In early November 1831, a series of four conferences were held in Hiram, Ohio, to discuss the publishing of the revelations that had been received by Joseph Smith up to that time. During the conferences, additional revelations were received concerning the forthcoming Book of Commandments, its preface (D&C 1) and appendix (D&C 133), and the appointment of six named stewards to publish the revelations in Zion (Missouri). “Behold, and hearken, O ye inhabitants of Zion, and all ye people of my church who are afar off, and hear the word of the Lord which I give unto my servant Joseph Smith, Jun., and also unto my servant Martin Harris, and also unto my servant Oliver Cowdery, and also unto my servant John Whitmer, and also unto my servant Sidney Rigdon, and also unto my servant William W. Phelps, by the way of commandment unto them.”1
A revelation received two weeks later, on December 4, 1831, specifies more on the literary dimensions of this stewardship:
And again, let my servants who are appointed as stewards over the literary concerns of my church have claim for assistance upon the bishop or bishops in all things—
That the revelations may be published, and go forth unto the ends of the earth; that they also may obtain funds which shall benefit the church in all things.2
Literary Firm
The first time the term “Literary Firm” appears is in the “Minutes of a Council of the literary Firm Zion,” held in Jackson County, Missouri, on April 30, 1832, in which it was ordered that three thousand copies of the Book of Commandments be printed in the first edition.3 In footnote 1 on page 46 of the Far West Record, editors Donald Q. Cannon and Lyndon W. Cook explain: “This firm, a companion firm to the United Firm, was formed in November 1831. This firm concerned itself with the printing of the revelations, the new translation of the Bible, the hymnbook, and other Church publications. The firm was to have produced revenue for the Church.”
On July 20, 1833, however, the press in Zion was destroyed by a mob and the publishing plans of the Church were transferred to Kirtland, where President Williams was called by revelation to form part of the United Firm and, by extension, the Literary Firm.
Verily, thus saith the Lord, I give unto the united order [United Firm], organized agreeable to the commandment previously given, a revelation and commandment concerning my servant Frederick G. Williams, that ye shall receive him into the order [firm]. What I say unto one I say unto all.
And again, I say unto you my servant Frederick G. Williams, you shall be a lively member in the order [firm]; and inasmuch as you are faithful in keeping all former commandments you shall be blessed forever. Amen.4
Frederick G. Williams’s first involvement with the Literary Firm can be dated to his entrance into the United Firm on March 15, 1833. In a letter dated June 25, 1833, and signed by Joseph Smith, Sidney Rigdon, and F. G. Williams, the First Presidency responded to a series of questions raised by W. W. Phelps; one concerned Shederlaomach, or Frederick G. Williams.
In regard to the printing of the New Translation; it cannot be done until we can attend to it ourselves, and this we will do as soon as the Lord permits.
As to Shederlaomach, [F. G. Williams,] all members of the United Firm are considered one. The order of the Literary Firm is a matter of stewardship, which is of the greatest importance; and the mercantile establishment God commanded to be devoted to the support thereof, and God will bring every transgression unto judgment.5
The Firm of F. G. Williams & Co.
One of the pressing needs of the Literary Firm in Kirtland was to obtain a printing press and publisher in order to proceed with its mandate. As we have seen from President Williams’s letter of October 10, 1833, Oliver Cowdery had left for New York to obtain a replacement printing press on October 1, 1833.6 In Missouri, the Church’s newspaper (The Evening and the Morning Star) as well as the Book of Commandments, had been published by W. W. Phelps & Co. In Kirtland, the Church’s press would be named F. G. Williams & Co. At the council meeting held to establish the new firm, President Williams was also the recording clerk, as he often was.
Kirtland, 11 Sept. 1833
This day the following members of the United Firm residing in Kirtland, [to] wit: F. G. Williams, Joseph Smith J[r], Sidney Rigdon, and N. K. Whitney, and also Oliver Cowdery, delegate to represent the residue of the said Firm residing in Independence, Jackson County, Missouri, met in council to take into consideration the expediency of establishing a printing press in this place.
First resolved by unanimous consent that a press be established and conducted under the firm of F. G. W[illiams] & Co.
Secondly resolved that the above Firm publish a paper as soon [as] arrangements can be made entitled the Latter-day Saints Messenger and Advocate.
Resolved also that the Star, formerly published in Jackson County, Missouri, by the firm of W. W. Phelps & Co., be printed in this place by the firm of F. G. Williams & Co., to be conducted by Oliver Cowdery, one of the said Firm, until it is transferred to it[s] former location.
One might question why Williams’s name was chosen for the Church’s printing firm, since, unlike W. W. Phelps in Missouri, F. G. Williams had not been trained either by study or apprenticeship as a printer, publisher, or editor. In addition, his natural reluctance to seek the spotlight and, especially, his aversion to expressing opinions to the public would be a challenge for him. Perhaps part of the answer is contained in the character sketch drawn by Joseph Smith on November 19, 1833; Joseph found that Williams, although not a man of many words, was trustworthy, filled with love, and of a constant mind.8
Since Oliver Cowdery was to be the new editor, why not use his name? Perhaps the consideration may have been to choose the name of a respected, locally established individual with some name recognition, instead of an experienced outsider such as W. W. Phelps (still living in Missouri) or newcomers like Oliver Cowdery, David Whitmer, John Whitmer, Martin Harris, or Joseph Smith. Members of the United Firm9 who could fit the bill as respected local individuals would include Newel K. Whitney, A. Sidney Gilbert, Frederick G. Williams, Sidney Rigdon (originally from Mentor), and John Johnson (from Hiram); Jesse Gause, also an original member of the firm and counselor to Joseph, had already left the Church.10 Rigdon was perhaps considered too controversial, and Johnson not local enough, while Whitney was already heavily involved with the storehouse of the United Firm; the remaining two, Gilbert and Partridge, were now living in Missouri. That would leave Frederick G. Williams, an ideal choice, for he was not only a member of the United Firm and a counselor in the First Presidency, but a long-time Ohio resident. He was also well respected. It is interesting to note that of the three members of the Presidency, only Williams, if he ever was mentioned, was never seen as contentious or in any manner controversial by the members of the local community. When long-time Kirtland resident Christopher Crary recalled his dealings with the leadership of the Saints, he omitted any reference to Frederick, but spoke positively of Joseph and negatively of Sidney.
My dealings with them [the Mormons] were quite large. I sold them some two hundred dollars worth of lumber, much of it for the Temple. I also sold them my farm, took $275.00 in notes, signed by President Joseph Smith and Sidney Rigdon, payable in thirty days after demand, which they redeemed without the delay of thirty days, much against the will and determination of Rigdon. After I had exhausted all arguments with Rigdon, and given up all hope of success, Smith spoke for the first time and said: “President Rigdon, I have known Mr. Crary for some time, and I believe him to be straight and honorable, and I think we had better redeem his paper.” Rigdon then paid the money without another word. Joseph Smith was said to be ignorant and illiterate, but contact with mankind and native ability had given him polished manners, and his language, so far as I was qualified to judge, was correct, forcible, right to the point, and convincing. From my acquaintance and dealings with him, I considered him far superior to the educated Rigdon in intellectual ability.11
Long-time Ohio newspaper publisher E. D. Howe, who in 1834 had published the first anti-Mormon book, Mormonism Unvailed, published his own autobiography in 1878. Just as in his first book, Howe mentions nearly nothing of his fellow Ohioan F. G. Williams but writes negatively of Joseph and Sidney and even of Martin Harris: “Poor old Martin Harris, a monomaniac in religion, spent a handsome property in its [the Book of Mormon’s] publication.”12
Publications
The firm of F. G. Williams & Co. would enjoy a relatively short but successful two-and-a-half-year existence in terms of very significant publications, but not in terms of finances. It would publish three newspapers, including two monthlies: The Evening and the Morning Star (both its continuation in Kirtland as well as a complete reprint of all issues that had been published in both Missouri and Ohio) and the Latter Day Saints’ Messenger and Advocate. The firm also published a secular weekly, the Northern Times, which Frederick G. Williams edited, beginning in mid-May 1835.13 In addition, F. G. Williams & Co. would publish the first edition of the Doctrine and Covenants and the first LDS hymnal, A Collection of Sacred Hymns, for the Church of the Latter Day Saints, Selected by Emma Smith (1835).
F. G. Williams & Co. saw two ownership changes in less than three years. “Originally the Kirtland press, like the Independence press, was essentially owned by the Church. In April 1834, however, ownership of the printing office was transferred to Oliver Cowdery and F. G. Williams, who did the Church’s printing on a contractual basis, still under the firm name of F. G. Williams and Company. The firm was dissolved and bought out by Oliver Cowdery in June, 1836.”14 The announcement of the transfer of the printing firm of F. G. Williams & Co. to Oliver Cowdery as sole owner was published in the LDS Messenger and Advocate.15
NOTICE
The undersigned inform all whom it may concern, that the firm of F. G. Williams & Co., is this day, by mutual consent, dissolved; and that all debts due the said firm must be paid immediately to Mr. Cowdery, who has purchased the entire establishment, and will be responsible for all debts due from the same.
