Account of Meeting, 15 July 1842

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Account of Meeting, 15 July 1842
Source Note

Account of Meeting,
Nauvoo
Principal gathering place for Saints following expulsion from Missouri. Beginning in 1839, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints purchased lands in earlier settlement of Commerce and planned settlement of Commerce City, as well as surrounding areas....
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, Hancock Co., IL, 15 July 1842. Featured version copied [between ca. 16 and ca. 22 July 1842] in JS, Journal, Dec. 1841–Dec. 1842, in Book of the Law of the Lord, pp. 127–128; handwriting of
William Clayton
17 July 1814–4 Dec. 1879. Bookkeeper, clerk. Born at Charnock Moss, Penwortham, Lancashire, England. Son of Thomas Clayton and Ann Critchley. Married Ruth Moon, 9 Oct. 1836, at Penwortham. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by Heber...
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. For more complete source information, see the source note for Revelation, 19 Jan. 1841 [D&C 124].

Historical Introduction
On 15 July 1842, JS participated in a meeting held in
Nauvoo
Principal gathering place for Saints following expulsion from Missouri. Beginning in 1839, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints purchased lands in earlier settlement of Commerce and planned settlement of Commerce City, as well as surrounding areas....
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, Illinois, that addressed
John C. Bennett
3 Aug. 1804–5 Aug. 1867. Physician, minister, poultry breeder. Born at Fairhaven, Bristol Co., Massachusetts. Son of John Bennett and Abigail Cook. Moved to Marietta, Washington Co., Ohio, 1808; to Massachusetts, 1812; and back to Marietta, 1822. Married ...
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’s relationship with
Sarah Marinda Bates Pratt
5 Feb. 1817–25 Dec. 1888. Seamstress. Born in Henderson, Jefferson Co., New York. Daughter of Cyrus Bates and Lydia Harrington. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by Orson Pratt, 18 June 1835, near Sackets Harbor, Jefferson Co. Married...
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, wife of
apostle
Members of a governing body in the church, with special administrative and proselytizing responsibilities. A June 1829 revelation commanded Oliver Cowdery and David Whitmer to call twelve disciples, similar to the twelve apostles in the New Testament and ...
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Orson Pratt
19 Sept. 1811–3 Oct. 1881. Farmer, writer, teacher, merchant, surveyor, editor, publisher. Born at Hartford, Washington Co., New York. Son of Jared Pratt and Charity Dickinson. Moved to New Lebanon, Columbia Co., New York, 1814; to Canaan, Columbia Co., fall...
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, and rumors that
David
12 Apr. 1803–24 Apr. 1876. Merchant, land agent, postmaster, lawyer, railroad executive. Born in Marlborough, Hartford Co., Connecticut. Son of David Kilbourn(e) and Lydia Welles. Presbyterian. Married Harriet Rice in Albany, Albany Co., New York, 28 June...
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and
Edward Kilbourne
22 Jan. 1814–3 Feb. 1878. Merchant, land speculator, gas manufacturer, railroad operator. Born at Marlborough, Hartford Co., Connecticut. Son of David Kilbourn(e) and Lydia Welles. Moved to Lee Co., Iowa Territory, by 1839. In partnership with his brother...
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of
Montrose
Located in southern part of county on western shore of Mississippi River. Area settled by Captain James White, 1832, following Black Hawk War. Federal government purchased land from White to create Fort Des Moines, 1834. Fort abandoned; remaining settlement...
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, Iowa Territory, intended to raise a mob against the Latter-day Saints in Nauvoo. After Orson Pratt returned from a mission to
England
Island nation consisting of southern portion of Great Britain and surrounding smaller islands. Bounded on north by Scotland and on west by Wales. Became province of Roman Empire, first century. Ruled by Romans, through 447. Ruled by Picts, Scots, and Saxons...
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in the summer of 1841, he heard troubling allegations about Sarah. One rumor, which Bennett publicly asserted in the 15 July 1842 issue of the Sangamo Journal, was that while Orson was in England, JS had proposed marriage to Sarah.
1
John C. Bennett, Carthage, IL, 2 July 1842, Letter to the Editor, Sangamo Journal (Springfield, IL), 15 July 1842, [2]. Although Sarah Pratt did not deny the allegation at the time, Joseph Smith III said that he visited Sarah late in her life and she denied that JS ever proposed anything inappropriate to her. Another source stated that Sarah still insisted in the late nineteenth century that JS had proposed to her. (Mary Audentia Smith Anderson, “The Memoirs of President Joseph Smith,” Saints’ Herald, 22 Jan. 1935, 109; Von Wymetal, Joseph Smith the Prophet, 60–63.)
Comprehensive Works Cited
Sangamo Journal. Springfield, IL. 1831–1847.
Saints’ Herald. Independence, MO. 1860–.
