Letter from Abraham C. Hodge and Springfield, Illinois, Branch, 25 January 1842
Source Note
and , IL, branch, Letter, , Sangamon Co., IL, to JS, , Hancock Co., IL, 25 Jan. 1842; handwriting presumably of ; two pages; JS Collection, CHL. Includes address, postal stamps, postal notation, docket, and notation.
Bifolium measuring 12⅝ × 7⅝ inches (32 × 19 cm). The letter was inscribed on the recto and verso of the first leaf; the recto of the second leaf is blank. The bifolium was trifolded twice in letter style, addressed, sealed with a red adhesive wafer—remnants of which are on the recto and verso of the second leaf—and postmarked. At some point the letter was folded again for filing.
The document was docketed by , who served as JS’s scribe from December 1841 until JS’s death in June 1844 and served as church historian from December 1842 until his own death in March 1854. The notation “Copied by A.J.” was apparently added by a clerk or secretary for Andrew Jenson, who served as assistant church historian from 1897 to 1941. By 1973 the document had been included in the JS Collection at the Church Historical Department (now CHL). The document’s early docket and notation as well as its inclusion in the JS Collection by 1973 indicate continuous institutional custody.
See the full bibliographic entry for JS Collection, 1827–1844, in the CHL catalog.
Historical Introduction
On 25 January 1842 , president of a meeting of members in , Illinois, wrote to JS reporting news of the Springfield ’s reorganization. According to the letter, after the Springfield was disbanded in 1841, the branch’s previous president—a “Br Mariam”—moved to , Illinois. In Mariam’s absence divisions about leadership arose in the branch, resulting in the meeting reported in Hodge’s letter. The letter, apparently written by meeting clerk , began with minutes of the meeting. The meeting made five resolutions, including the selection of prominent Springfield judge as the new branch president. The letter then informed JS of the difficulties that had required a reorganization of the church’s congregation in the state capital, reported the resolutions, and requested a letter of response as to whether JS approved of the meeting’s resolutions.
The letter was postmarked 31 January and would have taken only a few days to reach . Although and requested a response from JS, no reply has been located. Whether explicitly or implicitly, JS apparently approved ’s election as branch president, as Adams seems to have functioned as president of the branch until his death in August of the following year.
Possibly Amasa Mariam, who later lived in Nauvoo. (“Record of the Names of the Members . . . in the Spring of the Year 1842,” [54].)
Sloan, James, and Willard Richards. “A Record of the Names of the Members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, Who Have Handed In Certificates, with the Names of the Persons, and Their Office, Who Gave Same, Also the Branch from Which They Came, and Date of Certificate.” Oct. 1841–Jan. 1846. In Far West and Nauvoo Elders’ Certificates, 1837–1838, 1840–1846, 1862. CHL.
“Obituary,” Times and Seasons, 1 Aug. 1843, 4:287.
Times and Seasons. Commerce/Nauvoo, IL. Nov. 1839–Feb. 1846.
Page [1]
Jan’y 25th. 1842
The members of the in this place met agreeable to previous notice on at Br David Dicksons
Br Arnold Stephens stated the object of the meeting
Br was unanimously chosen President, and Secretary of said meeting
After the organization of the meeting the following Resolutions were offered and adopted
1st. Resolved that we consider that the officers of this of the Church ceased at the time Br, Joseph Smith Jr discontinued this
2nd. Resolved that Br shall be the President of this Branch
3rd. Resolved that Br be the Clerk of this Branch
4th. Resolved that the make out the proseedings of this meeting and forward the same to to the
5th. Resolved that the members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latterday Saints in this place give in their names to the
< President>
, Clerk
Br Smith,
We deem it necessary to state some of the most prominent reasons why this meetng was called, in order that you may have a fair understanding of the situation and condition we were placed in
You will recollect that sometime since this stake was discontinued as well as all others with the exception of those in , &c [p. [1]]
On 24 May 1841 the First Presidency issued a statement to church members throughout the world decreeing that all stakes outside of Hancock County, Illinois, and Lee County, Iowa Territory, were dissolved. The statement instructed church members not living in those counties to gather there as soon as possible to assist with building the temple and the “corner stone of Zion.” (Letter to the Saints Abroad, 24 May 1841.)