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Letter to William W. Phelps, 22 July 1840

Source Note

JS, Letter,
Nauvoo

Principal gathering place for Saints following expulsion from Missouri. Beginning in 1839, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints purchased lands in earlier settlement of Commerce and planned settlement of Commerce City, as well as surrounding areas....

More Info
, Hancock Co., IL, to
William W. Phelps

17 Feb. 1792–7 Mar. 1872. Writer, teacher, printer, newspaper editor, publisher, postmaster, lawyer. Born at Hanover, Morris Co., New Jersey. Son of Enon Phelps and Mehitabel Goldsmith. Moved to Homer, Cortland Co., New York, 1800. Married Sally Waterman,...

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, [
Dayton

City in western Ohio on east side of Great Miami River, immediately below mouth of Mad River. Located approximately fifty-two miles northeast of Cincinnati and sixty-seven miles southwest of Columbus. First settled, 1796. Established as Montgomery Co. seat...

More Info
, Montgomery Co., OH], 22 July 1840. Featured version copied [ca. 22 July 1840] in JS Letterbook 2, pp. 157–158; handwriting of
Robert B. Thompson

1 Oct. 1811–27 Aug. 1841. Clerk, editor. Born in Great Driffield, Yorkshire, England. Methodist. Immigrated to Upper Canada, 1834. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by Parley P. Pratt, May 1836, in Upper Canada. Ordained an elder by...

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; JS Collection, CHL. For more complete source information, see the source note for JS Letterbook 2.

Historical Introduction

On 22 July 1840, JS wrote a letter to
William W. Phelps

17 Feb. 1792–7 Mar. 1872. Writer, teacher, printer, newspaper editor, publisher, postmaster, lawyer. Born at Hanover, Morris Co., New Jersey. Son of Enon Phelps and Mehitabel Goldsmith. Moved to Homer, Cortland Co., New York, 1800. Married Sally Waterman,...

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, who was then living in
Dayton

City in western Ohio on east side of Great Miami River, immediately below mouth of Mad River. Located approximately fifty-two miles northeast of Cincinnati and sixty-seven miles southwest of Columbus. First settled, 1796. Established as Montgomery Co. seat...

More Info
, Ohio. Phelps had been a prominent leader in the
church

The 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...

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but was excommunicated in March 1839 after he testified against JS and other church leaders in a November 1838 hearing in
Missouri

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. Latter-day Saint ...

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.
1

Phelps was also excommunicated in March 1838 but apparently was reinstated later that year. (Minute Book 2, 10 Mar. 1838; Revelation, 8 July 1838–B.)


In June 1840, Phelps sent a letter to JS requesting forgiveness for his past actions and asking to be readmitted into the church. Phelps’s letter was accompanied by a letter from
Orson Hyde

8 Jan. 1805–28 Nov. 1878. Laborer, clerk, storekeeper, teacher, editor, businessman, lawyer, judge. Born at Oxford, New Haven Co., Connecticut. Son of Nathan Hyde and Sally Thorpe. Moved to Derby, New Haven Co., 1812. Moved to Kirtland, Geauga Co., Ohio, ...

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and
John E. Page

25 Feb. 1799–14 Oct. 1867. Born at Trenton, Oneida Co., New York. Son of Ebenezer Page and Rachel Hill. Married first Betsey Thompson, 1831, in Huron Co., Ohio. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by Emer Harris, 18 Aug. 1833, at Brownhelm...

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, two members of the
Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

Members of a governing body in the church, with special administrative and proselytizing responsibilities. A June 1829 revelation commanded Oliver Cowdery and David Whitmer to call twelve disciples, similar to the twelve apostles in the New Testament and ...

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, who were preaching in Dayton. Hyde and Page supported Phelps’s attempt to regain fellowship within the church, stating that Phelps was “willing to make any sacrifice” to become a member of the church again.
2

Letter from William W. Phelps, with Appended Letter from Orson Hyde and John E. Page, 29 June 1840.


Phelps’s letter was read before the Saints on Sunday, 19 July 1840, and the congregation voted “with one voice and uplifted hands” to restore him to fellowship.
3

Editorial, Times and Seasons, 1 Feb. 1841, 2:304.


Comprehensive Works Cited

Times and Seasons. Commerce/Nauvoo, IL. Nov. 1839–Feb. 1846.

JS wrote this letter three days later to inform Phelps of the decision and to express his personal joy at Phelps’s repentance.
The original letter is not extant.
Robert B. Thompson

1 Oct. 1811–27 Aug. 1841. Clerk, editor. Born in Great Driffield, Yorkshire, England. Methodist. Immigrated to Upper Canada, 1834. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by Parley P. Pratt, May 1836, in Upper Canada. Ordained an elder by...

View Full Bio
copied it into JS Letterbook 2 before the letter was sent.
4

Thompson recorded this letter and Phelps’s June 1840 letter to JS immediately following a note dated 4 July 1840. (Note, 4 July 1840, in JS Letterbook 2, p. 154.)


