W. W. Phelps (Mormon)
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William Wines Phelps (February 17, 1792 – March 7, 1872) was an early leader of the
Latter Day Saint movement The Latter Day Saint movement (also called the LDS movement, LDS restorationist movement, or Smith–Rigdon movement) is the collection of independent church groups that trace their origins to a Christian Restorationist movement founded by Jo ...
. He printed the first edition of the Book of Commandments that became a standard work of the church and wrote numerous hymns, some of which are included in the current version of
the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, informally known as the LDS Church or Mormon Church, is a Nontrinitarianism, nontrinitarian Christianity, Christian church that considers itself to be the Restorationism, restoration of the ...
' (LDS Church) hymnal. He was at times both close to and at odds with church leadership. He testified against
Joseph Smith Joseph Smith Jr. (December 23, 1805June 27, 1844) was an American religious leader and founder of Mormonism and the Latter Day Saint movement. When he was 24, Smith published the Book of Mormon. By the time of his death, 14 years later, he ...
, providing evidence that helped persuade authorities to arrest Smith. He was
excommunicated Excommunication is an institutional act of religious censure used to end or at least regulate the communion of a member of a congregation with other members of the religious institution who are in normal communion with each other. The purpose ...
three times and rejoined the church each time. He was a ghostwriter for Smith. Phelps was called by Smith to serve as assistant president of the church in
Missouri Missouri is a U.S. state, state in the Midwestern United States, Midwestern region of the United States. Ranking List of U.S. states and territories by area, 21st in land area, it is bordered by eight states (tied for the most with Tennessee ...
and as a member of the
Council of Fifty "The Council of Fifty" (also known as "the Living Constitution", "the Kingdom of God", or its name by revelation, "The Kingdom of God and His Laws with the Keys and Power thereof, and Judgment in the Hands of His Servants, Ahman Christ") was a Lat ...
. After Smith's death, Phelps supported
Brigham Young Brigham Young (; June 1, 1801August 29, 1877) was an American religious leader and politician. He was the second President of the Church (LDS Church), president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church), from 1847 until his ...
, who was the church's new president.


Early life

Phelps was born in Hanover Township, New Jersey on February 17, 1792. He was named after
American Revolutionary War The American Revolutionary War (April 19, 1775 – September 3, 1783), also known as the Revolutionary War or American War of Independence, was a major war of the American Revolution. Widely considered as the war that secured the independence of t ...
general William Wines (also spelled "Winds"). His father, Enon Phelps, and mother, Mehitable Goldsmith, moved the family to Homer, New York, in 1800. Phelps was a descendant of the Puritan leader William Phelps. He was mostly self-taught, acquiring knowledge in various areas such as theology, meteorology, and history. He once sought the office of
lieutenant governor of New York The lieutenant governor of New York is a constitutional office in the executive branch of the Government of the State of New York. It is the second highest-ranking official in state government. The lieutenant governor is elected on a ticket wit ...
. He worked as an apprentice to a printer. On April 28, 1815, he married Sally Waterman in
Smyrna, New York Smyrna is a town in Chenango County, New York, United States. The population was 1,280 at the 2010 census. Smyrna is named after a coastal city in ancient Greece, nowadays modern Izmir in Turkey. The town contains a village also named Smyrna. ...
. The pair had ten children: eight daughters and two sons. After marrying Sally, Phelps began publishing the ''Western Courier'' in Homer in 1820. In this capacity, "he verbally attacked his foes and they him." He next moved to Trumansburgh, Tompkins County, New York, where he edited the anti-Masonic newspaper ''Lake Light''. In 1827, he relocated to Canandaigua, New York, where he published and edited another anti-Masonic newspaper, the ''Ontario Phoenix.'' Phelps was described by
Dean Jessee Dean Cornell Jessee (born 1929) is a historian of the early Latter Day Saint movement and leading expert on the writings of Joseph Smith Jr. Biography Jessee was one of the sons of Phillip Cornell Jessee and Minerva Boss. He was raised in Springvi ...
as "one of hefounders" of the anti-Masonic movement in New York.


