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Minutes and Discourse, 3–5 October 1840

Source Note

General Conference Minutes, and JS, Discourse, , Hancock Co., IL, 3–5 Oct. 1840. Featured version published in “Minutes of the General Conference,” Times and Seasons, Oct. 1840, 185–187. For more complete source information, see the source note for Letter to Isaac Galland, 22 Mar. 1839.

Historical Introduction

JS presided over a general of the in , Illinois, from 3 to 5 October 1840. The conference originally was scheduled to begin on 2 October but was delayed due to inclement weather. Nevertheless, four to five thousand people attended the conference, according to estimates. One observer believed the conference was “the largest company of People that I ever saw together on a religious ocation [occasion].” The assembly likely met at the meeting grounds near ’s house in the southwest part of the Nauvoo peninsula. The conference discussed business related to responding to crime in the area; constructing a in Nauvoo; drafting a city charter; organizing church units and leadership in and , Ohio; and creating another committee to try to obtain redress for the Saints’ expulsion from .
One of the conference’s significant participants was , who had recently arrived in after corresponding with JS and in previous months. Although Bennett was a new convert, the conference placed a great deal of responsibility on him, especially by enlisting him to help obtain legal incorporation for the city of Nauvoo. Bennett held political clout in as the current quartermaster general of the Illinois militia and the former brigadier general of the Invincible Dragoons, a division of the Illinois militia. Hoping to capitalize on Bennett’s influence, the conference appointed him to support efforts to obtain a city charter for Nauvoo from the state legislature.
At the conference, JS spoke on a new church doctrine: members could be on behalf of deceased persons. JS had mentioned this concept on 15 August 1840 during a funeral sermon for . On that occasion, according to reminiscent accounts, JS read from 1 Corinthians 15 and promised Jane Harper Neyman, a woman in attendance who was grieving the death of her unbaptized son, that she “shou[ld] have glad tidings in that thing,” “that thing” meaning vicarious baptism. Although the following minutes of the conference do not preserve the details of JS’s instruction, two accounts confirm that JS provided the conference with additional guidance about baptism for the dead. Specifically, JS explained, “it is the privilege of this church to be baptised for all their kinsfolks that have died before this Gospel came forth; even back to their great Grandfather and Mother if they have ben personally acquainted with them.” The Saints were not to be baptized for their “acquaintances unless they [the deceased] send a ministering spirit to their friends on earth.” When someone was baptized on behalf of the deceased, the deceased would be “released from prison and they [the living Latter-day Saint] can claim them in the resurrection and bring them into the celestial kingdom.” JS may have been familiar with the entry on “Baptism for the Dead” in Charles Buck’s theological dictionary, which stated that it was a “practice formerly in use, when a person dying without baptism” would depend upon another to be “baptized in his stead; thus supposing that God would accept the baptism of the proxy, as though it had been administered to the principal.” In the first vicarious baptisms took place in the as early as 13 September 1840. According to , “During conference there were sometimes from eight to ten in the river at a time baptiseing” for the dead. The Saints may have performed baptisms while the conference took place because JS encouraged them to “liberate their friends from bondage as quick as posable [possible].”
served as clerk of the conference and took the minutes, which were then published in the October 1840 issue of the Times and Seasons.

Footnotes

  1. [1]

    Editorial, Times and Seasons, Oct. 1840, 1:184; Benjamin Dobson, “The Mormons,” Peoria (IL) Register and North-Western Gazetteer, 30 Oct. 1840, [1]; Vilate Murray Kimball, Nauvoo, IL, to Heber C. Kimball, 11 Oct. 1840, photocopy, Vilate Murray Kimball, Letters, 1840, CHL.

    Times and Seasons. Commerce/Nauvoo, IL. Nov. 1839–Feb. 1846.

    Peoria Register and North-Western Gazetteer. Peoria, IL. 1837–1843.

    Kimball, Vilate Murray. Letters, 1840. Photocopy. CHL.

