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Letter from Hyrum Smith, 2 January 1840

Source Note

Hyrum Smith

9 Feb. 1800–27 June 1844. Farmer, cooper. Born at Tunbridge, Orange Co., Vermont. Son of Joseph Smith Sr. and Lucy Mack. Moved to Randolph, Orange Co., 1802; back to Tunbridge, before May 1803; to Royalton, Windsor Co., Vermont, 1804; to Sharon, Windsor Co...

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, Letter,
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....

More Info
[
Commerce

Located near middle of western boundary of state, bordering Mississippi River. European Americans settled area, 1820s. From bank of river, several feet above high-water mark, ground described as nearly level for six or seven blocks before gradually sloping...

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], Hancock Co., IL, to JS and
Elias Higbee

23 Oct. 1795–8 June 1843. Clerk, judge, surveyor. Born at Galloway, Gloucester Co., New Jersey. Son of Isaac Higbee and Sophia Somers. Moved to Clermont Co., Ohio, 1803. Married Sarah Elizabeth Ward, 10 Sept. 1818, in Tate Township, Clermont Co. Lived at ...

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,
Washington DC

Created as district for seat of U.S. federal government by act of Congress, 1790, and named Washington DC, 1791. Named in honor of George Washington. Headquarters of executive, legislative, and judicial branches of U.S. government relocated to Washington ...

More Info
, 2 Jan. 1840. Featured version copied [between Apr. and June 1840] in JS Letterbook 2, pp. 91–94; handwriting of
Howard Coray

6 May 1817–16 Jan. 1908. Bookkeeper, clerk, teacher, farmer. Born in Dansville, Steuben Co., New York. Son of Silas Coray and Mary Stephens. Moved to Providence, Luzerne Co., Pennsylvania, ca. 1827; to Williams, Northampton Co., Pennsylvania, by 1830; and...

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; JS Collection, CHL. For more complete source information, see the source note for JS Letterbook 2.

Historical Introduction

On 2 January 1840,
Hyrum Smith

9 Feb. 1800–27 June 1844. Farmer, cooper. Born at Tunbridge, Orange Co., Vermont. Son of Joseph Smith Sr. and Lucy Mack. Moved to Randolph, Orange Co., 1802; back to Tunbridge, before May 1803; to Royalton, Windsor Co., Vermont, 1804; to Sharon, Windsor Co...

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wrote a letter to JS and
Elias Higbee

23 Oct. 1795–8 June 1843. Clerk, judge, surveyor. Born at Galloway, Gloucester Co., New Jersey. Son of Isaac Higbee and Sophia Somers. Moved to Clermont Co., Ohio, 1803. Married Sarah Elizabeth Ward, 10 Sept. 1818, in Tate Township, Clermont Co. Lived at ...

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, who were in
Washington DC

Created as district for seat of U.S. federal government by act of Congress, 1790, and named Washington DC, 1791. Named in honor of George Washington. Headquarters of executive, legislative, and judicial branches of U.S. government relocated to Washington ...

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, in response to a number of letters he had received from the two men.
1

Two prior letters JS and Higbee wrote to church leaders in Commerce were recorded in JS Letterbook 2. It is likely that these are the letters to which Smith referred in this letter, though there may have been other letters that did not survive. (See Letter to Hyrum Smith and Nauvoo High Council, 5 Dec. 1839; and Letter to Seymour Brunson and Nauvoo High Council, 7 Dec. 1839.)


With
Sidney Rigdon

19 Feb. 1793–14 July 1876. Tanner, farmer, minister. Born at St. Clair, Allegheny Co., Pennsylvania. Son of William Rigdon and Nancy Gallaher. Joined United Baptists, ca. 1818. Preached at Warren, Trumbull Co., Ohio, and vicinity, 1819–1821. Married Phebe...

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and JS out of town, Smith was the only member of 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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in
Commerce

Located near middle of western boundary of state, bordering Mississippi River. European Americans settled area, 1820s. From bank of river, several feet above high-water mark, ground described as nearly level for six or seven blocks before gradually sloping...

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, Illinois, which made him responsible for managing
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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affairs there and responding to inquiries from church
branches

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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spread throughout the country.
In his letter,
Smith

9 Feb. 1800–27 June 1844. Farmer, cooper. Born at Tunbridge, Orange Co., Vermont. Son of Joseph Smith Sr. and Lucy Mack. Moved to Randolph, Orange Co., 1802; back to Tunbridge, before May 1803; to Royalton, Windsor Co., Vermont, 1804; to Sharon, Windsor Co...

