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Report of the First Presidency to the Church, circa 7 April 1841

Source Note

[JS, , and ], Report, to the , , Hancock Co., IL, ca. 7 Apr. 1841. Featured version published in “Report of the First Presidency,” Times and Seasons, 15 Apr. 1841, vol. 2, no. 12, 384–386. For more complete source information, see the source note for Letter to Isaac Galland, 22 Mar. 1839.

Historical Introduction

At the beginning of a general of the that commenced on 7 April 1841 in , Illinois, read this report from JS and his counselors in the . The report, describing the state of the church, followed the model of a report read at the previous general conference, held in early October 1840. The April report detailed the growth of the church and encouraged the Saints to gather to Nauvoo. It highlighted progress on construction of the , the First Presidency’s optimistic promises for the city’s growth, and the need for church members to provide financial aid and physical labor to support the growth of Nauvoo.
served as the scribe for the First Presidency’s original report, which is apparently no longer extant. A copy of the original was published in the 15 April 1841 issue of the Times and Seasons in accordance with a resolution of the conference that called for the report’s publication. That version, featured here, is the only known contemporaneous account of the report. No date was given for the creation of the report, but because it was prepared for the April 1841 general conference and delivered by Thompson on 7 April, it was likely created either on 7 April 1841 or in the days before.

Footnotes

  1. [1]

    See Report of the First Presidency, 4 Oct. 1840. The First Presidency had also issued a proclamation to the church in mid-January 1841 that contained a message similar to that of the conference reports. The proclamation, for instance, encouraged Saints to immigrate to Nauvoo. (Proclamation, 15 Jan. 1841; see also Minutes and Discourse, 6–8 Apr. 1840.)

  2. [2]

    Thompson is listed as the clerk in the Times and Seasons version, indicating that he penned the original that was sent to the Times and Seasons for publication.

  3. [3]

    See Minutes, 7–11 Apr. 1841.

Asterisk (*) denotes a "featured" version, which includes an introduction and annotation.
*Report of the First Presidency to the Church, circa 7 April 1841
History, 1838–1856, volume C-1 [2 November 1838–31 July 1842] “History of Joseph Smith”

Page 384

The of the , feel great pleasure in assembling with the Saints at another general , under circumstances so auspicious and cheering; and with grateful hearts to Almighty God for his providential regard, they cordially unite with the Saints, on this occasion, in ascribing honor, and glory, and blessing to his holy name.
It is with unfeigned pleasure that they have to make known, the steady and rapid increase of the church in this , the , and in Europe. The anxiety to become acquainted with the principles of the gospel, on every hand, is intense, and the cry of, “come over and help us,” is reaching the on the wings of every wind, while thousands who have heard the gospel, have become obedient thereto, and are rejoicing in its gifts and blessings.— Prejudice with its attendant train of evils, is giving way before the force of truth, whose benign rays are penetrating the nations afar off.
The reports from the in Europe are very satisfactory, and state that the work continues to progress with unparalleled rapidity and that the harvest is truly great.
In the eastern states, the faithful laborers are successful, and many are flocking to the standard of truth. Nor is the south keeping back—churches have been raised up in the southern and western states, and a very pressing invitation has been received from for some of the elders to visit that city, which has been complied with.
In our own and immediate neighborhood, many are avowing their attachment to the principles of our holy religion, and have become obedient to the faith.
Peace and prosperity attend us; and we have favor in the sight of God and virtuous men.
The time was, when we were looked upon as deceivers, and that Mormonism would soon pass away, come to nought, and be forgotten. But the time has gone by when it was looked upon as a trancient matter, or a bubble on the wave, and it is now taking a deep hold in the hearts and affections of all those who are noble minded enough to lay aside the prejudice of education, and investigate the subject with candor and honesty.
The truth, like the sturdy oak, has stood unhurt amid the contending elements, which have beat upon it with tremendous force. The floods have rolled, wave after wave, in quick succession; and have not swallowed it up. “They have lifted up their voice, O Lord, the floods have lifted up their voice; but the Lord of Hosts is migh [p. 384]
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Page 384

