Revelation, 20 March 1841

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Revelation, 20 March 1841
Source Note

Revelation,
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, 20 Mar. 1841. Featured version copied [between ca. 20 Mar. 1841 and 7 Apr. 1841] in Book of the Law of the Lord, p. 15; handwriting of
Robert B. Thompson
1 Oct. 1811–27 Aug. 1841. Clerk, editor. Born in Great Driffield, Yorkshire, England. Methodist. Immigrated to Upper Canada, 1834. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by Parley P. Pratt, May 1836, in Upper Canada. Ordained an elder by...
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; CHL. For more complete source information, see the source note for Revelation, 19 Jan. 1841 [D&C 124].

Historical Introduction
JS dictated a revelation on 20 March 1841, directing
William Allred
24 Dec. 1819–8 Jan. 1901. Carpenter. Born in Bedford Co., Tennessee. Son of Isaac Allred and Mary Calvert. Moved to Missouri, ca. 1829. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 10 Sept. 1832. Moved to Clay Co., Missouri, 1835; to Caldwell...
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and
Henry Miller
1 May 1807–9 Oct. 1885. Carpenter, builder, farmer. Born in Lexington, Greene Co., New York. Family resided at Windham, Greene Co., 1810. Son of James Miller and Ruth Arnold. Moved to Illinois, ca. 1829. Married first Elmira Pond, 19 June 1831. Baptized into...
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to assist in the effort to build the
Nauvoo House
Located in lower portion of Nauvoo (the flats) along bank of Mississippi River. JS revelation, dated 19 Jan. 1841, instructed Saints to build boardinghouse for travelers and immigrants. Construction of planned three-story building to be funded by fifty-dollar...
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. The revelation was given at a time when JS was trying to consolidate
Latter-day Saint
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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settlement in and around
Nauvoo
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, Illinois, and focusing efforts on constructing the Nauvoo
temple
Located in portion of Nauvoo known as the bluff. JS revelation dated Jan. 1841 commanded Saints to build temple and hotel (Nauvoo House). Cornerstone laid, 6 Apr. 1841. Saints volunteered labor, money, and other resources for temple construction. Construction...
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and the Nauvoo House in accordance with a January 1841 revelation.
1
See Revelation, 19 Jan. 1841 [D&C 124].
JS dictated this 20 March revelation in response to a specific question from Allred and Miller. Though
Robert B. Thompson
1 Oct. 1811–27 Aug. 1841. Clerk, editor. Born in Great Driffield, Yorkshire, England. Methodist. Immigrated to Upper Canada, 1834. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by Parley P. Pratt, May 1836, in Upper Canada. Ordained an elder by...
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recorded 20 March as the date of the revelation, he did not record the precise date Allred and Miller made their inquiry, listing only “March” and leaving a space for the exact date to be written later. It is possible the two men posed their question several days before the revelation was dictated.

A few weeks after this revelation was dictated, the cornerstones of the
Nauvoo
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temple
Located in portion of Nauvoo known as the bluff. JS revelation dated Jan. 1841 commanded Saints to build temple and hotel (Nauvoo House). Cornerstone laid, 6 Apr. 1841. Saints volunteered labor, money, and other resources for temple construction. Construction...
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were laid during a ceremony preceding a general church
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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. During the conference, JS spoke on the necessity of building not only the temple but also “the
Nauvoo Boarding House
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, that suitable accommodations might be afforded for the strangers who might visit this city.” At that same conference meeting, the charter for the
Nauvoo House Association
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was read.
2
Minutes, 7–11 Apr. 1841.

