Reflections and Blessings, 16 and 23 August 1842

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Reflections and Blessings, 16 and 23 August 1842
Source Note

JS, Reflections and Blessings, [near
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....
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, Hancock Co., IL], 16 Aug. 1842; and [
Nauvoo
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, Hancock Co., IL], 23 Aug. 1842. Featured version copied [between 16 and 20 Aug. 1842] and [23 Aug. 1842], in JS, Journal, Dec. 1841–Dec. 1842, in Book of the Law of the Lord, pp. 135, 164–165, 179–181; handwriting of
William Clayton
17 July 1814–4 Dec. 1879. Bookkeeper, clerk. Born at Charnock Moss, Penwortham, Lancashire, England. Son of Thomas Clayton and Ann Critchley. Married Ruth Moon, 9 Oct. 1836, at Penwortham. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by Heber...
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; CHL. For more complete source information, see the source note for Revelation, 19 Jan. 1841 [D&C 124].

Historical Introduction
On 16 August 1842, while in hiding at
Edward Sayers
9 Feb. 1800–17 July 1861. Horticulturalist. Born in Canterbury, Kent Co., England. Son of Edward Sayers and Mary. Married Ruth D. Vose, 23 Jan. 1841, in St. Louis. Purchased land in Nauvoo, Hancock Co., Illinois, from JS and Emma Smith, 19 May 1841. Moved...
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’s house, JS blessed
Erastus Derby
14 Sept. 1810–3 Dec. 1890. Tailor, carpenter, farmer, joiner. Born in Hawley, Hampshire Co., Massachusetts. Son of Edward Darby and Ruth Phoebe Hitchcock. Moved to Ohio, by 1834. Married Ruhamah Burnham Knowlton, 10 Aug. 1834, in Carthage, Hamilton Co., Ohio...
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and several others. At the same time, JS reflected on the loyalty demonstrated to him by Derby,
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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,
Hyrum Smith
9 Feb. 1800–27 June 1844. Farmer, cooper. Born at Tunbridge, Orange Co., Vermont. Son of Joseph Smith Sr. and Lucy Mack. Moved to Randolph, Orange Co., 1802; back to Tunbridge, before May 1803; to Royalton, Windsor Co., Vermont, 1804; to Sharon, Windsor Co...
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, and many other friends and family members. In accordance with his plan to “continue the subject again,” JS dictated further reflections on 23 August, after he had relocated and was hiding in his
store
Located in lower portion of Nauvoo (the flats) along bank of Mississippi River. Completed 1841. Opened for business, 5 Jan. 1842. Owned by JS, but managed mostly by others, after 1842. First floor housed JS’s general store and counting room, where tithing...
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in
Nauvoo
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, Illinois.
1
JS, Journal, 16 and 23 Aug. 1842. JS returned to his home the evening of 23 August, although he did not make a public appearance until 29 August. (JS, Journal, 29 Aug. 1842.)

JS believed it was important to include the names of faithful Latter-day Saints in the Book of the Law of the Lord, which
Willard Richards
24 June 1804–11 Mar. 1854. Teacher, lecturer, doctor, clerk, printer, editor, postmaster. Born at Hopkinton, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts. Son of Joseph Richards and Rhoda Howe. Moved to Richmond, Berkshire Co., Massachusetts, 1813; to Chatham, Columbia Co...
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had used to record tithing donations since late 1841 and which had served as JS’s journal since late 1841 or early 1842.
2
Historical Introduction to Journal, Dec. 1841–Dec. 1842.
The Book of the Law of the Lord had apparently been created in response to direction JS gave in an 1832 letter to
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,...
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, in which he explained that 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...
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’s clerk was appointed “to keep a hystory and a general church reccord of all things that transpire in
Zion
A specific location in Missouri; also a literal or figurative gathering of believers in Jesus Christ, characterized by adherence to ideals of harmony, equality, and purity. In JS’s earliest revelations “the cause of Zion” was used to broadly describe the ...
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and of all those who consecrate properties and receive inhertances legally from the
bishop
An ecclesiastical and priesthood office. JS appointed Edward Partridge as the first bishop in February 1831. Following this appointment, Partridge functioned as the local leader of the church in Missouri. Later revelations described a bishop’s duties as receiving...
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and also there manner of life and the faith and works.”
3
Letter to William W. Phelps, 27 Nov. 1832 [D&C 85:1–2].
The names of faithful Saints, JS emphasized, should be recorded in “the book of the Law of God”; he warned that those whose names were not found there “shall not find an inheritence among th[e] saints.”
4
Letter to William W. Phelps, 27 Nov. 1832 [D&C 85:5, 7, 11].
By 1842, the Book of the Law of the Lord was being used, in part at least, to record the names of those who supported JS during times of trial, as demonstrated in these featured reflections.

