Do the Work of Printing: W. W. Phelps' Special Calling
Historical Background and Reflections on Doctrine and Covenants 55
William W. Phelps and his family were converted to the Restored Gospel and Church of Jesus Christ in New York, and they moved to Kirtland where they sought counsel from the Prophet Joseph Smith. What is now Doctrine and Covenants 55 was the resulting revelation. In his book The Revelations of the Prophet Joseph Smith, Lyndon W. Cook sheds light on the historical background for this section:
Date. June 1831 (after 6 June and before 19 June).
Place. Kirtland, Geauga County, Ohio.
Historical Note. According to the “Far West Record,” William W. Phelps arrived in Kirtland, Ohio, on or before 6 June 1831. He had come from Canandaigua, New York, where for two years he had edited The Ontario Phoenix, an anti-Masonic paper. Regarding Phelp’s arrival in Kirtland, Joseph Smith noted,
“While we were preparing our journey to Missouri, Wlliam W. Phelps and his family arrived among us - “to do the will of the Lord,” he said: so I inquired of the Lord concerning him and received [section 55].”
The revelation informed Phelps that he would be ordained to assist Oliver Cowdery with the work of printing Church literature and of “selecting and writing books for schools in the church, that little children also may receive instruction.” Phelps’s expertise as a writer was put to immediate use in the Church (see Historical Note for section 70), and he subsequently became known as “printer unto the Church.”
Publication Note. Section 55 was first published as chapter 57 in the Book of Commandments in 1833. (p. 86)
Cook’s book also contains biographical notes on Joseph Coe and William Wines Phelps.
Who was William Wines Phelps? (see also here, here, here, and here)
William W. Phelps was born in Hanover, New Jersey, in 1792. He married Sally Waterman in 1815. In June 1831, Phelps was baptized into The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and ordained an elder in Kirtland, Ohio. The following month, he was appointed as the Church printer (Doctrine and Covenants 57:11). In late 1831, he moved to Independence, Missouri, where he edited The Evening and the Morning Star and the Upper Missouri Advertiser. Phelps became a member of the Literary Firm in 1831 (Doctrine and Covenants 70) and a member of the United Firm in 1832 (Doctrine and Covenants 82). In November 1833, four months after a mob destroyed the Church’s printing office in Independence, Phelps and other Latter-day Saints relocated to Clay County, Missouri. He was appointed a counselor or assistant president to David Whitmer, the President of the Church in Missouri, in July 1834. Phelps returned to Kirtland in 1835, where he helped compile the Doctrine and Covenants and the Church’s first hymnal. He then moved back to Missouri in 1836. Between 1838 and 1840, he was twice excommunicated and twice readmitted into the Church. By November 1842, he had moved to Nauvoo, Illinois, where he helped edit the Times and Seasons and Nauvoo Neighbor and assisted Willard Richards in writing Joseph Smith’s history. He migrated to Utah Territory in 1848.
References in the Doctrine and Covenants
Doctrine and Covenants 55, 57, 58, 61, 67, 70, 82, 85
Additional Information
Biographical facts and sources, The Joseph Smith Papers
Saints, vol. 1, The Standard of Truth
Revelations In Context
William W. Phelps in the Church History Biographical Database
Phelps is another one of the most influential and interesting figures in the early history of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. This is Hoyt W. Brewster, Jr.’s entry on Phelps, W. W. in his Doctrine & Covenants Encyclopedia:
Among those who played a dominant role in the early history of the Church was William W. (W. W.) Phelps. In fact, the fruits of his labors are still being enjoyed on a worldwide basis; for each Sunday morning, as the Mormon Tabernacle Choir commences their theme song, “Gently Raise the Sacred Strain” (Hymns, no. 146), the words penned by Phelps decades ago are heard by countless listeners throughout the world. Other favorites such as “Praise to the Man” (Hymns, no 27) and “Now Let Us Rejoice” (Hymns, no 3) were also written by Phelps.
The name of W.W. Phelps initially appears in the Doctrine and Covenants in section 55, which is directed to him and in which he is called upon to assist Oliver Cowdery in “the work of printing, and of selecting and writing books for schools in this church” (D&C 55:4). In a later revelation he is specifically called to be a printer for the Church in the land of Zion - Jackson County, Missouri (D&C 57:11; 58: 40).
Later yet he was appointed one of the “stewards” over the revelations which were to make up the Book of Commandments, the forerunner to the Doctrine and Covenants (D&C 70:1). On July 20, 1833, his house was attacked by a mob and the printing office destroyed along with the initial copies of the Book of Commandments.
