| January
1 |
|
Oliver
Cowdery returns from Philadelphia
with plates to print bank notes.
|
|
|
|
|
Orson Hyde
returns with news that the Ohio legislature
would not grant a charter for the Kirtland Safety Society bank. |
|
|
|
|
Reynolds
Cahoon confirms Willard Richards (h).
Lyman Sherman sings in tongues and Willard understands. |
|
|
|
|
Eliza R. Snow resumes teaching school
for young ladies and boards with the Smith family. |
|
Eliza's writings,
10–11. |
| January 2 |
|
The officers of the Kirtland Safety Society, a "mutual stock association," change
the name of the company to the "Kirtland Safety Society Anti-Banking
Company." |
|
Kirtland Safety Society Articles |
| January 6 |
|
The Kirtland Safety Society Anti-Banking Company begins issuing stock
certificates to be used as currency. |
|
|
|
|
I also herd President Joseph Smith jr. declare in the presence of F
Williams,
D. Whitmer, S.
Smith, W. Parrish, & others in the Deposit Office that
he had received that morning the Word of the Lord upon the Subject of the
Kirtland Safety Society. He was alone in a room by himself & he had
not ownly the voice of the Spirit upon the Subject but even an audable voice.
He did not tell us at that time what the LORD said upon the subject but
remarked that if we would give heed to the Commandments the Lord had given
this morning all would be well. |
|
WWJ 1:120.
¶ 1838 |
| January
12 |
|
[Cleveland Herald
and Gazette:] … we look upon the whole [Safety Society scheme] as a most reprehensible fraud on the public, and cannot conceal our surprise that they should circulate at all. …We do not object to private or company banking, as a system, provided it is done upon a system made safe, but we consider this whole affair a deception, that there is still in force a section of the statute affixing a penalty of $1,000 to the issuing or passing unauthorized Bank paper like the present. It is a kind of radicalism that would flourish better in Michigan than Ohio. |
|
Source |
| January
19 |
|
[Painesville Republican:]
A company has been formed in Kirtland, … by the Mormons, or "latter day saints," as they call themselves, with a capital stock of no less than four millions of dollars. The company style themselves the "Kirtland Safety Society Anti-Banking Company." — Under this title they have issued their notes which, for a week or two past, have circulated among us as money or bills of exchange, but they do not, as yet obtain a general currency. Not being received at the Bank in this place, those who are doing business with the bank, will not of course, take them. — Besides, a law of this state passed February 22, 1816, "to prohibit the issuing and circulating of unauthorized Bank Paper," published in the Telegraph last week, if now in force, might subject persons who give these bills a circulation, to some trouble. It is doubted however, by good judges, whether the law to which we have alluded, is now in force, or if in force, whether it is not unconstitutional, and therefore not binding upon the people. |
|
Source |
| January
31 |
|
Wilford Woodruff: Joseph
and Sidney announce that the First Presidency had purchased the charter
of a bank in Monroe, Michigan >. |
|
|
| February |
|
Shortly after the Monroe bank opens, Samuel
D. Rounds charges Joseph and Sidney violated Ohio's 1816 banking laws which
prohibited banking except by authorized corporations <
>. |
|
|
| February 1 |
|
O. Cowdery and Company is dissolved and the assets transferred to Joseph
Smith Jr. and Sidney Rigdon. Warren A. Cowdery becomes their agent and
editor of the Messenger and Advocate. |
|
RLDS history 2:99. |
| February
10 |
|
Orson Hyde again applies for
bank charter. |
|
|
| March 22
|
|
The Ohio Repository reprints Warren Parrish's
letter about Joseph hearing the voice of the Lord instructing him to establish
the "Banking-Anti-Banking Institution" <. |
|
|
| March
24 |
|
At a preliminary hearing on
charges the Monroe, Michigan bank charter had been obtained illegally, a
court date is set for the fall session < >. |
|
|
| April
3 |
|
High council lays out nine charges against Presidents
W. W. Phelps and John Whitmer. |
|
Minutes
of Apr. 3, 1837 |
| April
5–6 |
|
Presidents W. W. Phelps and John Whitmer meet
with the high council, bishop's council, and apostles Thomas B. Marsh and
David W. Patten. They demand a private meeting but Thomas B. Marsh threatens
them with a common council. Investigation begins. David characterizes their
conduct as "iniquitous & fradulent in the extreme." |
|
Minutes
of Apr. 5–6, 1837 |
| April
6 |
|
On short notice a solemn assembly is called "for
the purpose of washing, anointing, washing of feet, receiving instruction
and the further organization of the ministry." |
|
MA 3, no. 31 (Apr.
