| |
|
|
| January 1 |
|
Deadline for all Mormons
to leave Jackson county. |
|
Missouri
Persecutions (2) |
|
|
Clay county conference resolves
to send Lyman Wight (h) (swh)
and Parley P. Pratt (h) to Kirtland for
advice. |
|
TS 6, no.
13 (July 15, 1845): 962–963. |
|
|
Parley
and Lyman leave Jackson county for Kirtland >. |
|
J. Whitmer, 72n4. |
| January 11 |
|
Joseph Smith, Frederick
G. Williams,
Newel K. Whitney, Oliver
Cowdery, John
Johnson, and Orson Hyde pray that the Lord will send his angels to watch over them and their
families, protect the lives of the members of the united order [United
Firm], let Joseph prevail over Doctor Hurlbut in court, bless the bishop
with means to discharge every debt of the order, deliver the printing
press from the hands of evil men, deliver Zion and gather his scattered
people, and "unveil
his face, that his saints might behold his glory, and dwell with him. Amen." |
|
TS 6, no.
13 (July 15, 1845): 963. |
| January 13–15 |
|
Preliminary hearing
in Joseph's complaint against Doctor P. Hurlbut, who is bound over for
trial at the next session of the court. |
|
Geauga County, Ohio,
Court of Common Pleas, Book P, 431–432. |
| January 31 |
|
Painesville Telegraph publishes the
findings of a "Committee appointed by a public meeting held in Kirtland"
to ascertain the origin of the Book of Mormon. While acknowledging that
"no human authority can in any case whatever control or interfere
with the rights of conscience" the committee decides measures
can be taken "to avert the evils which threaten the Public by the location
in this vicinity, of Joseph Smith Jun. … who is now, under pretence
of Divine Authority, collecting about him an impoverished population, alienated
in feeling from other portions of the community, thereby threatening us
with an insupportable weight of pauperism." In the committee's opinion,
"the force of truth ought without delay to be applied to the Book of Mormon,
and the character of Joseph Smith, Jun." D. P. Hurlbut has therefore been
hired "to ascertain the real origin of the Book of Mormon, and to examine
the validity of Joseph Smith's claims to the character of a Prophet." Part
of his investigation has already been publicized and the committee is arranging
to publish "a work which will prove the 'Book,
of Mormon' to
be a work of fiction and imagination, and written more than twenty years
ago, in Salem, Ashtabula County, Ohio, by Solomon Spalding, Esq., and completely
divest Joseph Smith of all claims to the character of an honest man, and
place him at an immeasurable distance from the high station which he pretends
to occupy." |
|
"To the Public," PT, Jan. 31, 1834. Source
Committee members:
O. A. Crary
Amos Daniels
John F. Morse
Samuel Wilson
Josiah Jones
Warren Corning Jr.
James H. Paine
Jos. H. Wakefield
Sylvester Cornwell
Timothy D. Martindale
|
| February 1 |
|
Following "a General Conference" at his house
in Clay county, Parley P. Pratt and Amasa Lyman (h)
(swh) leave Clay county for Kirtland, arriving
in March. |
|
¶ Parley
P. Pratt (h) |
| February 9 |
|
Eber D. Howe writes Charles Anthon
about Mormon claims that he had authenticated Book of Mormon characters. |
|
Anthon, 344. |
| |
|
Sidney is instructed
not to move from Kirtland to New
Portage. |
|
¶
Minutes of February 9, 1834 |
| February 12 |
|
High priests and elders
in Kirtland meet in Joseph's home. The council organizes, then Joseph
says,
"I shall now endeavor to set forth before this council, the dignity
of the office which has been conferred upon me by the ministering of the
Angel of God, by his own will and by the voice of this Church." |
|
Kirtland council in
Early documents, 1:32–33. |
| February 17 |
|
D&C
102 (Kirtland): "Presidents church Council" (aka "standing
council in Kirtland" and "high council")
is organized to settle "important
difficulties" that cannot be settled by the church or bishop's
council. |
|
¶
Minutes of February 17, 1834
¶ Heber's Histories of Zion's
Camp |
| |
|
Charles Anthon replies
to Eber D. Howe: "The whole story about my having pronounced the
Mormonite inscription to be 'reformed Egyptian hieroglyphics' is perfectly
false." |
|
Mormonism unvailed, 270; Early documents
4:378. |
| February 22 |
|
Parley
P. Pratt and Lyman Wight (h) (swh)
arrive in Kirtland <. |
|
J. Whitmer, 72n4. |
| February 24 |
|
D&C
103 (Kirtland): Jackson County saints to be restored to their lands.
