Mormon History 1830-1844

1833 Chronology
January 3 D&C 88:127–141 procedures to be followed in "the house prepared for the presidency and instruction in all things for the officers, or in other words them who are called to the ministry in the church, beginning at the highpriests, even down to the deacons." Salutations.
January 4 Joseph writes a lengthy letter to the editor of the American Revivalist and Rochester Observer, warning that "not many years shall pass away, before the United States shall present such a scene of bloodshed as has not a parallel in the history of our nation: pestilence, hail, famine, and earthquake will sweep the wicked of this generation from off the face of the land. to open and prepare the way for the return of the lost tribes of Israel from the north country." MH-A, 257–262 (Willard Richards, comp.).
January 6 Unpublished revelation calls Frederick G. Williams "to be a councellor and scribe unto my servant Joseph." He is to consecrate his farm "for bringing forth of the revelations." Williams papers in JS revelations, 231.
January 9 Frederick G. Williams is to be paid $300 a year to serve as assistant scribe for the United Firm. Minutes of January 9, 1833
January 11 Responding to a letter from W. W. Phelps, Joseph criticizes the brethren in Zion, warning they will receive the judgments of God if they do not repent >.
January 13–14 Hyrum Smith and Orson Hyde write Edward, Isaac Morley, and John Corrill objecting to their "accusing Brother Joseph in rather an indirect way of seeking after monarchial power and authority." Minutes of January 13–14, 1833
January 22–23 Joseph speaks in tongues, opening two-day conference. Washing of feet instituted. Speaking, praying, singing in tongues throughout. Meal of the Lord's supper. Minutes of January 22–23, 1833
February 2 This day completed the translation and the reviewing of the New testament and sealed up no more to be broken till it goes to Zion. Kirtland council, 9, Frederick G. Williams, clerk.
February 13 Kirtland high priests investigate case of Burr Riggs: accused of not magnifying call as high priest, neglecting duty, abusing elders "and treating their admonition and advice with contempt." Minutes of February 13, 1833
February 17 Joseph ordains John Johnson an elder. Kirtland council // MH-A, 275.
February 18

Orson Pratt (h) returns to Kirtland after a long mission and washes his hands and feet "as a testimony unto the Lord that I had warned this wicked generation, and that my garments were clean of their blood," and is admitted to the School of the Prophets.

Orson Pratt journals, 16.
February 26 Zion. High priests discuss Joseph's January 11 letter to W. W. Phelps <, the Olive Leaf revelation (D&C 88:1–126), the letter of Orson Hyde and Hyrum Smith in behalf of the conference of high priests. Oliver Cowdery, W. W. Phelps, and John Corrill write an epistle for the conference to the brethren in Kirtland.
Minutes of February 26, 1833
February 26 Kirtland. Burr Riggs is cut off for neglecting his duty. Minutes of February 26, 1833
February 27

D&C 89 (Kirtland): Word of Wisdom: health guidelines with promise of health, wisdom, and deliverance from the destroying angel.

