Likely drawing on private teachings from JS, Dunham publicly taught five years earlier that the church would eventually move further west. In 1840, after having spent several months in Indian Territory, Dunham passed through Kirtland, Ohio, on his way to preach to Indians in the eastern states. There he spoke openly of his recent missionary work in the West and its theological purpose. Thomas Burdick, a local elder, reported that “in publick he [Dunham] says. ‘This nation is about to be destroyed’ and suggests to the brethren that there is a place of safety preparing for them away towards the Rockey mountains.” (Thomas Burdick, Letter, Kirtland, OH, 28 Aug. 1840, in JS Letterbook 2, pp. 174–175.)

Samuel Bent, one of the nine men appointed to the Western Mission, spoke earlier in the meeting in favor of the mission. The other three appointees were not present at this meeting, as noted a few paragraphs later in the minutes.