They were driven from Jackson because they were not entirely obedient.
Now Zion to be redeemed to power; one will be raised up like Moses
to lead the people back; Parley and Lyman to gather a hundred men,
also Joseph, Sidney, Hyrum, Frederick, Orson
Hyde, Orson
Pratt. |
|
|
| February 26 |
|
Those designated to
raise men for Zion's camp on February 24 leave on their assignments. |
|
|
| March |
|
Church purchases three farms, including
a parcel from Peter French that includes a brickyard. Frederick is appointed
superintendent of the yard. |
|
Emma, 154. |
| March 17 |
|
On a tour through New York, Joseph, Sidney, Parley, Lyman, John Murdock, Orson Pratt, and Orson Hyde, hold a conference at Avon to raise volunteers to redeem Zion and $2,000 o "deliver Kirtland from Debt for the
present." Four elders are appointed to raise $2,000 It was voted by the Council, that Fathers Bosley and Nickerson, Elder McWithey, and Brother Roger Orton, should exert themselves to obtain two thousand dollars, for the present relief of Kirtland. They all agreed to do what they could to obtain it, firmly believing that it could be accomplished by the first of April. It was also decided the Elder Orson Hyde should tarry and preach in the regions round about, till the money should be obtained, and then carry it with him to Kirtland. It was also voted that I should return to Kirtland, accompanied by Elders Sidney Rigdon and Lyman Wight. Elders John Murdock and Orson Pratt were appointed to journey to Kirtland, preaching by the way; and Elders Parley P. Pratt and Henry Brown to visit the churches in Black river country, and obtain all the means they could to help Zion. |
|
|
| March 31 |
|
Orson
Hyde writes Joseph that he has failed to raise money quickly in
the eastern branches of the church. |
|
|
| April 1 |
|
Joseph predicts that the Lord will destroy Doctor
Hurlbut, his body will be delivered to "the fowls of heaven" and
"his bones shall be cast to the blast of the wind." |
|
Diary-1 in
Papers 2:28. This entry is in Joseph's hand. |
| April
2–3 |
|
Joseph attends court in Chardon,
Ohio, accusing Doctor Hurlbut of assault and threatening his life. |
|
Diary-1
in Papers 2:28; Zion in court, 52; HC 2:47. |
| April 5 |
|
John
Johnson
petitions the court of common pleas in Chardon for a license to maintain
a tavern in Kirtland. Joseph testifies in his behalf. |
|
Diary-1 in Papers
2:28n4.
In 1837 a committee was appointed to "see if he would desist
from selling spirituous liquors to those who were in the habit of getting
intoxicated, and report to the authorities of the Church those members who
might drink spirits at his house." ¶ Reynolds
Cahoon |
| April 7 |
|
Joseph, Frederick
G. Williams,
Oliver Cowdery,
N. K. Whitney, and Heber
C. Kimball pray for the Lord to furnish means to save the United
Firm from debt and that Joseph will prevail against Hurlbut. |
|
Diary-1
in Papers 2:28. |
| |
|
Joseph, Frederick,
and Oliver write Orson Hyde in New York pleading for financial assistance.
