Minutes, 28 June 1838

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Minutes, 28 June 1838
Source Note

Minutes,
Adam-ondi-Ahman
Settlement located in northwest Missouri. 1835 revelation identified valley of Adam-ondi-Ahman as place where Adam blessed his posterity after leaving Garden of Eden. While seeking new areas in Daviess Co. for settlement, JS and others surveyed site on which...
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, Daviess Co., MO, 28 June 1838. Featured version published in Elders’ Journal, Aug. 1838, pp. 60–61. For more complete source information, see the source note for Elders’ Journal, Oct. 1837.

Historical Introduction
On 28 June 1838, JS served as the chairman of a conference to organize a
stake
Ecclesiastical organization of church members in a particular locale. Stakes were typically large local organizations of church members; stake leaders could include a presidency, a high council, and a bishopric. Some revelations referred to stakes “to” or...
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of
Zion
A specific location in Missouri; also a literal or figurative gathering of believers in Jesus Christ, characterized by adherence to ideals of harmony, equality, and purity. In JS’s earliest revelations “the cause of Zion” was used to broadly describe the ...
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at
Adam-ondi-Ahman
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in
Daviess County
Area in northwest Missouri settled by European Americans, 1830. Sparsely inhabited until 1838. Created from Ray Co., Dec. 1836, in attempt to resolve conflicts related to Latter-day Saint settlement in that region. County is transected diagonally from northwest...
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, Missouri. Two months earlier, on 26 April 1838, a revelation had designated nearby
Far West
Originally called Shoal Creek. Located fifty-five miles northeast of Independence. Surveyed 1823; first settled by whites, 1831. Site purchased, 8 Aug. 1836, before Caldwell Co. was organized for Latter-day Saints in Missouri. William W. Phelps and John Whitmer...
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, in
Caldwell County
Located in northwest Missouri. Settled by whites, by 1831. Described as being “one-third timber and two-thirds prairie” in 1836. Created specifically for Latter-day Saints by Missouri state legislature, 29 Dec. 1836, in attempt to solve “Mormon problem.” ...
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, as a holy place in which to build a city of Zion and a
temple
Plans for Far West included temple on central block. Latter-day Saints in Caldwell Co. made preparations for construction and commenced excavating for foundation, 3 July 1837. However, while visiting Latter-day Saints in Far West, 6 Nov. 1837, JS gave instructions...
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.
1
Revelation, 26 Apr. 1838 [D&C 115:7–8].
In addition, the revelation directed that “other places” should also “be appointed for stakes in the regions round about as they shall be manifested unto my Servant Joseph from time to time.”
2
Revelation, 26 Apr. 1838 [D&C 115:18].
JS had long contemplated establishing multiple places of gathering in
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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. In 1833, JS explained that when growth necessitated expansion beyond the original plat of the city of Zion in
Jackson County
Settled at Fort Osage, 1808. County created, 16 Feb. 1825; organized 1826. Named after U.S. president Andrew Jackson. Featured fertile lands along Missouri River and was Santa Fe Trail departure point, which attracted immigrants to area. Area of county reduced...
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, Missouri, the Saints could develop another plat “in the same way and so fill up the world in these last days.”
3
Plat of the City of Zion, ca. Early June–25 June 1833.
By 1837 it was time to expand, and in September church leaders in
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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selected JS and
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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to go to Missouri and “appoint other Stakes or places of
gathering
As directed by early revelations, church members “gathered” in communities. A revelation dated September 1830, for instance, instructed elders “to bring to pass the gathering of mine elect” who would “be gathered in unto one place, upon the face of this land...
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” in addition to Far West.
4
Minutes, 17 Sept. 1837–B.
After traveling to Missouri, JS and Rigdon met with local church officers, who affirmed the assignment to locate sites for future settlement and established a committee to assist in locating sites.
5
Travel Account and Questions, Nov. 1837; see also Minutes, 6 Nov. 1837.
One of the committee members was
Oliver Cowdery
3 Oct. 1806–3 Mar. 1850. Clerk, teacher, justice of the peace, lawyer, newspaper editor. Born at Wells, Rutland Co., Vermont. Son of William Cowdery and Rebecca Fuller. Raised Congregationalist. Moved to western New York and clerked at a store, ca. 1825–1828...
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, who reported that he had found an abundance of sites for mills and settlements to the north.
6
Travel Account and Questions, Nov. 1837; Letter from Oliver Cowdery, 21 Jan. 1838.
Another committee member,
Lyman Wight
9 May 1796–31 Mar. 1858. Farmer. Born at Fairfield, Herkimer Co., New York. Son of Levi Wight Jr. and Sarah Corbin. Served in War of 1812. Married Harriet Benton, 5 Jan. 1823, at Henrietta, Monroe Co., New York. Moved to Warrensville, Cuyahoga Co., Ohio, ...
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, soon settled with his family north of Far West on the
Grand River
Flows from current state of Iowa approximately 225 miles southeast through Daviess and Livingston counties in Missouri en route to its mouth at Missouri River near De Witt, Missouri. Adam-ondi-Ahman, Far West, Hawn’s Mill, Whitney’s Mill, Myers settlement...
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in Daviess County.
7
Minutes, 7–8 Apr. 1838; Corrill, Brief History, 28; JS, Journal, 18 May–1 June 1838; Lyman Wight, Mountain Valley, TX, to Wilford Woodruff, [Salt Lake City], 24 Aug. 1857, p. 9, Historian’s Office, Histories of the Twelve, 1856–1858, 1861, CHL.
Comprehensive Works Cited
Historian’s Office. Histories of the Twelve, 1856–1858, 1861. CHL. CR 100 93.