Von Wymetal, Wilhelm [W. Wyl, pseud.]. Joseph Smith the Prophet: His Family and His Friends; A Study Based on Facts and Documents. Salt Lake City: Tribune Printing and Publishing, 1886.
A second rumor circulating among Nauvoo
church
The Book of Mormon related that when Christ set up his church in the Americas, “they which were baptized in the name of Jesus, were called the church of Christ.” The first name used to denote the church JS organized on 6 April 1830 was “the Church of Christ...
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members told a different story, claiming that Sarah had engaged in an affair with Bennett while her husband was in England.
2
See, for example, “Testimony of Mrs. Goddard,” in Affidavits and Certificates [Nauvoo, IL: 1842], copy at CHL.
Affidavits and Certificates, Disproving the Statements and Affidavits Contained in John C. Bennett’s Letters. Nauvoo Aug. 31, 1842. [Nauvoo, IL: 1842]. Copy at CHL.
It is unclear when Orson learned about these allegations,
3
Since Bennett’s letter was not published until the 15 July issue of the Sangamo Journal, it is likely that Orson Pratt had not seen it by 15 July, suggesting that Sarah may have been the one who informed him of JS’s alleged proposal.
but by mid-July, he was disconsolate. On 14 July, he wrote a letter declaring that he was “a ruined man!” If JS had proposed marriage to Sarah, Orson wrote, he had “been deceived for 12 years past—my hopes are blasted & gone as it were in a moment.” If the charges about Sarah and Bennett were true, “then my family are ruined forever.” Orson concluded, “My sorrows are greater than I can bear! Where I am henceforth it matters not.”
4
Orson Pratt, Letter, [Nauvoo, IL], 14 July 1842, CHL; see also Brigham Young, Nauvoo, IL, to Parley P. Pratt, Liverpool, England, 17 July 1842, CHL.
Pratt, Orson. Letter, [Nauvoo, IL], 14 July 1842. CHL. MS 16976.
Young, Brigham. Letter, Nauvoo, IL, to Parley P. Pratt, Liverpool, England, 17 July 1842. CHL. MS 14291.
The next morning, he disappeared from Nauvoo. Fearing from the language of the letter and Orson’s disappearance that he was suicidal, JS sent men to look for the apostle, but they did not find him before the meeting commenced.
5
JS, Journal, 15 July 1842. The Warsaw Signal reported that Pratt’s disappearance was sudden and that JS sent “about 500 persons” to look for him. (News Item, Warsaw [IL] Signal, 16 July 1842, [2].)
Warsaw Signal. Warsaw, IL. 1841–1853.

According to the account in JS’s journal, the public meeting of 15 July 1842 was held in “the
Grove
Before partial completion of Nauvoo temple, all large meetings were held outdoors in groves located near east and west sides of temple site. Had portable stands for speakers. JS referred to area as “temple stand” due to its location on brow of hill.
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.” An
Illinois
Became part of Northwest Territory of U.S., 1787. Admitted as state, 1818. Population in 1840 about 480,000. Population in 1845 about 660,000. Plentiful, inexpensive land attracted settlers from northern and southern states. Following expulsion from Missouri...
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newspaper reported that JS spoke “in front of the
temple
Located in portion of Nauvoo known as the bluff. JS revelation dated Jan. 1841 commanded Saints to build temple and hotel (Nauvoo House). Cornerstone laid, 6 Apr. 1841. Saints volunteered labor, money, and other resources for temple construction. Construction...
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.”
6
“From Nauvoo,” Sangamo Journal (Springfield, IL), 22 July 1842, [3].
In the morning session of the meeting, JS spoke about
Bennett
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’s misconduct, as well as the alleged relationship Bennett had with
Sarah Pratt
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. The afternoon session dealt with charges that brothers
David
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and
Edward Kilbourne
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were raising a mob against the Saints. The Kilbournes had been vocal critics of JS and the church, writing letters to the editors of newspapers in
Iowa Territory
Area acquired by U.S. in Louisiana Purchase, 1803. First permanent white settlements established, ca. 1833. Organized as territory, 1838, containing all of present-day Iowa, much of present-day Minnesota, and parts of North and South Dakota. Population in...
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and Illinois accusing the Saints of theft and JS of land fraud.
7
David Kilbourne and Edward Kilbourne, “Latter-Day-ism, No. 1,” Hawk-Eye and Iowa Patriot (Burlington), 30 Sept. 1841, [1]; David Kilbourne and Edward Kilbourne, “Latter-Day-ism, No. 2,” Hawk-Eye and Iowa Patriot, 7 Oct. 1841, [2]; David Kilbourne and Edward Kilbourne, “Latter-Day-ism, No. 3,” Hawk-Eye and Iowa Patriot, 14 Oct. 1841, [3]; David Kilbourne and Edward Kilbourne, “Latter-Day-ism,” Warsaw (IL) Signal, 6 Oct. 1841, [2]–[3].