F. G. WILLIAMS,
OLIVER COWDERY,
Kirtland, Ohio June 7, 1836
N. B. Printing, in its various branches will be executed by the subscriber, at the late stand of F. G. Williams & Co., on short notice and reasonable terms.
OLIVER COWDERY
June 7, 1836
Cowdery added a lengthy appeal for the payment of all outstanding debts, for the business required money to operate. “Our friends and patrons are fully sensible, that all temporal business, however intimately it may be connected with eternal things, requires temporal means to prosecute that business.”16
In November 1835, at the peak of its production, F. G. Williams & Co.’s printing office employed four journeyman printers and typesetters and three apprentices. The operation also included a bindery.17
Cash Book of the Printing Firm of F. G. Williams & Co.
In many ways, the cash book for F. G. Williams & Co. was the de facto account book for the Church’s early financial operation, just as the Kirtland Council Minute Book (together with Joseph’s various journals and histories) was a record of the Church’s religious activities.
The operation of the Church-owned printing firm of F. G. Williams & Co. was managed by Oliver Cowdery. This is evident by the record contained in the firm’s cash account book and daily ledger, whose itemized entries are largely in Cowdery’s handwriting. The recorded day-to-day transactions of the firm, as well as those carried out by various prominent Church leaders, are divided on the page into expenses (money going out) and receipts (money coming in); these provide us with an interesting window into the Church leaders’ everyday lives. At the bottom of each page are a total of the expenses and a total of the receipts. More often than not the expenses were higher than the receipts.
The ledger entries naming Frederick G. Williams total 77; they include such diverse items as (1) travel expenses (Cleveland five times, Painesville twice, Missouri once); (2) living expenses, including food (butter, oats, sugar, wheat, and fish); (3) office supplies (postage, paper, tallow, lamps, and books); and (4) miscellaneous expenses (school, medicines [for both humans and horses], taxes, hammers, pistols, hired girls, Books of Mormon, lawyers, court, and sheep), plus reimbursement for purchases such as deer skins, which were used to make inking balls for printers before rollers were introduced. Similar entries for food, school, travel, and sundry other expenses exist for Joseph Smith, Oliver Cowdery, and several others.18 An annotated list of the publications produced by the firm of F. G. Williams & Co. follows.
The Evening and the Morning Star
When the press was destroyed in Missouri, that action not only stopped the publication of the Book of Commandments but interrupted the circulation of the Church-owned newspaper the Star. Since this newspaper was the only consistent means of communication with the scattered Saints, one of the first items of business for the new Kirtland press of F. G. Williams and Co. was to begin the republication of the Star as soon as possible. It took time, however, to purchase a press and obtain the materials and personnel to run it. The first issue of the Kirtland Star came off the press in December 1833, five months after the Missouri Star had been shut down. In addition to continuing the Star’s publication, the Church reprinted the entire Missouri run. Hence, between the fourteen numbers originally published in Missouri (June 1832–July 1833) and the ten numbers published in Kirtland (December 1833–September 1834), F. G. Williams & Co. printed a total twenty-four monthly issues of the Star. On the last page of the final number, a prospectus appeared, dated September 26, 1834, regarding the reprinted edition.
PROSPECTUS
For re-printing the first and second volumes of THE EVENING AND THE MORNING STAR. F. G. WILLIAMS and Company will reprint the first and second volumes of the Star, in octavo form, commencing in the month of November, next, at two dollars for the two volumes, payable in advance. They pledge themselves to furnish their subscribers with, at least, two numbers per month, until the whole are completed, and with their present arrangements they calculate more.
The whole 24 numbers, when finished, will be in beautiful form for binding, and will be a book worth the attention of every man.19
The lengthy prospectus was followed by an announcement of a new periodical: “The Latter Day Saints’ Messenger and Advocate will be published every month at Kirtland, Geauga County, Ohio, by F. G. Williams & Co. O. Cowdery, Editor.”20
The Latter Day Saints’ Messenger and Advocate
The first issue of the Messenger appeared in Kirtland in October 1834,21 but, as I have noted, the plans for the new periodical, together with its name, had been formulated more than a year before with the founding of the printing firm of F. G. Williams & Co. 22
Much like the Star, the Messenger contained doctrinal and historical expositions on religion, history of the restored Church, news from the traveling elders in the mission field, hymns in verse, and occasionally news on international, national, and local happenings. The Messenger and Advocate was in operation when several significant events occurred in the history of the young Church, many of which were commented on in its pages, such as the purchase of the Egyptian papyri and mummies,23 which would lead to the book of Abraham (later included in the Pearl of Great Price), and the earliest account of the history of Joseph Smith and of the Church.24 It was also the first to publish the Lectures on Faith25 (later included in the Doctrine and Covenants), and it carried extensive coverage of the dedication of the Kirtland Temple.26
The total number of published issues of the Messenger and Advocate was thirty-six, or one a month for three years. Oliver Cowdery served as editor for the first eight issues, followed by John Whitmer for the next ten. Cowdery took over the editorship again for an additional ten issues (through February of 1837), and for the last eight of those he was also the proprietor and publisher. The last editor of the Messenger and Advocate was Warren A. Cowdery, who guided the periodical for its final eight numbers. Joseph Smith and Sidney Rigdon were the proprietors for W. A. Cowdery’s first two issues, followed by William Marks for the rest. Hence, of the total thirty-six issues of the LDS Messenger and Advocate, twenty were published by F. G. Williams.
Discounting the editorial notice at the end of each of the twenty issues that indicated the periodical was published “every month at Kirtland, Geauga Co., Ohio, by F. G. Williams & Co.” (save for May 1836, which had no such notice but which we count as published by F. G. Williams & Co., since the firm was not dissolved until June 1836), Frederick G. Williams’s name appears a total fourteen times in a variety of contexts, as can be seen from the following list.
M&A 1, no. 1 (October 1834): 3. In Oliver Cowdery’s published account, Williams is listed as one of a handful of travelers accompanying Joseph Smith to Michigan: “Pontiac, M. T. Oct. 20, 1834. Left Kirtland on the 16th in company with our brethren J. Smith jr. D. Whitmer, H. Smith, F. G. Williams, R. and A. Orton. At 9 in the evening we took passage on board the Steam Boat Monroe, (Whitaker Master,) at Fairport.”
M&A 1, no. 5 (February 1835): 80. A notice appears over the signature of William E. McLellin regarding the Kirtland School, one of whose trustees is F. G. Williams: “The school has been conducted under the immediate care and inspection of Joseph Smith jr., F. G. Williams, Sidney Rigdon & O. Cowdery. Trustees.”
M&A 1, no. 8 (May 1835): 122. A notice appears asking subscribers who are in arrears to pay the outgoing editor Oliver Cowdery, or the publisher, F. G. Williams & Co. “Those who are in arrears for the Messenger and Advocate, can forward the amount, as usual, to the late editor, or to F. G. Williams & Co. It is necessary that our friends should be informed, that the printing business requires cash, paper, ink, and labor, and if the arrearages could be forwarded, they would be gratefully received.”
M&A 1, no. 11 (August 1835): 161. The minutes of the Church’s general assembly, held on August 17, 1835, to vote on whether to accept the Doctrine and Covenants, quotes the minutes of the meeting held on September 24, 1834, in which President Williams was appointed to the committee to arrange for the publication of the revelations. “Elder Samuel H. Smith, for the assembly, moved that presiding elders, Joseph Smith, jr. Oliver Cowdery, Sidney Rigdon and Frederick G. Williams compose said committee. The nomination was seconded by elder Hyrum Smith, whereupon it received the unanimous vote of the Assembly.”27
M&A 2, no. 5 (February 1836): 268. A conference was held on March 3, 1835, in the Kirtland Temple to vote on the report of the committee charged to draft a resolution for the regulation of licensing the official ministers of the gospel. “Joseph Smith Jr. was nominated as chairman and Frederick G. Williams as clerk. Sidney Rigdon as chairman and Oliver Cowdery as clerk pro tempore. The several bodies were then called to vote upon the above nominations which passed by unanimous votes.”
M&A 2, no. 6 (March 1836): 281. As reported by Oliver Cowdery, during the dedication of the Kirtland Temple, Sunday, March 27, 1836, President Williams spoke and told the assembled Saints that an angel had appeared during the proceedings. “President J. Smith jr. then arose and bore record of his mission. D. C. Smith bore record of the truth of the work of the Lord in which we are engaged. President O. Cowdery spoke and testified of the truth of the book of Mormon, and of the work of the Lord in these last days. President F. G. Williams bore record that a Holy Angel of God, came and set between him and J. Smith sen. while the house was being dedicated.”
