Letter from Church Members in New York City, circa 29 November 1841

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Letter from Church Members in New York City, circa 29 November 1841
Source Note

Lucian R. Foster
12 Nov. 1806–19 Mar. 1876. Photographer, accountant, bookkeeper, clerk. Born in New Marlboro, Berkshire Co., Massachusetts. Son of Nathaniel Foster and Polly. Married first Harriet Eliza Burr. Married second Mary Ann Graham. Baptized into Church of Jesus ...
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on behalf of New York City church conference, Letter,
New York City
Dutch founded New Netherland colony, 1625. Incorporated under British control and renamed New York, 1664. Harbor contributed to economic and population growth of city; became largest city in American colonies. British troops defeated Continental Army under...
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, New York Co., NY, to the
First Presidency
The highest presiding body of the church. An 11 November 1831 revelation stated that the president of the high priesthood was to preside over the church. JS was ordained as president of the high priesthood on 25 January 1832. In March 1832, JS appointed two...
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(including JS),
Quorum 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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, and others,
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, ca. 29 Nov. 1841. Featured version published in “Letter from the Church of New York,” Times and Seasons, 15 Mar. 1842, vol. 3, no. 10, 728. For more complete source information, see the source note for Letter to Isaac Galland, 22 Mar. 1839.

Historical Introduction
On behalf of a
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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of the
New York City
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branch
An ecclesiastical organization of church members in a particular locale. A branch was generally smaller than a stake or a conference. Branches were also referred to as churches, as in “the Church of Shalersville.” In general, a branch was led by a presiding...
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of the church held 29 November 1841,
Lucian R. Foster
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wrote a letter commending the work of
apostle
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John E. Page
25 Feb. 1799–14 Oct. 1867. Born at Trenton, Oneida Co., New York. Son of Ebenezer Page and Rachel Hill. Married first Betsey Thompson, 1831, in Huron Co., Ohio. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by Emer Harris, 18 Aug. 1833, at Brownhelm...
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to the highest authorities 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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in
Nauvoo
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, Illinois, including JS. In 1840 and 1841, Page had done much missionary work in the branches of the church in
Ohio
French explored and claimed area, 1669. British took possession following French and Indian War, 1763. Ceded to U.S., 1783. First permanent white settlement established, 1788. Northeastern portion maintained as part of Connecticut, 1786, and called Connecticut...
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,
Pennsylvania
Area first settled by Swedish immigrants, 1628. William Penn received grant for territory from King Charles II, 1681, and established British settlement, 1682. Philadelphia was center of government for original thirteen U.S. colonies from time of Revolutionary...
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, and
New York
Located in northeast region of U.S. Area settled by Dutch traders, 1620s; later governed by Britain, 1664–1776. Admitted to U.S. as state, 1788. Population in 1810 about 1,000,000; in 1820 about 1,400,000; in 1830 about 1,900,000; and in 1840 about 2,400,...
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but had failed to fulfill his appointed mission to Europe and
Jerusalem
Capital city of ancient Judea. Holy city of Christians, Jews, and Muslims. Population in 1835 about 11,000; in 1840 about 13,000; and in 1850 about 15,000. Described in 1836 as “greatly reduced from its ancient size and importance.” Control of city changed...
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with fellow apostle
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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; Page and Hyde journeyed together to the eastern
United States
North American constitutional republic. Constitution ratified, 17 Sept. 1787. Population in 1805 about 6,000,000; in 1830 about 13,000,000; and in 1844 about 20,000,000. Louisiana Purchase, 1803, doubled size of U.S. Consisted of seventeen states at time ...
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, but while Hyde continued overseas, Page instead remained in the East.
1
Minutes and Discourses, 6–8 Apr. 1840; Letter from Orson Hyde, 28 Sept. 1840; Letter from Orson Hyde, 17 Apr. 1841; Letter from John E. Page, 1 Sept. 1841.
In January 1841 the
First Presidency
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publicly reprimanded Page for this negligence.
2
Notice, Times and Seasons, 15 Jan. 1841, 2:287.