Involvement in Latter Day Saint movement

Phelps purchased a copy of the
Book of Mormon The Book of Mormon is a religious text of the Latter Day Saint movement, which, according to Latter Day Saint theology, contains writings of ancient prophets who lived on the American continent from 600 BC to AD 421 and during an interlude date ...
from Parley P. Pratt on April 9, 1830, just three days after
Church of Christ Church of Christ may refer to: Church groups * When used in the plural, a New Testament designation for local groups of people following the teachings of Jesus Christ: "...all the churches of Christ greet you", Romans 16:16. * The entire body of Ch ...
was organized."Minutes of a Conference"
, ''
Evening and Morning Star ''The Evening and the Morning Star'' was an early Latter Day Saint movement newspaper published monthly in Independence, Missouri, from June 1832 to July 1833, and then in Kirtland, Ohio, from December 1833 to September 1834. Reprints of edited ...
'', vol. 2, no. 20, p. 160 (May 1832)
He and his wife Sally Waterman read the book and "became converted to its truth." Phelps then met
Joseph Smith Joseph Smith Jr. (December 23, 1805June 27, 1844) was an American religious leader and founder of Mormonism and the Latter Day Saint movement. When he was 24, Smith published the Book of Mormon. By the time of his death, 14 years later, he ...
on December 24, 1830, and became convinced that Smith was a prophet. On April 29, 1831, Phelps was imprisoned at Lyons, New York, by a "couple of Presbyterian traders, for a small debt, for the purpose, as ewas informed, of 'keeping imfrom joining the Mormons.'"