Phelps took an active part in the Church in Missouri, being present when the temple lot at Independence, Missouri, was dedicated by the Prophet. He also took part in the proceedings during the excavation of the Far West temple site. He offered his life as a ransom for the Saints on one occasion and served in a stake presidency along with David and John Whitmer.
This presidency was rejected by the Saints on February 6, 1838, after which Phelps became embroiled in bitterness against the Church. His actions led to his being excommunicated on March 17, 1839. On June 29, 1840, he wrote to the Prophet Joseph and asked for forgiveness and fellowship (HC 4:141-42). In Joseph’s reply, he expressed his frank forgiveness in these poetic lines: “Come on, dear brother, since the war is past, for friends at first, are friends again at last” (HC 4:162-64).
Following his return, Phelps was ever loyal and active in the cause of truth. He served on the Nauvoo city council at the time of the martyrdom and was involved in the subsequent legal entanglements. He and his wife were among the first to receive their endowments in the Nauvoo temple, and he later served as an ordinance worker there as well as in the Salt Lake Valley. He labored in various civic and governmental positions in the territory and died a faithful member of the Church on March 7, 1872. (Jenson 3:692-97.) (p. 424)
See also: Shalemanasseh
This revelation through the Prophet Joseph Smith to William W. Phelps in Kirtland, Ohio was received on June 14, 1831. Phelps was a printer who had just arrived in Kirtland with his family, and the Prophet sought and received the following communication from the Lord on his behalf:
Behold, thus saith the Lord unto you, my servant William, yea, even the Lord of the whole earth, thou art called and chosen; and after thou hast been baptized by water, which if you do with an eye single to my glory, you shall have a remission of your sins and a reception of the Holy Spirit by the laying on of hands;
And then thou shalt be ordained by the hand of my servant Joseph Smith, Jun., to be an elder unto this church, to preach repentance and remission of sins by way of baptism in the name of Jesus Christ, the Son of the living God.
And on whomsoever you shall lay your hands, if they are contrite before me, you shall have power to give the Holy Spirit. (D&C 55:1-3)
The Lord called William W. Phelps to be baptized, ordained an elder, and to preach the gospel. With an eye single to the glory of God, Phelps obeyed the Lord’s commandments, and thus received the promised blessings.
This is Smith’s and Sjodahl’s commentary on this section and these verses:
About the middle of June, 1831, William W. Phelps with his family, arrived in Kirtland. He was born at Hanover, Morris County, N.J., February 17th, 1792. In the State of New York he had edited a newspaper and taken an active part in politics. In Missouri, whither he went in company with the Prophet Joseph, he founded The Evening and Morning Star, a monthly magazine devoted to the interests of the Church, and published by the Church. Its first number appeared at Independence, June, 1832. The printing office was destroyed by a mob in July, 1833, but in the following December another printing office was established at Kirtland, and the publication of the Star was resumed there. Phelps, in 1837, was appointed to act, with David and John Whitmer, as a President of the Church in Zion. In 1848 he came to Utah, where he attained some prominence. He assisted in the drafting of the Constitution of Deseret, and became preceptor in the University. He died in Salt Lake City, March 7th, 1872, eighty years of age. Many inspiring hymns, popular among the Latter-day Saints, were composed by him.
As stated, he came to Kirtland to learn the will of God concerning him, whereupon he received this Revelation, through the Prophet. The Lord (1) calls him to the ministry (1-3); and (2) gives him the special mission of assisting Oliver Cowdery in educational work in Zion (4-6).
Called to the Ministry.
Thus saith the Lord] Our Lord addresses William W. Phelps in the character of “The Lord of the whole earth.” This Earth belongs to Jesus Christ. As the Lord of the Earth, “He shall choose our inheritance for us, the excellency of Jacob whom he loved” (Ps. 47:4). In these Revelations the Saints, when about to leave for a far-way land, were reminded that the sovereignty of every country was vested in Him who commanded them to go.
Thou art called and chosen] W. W. Phelps had been both called and chosen, but it was also his duty to be baptized in water and receive the Holy Spirit by the laying on of hands. There is no other entrance to the Kingdom of God.
One who wants to hold an office in a kingdom must take upon himself certain obligations as a citizen. He must be naturalized, if his citizenship is not one of birthright. He. must enter into certain covenants as to loyalty, morality, etc. The rule is the same in the Kingdom of Heaven. We enter it through baptism and the laying on of hands, taking upon us the obligations of citizens in that Kingdom, and receiving the Holy Spirit which permeates it. Then we are qualified for appointment for such offices as the King may call us to take charge of.
