to move out of the county within three days or to expect “a more fatal calamity.” The letter further stated, “We will have no more promises to reform as you have already made and in every instance violated your promises.”
5

Letter to Oliver Cowdery et al., ca. 17 June 1838.


John Whitmer later recounted that at the
First

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
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
’s instigation,
George W. Robinson

14 May 1814–10 Feb. 1878. Clerk, postmaster, merchant, clothier, banker. Born at Pawlet, Rutland Co., Vermont. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and moved to Kirtland, Geauga Co., Ohio, by 1836. Clerk and recorder for Kirtland high...

View Full Bio
began suing the men named in the letter, as well as
Williams

28 Oct. 1787–10 Oct. 1842. Ship’s pilot, teacher, physician, justice of the peace. Born at Suffield, Hartford Co., Connecticut. Son of William Wheeler Williams and Ruth Granger. Moved to Newburg, Cuyahoga Co., Ohio, 1799. Practiced Thomsonian botanical system...

View Full Bio
, for debts. The inclusion of Williams in the lawsuits may indicate that he had been added to the group of men who were warned to leave.
Robinson

14 May 1814–10 Feb. 1878. Clerk, postmaster, merchant, clothier, banker. Born at Pawlet, Rutland Co., Vermont. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and moved to Kirtland, Geauga Co., Ohio, by 1836. Clerk and recorder for Kirtland high...

View Full Bio
also initiated legal procedures to claim the men’s belongings to pay the debts.
6

Whitmer, History, 86–87; see also JS, Journal, 4 July 1838.


John Corrill

17 Sept. 1794–26 Sept. 1842. Surveyor, politician, author. Born at Worcester Co., Massachusetts. Married Margaret Lyndiff, ca. 1830. Lived at Harpersfield, Ashtabula Co., Ohio, 1830. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 10 Jan. 1831,...

View Full Bio
, who also recounted these events, wrote that the circumstances “compelled others of the dissenters to confess and give satisfaction to the church.”
7

Corrill, Brief History, 30.


Phelps quickly wrote church leaders about his good intentions and willingness to rectify any wrongs he had committed. Consequently, he was allowed to remain at
Far West

Originally called Shoal Creek. Located fifty-five miles northeast of Independence. Surveyed 1823; first settled by whites, 1831. Site purchased, 8 Aug. 1836, before Caldwell Co. was organized for Latter-day Saints in Missouri. William W. Phelps and John Whitmer...

More Info
despite the unconditional language in the mid-June letter of warning.
8

In November, Phelps claimed that he had conformed to the church’s expectations in order to protect his property. (William W. Phelps, Testimony, Richmond, MO, Nov. 1838, pp. [85], [87], State of Missouri v. JS et al. for Treason and Other Crimes [Mo. 5th Jud. Cir. 1838], in State of Missouri, “Evidence.”)


Williams may have initiated reconciliation around the same time, and he also remained in Far West. The other men named in the letter of warning fled
Caldwell County

Located in northwest Missouri. Settled by whites, by 1831. Described as being “one-third timber and two-thirds prairie” in 1836. Created specifically for Latter-day Saints by Missouri state legislature, 29 Dec. 1836, in attempt to solve “Mormon problem.” ...

More Info
on 19 June.
9

Reed Peck, Quincy, IL, to “Dear Friends,” 18 Sept. 1839, pp. 25–28, Henry E. Huntington Library, San Marino, CA; Whitmer, Daybook, 19 June 1838; see also Corrill, Brief History, 30.


Comprehensive Works Cited

Peck, Reed. Letter, Quincy, IL, to “Dear Friends,” 18 Sept. 1839. Huntington Library, San Marino, CA.

Whitmer, John. Daybook, 1832–1878. CHL. MS 1159.

Both Phelps and Williams were evidently
rebaptized

An ordinance in which an individual is immersed in water for the remission of sins. The Book of Mormon explained that those with necessary authority were to baptize individuals who had repented of their sins. Baptized individuals also received the gift of...

View Glossary
in late June.
10

Edward Partridge wrote to Newel K. Whitney on 24 July 1838, stating that Phelps and Williams “were baptized about 4 weeks since,” indicating that they were baptized around 26 June. JS’s journal notes that several people were confirmed as members of the church on 5 August 1838 and that “Br. F, G, Williams was among the number, who being rebaptized a few days since was this day confermed.” (Edward Partridge, Far West, MO, to Newel K. Whitney, Kirtland, OH, 24 July 1838, in Reynolds Cahoon, Far West, MO, to Newel K. Whitney, Kirtland, OH, 23 July 1838, CHL; JS, Journal, 5 Aug. 1838; see also Abner Scovil, Testimony, Richmond, MO, Nov. 1838, p. [50], in State of Missouri, “Evidence.”)


