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27467
Journal, 1835–1836
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Oliver Cowdery handwriting begins.
26th. This evening, the twelve having returned from the east this morning,9
we
met them, and conversed upon some matters of difficulty which was
<ware> existing between some of them, and president [Sidney] Rigdon, and all things were settled satisfactorily.10
Members of a governing body in the church, with special administrative and proselytizing responsibilities. A June 1829 revelation commanded Oliver Cowdery and David Whitmer to call twelve disciples, similar to the twelve apostles in the New Testament and ...
View Glossary4 May. 1835
Twelve Apostles departed Kirtland, Ohio, on journey to northeastern states and Upper Canada to supervise outlying branches of church.
On 12
March 1835, less than a month after it was organized, the Quorum of the Twelve was appointed to a mission to
the eastern states to “hold conferences in the vicinity of the several branches of the Church for the
purpose of regulating all things necessary for their welfare.” The Twelve left 4 May 1835. Six of the Twelve
also crossed into Upper Canada and convened a conference at West Loughborough. (Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, Record, 12 Mar. and 4 May 1835; see also Esplin, “Emergence of Brigham Young,” 163–170.)
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Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, Record / Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. “A Record of the Transactions of the Twelve Apostles of the Church of the Latter Day Saints from the Time of Their Call to the Apostleship Which Was on the 14th Day of Feby. AD 1835,” Feb.–Aug. 1835. In Patriarchal Blessings, 1833–, vol. 2. CHL.
Esplin, Ronald K. “The Emergence of Brigham Young and the Twelve to Mormon Leadership, 1830–1841.” PhD diss., Brigham Young University, 1981. Also available as The Emergence of Brigham Young and the Twelve to Mormon Leadership, 1830–1841, Dissertations in Latter-day Saint History (Provo, UT: Joseph Fielding Smith Institute for Latter-day Saint History; BYU Studies, 2006).
19 Feb. 1793–14 July 1876. Tanner, farmer, minister. Born at St. Clair, Allegheny Co., Pennsylvania. Son of William Rigdon and Nancy Gallaher. Joined United Baptists, ca. 1818. Preached at Warren, Trumbull Co., Ohio, and vicinity, 1819–1821. Married Phebe...
View Full BioA month
and a half earlier, on 4 August 1835, JS and the council of church presidents met to consider a charge that
apostles William E. McLellin and Orson Hyde had, while on their mission, “express[ed] dissatisfaction with President Rigdon’s school.”a This was evidently
the Kirtland School, a coeducational institution with a secular curriculum, at which McLellin had taught
along with Rigdon before leaving Kirtland with the Quorum of Twelve on their mission to the eastern United
States.b On the date of this entry, McLellin and Hyde “frankly confessed and were forgiven” by the council.
The presidencies also considered the “derogatory” reports made by Warren Cowdery, the president of the
church conference in Freedom, New York, which the Quorum of the Twelve attended in the course of their
mission. Cowdery’s charges that the Twelve had not been following JS’s commission to raise money for
building the House of the Lord were deemed false.c
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aJS, Kirtland, OH, to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, 4 Aug. 1835, in JS Letterbook 1, pp. 90–93; Minute Book 1, 26 Sept. 1835; Orson Hyde and William E. McLellin, Kirtland, OH, Oct. 1835, Letter to the editor, LDS Messenger and Advocate, Oct. 1835, 2:204–207.
b“Notice” and William E. McLellin, Notice, 27 Feb. 1835, LDS Messenger and Advocate, Feb. 1835, 1:80; Kimball, “History,” 27.
cMinute Book 1, 26 Sept. 1835; Porter, “Odyssey of William Earl McLellin,” 318; Esplin, “Emergence of Brigham Young,” 166–170; see also JS, Journal, 16 Jan. 1836.
JS Letterbook 1 / Smith, Joseph. “Letter Book A,” 1832–1835. Joseph Smith Collection. CHL.
Minute Book 1 / “Conference A,” 1832–1837. CHL. Also available at josephsmithpapers.org.
Latter Day Saints’ Messenger and Advocate. Kirtland, OH. Oct. 1834–Sept. 1837.
Kimball, Heber C . “History of Heber Chase Kimball by His Own Dictation,” ca. 1842–1856. Heber C. Kimball, Papers, 1837–1866. CHL.
Porter, Larry C. “The Odyssey of William Earl McLellin: Man of Diversity, 1806–83.” In The Journals of William E. McLellin, 1831–1836, edited by Jan Shipps and John W. Welch, 291–378. Provo, UT: BYU Studies; Urbana: University of Illinois Press, 1994.
Esplin, Ronald K. “The Emergence of Brigham Young and the Twelve to Mormon Leadership, 1830–1841.” PhD diss., Brigham Young University, 1981. Also available as The Emergence of Brigham Young and the Twelve to Mormon Leadership, 1830–1841, Dissertations in Latter-day Saint History (Provo, UT: Joseph Fielding Smith Institute for Latter-day Saint History; BYU Studies, 2006).
27th Sunday. Attended meeting: brethren, Thomas B. Marsh, David W. Patten, Brigham Young and
Heber C. Kimball11
preached
and broke bread. The Lord poured out his Spirit, and my soul was edified.
1 Nov. 1800–Jan. 1866. Farmer, hotel worker, waiter, horse groom, grocer, type foundry worker, teacher. Born at Acton, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts. Son of James Marsh and Molly Law. Married first Elizabeth Godkin, 1 Nov. 1820, at New York City. Moved to ...
View Full Bio14 Nov. 1799–25 Oct. 1838. Farmer. Born in Vermont. Son of Benoni Patten and Edith Cole. Moved to Theresa, Oneida Co., New York, as a young child. Moved to Dundee, Monroe Co., Michigan Territory, as a youth. Married Phoebe Ann Babcock, 1828, in Dundee. Affiliated...
View Full Bio1 June 1801–29 Aug. 1877. Carpenter, painter, glazier, colonizer. Born at Whitingham, Windham Co., Vermont. Son of John Young and Abigail (Nabby) Howe. Brought up in Methodist household; later joined Methodist church. Moved to Sherburne, Chenango Co., New...
View Full Bio14 June 1801–22 June 1868. Blacksmith, potter. Born at Sheldon, Franklin Co., Vermont. Son of Solomon Farnham Kimball and Anna Spaulding. Married Vilate Murray, 22 Nov. 1822, at Mendon, Monroe Co., New York. Member of Baptist church at Mendon, 1831. Baptized...
View Full BioThese were the four oldest members of the Quorum of the
Twelve. At this time, seniority in the quorum was based on age. (JS History, vol. B-1, 589.)
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JS History / Smith, Joseph, et al. History, 1838–1856. Vols. A-1–F-1 (original), A-2–E-2 (fair copy). CHL. The history for the period after 5 Aug. 1838 was composed after the death of Joseph Smith.
Primarily referred to the sacrament of the Lord’s Supper, or Communion, as opposed to other religious sacraments. The articles and covenants of the church directed “that the church meet together often to partake of bread and wine in remembrance of the Lord...
View Glossary28th. High council met and tried brother Gladden Bish op: he was reproved, repented, and was
reordained. The next was Lorenzo L. Lewis for fornication: he was cut off from the Church.12
Although JS utilized councils of elders and high priests earlier in church government, the first standing high council of the church was organized in Kirtland, Ohio, on 17 February 1834. The second high council was organized a few months later in Clay County...
