| W.w. Phelps |
Website Links For William |
Information AboutW.w. Phelps |
|
William Wines Phelps (''also'' '''W.W. Phelps''', and '''William W. Phelps''') ( February 17 1792 – March 7 1872 ) was an important early leader of the Latter Day Saint Movement . He was an assistant president of the church in Missouri , scribe to Joseph Smith , member of the Literary Firm, church printer, editor, and song-writer. LIFE Born February 17 , 1792 in Hanover, New Jersey , Phelps has been referred to by Dean Jessee as "one of {Link without Title} founders" of the anti- Masonic movement in New York . He was the editor of the anti-Masonic newspaper ''Ontario Phoenix'' in Canandaigua (1827-28). Phelps was also the editor of the ''Western Courier'' and the ''Lake Light'' papers. Phelps purchased a copy of the Book Of Mormon from Parley P. Pratt on April 9 , 1830 —just three days after the early Church was organized. Phelps established a print house in Independence, Missouri , where he published the '' Evening And Morning Star ''. While working to publish the church's '' Book Of Commandments '', a mob of vigilantes destroyed Phelps' home and the press. In Kirtland, Ohio , he helped print the First Latter Day Saint Hymnal and the 1835 edition of the '' Doctrine And Covenants ''. He was the author of a number of popular Latter Day Saint hymns including The Spirit Of God Like A Fire Is Burning , which he wrote for the dedication of the Kirtland Temple . From 1834-1838, he was a counselor to David Whitmer in the presidency of the church in Missouri and in that capacity he helped found the town of Far West, Missouri . Phelps was Excommunicated from the church on March 10 , 1838 when he was accused of profiting from Far West land deals and reneging on a $2,000 subscription to the house of the Lord that was not paid. In June, 1838, Phelps, Oliver Cowdery , David Whitmer , John Whitmer , and Lyman E. Johnson were warned out of Far West ''or a more fatal calamity shall befall you.'' On July 8 , 1838 , it was decided that Phelps, along with Frederick G. Williams , may be ordained as elders and serve missions abroad, even though they have lost their standing. Phelps served a brief mission in the East in 1841 . Phelps moved to Nauvoo, Illinois where on August 27 , 1841 , he replaced Robert B. Thompson (who had died) as Joseph Smith 's clerk. Phelps was Endowed on December 9 , 1843 and was also was made a member of the Council Of Fifty . During the Mormon Succession Crisis in 1844, Phelps sided with Brigham Young and the Quorum Of The Twelve Apostles. He was again excommunicated on December 9 , 1848 , but was Rebaptized two days later. He took part in the Mormon Exodus across the Great Plains and settled in Salt Lake City in 1849. He served a mission in southern Utah (as counselor to Parley P. Pratt ) from November, 1849 to February, 1850 . There he served in the Utah territorial legislature and on the board of regents for the "University of Deseret" (now the University Of Utah ). Phelps died on March 7 , 1872 in Salt Lake City . HYMNS Today, William W. Phelps is probably best-known for his hymns. These hymns include:
Phelps often reworded popular hymns turning them into uniquely Latter Day Saint hymns.
REFERENCES
EXTERNAL LINKS |
|
|