Mormon History 1830-1844

Noah Packard (1796–1859)
Missionary, financial contributor, high counselor, temple builder, counselor in high priests quorum presidency.
 
 
Born   May 7, 1796 in Plainfield, Hampshire Co., Massachusetts, the seventh of eight children.   Noah Packard synopsis, [1].
Died   February 17, 1859    
Father   Noah Packard   Noah Packard synopsis, [1].
Mother   Molly Hamblen [Hamblin]   Noah Packard synopsis, [1].
Leaves home   [1817] at age 21, leaves home, walks to Parkman, Geauga County, Ohio.   Noah Packard synopsis, [1].
Marries   June 27, 1820 marries Sophia Bundy, daughter of Ephraim and Eunice Bundy; native of South Hampton, Hampshire County, Massachusetts.   Noah Packard synopsis, [1].
Farmer   My business for a livelyhood was chiefly husbandry. Though I frequently embarked in other business, but was generally unsuccessful and finally concluded it best to stick to my farm, which I did until I had sixty or seventy acres of land cleared and a good bearing orchard of the best grafted fruit, and more enjoying life, had a deed of about 120 acres of land, a log house and a good frame barn.   Noah Packard synopsis
Baptized   June [1–5], 1832 baptized in Parkman, Geauga County, Ohio by Parley P. Pratt (h), confirmed by Hyrum Smith.   Noah Packard synopsis
Priest   December 3, 1832 ordained a priest by Joseph Smith.   Minutes of Dec. 3, 1832 (Kirtland) // Diary-1, 3.
Mission call   December 5, 1832 called on mission to the east with Solomon Humphrey.   Minutes of Dec. 5, 1832
Mission east   January 3, 1833 begins mission to the eastern states.   Noah Packard synopsis
Luman Shurtliff   January [4–21] calls on his cousin's wife, Luman Shurtliff, a Campbellite living in Franklin Township, Portage County.    
    [Luman Shurtliff]:they preached in our [50] School house mr Umphry [Humphrey] had bin a methodest preacher and his discourse was to mixed up with Methodism I could learn but little by it Mr Packard but little mo[re] than bore his testimony to what the former had said they ware new beginners in Mormonism and went on west. I was affected in a curious mann when in company with these men I loved them but knew not why, they went west and when they returned it was Sunday and we ware in meeting I was speaking when they came in they ware seated and soon the s<a>crament was passed and they ware skiped the bread not offered them this hurt my feelings all though they ware strangers and Mormons I did not feel satesfied and arose a[nd] told the people my feeling pointedly … one of them [Humphrey or Packard] arose and said they had no hard feelings as they should not excepted if it had bin ofered them that night they told me I need not oppose the Gospel for I had got to blow the Gospel <Trump> yet, And on <my> making enquiry for the truth of the Bo<o>k of Mormon <they> said to me Ask God and he will show you. When these men left I wep<t> like a child without knowing why or the cause of it   Luman Andros Shurtliff (1807–1884), Autobiography, Church Archives MS 1605.
Noah's assessment   During this mission I was greatly blessed with the Spirit of the Lord and could stand up boldly in our meetings and bear testimony to the truth of the Book of Mormon.    
    January 22, 1833 returns home after traveling 163 miles, holding seven meetings.   Noah Packard synopsis
Mission east   April 22, 1833 begins mission east with William Pratt.   Noah Packard synopsis
Westfield branch, Gladden Bishop   [April 28, 1833] on Saturday night arrived at Westfield, Chetarchway [Chautauqua] Co., N.Y., where there was a branch of the Church. Sunday 28th, attended meeting and met Elder John Gould, William Cahoon and Amasa Lyman; had a powerful meeting; the spirit of the Lord rested down upon us and the people, and there were fifteen that came forward and were baptized by Elder Goold [Gould] and confirmed to the Church under our hands; here I also met Elder Gladen [Gladden] Bishop for the first time, who I immediately perceived was not in possession of a spirit congenial with the Spirit of God.   Noah Packard synopsis
William Pratt