|
|
HC 2:48. |
| April 9 |
|
Court binds Dr. Philastus Hurlbut over under
$200 bond to keep the peace for six months and pay nearly $112.59 in court
costs. |
|
Diary-1 in
Papers 2:28–29; Zion in court, 52 // HC 2:49;
Early documents 1:23 cites the court judgment dated March 31. |
|
|
Second petition, signed
by 114 persons, including Edward Partridge,
W. W. Phelps, John
Whitmer, John Corrill, Isaac
Morley, and Algernon S. Gilbert,
is forwarded to the president of the United States. |
|
| April
18 |
|
Joseph leaves Kirtland
with Sidney, Oliver Cowdery, and Zebedee Coltrin
to attend a conference in New Portage. |
|
TS 6,
no. 19 (Dec. 15, 1845): 1058. |
| April
19 |
|
At Norton, Ohio, Joseph's
party prays for Joseph and bless one
another. |
|
Minutes
of April 20–21, 1834 |
| April 19 |
|
Philadelphia's Saturday Courier publishes
the "tragical story of a Mormon preacher" provided "by the
editor of the Independent
Messenger on the authority of a
gentleman from the western part of the state of New York" about townspeople
who discover a hoax intended to convince them the Mormon could walk on
water. They foil the plot and the Mormon drowns. The church paper reprints
the article with the introductory note that "Some two or three years
since, a milliard story was hatched up by (we presume) the priests, or
their dupes; but we had supposed that it had either gone back to its native
region to dwell with its author the father of lies, or like its first promulgator
from him, sunk into disgrace to rise no more." Editor Oliver
Cowdery challenges the Courier to publish the name of its source. |
|
Source
EMS 2, no. 19 (Apr. 1834): 151. The story
is repeated under the heading, "THOU SHALT NOT LIE.—Moses." in MA 2, no. 3 (Dec. 1835): 230.
Another version of the story appears in "Autobiography of a Pioneer
Preacher," Christian Standard [M. M. Moss, ed.], Jan. 15,
1838, cited in Buckeye disciples, 83–84. |
| April
21 |
|
Conference of elders
in Norton, Medina County, Ohio. Joseph:
history of obtaining and translating the Book of Mormon, the revelation
of the Aaronic Priesthood, the organization of the church, the revelation
of the High Priesthood, "and the gift
of the Holy Spirit poured out upon the Church &c." |
|
¶
Minutes of April 20–21, 1834
First mention of Aaronic, High Priesthood sequence? |
| April 22 |
|
Joseph returns to Kirtland. |
|
TS 6,
no.1 (Dec. 15, 1845): 1061. |
| April 23 |
|
Joseph, Sidney, Frederick
G. Williams,
Oliver Cowdery, N.
K. Whitney, and John
Johnson to pray that Zebedee Coltrin
will be able to borrow money from Jacob Myers or persuade him to come to
Kirtland and bring it himself. |
|
Diary-1 in
Papers 2:32–33. |
| |
|
D&C
104 (Kirtland): Those who have broken United
Order covenants are
cursed; the United Orders of Kirtland and Zion are to be separated.
Stewardships are assigned to Sidney, Martin
Harris, John
Johnson,
Frederick G. Williams, Oliver
Cowdery, Joseph, and N. K. Whitney. |
|
Covenant breakers
are not identified. |
| April 25 |
|
Wilford Woodruff arrives in
Kirtland from New York and meets Joseph, who invites the Woodruffs to stay
with him. |
|
WWJ, 1:8;
¶ Wilford Woodruff (h1) |
| April 28 |
|
Kirtland to receive an extra $3,000, then distribute United
Firm. |
|
Revelation
of April 28, 1834 |
| May
1 |
|
Zion's Camp begins. See Zion's
Camp Chronology (1834). |
|
|
| May
3
|
|
A conference of elders renames the
Church of Christ to the Church of the Latter Day Saints at Sidney's suggestion. |
|
Minutes
of May 3, 1834
Church of the Latter Day Saints |
|
|
Joseph calls volunteers in Kirtland
together, speaks for a short time, and seals them up to eternal life: |
|
|
|
|
we ware all Sealed up to Eternal
Life by Joseph and said they should come forth in the day of the Lord
if they comited sins they would be delivereth over to the bufetings of
Satan for the destruction of the flesh but they should come forth in of
the day of the Lord Jesus. |
|
Reuben McBride diary |
| May 5 |
|
Joseph and volunteers later known
as Zion's Camp leave Kirtland. |
|
Heber's
Zion's Camp (1) |
| May |
|
The May issue of the Evening and Morning Star announces the organization of branches in Sugar Creek, Shelby County, Indiana (19 members); Drury Creek, Campbell County, Kentucky (8); five or six small branches in New York, including Freedom, (26); of seven being baptized at Salisbury, Connecticut. The June number contains notices of conferences to be held at Andover, Vermont, (page 519) July 19 and 20; at Benson, Vermont, July 26; and at Bolton, New York, August 2, 1834. |
|
|
| May
29 |
|
W.