In the second half of May 1838, JS and several others traveled north to
Daviess County
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to survey land for
Latter-day Saint
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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settlement, using church member
Lyman Wight
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’s home on the
Grand River
Flows from current state of Iowa approximately 225 miles southeast through Daviess and Livingston counties in Missouri en route to its mouth at Missouri River near De Witt, Missouri. Adam-ondi-Ahman, Far West, Hawn’s Mill, Whitney’s Mill, Myers settlement...
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as a base of operations. On 21 May, the surveying party decided that instead of exploring further northward, they should focus on securing all the land they could on the Grand River, especially in the vicinity of Wight’s farm, by a bluff they called
Spring Hill
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. Around this time, JS dictated a revelation stating that Spring Hill “was called Adam Ondi Awmen, because said he it is the place where Adam shall come to visit his people.”
8
JS, Journal, 18 May–1 June 1838; see also Swartzell, Mormonism Exposed, 11–12.
Swartzell, William. Mormonism Exposed, Being a Journal of a Residence in Missouri from the 28th of May to the 20th of August, 1838, Together with an Appendix, Containing the Revelation concerning the Golden Bible, with Numerous Extracts from the ‘Book of Covenants,’ &c., &c. Pekin, OH: By the author, 1840.
The word Awmen (also spelled Ahman, Ah Man, and Awman) was not new to JS. In 1832 he produced a document titled “Sample of Pure Language,” which stated Awmen was the name of God in the language of Adam.
9
Sample of Pure Language, between ca. 4 and ca. 20 Mar. 1832; see also William W. Phelps, Kirtland, OH, to Sally Waterman Phelps, Liberty, MO, 26 May 1835, William W. Phelps, Papers, BYU.
Phelps, William W. Papers, 1835–1865. BYU.
In 1835 JS taught that Adam, before dying, had gathered “the residue of his posterity, who were righteous, into the valley of Adam-ondi-ahman, and there bestowed upon them his last blessing.”
10
Instruction on Priesthood, between ca. 1 Mar. and ca. 4 May 1835 [D&C 107:53].
According to
John Corrill
17 Sept. 1794–26 Sept. 1842. Surveyor, politician, author. Born at Worcester Co., Massachusetts. Married Margaret Lyndiff, ca. 1830. Lived at Harpersfield, Ashtabula Co., Ohio, 1830. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 10 Jan. 1831,...
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, when JS applied this name to Spring Hill, he gave the following interpretation in English: “The valley of God, in which Adam blessed his children.”
11
Corrill, Brief History, 28; see also Letter to Stephen Post, 17 Sept. 1838.
JS returned to
Far West
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at the end of the month.
12
JS returned to Far West on 24 May. On 28 May, JS was headed north of Far West to scout out further locations for settlement. He returned again to Far West on 1 June, the day before the birth of his son Alexander Hale Smith. (JS, Journal, 18 May–1 June 1838.)

