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Reflections and Blessings, 16 and 23 August 1842

Source Note

JS, Reflections and Blessings, [near
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], 16 Aug. 1842; and [
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], 23 Aug. 1842. Featured version copied [between 16 and 20 Aug. 1842] and [23 Aug. 1842], in JS, Journal, Dec. 1841–Dec. 1842, in Book of the Law of the Lord, pp. 135, 164–165, 179–181; handwriting of
William Clayton

17 July 1814–4 Dec. 1879. Bookkeeper, clerk. Born at Charnock Moss, Penwortham, Lancashire, England. Son of Thomas Clayton and Ann Critchley. Married Ruth Moon, 9 Oct. 1836, at Penwortham. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by Heber...

View Full Bio
; CHL. For more complete source information, see the source note for Revelation, 19 Jan. 1841 [D&C 124].

Historical Introduction

On 16 August 1842, while in hiding at
Edward Sayers

9 Feb. 1800–17 July 1861. Horticulturalist. Born in Canterbury, Kent Co., England. Son of Edward Sayers and Mary. Married Ruth D. Vose, 23 Jan. 1841, in St. Louis. Purchased land in Nauvoo, Hancock Co., Illinois, from JS and Emma Smith, 19 May 1841. Moved...

View Full Bio
’s house, JS blessed
Erastus Derby

14 Sept. 1810–3 Dec. 1890. Tailor, carpenter, farmer, joiner. Born in Hawley, Hampshire Co., Massachusetts. Son of Edward Darby and Ruth Phoebe Hitchcock. Moved to Ohio, by 1834. Married Ruhamah Burnham Knowlton, 10 Aug. 1834, in Carthage, Hamilton Co., Ohio...

View Full Bio
and several others. At the same time, JS reflected on the loyalty demonstrated to him by Derby,
Emma Smith

10 July 1804–30 Apr. 1879. Scribe, editor, boardinghouse operator, clothier. Born at Willingborough Township (later in Harmony), Susquehanna Co., Pennsylvania. Daughter of Isaac Hale and Elizabeth Lewis. Member of Methodist church at Harmony (later in Oakland...

View Full Bio
,
Hyrum Smith

9 Feb. 1800–27 June 1844. Farmer, cooper. Born at Tunbridge, Orange Co., Vermont. Son of Joseph Smith Sr. and Lucy Mack. Moved to Randolph, Orange Co., 1802; back to Tunbridge, before May 1803; to Royalton, Windsor Co., Vermont, 1804; to Sharon, Windsor Co...

View Full Bio
, and many other friends and family members. In accordance with his plan to “continue the subject again,” JS dictated further reflections on 23 August, after he had relocated and was hiding in his
store

Located in lower portion of Nauvoo (the flats) along bank of Mississippi River. Completed 1841. Opened for business, 5 Jan. 1842. Owned by JS, but managed mostly by others, after 1842. First floor housed JS’s general store and counting room, where tithing...

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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.
1

JS, Journal, 16 and 23 Aug. 1842. JS returned to his home the evening of 23 August, although he did not make a public appearance until 29 August. (JS, Journal, 29 Aug. 1842.)


JS believed it was important to include the names of faithful Latter-day Saints in the Book of the Law of the Lord, which
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
had used to record tithing donations since late 1841 and which had served as JS’s journal since late 1841 or early 1842.
2

Historical Introduction to Journal, Dec. 1841–Dec. 1842.


The Book of the Law of the Lord had apparently been created in response to direction JS gave in an 1832 letter to
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
, in which he explained that 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
’s clerk was appointed “to keep a hystory and a general church reccord of all things that transpire in
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
and of all those who consecrate properties and receive inhertances legally from the
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...

View Glossary
and also there manner of life and the faith and works.”
3

Letter to William W. Phelps, 27 Nov. 1832 [D&C 85:1–2].


The names of faithful Saints, JS emphasized, should be recorded in “the book of the Law of God”; he warned that those whose names were not found there “shall not find an inheritence among th[e] saints.”
4

Letter to William W. Phelps, 27 Nov. 1832 [D&C 85:5, 7, 11].


By 1842, the Book of the Law of the Lord was being used, in part at least, to record the names of those who supported JS during times of trial, as demonstrated in these featured reflections.
JS dictated these reflections while hiding from
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
officers intent on arresting and extraditing him to
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 ...

