The Papers
DocumentsInterim Content

Letter from Thomas Burdick, 28 August 1840

is a place of safety preparing for them away towards the Rockey mountains they may have a long and croo ked Road to go to get there” and says but few will be preserved to arrive there, he suggests that twelve stakes

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...

View Glossary

may be built up & again thrown down— That the ten tribes are somewhere on a Planet taken from this Plannet which when it comes back will cause this earth to reil to and fro like two Boats meeting— that Adam had 15 or 16 sons before Cain &c. We ack nowledge that men of God ought to have enough of this spirit to enable them to understand all things as they come along; but such teachings are not all understood in this place, they are calculated to make excite ment & what the consequences may be I am not able to say. We are not only willing but greatly desire to receive all necessary instructions and in formation in the order and own due time, of the Lord, and whatever and whatever the consequences may be to try to bear up under them as well as we can.

Elder

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...

View Glossary

Dunham

14 Jan. 1800–28 July 1845. Soldier, police captain. Born in Paris, Oneida Co., New York. Son of Jonathan Dunham. Married Mary Kendall. Moved to Rushford, Allegany Co., New York, by 1830. Baptized into LDS church and ordained an elder, by 1836. Served mission...

View Full Bio

was somewhat indulged in this place & although we were not fully satisfied as to the propriety and truth of all his teachings, yet, we did not take up against him for fear of doing wrong: but since he went away being left rather in the dark with regard to his authority, reflecting on the nature of his mission, & looking at all his proc eedings and teachings, I for one cannot help but doubt more and more his being authorized & sent to teach all these things in this place at this time, therefore of my own accord I have written this letter for infor mation: I have directed it to you expecting that, probably Joseph might not be at home, I want the letter put into his hands to be examined and ans wered according to the mind and will of the Lord.

If he is not at home I want it submitted to 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...

View Glossary

and as many of the first Presidency

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...

View Glossary

as are at home that we may receive true information and instruction or none as the Lord will. Elder Dunham

View Full Bio

will probably be back through here in Oct. [p. 175]

Source Note

Facts

Editorial Title: Letter from Thomas Burdick, 28 August 1840
ID #: 568