February 28 It is well known that Jo Smith never pretended to have any communion with angels, until a long period after the pretended finding of his book, and that the juggling of himself or father, went no further than the pretended faculty of seeing wonders in a "peep stone," and the occasional interview with the spirit, supposed to have the custody of hidden treasures; and it is also equally well known, that a vagabond fortune-teller by the name of Walters, who then resided in the town of Sodus, and was once committed to the jail of this country for juggling, was the constant companion and bosom friend of these money digging imposters. "Gold Bible, No. 5," Palmyra Reflector, Feb. 28, 1831. Source
March 1 A disgruntled member successfully sues Bishop Partridge to recover the $50 he had paid for an inheritance in Zion.   Chronicle of the Times (Batavia, Ohio), Mar. 30, 1833. Source
March 2 Rev. Richmond Taggart of Cleveland writes Rev. Jonathan Goings that the previous week, Joseph told congregation in Newburg (6 miles from Cleveland) that "he had seen Jesus Christ and the Apostles and conversed with them, and that he could perform Miracles." Authority, 22–23. Original in the American Baptist Historical Society, Rochester, New York.
March 8 D&C 90 (Kirtland): Only Joseph to receive the oracles of the Lord. Sidney and Frederick to to be equals with Joseph in holding the keys of the kingdom. Joseph to complete Old Testament "translation," then preside and study. Tell Zion [that Joseph?] will preside over them in the Lord's own due time. They are to repent.  
March 9 D&C 91 (Kirtland): Apocrypha contains many true things, mostly translated correctly, does not need to be translated.  
March 12   Six missionaries called. ¶ Missionaries
March 13 D. P. Hurlbut visits Joseph and they discuss the Book of Mormon. "According to my best recollection, I heard him say, in the course of conversing with him, that if he ever became convinced that the book of Mormon was false, he would be the cause of my destruction, &c." Jan. 11, 1834 entry, Diary-1 in Papers 2:20.
March 15 D&C 92 (Kirtland): Frederick G. Williams is to be received into the United Firm. 1835 D&C 93 introduction: "Revelation to Enoch, on the order of the Church for the bernefit of the poor, given to the saints in Kirtland, March, 1833." Williams is referred to as Shederlaomach.
March 18 Sidney ordains Doctor Hurlbut an elder, then requests that he and Frederick G. Williams be ordained presidents of the High Priesthood, equal to Joseph, as revealed March 8. Joseph ordains them (organization of what would become known as the First Presidency). Vision promised. Many see vision of the Savior and angels. Minutes of March 15, 1833
March 23 Brethren decide to purchase Peter French farm for $5000, Elijah Smith's farm for $4,000, and a Mr. Morley's farm for $2,100. Ezra Thayer and Joseph Coe named general agents for the church. Minutes of March 23, 1833
March 26 "After much discussion," high priests in Zion accept the seven high priests sent from Kirtland to preside over the branches in Zion. The seven are Oliver Cowdery, W. W. Phelps, John Whitmer, Sidney Gilbert, Edward Partridge and his two counselors (Isaac Morley and John Corrill). Minutes of March 26, 1833
Orson Pratt and Lyman E. Johnson begin a mission to the East. They arrive in Bath, New Hampshire, on June 7, having baptized thirteen. Orson Pratt journals, 16.
Hyrum Smith leaves Kirtland on a mission to to Springfield, Erie County, Pennsylvania. Reaches Painesville. Hyrum's diary
April 2 Kirtland council. Frederick G. Williams to manage brickyard at the French farm and hire workers, also to rent the farm. Ezra Thayer to purchase Arnold Mason's tannery. Minutes of April 2, 1833
April 6 Hyrum, Lyman E. Johnson (h) and Orson Pratt (h), John Murdock and Zebedee Coltrin meet at Brother Winchester's "for the Purpose of Seperating" Doctor Hurlbut and L. [?] Copley. Copley to travel with John Boynton (h) and Hurlbut with Orson Hyde (h) "for the cause of god." Hyrum's diary
April 10 Hyrum returns to Kirtland. Hyrum's diary
April 27 We perceive by a letter from Independence, Missouri, to the Editor of the Cincinnati Journal, that difficulties have already began in the Mormon community, at Mount Zion, in that quarter; one of the members having sued the Bishop, in a court of justice, for fifty dollars, which had been sent by the plaintiff to the said Bishop, from Ohio, "to purchase an inheritance for himself and the saints of God in Zion in these last days." This was certainly a most impious act, but "nevertheless and notwithstanding," the jury found for the plaintiff; it appearing that though the good bishop had indeed appropriated the money "to the purchase of an inheritance," yet he had, unthoughtedly no doubt, procured the deed to be drawn in his own name, to his heirs, &c. and no one else in Zion nor out of it. The writer states that on this decision several other members are ready to make similar demands on the good bishop. "Mormonism," Ohio Republican (Zanesville, Ohio), Apr. 27, 1833. Source