View Glossary19 June 1809–30 Nov. 1864. Watchmaker, minister. Born at Livonia, Ontario Co., New York. Son of Isaac Gates Bishop and Mary Hyde. Served as minister in Freewill Baptist Church, by 1831. Baptized into LDS church and ordained an elder, 2 July 1832, in Olean...
View Full BioThe conferral of power and authority; to appoint, decree, or set apart. Church members, primarily adults, were ordained to ecclesiastical offices and other responsibilities by the laying on of hands by those with the proper authority. Ordinations to priesthood...
View GlossaryCa. 1809–ca. May 1897. Millwright. Born in New York. Son of Job L. Lewis and Margaret Lowers. Baptized into LDS church, probably at Westfield, Chautauque Co., New York. Ordained an elder, 13 May 1835, in Kirtland, Geauga Co., Ohio. Appointed to serve mission...
View Full BioFrancis
Gladden Bishop was charged with “advancing heretical doctrines which were derogatory to the character of the
Church.” Lewis’s partial confession was judged unsatisfactory. (Minute Book 1, 28 Sept. 1835.)
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Minute Book 1 / “Conference A,” 1832–1837. CHL. Also available at josephsmithpapers.org.
29th High Council met to-day and tried brother Allen Avery: he was acquited from any charge.13
Also Brother Phineas H. Young, who was also
acquited:14
also bro. Lorenzo Young, who confessed his
error and was forgiven.15
In
all these I acted on the part of the defence for the accused to plead for mercy. The Lord blessed my soul, and
the coun cil was greatly blessed, also. Much good will no doubt, result from our labors during the two days in
which we were occupied on the business of the Church.
Although JS utilized councils of elders and high priests earlier in church government, the first standing high council of the church was organized in Kirtland, Ohio, on 17 February 1834. The second high council was organized a few months later in Clay County...
View GlossaryAvery
was charged with rebelling against the decision of the Missouri elders council to take away his elder’s
license. However, Avery came forward and “complied with the requisitions of the council” and was restored to
his office. (Minute Book 1, 29 Sept. 1835.)
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Minute Book 1 / “Conference A,” 1832–1837. CHL. Also available at josephsmithpapers.org.
16 Feb. 1799–10 Oct. 1879. Printer, saddler, farmer. Born at Hopkinton, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts. Son of John Young and Abigail (Nabby) Howe. Moved to Whitingham, Windham Co., Vermont, ca. 1801. Moved to New York. Married first Clarissa Hamilton, 28 Sept...
View Full BioPhineas Young was charged with “unchristian like conduct” in
connection with his sale and distribution of a handful of copies of the Book of Mormon during his 1835
proselytizing journey. (Minute Book 1, 29 Sept. 1835.)
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Minute Book 1 / “Conference A,” 1832–1837. CHL. Also available at josephsmithpapers.org.
19 Oct. 1807–21 Nov. 1895. Farmer, plasterer, gardener, blacksmith, nurseryman. Born at Smyrna, Chenango Co., New York. Son of John Young and Abigail (Nabby) Howe. Married Persis Goodall, 6 June 1826, at Watertown, Jefferson Co., New York. Baptized into LDS...
View Full BioLorenzo Young was charged by William W. Phelps with teaching
that “poor men ought not to raise up seed or children” but that they might be permitted to marry. After
Young “made an humble acknowledgement,” the charge was dismissed. (Minute Book 1, 29 Sept. 1835.)
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Minute Book 1 / “Conference A,” 1832–1837. CHL. Also available at josephsmithpapers.org.
30th. Stayed at home and visited many who came to enquire after the work of the Lord.
October 1, 1835. This after noon labored16
on the Egyptian alphabet, in company with
brsr O[liver] Cowdery and W[illiam] W. Phelps:17
The system of astronomy was unfolded.18
The entry for this same date in
JS’s 1834–1836 history reads “stayed at home and labored.”
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JS History, 1834–1836 / Smith, Joseph, et al. History, 1834–1836. In Joseph Smith et al., History, 1838–1856, vol. A-1, back of book (earliest numbering), 9–20, 46–187. CHL.
1 Sep. 1835
JS worked periodically on Book of Abraham translation, Kirtland, Ohio.
3 Oct. 1806–3 Mar. 1850. Clerk, teacher, justice of the peace, lawyer, newspaper editor. Born at Wells, Rutland Co., Vermont. Son of William Cowdery and Rebecca Fuller. Raised Congregationalist. Moved to western New York and clerked at a store, ca. 1825–1828...
View Full Bio17 Feb. 1792–7 Mar. 1872. Writer, teacher, printer, newspaper editor, publisher, postmaster, lawyer. Born at Hanover, Morris Co., New Jersey. Son of Enon Phelps and Mehitabel Goldsmith. Moved to Homer, Cortland Co., New York, 1800. Married Sally Waterman,...
View Full BioTheir efforts apparently included the creation of three
documents—nearly identical in content—that include transcripts of Egyptian characters in parallel with
material written in English. (Kirtland Egyptian Papers, ca. 1835–1836, 3, 4, 5, CHL; see also Gee, “Eyewitness, Hearsay, and Physical Evidence,” 196.)
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Kirtland Egyptian Papers, ca. 1835–1836. CHL.
Gee, John. “Eyewitness, Hearsay, and Physical Evidence of the Joseph Smith Papyri.” In The Disciple as Witness: Essays on Latter-day Saint History and Doctrine in Honor of Richard Lloyd Anderson, edited by Stephen D. Ricks, Donald W. Parry, and Andrew H. Hedges, 175–217. Provo, UT: Foundation for Ancient Research and Mormon Studies, 2000.
Possibly refers to the astronomical material in three “Egyptian alphabet” documents. Astronomical material
also appeared in JS’s published “Book of Abraham.” (Kirtland Egyptian Papers, ca. 1835–1836, 3, 4, 5, CHL;
“The Book of Abraham,” Times and Seasons,1 Mar. 1842, 3:703–706; 15 Mar. 1842,
3:719–722 [Abraham 1–5]; see also JS History, vol. B-1, 622; and
Gee, “Eyewitness, Hearsay, and Physical Evidence,” 197–203.)
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Kirtland Egyptian Papers, ca. 1835–1836. CHL.
Times and Seasons. Commerce/Nauvoo, IL. Nov. 1839–Feb. 1846.
JS History / Smith, Joseph, et al. History, 1838–1856. Vols. A-1–F-1 (original), A-2–E-2 (fair copy). CHL. The history for the period after 5 Aug. 1838 was composed after the death of Joseph Smith.
Gee, John. “Eyewitness, Hearsay, and Physical Evidence of the Joseph Smith Papyri.” In The Disciple as Witness: Essays on Latter-day Saint History and Doctrine in Honor of Richard Lloyd Anderson, edited by Stephen D. Ricks, Donald W. Parry, and Andrew H. Hedges, 175–217. Provo, UT: Foundation for Ancient Research and Mormon Studies, 2000.
