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Letter to William Smith, circa 18 December 1835

Source Note

JS, Letter,
Kirtland Township

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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, Geauga Co., OH, to
William Smith

13 Mar. 1811–13 Nov. 1893. Farmer, newspaper editor. Born at Royalton, Windsor Co., Vermont. Son of Joseph Smith Sr. and Lucy Mack. Moved to Lebanon, Grafton Co., New Hampshire, 1811; to Norwich, Windsor Co., 1813; and to Palmyra, Ontario Co., New York, 1816...

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, [
Kirtland Township

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...

More Info
, Geauga Co., OH], [ca. 18 Dec. 1835]. Featured version copied [ca. 19 Dec. 1835] in JS, Journal, 1835–1836, pp. 80–87; handwriting of
Warren Parrish

10 Jan. 1803–3 Jan. 1877. Clergyman, gardener. Born in New York. Son of John Parrish and Ruth Farr. Married first Elizabeth (Betsey) Patten of Westmoreland Co., New Hampshire, ca. 1822. Lived at Alexandria, Jefferson Co., New York, 1830. Purchased land at...

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; JS Collection, CHL. For more complete source information, see the source note for JS, Journal, 1835–1836.

Historical Introduction

Shortly after his dramatic confrontation with his younger brother
William Smith

13 Mar. 1811–13 Nov. 1893. Farmer, newspaper editor. Born at Royalton, Windsor Co., Vermont. Son of Joseph Smith Sr. and Lucy Mack. Moved to Lebanon, Grafton Co., New Hampshire, 1811; to Norwich, Windsor Co., 1813; and to Palmyra, Ontario Co., New York, 1816...

View Full Bio
on 16 December, JS responded to a contrite letter he had received from William.
1

Letter from William Smith, 18 Dec. 1835.


According to his journal, JS had spent the day after the fight at home feeling “quite unwell.”
2

JS, Journal, 17 Dec. 1835. The adaptation of JS’s journal for his history confirms that his poor health was a result of the injuries he had sustained at William’s hands. The exact nature of the injuries is not recorded. (JS History, 1834–1836, 150, 159.)


On the following morning, 18 December,
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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visited JS’s
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...

More Info
, Ohio, home. Hyrum had also received an apologetic letter from William, which he read aloud to JS.
3

JS, Journal, 18 Dec. 1835; this letter from William to Hyrum Smith is not extant.


Hyrum and JS apparently spent the remainder of the morning discussing their younger brother’s troubling behavior and his future welfare.
4

JS, Journal, 18 Dec. 1835.


The fight deeply wounded the Smith family. When
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
Lucy Mack Smith

8 July 1775–14 May 1856. Oilcloth painter, nurse, fund-raiser, author. Born at Gilsum, Cheshire Co., New Hampshire. Daughter of Solomon Mack Sr. and Lydia Gates. Moved to Montague, Franklin Co., Massachusetts, 1779; to Tunbridge, Orange Co., Vermont, 1788...

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called on JS the evening of 17 December, they were “sorely afflicted in mind on the account of that occurrence.”
5

JS, Journal, 17 Dec. 1835.


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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felt that JS was justified in rebuking their younger brother, and he felt “wounded to the verry soul, with the conduct of
William

13 Mar. 1811–13 Nov. 1893. Farmer, newspaper editor. Born at Royalton, Windsor Co., Vermont. Son of Joseph Smith Sr. and Lucy Mack. Moved to Lebanon, Grafton Co., New Hampshire, 1811; to Norwich, Windsor Co., 1813; and to Palmyra, Ontario Co., New York, 1816...

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.”
6

JS, Journal, 18 Dec. 1835.


Despite the physical injuries that William had inflicted on him, JS expressed concern for his brother’s spiritual welfare and optimism about his capacity to change. After writing to his brother, JS recorded in his journal: “I have had many solemn feelings this day Concerning my Brothe[r] William and have prayed in my heart to fervently that the Lord will not cast him off but he may return to the God of Jacob and magnify his apostleship and calling.”
7

JS, Journal, 19 Dec. 1835.


The following letter to
William

13 Mar. 1811–13 Nov. 1893. Farmer, newspaper editor. Born at Royalton, Windsor Co., Vermont. Son of Joseph Smith Sr. and Lucy Mack. Moved to Lebanon, Grafton Co., New Hampshire, 1811; to Norwich, Windsor Co., 1813; and to Palmyra, Ontario Co., New York, 1816...