M&A 2, no. 8 (May 1836): 316. As favorably reported by non-Mormon Charles Olcott in the Ohio Free Press (Medina, Ohio), between Wednesday, April 6, and Tuesday, April 12, 1836, Presidents Sidney Rigdon and Frederick G. Williams, as missionaries or elders, had taught the gospel in that community and baptized one individual. “One convert only, (a young lady who had adopted the new faith) was baptized by the Elder [Rigdon] and his associate Elder Williams; but several others will probably ultimately pursue the same course.”
M&A 2, no. 9 (June 1836): 329. A notice appears, signed by F. G. Williams and Oliver Cowdery, announcing that on June 7, 1836, the firm of F. G. Williams & Co. was dissolved and that Oliver Cowdery was taking over the editorship and publication of the Messenger and Advocate.
M&A 2, no. 9 (June 1836): 336. A report, dated June 3, 1836, from Kirtland, lists the names of the elders, priests, teachers, and deacons who were authorized ministers of the gospel and who were issued licenses the preceding quarter. Among their number is Elder F. G. Williams.
M&A 2, no. 11 (August 1836): 359. A letter addressed to several prominent political leaders in Missouri, dated July 25, 1836, from Kirtland, Geauga County, Ohio, is signed by F. G. Williams and other members of the First Presidency (Sidney Rigdon, Joseph Smith Jr., O. Cowdery, and Hyrum Smith).
M&A 2, no. 11 (August 1836): 359. A second letter written on July 25, 1836, from Kirtland, Ohio, is addressed to W. W. Phelps and others; it is signed by F. G. Williams and other members of the First Presidency.
M&A 2, no. 11 (August 1836): 364. A lengthy notice appears, reminding subscribers that the firm of F. G. Williams & Co. has been sold to Oliver Cowdery and that the new publisher is in need of money.
NOTICE
Our readers will recollect that a dissolution of the Firm of F. G. Williams & Co. was published in the June No. of our paper, that Oliver Cowdery had purchased the entire establishment and all debts due said firm were to be paid to him. We also urged the necessity of prompt payments by all those who are in arrears, and that their names would be stricken from our subscription list unless payment should be made and they manifest their desire to continue, on or before the first of October next, except at our discretion.
M&A 3, no. 7 (April 1837): 496. A notice that F. G. Williams, Esq., performed the marriage of three couples, including the marriage of Wilford Woodruff on April 13, 1837.
Hymeneal
Married in this town on the 13th inst by F. G. Williams Esq. Elder Jonathan H. Homes to Miss Marietta Carter, Elder Willford Woodruff to Miss Phebe W. Carter, and Elder George W. Robinson to Miss Athalia Rigdon all of this town.
M&A 3, no. 8 (May 1837): 512. A notice that F. G. Williams, Esq., performed the marriage of Parley P. Pratt on May 14, 1837.
Hymeneal
[Married] In this town, on Sunday evening the 14th inst, by F. G. Williams, Esq. Elder Parley P. Pratt to Mrs. Mary Ann Stearns.
The Church periodical that immediately followed the Messenger and Advocate was The Elders’ Journal, edited by Joseph Smith, with Thomas B. Marsh as publisher. Although F. G. Williams & Co. did not publish The Elders’ Journal, Frederick G. Williams is referenced in its pages on three occasions. The November 1837 issue, page 29, printed the minutes of the general assembly of the Church held in Far West, Missouri, on November 7, 1837, in which Frederick G. Williams was not retained in the First Presidency. In the August 1838 issue, page 57, Joseph Smith gave an account of the failure of the Kirtland Bank and of his request of Esquire F. G. Williams for a warrant to search Warren Parrish’s trunk, who was accused of embezzlement. Also in the August 1838 issue, page 58, Joseph Smith continued his account of the Kirtland Bank failure and noted that after he resigned, Frederick G. Williams was appointed president.
Doctrine and Covenants
The copyright for the Doctrine and Covenants, with Frederick G. Williams’s name on it, together with those of Joseph Smith, Oliver Cowdery, and Sidney Rigdon, was filed on January 4, 1835, with the United States District Court of Ohio.28 The publication of the Doctrine and Covenants, which was at the bindery in August and scheduled to go on sale in September 1835,29 involved Pres. Williams in more ways than just as a publisher. To begin with, he was on the committee assigned to gather and choose from among the revelations and other important documents those that should be included. In the minutes of a meeting of the high council of Kirtland, held on September 24, 1834, we read:
The Council then proceeded to appoint a committee to arrange the items of the doctrine of Jesus Christ for the government of the Church of Latter-Day Saints which Church was organized and commenced its rise on the 6th of April 1830. These items are to be taken from the Bible, Book of Mormon, and the revelations which have been given to the Church up to this date or shall be, until such arrangement is made. Brother Samuel H. Smith then nominated brothers Joseph Smith Junr, Oliver Cowdery, Sidney Rigdon and Frederick G. Williams to compose said committee, which was seconded by brother Hyrum Smith. The counselors then gave their vote which was also agreed to by the whole conference. The Council then decided that said committee, after arranging and publishing said Book of Covenants, have the avails of the same.30
In addition, President Williams, as we have seen, was the copy scribe for many of the revelations and sometimes served as the original scribe.
In terms of the printed book itself, Frederick G. Williams’s name (or the substitute code name of Shederlaomach) appears a total of sixteen times, beginning with the title page, where he appears twice, once as one of the four compilers identified as “Presiding Elders of said Church,” and then in the publishing firm’s name: “Printed by F. G. Williams & Co.” On page iv, he and the other presidents signed the two-page preface dated February 17, 1835, from Kirtland, Ohio. The final paragraph reads:
We do not present this little volume with any other expectation than that we are to be called to answer to every principle advanced, in that day when the secrets of all hearts will be revealed, and the reward of every man’s labor be given him. With sentiments of esteem and sincere respect, we subscribe ourselves your brethren in the bonds of the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.
JOSEPH SMITH jr.,
OLIVER COWDERY,
SIDNEY RIGDON,
F. G. WILLIAMS
Finally, Frederick G. Williams is mentioned by name in the following thirteen places:
p. 96, Sec V (February 17, 1834): a president of the Kirtland High Council.31
2. Joseph Smith, jr. Sidney Rigdon and Frederick G. Williams, were acknowledged presidents by the voice of the council.
p. 146, Sec XXI (September 11, 1831): not to sell his farm in Kirtland.32
4. I willeth not that my servant Frederick G. Williams should sell his farm, for I the Lord willeth to retain a strong hold in the land of Kirtland, for the space of five years.33
p. 207, Sec LXXIX (March 1832): called to be a counselor to Joseph Smith.34
[1.] Verily, verily I say unto you my servant Frederick G. Williams, listen to the voice of him who speaketh, to the word of the lord your God, and hearken to the calling wherewith you are called, even to be a high priest in my church and a counselor unto my servant Joseph Smith, jr.
p. 212, Sec LXXXII (May 6, 1833): reproved for not teaching his children.35
6. [B]ut verily I say unto you, my servant Frederick G. Williams, you have continued under this condemnation; you have not taught your children light and truth.
p. 213, Sec LXXXII (May 6, 1833): to serve a mission with Joseph Smith.36
11. And let my servants Joseph Smith, jr. and Frederick G. Williams, make haste also, and it shall be given them even according to the prayer of faith.
p. 214, Sec, LXXXIV (March 8, 1833): sins forgiven, equal in holding the keys.37
3. And again, verily I say unto thy brethren Sidney Rigdon, and Frederick G. Williams, their sins are forgiven them also, and they are accounted as equal with thee in holding the keys of this last kingdom.
p. 215, Sec LXXXIV (March 8, 1833): a place for Joseph’s counselor and scribe.38
6. Now verily, I say unto you, let there be a place provided as soon as it is possible, for the family of thy counselor and scribe, even Frederick G. Williams.
p. 231, Sec XCIII (March 15, 1833): Shederlaomach (Frederick G. Williams) to be a member of the United Order.39
1. Verily, thus saith the Lord, I give unto the united order, organized agreeable to the commandment previously given, a revelation and commandment concerning my servant Shederlaomach, that ye shall receive him into the order.
2. And again, I say unto you, my servant Shederlaomach, you shall be a lively member in this order.
p. 242, Sec XCVIII (April 23, 1834): Shederlaomach (Frederick G. Williams) to have the place where he dwells, and share the Lane-shine house (printing office).40
5. And again, let my servant Shederlaomach have the place upon which he now dwells. . . .
And let my servant Shederlaomach and Olihah (Oliver Cowdery) have the Lane-shine house and all things that pertain unto it.
p. 255, General Assembly (February 17, 1834): First Presidency to organize Doctrine and Covenants.
