Authorization for John P. Greene, circa 6 May 1839

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Authorization for John P. Greene, circa 6 May 1839
Source Note

JS, Authorization, for
John P. Greene
3 Sept. 1793–10 Sept. 1844. Farmer, shoemaker, printer, publisher. Born at Herkimer, Herkimer Co., New York. Son of John Coddington Greene and Anna Chapman. Married first Rhoda Young, 11 Feb. 1813. Moved to Aurelius, Cayuga Co., New York, 1814; to Brownsville...
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,
Quincy
Located on high limestone bluffs east of Mississippi River, about forty-five miles south of Nauvoo. Settled 1821. Adams Co. seat, 1825. Incorporated as town, 1834. Received city charter, 1840. Population in 1835 about 800; in 1840 about 2,300; and in 1845...
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, Adams Co., IL, [ca. 6 May 1839]. Featured version copied [between 29 May and 30 Oct. 1839] in JS Letterbook 2, p. 45; handwriting of
James Mulholland
1804–3 Nov. 1839. Born in Ireland. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Married Sarah Scott, 8 Feb. 1838/1839, at Far West, Caldwell Co., Missouri. Engaged in clerical work for JS, 1838, at Far West. Ordained a seventy, 28 Dec. 1838....
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; JS Collection, CHL. For more complete source information, see the source note for JS Letterbook 2.

Historical Introduction
Following a
conference
A meeting where ecclesiastical officers and other church members could conduct church business. The “Articles and Covenants” of the church directed the elders to hold conferences to perform “Church business.” The first of these conferences was held on 9 June...
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meeting held in
Quincy
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, Illinois, on 6 May 1839, JS signed an authorization for
high priest
An ecclesiastical and priesthood office. Christ and many ancient prophets, including Abraham, were described as being high priests. The Book of Mormon used the term high priest to denote one appointed to lead the church. However, the Book of Mormon also discussed...
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John P. Greene
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, reflecting the conference’s resolution that he travel to
New York City
Dutch founded New Netherland colony, 1625. Incorporated under British control and renamed New York, 1664. Harbor contributed to economic and population growth of city; became largest city in American colonies. British troops defeated Continental Army under...
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“and preside over the
Churches
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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there, and in the regions round about.”
1
Minutes, 6 May 1839.
A
branch
An ecclesiastical organization of church members in a particular locale. A branch was generally smaller than a stake or a conference. Branches were also referred to as churches, as in “the Church of Shalersville.” In general, a branch was led by a presiding...
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was organized in the city in early 1838 by missionary
Parley P. Pratt
12 Apr. 1807–13 May 1857. Farmer, editor, publisher, teacher, school administrator, legislator, explorer, author. Born at Burlington, Otsego Co., New York. Son of Jared Pratt and Charity Dickinson. Traveled west with brother William to acquire land, 1823....
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, and subsequent growth in the area required experienced leadership.
2
New York City Branch History, [1]; see also Givens and Grow, Parley P. Pratt, 120–129.
Comprehensive Works Cited
New York City Branch History, no date. In High Priests Quorum Record, 1844–1845. CHL.
Givens, Terryl L., and Matthew J. Grow. Parley P. Pratt: The Apostle Paul of Mormonism. New York: Oxford University Press, 2011.
Greene’s previous appointments in the church prepared him to oversee the church in the eastern
United States
North American constitutional republic. Constitution ratified, 17 Sept. 1787. Population in 1805 about 6,000,000; in 1830 about 13,000,000; and in 1844 about 20,000,000. Louisiana Purchase, 1803, doubled size of U.S. Consisted of seventeen states at time ...
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. After being
baptized
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...
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in April 1832, Greene presided over branches in
New York
Located in northeast region of U.S. Area settled by Dutch traders, 1620s; later governed by Britain, 1664–1776. Admitted to U.S. as state, 1788. Population in 1810 about 1,000,000; in 1820 about 1,400,000; in 1830 about 1,900,000; and in 1840 about 2,400,...
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and
Ohio
French explored and claimed area, 1669. British took possession following French and Indian War, 1763. Ceded to U.S., 1783. First permanent white settlement established, 1788. Northeastern portion maintained as part of Connecticut, 1786, and called Connecticut...
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; served on the
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...
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, Ohio,
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...
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; and proselytized in New York, Ohio, and
Canada
In late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries, Canada referred to British colonies of Upper Canada and Lower Canada. Divided into Upper Canada and Lower Canada, 1791; reunited 10 Feb. 1841. Boundaries corresponded roughly to present-day Ontario (Upper...
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. He later moved to
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...
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, Missouri, where he served on the high council. Following the 1838 conflict between church members and other Missourians, he migrated to
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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, where he became a principal liaison between the Saints and the Democratic Association of Quincy, an organization composed of influential non-Mormons who raised money for the indigent Saints.
3
Greene, “Biographical Sketch of the Life and Travels of John Portenus Greene,” 1–2; Minutes, 7–8 Apr. 1838; Greene, Facts relative to the Expulsion, iii–iv, 8–9; Bennett, “Study of the Mormons in Quincy,” 87–91. By November 1839, there were about two hundred Latter-day Saints in New York City and surrounding areas in the state. (New York City Branch History, [6].)
Greene, Evan Melbourne. “A Biographical Sketch of the Life and Travels of John Portenus Greene,” 1857. CHL. MS 15390.
Greene, John P. Facts Relative to the Expulsion of the Mormons or Latter Day Saints, from the State of Missouri, under the “Exterminating Order.” By John P. Greene, an Authorized Representative of the Mormons. Cincinnati: R. P. Brooks, 1839.
Bennett, Richard E. “‘Quincy the Home of Our Adoption’: A Study of the Mormons in Quincy, Illinois, 1838–1840.” In A City of Refuge: Quincy, Illinois, edited by Susan Easton Black and Richard E. Bennett, 83–105. Salt Lake City: Millennial Press, 2000.