W. Phelps, John Corrill, A.
S. Gilbert, and Edward Partridge
write Governor Dunklin about his order for Colonel S. D. Lucas to return
Mormon arms taken last November. They forwarded it to Lucas on the 17th.
He replied that he would write by the next mail but moved to Lexington
without writing. The "excitement, or rather spite of the mob, runs
so high against our people," that we ask for Col. Allen or Captain
Atchison to return the weapons. |
|
MS 15, no. 5 (Jan. 29, 1853): 68–69. |
| June
5 |
|
A.
S. Gilbert, W. W. Phelps, and "Edward
Partridge, &c." write the governor, "We think the
time is just at hand, when our Society will be glad to avail themselves
of the protection of a military guard, that they may return to Jackson
county."
They request "an order on the commanding officer, to be sent by return
of mail, that we might have it in our hands to present when our people
are ready to start." |
|
MS 15, no. 5 (Jan. 29, 1853): 69–70. |
| June 6 |
|
Governor still looking for a compromise
without getting involved personally. |
|
Daniel
Dunklin to James Thornton, June 6, 1834 |
| June 9 |
|
Governor Dunklin writes W. W. Phelps and others: |
|
HC 2:89. |
|
|
you have a second order for the delivery of
your arms now in the possession of the militia of Jackson county. Colonel
Lucas has resigned his command, he informs me. If Lieut.-Colonel Pitcher
should be arrested before you receive this, you will please hold up the
order until I am informed who may be appointed to the command of the regiment. |
|
|
| June 15 |
|
Orson
Hyde
and Parley P. Pratt (h) return from Jefferson
City: Governor Dunklin says it is impractical to restore the Saints in
Jackson county. |
|
HC 2:89. |
| June 22 |
|
Zion's Camp is dissolved. |
|
J. Whitmer, 72n4. |
| June 23 |
|
Clay county. Fifteen "first elders"
are selected for Kirtland endowment. |
|
Minutes
of June 23, 1834 |
| June 24 |
|
Camp heads for Liberty,
Clay County, but is met by General Atchison and others who urge them not
to go to Liberty on account the animosity there. Accordingly, the camp
turns left, crosses a prairie and woodland to Sidney Gilbert's home,
and camp on the bank of Rush Creek in Brother Burket's field, where cholera
strikes the camp. |
|
Heber
C. Kimball's Accounts of Zion's Camp (2)
|
| June 25 |
|
Camp splits into small groups and are taken
in by brethren living in the area. |
|
|
| |
|
Joseph writes Col. Thornton, and attorneys Doniphan
and Atchison, "to quiet the prejudices and fears of some part of the citizens
of this county, we have concluded that our company shall be immediately
dispersed, and continue so. till every effort for an adjustment of differences
between us and the people of Jackson has been made [506] on our part, that
would in any wise be required of us by disinterested men of republican
principle." |
|
MH A-1, 505–506 // HC 2:114–115. |
| July |
|
Early in the month, on the Prophet's
orders, Lyman Wight (h) (swh)
disbands Zion's Camp. |
|
|
| July 3 |
|
Clay County. Joseph organizes the
first high council in Missouri. |
|
Minutes
of July 3, 1834 |
| July 7 |
|
Clay County, Lyman Wight's home. Members of the
new high council are ordained, replacing the bishopric as the presiding
authority in Missouri. Joseph ordains David to be his successor
should he fall. Joseph says his work is now complete. |
|
Minutes
of July 7, 1834 |
| July 8 |
|
Eastern Clay County, Thomas B. Marsh's
home. Joseph attends a meeting comprised mostly of high priests and elders. |
|
|
| July 9 |
|
Joseph starts for Kirtland with
Hyrum, Frederick, William E. McLellin, and others in a wagon. |
|
|
| July 12 |
|
Clay County high council
suspends proselyting missions and public meetings to assuage
public hostility. |
|
Minutes
of July 12, 1834 |
| August 11 |
|
Kirtland high council hears Sylvester
Smith accuse Joseph Smith of "criminal conduct" during Zion's
Camp. Joseph is exonerated. A notice from the high council and Sylvester's
confession to be published in the Evening and Morning
Star. |
|
Minutes
of August 11, 1834 |
| August 16 |
|
Joseph writes Lyman
Wight (h) (swh)
that September 11, 1836 "is the appointed time for the redemption
of Zion." |
|
Joseph to Lyman Wight,
et. al., Aug. 16, 1834 in PWJS, 347–350.