“Elder Samuel H. Smith, for the assembly, moved that presiding elders, Joseph Smith, jr. Oliver Cowdery, Sidney Rigdon and Frederick G. Williams compose said committee.”
p. xx of the “Contents” index, which appears at the end of the book, under the letter S.
Shederlaomach a member, section 93, paragraph [verse] 2.
A Collection of Sacred Hymns
The revelation to Joseph Smith in which the Lord admonished Emma Smith to prepare a songbook was given in July 1830.41 If plans to accomplish this goal were set in motion in June 1832 or soon after a press was secured in Missouri (the first issue of the Star was published in June), the project would have come to a halt with the destruction of the Missouri press in July 1833. It wasn’t until September 14, 1835, that Joseph Smith, reflecting the decision of a high council meeting held that day, recorded that the hymnal project was on again, with the help of W. W. Phelps, one of the most prolific of the LDS hymn writers. “It was further decided that Sister Emma Smith proceed to make a selection of Sacred Hymns, according to the revelation; and that President W. W. Phelps be appointed to revise and arrange them for printing.”42
The hymnal, entitled A Collection of Sacred Hymns for the Church of the Latter Day Saints, with hymns selected by Emma Smith and printed by F. G. Williams & Co. in Kirtland, Ohio, in 1835, contained 121 pages, plus a preface and an index. It was likely published soon after the Doctrine and Covenants came off the press, perhaps as early as October 1835, but certainly no later than June 1836, for in that month the firm of F. G. Williams & Co. was dissolved. Unlike our modern hymnals, there was no music included, only lyrics.
Editor and Publisher of the Northern Times
Joseph’s history announced a change in editors for the Church-sponsored newspapers, the monthly Messenger and Advocate and the weekly Northern Times, both published by F. G. Williams & Co. From their inceptions, each had been edited by Oliver Cowdery. “About the middle of May [1835], W. W. Phelps and John Whitmer, Presidents of the Church in Missouri, arrived at Kirtland, and John Whitmer was appointed to take the place of President Oliver Cowdery, in conducting the Messenger and Advocate. Frederick G. Williams was appointed to edit the Northern Times, a weekly newspaper, which we had commenced in February last, in favor of Democracy.”43 The change to John Whitmer as editor of the Messenger and Advocate is noted on the last page of the June 1835 issue of this monthly newspaper44 and in a long editorial signed by the new editor, which begins, “On assuming the editorship of this paper, its patrons, no doubt, will expect me to give them an outline of the course I intend to pursue while conducting its columns in future.”45
When Frederick G. Williams replaced Oliver Cowdery as editor of the Northern Times (after only four months), the change was no doubt noted in the newspaper, but, unhappily, unlike the Messenger and Advocate, whose entire run has been preserved, very few issues of the Times have survived, and none of the extant copies date to either May or June of 1835. However, the change in editors was noted in at least two other periodicals, the Warren (Ohio) News Letter, and the Painesville (Ohio) Telegraph, the latter originally owned and operated by E. D. Howe, who less than a year before had published Mormonism Unvailed, the first negative book written about the Church. At this time, the Telegraph was edited by M. G. Lewis and published by Asahel Howe.
Important.—We learn by the Warren News Letter that O. Cowdery has withdrawn from the editorial department of the Northern Times, a Mormon Van Buren paper published in this county, and that F. G. Williams will henceforth act as editor of that invaluable journal. It is thought that the cause of Democracy will not be endangered by this change, as the new encumbant [sic], if he has not, like his predecessor, seen an angel, and “hefted” the golden plates, is at least a faithful follower of the Prophet, by whose inspiration the paper will doubtless still be guided in its political course.46
The Warren News Letter, it would seem, was more favorably disposed to the Northern Times than was the Painesville Telegraph, which mocked their notice.
The editor of the Warren News Letter quotes from the Mormon Times, and calls it a “spirited democratic paper.” The editor doubtless alludes to the spirit of inspiration which is claimed to brood over the paper in question.47
As indicated, very few copies of the Northern Times are extant; those that have survived, in whole or in part, include the following:
Vol. 1, No. 19 (Friday, August 7, 1835); only pages 1 & 2
Vol. 1, No. 27 (Friday, October 2, 1835)
Vol. 1, No. 28 (Friday, October 9, 1835)
Vol. 1, No. 36 (Wednesday, December 2, 1835)
Vol. 1, No. 42 (Wednesday, January 13, 1836); only portions of pages 1 & 248
From the masthead, we learn that the motto for this four-page, six-column weekly newspaper was “Where intelligence dwells, there is freedom.” From the fourth page we learn its price and where, when, and by whom the paper was published:
THE NORTHERN TIMES
Is printed and published every Friday evening at Kirtland, Geauga County, Ohio by F. G. WILLIAMS.
Terms — The Times is printed on an imperial sheet at 2.00 per annum, payable within the first quarter, 2.25 within the year, or 2.50, if payment is delayed till the close of the year. All subscriptions due after the close of the first quarter. Advertisements inserted at the usual prices. All letters to the Publishers or Editor must come free of postage to assure attention. Individuals furnishing ten subscribers, and paying in advance for the same, shall receive a copy for a year gratis.
Also on the last page were listed the names of the persons who had been requested to work as agents for the newspaper, all but one of whom lived in Ohio. The names of the representatives were in general arranged according to the counties and towns in which they resided. In all, there were twenty-three agents listed: ten in Geauga County (Fairport, Painesville, Perry, North Perry, Chardon, Unionville, Auburn, East Claridon, West Claridon, and Huntsburgh), three in Trumbull County (Youngstown, Warren, and Milton), two in Columbiana County (New Lisbon and Wellsville), and one each in Ashtabula County (Ashtabula), Richland County (Newville), and Huron County (Birmingham), with an additional four Ohio agents whose towns are listed but not their counties (New Portage, Strongsville, Burnet’s Corner, Munson), plus one non-Ohio agent listed for Winchester, Indiana.49 Of these agents, five were identified as postmasters, two as justices of the peace, and two as colonels.
Besides Frederick G. Williams’s name appearing as publisher-editor on the fourth page of each issue, there are an additional two named references to him in the extant numbers of the Northern Times. The first, “Vegetable Medicines, F. G. Williams (Botanic Physician),” is his own advertisement that runs the length of the page (from top to bottom) with details of his medical supplies and what diseases they combat; it appears on page three of volume 1, numbers 27, 28, and 36 (1835). The second, “A List of Letters,” is a postal notice where F. G. Williams is one among forty-seven recipients who had had letters sent to them care of the Kirtland Mills post office that had yet to be picked up. This latter notice appears on the first page of volume 1, number 42 (1836).
In addition to these two named references, we can assume that most if not all of the unattributed editorials, opinion pieces, and notices in extant numbers 19, 27, 28, and 36 are also from the pen of publisher-editor Frederick G. Williams.50 Regarding issue number 42, however, since two entire pages are missing (pages three and four) and there are two complete columns missing from pages one and two, it is more difficult to determine what may be attributed to the editor. The total for all issues is some twenty-seven unattributed writings found in the Northern Times that we may ascribe to editor Frederick G. Williams.
Vol. 1, No. 19 (Friday, August 7, 1835); only pages 1 & 2
“Animal Heat,” page 1, column 2 [the importance of retaining body heat]
“The Election,” page 2, column 4 [an endorsement of candidate Martin Van Buren]
“The People Moving,” page 2, column 4 [the Democratic Party is gaining favor]
“More Whiggery,” page 2, column 5 [attack on the Whig Party]
Vol. 1, No. 27 (Friday, October 2, 1835)
“The Election,” page 2, column 4 [editorial in favor of candidate Martin Van Buren]
“County Convention,” page 2, column 5 [opinion on the selection of delegates]
“As . . . election draws near,” page 2, column 5 [opinion against ruthless factions]
“Democratic Senatorial Convention,” page 2, column 6 [a report on the convention]
“Justices Blanks for sale at this office,” page 4, column 3 [notice]
“Blank Deeds for sale at this office,” page 4, column 4 [notice]
Vol. 1, No. 28 (Friday, October 9, 1835)
“Abolition,” page 2, column 4 [statement against the abolition of slavery]51
“The Contest,” page 2, column 4 [editorial continued: all Democrats urged to vote]
“To the Polls! To the Polls!” page 2, column 4 [a reminder for all freemen to vote]
“Democrats, Remember,” page 2, column 5 [a reminder to attend the convention]
“Our Senator,” page 2, column 5 [Geauga Co. Democrats support Wm. S. Tracy]52
“The Weather,” page 2, column 6 [weather has been disagreeable for our farmers]
“Justices Blanks for sale at this office,” page 4, column 3 [notice]
“Blank Deeds for sale at this office,” page 4, column 4 [notice]
“Hon. T. H. Benton,” page 2, column 1 [deemed a champion of democracy]
“Expunge! Expunge!” page 2, column 1 [Ohio should follow New Jersey’s lead]
“We earnestly invite,” page 2, column 2 [responses sought regarding a prison for debtors]
“We have seldom,” page 2, column 2 [criticism of Whigs]
Vol. 1, No. 42 (Wednesday, January 13, 1836); only portions of pages 1 & 2
“Expunging Resolutions,” page 2, column 6 [Ohio must vote to repeal Senate resolution]
There are two additional references to Northern Times editorials, but we know the subject of only one of them, for the second one was simply labeled “scurrilous.” The issues of the Times that contained the editorials are lost, but editor M. G. Lewis gives us an inkling of the subject of one of them—moving the county seat—for the Painesville Telegraph condemns what it perceives as a changed opinion on the part of the Northern Times editor.