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offers the most detailed account of the 16 December fight and provides a glimpse of JS’s feelings, personality, and demeanor. The letter also articulates some of JS’s nascent ideas about the duty of
priesthood

Power or authority of God. The priesthood was conferred through the laying on of hands upon adult male members of the church in good standing; no specialized training was required. Priesthood officers held responsibility for administering the sacrament of...

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leaders to reprove and counsel those under their stewardship, a teaching he would develop more fully in succeeding years.
8

Fifteen months after writing this letter, JS explained these responsibilities to a group of church members gathered in the Kirtland temple. He told them, “It is also the privilege of the Melchisedec priesthood, to reprove, rebuke and admonish, as well as to receive revelations.” He himself “rebuked and admonished his brethren frequently, and that because he loved them.” “These rebukes and admonitions,” he continued, were “for their temporal as well as spiritual welfare. They actually constituted a part of the duties of his station and calling.” (Discourse, 6 Apr. 1837.)


The dating of JS’s letter to
William

13 Mar. 1811–13 Nov. 1893. Farmer, newspaper editor. Born at Royalton, Windsor Co., Vermont. Son of Joseph Smith Sr. and Lucy Mack. Moved to Lebanon, Grafton Co., New Hampshire, 1811; to Norwich, Windsor Co., 1813; and to Palmyra, Ontario Co., New York, 1816...

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is unclear. The letter, as it was copied in JS’s journal by
Warren Parrish

10 Jan. 1803–3 Jan. 1877. Clergyman, gardener. Born in New York. Son of John Parrish and Ruth Farr. Married first Elizabeth (Betsey) Patten of Westmoreland Co., New Hampshire, ca. 1822. Lived at Alexandria, Jefferson Co., New York, 1830. Purchased land at...

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, was originally inscribed with an incorrect date of 17 December; Parrish later changed the “7” to an “8” so the date read “Friday Dec. 18th 1835.” The first line of the 19 December journal entry, in Parrish’s handwriting, indicates that JS spent that day at home, where he “wrote the above letter to Br. Wm. Smith.” The corresponding 19 December entry in JS’s history, also penned by Parrish, is slightly different. It reads, “He was at home and wrote the above letter, or rather indited it, to his brother William.”
9

JS, Journal, 19 Dec. 1835; JS History, 1834–1836, 162.


In another, later JS history,
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...

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copied William’s 18 December letter and JS’s response. Before recording the latter, Richards wrote that JS “gave the following answer the same day” he received William’s letter of 18 December.
10

JS History, vol. B-1, 668–672.


Given the aforementioned cancellation, insertion, and subsequent recording in JS’s journal and histories, the letter is dated here as circa 18 December to reflect both the ambiguity of the dating and the date given by Parrish when he inscribed the letter into the journal.
JS’s letter to
William

13 Mar. 1811–13 Nov. 1893. Farmer, newspaper editor. Born at Royalton, Windsor Co., Vermont. Son of Joseph Smith Sr. and Lucy Mack. Moved to Lebanon, Grafton Co., New Hampshire, 1811; to Norwich, Windsor Co., 1813; and to Palmyra, Ontario Co., New York, 1816...

View Full Bio
is no longer extant, but JS’s scribes recorded three versions of the letter in various church records.
11

JS, Journal, 19 Dec. 1835; JS History, 1834–1836, 157–162; JS History, vol. B-1, 668–672.


Significant differences between the featured text and the copy in JS’s 1834–1836 history are noted; the copy in JS’s later history has no significant differences.

Footnotes

  1. [1]

    Letter from William Smith, 18 Dec. 1835.

  2. [2]

    JS, Journal, 17 Dec. 1835. The adaptation of JS’s journal for his history confirms that his poor health was a result of the injuries he had sustained at William’s hands. The exact nature of the injuries is not recorded. (JS History, 1834–1836, 150, 159.)

  3. [3]

    JS, Journal, 18 Dec. 1835; this letter from William to Hyrum Smith is not extant.

  4. [4]

    JS, Journal, 18 Dec. 1835.

  5. [5]

    JS, Journal, 17 Dec. 1835.

  6. [6]

    JS, Journal, 18 Dec. 1835.

  7. [7]

    JS, Journal, 19 Dec. 1835.

