Letter to Stephen Post, 17 September 1838
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Source Note
JS and , Letter, , Caldwell Co., MO, to , Bloomfield Township, Crawford Co., PA, 17 Sept. 1838; handwriting of ; three pages; Stephen Post, Papers, CHL. Includes address, postal stamp, and wafer seal.Bifolium measuring 12⅝ × 7⅞ inches (32 × 20 cm). The letter was trifolded and gatefolded before being sealed with a red wafer and addressed for mailing. A hole along one of the folds, apparently caused by rodents, obscures text on both sides of the first leaf. The letter was retained by ’s family until his grandson Edward O. Post donated the letter and other correspondence to the LDS church in July 1971.
Footnotes
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1
Evans, Register of the Stephen Post Papers, 3.
Evans, Max J. Register of the Stephen Post Papers in the Church Archives, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Salt Lake City: Historical Department of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1975.
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Historical Introduction
On 17 September 1838, JS and wrote to church member , answering several questions he posed in a letter that is apparently not extant. Post was baptized in 1835 and was to the office of and then in 1836. After a brief stay in , Ohio, during winter 1835–1836, Post returned to his home in Crawford County, Pennsylvania, which was relatively close to church headquarters in Kirtland, likely enabling him to regularly receive news about the church via traveling elders and the church’s newspapers. In 1836–1838 he spent considerable time preaching in surrounding neighborhoods and towns. On 1 August 1838, after the vast majority of had moved to , Post wrote to JS, seemingly in preparation to move to Missouri. In his letter, Post apparently requested news about the church and clarification of some doctrines. Post’s letter likely arrived in by late August, when a doctrinal treatise he wrote—and probably enclosed in his letter to JS—was published in the Elders’ Journal. As JS explained in the reply to Post’s letter, JS was too busy to respond immediately to Post’s missive, possibly because of ongoing legal difficulties stemming from the 8 August confrontation with .JS prepared his response to on 17 September, with acting as scribe. Although the entire letter is written in first-person singular, signed the document along with JS. The letter contains several copying errors, such as repeated and canceled words, suggesting that the version Robinson sent to Post is a copy of a draft that is no longer extant. Robinson added his name as scribe before folding and addressing the letter. The missive was not mailed until 3 October; Post presumably received it sometime in late October or early November.
Footnotes
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1
Post, Journal, 14 July 1835; 27 Jan. and 13 Feb. 1836; Quorums of the Seventy, “Book of Records,” 9.
Post, Stephen. Journals, 1835–1879. Stephen Post, Papers, 1835–1921. CHL. MS 1304, box 6.
Record of Seventies / First Council of the Seventy. “Book of Records,” 1837–1843. Bk. A. In First Council of the Seventy, Records, 1837–1885. CHL. CR 3 51, box 1, fd. 1.
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2
Post, Journal, 30 Nov. 1835–4 Apr. 1836; see also, for example, Post, Journal, 6 Feb. and 25 Apr. 1837.
Post, Stephen. Journals, 1835–1879. Stephen Post, Papers, 1835–1921. CHL. MS 1304, box 6.
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3
Post, Journal, 13 Apr. 1836–2 Sept. 1838.
Post, Stephen. Journals, 1835–1879. Stephen Post, Papers, 1835–1921. CHL. MS 1304, box 6.
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4
Stephen Post, “Reflections on the Order of God and Effects Flowing from It,” Elders’ Journal, Aug. 1838, 49–50. The August edition of the Elders’ Journal was published sometime after 15 August 1838. (See Historical Introduction to Elders’ Journal, Aug. 1838.)
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See Historical Introduction to Affidavit, 5 Sept. 1838; Historical Introduction to Recognizance, 7 Sept. 1838; and Historical Introduction to Letter from Austin A. King, 10 Sept. 1838.
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Document Transcript
| Joseph Smith Jr. | |
Footnotes
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1
In his letter, Post apparently asked about the status of the Elders’ Journal. He probably had not yet received the first issue of the Elders’ Journal published at Far West, Missouri, dated July 1838, but he may have had access to the 30 April 1838 prospectus announcing the resumption of the paper. He was likely interested in the paper as a way to remain connected with other believers, and he may also have been interested in writing for the newspaper. When sending his 1 August letter to JS, Post apparently enclosed a theological treatise on the order of God that he presumably wrote for publication in the paper. (See Prospectus for Elders’ Journal, 30 Apr. 1838; and Stephen Post, “Reflections on the Order of God and Effects Flowing from It,” Elders’ Journal, Aug. 1838, 49–50.)
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2
Kimball arrived in Far West on 22 July 1838, and Hyde arrived sometime between then and 29 July. (Reynolds Cahoon, Far West, MO, to Newel K. Whitney, Kirtland, OH, 23 July 1838, CHL; JS, Journal, 29 July 1838; see also Letter from Heber C. Kimball and Orson Hyde, between 22 and 28 May 1838.)
Cahoon, Reynolds, and Edward Partridge. Letter, Far West, MO, to Newel K. Whitney, Kirtland Mills, OH, 23 and 24 July 1838. CHL.
