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Letter to Emma Smith, 4 November 1838

Source Note

JS, Letter, , Jackson Co., MO, to , , Caldwell Co., MO, 4 Nov. 1838; handwriting of JS (signature now missing); three pages; CHL. Includes address, wafer seals, and redactions.
Bifolium measuring 12½ × 7¾ inches (32 × 20 cm), with thirty-five printed lines per page. The document was trifolded twice in letter style, sealed with wafers, and addressed. Later, the letter was refolded, perhaps for filing. JS’s signature was subsequently cut from the second leaf. The leaves eventually became separated and were reattached with staples. At some point, the two leaves were numbered in graphite. The letter likely remained in the Smith family’s possession until it was transferred, on an unknown date, to the custody of the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (now Community of Christ). In 2024, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints acquired the letter from the Community of Christ, and it is now held at the Church History Library in Salt Lake City.

Footnotes

  1. [1]

    According to Richard Howard, former historian for the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, a high-ranking church official in the early twentieth century cut JS signatures from documents—a common practice at the time. (Richard Howard, email to Rachel Killebrew, 5 Jan. 2015, copy in editors’ possession.)

  2. [2]

    See R. Howard to R. Killebrew, 5 Jan. 2015.

Historical Introduction

Following JS’s late October 1838 arrest in , Missouri, he wrote to his wife on 4 November 1838. JS and his fellow prisoners—, , , , , and —arrived in Independence, Missouri, around noon on 4 November in the midst of a severe storm. The prisoners were lodged in a large “old log house” situated on Maple Street, immediately north of Independence’s public square and courthouse. In the evening, the prisoners were “provided with Paper and writing Materials and Candles,” and JS wrote the following letter to Emma Smith, recounting the prisoners’ reception in Independence and expressing anxiety for her welfare. The absence of a postmark suggests the letter was hand delivered. JS may have sent the letter by way of a “Mr Collins,” who on 7 November carried a letter from inmate Parley P. Pratt to his wife, , in Far West. By the time Emma Smith received this letter, she and her children had likely been evicted from their residence and were probably staying at the home of and in Far West.

Footnotes

  1. [1]

    For more information on JS’s arrest and move from Far West to Independence, see Introduction to Part 3: 4 Nov. 1838–16 Apr. 1839.

  2. [2]

    Parley P. Pratt, Independence, MO, to Mary Ann Frost Pratt, Far West, MO, 4 Nov. 1838, Parley P. Pratt, Letters, CHL.

    Pratt, Parley P. Letters, 1838–1839. CHL. MS 5828.

  3. [3]

    Lyman Wight, Journal, in History of the Reorganized Church, 2:295–297.

    The History of the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. 8 vols. Independence, MO: Herald Publishing House, 1896–1976.

  4. [4]

    P. Pratt to M. Pratt, 4 Nov. 1838.

    Pratt, Parley P. Letters, 1838–1839. CHL. MS 5828.

  5. [5]

    P. Pratt to M. Pratt, 4 Nov. 1838; Lyman Wight, Journal, in History of the Reorganized Church, 2:295.

    Pratt, Parley P. Letters, 1838–1839. CHL. MS 5828.

    The History of the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. 8 vols. Independence, MO: Herald Publishing House, 1896–1976.

  6. [6]

    In 1842 Emma Smith testified that following JS’s arrest, George M. Hinkle, the previous owner of the Smiths’ house in Far West, entered the home, stole Smith family possessions, and “used Coersive measures to drive Witness [Emma Smith] and her Family therefrom, the Premises & House.” She also explained, “I went with my Children to the House of George W. Harris in Far West Missouri.” (Minute Book 2, 6 July 1838; Emma Smith, Deposition, Nauvoo, IL, 22 Apr. 1842, JS v. George M. Hinkle [Lee Co. Dist. Ct. 1842], CHL.)

    JS v. George M. Hinkle / Lee County, Iowa Territory, District Court. Joseph Smith v. George M. Hinkle, 1841–1842. CHL.

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Related Case Documents
Editorial Title
Letter to Emma Smith, 4 November 1838
ID #
418
Total Pages
4
Print Volume Location
JSP, D6:279–282
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