Comprehensive Works Cited

Cahoon, Reynolds, and Edward Partridge. Letter, Far West, MO, to Newel K. Whitney, Kirtland Mills, OH, 23 and 24 July 1838. CHL.

On 8 July, JS dictated five revelations in
Far West

Originally called Shoal Creek. Located fifty-five miles northeast of Independence. Surveyed 1823; first settled by whites, 1831. Site purchased, 8 Aug. 1836, before Caldwell Co. was organized for Latter-day Saints in Missouri. William W. Phelps and John Whitmer...

More Info
, apparently in a leadership meeting addressing several items of church business.
11

See Historical Introduction to Revelation, 8 July 1838–A [D&C 118].


The revelation featured here directed that
Williams

28 Oct. 1787–10 Oct. 1842. Ship’s pilot, teacher, physician, justice of the peace. Born at Suffield, Hartford Co., Connecticut. Son of William Wheeler Williams and Ruth Granger. Moved to Newburg, Cuyahoga Co., Ohio, 1799. Practiced Thomsonian botanical system...

View Full Bio
and
Phelps

17 Feb. 1792–7 Mar. 1872. Writer, teacher, printer, newspaper editor, publisher, postmaster, lawyer. Born at Hanover, Morris Co., New Jersey. Son of Enon Phelps and Mehitabel Goldsmith. Moved to Homer, Cortland Co., New York, 1800. Married Sally Waterman,...

View Full Bio
should be
ordained

The conferral of power and authority; to appoint, decree, or set apart. Church members, primarily adults, were ordained to ecclesiastical offices and other responsibilities by the laying on of hands by those with the proper authority. Ordinations to priesthood...

View Glossary
elders

A male leader in the church generally; an ecclesiastical and priesthood office or one holding that office; a proselytizing missionary. The Book of Mormon explained that elders ordained priests and teachers and administered “the flesh and blood of Christ unto...

View Glossary
and travel, preach, and proselytize. The featured version of the revelation indicates the revelation was an answer to a question about the two men. Later in the day, the revelation was read to “the congregations of the saints,” which may have included Williams and Phelps.
12

In JS’s journal, Robinson introduced the revelation as follows: “Revelation Given the same day, and at the same place, and read the same day in the congregations of the saints.” (JS, Journal, 8 July 1838.)


About a month later, on 5 August, Williams was reconfirmed a church member.
13

JS, Journal, 5 Aug. 1838.


There is no evidence of either man being ordained an elder or of either departing on a proselytizing mission during the next few months.
14

Phelps apparently remained in Far West. Williams’s activity during this period is uncertain. A family biography of Williams states that sometime around October, he was with Phelps in Burlington, Iowa Territory, where Williams bought land for the church at JS’s request. (See William W. Phelps, Testimony, Richmond, MO, Nov. 1838, pp. [84]–[96], in State of Missouri, “Evidence”; and Williams, Meet Dr. Frederick Granger Williams, 120; compare Williams, Life of Dr. Frederick G. Williams, 549–563.)


Comprehensive Works Cited

Williams, Nancy Clement. Meet Dr. Frederick Granger Williams, Second Counselor to the Prophet Joseph Smith in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. . . . Independence, MO: Zion’s Printing and Publishing, 1951.

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

Several versions of the revelation are extant.
Robinson

14 May 1814–10 Feb. 1878. Clerk, postmaster, merchant, clothier, banker. Born at Pawlet, Rutland Co., Vermont. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and moved to Kirtland, Geauga Co., Ohio, by 1836. Clerk and recorder for Kirtland high...

View Full Bio
apparently copied the revelation into JS’s journal sometime in mid- or late July.
15

See Historical Introduction to Revelation, 8 July 1838–D [D&C 120].


When Robinson copied the revelation, he added a headnote stating that the revelation made known “the duty” of
Williams

28 Oct. 1787–10 Oct. 1842. Ship’s pilot, teacher, physician, justice of the peace. Born at Suffield, Hartford Co., Connecticut. Son of William Wheeler Williams and Ruth Granger. Moved to Newburg, Cuyahoga Co., Ohio, 1799. Practiced Thomsonian botanical system...

View Full Bio
and
Phelps

17 Feb. 1792–7 Mar. 1872. Writer, teacher, printer, newspaper editor, publisher, postmaster, lawyer. Born at Hanover, Morris Co., New Jersey. Son of Enon Phelps and Mehitabel Goldsmith. Moved to Homer, Cortland Co., New York, 1800. Married Sally Waterman,...

View Full Bio
.
16

JS, Journal, 8 July 1838.


