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Letter to Emma Smith, 16 August 1842

Source Note

JS, Letter, [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], 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...

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, [
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. Featured version copied [between 21 and 23 Aug. 1842] in JS, Journal, Dec. 1841–Dec. 1842, in Book of the Law of the Lord, pp. 173–175; 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 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...

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’s house a few miles northeast of the site of the
temple

Located in portion of Nauvoo known as the bluff. JS revelation dated Jan. 1841 commanded Saints to build temple and hotel (Nauvoo House). Cornerstone laid, 6 Apr. 1841. Saints volunteered labor, money, and other resources for temple construction. Construction...

More Info
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, JS wrote 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
in Nauvoo with instructions on how to prepare to flee with him 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
to
Wisconsin Territory

Area settled by French, before 1700. Became part of U.S. by Treaty of Paris, 1783. Territory officially formed, 1836, with Belmont established as capital. Capital moved to present-day Burlington, Iowa, 1837. Territory initially included all or part of present...

More Info
, should the need arise. JS also expressed his feeling of contentment, even though he sent the letter in the midst of an attempt by Illinois officers to find him, arrest him, and extradite 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
to face charges in connection with the attempted assassination of former governor
Lilburn W. Boggs

14 Dec. 1796–14 Mar. 1860. Bookkeeper, bank cashier, merchant, Indian agent and trader, lawyer, doctor, postmaster, politician. Born at Lexington, Fayette Co., Kentucky. Son of John M. Boggs and Martha Oliver. Served in War of 1812. Moved to St. Louis, ca...

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.
1

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


The night before JS wrote the letter, a group of his closest associates had traveled to Sayers’s farm to inform JS of recent developments in Nauvoo. The group was concerned about his safety, and during the conversation, which lasted until two o’clock in the morning, they urged him to prepare to travel to Wisconsin Territory. JS attempted to calm their fears.
2

JS, Journal, 15 Aug. 1842.


Writing to Emma later that morning, he emphasized that if they did depart from Nauvoo, it would be to ensure the safety of Emma and their family. The same morning, JS also wrote a letter to
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....

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, asking for advice about whether he should leave Illinois.
3

Letter to Wilson Law, 16 Aug. 1842.


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...

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, who appears to have been at
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...

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’s farm with JS on 16 August, probably wrote the original letter as JS dictated it to him; that original is no longer extant.
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...

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delivered the letter to
Emma

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
shortly after it was written.
4

JS, Journal, 16 Aug. 1842.


She apparently responded to JS’s letter that same day, although her letter of reply is undated.
5

Letter from Emma Smith, 16 Aug. 1842.


Clayton may have made a copy of JS’s original letter immediately after creating it, or he may have later obtained the original. Regardless, he copied the letter 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
, probably between 21 and 23 August, as suggested by the location of the letter in the Book of the Law of the Lord and by changes in ink color.
6

See entries and ink changes in JS, Journal, Copied Correspondence, 30 June–17 Aug. 1842; and Book of the Law of the Lord, 167–182.


Footnotes

  1. [1]

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

  2. [2]

    JS, Journal, 15 Aug. 1842.

  3. [3]

    Letter to Wilson Law, 16 Aug. 1842.

  4. [4]

    JS, Journal, 16 Aug. 1842.

  5. [5]

    Letter from Emma Smith, 16 Aug. 1842.

  6. [6]

    See entries and ink changes in JS, Journal, Copied Correspondence, 30 June–17 Aug. 1842; and Book of the Law of the Lord, 167–182.

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

Page 174

and the children. My mind will eternally revolt at every suggestion of that kind. More especially since the dream and vision that was manifested to me on the last night.
9

JS’s journal includes references to some of his dreams, but it does not mention a dream for the night of 15 August. (See, for example, JS, Journal, 21 Jan. and 28 Dec. 1842.)


My safety is with you, if you want to have it so. Any thing more or less than this cometh of evil.
10

See Matthew 5:37; Book of Mormon, 1840 ed., 465 [3 Nephi 11:40]; and Revelation, 19 Jan. 1841 [D&C 124:120].


My feelings and council I think ought to be abided. If I go to the
Pine country

Also known as the “pinery.” Collective term for regions in Wisconsin where lumbering operations were located, especially along Black, Chippewa, St. Croix, Wisconsin, and Wolf rivers. Latter-day Saints established lumber camps and mills on Black River to provide...

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, you shall go along with me, and the children; and if you and the children go not with me, I dont go. I do not wish to exile myself for the sake of my own life, I would rather fight it out. It is for your sakes, therefore, that I would do such a thing. I will go with you then, in the same carriage and on Horse back, from time to time, as occasion may require; for I am not willing to trust you, in the hands of those who cannot feel the same interest for you, that I feel; to be subject to the caprice, temptations, or notions of any-body whatever. And I must say that I am pre-possessed somewhat, with the notion of going to the
Pine Country

Also known as the “pinery.” Collective term for regions in Wisconsin where lumbering operations were located, especially along Black, Chippewa, St. Croix, Wisconsin, and Wolf rivers. Latter-day Saints established lumber camps and mills on Black River to provide...

