Letter to Crooked Creek, Illinois, Branch, circa 7 or 8 July 1840
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Source Note
JS and , Letter, , Hancock Co., IL, to “the saints of the Crooked Creek Branch,” Hancock Co., IL, [ca. 7 or 8 July 1840]. Featured version published in “Ramus,” Times and Seasons, 15 Nov. 1840, 222. For more complete source information, see the source note for Letter to Isaac Galland, 22 Mar. 1839.
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Historical Introduction
JS and wrote a letter, probably on 7 or 8 July 1840, to the members of the Crooked Creek of the near what soon became , Illinois, authorizing the Saints there to establish a . Shortly after their expulsion from in early 1839, church members started settling in eastern , Illinois, and established the Crooked Creek branch that April. At that time, the branch consisted of approximately fifty members. At a 2 July 1840 meeting, the male members of the branch resolved that “a Stake of ” would be “appointed within the bounds of this branch.” They additionally decided that branch members , , and Nathaniel Frampton should meet with the in , Illinois, to propose the appointment.Five days later, branch clerk signed a copy of the branch’s resolution in preparation for the visit to . After signed the resolution, , , and Frampton likely traveled the thirty miles northwest to on 7 July to meet with the First Presidency—which consisted of JS, , and —that night or the next day. Because Rigdon was bedridden due to the lingering effects of malaria, the branch representatives likely met with just JS and Hyrum, the signatories on the featured letter. Hicks, Holbrook, and Frampton probably returned with this letter on 8 July, giving them time to travel home and call a meeting held on 9 July in which the letter was read and officers of the stake were appointed.In addition to approving the resolution to establish a stake, JS and also directed the members of the Crooked Creek branch to identify nearby land where church members could gather and to appoint a to oversee church property and business. JS and Hyrum Smith also stated that a member of the First Presidency would travel to the area to organize the stake as soon as it was convenient to do so. On 15 July 1840, presided over the meeting during which the stake was officially established.The original letter is not extant. The only surviving version of the letter was printed in the November 1840 issue of the Times and Seasons. The letter was printed under the incorrect date of 14 July 1840.
Footnotes
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1
Macedonia Branch, Record, 7 Apr. 1839, 5.
Macedonia Branch, Record / “A Record of the Chur[c]h of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints in Macedonia (Also Called Ramus),” 1839–1850. CHL. LR 11808 21.
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2
Joel H. Johnson, Bellevue, Utah Territory, to “Brother Faucet,” 17 Jan. 1877, copy, Joel H. Johnson, Papers, CHL.
Johnson, Joel Hills. Papers, 1835–1882. CHL.
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3
Rigdon, “Life Story of Sidney Rigdon,” 161.
Rigdon, John Wickliff. “Life Story of Sidney Rigdon,” no date. CHL. MS 3451.
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4
Macedonia Branch, Record, 15 July 1840, 8–9.
Macedonia Branch, Record / “A Record of the Chur[c]h of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints in Macedonia (Also Called Ramus),” 1839–1850. CHL. LR 11808 21.
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1
Page 222
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, July 14th, 1840.
To the of the Crooked Creek , Greeting:
Having taken into consideration the subject of the propriety of establishing a at Crooked Creek, as requested in the resolutions of said branch, dated July 7th, 1840, signed by and Clerk.
We have to say that we approve of the proceedings of the branch, and that their resolutions are in accordance with our views and feelings, and the sentiments adduced at the last April .
Therefore this may certify that the members of the , residing at the Crooked creek branch, are authorized to establish a stake agreeable to their request; and that they select such a location as they may think best adapted for that purpose.
In order to carry into effect this object, it will be necessary to appoint a to transact business for said stake, which appointment will be left to the decision of said branch.
The will some one of them attend as soon as convenient to organize the stake, and give such instructions to the saints as may be wisdom.
JOSEPH SMITH, jun.
. [p. 222]
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