  2. [2]

    John Smith, Journal, 1840–1841, 2–10 Oct. 1840.

    Smith, John (1781-1854). Journal, 1833–1841. John Smith, Papers, 1833-1854. CHL. MS 1326, box 1, fd. 1.

  3. [3]

    Franklin D. Richards, Walnut Grove, IL, to Levi Richards, West Stockbridge, MA, 21 July 1840, CHL.

    Richards, Franklin D. Letter, Walnut Grove, IL, to Levi Richards, East Stockbridge, MA, 21 July 1840. CHL.

  4. [4]

    See Letters from John C. Bennett, 25, 27, and 30 July 1840; Letter to John C. Bennett, 8 Aug. 1840; and Letter from John C. Bennett, 15 Aug. 1840.

  5. [5]

    Letter from John C. Bennett, 25 July 1840.

  6. [6]

    See Letter to Quorum of the Twelve, 15 Dec. 1840. Brunson, a member of the Nauvoo high council and a lieutenant colonel in the Nauvoo Legion, died on 10 August 1840. (Obituary for Seymour Brunson, Times and Seasons, Sept. 1840, 1:176.)

    Times and Seasons. Commerce/Nauvoo, IL. Nov. 1839–Feb. 1846.

  7. [7]

    Simon Baker, “15 Aug. 1840 Minutes of Recollection of Joseph Smith’s Sermon,” JS Collection, CHL; see also Jane Harper Neyman and Vienna Jaques, Statement, 29 Nov. 1854, Historian’s Office, JS History Documents, ca. 1839–1860, CHL.

    Smith, Joseph. Collection, 1827–1846. CHL. MS 155.

    Historian’s Office. Joseph Smith History Documents, 1839–1860. CHL. CR 100 396.

  8. [8]

    Vilate Murray Kimball, Nauvoo, IL, to Heber C. Kimball, 11 Oct. 1840, photocopy, Vilate Murray Kimball, Letters, 1840, CHL.

    Kimball, Vilate Murray. Letters, 1840. Photocopy. CHL.

  9. [9]

    Phebe Carter Woodruff, Lee Co., Iowa Territory, to Wilford Woodruff, 6–19 Oct. 1840, digital scan, Wilford Woodruff, Collection, CHL.

    Woodruff, Wilford. Collection, 1831–1905. CHL. MS 19509.

  10. [10]

    Phebe Carter Woodruff, Lee Co., Iowa Territory, to Wilford Woodruff, 6–19 Oct. 1840, digital scan, Wilford Woodruff, Collection, CHL.

    Woodruff, Wilford. Collection, 1831–1905. CHL. MS 19509.

  11. [11]

    Buck, Theological Dictionary, 38.

    Buck, Charles. A Theological Dictionary, Containing Definitions of All Religious Terms: A Comprehensive View of Every Article in the System of Divinity. . . . Philadelphia: W. W. Woodward, 1818.

  12. [12]

    Jane Harper Neyman and Vienna Jaques, Statement, 29 Nov. 1854, Historian’s Office, JS History Documents, ca. 1839–1860, CHL.

    Historian’s Office. Joseph Smith History Documents, 1839–1860. CHL. CR 100 396.

  13. [13]

    Vilate Murray Kimball, Nauvoo, IL, to Heber C. Kimball, 11 Oct. 1840, photocopy, Vilate Murray Kimball, Letters, 1840, CHL.

    Historian’s Office. Joseph Smith History Documents, 1839–1860. CHL. CR 100 396.