The Mormon Times, after affecting great attachment to the prosperity of the county, and under pretence of its devotion to the removal of the County Seat, securing the obligations of numerous friends of that measure to support it one year as subscribers, is now out in opposition to the removal. With characteristic cupidity, this disgraceful course is taken in the hope of advancing its interests, by exciting a southern feeling in its favor; but the directors of that sheet, with all others who expect to profit by a similar procedure, will be sadly disappointed when they discover, as they must, that there is, in truth, no southern interest on the court house question opposed to the wishes and the interest of the northern townships.54
The second reference came as a result of the Northern Times’ policy of exchanging its editorials with other Democratic Party newspapers (a very common practice for the day), which practice became the subject of a derisive notice in the Painesville Telegraph when its editor learned that the opposing party newspaper, the Cleveland Whig, had received the Mormon newspaper “by mistake.” Although the subject of the editorial for July 4, 1835, is not mentioned, the Whig newspaper directors apparently thought it “scurrilous.”
Getting into Notice.—It appears that the Mormonites have hit upon a new plan to excite public attention to their political merits. It is by soliciting a re-publication of the editorial articles that appear in their newspaper, of the different “democratic” editors with whom they exchange papers. The Cleaveland Whig acknowledges the receipt of the “Northern Times” of the 4th, directed to that office by mistake, “with a scurrillous editorial article marked, and the modest request, ‘Please copy,’ written on the margin!”55
Ebenezer Robinson, Printer and Boarder at the Williams Home
The operation of F. G. Williams & Co., as has been noted, was located in the new combination schoolhouse and printing office built near the Kirtland Temple. We gain an outsider’s perspective on the domestic religious observances of the leaders of the Church from one of the printing firm’s principal workers, Ebenezer Robinson,56 who boarded with the Williamses during July and August 1835.
In May, 1835, went to Kirtland, Ohio, and obtained a situation in the Latter Day Saints’ church printing office, which was conducted under the firm name, of F. G. Williams & Co. The firm consisted of Joseph Smith, jr., F. G. Williams and Oliver Cowdery. We engaged to work by the month and be boarded by our employers, when we went there we had no faith in their religion, as it was everywhere spoken against, but as we wrote to one of our sisters residing in the state of New York, we considered “Mormon money as good as anybody’s money,” and were very glad to secure the situation.
We boarded the first two months in the family of Oliver Cowdery, the second two months in the family of F. G. Williams, and the third two months in the family of Joseph Smith, jr. We found them all very pious, good christian people, asking a blessing at the table and all attended to family worship morning and evening. This we was glad to see, as we had been accustomed to it from our earliest childhood in our father’s home.57
Other Printing Services Provided by F. G. Williams & Co.
In addition to these five major publishing ventures—the Star, the Messenger and Advocate, the Northern Times, the Doctrine and Covenants, and the Sacred Hymns—F. G. Williams & Co. was also responsible for the seven-page publication entitled A Catalogue and Circular of Officers, Professors & Students of the Willoughby University of Lake Erie (Willoughby, Ohio: F. G. Williams & Co., 1836), and it may well be that it also published other non-Church-related items.
F. G. Williams & Co. was undoubtedly also responsible for the many Church-related broadsides or broadsheets58 that circulated in the Kirtland area during that period as well. Peter Crawley has identified a total of fifty-one nineteenth-century publications by Mormons in New York, Ohio, and Missouri. In his study, he listed their titles or first lines, described their contents, gave their dimensions, gave the date and place of publication, and where a copy of it is presently found.59 Due to their publication dates (and their titles in the case of the newspaper extras), the following thirteen publications were most likely published by the firm of F. G. Williams & Co.
The Evening and the Morning Star—Extra
Kirtland, 1834, broadsheet, 31.7 x 24.2 cm., in two columns.
Church History Library.
“Verily, I say unto you, concerning your brethren” [first line of text].
Contains a revelation given December 16, 1833 (now D&C 101).
Kirtland? 1834? broadsheet, 32 x 19.5 cm., in two columns.
Harold B. Lee Library, Brigham Young University.
“Verily, thus saith the Lord unto you, who have assembled” [first line of text]
Contains revelations given on December 27, 1832, and February 27, 1833 (D&C 88, 89).
Kirtland? 1834? broadsheet, 32 x 22 cm., in two columns.
Harold B. Lee Library, Brigham Young University.
“Behold, blessed saith the Lord, are they” [first line of text]
Contains a revelation given on August 7, 1831 (D&C 59).
Kirtland? 1834? broadside, 24.6 x 17.8 cm., in two columns.
Church History Library.
Dear Brethren—[Signed by Sidney Rigdon and Oliver Cowdery]
A circular appealing to the members of the Church to join Zion’s Camp.
Kirtland, May 10, 1834, broadsheet, 31.5 x 19.4 cm.
Church History Library.
The Evening and the Morning Star—Extra
A circular written by the leaders in Missouri regarding the expulsion of the Saints.
Kirtland, 1834, broadsheet, 32.9 x 25 cm., in two columns.
Church History Library.
“A short account of a shameful outrage, committed . . . upon the person of Elder Parley P. Pratt”
Pamphlet detailing the incident that occurred on April 7, 1835, in Mentor, Ohio.
Kirtland? 1835? A pamphlet of 11 pages, 18.7 cm.
Church History Library.
“Theology. Lecture first On the doctrine of the Church of the Latter Days Saints. Of faith.”
Contains the first lecture on faith later published in the 1835 Doctrine and Covenants, Kirtland, 1835, broadside, 36 x 26 cm., in three columns.
In the possession of William Powell, a private collector in California.
Photocopies at Church History Library and Harold B. Lee Library, Brigham Young University.
“References to the Book of Mormon”
An extended table of contents for the first edition of the Book of Mormon.
Kirtland? 1835? A four-page work, 17.5 cm., in double columns.
Church History Library, Brigham Young University, and nine other locations.
“Extract from the new translation of the Bible”
Contains Matthew chapter 23 last verse and chapter 24.
Kirtland? 1835? broadside, 31.5 x 20 cm., in two columns, within an ornamental border.
Yale University Library and Harold B. Lee Library, Brigham Young University.
“The Twelve Apostles.” [The Seven Presidents of the Seventy Elders.]
Contains the names of the Twelve and Seventy as initially chosen in February 1835.
Kirtland? 1836? broadside, 31.2 x 20 cm., within an ornamental border.
Church History Library and Harold B. Lee Library, Brigham Young University.
“Prayer, at the dedication of the Lord’s House in Kirtland, Ohio March, 1836”
Contains the dedicatory prayer of the Kirtland Temple.
Kirtland, 1836, broadsheet, 28 x 18.4 cm.
Church History Library.
Latter Day Saints’ Messenger and Advocate—Extra
Contains letter written by First Presidency to leaders in Missouri, July 25, 1836.
Kirtland, 1836, broadside, 54 x 20 cm., in three columns.
National Archives; photocopies at Church History Library and elsewhere.
Books and Paper Goods Store
On the back page of the Northern Times appears the following advertisement: “Blank deeds for sale at this office.”60 Besides blank deeds, F. G. Williams & Co. likely printed the Church’s elders’ certificates, priesthood ordination certificates, and other religious as well as secular forms. It is likely that the printing office of F. G. Williams & Co. also provided bindery services61 and stocked and sold paper goods, school supplies, and even secular and religious books, making it the first LDS bookstore. We can be reasonably confident of this assertion, for in the notice announcing the sale of the firm of F. G. Williams & Co. to Oliver Cowdery, which appeared in the June 1836 issue of the Messenger and Advocate (p. 329), reference is made to the “various branches” of printing services executed by the firm at its “stand.”