Greene
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’s authorization was inscribed by
James Mulholland
1804–3 Nov. 1839. Born in Ireland. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Married Sarah Scott, 8 Feb. 1838/1839, at Far West, Caldwell Co., Missouri. Engaged in clerical work for JS, 1838, at Far West. Ordained a seventy, 28 Dec. 1838....
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, who also recorded the minutes for the 6 May meeting at which Greene received his appointment. Mulholland began the authorization with a slightly altered version of the resolution inscribed in the meeting minutes. The authorization also includes more information on Greene’s appointment and a description of his character. Additionally, the authorization directs Greene to collect donations to assist Latter-day Saint refugees who recently migrated from
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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. JS, who presided at the 6 May meeting, signed the original authorization, which is apparently not extant. Mulholland inscribed a copy in JS Letterbook 2 sometime between 29 May and 30 October 1839.
4
Mulholland copied his own 29 May 1839 letter to Edward Partridge on page 15 of JS Letterbook 2, making that the earliest likely copying date for documents he subsequently copied but that had dates preceding 29 May.

In summer and fall 1839,
Greene
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gave public presentations in
Ohio
French explored and claimed area, 1669. British took possession following French and Indian War, 1763. Ceded to U.S., 1783. First permanent white settlement established, 1788. Northeastern portion maintained as part of Connecticut, 1786, and called Connecticut...
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and
New York
Located in northeast region of U.S. Area settled by Dutch traders, 1620s; later governed by Britain, 1664–1776. Admitted to U.S. as state, 1788. Population in 1810 about 1,000,000; in 1820 about 1,400,000; in 1830 about 1,900,000; and in 1840 about 2,400,...
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on the Saints’ sufferings and raised money for Mormon refugees.
5
Letter from John P. Greene, 30 June 1839; Pratt, Late Persecution of the Church, 159–163.
Upon his arrival in
New York City
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in August 1839, he met with church members and presented his “letter from the Presidency of the church . . . recommending Elder Green[e] as a man of God, and worthy of all confidence.” The New York Saints sustained Greene as their
president
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 ...
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. At a conference held later that month in
Monmouth County
Area claimed by Dutch, 1609. English rule established, 1665. County formed, 1675. County government organized, 1714. Battle of Monmouth fought in county, 28 June 1778. First Latter-day Saint missionary, Benjamin Winchester, preached in county, summer 1838...
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, New Jersey, Greene met with representatives of church branches in
New Jersey
Located in northeast region of U.S. First European settlements made by Dutch, Swedes, and English, early 1600s. Admitted to U.S. as state, Dec. 1787. Population in 1830 about 321,000. Population in 1840 about 373,000. First Latter-day Saint missionaries preached...
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, New Hampshire,
Massachusetts
One of original thirteen colonies that formed U.S. Capital city, Boston. Colonized by English religious dissenters, 1620s. Population in 1830 about 610,000. Population in 1840 about 738,000. Joseph Smith Sr. born in Massachusetts. Samuel Smith and Orson Hyde...
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, and
Pennsylvania
Area first settled by Swedish immigrants, 1628. William Penn received grant for territory from King Charles II, 1681, and established British settlement, 1682. Philadelphia was center of government for original thirteen U.S. colonies from time of Revolutionary...
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. Greene presented to them his authorization from 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...
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, and the representatives sustained him as their president.
6
New York City Branch History, [5]; “Conference Minutes,” Times and Seasons, Jan. 1840, 1:44; John P. Greene, Monmouth Co., NJ, to Don Carlos Smith and Ebenezer Robinson, Nauvoo, IL, 10 Sept. 1839, in Times and Seasons, Dec. 1839, 1:28–29; Greene, “Biographical Sketch of the Life and Travels of John Portenus Greene,” 4.
Times and Seasons. Commerce/Nauvoo, IL. Nov. 1839–Feb. 1846.
Footnotes
[1]
Minutes, 6 May 1839.
[2]
New York City Branch History, [1]; see also Givens and Grow, Parley P. Pratt, 120–129.
Givens, Terryl L., and Matthew J. Grow. Parley P. Pratt: The Apostle Paul of Mormonism. New York: Oxford University Press, 2011.