2nd. To-day wrote a letter to be published in the Messenger and Advocate.19
[p. 3]
This
was the first in a series of three letters written by JS and published in successive issues of the LDS Messenger and Advocate to provide instruction for traveling elders. This first
letter provides an account of Mormon settlement in Jackson County and a doctrinal exposition of faith,
repentance, baptism, and receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost, which JS considered the foundational
principles and ordinances of the restored gospel. (JS, “To the Elders of the Church of Latter Day Saints,” LDS Messenger and Advocate, Sept. 1835, 1:179–182; see also Nov. 1835, 2:209–212; and Dec. 1835, 2:225–230.)
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Latter Day Saints’ Messenger and Advocate. Kirtland, OH. Oct. 1834–Sept. 1837.
JS viewed himself as divinely commissioned to gather God’s people in the last days and
prepare them for Jesus Christ’s second coming and millennial reign. By 1835, the House of the Lord, a temple
in Kirtland, Ohio, became the centerpiece of this commission and hence of this journal. The Latter-day
Saints were commanded in revelations dated as early as December 1832 to establish “a house of God” and were
chastised in June 1833 for not having begun the endeavor.1
Construction began 6 June 1833
after JS and colleagues saw in vision the completed structure.2
As writing in this journal began, construction was nearing completion. The newly
established Quorum of the Twelve and Quorum of the Seventy were returning from preaching assignments and
joining with church officers from Ohio and Missouri as well as with traveling elders. All converged on
Kirtland to prepare with increasing intensity for the “solemn assembly” to be held in the House of the Lord,
where they were to be “endowed with power from on high.”3
Thus
empowered, they could better fulfill key elements of their mission: preaching God’s message for the last
time throughout the world prior to the imminent Second Coming; gathering converts to Missouri, where they
would find safety in Zion from the destruction that was to overtake the wicked; and ministering to the
Saints. After a hiatus of more than nine months, JS renewed his journal keeping during this period of
organization, purification, and preparation.
JS revelation of Jan. 1831 directed Latter-day Saints to migrate to Ohio, where they would “be endowed with power from on high.” JS Revelation of Dec. 1832 directed Saints to “establish . . . an house of God.” JS Revelation of 1 June 1833 chastened Saints...
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 InfoRevelation, 27 and 28 Dec.
1832 and 3 Jan. 1833, in Doctrine and Covenants 7:36, 1835 ed. [D&C 88:119]; Revelation, 1 June 1833, in Doctrine and Covenants 95:1, 1835 ed.
[D&C 95:2–3].
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Doctrine and Covenants of the Church of the Latter Day Saints: Carefully Selected from the Revelations of God. Compiled by Joseph Smith, Oliver Cowdery, Sidney Rigdon, and Frederick G. Williams. Kirtland, OH: F. G. Williams, 1835. Also available in Robin Scott Jensen, Richard E. Turley Jr., Riley M. Lorimer, eds., Revelations and Translations, Volume 2: Published Revelations. Vol. 2 of the Revelations and Translations series of The Joseph Smith Papers, edited by Dean C. Jessee, Ronald K. Esplin, and Richard Lyman Bushman (Salt Lake City: Church Historian’s Press, 2011).
Angell, Autobiography, 14–15.
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Angell, Truman O. Autobiography, 1884. CHL. Also available in Archie Leon Brown and Charlene L. Hathaway, 141 Years of Mormon Heritage: Rawsons, Browns, Angells—Pioneers (Oakland, CA: By the authors, 1973), 119–135.
French explored area, 1669. British took possession following French and Indian War, 1763. Ceded to U.S., 1783. First permanent white settlement established, 1788. Partitioned from Northwest Territory and admitted as state, 1803. Bordered by Lake Erie on ...
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 InfoRevelation, 22 June 1834, in Doctrine and Covenants 102:3, 1844 ed. [D&C 105:11].
For an account of the solemn assembly, see the journal entry for 30 March 1836.
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The Doctrine and Covenants of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints; Carefully Selected from the Revelations of God. Compiled by Joseph Smith. 2nd ed. Nauvoo, IL: John Taylor, 1844. Selections also available in Robin Scott Jensen, Richard E. Turley Jr., Riley M. Lorimer, eds., Revelations and Translations, Volume 2: Published Revelations. Vol. 2 of the Revelations and Translations series of The Joseph Smith Papers, edited by Dean C. Jessee, Ronald K. Esplin, and Richard Lyman Bushman (Salt Lake City: Church Historian’s Press, 2011).
The longest of any of JS’s journals published herein, this volume records his activities in
and around Kirtland during the half year from late September 1835 to early April 1836. It is the last
journal that contains JS’s own handwriting: seven entries—four manuscript pages. Entries were sometimes made
one or more days after the fact, but an entry was made for every day from the journal’s beginning to its
end, providing a continuity lacking in JS’s previous journal and reflecting a time of relative stability for
the church in Kirtland. JS is not embattled, defending his people and projects against enemies; rather, he
is gathering and preparing his people for what they expect to be a pivotal experience. Blessings, rebukes,
and counsel recorded here manifest the hopes and expectations of JS and others in church leadership.
Located 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 InfoWhile JS, Oliver Cowdery, and Frederick G. Williams penned entries for the first two weeks of
the journal, most of the remainder of the journal was kept by Warren Parrish, often mentioned in the journal
as “my scribe.” Parrish was hired as scribe for JS on 29 October 1835. His duties included keeping JS’s
journal and minutes of church meetings and copying certain materials into JS’s 1834–1836 history, which
Oliver Cowdery had begun the prior year. Parrish’s first recorded journal entry is for 8 October 1835,
suggesting that journal keeping was three weeks behind when he started. Parrish inscribed entries covering
the next six weeks. The journal was in Parrish’s possession during at least part of the time he was
inscribing it, and the practice may have been for the assigned scribe to retain possession during his
tenure. JS recorded four reflective entries for December 19–22 and indicated in the last of those entries
that Parrish was ill. JS then passed the journal to Williams, whose entries covered four days ending 26
December 1835. Parrish resumed scribal duties for four weeks’ entries, but then his ill health forced him to
relinquish journal keeping to Sylvester Smith, who recorded the next two weeks’ entries. On 7 February 1836,
Parrish then resumed his work, recording entries for the next eight weeks, with occasional help from an
unidentified scribe who copied or kept minutes of church meetings. In early April, Parrish was preparing to
leave Kirtland to proselytize, like many others who had sought empowerment in Kirtland for that
purpose.4
Apparently
Parrish’s scribal responsibilities for the journal and for JS’s 1834–1836 history were delegated at this
time to Warren Cowdery, older brother of Oliver Cowdery. Cowdery used the first two months of material from
the journal, 22 September to 18 November 1835, as the basis for a new section of the 1834–1836 history and
also wrote the final two entries in the journal. Parrish’s mission departure was delayed until May.5
It was apparently during this delay that Parrish retrieved the
history and the journal from Cowdery and added a final two months of material from the journal, 18 November
1835 through 18 January 1836, to the history—probably before leaving for his missionary assignment. Parrish
made no additional entries to the journal before returning it to JS. Thus the journal ended with Cowdery’s
entries.
3 Oct. 1806–3 Mar. 1850. Clerk, teacher, justice of the peace, lawyer, newspaper editor. Born at Wells, Rutland Co., Vermont. Son of William Cowdery and Rebecca Fuller. Raised Congregationalist. Moved to western New York and clerked at a store, ca. 1825–1828...