N. B. Printing, in its various branches will be executed by the subscriber, at the late stand of F. G. Williams & Co. on short notice and reasonable terms.
OLIVER COWDERY.
June 7, 1836
We gain a more detailed idea of which printing services and which goods would have been sold at the stand from an advertisement that appeared in the January 1837 issue of the Messenger and Advocate.
KIRTLAND PRINTING OFFICE AND BOOK BINDERY O. Cowdery & Co. DEALERS IN BOOKS, STATIONERY, CAP, LETTER, AND WRAPPING PAPER Plain and Ornamental JOBPRINTING. CARDS, BLANKS HAND-BILLS, CHEKS, NOTES SHOW-BILLS, DRAFTS, LABELS, Together with Book, and every other description of Printing; as also Blank Books of all kinds executed in a superior style, on short notice. Old Books re-bound. MESSENGER AND STAR, Bound together, or in separate volumes, can be had at this office.62
The same advertisement appeared in the February 1837 issue of the Messenger and Advocate after Oliver Cowdery was bought out by Joseph Smith and Sidney Rigdon, except that it was now “Smith & Rigdon Dealers in Books, Stationery, etc.” (p. 464), and it was the very same advertisement that appeared in the April 1837 issue of the Messenger and Advocate when a new owner took over and the notice announced “William Marks Dealer in Books, Stationery, etc” (p. 496). It is therefore reasonable to assume that F. G. Williams & Co. had run the same operation, except that it had not run an advertisement announcing the various services.
Dissolution of F. G. Williams & Co.
The Kirtland press of F. G. Williams & Co. had once planned to publish the new translation of the Bible by Joseph Smith. This, however, was one of the projects that never came to fruition during the Prophet’s lifetime.63
The expenses involved with producing five major publications, while at the same time undertaking a major construction project, the Kirtland Temple, placed the Church in a difficult situation financially. Technically speaking, the Church had divested itself of the firm and had transferred ownership to Frederick G. Williams and Oliver Cowdery in April 1834 when the United Firm had been dissolved (see D&C 104:29); but it still retained the original firm name of F. G. Williams & Co., and its operation was still closely tied to the Church.64
Unable to make a profit or even to break even most of the time, the operation of the printing firm was on the brink of collapse by October 1835. That it managed to stay afloat as long as it did was due in part to infusions of money that were lent to it. For example, a Brother Stevens lent the firm $600, which evoked a blessing from Joseph: “Tuesday, 6 [October 1835].—At home. Elder Stevens came to my house and loaned Frederick G. Williams and Co. six hundred dollars, which greatly relieved us of our present difficulties. May God bless and preserve his soul forever.”65
In addition to the relief secured by the temporary financial help, the firm’s family members were blessed ten days later by the baptism of printer Ebenezer Robinson. The joyful occasion was attended by an outpouring of the Spirit. “Friday 16 [October 1835].—Was called into the printing office, to settle some difficulties in that department. In the evening I baptized Ebenezer Robinson. The Lord poured out His Spirit upon us and we had a good time.”66 Robinson, who was then boarding with the Smiths, recalled the events surrounding his baptism several years later. Referring to himself in the plural “we,” Robinson explains that after eating with the Prophet at the Smith’s home, “We then went to the printing office together, he to his council room which adjoined the room where we worked, and we to our work in the printing office.”
We worked until well on to the evening, feeling very anxious all the time, for it seemed that we could not live over night without being baptized; after enduring it as long as we could, went to the door of their room, and gently opened it, (a thing we had never presumed to do before). As soon as Mr. Smith saw us he said, “Yes, yes, brethren, Brother Robinson wishes to be baptized, we will adjourn and attend to that.”
We repaired to the water, (the Chagrin River which flows through Kirtland,) and, after a season of prayer, Brother Joseph Smith, jr., baptized us by immersion, and as we arose from the water it seemed that everything we had on left us, and we came up a new creature, when we shouted aloud, “Glory to God.” Our heart was full to overflowing, and we felt that we had been born again in very deed both of water and of the spirit.67
It is interesting to contemplate that the Prophet and his counselors interrupted their presidency meeting to perform a baptism.
The spiritual interlude occasioned by Robinson’s baptism notwithstanding, the $600 loan from Elder Stevens was only a temporary fix, and the indebtedness continued to weigh heavily on the leaders of the Church.68 With no financial relief in sight for their debts, Frederick joined with the other leaders of the Church to petition the Lord for help. “Friday 23 [October 1835].—At home. At four o’clock, afternoon, Oliver Cowdery, David Whitmer, Hyrum Smith, John Whitmer, Sidney Rigdon, Samuel H. Smith, Frederick G. Williams and W. W. Phelps assembled, and we united in prayer, with one voice, before the Lord, for the following blessings: that the Lord would give us means sufficient to deliver us from all our afflictions and difficulties wherein we are placed by reason of our debts.”69
Revelation to President Frederick G. Williams
On November 2, 1835—the same evening Joseph Smith, Sidney Rigdon, Oliver Cowdery, Frederick G. Williams, and others went to Willoughby to hear Dr. Peixotto—a revelation was received by Joseph Smith regarding who should go to New York to obtain a bookbindery.
The question was agitated whether Frederick G. Williams or Oliver Cowdery should to go New York, to make arrangements respecting a bookbindery. They referred the matter to me for a decision. And thus came the word of the lord to me, saying—
It is not my will that my servant Frederick should go to new York, inasmuch as he wishes to go and visit his relations, that he may warn them to flee the wrath to come, let him go and see them for that purpose, and let that be his only business, and behold, in this thing, he shall be blessed with power to overcome their prejudices, verily thus saith the Lord. Amen.70
The last entry in the cash book of F. G. Williams & Co. is November 3, 1835, but the firm limped along for another seven months, or until June 7, 1836, when President Williams transferred his half of the ownership to Oliver Cowdery. The entire notice of the dissolution of the firm of F. G. Williams & Co., as we have seen, appeared in the June 1836 issue of the Messenger and Advocate, page 329.
The firm of F. G. Williams & Co. was no more, but the Kirtland printing firm would continue to operate for another year and a half. It published the Messenger and Advocate until September 1837 and the Elders’ Journal until November 1837, whereupon the Journal’s operation was transferred to Far West, Missouri. After Frederick G. Williams gave up ownership, the Kirtland printing firm changed its name with each of the four successive owners: Oliver Cowdery (until February 1837), Joseph Smith and Sidney Rigdon (until April 1837), William Marks (until September 1837), and finally Thomas B. Marsh (until November 1837).
Frederick in the “Cash Book of the Firm of F. G. Williams & Co.”
The ledger or cash book of the Church’s printing firm, which operated under the name of F. G. Williams & Co., covers two full years of business from 1833 to 1835. The original account book is found in the Huntington Library in San Marino, California. The record was evidently managed by Oliver Cowdery, for most of the entries are in his handwriting, although some are by Frederick G. Williams, and others by Joseph Smith. The references involving Frederick G. Williams, which are reproduced below, were transcribed from the microfilm copy made by Scott Faulring and are taken from the preliminary draft of the “Documentary History of Oliver Cowdery” by Richard L. Anderson and Scott H. Faulring. “This account book,” say the authors, “evidently stayed in Kirtland after Oliver left in September 1837. It remained in the Warren A. Cowdery family for many years.”71
Many of the entries are receipts and expenses related to Church publications (EMS, EMS-R, MA, Northern Times and 1835 D&C), as well as Oliver’s personal life in this period. Also carefully itemized are entries concerning prominent church leaders, such as Joseph Smith, Sidney Rigdon, John Whitmer and Frederick G. Williams. The account book begins with Oliver’s expenses in New York to procure a press and type for the new church publishing operation in Ohio and reveals he spent less than the $800 allotted him according to the October 10 Frederick G. Williams letter to the leaders in Zion.72
As noted previously, the number of ledger entries naming Frederick G. Williams total seventy-seven and include such diverse items as travel expenses, living expenses, office supplies, and miscellaneous expenses. The orthography and syntax have been retained as they appear in the original.