  8. [8]

    Fifteen months after writing this letter, JS explained these responsibilities to a group of church members gathered in the Kirtland temple. He told them, “It is also the privilege of the Melchisedec priesthood, to reprove, rebuke and admonish, as well as to receive revelations.” He himself “rebuked and admonished his brethren frequently, and that because he loved them.” “These rebukes and admonitions,” he continued, were “for their temporal as well as spiritual welfare. They actually constituted a part of the duties of his station and calling.” (Discourse, 6 Apr. 1837.)

  9. [9]

    JS, Journal, 19 Dec. 1835; JS History, 1834–1836, 162.

  10. [10]

    JS History, vol. B-1, 668–672.

  11. [11]

    JS, Journal, 19 Dec. 1835; JS History, 1834–1836, 157–162; JS History, vol. B-1, 668–672.

Asterisk (*) denotes a "featured" version, which includes an introduction and annotation. *Letter to William Smith, circa 18 December 1835 Journal, 1835–1836 History, 1834–1836 History, 1838–1856, volume B-1 [1 September 1834–2 November 1838] “History of Joseph Smith”

Page 83

(for so we will call it, and so it shall be,) that I should not have the privilege, of reproving a younger brother, therefore I said I will speak, for I built the house, and it is as much mine as yours, or something, to that effect, (I should have said that. I helped finish the house,) I said it merely to show that it could not be, the right spirit, that would rise up for trifling matters, and undertake to put me to silence, I saw that your indignation was kindled against me, and you made towards me, I was not then to be moved, and I thought, to pull off my loose coat, least it should tangle me, and you be left to hurt me, but not with the intention, of hurting You, but you was to[o] soon for me, and having once fallen into the hands of a mob, and now been wounded in my side,
9

JS was dragged from his bed, beaten by a mob, and tarred and feathered in Hiram, Ohio, on 24–25 March 1832, leaving him with a long-term side injury. In a June 1834 letter to Emma, he mentioned his “side complaint.” (JS History, vol. A-1, 205–207; Letter to Emma Smith, 4 June 1834.)


and now into the hands of a brother, my side gave way, and after having been rescued, from your grasp,
10

The 16 December 1835 entry in JS’s 1834–1836 history indicates that William had “Cain like . . . sought to kill him, and had conciderably wounded him, nothwithstanding the exertions of his brothren to prevent it.” (JS History, 1834–1836, 150.)


I left your house, with, feelings that were indiscribale [indescribable], the scenery had changed, and all those expectations, that I had cherished, when going to your house, of brotherly kindness, charity forbearance and natural, affection, that in duty binds us not to make eachothers offenders for a word.
11

See Isaiah 29:20–21.


but
But alass! abuse, anger, malice, hatred, and rage <​with a lame side​> with marks, of violence <​heaped​> upon my body me by a brother, were the reflections of my disapointment,
12

In the version of the letter copied into JS’s 1834–1836 history, the sentence reads, “But alas! abuse, anger, malice, hatred, and rage, are heaped upon me, by a brother; and with marks of violence upon my body, with a lame side, I left your habitation bruised and wounded; and not only oppressed with these, but more severely so in mind being born down under the reflection of my disappointment.” (JS History, 1834–1836, 159.)


and with these I returned home, not able to sit down, or rise up, without help, but through the blessings of God I am now better.— [p. 83]
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Source Note

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Page 83

Document Information

Related Case Documents
Editorial Title
Letter to William Smith, circa 18 December 1835
ID #
300
Total Pages
8
Print Volume Location
JSP, D5:115–121
Handwriting on This Page
  • Warren Parrish

Footnotes

  1. [9]

    JS was dragged from his bed, beaten by a mob, and tarred and feathered in Hiram, Ohio, on 24–25 March 1832, leaving him with a long-term side injury. In a June 1834 letter to Emma, he mentioned his “side complaint.” (JS History, vol. A-1, 205–207; Letter to Emma Smith, 4 June 1834.)

  2. [10]

    The 16 December 1835 entry in JS’s 1834–1836 history indicates that William had “Cain like . . . sought to kill him, and had conciderably wounded him, nothwithstanding the exertions of his brothren to prevent it.” (JS History, 1834–1836, 150.)

  3. [11]

    See Isaiah 29:20–21.

  4. [12]

    In the version of the letter copied into JS’s 1834–1836 history, the sentence reads, “But alas! abuse, anger, malice, hatred, and rage, are heaped upon me, by a brother; and with marks of violence upon my body, with a lame side, I left your habitation bruised and wounded; and not only oppressed with these, but more severely so in mind being born down under the reflection of my disappointment.” (JS History, 1834–1836, 159.)

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