More Info
any how; for I am tired of the mean, low, and unhallowed vulgarity, of some portions of the society in which we live; and I think if I could have a respite of about six months with my family, it would be a savor of life unto life, with my house. Nevertheless if it were possible I would like to live here in peace and wind up my business;
11

JS was occupied with numerous business dealings during this period, both as an individual and as trustee-in-trust for the church, and his journal for summer 1842 includes numerous references to his business. On 17 August, Emma Smith wrote to Thomas Carlin, asking him to “lighten the hand of oppression,” in part because “there are many whole families that are entirely dependant upon the prosecution and success of Mr Smiths temporal business for their support.” (JS, Journal, 10–12, 16, and 28 May 1842; 25, 27, and 29 June 1842; 6 and 9 July 1842; 3–4 Aug. 1842; JS, Journal, Copied Correspondence, 30 June–17 Aug. 1842.)


but if it should be ascertained to a dead certainty that there is no other remedy, then we will round up our shoulders and cheerfully endure it; and this will be the plan. Let my horse, saddle, saddle-bags, and valice to put some shirts and clothing in, be sent to me. Let brother
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...

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and
Miller

25 Nov. 1794–after July 1856. Carpenter, mill operator, lumber dealer, steamboat owner. Born near Stanardsville, Orange Co., Virginia. Son of John Miller and Margaret Pfeiffer. Moved to Augusta Co., Virginia, 1798; to Madison Co., Kentucky, 1806; to Boone...

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take a horse and put it into my Buggy with a trunk containing my heavier cloths, shoes and Boots &c and let
brother [John] Taylor

1 Nov. 1808–25 July 1887. Preacher, editor, publisher, politician. Born at Milnthorpe, Westmoreland, England. Son of James Taylor and Agnes Taylor, members of Church of England. Around age sixteen, joined Methodist church and was local preacher. Migrated ...

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accompany us to his
father

21 June 1783–27 May 1870. Government excise worker, farmer, joiner, carpenter. Born in Ackenthwaite, Westmoreland, England. Son of Edward Taylor and Elizabeth Saul. Christened Anglican. Moved to Lancaster, Lancashire, England, before 1805. Married Agnes Taylor...

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s,
12

Apostle John Taylor’s father, James Taylor, lived on the Henderson River near Oquawka, Illinois, north of Nauvoo. (“Joseph Smith, the Prophet,” 547; Obituary for Agnes Taylor, Deseret News [Salt Lake City], 25 Nov. 1868, 335.)


Comprehensive Works Cited

“Joseph Smith, the Prophet.” Young Woman’s Journal 17, no. 12 (Dec. 1906): 547–548.

Deseret News. Salt Lake City. 1850–.

and there we will tarry, taking every precaution to keep out of the hands of the enemy, untill you can arrive with the children. Let
brother 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...

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bring you. Let
Lorain [Lorin Walker]

25 July 1822–26 Sept. 1907. Carpenter, miller, housepainter. Born in Peacham, Caledonia Co., Vermont. Son of John Walker and Lydia Holmes. Moved to Ogdensburg, St. Lawrence Co., New York, by 1836. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints ...

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and
brother [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...

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come along and bring all the writings and papers, books and histories,
13

William Clayton was JS’s scribe and had the primary responsibility for keeping JS’s journal during this period. Lorin Walker resided with the Smith family in Nauvoo and served as JS’s “personal attendant.” He may have been at the Smith house at the time JS wrote this letter. On 13 August, both Clayton and Walker had helped Emma Smith travel undetected to visit JS in hiding. (JS, Journal, 29 June and 13 Aug. 1842; Mary Audentia Smith Anderson, “The Memoirs of President Joseph Smith,” Saints’ Herald, 18 Dec. 1934, 1614.)


Comprehensive Works Cited

Saints’ Herald. Independence, MO. 1860–.

for we shall want a scribe in order that we may pour upon the world the truth like the Lava of Mount Vesuvius.
14

In an 1839 letter, written in relation to the persecution the Saints and JS had experienced in Missouri, JS used a similar metaphor, stating that “hell may poor forth its rage like the burning lavy [lava] of mount vesuvias.” In a letter written a few days later, JS instructed the Saints to document their “suffering and abuses” and publish them “to all the world.” (Letter to the Church and Edward Partridge, 20 Mar. 1839; Letter to Edward Partridge and the Church, ca. 22 Mar. 1839 [D&C 123:1, 6].)