Possible cause of change in ¶ D&C 51:3.
May 4 Construction of a "school house" (late, house of the Lord, eventually, the Kirtland temple) is approved. Reynolds Cahoon, Jared Carter, and Hyrum Smith have oversight >. Minutes of May 4, 1833
May 6 D&C 93 (Kirtland): keep commandments, see God; apostle John's record to be revealed; Godhead; preexistence, man in the begining with God, intelligence, light, truth; Joseph not keeping commandments, family must repent; translate scriptures, obtain (secular) knowledge and the laws of God for salvation of Zion.  
D&C 94 (Kirtland): The first lot is for the House of the Lord. The lot to the south is for the presidency, and to the south of that, the printing office, then Hyrum's. The two lots to the north of the Lord's are for Reynolds Cahoon and Jared Carter <.
May 25 Uncle John Smith arrives in Kirtland, the first of Joseph Sr.'s relatives to join the church.
June 3 Council excommunicates Doctor P. Hurlbut. Minutes of June 1 or 3, 1833
D&C 95 (Kirtland): Dimensions of the house of the Lord. For the endowment of power, Sunday services, school of the prophets.
June 4 Conference of high priests is unable to decide how to dispose of the French farm. D&C 96: Ahashdah [Newel K. Whitney] to take manage it; Zombre [John Johnson] is to be admitted to "the order," is promised eternal life, is ordained "and he shall seek diligently to take away incumbrances that are upon the house named among you, that he may dwell therein." Minutes of June 4, 1833
John Johnson is ordained to the High Priesthood, admitted to United Firm.  
June 5 George A. Smith hauls the first load of stone for the House of the Lord, Hyrum Smith and Reynolds Cahoon commence digging the trench for the walls. (Hyrum's diary for June 7: "... commenced making Preparation for the Building the House of the lord...")
June 6 Kirtland. A conference of high priests chooses Orson Hyde to be clerk of "the Presidency of the High Priesthood." Building committee (Reynolds Cahoon, Jared Carter, and Hyrum Smith) to begin work immediately. Minutes of June 6, 1833
June 21 Kirtland. The President's Council of High Priests is persuaded by Doctor P. Hurlbut's "liberal confession," and restores him to membership. Minutes of June 21, 1833
Orson Pratt baptizes Jacob and Mary Gates, Willard Snow and others in St. Johnsbury, Vermont. Orson Pratt journals, 18.
June 23 Doctor P. Hurlbut is again called into question by a general council. Brother Gee of Thompson testifies that Brother Hurlburt said that he deceived Joseph Smith's God, or the spirit by which he is actuated. Corroborating testimony from Brother Hodges. The council cuts him off. Minutes of June 23, 1833
June 24 Council of elders at Westfield, New York excommunicates Elder James Higby for circulating false reports. Minutes of June 24, 1833
June 25 Sidney, in behalf of the presidency, writes W. W. Phelps and others in Zion: No need to bind the Book of Commandments; get Books of Mormon from Brother Burket for the Literary Firm; ordain Isaac Morley and John Corrill bishops. Parley P. Pratt (h) and Titus Billings to be counselors to Bishop Partridge; Christian Whitmer and Newel Knight to Bishop Morley; Daniel Stanton and Hezekiah Peck to Bishop Corrill. John Johnson has moved to Kirtland. Sidney's mother (age 75), recently baptized, now living with him. Draft of the city of Zion enclosed. House [temple] "to be built immediately … for the Presidency, as well as for all purposes of religion and instruction." Wives must be interviewed separately and sign deeds to transfer property. Book of Commandments corrections (mostly technical, such as "respecter to" to "respecter of," "hands" to "heads," etc.). Letterbook-1, 44–50.
June 28 Joseph sells his 13 acres and 80 perches to brother-in-law, Joseph McKune Jr. Land had been "left or rented" since Joseph left it. Susquehanna County Deed Book 9:290 in Montrose, Pennsylvania cited by New York exodus, 6–7.
July 2 Old Testament revisions complete. JS revelations, 239n30.
July [13] The July issue of the Evening and Morning Star contains a controversial article by W. W. Phelps quoting Missouri state law and constitution regarding flee blacks entering the state and freedom of religion. Free People of Color
July 16 The Evening and Morning Star issues an extra, explaining the controversial article was only intended to encourage Mormons not to be come involved in the slavery issue. Free People of Color
July 18   Letter circulates in Jackson County calling for the removal of all Mormons.   EMS 2, no 15 (Dec.1833): 114.
July 20 Following a mass meeting of Jackson County citizens, a mob destroys the office and press of the Evening and Morning Star, W. W. Phelps' home. They tar and feather Edward Partridge and Charles Allen, and force Gilbert and Whitney to close their store. Nearly all copies of the Book of Commandments, then in production, are destroyed. ¶ Missouri Persecutions (1)