Kirtland, Ohio

Phelps moved to
Kirtland, Ohio Kirtland is a city in Lake County, Ohio, United States. The population was 6,937 at the 2020 census. Kirtland is known for being the early headquarters of the Latter Day Saint movement from 1831 to 1837 and is the site of the movement's first t ...
in 1831. He soon visited Joseph Smith and asked him to ask God for an answer as to what Phelps should do. Smith delivered a revelation (now known as section 55 of the
Doctrine and Covenants The Doctrine and Covenants (sometimes abbreviated and cited as D&C or D. and C.) is a part of the open scriptural canon of several denominations of the Latter Day Saint movement. Originally published in 1835 as Doctrine and Covenants of the Chur ...
) in which Phelps was encouraged to join the church, preach as a
missionary A missionary is a member of a Religious denomination, religious group which is sent into an area in order to promote its faith or provide services to people, such as education, literacy, social justice, health care, and economic development.Tho ...
, and be the printer for the church. He was then baptized on June 16, 1831. He was subsequently chosen "to head printing and publishing for the Church" a few days later, on June 20. He moved to
Jackson County, Missouri Jackson County is located in the western portion of the U.S. state of Missouri. As of the 2020 census, the population was 717,204. making it the second-most populous county in the state (after St. Louis County). Although Independence retains ...
in 1832 and spearheaded the church's publishing arm, W. W. Phelps & Co., in
Independence, Missouri Independence is the fifth-largest city in Missouri and the county seat of Jackson County, Missouri, Jackson County. Independence is a satellite city of Kansas City, Missouri, and is the largest suburb on the Missouri side of the Kansas City metro ...
, where he edited the ''
Evening and Morning Star ''The Evening and the Morning Star'' was an early Latter Day Saint movement newspaper published monthly in Independence, Missouri, from June 1832 to July 1833, and then in Kirtland, Ohio, from December 1833 to September 1834. Reprints of edited ...
'' from June 1832 to 1833. He was also superintendent of the local schools. On July 20, 1833, while working to publish the church's Book of Commandments, a mob of vigilantes attacked Phelps's home, seizing printing materials, destroying the press, and throwing Phelps's family and furniture out-of-doors. Most of the copies of the Book of Commandments were destroyed in the raid. He fled to Clay County, Missouri, where he was called as Assistant President of the Church in Missouri on July 3, 1834. In the early part of 1835, Phelps and his son, Waterman, were called to Kirtland, arriving on May 16, 1835 and departing on April 9, 1836. They resided with Joseph Smith's family temporarily.Edward Ashment essay in
The Word of God Essays on Mormon Scripture
" Edited by Dan Vogel, Signature Books 1990
During his stay in Kirtland, Phelps acted as "co-steward over the modern revelations" alongside Joseph Smith, editing the sections of the Doctrine and Covenants for publication. He was also tasked with editing and publishing the ''
Latter Day Saints' Messenger and Advocate The ''Latter Day Saints' Messenger and Advocate'', often shortened to ''Messenger and Advocate'', was an early Latter Day Saint monthly newspaper published in Kirtland, Ohio, from October 1834 to September 1837. It was the successor to ''The Eveni ...
''. Phelps donated US$500 towards the erection of the Kirtland Temple and was present for the establishment of the School of the Prophets. In Kirtland, he helped print the first Latter Day Saint hymnal in 1835, which included his own hymn, "
The Spirit of God Like a Fire Is Burning "The Spirit of God Like a Fire Is Burning" (also "The Spirit of God" or "Hosanna to God and the Lamb") is a hymn of the Latter Day Saint movement. It was written by W. W. Phelps, one of the most prolific hymnwriters of early Mormonism. History o ...
", sung at the dedication of the Kirtland Temple. Phelps wrote "at least thirty-five of the ninety hymns" included in the first LDS hymnal. In late June or early July 1835, Joseph Smith acquired
Egyptian papyri Egyptian describes something of, from, or related to Egypt. Egyptian or Egyptians may refer to: Nations and ethnic groups * Egyptians, a national group in North Africa ** Egyptian culture, a complex and stable culture with thousands of years of ...
from Michael Chandler, and Phelps began assisting with the translation of what would become the Book of Abraham in the Pearl of Great Price, acting as Smith's
scribe A scribe is a person who serves as a professional copyist, especially one who made copies of manuscripts before the invention of automatic printing. The profession of the scribe, previously widespread across cultures, lost most of its promi ...
. On January 13, 1836, Phelps was tasked with compiling the "rules and regulations" of the Kirtland Temple.


Far West, Missouri

From 1834, Phelps was a counselor to
David Whitmer David Whitmer (January 7, 1805 – January 25, 1888) was an American Mormon leader who eventually became the most interviewed of the Three Witnesses to the Book of Mormon's golden plates. Early life Whitmer was born near Harrisburg, Pennsylvania ...
in the presidency of the church in Missouri, and, in that capacity, he helped found the town of
Far West, Missouri Far West was a settlement of the Latter Day Saint movement in Caldwell County, Missouri, United States, during the late 1830s. It is recognized as a historic site by the U.S. National Register of Historic Places, added to the register in 1970. It ...
, purchasing the land for the town using church funds alongside
John Whitmer John Whitmer (August 27, 1802 – July 11, 1878) was an early leader in the Latter Day Saint movement. He was one of the Eight Witnesses of the Book of Mormon's golden plates. Whitmer was also the first official Church Historian and a member of th ...
. He served as
postmaster A postmaster is the head of an individual post office, responsible for all postal activities in a specific post office. When a postmaster is responsible for an entire mail distribution organization (usually sponsored by a national government), ...
in Far West. Phelps was called before the High Council on March 10, 1838, and was accused of profiting from Far West land deals and reneging on a $2,000 contribution to "the house of the Lord" that was not paid. On March 10, 1838, he was
excommunicated Excommunication is an institutional act of religious censure used to end or at least regulate the communion of a member of a congregation with other members of the religious institution who are in normal communion with each other. The purpose ...
from the church. In June 1838, Phelps,
Oliver Cowdery Oliver H. P. Cowdery (October 3, 1806 – March 3, 1850) was an American Mormon leader who, with Joseph Smith, was an important participant in the formative period of the Latter Day Saint movement between 1829 and 1836. He was the first baptized ...
,
David Whitmer David Whitmer (January 7, 1805 – January 25, 1888) was an American Mormon leader who eventually became the most interviewed of the Three Witnesses to the Book of Mormon's golden plates. Early life Whitmer was born near Harrisburg, Pennsylvania ...
,
John Whitmer John Whitmer (August 27, 1802 – July 11, 1878) was an early leader in the Latter Day Saint movement. He was one of the Eight Witnesses of the Book of Mormon's golden plates. Whitmer was also the first official Church Historian and a member of th ...
, and
Lyman E. Johnson Lyman Eugene Johnson (October 24, 1811 – December 20, 1859) was an early leader in the Latter Day Saint movement and an original member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. He broke with Joseph Smith and Sidney Rigdon during the 1837–38 perio ...
were warned to leave Far West, "or a more fatal calamity shall befall you." In November 1838, Phelps was summoned to be tried a witness at the treason hearing of Smith in Missouri. According to The Joseph Smith Papers, "his testimony helped lead to Smith's incarceration in the Liberty, Missouri, jail in winter 1838–1839."


