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Letter to Hyrum Smith, 5 December 1839

Created as district for seat of U.S. federal government by act of Congress, 1790, and named Washington DC, 1791. Named in honor of George Washington. Headquarters of executive, legislative, and judicial branches of U.S. government relocated to Washington ...

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Corner of Missouri & 3d. Street,

Dec 5th 1839.

Dear Brother Hiram [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...

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. President

Organized body of leaders over priesthood quorums and various groups of Latter-day Saints. A November 1831 revelation underscored the importance of a president over the high priesthood and the church as a whole. By 1832, JS and two counselors constituted ...

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and to the Honor able 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...

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of the Church of Jesus Christ of latter day Saints

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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. To whom be fellowship, love and the peace of Almighty God extended and the prayer of faith forever and ever Amen, Your fellow labourers, Joseph Smith Jr, Elias Higbee

23 Oct. 1795–8 June 1843. Clerk, judge, surveyor. Born at Galloway, Gloucester Co., New Jersey. Son of Isaac Higbee and Sophia Somers. Moved to Clermont Co., Ohio, 1803. Married Sarah Elizabeth Ward, 10 Sept. 1818, in Tate Township, Clermont Co. Lived at ...

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and Agents, as well as the servants that are sent by you, to perform one of the most arduous and responsible duties, and also to labour in the most honorable cause that ever graced the pages of human existance; and respectfully show by these lines, that we have taken up our cross thus far and that we arrived in this City

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on the morning of the 28th. of November, and spent the most of that day in looking up a boarding house which we succeeded in in finding. We found as cheap boarding as can be had in this city. On friday morning 29th we proceeded <to> the house of the President— We found a very large and splendid palace, surrounded with a splendid enclosure decorated with all the finery fineries and elegancies of this world we went to the door and requested to see the President; when we were immediately introduced into an upper apartment where we met the President and were introduced into his parlor, where we prese nted him with our Letters of introduction;— as soon as he had read one of them, he looked upon us with a kind of half frown and said, what can I do? I can do nothing for you,— if I do any thing, I shall come in contact with the whole State of Missouri

Area acquired by U.S. in Louisiana Purchase, 1803, and established as territory, 1812. Missouri Compromise, 1820, admitted Missouri as slave state, 1821. Population in 1830 about 140,000; in 1836 about 240,000; and in 1840 about 380,000. Mormon missionaries...

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— But we were not to be intimidated, and demanded a hearing and constitutional rights— Before we left him he promised to reconsider what he had said, and observed that he felt to sympathise with us on ac count of our sufferings,— Now we shall endeavor to express our feelings and views concerning the President, as we have been eye witnesses of his Majesty— He is a small man, sandy complexion, and ordinary features; with [p. 85]

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Editorial Title: Letter to Hyrum Smith, 5 December 1839
ID #: 496