The Joseph Smith Papers Documents, Volume 9: December 1841-April 1842

This ninth volume in the Documents series features over a hundred letters, revelations, meeting minutes, deeds, sermon accounts, and other documents from December 1841 through April 1842. They chronicle developments in the Church, community, and Joseph Smith s personal life during these important months in Nauvoo, Illinois. The rich documentary record from this period details the creation of the Relief Society, the establishment of a Freemason s lodge in Nauvoo, and the opening of Joseph Smith s store. This book offers a unique portrait of the breadth of Joseph Smith s daily activities as he serves as a military leader and vice mayor of Nauvoo, becomes editor of the Church s newspaper, takes advantage of the nation s new bankruptcy law, and continues to instruct Latter-day Saints near and far through discourses and correspondence. Readers will come away from this volume with an increased understanding of the Prophet s life and this pivotal period in the creation of the restored Church of Jesus Christ.

Alex D. Smith is coeditor of volume two (published 2011) and volume three in the Journals series of The Joseph Smith Papers.  He received MA (2002) and BA (1998) degrees in history from Brigham Young University and is currently pursuing a PhD in history from the University of Utah.
Christian Heimburger is a historian for the Church History Department, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Christopher James Blythe is a cultural historian of American Religion, currently working on the Joseph Smith project based in Salt Lake City, Utah.