A few printed sheets were rescued by two young girls. Sacred loneliness, 209.
July 23

Hundreds of armed Jackson County citizens enter Independence, "threatening death and destruction." Mormon leaders pledge to move out of the County by January 1, 1834 and urge others to do the same. Half of the Mormons to move by January 1, the rest by April 1, 1834. The Star is to cease publication.

Parley's persecutions in Redress petitions, 64.

¶ Missouri Persecutions (2)
Cornerstone of the House of the Lord is laid in Kirtland.
August 9 Oliver Cowdery reaches Nauvoo, confers with Joseph about conditions in Jackson.  
August 10 Oliver Cowdery writes Missouri brethren: gratitude for their willingness to lay down their lives; Lord "well pleased" with treaty calling for them to leave Jackson; no other way to save lives; tribulation "would not have come uopn Zion had it not been for rebelion"—rebellion against Joseph and all officers down to the least. Oliver to W. W. Phelps, John Whitmer, Edward Partridge, Issac Morley, John Corrill, and Sidney Gilbert, and others (Independence), Aug. 10, 1833. Copy in hand of Edward Partridge. Selected collections 1:20. Original, Church Archives.
  … therefore, brethren purge them out, & have no confidence in any except as such as will lay down their lives for this sacred cause for none others are worthy of it. … there was no other way to cleanse the church. … yet the elect [2] will be saved, & Zion will be the joy of al saints & they will possess her forever & ever; …the Son of righteousness will soon appear with healing in his wings, & he will apare his people as a man spareth his own son who serveth him.
  W. W. Phelps to send Joseph the manuscript for an Extra of the Evening and Morning Star to be published in Kirtland. The brethren are to write weekly, let him know who has apostatized. Don't be discouraged. May have to sell some lands in Jackson County, "but be wise, hold on to the sacred places."  
  [Joseph:] P S Brethren if I were with you I should take an active part in your sufferings, and although nature shrinks, yet my spirit would not let me forsake you unto death god helping me oh be of good cheer for our redemption draweth near Oh God save my brethren in Zion Oh brethren give up all to god forsake all for Christ sake  
August 18 D&C 98 raise standard of peace, not revenge.  
  … it is the will of the Lord that the Store shou[ld] be kept and that <not> one foot of <land> the perchased should <be> be given to the enimies of god or sold to them but if any is sold let it be sold to the chirch we cannot git the consent of the Lord that we shall give the ground to the enemies … we wait the Comand of God to do whatever he plese and if <he> shall say go up to Zion and defend thy Brotheren by <the sword> we fly … Joseph to W. W. Phelps and others. PWJS, 311.
September 4 I was sensable, when you left Kirtland that the Lord would chasten you … I am not at all astonished at what has happened to you neither to what has happened to Zion and I could tell all the whys & wherefores of all there calamities but alas it is in vain to warn and give precepts for all men are naturally disposed to walk in their own paths … Joseph to Vienna Jacques, PWJS, 318.
September 11 High council in Zion: Bishop Edward Partridge head of the church in Zion, permanent moderator. Presidents of ten branches appointed. W. W. Phelps sings in tongues. Minutes of Sept. 11, 1833
 

In Kirtland the United Firm decides to establish a new company, F. G. Williams & Co., to publish The Latter-day Saints Messenger and Advocate and, until it can resume operations in Independence, The Evening and the Morning Star, edited by Oliver Cowdery. Within a few days, Oliver leaves for Buffalo, where he purchases a new press, returning at the end of October.