The instruction of our Savior to His first disciples regarding baptism was, “Teach all nations, baptizing them;” that is, “Make disciples everywhere, in all nations, by baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost; and by instructing them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you” (Matt. 28:19, 20, paraphrased). He has given the same instruction to His people in our day.
If baptism is performed and accepted with an eye single to the glory of God, remission of sins is granted. But that is the condition. Baptism for selfish purposes has no such promise. It is but an empty ceremony. Christ undertood to carry out the plan of redemption for the glory of God. If we are His disiples, we follow Him for the glory of God.
Laying on of hands] This ordinance is as necessary as baptism. By it the Lord give us of His Spirit, through His authorized servants. Paul longed to see the Saints in Rome, “that I may impart unto you some Spiritual gift, to the end that ye may be established (Rom. 1:11); for, although they had been baptized, they had not yet been established under the hands of an Apostle of our Lord. John says, “Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit” (I. John 4:13)
Thou shalt be ordained] Having received citizenship in the Kingdom of God, Phelps was qualified for ordination to the Priesthood. Our Lord promised him that he would be ordained an Elder under the hands of the Prophet, and thus receive authority to preach and administer the ordinances of the gospel.
Power to give the Holy Spirit] He would also have power, as well as authority, to give to others the gift of the Holy Spirit, by the laying on of hands. This is a decisive refutation of the theory that the power to impart the Holy Spirit was confined to the Twelve and ceased with their departure. This view is contrary to history, as well as to the Scriptures, for Justin Martyr, Tertullian, and Cyprian, all testify that the supernatural gifts existed in the Church of Christ long after the time of the first Apostles. (pp. 317-319)
The revelation to W. W. Phelps continues and concludes:
And again, you shall be ordained to assist my servant Oliver Cowdery to do the work of printing, and of selecting and writing books for schools in this church, that little children also may receive instruction before me as is pleasing unto me.
And again, verily I say unto you, for this cause you shall take your journey with my servants Joseph Smith, Jun., and Sidney Rigdon, that you may be planted in the land of your inheritance to do this work.
And again, let my servant Joseph Coe also take his journey with them. The residue shall be made known hereafter, even as I will. Amen. (D&C 55:4-6)
Oliver Cowdery and W. W. Phelps seem like a good match and fit for this work. The Lord does not want His Saints to be foolish and ignorant. He commanded Oliver Cowdery and W. W. Phelps to help educate the Saints, through printing, selecting, and writing books for schools in His Church, especially for children. The Lord is pleased when children are properly taught and instructed in His way. Phelps was commissioned to begin this important work. Phelps was also commanded to travel with Joseph and Sidney to Missouri. The phrase “planted in the land of your inheritance” is something much more significant than simply emigrating or moving to a new place.
Smith and Sjodahl write:
Special Calling of William W. Phelps.
Ordained to *** the work of printing] William W. Phelps was familiar with the printing and publishing business, and his talent would be used for the furtherance of the Kingdom of God.
Books for schools] It would be his calling to assist Oliver Cowdery in selecting and writing books suitable for the children, so that these might receive proper instruction.
“The Latter-day Saints have always been far in advance of the majority of their neighbors in regard to education of their children. Even in the earliest days they had schools that made real men and women; not schools that produced weaklings and sycophants. The old schools made for character and real worth; they took the raw material, and moulded it into beings of personality and culture” (Levi Edgar Young)
Phelps is called to accompany the Prophet Joseph and Sidney Rigdon to Missouri “for the cause.”
Joseph Coe] He was also called to accompany the Prophet to Missouri, and became prominent in the Church. He was appointed a member of the first High Council at Kirtland, organized February 17th, 1834 (Sec. 102:3). He was one of eight men present when the Temple site, west of Independence, was dedicated, August 3rd, 1831. Unfortunately for himself, he did not remain in the Church. In the year 1837 he cast his lot with John F. Boynton, Luke S. Johnson, Warren Parrish, and others who had been disfellowshipped, and together they set up a church of their own, which they called the “Church of Christ.” They alleged that Joseph Smith was a “fallen prophet,” teaching false doctrines. For some time these dissenters took a leading part in the persecution of the Saints at Kirtland, but their efforts to build up a church came to naught. They were swept away, as chaff before the wind (Psalm 1:4). (pp. 319-320)
I would be interested to know exactly why Coe and company thought that Joseph Smith was a fallen prophet and what false doctrines they attributed to him. As for Phelps and his calling, I am interested in the books, papers, poems, and other works that he produced for the Church. Because of my own interest in education, I feel a kinship to Phelps, Cowdery, and other early Saints who contributed to the education of the Saints.