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Letter to James Arlington Bennet, 13 November 1843

Source Note

JS, 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
, Hancock Co., IL, to
James Arlington Bennet

21 Dec. 1788–25 Dec. 1863. Attorney, newspaper publisher, educator, author. Born in New York. Married first Sophia Smith, 8 May 1811. Served as third and later second lieutenant in First U.S. Artillery, 1 Aug. 1813–14 Oct. 1814. Published American System ...

View Full Bio
,
Arlington House

Long Island residence of James Arlington Bennet, who corresponded with JS, 1842–1843. Bennet purchased a hundred acres of land in New Utrecht, New York, in 1825 and there built the residence known as “Arlington House.” He deeded it to his son, James H. A....

More Info
, [New Utrecht, Kings Co.], NY, 13 Nov. 1843. Featured version copied [ca. 15 Nov. 1843]; handwriting of
William W. Phelps

17 Feb. 1792–7 Mar. 1872. Writer, teacher, printer, newspaper editor, publisher, postmaster, lawyer. Born at Hanover, Morris Co., New Jersey. Son of Enon Phelps and Mehitabel Goldsmith. Moved to Homer, Cortland Co., New York, 1800. Married Sally Waterman,...

View Full Bio
; nine pages; JS Collection, CHL. Includes address and dockets.
Five leaves, the first four measuring 12⅞ × 7¾ inches (33 × 20 cm) and the fifth measuring 12¾ × 7¾ inches (32 × 20 cm). Each leaf was cut from a bifolium or a blank book. The fifth leaf exhibits an uneven edge on the left side of the recto. All five leaves are numbered (the first on both sides and the final four on the recto only), which indicates that leaves were already separated from the bifolium or book by the time of the document’s inscription. The letter was inscribed on the first nine pages with large margins on the left side of each page. The verso of the fifth leaf was left blank. The text on the verso of each leaf is written upside down in relation to the text on the recto, so that the pages are meant to be flipped vertically instead of horizontally when reading. The first four leaves are singed on the right side. The document was later folded in half twice horizontally for filing. Two dockets were later added to the verso of the fifth leaf.
The letter was docketed by
Willard Richards

24 June 1804–11 Mar. 1854. Teacher, lecturer, doctor, clerk, printer, editor, postmaster. Born at Hopkinton, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts. Son of Joseph Richards and Rhoda Howe. Moved to Richmond, Berkshire Co., Massachusetts, 1813; to Chatham, Columbia Co...

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, who served as JS’s scribe from December 1841 until JS’s death in June 1844 and served as church historian from December 1842 until his own death in March 1854.
1

JS, Journal, 13 Dec. 1841 and 21 Dec. 1842; Orson Spencer, “Death of Our Beloved Brother Willard Richards,” Deseret News (Salt Lake City), 16 Mar. 1854, [2].


Comprehensive Works Cited

Deseret News. Salt Lake City. 1850–.

Thomas Bullock

23 Dec. 1816–10 Feb. 1885. Farmer, excise officer, secretary, clerk. Born in Leek, Staffordshire, England. Son of Thomas Bullock and Mary Hall. Married Henrietta Rushton, 25 June 1838. Moved to Ardee, Co. Louth, Ireland, Nov. 1839; to Isle of Anglesey, Aug...

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, who served as JS’s scribe from 1843 to 1844 and as clerk to the church historian and recorder from 1845 to 1865, docketed it a second time.
2

Jessee, “Writing of Joseph Smith’s History,” 456, 458; Woodruff, Journal, 22 Jan. 1865.


Comprehensive Works Cited

Jessee, Dean C. “The Writing of Joseph Smith’s History.” BYU Studies 11 (Summer 1971): 439–473.

Woodruff, Wilford. Journals, 1833–1898. Wilford Woodruff, Journals and Papers, 1828–1898. CHL. MS 1352.

The document was listed in an inventory that was produced by the Church Historian’s Office (later Church Historical Department) circa 1904.
3

“Letters to and from the Prophet,” ca. 1904, [3], Historian’s Office, Catalogs and Inventories, 1846–1904, CHL.


Comprehensive Works Cited

Historian’s Office. Catalogs and Inventories, 1846–1904. CHL. CR 100 130.

By 1973 the document had been included in the JS Collection at the Church Historical Department (now CHL).
4

See the full bibliographic entry for JS Collection, 1827–1844, in the CHL catalog.


The document’s early dockets, its listing in a circa 1904 inventory, and its later inclusion in the JS Collection indicate continuous institutional custody.

