Letter to John Smith, 2 July 1833

  • Kirtland 2d July 1833

    Brother John Smith–(2d)

    We <have> just received your letter, of the 8th of June,  which seems to have been written in a spirit of  Justifycation on your part; You well recollect that  previous to your leaveing this place you was tryd  before the Bishops Court, which found you  guilty of misdemeanor– and desided that you sho uld no longer retain your authority in the ch urch. all of which we approove as presidents of  the High Preasthood Sanction. you name  you nam[e] something in your letter that took  place at Bro– Alneys [Oliver Olney’s], in Shalersville, on the  27th and 28th of August which we  perfectly Agree recollect and had you have [p. 50]

John Smith, no relation to JS, joined the church in 1831 and was ordained to the priesthood before performing missionary service. After completion of his mission in August 1832, Smith had a dispute with church members. A bishop’s court in Kirtland, Ohio, deprived him of his ministerial license. In this letter, JS and Frederick G. Williams, as presidents of the high priesthood, affirmed the bishop’s court decision. A letter of the same date went to leaders of the Indiana branch of the church where John Smith resided.

JS and Williams wrote this letter from Kirtland, Ohio, to John Smith, Vermillion County, Indiana. JS transcribed it into JS Letterbook 1, possibly in July 1833.

Facts

Editorial Title
Letter to John Smith, 2 July 1833
ID #
170