JS, Letter, , Hancock Co., IL, to , , Adams Co., IL, 27 May 1839. Featured version copied [between 27 May and 30 Oct. 1839] in JS Letterbook 2, pp. 13–14; handwriting of ; JS Collection, CHL. For more complete source information, see the source note for JS Letterbook 2.
Historical Introduction
On 27 May 1839, JS composed a letter to regarding two letters Wight had recently published in the Quincy Whig. In Wight’s letters, he assailed officials, particularly Democratic politicians, for failing to aid the . , who informed JS about Wight’s letters, feared that Wight’s anti-Democratic sentiments would offend residents of , Illinois, and harm the church’s efforts in seeking federal redress for their losses in Missouri. According to Thompson, church leaders in Quincy had appointed a committee to dissuade Wight from blaming Democrats for the church’s problems in Missouri. In response to the situation, on 17 May the wrote a letter to the editors of the Quincy Whig. In the letter, the First Presidency affirmed Wight’s freedom of expression but clarified that Wight spoke for himself, not the church, and that the mistreatment of the Saints in Missouri should not be turned into a political matter.
In this 27 May letter to , JS explained that in response to ’s and other church members’ concerns, he and other church leaders had discussed Wight’s letters in a meeting and drafted a letter disapproving of Wight’s statements. JS wrote that he and other church leaders did “not at all approve” of Wight’s course of action, which had made “the subject of our sufferings a political question.” Despite this rebuke, JS stressed his belief that Wight had acted with good intentions and was a man of integrity. JS also discussed the potential consequences of Wight’s political assertions, and while JS did not ask Wight to stop writing, JS did urge caution and requested that Wight avoid writing as though he spoke for the church. Five days after JS wrote this letter, the Quincy Whig published another letter from Wight, in which he referenced the First Presidency’s 17 May letter to the editors of the newspaper. Wight stated that he did not “wish to make a political question” of the troubles, but he dismissed the church leaders’ earlier guidance and insisted that he must show who was responsible for the Saints’ suffering. The original letter JS sent to Wight is apparently not extant. The text featured here was copied by into JS Letterbook 2 between 27 May and 30 October 1839.
See Historical Introduction to Letter from Robert B. Thompson, 13 May 1839; see also Lyman Wight, Quincy, IL, 1 May 1839, Letter to the Editors, Quincy (IL) Whig, 4 May 1839, [2]; and Lyman Wight, Quincy, IL, 7 May 1839, Letter to the Editors, Quincy Whig, 11 May 1839, [2].
at all approve of the course which you have thought proper to take in making the subject of our sufferings a political question, at the same time you will percieve that we there express, what we really feel, that is, a confidence of your good intentions in so doing. And (as I took occasion to state to the ) knowing your integrity of principle and steadfastness in the cause of Christ, I feel not to exercise even the privilege of Council on the subject save only to request that you will endeavour to bear in mind the importance of the Subject, And how easy it might be to get into difficulty a misunderstanding with the brethren concerning it, And though last, not least that whilst you continue to go upon your own credit, you will also steer clear of making the appear as either supporting or opposing you in your politics, lest such a course may have a tendency to bring about persecution on the Church where a little wisdom And caution may avoid it.
I do not know that there is any occasion for my thus cautioning you in this thing, but having done so, I hope it will be well taken And that all things shall eventually be found to work together for the good of the Saints. I should be happy to have you here to dwell amongst us, And am in hopes soon to have that pleasure. I was happy to receive your favour of the 20th Inst And to observe the contents, And beg to say in reply that I Shall attend to what you therein suggest, And shall feel pleasure at all times to answer any request of yours, And attend to them also in the best manner possible. With every possible feeling of love and friendship for an old fellow prisoner, and brother in the Lord. I remain Sir,