Asterisk (*) denotes a "featured" version, which includes an introduction and annotation. *Minutes and Discourse, 3–5 October 1840 History, 1838–1856, volume C-1 [2 November 1838–31 July 1842] “History of Joseph Smith”

Page 186

On motion. Resolved, that be appointed to preside over the in , and that he choose his own counc[i]llors.
adjourned for one hour.
One o’clock P. M. Conference met pursuant to adjournment.
An opportunity was given to the brethren who had any remarks to make on suitable locations for .
Elder stated that it was the desire of a number of the brethren residing in 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 .
There being several applications for the appointment of stakes, it was resolved that a committee be appointed to organize stakes between this and , and that
,
and
compose said committee.
The president then spoke of the necessity of building a “” in this place.
Whereupon it was resolved, that the saints build a house for the worship of God, and that , , and , be appointed a to build the same.
On motion. Resolved, that a commencement be made ten days from this date, and that every tenth day be appropriated for the building of said .
arose and stated that there were several individuals, who on moving to this place, had not settled with their creditors and had no recommend from the of the church were they had resided.
On motion. Resolved that those persons moving to this place, who do not bring a recommend, be disfellowshiped.
, M. D. then spoke at some length, on the oppression, to which the church had been subject, and remarked, that it was necessary for the brethren to stand by each other and resist every unlawful attempt at persecution.
Elder then addressed the meeting. Conference adjourned until to morrow morning.
Sunday morning. Conference met pursuant to adjournment, and was opened by prayer by .
The was then called upon to read the report of the presidency, in relation to the city plot. after which the president made some observations on the situation of the debts on the city plot and advised that a committee be appointed to raise funds to liquidate the same.
On motion. Resolved, that and compose said committee.
On motion. Resolved, that a committee be appointed to draught a bill for the incorporating of the town of , and other purposes.
Resolved, that Joseph Smith Jr. Dr. and , compose said committee.
Resolved that Dr. , be appointed delegate to , to urge the passage of said bill through the legislature.
President then rose and gave some general instructions to the church.
Conference adjourned for one hour.
One o’clock, P. M. Conference met pursuant to adjournment and was opened by prayer by Elder .
President Joseph Smith jr. then arose and delivered a discourse on the subject of for the dead. which was listened to with considerable interest, by the vast multitude assembled.
, from the committee, to draught a charter for the city, and for other purposes, reported the outlines of the same.
On motion. Resolved that the same be adopted.
then, made some very appropriate remarks on the duty of the saints in regard to those, who had, under circumstances of affliction, held out the hand of friendship, and that it was their duty to uphold such men and give them their suffrages, and support.
Elder then arose, and gave an account of the printing of another edition of the book of Mormon, and stated, that it was now nearly completed and that arrangements had been made for the printing of the hymn book book of doctrine and covenants, &c. [p. 186]
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Page 186

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Related Case Documents
Editorial Title
Minutes and Discourse, 3–5 October 1840
ID #
7359
Total Pages
3
Print Volume Location
JSP, D7:418–427
Handwriting on This Page
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Footnotes

  1. [11]

    Apparently, Babbitt was selected with the belief that Granger, who was then serving as the church’s presiding officer in Kirtland, was intending to relocate to Nauvoo. Babbitt was an unlikely choice as the stake’s new leader because his criticism of church leadership had been the subject of correspondence between JS and Granger in July 1840. On 5 September 1840, this exchange spurred JS to prefer charges against Babbitt before the Nauvoo high council. The charges included defamation of church leadership and the holding of secret meetings in the House of the Lord in Kirtland. On the following day, JS withdrew the charges and reconciled with Babbitt. (Letter to Oliver Granger, 26 Jan. 1841; Letter to Oliver Granger, between ca. 22 and ca. 28 July 1840; Minutes, 5–6 Sept. 1840.)

  2. [12]

    Babbitt selected Lester Brooks and Zebedee Coltrin as his counselors in May 1841. (Historian’s Office, JS History, Draft Notes, 22 May 1841, 10.)

  3. [13]

    One history noted that at the western boundary of Adams County, Illinois, along the Mississippi River, “lies some of the most fertile lands known for agricultural purposes.” (Collins and Perry, Past and Present of the City of Quincy and Adams County, Illinois, 261.)