[3]
Greene, “Biographical Sketch of the Life and Travels of John Portenus Greene,” 1–2; Minutes, 7–8 Apr. 1838; Greene, Facts relative to the Expulsion, iii–iv, 8–9; Bennett, “Study of the Mormons in Quincy,” 87–91. By November 1839, there were about two hundred Latter-day Saints in New York City and surrounding areas in the state. (New York City Branch History, [6].)
Greene, John P. Facts Relative to the Expulsion of the Mormons or Latter Day Saints, from the State of Missouri, under the “Exterminating Order.” By John P. Greene, an Authorized Representative of the Mormons. Cincinnati: R. P. Brooks, 1839.
Bennett, Richard E. “‘Quincy the Home of Our Adoption’: A Study of the Mormons in Quincy, Illinois, 1838–1840.” In A City of Refuge: Quincy, Illinois, edited by Susan Easton Black and Richard E. Bennett, 83–105. Salt Lake City: Millennial Press, 2000.
[4]
Mulholland copied his own 29 May 1839 letter to Edward Partridge on page 15 of JS Letterbook 2, making that the earliest likely copying date for documents he subsequently copied but that had dates preceding 29 May.
[5]
Letter from John P. Greene, 30 June 1839; Pratt, Late Persecution of the Church, 159–163.
[6]
New York City Branch History, [5]; “Conference Minutes,” Times and Seasons, Jan. 1840, 1:44; John P. Greene, Monmouth Co., NJ, to Don Carlos Smith and Ebenezer Robinson, Nauvoo, IL, 10 Sept. 1839, in Times and Seasons, Dec. 1839, 1:28–29; Greene, “Biographical Sketch of the Life and Travels of John Portenus Greene,” 4.
Times and Seasons. Commerce/Nauvoo, IL. Nov. 1839–Feb. 1846.
Asterisk (*) denotes a "featured" version, which includes an introduction and annotation. *Authorization for John P. Greene, circa 6 May 1839 Letterbook 2 History, 1838–1856, volume C-1 [2 November 1838–31 July 1842] “History of Joseph Smith”
Page 45
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At a
conference
A meeting where ecclesiastical officers and other church members could conduct church business. The “Articles and Covenants” of the church directed the elders to hold conferences to perform “Church business.” The first of these conferences was held on 9 June...
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Meeting held by the
Church of Jesus Christ of 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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in the Town of
Quincy
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Adams County Ill, on Monday the 6th day of May 1839.
1
This meeting was held in conjunction with a general conference of the church on 4–5 May 1839. (Minutes, 6 May 1839.)

Joseph Smith Jr Presiding

It was unanimously Resolved—

That
Elder
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...
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John P. Green[e]
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be appointed to go to the City of
New York
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and preside among the Saints in that place, and in the regions round about, and regulate the affairs of the Church according to the laws and doctrines of said Church, and he is fully authorized to receive donation moneys, by the liberality of the Saints, for the assistance of the poor among us who have been persecuted and driven from their homes in the State of
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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,
2
For information on Latter-day Saint refugees, see Introduction to Part 3: 4 Nov. 1838–16 Apr. 1839.
And from our long acquaintance with
Elder Green
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, and with his experience and knowledge of the laws of God the kingdom of God, we do not hesitate to recommend him to the Saints as one in whom they may place the fullest confidence, both as to their Spiritual welfare as well as to the strictest integrity in all temporal concerns, with which he may be intrusted

And we beseech the Brethren in the name of the Lord Jesus to receive this Brother in behalf of the poor with readiness, and to abound unto him in a liberal manner, for “in as much as ye have done it unto the least of these, ye have done it unto me”.
3
Matthew 25:40.

Yours in the bonds of the everlasting gospel
4
See Philemon 1:13; and Revelation 14:6.
though no longer a prisoner in the hands of the Missourians;

And still faithful with the Saints

Joseph Smith Jr

Chairman— &c—
5
JS was appointed chairman of the general conference held 4–5 May 1839. (Minutes, 4–5 May 1839.)
[p. 45]
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Footnotes
[1]
This meeting was held in conjunction with a general conference of the church on 4–5 May 1839. (Minutes, 6 May 1839.)
[2]
For information on Latter-day Saint refugees, see Introduction to Part 3: 4 Nov. 1838–16 Apr. 1839.
[3]
Matthew 25:40.
[4]
See Philemon 1:13; and Revelation 14:6.
[5]
JS was appointed chairman of the general conference held 4–5 May 1839. (Minutes, 4–5 May 1839.)