View Full Bio28 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 Bio10 Jan. 1803–3 Jan. 1877. Clergyman, gardener. Born in New York. Son of John Parrish and Ruth Farr. Married first Elizabeth (Betsey) Patten of Westmoreland Co., New Hampshire, ca. 1822. Lived at Alexandria, Jefferson Co., New York, 1830. Purchased land at...
View Full Bio25 Mar. 1806–22 Feb. 1880. Farmer, carpenter, lawyer, realtor. Born at Tyringham, Berkshire Co., Massachusetts. Son of Chileab Smith and Nancy Marshall. Moved to Amherst, Lorain Co., Ohio, ca. 1815. Married Elizabeth Frank, 27 Dec. 1827, likely in Chautauque...
View Full BioLocated 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 InfoWoodruff, Journal, 19 Apr. 1836.
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Woodruff, Wilford. Journals, 1833–1898. Wilford Woodruff, Journals and Papers, 1828–1898. CHL. Also available as Wilford Woodruff’s Journals, 1833–1898, edited by Scott G. Kenney, 9 vols. (Midvale, UT: Signature Books, 1983–1985).
17 Oct. 1788–23 Feb. 1851. Physician, druggist, farmer, editor. Born at Wells, Rutland Co., Vermont. Son of William Cowdery and Rebecca Fuller. Married Patience Simonds, 22 Sept. 1814, in Pawlet, Rutland Co. Moved to Freedom, Cattaraugus Co., New York, 1816...
View Full BioWoodruff, Journal, 27 May 1836.
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Woodruff, Wilford. Journals, 1833–1898. Wilford Woodruff, Journals and Papers, 1828–1898. CHL. Also available as Wilford Woodruff’s Journals, 1833–1898, edited by Scott G. Kenney, 9 vols. (Midvale, UT: Signature Books, 1983–1985).
Much of the material in the journal seems to have been dictated by JS to the scribe or
recorded as JS spoke to various gatherings. For example, the entry for 21 January 1836 is apparently a
dictation because it reports a vision seen only by JS. JS may have had the scribe read back his dictations
to him in order to make corrections, as he had sometimes done six years earlier in dictating his translation
of the Book of Mormon. In the 21 January entry, the scribe writes, “I am mistaken,” and a paragraph in the
entry corrects a statement made earlier in the entry. A few days later, Parrish wrote to JS that he could
not continue to keep the journal for a time. He explained, “Writing has a particular tendency to injure my
lungs while I am under the influence of such a cough”—a possible indication that his scribal duties required
reading aloud.6
10 Jan. 1803–3 Jan. 1877. Clergyman, gardener. Born in New York. Son of John Parrish and Ruth Farr. Married first Elizabeth (Betsey) Patten of Westmoreland Co., New Hampshire, ca. 1822. Lived at Alexandria, Jefferson Co., New York, 1830. Purchased land at...
View Full BioJS, Journal, 25 Jan. 1836.
The journal reveals aspects not only of the inner spiritual life and the religious fellowship
that JS shared with church members and leaders but also of his relations with adherents of other religious
persuasions. Various entries describe his interactions with Presbyterians, Methodists, a Baptist, a
Universalist, and a Unitarian. The journal records a visit JS received from two followers of the British
religious reformer Edward Irving as well as a visit from JS’s contemporary Robert Matthews—better known as
the Prophet Matthias. During his visit with Matthews, JS shared the foundational religious experiences of
his youth, including rare accounts of his visit from the angel Moroni and of his first vision of Deity.
1788–ca. 1841. Carpenter, joiner, merchant, minister. Born at Cambridge, Washington Co., New York. Raised in Anti-Burgher Secession Church. Married Margaret Wright, 1813, at New York City. Adopted beliefs of Methodism and then Judaism. Moved to Albany, ca...
View Full BioThe journal also records several other revelations and visions. Of particular theological
significance is the aforementioned 21 January 1836 vision of the “celestial kingdom” of heaven, with its
revelation that “all who have died with[out] a knowledge of this
gospel, who would have received it, if they had been permitted to tarry, shall be heirs of the celestial
kingdom of God.”7 This foreshadows the
Latter-day Saint doctrine of redeeming the dead through vicarious ordinances.
JS, Journal, 21 Jan. 1836.
A number of entries in this journal relate to JS’s revelatory translation of Egyptian
writings. In July 1835, JS and associates had purchased from a Michael Chandler four Egyptian mummies and
some papyri unearthed at Thebes. Chandler had exhibited the artifacts in Cleveland and other locations and
had heard of JS’s claims as a translator. This journal provides glimpses of JS’s early efforts in
transcribing and translating material from the papyri and recounts that JS exhibited the papyri to
associates and visitors. Journal entries refer to them as the “records of antiquity,” the “Egyptian
manuscripts,” the “Egyptian records,” the “sacred record,” the “ancient records,” the “records of Abraham,”
or simply “the records.” JS’s efforts led to publication in 1842 of a work that he introduced as “purporting
to be the writings of Abraham.”8
Cuyahoga Co. seat of justice, 1833. Situated on south shore of Lake Erie, just east of mouth of Cuyahoga River. First settled, 1797. Incorporated as village, 1815; incorporated as city, 1836. Became center of business and trade at opening of Ohio and Erie...
More Info“The Book of Abraham,” Times and Seasons,1 Mar. 1842, 3:703–706; 15 Mar. 1842, 3:719–722; 16 May 1842, 3:783–784 [Abraham 1–5].
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Times and Seasons. Commerce/Nauvoo, IL. Nov. 1839–Feb. 1846.
The events of this journal, as in JS’s 1832–1834 journal, unfold in the shadow of the dual
priorities of redeeming Zion and preparing the House of the Lord. A revelation that JS announced in June
1834, prior to the close of the Mormons’ armed expedition to Missouri, laid out the course of action the
Latter-day Saints were to pursue regarding their future in that state. The “redemption of Zion” in Missouri
would not take place until church officers had been further instructed in their duties and empowered in the
House of the Lord in Kirtland.9
JS revelation of Jan. 1831 directed Latter-day Saints to migrate to Ohio, where they would “be endowed with power from on high.” JS Revelation of Dec. 1832 directed Saints to “establish . . . an house of God.” JS Revelation of 1 June 1833 chastened Saints...
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 InfoRevelation, 22 June 1834, in Doctrine and Covenants 102, 1844 ed. [D&C 105].
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The Doctrine and Covenants of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints; Carefully Selected from the Revelations of God. Compiled by Joseph Smith. 2nd ed. Nauvoo, IL: John Taylor, 1844. Selections also available in Robin Scott Jensen, Richard E. Turley Jr., Riley M. Lorimer, eds., Revelations and Translations, Volume 2: Published Revelations. Vol. 2 of the Revelations and Translations series of The Joseph Smith Papers, edited by Dean C. Jessee, Ronald K. Esplin, and Richard Lyman Bushman (Salt Lake City: Church Historian’s Press, 2011).
In the third entry in this journal, JS himself recorded further plans and preparations for
Missouri. As the time for the promised endowment neared, so did the anticipated return to Jackson County.
