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Letter from Orson Hyde and John E. Page, 1 May 1840

Source Note

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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and
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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, Letter,
Columbus

Franklin Co. seat. State capital. Incorporated as borough, 1816. Incorporated as city, Feb. 1834. Population in 1820 about 1,400; in 1830 about 2,400; in 1840 about 6,000; and in 1850 about 18,000.

More Info
, Franklin Co., OH, to JS, [
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], 1 May 1840. Featured version copied [ca. June or July 1840] in JS Letterbook 2, pp. 144–145; 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

While en route to Europe,
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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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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and
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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wrote a letter on 1 May 1840 from
Columbus

Franklin Co. seat. State capital. Incorporated as borough, 1816. Incorporated as city, Feb. 1834. Population in 1820 about 1,400; in 1830 about 2,400; in 1840 about 6,000; and in 1850 about 18,000.

More Info
, Ohio, to JS in
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
, Illinois. At a 6 April 1840 general
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
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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held in Nauvoo, Hyde was appointed to serve a proselytizing mission to
New York

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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,
London

City in southeast England; located on River Thames about sixty miles west of North Sea. Capital city of England. Population in 1841 about 2,000,000. London conference of British mission organized, 1841.

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,
Amsterdam

Significant maritime and commercial city on western coast of Netherlands. Located at confluence of Amstel and Wye rivers. Small fishing village in twelfth and thirteenth centuries. Population in 1830 about 200,000. Population in 1843 about 210,000. JS appointed...

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, Constantinople, and the Holy Land with the specific objective of gathering the Jews and restoring the house of Israel. Page was selected to accompany him at another session of the same conference two days later.
1

Minutes and Discourse, 6–8 Apr. 1840.


Hyde left Nauvoo on 15 April and met Page the following day in
Lima

Area settled, 1828. Platted 1833. Post office established, 1836. Many Latter-day Saints settled in area, 1839, after expulsion from Missouri. Considered important settlement by Latter-day Saint leaders. Lima stake organized, 22 Oct. 1840. Stake reduced to...

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, Illinois.
2

Orson Hyde and John E. Page, Quincy, IL, 28 Apr. 1840, Letter to the Editor, Times and Seasons, June 1840, 1:116.


Comprehensive Works Cited

Times and Seasons. Commerce/Nauvoo, IL. Nov. 1839–Feb. 1846.

While in other letters
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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and
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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provided fairly detailed accounts of their activities during the first months of their missions, they devoted this 1 May letter almost exclusively to asking JS for permission to translate the Book of Mormon and the Doctrine and Covenants into German and to publish a new hymnal. In letters they wrote on their missions, members of the
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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frequently discussed the need for new editions of church publications. On 22 November 1839,
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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wrote to JS requesting authorization to publish the Book of Mormon in
New York

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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, and on 7 May 1840
Brigham Young

1 June 1801–29 Aug. 1877. Carpenter, painter, glazier, colonizer. Born at Whitingham, Windham Co., Vermont. Son of John Young and Abigail (Nabby) Howe. Brought up in Methodist household; later joined Methodist church. Moved to Sherburne, Chenango Co., New...

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wrote to JS asking permission to publish the Book of Mormon and the Doctrine and Covenants 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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.
3

Letter from Parley P. Pratt, 22 Nov. 1839; Letter from Brigham Young, 7 May 1840.


In the letter featured here, Hyde and Page also requested JS’s direction on their plan to write a book to be published in
Germany

Inhabited anciently by Teutonic peoples. Included in Holy Roman Empire. Became confederation of states, 1815. Between 1843 and 1856, population estimates range from about 30,000,000 to about 51,000,000. Orson Hyde traveled through Germany during his missionary...

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, in which they planned to describe the church’s organization and teachings and summarize the origins of the Book of Mormon. JS responded to these questions in a 14 May 1840 letter addressed to Hyde and Page in
Cincinnati

Area settled largely by emigrants from New England and New Jersey, by 1788. Village founded and surveyed adjacent to site of Fort Washington, 1789. First seat of legislature of Northwest Territory, 1790. Incorporated as city, 1819. Developed rapidly as shipping...

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.
4

Letter to Orson Hyde and John E. Page, 14 May 1840.


The original letter has not been located.
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 the letter into JS Letterbook 2 sometime in 1840, likely in June or July.
5

In the letterbook, this letter is followed by items dated June and July 1840. (See JS, Memorial to Nauvoo High Council, 18 June 1840; and Minutes, 2 July 1840, in JS Letterbook 2, pp. 148–149, 154.)


