JS, Letter, , Hancock Co., IL, to , [, Wayne Co., IL], 8 Aug. 1840. Featured version copied [probably ca. 8 Aug. 1840] in JS Letterbook 2, pp. 176–178; handwriting of ; JS Collection, CHL. For more complete source information, see the source note for JS Letterbook 2.
Historical Introduction
On 8 August 1840, JS wrote from , Illinois, to in , Illinois. JS was responding to three letters Bennett had sent reminding JS and that he had offered to assist the during their difficulties and declaring that he intended to join with them in Nauvoo. This 8 August letter states it was in response to a 25 July 1840 letter from Bennett, but JS’s lengthy paragraph on the environment, location, and population of Nauvoo as well as the postscript indicate that JS was also responding to Bennett’s letters of 27 and 30 July. Bennett did not receive this response from JS before writing another letter on 15 August.
The original letter is apparently not extant. copied it into JS Letterbook 2, probably around the time the letter was written.
of this generation or securing you the riches of the world yet, by so doing you may rely on the approval of Jehovah “That blessing which maketh rich and addeth not sorrow”
Through the tender mercies of our God we have escaped the hands of those who sought our overthrow and have secured locations in this and in the Territory of . Our principle location is at this place, (formerly [)] which is beautifully situated on the banks of the , immediately above the lower rapids and is probably the best & most beautiful site for a city on the — It has a gradual ascent from the river nearly a mile, then a fine level & fertile Prairie, a situation in every respect adapted to commercial & agricultural purposes; but like all other places on the river, is Sickly in summer. The number of inhabitants are nearly three thousand & a is fast increasing; if we are suffered to remain there is every prospect of its becoming one of the largest cities on the river if not in the western world, numbers have moved in from the Sea board and a few from the Islands of the Sea (Grt. Britain). It is our intention to commence the erection of some publick buildings next spring. We have purchased twenty thousand acres of land in the oposite this place which is fast filling up with our people. It I is my desire that all the Saints as well as all lovers of truth & correct principles to come to this place as fast as possible as their circumstances will permit and endeavor by energy of action and a concentration of talent &c &c to effect those objects that are so dear to us. Therefore my general invitation is “Let all that will, come” and take of the poverty of freely. I should be disposed to give you a special invitation to come as early as possible believing you will be of great service to us, however you must make arrangements according to your circumstances &c. Were it possible for you to come here this season to suffer affliction with the people of God no one will be more pleased or give you a more cordial welcome than myself [p. 177]
In Bennett's 15 August 1840 letter to JS and Rigdon, which he wrote before receiving this letter from JS, Bennett described having been confused about the relationship between Commerce and Nauvoo. The Commerce area had become more officially known as Nauvoo in April 1840 with the changing of the name of the post office. (Robert Johnstone to Richard M. Young, 21 Apr. 1840, in JS History, vol. C-1, 1053; Notice, Times and Seasons, May 1840, 1:106.)
Times and Seasons. Commerce/Nauvoo, IL. Nov. 1839–Feb. 1846.
The 26 August 1840 issue of the CincinnatiDaily Chronicle reported that the population of Nauvoo was approximately 2,800. (“The Mormons,” Daily Chronicle [Cincinnati], 26 Aug. 1840, [2].)
Groups of Saints settled in various communities (mostly in the Montrose area) on the nearly eighteen thousand acres of Half-Breed Tract land in Lee County, Iowa Territory, that churchagentsOliver Granger and Vinson Knight purchased from Isaac Galland in May and June 1839. The 26 August 1840 issue of the CincinnatiDaily Chronicle reported that about two thousand church members were living in Lee County. (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; “The Mormons,” Daily Chronicle [Cincinnati], 26 Aug. 1840, [2].)
In his 27 July 1840 letter to JS and Rigdon, Bennett wrote, “It would be my deliberate advice to you to concentrate all of your church at one point— If Hancock County with Commerce for its commercial Emporium is to be that point, well,— fix upon it.” Church leaders had designated the Commerce area as the new gathering place for the Saints the previous year, at a meeting held in Quincy, Illinois, on 24 April 1839. (Letter from John C. Bennett, 27 July 1840; Minutes, 24 Apr. 1839.)
Bennett wrote to JS and Rigdon on 27 July 1840, “I am with you in Spirit, and will be in person as soon as circumstances permit, and immediately if it is your desire.” (Letter from John C. Bennett, 27 July 1840, underlining in original.)