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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 386

heavenly command; numerous habitations of the saints thickly studding the flowery and wide spread prairies of ; temples for the worship of our God erecting in various parts; and great peace resting upon Israel.
We would call the attention of the saints more particularly to the erection of the , for on its speedy erection great blessings depend. The zeal which is manifested by the saints in this is indeed praise worthy, and we hope will be imitated by the saints in the various and of the church, and that those who cannot contribute labor, will bring their gold and their silver, their brass, and their iron, with the pine tree and box tree, to beautify the same.
We are glad to hear of the organization of the different in this , and hope that the organization will be attended to in every stake and branch of the church, for the Almighty is a lover of order and good government.
From the faith and enterprise of the saints generally, we feel greatly encouraged, and cheerfully attend to the important duties devolving upon us, knowing that we not only have the approval of Heaven, but that our efforts for the establishing of and the spread of truth, are cheerfully seconded by the thousands of Israel.
In conclusion we would say, brethren, be faithful; let your love and moderation be known unto all men; be patient; be mindful to observe all the commandments of your heavenly Father; and the God of all grace shall blesss you, even so, Amen.
, Clerk. [p. 386]
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Document Information

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
Handwriting on This Page
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Footnotes

  1. [21]

    In their 15 January 1841 proclamation, JS and the First Presidency encouraged the Saints to gather in Nauvoo. They quoted from Psalm 50, which notes that God called for the Saints to gather “together unto me; those that have made a covenant with me by sacrifice.” (Proclamation, 15 Jan. 1841; Psalm 50:5.)

  2. [22]

    Efforts to acquire land in the region continued into summer 1841. (See, for example, Letter to John M. Bernhisel, 13 Apr. 1841; and Historical Introduction to Letter from Calvin A. Warren, 31 Aug. 1841.)

  3. [23]

    See Revelation, 19 Jan. 1841 [D&C 124:33–55]. For more on temples in Latter-day Saint history and theology, see Revelation, 27–28 Dec. 1832, and Revelation, 3 Jan. 1833 [D&C 88]; and Minutes and Prayer of Dedication, 27 Mar. 1836 [D&C 109].

  4. [24]

    See Isaiah 60:13, 17. This scriptural allusion from the First Presidency emphasized the church’s need for tithing to complete important building projects in Nauvoo. On 1 February 1841 the Times and Seasons printed Elias Higbee’s letter about the importance of building the temple and the necessity of sacrifice and tithing to do so. Higbee encouraged the Saints to be generous and not to love money or possessions above God; he called for “those who live at a distance, who cannot put in work” on the building, to instead “send in their tithing speedily, so that the work may be accomplished speedily.” (Elias Higbee, “Ecclesiastical,” Times and Seasons, 1 Feb. 1841, 2:296; see also Phebe Carter Woodruff, Lee Co., Iowa Territory, to Wilford Woodruff, Manchester, England, 6–19 Oct. 1840, Wilford Woodruff, Collection, CHL.)

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

    Woodruff, Wilford. Collection, 1831–1905. Digital scans. CHL. Originals in private possession.

  5. [25]

    Priesthood quorums were organized in accordance with a JS revelation dated 19 January 1841. The revelation established most of the quorum presidencies but left some vacant, particularly the presidencies for quorums in the Aaronic Priesthood. By 21 March 1841, Samuel Rolfe had been chosen as president of the priests, with Stephen Markham and Hezekiah Peck as counselors; Elisha Averett became president of the teachers, with James W. Huntsman and James Hendricks as counselors; and Phineas R. Bird was named president of the deacons, with David Wood and William W. Lane as counselors. (Revelation, 19 Jan. 1841 [D&C 124:123–145]; “Record of the Quorum of the Lesser Priesthood,” 10; Teachers Quorum Minutes, 2 May 1841.)

    Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Record of Members Collection, 1836–1970. CHL. CR 375 8.

    Teachers Quorum. Minutes, 1834–1845. CHL. MS 3428.

  6. [26]

    See Philippians 4:5.

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