Excommunication and rebaptism

Unlike Cowdery and the Whitmers, Phelps remained in Far West after "the dissenters" were warned to leave in June 1838. He appears to have had a short-lived détente with church leadership. On July 8, 1838, Smith received a revelation saying that Phelps and fellow dissenter,
Frederick G. Williams Frederick Granger Williams (October 28, 1787 – October 10, 1842) was an early leader of the Latter Day Saint movement, serving in the First Presidency of the Church of the Latter Day Saints from 1833 to 1837. Life Williams was born at Suffield ...
, could be ordained as elders and serve missions abroad. At the time of the Mormon surrender of Far West, Phelps was one of the Mormon negotiators.Alexander L. Baugh. "A Community Abandoned: W. W. Phelps' 1839 Letter to Sally Waterman Phelps from Far West, Missouri." ''Nauvoo Journal'', 10:2, 1998. p. 23/ But during the Richmond hearings of November 1838, Phelps was one of several who bore witness against Smith and other leaders, aiding in their imprisonment in Missouri until April 1839. This led to Phelps's excommunication in
Quincy, Illinois Quincy ( ), known as Illinois's "Gem City", is a city in and the county seat of Adams County, Illinois, United States, located on the Mississippi River. The 2020 census counted a population of 39,463 in the city itself, down from 40,633 in 2010. ...
on March 17, 1839. He then moved to
Dayton, Ohio Dayton () is the sixth-largest city in the U.S. state of Ohio and the county seat of Montgomery County. A small part of the city extends into Greene County. The 2020 U.S. census estimate put the city population at 137,644, while Greater Day ...
. In June 1840, Phelps pleaded for forgiveness in a letter to Smith. Smith replied with an offer of full fellowship, and ended with a variant of Charles Wesley's couplet, "'Come on, dear brother, since the war is past, For friends at first are friends again at last.'" Phelps thus reunited with the church through rebaptism sixteen months after his excommunication. He moved back to Kirtland in May 1841.