View Full Bio
updated JS and
Higbee

23 Oct. 1795–8 June 1843. Clerk, judge, surveyor. Born at Galloway, Gloucester Co., New Jersey. Son of Isaac Higbee and Sophia Somers. Moved to Clermont Co., Ohio, 1803. Married Sarah Elizabeth Ward, 10 Sept. 1818, in Tate Township, Clermont Co. Lived at ...

View Full Bio
on his efforts to gather duplicates of
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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land records that JS and Higbee apparently planned to submit to Congress as support for the church’s petition for redress. He also reported on his work to secure more financing for their trip, as JS had directed, especially since the delegation was already running short on funds.
2

See Letter to Hyrum Smith and Nauvoo High Council, 5 Dec. 1839.


Smith apprised JS and Higbee of
Parley P. Pratt

12 Apr. 1807–13 May 1857. Farmer, editor, publisher, teacher, school administrator, legislator, explorer, author. Born at Burlington, Otsego Co., New York. Son of Jared Pratt and Charity Dickinson. Traveled west with brother William to acquire land, 1823....

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’s request to publish editions of the Book of Mormon, the Doctrine and Covenants, and the church’s hymnbook in
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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. In addition, Smith informed them of
Oliver Granger

7 Feb. 1794–23/25 Aug. 1841. Sheriff, church agent. Born at Phelps, Ontario Co., New York. Son of Pierce Granger and Clarissa Trumble. Married Lydia Dibble, 8 Sept. 1813, at Phelps. Member of Methodist church and licensed exhorter. Sheriff of Ontario Co. ...

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’s delay in traveling to
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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to help settle some of the church’s debts.
3

Pratt’s publication request and Hyrum Smith’s rationale for denying it are recorded in several pieces of correspondence between Smith, Pratt, and Lucian R. Foster. A certificate created in May 1839 documents Granger’s role as an agent for the church. As agent he was responsible for arranging the discharge of the church’s debts to New York merchants. (Letter from Parley P. Pratt, 22 Nov. 1839; Hyrum Smith, Nauvoo, IL, to Parley P. Pratt, New York City, NY, 22 Dec. 1839, in JS Letterbook 2, pp. 80–81; Hyrum Smith, Nauvoo, IL, to Lucian R. Foster, New York City, NY, Jan. 1840, in JS Letterbook 2, pp. 82–84; Authorization for Oliver Granger, 13 May 1839.)


Finally, Smith asked JS for advice on several other matters, including whether their parents should accompany Granger to
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.
Smith

9 Feb. 1800–27 June 1844. Farmer, cooper. Born at Tunbridge, Orange Co., Vermont. Son of Joseph Smith Sr. and Lucy Mack. Moved to Randolph, Orange Co., 1802; back to Tunbridge, before May 1803; to Royalton, Windsor Co., Vermont, 1804; to Sharon, Windsor Co...

View Full Bio
likely sent the letter by post, the primary method by which the church’s delegation to the federal government communicated with church leaders in
Commerce

Located near middle of western boundary of state, bordering Mississippi River. European Americans settled area, 1820s. From bank of river, several feet above high-water mark, ground described as nearly level for six or seven blocks before gradually sloping...

More Info
.
4

See Letter to Hyrum Smith and Nauvoo High Council, 5 Dec. 1839.


No response from JS has been located. The original letter from Smith is apparently not extant, but
Howard Coray

6 May 1817–16 Jan. 1908. Bookkeeper, clerk, teacher, farmer. Born in Dansville, Steuben Co., New York. Son of Silas Coray and Mary Stephens. Moved to Providence, Luzerne Co., Pennsylvania, ca. 1827; to Williams, Northampton Co., Pennsylvania, by 1830; and...

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copied it into JS Letterbook 2 sometime between April and June 1840.
5

Coray, Autobiographical Sketch, 17, 19.


Comprehensive Works Cited

Coray, Howard. Autobiographical Sketch, after 1883. Howard Coray, Papers, ca. 1840–1941. Photocopy. CHL. MS 2043, fd. 1.

