Letter to Noah C. Saxton, 4 January 1833
-
Source Note
JS, Letter, , OH, to , , Monroe Co., NY, 4 Jan. 1833. Retained copy, [ca. 4 Jan. 1833] in JS Letterbook 1, pp. 14–18; handwriting of ; CHL. For more complete source information, see the source note for JS Letterbook 1.
-
Historical Introduction
On 4 January 1833, JS wrote a letter to a newspaper editor identified in the inside address as “N. E. Sextan” of , Monroe County, New York. Less than a month later, the American Revivalist, and Rochester Observer, edited by , published a portion of JS’s letter, indicating that Saxton was the intended recipient. The American Revivalist, and Rochester Observer was a weekly evangelical newspaper published in upstate . According to Saxton, the newspaper was devoted to “the free discussion and critical investigation of the doctrines and duties of Christianity.” Saxton encouraged “his brethren in the ministry and other correspondents to contribute liberally to the columns of the Revivalist,” advice that JS apparently took seriously.Speaking of the time period in which JS wrote this letter, a later JS history states that “appearances of troubles among the nations, became more visible, this season, than they had previously done, since the church began her journey out of the wilderness.” A cholera epidemic, an outbreak of the plague in India, and political tumult between South Carolina and the federal government were especially troubling. JS saw these events, on which had reported in several issues of his newspaper, through a millenarian lens. In the four months before he wrote to Saxton, JS’s revelations and other documents had warned of disasters preceding the return of Jesus Christ—disasters that seemed to be afflicting the world. A September 1832 revelation, for example, explained that because “the whole world lieth in sin and groaneth under darkness,” the Lord “laid [his] hand upon the nations to scorge them for ther wickedness.” “Plagues” would continue, the Lord declared in the revelation, “untill I have completed my work.” In October 1832, after walking through the streets of , New York, JS lamented that “aganst man is the anger of the Lord kindled because they Give him not the Glory.” The calamities that the Lord would pour out on the world were graphically portrayed in a 25 December 1832 revelation: “With the sword and by bloodshed the inhabitants of the earth shall mourn and with famine and plague, and Earthquake and the thunder of heaven and the fierce and vivid lightning also shall the inhabitants of the earth be made to feel.” A 27–28 December revelation therefore proclaimed it the duty of the of the church “to warn the people” and “to prepare the saints, for the hour of judgments, which is to come.”JS wrote to partly to issue the required warning. JS explained that God had again established on the earth the covenant that Christ offered during his ministry—a covenant different from the ancient covenants that God had made with the children of Israel. To allow Israel access to this new covenant, the gathering of Israel had commenced, the apostolic church had been restored, and the inhabitants of the earth now needed to repent, be , and receive the Holy Ghost. JS concluded his letter with an explanation of the Book of Mormon, its doctrines, and the establishment of in , using imagery from a Book of Mormon allegory that compares Israel to an olive tree.The original letter is no longer extant, but copied it into JS’s letterbook, probably soon after its composition. When published a portion of the letter—beginning at the paragraph starting with “The Book of Mormon is a record of the forefathers . . .” and continuing to the end of the letter—he prefaced it by stating it was written by “Mr. J. Smith Jr., who we suppose, is a principal leader of the sect that embrace Mormonism.” The letter, Saxton continued, contained “much good feeling and urbanity.” Subsequent issues of the newspaper contained no commentary or articles about the letter. In February 1833, JS wrote another letter to Saxton, complaining that the editor had published only a portion of the original letter. JS warned him to “publish that letter entire” if he wanted “to clear your garments from the blood of you[r] readers,” but Saxton never published the complete letter.
Footnotes
-
1
“Mormonism,” American Revivalist, and Rochester (NY) Observer, 2 Feb. 1833, [2]. Saxton was previously the editor of the New York Evangelist, which was consolidated with the Rochester Observer in 1832. The Rochester Observer began in 1827 as a Presbyterian newspaper; by the end of 1832, it had three thousand subscribers. It was known as the American Revivalist, and Rochester Observer from 29 September 1832 to 13 July 1833. (See French, Gazetteer of the State of New York, 396; Norton, “Comparative Images,” 359, 361.)
American Revivalist, and Rochester Observer. Rochester, NY. 1827–1833.
