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53992075

Celebration of the 4th of July, August 1838

CELEBRATION OF THE 4th OF JULY.

The order of the day for the 4th of July, as directed by the committee of arrangements.

The committee of arrangements, which had been previously chosen, to make arrange ments for the celebration of the 4th of July, and laying the corner stones of the temple

Plans for Far West included temple on central block. Latter-day Saints in Caldwell Co. made preparations for construction and commenced excavating for foundation, 3 July 1837. However, while visiting Latter-day Saints in Far West, 6 Nov. 1837, JS gave instructions...

, reported the following which was strictly ad hered to.

First that Presidents

The presiding body of the church. From the day of the church’s organization on 6 April 1830, JS and Oliver Cowdery led the church in their capacity as elders. An 11 November 1831 revelation directed that “the duty of the president of the office of the high...

Joseph Smith Jr. be president of the day, Hyrum Smith

9 Feb. 1800–27 June 1844. Farmer, cooper. Born at Tunbridge, Orange Co., Vermont. Son of Joseph Smith Sr. and Lucy Mack. Moved to Randolph, Orange Co., 1802; to Tunbridge, before May 1803; to Royalton, Windsor Co., Vermont, 1804; to Sharon, Windsor Co., by...

vice pres ident, and Sidney Rigdon

19 Feb. 1793–14 July 1876. Tanner, farmer, minister. Born at St. Clair, Allegheny Co., Pennsylvania. Son of William Rigdon and Nancy Gallaher. Joined United Baptists, ca. 1818. Preached at Warren, Trumbull Co., Ohio, and vicinity, 1819–1821. Married Phebe...

orator.

Second that Reynalds [Reynolds] Cahoon

30 Apr. 1790–29 Apr. 1861. Farmer, tanner, builder. Born at Cambridge, Washington Co., New York. Son of William Cahoon Jr. and Mehitable Hodges. Married Thirza Stiles, 11 Dec. 1810. Moved to northeastern Ohio, 1811. Located at Harpersfield, Ashtabula Co.,...

, be marshal of the day, and Col. George M. Hinkle

13 Nov. 1801–Nov. 1861. Merchant, physician, publisher, minister, farmer. Born in Jefferson Co., Kentucky. Son of Michael Hinkle and Nancy Higgins. Married first Sarah Ann Starkey. Baptized into LDS church, 1832. Moved to Far West, Caldwell Co., Missouri....

and Major Jefferson Hunt

22 Jan. 1804–11 May 1879. Farmer, colonizer, scout. Born at Bracken Co., Kentucky. Son of John Hunt and Martha Jenkins. Moved to Albion, Edwards Co., Illinois, 1816. Married Celia Mounts, 1 Dec. 1823, in Illinois. Baptized into LDS church by Charles Patten...

, be assistant marshals.

Third that George W. Robinson

14 May 1814–10 Feb. 1878. Clerk, postmaster, merchant, clothier, banker. Born at Pawlet, Rutland Co., Vermont. Baptized into LDS church and moved to Kirtland, Geauga Co., Ohio, by 1836. Clerk and recorder for Kirtland high council, beginning Jan. 1836. Married...

act as Colonel for the day; Philo Dibble

6 June 1806–7 June 1895. Farmer, real estate developer, ferryboat operator, merchant, boardinghouse operator. Born in Peru, Berkshire Co., Massachusetts. Son of Orator Dibble and Beulah Pomeroy. Moved to Granby, Hampshire Co., Massachusetts, by 1816. Moved...

, as Lieut. Colonel; Seymour Brunson

1 Dec. 1798–10 Aug. 1840. Farmer. Born at Plattsburg, Clinton Co., New York. Son of Reuben Brunson and Sally Clark. Served in War of 1812. Married Harriet Gould of Hector, Tompkins Co., New York, ca. 1823. Baptized into LDS church by Solomon Hancock, Jan....

as Major, and Reed Peck

1814–23 Aug. 1894. Millwright, farmer. Born in Bainbridge Township, Chenango Co., New York. Son of Hezekiah Peck and Martha Long. Baptized into LDS church, ca. 1830. Moved from New York to Ohio and then to Kaw Township, Jackson Co., Missouri, Apr.–July 1831...

as Adjutant.