JS dictated these reflections while hiding from
Illinois
Became part of Northwest Territory of U.S., 1787. Admitted as state, 1818. Population in 1840 about 480,000. Population in 1845 about 660,000. Plentiful, inexpensive land attracted settlers from northern and southern states. Following expulsion from Missouri...
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officers intent on arresting and extraditing him to
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 ...
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.
5
See Petition to Nauvoo Municipal Court, 8 Aug. 1842; and Letter to Wilson Law, 14 Aug. 1842.
An editorial in the 15 August issue of the Times and Seasons placed this extradition attempt within a longer narrative of the Saints’ persecution at the hands of Missourians.
6
“Persecution,” Times and Seasons, 15 Aug. 1842, 3:886–889.
This narration of persecution represented a counterpoint to the desire to record the righteous deeds of faithful Saints; in an 1839 letter written from a Missouri
jail
Two-story building containing dungeon on lower floor with access through trap door. Wood building constructed, ca. 1830. Outer stone wall added and building completed, 1833. JS and five others confined there for just over four months, beginning 1 Dec. 1838...
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, JS had instructed the Saints to record and publish “the names of all persons that have had a hand in their oppressions.”
7
Letter to Edward Partridge and the Church, ca. 22 Mar. 1839 [D&C 123:3].

The entries featured here begin with a blessing for
Derby
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, who was staying with JS while he was in hiding and was carrying letters from JS to
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
Wilson Law
26 Feb. 1806–15 Oct. 1876. Merchant, millwright, land speculator, farmer. Born in Ireland. Son of Richard Law and Ann Hunter. Immigrated to U.S. and settled in Springfield Township, Mercer Co., Pennsylvania, by 1820. Moved to Delaware Township, Mercer Co....
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.
8
Letter to Emma Smith, 16 Aug. 1842; Letter to Wilson Law, 16 Aug. 1842.
After pronouncing the blessing, JS transitioned into a wide-ranging reflection on individuals who exemplified loyalty and kindness; he then pronounced blessings upon several of them.
9
JS appears to have extended blessings to individuals who were absent on prior occasions. (See Blessing to David Whitmer, 22 Sept. 1835; Blessings to Joseph Smith Sr. and Others, Sept. and Oct. 1835.)
The 16 August portion of the reflections begins with those who met with JS on an
island
Two tree-covered islands located in Mississippi River between Nauvoo, Illinois, and Montrose, Iowa Territory. Important source of wood for Saints. JS hid on islands, Aug. 1842, while Missouri authorities sought to extradite him. Emma Smith, accompanied by...
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in the
Mississippi River
Principal U.S. river running southward from Itasca Lake, Minnesota, to Gulf of Mexico. Covered 3,160-mile course, 1839 (now about 2,350 miles). Drains about 1,100,000 square miles. Steamboat travel on Mississippi very important in 1830s and 1840s for shipping...
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on 11 August and then broadens to others who had supported him during his time in hiding. In the 23 August portion, JS’s reflections and blessings extend to those who had assisted him earlier in his life. JS did not attempt to provide a comprehensive list but rather mentioned those who were “emblematical” of the many friends who had come to his aid. Near the end of these reflections, he turned his attention to those closest to him, dictating nostalgic reminiscences of his deceased father,
Joseph Smith Sr.
12 July 1771–14 Sept. 1840. Cooper, farmer, teacher, merchant. Born at Topsfield, Essex Co., Massachusetts. Son of Asael Smith and Mary Duty. Nominal member of Congregationalist church at Topsfield. Married to Lucy Mack by Seth Austin, 24 Jan. 1796, at Tunbridge...
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, and brothers,
Alvin
11 Feb. 1798–19 Nov. 1823. Farmer, carpenter. Born at Tunbridge, Orange Co., Vermont. Son of Joseph Smith Sr. and Lucy Mack. Moved to Randolph, Orange Co., 1802; returned to Tunbridge, before May 1803. Moved to Royalton, Windsor Co., Vermont, 1804, and to...
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and
Don Carlos
25 Mar. 1816–7 Aug. 1841. Farmer, printer, editor. Born at Norwich, Windsor Co., Vermont. Son of Joseph Smith Sr. and Lucy Mack. Moved to Palmyra, Ontario Co., New York, 1816–Jan. 1817. Moved to Manchester, Ontario Co., 1825. Baptized into Church of Jesus...
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. His effort to create a record of faithful friends and family was consistent with other developments in
Nauvoo
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. During this same period, JS introduced
ordinances
A law, decree, or regulation issued under municipal authority.
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and rituals meant to unite the Saints in eternal family bonds and again emphasized the importance of recording the participants’ names.
10
See Bushman, Rough Stone Rolling, 421–423, 477–478. Within days of dictating these reflections, JS spoke to the Female Relief Society of Nauvoo regarding baptism for the dead, instructing the members that “all persons baptiz’d for the dead must have a Recorder present. . . . It will be necessary in the grand Council.” In early September, he wrote to the Saints on the same topic, noting that a recorder must be present so that “it may be recorded in heaven.” (Minutes and Discourse, 31 Aug. 1842; JS, Journal, 4 Sept. 1842 [D&C 127:6–7].)
Comprehensive Works Cited
Bushman, Richard Lyman. Joseph Smith: Rough Stone Rolling. With the assistance of Jed Woodworth. New York: Knopf, 2005.

