Elders’ Journal, November 1837

Source Note

Elders’ Journal of the Church of Latter Day Saints,
Kirtland Township
Located ten miles south of Lake Erie. Settled by 1811. Organized by 1818. Latter-day Saint missionaries visited township, early Nov. 1830; many residents joined Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Population in 1830 about 55 Latter-day Saints and...
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, Geauga Co., OH, Nov. 1837. For more complete source information, see the source note for Elders’ Journal, Oct. 1837.
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
Kirtland
Located ten miles south of Lake Erie. Settled by 1811. Organized by 1818. Latter-day Saint missionaries visited township, early Nov. 1830; many residents joined Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Population in 1830 about 55 Latter-day Saints and...
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, Ohio. The paper was first published in October 1837 as an instrument for the
elders
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...
View Glossary
of the
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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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.”
1
Sidney Rigdon, Elders’ Journal Prospectus, LDS Messenger and Advocate, Aug. 1837, 3:545.
Comprehensive Works Cited
Latter Day Saints’ Messenger and Advocate. Kirtland, OH. Oct. 1834–Sept. 1837.
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
Orson Hyde
8 Jan. 1805–28 Nov. 1878. Laborer, clerk, storekeeper, teacher, editor, businessman, lawyer, judge. Born at Oxford, New Haven Co., Connecticut. Son of Nathan Hyde and Sally Thorpe. Moved to Derby, New Haven Co., 1812. Moved to Kirtland, Geauga Co., Ohio, ...
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in
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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, articulated an editorial philosophy, and implored subscribers to remit payment for their subscriptions. Though JS authored an account of his trip 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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and an attending list of questions, the extent of his involvement in writing the other editorial pieces is unclear.
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.
Given that he did not return to Kirtland from
Far West
Originally called Shoal Creek. Located fifty-five miles northeast of Independence. Surveyed 1823; first settled by whites, 1831. Site purchased, 8 Aug. 1836, before Caldwell Co. was organized for Latter-day Saints in Missouri. William W. Phelps and John Whitmer...
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, Missouri, until 10 December 1837, the November issue was likely not published until after that date.
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.
Comprehensive Works Cited
Kimball, Heber C. Collection, 1837–1898. CHL. MS 12476.

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.
4
See “Editorial Method”.

Footnotes
1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 4
  See “Editorial Method”.

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found the chnrch [church] of Latter Day Saints in that place in as prosperous a condition as we could have expected, and as we believe enjoying a goodly portion of the Spirit of God, to the joy and satisfaction of our hearts.

The High council was immediately called and many difficulties adjusted, and the object of our missioin was laid before them, after which the subject of the propriety of the Saints, gathering to the city of , was taken into considertion, after a lengthy discussion upon the subject, it was voted, that the work of the gathering to that place be continued, and that there is a plenty of provisions in the upper counties for the support of that place, and also the emigration of the Saints; also voted that other Stakes be appointed in the regions round about, therefore a committee was appointed to locate the same; consisting of , , , and ; who started on their mission before we left.

It was also voted that the Saints be directed to those men for instruction concerning those places; and it may be expected that all the information necessary will be had from them concerning the location of those places, roads &c. Now we would recommend to the Saints scattered abroad, that they make all possible exertions to gather themselves together unto those places; as peace, verily thus saith the Lord, peace shall soon be taken from the earth, and it has already began to be taken; for a lying spirit has gone out upon all the face of the earth and shall perplex the nations, and shall stur them up to anger against one another: for behold saith the Lord, very fierce and very terrible war is near at hand, even at your doors, therefore make haste saith the Lord O ye my people, and gather yourselves together and be at peace among yourselves, or there shall be no saf[e]ty for you.

We furthermore say to those who wish to stop short of the city of , to call on us and get information concerning those places of gathering: We would say to the Saints it is now a day of warning and not of many words; therefore, a word to the wise is sufficent. We exhort you to remember the words of the prophet Malichi which says, bring ye all the tithes into the store house that there may be meet in mine house, and prove me herewith saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it, and I will rebuke the devourer for your sake, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground, neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field, saith the Lord of hosts, and all nations shall call you blessed for ye shall be a delightsome land satth [saith] the Lord of hosts. We would also say to the Saints, that we were much pleased with the location of the , and also the society of that place; and we purpose of locating our families in that place as soon as our circumstances will admit.

We shall be under the necessity of observing brevity in this our communication for want of room to publish it, and we shall close after naming a few questions which are daily and hourly asked by all classes of people whilst we are traveling, and will answer them in our next.

Firstly, Do you believe the bible?

2nd, Wherein do you differ from other denominations?

3rd, Will every body be damned but Mormons?

4th, How and where did you obtain the book of Mormon?

5th, Do you believe Jo Smith to be a prophet?

6th, Do the Mormons believe in having all things common?

7th, Do the Momons believe in having more wives than one?

8th, Can they riase the dead? [p. 28]

We furthermore say to those who wish to stop short of the city of , to call on us and get information concerning those places of gathering: We would say to the Saints it is now a day of warning and not of many words; therefore, a word to the wise is sufficent. We exhort you to remember the words of the prophet Malichi which says, bring ye all the tithes into the store house that there may be meet in mine house, and prove me herewith saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it, and I will rebuke the devourer for your sake, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground, neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field, saith the Lord of hosts, and all nations shall call you blessed for ye shall be a delightsome land satth saith the Lord of hosts. We would also say to the Saints, that we were much pleased with the location of the , and also the society of that place; and we purpose of locating our families in that place as soon as our circumstances will admit.