Brother Childs

John Young home
  The Elders present perceived that Brother Pratt and I should do but little good traveling the manner we had done; called a council to decide what should be done with us; the Spirit of the Lord was poured out upon the Council and revealed that which I knew no other man knew, but myself; whereby I became reconciled to my fate, which was that William Pratt should return to Kirtland and that I should be ordained an Elder and take Brother Childs, a priest, who lived in Sharidan, 30 miles East, and go on to the East. Accordingly, I was ordained an Elder under the hands of Elder John Gould, May 6th, 1833, and took Brother Childs for a companion and traveled with him as far East as the town of Hector near the Susquehannah River to the house of John Young, brother to Brigham Young.   Noah Packard synopsis
Heals deaf child
  [June] 1833 Elder Childs having dropped out to work at John Young's, Noah continues alone. "[N]ear the head of Seneca Lake, a woman invited me to her house; she had a child that was very deaf, as I passed him standing in the yard, I laid my hands upon his head and asked the Lord to heal him, which was done, for which I felt to thank the Lord."   Noah Packard synopsis
Sister's home in McDonough, New York   June 23, 1833 reaches sister's (Molly) home in McDonough, Chenango county, New York, and begins preaching. Holds 12 meetings, baptizes 16.   Noah Packard synopsis
Plainfield, Massachusetts   July 15, 1833 leaves McDonough for Plainfield, Hampshire county, Massachusetts where he preaches several times, "but none seemed disposed to obey the Gospel."   Noah Packard synopsis
McDonough branch   August 26, 1833 returns to McDonough. Preaches several times, ordains an elder and a deacon; organizes a branch. leaves for home September 2.   Noah Packard synopsis
Parkman   September 25, 1833 arrives at Parkman, having traveled 1,782 miles, held 72 meetings, baptized 18.   Noah Packard synopsis
Presides over Parkman   September 25, 1833 to May 25, 1835 farms, presides over the Parkman branch, preaches in neighboring towns, builds a good frame house, travels 220 miles, holds 26 meetings "and 5 persons were added to the Church."   Noah Packard synopsis
Blessed   March 7–8, 1835 blessed for work on House of the Lord in Kirtland and with "wisdom and ability to proclaim the gospel in addition to a place in the house."   Minutes of March 7–8, 1835
$1,000 donation   September 23, 1835 donates $1,000 toward construction of the House of the Lord.   JS diary 1835–1836, 1.
High council January 13, 1836 replaces Hyrum Smith (or Sylvester Smith) when he leaves the Kirtland high council to be a counselor to Joseph Smith (or one of the first seven presidents of the Seventy).   Minutes of January 13, 1836
Mission   May 27, 1835 begins mission east. Organizes branch in Cummington, Hampshire county, Massachusetts.   Noah Packard synopsis
  September 14, 1835 returns to Parkman.   Noah Packard synopsis
Moves to Kirtland   Sells farm for $2200, moves to Kirtland to work on the House of the Lord. Donates span of colts.   Noah Packard synopsis
    January 13, 1836    
$400 donation   March [27], 1836 at dedication of the House of the Lord, donates $400 toward debt reduction.   Noah Packard synopsis
Poverty   … while in Kirtland, Ohio, in endeavoring to build up the Kingdom of God, and spread the Gospel, I became so reduced in poverty that I had to live some time principally on potatoes and salt, yet I enjoyed myself well because of the spirit of the Lord that was poured out upon me; and made several short missions preaching the Gospel in the county, and the counties roundabout, having traveled 252 miles and baptized nine into the Church.   Noah Packard synopsis
Leaves Kirtland for Wellsville   Late fall, 1836 leaves Kirtland for Missouri, winters in Wellsville on the Ohio River.   Noah Packard synopsis
Quincy   Spring 1837 leaves Wellsville, moves to Quincy, Illinois, where Missouri refugees were gathering. [This would have been in 1839.]   Noah Packard synopsis
High priests presidency   April 7, 1839 counselor to Don Carlos Smith in high priests presidency.   Noah Packard synopsis
    May 1840 moves to Nauvoo after living elsewhere in Hancock county for a short time.   Noah Packard synopsis
High priests presidency   October 14, 1840–1846 counselor to George Miller in high priests presidency.   Noah Packard synopsis
Mission east   [Date uncertain] mission with Hiram Hoyt to Vermont and Massachusetts, then through New York, Philadelphia, Pittsburg, Cincinnati, and St. Louis to Nauvoo, arriving December 16.   Noah Packard synopsis
Nauvoo temple   Labors to support my family and works on temple construction.   Noah Packard synopsis
Mission in Illinois   September 19, 1843 leaves on mission east with Lyman Shirtliff, Titus Billings and Brother Allen. Taken ill near the Wabash River in Vermillion county, Illinois. Remains there until November 24th, holding 15 meetings and baptizing 1.   Noah Packard synopsis
Debatees Campbellite   Debates Campbellite minister in Lancaster, southern Ohio.   Noah Packard synopsis
Massachusetts memorial   March 5, 1844 Massachusetts Senate and House of Representatives prints Naoh's memorial of this date re: Missouri persecutions, defends Joseph against accusations he was an accomplice in the shooting of Governor L. W. Boggs, asserts Rev. Bogart has "murdered one of their own clan [Missouri mob], and to escape the hand of justice has fled to Texas."   Times and Seasons 5, no. 9 (May 1, 1844): 514–519.
Fund-raising mission for temple   January 27, 1845 starts mission to raise funds in Michigan for temple construction. Travels 1,161 miles, holds 22 meetings, baptizes one, collects about $225 in property and delivers it to the Nauvoo tithing office.   Noah Packard synopsis
Sickness   Fall 1845 sick with chills and fever, unable to work for eight months. Attributes illness to exposure during missions. Receives temple endowment, is sealed to Sophia, "and afterwards we were annointed the second time a king and queen in the Kingdom of God."   Noah Packard synopsis
Wisconsin lead mines   Spring 1846 moves to Hazel Green, Wisconsin "to try my luck in the lead mines." Moderate labor, trying to recover health. Three sons work the mines with him.   Noah Packard synopsis
To Utah   April 22, 1850 started for Salt Lake Valley except one son, William, and his family. "But for the want of sufficient teams, was obliged to leave Noah and his family, near Council Bluffs where they all are at this time, 1857."
  Noah Packard synopsis
Arrives Utah   September 18, 1850 arrives in Salt Lake Valley.   Noah Packard synopsis
Springville 1851 settles in Springville, Utah. Lives a year and eight months in tent while building home.   Noah Packard synopsis
 
