1832 Chronology

Mormon History 1830-1844

1832 Chronology


January 1		(Sunday) Thomas B. Marsh conducts morning meeting in Kirtland, William E. McLellin in the evening.	McLellin journals, 68.
January 2		After visiting "doubt<ing> members" in Painesville, Chardon, and Kirtland, Reynolds Cahoon and Orson Pratt "Made a report to the Church found some gilty and cut them off from the church." William E. McLellin, who presides, reports, "We had much labour with some disobedient members. one was restored and some cut off." Joseph Coe is also present.	Cahoon diary; McLellin journals, 68.
January 5		Meeting held at Reynolds Cahoon's "for the purpose of mutual edification." Present: Hyrum Smith, Frederick G. Williams, William E. McLellin, and Joseph Coe.	McLellin journals, 68.
January 5		Oliver Cowdery and John Whitmer arrive in Jackson County with the revelations for the Book of Commandments.	Independence printing, 55, citing OC account book.
January 8		(Sunday) Joseph Coe delivers a discourse "upon the prophecies, very edifying," then William E. McLelllin for an hour on "the distinguishing qualities of the church of God" and again in the evening half an hour on "Christian perfection."	McLellin journals, 69.
January [8–10]		Joseph and Sidney conclude their mission to Shalersville, then to Ravenna to refute Ezra Booth's "scandalous letters" being published there.	MH-A, 179–80 // HC 1:239.
January 9, 1832		N. K. Whitney calls a council to enquire into the case of Ezra Thayer. Evidently it concludes satisfactorily.	McLellin journals, 69.
January 11, 1832		William E. McLellin spends most of the day talking with John C. Bennett, "a Campbelite Priest. I took hoim on my slay and Thursday and Friday I brought him to Hiram to see Jos & Sidney, …	McLellin journals, 69.
January 12, 1832		Reynolds Cahoon and Orson Pratt visit "doubt<ing> members" in Painesville and Kirtland "Made a report to the Church found some gilty and cut them off from the church."	Minutes of January 2, 1832
January 13, 1832		William E. McLellin introduces John C. Bennett to Joseph Smith. "he talked considerable with Br Joseph."	McLellin journals, 69.
January 15, 1832		Sidney Rigdon and William E. McLellin, preaching in Auburn, find "the people did not hearken to the councils of Heaven at all."	McLellin journals, 69.
January 17, 1832		Reynolds Cahoon and Thomas B. Marsh excommunicate several in the Orange area.	Cahoon diary.
January 23, 1832		(Monday) conference begins in Amherst school house. Thomas B. Marsh conducts, Joseph offers prayer.	Cahoon diary.
January 23		Jackson County conference (Kaw township): 1,200 acres purchased for inheritances; Bishop Partridge to ask branches in the East to send various craftsmen to Zion.	FWR, 39–40. ¶ Oliver to Joseph
January 24		Conference (Kaw township): Bishop Edward Partridge presents financial report; hotel to be built; Oliver Cowdery, William W. Phelps, and John Corrill to superintend schools; John Murdock and John Corrill to keep membership records. Letters from Sidney are read making "certain charges … detrimental to [Edward's] character and standing as a Bishop." Sidney to settle his differences with Edward amicably >.	FWR, 234, 235. ¶ Oliver to Joseph
January 25		Conference in Amherst, Lorain county, Ohio. Joseph is "Ordained the President of the high Preashood and others" >.	No minutes for this important meeting have been found. Cahoon diary
		[Samuel H. Smith:] Presidents were chosen by the difrent grades of oficers to Preside over them according to the Holy order of god.	Samuel H. diary
		[Orson Pratt:] At this conference, the Prophet Joseph was acknowledged President of the High Priesthood, and hands were laid on him by Elder Sidney Rigdon, who sealed upon his head the blessings which he had formerly received. I was appointed to preside over the Elders and was set apart and ordained by Sidney Rigdon >.	Orson Pratt journals, 11.
		D&C 75: Missionaries not to tarry nor be idle "but labor with your mights." William E. McLellin's assignment to the "eastern countries" is revoked and he is chastened for "the murmurings of his heart." He sinned but the Lord forgives him and calls him the "the south countries" with Luke S. Johnson >. Orson Hyde and Samuel H. Smith, and Lyman E. Johnson and Orson Pratt are called to "the eastern countries;" Asa Dodds and Calves Wilson to "the western countries;" Major N. Ashley and Burr Riggs to the south countries.