Minutes of Sept. 11, 1833 (Kirtland)

September 28 Orson Pratt arrives in Kirtland from mission east, having been absent six months, duirng which I travelled about 2000 miles, attended 125 meetings, and baptized upwards of 50 persons. ¶ Orson Pratt (h2)
October 5 Joseph leaves for Upper Canada with Freeman Nickerson. His children were living in Mt. Pleasant, Upper Canada. Diary-2 in PWJS, 23.
October 6 (Sunday) Joseph and Freeman reach Springfield, Erie County, Pennsylvania. Diary-2 in PWJS, 23–24.
October 12 D&C 100 (Perrysburgh, New York): Sidney to be Joseph's spokesman.
October 21 Joseph, Sidney, and Freeman address a large Sunday congregation in Mount Pleasant, Upper Canada. Diary-2 in PWJS, 25.
October 22 Joseph and his companions speak in nearby Colborne and are opposed by a Wesleyan Methodist who was "destitute of reason or knowledge." A Mr. Wilkeson, a leading Methodist, seems receptive, however. Diary-2 in PWJS, 25.
October 27–28 After visiting other villages in Upper Canada (Ontario), Joseph, Sidney, and Freeman return to Mount Pleasant on the 24th. Joseph finds the people "very superstitious," but on Sunday, the 27th begin baptizing—twelve on Sunday, two on Monday. "One of the sisters got the gift of tongues which made the saints rejoice may God increse the gifts among them for his sons sake." Diary-2 in PWJS, 27–28.
October 30 Having returned from Buffalo where he purchased a newspaper press, Oliver writes his brother, Warren, bearing witness of the Book of Mormon. "Letters of Oliver Cowdery," New Mormon studies.
October 31 Mob of 40 or 50 men partially destroy twelve Mormon homes at Whitmer settlement, 8–10 miles west of Independence, severely beat Hiram Page and one other. ¶ Outrage in Jackson County (1)
November 1 Mob breaks into A. S. Gilbert's store, scatter the contents in the street, demolish his brick home, break doors and windows of all Mormon homes in town. ¶ Outrage in Jackson County (1)
November 2 Mob fires on Whitmer settlement. Mormons return fire, wounding one. ¶ Outrage in Jackson County (1)
November 4 Mob of 200–300 assemble in Independence; some proceed to Whitmer settlement, two are killed. ¶ Outrage in Jackson County (1)
November 8 Meteor shower observed in New York City. Wandle Mace, 4.
November 13 [4:00 a.m. Brother Davis rouses Joseph to:] see the signs in the heavens and I arrose and beheld to my great Joy the stars from the heaven yea they fell like hail stones a litteral fullfilllment of the word of God as recorded in the holy scriptures and a sure sign that the coming of Christ is clost at hand Oh how marvellous are thy works Oh Lord and I thank thyee for thy mecy u<n>to me thy servent Oh Lord save me in thy kingdom for Christ sake Amen Papers 2:10–11, in Joseph's handwriting.
  The night the meteors fell in 1833, the Mormons sent men on horseback for miles about Kirtland to arouse the people. They got me up at three o'clock A.M., they claimed it was the fore-runner of some wonderful event, and it was said and believed. Prophet Jo said there would be no more stars seen in the heavens.   "W. R. Hine's Statement," (Jan. 1888): 2. Source
November 19 Joseph arrives in Kirtland from brief trip to Upper Canada and writes Moses Nickerson: PWJS, 326–327.
… anxieties inexpresible crowd themselves continually upon my mnd for the saints, when I consider the many temptations with which we are subject from the cunning and flattery of the great adversary of our souls. … When I contemplate the rapidity with which the great and glorious day of the coming of the Son of man advances, when he shall come to receive his saints unto himself … when I consider that soon the heavens are to be shaken, and the earth tremble and reel to and fro … I cry out in my heart, What manner of person ought i to be in all holy conversation and godliness!
