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Authorization, 27–31 May 1843, Draft

Source Note

JS as trustee-in-trust for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Draft of Authorization,
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, 27–31 May 1843; handwriting of
William W. Phelps

17 Feb. 1792–7 Mar. 1872. Writer, teacher, printer, newspaper editor, publisher, postmaster, lawyer. Born at Hanover, Morris Co., New Jersey. Son of Enon Phelps and Mehitabel Goldsmith. Moved to Homer, Cortland Co., New York, 1800. Married Sally Waterman,...

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; signature of JS in the handwriting of
Thomas Bullock

23 Dec. 1816–10 Feb. 1885. Farmer, excise officer, secretary, clerk. Born in Leek, Staffordshire, England. Son of Thomas Bullock and Mary Hall. Married Henrietta Rushton, 25 June 1838. Moved to Ardee, Co. Louth, Ireland, Nov. 1839; to Isle of Anglesey, Aug...

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; dockets in handwriting of
George Walker

15 Dec. 1806–after 1870. Bookkeeper, clerk, rope maker, laborer. Born in Burslem, Staffordshire, England. Moved to Lancashire, England, before 1832. Married Catherine Burgess, before 1832, in Lancashire. Moved to Salford, Lancashire, before 1840. Baptized...

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and
Thomas Bullock

23 Dec. 1816–10 Feb. 1885. Farmer, excise officer, secretary, clerk. Born in Leek, Staffordshire, England. Son of Thomas Bullock and Mary Hall. Married Henrietta Rushton, 25 June 1838. Moved to Ardee, Co. Louth, Ireland, Nov. 1839; to Isle of Anglesey, Aug...

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; three pages; JS Collection, CHL.

Historical Introduction

See Historical Introduction to Authorization for Brigham Young, 1 June 1843.

Page [1]

To all saints, and honorable men of the earth. . . Greeting:—
Dear Brenthren And friends:— I Joseph Smith, a servant of God <​the Lord​>, and Trustee in trust for 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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of the Lord <​God ​> at
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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, do hereby certify, that the bearer hereof,
Brigham Young

1 June 1801–29 Aug. 1877. Carpenter, painter, glazier, colonizer. Born at Whitingham, Windham Co., Vermont. Son of John Young and Abigail (Nabby) Howe. Brought up in Methodist household; later joined Methodist church. Moved to Sherburne, Chenango Co., New...

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, an
elder

A male leader in the church generally; an ecclesiastical and priesthood office or one holding that office; a proselytizing missionary. The Book of Mormon explained that elders ordained priests and teachers and administered “the flesh and blood of Christ unto...

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, and <​one​> of the
Twelve apostles

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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of the
church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints

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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, has deposited with me his bond and security, to my full satisfaction, according to the resolution of the
Conference

A meeting where ecclesiastical officers and other church members could conduct church business. The “Articles and Covenants” of the church directed the elders to hold conferences to perform “Church business.” The first of these conferences was held on 9 June...

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held in this
city

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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, on the 6th day of April last.
He, therefore is recommended to all saints and honorable people, as a legal
agent

A specific church office and, more generally, someone “entrusted with the business of another.” Agents in the church assisted other ecclesiastical officers, especially the bishop in his oversight of the church’s temporal affairs. A May 1831 revelation instructed...

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to collect funds for the purpose of building the
Nauvoo house

Located in lower portion of Nauvoo (the flats) along bank of Mississippi River. JS revelation, dated 19 Jan. 1841, instructed Saints to build boardinghouse for travelers and immigrants. Construction of planned three-story building to be funded by fifty-dollar...

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, and
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...

More Info
of the Lord. Confident that he will honor this high trust, as well as ardently fulfil his commission as a messenger of peace, and salvation, as one of the Lord’s noble men, I can fervantly say may the Lord clear his way before him, and bless him, and bless those that obey his teachings wherever there are ears to hear and hearts to feel. He is, in the language of the Hebrews [2 Hebrew words]
1

TEXT: Hebrew words transliterated and translated in the margin in handwriting of Thomas Bullock: “Haw-ra-ang yeesh-raw-ale | the friend of Israel”.


the friend of Israel, and worthy to be received and entertained as a man of God: yea: he has, as had the ancient apostles ([1 Greek word] [4 Greek words] -[o logos o kalos]- the good word: even the good word that leadeth unto eternal life. Laus Deus. Praise God.
Reposing great confidence in his integrity and feel ◊◊◊ a desire to interest and awaken the sensiblities of all <​who​> may bey be the subjects of his mission. that he may recieve that reward which the faithful should receive from all saints and honorable men, who are willing to honor the Lord by
2

TEXT: Text cancelled by next leaf, which is attached with three adhesive wafers.


[p. [1]]
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Document Information

Related Case Documents
Editorial Title
Authorization, 27–31 May 1843, Draft
ID #
2184
Total Pages
4
Print Volume Location
Handwriting on This Page
  • William W. Phelps

Footnotes

  1. [1]

    TEXT: Hebrew words transliterated and translated in the margin in handwriting of Thomas Bullock: “Haw-ra-ang yeesh-raw-ale | the friend of Israel”.

  2. [2]

    TEXT: Text cancelled by next leaf, which is attached with three adhesive wafers.

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