Footnotes

  1. [1]

    Two prior letters JS and Higbee wrote to church leaders in Commerce were recorded in JS Letterbook 2. It is likely that these are the letters to which Smith referred in this letter, though there may have been other letters that did not survive. (See Letter to Hyrum Smith and Nauvoo High Council, 5 Dec. 1839; and Letter to Seymour Brunson and Nauvoo High Council, 7 Dec. 1839.)

  2. [2]

    See Letter to Hyrum Smith and Nauvoo High Council, 5 Dec. 1839.

  3. [3]

    Pratt’s publication request and Hyrum Smith’s rationale for denying it are recorded in several pieces of correspondence between Smith, Pratt, and Lucian R. Foster. A certificate created in May 1839 documents Granger’s role as an agent for the church. As agent he was responsible for arranging the discharge of the church’s debts to New York merchants. (Letter from Parley P. Pratt, 22 Nov. 1839; Hyrum Smith, Nauvoo, IL, to Parley P. Pratt, New York City, NY, 22 Dec. 1839, in JS Letterbook 2, pp. 80–81; Hyrum Smith, Nauvoo, IL, to Lucian R. Foster, New York City, NY, Jan. 1840, in JS Letterbook 2, pp. 82–84; Authorization for Oliver Granger, 13 May 1839.)

  4. [4]

    See Letter to Hyrum Smith and Nauvoo High Council, 5 Dec. 1839.

  5. [5]

    Coray, Autobiographical Sketch, 17, 19.

    Coray, Howard. Autobiographical Sketch, after 1883. Howard Coray, Papers, ca. 1840–1941. Photocopy. CHL. MS 2043, fd. 1.

Asterisk (*) denotes a "featured" version, which includes an introduction and annotation. *Letter from Hyrum Smith, 2 January 1840 Letterbook 2 History, 1838–1856, volume C-1 [2 November 1838–31 July 1842] “History of Joseph Smith”

Page 94

in Slaughtering them. I think there will be a good deal of trade carried on in this line another year. You may expect to hear from us soon again. I sent you a copy of the deposit I made to Holmes & Co. which I hope you will receive safe
I am very affectionately
Hyrum Smith

9 Feb. 1800–27 June 1844. Farmer, cooper. Born at Tunbridge, Orange Co., Vermont. Son of Joseph Smith Sr. and Lucy Mack. Moved to Randolph, Orange Co., 1802; back to Tunbridge, before May 1803; to Royalton, Windsor Co., Vermont, 1804; to Sharon, Windsor Co...

View Full Bio
Hyrum Smith

9 Feb. 1800–27 June 1844. Farmer, cooper. Born at Tunbridge, Orange Co., Vermont. Son of Joseph Smith Sr. and Lucy Mack. Moved to Randolph, Orange Co., 1802; back to Tunbridge, before May 1803; to Royalton, Windsor Co., Vermont, 1804; to Sharon, Windsor Co...

View Full Bio
P.S.
We have concluded not to send any duplicates in this letter. The pac[k]ages of <​dup​>licates <​will​> be directed to
Judge Higbee

23 Oct. 1795–8 June 1843. Clerk, judge, surveyor. Born at Galloway, Gloucester Co., New Jersey. Son of Isaac Higbee and Sophia Somers. Moved to Clermont Co., Ohio, 1803. Married Sarah Elizabeth Ward, 10 Sept. 1818, in Tate Township, Clermont Co. Lived at ...

View Full Bio
, thinking they will come more safe to his address
24

JS and Higbee were staying at the same boardinghouse at this time. It is likely that this statement about Higbee’s “address” concerned whose name to put on the correspondence, rather than the location to which the correspondence should be delivered. (Letter to Hyrum Smith and Nauvoo High Council, 5 Dec. 1839; Historical Introduction to Letter to Seymour Brunson and Nauvoo High Council, 7 Dec. 1839.)


[p. 94]
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Page 94

Document Information

Related Case Documents
Editorial Title
Letter from Hyrum Smith, 2 January 1840
ID #
505
Total Pages
4
Print Volume Location
JSP, D7:96–100
Handwriting on This Page
  • Howard Coray

Footnotes

  1. [24]

    JS and Higbee were staying at the same boardinghouse at this time. It is likely that this statement about Higbee’s “address” concerned whose name to put on the correspondence, rather than the location to which the correspondence should be delivered. (Letter to Hyrum Smith and Nauvoo High Council, 5 Dec. 1839; Historical Introduction to Letter to Seymour Brunson and Nauvoo High Council, 7 Dec. 1839.)

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