The dispossessed Missouri Saints were again to petition Governor Daniel Dunklin for support in reoccupying
their Jackson County lands. JS and other church officers expressed determination to reenter Jackson County
in spring 1836, at the risk of their lives if necessary. JS reported the beginning of efforts that same day
to enlist a large volunteer army for this purpose10—optimistic plans, fed
perhaps by growth in church membership in the two years since their small “Camp of Israel” expedition had
failed to accomplish the same goal. Less than two weeks later, he advised members of the Quorum of the
Twelve to anticipate moving their families to Missouri.11
Area 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 InfoSettled 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 Info14 Jan. 1790–25 July 1844. Farmer, tavern owner, businessman, investor, lawyer, politician. Born near Greenville, Greenville District, South Carolina. Son of Joseph Dunklin Jr. and Sarah Margaret Sullivan. Moved to what became Caldwell Co., Kentucky, 1806...
View Full BioJS, Journal, 24 Sept. 1835.
JS, Journal, 5 Oct. 1835.
Latter-day Saints corresponded with Dunklin, asking for his assistance and even suggesting
that United States president Andrew Jackson be asked to rectify the Saints’ 1833 eviction from their Jackson
County property by vigilantes. In January 1836, Dunklin effectively foreclosed the possibility of aid from
either the state or the federal government in the near future. He ruled out any request for federal
intervention on constitutional grounds and again advised the Saints to pursue restoration of their property
through the established legal system.12
14 Jan. 1790–25 July 1844. Farmer, tavern owner, businessman, investor, lawyer, politician. Born near Greenville, Greenville District, South Carolina. Son of Joseph Dunklin Jr. and Sarah Margaret Sullivan. Moved to what became Caldwell Co., Kentucky, 1806...
View Full BioNorth American constitutional republic. Constitution ratified, 17 Sept. 1787. Population in 1805 about 6,000,000; in 1830 about 13,000,000; and in 1844 about 20,000,000. Louisiana Purchase, 1803, doubled size of U.S. Consisted of seventeen states at time ...
More InfoSettled 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 InfoDaniel Dunklin, Jefferson City, MO, to William W. Phelps et al., Kirtland, OH, 22 Jan. 1836, in JS History, vol. B-1, addenda, 3nH.
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JS History / Smith, Joseph, et al. History, 1838–1856. Vols. A-1–F-1 (original), A-2–E-2 (fair copy). CHL. The history for the period after 5 Aug. 1838 was composed after the death of Joseph Smith.
Soon after receiving Dunklin’s letter, the Latter-day Saints modified their short-term plans
for Missouri. By March 1836, they had apparently dropped the idea of assembling a large army, at least for
the present. Church leaders moved their focus for the near future away from Jackson County and instead
commissioned agents to find a new location in Missouri and to purchase lands there on which to settle.13
The church’s presidency intended to move to Missouri to direct the
relocation.14
14 Jan. 1790–25 July 1844. Farmer, tavern owner, businessman, investor, lawyer, politician. Born near Greenville, Greenville District, South Carolina. Son of Joseph Dunklin Jr. and Sarah Margaret Sullivan. Moved to what became Caldwell Co., Kentucky, 1806...
View Full BioArea 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 InfoSettled 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 InfoWhitmer, History, 83.
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Whitmer, History / Whitmer, John. “The Book of John Whitmer Kept by Commandment,” ca. 1838–1847. CCLA.
JS, Journal, 13 Mar. 1836.
During the time covered in the journal, the immediate attention of Latter-day Saints was
focused on northeastern Ohio. Prerequisite to their major relocation in Missouri, church leaders from
Missouri and elsewhere gathered to Kirtland, the site of the temple that bore the name “the House of the
Lord,” wherein the much-anticipated endowment and solemn assembly were to empower church officers in their
ministry. Building the temple in Kirtland—which JS often referred to as the “chapel” or simply “the
house”—had been a focal point since summer 1833, when a letter from JS, Sidney Rigdon, and Frederick G.
Williams reported that there were only one hundred fifty Saints in Kirtland.15
In autumn 1834, JS
himself helped quarry stone for the building.16
By late 1835, the nine hundred
Mormons in Kirtland, plus the two hundred living nearby, included skilled individuals recruited specifically
for the building project, freeing JS to pursue spiritual, educational, and administrative matters. A temple
committee composed of JS’s brother Hyrum, Reynolds Cahoon, and Jared Carter oversaw construction of the
House of the Lord. The construction workers were compensated in part through goods available at the
“committee store.”
French explored area, 1669. British took possession following French and Indian War, 1763. Ceded to U.S., 1783. First permanent white settlement established, 1788. Partitioned from Northwest Territory and admitted as state, 1803. Bordered by Lake Erie on ...
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 InfoJS revelation of Jan. 1831 directed Latter-day Saints to migrate to Ohio, where they would “be endowed with power from on high.” JS Revelation of Dec. 1832 directed Saints to “establish . . . an house of God.” JS Revelation of 1 June 1833 chastened Saints...
More Info19 Feb. 1793–14 July 1876. Tanner, farmer, minister. Born at St. Clair, Allegheny Co., Pennsylvania. Son of William Rigdon and Nancy Gallaher. Joined United Baptists, ca. 1818. Preached at Warren, Trumbull Co., Ohio, and vicinity, 1819–1821. Married Phebe...
View Full Bio28 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 BioSidney Rigdon et al., Kirtland, OH, to Edward Partridge et al., Independence, MO, 25 June 1833, JS Collection, CHL.
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Smith, Joseph. Collection, 1827–1846. CHL.
JS History, vol. B-1, 553; Heber C. Kimball, in Journal of Discourses, 6 Apr. 1863, 10:165.
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JS History / Smith, Joseph, et al. History, 1838–1856. Vols. A-1–F-1 (original), A-2–E-2 (fair copy). CHL. The history for the period after 5 Aug. 1838 was composed after the death of Joseph Smith.
Journal of Discourses. 26 vols. Liverpool: F. D. Richards, 1855–1886.
9 Feb. 1800–27 June 1844. Farmer, cooper. Born at Tunbridge, Orange Co., Vermont. Son of Joseph Smith Sr. and Lucy Mack. Moved to Randolph, Orange Co., 1802; to Tunbridge, before May 1803; to Royalton, Windsor Co., Vermont, 1804; to Sharon, Windsor Co., by...
View Full Bio30 Apr. 1790–29 Apr. 1861. Farmer, tanner, builder. Born at Cambridge, Washington Co., New York. Son of William Cahoon Jr. and Mehitable Hodges. Married Thirza Stiles, 11 Dec. 1810. Moved to northeastern Ohio, 1811. Located at Harpersfield, Ashtabula Co.,...
View Full Bio14 June 1801–6 July 1849. Born at Killingworth, Middlesex Co., Connecticut. Son of Gideon Carter and Johanna Sims. Moved to Benson, Rutland Co., Vermont, by 1810. Married Lydia Ames, 20 Sept. 1823, at Benson. Moved to Chenango, Broome Co., New York, by Jan...
View Full BioEstablished by temple building committee to support those working on Kirtland temple.