Footnotes

  1. [1]

    JS, Journal, 13 Dec. 1841 and 21 Dec. 1842; Orson Spencer, “Death of Our Beloved Brother Willard Richards,” Deseret News (Salt Lake City), 16 Mar. 1854, [2].

    Deseret News. Salt Lake City. 1850–.

  2. [2]

    Jessee, “Writing of Joseph Smith’s History,” 456, 458; Woodruff, Journal, 22 Jan. 1865.

    Jessee, Dean C. “The Writing of Joseph Smith’s History.” BYU Studies 11 (Summer 1971): 439–473.

    Woodruff, Wilford. Journals, 1833–1898. Wilford Woodruff, Journals and Papers, 1828–1898. CHL. MS 1352.

  3. [3]

    “Letters to and from the Prophet,” ca. 1904, [3], Historian’s Office, Catalogs and Inventories, 1846–1904, CHL.

    Historian’s Office. Catalogs and Inventories, 1846–1904. CHL. CR 100 130.

  4. [4]

    See the full bibliographic entry for JS Collection, 1827–1844, in the CHL catalog.

Historical Introduction

On 13 November 1843, JS wrote a letter from
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, to
James Arlington Bennet

21 Dec. 1788–25 Dec. 1863. Attorney, newspaper publisher, educator, author. Born in New York. Married first Sophia Smith, 8 May 1811. Served as third and later second lieutenant in First U.S. Artillery, 1 Aug. 1813–14 Oct. 1814. Published American System ...

View Full Bio
in
New Utrecht

Post township on west end of Long Island. Separated from Staten Island by the Narrows. Located about ten miles south of New York City. Population in 1840 about 1,300. Population in 1854 about 2,100. Residence of James Arlington Bennet, who corresponded with...

More Info
, New York, responding to a letter that Bennet wrote three weeks earlier. Bennet had informed JS that he was
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...

View Glossary
by
apostle

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 ...

View Glossary
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...

View Full Bio
but stated that “nothing of this kind would in the least attach me to your person or cause.” Despite this, Bennet pronounced JS the “most extraordinary man of the present Age” and advised him that he, Bennet, was “capable of being a most undeviating fr[i]end without being governed by the smallest religious influence” due to his mind’s “so mathematical & philosophical a cast.” Toward the end of the letter, Bennet suggested that he expected JS’s support if Bennet ran for governor of
Illinois

Became part of Northwest Territory of U.S., 1787. Admitted as state, 1818. Population in 1840 about 480,000. Population in 1845 about 660,000. Plentiful, inexpensive land attracted settlers from northern and southern states. Following expulsion from Missouri...

More Info
in the future.
1

Letter from James Arlington Bennet, 24 Oct. 1843, underlining in original.


JS received
Bennet

21 Dec. 1788–25 Dec. 1863. Attorney, newspaper publisher, educator, author. Born in New York. Married first Sophia Smith, 8 May 1811. Served as third and later second lieutenant in First U.S. Artillery, 1 Aug. 1813–14 Oct. 1814. Published American System ...

View Full Bio
’s letter by 9 November, when he “gave instruction to have it answerd,” apparently assigning the task to scribe
William W. Phelps

17 Feb. 1792–7 Mar. 1872. Writer, teacher, printer, newspaper editor, publisher, postmaster, lawyer. Born at Hanover, Morris Co., New Jersey. Son of Enon Phelps and Mehitabel Goldsmith. Moved to Homer, Cortland Co., New York, 1800. Married Sally Waterman,...

View Full Bio
. This “instruction” possibly included an outline or language dictated by JS. According to JS’s 13 November journal entry, Phelps called on him at the
Mansion House

Large, two-story, Greek Revival frame structure located on northeast corner of Water and Main streets. Built to meet JS’s immediate need for larger home that could also serve as hotel to accommodate his numerous guests. JS relocated family from old house ...

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that morning and “read a letter which I [JS] had dictated to Gen. Jam Ariligtn Bennet whi[c]h pleasd me much.”
2

JS, Journal, 9 and 13 Nov. 1843. In a December letter to Bennet, Willard Richards stated that “the Generals reply was dictated.” (Willard Richards, Nauvoo, IL, to James Arlington Bennet, Arlington House, Long Island, NY, 15 Dec. 1843, copy, Willard Richards, Journals and Papers, CHL.)


Comprehensive Works Cited

Richards, Willard. Journals and Papers, 1821–1854. CHL.