More Info
.
5

See Petition to Nauvoo Municipal Court, 8 Aug. 1842; and Letter to Wilson Law, 14 Aug. 1842.


An editorial in the 15 August issue of the Times and Seasons placed this extradition attempt within a longer narrative of the Saints’ persecution at the hands of Missourians.
6

“Persecution,” Times and Seasons, 15 Aug. 1842, 3:886–889.


This narration of persecution represented a counterpoint to the desire to record the righteous deeds of faithful Saints; in an 1839 letter written from a Missouri
jail

Two-story building containing dungeon on lower floor with access through trap door. Wood building constructed, ca. 1830. Outer stone wall added and building completed, 1833. JS and five others confined there for just over four months, beginning 1 Dec. 1838...

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, JS had instructed the Saints to record and publish “the names of all persons that have had a hand in their oppressions.”
7

Letter to Edward Partridge and the Church, ca. 22 Mar. 1839 [D&C 123:3].


The entries featured here begin with a blessing for
Derby

14 Sept. 1810–3 Dec. 1890. Tailor, carpenter, farmer, joiner. Born in Hawley, Hampshire Co., Massachusetts. Son of Edward Darby and Ruth Phoebe Hitchcock. Moved to Ohio, by 1834. Married Ruhamah Burnham Knowlton, 10 Aug. 1834, in Carthage, Hamilton Co., Ohio...

View Full Bio
, who was staying with JS while he was in hiding and was carrying letters from JS to
Emma Smith

10 July 1804–30 Apr. 1879. Scribe, editor, boardinghouse operator, clothier. Born at Willingborough Township (later in Harmony), Susquehanna Co., Pennsylvania. Daughter of Isaac Hale and Elizabeth Lewis. Member of Methodist church at Harmony (later in Oakland...

View Full Bio
and
Wilson Law

26 Feb. 1806–15 Oct. 1876. Merchant, millwright, land speculator, farmer. Born in Ireland. Son of Richard Law and Ann Hunter. Immigrated to U.S. and settled in Springfield Township, Mercer Co., Pennsylvania, by 1820. Moved to Delaware Township, Mercer Co....

View Full Bio
.
8

Letter to Emma Smith, 16 Aug. 1842; Letter to Wilson Law, 16 Aug. 1842.


After pronouncing the blessing, JS transitioned into a wide-ranging reflection on individuals who exemplified loyalty and kindness; he then pronounced blessings upon several of them.
9

JS appears to have extended blessings to individuals who were absent on prior occasions. (See Blessing to David Whitmer, 22 Sept. 1835; Blessings to Joseph Smith Sr. and Others, Sept. and Oct. 1835.)


The 16 August portion of the reflections begins with those who met with JS on an
island

Two tree-covered islands located in Mississippi River between Nauvoo, Illinois, and Montrose, Iowa Territory. Important source of wood for Saints. JS hid on islands, Aug. 1842, while Missouri authorities sought to extradite him. Emma Smith, accompanied by...

More Info
in the
Mississippi River

Principal U.S. river running southward from Itasca Lake, Minnesota, to Gulf of Mexico. Covered 3,160-mile course, 1839 (now about 2,350 miles). Drains about 1,100,000 square miles. Steamboat travel on Mississippi very important in 1830s and 1840s for shipping...

More Info
on 11 August and then broadens to others who had supported him during his time in hiding. In the 23 August portion, JS’s reflections and blessings extend to those who had assisted him earlier in his life. JS did not attempt to provide a comprehensive list but rather mentioned those who were “emblematical” of the many friends who had come to his aid. Near the end of these reflections, he turned his attention to those closest to him, dictating nostalgic reminiscences of his deceased father,
Joseph Smith Sr.

12 July 1771–14 Sept. 1840. Cooper, farmer, teacher, merchant. Born at Topsfield, Essex Co., Massachusetts. Son of Asael Smith and Mary Duty. Nominal member of Congregationalist church at Topsfield. Married to Lucy Mack by Seth Austin, 24 Jan. 1796, at Tunbridge...

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, and brothers,
Alvin

11 Feb. 1798–19 Nov. 1823. Farmer, carpenter. Born at Tunbridge, Orange Co., Vermont. Son of Joseph Smith Sr. and Lucy Mack. Moved to Randolph, Orange Co., 1802; returned to Tunbridge, before May 1803. Moved to Royalton, Windsor Co., Vermont, 1804, and to...

