Letter to William W. Phelps, 11 January 1833

  • Kirtland January 11 - 1833

    Brother William <W Phelps>

    I Send you the Olieve leaf which we have plucked  from the tree of Paradise, the Lords message of peace to us, for though  our Brethren in Zion, indulge in feelings towards us, which are  not according to the requirements of the new covenant yet we  have the satisfaction of knowing that the Lord approves of us  & has accepted us, & established his name in kirtland [p. 18]

This letter was part of JS’s concerted effort to resolve the disruptive quarrels and petty wrangling that had marred the relationship between church leaders in Missouri and Ohio for eighteen months. A revelation dictated in late September 1832 containing a brief, pointed chastisement of the Missouri authorities, and recent contentious letters from William W. Phelps and Sidney Gilbert in Missouri had brought the matter to a head.

When JS sent the letter, he included an official epistle sanctioned by a conference of Ohio high priests and a copy of a revelation known as the “Olive Leaf.” In the short term, the three documents produced the desired reconciliation.

JS wrote this letter from Kirtland, Ohio, to William W. Phelps in Jackson County, Missouri. Frederick G. Williams transcribed the letter into Letter Book 1 perhaps as early as January 1833.

Facts

Editorial Title
Letter to William W. Phelps, 11 January 1833
ID #
140