Phelps apparently read the letter again at JS’s office later that morning, after which JS “made some correcti[o]ns.”
3

JS, Journal, 13 Nov. 1843.


Two or three days later, a fair copy and a retained copy of the letter incorporating JS’s changes and additions to the text were prepared.
Willard Richards

24 June 1804–11 Mar. 1854. Teacher, lecturer, doctor, clerk, printer, editor, postmaster. Born at Hopkinton, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts. Son of Joseph Richards and Rhoda Howe. Moved to Richmond, Berkshire Co., Massachusetts, 1813; to Chatham, Columbia Co...

View Full Bio
added a postscript to the retained copy. The fair copy was then mailed to Bennet.
4

Willard Richards, Nauvoo, IL, to James Arlington Bennet, Arlington House, Long Island, NY, 15 Dec. 1843, copy, Willard Richards, Journals and Papers, CHL; see also James Arlington Bennet, Arlington House, Long Island, NY, to Willard Richards, [Nauvoo, IL], 1 Feb. 1844, Willard Richards, Journals and Papers, CHL.


Comprehensive Works Cited

Richards, Willard. Journals and Papers, 1821–1854. CHL.

The fair copy is apparently not extant. The featured version is the retained copy.
In the featured letter, JS quoted liberally from
Bennet

21 Dec. 1788–25 Dec. 1863. Attorney, newspaper publisher, educator, author. Born in New York. Married first Sophia Smith, 8 May 1811. Served as third and later second lieutenant in First U.S. Artillery, 1 Aug. 1813–14 Oct. 1814. Published American System ...

View Full Bio
’s earlier communication and, while referencing the Bible, history, and foreign languages,
5

JS and his associates, including Phelps, had demonstrated an enduring interest in ancient languages for well over a decade. About a week after this letter was mailed, JS and Phelps collaborated on a pamphlet addressed to Vermont’s Green Mountain Boys that also included a variety of phrases in foreign languages with corresponding translations. (“Part 1: 2 October–1 December 1835”; “Book of Abraham and Related Manuscripts”; General Joseph Smith’s Appeal to the Green Mountain Boys, ca. 21 Nov.–3 Dec. 1843.)


reproved Bennet for making light of sacred things, critiqued many of his assumptions regarding religion, and explained the significance of revelation and JS’s prophetic mission. JS also declined to pledge support for Bennet’s potential bid for political office in
Illinois

Became part of Northwest Territory of U.S., 1787. Admitted as state, 1818. Population in 1840 about 480,000. Population in 1845 about 660,000. Plentiful, inexpensive land attracted settlers from northern and southern states. Following expulsion from Missouri...

More Info
.
Bennet

21 Dec. 1788–25 Dec. 1863. Attorney, newspaper publisher, educator, author. Born in New York. Married first Sophia Smith, 8 May 1811. Served as third and later second lieutenant in First U.S. Artillery, 1 Aug. 1813–14 Oct. 1814. Published American System ...

View Full Bio
received the letter by 7 December 1843, when the New-York Commercial Advertiser published it.
6

“Letter from Joe Smith,” New-York Commercial Advertiser (New York City), 7 Dec. 1843, [2]. When the newspaper printed JS’s 13 November 1843 response, the editor informed readers that the printers were instructed to “‘follow copy’ in every particular—to make no change, even of a letter or a comma.” The editor’s preface to the letter mocked, “The prophet’s missive is a strange specimen of mingled shrewdness, ignorance, impudence and folly—the latter quality being chiefly manifested in the fact that the letter has been written. It is not cunning of Joe to lay himself out on paper; for surely a man of his divine pretensions should be able to spell and to write grammatically.”


Comprehensive Works Cited

New-York Commercial Advertiser. New York City. 1831–1889.

The Nauvoo Neighbor published the letter the day before.
7

“For the Neighbor,” Nauvoo Neighbor, 6 Dec. 1843, [3].


Several other newspapers, including the Times and Seasons, New York Herald, New-York Spectator, and Niles’ National Register republished the letter.
8

“For the Times and Seasons,” Times and Seasons, 1 Nov. 1843, 4:371–375; “Singular Mormon Movements,” New York Herald (New York City), 10 Jan. 1844, [1]; “Letter from Joe Smith,” New-York Spectator (New York City), 9 Dec. 1843, [1]; “The Mormons,” Niles’ National Register (Baltimore), 3 Feb. 1844, 355–356. The Times and Seasons published its November 1843 issue around late December 1843.