    Collins, William H., and Cicero F. Perry. Past and Present of the City of Quincy and Adams County, Illinois. Chicago: S. J. Clarke Publishing, 1905.

  4. [14]

    The Mount Hope stake in Columbus, Adams County, was organized on 27 October 1840. On the same day, Henry Miller was appointed as president of the Freedom branch, near Payson in Adams County. (JS History, vol. C-1 Addenda Book, 1.)

  5. [15]

    JS emphasized the creation of new stakes in a discourse given around 19 July 1840. (Discourse, ca. 19 July 1840.)

  6. [16]

    JS had contemplated constructing a temple in Nauvoo as early as April 1840. In July 1840, JS preached on the importance of the Saints’ participation in this endeavor. (“A Glance at the Mormons,” Alexandria [VA] Gazette, 11 July 1840, [2]; Discourse, ca. 19 July 1840.)

    Alexandria Gazette. Alexandria, VA. 1834–1877.

  7. [17]

    Cahoon earlier served on the committee to build the House of the Lord in Kirtland. Cutler was recognized as “the Master workman” of the house of the Lord to be constructed in Far West, Missouri. (Minutes, 6 June 1833; Woodruff, Journal, 26 Apr. 1839.)

    Woodruff, Wilford. Journals, 1833–1898. Wilford Woodruff, Journals and Papers, 1828–1898. CHL. MS 1352.

  8. [18]

    According to a report of the conference that Phebe Carter Woodruff wrote for her husband, Wilford Woodruff, “they proposed building the Lord’s house by tytheing the people. . . . The people meet togather and work every tenth day.” Phebe also reported that a tentative building schedule was announced, which arranged for the workers to first collect materials in fall 1840 and then begin construction in spring 1841. The dimensions of the future temple were to be “100 feet by 120.” (Phebe Carter Woodruff, Lee Co., Iowa Territory, to Wilford Woodruff, 6–19 Oct. 1840, digital scan, Wilford Woodruff, Collection, CHL.)

    Woodruff, Wilford. Collection, 1831–1905. Digital scans. CHL. Originals in private possession.

  9. [19]

    The issue of individuals gathering to Nauvoo without paying off their debts was earlier discussed in a 20 February 1840 conference held at Freedom, Illinois. That conference decided to report to creditors anyone “leaving the bounds of this stake in debt, with the design of defrauding their creditors.” Since 1831, Saints gathering to Missouri had been required to carry to the bishop in Zion a certificate from the bishop in Ohio or from three elders in the branches where the migrating Saints resided. (“Minutes of a Conference,” Times and Seasons, 1 Apr. 1841, 2:372; Revelation, 4 Dec. 1831–C [D&C 72:24–25].)

    Times and Seasons. Commerce/Nauvoo, IL. Nov. 1839–Feb. 1846.

  10. [20]

    According to Phebe Carter Woodruff’s account of the conference, “Dr. Bennet (a quarter master general who has lately been baptized) [spoke] upon the subject of war, and by his talk you would conclude that the brethren expected war with Missouri sometime— he is a great orator.” (Phebe Carter Woodruff, Lee Co., Iowa Territory, to Wilford Woodruff, 6–19 Oct. 1840, digital scan, Wilford Woodruff, Collection, CHL.)

    Woodruff, Wilford. Collection, 1831–1905. Digital scans. CHL. Originals in private possession.

  11. [21]

    See Report of the First Presidency, 4 Oct. 1840. The report detailed positive developments in Nauvoo and throughout the church’s missions. In particular, it pointed to the building of a future temple in Nauvoo and the expected influx of Latter-day Saint immigrants from England.

