Elders’ Journal, November 1837
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Source Note
Elders’ Journal of the Church of Latter Day Saints, , Geauga Co., OH, Nov. 1837. For more complete source information, see the source note for Elders’ Journal, Oct. 1837.
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Historical Introduction
In November 1837, the second issue of the church’s new periodical, Elders’ Journal of the Church of Latter Day Saints, was published in , Ohio. The paper was first published in October 1837 as an instrument for the of the to “communicate to others, all things pertaining to their mission, and calling as servants of the living God, and messengers of righteousness to the nations among whom they are sent.” As editor of the Elders’ Journal, JS was ultimately responsible for its content, including editorial selections in the November issue that introduced conference minutes, prefaced a letter from in , articulated an editorial philosophy, and implored subscribers to remit payment for their subscriptions. Though JS authored an account of his trip to and an attending list of questions, the extent of his involvement in writing the other editorial pieces is unclear. Given that he did not return to Kirtland from , Missouri, until 10 December 1837, the November issue was likely not published until after that date.Note that only the editorial content created specifically for this issue of the Elders’ Journal is annotated here. Articles reprinted from other papers, letters, conference minutes, and notices, are reproduced here but not annotated. Items that are stand-alone JS documents, such as JS’s travel account, are annotated elsewhere.
Footnotes
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1
Sidney Rigdon, Elders’ Journal Prospectus, LDS Messenger and Advocate, Aug. 1837, 3:545.
Latter Day Saints’ Messenger and Advocate. Kirtland, OH. Oct. 1834–Sept. 1837.
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2
See Travel Account and Questions, Nov. 1837. For more on JS’s role in editing content in the October and November issues of the Elders’ Journal, see Historical Introduction to Elders’ Journal, Oct. 1837.
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3
Vilate Murray Kimball, Kirtland, OH, to Heber C. Kimball, Preston, England, 19–24 Jan. 1838, Heber C. Kimball, Collection, CHL; Thomas B. Marsh to Wilford Woodruff, in Elders’ Journal, July 1838, 36–38.
Kimball, Heber C. Collection, 1837–1898. CHL. MS 12476.
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4
See “Editorial Method”.
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wickedness, so has he withdrawn his Spirit from professing christians, and left them without prophets and spiritual gifts, because of transgression. But as he had mercy upon the Jews and sent them a prophet to announce the near approach of the kingdom of heaven and call on them to repent and flee from the wrath to come, so I trust God will not come out of his hiding place in judgement against an apostate church without first setting before her the way of life and causing the voice, “Come out of her my people that you be not partakers of her sins and receive not of ber her plagues,” to be heard in every part of Babylon and amongst her daughters.
P. S. If you should think proper to publish the foregoing or any part of it, you will probably find it necessary to make some corrections in my synthesis as I am unaccustomed to writing for the press and a part of the above is the first writing and not a transcript.
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Elders’ Journal.
JOSEPH SMITH Jr. Editor.
, OHIO. NOVEMBER, 1837.
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Editorial Note
This third passage of editorial content in the November 1837 issue of the Elders’ Journal commented pointedly on the editorial style of the Messenger and Advocate’s editor, , who had printed lengthy articles on history and philosophy, devoting less space to missionary work. In July 1837, Cowdery had also written a piece critical of JS and the direction of affairs in .
We would say to the patrons of the Journal, that we calculate to pursue a different course from that of our predecessor in the editorial department.— We will endeavor not to scandalize our own citizens, especially when there is no foundation in truth for so doing; we consider that when a man scandalizes his neighbor, it follows of course that he designs to cover his own iniquity: we consider him who puts his foot upon the neck of his benefactor, an object of pitty rather than revenge, for in so doing he not only shows the contraction of his own mind but the wickedness of his heart also.
And as there are shaving shops in the world, we would caution the subscribers of the Star and Messenger and Advocate to send their subscriptions agreeable to the notice given in this number, and furthermore those who have had deal with the office, or bindery, those who have books or other articles at this office will please hand or send the money to the persons named in the above alluded notice, also all applications for books or back Nos. of the Star and Messenger and Advocate, and for books to be rebound &c. &c. &c. to be made to the same persons, who will wait upon them with pleasure. The reason of this notice is, that our subscribers as well as ourselves may not suffer loss. O confidence where hast thou fled! Whither art thou gone? Art thou in search of lucre, is it he which has destroyed thee?
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That myself together with my beloved brother , having been appointed by a general conference of elders held in in the on the 18th of Sept. for the purpose of establishing places of gathering for the Saints &c. we therefore would inform our readers that we started from in company with and on the 27th of Sept. last, for the purpose of vislting [visiting] the , and also to discover situations suitable for the location of the Saints who are gathering for a refuge and safety, in the day of the wrath of God which is soon to burst upon the head of this generation, according to the testimony of the prophets; who speak expressly concerning the last days: We had a prosperous and a speedy journey; we held one meeting in Ohio, and three in Doublin, Indiana. one between Doublin and , Ia. two in , one in Palmyra, Mo. 2 in , one in Carlton; all of which were tended with good success and generally allayed the prejudice and feeling of the people as we judge from the treatment we received, being kindly and hospitably entertained. On our arrival at the city of , we [p. 27]
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