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Letter to Orson Hyde and John E. Page, 14 May 1840

Source Note

JS, Letter, , Hancock Co., IL, to [ and , , Hamilton Co., OH], 14 May 1840. Featured version copied [ca. 14 May 1840] in JS Letterbook 2, pp. 146–147; handwriting of ; JS Collection, CHL. For more complete source information, see the source note for JS Letterbook 2.

Historical Introduction

On 14 May 1840, JS wrote from , Illinois, to and , who were preaching in . The letter responded to one Hyde and Page wrote from , Ohio, two weeks earlier. Hyde and Page had been appointed at a the previous month to serve a mission to the Jews in , Europe, western Asia, and the Holy Land and were proselytizing as they circuitously made their way east.
In their 1 May letter to JS, and asked whether they were authorized to publish new editions and foreign language translations of the Book of Mormon, the Doctrine and Covenants, and a hymnal. They also proposed to write and publish a new volume in that would provide a “history of the coming forth” of the Book of Mormon, summarize its contents, and discuss Mormon theology and the church’s organization. In his response, featured here, JS addressed each of their questions and approved their proposed publication and any other publications they saw fit to write. He also granted them permission to publish translations and new editions of any existing church books except the hymnal, stating that a new hymnal would soon be printed in . JS additionally outlined the leadership responsibilities of and —specifically addressing the question of who was authorized to regulate of the church—and expressed his pleasure in how Hyde and Page were pursuing their mission assignment.
The original letter has not been located. copied the letter into JS Letterbook 2 sometime in 1840, likely around the time of composition.

Footnotes

  1. [1]

    Letter from Orson Hyde and John E. Page, 1 May 1840. Although Hyde and Page wrote from Columbus, they requested that JS direct his response to Cincinnati.

  2. [2]

    Minutes and Discourse, 6–8 Apr. 1840.

  3. [3]

    Letter from Orson Hyde and John E. Page, 1 May 1840.

  4. [4]

    In the letterbook, this letter is followed by items dated June and July 1840. (See JS, Memorial to Nauvoo High Council, 18 June 1840; and Minutes, 2 July 1840, in JS Letterbook 2, pp. 148–149, 154.)

Asterisk (*) denotes a "featured" version, which includes an introduction and annotation. *Letter to Orson Hyde and John E. Page, 14 May 1840 Letterbook 2 History, 1838–1856, volume C-1 [2 November 1838–31 July 1842] “History of Joseph Smith”

Page 147

to you, which you may get translated, and printed into any language you please. Should we not be able to send some to you, and there should be a great call for Hymns where you are may be; then I should have no objections to your publishing the present one. Were you to publish the Book of Mormon, Doctrine & Covenants, or Hymn Book; I desire the copy rights of the same to be secured in my name.
With respect to publishing any other work, either original, or those which have been published before, you will be governed by circumstances; if you think necessary to do so I shall have no objections whatever— It will be well to study plainness and simplicity in whatever you may publish “for my soul delighteth in pla[i]nness”.
I feel much pleased with the spirit of your letter, and be assured, Dear Bretheren, of my hearty co-operation, and my prayers for your welfare and sucess.
In answer to your enquiry in a former letter, relative to the duty of the in regulating churches &c; I say that the duties of the seventies is, more particularly to preach the Gospel, & build up churches, rather than regulate them.— that a may take charge of them.
If a high priest should be remiss in his duty, & should lead, or suffer the to be led astray; depart from the of the Lord, then it is the duty of one of the seventies, acting under the special direction of the —being duly commissioned by them with their delegated authority, to go that church and if agreeable to a majority of the members of said church to proceed to regulate and put in order the same— otherwise he can have no authority to act [p. 147]
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Source Note

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Page 147

Document Information

Related Case Documents
Editorial Title
Letter to Orson Hyde and John E. Page, 14 May 1840
ID #
542
Total Pages
2
Print Volume Location
JSP, D7:281–284
Handwriting on This Page
  • Howard Coray

Footnotes

  1. [7]

    In their 16 April 1840 meeting in Preston, the Quorum of the Twelve appointed Brigham Young, Heber C. Kimball, and Parley P. Pratt as a committee to secure British copyrights for the Book of Mormon and the Doctrine and Covenants. Young wrote to the First Presidency on 29 April 1840, enclosing a report of the meeting at which this and other decisions were made, though JS would not have received that letter by 14 May, when he wrote to Hyde and Page. (“From England,” Times and Seasons, June 1840, 1:121; Letter from Brigham Young, 29 Apr. 1840.)

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

  2. [8]

    In their 1 May 1840 letter, Hyde and Page had asked whether they were at liberty to translate or publish original works or works previously published by the church if “the circumstances in which we are placed seem to require.” In 1842 Hyde published a pamphlet titled Ein Ruf aus der Wüste [A cry out of the wilderness], which included components of the publication he and Page had proposed in their earlier letter. (Letter from Orson Hyde and John E. Page, 1 May 1840; “Conference Minutes,” Times and Seasons, 15 Apr. 1842, 3:761–763; Orson Hyde, Ein Ruf aus der Wüste, eine Stimme aus dem Schoose der Erde [Frankfurt: Im Selbstverlage des Verfassers (by the author), 1842].)

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

  3. [9]

    See Book of Mormon, 1837 ed., 126 [2 Nephi 31:3].

  4. [10]

    It is unclear to which former letter JS was referring. Hyde and Page did not inquire regarding the duties of the Seventy in their 1 May 1840 letter.

  5. [11]

    At a January 1840 conference of church members in Philadelphia, JS gave similar instruction regarding elders, admonishing that “travelling Elders should be especially cautious of incroaching on the ground of stationed & presiding Elders and rather direct their efforts to breaking up and occupying new ground.” In 1835 JS taught that “the seventy are also called to preach the gospel, and to be especial witnesses unto the Gentiles and in all the world. Thus differing from other officers in the church in the duties of their calling.” (Minutes and Discourse, 13 Jan. 1840; Instruction on Priesthood, between ca. 1 Mar. and ca. 4 May 1835 [D&C 107:25].)

  6. [12]

    In 1835 JS taught that “the seventy are to act in the name of the Lord, under the direction of the twelve, or the travelling high council, in building up the church and regulating all the affairs of the same, in all nations.” (Instruction on Priesthood, between ca. 1 Mar. and ca. 4 May 1835 [D&C 107:34].)

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