Nauvoo years

Phelps served a brief mission in the eastern United States in 1841. He then moved to
Nauvoo, Illinois Nauvoo ( ; from the ) is a small city in Hancock County, Illinois, United States, on the Mississippi River near Fort Madison, Iowa. The population of Nauvoo was 950 at the 2020 census. Nauvoo attracts visitors for its historic importance and its ...
, where he donated $1,000 to the construction of the
Nauvoo Temple The Nauvoo Temple was the second temple constructed by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.''Manuscript History of the Church'', LDS Church Archives, book A-1, p. 37; reproduced in Dean C. Jessee (comp.) (1989). ''The Papers of Jose ...
and worked there in as an
ordinance Ordinance may refer to: Law * Ordinance (Belgium), a law adopted by the Brussels Parliament or the Common Community Commission * Ordinance (India), a temporary law promulgated by the President of India on recommendation of the Union Cabinet * ...
worker. On August 27, 1841, he replaced
Robert B. Thompson Robert Blashel Thompson (October 1, 1811 – August 27, 1841) was an associate of Joseph Smith Jr., a leader in the Latter Day Saint movement, a Danite, and an Church Historian and Recorder, official historian of the Church of Christ (Latter Day S ...
as Smith's clerk. Beginning in February 1843, Phelps became the ghostwriter of many of Smith's important written works of the Nauvoo period, including "General Joseph Smith's Appeal to the Green Mountain Boys" of November 1843; Smith's theodemocratic presidential platform of January 1844; and "The Voice of Innocence", which was presented to and unanimously approved by the
Relief Society The Relief Society is a philanthropic and educational women's organization of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church). It was founded in 1842 in Nauvoo, Illinois, United States, and has more than 7 million members in over 18 ...
in February 1844 to rebut claims of
polygamy Crimes Polygamy (from Late Greek (') "state of marriage to many spouses") is the practice of marrying multiple spouses. When a man is married to more than one wife at the same time, sociologists call this polygyny. When a woman is married ...
in Nauvoo. Phelps also worked alongside
John Taylor John Taylor, Johnny Taylor or similar may refer to: Academics *John Taylor (Oxford), Vice-Chancellor of Oxford University, 1486–1487 *John Taylor (classical scholar) (1704–1766), English classical scholar *John Taylor (English publisher) (178 ...
in editing the '' Times and Seasons'' and ''
Nauvoo Neighbor The ''Nauvoo Neighbor'' was a weekly newspaper edited and published by Latter Day Saint apostle John Taylor in Nauvoo, Illinois, from 1843 to 1845. While it was not an official publication of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, the ...
'' and Willard Richards in compiling Joseph Smith's personal history. The latter effort eventually became ''History of the Church''. Phelps was
endowed A financial endowment is a legal structure for managing, and in many cases indefinitely perpetuating, a pool of financial, real estate, or other investments for a specific purpose according to the will of its founders and donors. Endowments are of ...
on December 9, 1843 and received his "
second anointing In the Latter Day Saint movement, the second anointing, or second endowment, is the pinnacle ordinance of the temple and an extension of the endowment ceremony. Founder Joseph Smith taught that the function of the ordinance was to ensure salvation ...
" on February 2, 1844, promising him exaltation. He was also made a member of the
Council of Fifty "The Council of Fifty" (also known as "the Living Constitution", "the Kingdom of God", or its name by revelation, "The Kingdom of God and His Laws with the Keys and Power thereof, and Judgment in the Hands of His Servants, Ahman Christ") was a Lat ...
and the
Nauvoo City Council The Nauvoo City Council was a short-lived municipal body for the City of Nauvoo, Illinois. Establishment The Nauvoo City Charter was passed by the Illinois Legislature on December 16, 1840. The legislature established the Nauvoo City Council, ...
. In Nauvoo, Phelps spoke out in favor of the destruction of an opposition newspaper, the ''
Nauvoo Expositor The ''Nauvoo Expositor'' was a newspaper in Nauvoo, Illinois, that published only one issue, on June 7, 1844. Its publication, the destruction of the printed copies (which, according to the Nauvoo Charter, was the legal consequence of a ne ...
.'' He believed that the city charter gave the church leaders power to declare the newspaper a nuisance. Shortly afterwards, the press and type were carried into the street and destroyed. After the
death of Joseph Smith Joseph Smith, the founder and leader of the Latter Day Saint movement, and his brother, Hyrum Smith, were killed by a mob in Carthage, Illinois, United States, on June 27, 1844, while awaiting trial in the town jail. As mayor of the city of N ...
, Phelps gave the eulogy at his funeral. During the
succession crisis A succession crisis is a crisis that arises when an order of succession fails, for example when a king dies without an indisputable heir. It may result in a war of succession. Examples include (see List of wars of succession): *Multiple periods dur ...
in 1844, Phelps sided with
Brigham Young Brigham Young (; June 1, 1801August 29, 1877) was an American religious leader and politician. He was the second President of the Church (LDS Church), president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church), from 1847 until his ...
and the
Quorum of the Twelve In the Latter Day Saint movement, the Quorum of the Twelve (also known as the Council of the Twelve, the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, Council of the Twelve Apostles, or the Twelve) is one of the governing bodies or ( quorums) of the church hie ...
. In an effort to maintain order in the church, "he used his considerable influence in August and September 1844 to sustain the Twelve Apostles as leaders during the succession crisis." In 1846, he entered into
plural marriage Polygamy (called plural marriage by Latter-day Saints in the 19th century or the Principle by modern fundamentalist practitioners of polygamy) was practiced by leaders of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) for more tha ...
, marrying Laura Stowell and Elizabeth Dunn on February 2, 1846 in Nauvoo. He was excommunicated for the third time on December 9, 1847, for entering into an unauthorized polygamous marriage, but he was rebaptized two days later.


