53992108

Letter to Elias Higbee with JS Postscript, 7 March 1840

 
Lee County

First permanent settlement established, 1820. Organized 1837. Population in 1838 about 2,800; in 1840 about 6,100; in 1844 about 9,800; and in 1846 about 13,000. Following expulsion from Missouri, 1838–1839, many Saints found refuge in eastern Iowa Territory...

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 Ill. [Iowa] Mar 7th 1840
Dear Sir
I take my pen for the first time to write  a few lines to you, in compliance with the wishes  of the bretheren in this Territory as manifested by  their vote, at a meeting of 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...

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 held  at Montrose

Located in southern part of county on western shore of Mississippi River. Area settled by Captain James White, 1832, following Black Hawk War. Federal government purchased land from White to create Fort Des Moines, 1834. Fort abandoned; remaining settlement...

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 on Friday the sixth inst, at which Prest.  Joseph Smith Jr. was present, and communicated to us  some things relative to the proceedings of Congress, on  the subject of our persecutions in the 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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,  and final expulsion therefrom by the Executive au thority thereof.
We are fully sensible, that you will  as the Representative 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...

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, do every thing [in]  your power to have our case fairly presented in all  its bearings to Congress. And be assured, that you  have the prayers, and the faith of the Saints here.  who seem determined that nothing shall be withheld  that they are in possession of or can procure; that  will be of use to you in discharging the duties of  your appointment. Exertions are making to furnish  you with every needful testimony, to prove every  item of the memorial, presented to the Senate by  Judge Young, which will be forwarded soon by Prst  Smith. I am instructed by the unanimous voice  of the Church here to request you not to give an  inch in any position that has been taken; [p. 109]

Facts

Editorial Title
Letter to Elias Higbee with JS Postscript, 7 March 1840
ID #
521