Footnotes

  1. [1]

    Phelps was also excommunicated in March 1838 but apparently was reinstated later that year. (Minute Book 2, 10 Mar. 1838; Revelation, 8 July 1838–B.)

  2. [2]

    Letter from William W. Phelps, with Appended Letter from Orson Hyde and John E. Page, 29 June 1840.

  3. [3]

    Editorial, Times and Seasons, 1 Feb. 1841, 2:304.

    Times and Seasons. Commerce/Nauvoo, IL. Nov. 1839–Feb. 1846.

  4. [4]

    Thompson recorded this letter and Phelps’s June 1840 letter to JS immediately following a note dated 4 July 1840. (Note, 4 July 1840, in JS Letterbook 2, p. 154.)

Asterisk (*) denotes a "featured" version, which includes an introduction and annotation.
*Letter to William W. Phelps, 22 July 1840
Letterbook 2 History, 1838–1856, volume C-1 [2 November 1838–31 July 1842] “History of Joseph Smith”

Page 157

Nauvoo

Principal gathering place for Saints following expulsion from Missouri. Beginning in 1839, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints purchased lands in earlier settlement of Commerce and planned settlement of Commerce City, as well as surrounding areas....

More Info
Hancock Co Ills
July 22nd. 1840
Dear
Brother [William W.] Phelps

17 Feb. 1792–7 Mar. 1872. Writer, teacher, printer, newspaper editor, publisher, postmaster, lawyer. Born at Hanover, Morris Co., New Jersey. Son of Enon Phelps and Mehitabel Goldsmith. Moved to Homer, Cortland Co., New York, 1800. Married Sally Waterman,...

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I must say that it is with no ordinary feelings I endeavour to write a few lines to you in answer to yours of the 29th. Ultimo,
1

Letter from William W. Phelps, with Appended Letter from Orson Hyde and John E. Page, 29 June 1840.


at the same time I am rejoiced at the priveledge granted me. You may in some measure realise what my feelings, as well as
Elder [Sidney] Rigdon

19 Feb. 1793–14 July 1876. Tanner, farmer, minister. Born at St. Clair, Allegheny Co., Pennsylvania. Son of William Rigdon and Nancy Gallaher. Joined United Baptists, ca. 1818. Preached at Warren, Trumbull Co., Ohio, and vicinity, 1819–1821. Married Phebe...

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’s &
Bro Hyrum [Smith]

9 Feb. 1800–27 June 1844. Farmer, cooper. Born at Tunbridge, Orange Co., Vermont. Son of Joseph Smith Sr. and Lucy Mack. Moved to Randolph, Orange Co., 1802; back to Tunbridge, before May 1803; to Royalton, Windsor Co., Vermont, 1804; to Sharon, Windsor Co...

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’s were when we read your letter, truly our hearts were melted into tenderness and compassion when we assertained your resolves &c
2

Although Phelps’s letter was addressed only to JS, the appended letter from Orson Hyde and John E. Page was addressed to the whole First Presidency. In his letter to JS, Phelps related a dream that had given him the courage to ask for forgiveness. In that dream, he saw JS and Hyrum Smith preparing a meal to which Phelps was invited. JS told him there was plenty for him to eat and smiled at him. Phelps then took Sidney Rigdon by the hand “and cried for Joy.” (Letter from William W. Phelps, with Appended Letter from Orson Hyde and John E. Page, 29 June 1840.)


I can assure you I feel a disposition to act on your case in a manner that will meet the approbation of Jehovah (whose servant I am) and agreeably to the principles of truth and righteousness which have been revealed and inasmuch as long-suffering patience and mercy have ever characterized the dealings of our heavenly Father towards the humble and penitent, I feel disposed, to copy the example and cherish the same principles, by so doing be a savior of my fellow men
3

Phelps had written, “I want to be saved if my friends will help me,” and Hyde and Page had added that the First Presidency were “workmen in the art of saving souls.” (Letter from William W. Phelps, with Appended Letter from Orson Hyde and John E. Page, 29 June 1840.)


It is true, that we have suffered much in consequence of your behavior—the cup of gall already full enough for mortals to drink, was indeed filled to overflowing when you turned against us:
4

Among other things, Phelps testified before Missouri’s fifth judicial circuit court that JS and Rigdon had declared any sheriff approaching them with writs should be killed and that Rigdon had stated the church should set up its own independent government. Based on Phelps’s testimony and the testimony of others, JS, Rigdon, and other church leaders were incarcerated in the Clay County jailhouse at Liberty, Missouri, in December 1838 to await trial. (William W. Phelps, Testimony, Richmond, MO, Nov. 1838, pp. [84], [88], State of Missouri v. JS et al. for Treason and Other Crimes [Mo. 5th Jud. Cir. 1838], in State of Missouri, “Evidence”; “A History, of the Persecution,” Times and Seasons, Sept. 1840, 1:164.)