In early June 1838, JS and others returned to
Daviess County
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. According to JS’s journal, the group “continued surveying and building houses &c for some time day after day.”
13
JS, Journal, 4–5 June 1838.
The surveying culminated in the completion of a city plat for
Adam-ondi-Ahman
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, likely by the end of the month.
14
JS History, vol. B-1, 799; see also “Record Book A,” in Sherwood, Record Book, CHL.
Sherwood, Henry G. Record Book, ca. 1838–1844. CHL.
During this time, JS’s uncle
John Smith
16 July 1781–23 May 1854. Farmer. Born at Derryfield (later Manchester), Rockingham Co., New Hampshire. Son of Asael Smith and Mary Duty. Member of Congregational church. Appointed overseer of highways at Potsdam, St. Lawrence Co., New York, 1810. Married...
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—a former member of the church
presidency
An organized body of leaders over priesthood quorums and other ecclesiastical organizations. A November 1831 revelation first described the office of president over the high priesthood and the church as a whole. By 1832, JS and two counselors constituted ...
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in
Kirtland
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—arrived in
Far West
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with six other families who had moved from Kirtland to be with the Latter-day Saints in
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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. According to JS’s history, JS “counseled them to settle at Adam ondiahman.”
15
John Smith, Journal, 16 June 1838; JS History, vol. B-1, addenda, 6nV.
Smith, John (1781-1854). Journal, 1833–1841. John Smith, Papers, 1833-1854. CHL. MS 1326, box 1, fd. 1.

William Swartzell
25 Dec. 1781–after 4 June 1841. Born in Green Co., Pennsylvania. Son of John Swartzell. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, by Mar. 1838. Ordained a deacon by Joseph Smith Sr., 1 Mar. 1838, in Rochester, Columbiana Co., Ohio. Moved ...
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, who was already living there, reported that on 24 June 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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“called a meeting” at Adam-ondi-Ahman to organize the church there. The meaning of “called” is unclear; Swartzell may have been referring to a circulated announcement about the organizational meeting to be held on 28 June, or he may have been describing the meeting itself, giving the wrong date.
16
Swartzell, Mormonism Exposed, 13. This passage in Swartzell’s publication may be a retrospective expansion on his original journal entry. John Smith wrote in his journal that JS “called thelders to gether.” (John Smith, Journal, 28 June 1838.)
Two days before the meeting, John Smith and those traveling with him arrived at Adam-ondi-Ahman.
17
John Smith, Journal, 26 June 1838.

On the morning of 28 June 1838, JS served as the chairman at the “conference meeting,” which convened near
Wight
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’s home. During the meeting,
Adam-ondi-Ahman
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was organized as a stake with a presidency, a
high council
A governing body of twelve high priests. The first high council was organized in Kirtland, Ohio, on 17 February 1834 “for the purpose of settling important difficulties which might arise in the church, which could not be settled by the church, or the bishop...
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, and a temporary
bishop
An ecclesiastical and priesthood office. JS appointed Edward Partridge as the first bishop in February 1831. Following this appointment, Partridge functioned as the local leader of the church in Missouri. Later revelations described a bishop’s duties as receiving...
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.
John Smith
16 July 1781–23 May 1854. Farmer. Born at Derryfield (later Manchester), Rockingham Co., New Hampshire. Son of Asael Smith and Mary Duty. Member of Congregational church. Appointed overseer of highways at Potsdam, St. Lawrence Co., New York, 1810. Married...
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and other former officers in the presidency and bishopric of the
Kirtland
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stake, which was being disbanded, were appointed to fill similar roles in the stake in Adam-ondi-Ahman. After these and other appointments, JS gave instruction to the new officers.

The minutes of the meeting close by listing JS as the chairman, possibly indicating that he approved of the minutes, and Isaac Perry and
Lorenzo Barnes
22 Mar. 1812–20 Dec. 1842. Teacher. Born in Tolland, Hampden Co., Massachusetts. Son of Phineas Barnes and Abigail Smith. Moved to eastern Ohio, 1815. Moved to Norton, Medina Co., Ohio, 1816. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, June...
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as the clerks.
18
Barnes was appointed clerk for the high council and the stake at the end of the conference.
At some point, the decision was made to publish the minutes in the Elders’ Journal.
19
The Zion high council had decided to publish meeting minutes in the Elders’ Journal when deemed proper. Four sets of minutes were published in the July issue. (Minutes, 21 Apr. 1838; Elders’ Journal, July 1838, 44–47.)