On 16 August, JS dictated the
Derby
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blessing and the initial portion of the reflections to
William Clayton
17 July 1814–4 Dec. 1879. Bookkeeper, clerk. Born at Charnock Moss, Penwortham, Lancashire, England. Son of Thomas Clayton and Ann Critchley. Married Ruth Moon, 9 Oct. 1836, at Penwortham. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by Heber...
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, who probably inscribed them onto a loose leaf before copying them into JS’s journal after returning to
Nauvoo
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, likely between 16 and 20 August.
11
Clayton was with JS between 15 and 16 August and presumably did not have the very large Book of the Law of the Lord with him. He probably returned to Nauvoo on 16 or 17 August and likely copied the 16 August reflections in the Book of the Law of the Lord soon after returning and no later than 20 August, as suggested by the content of these and surrounding entries and changes in the ink color. (See Book of the Law of the Lord, 135, 164–167.)
JS’s scribes had a practice of setting aside pages in the Book of the Law of the Lord for journal entries and tithing donations. As a result, the scribes sometimes ran out of space when recording JS’s journal, forcing them to continue the inscription a number of pages later. Such was the case with the 16 August entry, which is broken up by pages of tithing donations. Clayton inscribed the 23 August portion of the reflections into JS’s journal as JS dictated it.
Footnotes
[1]
JS, Journal, 16 and 23 Aug. 1842. JS returned to his home the evening of 23 August, although he did not make a public appearance until 29 August. (JS, Journal, 29 Aug. 1842.)
[2]
Historical Introduction to Journal, Dec. 1841–Dec. 1842.
[3]
Letter to William W. Phelps, 27 Nov. 1832 [D&C 85:1–2].
[4]
Letter to William W. Phelps, 27 Nov. 1832 [D&C 85:5, 7, 11].
[5]
See Petition to Nauvoo Municipal Court, 8 Aug. 1842; and Letter to Wilson Law, 14 Aug. 1842.
[6]
“Persecution,” Times and Seasons, 15 Aug. 1842, 3:886–889.
[7]
Letter to Edward Partridge and the Church, ca. 22 Mar. 1839 [D&C 123:3].
[8]
Letter to Emma Smith, 16 Aug. 1842; Letter to Wilson Law, 16 Aug. 1842.
[9]
JS appears to have extended blessings to individuals who were absent on prior occasions. (See Blessing to David Whitmer, 22 Sept. 1835; Blessings to Joseph Smith Sr. and Others, Sept. and Oct. 1835.)
[10]
See Bushman, Rough Stone Rolling, 421–423, 477–478. Within days of dictating these reflections, JS spoke to the Female Relief Society of Nauvoo regarding baptism for the dead, instructing the members that “all persons baptiz’d for the dead must have a Recorder present. . . . It will be necessary in the grand Council.” In early September, he wrote to the Saints on the same topic, noting that a recorder must be present so that “it may be recorded in heaven.” (Minutes and Discourse, 31 Aug. 1842; JS, Journal, 4 Sept. 1842 [D&C 127:6–7].)
Bushman, Richard Lyman. Joseph Smith: Rough Stone Rolling. With the assistance of Jed Woodworth. New York: Knopf, 2005.
[11]
Clayton was with JS between 15 and 16 August and presumably did not have the very large Book of the Law of the Lord with him. He probably returned to Nauvoo on 16 or 17 August and likely copied the 16 August reflections in the Book of the Law of the Lord soon after returning and no later than 20 August, as suggested by the content of these and surrounding entries and changes in the ink color. (See Book of the Law of the Lord, 135, 164–167.)