Over the ensuing months,
Page
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attempted to explain his actions and tried to regain favor with church leaders in
Nauvoo
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. In July 1841, after delivering a few sermons in
New York
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, Page asked
John M. Bernhisel
23 June 1799–28 Sept. 1881. Physician, politician. Born in Sandy Hill, Tyrone Township, Cumberland Co. (later in Perry Co.), Pennsylvania. Son of Samuel Bernhisel and Susannah Bower. Attended medical lectures at University of Pennsylvania, 1818, in Philadelphia...
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, who was also then in the city and in contact with JS in Nauvoo, “to present his [Page’s] best respects to the authorities of the Church.” According to Bernhisel, Page gave “exceedingly flattering accounts of the progress of the work where he labored during the past winter & Spring and this summer.”
3
Letter from John M. Bernhisel, 12 July 1841.
In a 1 September letter written from
Philadelphia
Port city founded as Quaker settlement by William Penn, 1681. Site of signing of Declaration of Independence and drafting of U.S. Constitution. Nation’s capital city, 1790–1800. Population in 1830 about 170,000; in 1840 about 260,000; and in 1850 about 410...
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, Page notified JS that he would be traveling back to New York and that he hoped to leave from there to go overseas to join
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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on his mission.
4
Letter from John E. Page, 1 Sept. 1841; Letter from Benjamin Winchester, 18 Sept. 1841.
In that letter, Page asked JS to write to him in New York “care of
L. R. Foster
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.”
5
Letter from John E. Page, 1 Sept. 1841.
It is not known when Page arrived in New York, but it was likely between 1 September and 29 November 1841, when the letter featured here was written. It is also unclear what conversations he had with Foster or other Latter-day Saints in New York. Nevertheless, it appears that Page and his character were discussed at the church conference in New York City held 29 November 1841, and Page may have been in attendance. Foster, who served as the clerk of the conference, was apparently assigned to write a letter commending Page to the
First Presidency
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and Page’s fellow apostles in Nauvoo.
6
In April 1841, Foster requested the members of the Twelve come to New York because “the work of God was in a prosperous condition in that city, and the vicinity.” It is possible that Foster and other New York Saints were pleased with the assistance Page rendered in New York from July 1841 to the time of this letter. It is also possible that Page asked Foster to write a letter on his behalf to help Page regain favor with church leaders in Nauvoo. (Philadelphia Branch Record Book, 6 Apr. 1841.)
Comprehensive Works Cited
Philadelphia Branch. Minutes, 1840–1854. Typescript. BYU. Original at CCLA.

Foster
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presumably wrote this letter either the day of the conference or within the next few days. The letter, which may have arrived in
Nauvoo
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sometime in middle or late December, applauded
Page
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for his proselytizing endeavors and his church leadership in
New York City
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.

Foster
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’s original letter has not been located. The text of the letter, however, was published by JS in the 15 March 1842 issue of the church’s newspaper Times and Seasons.
Footnotes
[1]
Minutes and Discourses, 6–8 Apr. 1840; Letter from Orson Hyde, 28 Sept. 1840; Letter from Orson Hyde, 17 Apr. 1841; Letter from John E. Page, 1 Sept. 1841.
[2]
Notice, Times and Seasons, 15 Jan. 1841, 2:287.
[3]
Letter from John M. Bernhisel, 12 July 1841.
[4]
Letter from John E. Page, 1 Sept. 1841; Letter from Benjamin Winchester, 18 Sept. 1841.
[5]
Letter from John E. Page, 1 Sept. 1841.
[6]
In April 1841, Foster requested the members of the Twelve come to New York because “the work of God was in a prosperous condition in that city, and the vicinity.” It is possible that Foster and other New York Saints were pleased with the assistance Page rendered in New York from July 1841 to the time of this letter. It is also possible that Page asked Foster to write a letter on his behalf to help Page regain favor with church leaders in Nauvoo. (Philadelphia Branch Record Book, 6 Apr. 1841.)
Page 728
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LETTER FROM THE
CHURCH
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OF
NEW YORK
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.