Fourth that Jared Carter

14 June 1801–6 July 1849. Born at Killingworth, Middlesex Co., Connecticut. Son of Gideon Carter and Johanna Sims. Moved to Benson, Rutland Co., Vermont, by 1810. Married Lydia Ames, 20 Sept. 1823, at Benson. Moved to Chenango, Broome Co., New York, by Jan...

, Sampson Avard

23 Oct. 1800–15 Apr. 1869. Physician. Born at St. Peter, Isle of Guernsey, Channel Islands, Great Britain. Migrated to U.S., by 1830. Married Eliza, a native of Virginia. Located at North Carolina, 1830. Moved to Virginia, by 1831. Moved to Freedom, Beaver...

, and Cornelius P. Lott

27 Sept. 1798–6 July 1850. Farmer. Born in New York City. Son of Peter Lott and Mary Jane Smiley. Married Permelia Darrow, 27 Apr. 1823, in Bridgewater Township, Susquehanna Co., Pennsylvania. Lived in Bridgewater Township, 1830. Baptized into LDS church,...

, act as Generals, be fore whom, the military band shall pass in review.

Fifth that the procession commence form ing in the morning, at 10 o’clock A. M. in the following order.

First the Infant[r]y in front.

Second the civil procession as follows:

1st the patriarchs

An office in the Melchizedek Priesthood with the authority and responsibility to give inspired blessings similar to those given by the Old Testament patriarchs. Joseph Smith Sr. was the first appointed patriarch, ordained in December 1834. According to the...

of the Church

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...

.

2nd the President vice president

9 Feb. 1800–27 June 1844. Farmer, cooper. Born at Tunbridge, Orange Co., Vermont. Son of Joseph Smith Sr. and Lucy Mack. Moved to Randolph, Orange Co., 1802; to Tunbridge, before May 1803; to Royalton, Windsor Co., Vermont, 1804; to Sharon, Windsor Co., by...

19 Feb. 1793–14 July 1876. Tanner, farmer, minister. Born at St. Clair, Allegheny Co., Pennsylvania. Son of William Rigdon and Nancy Gallaher. Joined United Baptists, ca. 1818. Preached at Warren, Trumbull Co., Ohio, and vicinity, 1819–1821. Married Phebe...

, of the day.

3rd the Twelve

Members of a governing body in the church, with special administrative and proselytizing responsibilities. A June 1829 revelation commanded Oliver Cowdery and David Whitmer to call twelve disciples, similar to the twelve apostles in the New Testament and ...

.

4th the Presidents of the stake

The 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...

with the high Council

Although JS utilized councils of elders and high priests earlier in church government, the first standing high council of the church was organized in Kirtland, Ohio, on 17 February 1834. The second high council was organized a few months later in Clay County...

.

5th the Bishop and Council

Initially referred to a bishop’s ecclesiastical jurisdiction, but eventually described the ecclesiastical body comprising the bishop and his assistants, or counselors. John Corrill and Isaac Morley were called as assistants to Bishop Edward Partridge in 1831...

.

6th the architects.

7th the ladies, and then the gentleman of the civil procession.

Then the Cavalry brought up the rear.

After the procession was formed, which was exceedingly large. The whole marched to the notes of a small band of music under the direction of Dimick Huntington

26 May 1808–1 Feb. 1879. Farmer, blacksmith, shoemaker, constable, coroner, deputy sheriff, Indian interpreter. Born at Watertown, Jefferson Co., New York. Son of William Huntington and Zina Baker. Married Fannie Maria Allen, 28 Apr. 1830. Baptized into LDS...