  12. [22]

    The total purchase of over six hundred acres on the Commerce peninsula, including the city plot, cost $136,500. The total purchases in the region, including in Iowa Territory, reached nearly $190,000. (Bonds from Horace Hotchkiss, 12 Aug. 1839–A and B; Lee Co., IA, Land Records, 1836–1961, Deeds [South, Keokuk], vol. 1, pp. 507–509, microfilm 959,238; vol. 2, pp. 3–6, 13–16, microfilm 959,239, U.S. and Canada Record Collection, FHL; Cook, “Isaac Galland,” 270–275.)

    U.S. and Canada Record Collection. FHL.

    Cook, Lyndon W. “Isaac Galland—Mormon Benefactor.” BYU Studies 19 (Spring 1979): 261–284.

  13. [23]

    In June 1840, Bennett spent some time in Springfield, Illinois, serving on a jury for the United States Circuit Court of the District of Illinois. In July he expressed that he planned to attend the next legislative session. (Letters from John C. Bennett, 25 and 27 July 1840.)

  14. [24]

    Both Vilate Murray Kimball and Phebe Carter Woodruff described this sermon in letters to their husbands, who were then serving missions in Great Britain. (Vilate Murray Kimball, Nauvoo, IL, to Heber C. Kimball, 11 Oct. 1840, photocopy, Vilate Murray Kimball, Letters, 1840, CHL; Phebe Carter Woodruff, Lee Co., Iowa Territory, to Wilford Woodruff, 6–19 Oct. 1840, digital scan, Wilford Woodruff, Collection, CHL.)

    Woodruff, Wilford. Collection, 1831–1905. Digital scans. CHL. Originals in private possession.

  15. [25]

    For the completed charter, see Act to Incorporate the City of Nauvoo, 16 Dec. 1840.

  16. [26]

    Bennett was apparently suggesting that the Saints should be willing to endorse politicians who would support the passage of the charter that would incorporate the city of Nauvoo. In 1854 Illinois governor Thomas Ford recalled that Bennett had lobbied Whig and Democratic officials, leaving “both sides with the hope of Mormon favor; and both sides expected to receive their votes.” (Ford, History of Illinois, 263.)

    Ford, Thomas. A History of Illinois, from Its Commencement as a State in 1818 to 1847. Containing a Full Account of the Black Hawk War, the Rise, Progress, and Fall of Mormonism, the Alton and Lovejoy Riots, and Other Important and Interesting Events. Chicago: S. C. Griggs; New York: Ivison and Phinney, 1854.

  17. [27]

    In December 1839, due to a shortage of copies of the 1830 and 1837 editions of the Book of Mormon throughout the church, Hyrum Smith, acting on behalf of the First Presidency, and the Nauvoo high council determined that the Book of Mormon should be reprinted in Nauvoo. Difficulties with raising sufficient funds ultimately delayed these plans. With JS’s support, Ebenezer Robinson led an alternative plan to print in Cincinnati a revised edition of the Book of Mormon prepared by JS and Robinson. As Robinson later remembered, “Brother Joseph and I immediately went to work and compared a copy of the Kirtland edition with the first edition, by reading them entirely through, and I took one of the Kirtland edition as a copy for the stereotype edition.” (Letter from Parley P. Pratt, 22 Nov. 1839; Hyrum Smith, Nauvoo, IL, to Parley P. Pratt, New York City, NY, 22 Dec. 1839, in JS Letterbook 2, pp. 80–81; Minutes and Discourse, 13 Jan. 1840; Nauvoo High Council Minutes, 29 Dec. 1839, 39; [Don Carlos Smith], “To the Saints Scattered Abroad,” Times and Seasons, July 1840, 1:144; Ebenezer Robinson, “Items of Personal History of the Editor,” Return, May 1890, 259.)

    Nauvoo High Council Minutes, 1839–1845. CHL. LR 3102 22.

    Times and Seasons. Commerce/Nauvoo, IL. Nov. 1839–Feb. 1846.

    The Return. Davis City, IA, 1889–1891; Richmond, MO, 1892–1893; Davis City, 1895–1896; Denver, 1898; Independence, MO, 1899–1900.

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