January 26–27		[William E. McLellin:] I was sorely tempted of Devil But Friday night I made a hard struggle a[nd] shook him off my back.	McLellin journals, 70.
January 27		Special conference (Independence): examine the accounts of Sidney Gilbert, including receipt of $2,694.70 from Newel K. Whitney, church agent; disbursements to Gilbert & Whitney & co. for goods and transportation costs of church members totalling $2,677.83. Report accepted.	FWR, 235–238, ¶ Oliver to Joseph
January 28		At Bishop Partridge's request, Oliver writes Joseph about the financial difficulties in Jackson county, equipment needed, missionaries assigned, ready to print Book of Commandments soon.	Oliver Cowdery to Joseph Smith, January 28, 1832
February		Prospectus for The Evening and The Morning Star is issued.	Independence printing, 56.
February 1		Orson Hyde and Samuel H. Smith leave Kirtland on their mission to Boston. They visit brethren in Painesville and the next day preach to a large gathering (principally Campbellites) in the Perry schoolhouse. They are "much predjudiced and hard against the work" >.	Samuel H. diary, 2.
February 2		William E. McLellin (h) and Luke Johnson leave on their mission <.
		Sidney Rigdon ordains Orson Pratt a high priest <.	¶ Orson Pratt (h1), Orson Pratt journals, 12.
February 3		Lyman E. Johnson (h) and Orson Pratt leave Kirtland, travel through "Ohio, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York city, to Hurlgate, on Long Island; preached thirty times in towns and villages on the way, where they previously had never heard the Gospel."	¶ Orson Pratt (h1)
February 10		Hyrum Smith and Reynolds Cahoon are set apart as counselors to Bishop Whitney.	Cahoon diary
February 16		D&C 76 (Hiram): While revising John 5:29, Joseph and Sidney see a vision of the heavenly kingdoms.	Papers 1:372. First published in EMS 1, no. 2 (July 1832). Philo Dibble and others were present. Philo describes Joseph's and Sidney's vision conversation. ¶ Joseph Remembered
February 20		Orson Hyde and Samuel H. Smith baptize the first three in Springfield, Erie county, Pennsylvania.	Orson Hyde journal. The Springfield branch is organized by mid-March.
March 1		D&C 78 (Hiram): Joseph, Sidney, and Newel to covenant with one another on behalf of the United Firm, and counsel with Saints in Zion.
March 7		D&C 80 (Hiram): mission call of Stephen Burnett and Eden Smith.
March 8		Revelation of March 8, 1832. Bishops to segregate personal property from church property. Presidency of the High Priesthood presides over entire church.

March 8		Chose this day and ordained brother Jesse Gause [11] and Broth Sidney to be my councellors of the ministry of the presidency of <th> high Pri[e]sthood and from the 11th of February up to this date have been at home except a journey to Kirtland on the 29 Feby and returned home on the 4th of March we received a revelation in Kirtland and one since I returned home blessed be the name of the Lord.	Entry in KRB, 10–11. Conflicts with the March 15 date for D&C 81, which calls Jesse to the presidency in the same record book.
March 10		Special conference in Zion resolves to write Sidney regarding his November 14, 1831 charges against Bishop Edward Partridge, stating that Edward has made amends and suggesting that Sidney has been motivated by "hasty feelings rather than the Spirit of Christ."	Minutes of March 10, 1832
March 15		D&C 81 (Hiram): Jesse Gause is called to be a high priest and counselor to Joseph Smith in presidency of the High Priesthood, which holds the keys of the kingdom.	Name changed from Jesse to Frederick G. Williams in 1835 D&C.
March 20		Revelation (Hiram): purchase paper for the Book of Commandments, not time for Martin Harris to go to Zion yet; postpone translation of the New Testament.	JS revelations, 206–207; also Unpublished revelations, 60–61; both cite Whitney papers. Q&A format.
March [20]		D&C 77 (Hiram): Interpretation of Revelation 4–11. The sea of glass is the earth sanctified, the four beasts represent classes of beings in their destined order, eyes represent light, wings represent power to act, etc.