Comprehensive Works Cited

New-York Spectator. New York City. 1804–1867.

Niles’ National Register. Washington DC, 1837–1839; Baltimore, 1839–1848; Philadelphia, 1848–1849.

Footnotes

  1. [1]

    Letter from James Arlington Bennet, 24 Oct. 1843, underlining in original.

  2. [2]

    JS, Journal, 9 and 13 Nov. 1843. In a December letter to Bennet, Willard Richards stated that “the Generals reply was dictated.” (Willard Richards, Nauvoo, IL, to James Arlington Bennet, Arlington House, Long Island, NY, 15 Dec. 1843, copy, Willard Richards, Journals and Papers, CHL.)

    Richards, Willard. Journals and Papers, 1821–1854. CHL.

  3. [3]

    JS, Journal, 13 Nov. 1843.

  4. [4]

    Willard Richards, Nauvoo, IL, to James Arlington Bennet, Arlington House, Long Island, NY, 15 Dec. 1843, copy, Willard Richards, Journals and Papers, CHL; see also James Arlington Bennet, Arlington House, Long Island, NY, to Willard Richards, [Nauvoo, IL], 1 Feb. 1844, Willard Richards, Journals and Papers, CHL.

    Richards, Willard. Journals and Papers, 1821–1854. CHL.

  5. [5]

    JS and his associates, including Phelps, had demonstrated an enduring interest in ancient languages for well over a decade. About a week after this letter was mailed, JS and Phelps collaborated on a pamphlet addressed to Vermont’s Green Mountain Boys that also included a variety of phrases in foreign languages with corresponding translations. (“Part 1: 2 October–1 December 1835”; “Book of Abraham and Related Manuscripts”; General Joseph Smith’s Appeal to the Green Mountain Boys, ca. 21 Nov.–3 Dec. 1843.)

  6. [6]

    “Letter from Joe Smith,” New-York Commercial Advertiser (New York City), 7 Dec. 1843, [2]. When the newspaper printed JS’s 13 November 1843 response, the editor informed readers that the printers were instructed to “‘follow copy’ in every particular—to make no change, even of a letter or a comma.” The editor’s preface to the letter mocked, “The prophet’s missive is a strange specimen of mingled shrewdness, ignorance, impudence and folly—the latter quality being chiefly manifested in the fact that the letter has been written. It is not cunning of Joe to lay himself out on paper; for surely a man of his divine pretensions should be able to spell and to write grammatically.”

    New-York Commercial Advertiser. New York City. 1831–1889.

  7. [7]

    “For the Neighbor,” Nauvoo Neighbor, 6 Dec. 1843, [3].

  8. [8]

    “For the Times and Seasons,” Times and Seasons, 1 Nov. 1843, 4:371–375; “Singular Mormon Movements,” New York Herald (New York City), 10 Jan. 1844, [1]; “Letter from Joe Smith,” New-York Spectator (New York City), 9 Dec. 1843, [1]; “The Mormons,” Niles’ National Register (Baltimore), 3 Feb. 1844, 355–356. The Times and Seasons published its November 1843 issue around late December 1843.

    New-York Spectator. New York City. 1804–1867.

    Niles’ National Register. Washington DC, 1837–1839; Baltimore, 1839–1848; Philadelphia, 1848–1849.

Asterisk (*) denotes a "featured" version, which includes an introduction and annotation. *Letter to James Arlington Bennet, 13 November 1843 Letter to James Arlington Bennet, 13 November 1843, as Published in Nauvoo Neighbor Letter to James Arlington Bennet, 13 November 1843, as Published in Times and Seasons Letter to James Arlington Bennet, 13 November 1843, as Published in New York Herald History, 1838–1856, volume E-1 [1 July 1843–30 April 1844] “History of Joseph Smith”

Page 1[b]

of Christ.
9

See Colossians 2:8.


But if the inference is, that, by more love more light, more virtue, and more truth from the Lord, I have succeded as an man of God, then you reason truly: though the weight of the sentiment is lost, when the “influance <​is left​> to the mass,”
10

See Letter from James Arlington Bennet, 24 Oct. 1843.


rather than hazard your opinion upon matter Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?
11

See Matthew 7:16.