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3
JS was likely referring to the Journal of Heber C. Kimball, published in 1840. Publication of this pamphlet was likely delayed because of the 1838 conflict with Missourians and the expulsion of the Latter-day Saints from Missouri in winter 1838–1839. (See Robert B. Thompson, ed., Journal of Heber C. Kimball, an Elder of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints [Nauvoo, IL: Robinson and Smith, 1840].)
Thompson, Robert B. Journal of Heber C. Kimball an Elder of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Nauvoo, IL: Robinson and Smith, 1840.
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4
Under the direction of Hyde and Kimball, over fifteen hundred individuals were baptized in England. Although the exact number of elders is unknown, Joseph Fielding stated that when the two apostles departed, at least seventy-seven men had been ordained to priesthood offices. (Allen et al., Men with a Mission, 52–53; Fielding, Journal, 1837–1838, 59.)
Allen, James B., Ronald K. Esplin, and David J. Whittaker. Men with a Mission, 1837–1841: The Quorum of the Twelve Apostles in the British Isles. Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 1992.
Fielding, Joseph. Journals, 1837–1859. CHL. MS 1567.
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5
On 17 September 1837, a conference of elders at Kirtland resolved “it was necessary that there be more Stakes of Zion appointed in order that the poor might have a place to gather to.” The elders therefore requested that JS and Sidney Rigdon “go & appoint other Stakes or places of gathering.” The next day, the bishopric at Kirtland wrote a memorial likewise calling upon JS and Rigdon to organize additional stakes for the Saints. In response, JS and Rigdon appointed a committee in November to locate sites for settlement in Missouri. This decision was published in the November 1837 issue of the Elders’ Journal, which Post likely read. A revelation on 12 January 1838 clarified that stakes must be appointed and dedicated by the First Presidency. (Minutes, 17 Sept. 1837–B; Newel K. Whitney et al., To the Saints Scattered Abroad, the Bishop and His Counselors of Kirtland Send Greeting [Kirtland, OH: ca. Sept. 1837], copy at CHL; Newel K. Whitney et al., Kirtland, OH, to “the Saints scattered abroad,” 18 Sept. 1837, in LDS Messenger and Advocate, Sept. 1837, 3:561–564; Travel Account and Questions, Nov. 1837; Revelation, 12 Jan. 1838–B.)
To the Saints Scattered Abroad, the Bishop and His Counselors of Kirtland Send Greeting. [Kirtland, OH: 18 Sept. 1837]. CHL.
Latter Day Saints’ Messenger and Advocate. Kirtland, OH. Oct. 1834–Sept. 1837.
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6
TEXT: “[Page torn]and”.
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JS taught that Adam-ondi-Ahman was where Adam and Eve lived after their expulsion from the Garden of Eden. JS organized a stake at Adam-ondi-Ahman on 28 June 1838. (See Minutes, 28 June 1838.)
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8
Although JS identified De Witt as a stake in this letter, it is unknown whether a stake was ever formally organized there. A month after this letter was written, Latter-day Saint Albert P. Rockwood wrote that “De Witt was not an appointed stake of Zion.” (See Rockwood, Journal, 14 Oct. 1838; see also Reed Peck, Quincy, IL, to “Dear Friends,” 18 Sept. 1839, pp. 20–21, Henry E. Huntington Library, San Marino, CA.)
Rockwood, Albert Perry. Journal Entries, Oct. 1838–Jan. 1839. Photocopy. CHL. MS 2606.
Peck, Reed. Letter, Quincy, IL, to “Dear Friends,” 18 Sept. 1839. Henry E. Huntington Library, San Marino, CA.
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9
Post may have asked about the construction of a House of the Lord in Missouri because of his noteworthy experience during the 1836 dedication of the House of the Lord in Kirtland. In his journal, Post described his experience as a “pentecost” like that described in Acts, chapter 2, of the New Testament. Post wrote, “Angels of God came into the room, cloven tongues rested upon some of the servants of the Lord like unto fire, & they spake with tongues & prophesied.” (Post, Journal, 27–31 Mar. 1836.)
Post, Stephen. Journals, 1835–1879. Stephen Post, Papers, 1835–1921. CHL. MS 1304, box 6.
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10
The Saints commenced work on the cellar in summer 1837. They continued until November, when JS directed church members to cease constructing the House of the Lord. A revelation on 26 April 1838 instructed the Saints to resume construction, and on 4 July 1838 JS presided over the dedication of the cornerstones. (Letter from William W. Phelps, 7 July 1837; Minutes, 6 Nov. 1837; Revelation, 26 Apr. 1838 [D&C 115:8]; “Celebration of the 4th of July,” Elders’ Journal, Aug. 1838, 60.)
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11
During spring and summer 1838, several small companies of Latter-day Saints journeyed from Ohio to join the main body of Saints in Missouri. (See Rockwood, Journal, 14 Oct. 1838.)
Rockwood, Albert Perry. Journal Entries, Oct. 1838–Jan. 1839. Photocopy. CHL. MS 2606.