The revelation’s appointment of
Allred
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and
Miller
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to assist the Nauvoo House Association anticipated the eventual dissolution of the
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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stakes
Ecclesiastical organization of church members in a particular locale. Stakes were typically large local organizations of church members; stake leaders could include a presidency, a high council, and a bishopric. Some revelations referred to stakes “to” or...
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of
Pleasant Vale
Settled by 1823. Post office established, 26 Apr. 1827. Population of area later bolstered by Latter-day Saint immigration. Stake of Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints organized in area, by Mar. 1841. Stake discontinued by letter from JS, 24 May ...
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and Freedom, where Allred was a
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 Miller was a stake
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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. In a 24 May 1841 letter, JS instructed members that “all the stakes, excepting those in this county [
Hancock
Formed from Pike Co., 1825. Described in 1837 as predominantly prairie and “deficient in timber.” Early settlers came mainly from mid-Atlantic and southern states. Population in 1835 about 3,200; in 1840 about 9,900; and in 1844 at least 15,000. Carthage ...
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], and in
Lee county
First permanent settlement established, 1820. Organized 1837. Population in 1838 about 2,800; in 1840 about 6,100; in 1844 about 9,800; and in 1846 about 13,000. Following expulsion from Missouri, 1838–1839, many Saints found refuge in eastern Iowa Territory...
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, Iowa, are discontinued, and the saints instructed to settle in this county as soon as circumstances will permit.”
3
Letter to the Saints Abroad, 24 May 1841. Despite this clear directive that the stakes be dissolved, some stake organizations apparently continued. In September 1841, William Draper wrote Brigham Young, president of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, to report on the “proceedings of a conference held in our stake” in Pleasant Vale, Illinois. The stake in Kirtland, Ohio, also continued to function after receiving this directive. (William Draper, Pleasant Vale, IL, to Brigham Young, Nauvoo, IL, 25 Sept. 1841, Brigham Young Office Files, CHL; Letter from Almon Babbitt, 19 Oct. 1841.)
Comprehensive Works Cited
Brigham Young Office Files, 1832–1878. CHL. CR 1234 1.
In accordance with the revelation featured here, on 10 April 1841 Miller and Allred received $4,000 and $500, respectively, in
Nauvoo House
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stock certificates “to sell and account for.”
4
Henry Miller and William Allred, Receipt, Nauvoo, IL, to Nauvoo House Association, 10 Apr. 1841, Nauvoo House Association, Records, CHL.
Nauvoo House Association. Records, 1841–1846. CHL. MS 2375.
Footnotes
[1]
See Revelation, 19 Jan. 1841 [D&C 124].
[2]
Minutes, 7–11 Apr. 1841.
[3]
Letter to the Saints Abroad, 24 May 1841. Despite this clear directive that the stakes be dissolved, some stake organizations apparently continued. In September 1841, William Draper wrote Brigham Young, president of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, to report on the “proceedings of a conference held in our stake” in Pleasant Vale, Illinois. The stake in Kirtland, Ohio, also continued to function after receiving this directive. (William Draper, Pleasant Vale, IL, to Brigham Young, Nauvoo, IL, 25 Sept. 1841, Brigham Young Office Files, CHL; Letter from Almon Babbitt, 19 Oct. 1841.)
Brigham Young Office Files, 1832–1878. CHL. CR 1234 1.
[4]
Henry Miller and William Allred, Receipt, Nauvoo, IL, to Nauvoo House Association, 10 Apr. 1841, Nauvoo House Association, Records, CHL.
Nauvoo House Association. Records, 1841–1846. CHL. MS 2375.
Asterisk (*) denotes a "featured" version, which includes an introduction and annotation. *Revelation, 20 March 1841 *The Book of the Law of the Lord History, 1838–1856, volume C-1 [2 November 1838–31 July 1842] “History of Joseph Smith”
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City of
Nauvoo
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March [blank] 1841

Brother
William Allred
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,
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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of the
Stake
Ecclesiastical organization of church members in a particular locale. Stakes were typically large local organizations of church members; stake leaders could include a presidency, a high council, and a bishopric. Some revelations referred to stakes “to” or...
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at
Pleasent Vale
Settled by 1823. Post office established, 26 Apr. 1827. Population of area later bolstered by Latter-day Saint immigration. Stake of Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints organized in area, by Mar. 1841. Stake discontinued by letter from JS, 24 May ...
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,
1
During the October 1839 general church conference in Nauvoo, William Draper informed JS about the growth of church membership in Pike County, Illinois. JS encouraged Draper to continue his preaching efforts there, indicating that when the membership reached one hundred, JS would authorize the creation of a stake. In the following weeks, JS sent Hyrum Smith and George Miller to organize a stake in Pleasent Vale, Illinois, appointing Draper as president and William Allred as bishop. (Draper, Autobiography, 20–22.)
Draper, William. Autobiography, 1881. CHL. MS 819.
and also Brother
Henry W. Miller
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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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of the Stake at Freedom,
2
In an October 1840 general conference meeting, Miller requested the creation of a stake in Adams County, Illinois, where he resided. According to the minutes of that conference, “An opportunity was given to the brethren who had any remarks to make suitable locations for stakes. Elder H. Miller stated that it was the desire of a number of the brethren residing in Adams county to have a stake appointed at Mount Ephraim in that county, and stated the advantages of the place for agricultural purposes &c. On motion. Resolved, that a stake be appointed at Mount Ephraim in Adams county.” On 27 October 1840, Miller was appointed president of the newly created Freedom stake, near Payson in Adams County. (Minutes and Discourse, 3–5 Oct. 1840; JS History, vol. C-1 Addenda Book, 1.)
desire
President
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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Joseph Smith to enquire of the Lord, his will concerning them.