Copies were also made by
Newel K. Whitney

3/5 Feb. 1795–23 Sept. 1850. Trader, merchant. Born at Marlborough, Windham Co., Vermont. Son of Samuel Whitney and Susanna Kimball. Moved to Fairfield, Herkimer Co., New York, 1803. Merchant at Plattsburg, Clinton Co., New York, 1814. Mercantile clerk for...

View Full Bio
and Frederick G. Williams.
17

Revelation, 8 July 1838–B, copy, Revelations Collection, CHL.


Comprehensive Works Cited

Revelations Collection, 1831–ca. 1844, 1847, 1861, ca. 1876. CHL. MS 4583.

A comparison of these early manuscripts suggests that Whitney’s version most closely represents the original wording of the revelation; therefore, Whitney’s version is featured here.
18

For example, Whitney’s version preserves what is presumably the original interrogatory, “O Lord what is thy will concerning W W Phelps & F. G. Williams,” whereas Robinson’s and Williams’s versions provide a heading that is descriptive and more likely retrospective: “Revelation . . . Making known the duty” of the two men.


Whitney may have copied the revelation from a copy that
Oliver Granger

7 Feb. 1794–23/25 Aug. 1841. Sheriff, church agent. Born at Phelps, Ontario Co., New York. Son of Pierce Granger and Clarissa Trumble. Married Lydia Dibble, 8 Sept. 1813, at Phelps. Member of Methodist church and licensed exhorter. Sheriff of Ontario Co. ...

View Full Bio
brought to
Kirtland

Located ten miles south of Lake Erie. Settled by 1811. Organized by 1818. Latter-day Saint missionaries visited township, early Nov. 1830; many residents joined Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Population in 1830 about 55 Latter-day Saints and...

More Info
in late July or early August 1838.
19

See Letter to William Marks and Newel K. Whitney, 8 July 1838.


Footnotes

  1. [1]

    Williams, Life of Dr. Frederick G. Williams, 493–515, 526–527.

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

  2. [2]

    Oliver Cowdery, Far West, MO, to Warren Cowdery, 21 Jan. 1838, in Cowdery, Letterbook, 80–83; Oliver Cowdery, Far West, MO, to Warren Cowdery and Lyman Cowdery, [Kirtland, OH], 4 Feb. 1838, in Cowdery, Letterbook, 83–86.

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

  3. [3]

    See Letter from Thomas B. Marsh, 15 Feb. 1838; and Minute Book 2, 10 Mar. 1838.

  4. [4]

    Williams, Life of Dr. Frederick G. Williams, 538–545.

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

  5. [5]

    Letter to Oliver Cowdery et al., ca. 17 June 1838.

  6. [6]

    Whitmer, History, 86–87; see also JS, Journal, 4 July 1838.

  7. [7]

    Corrill, Brief History, 30.

  8. [8]

    In November, Phelps claimed that he had conformed to the church’s expectations in order to protect his property. (William W. Phelps, Testimony, Richmond, MO, Nov. 1838, pp. [85], [87], State of Missouri v. JS et al. for Treason and Other Crimes [Mo. 5th Jud. Cir. 1838], in State of Missouri, “Evidence.”)

  9. [9]

    Reed Peck, Quincy, IL, to “Dear Friends,” 18 Sept. 1839, pp. 25–28, Henry E. Huntington Library, San Marino, CA; Whitmer, Daybook, 19 June 1838; see also Corrill, Brief History, 30.

    Peck, Reed. Letter, Quincy, IL, to “Dear Friends,” 18 Sept. 1839. Huntington Library, San Marino, CA.

    Whitmer, John. Daybook, 1832–1878. CHL. MS 1159.

  10. [10]

    Edward Partridge wrote to Newel K. Whitney on 24 July 1838, stating that Phelps and Williams “were baptized about 4 weeks since,” indicating that they were baptized around 26 June. JS’s journal notes that several people were confirmed as members of the church on 5 August 1838 and that “Br. F, G, Williams was among the number, who being rebaptized a few days since was this day confermed.” (Edward Partridge, Far West, MO, to Newel K. Whitney, Kirtland, OH, 24 July 1838, in Reynolds Cahoon, Far West, MO, to Newel K. Whitney, Kirtland, OH, 23 July 1838, CHL; JS, Journal, 5 Aug. 1838; see also Abner Scovil, Testimony, Richmond, MO, Nov. 1838, p. [50], in State of Missouri, “Evidence.”)

    Cahoon, Reynolds, and Edward Partridge. Letter, Far West, MO, to Newel K. Whitney, Kirtland Mills, OH, 23 and 24 July 1838. CHL.

  11. [11]

    See Historical Introduction to Revelation, 8 July 1838–A [D&C 118].