View Full Bio
and
Don Carlos

25 Mar. 1816–7 Aug. 1841. Farmer, printer, editor. Born at Norwich, Windsor Co., Vermont. Son of Joseph Smith Sr. and Lucy Mack. Moved to Palmyra, Ontario Co., New York, 1816–Jan. 1817. Moved to Manchester, Ontario Co., 1825. Baptized into Church of Jesus...

View Full Bio
. His effort to create a record of faithful friends and family was consistent with other developments 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
. During this same period, JS introduced
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
and rituals meant to unite the Saints in eternal family bonds and again emphasized the importance of recording the participants’ names.
10

See Bushman, Rough Stone Rolling, 421–423, 477–478. Within days of dictating these reflections, JS spoke to the Female Relief Society of Nauvoo regarding baptism for the dead, instructing the members that “all persons baptiz’d for the dead must have a Recorder present. . . . It will be necessary in the grand Council.” In early September, he wrote to the Saints on the same topic, noting that a recorder must be present so that “it may be recorded in heaven.” (Minutes and Discourse, 31 Aug. 1842; JS, Journal, 4 Sept. 1842 [D&C 127:6–7].)


Comprehensive Works Cited

Bushman, Richard Lyman. Joseph Smith: Rough Stone Rolling. With the assistance of Jed Woodworth. New York: Knopf, 2005.

On 16 August, JS dictated the
Derby

14 Sept. 1810–3 Dec. 1890. Tailor, carpenter, farmer, joiner. Born in Hawley, Hampshire Co., Massachusetts. Son of Edward Darby and Ruth Phoebe Hitchcock. Moved to Ohio, by 1834. Married Ruhamah Burnham Knowlton, 10 Aug. 1834, in Carthage, Hamilton Co., Ohio...

View Full Bio
blessing and the initial portion of the reflections to
William Clayton

17 July 1814–4 Dec. 1879. Bookkeeper, clerk. Born at Charnock Moss, Penwortham, Lancashire, England. Son of Thomas Clayton and Ann Critchley. Married Ruth Moon, 9 Oct. 1836, at Penwortham. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by Heber...

View Full Bio
, who probably inscribed them onto a loose leaf before copying them into JS’s journal after returning to
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
, likely between 16 and 20 August.
11

Clayton was with JS between 15 and 16 August and presumably did not have the very large Book of the Law of the Lord with him. He probably returned to Nauvoo on 16 or 17 August and likely copied the 16 August reflections in the Book of the Law of the Lord soon after returning and no later than 20 August, as suggested by the content of these and surrounding entries and changes in the ink color. (See Book of the Law of the Lord, 135, 164–167.)


JS’s scribes had a practice of setting aside pages in the Book of the Law of the Lord for journal entries and tithing donations. As a result, the scribes sometimes ran out of space when recording JS’s journal, forcing them to continue the inscription a number of pages later. Such was the case with the 16 August entry, which is broken up by pages of tithing donations. Clayton inscribed the 23 August portion of the reflections into JS’s journal as JS dictated it.

Footnotes

  1. [1]

    JS, Journal, 16 and 23 Aug. 1842. JS returned to his home the evening of 23 August, although he did not make a public appearance until 29 August. (JS, Journal, 29 Aug. 1842.)

  2. [2]

    Historical Introduction to Journal, Dec. 1841–Dec. 1842.

  3. [3]

    Letter to William W. Phelps, 27 Nov. 1832 [D&C 85:1–2].

  4. [4]

    Letter to William W. Phelps, 27 Nov. 1832 [D&C 85:5, 7, 11].

  5. [5]

    See Petition to Nauvoo Municipal Court, 8 Aug. 1842; and Letter to Wilson Law, 14 Aug. 1842.

  6. [6]

    “Persecution,” Times and Seasons, 15 Aug. 1842, 3:886–889.

  7. [7]

    Letter to Edward Partridge and the Church, ca. 22 Mar. 1839 [D&C 123:3].

  8. [8]

    Letter to Emma Smith, 16 Aug. 1842; Letter to Wilson Law, 16 Aug. 1842.

  9. [9]

    JS appears to have extended blessings to individuals who were absent on prior occasions. (See Blessing to David Whitmer, 22 Sept. 1835; Blessings to Joseph Smith Sr. and Others, Sept. and Oct. 1835.)

