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A Revelation to Edward Partridge
Stephen O. Smoot and Brian C. Passantino, ed., "A Revelation to Edward Partridge," Joseph Smith's Uncanonized Revelations (Provo, UT: Religious Studies Center, Brigham Young University; Salt Lake City: Deseret Book), 98–99.
January 7, 1838
Engraving of Edward Partridge, by unknown artist, 1884. Joseph Smith Papers Project, © by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. www.josephsmithpapers.org.
The year 1837 was a challenging time for the Church of Jesus Christ and the Prophet Joseph Smith. From 1836 to 1837, many Saints invested their money in the Kirtland Safety Society at the Church’s urging and then were understandably distraught when it failed.[1] Due to this economic failure, many of even the most faithful Saints left the Church. By July 1838, “one-third of the apostles [of the original Quorum of the Twelve] had been released or excommunicated for apostasy.”[2] Loyalty was hard to come by for Joseph in the face of mounting opposition, and the Prophet greatly valued those who persevered through the ongoing hardships of this time. Bishop Edward Partridge was one such Church leader who remained faithful during this period of apostasy in the Church. He is mentioned in fourteen canonized revelations in the Doctrine and Covenants and two uncanonized revelations.[3]
In early November 1837, on the heels of the founding of the settlement of Far West by William W. Phelps and John Whitmer, the Prophet traveled there to conduct Church affairs and discuss the creation of new stakes in the area.[4] While in Far West, Joseph published an article in the Elders’ Journal indicatingthat he and his family would move to Far West as soon as possible.[5] When he returned to Kirtland in December, he faced a vocal group of dissenters who threatened violence. Five days before he left for Far West, he penned a letter to Bishop Partridge that included the following revelation blessing him with the blessings of Abraham for his faithfulness and warning him of dissension.
❋ ❋ ❋
Kirtland, Ohio, January 7, 1838.
Brother Edward Partridge, thus saith the Lord—my servant Edward and his house shall be numbered with the blessed and with Abraham their father; and his name shall be had in sacred remembrance.And again, thus saith the Lord—let my people be aware of dissensions among them, lest the enemy have power over them. Awake, my shepherds, and warn my people! For behold, the wolf cometh to destroy them. Receive him not!
Notes
[1] JSP, D5:285–93.
[2] Steven C. Harper, Making Sense of the Doctrine and Covenants: A Guided Tour through Modern Revelations (Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 2008), 435.
[3] Partridge is mentioned in Doctrine and Covenants 35, 36, 41, 42, 50, 51, 52, 57, 58, 60, 64, 82, 115, and 124. The other uncanonized revelation is the November 7, 1835, revelation directed to him and Isaac Morley.
[4] JSP, D5:493–94.
[5] JSP, D5:482, 500.
