In his letter, Post apparently asked about the status of the Elders’ Journal. He probably had not yet received the first issue of the Elders’ Journal published at Far West, Missouri, dated July 1838, but he may have had access to the 30 April 1838 prospectus announcing the resumption of the paper. He was likely interested in the paper as a way to remain connected with other believers, and he may also have been interested in writing for the newspaper. When sending his 1 August letter to JS, Post apparently enclosed a theological treatise on the order of God that he presumably wrote for publication in the paper. (See Prospectus for Elders’ Journal, 30 Apr. 1838; and Stephen Post, “Reflections on the Order of God and Effects Flowing from It,” Elders’ Journal, Aug. 1838, 49–50.)

Kimball arrived in Far West on 22 July 1838, and Hyde arrived sometime between then and 29 July. (Reynolds Cahoon, Far West, MO, to Newel K. Whitney, Kirtland, OH, 23 July 1838, CHL; JS, Journal, 29 July 1838; see also Letter from Heber C. Kimball and Orson Hyde, between 22 and 28 May 1838.)

Cahoon, Reynolds, and Edward Partridge. Letter, Far West, MO, to Newel K. Whitney, Kirtland Mills, OH, 23 and 24 July 1838. CHL.

JS was likely referring to the Journal of Heber C. Kimball, published in 1840. Publication of this pamphlet was likely delayed because of the 1838 conflict with Missourians and the expulsion of the Latter-day Saints from Missouri in winter 1838–1839. (See Robert B. Thompson, ed., Journal of Heber C. Kimball, an Elder of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints [Nauvoo, IL: Robinson and Smith, 1840].)

Thompson, Robert B. Journal of Heber C. Kimball an Elder of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Nauvoo, IL: Robinson and Smith, 1840.

Under the direction of Hyde and Kimball, over fifteen hundred individuals were baptized in England. Although the exact number of elders is unknown, Joseph Fielding stated that when the two apostles departed, at least seventy-seven men had been ordained to priesthood offices. (Allen et al., Men with a Mission, 52–53; Fielding, Journal, 1837–1838, 59.)

Allen, James B., Ronald K. Esplin, and David J. Whittaker. Men with a Mission, 1837–1841: The Quorum of the Twelve Apostles in the British Isles. Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 1992.

Fielding, Joseph. Journals, 1837–1859. CHL. MS 1567.

On 17 September 1837, a conference of elders at Kirtland resolved “it was necessary that there be more Stakes of Zion appointed in order that the poor might have a place to gather to.” The elders therefore requested that JS and Sidney Rigdon “go & appoint other Stakes or places of gathering.” The next day, the bishopric at Kirtland wrote a memorial likewise calling upon JS and Rigdon to organize additional stakes for the Saints. In response, JS and Rigdon appointed a committee in November to locate sites for settlement in Missouri. This decision was published in the November 1837 issue of the Elders’ Journal, which Post likely read. A revelation on 12 January 1838 clarified that stakes must be appointed and dedicated by the First Presidency. (Minutes, 17 Sept. 1837–B; Newel K. Whitney et al., To the Saints Scattered Abroad, the Bishop and His Counselors of Kirtland Send Greeting [Kirtland, OH: ca. Sept. 1837], copy at CHL; Newel K. Whitney et al., Kirtland, OH, to “the Saints scattered abroad,” 18 Sept. 1837, in LDS Messenger and Advocate, Sept. 1837, 3:561–564; Travel Account and Questions, Nov. 1837; Revelation, 12 Jan. 1838–B.)

To the Saints Scattered Abroad, the Bishop and His Counselors of Kirtland Send Greeting. [Kirtland, OH: 18 Sept. 1837]. CHL.

Latter Day Saints’ Messenger and Advocate. Kirtland, OH. Oct. 1834–Sept. 1837.

TEXT: “[Page torn]and”.

JS taught that Adam-ondi-Ahman was where Adam and Eve lived after their expulsion from the Garden of Eden. JS organized a stake at Adam-ondi-Ahman on 28 June 1838. (See Minutes, 28 June 1838.)

Although JS identified De Witt as a stake in this letter, it is unknown whether a stake was ever formally organized there. A month after this letter was written, Latter-day Saint Albert P. Rockwood wrote that “De Witt was not an appointed stake of Zion.” (See Rockwood, Journal, 14 Oct. 1838; see also Reed Peck, Quincy, IL, to “Dear Friends,” 18 Sept. 1839, pp. 20–21, Henry E. Huntington Library, San Marino, CA.)

Rockwood, Albert Perry. Journal Entries, Oct. 1838–Jan. 1839. Photocopy. CHL. MS 2606.

Peck, Reed. Letter, Quincy, IL, to “Dear Friends,” 18 Sept. 1839. Huntington Library, San Marino, CA.

Post may have asked about the construction of a House of the Lord in Missouri because of his noteworthy experience during the 1836 dedication of the House of the Lord in Kirtland. In his journal, Post described his experience as a “pentecost” like that described in Acts, chapter 2, of the New Testament. Post wrote, “Angels of God came into the room, cloven tongues rested upon some of the servants of the Lord like unto fire, & they spake with tongues & prophesied.” (Post, Journal, 27–31 Mar. 1836.)

Post, Stephen. Journals, 1835–1879. Stephen Post, Papers, 1835–1921. CHL. MS 1304, box 6.

The Saints commenced work on the cellar in summer 1837. They continued until November, when JS directed church members to cease constructing the House of the Lord. A revelation on 26 April 1838 instructed the Saints to resume construction, and on 4 July 1838 JS presided over the dedication of the cornerstones. (Letter from William W. Phelps, 7 July 1837; Minutes, 6 Nov. 1837; Revelation, 26 Apr. 1838 [D&C 115:8]; “Celebration of the 4th of July,” Elders’ Journal, Aug. 1838, 60.)