Footnotes
See Benediction, 6 Apr. 1841. A newspaper from nearby Warsaw, Illinois, reported that the anniversary celebration was attended by “about 7000 or 8000, some say as high as 12,000.” The church’s newspaper reported that there were “probably not less than ten thousand persons present.” (“The Mormons,” Western World [Warsaw, IL], 7 Apr. 1841, [3]; “Celebration of the Aniversary of the Church,” Times and Seasons, 15 Apr. 1841, 2:376.)
Western World. Warsaw, IL. 1840–1841.
Times and Seasons. Commerce/Nauvoo, IL. Nov. 1839–Feb. 1846.
See Historical Introduction to Discourse, between 6 and 9 Apr. 1841.
William Law was designated a counselor in the First Presidency in January 1841. (See Revelation, 19 Jan. 1841 [D&C 124:126].)
The report was published in “Report of the First Presidency,” Times and Seasons, 15 Apr. 1841, 2:384–386.
Times and Seasons. Commerce/Nauvoo, IL. Nov. 1839–Feb. 1846.
Rigdon, known for being a skilled orator, was a featured speaker at the cornerstone ceremony the previous day. The Western World reported that Rigdon “officiated at the laying of the chief corner stone, and addressed the assembly in a very energetic manner in a speech of about an hour’s length.” The church’s newspaper reported that Rigdon spoke to the large audience, even though he was in “feeble health.” (“The Mormons,” Western World [Warsaw, IL], 7 Apr. 1841, [3]; “Celebration of the Aniversary of the Church,” Times and Seasons, 15 Apr. 1841, 2:376.)
Western World. Warsaw, IL. 1840–1841.
Times and Seasons. Commerce/Nauvoo, IL. Nov. 1839–Feb. 1846.
The previous general conference was held in October 1840. Between then and 7 April 1841, three revelations were dictated and recorded in the Book of the Law of the Lord. (See Minutes, 3–5 Oct. 1840; Revelation, 19 Jan. 1841 [D&C 124]; Revelation, ca. Early Mar. 1841 [D&C 125]; and Revelation, 20 Mar. 1841.)
A revelation dictated by JS on 19 January 1841 declared that a “proclamation shall be made to all the Kings of the world, to the four corners thereof; to the Honorable President Elect, and the high minded Governors of the nation in which you live, and to all the nations of the earth, scattered abroad.” JS worked with Robert B. Thompson to produce a draft of a proclamation prior to Thompson’s death in August 1841. (Revelation, 19 Jan. 1841 [D&C 124:3]; Proclamation, between 19 Jan. and 27 Aug. 1841.)
The minutes here point to the 19 January 1841 revelation, which included direction to build the temple and the Nauvoo House. William Clayton wrote in his journal that a March 1841 revelation concerning the settlements in Iowa Territory was also read and explained during this April conference. (Revelation, 19 Jan. 1841 [D&C 124]; Clayton, Diary, 8 Apr. 1841; Revelation, ca. Early Mar. 1841 [D&C 125].)
Clayton, William. Diary, Vol. 1, 1840–1842. BYU.
See Revelation, 19 Jan. 1841 [D&C 124:23–40, 56–61].
A proclamation sent to all members of the church on 15 January 1841 detailed the purposes of these institutions: “The ‘Nauvoo Legion,’ embraces all our military power, and will enable us to perform our military duty by ourselves, and thus afford us the power, and privilege, of avoiding one of the most fruitful sources of strife, oppression, and collision with the world. It will enable us to show our attachment to the state and nation as a people, whenever the public service requires our aid—thus proving ourselves obedient to the paramount laws of the land, and ready at all times to sustain and execute them. The ‘University of the City of Nauvoo,’ will enable us to teach our children wisdom—to instruct them in all knowledge, and learning, in the Arts, Sciences and Learned Professions. We hope to make this institution one of the great lights of the world, and by and through it, to diffuse that kind of knowledge which will be of practical utility, and for the public good, and also for private and individual happiness.” (Proclamation, 15 Jan. 1841.)
For more on the Nauvoo House Association and its charter, see Agreement with William Law, 26 Apr. 1841.