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Authorization for Oliver Granger, 13 May 1839

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Authorization for Oliver Granger, 13 May 1839

Source Note

JS, , and , Authorization, for , , Hancock Co., IL, 13 May 1839. Featured version copied [between 29 May and 30 Oct. 1839] in JS Letterbook 2, pp. 45–46; handwriting of ; JS Collection, CHL. For more complete source information, see the source note for JS Letterbook 2.

Historical Introduction

During a general of the church on 4–5 May 1839, the in , Illinois, resolved to send to , Ohio, to oversee the and church affairs in the region. On 6 May, JS and his counselors in the prepared an authorization for Granger to carry with him to Kirtland. While transacting “various business” with Granger a week later in , the First Presidency wrote a second authorization, featured here.
The 13 May authorization is longer than the 6 May authorization and is addressed to members of the church. The authorization expresses the First Presidency’s confidence in Granger’s integrity and ability to resolve the business concerns of the church. The authorization also expands the duties mentioned in the 6 May authorization, instructing him to oversee a broad set of church affairs in . These duties included acting as an for the church and collecting funds from church members. The authorization cites a revelation JS dictated in July 1838 concerning ’s responsibilities and uses language from the revelation to appoint him as a church agent and bless him for his integrity and work on the church’s behalf.
The authorization was copied into JS Letterbook 2 by between 29 May and 30 October 1839. The original is apparently not extant, but its format was likely similar to that of the 6 May authorization and another authorization written for Granger on 1 November 1839, both of which were inscribed on loose leaves.
left for sometime after 29 May 1839, when he acted as an agent in purchasing land in from . Granger continued to travel between Kirtland and , managing JS’s and the church’s affairs in and the eastern , until his death in 1841.

Footnotes

  1. [1]

    Minutes, 4–5 May 1839; Authorization for Oliver Granger, 6 May 1839.

  2. [2]

    JS, Journal, 13–14 May 1839. The business may have included arranging for Granger to purchase land for the church in Lee County, Iowa Territory, from Isaac Galland.

  3. [3]

    Mulholland copied his own 29 May 1839 letter to Edward Partridge on page 15 of JS Letterbook 2, making that the earliest likely copying date for documents he subsequently copied but that had dates preceding 29 May.

  4. [4]

    See JS et al., Authorization for Oliver Granger, Quincy, IL, 1 Nov. 1839, photocopy, CHL.

  5. [5]

    See Lee Co., IA, Land Records, 1836–1961, vol. 1, pp. 507–510, 29 May 1839, microfilm 959,238, U.S. and Canada Record Collection, FHL.

    U.S. and Canada Record Collection. FHL.

  6. [6]

    See Agreement with Mead & Betts, 2 Aug. 1839. For additional examples of Granger’s actions and responsibilities as a church agent, see William Marks, Power of Attorney for Oliver Granger, 7 May 1839; John A. Newbould, Agreement with Oliver Granger, ca. 2 Aug. 1839; JS, Articles of Agreement with Oliver Granger, 29 Apr. 1840, Hiram Kimball Collection, CHL; JS, Nauvoo, IL, to Oliver Granger, Kirtland, OH, [23] July 1840, in JS Letterbook 2, pp. 159–161; and Nauvoo High Council Minutes, 12 Apr. 1840.

    Kimball, Hiram. Collection, 1830–1910. CHL.

    Nauvoo High Council Minutes, 1839–1845. CHL. LR 3102 22.

Asterisk (*) denotes a "featured" version, which includes an introduction and annotation. *Authorization for Oliver Granger, 13 May 1839 Letterbook 2 History, 1838–1856, volume C-1 [2 November 1838–31 July 1842] “History of Joseph Smith”
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Page 46

of the , And he is now authorized by a general to go forth and engage in vast business and important concerns as an for the Church, that he may fill a station of usefulness in obedience to the commandments of God, which was given unto him July 8th 1838— which says, “Let him (meaning ) Contend earnestly for the redemption of the of my Church saith the Lord.”
We earnestly solicit the Saints scattered abroad to strengthen his hands with all their might, and to put such means into his hands as shall enable him to accomplish his lawful designs And purposes, according to the , and according to the instructions which he shall give unto them. And that they intrust him with moneys, lands, chattles And goods, to assist him in this work, And it shall redound greatly to the interest and welfare, peace and satisfaction of my Saints Saith the Lord God. For this is an honorable agency which I have appointed unto him Saith the Lord; And again Verily thus saith the Lord, I will lift up my servant , And beget for him a great name on the earth and among my people, because of the integrity of his soul; therefore let all my Saints abound unto him with all liberality and long suffering, and it shall be a blessing on their heads.
We would say unto the Saints abroad, Let our hearts abound with grateful acknowledgements unto God our Heavenly Father, who hath called us unto his holy calling, by the revelation of Jesus Christ in these last days, and has so mercifully stood by us, And delivered us out of the seventh trouble which happened unto us in the State of .
May God reward our enemies according to their works. We request the prayers of all the Saints. Subscribing ourselves, their humble brethren in tribulation in the bonds of the everlasting Gospel.
Joseph Smith Jr
[p. 46]
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Document Information

Related Case Documents
Editorial Title
Authorization for Oliver Granger, 13 May 1839
ID #
446
Total Pages
2
Print Volume Location
JSP, D6:456–459
Handwriting on This Page
  • James Mulholland

Footnotes

  1. [3]

    See Minutes, 4–5 May 1839.

  2. [4]

    Revelation, 8 July 1838–E [D&C 117:12–13].

  3. [5]

    See Nehemiah 6:9; and Job 4:3.

  4. [6]

    See Genesis 12:2; and 1 Chronicles 17:8. An 8 July 1838 revelation included a similar promise to Granger. (See Revelation, 8 July 1838–E [D&C 117:12].)

  5. [7]

    See 2 Corinthians 8:2.

  6. [8]

    See Proverbs 10:6.

  7. [9]

    See 2 Timothy 1:9; and Book of Mormon, 1830 ed., 259 [Alma 13:5].

  8. [10]

    See Galatians 1:12; 1 Peter 1:13; and Revelation 1:1.

  9. [11]

    See Job 5:19. The authorization may be referencing the general exodus of church members from Missouri or the recent escape of JS and others from incarceration and their safe arrival in Illinois. For more information on these events, see Introduction to Part 3: 4 Nov. 1838–16 Apr. 1839.

  10. [12]

    See Matthew 16:27; and 2 Timothy 4:14.

  11. [13]

    See Revelation 1:9.

  12. [14]

    See Philemon 1:13; and Revelation 14:6.

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