14 Dec 1833
F. G. Williams paid for Deer skins
2.25
F. G. Williams’ expense to Painesville
0.50
F. G. Williams to self—
1.62½
2 Jan 1834
F. G. Williams & Co. paid into the hands of N.K. Whitney Oct 2, 1833
800.00
4 Jan 1834
F. G. Williams for self
1.00
F. G. Williams & Co. paid into the hands of Joseph Smith Jr their treasurer
16.01
15 Jan 1834
F. G. Williams expenses to Painesville / office
0.50
24 Jan 1834
for letter for F. G. Williams
0.10
29 Jan 1834
for F. G. Williams for H. Kimble
0.25
5 Feb 1834
Expenses for F. G. Williams to [Cleveland] [office]
0.81
11 Feb 1834
5 lbs [butter] for F. G. Williams
0.62½
25 Feb 1834
for F. G. Williams for wheat
1.50
8 March 1834
for F. G. Williams, O. Cowdery and the boys when visiting Chardon Mountain
0.20
for expenses for F. G. Williams’ family
1.00
21 March 1834
for F. G. Williams when going to Cleveland &c
3.00
7 April 1834
F. G. Williams’ school bill
2.56
for oats for J. Smith Jr. & F. G. Williams
5.00
for F. G. Williams home expense
1.00
14 April 1834
J. Smith Jr & F. G. Williams for oats
4.75
24 April 1834
for F. G. Williams, to N. K. Whitney
1.00
5 May 1834
Joseph Smith Jun. and Fredrick (sic) G. Williams for expense money to Missouri of which William[s] had 20
50.00
27 May 1834
for [postage] for F. G. Williams
0.18¾
2 June 1834
for medicine for F. G. Williams horse
0.25
3 June 1834
for letter to F. G. W, fro[m] J. Wood
0.18½
21 August 1834
for F. G. Williams’ expenses to Cleveland for paper for office
0.50
16 September 1834
for sugar for F. G. Williams
1.00
[for] F. G. Williams other expense for family
1.44
19 September 1834
to this amount to F. G. Williams’ family expenses
2.00
5 November 1834
for postage for F. G. Williams
18¾
for F. G. Williams’ expenses for paper [off]
1.37½
19 November 1834
to this amount pad to F. G. Williams for family expenses
1.50
26 November 1834
to this amount to F. G. Williams for taxes
0.00
to this amount to F. G. Williams to pay note for ham[m]ers for H . . . .
10.00
[to] [postage] for F. G. Williams
0.25
27 November 1834
F. G. Williams’ expense family
1.00
23 December 1834
to O. Hyde for F. G. Williams & Co.
5.00
24 December 1834
for F. G. Williams &c to O. Hyde from A. Coming [Corning?]
3.00
2 January 1835
for F. G. Williams & Co. at O. Hyde for Wheat. 3 bush. for O. Cowdery and 2 [bush] for F. G. Williams
5.00
5 January 1835
to this amount to apply on F. G. Williams & Co.’s note to S. H. Smith for tallow
8.00
8 January 1835
for F. G. Williams & Co. for medicine
2.00
13 January 1835
for F. G. Williams for pistols / J Smith J[r]
4.00
14 January 1835
[for F. G. Williams for pistols / J Smith Jr]
0.08
F. G. Williams of J. Smith J[r] [hired girl]
[blank]
19 January 1835
F. G. Williams to cash / self
1.96
24 January 1835
F. G. Williams Dr [debit?] to cash for book of Mormon
1.25
[F. G. Williams Dr to cash for Book of Mormon]
0.12½
25 January 1835
F. G. Williams Dr to cash received of J. Smith Jr of the Tanner money
20.00
27 January 1835
F. G. Williams Dr to cash received of [—] for advocate / self
1.00
3 February 1835
F. G. Williams D Cash for family expense
0.62½
F. G. Williams D for expenses to Cleveland for Lamp for office &c
5.75
F. G. Williams D for family expenses
2.25
16 February 1835
Martin Harris also paid J. Smith Jr this amount which was hand to F. G. Williams some time in Dec. 1834
10.00
17 February 1835
to this amount paid for F. G. Williams for Note to H. Wilton
4.47
22 February 1835
F. G. Williams to tallow 19 lb
1.80
F. G. Williams Dr to cash for family expen
2.00
4 March 1835
Paid $60 for F. G. Williams & Co. Note given to P. H. Young for sheep for J. Smith Jr and F. G. Williams which note Young sold to Go[o]dman
60.00
F. G. Williams for Com
2.00
9 March 1835
F. G. Williams family expense
4.00
[blank]
F. G. Williams
20.00
F. G. Williams & Co note for sheep bought of P. H. Young for F. G. Williams and Joseph Smith J
60.00
28 May 1835
for F. G. Williams’ family expense
0.50
23 June 1835
to F. G. Williams
1.0
[to F. G. Williams]
1.0
26 June 1835
for F. G. Williams school bill
0.26
2 July 1835
for F. G. Williams
0.50
15 July 1835
for F. G. Williams
3.05
18 July 1835
for F. G. Williams
5.00
9 July 1835
for F. G. Williams fish and other expenses
5.50
10 July 1835
for F. G. Williams
1.00
20 July 1835
for F. G. Williams a book at Cleveland
5.00
22 July 1835
for F. G. Williams & co’s Note to the Geauga Co.
95.50
for F. G. Williams & Co. to Jinnings
4.50
19 October 1835
of this money to F. G. Williams to go to Court
4.00
20 October 1835
of the same to J. M. Hanson for O. Cowdery and F. G. Williams & Co.
12.00
20 July 1835
for F. G. Williams balance book at Cleveland
1.00
12 October 1835
for F. G. Williams
1.00
15 October 1835
for F. G. Williams and W. W. Phelps’ expenses and sundries, to Cleveland
3. Donald Q. Cannon and Lyndon W. Cook, eds., Far West Record (Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 1983), 46.
4. Doctrine and Covenants 92. When the Doctrine and Covenants was published in 1835, the name was changed from United Firm to United Order, possibly at the insistence of Sidney Rigdon. See Richard S. Van Wagoner, Sidney Rigdon: A Portrait of Religious Excess (Salt Lake City: Signature Books, 1994), 124.
5. Joseph Smith Jr., History of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, ed. B. H. Roberts, 2d ed., rev., 7 vols. (Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 1971), 1:365–66 (hereafter cited as History of the Church).
7. Fred C. Collier and William S. Harwell, eds., The Kirtland Council Minute Book, 2d ed. (Salt Lake City: Collier’s Publishing, 2002), 18–19. See also History of the Church, 1:409; however, there are obvious errors in this transcription.
9. The original members of the United Firm were Joseph Smith Jr., Sidney Rigdon, Jesse Gause, Oliver Cowdery, Martin Harris, William W. Phelps, A. Sidney Gilbert, Newel K. Whitney, John Whitmer, and Edward Partridge. Later, Frederick G. Williams and John Johnson were added. Cannon and Cook, Far West Record, 48 n. 2.
10. Gause was excommunicated in December 1832. See heading to Doctrine and Covenants 81.
11. Christopher G. Crary, Pioneer and Personal Reminiscences (Marshalltown, Iowa: Marshall Printing Co., 1893), 21.
12. Eber D. Howe, Autobiography and Recollections of a Pioneer Printer (Painesville, Ohio: Telegraph Steam Printing House, 1878), 44. As we’ve seen, Howe first called Williams a “celebrated Doct.,” then, after a few more lines called him “a revised quack, well known in this vicinity,” in Mormonism Unvailed, 229–30.
14. Peter Crawley, “A Bibliography of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in New York, Ohio, and Missouri,” BYU Studies 12, no. 4 (1972): 467.
15. Oliver Cowdery, “Notice,” Messenger and Advocate 2 (June 1836): 329.
16. Oliver Cowdery, Messenger and Advocate 2 (June 1836): 329. A similar notice was carried in the August 1836 issue.
18. The original cash book is located at the Huntington Library, San Marino, California, with a microfilm copy found at the Church History Library, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Salt Lake City. A transcription of the cash book was made by Scott Faulring and appears in the draft copy of Richard L. Anderson and Scott H. Faulring, “Documentary History of Oliver Cowdery,” unpublished draft in possession of author. For details, see the document entitled “Frederick G. Williams in the Cash Book of the Printing Firm of F. G. Williams & Co.” at the end of the chapter.
19.The Evening and the Morning Star 2 (September 1834): 192. I have reproduced only a portion of the notice.
20. Evening and Morning Star 2 (September 1834): 192.
21. A first edition copy of vol. 1, no. 1 of the Messenger and Advocate was signed by F. G. Williams and presented to his daughter Lovina and son-in-law Burr Riggs. That copy remained with the Riggs family until Galen Rogers, a descendant, presented it to the Church in 1997 via Velma Williams Skidmore of the Williams Family Organization. Today it is on display behind glass at the Johnson Inn in Kirtland.
22. Collier and Harwell, Kirtland Council Minute Book, 18 (September 11, 1833). The minutes of this meeting were taken by F. G. Williams. See also History of the Church, 1:409.
23. “Egyptian Mummies,” Messenger and Advocate 2 (December 1835): 233–37.
24. Joseph Smith jr., Messenger and Advocate 1 (December 1834): 40; Oliver Cowdery, “Letter IV,” Messenger and Advocate 1 (February 1835): 77; Oliver Cowdery, “Letter VII,” Messenger and Advocate 1 (July 1835): 156.
25. “Lecture Fifth,” Messenger and Advocate 1 (May 1835): 122.