Westward exodus, death, and legacy

Phelps took part in the Mormon Exodus across the
Great Plains The Great Plains (french: Grandes Plaines), sometimes simply "the Plains", is a broad expanse of flatland in North America. It is located west of the Mississippi River and east of the Rocky Mountains, much of it covered in prairie, steppe, an ...
and settled in
Salt Lake City Salt Lake City (often shortened to Salt Lake and abbreviated as SLC) is the Capital (political), capital and List of cities and towns in Utah, most populous city of Utah, United States. It is the county seat, seat of Salt Lake County, Utah, Sal ...
in 1848. In November 1849, he left Salt Lake to explore southern Utah Territory with Parley P. Pratt. Phelps also served in the
Utah territorial legislature The Utah State Legislature is the state legislature of the U.S. state of Utah. It is a bicameral body, comprising the Utah House of Representatives, with 75 state representatives, and the Utah Senate, with 29 state senators. There are no term ...
from 1851 to 1857 and on the board of regents for the
University of Deseret The University of Utah (U of U, UofU, or simply The U) is a public research university in Salt Lake City, Utah. It is the flagship institution of the Utah System of Higher Education. The university was established in 1850 as the University of De ...
(now the
University of Utah The University of Utah (U of U, UofU, or simply The U) is a public research university in Salt Lake City, Utah. It is the flagship institution of the Utah System of Higher Education. The university was established in 1850 as the University of De ...
). He participated in the creation of the Provisional State of Deseret's constitution and wrote an almanac documenting the activities of the Latter-day Saints in Utah for fourteen years. He also helped develop the
Deseret alphabet The Deseret alphabet (; Deseret: or ) is a phonemic English-language spelling reform developed between 1847 and 1854 by the board of regents of the University of Deseret under the leadership of Brigham Young, the second president of the Ch ...
and obtained the first printing press used to print the ''
Deseret News The ''Deseret News'' () is the oldest continuously operating publication in the American west. Its multi-platform products feature journalism and commentary across the fields of politics, culture, family life, faith, sports, and entertainment. Th ...
''. He wrote poems and articles for the ''Deseret News,'' as well as essays on religious topics such as the
Second Coming The Second Coming (sometimes called the Second Advent or the Parousia) is a Christian (as well as Islamic and Baha'i) belief that Jesus will return again after his ascension to heaven about two thousand years ago. The idea is based on messi ...
, the priesthood, and Joseph Smith's revelations. He began working as a lawyer in 1851 and "defended numerous Saints in the courts." Phelps also joined the Deseret Horticultural Society and Deseret Theological Institute. In 1856, he wrote the LDS hymn " If You Could Hie to Kolob" for Brigham Young. He died on March 7, 1872, in Salt Lake City, Utah Territory and is buried in the Salt Lake City Cemetery. According to attorney and author George M. McCune, "He died a faithful and zealous disciple of the restoration."