Then, let all the goods, household furniture, cloths and Store Goods that can be procured be put on to the Boat, and let 20 or 30 of the best men that we can find be put on board to man it, and let them meet us at
Prairie Du Chien

More Info
;
15

Prairie du Chien is located in Crawford County, Wisconsin Territory, at the confluence of the Wisconsin and Mississippi rivers. It is situated about 170 miles north of Nauvoo and about 90 miles south of Black River Falls, Wisconsin Territory.


and from thence, we will wend our way like larks up the
Mississippi

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
untill the touring [towering?] mountains and rocks, shall reminds us of the places of our nativity, and shall look like safety and home; and then we will bid defiance to the world, to
Carlin

18 July 1789–14 Feb. 1852. Ferry owner, farmer, sheriff, politician. Born in Fayette Co., Kentucky. Son of Thomas Carlin and Elizabeth Evans. Baptist. Moved to what became Missouri, by 1803. Moved to Illinois Territory, by 1812. Served in War of 1812. Married...

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,
[Lilburn W.] Boggs

14 Dec. 1796–14 Mar. 1860. Bookkeeper, bank cashier, merchant, Indian agent and trader, lawyer, doctor, postmaster, politician. Born at Lexington, Fayette Co., Kentucky. Son of John M. Boggs and Martha Oliver. Served in War of 1812. Moved to St. Louis, ca...

View Full Bio
,
[John C.] Bennett

3 Aug. 1804–5 Aug. 1867. Physician, minister, poultry breeder. Born at Fairhaven, Bristol Co., Massachusetts. Son of John Bennett and Abigail Cook. Moved to Marietta, Washington Co., Ohio, 1808; to Massachusetts, 1812; and back to Marietta, 1822. Married ...

View Full Bio
, and all their whorish whores, and motly clan, that [p. 174]
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Source Note

Document Transcript

Page 174

Document Information

Related Case Documents
Editorial Title
Letter to Emma Smith, 16 August 1842
ID #
908
Total Pages
3
Print Volume Location
JSP, D10:400–406
Handwriting on This Page
  • William Clayton

Footnotes

  1. [9]

    JS’s journal includes references to some of his dreams, but it does not mention a dream for the night of 15 August. (See, for example, JS, Journal, 21 Jan. and 28 Dec. 1842.)

  2. [10]

    See Matthew 5:37; Book of Mormon, 1840 ed., 465 [3 Nephi 11:40]; and Revelation, 19 Jan. 1841 [D&C 124:120].

  3. [11]

    JS was occupied with numerous business dealings during this period, both as an individual and as trustee-in-trust for the church, and his journal for summer 1842 includes numerous references to his business. On 17 August, Emma Smith wrote to Thomas Carlin, asking him to “lighten the hand of oppression,” in part because “there are many whole families that are entirely dependant upon the prosecution and success of Mr Smiths temporal business for their support.” (JS, Journal, 10–12, 16, and 28 May 1842; 25, 27, and 29 June 1842; 6 and 9 July 1842; 3–4 Aug. 1842; JS, Journal, Copied Correspondence, 30 June–17 Aug. 1842.)

  4. [12]

    Apostle John Taylor’s father, James Taylor, lived on the Henderson River near Oquawka, Illinois, north of Nauvoo. (“Joseph Smith, the Prophet,” 547; Obituary for Agnes Taylor, Deseret News [Salt Lake City], 25 Nov. 1868, 335.)

    “Joseph Smith, the Prophet.” Young Woman’s Journal 17, no. 12 (Dec. 1906): 547–548.

    Deseret News. Salt Lake City. 1850–.

  5. [13]

    William Clayton was JS’s scribe and had the primary responsibility for keeping JS’s journal during this period. Lorin Walker resided with the Smith family in Nauvoo and served as JS’s “personal attendant.” He may have been at the Smith house at the time JS wrote this letter. On 13 August, both Clayton and Walker had helped Emma Smith travel undetected to visit JS in hiding. (JS, Journal, 29 June and 13 Aug. 1842; Mary Audentia Smith Anderson, “The Memoirs of President Joseph Smith,” Saints’ Herald, 18 Dec. 1934, 1614.)

    Saints’ Herald. Independence, MO. 1860–.

  6. [14]

    In an 1839 letter, written in relation to the persecution the Saints and JS had experienced in Missouri, JS used a similar metaphor, stating that “hell may poor forth its rage like the burning lavy [lava] of mount vesuvias.” In a letter written a few days later, JS instructed the Saints to document their “suffering and abuses” and publish them “to all the world.” (Letter to the Church and Edward Partridge, 20 Mar. 1839; Letter to Edward Partridge and the Church, ca. 22 Mar. 1839 [D&C 123:1, 6].)

  7. [15]

    Prairie du Chien is located in Crawford County, Wisconsin Territory, at the confluence of the Wisconsin and Mississippi rivers. It is situated about 170 miles north of Nauvoo and about 90 miles south of Black River Falls, Wisconsin Territory.

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