  10. [10]

    See Bushman, Rough Stone Rolling, 421–423, 477–478. Within days of dictating these reflections, JS spoke to the Female Relief Society of Nauvoo regarding baptism for the dead, instructing the members that “all persons baptiz’d for the dead must have a Recorder present. . . . It will be necessary in the grand Council.” In early September, he wrote to the Saints on the same topic, noting that a recorder must be present so that “it may be recorded in heaven.” (Minutes and Discourse, 31 Aug. 1842; JS, Journal, 4 Sept. 1842 [D&C 127:6–7].)

    Bushman, Richard Lyman. Joseph Smith: Rough Stone Rolling. With the assistance of Jed Woodworth. New York: Knopf, 2005.

  11. [11]

    Clayton was with JS between 15 and 16 August and presumably did not have the very large Book of the Law of the Lord with him. He probably returned to Nauvoo on 16 or 17 August and likely copied the 16 August reflections in the Book of the Law of the Lord soon after returning and no later than 20 August, as suggested by the content of these and surrounding entries and changes in the ink color. (See Book of the Law of the Lord, 135, 164–167.)

Asterisk (*) denotes a "featured" version, which includes an introduction and annotation. *Reflections and Blessings, 16 and 23 August 1842 Journal, December 1841–December 1842 *Journal, December 1841–December 1842 History, 1838–1856, volume D-1 [1 August 1842–1 July 1843] History, 1838–1856, volume D-1 [1 August 1842–1 July 1843] “History of Joseph Smith” “History of Joseph Smith”

Page 165

and Law; I love the God of Abraham and of Isaac and of Jacob, and they are my brethren, and I shall live; and because I live, they shall live also.
18

See John 14:19.


These are not the only ones, who have administered to my necessity; whom the Lord will bless. There is brother
John D Parker

22 Nov. 1799–26 Feb. 1891. Farmer, wainwright. Born in Saratoga, Saratoga Co., New York. Son of Abel Parker and Mary Davies. Served in War of 1812 as teamster in General John E. Wool’s company, 1813–1814. Married Harriet Sherwood. Moved to Galway, Saratoga...

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, and brother
Amasa Lyman

30 Mar. 1813–4 Feb. 1877. Boatman, gunsmith, farmer. Born at Lyman, Grafton Co., New Hampshire. Son of Roswell Lyman and Martha Mason. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by Lyman E. Johnson, 27 Apr. 1832. Moved to Hiram, Portage Co....

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,
19

Parker and Lyman were part of the group that visited JS on 15 August 1842, while he was in hiding. In addition, Lyman had accompanied JS and Thomas R. King in a skiff from Nauvoo to Zarahemla in the early morning of 11 August, and Parker had visited JS on 12 August. (JS, Journal, 12 and 15 Aug. 1842; Thomas R. King, Fillmore, Utah Territory, to George A. Smith, 21 Feb. 1868, Obituary Notices and Biographies, CHL.)


Comprehensive Works Cited

Obituary Notices and Biographies, 1854–1877. CHL. MS 4760.

and brother
Wilson Law

26 Feb. 1806–15 Oct. 1876. Merchant, millwright, land speculator, farmer. Born in Ireland. Son of Richard Law and Ann Hunter. Immigrated to U.S. and settled in Springfield Township, Mercer Co., Pennsylvania, by 1820. Moved to Delaware Township, Mercer Co....

View Full Bio
,
20

Wilson Law, major general of the Nauvoo Legion, had been charged with keeping the Saints safe. He had been in frequent communication with JS since he went into hiding. (See Letter to Wilson Law, 14 Aug. 1842; Letter from Wilson Law, 15 Aug. 1842; and Letter to Wilson Law, 16 Aug. 1842.)


and brother
Henry G. Sherwood

20 Apr. 1785–24 Nov. 1867. Surveyor. Born at Kingsbury, Washington Co., New York. Son of Newcomb Sherwood and a woman whose maiden name was Tolman (first name unidentified). Married first Jane J. McManagal (McMangle) of Glasgow, Lanark, Scotland, ca. 1824...

