170 years ago today - May 24, 1841

Joseph Smith writes "To the Saints abroad-The First Presidency of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, anxious to promote the prosperity of said Church, feel it their duty to call upon the Saints who reside out of this county [Hancock], to make preparations to come in without delay. . . .Let it, therefore, be understood, that all the stakes, excepting those in this county, and in Lee county, Iowa, are discontinued, and the Saints instructed to settle in this county as soon as circumstances will permit. [signed] JOSEPH SMITH, President.

[Source: On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]