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12
TEXT: Possibly “comp[any]”.
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13
At the time JS dictated this letter, Page was leading a company of Saints from Upper Canada to Missouri. While on the road, Page’s company joined with a larger company of Saints traveling to Missouri from Kirtland. This larger company, known as the “Kirtland Camp,” contained over five hundred Saints. At some point, Page likely wrote to JS about the progress of this large company and other groups Page met on the way. On 17 September, the day JS replied to Post, the Kirtland Camp passed through Jacksonville, Illinois—approximately two hundred miles from Far West. The company did not arrive at its final destination of Adam-ondi-Ahman until 4 October 1838. (Page, Journal Synopsis, [1]–[2]; Kirtland Camp, Journal, 13 Mar.–2 Oct. 1838; Tyler, Journal, 4 Oct. 1838, 74–75.)
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14
On 26 April 1838, JS dictated a revelation directing that “the City Far West should be built up spedily, by the gathering of my Saints,” and that JS should appoint further locations for gathering. (See Revelation, 26 Apr. 1838 [D&C 115:17–18].)
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15
JS was likely referring to land patents granted by the federal government’s General Land Office. In 1836 JS and many other Latter-day Saints began acquiring patent titles for land in Caldwell County. JS’s own application was approved just ten days prior to the date of this letter, though the news had not yet reached JS. (See Application for Land Patent, 22 June 1836; and Land Patent, 7 Sept. 1838.)
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16
JS was discussing a type of land speculation that increased in the western United States in the mid-1830s. In 1839, land speculator and recent Latter-day Saint convert Isaac Galland explained to a friend that the Illinois courts in particular expressed a preference for patent titles over other legal claims. “Patents are therefore in demand,” Galland reported, “and you may venture to purchase all that you can get at a fair price.” (Isaac Galland, Chillicothe, OH, to Samuel Swasey, North Haverhill, NH, 22 July 1839, CCLA; see also Rohrbough, Land Office Business, 221–249.)
Galland, Isaac. Letter, Chillicothe, OH, to Samuel Swasey, North Haverhill, NH, 22 July 1839. CCLA.
Rohrbough, Malcolm J. The Land Office Business: The Settlement and Administration of American Public Lands, 1789–1837. New York: Ocford University Press, 1968.
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17
By the late 1830s, many banks in the eastern United States had expanded their spheres of influence westward, and most western banks depended on eastern capital for financial stability. (Bodenhorn, History of Banking in Antebellum America, 185–189, 193–195; Knodell, “Interregional Financial Integration,” 291.)
Bodenhorn, Howard. A History of Banking in Antebellum America: Financial Markets and Economic Development in an Era of Nation-Building. New York: Cambridge University Press, 2000.
Knodell, Jane. “Interregional Financial Integration and the Banknote Market: The Old Northwest, 1815–1845.” Journal of Economic History 48, no. 2 (June 1988): 287–298.
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19
In later census records, Post was identified as a blacksmith, suggesting that he may have asked JS about the prospect of blacksmithing in Missouri. (1850 U.S. Census, Rome Township, Crawford Co., PA, 270[A].)
Census (U.S.) / U.S. Bureau of the Census. Population Schedules. Microfilm. FHL.
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20
See Ezekiel 37:19. Post recorded using this passage in a sermon nearly four months prior to his letter to JS. (Post, Journal, 15 Apr. 1838.)
Post, Stephen. Journals, 1835–1879. Stephen Post, Papers, 1835–1921. CHL. MS 1304, box 6.
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21
Ephraim was one of two sons of Joseph, son of Jacob, in the Old Testament. Several JS revelations in 1831 associated descent from Ephraim with membership in the church. (See, for example, Revelation, 11 Sept. 1831 [D&C 64:36]; Revelation, 29 Oct. 1831 [D&C 66]; Revelation, 3 Nov. 1831 [D&C 133:30–34]; and Mauss, “In Search of Ephraim,” 145–147.)
Mauss, Armand. “In Search of Ephraim: Traditional Mormon Conceptions of Lineage and Race.” Journal of Mormon History 25, no. 1 (Spring 1999): 131–173.
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22
The Book of Mormon states that the Nephites and the Lamanites were descendants of Manasseh, a son of Joseph in the Old Testament. (See Book of Mormon, 1830 ed., 248 [Alma 10:3].)
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23
TEXT: “[Page torn]cord”.
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The Book of Mormon and JS’s revelations taught that the prophecy in Ezekiel chapter 37 of the Old Testament, which mentions the “stick of Joseph,” was a reference to the writings of the Nephites in the Book of Mormon. (See Book of Mormon, 1830 ed., 67 [2 Nephi 3:11–12]; and Revelation, ca. Aug. 1835 [D&C 27:5].)
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25
See Isaiah 35:10; Revelation, ca. 7 Mar. 1831 [D&C 45:71]; Revelation, 29 Oct. 1831 [D&C 66:11]; and Minutes and Prayer of Dedication, 27 Mar. 1836 [D&C 109:39].
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Postage in unidentified handwriting.
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Postmark stamped in red ink.