View Full Bio
,
21

When two officers arrived in Nauvoo on 8 August to arrest JS as part of an effort to extradite him to Missouri, Sherwood, the city marshal, delivered the municipal court’s writ of habeas corpus, which directed the officers to bring JS before the court. Sherwood also released JS when the officers returned to Quincy, Illinois. (Petition to Nauvoo Municipal Court, 8 Aug. 1842; JS, Journal, 8 Aug. 1842.)


my heart feels to reciprocate the unweried kindnesses that have been bestowed upon me by these men. They are men of noble stature, of noble hands, and of noble deeds; possessing noble and daring, and giant hearts and souls. There is brother
Joseph B. Nobles [Noble]

14 Jan. 1810–17 Aug. 1900. Farmer, miller, stock raiser. Born in Egremont, Berkshire Co., Massachusetts. Son of Ezekiel Noble and Theodotia Bates. Moved to Penfield, Monroe Co., New York, 1815. Moved to Bloomfield, Ontario Co., New York, ca. 1828. Baptized...

View Full Bio
also, I would call up in remembrance before the Lord.
22

Noble was one of the first men to whom JS had confided the secret practice of plural marriage. In April 1841, Noble performed the sealing of JS to Louisa Beman. (Joseph B. Noble, Affidavit, Salt Lake Co., Utah Territory, 26 June 1869, in Joseph F. Smith, Affidavits about Celestial Marriage, 1:3.)


Comprehensive Works Cited

Smith, Joseph F. Affidavits about Celestial Marriage, 1869–1915. CHL. MS 3423.

There is brother
Samuel Smith

13 Mar. 1808–30 July 1844. Farmer, logger, scribe, builder, tavern operator. Born at Tunbridge, Orange Co., Vermont. Son of Joseph Smith Sr. and Lucy Mack. Moved to Royalton, Windsor Co., Vermont, by Mar. 1810; to Lebanon, Grafton Co., New Hampshire, 1811...

View Full Bio
, a natural brother; he is, even as
Hyrum

9 Feb. 1800–27 June 1844. Farmer, cooper. Born at Tunbridge, Orange Co., Vermont. Son of Joseph Smith Sr. and Lucy Mack. Moved to Randolph, Orange Co., 1802; back to Tunbridge, before May 1803; to Royalton, Windsor Co., Vermont, 1804; to Sharon, Windsor Co...

View Full Bio
. There is brother
Arthur Millikin

9 May 1817–23 Apr. 1882. Clerk, saddler, laborer, baggage master. Born at Saco, York Co., Maine. Son of Edward Millikin and Hannah Andrews. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, ca. 1835. Moved to Kirtland, Geauga Co., Ohio, by 1837. ...

View Full Bio
also, who married my youngest sister,
Lucy

18 July 1821–9 Dec. 1882. Born at Palmyra, Ontario Co., New York. Daughter of Joseph Smith Sr. and Lucy Mack. Moved to Manchester, Ontario Co., 1825. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, possibly 1830. Lived at The Kingdom, unincorporated...

View Full Bio
. He is a faithful, an honest, and an upright man. While I call up in remembrance before the Lord these men, I would be doing injustice to those who rowed me in the skiff up the
river

Principal U.S. river running southward from Itasca Lake, Minnesota, to Gulf of Mexico. Covered 3,160-mile course, 1839 (now about 2,350 miles). Drains about 1,100,000 square miles. Steamboat travel on Mississippi very important in 1830s and 1840s for shipping...

More Info
that night, after I parted with the lovely group; who brought me to this my safe and lonely and private retreat; brother
Jonathon [Jonathan] Dunham

14 Jan. 1800–28 July 1845. Soldier, police captain. Born in Paris, Oneida Co., New York. Son of Jonathan Dunham. Married Mary Kendall. Moved to Rushford, Allegany Co., New York, by 1830. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and ordained...

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and the other whose name I do not know.
23

When William Clayton recorded this incident in JS’s journal, he mentioned only Dunham and Derby as those accompanying JS. (JS, Journal, 11 Aug. 1842.)


Many were the thoughts that swelled my aching heart, while they were toiling faithfully with their oars. The<​y​> complained not at hardship and fatigue to secure my safety. My heart would have been harder than an adamantine stone, if I had not have prayed for them, with anxious and fervent desire. I did so, and the still small voice
24

See 1 Kings 19:12; Book of Mormon, 1840 ed., 46 [1 Nephi 17:45]; and Letter to William W. Phelps, 27 Nov. 1832 [D&C 85:6].


whispered to my soul, these that share your toils with such faithful hearts, shall reigne with you in the kingdom of their God;
25

See 2 Timothy 2:12; and Revelation 20:4.


but I parted with them in silence and came to my retreat.
26

After rowing to shore, JS and his companions traveled to the house of Edward Sayers, about two and a half miles northeast of the temple block in Nauvoo. (JS, Journal, 11 Aug. 1842; Hancock Co., IL, Deed Records, 1817–1917, vol. I, pp. 309–310, 19 May 1841, microfilm 954,598, U.S. and Canada Record Collection, FHL.)


