Letter to the Saints in Kirtland, Ohio, 19 October 1840
Source Note
JS and , Letter, , Hancock Co., IL, to “the Saints in Kirtland,” , Lake Co., OH, 19 Oct. 1840. Featured version copied [ca. Oct. 1840] in JS Letterbook 2, pp. 188–190; handwriting of ; JS Collection, CHL. For more complete source information, see the source note for JS Letterbook 2.
Historical Introduction
On 19 October 1840, JS and wrote a letter to the Saints in , Ohio, informing them of a recent decision to have preside over the Kirtland and chastising them for failing to adequately support JS and other leaders. In summer 1840, JS had received letters from , , and complaining about the conduct of Babbitt, who by then had relocated to Kirtland and had evidently taken steps that, from JS’s perspective, were “calculated to destroy the confidence of the brethren” in JS and “any of the Authorities of the church.” These steps included counseling members in the eastern to gather to Kirtland instead of to , Illinois, and excluding “faithful brethren, men enjoying the confidence of the church,” from “secret meetings” held in the in Kirtland.
In July 1840, JS wrote a letter to condemning ’s actions, and in September 1840, JS leveled charges against Babbitt before the . After JS and Babbitt had both addressed the council, JS withdrew the charges, “and both parties were reconciled together.” The October 1840 general of the church then appointed Babbitt to preside over the church in . At this conference, JS also “gave it as his opinion, that the brethren from the east might gather” to Kirtland. He later told Granger that he preferred “that the Eastern brethren” gather to Nauvoo, even though they were “at liberty” to move to Kirtland if they desired.
Although JS seemed reconciled with and his pronouncements about , JS remained unsettled about what he perceived as disunity there. In his July letter to , JS had noted that Kirtland would be unable to “become a place of safety for the saints” and that church members there would not experience “the blessings of Jehovah” if they continued to exhibit “uncharitable feelings” and “lack of confidence” in church leaders. He and made similar comments in this October 1840 letter, although they also expressed their willingness to forgive past offenses.
The original letter is not extant. copied the letter into JS Letterbook 2, probably before it was sent. On 22 May 1841, the church in held a conference in which was appointed of the Kirtland stake, indicating that church leaders had received the instruction in this letter by that time.
these things to God and to futurity. and feel disposed to forget this coldness on the part of the in , and to look to the future with more pleasure than were while we contemplate the past; and shall by the assistance of our Heavenly Father, take such steps as we think best calculated to promote the interest of the saints and for the promotion of truth & righteousness, and the building up of the kingdom in these last days.
The situation of was brought before the general holden at this place on the 3d. instant, when it was resolved that should be appointed to over the of and that he be privileged to choose his own ; We therefore hope that the Saints will hold up the hands of our beloved brother, and unite with him in endeavoring to promote the interest of the kingdom.
It has been deemed prudent to advise the Eastern bretheren who desire to locate in , to do so, consequently you may expect an increase of members in your stake, who probably will be but young in the faith and who will require kind treatment. We therefore hope the bretheren will feel interested in the welfare of the saints, and will use all their endeavors to promote the welfare of the bretheren who may think proper to take up their residence in that place.
If you should put away from your midst all evil speaking, backbiting & unge[ne]rous thoughts and feelings; humble yourselves and cultivate every principle of virtue & Love then will the blessings of Jehovah rest upon you and you will yet see good and glorious days, peace will be within your gates, and prosperity in your borders which may our heavenly Father grant in the name of Jesus Christ is the prayer of your. in the bonds of the ,