March 24–25		Joseph and Sidney are dragged from bed, beaten, tarred, and feathered.	1832 Tarring
April 2		Joseph leaves for Missouri with N. K. Whitney, Peter Whitmer, and Jesse Gause.	TS 5, no. 16 (Sept. 2, 1844): 624.
April 7		Frederick G. Williams sells 141 acres in Warrensville township, Cuyahoga County to Isaac Moore of Warrensville for $1500.	¶ Frederick G. Williams
April 14		Brigham Young is baptized by Eleazer Miller and ordained an elder. A day or two later Heber C. Kimball is baptized.	¶ Heber C. Kimball (h2)
April 24		Joseph and companions reach Independence.	TS 5, no. 16 (Sept. 2, 1844): 624.
April 26		Council (Independence): Joseph "President of the High Priesthood." Bishop Edward Partridge extends "the right hand of fellowship." "All differences settled & the hearts of all run together in love" <.	Minutes of April 26–27, 1832
		On the 26th <of April> I called a general council of the church, and was acknowledged as the President of the High priesthood, according to a previous ordination at a Conference of High-priests, elders, and members, held at Amherst, Ohio, on the 25th of January 32 <. The right hand of fellowship was given to me by the Bishop. Edward Partridge, in behalf of the Church. The scene was solemn, impressive, and delightful. During the intermission, a difficulty or hardness which had existed between Bishop Partridge and Elder Rigdon was amicably settled, and when we came together in the afternoon all hearts seemed to rejoice, and I received [D&C 82] <.	MH-A, 210 // Papers 1:380.
		D&C 82: Lord is "bound when ye do what I say;" Edward Partridge, Newel K. Whitney, Sidney Gilbert, Sidney Rigdon, Joseph Smith, John Whitmer, Oliver Cowdery, W. W. Phelps and Martin Harris to form a pact to manage church affairs in Zion and Kirtland; equal property rights; Kirtland stake; holding property in common is an "everlasting order … inasmuch as you sin not."	United Firm
April 27		Council continues (Independence): Name of the mercantile business (United Firm) to be Gilbert, Whitney & Company in Zion and Newel K. Whitney & Company in Kirtland.	¶ Minutes of April 26–27, 1832
April 30		Council of the Literary Firm (Independence): print 3,000 copies of the Book of Commmandments; W. W. Phelps, Oliver and John to select revelations and edit them.	Minutes of April 30, 1832
		Meeting of the United Firm (Independence): A. S. Gilbert and Newel K. Whitney agents of the firm. Church loans the firm $15,000.	Minutes of April 30, 1832
		D&C 83 (Independence): Children have claim on their parents' inheritances in Zion.
May 6		Joseph, Sidney, and Newel K. Whitney leave Independence for Kirtland by stage.	Sidney Rigdon, 125.
May 18		Reynolds Cahoon moves Phebe Rigdon into his house.	Cahoon diary, 36.
May [21]		Near Greenville, Indiana—a dozen miles from the Ohio river—the stagecoach horses bolt and start to run away. Joseph and Newel jump. Newel but gets a foot caught in a wheel,breaking his leg and foot. Sidney remains in the coach and continues on to Kirtland, where his nine-year-old daughter, Nancy, is seriously ill. Joseph remains with Newel while he recovers >.	Joseph in Greenville
May 26		Saturday. Sidney Rigdon arrives in Kirtland from Zion.	Cahoon diary, 36.
		Conference (Independence) investigates of Oliver Cowdery's 1830 "transgression" of proposing to another woman while engaged to Elizabeth Ann Whitmer.	Minutes of May 26, 1832
May 29		Conference: (Independence): Bishop Edward Partridge dedicates the Evening and the Morning Star office in Independence.	Minutes of May 29, 1832
May 31		Sidney Rigdon moves to the Kirtland Flats.	Cahoon diary, 36.
June		First issue of the Evening and Morning Star includes the first revelations to be published, the "Articles and Covenants of the Church of Christ" (D&C 20) and "A Prophecy Given to the Church of Christ, March 7, 1831" (D&C 45).
June 2		Saturday. Martin Harris reaches Greenville with a letter for Newel from his wife, but no letter from Emma for Joseph <.