September 11: fifth anniversary of ¶ D&C
64:21. |
| August 21 |
|
Frederick
G. Williams
returns from Cleveland and reports cholera epidemic. "After much
consultation"
Joseph, Oliver Cowdery, and Frederick agree that Frederick should return and administer
to the sick . |
|
Diary-1 in
Papers 2:33–34. |
| August 23 |
|
Council approves article
for the Evening
and Morning Star endorsing Joseph's behavior on Zion's Camp. Sylvester
Smith guilty is "disqualified" to act in
his office until "a
trial before the bishop assisted by twelve high priests can be had." |
|
Minutes of August 23,
1834 |
| August 27 |
|
Bishop Whitney notifies Sylvester
that Sidney has lodged a complaint that he has "been guilty of violating
the laws of the Church" and the high council will convene the next day
to consider the accusation |
|
|
| August 28–29 |
|
High council
tries Sylvester Smith. The prophet's
conduct in Zion's Camp is upheld and Sylvester is rebuked. |
|
Minutes
of August 28, 1834
Minutes of August 29, 1834 |
| August 31 |
|
Heber
C. Kimball arrives in Kirtland from mission. |
|
¶
Heber C. Kimball (h3) |
| September 1 |
|
David
Whitmer leaves Missouri for Kirtland. |
|
FWR, 74. |
| September 5 |
|
Joseph and Oliver leave for conference in New Portage. |
|
|
| September 8 |
|
At New Portage, Joseph and Oliver heal
a sick woman. Joseph explains the gift of tongues is for missionary work,
not administrative hearings. Several disciplinary actions. |
|
Minutes
of September 8, 1834 |
| September 10 |
|
The high council in Clay County meets. Joseph letter to council and W. W. Phelps petition
to the governor are read. First elders for Kirtland endowment are nominated.
Zion's Camp members are to apply for discharges from Lyman Wight and missionary
certificates from Edward Partridge. |
|
Minutes
of September 10, 1834 |
| September 24 |
|
Sylvester
Smith is dropped from
high council, replaced by Hyrum Smith |
|
Minutes
of September 24, 1834 |
| September 26 |
¶ |
PROSPECTUS
/ For re-printing the first and second volumes of THE EVENING AND THE
MORNING STAR.
|
|
MA 2,
no. 24 (Sept. 1834): 192. Notice date Sept. 26, 1834. |
| |
¶ |
F. G. WILLIAMS and Company will reprint the
first and second volumes of the Star, in octavo form, commencing in the
month of November, next … |
|
| |
¶ |
The first volume, and two numbers of the second,
were printed at Indipendence, Missouri, commencing, June,
1832. … |
|
|
| |
¶ |
The remaining part of the second volume has
been published at this place, … |
|
|
| |
¶ |
There are many typographical errors in both
volumes, and especially in the last, which we shall endeavor carefully
to correct, as well as principle, if we discover any.— It is also
proper for us to say, that in the first 14 numbers, in the Revelations,
are many errors, typographical, and others, occasioned by transcribing
manuscript; but as we shall have access to originals, we shall endeavor
to make proper corrections. |
|
|
| September 27 |
|
I attended meeting. Elders Thomas
B. Marsh (h), David W. Patten (h),
Brigham Young and Heber C. Kimball (h1)
preached and broke bread. The Lord poured out His Spirit and my soul
was edified. |
|
|
| October 16 |
|
David
Whitmer arrives in Kirtland from Missouri. |
|
|
| October 16–November 8 |
|
Joseph and Oliver, "D. Whitmer, Oliver, H. Smith, F.
