Two manuscript notebooks. [Salt Lake City]: (c.1858)

Armstrong, James Sewell

About this Item

Two volumes. 192, 120+[42]+17+[42]pp. Sextodecimo [15 cm] Plain calf covers. One of the volumes is lacking the backstrip with the front board detached. Two volumes full of manuscript notations covering the early Latter-day Saint experience in New York and Ohio. Much of this appears to be a recounting and transcription of early events in The Church's history. We are unable to locate the sources for this recounting. We do not believe the writer of these volumes was present for the events described. Both volumes are full with manuscript notations neatly in ink. Both volumes allude to James Sewell Armstrong as the author/compiler. A handful of examples of the entries are below which are good representations of the overall content of both volumes. On p.4 of the volume lacking the backstrip, is the following note: "Therefore be blessed of the Father for these things I seal upon you, with eternal life for ever and ever. Jas. Sewell Armstrong - Recorded in Book C. This is followed by a lament on Haun's Mill, and a lengthy discourse by Joseph Smith Jr. from 'Liberty Prison.' A section titled "22. Sept. 1823. What the Angel said to Joseph at the Hill Cumorah. Given by O. Cowdery from Joseph." (p.39). This is followed by tipped-in leaves (contemporary with the rest of the journal) titled: "What the angel Said to Joseph on the 21 of Sept. 1823." The other volume contains the following. "Kirtland June 21st 1833. The names of the Temples to be built on the painted squares as represented on the plot of the City of Zion, which is now about to be forwarded thither; Nos. 10,11, and 12, are to be called, house of the Lord, for the presidency of the high and most holy priesthood, after order of Melchisedec, which was after the order of the Son of God, upon Mount Zion, City of the New Jerusalem, Nos. 7, 8, 9; the sacred apostolic repository, for the use of the bishop. Nos 4, 5, and 6, the holy evangelical house, for the high priesthood of the holy order of God. Nos. 1, 2, 3, the house of the Lord, for the Elders of Zion, an ensign to the nations, Nos. 22, 23, 24. House of the Lord, for the presidency of the high priesthood, after the order of Aaron, a standard for the people. Nos 19, 20, 21, house of the Lord, for the high priesthood, after the order of Aaron, the law of the kingdom of heaven messenger to the people. Nos 16, 17, 18, house of the Lord for the teachers in Zion, messenger to the Church. Nos. 13, 14, 15, house of the Lord, for the deacons in Zion, helps in government. Underneath must be written on each house. Holiness to the Lord. Figure first is for Temples for the use of the presidency; the circles inside of the Square, are the places for the temples, you will see it contains twelve figures, two are for the temples of the lesser priesthood, it is also to contain twelve temples. the whole plot is supposed to contain from 15 to 20 thousand people: you will therefore see that it will require 24 buildings to supply them with houses of worship, schools &c; and none of these temples are to be smaller than the one of which we send you a draft, this temple is to built in the square marked figure first; and to be built where the circle is, which has a cross on it, on the north and south of the plot where the line is drawn, is to be laid off for barns and stables will be in the city among the houses; the ground to be occupied by these, must be laid off according to wisdom. On the north and south are to be laid off the farms for the agriculture and sufficient quantity of land to supply the whole plot, and if it cannot be laid off without going too great a distance from the city, there must also be some laid off on the East and west, when this square is this laid off and supplied, lay off another in the same way, and to fill up the world in the last days, and it let every man live in the city for this is the city of Zion, all the streets are of one width, being eight perches wide. Also the spiral round the outer edge of the painted square is to. Seller Inventory # 63744

Bibliographic Details

Title: Two manuscript notebooks. [Salt Lake City]: ...

Binding: Soft cover