Skip to main content

Letter from John C. Bennett, 30 July 1840

  1. Home > 
  2. The Papers > 

Letter from John C. Bennett, 30 July 1840

Source Note

, Letter, , Wayne Co., IL, to and JS, [, Hancock Co., IL], 30 July 1840. Featured version copied [probably ca. Aug. 1840] in JS Letterbook 2, pp. 168–169; handwriting of ; JS Collection, CHL. For more complete source information, see the source note for JS Letterbook 2.

Historical Introduction

On 30 July 1840, wrote to JS and for the third time in five days. As he had in his previous two letters, Bennett reminded JS and Rigdon of his earlier offer to help the during their difficulties in . Bennett also reiterated more enthusiastically his intention to move to , Illinois, to join the Saints, a longing also demonstrated by how frequently he was corresponding with JS and Rigdon. JS responded on 8 August 1840.
The original letter is apparently not extant, but copied it into JS Letterbook 2, probably soon after JS received it.

Footnotes

  1. [1]

    Letters from John C. Bennett, 25 and 27 July 1840.

  2. [2]

    Letter to John C. Bennett, 8 Aug. 1840.

  3. [3]

    Coray, Autobiographical Sketch, 17, 19.

    Coray, Howard. Autobiographical Sketch, after 1883. Howard Coray, Papers, ca. 1840–1941. Photocopy. CHL. MS 2043, fd. 1.

Asterisk (*) denotes a "featured" version, which includes an introduction and annotation. *Letter from John C. Bennett, 30 July 1840 Letterbook 2 History, 1838–1856, volume C-1 [2 November 1838–31 July 1842] “History of Joseph Smith”
Go to previous page 1

Page 169

the general point of concentration for the Mormon people? for at that point I desire to locate, and ever remain.
My anxiety to be with [you] is daily increasing, and I shall wind up my professional business immediately, and proceed to your blissful abode, if you think it best. Look at all my letters and papers and write me forth with. You are aware that at the time of your most bitter persecution, I was with you in feeling & proffered you my military knowledge & prowess. My faith is still strong— I believe the God of the whole earth will avenge your wrongs in time as well as in eternity, O. my friends! go on and prosper; and may the God of all grace save you with an everlasting salvation.
Yours respectfully
[p. 169]
View entire transcript

|

Cite this page

Source Note

Document Transcript

Go to previous page 1

Page 169

Document Information

Related Case Documents
Editorial Title
Letter from John C. Bennett, 30 July 1840
ID #
561
Total Pages
2
Print Volume Location
JSP, D7:368–370
Handwriting on This Page
  • Howard Coray

Footnotes

  1. [2]

    The earliest extant versions of all three letters Bennett wrote to JS and Rigdon in July 1840 are those copied into JS Letterbook 2, which did not retain the address panels of the original letters. Bennett apparently directed the letters of 25 and 27 July to Commerce, Illinois, and the letter of 30 July to Nauvoo. His confusion about the name of the Saints’ new gathering place was not unusual. The Commerce area had become more officially known as Nauvoo in April 1840, when the name of the post office changed from Commerce to Nauvoo. However, the names were used interchangeably by both residents and outsiders for some time thereafter. (Letters from John C. Bennett, 25 and 27 July 1840; Robert Johnstone to Richard M. Young, 21 Apr. 1840, in JS History, vol. C-1, 1053; News Item, Times and Seasons, May 1840, 1:106; Alanson Ripley, “Keokuk,” Times and Seasons, Dec. 1839, 1:24; “Official Returns of the Hancock County Election, August 7th, 1843,” Nauvoo Neighbor, 16 Aug. 1843, [2].)

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

    Nauvoo Neighbor. Nauvoo, IL. 1843–1845.

  2. [3]

    Bennett was referring to a letter he apparently wrote to JS during the “Mormon War” in Missouri. When he wrote to JS and Rigdon earlier in July 1840, Bennett also referred to this letter he claimed to have written while JS was in Missouri. (Letters from John C. Bennett, 25 and 27 July 1840; Letter to John C. Bennett, 8 Aug. 1840.)

  3. [4]

    See 1 Peter 5:10.

  4. [5]

    See Isaiah 45:17.

Go to page