On 25 January 1842 , president of a meeting of members in , Illinois, wrote to JS reporting news of the Springfield ’s reorganization. According to the letter, after the Springfield was disbanded in 1841, the branch’s previous president—a “Br Mariam”—moved to , Illinois. In Mariam’s absence divisions about leadership arose in the branch, resulting in the meeting reported in Hodge’s letter. The letter, apparently written by meeting clerk , began with minutes of the meeting. The meeting made five resolutions, including the selection of prominent Springfield judge as the new branch president. The letter then informed JS of the difficulties that had required a reorganization of the church’s congregation in the state capital, reported the resolutions, and requested a letter of response as to whether JS approved of the meeting’s resolutions.

The letter was postmarked 31 January and would have taken only a few days to reach . Although and requested a response from JS, no reply has been located. Whether explicitly or implicitly, JS apparently approved ’s election as branch president, as Adams seems to have functioned as president of the branch until his death in August of the following year.