27. Neither Joseph Smith nor Frederick G. Williams was present to vote at the August 17, 1835, assembly; they were away together on a mission to Michigan.
28. It is found today in the Rare Book Room of the Library of Congress, Washington, D.C.
29. Two notices in the August 1835 Messenger and Advocate establish the date: “By an article entitled ‘General Assembly,’ in this month’s paper, it will be seen that the Doctrine and Covenants of the Church of Latter Day Saints, is nearly ready for sale. At any rate it may be expected in the course of a month, as one thousand copies have already been delivered to the binder.” “Doctrine and Covenants,” Messenger and Advocate 1 (August 1835): 170. Later in the same issue another notice explains: “This number of the Messenger and Advocate has been delayed beyond the ordinary time of publication, on account of finishing the printing of the Doctrine and Covenants. The next number we hope to issue in season.” Messenger and Advocate 1 (August 1835): 176.
30. Collier and Harwell, Kirtland Council Minute Book, 62–63.
33. One wonders if the brethren had considered the prophetic nature of this verse. The revelation was given in 1831, and the Doctrine and Covenants was published in 1835, meaning there was only one year left for Williams’s Kirtland farm as a five-year stronghold.
45. John Whitmer, “To the Patrons of the Latter Day Saints’ Messenger and Advocate,” Messenger and Advocate 1 (June 1835): 135–37.
46.Painesville Telegraph 8 (June 12, 1835): 3. The reference to the Warren News Letter contained in the notice, suggests that that periodical first carried the news.
48. Number 19 of the Northern Times is found in the Harold B. Lee Library, Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah; all the others are found in the Yale University Library. Microfilm copies exist at the Church History Library.
49. It is interesting to note that there are no agents listed for Missouri, which suggests that the readers of this political paper were strictly Ohioans.
50. It is possible that Oliver Cowdery, Sidney Rigdon, or Joseph Smith may have written some or all of the editorials, for all three were given to writing position papers. Another possible candidate for writing the editorials is Ebenezer Robinson, an experienced printer-publisher from New York, who came to Kirtland to work at F. G. Williams & Co. in May 1835, precisely when the firm was organized. But without contrary proof, I will assume that Frederick, as editor, is the author of the editorials, as well as of all the other unattributed pieces. It is interesting to point out that in the August 7, 1835, issue, two fables were printed, with an accompanying note directed to “My Friend,” signed Ephraim, a name often used by Joseph.
51. The position taken against the abolition of slavery is surprising and hard to understand by today’s standards. However, there are two circumstances that help explain why Frederick and the leadership of the Church chose such a position. First was the recent destruction of the Church’s press in Missouri (which stopped the publication of the Book of Commandments and disrupted The Evening and the Morning Star’s circulation for five months) over an editorial entitled “Free People of Color” (July 1833). Second, as a Democratic Party newspaper in support of Martin Van Buren for president, the paper would be obliged to echo the Southerner’s position on slavery. “The views of Mr. Van Buren, on the exciting question of abolition, being continually misrepresented in the opposition newspapers, the real opinions of that gentleman have, we learn, been recently elicited by a letter from a southern friend, and will shortly be laid before the public. The southern States, we are persuaded, will yet be satisfied, despite the arts of aristocrats, nullifiers and disunionists, that their true interest could not be so effectually secured by any other course, as by the election of Martin Van Buren.—N. Y. Eve. Post,” quoted in the Northern Times 1 (October 9, 1835): 2.
52. This editorial, written by Williams, is in support of Oliver Cowdery, who is defended in the article.
53. A copy of Dr. Williams’s medical advertisement is found in the December 2, 1835, issue, page 4.
55.Painesville Telegraph 1 (July 10, 1835): 3. Frederick G. Williams and Oliver Cowdery, among others, would hold a political meeting, in support of the Democratic Party, according to the Chardon Spectator and Geauga Gazette, September 11, 1835.
56. B. H. Roberts notes in History of the Church, 2:290: “Ebenezer Robinson, afterwards somewhat prominent in the Church in Missouri and Illinois as editor, printer and publisher, was born in the town of Floyd, Oneida County, New York, May 25, 1816; and was the son of Nathan and Mary Robinson. He was already a printer of considerable experience when he came to Kirtland in May 1835, and began work in the Church printing establishment, then running under the firm name of F. G. Williams & Co., though not a member of the Church.”
57. Ebenezer Robinson, “Items of Personal History of the Editor,” The Return 1 (January 1889): 58. The Return was a monthly, published continuously by Robinson in Davis City, Iowa, from January 1889 to February 1891; after a seven-month hiatus, he published the last three issues (vol. 3, nos. 3–5) in October, November, and December 1892. “Items of Personal History” was published in serialized form in vol. 1, nos. 1–3. Available online at Dale R. Broadhurst, Mormon Classics Library, http://www.sidneyrigdon.com/RigWrit/M&A/Return1.htm.
58. A broadsheet or broadside is a large sheet printed on just one side to be posted or circulated.
59. Crawley, “Bibliography of the Church,” 465–537. Only those imprints that would have been printed on the press of F. G. Williams & Co. have been included here.
61. Reference to the bindery is made in a letter from Oliver Cowdery to Warren A. Cowdery, dated November 22, 1835, and found in Cowdery’s Letterbook located at the Huntington Library, San Marino, Calif.; quoted in Crawley, “Bibliography of the Church,” 467.
63. In 1867, in Plano, Ill., “The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints” (presumably The Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, now the Community of Christ) published The Holy Scriptures, Translated and Corrected by the Spirit of Revelation by Joseph Smith, Jr., the Seer. Listed in this edition is a publishing committee composed of Joseph Smith, I. L. Rogers, and E. Robinson. Since this publication long postdates Joseph Smith Jr.’s death, we may assume that the Joseph Smith on the publication committee is Joseph Smith III, who was at that time president of the RLDS Church. This assumption is supported by the foreword to an online version of the 1944 RLDS revision of Joseph Smith’s Bible translation: “Joseph Smith, Jr., worked diligently to present a more correct version of the Bible. He began this revision in 1830 and completed the initial revision by July 2, 1833. The original manuscripts indicate additional editing by Joseph Smith after that date. It was his intention to have the printing done, as evidenced from statements he made as late as 1841 (D&C 107:28) concerning the urgency of this project. However, it was not published during his lifetime. Among the valuable manuscripts he left in the possession of his widow, Emma, was this work on the Bible which he described as the ‘New Translation.’ These manuscripts were preserved, and after Joseph Smith III became president of the Reorganized Church, Emma delivered them to a committee appointed by the General Conference of 1866 to procure the manuscripts. This committee consisted of William Marks, Israel L. Rogers, and William W. Blair. During 1866–67 the committee of publication (Joseph Smith III, Israel L. Rogers, and Ebenezer Robinson) had a printer’s manuscript made. This was carefully compared with the originals and edited by the committee. From this printer’s manuscript the first edition of ‘The Holy Scriptures’ was printed in December 1867.” Available online at the Conference of Restoration Elders, http://www.eldersconference.org/ebooks/html/Inspired%20Version%20Bible.html#_Toc51372065. “This [1867] version was several times reprinted by Herald Publishing House in Independence, Missouri, as Inspired Version. The Holy Scriptures, Corrected by the Spirit of Revelation by Joseph Smith, Jr. A slightly revised edition was published by Herald Publishing House in 1944 under the title, Holy Scriptures. Containing the Old and New Testaments. An Inspired Revision of the Authorized Version, by Joseph Smith, Junior. A New Corrected Edition.”
An annotated facsimile edition was published recently entitled Joseph Smith’s New Translation of the Bible, Original Manuscripts, edited by Scott H. Faulring, Kent P. Jackson, and Robert J. Matthews (Provo, Utah: Religious Studies Center, Brigham Young University, 2004).
64. “Originally, the Kirtland press, like the Independence press, was essentially owned by the Church. In April 1834, however, ownership of the printing office was transferred to Oliver Cowdery and F. G. Williams, who did the Church’s printing on a contractual basis, still under the firm name of F. G. Williams and Company. The firm was dissolved and bought out by Oliver Cowdery in June 1836. Eight months later, the printing office was transferred to Joseph Smith and Sidney Rigdon; and three months after that, it was transferred to William Marks, a new convert in New York, with Joseph Smith and Sidney Rigdon operating the office.” Crawley, “Bibliography of the Church,” 467.
67. Robinson, “Items of Personal History,” The Return 1 (January 1889): 74.
68. The financial plight of the Church worsened throughout that year and the next. Bishop Newel K. Whitney and his two counselors signed a lengthy article that appeared in the August 1837 issue of the Messenger and Advocate, outlining the causes of the Church’s financial embarrassment and making an appeal to the members to provide financial relief.