G. Williams, and R. [Roger] and A. [Amos] Orton" take the steamboat Monroe from
Fairport, stop briefly in Cleveland, land at [6] Monroe, then take small boats up the river to Detroit, arriving
at 4 a.m. on the 8th. At 8 a.m. they take the stage for Pontiac. |
|
MA
1, no. 1 (Oct. 1834): 3–7.
MH-B, 557 has Whitney for Whitmer and omits Amos Orton. |
| November [10–20] |
|
First issue of the Messenger
and Advocate is published in Kirtland, Oliver
Cowdery, editor, F.
G. Williams & Co., publisher. Includes Oliver's letter to W.
W. Phelps from Norton, Ohio, September 7, 1834, recounting
translation of the Book of Mormon, angelic restoration of "the holy [Aaronic]
priesthood" in the name of the Messiah; and Oliver's letter from Pontiac dated October 20, but referring to the company's arrival at Pontiac, November 8. |
|
Oliver's
1834–1835 History |
| November 28 |
|
E. D. Howe's Mormonism
Unvailed is released. |
|
Early documents 2:16;
A. B. Deming to "Pres't [J. H.] Fairchild," Dec. 13, 1884,
A. C. Williams Papers, Western Reserve Historical Society Library, Cleveland.
Source |
| November 29 |
|
Joseph and Oliver give
thanks for a loan of $430 from brethren in the East. They covenant with
the Lord that if he |
|
Diary-1 //
Papers, 34–35. |
|
|
will prosper us in our business
and open the way before <us> … to pay our debts … that
of all he shall give us we will give a tenth, to bestowed upon the poor
in his Church, or as he shall command … and that our children after
us shall remember to observe this sacred and holy covenant … And
that our children and our children's [children] may know of the same we
here subscribe our names with our own hands before the Lord: [signed]. |
|
|
| November 30 |
|
While reflecting upon
the goodness and mercy of the Lord, this evening, a prophecy was put into
our hearts, that in a short time the Lord would arrange his providences
in a merciful manner and send us assistance to deliver us from debt and
bondage. |
|
Diary-1 //
Papers 2:35. |
December |
¶ |
Having learned from the first No.
of the Messenger and Advocate, that you were, not only about to "give
a history of the rise and progress of the church of the Latter Day Saints;" but,
that said "history would necessarily embrace my life and character," I
have been induced to give you the time and place of my birth; as I have
learned that many of the opposers of those principles which I have held
forth to the world, profess a personal acquaintance with me, though when
in my presence, represent me to be another person in age, education, and
stature, from what I am. |
|
Joseph Smith to Oliver Cowdery, MA 1, no. 3 (Dec. 1834): 40. Also available at the Center
Place website.
Most likely in response to the publication of Mormonism Unvailed.
|
| December 5 |
|
Joseph, Sidney, Frederick
G. Williams,
and Oliver Cowdery meet to discuss "the welfare of the Church." Joseph
ordains Oliver Assistant President:. |
|
¶ Presidents
of the High Priesthood
Minutes of December 5, 1834 |
| |
|
My brother, in the name of Jesus
Christ who {died} was crucified for the sins of the world, I lay my hands
upon thee, and ordain thee an assistant President of the high and holy
priesthood in the Church of the Latter Day Saints |
|
Diary-1 in Papers 2:36. |
| December 6 |
|
In Missouri, W.
W. Phelps, John Whitmer, John
Corrill, Isaac Morley, Edward
Partridge, and A. S. Gilbert write
Governor Daniel Dunklin for military assistance to restore them to
their lands, to authorize their own military units,
and to convene a court of inquiry. |
|
TS 6,
no. 10 (June 1, 1845): 915. |
| |
|
In Kirtland, the Smith men, Oliver,
Sidney, and Reynolds
Cahoon meet. Hyrum is ordained to the presidency
of the High Priesthood. |
|
Minutes
of December 6, 1834 |
| December 22 |
|
Heber C. Kimball starts
attending a six-week grammar school taught by Sidney and William E. McLellin
(h). |
|
¶
Heber C. Kimball (h3)
William was reproved for complaining about Sidney to his
wife. Minutes of September 26, 1835 |
|
|
1835
1833
Kirtland 1834
Chronologies
|