Comprehensive Works Cited

Missouri, State of. “Evidence.” Hearing Record, Richmond, MO, 12–29 Nov. 1838, State of Missouri v. Joseph Smith et al. for Treason and Other Crimes (Mo. 5th Cir. Ct. 1838). Eugene Morrow Violette Collection, 1806–1921, Western Historical Manuscript Collection. University of Missouri and State Historical Society of Missouri, Ellis Library, University of Missouri, Columbia.

One with whom we had oft taken sweet council together,
5

See Psalm 55:14.


and enjoyed many refreshing seasons from the Lord
6

In July 1834, Phelps was appointed as a member of the church presidency in Missouri. In 1835 and 1836, he spent nearly a year in Kirtland, Ohio, where he frequently participated in councils with JS. He also helped prepare for the solemn assembly that occurred in the Kirtland House of the Lord, during which participants washed each other’s feet and partook of the sacrament. (Minutes and Discourse, ca. 7 July 1834; Minutes, 10 Aug. 1835; Minutes, 26 Sept. 1835; JS, Journal, 29 Mar. 1836.)


“Had it been an enemy we could have borne it”
7

See Psalm 55:12–13.


[“]In the day that thou stoodest on the other side, in the day when Strangers carried away captive his forces, and foreigners entered into his gates and cast lots upon
Far West

Originally called Shoal Creek. Located fifty-five miles northeast of Independence. Surveyed 1823; first settled by whites, 1831. Site purchased, 8 Aug. 1836, before Caldwell Co. was organized for Latter-day Saints in Missouri. William W. Phelps and John Whitmer...

More Info
even thou wast as one of them. But thou shouldst not have looked on [p. 157]
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Source Note

Document Transcript

Page 157

Document Information

Related Case Documents
Editorial Title
Letter to William W. Phelps, 22 July 1840
ID #
555
Total Pages
2
Print Volume Location
JSP, D7:345–348
Handwriting on This Page
  • Robert B. Thompson

Footnotes

  1. [1]

    Letter from William W. Phelps, with Appended Letter from Orson Hyde and John E. Page, 29 June 1840.

  2. [2]

    Although Phelps’s letter was addressed only to JS, the appended letter from Orson Hyde and John E. Page was addressed to the whole First Presidency. In his letter to JS, Phelps related a dream that had given him the courage to ask for forgiveness. In that dream, he saw JS and Hyrum Smith preparing a meal to which Phelps was invited. JS told him there was plenty for him to eat and smiled at him. Phelps then took Sidney Rigdon by the hand “and cried for Joy.” (Letter from William W. Phelps, with Appended Letter from Orson Hyde and John E. Page, 29 June 1840.)

  3. [3]

    Phelps had written, “I want to be saved if my friends will help me,” and Hyde and Page had added that the First Presidency were “workmen in the art of saving souls.” (Letter from William W. Phelps, with Appended Letter from Orson Hyde and John E. Page, 29 June 1840.)

  4. [4]

    Among other things, Phelps testified before Missouri’s fifth judicial circuit court that JS and Rigdon had declared any sheriff approaching them with writs should be killed and that Rigdon had stated the church should set up its own independent government. Based on Phelps’s testimony and the testimony of others, JS, Rigdon, and other church leaders were incarcerated in the Clay County jailhouse at Liberty, Missouri, in December 1838 to await trial. (William W. Phelps, Testimony, Richmond, MO, Nov. 1838, pp. [84], [88], State of Missouri v. JS et al. for Treason and Other Crimes [Mo. 5th Jud. Cir. 1838], in State of Missouri, “Evidence”; “A History, of the Persecution,” Times and Seasons, Sept. 1840, 1:164.)

    Missouri, State of. “Evidence.” Hearing Record, Richmond, MO, 12–29 Nov. 1838, State of Missouri v. Joseph Smith et al. for Treason and Other Crimes (Mo. 5th Cir. Ct. 1838). Eugene Morrow Violette Collection, 1806–1921, Western Historical Manuscript Collection. University of Missouri and State Historical Society of Missouri, Ellis Library, University of Missouri, Columbia.

  5. [5]

    See Psalm 55:14.

  6. [6]

    In July 1834, Phelps was appointed as a member of the church presidency in Missouri. In 1835 and 1836, he spent nearly a year in Kirtland, Ohio, where he frequently participated in councils with JS. He also helped prepare for the solemn assembly that occurred in the Kirtland House of the Lord, during which participants washed each other’s feet and partook of the sacrament. (Minutes and Discourse, ca. 7 July 1834; Minutes, 10 Aug. 1835; Minutes, 26 Sept. 1835; JS, Journal, 29 Mar. 1836.)

  7. [7]

    See Psalm 55:12–13.

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