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Related Case Documents
Editorial Title
Report of the First Presidency to the Church, circa 7 April 1841
ID #
628
Total Pages
3
Print Volume Location
JSP, D8:102–109
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Footnotes

  1. [1]

    A report in the Western World noted the rapid growth of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints: “Hundreds left their homes in Europe, and thousands are now preparing to leave and take up their residence in a far distant land. And in our own country, from the east, and from the north, and from the south, converts are continually flocking to this new city. . . . But a few years ago the Mormons were regarded as a set of fanatics, deserving only the pity or contempt of mankind; but now that their numbers are concentrating they begin to assume, at least in this state, a political and moral importance possessed by no other denomination.” Thomas Wentworth Storrow, a prominent Bostonian, visited Nauvoo in July 1841 and noted that Latter-day Saints in Nauvoo and the surrounding county numbered about five thousand. (Report, Western World [Warsaw, IL], 20 Jan. 1841, [2]; Storrow, “Journey to the West,” 3 July 1841; see also Historical Introduction to Letter to Vilate Murray Kimball, 2 Mar. 1841.)

    Western World. Warsaw, IL. 1840–1841.

    Storrow, Thomas Wentworth. “Journey to the West,” no date. Storrow Family Papers, 1762–1999. Massachusetts Historical Society, Boston.

  2. [2]

    See Acts 16:9.

  3. [3]

    Several reports from the Twelve were printed in the Times and Seasons during the previous six months. Some two hundred British converts had already traveled to the United States, more than one hundred of whom arrived in Nauvoo in late 1840. (See, for example, George A. Smith, Lane End, Staffordshire, England, to Don Carlos Smith, Nauvoo, IL, 18 Nov. 1840, in Times and Seasons, 1 Feb. 1841, 2:307–308; Wilford Woodruff, Manchester, England, to Ebenezer Robinson and Don Carlos Smith, Nauvoo, IL, 7 Oct. 1840, in Times and Seasons, 15 Feb. 1841, 2:311–314; 1 Mar. 1841, 2:327–331; and Parley P. Pratt, Manchester, England, to Sidney Rigdon, Nauvoo, IL, 8 Jan. 1841, in Times and Seasons, 1 Apr. 1841, 2:364–365; see also Historical Introduction to Letter to Vilate Murray Kimball, 2 Mar. 1841.)

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

  4. [4]

    Reports from missionaries proselytizing in the eastern and southern United States had recently been published in the church newspaper. Elam Luddington and Eli G. Terrill sent a letter to JS from New Orleans on 4 January, informing the church president about the branch in that city and requesting another elder be sent to New Orleans to assist them in their proselytizing efforts. They further urged, “For God’s sake send help to this city before the people perish, for it is a time of great excitement here, send us a Peter, or an apostle to preach unto us Jesus.” Harrison Sagers was sent to New Orleans soon thereafter and “commenced to proclaim the fullness of the everlasting gospel to the inhabitants thereof.” (“Communications,” Times and Seasons, 15 Mar. 1841, 2:347–350; “Summary,” Times and Seasons, 1 Mar. 1841, 2:339; “Summary of News from the Elders Abroad,” Times and Seasons, 15 May 1841, 2:415; see also Letter from Harrison Sagers, ca. April 1841.)

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

  5. [5]

    In Walnut Grove, Illinois, for example, the church saw an increase of sixty-six members in the six months following 4 July 1840 and an increase of nearly one hundred since October 1839. (“Conference Minutes,” Times and Seasons, 1 Mar. 1841, 2:338; see also “Truth Prevailing,” Times and Seasons, 15 Mar. 1841, 2:350; and Report, Western World [Warsaw, IL], 20 Jan. 1841, [2].)

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

    Western World. Warsaw, IL. 1840–1841.

  6. [6]

    See Luke 2:52.

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