French, J. H. Gazetteer of the State of New York: Embracing a Comprehensive View of the Geography, Geology, and General History of the State. . . . 8th ed. Syracuse, NY: R. Pearsall Smith, 1860.
Norton, Walter A. “Comparative Images: Mormonism and Contemporary Religions as Seen by Village Newspapermen in Western New York and Northeastern Ohio, 1820–1833.” PhD diss., Brigham Young University, 1972.
-
2
“American Revivalist, and Rochester Observer,” American Revivalist, and Rochester (NY) Observer, 29 Sept. 1832, [1]; see also Norton, “Comparative Images,” 359–360.
American Revivalist, and Rochester Observer. Rochester, NY. 1827–1833.
Norton, Walter A. “Comparative Images: Mormonism and Contemporary Religions as Seen by Village Newspapermen in Western New York and Northeastern Ohio, 1820–1833.” PhD diss., Brigham Young University, 1972.
-
3
JS History, vol. A-1, 244.
-
4
See, for example, the following articles in the American Revivalist, and Rochester (NY) Observer: “Cholera Record,” 29 Sept. 1832, [1]; “Effects of the Cholera,” 29 Dec. 1832, [1]; “Political News: South Carolina Nullification,” 22 Dec. 1832, [3]; and “Persia,” 29 Dec. 1832, [4].
American Revivalist, and Rochester Observer. Rochester, NY. 1827–1833.
-
5
Revelations in 1831 explained events that would precede Christ’s return, but JS seemed especially concerned with signs of the times in late 1832 and early 1833. (See, for example, Revelation, ca. 7 Mar. 1831 [D&C 45]; Revelation, 1 Nov. 1831–B [D&C 1]; Revelation, 3 Nov. 1831 [D&C 133]; Letter to Emma Smith, 13 Oct. 1832; and Letter to William W. Phelps, 31 July 1832.)
-
6
Revelation, 22–23 Sept. 1832 [D&C 84:49, 96–97].
- 7
-
8
Revelation, 25 Dec. 1832 [D&C 87:6].
-
9
Revelation, 27–28 Dec. 1832 [D&C 88:81, 84].
-
10
See Book of Mormon, 1830 ed., 131–139 [Jacob chap. 5].
-
11
“Mormonism,” American Revivalist, and Rochester (NY) Observer, 2 Feb. 1833, [2].
American Revivalist, and Rochester Observer. Rochester, NY. 1827–1833.
- 12
-
1
Document Transcript
Footnotes
-
1
The nameplate of the American Revivalist, and Rochester Observer proclaimed that it was “DEDICATED TO THE INTERESTS OF ZION GENERALLY, AND ESPECIALLY TO REVIVALS OF RELIGION.” Two weeks before Noah C. Saxton published JS’s letter, the newspaper printed commentary on an article from the Cincinnati Journal about Mormonism in that city. Among other things, the commentary referred to the “ignorant and fanatical” state of Mormon converts, the “arch devices of Mormon leaders,” the “abominable absurdities of Mormonism,” and the “wild vagaries of Mormonism.” (American Revivalist, and Rochester [NY] Observer, 29 Sept. 1832, [1]; “Mormonism in Cincinnati, Ohio,” American Revivalist, and Rochester Observer, 19 Jan. 1833, [1].)
American Revivalist, and Rochester Observer. Rochester, NY. 1827–1833.
-
2
TEXT: “d” smudged out.
-
3
“Insensibility”; “dullness of perception or understanding.” (“Stupidity,” in American Dictionary [1845], 801.)
An American Dictionary of the English Language; Exhibiting the Origin, Orthography, Pronunciation, and Definitions of Words. Edited by Noah Webster. New York: Harper and Brothers, 1845.
-
4
An article in the 17 November 1832 American Revivalist, and Rochester Observer similarly portrayed the cholera epidemic as “God’s judgment” and a “pestilence” sent to “check the ardor of the surviving in their pursuit of the world.” The September 1832 issue of The Evening and the Morning Star also depicted the epidemic as a result of God’s judgment, declaring, “Not since the flood, if we think right, has the Lord sent the same pestilence, or destruction, over the whole earth at once: But the Cholera, which has swept its thousands in Asia, Africa, Europe and America, gives a solemn token to a wondering world, that it will do so.” (“How Has the Cholera Affected Rochester?,” American Revivalist, and Rochester [NY] Observer, 17 Nov. 1832, [1]; “The Cholera,” The Evening and the Morning Star, Sept. 1832, [1].)