To the
First Presidency
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of the
Church of Jesus Christ, of Latter-Day Saints
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—to the
travelling High Council
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,
1
The “travelling High Council” was another name for the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. (See Instruction on Priesthood, between ca. 1 Mar. and ca. 4 May 1835 [D&C 107:33–35].)
and to all persons to whom this letter may come—

Dearly Beloved,—Having had opportunity of becoming acquainted with our beloved brother,
John E. Page
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of the
quorum
An organized group of individuals holding the same office in the Melchizedek priesthood or the Aaronic priesthood. According to the 1835 “Instruction on Priesthood,” the presidency of the church constituted a quorum. The Twelve Apostles also formed a quorum...
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of the Travelling High Council, commonly called the quorum of the Twelve, and having witnessed the manner of his behavior while with us, and taken notice of the doctrine he has taught,
2
According to a letter from John M. Bernhisel, Page delivered three discourses to crowded congregations in New York on 11 July 1841; it is unknown whether Page spoke to the New York City branch again before this letter was written. (Letter from John M. Bernhisel, 12 July 1841.)
together with many other particulars not easy to mention, we feel desirous of commending him to your fellowship, your esteem, your friendship and your love.

Because we have found him to be at all times a faithful laborer in the word and doctrine of our Lord Jesus Christ.

By his instructions our minds have been enlightened, and onr [our] understanding of Heavenly things greatly increased.

When he has presided in our meetings, peace and order have characterized our deliberations. When he has unfolded to our minds the Scriptures of truth, our thirst for pure intelligence has been gratified. When he has held up to view the glories of the rising kingdom of our Saviour, our hearts have kindled with animation, our hope has been cherished, and our souls have overflowed with the Spirit of Peace. We know he has been efficient in establishing truth— We know he has been successful in putting down error— we highly esteem and love him for his faithfulness, diligence, prudence, meekness, zeal and fortitude; and we desire that others should love him too.

Good will and favor shewn to him will secure our love and friendship; and we freely, and fully, and warmly commend him to all whom this letter may come.

On behalf of the members 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 the city of
New York
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the 29th day of Nov. 1841.
3
Minutes from previous conferences indicate that the New York City branch comprised between 155 and 200 members. (Philadelphia Branch Record Book, 18 Oct. 1840 and 6 Apr. 1841.)

L[ucian] R. FOSTER
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, Clerk.
4
Foster had also served as the clerk of the church conference held in New York on 4 December 1840, a meeting at which apostle Orson Hyde presided. Foster was also an agent for the Times and Seasons in New York. (Minutes, New York City, NY, 4 Dec. 1840, in Times and Seasons, 1 Feb. 1841, 2:306–307; “List of Agents,” Times and Seasons, 15 Mar. 1841, 2:358.)
Times and Seasons. Commerce/Nauvoo, IL. Nov. 1839–Feb. 1846.
[p. 728]
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Footnotes
[1]
The “travelling High Council” was another name for the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. (See Instruction on Priesthood, between ca. 1 Mar. and ca. 4 May 1835 [D&C 107:33–35].)
[2]
According to a letter from John M. Bernhisel, Page delivered three discourses to crowded congregations in New York on 11 July 1841; it is unknown whether Page spoke to the New York City branch again before this letter was written. (Letter from John M. Bernhisel, 12 July 1841.)
[3]
Minutes from previous conferences indicate that the New York City branch comprised between 155 and 200 members. (Philadelphia Branch Record Book, 18 Oct. 1840 and 6 Apr. 1841.)
[4]
Foster had also served as the clerk of the church conference held in New York on 4 December 1840, a meeting at which apostle Orson Hyde presided. Foster was also an agent for the Times and Seasons in New York. (Minutes, New York City, NY, 4 Dec. 1840, in Times and Seasons, 1 Feb. 1841, 2:306–307; “List of Agents,” Times and Seasons, 15 Mar. 1841, 2:358.)
Times and Seasons. Commerce/Nauvoo, IL. Nov. 1839–Feb. 1846.