Hawk-Eye and Iowa Patriot. Burlington, IA. 1839–1851.
In May 1842, David also wrote a letter to
Missouri
Area acquired by U.S. in Louisiana Purchase, 1803, and established as territory, 1812. Missouri Compromise, 1820, admitted Missouri as slave state, 1821. Population in 1830 about 140,000; in 1836 about 240,000; and in 1840 about 380,000. Latter-day Saint ...
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governor
Thomas Reynolds
12 Mar. 1796–9 Feb. 1844. Attorney, politician, judge. Born at Mason Co. (later Bracken Co.), Kentucky. Son of Nathaniel Reynolds and Catherine Vernon. Admitted to Kentucky bar, 1817. Moved to Illinois, by 1818. Served as clerk of Illinois House of Representatives...
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communicating his strong suspicion that JS was behind the attempted assassination of ex-governor
Lilburn W. Boggs
14 Dec. 1796–14 Mar. 1860. Bookkeeper, bank cashier, merchant, Indian agent and trader, lawyer, doctor, postmaster, politician. Born at Lexington, Fayette Co., Kentucky. Son of John M. Boggs and Martha Oliver. Served in War of 1812. Moved to St. Louis, ca...
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.
8
David Kilbourne, Montrose, Iowa Territory, to Thomas Reynolds, Jefferson City, MO, 14 May 1842, Records of Governor Thomas Reynolds, 1840–1844, MSA.
Records of Governor Thomas Reynolds, 1840–1844. MSA.
JS may not have been aware of this letter, but on 24 June 1842, he wrote Illinois governor
Thomas Carlin
18 July 1789–14 Feb. 1852. Ferry owner, farmer, sheriff, politician. Born in Fayette Co., Kentucky. Son of Thomas Carlin and Elizabeth Evans. Baptist. Moved to what became Missouri, by 1803. Moved to Illinois Territory, by 1812. Served in War of 1812. Married...
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that he feared Bennett was in a conspiracy with the Kilbournes to kidnap him and extradite him to Missouri.
9
Letter to Thomas Carlin, 24 June 1842.
Edward Kilbourne was present at the 15 July meeting and answered questions JS asked about such a conspiracy.

William Clayton
17 July 1814–4 Dec. 1879. Bookkeeper, clerk. Born at Charnock Moss, Penwortham, Lancashire, England. Son of Thomas Clayton and Ann Critchley. Married Ruth Moon, 9 Oct. 1836, at Penwortham. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by Heber...
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recorded an account of the meeting in the journal he was keeping for JS in the Book of the Law of the Lord. At the conclusion of the entry, Clayton mentioned that
Pratt
19 Sept. 1811–3 Oct. 1881. Farmer, writer, teacher, merchant, surveyor, editor, publisher. Born at Hartford, Washington Co., New York. Son of Jared Pratt and Charity Dickinson. Moved to New Lebanon, Columbia Co., New York, 1814; to Canaan, Columbia Co., fall...
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returned the evening of 15 July, suggesting that the entry was not recorded at least until that night or the following day. It may have not been recorded until 22 July, when Clayton apparently inscribed additional journal entries.
10
JS, Journal, 15 July 1842. The entries for 15–19 July may have been inscribed at the same time.
Footnotes
[1]
John C. Bennett, Carthage, IL, 2 July 1842, Letter to the Editor, Sangamo Journal (Springfield, IL), 15 July 1842, [2]. Although Sarah Pratt did not deny the allegation at the time, Joseph Smith III said that he visited Sarah late in her life and she denied that JS ever proposed anything inappropriate to her. Another source stated that Sarah still insisted in the late nineteenth century that JS had proposed to her. (Mary Audentia Smith Anderson, “The Memoirs of President Joseph Smith,” Saints’ Herald, 22 Jan. 1935, 109; Von Wymetal, Joseph Smith the Prophet, 60–63.)
Saints’ Herald. Independence, MO. 1860–.
Von Wymetal, Wilhelm [W. Wyl, pseud.]. Joseph Smith the Prophet: His Family and His Friends; A Study Based on Facts and Documents. Salt Lake City: Tribune Printing and Publishing, 1886.
[2]
See, for example, “Testimony of Mrs. Goddard,” in Affidavits and Certificates [Nauvoo, IL: 1842], copy at CHL.
Affidavits and Certificates, Disproving the Statements and Affidavits Contained in John C. Bennett’s Letters. Nauvoo Aug. 31, 1842. [Nauvoo, IL: 1842]. Copy at CHL.
[3]
Since Bennett’s letter was not published until the 15 July issue of the Sangamo Journal, it is likely that Orson Pratt had not seen it by 15 July, suggesting that Sarah may have been the one who informed him of JS’s alleged proposal.