Footnotes

  1. [1]

    Minutes and Discourse, 6–8 Apr. 1840.

  2. [2]

    Orson Hyde and John E. Page, Quincy, IL, 28 Apr. 1840, Letter to the Editor, Times and Seasons, June 1840, 1:116.

    Times and Seasons. Commerce/Nauvoo, IL. Nov. 1839–Feb. 1846.

  3. [3]

    Letter from Parley P. Pratt, 22 Nov. 1839; Letter from Brigham Young, 7 May 1840.

  4. [4]

    Letter to Orson Hyde and John E. Page, 14 May 1840.

  5. [5]

    In the letterbook, this letter is followed by items dated June and July 1840. (See JS, Memorial to Nauvoo High Council, 18 June 1840; and Minutes, 2 July 1840, in JS Letterbook 2, pp. 148–149, 154.)

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

Page 145

of God. We wish to be co-workers with you and with the spirit of the Lord. We did not convers so much upon these literary works as we should have done before we left. The fact was, we did not begin to see the greatness of our mission before we left home; our minds were in a nutt shell. It seems to us that we should spread this work among all people, Languages and tongues so far as possible; and gather up all jewels among the Jews besides.—
2

When Hyde proposed a mission before an April 1840 general conference in Nauvoo, it was with the sole purpose of laboring among the Jewish people, an objective the conference ratified on 6 April. (Minutes and Discourse, 6–8 Apr. 1840.)


who is sufficient for these things; As agents for 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...

View Glossary
abroad; and as co-workers with yourself in spreading this Kingdom to the remotest corners of the Earth; are we at liberty to translate and publish any work, that we may think necessary, or that the circumstances in which we are placed seem to require whether original or works published by the church? If we are not at liberty to take this wide range, please tell us how far we may go. We are setting this great work before the people as an inducement to them to help us. If we are setting our standard too high, a word from you will bring it down.
We have held a two days meeting in this place But in consequences of continual rains which swelled the creeks so high that the people could not get to us. The meeting was 4 miles from
Columbus

Franklin Co. seat. State capital. Incorporated as borough, 1816. Incorporated as city, Feb. 1834. Population in 1820 about 1,400; in 1830 about 2,400; in 1840 about 6,000; and in 1850 about 18,000.

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, one only
Baptized

An ordinance in which an individual is immersed in water for the remission of sins. The Book of Mormon explained that those with necessary authority were to baptize individuals who had repented of their sins. Baptized individuals also received the gift of...

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. We have now an opportunity to ride as far East as
Indiana

First settled by French at Vincennes, early 1700s. Acquired by England in French and Indian War, 1763. U.S. took possession of area following American Revolution, 1783. Area became part of Northwest Territory, 1787. Partitioned off of Northwest Territory ...

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, beyond the Metropolis, and have the privilege of stopping to preach by the way
Will you write to us at
Cincinatti

Area settled largely by emigrants from New England and New Jersey, by 1788. Village founded and surveyed adjacent to site of Fort Washington, 1789. First seat of legislature of Northwest Territory, 1790. Incorporated as city, 1819. Developed rapidly as shipping...

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and much obliged— Your Bretheren in the Kingdom of God.
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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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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P.S. Will you please send word to
Marinda [Nancy Johnson Hyde]

28 June 1815–24 Mar. 1886. Born in Pomfret, Windsor Co., Vermont. Daughter of John Johnson and Alice (Elsa) Jacobs. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Apr. 1832, in Hiram, Portage Co., Ohio. Moved to Kirtland, Geauga Co., Ohio, 1833...

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, that I want her to write to me at
Cinciniatti

Area settled largely by emigrants from New England and New Jersey, by 1788. Village founded and surveyed adjacent to site of Fort Washington, 1789. First seat of legislature of Northwest Territory, 1790. Incorporated as city, 1819. Developed rapidly as shipping...

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Ohio please bear it in mind and oblige thy,
Friend
O. 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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[p. 145]
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Source Note

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Page 145

Document Information

Related Case Documents
Editorial Title
Letter from Orson Hyde and John E. Page, 1 May 1840
ID #
540
Total Pages
2
Print Volume Location
JSP, D7:273–276
Handwriting on This Page
  • Howard Coray

Footnotes

  1. [2]

    When Hyde proposed a mission before an April 1840 general conference in Nauvoo, it was with the sole purpose of laboring among the Jewish people, an objective the conference ratified on 6 April. (Minutes and Discourse, 6–8 Apr. 1840.)

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