City of
Nauvoo
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March 20th. 1841

Let my servants
William Allred
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, and
Henry W Miller
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have an
agency
A specific church office and, more generally, someone “entrusted with the business of another.” Agents in the church assisted other ecclesiastical officers, especially the bishop in his oversight of the church’s temporal affairs. A May 1831 revelation instructed...
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for the selling of stock for the
Nauvoo House
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, and assist my servants
Lyman Wight
9 May 1796–31 Mar. 1858. Farmer. Born at Fairfield, Herkimer Co., New York. Son of Levi Wight Jr. and Sarah Corbin. Served in War of 1812. Married Harriet Benton, 5 Jan. 1823, at Henrietta, Monroe Co., New York. Moved to Warrensville, Cuyahoga Co., Ohio, ...
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,
Peter Hawes [Haws]
17 Feb. 1796–1862. Farmer, miller, businessman. Born in Leeds Co., Johnstown District (later in Ontario), Upper Canada. Son of Edward Haws and Polly. Married Charlotte Harrington. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Moved to Kirtland...
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,
George Miller
25 Nov. 1794–after July 1856. Carpenter, mill operator, lumber dealer, steamboat owner. Born near Stanardsville, Orange Co., Virginia. Son of John Miller and Margaret Pfeiffer. Moved to Augusta Co., Virginia, 1798; to Madison Co., Kentucky, 1806; to Boone...
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and
John Snider
11 Feb. 1800–19 Dec. 1875. Farmer, mason, stonecutter. Born in New Brunswick, Canada. Son of Martin Snyder and Sarah Armstrong. Married Mary Heron, 28 Feb. 1822. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1836, at Toronto. Stockholder in Kirtland...
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in building said
house
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,
3
A revelation dictated by JS two months earlier appointed Wight, Haws, Miller, and Snider to a “quorum” in charge of building the Nauvoo House and instructed them to “form a constitution whereby they may receive stock, for the building of that house.” (Revelation, 19 Jan. 1841 [D&C 124:62–63].)
and let my servants
William Allred
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and
Henry W. Miller
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take stock in the
house
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, that the poor of my people may have employment,
4
Many of those living in and coming to Nauvoo were poor, including hundreds of people immigrating to the city from England. (Vinson Knight, “Proclamation,” Times and Seasons, 1 Mar. 1841, 2:341; see also Letter to Quorum of the Twelve, 15 Dec. 1840; and Historical Introduction to Letter to Vilate Murray Kimball, 2 Mar. 1841.)
Times and Seasons. Commerce/Nauvoo, IL. Nov. 1839–Feb. 1846.
and that accomodations may be made for the strangers who shall come to visit this place,
5
A January 1841 revelation called for the Nauvoo House to be built for the “boarding of strangers.” (Revelation, 19 Jan. 1841 [D&C 124:23, 56].)
and for this purpose let them devote all their properties saith the Lord. [p. 15]
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Footnotes
[1]
During the October 1839 general church conference in Nauvoo, William Draper informed JS about the growth of church membership in Pike County, Illinois. JS encouraged Draper to continue his preaching efforts there, indicating that when the membership reached one hundred, JS would authorize the creation of a stake. In the following weeks, JS sent Hyrum Smith and George Miller to organize a stake in Pleasent Vale, Illinois, appointing Draper as president and William Allred as bishop. (Draper, Autobiography, 20–22.)
Draper, William. Autobiography, 1881. CHL. MS 819.
[2]
In an October 1840 general conference meeting, Miller requested the creation of a stake in Adams County, Illinois, where he resided. According to the minutes of that conference, “An opportunity was given to the brethren who had any remarks to make suitable locations for stakes. Elder H. Miller stated that it was the desire of a number of the brethren residing in Adams county to have a stake appointed at Mount Ephraim in that county, and stated the advantages of the place for agricultural purposes &c. On motion. Resolved, that a stake be appointed at Mount Ephraim in Adams county.” On 27 October 1840, Miller was appointed president of the newly created Freedom stake, near Payson in Adams County. (Minutes and Discourse, 3–5 Oct. 1840; JS History, vol. C-1 Addenda Book, 1.)
[3]
A revelation dictated by JS two months earlier appointed Wight, Haws, Miller, and Snider to a “quorum” in charge of building the Nauvoo House and instructed them to “form a constitution whereby they may receive stock, for the building of that house.” (Revelation, 19 Jan. 1841 [D&C 124:62–63].)
[4]
Many of those living in and coming to Nauvoo were poor, including hundreds of people immigrating to the city from England. (Vinson Knight, “Proclamation,” Times and Seasons, 1 Mar. 1841, 2:341; see also Letter to Quorum of the Twelve, 15 Dec. 1840; and Historical Introduction to Letter to Vilate Murray Kimball, 2 Mar. 1841.)
Times and Seasons. Commerce/Nauvoo, IL. Nov. 1839–Feb. 1846.
[5]
A January 1841 revelation called for the Nauvoo House to be built for the “boarding of strangers.” (Revelation, 19 Jan. 1841 [D&C 124:23, 56].)