, around the cellar which had been dug for the house. The ladies forming a circle immediately a round the cellar, the gentleman, of the civil procession in a circle next to the ladies. The infantry in a circle next, and the cavalry out side.

After the whole procession was thus com pletely formed, prayer was made by the pres ident of the day, and a tune played by the band, and then, proceeded to lay the corner stones, as follows.

1 The south east corner was laid, by the presidents of the stake, assisted by twelve men.

2 The south west corner, by the presidents of the Elders

An administrative and ecclesiastical office not associated with age. The Book of Mormon explained that elders ordained priests and teachers and administered “the flesh and blood of Christ unto the church.” The articles and covenants of the church directed...

, assisted by twelve men,

3 The north west corner, by the bishop

An ecclesiastical and priesthood office. JS appointed Edward Partridge as the first bishop in February 1831. Following this appointment, he functioned as the local leader of the church in Missouri. Later revelations described a bishop’s duties as receiving...

as sisted by twelve men.

4 The north east corner, by the president of the teachers

Generally, one who instructs, but also a specific office in the church. The Book of Mormon explained that teachers were to be ordained “to preach repentance and remission of sins through Jesus Christ, by the endurance of faith on his name to the end.” According...

, assisted by twelve men.

After each stone was laid, the music play ed a tune.

When the ceremony of laying the stones was completed, the ladies were formed in a circle, immediately, around the stand, where the oration was to be delivered, and the whole procession formed around them, as previous ly at the cellar of the house. The gentleman visitors were invited to come to the stand.— After which the oration was delivered, at the close of which, there was a shout of hosan na

A Hebrew cry to God for help also used in the New Testament to give acclaim. An exultant, formulaic “Hosanna Shout,” uttered in unison by all present, occurred several times in the House of the Lord in Kirtland, Ohio, both in meetings leading up to and during...

. A song was then sung by Soloman [Solomon] Han cock

15 Aug. 1793/1794–2 Dec. 1847. Born at Springfield, Hampden Co., Massachusetts. Son of Thomas Hancock III and Amy Ward. Moved to Wolcott, Seneca Co., New York, by 1810. Joined Methodist church, 1814. Married first Alta Adams, 12 Mar. 1815. Moved to Columbia...

, composed by Levi Hancock

7 Apr. 1803–10 June 1882. Born at Springfield, Hampden Co., Massachusetts. Son of Thomas Hancock III and Amy Ward. Baptized into LDS church, 16 Nov. 1830, at Kirtland, Geauga Co., Ohio. Married Clarissa Reed, 20 Mar. 1831. Served mission to Missouri with ...

for the oc casion.

The military band then marched from the stand, and the President, Vice President

9 Feb. 1800–27 June 1844. Farmer, cooper. Born at Tunbridge, Orange Co., Vermont. Son of Joseph Smith Sr. and Lucy Mack. Moved to Randolph, Orange Co., 1802; to Tunbridge, before May 1803; to Royalton, Windsor Co., Vermont, 1804; to Sharon, Windsor Co., by...

, and Orator

19 Feb. 1793–14 July 1876. Tanner, farmer, minister. Born at St. Clair, Allegheny Co., Pennsylvania. Son of William Rigdon and Nancy Gallaher. Joined United Baptists, ca. 1818. Preached at Warren, Trumbull Co., Ohio, and vicinity, 1819–1821. Married Phebe...

of the day, attended with the visitors, marched to the south side of the public square, and the troops under the command of their officers chosen for the occasion, pass ed in review before them. After which the whole procession was dismissed.

The whole ceremony of the day, was per formed without the least disorder or confu sion, and the people, in the most perfect or der, retired to their homes.

The Committee of arrangements, take this opportunity of tendering their thanks, to the whole multitude who was in attendance, for their good behavior on the occasion, and for the due respect which they paid to the so lemnities of the scene. [p. 60]

Source Note

Facts

Editorial Title: Celebration of the 4th of July, August 1838
ID #: 5795