TO OLIVER GRANGER 1840 JULY

FC. Joseph Smith, Nauvoo, Illinois, to Oliver Granger, Kirtland, Ohio, July 1840 in Joseph Smith Letterbook 2, pp.159-61, hand of Robert B. Thompson, Joseph Smith Collection, LDS Church Archives.

As the process of buying land and establishing the Saints in a new settlement got underway following the disaster in Missouri, one of the major problems confronting Joseph Smith was a lack of money. Besides the immediate expense of resettlement, debts incurred in Ohio prior to 1838 remained unpaid, and Church property in Kirtland, including the temple, had become encumbered with legal entanglements.606 Having been suddenly forced to leave Ohio amidst threats of mob violence in January 1838, Joseph Smith had been unable to settle business obligations contracted there. Later that year he had sent Oliver Granger, an ex-sheriff and militia officer, a man of integrity and ability, back to Kirtland as a Church agent to settle unpaid debts. Although Granger remained in Ohio but a short time in 1838, his handling of affairs was effective. Consequently, when conditions permitted in 1840, he was again sent to Kirtland as an agent. Shortly after Oliver's arrival, he received this letter from Joseph Smith.

[July 1840]

Brother Granger

Dr Sir

It was with great pleasure I received your's and Bro [Levi] Richards Letter dated New York June 23rd 1840 and was very happy to be informed of your safe arrival in that place and your probability of success and I do hope that your anticipations will be realized and that you will be able to free the Lords House from all incumbrances, and be prospered in all your undertakings for the benefit of the Church, and pray that while you are exerting your influence to bring about an object so desireable, that the choicest blessings of heaven may rest down upon you. While you are endeavoring to do so and attending to the duties laid upon you by the authorities of the Church in this place, I am sorry to be informed not only in your letter but from other respectable sources of the strange conduct pursued in Kirtland by Elder Alman Babbit;607 I am indeed surprised that a man having the experience which Bro Babbit has had should take any steps whatever calculated to destroy the confidence of the brethren in the presidency or any of the authorities of the church. In order to conduct the affairs of the kingdom in righteousness it is all important, that the most perfect harmony kind feeling, good understanding and confidence should exist in the hearts of all the brethren and that true charity love one towards another, should characterize all their proceedings. If there are any uncharitable feelings, any lack of confidence, then pride and arrogancy and envy will soon be manifested and confusion must inevitably prevail and the authorities of the church set at nought; and under such circumstances Kirtland cannot rise and free herself from <the> captivity in which she is held and become a place of safety for the saints nor can the blessings of Jehovah rest upon her. If the saints in Kirtland deem me unworthy of their prayers when they assemble together, and neglect to bear me up at a throne of heavenly grace, it is a strong and convincing proof to me that they have not the spirit of God.

If the revelations we have received are true, who is to lead the people? If the keys of the kingdom have been committed to my hands, who shall open out the mysteries thereof. As long as my brethren stand by me and encourage me I can combat the predjudices of the world and can bear the contumely and abuse of the world with joy [p. 159] but when my brethren stand aloof when they begin to faint and endeavour to retard my progress and enterprise then I feel to mourn but am no less determined to prosecute my task, being confident that altho my earthly friends may fail and even turn against me, yet my heavenly father will bear me off triumphant. However I hope that even in Kirtland, their are some who do not make a man an "offender for a word," but are disposed to stand forth in defence of righteousness and truth and attend to every duty enjoined upon them and who will have wisdom to direct them against any movement or influence calculated to bring confusion and disorder into the camp of Israel, and to discern between the spirit of truth and the spirit of error.

It would be gratifying to my mind to see the saints in Kirtland flourish, but think the time has not yet come and I assure you it never will until a different order of things be established and a different spirit be manifested. When confidence is restored, when pride shall fall and every aspiring mind be clothed with humility as with a garment and selfishness give place to benevolence and charity, and a united determination to live by every word which proceedeth out of the mouth of the Lord is observable, then and not till then can peace and order, and love prevail

It is in consequence of aspiring men that Kirtland has been forsaken. How frequently has your humble servant been envied in his office by such characters who endeavoured to raise themselves to power at my expense, and seeing it impossible to do so, resorted to foul slander and abuse and other means to effect my overthrow; such characters have ever been the first to cry out against the presidency, and publish their faults and foibles to [the] four winds of heaven.

I cannot forget the treatment I received in the house of my friends, these things continually roll across my mind and cause me much sorrow of heart, and when I think that others who have lately come into the church should be led to Kirtland instead of to this place by Elder Babbit, and having their confidence in the authorities lessened by such observations as he (Elder Babbit) has thought propper to make, as well as hearing all the false reports and exaggerated accounts of our enemies, I must say chat I feel grieved in spirit, and cannot tolerate such proceedings neither will I, but will endeavour to dis abuse the minds of the saints and break down all such unhallowed proceedings. [p. 160]

It was something new to me when I heard there had been secret meetings held in the Lords house, and that some of my friends faithful brethren, men enjoying the confidence of the church should be locked out. Such like proceedings are not calculated to promote union or peace but to engender strife and will be a curse instead of a blessing. To those who are young in the work I know they are calculated to and must be injurious to them. Those who have had experience and who should know better, than to reflect on their brethren, there is no excuse for them. If Bro Babbit and the other brethren wish to reform the Church and come out and make a stand against sin & speculation &c &c, they must use other weapons than lies, or their object can never be effected, and their labors will be given to the house of the stranger rather than to the house of the Lord

The proceedings of Bro Babbit were taken into consideration at a meeting of the Church at this place when it was unanimously resolved that fellowship should be withdrawn from him until he make satisfaction for the conduct he has pursued of which circumstance I wish you to apprize him of without delay and demand his license

Dr Sir I wish you to stand in your lot and keep the station which was given you by revelation and the authorities of the Church; attend to the affairs of the Church with diligence and then rest assured on the blessings of heaven: It is binding on you to act as president of the Church in Kirtland until you are removed by the same authority which put you in, and I do hope, their will be no cause for opposition but that good feeling will be manifested in future by all the brethren.

Bro [Thomas] Burdicks letter to Bro Hyrum was duly received for which he has our best thanks. It was indeed an admirable letter and worthy of its author the sentiments express'd were in accordance with the spirit of the gospel and the principles correct. I am glad that Bro Richards has continued with you and hope he has been of some service to you give my love to him Our prospects in this place continue good. considerable numbers have come in this spring. There were some bickerings respecting your conduct soon after your departure but they have all blown over, and I hope there will never be any occasion for any more, but that you will commend yourself to God and to the saints by a virtuous walk and holy conversation

I had a letter from W. W. Phelps a few days ago informing me of his desire to come back to the Church if we would accept of him, he appears very humble and is willing to make every satisfaction that saints or God may require.

We expect to have an edition of the book of Mormon printed by the first of September it is now being sterotyped in Cincinnatti.

I rem[ain] &c &c
Joseph Smith Jr.