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Notes on the JSP
Newest Joseph Smith Papers Volume Now Available


The Church Historian’s Press is pleased to announce the release of the latest volume of The Joseph Smith Papers. Documents, Volume 9 covers December 1841 through April 1842 and features 102 letters, revelations, meeting minutes, deeds, sermon accounts, and other documents.

This volume chronicles developments in the church and community during these important months in Nauvoo, Illinois, including the creation of the Relief Society and the establishment of a Freemason’s lodge in Nauvoo, both of which organizations taught virtue and encouraged moral uprightness in the community. Other documents relate to the opening of Joseph Smith’s store, which not only supplied the community with mercantile goods but also quickly became the center of civic and cultural activity. The rich documentary record also offers a unique portrait of the breadth of Joseph Smith’s daily activities as he served as a military leader and vice mayor of Nauvoo, took advantage of the nation’s new bankruptcy law, sold land to immigrating converts, and continued to instruct Latter-day Saints near and far through discourses and correspondence. During this period, he also became editor of the church’s newspaper, Times and Seasons, and published new content, including a narrative account of the church’s history that included statements of belief that were later canonized as the “Articles of Faith” and portions of the Book of Abraham, which was later canonized as scripture.

The overarching narrative revealed by these documents is one of growth—for the church and the city of Nauvoo generally as well as for Joseph Smith personally. Readers will come away from this volume with an increased understanding of the prophet’s life and this pivotal period in the creation of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Documents, Volume 9 was edited by Alex D. Smith, Christian K. Heimburger, and Christopher James Blythe, with Stephanie Steed as the lead production editor. The volume is now available for purchase from Deseret Book and Amazon.
New Content on the Joseph Smith Papers Website
The Joseph Smith Papers is pleased to announce its latest web release, which includes around 150 administrative records from the Nauvoo City Council from May through December 1842, as well as documents and introductions for nine new Ohio and Illinois legal cases and the calendar of documents for Documents, Volume 9.

During the period of church history that the administrative records covers, John C. Bennett resigned as mayor of Nauvoo, Illinois, and Joseph Smith took his place, with Hyrum Smith replacing Joseph as vice mayor.

Many of the documents in this release pertain to the day-to-day business of running a growing city, from regulating sanitation efforts to creating public servant positions and hiring people to fill those roles. Highlights from the Nauvoo City Council records include the following:
  • John C. Bennett’s letter of resignation as mayor.
  • Note of Joseph Smith’s election as the new mayor and Hyrum’s election as the new vice mayor.
  • Appointment of William Clayton as treasurer.
  • Description and illustration of the seal of the municipal court.
  • Documents concerning animals, such as a motion to establish of a pound, an ordinance listing the duties of the pound keeper, and an ordinance concerning the handling of rabid animals.
  • Sanitation ordinances and petitions regarding carrion removal, slaughterhouse placement and cleanliness, and removal of logs creating dirty, stagnant water.
  • Ordinance outlawing brothels and fining patrons and adulterers.
In the Legal, Business, and Financial Records series, we have added introductions and documents for three Ohio legal cases and five Illinois legal cases involving Joseph Smith. These include five cases involving merchant and tavern keeper Amos Davis. Between 29 November and 6 December 1842, Davis was accused of violating multiple city ordinances and was tried in five legal cases in which Joseph Smith was either justice, complainant, or witness. The accusations included violation of the city’s temperance ordinance by selling liquor, assault against William Walker, and slander against the characters of Ira S. Miles and Joseph Smith.

Another noteworthy item in this release is an introduction to documents regarding the first attempt by Missouri officials to extradite Joseph Smith to Missouri for criminal prosecution. Most of the other cases are financial in nature, concerning unpaid debts.

Letters from John C. Bennett and James Sloan, 17 May 1842
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