More InfoPreparation for the promised endowment required much more than completion of the temple. JS’s
vision for a church prepared for its expansive mission included an extensive and well-organized priesthood
hierarchy. After adding three assistants to the church’s presidency in December 1834,17
JS further
expanded his cadre of leaders. Drawn almost exclusively from the ranks of the 1834 expedition to Missouri,
the Quorum of the Twelve and the Quorum of the Seventy, organized in February 1835, were assigned primarily
to minister outside Ohio and Missouri, the two centers of the church. JS gave the new officers short-term
assignments to preach in the East and seek financial support for Zion in Missouri and the temple in
Ohio.18
Beginning in January 1836, JS worked to have every
office and organization mentioned in the revelations fully staffed—to “set the different quorems in
order.”19 With the entire array
of priesthood leadership from both Ohio and Missouri in Kirtland to prepare for empowerment, many of the
regular Kirtland council meetings included the Missouri leadership, especially Missouri president David
Whitmer and his counselors William W. Phelps and John Whitmer. These three also often joined with the
church’s presidency in Kirtland—JS, Oliver Cowdery, Sidney Rigdon, Frederick G. Williams, Hyrum Smith, and
Joseph Smith Sr.—in a council of presidents that conducted much of the church business.
JS revelation of Jan. 1831 directed Latter-day Saints to migrate to Ohio, where they would “be endowed with power from on high.” JS Revelation of Dec. 1832 directed Saints to “establish . . . an house of God.” JS Revelation of 1 June 1833 chastened Saints...
More InfoEntries for 5 and 6 Dec. 1834, in JS History, 1834–1836, 17–20.
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JS History, 1834–1836 / Smith, Joseph, et al. History, 1834–1836. In Joseph Smith et al., History, 1838–1856, vol. A-1, back of book (earliest numbering), 9–20, 46–187. CHL.
Area 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 InfoFrench explored area, 1669. British took possession following French and Indian War, 1763. Ceded to U.S., 1783. First permanent white settlement established, 1788. Partitioned from Northwest Territory and admitted as state, 1803. Bordered by Lake Erie on ...
More InfoJS, Kirtland, OH, to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, 4 Aug. 1835, in JS Letterbook 1, pp. 90–93.
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JS Letterbook 1 / Smith, Joseph. “Letter Book A,” 1832–1835. Joseph Smith Collection. CHL.
JS, Journal, 30 Jan. 1836.
Located 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 Info7 Jan. 1805–25 Jan. 1888. Farmer, livery keeper. Born near Harrisburg, Dauphin Co., Pennsylvania. Son of Peter Whitmer Sr. and Mary Musselman. Raised Presbyterian. Moved to Ontario Co., New York, shortly after birth. Attended German Reformed Church. Arranged...
View Full Bio17 Feb. 1792–7 Mar. 1872. Writer, teacher, printer, newspaper editor, publisher, postmaster, lawyer. Born at Hanover, Morris Co., New Jersey. Son of Enon Phelps and Mehitabel Goldsmith. Moved to Homer, Cortland Co., New York, 1800. Married Sally Waterman,...
View Full Bio27 Aug. 1802–11 July 1878. Farmer, stock raiser, newspaper editor. Born in Pennsylvania. Son of Peter Whitmer Sr. and Mary Musselman. Member of German Reformed Church, Fayette, Seneca Co., New York. Baptized by Oliver Cowdery, June 1829, most likely in Seneca...
View Full Bio3 Oct. 1806–3 Mar. 1850. Clerk, teacher, justice of the peace, lawyer, newspaper editor. Born at Wells, Rutland Co., Vermont. Son of William Cowdery and Rebecca Fuller. Raised Congregationalist. Moved to western New York and clerked at a store, ca. 1825–1828...
View Full Bio19 Feb. 1793–14 July 1876. Tanner, farmer, minister. Born at St. Clair, Allegheny Co., Pennsylvania. Son of William Rigdon and Nancy Gallaher. Joined United Baptists, ca. 1818. Preached at Warren, Trumbull Co., Ohio, and vicinity, 1819–1821. Married Phebe...
View Full Bio28 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 Bio9 Feb. 1800–27 June 1844. Farmer, cooper. Born at Tunbridge, Orange Co., Vermont. Son of Joseph Smith Sr. and Lucy Mack. Moved to Randolph, Orange Co., 1802; to Tunbridge, before May 1803; to Royalton, Windsor Co., Vermont, 1804; to Sharon, Windsor Co., by...
View Full Bio12 July 1771–14 Sept. 1840. Cooper, farmer, teacher, merchant. Born at Topsfield, Essex Co., Massachusetts. Son of Asael Smith and Mary Duty. Nominal member of Congregationalist church at Topsfield. Married to Lucy Mack by Seth Austin, 24 Jan. 1796, at Tunbridge...
View Full BioPreparation of church officials for carrying out their responsibilities required ministerial
training. This was accomplished in the Elders School, which was a revival of the earlier School of the
Prophets. In early January 1836, an additional school was opened offering two months’ intensive study of
biblical Hebrew under the tutelage of scholar Joshua Seixas. This instruction ran concurrently with the
Elders School and involved many of the same students. JS himself participated as an enthusiastic student of
Hebrew.
4 June 1802–1874. Hebraist, textbook writer, teacher. Probably born at New York City. Son of Gershom Mendez Seixas and Hannah Manuel. Married Henrietta Raphael of Richmond, Henrico Co., Virginia. Taught Hebrew at New York and Charlestown, Massachusetts. His...
View Full BioJS insisted that in addition to being fully staffed and properly organized and trained, the
church leadership must have unity and harmony.20
A prerequisite to the endowment was a sanctification
process that in turn required collegiality and love. JS faced significant challenges from within the
hierarchy and his own family as he sought to establish this unity. During the apostles’ 1835 mission, JS and
other leaders in Kirtland chastised the Quorum of the Twelve by letter for offensive statements two of them
had made about Sidney Rigdon. The Twelve also had reportedly failed to emphasize donations for temple
construction while seeking funds for Missouri lands and other church needs. JS concluded later that the
latter concern, based on a complaint by an observer in New York, was unwarranted. After the Twelve returned
to Kirtland there were feelings to reconcile, apologies to make, and clarifications required concerning the
role of the Twelve. The flurry of accusations and confessions in council meetings recorded in this journal
were meant to heal breaches and promote harmony by airing and then resolving all disagreements.
See Revelation, 27 and 28 Dec. 1832 and 3 Jan. 1833, in
Doctrine and Covenants 7, 1835 ed. [D&C 88]; and
Instruction on priesthood, ca. Apr. 1835, in Doctrine and Covenants 3:11–12, 1835 ed. [D&C 107:27–33].
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Doctrine and Covenants of the Church of the Latter Day Saints: Carefully Selected from the Revelations of God. Compiled by Joseph Smith, Oliver Cowdery, Sidney Rigdon, and Frederick G. Williams. Kirtland, OH: F. G. Williams, 1835. Also available in Robin Scott Jensen, Richard E. Turley Jr., Riley M. Lorimer, eds., Revelations and Translations, Volume 2: Published Revelations. Vol. 2 of the Revelations and Translations series of The Joseph Smith Papers, edited by Dean C. Jessee, Ronald K. Esplin, and Richard Lyman Bushman (Salt Lake City: Church Historian’s Press, 2011).