Comprehensive Works Cited

U.S. and Canada Record Collection. FHL.

I hope I shall see them again that I may toil for them and administer to their comfort also.
27

JS was considering leaving Illinois for Wisconsin Territory to avoid Nauvoo for a time. (See Letter to Emma Smith, 16 Aug. 1842; and Letter to Wilson Law, 16 Aug. 1842.)


They shall not want a friend while I live. My heart shall love those; and my hands shall toil for those, who love and toil for me, and shall ever be found faithful to my friends. Shall I be ungrateful? verily no! God forbid![”]
[. . .] [p. 165]
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Source Note

Document Transcript

Page 165

Document Information

Related Case Documents
Editorial Title
Reflections and Blessings, 16 and 23 August 1842
ID #
3164
Total Pages
6
Print Volume Location
JSP, D10:414–425
Handwriting on This Page
  • William Clayton

Footnotes

  1. [18]

    See John 14:19.

  2. [19]

    Parker and Lyman were part of the group that visited JS on 15 August 1842, while he was in hiding. In addition, Lyman had accompanied JS and Thomas R. King in a skiff from Nauvoo to Zarahemla in the early morning of 11 August, and Parker had visited JS on 12 August. (JS, Journal, 12 and 15 Aug. 1842; Thomas R. King, Fillmore, Utah Territory, to George A. Smith, 21 Feb. 1868, Obituary Notices and Biographies, CHL.)

    Obituary Notices and Biographies, 1854–1877. CHL. MS 4760.

  3. [20]

    Wilson Law, major general of the Nauvoo Legion, had been charged with keeping the Saints safe. He had been in frequent communication with JS since he went into hiding. (See Letter to Wilson Law, 14 Aug. 1842; Letter from Wilson Law, 15 Aug. 1842; and Letter to Wilson Law, 16 Aug. 1842.)

  4. [21]

    When two officers arrived in Nauvoo on 8 August to arrest JS as part of an effort to extradite him to Missouri, Sherwood, the city marshal, delivered the municipal court’s writ of habeas corpus, which directed the officers to bring JS before the court. Sherwood also released JS when the officers returned to Quincy, Illinois. (Petition to Nauvoo Municipal Court, 8 Aug. 1842; JS, Journal, 8 Aug. 1842.)

  5. [22]

    Noble was one of the first men to whom JS had confided the secret practice of plural marriage. In April 1841, Noble performed the sealing of JS to Louisa Beman. (Joseph B. Noble, Affidavit, Salt Lake Co., Utah Territory, 26 June 1869, in Joseph F. Smith, Affidavits about Celestial Marriage, 1:3.)

    Smith, Joseph F. Affidavits about Celestial Marriage, 1869–1915. CHL. MS 3423.

  6. [23]

    When William Clayton recorded this incident in JS’s journal, he mentioned only Dunham and Derby as those accompanying JS. (JS, Journal, 11 Aug. 1842.)

  7. [24]

    See 1 Kings 19:12; Book of Mormon, 1840 ed., 46 [1 Nephi 17:45]; and Letter to William W. Phelps, 27 Nov. 1832 [D&C 85:6].

  8. [25]

    See 2 Timothy 2:12; and Revelation 20:4.

  9. [26]

    After rowing to shore, JS and his companions traveled to the house of Edward Sayers, about two and a half miles northeast of the temple block in Nauvoo. (JS, Journal, 11 Aug. 1842; Hancock Co., IL, Deed Records, 1817–1917, vol. I, pp. 309–310, 19 May 1841, microfilm 954,598, U.S. and Canada Record Collection, FHL.)

    U.S. and Canada Record Collection. FHL.

  10. [27]

    JS was considering leaving Illinois for Wisconsin Territory to avoid Nauvoo for a time. (See Letter to Emma Smith, 16 Aug. 1842; and Letter to Wilson Law, 16 Aug. 1842.)

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