 
  Church Politics    
Branch president March 1851 Brigham Young organizes Springville branch with Asahel Perry president, Noah first counselor, Stephen C. Perry second counselor.   Noah Packard synopsis
Bishop

George A. against Noah
Aaron Johnson was nominated to be our Bishop and William Miller first and Myron N. Crandall his second councilors; we were all unanimously voted in and were entered upon our several duties; however, it very soon became evident that the Bishop and his first councilor were dissatisfied and were determined to be Presidents still in the place and frequently raised contention in our meetings by opposing true and correct principles I had advanced and no one ever undertook to show me that I was in an error. About this same time George A. Smith wrote a letter to President Asahel Perry directing him that if he wanted council to go to Aaron Johnson for the same, and that in his absence to the Legislature, appoint Lorenzo Johnson to preside instead of me and that Aaron Johnson was the best councilor in this place. I knowing at the same time that in consequence of his opposing my council, the people here had to do without school houses and their children without schooling. Other circumstances similar to this transpired in this place and was opposed by those persons; and similar effects followed; having a knowledge of these facts I considered that George A. Smith's letter was an unjustifiable attack upon my character as a councilor in Israel. In consequence of that letter and false accusations got up by James Earl and false brethren I was dropped as a councilor to the president. The brethren dare not vote their minds in my favor lest they should come out against higher authority. When at the same time their minds were mostly in my favor; being in possession of what my enemies intended to do and knowing that men who would wilfully get up a train of false accusations against me, would also swear false against me, I concluded to ease the thing down by making all the confession I conscientiously could, feeling at the same time under no condemnation. I was accordingly left as a member of the High Priest Quorum and frequently spoke in meetings, but had to be on my guard lest I should say something that would displease the Bishop and his council.   Noah Packard synopsis
Questions building engineering … While speaking in meeting, my mind reverted to the meeting house then building in Springville and I said that when I did anything, I wanted to see things done up right, stating that some of the pillars in that house stood six or eight inches out of plum, and that men and women would be in danger of being killed with a congregation on the second floor. The Bishop's dignity was so insulted because he was the superintendent in its building that he got up and gave me a most tremendous tongue lashing and said that was enough to justify them in cutting me off from the Church.   Noah Packard synopsis
Threatened for criticizing actions, not man
At another time when I was speaking on principle, I said that to speak of a man's acts, that were public, was not speaking against the Priesthood, when Partial A. Terry, a young and an inexperienced Elder, jumped up and ran to me placing one hand on my heart and drawing the other across my throat, and repeated two or three times the following words, viz: "God damn you, Brother Packard, you had ought to have your throat cut." And yet the Bishop and his Council justified him in it. Thus my sorrows and afflictions were great; and my heart was grieved to the very bottom; and I prayed unto the Lord by day and by night, and he sustained me and enabled me to bare mine afflictions with much fortitude, in that He gave me dreams, and to others, dreams and visions concerning me, whereby my heart was much comforted and I felt satisfied that the Lord, my God, had not forsaken me for which I fell to thank His Holy name. The abuse which I have received in Springville far exceeds any which I received whilst traveling preaching the Gospel among the Gentiles … [some] have been under the influence of evil spirits and they knew it not for black spirits were seen hovering over their heads whilst they were speaking in meetings against me and the principles which I advanced.   Noah Packard synopsis

Acused of lying, swindling

Wicked try to trap Noah

One more thing I will mention which transpired in Springville, previous to the above, wherein I was falsely accused by William Miller of lying and swindling; wherein I submitted the case to be tried before the branch when it was proven that he had lied instead of me, and consequently he could not sustain his charges against me and I went clear. The above difficulties transpired between the year 1851 and 1856 and since that time to 1859, I acted as an Alderman in the City Council of Springville, when I told the people I did not wish to act in that office any longer, and my request was granted and yet still wicked men are continually watching me and my words to try to find something whereby they can accuse me and thereby get me cut off from the Church; sometimes questioning me; to get me to say something whereby they can make me an offender for a word; sometimes lying around my house nights, as I suppose, to catch something that may be said inside thus I have hardly had the liberty of conscience or speech since I have been living in Springville.   Noah Packard synopsis
 
 
  Families    
Families Sophia Bundy, md. June 27, 1820   Noah Packard synopsis
  Noah III, b. Apr. 24, 1821 in Parkman
Orren, b. Dec. 25., 1822 in Parkman
Henry, b. May 6, 1825 in Parkman
Sophia Adelia, b. Oct. 1, 1828 in Parkman
Milan, b. Oct. 7, 1830 in Parkman
Nephi, b. July 1, 1832 in Parkman
Olive Amelia, b. Feb. 5, 1837 in Kirtland
  Noah Packard synopsis
   
Biographies




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