JS, Letter, , Hancock Co., IL, to , , Geauga Co., OH, 11 Sept. 1839. Featured version copied [between 11 Sept. and 3 Nov. 1839] in JS Letterbook 2, pp. 71–73; handwriting of ; JS Collection, CHL. For more complete source information, see the source note for JS Letterbook 2.
Historical Introduction
On 11 September 1839, JS wrote to in response to a letter Galland had written from Chillicothe, Ohio, on 24 July 1839. In late April, Galland had sold church leaders his home in , Illinois, as well as extensive acreage in the in . Galland was by JS in Commerce and to the office of on 3 July 1839, and he departed for the next day. Having sold their home in , Galland and his family were temporarily living in Chillicothe.
In his 24 July letter, informed JS that he had informally proselytized during the journey to . He devoted most of the letter to recounting conversations with fellow boat passenger and former senator Arnold Naudain, to whom Galland sold a copy of the Book of Mormon, and with Chillicothe resident Dr. Benjamin Owen Carpenter, with whom Galland debated repeatedly about theology. JS responded to Galland’s detailed report of his philosophical conversations with Carpenter by noting the simplicity of the gospel and warning of the fate of those who, like Galland’s interlocutors, were prideful in their interpretation of gospel principles. JS also described the growth of the and of the area in the two months since Galland’s departure. JS sent his response to rather than to Chillicothe because Galland had concluded his letter by saying he expected the following week to “set out for and Kirtland” and would later return to Chillicothe.
JS’s scribe copied the letter into JS Letterbook 2 sometime between 11 September 1839 and Mulholland’s death less than two months later on 3 November. If sent a response, no such letter has been located.
Hancock Co., IL, Deed Records, 1817–1917, vol. 12-G, p. 247, 30 Apr. 1839, microfilm 954,195, U.S. and Canada Record Collection, FHL; Cook, “Isaac Galland,” 270–276.
Bennett, Henry Holcomb, ed. The County of Ross: A History of Ross County, Ohio, from the Earliest Days, with Special Chapters on the Bench and Bar, Medical Profession, Educational Department, Industry and Agriculture, and Biographical Sketches. Madison, WI: Selwyn A. Brant, 1902.
With all possible good wishes and prayers for the temporal and eternal salvation of yourself and <your> family—as well as of all the honest in heart over the face of the earth— we remain Sir with sincerity— Your friends and brethren.——