Discourse, 3 October 1841, as Reported by Willard Richards

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Discourse, 3 October 1841, as Reported by Willard Richards
Source Note

JS, Discourse,
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....
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, Hancock Co., IL, 3 Oct. 1841; handwriting of
Willard Richards
24 June 1804–11 Mar. 1854. Teacher, lecturer, doctor, clerk, printer, editor, postmaster. Born at Hopkinton, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts. Son of Joseph Richards and Rhoda Howe. Moved to Richmond, Berkshire Co., Massachusetts, 1813; to Chatham, Columbia Co...
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; five pages; Historian’s Office, General Church Minutes, CHL.

Two bifolia, each measuring 7⅞ × 5¾ inches (20 × 15 cm). The discourse is written in very faint graphite, making significant portions of the text illegible.

The discourse is part of a larger collection of general church minutes created or collected by scribes affiliated with the Church Historian’s Office. It is uncertain exactly when this discourse was included in the general church minutes. However,
Willard Richards
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worked on JS’s history as early as 1842. Likely around that time, he added his records of JS’s sermons and writings to a compilation of documents about JS and the church. The featured document has likely remained in institutional custody since its creation.
Historical Introduction
On the morning of 3 October 1841, at a session of a general
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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conference
A meeting where ecclesiastical officers and other church members could conduct church business. The “Articles and Covenants” of the church directed the elders to hold conferences to perform “Church business.” The first of these conferences was held on 9 June...
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in
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....
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, Illinois, JS gave a discourse on the doctrine of
baptism
An ordinance in which an individual is immersed in water for the remission of sins. The Book of Mormon explained that those with necessary authority were to baptize individuals who had repented of their sins. Baptized individuals also received the gift of...
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for the dead, whereby church members were baptized vicariously for their deceased relatives.
1
For more on the October general conference, see Minutes and Discourse, 1–5 Oct. 1841; for more on the doctrine of baptism for the dead, see Minutes, 3–5 Oct. 1840.

Willard Richards
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attended this meeting and wrote down fragmentary notes from JS’s sermon in an apparent attempt to capture the church
president
The highest presiding body of the church. An 11 November 1831 revelation stated that the president of the high priesthood was to preside over the church. JS was ordained as president of the high priesthood on 25 January 1832. In March 1832, JS appointed two...
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’s words as he spoke. The text featured here is one of two extant versions of JS’s 3 October 1841 discourse; the other is a printed, more polished version found in the 15 October 1841 issue of the Times and Seasons. The printed version, along with additional historical context and annotation, is found in Minutes and Discourse, 1–5 October 1841.
Footnotes
[1]
For more on the October general conference, see Minutes and Discourse, 1–5 Oct. 1841; for more on the doctrine of baptism for the dead, see Minutes, 3–5 Oct. 1840.
Asterisk (*) denotes a "featured" version, which includes an introduction and annotation. *Discourse, 3 October 1841, as Reported by Willard Richards Discourse, 3 October 1841, as Published in Times and Seasons History, 1838–1856, volume C-1 [2 November 1838–31 July 1842] “History of Joseph Smith” “History of Joseph Smith”
Page 5
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[illegible] held here until ye hold it in my
house
Located in portion of Nauvoo known as the bluff. JS revelation dated Jan. 1841 commanded Saints to build temple and hotel (Nauvoo House). Cornerstone laid, 6 Apr. 1841. Saints volunteered labor, money, and other resources for temple construction. Construction...
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18
In accordance with instruction given in a January 1841 revelation, JS announced, “There shall be no more baptisms for the dead, until the ordinance can be attended to in the font of the Lord’s House,” referring to the Nauvoo temple, “and the church shall not hold another general conference, until they can meet in said house.” (Minutes and Discourse, 1–5 Oct. 1841; see also Revelation, 19 Jan. 1841 [D&C 124:29–32].)
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Related Case Documents
Editorial Title
Discourse, 3 October 1841, as Reported by Willard Richards
ID #
2695
Total Pages
5
Print Volume Location
JSP, D8:300–302
Handwriting on This Page
Willard Richards
Footnotes
[18]
In accordance with instruction given in a January 1841 revelation, JS announced, “There shall be no more baptisms for the dead, until the ordinance can be attended to in the font of the Lord’s House,” referring to the Nauvoo temple, “and the church shall not hold another general conference, until they can meet in said house.” (Minutes and Discourse, 1–5 Oct. 1841; see also Revelation, 19 Jan. 1841 [D&C 124:29–32].)