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"By That Book I Learned the Right Way to God:
"The Conversion of William W. Phelps"
Bruce A. Van Orden
William W. Phelps, c. 1853, Daguerrotype Collection. Courtesy LDS Church Archives.
"Whenever I have meditated upon the book of Mormon," wrote William W. Phelps to Oliver Cowdery in 1835, "I have been filled with hope; filled with light; filled with joy, and filled with satisfaction."
Dating back to his earlier newspaper career, W. W. Phelps developed the habit of jotting down poetry as the inspiration hit him. When he became editor of the Church's first periodical, The Evening and the Morning Star, in Independence, Missouri, he continued this habit. Throughout his lengthy service in the Church, he wrote scores of poems, many of which have become some of the most beloved hymns of the Latter-day Saints. Who among the Saints has not been moved repeatedly by the fervent singing of the long-time favorites "The Spirit of God Like a Fire is Burning," "Praise to the Man Who Communed With Jehovah," and "Now Let Us Rejoice in the Day of Salvation"? Over thirty of Elder Phelps' hymns were included in Emma Smith's 1835 hymnbook; fifteen of them are still part of the current (1985) edition of Hymns. If for no other reason than his contribution to Church music, William W. Phelps is held in honorable remembrance by members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Excluding Sidney Rigdon, W. W. Phelps was the most publicly well-known convert to the early Church. However, unlike Elder Rigdon, his contributions to the Kingdom of God were not for just a few years, but lasted throughout his life. As editor of The Evening and the Morning Star and as a frequent contributor to other Church publications (The Latter Day Saints' Messenger and Advocate, the Times and Seasons, and the Deseret News) and also as a powerful orator, Brother Phelps was one of the most influential early exponents of LDS doctrines and practices. No one was better educated and more articulate than he in the early days of the Church. He was placed in charge of the spiritual affairs of the Church in Jackson County in 1832, and from 1834 to 1838 he served in the original stake presidency in Missouri. For two important periods, 1835-36 in Kirtland and 1842-44 in Nauvoo, Brother Phelps served as a scribe and a speech and document writer for the Prophet Joseph Smith. This included serving as scribe for the Book of Abraham and as assistant to Joseph Smith in developing the Prophet's 1844 presidential political platform. Phelps also played a major role in sustaining the Twelve Apostles following the death of Joseph Smith. Both in Missouri and Utah, he was an explorer and topographical engineer whose scientific investigations were invaluable to the establishment of numerous key Mormon settlements. At other times, W. W. Phelps contributed considerably to his church and community as a missionary, educator, temple worker, city council member, territorial legislator, lawyer, justice of the peace, and author of books, pamphlets, and almanacs.