Located 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 Info19 Feb. 1793–14 July 1876. Tanner, farmer, minister. Born at St. Clair, Allegheny Co., Pennsylvania. Son of William Rigdon and Nancy Gallaher. Joined United Baptists, ca. 1818. Preached at Warren, Trumbull Co., Ohio, and vicinity, 1819–1821. Married Phebe...
View Full BioJS revelation of Jan. 1831 directed Latter-day Saints to migrate to Ohio, where they would “be endowed with power from on high.” JS Revelation of Dec. 1832 directed Saints to “establish . . . an house of God.” JS Revelation of 1 June 1833 chastened Saints...
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 InfoDutch founded New Netherland colony, 1625. Incorporated under British control and renamed New York, 1664. Harbor contributed to economic and population growth of city; became largest city in American colonies. British troops defeated Continental Army under...
More InfoTo JS’s great dismay, his confrontations with his volatile younger brother William, an
apostle in the church, contrasted starkly with JS’s ideals. The two strong-willed Smiths clashed in fall
1835. Harmony was not restored until Joseph Smith Sr. convened a family New Year’s gathering to bring about
reconciliation. Passages in this diary about their interaction offer revealing insights into the
personalities and temperaments of JS and William.
13 Mar. 1811–13 Nov. 1893. Farmer, newspaper editor. Born at Royalton, Windsor Co., Vermont. Son of Joseph Smith Sr. and Lucy Mack. Moved to Lebanon, Grafton Co., New Hampshire, 1811; to Norwich, Windsor Co., 1813; and to Palmyra, Ontario Co., New York, 1816...
View Full Bio12 July 1771–14 Sept. 1840. Cooper, farmer, teacher, merchant. Born at Topsfield, Essex Co., Massachusetts. Son of Asael Smith and Mary Duty. Nominal member of Congregationalist church at Topsfield. Married to Lucy Mack by Seth Austin, 24 Jan. 1796, at Tunbridge...
View Full BioAfter resolving differences among church leaders, the officers were ready to receive the
rituals associated with the temple and the anticipated endowment. This was a new development. The previous
fall JS had told members of the Quorum of the Twelve that they were soon to attend the organization of a
school of the prophets that would involve a solemn assembly and the ordinance of foot washing—patterned
after Jesus’s ministration to his disciples after the Last Supper and mandated in the same revelation that
first called for a temple to be built.21
This would have repeated the procedures followed at the
organization of the initial School of the Prophets in 1833. Instead, JS organized the Elders School on 3
November 1835 without a solemn assembly, and the foot-washing ordinance was performed during a solemn
assembly in the House of the Lord at the conclusion of a set of newly instituted ordinances. Before the Lord
could “endow his servants,” recorded John Whitmer, “we must perform all the ordinances that are instituted
in his house.”22
To this end, washing,
anointing, and blessing the presidents of quorums began 21 and 22 January 1836. In the coming weeks, these
rituals were administered in hierarchal order to each church officer in the House of the Lord. The
ordinances were accompanied by exclamations of “hosanna” in unison. Visions and other spiritual
manifestations were noted by numerous participants.
JS revelation of Jan. 1831 directed Latter-day Saints to migrate to Ohio, where they would “be endowed with power from on high.” JS Revelation of Dec. 1832 directed Saints to “establish . . . an house of God.” JS Revelation of 1 June 1833 chastened Saints...
More InfoJS, Journal, 5 Oct. 1835; Revelation, 27 and 28 Dec.
1832 and 3 Jan. 1833, in Doctrine and Covenants 7:45–46, 1835 ed. [D&C 88:138–141].
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Doctrine and Covenants of the Church of the Latter Day Saints: Carefully Selected from the Revelations of God. Compiled by Joseph Smith, Oliver Cowdery, Sidney Rigdon, and Frederick G. Williams. Kirtland, OH: F. G. Williams, 1835. Also available in Robin Scott Jensen, Richard E. Turley Jr., Riley M. Lorimer, eds., Revelations and Translations, Volume 2: Published Revelations. Vol. 2 of the Revelations and Translations series of The Joseph Smith Papers, edited by Dean C. Jessee, Ronald K. Esplin, and Richard Lyman Bushman (Salt Lake City: Church Historian’s Press, 2011).
27 Aug. 1802–11 July 1878. Farmer, stock raiser, newspaper editor. Born in Pennsylvania. Son of Peter Whitmer Sr. and Mary Musselman. Member of German Reformed Church, Fayette, Seneca Co., New York. Baptized by Oliver Cowdery, June 1829, most likely in Seneca...
View Full BioWhitmer, History, 83.
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Whitmer, History / Whitmer, John. “The Book of John Whitmer Kept by Commandment,” ca. 1838–1847. CCLA.
On 27 March 1836, before a general audience of church members, JS dedicated the newly
completed House of the Lord. His dedicatory prayer and the accompanying hymns and sermons expressed the
vision he and his associates shared for the unfolding of God’s plan for the earth and the role they were to
play as God’s authorized representatives. Not only their worldview and proximate goals but also their
perceived challenges and obstacles were delineated in the journal’s report.
JS revelation of Jan. 1831 directed Latter-day Saints to migrate to Ohio, where they would “be endowed with power from on high.” JS Revelation of Dec. 1832 directed Saints to “establish . . . an house of God.” JS Revelation of 1 June 1833 chastened Saints...
More InfoTwo days after the dedication of the House of the Lord, JS and the presidency sought
revelation about the proposed move to Missouri. They emerged from an all-night session in the House of the
Lord to announce that the key to redeeming Zion lay in proselytizing and gathering converts to
Missouri.23 As for the
presidency, their immediate concern was raising funds to purchase Missouri land.24 Apparently their planned move was postponed until after such purchases
could be made.
JS revelation of Jan. 1831 directed Latter-day Saints to migrate to Ohio, where they would “be endowed with power from on high.” JS Revelation of Dec. 1832 directed Saints to “establish . . . an house of God.” JS Revelation of 1 June 1833 chastened Saints...
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 InfoJS, Journal, 29 and 30 Mar. 1836.
JS, Journal, 2 Apr. 1836.
Now that the temple was dedicated to the Lord, the long-awaited solemn assembly was finally
held. On 30 March 1836, three days after the dedication, about three hundred priesthood officers met in the
House of the Lord and received a ritual washing of feet, an ordinance of purification before receiving the
endowment of power. JS announced the celebration of a jubilee for the church. While preparing the sacrament
of the Lord’s Supper to initiate a Passover feast, he instructed the officers that “the time that we were
required to tarry in Kirtland to be endued would be fulfilled in a few days.” Soon afterward, according to
several accounts, many who were gathered in the solemn assembly experienced a powerful spiritual outpouring.
They remained in the House of the Lord through the night, prophesying, speaking in tongues, and seeing
visions. Many felt that the promise of an endowment of spiritual power had been fulfilled, and elders began
leaving Kirtland the following day to perform missions.
JS revelation of Jan. 1831 directed Latter-day Saints to migrate to Ohio, where they would “be endowed with power from on high.” JS Revelation of Dec. 1832 directed Saints to “establish . . . an house of God.” JS Revelation of 1 June 1833 chastened Saints...