Asterisk (*) denotes a "featured" version, which includes an introduction and annotation. *Reflections and Blessings, 16 and 23 August 1842 Journal, December 1841–December 1842 *Journal, December 1841–December 1842 History, 1838–1856, volume D-1 [1 August 1842–1 July 1843] History, 1838–1856, volume D-1 [1 August 1842–1 July 1843] “History of Joseph Smith” “History of Joseph Smith”
Page 135
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“Blessed is Brother
Erastus H. Derby
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, and he shall be blessed of the Lord; he possesses a sober mind,
1
See Titus 2:6; and Book of Mormon, 1840 ed., 505 [Mormon 1:15].
and a faithful heart; the snares therefore that are subsequent to befall other men, who are treacherous and rotten-hearted, shall not come nigh unto his doors, but shall be far from the path of his feet.
2
See Proverbs 4:26–27.
He loveth wisdom, and shall be found possessed of her. Let their be a crown of glory, and a diadem upon his head.
3
See Isaiah 28:5; 62:3.
Let the light of eternal Truth shine forth upon his understanding; let his name be had in everlasting remembrance;
4
See Psalm 112:6; and Minutes and Prayer of Dedication, 27 Mar. 1836 [D&C 109:71].
let the blessings of Jehovah be crowned upon his posterity after him, for he rendered me consolation, in the lonely places of my retreat:
5
Derby had been with JS while he was in hiding since 11 August. On 16 August, the same day he blessed Derby, JS sent a letter to Emma in which he noted, “I have been kept from melancholy and dumps, by the kind-heartedness of brother Derby, and his interesting chit-chat from time to time.” (JS, Journal, 11, 14, and 16 Aug. 1842; Letter to Emma Smith, 16 Aug. 1842.)
How good, and glorious, it has seemed unto me, to find pure and holy friends, who are faithful, just and true, and whose hearts fail not; and whose knees are confirmed and do not faulter; while they wait upon the Lord, in administering to my necessities;
6
See Psalms 37:9; 123:2; Isaiah 8:17; 40:31; and Book of Mormon, 1840 ed., 93 [2 Nephi 18:17].
<See Page 164>
Insertion in the handwriting of Willard Richards. Because tithing donation records were recorded on pages 136 to 163, scribe William Clayton skipped from page 135 to 164 to continue inscribing the 16 August 1842 entry in JS’s journal.
[p. 135]
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Page 135
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Footnotes
[1]
See Titus 2:6; and Book of Mormon, 1840 ed., 505 [Mormon 1:15].
[2]
See Proverbs 4:26–27.
[3]
See Isaiah 28:5; 62:3.
[4]
See Psalm 112:6; and Minutes and Prayer of Dedication, 27 Mar. 1836 [D&C 109:71].
[5]
Derby had been with JS while he was in hiding since 11 August. On 16 August, the same day he blessed Derby, JS sent a letter to Emma in which he noted, “I have been kept from melancholy and dumps, by the kind-heartedness of brother Derby, and his interesting chit-chat from time to time.” (JS, Journal, 11, 14, and 16 Aug. 1842; Letter to Emma Smith, 16 Aug. 1842.)
[6]
See Psalms 37:9; 123:2; Isaiah 8:17; 40:31; and Book of Mormon, 1840 ed., 93 [2 Nephi 18:17].
Insertion in the handwriting of Willard Richards. Because tithing donation records were recorded on pages 136 to 163, scribe William Clayton skipped from page 135 to 164 to continue inscribing the 16 August 1842 entry in JS’s journal.