June 6		Joseph writes Emma—he is anxious and perturbed that she hasn't written.	¶ Joseph in Greenville
June [11]		Joseph and Newell leave Greenville for Kirtland.
June 12		Samuel H. Smith and Orson Hyde reach Boston.	Samuel H. diary
June 15		Zebedee Coltrin arrives in Kirtland from Zion.	Zebedee's diary
June [16]		Joseph and Newell reach Kirtland.
June 29		At a sacrament meeting in Boston, Samuel H. Smith is interrupted by a man and a woman charging that he and Orson Hyde are teaching the doctrine of the devil, such as abstaining from meat and having spiritual wives, creating something of a sensation.	Samuel H. diary
July 3		Conference (Zion): resolves to implement "the mode and manner of regulating the Church of Christ … from this time, according to a Revelation received in Hiram, Portage County, Ohio, Nov 11, 1831."	Minutes of July 3, 1832 ¶ D&C 107:59–100
July 5		Sidney claims "that he had a revelation from the Lord & said that the kingdo<m> was taken from <the> Church and left with him." Joseph wrote that when he learned of the rebellious spirit in Zion he became "frantick" and "the advisary" took "the advantage" so that "he spake unadvisedly with his lips." Lucy recalls Sidney declared "the keys of the kingdom are re<wrent> from ~~this~~ <you> and you never will have them again untill you build me a new house."	Cahoon diary, 38. ¶ Joseph to W. W. Phelps, July 31, 1832 Lucy, 560–562.
July 6		Joseph writes that "after receiving a severe chastisement [Sidney] resigned his commission and became a private member in the church." is disfellowshipped or resigns his commission, depending on the source. According to Hyrum, on July 28 "Brother Sidney was ordaind to the high priesthood for the second time."	¶ Joseph to W. W. Phelps, July 31, 1832 Hyrum Smith diary, July 28, 1832
July 13		Special conference in Zion divides the Missouri church into four branches.	Minutes of July 13, 1832
July 20		Frederick G. Williams begins service as Joseph's scribe. Joseph's 1832 history, which includes the first account of the First Vision, is written between this date and November 27.	¶ Joseph's1832 History
July 28		Sidney is "restored to his high standing in the church."	¶ Joseph to W. W. Phelps, July 31, 1832
July 31		Joseph castigates W. W. Phelps, Edward Partridge, and members in Zion for a variety of sins.	Joseph to W. W. Phelps, July 31, 1832
August 1		Jesse Gause and Zebedee Coltrin leave Kirtland on a mission. Jesse never returns.	Zebedee's diary; Jesse Gause, 491.
August 19		Zebedee concludes "that it was not my duty to preced any further to the East. I have been afficted with a pain in my head every day Sinse we Started." He and Jesse Gause pray with and for each other "in the fellowship of the Gospel of our Lord & saviour Jesus Christ."	Zebedee's diary
August 23		Joseph ordains Amasa Lyman (h) and Zerubabel Snow elders. They leave on missions the next day, Amasa having heard only 5 sermons.
August 29		D&C 99 (Hiram): John Murdock called on a mission to the East. He is to cleanse his feet in secret as a testimony against those who reject him. Lord comes quickly to judge the ungodly.
September 22–23		D&C 84 (Kirtland): Missionaries are "mine apostles, even God's high priests."
September 25–26		Zebedee Coltrin returns from misson, without Jesse Gause, and stays "with Joseph Sm the sear" in Hiram.	Zebedee's diary.
October 2		A council of high priests and elders in Zion take up the case of Ziba Peterson and vote to have Lyman Wight reordain him.	Minutes of October 2, 1832
October 5		David Whitmer arrives in Jackson county.	FWR, 56.
October 13		Joseph writes Emma from New York.	Joseph Smith to Emma, October 13, 1832
November 6		Emma gives birth to Joseph III.
		[Joseph Smith III] was born in a house put up for his father on Isaac Morley's farm. His mother had hard labor and the blood went to her head which became black. The prophet became frightened and sent to Willoughby for Dr. Card, and told the messenger to run his horse. The doctor came and bled her and delivered the son. I saw Dr. Card at the Flats on his return home, who informed me and laughed heartily about Jo's revelation that the Mormons should not employ physicians. One of their mid-wives, old Mrs. Birdsley, told me of Jo's inconsistency in calling Dr. Card, and came near leaving them for it.	Rev. S. F. W., 3. Source
November 20		Frederick G. Williams replaces Oliver as scribe for Joseph's history.	Frederick's statement
November 14		Zebedee Coltrin arrives in Kirtland and hears Joseph speak and sing in tongues.	Zebedee's diary
November 16		Kirtland. Conference of elders. Joseph ordains John Boynton (h) an elder.	Kirtland council
November 20		Hyrum and probably William Smith leave on a mission to the East.	Hyrum's diary.