[4]
Orson Pratt, Letter, [Nauvoo, IL], 14 July 1842, CHL; see also Brigham Young, Nauvoo, IL, to Parley P. Pratt, Liverpool, England, 17 July 1842, CHL.
Pratt, Orson. Letter, [Nauvoo, IL], 14 July 1842. CHL. MS 16976.
Young, Brigham. Letter, Nauvoo, IL, to Parley P. Pratt, Liverpool, England, 17 July 1842. CHL. MS 14291.
[5]
JS, Journal, 15 July 1842. The Warsaw Signal reported that Pratt’s disappearance was sudden and that JS sent “about 500 persons” to look for him. (News Item, Warsaw [IL] Signal, 16 July 1842, [2].)
[6]
“From Nauvoo,” Sangamo Journal (Springfield, IL), 22 July 1842, [3].
[7]
David Kilbourne and Edward Kilbourne, “Latter-Day-ism, No. 1,” Hawk-Eye and Iowa Patriot (Burlington), 30 Sept. 1841, [1]; David Kilbourne and Edward Kilbourne, “Latter-Day-ism, No. 2,” Hawk-Eye and Iowa Patriot, 7 Oct. 1841, [2]; David Kilbourne and Edward Kilbourne, “Latter-Day-ism, No. 3,” Hawk-Eye and Iowa Patriot, 14 Oct. 1841, [3]; David Kilbourne and Edward Kilbourne, “Latter-Day-ism,” Warsaw (IL) Signal, 6 Oct. 1841, [2]–[3].
Hawk-Eye and Iowa Patriot. Burlington, IA. 1839–1851.
[8]
David Kilbourne, Montrose, Iowa Territory, to Thomas Reynolds, Jefferson City, MO, 14 May 1842, Records of Governor Thomas Reynolds, 1840–1844, MSA.
Records of Governor Thomas Reynolds, 1840–1844. MSA.
[9]
Letter to Thomas Carlin, 24 June 1842.
[10]
JS, Journal, 15 July 1842. The entries for 15–19 July may have been inscribed at the same time.
Asterisk (*) denotes a "featured" version, which includes an introduction and annotation. *Account of Meeting, 15 July 1842 Journal, December 1841–December 1842 History, 1838–1856, volume C-1 [2 November 1838–31 July 1842] “History of Joseph Smith”
Page 127
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After considerable search had been made but to no effect a meeting was called at the
Grove
Before partial completion of Nauvoo temple, all large meetings were held outdoors in groves located near east and west sides of temple site. Had portable stands for speakers. JS referred to area as “temple stand” due to its location on brow of hill.
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where Joseph stated before the public a general outline of
J[ohn] C. Bennett
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s conduct and especially with regard to
Sis P [Sarah Marinda Bates Pratt]
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1
The Sangamo Journal reported that JS, who “appeared to be much excited,” gave a speech on 14 July “in front of the temple” on “Bennett—the Sangamo Journal—Mrs. Pratt—and other matters.” The Journal may have been referring to this 15 July meeting and misreported the date. The Journal also reported that JS insulted Sarah Pratt in his speech. (“From Nauvoo,” Sangamo Journal [Springfield, IL], 22 July 1842, [3]; “Orson Pratt,” Sangamo Journal, 29 July 1842, [2].)
Met again in the P.M. when
Hyrum [Smith]
9 Feb. 1800–27 June 1844. Farmer, cooper. Born at Tunbridge, Orange Co., Vermont. Son of Joseph Smith Sr. and Lucy Mack. Moved to Randolph, Orange Co., 1802; back to Tunbridge, before May 1803; to Royalton, Windsor Co., Vermont, 1804; to Sharon, Windsor Co...
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&
H[eber] C. Kimball
14 June 1801–22 June 1868. Blacksmith, potter. Born at Sheldon, Franklin Co., Vermont. Son of Solomon Farnham Kimball and Anna Spaulding. Married Vilate Murray, 22 Nov. 1822, at Mendon, Monroe Co., New York. Member of Baptist church at Mendon, 1831. Baptized...
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spake on the same subject after which Joseph arose and said that he would state to those present some things which he had heard respecting
Edward
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&
D Kilbourn [David Kilbourne]
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being conspiring with
J. C. Bennett
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in endeavoring to bring [p. 127]
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Source Note
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Page 127
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Footnotes
[1]
The Sangamo Journal reported that JS, who “appeared to be much excited,” gave a speech on 14 July “in front of the temple” on “Bennett—the Sangamo Journal—Mrs. Pratt—and other matters.” The Journal may have been referring to this 15 July meeting and misreported the date. The Journal also reported that JS insulted Sarah Pratt in his speech. (“From Nauvoo,” Sangamo Journal [Springfield, IL], 22 July 1842, [3]; “Orson Pratt,” Sangamo Journal, 29 July 1842, [2].)