American Revivalist, and Rochester Observer. Rochester, NY. 1827–1833.
The Evening and the Morning Star. Independence, MO, June 1832–July 1833; Kirtland, OH, Dec. 1833–Sept. 1834.
-
5
Jeremiah 9:1.
-
6
See Romans 13:11.
-
7
See Jonah 3:8; and Book of Mormon, 1830 ed., 180 [Mosiah 11:25].
-
8
JS apologized to his wife Emma in June 1832 for his “inability in convaying my ideas in writing.” (Letter to Emma Smith, 6 June 1832.)
-
9
See Matthew 11:25; and Luke 10:21.
-
10
See Isaiah 11:11; and Book of Mormon, 1830 ed., 98, 104, 115, 139 [2 Nephi 21:11; 25:17; 29:1; Jacob 6:2].
-
11
See also Book of Mormon, 1830 ed., 36, 486–487 [1 Nephi 15:13; 3 Nephi 16:4].
-
12
See Romans 4:13–14; and Galatians 3:16–17.
-
13
TEXT: “their” with “there” written over it.
-
14
See Hebrews 4:7–9; and Psalm 110:3.
-
15
See Jeremiah 31:33–34; and Hebrews 8:10; 10:16.
-
16
Acts 13:46.
-
17
See Jude 1:3.
-
18
Isaiah 24:5.
-
19
A March 1831 revelation stated that “when the times of the gentiles is come in a light shall break forth among them that sit in darkness & it shall be the fulness of my Gospel.” It also explained that the Lord had “sent mine everlasting covenant unto the World to be a light to the world” (Revelation, ca. 7 Mar. 1831 [D&C 45:9, 28]; see also Isaiah 58:8.)
-
20
See Isaiah 57:20.
-
21
Earlier revelations stated that one of the signs of the times of Christ’s coming is that “the whole Earth shall be in commotion.” (Revelation, ca. 7 Mar. 1831 [D&C 45:26]; see also Revelation, 27–28 Dec. 1832 [D&C 88:91].)
-
22
See Micah 4:3; and Isaiah 2:4; 17:13. The July 1832 issue of The Evening and the Morning Star used this same phrase when describing tumult among the nations of the earth: “All the Kingdoms of the East seem to be preparing to act the part allotted to them, when the Lord rebukes the nations.” (“Foreign News,” The Evening and the Morning Star, July 1832, [6].)
The Evening and the Morning Star. Independence, MO, June 1832–July 1833; Kirtland, OH, Dec. 1833–Sept. 1834.
-
23
See Revelation 2:26–27; and Psalm 2:9.
-
24
Likely a reference to the declaration in a 30 August 1831 revelation that “I the Lord am angry with the wicked I am holding my spirit from the inhabitants of the earth.” (Revelation, 30 Aug. 1831 [D&C 63:32].)
-
25
The same issue of the American Revivalist, and Rochester Observer that published JS’s letter contained a report from the Cumberland Conference in Maine. Several churches there maintained that they had experienced little growth in 1832. One stated, “No admissions to this church the past year”; another declared, “This church has increased but little in number the last year.” Still another said, “Religion is low.” (“Cumberland Conference, Maine,” American Revivalist, and Rochester [NY] Observer, 2 Feb. 1833, [2].)
American Revivalist, and Rochester Observer. Rochester, NY. 1827–1833.
-
26
This statement probably reflected not only the ongoing difficulties between South Carolina and the federal government but also problems outside the United States. The July 1832 issue of The Evening and the Morning Star reported that “the wars and rumors of wars, with many other signs of the distress of nations, from the old world, (as it is called across the Ocean) whispers so loud to the understanding, that he that runs may read the label on the Eastern sky: The end is nigh.” At this time, Russia and Persia were continuing a series of wars that began in the 1820s, while Greece was waging a war for independence against the Ottoman Empire. Belgium had only recently concluded its own battle for independence with the Netherlands. (Historical Introduction to Revelation, 25 Dec. 1832 [D&C 87]; “Foreign News,” The Evening and the Morning Star, July 1832, [6]; Bitis, “1828–1829 Russo-Turkish War,” 506–525; Pappas, United States and the Greek War for Independence, 1–13, 117–126; Rooney, Revolt in the Netherlands, 175–184.)
