, Letter, [], Hancock Co., IL, to JS and , , 2 Jan. 1840. Featured version copied [between Apr. and June 1840] in JS Letterbook 2, pp. 91–94; handwriting of ; JS Collection, CHL. For more complete source information, see the source note for JS Letterbook 2.
Historical Introduction
On 2 January 1840, wrote a letter to JS and , who were in , in response to a number of letters he had received from the two men. With and JS out of town, Smith was the only member of the in , Illinois, which made him responsible for managing affairs there and responding to inquiries from church spread throughout the country.
In his letter, updated JS and on his efforts to gather duplicates of land records that JS and Higbee apparently planned to submit to Congress as support for the church’s petition for redress. He also reported on his work to secure more financing for their trip, as JS had directed, especially since the delegation was already running short on funds. Smith apprised JS and Higbee of ’s request to publish editions of the Book of Mormon, the Doctrine and Covenants, and the church’s hymnbook in . In addition, Smith informed them of ’s delay in traveling to to help settle some of the church’s debts. Finally, Smith asked JS for advice on several other matters, including whether their parents should accompany Granger to , Ohio.
likely sent the letter by post, the primary method by which the church’s delegation to the federal government communicated with church leaders in . No response from JS has been located. The original letter from Smith is apparently not extant, but copied it into JS Letterbook 2 sometime between April and June 1840.
another edition of his Book<s> of Mormon and wanted permition to print and edition of the Book of Mormon and Doctrine and Covenants &c with a periodical similar to the [“]Times and Seasons” stating that ther were men who had means, that would assist in these things. He likewise wanted to get priviledge for the to print the Book of Mormon &c in Europe. I wrote in reply that if there were any of the Brethern— disposed to aid, and had means to spare for such purposes to send them to this place, so that not only this place might be benefited, but that the Books might come out under your immediate inspection.
I am afraid some have been induced to tarry and assist in these undertakings; and had made arrangements with to assist in liquidating the debts, I want a Letter as from you Bro. Joseph, as soon as possible, giving me all the instruction you think necessary. I feel the burthen in your absence is great. expresses a a great desire to go to along with , who has promised to pay his and s expenses. Would you think it advisable for them to go or not. The met a few days ago and took your second letter into consideration and passed some resolutions on the subject: appointed committees to get certificates for land, and to get all other information they could— some have gone to and others to different places— We shall forward from time to [time] the information you desire. You will receive enclosed in this a number of Duplicates for land from and others— The is frosen up; the weather is very cold & a great quantity of snow is on the ground and has been for some time. Your family is in tolerable good health excepting one or two. having the chills occasionally.
desires me to inform you, that and Hose have drove into a large quantity of Hogs. They are now engaged [p. 93]
Hyrum Smith informed Pratt that the church wanted to publish the Book of Mormon in Commerce under the supervision of JS and his counselors. Smith similarly explained to Lucian R. Foster that, according to revelation, the publication of the Book of Mormon, the Doctrine and Covenants, and the hymnbook was to be directed by a select few men, a group that included Smith and JS. (Hyrum Smith, Nauvoo, IL, to Parley P. Pratt, New York City, NY, 22 Dec. 1839, in JS Letterbook 2, pp. 80–81; Hyrum Smith, Nauvoo, IL, to Lucian R. Foster, New York City, NY, Jan. 1840, in JS Letterbook 2, pp. 82–84; Revelation, 12 Nov. 1831 [D&C 70:1–6].)
In January 1839 and again in May 1839, the First Presidency directed converts emigrating from England and the eastern United States to settle in Kirtland (where many church members continued to reside) because continuing to Missouri was dangerous in the aftermath of Governor Lilburn W. Boggs’s 27 October 1838 “extermination order.” The First Presidency did not direct church members expelled from Missouri to resettle in Kirtland, though some individual church members expressed the desire to return there. According to this letter, JS’s parents were considering returning to Kirtland, though they appear to have intended to visit their former home rather than permanently relocate. JS’s mother, Lucy Mack Smith, later recalled that Joseph Smith Sr. was very ill at this time. It is possible that Hyrum Smith asked JS’s opinion about their parents’ visiting Kirtland out of a concern for their father’s health. (Minutes, 4–5 May 1839; Letter to Heber C. Kimball and Brigham Young, 16 Jan. 1839; Authorization for Oliver Granger, 6 May 1839; Kimball, Heber C. Kimball, 68; Vilate Murray Kimball, Commerce, IL, to Heber C. Kimball, New York City, NY, 2 Feb. 1840, photocopy; Heber C. Kimball, New York City, NY, to Vilate Murray Kimball, 5 Mar. 1840, photocopy, Heber C. Kimball, Correspondence, 1837–1864, CHL; Lucy Mack Smith, History, 1844–1845, bk. 18, [1]–[3].)
Kimball, Stanley B. Heber C. Kimball: Mormon Patriarch and Pioneer. Urbana: University of Illinois Press, 1981.
Kimball, Heber C. Correspondence, 1837–1864. Private possession. Copy at CHL.