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31107
Letter to the Elders of the Church, September 1835
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To the elders of the church of Lat ter Day Saints.
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 GlossaryThe 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...
View GlossaryAfter so long a time, and after so many things having been said, I feel it my duty to drop a few hints, that, per haps, the elders, traveling through the world to warn the inhabitants of the earth to flee the wrath to come, and save themselves from this untoward generation, may be aided in a measure, in doctrine, and in the way of their du ty. I have been laboring in this cause for eight years, during which time I have traveled much, and have had much experience. I removed from Seneca county, N.Y. to Geauga coun ty, Ohio, in February, 1831.
Created from Cayuga Co., Mar. 1804. Most of western and eastern boundaries formed by Seneca and Cayuga lakes, respectively. Area first settled at Seneca Falls, 1787. Population in 1830 about 21,000. Population in 1840 about 25,000. Many people in area were...
More InfoLocated in northeastern Ohio, south of Lake Erie. Rivers in area include Grand, Chagrin, and Cuyahoga. Settled mostly by New Englanders, beginning 1798. Formed from Trumbull Co., 1 Mar. 1806. Chardon established as county seat, 1808. Population in 1830 about...
More Info Having received, by an heavenly vision, a commandment, in June fol lowing, to take my journey to the wes tern boundaries of the State of Missou ri, and there designate the very spot, which was to be the central spot, for the commencement of the gathering together of those who embrace the ful ness of the everlasting gospel—I accor dingly undertook the journey with cer tain ones of my brethren, and, after a long and tedious journey, suffering many privations and hardships, I ar rived in Jackson county Missouri; and, after viewing the country, seeking dil igently at the hand of God, he mani fested himself unto me, and designa ted to me and others, the very spot up on which he designed to commence the work of the gathering, and the upbuild ing of an holy city, which should be called Zion:—Zion because it is to be a place of righteousness, and all who build thereon, are to worship the true and living God—and all believe in one doctrine even the doctrine of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. [p. 179]
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...
More InfoAs directed by early revelations, church members “gathered” in communities. A revelation dated September 1830, for instance, instructed elders “to bring to pass the gathering of mine elect” who would “be gathered in unto one place, upon the face of this land...
View GlossarySettled at Fort Osage, 1808. County created, 16 Feb. 1825; organized 1826. Named after U.S. President Andrew Jackson. Featured fertile lands along Missouri River and was Santa Fe Trail departure point, which attracted immigrants to area. Area of county reduced...
More InfoIn JS’s earliest revelations “the cause of Zion” was used to broadly describe the work JS was called to do. However, the term Zion was soon used more specifically to describe a community of believers who live in harmony and equality. The Book of Mormon explained...
View GlossaryJS, letter, Kirtland, OH, to the elders of the church, Sept. 1835; Latter Day Saints’ Messenger and Advocate, Sept. 1835, pp. 179–182.
Located ten miles south of Lake Erie. Settled by 1811. Organized by 1818. Population in 1830 about 55 Latter-day Saints and 1,000 others; in 1838 about 2,000 Saints and 1,200 others; in 1839 about 100 Saints and 1,500 others. Mormon missionaries visited township...
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