The Joseph Smith Papers: Documents, Volume 3: February 1833 - March 1834

Description

Between February 1833 and March 1834, the religious movement Joseph Smith founded continued to develop as members of the Church of Christ immigrated to Ohio and Missouri from areas across the United States and Upper Canada. The collection of eighty-eight documents found in this third volume of the Documents series of The Joseph Smith Papers sheds light on the formative events of this period, as well as the challenges Joseph Smith faced as he sought to gather church members and establish a city of Zion in Missouri. Included in the volume are minutes, revelations, letters, architectural and city plans, priesthood licenses, legal documents, and an effort to classify the scriptures by topic. Accompanied by extensive historical annotation, the documents in this volume have been transcribed to the highest standards of documentary editing. Together, they illustrate the challenges Joseph Smith faced in leading a church that stretched across the country, as well as his unfolding vision of expanding the church and establishing Zion. Covering topics ranging from heavenly visitations to violent opposition, these documents provide a deeper understanding of Joseph Smith's life and the religious movement he started.