Hymns

Phelps is probably best known for his legacy of Mormon hymns, many of which appear in the current edition of the LDS Church's hymnal. * Adam-ondi-Ahman* * Come, All Ye Saints of Zion* * Come, All Ye Saints Who Dwell on Earth* * Come, Let Us Sing an Evening Hymn* * Gently Raise the Sacred Strain* * Glorious Things Are Sung of Zion * Hosanna Anthem * If You Could Hie to Kolob * Now Let Us Rejoice* * Now We'll Sing with One Accord* * O God, the Eternal Father*
O Stop and Tell Me, Red Man
*
Praise to the Man "Praise to the Man" (originally titled "Joseph Smith") is a poem written as a eulogy in verse for Joseph Smith. The poem's authorship is typically attributed to Latter Day Saint leader and hymn writer William W. Phelps. The poem was composed soo ...
*
The Spirit of God Like a Fire Is Burning "The Spirit of God Like a Fire Is Burning" (also "The Spirit of God" or "Hosanna to God and the Lamb") is a hymn of the Latter Day Saint movement. It was written by W. W. Phelps, one of the most prolific hymnwriters of early Mormonism. History o ...
* * We're Not Ashamed to Own Our Lord* Phelps also reworded popular hymns turning them into uniquely Latter Day Saint hymns. * Joy to the World! the Lord will Come* * Redeemer of Israel* * Included in the first Latter Day Saint hymnal in 1835.


See also

*
1843 polygamy revelation Polygamy in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, or plural marriage, is generally believed to have originated with the founder of Mormonism, Joseph Smith. According to several of his associates, Smith taught that polygamy was a div ...
*
LDS fiction LDS may refer to: Organizations * LDS Hospital, Salt Lake City, Utah, US Religion * Latter Day Saint movement (LDS movement), a collection of independent church groups **The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the largest group within th ...


Notes


References

*. * * * * *. *Church Historian's Office journal, 1844–1879, Volume 9, November 15, 1847 – March 25, 1848, pg. 25
Volume 9, pg. 25


External links


William Wines Phelps papers
Vault MSS 810,
L. Tom Perry Special Collections The L. Tom Perry Special Collections is the special collections department of Brigham Young University (BYU)'s Harold B. Lee Library in Provo, Utah. Founded in 1957 with 1,000 books and 50 manuscript collections, as of 2016 the Library's special ...
,
Harold B. Lee Library The Harold B. Lee Library (HBLL) is the main academic library of Brigham Young University (BYU) located in Provo, Utah. The library started as a small collection of books in the president's office in 1876 before moving in 1891. The Heber J. Gran ...
,
Brigham Young University Brigham Young University (BYU, sometimes referred to colloquially as The Y) is a private research university in Provo, Utah. It was founded in 1875 by religious leader Brigham Young and is sponsored by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day ...

Transcription of above W.W. Phelps papersWilliam Wines Phelps land patents
Vault MSS SC 370, L. Tom Perry Special Collections, Harold B. Lee Library, Brigham Young University
Phelps family correspondence, 1835–1853
Vault MSS 810 Series 2, L. Tom Perry Special Collections, Harold B. Lee Library, Brigham Young University * * {{DEFAULTSORT:Phelps, W. W. (Mormon) 1792 births 1872 deaths 19th-century American politicians 19th-century American writers 19th-century Mormon missionaries American Latter Day Saint hymnwriters American Mormon missionaries in the United States American leaders of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Burials at Salt Lake City Cemetery Converts to Mormonism Doctrine and Covenants people Editors of Latter Day Saint publications Latter Day Saints from Illinois Latter Day Saints from Missouri Latter Day Saints from New York (state) Latter Day Saints from Utah Members of the Utah Territorial Legislature Mormon pioneers People excommunicated by the Church of Christ (Latter Day Saints) People from Canandaigua, New York People from Far West, Missouri People from Hanover Township, New Jersey Scribes University of Utah people