Letter from Joseph Bosworth, 17 February 1834
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Source Note
, Letter, , Summit Co., OH, to “Breathren in Christ” (including JS), , Geauga Co., OH, 17 Feb. 1834; sent copy; handwriting presumably of ; four pages; JS Collection, CHL. Includes address, postal markings, and docket.Bifolium measuring 12⅞ × 8 inches (33 × 20 cm). The letter was trifolded twice, addressed, and sealed with a red adhesive wafer. A docket in the handwriting of reads: “Feby 17th 1834 | | Vission”. The document was refolded, apparently at a later time, probably for filing purposes.The letter has presumably remained in the possession of the LDS church since its reception.
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Historical Introduction
In this letter, recounted two visions he experienced the night of 16 February 1834, one week after meeting with JS and others at a conference in , Medina County, Ohio. As the letter indicated, Bosworth was a former associate of and , two men who before joining the had been associated with ’s religious movement. Bosworth’s association with Rigdon and Scott suggests that he too had been involved with Campbell and the Disciples of Christ. Bosworth’s belief in the reality of visions—as opposed to Campbell’s disregard for such experiences in modern times—may have influenced his decision to join the Church of Christ. Bosworth’s probable familiarity with at least some of JS’s visionary experiences—including his and Rigdon’s “Vision” of 16 February 1832, published in the July 1832 issue of The Evening and the Morning Star—may have contributed to his desire to share his own visions with church leaders in , Ohio. No response to Bosworth’s letter has been located.
Footnotes
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2
Alexander Campbell, “A Restoration of the Ancient Order of Things, No. I,” Christian Baptist, 7 Feb. 1825, 50; Alexander Campbell, “The Creed Question,” Christian Baptist, 2 Apr. 1827, 197.
Christian Baptist. Bethany, VA. 1823–1830.
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3
Vision, 16 Feb. 1832, in “A Vision,” The Evening and the Morning Star, July 1832, [2]–[3] [D&C 76].
The Evening and the Morning Star. Independence, MO, June 1832–July 1833; Kirtland, OH, Dec. 1833–Sept. 1834.
