Letter to William Smith, 18 December 1835

not feel to cast any reflections, upon any one that had spoken; but I felt that it was my <the> duty of old men that set as presi dents

Organized body of leaders over priesthood quorums and various groups of Latter-day Saints. A November 1831 revelation underscored the importance of a president over the high priesthood and the church as a whole. By 1832, JS and two counselors constituted ...

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to be as grave, at least as young men, and that it was our duty to smile at solid arguments, and sound reasoning, and be im preesed, with solemnity, which should be man ifest in our countanance, when folly and that which militates against truth and righteousn ess, rears its head

Therefore in the spirit of my calling and in view of the authority of the priesthood

In the early 1830s, often referred to an “order of men set apart for sacred offices”; also referred more generally to power or authority from God. The priesthood was conferred through the laying on of hands to adult male members of the church in good standing...

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that has been confered upon me, it would be my du ty to reprove whatever I esteemed to be wrong fon dly hoping in my heart that all parties, would concider it right, and therefore humble themsel ves, that satan might not take the advantage of us, and hinder the progress of our School

A term occasionally used to refer to a Protestant seminary; specifically used by JS to refer to a school to prepare elders of the church for their ministry. A December 1832 revelation directed JS and the elders of the church in Kirtland, Ohio, to establish...

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Now Br. William

13 Mar. 1811–13 Nov. 1893. Farmer, newspaper editor. Born at Royalton, Windsor Co., Vermont. Son of Joseph Smith Sr. and Lucy Mack. Moved to Lebanon, Grafton Co., New Hampshire, 1811; to Norwich, Windsor Co., 1813; and to Palmyra, Ontario Co., New York, 1816...

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I want you should bear with me, notwithstanding my plainness—

I would say to you that my feelings, were grieved at the interuption you made upon Elder McLellen [William E. McLellin]

18 Jan. 1806–14 Mar. 1883. Schoolteacher, physician, publisher. Born at Smith Co., Tennessee. Son of Charles McLellin and Sarah (a Cherokee Indian). Married first Cynthia Ann, 30 July 1829. Wife died, by summer 1831. Baptized into LDS church by Hyrum Smith...

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, I thought, you should have concidered your relation, with him, in your Apostle ship

A title indicating one sent forth to preach; later designated as a specific ecclesiastical office. By 1830, JS and Oliver Cowdery were designated as apostles. The articles and covenants of the church explained that an “apostle is an elder” and, as such, had...

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, and not manifest any division of sentiment, between you, and him, for a surrounding multitude to take the advan tage of you:— Therefore by way of entreaty, on the account of the anxiety I had for your inf luence and wellfare, I said, unto you, do not have any feelings, or something to that amount, why I am thus particular, is that if You, have misconstrued, my feelings, toward you, you may be corrected.— [p. 81]

Source Note

Facts

Editorial Title: Letter to William Smith, 18 December 1835
ID #: 300