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 InfoFor those officers who remained, the jubilee and the Passover were a week of visiting,
feasting, prophesying, and pronouncing blessings on one another. During the Sunday worship service held 3
April 1836, the day for which the final entry in the journal was made, JS and Oliver Cowdery secluded
themselves behind drawn curtains at the podium of the House of the Lord. There, the journal indicates, they
experienced a vision of the resurrected Jesus Christ, who stated that he accepted the edifice as his house.
Afterward, according to this account, Moses, Elias, and Elijah also appeared and conferred priesthood keys
and authority for essential ministries over which they each had responsibility. The jubilee ended 6 April
1836, the first day of the church’s seventh year.
3 Oct. 1806–3 Mar. 1850. Clerk, teacher, justice of the peace, lawyer, newspaper editor. Born at Wells, Rutland Co., Vermont. Son of William Cowdery and Rebecca Fuller. Raised Congregationalist. Moved to western New York and clerked at a store, ca. 1825–1828...
View Full BioJS revelation of Jan. 1831 directed Latter-day Saints to migrate to Ohio, where they would “be endowed with power from on high.” JS Revelation of Dec. 1832 directed Saints to “establish . . . an house of God.” JS Revelation of 1 June 1833 chastened Saints...
More InfoJS, “Sketch Book for the use of Joseph Smith, jr.,” Journal, Sept. 1835–Apr.
1836; handwriting of Warren Parrish, an unidentified scribe, Sylvester Smith, Frederick G.
Williams, Warren Cowdery, JS, and Oliver Cowdery; 195 pages; JS Collection, CHL. Includes
redactions and archival marking.
10 Jan. 1803–3 Jan. 1877. Clergyman, gardener. Born in New York. Son of John Parrish and Ruth Farr. Married first Elizabeth (Betsey) Patten of Westmoreland Co., New Hampshire, ca. 1822. Lived at Alexandria, Jefferson Co., New York, 1830. Purchased land at...
View Full Bio25 Mar. 1806–22 Feb. 1880. Farmer, carpenter, lawyer, realtor. Born at Tyringham, Berkshire Co., Massachusetts. Son of Chileab Smith and Nancy Marshall. Moved to Amherst, Lorain Co., Ohio, ca. 1815. Married Elizabeth Frank, 27 Dec. 1827, likely in Chautauque...
View Full Bio28 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 Bio17 Oct. 1788–23 Feb. 1851. Physician, druggist, farmer, editor. Born at Wells, Rutland Co., Vermont. Son of William Cowdery and Rebecca Fuller. Married Patience Simonds, 22 Sept. 1814, in Pawlet, Rutland Co. Moved to Freedom, Cattaraugus Co., New York, 1816...
View Full Bio3 Oct. 1806–3 Mar. 1850. Clerk, teacher, justice of the peace, lawyer, newspaper editor. Born at Wells, Rutland Co., Vermont. Son of William Cowdery and Rebecca Fuller. Raised Congregationalist. Moved to western New York and clerked at a store, ca. 1825–1828...
View Full BioThe text block consists of 114 leaves—including single flyleaves and pastedowns
in the front and back—measuring 12¼ x 8 inches (31 x 20 cm). The 110 interior leaves are ledger
paper with thirty-four lines in faint—and now faded—black ink that has turned brown. There are
nine gatherings of various sizes—each about a dozen leaves per gathering. The text block is sewn
all along over cloth tapes. The front and back covers of the journal are pasteboard. The ledger
has a tight-back case binding with a brown calfskin quarter-leather binding. The outside covers
are adorned in shell marbled paper, with dark green body and veins of light green. The bound
volume measures 12⅜ x 8¼ inches (31 x 21 cm) and is 13/16 inches (2 cm) thick. One cover of the
book is labeled “Repentence.” in black ink. The first page of ledger paper under that cover
contains eight lines of references to the book of Genesis under the heading “Scriptures relating
to Repentince”. The spine has “No 8” inscribed upside up when the book is standing upright for
this side. When the volume is turned upside down and flipped front to back, the other cover is
titled “Sabbath Day” with “No 9” written beneath in black ink. The first page of ledger paper
under that cover contains two lines of references to the book of Genesis under the heading
“Scriptures relating to the Sabbath day”. Thus the book was used to simultaneously house two
volumes of topical notes on biblical passages. This book was apparently part of a larger series
that included at least two other extant volumes—one bearing “Faith” and “10” on the cover, and
the other bearing “Second Comeing of Christ” and “No 3” on one cover and “Gift of the Holy
Ghost” on the other cover.1
In late 1835, JS and scribes began using the book
to record his journal for 1835–1836, which begins on the recto of the second leaf of ledger
paper. Warren Parrish added the title “Sketch Book” to the cover, beneath “Repentence.”.
“Grammar & Aphabet of the Egyptian Language,” Kirtland Egyptian Papers, ca. 1835–1836, CHL; Kirtland Elders Quorum, “Record”.
Comprehensive Works Cited
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Kirtland Egyptian Papers, ca. 1835–1836. CHL.
Kirtland Elders Quorum. “A Record of the First Quorurum of Elders Belonging to the Church of Christ: In Kirtland Geauga Co. Ohio,” 1836–1838, 1840–1841. CCLA.
10 Jan. 1803–3 Jan. 1877. Clergyman, gardener. Born in New York. Son of John Parrish and Ruth Farr. Married first Elizabeth (Betsey) Patten of Westmoreland Co., New Hampshire, ca. 1822. Lived at Alexandria, Jefferson Co., New York, 1830. Purchased land at...
View Full BioThe entire journal is inscribed in black ink that later turned brown. Pages 25,
51, 77, 103, 129, and 154 bear the marks of adhesive wafers that were probably used to attach
manuscripts until they were copied into the journal. The journal was used in Nauvoo, Illinois,
in 1843 as a major source in composing JS’s multivolume manuscript history of the church. At
this time, redactions were made in ink and in graphite pencil, and use marks were made in
graphite. Also, apparently in Nauvoo, the cover of the journal side of the book was marked with
a “D” and then with a larger, stylized “D”. At some point a white paper spine label was added
with “1835–6 <Kirtland> JOURNAL” hand printed or stenciled in
black ink that later turned brown. The insertion “Kirtland” is written in graphite. Also, in the
“Repentence” side of the volume, the rectos of the third through eighth leaves of ledger paper
are numbered on the upper right-hand corners as 195, 197, 199, 201, 203, and 205—all written in
graphite and apparently redactions. Except with regard to the title “Sketch Book”, none of the
authors of the inscriptions mentioned previously have been identified. This volume is listed in
Nauvoo and early Utah inventories of church records, indicating continuous custody.2
Principal gathering place for Saints following expulsion from Missouri. Beginning in 1839, LDS church purchased lands in earlier settlement of Commerce and planned settlement of Commerce City, as well as surrounding areas. Served as church headquarters, 1839...
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 InfoHistorian’s Office, “Schedule of Church Records”; “Historian’s Office Catalogue,” [1], Catalogs and Inventories, 1846–1904, CHL; Johnson, Register of the Joseph Smith Collection, 7.
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Historian’s Office. Catalogs and Inventories, 1846–1904. CHL.
Johnson, Jeffery O. Register of the Joseph Smith Collection in the Church Archives, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Salt Lake City: Historical Department of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1973.