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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, who had been appointed in May to edit articles for the paper, may have helped prepare the minutes for publication.
20
Minute Book 2, 12 May 1838; see also Minutes, 6 Aug. 1838, in JS, Journal, 6 Aug. 1838.
A fair copy was probably prepared for the printers to use in typesetting. The minutes were published in the August issue of the Elders’ Journal.
Footnotes
[1]
Revelation, 26 Apr. 1838 [D&C 115:7–8].
[2]
Revelation, 26 Apr. 1838 [D&C 115:18].
[3]
Plat of the City of Zion, ca. Early June–25 June 1833.
[4]
Minutes, 17 Sept. 1837–B.
[5]
Travel Account and Questions, Nov. 1837; see also Minutes, 6 Nov. 1837.
[6]
Travel Account and Questions, Nov. 1837; Letter from Oliver Cowdery, 21 Jan. 1838.
[7]
Minutes, 7–8 Apr. 1838; Corrill, Brief History, 28; JS, Journal, 18 May–1 June 1838; Lyman Wight, Mountain Valley, TX, to Wilford Woodruff, [Salt Lake City], 24 Aug. 1857, p. 9, Historian’s Office, Histories of the Twelve, 1856–1858, 1861, CHL.
Historian’s Office. Histories of the Twelve, 1856–1858, 1861. CHL. CR 100 93.
[8]
JS, Journal, 18 May–1 June 1838; see also Swartzell, Mormonism Exposed, 11–12.
[9]
Sample of Pure Language, between ca. 4 and ca. 20 Mar. 1832; see also William W. Phelps, Kirtland, OH, to Sally Waterman Phelps, Liberty, MO, 26 May 1835, William W. Phelps, Papers, BYU.
Phelps, William W. Papers, 1835–1865. BYU.
[10]
Instruction on Priesthood, between ca. 1 Mar. and ca. 4 May 1835 [D&C 107:53].
[11]
Corrill, Brief History, 28; see also Letter to Stephen Post, 17 Sept. 1838.
[12]
JS returned to Far West on 24 May. On 28 May, JS was headed north of Far West to scout out further locations for settlement. He returned again to Far West on 1 June, the day before the birth of his son Alexander Hale Smith. (JS, Journal, 18 May–1 June 1838.)
[13]
JS, Journal, 4–5 June 1838.
[14]
JS History, vol. B-1, 799; see also “Record Book A,” in Sherwood, Record Book, CHL.
Sherwood, Henry G. Record Book, ca. 1838–1844. CHL.
[15]
John Smith, Journal, 16 June 1838; JS History, vol. B-1, addenda, 6nV.
[16]
Swartzell, Mormonism Exposed, 13. This passage in Swartzell’s publication may be a retrospective expansion on his original journal entry. John Smith wrote in his journal that JS “called thelders to gether.” (John Smith, Journal, 28 June 1838.)
[17]
John Smith, Journal, 26 June 1838.
[18]
Barnes was appointed clerk for the high council and the stake at the end of the conference.
[19]
The Zion high council had decided to publish meeting minutes in the Elders’ Journal when deemed proper. Four sets of minutes were published in the July issue. (Minutes, 21 Apr. 1838; Elders’ Journal, July 1838, 44–47.)
[20]
Minute Book 2, 12 May 1838; see also Minutes, 6 Aug. 1838, in JS, Journal, 6 Aug. 1838.
Asterisk (*) denotes a "featured" version, which includes an introduction and annotation. *Minutes, 28 June 1838 Elders’ Journal, August 1838
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For the Elders Journal—

CONFERENCE MINUTES.