November 27		Joseph to W. W. Phelps re: one mighty and strong	D&C 85
November 29		Frederick prophecies that next spring Joseph will go to Pittsburgh "to establish a Bishopwrick" and go to New York City within a year.	Joseph's journal in PWJS, 21–22.
December 3		Zion. Council resolves high priests are to meet alone except when elders, priests, teachers, or members, have business at the meeting.	Minutes of December 3, 1832
		Kirtland. Jesse Gause, William E. McLellin, and someone named Mogan or Morgan are excommunicated in Kirtland. Joseph is present and records the event but gives no reasons.	PWJS, 22.
December 4		[Joseph:] this day I been unwell done but litle been at home all day regulated some things this Evening feel better in my mind then I have for a few days back Oh Lord deliver ~~out~~ thy servent out of temtations and fill his heart with wisdom and understanding	PWJS, 22.
December 6		D&C 86 (Kirtland): Parable of the apostasy. The Lord is sending out the word now and blades begin sprout. Angels want to harvest but the Lord restrains them until the harvest is fully ready. The priesthood came down through history in the Prophet's ancestors, hidden from the world. Joseph is to restore all and be a savior to the world.
December 19		Samuel H. Smith and Orson Hyde return from their mission to New York, Massachusetts, and Maine <.	Samuel H. diary
December 6		[Joseph:] translating and received a revelation explaining the Parable the wheat and the tears &c—	PWJS, 23; Matthew 13:18–43; D&C 86

December 6		The Mormons still profess to talk with angels, visit the third heaven, and converse with Christ face to face.—Their form of baptism is changed to "I, John the Messenger, baptize thee" &c. The gift of imparting the Holy Ghost is yet professed.	Ohio Atlas and Lorain County Gazette, Dec. 6, 1832. Source
	¶	They pretend to have discovered where the Ark of the Covenant, Aaron's rod, the pot of Manna, &c., &c., now remain hid. At no distant period, they expect Christ will re-appear to live and reign on the earth a thousand years.
	¶	… We believe their society numbers something more than 100 souls in this County, many of whom intend removing to Mount Zion in the Spring.
December 24		"Newel" reports results of recently returned missionaries:	EMS 1, no. 9 (Feb. 1833).
		Orson Hyde and Samuel H. Smith establish one church in Maine, two in Massachusetts, one in Pennsylvania, baptized 60 or more.	EMS 1, no. 9 (Feb. 1833).
		Lyman E. Johnson and Orson Pratt baptize nearly 100 in the East (Orson is still out).
		Simeon and Jared Carter baptizes over 100 in Vermont.
		Hyrum and William Smith baptizes 23 in Pennsylvania in three weeks.
		John Murdock baptizes 23 in Thompson, Ohio.
		Martin and Emer Harris baptize 100 at Chenango Point, New York within a few weeks.
December 25	¶	I prophesy, in the name of the Lord God. that the commencement of the difficulties which will cause much bloodshed previous to the coming of the Son of Man. will be in South Carolina: (it may probably arise through the Slave Question; this a voice declared to me. while I was praying earnestly on the subject: December 25th, 1832.	MH-A, 244// D&C 130:12–13.
December 27		Kirtland. Conference of high priests. Joseph receives D&C 88:1–126, the Olive Leaf. Holy spirit of promise the second comforter; three degrees glory; eye single to my glory; he will unveil his face; idle thoughts; call a solemn assembly; teach one another; warn Gentiles; be clean; last days; resurrection, thousand years; prepare; virtues enjoined.	Minutes of December 27, 1832
December 29		This day Brother Calvin Stodard [Stoddard] came forward and gave up his licence to the Bishop and confessed that he had not magnified his office but had transgressed and been out of the way.	Kirtland council, 4.
			1833 1831 Chronologies