The Evening and the Morning Star. Independence, MO, June 1832–July 1833; Kirtland, OH, Dec. 1833–Sept. 1834.
Bitis, Alexander. “The 1828–1829 Russo-Turkish War and the Resettlement of Balkan Peoples into Novorossiia.” Jahrbücher für Geschichte Osteuropas, Neue Folge, Bd. 53, H. 4 (2005): 506–525.
Pappas, Paul Constantine. The United States and the Greek War for Independence, 1821–1828. New York: Columbia University Press, 1985.
Rooney, John W. Revolt in the Netherlands: Brussels—1830. Lawrence, KS: Coronado, 1982.
-
27
See Acts 2:38; 19:1–6; and Book of Mormon, 1830 ed., 118–119, 508, 514 [2 Nephi 31:5–13; 3 Nephi 27:20; 4 Nephi 1:1].
-
28
According to the description of a 16 February 1832 vision experienced by JS and Sidney Rigdon, the celestial kingdom is the highest “glory” attainable in the hereafter. (Vision, 16 Feb. 1832 [D&C 76].)
-
29
See 2 Peter 1:5–8.
-
30
The portion of the letter published by Noah C. Saxton begins here and continues to the end of the letter.
-
31
According to the Book of Mormon, the last prophet and writer of the record, a man called Moroni, concluded his account around 420 years after Christ was born. (Book of Mormon, 1830 ed., 585 [Moroni 10:1].)
-
32
See, for example, Book of Mormon, 1830 ed., 485–486 [3 Nephi 15:12–13]. The December 1832 issue of The Evening and the Morning Star explained that “last week about 400, out of 700 of the Shawnees from Ohio, passed this place for their inheritance a few miles west, and the scene was at once calculated to refer the mind to the prophecies concerning the gathering of Israel in the last days.” (“The Indians,” The Evening and the Morning Star, Dec. 1832, [6].)
The Evening and the Morning Star. Independence, MO, June 1832–July 1833; Kirtland, OH, Dec. 1833–Sept. 1834.
-
33
See Book of Mormon, 1830 ed., 501 [3 Nephi 21:22–26].
-
34
See Book of Mormon, 1830 ed., 498 [3 Nephi 20:29–33].
-
35
Psalm 102:13–22; see also “Signs of the Times,” The Evening and the Morning Star, Oct. 1832, [6]; and Book of Mormon, 1830 ed., 566 [Ether 13:4–6].
The Evening and the Morning Star. Independence, MO, June 1832–July 1833; Kirtland, OH, Dec. 1833–Sept. 1834.
-
36
See Isaiah 35:10; and Revelation, ca. 7 Mar. 1831 [D&C 45:71].
-
37
See Isaiah 28:15, 18; and Revelation, ca. 7 Mar. 1831 [D&C 45:31].
-
38
This information was included in a revelation dictated less than two weeks earlier. (Revelation, 25 Dec. 1832 [D&C 87].)
-
39
See Jeremiah 23:8; 31:7–8; and Revelation, 3 Nov. 1831 [D&C 133:26].
-
40
A July 1831 revelation designated “the land of Missorie” as the place the Lord had “appointed & consecrated for the gethering of the Saints.” The Evening and the Morning Star reported in November 1832 that “since the gathering commenced, which is a little over a year, the number of the disciples which have come from the east, and which have been baptized in this region, is 465[.] Children and those not members, about 345[.] Total 810.” (Revelation, 20 July 1831 [D&C 57:1]; “The Gathering,” The Evening and the Morning Star, Nov. 1832, [5].)
The Evening and the Morning Star. Independence, MO, June 1832–July 1833; Kirtland, OH, Dec. 1833–Sept. 1834.
-
41
See Revelation 14:7.
-
42
See Revelation, ca. 7 Mar. 1831 [D&C 45:31].
-
43
See Isaiah 55:6; and Revelation, 27–28 Dec. 1832 [D&C 88:62–63].
-
Insertion in handwriting of William W. Phelps.