A conference meeting of
Elders
A male leader in the church generally; an ecclesiastical and priesthood office or one holding that office; a proselytizing missionary. The Book of Mormon explained that elders ordained priests and teachers and administered “the flesh and blood of Christ unto...
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, and members, of the
church of Christ of Latter Day Saints
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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, was held in this place, this day, for the purpose of organziing this
stake
Ecclesiastical organization of church members in a particular locale. Stakes were typically large local organizations of church members; stake leaders could include a presidency, a high council, and a bishopric. Some revelations referred to stakes “to” or...
View Glossary
of
Zion
A specific location in Missouri; also a literal or figurative gathering of believers in Jesus Christ, characterized by adherence to ideals of harmony, equality, and purity. In JS’s earliest revelations “the cause of Zion” was used to broadly describe the ...
View Glossary
, called
Adam-ondi-ahman
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. The meeting convened at 10 o’clock A. M. in the grove near the house of elder
Lyman Wight
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.
1
Meetings were held frequently in this grove.a Swartzell described it as “a grove, in the woods, adjoining brother White’s house,” that was “situated between Grand River and a large prairie, well timbered and beautifully shaded” and that had several benches “made out of trees split in two.”b Wight had purchased and was working Adam Black’s farm,c which was situated on the floodplain between the bluffs and the river.d The grove was apparently within uncleared land along the riverside. (^aSee John Smith, Journal, 1 and 8 July 1838; and Swartzell, Mormonism Exposed, 14.^bSwartzell, Mormonism Exposed, 17, 20; see also Berrett, Sacred Places, 4:439, 443–444.^cLyman Wight, Testimony, Nauvoo, IL, 1 July 1843, p. 11, Nauvoo, IL, Records, CHL; Orange Wight, Reminiscences, 8.^d“Fractional Township 60 North of the Base Line Range 27. West of 5th Principal Meridian,” Daviess Co., MO, 15 Sept. 1838; “Fractional Township 60 North of the Base Line Range 28 West of 5th Principal Meridian,” Daviess Co., MO, 15 Sept. 1838, in Public Land Survey Township Plats, reel 47; Orange Wight, Adam-ondi-Ahman Diagram, CHL; Berrett, Sacred Places, 4:439.)
Berrett, LaMar C., ed. Sacred Places: A Comprehensive Guide to Early LDS Historical Sites. 6 vols. Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 1999–2007.
Nauvoo, IL. Records, 1841–1845. CHL. MS 16800.
Wight, Orange L. Reminiscences, May–Dec. 1903. Photocopy. CHL. MS 405.
Public Land Survey Township Plats, Compiled 1789–1946, Documenting the Period 1785–1946. National Archives Microfilm Publications, microcopy T1234. 67 reels. Washington DC: National Archives, no date.
Wight, Orange L. Adam-ondi-Ahman Diagram, 1903. CHL.

President
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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Joseph Smith Jr. was called. to the chair, who explained the object [p. 60]
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Footnotes
[1]
Meetings were held frequently in this grove.a Swartzell described it as “a grove, in the woods, adjoining brother White’s house,” that was “situated between Grand River and a large prairie, well timbered and beautifully shaded” and that had several benches “made out of trees split in two.”b Wight had purchased and was working Adam Black’s farm,c which was situated on the floodplain between the bluffs and the river.d The grove was apparently within uncleared land along the riverside.
(^aSee John Smith, Journal, 1 and 8 July 1838; and Swartzell, Mormonism Exposed, 14. ^bSwartzell, Mormonism Exposed, 17, 20; see also Berrett, Sacred Places, 4:439, 443–444. ^cLyman Wight, Testimony, Nauvoo, IL, 1 July 1843, p. 11, Nauvoo, IL, Records, CHL; Orange Wight, Reminiscences, 8. ^d“Fractional Township 60 North of the Base Line Range 27. West of 5th Principal Meridian,” Daviess Co., MO, 15 Sept. 1838; “Fractional Township 60 North of the Base Line Range 28 West of 5th Principal Meridian,” Daviess Co., MO, 15 Sept. 1838, in Public Land Survey Township Plats, reel 47; Orange Wight, Adam-ondi-Ahman Diagram, CHL; Berrett, Sacred Places, 4:439.)
Berrett, LaMar C., ed. Sacred Places: A Comprehensive Guide to Early LDS Historical Sites. 6 vols. Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 1999–2007.
Nauvoo, IL. Records, 1841–1845. CHL. MS 16800.
Wight, Orange L. Reminiscences, May–Dec. 1903. Photocopy. CHL. MS 405.
Public Land Survey Township Plats, Compiled 1789–1946, Documenting the Period 1785–1946. National Archives Microfilm Publications, microcopy T1234. 67 reels. Washington DC: National Archives, no date.
Wight, Orange L. Adam-ondi-Ahman Diagram, 1903. CHL.