November 21 Missouri Attorney General R. W. Wells writes on behalf of Governor Dunklin that if the Mormons want to return to their homes in Jackson County, "an adequate force will be sent forthwith to effect that object." If Mormons wish to organize their own volunteer company, "the Colonel" would be obliged to accept them. "As only a certain quantity of public arms can be distributed in each County; those who first apply will be most likely to receive them. The less, therefore, that is said upon the subject the better." TS 6, no. 1 (June 1, 1845): 912.
November 25 Orson Hyde and John Gould reach Kirtland with "the melencholly intelegen of the riot in Zion with the inhabitants in persuting the brethren." Papers 2:14.
November 27 Orson Pratt and Lyman E. Johnson, "having been set apart by a council of High Priests to visit the Churches," leave Kirtland for Springfield, Pennsylvania. Orson Pratt journals, 26.
November 29 A. S. Gilbert writes Governor Daniel Dunklin that church attorney Doniphan has seen Attorney General Wells, who apprised him of the governor's intention to convene a court of inquiry in Jackson County to investigate mob action against the Mormons. Under current circumstances church leaders would be unable to assemble witnesses in the immediate future in that County. TS 6, no. 1 (June 1, 1845): 913.
December [1] Oliver Cowdery and Newel K. Whitney arrive in Kirtland with a new press and type. TS 6, no. 1 (June 1, 1845): 913.
December 5 Joseph writes Edward Partridge to go to court over expulsion but do not sell any land. HC 1:448.
December 6 W. W. Phelps, Isaac Morley, John Whitmer, Edward Partridge, John Corrill, and A. S. Gilbert write Governor Daniel Dunklin for assistance: state militia or United States Rangers to restore Mormons to their homes in Jackson County; authorization for Mormon men to organize themselves into companies of Jackson Guards armed by the state; and a court of enquiry. TS 6, no. 10 (Jun. 1, 1845): 915.
December 6 [Wayne Sentinel: D. P. Hurlbut is in Palmyra] as a missionary in behalf of the people of Kirtland … investigating the origin of the Mormon sect. … The original manuscript of the Book [of Mormon] was written some thirty years since, by a respectable clergyman, now deceased, whose name we are not permitted to give. It was designed to be published as a romance, but the work has been superadded by come modern hand—believed to be the notorious Rigdon. These particulars have been derived by Dr. Hurlbert [Hurlbut] from the widow of the author of the original manuscript. Qtd. in Early documents 2:13–14, and Sidney Rigdon, 135.
December 10 Joseph writes brethren in Missouri to use the courts, write the governor and the president, but do not sell their lands. PWJS 328–332.
December 16 D&C 101 (Kirtland): The Lord's sword will fall in behalf of his people. The people are not to sell their property in Jackson.
December 18 Joseph Smith Jr., "first elder and first patriarch of the Church" blesses his father, Hyrum, and brothers Samuel, William, and Don Carlos; also Oliver Cowdery, Frederick G. Williams, and Sidney Rigdon. Oliver records the blessings. In his blessing, he and Joseph have fulfilled the biblical Joseph's prophecy that a Seer and his Scribe would be ordained "by the hand of the angel in the bush, unto the lesser priesthood, and after receive the holy priesthood under the hands of … those who received it under the hand of the Messiah." Patriarchal blessings, in Authority, 23.

¶ William Smith

¶ Everett: Melchizedek Priesthood Restoration
December 21 Joseph files a complaint against Doctor P. Hurlbut for threatening to kill him. Papers 2:19n1.
December 26 Two elders excommunicated by elder's council. Bishop's court tries two for saying "many hard things" about Bishop Newel K. Whitney. They confess and are forgiven. Minutes of December 26, 1833
December 27 Kirtland Justice of the Peace J. C. Dowen issues a writ against Doctor Hurlbut for threatening the life of Joseph Smith. Early documents 2:15–16.
December 31 Wilford Woodruff baptized by Zerah Pulsipher. Church organized in Richland, New York. ¶ Wilford Woodruff (h1)

1834
1832
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