TO OLIVER GRANGER
1841 MAY 4

Ls. Joseph Smith, Nauvoo, Illinois, to Oliver Granger, Kirtland, Ohio, 4 May 1841, 3 pp., in hand of Robert B. Thompson, Joseph Smith Collection, LDS Church Archives.

By 1841, Oliver Granger's understanding of the temporal affairs of the Church in Kirtland was such as to be almost indispensable to their satisfactory regulation and settlement. Having heard that the Church agent had been very ill, Joseph Smith wrote to him on 4 May urging that affairs be "straitened up" as soon as possible to avoid complications that would develop should Granger suddenly pass away. The concern proved to be well conceived, as Oliver died at the age of 49, less than four months after receiving this letter.620

City of Nauvoo May 4, 1841

Dear Bro. Granger

Bro Hyrum having returned and given me a statement of his journey and proceedings in the East, which have been very pleasing and satisfactory. I was sorry to hear that you had been so sick, and not able to attend to business as much [as] could be desired.

I have since heard that you have had a relapse, and that you were very sick again, this I was sorry to hear However I hope you will yet recover and that we shall see you at this place before long.

I am very anxious indeed to have the matters which concern the First Presidency settled as soon as possible, for until they are I have to labor under a load that is intolerable to bear, I therefore respectfully reccommend to you to give a whole statement of the whole affairs to Dr Galland who is yet in the East,621 and will be in Kirtland soon, and get him to take the matter into his hands and get the business straitened up. This I must beg leave to urge upon you to do, for delays are dangerous, your health is precarious and if any thing should occur [p. 1] so that you were to bid adieu to mortality it would be impossible for me ever to get the run of the business and I should be again involved in difficulties from which it would be impossible for me to extricate myself. Now dear Brother I do hope you will see the reasonableness of this my request and assist Dr Galland in the affair.

I do not make these observations because I have lost confidence in you far from it, but I feel impressed to write what I have done from a sence of duty which I owe to the Church of Christ, to you and to myself.

I wish you to see that the judgment obtained on the mortgage on the house of the Lord, in the circuit court, be entered satisfied, and I will settle with you <the same> as if you held it yourself Bro Carlos' House & Lot I want deeding to Mrs Agnas Smith and her heirs.622

I am happy to inform you, that things are going on well in this place, we have been greatly prospered, and many are flocking in from Europe & about 300 have arrived in less than a week, more are on the way. [p. 2]

I shall be anxous to hear from you, as soon as possible, relative to these matters &c

I am with great respect very respectfully

Joseph Smith

Mr Oliver Granger

The house and store encumbered by the debts for the "Plates" are now at liberty, Bro Babbit <that debt> having <been> settled that debt You can therefore let Bro. Babbit [have] control over them untill I settle with him. You will also keep possession of the Keys of the House of the Lord until you receive further instructions from me.

Joseph Smith

Bro Hyrum sends his respects to you and family. [p. 3]

Mr. Oliver Granger

Kirtland Lake Co

Ohio [p. 4]