  12. [12]

    In JS’s journal, Robinson introduced the revelation as follows: “Revelation Given the same day, and at the same place, and read the same day in the congregations of the saints.” (JS, Journal, 8 July 1838.)

  13. [13]

    JS, Journal, 5 Aug. 1838.

  14. [14]

    Phelps apparently remained in Far West. Williams’s activity during this period is uncertain. A family biography of Williams states that sometime around October, he was with Phelps in Burlington, Iowa Territory, where Williams bought land for the church at JS’s request. (See William W. Phelps, Testimony, Richmond, MO, Nov. 1838, pp. [84]–[96], in State of Missouri, “Evidence”; and Williams, Meet Dr. Frederick Granger Williams, 120; compare Williams, Life of Dr. Frederick G. Williams, 549–563.)

    Williams, Nancy Clement. Meet Dr. Frederick Granger Williams, Second Counselor to the Prophet Joseph Smith in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. . . . Independence, MO: Zion’s Printing and Publishing, 1951.

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

  15. [15]

    See Historical Introduction to Revelation, 8 July 1838–D [D&C 120].

  16. [16]

    JS, Journal, 8 July 1838.

  17. [17]

    Revelation, 8 July 1838–B, copy, Revelations Collection, CHL.

    Revelations Collection, 1831–ca. 1844, 1847, 1861, ca. 1876. CHL. MS 4583.

  18. [18]

    For example, Whitney’s version preserves what is presumably the original interrogatory, “O Lord what is thy will concerning W W Phelps & F. G. Williams,” whereas Robinson’s and Williams’s versions provide a heading that is descriptive and more likely retrospective: “Revelation . . . Making known the duty” of the two men.

  19. [19]

    See Letter to William Marks and Newel K. Whitney, 8 July 1838.

Asterisk (*) denotes a "featured" version, which includes an introduction and annotation. Journal, March–September 1838
*Revelation, 8 July 1838–B
Revelation, 8 July 1838–B, Frederick G. Williams Copy

Page [1]

Revelation Given July 8. 1838 in
Far West

Originally called Shoal Creek. Located fifty-five miles northeast of Independence. Surveyed 1823; first settled by whites, 1831. Site purchased, 8 Aug. 1836, before Caldwell Co. was organized for Latter-day Saints in Missouri. William W. Phelps and John Whitmer...

More Info
Mo.
O Lord what is thy will concerning
W[illiam] W Phelps

17 Feb. 1792–7 Mar. 1872. Writer, teacher, printer, newspaper editor, publisher, postmaster, lawyer. Born at Hanover, Morris Co., New Jersey. Son of Enon Phelps and Mehitabel Goldsmith. Moved to Homer, Cortland Co., New York, 1800. Married Sally Waterman,...

View Full Bio
&
F[rederick] G. Williams

28 Oct. 1787–10 Oct. 1842. Ship’s pilot, teacher, physician, justice of the peace. Born at Suffield, Hartford Co., Connecticut. Son of William Wheeler Williams and Ruth Granger. Moved to Newburg, Cuyahoga Co., Ohio, 1799. Practiced Thomsonian botanical system...

View Full Bio
Verily thus saith the Lord in consequence of their transgressions their former standing has been taken away from them, and now, if they will be saved, let them be
ordained

The conferral of power and authority; to appoint, decree, or set apart. Church members, primarily adults, were ordained to ecclesiastical offices and other responsibilities by the laying on of hands by those with the proper authority. Ordinations to priesthood...

View Glossary
as
Elders

A male leader in the church generally; an ecclesiastical and priesthood office or one holding that office; a proselytizing missionary. The Book of Mormon explained that elders ordained priests and teachers and administered “the flesh and blood of Christ unto...

View Glossary
in my vineyard
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
to Preach my gospel, and to travel abroad from land to land & from place to place to gather mine
Elect

God’s chosen and covenant people; in some cases, an individual appointed to a particular calling. In September 1830, a JS revelation defined the elect as those who hear the Lord’s voice and “harden not their hearts.” On 20 July 1831, a JS revelation identified...

View Glossary
unto me saith the Lord,
1

See Matthew 24:31; Mark 13:27; and Revelation, Sept. 1830–A [D&C 29:7].


and let this be their labours from henceforth Amen [3/4 page blank] [p. [1]]
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Related Case Documents
Editorial Title
Revelation, 8 July 1838–B
ID #
5704
Total Pages
1
Print Volume Location
JSP, D6:181–183
Handwriting on This Page
  • Newel K. Whitney

Footnotes

  1. [1]

    See Matthew 24:31; Mark 13:27; and Revelation, Sept. 1830–A [D&C 29:7].

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