Item Detail
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30822
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1
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0
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English
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Nauvoo Diaries and Personal Writings
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Nauvoo, IL
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Unknown
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1-304
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"Beginning in early 1842, William Clayton became involved in nearly every important activity in Nauvoo, including the private concerns of the Prophet. In this respect his life reflects the Nauvoo experience better than does the life of almost anyone else--even better that many church leaders who were often away on missions. He became an intimate friend and confidant of Joseph Smith, writing letters for him, recording revelations, and performing important errands. As a scribe he kept the sacred `Book of the Law of the Lord'; was officially designated to write the history of the Nauvoo Temple; helped prepare the official history of Joseph Smith (indeed, his personal journals become the source for many entries in that history); and kept various other books and accounts as assigned. He was a member of the temple committee and kept all the financial and other records dealing with the building of the temple, including the collection and recording of tithes. Later, after the baptismal font was completed, it was up to Clayton to issue receipts certifying that a person was entitled to the privileges of the font (for baptisms for the dead) because he had paid tithing. He became Nauvoo city treasurer, recorder, and clerk of the Nauvoo City Council, secretary pro tem of the Nauvoo Masonic Lodge, an officer of the Nauvoo Music Association, and a member of the committee responsible for erecting the Music Hall in Nauvoo. He also became a member and clerk of the highly important Council of Fifty, as well as a member of Joseph Smith's private prayer circle. He may have
functioned in more public and semi-public capacities than almost any other person in Nauvoo, save Joseph Smith. What is important here, however, is not just the Nauvoo that Clayton saw and helped build, but the Nauvoo that Clayton felt, deep inside. Only by capturing the feelings and emotions of a disciple such as Clayton can we understand
the real meaning of Nauvoo in the lives of the Illinois Saints.