Of course you follow out the figure, and say “The boldness of my plans and measures, together with their unparalleled success; so far, are calculated to throw a charm over my whole being; and to point me out as the most extraordinary man of the present age.” The boldness of my plans and measures, can readily be tested by the touch-stone of all schemes, systems, projects, and adventures,— truth, for truth is a matter of fact— and the fact is, that by the power of God I translated the book of Mormon hierogliphics from hierogliphics; the knowledge of which was lost to the world.
12

JS reported that in 1828 and 1829, he translated the Book of Mormon from gold plates engraved with characters that he called “reformed Egyptian.” (JS History, vol. A–1, 9, 13; Book of Mormon, 1840 ed., 523 [Mormon 9:32]; see also “Part 1: July 1828–March 1829”.)


In which wonderful event, I stood alone, an unlearned youth, to combat the worldly wisdom and multiplied ignorance of eighteen centuries. with a new revelation; which, (if they would receive <​it​>)
13

In the version of the letter printed in the Nauvoo Neighbor, the editor deleted the word “it.” (“For the Neighbor,” Nauvoo Neighbor, 6 Dec. 1843, [3].)


(the fulness of the everlasting gospel) would open the eyes of more than eight hundred millions of people,
14

The Earth’s estimated population in contemporaneous publications was between 737 million and 993 million people. (See, for example, “Useful Knowledge for the People,” Liberty [MS] Advocate, 24 Feb. 1838, [3]; “Religious Condition of Mankind,” Wilmington [NC] Advertiser, 11 Mar. 1836, [1]; and American Almanac and Repository of Useful Knowledge, 271.)


Comprehensive Works Cited

Liberty Advocate. Liberty, MS. 1835–1866.

Wilmington Advertiser. Wilmington, NC. 1836–1841.

The American Almanac and Repository of Useful Knowledge, for the Year 1841. Boston: David H. Williams, 1840.

and make plain the “old paths,” wherein if a man walk in all the
ordinances

A religious rite. JS taught that ordinances were covenants between man and God, in which believers could affirm faith, gain spiritual knowledge, and seek blessings. Some ordinances were considered requisite for salvation. The manner in which ordinances were...

View Glossary
of God blameless, he shall inherit eternal life: And Jesus Christ, who was, and is, and is to come, has borne me safely over every snare and plan laid in secret, or openly, through priestly hypocrisy, sectarian prejudice, popular philosophy, executive power, or law defying mobocracy, to destroy me.
If, then, the hand of God, in all things that I have accomplished towards the salvation of a priest ridden generation,
15

In the version of the letter printed in the Nauvoo Neighbor, this sentence was rendered, “If, then, the hand of God, in all these things that I have accomplished, towards the salvation of a priest-ridden generation. . . .” (“For the Neighbor,” Nauvoo Neighbor, 6 Dec. 1843, [3].)


in the short space [p. 1[b]]
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Document Information

Related Case Documents
Editorial Title
Letter to James Arlington Bennet, 13 November 1843
ID #
1202
Total Pages
10
Print Volume Location
JSP, D13:258–270
Handwriting on This Page
  • William W. Phelps

Footnotes

  1. [9]

    See Colossians 2:8.

  2. [10]

    See Letter from James Arlington Bennet, 24 Oct. 1843.

  3. [11]

    See Matthew 7:16.

  4. [12]

    JS reported that in 1828 and 1829, he translated the Book of Mormon from gold plates engraved with characters that he called “reformed Egyptian.” (JS History, vol. A–1, 9, 13; Book of Mormon, 1840 ed., 523 [Mormon 9:32]; see also “Part 1: July 1828–March 1829”.)

  5. [13]

    In the version of the letter printed in the Nauvoo Neighbor, the editor deleted the word “it.” (“For the Neighbor,” Nauvoo Neighbor, 6 Dec. 1843, [3].)

  6. [14]

    The Earth’s estimated population in contemporaneous publications was between 737 million and 993 million people. (See, for example, “Useful Knowledge for the People,” Liberty [MS] Advocate, 24 Feb. 1838, [3]; “Religious Condition of Mankind,” Wilmington [NC] Advertiser, 11 Mar. 1836, [1]; and American Almanac and Repository of Useful Knowledge, 271.)

    Liberty Advocate. Liberty, MS. 1835–1866.

    Wilmington Advertiser. Wilmington, NC. 1836–1841.

    The American Almanac and Repository of Useful Knowledge, for the Year 1841. Boston: David H. Williams, 1840.

  7. [15]

    In the version of the letter printed in the Nauvoo Neighbor, this sentence was rendered, “If, then, the hand of God, in all these things that I have accomplished, towards the salvation of a priest-ridden generation. . . .” (“For the Neighbor,” Nauvoo Neighbor, 6 Dec. 1843, [3].)

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