Footnotes
JS, Journal, 29 June 1842; “Clayton, William,” in Jenson, Latter-day Saint Biographical Encyclopedia, 1:718.
Jenson, Andrew. Latter-day Saint Biographical Encyclopedia: A Compilation of Biographical Sketches of Prominent Men and Women in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. 4 vols. Salt Lake City: Andrew Jenson History Co., 1901–1936.
Footnotes
Some sources spell Gurley’s first name as “Zenos”—possibly following the spelling of the prophet Zenos mentioned in the Book of Mormon—but this signed letter and other contemporaneous documents indicate that Gurley spelled his name “Zenas.” (For examples of “Zenas,” see JS et al. to Zenas Gurley, Bond, Nauvoo, IL, 1 Nov. 1839; Zenas Gurley to JS et al., Promissory Note, Nauvoo, IL, 1 Nov. 1839; JS et al. to Zenas Gurley, Bond, Nauvoo, IL, 12 Mar. 1840, Newel K. Whitney, Papers, BYU; and History of the Reorganized Church, 3:742; for examples of “Zenos,” see JS History, vol. C-1, 882, 1004, 1194; see also Book of Mormon, 1840 ed., 51, 137 [1 Nephi 19:10; Jacob 5:1].)
The History of the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. 8 vols. Independence, MO: Herald Publishing House, 1896–1976.
Gurley’s 1871 obituary provides the 1838 date, but an 1872 article dates the baptism to 1837. Either date is possible, since Gurley and James Blakeslee, who baptized Gurley, were both apparently in the region in 1837 and 1838. (“Death of Br. Zenos H. Gurley, Sen.,” True Latter Day Saints’ Herald, 15 Sept. 1871, 560; Mark H. Forscutt, “Biographical Sketch of Elder Zenos H. Gurley, Sen’r,” True Latter Day Saints’ Herald, 1 Jan. 1872, 3; Shepard, “James Blakeslee,” 116–117.)
Saints’ Herald. Independence, MO. 1860–.
Shepard, William. “James Blakeslee, the Old Soldier of Mormonism.” John Whitmer Historical Association Journal 17 (1997): 113–132.
Gurley may have lived in Nauvoo for a time. He purchased land there in November 1839 and March 1840. (JS et al. to Zenas Gurley, Bond, Nauvoo, IL, 1 Nov. 1839; JS et al. to Zenas Gurley, Bond, Nauvoo, IL, 12 Mar. 1840, Newel K. Whitney, Papers, BYU; Henry G. Sherwood to Zenas Gurley, Town Lot Order, [Nauvoo, IL], 12 Mar. 1840, JS Office Papers, CHL.)
“Truth Prevailing,” Times and Seasons, 15 Mar. 1841, 2:350; Macedonia Branch, Record, 17 Apr. 1841.
Times and Seasons. Commerce/Nauvoo, IL. Nov. 1839–Feb. 1846.
Macedonia Branch, Record / “A Record of the Chur[c]h of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints in Macedonia (Also Called Ramus),” 1839–1850. CHL. LR 11808 21.