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“Explanation of the Plat of the City of Zion,” circa 25 June 1833
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for the Presidency of the high Priesthood after the order of Aaron a standard for the people Nos 19-20-21 House of the Lord the law of the Kingdom of heaven and Messinger to the people for the high Priesthood after the order of Aaron Nos-16-17-18 house of the Lord for the teachers in Zion Messinger to the Church Nos 13-14-15 house of the Lord for the Deacons in Zion helps in governm ent underneath must be writen on each house holiness to the Lord
Organized body of leaders over priesthood quorums and various groups of Latter-day Saints. A November 1831 revelation underscored the importance of a president over the high priesthood and the church as a whole. By 1832, JS and two counselors constituted ...
View GlossaryThe lower or lesser of two orders of priesthood in the church. Sometimes called the “Levitical Priesthood.” It is named for Aaron, the brother of Moses, “because it was conferred upon Aaron and his seed” in antiquity. This authority holds “the keys of the...
View GlossaryThe sacred edifice in Kirtland, Ohio, since known as the Kirtland temple. Although the term temple in the early days of the church designated a category of buildings, the proper name applied to the structure in Kirtland was “House of the Lord.” JS and the...
View GlossaryGenerally, one who instructs, but also a specific office in the church. The Book of Mormon explained that teachers were to be ordained “to preach repentance and remission of sins through Jesus Christ, by the endurance of faith on his name to the end.” According...
View GlossaryAn ecclesiastical office. The articles and covenants directed deacons to assist teachers in their duties. Deacons were also to “warn, expound, exhort, and teach, and invite all to come unto Christ,” though they lacked the authority to baptize. The first recorded...
View GlossaryThe scale of the plot is 40 perches to the inch [p. 41]
In summer 1831, Jackson County, in western Missouri, was identified as the site of Zion. By mid-1833, more than a thousand church members had relocated to Jackson County. In late June the presidency of the high priesthood in Kirtland, Ohio, sent church leaders in Missouri a city plat for Zion, drawn by Frederick G. Williams. A written explanation in the margins described the configuration of the plat or pattern. The plat was revised in August.
Settled at Fort Osage, 1808. County created, 16 Feb. 1825; organized 1826. Named after U.S. President Andrew Jackson. Featured fertile lands along Missouri River and was Santa Fe Trail departure point, which attracted immigrants to area. Area of county reduced...
More InfoArea acquired by U.S. in Louisiana Purchase, 1803, and established as territory, 1812. Missouri Compromise, 1820, admitted Missouri as slave state, 1821. Population in 1830 about 140,000; in 1836 about 240,000; and in 1840 about 380,000. Mormon missionaries...
More InfoLocated ten miles south of Lake Erie. Settled by 1811. Organized by 1818. Population in 1830 about 55 Latter-day Saints and 1,000 others; in 1838 about 2,000 Saints and 1,200 others; in 1839 about 100 Saints and 1,500 others. Mormon missionaries visited township...
More Info28 Oct. 1787–10 Oct. 1842. Ship’s pilot, teacher, physician, justice of the peace. Born at Suffield, Hartford Co., Connecticut. Son of William Wheeler Williams and Ruth Granger. Moved to Newburg, Cuyahoga Co., Ohio, 1799. Practiced Thomsonian botanical system...
View Full BioBefore mailing the original plat, Williams transcribed the explanatory text into Letterbook 1. In the process he made several textual changes and corrections. The original drawing is now incomplete, with edges missing that included text. This transcription is drawn from the text in Letterbook 1, which is more complete. JS and Williams began the letterbook to record JS’s history and also as a letter registry.
28 Oct. 1787–10 Oct. 1842. Ship’s pilot, teacher, physician, justice of the peace. Born at Suffield, Hartford Co., Connecticut. Son of William Wheeler Williams and Ruth Granger. Moved to Newburg, Cuyahoga Co., Ohio, 1799. Practiced Thomsonian botanical system...
View Full Bio“Explanation of the Plat of the City of Zion,” ca. 25 June 1833; handwriting of Frederick G. Williams; in JS Letterbook 1, pp. 38–41; JS Collection, CHL.
28 Oct. 1787–10 Oct. 1842. Ship’s pilot, teacher, physician, justice of the peace. Born at Suffield, Hartford Co., Connecticut. Son of William Wheeler Williams and Ruth Granger. Moved to Newburg, Cuyahoga Co., Ohio, 1799. Practiced Thomsonian botanical system...
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