1837): 486. |
| April 7 |
|
Far West high council adopts city plat, appoints five "wise
men" to price and sell town lots, names construction committee for
the House of the Lord with presidents of the stake to superintend and
receive revelations for the building. |
|
Minutes of Apr. 7, 1837 |
| April
24 |
|
David W. Patten (h)
charges Lyman Wight (h) (swh)
with teaching the "erroneous" doctrine that the church is under
a telestial law. Lyman is directed to recant. |
|
Minutes
of Apr. 24, 1837 // HC 2:481–482. |
| May |
|
Priesthood bearers who do not observe the literal
interpretation of the Word of Wisdom are not to be fellowshipped. John
Whitmer, W. W. Phelps, Edward
Partridge, Isaac Morley, and John
Corrill are authorized to sell Far West lots for the church. |
|
Minutes
of May 1837 |
| May 25 |
|
Oliver Cowdery is elected
a Justice of the Peace in Kirtland without opposition. |
|
Painesville Republican,
May 25, 1837. Source |
| May
26 |
|
John Corrill named "an agent of the Church
and Keeper of the Lord's Store House." |
|
Minutes
of May 22, 1837 |
| May
26 |
|
The Painesville Telegraph publishes Grandison
Newell's letter to the editor charging that Joseph Smith had sent two men
to murder him. |
|
Did
Joseph Plot to Kill Grandison Newell? |
| May 28 |
|
At Sunday services in Kirtland, Wilford Woodruff finds "the
same spirits of murmering, complaining, & of mutiny," that he witnessed
on February 19. |
|
WWJ
1:147. |
|
|
They have been brewing in the family Circle in the secret
Chamber & in the streets untill many & some in high places had risen
up against Joseph the servnt whom God had raised up to lead Israel. And
they were striving to overthrow his influence & cast him down untill
Joseph was grieved in spirit to stand in such perils among fals brethren. |
|
|
|
¶ |
Nevertheless, Joseph rises and speaks to the people "in
the name of the Lord in his own defence. The Lord was with him by his power
& spirit to the Convinceing of the honest that he would stand &
his enemies fall. |
|
|
|
¶ |
[Sidney and others follow,] maintaining Joseph in his integrity.
But; Alas, one [Warren Parrish] arose, once a friend, (not now) in the blackness
of his face & corruption of his heart stretched out his puny arm and
proclamined against Joseph. Joseph acted wisely while all saw the spirit
of his foe. |
|
WWJ
1:148. |
| May
29 |
|
Kirtland high council meets to try President Frederick
G. Williams, President David Whitmer, Apostles
Parley P. Pratt (h) and Lyman
E. Johnson, and Warren Parrish, a seventy. Cannot decide if the council
has jurisdiction. Lyman and Orson accuse Joseph of misrepresentation and
extortion. Dissidents meet in the temple, declare Joseph fallen; want to
David to lead. |
|
Minutes
of May 29, 1837
WWJ 1:148;
Lucy, 190. |
| May 30 |
|
Joseph and entourage travel to Painesville for trial, but
prosecution is not ready, so date is moved to the following Saturday. |
|
|
| "Summer" |
|
He [David Whitmer] arrived in Kirtland during the summer of 1837
. . . David
. . . was not altogether satisfied with all things and in one instance
while conversing with Joseph, David, while this spirit was upon him, insulted
Joseph and he slaped David in the face and kicked him out of the yard and
it had a good effect and brought David to his senses. |
|
|
| June
2 |
|
Conference designates Heber C. Kimball to lead
mission to England. |
|
¶
Heber C. Kimball (h3) |
| June
3 |
|
Preliminary hearing held at
the Methodist chapel in Painesville. Joseph charged with plotting the murder
of Grandison Newell. Orson
Hyde testifies in behalf of the prosecution >. |
|
Did
Joseph Plot to Murder Grandison Newell? |
|
|
Church court in the temple. Parrish testifies. |
|
|
| June 4 |
|
Orson Hyde pleads for forgiveness and is set apart with Heber C. Kimball and Joseph
Fielding for first mission to England. |
|
¶
Heber C. Kimball (h3) |
| June 9 |
|
…
no testimony appeared [in the murder conspiracy trial], on which, any reliance
could be placed, that went in the least degree to crimination … and
resulted in the entire acquittal of Joseph smith, Jr. of the charges alleged
against him. This is said to be the thirteenth prosecution which has been
instituted against Joseph Smith, Jr. for prejudice against him, he has never
in a single instance been convicted, on a final trial <. |
|
Painesville Republican: in
Zion in court, 56. |
| June
11 |
|
High council in Zion endorses commercial enterprises.
All are free to engage in business. No preferential treatment. No partnering
with non-Mormons or using non-Mormon suppliers. Give David Patten and Thomas
B. Marsh town lots. |
|
Minutes
of June 11, 1833 |
|
|
Willard Richards (h)
arrives in Kirtland after 3-month mission to New York and Massachusetts. |
|
|
| June 12 |
|
Heber C. Kimball urges Willard
to come to England. After consulting with Hyrum, Joseph, Sidney, and Brigham,
Willard agrees and is set apart. |
|
¶
Heber C. Kimball (h3) |
| June
13 |
|
Heber, Willard, and Orson leave Kirtland, take
steamboat at Fairport. |
|
¶
Heber C. Kimball (h3) |
| July 27 |
|
Joseph, Sidney, and Thomas B. Marsh leave Kirtland on a fund-raising
tour through Upper Canada, but near Fairport, Joseph is arrested, charges
are dismissed for lack of evidence, and he re-arrested. |
|
MH B-1, 767–768 // HC
2:502. |
| July
29 |
|
David Whitmer
attends high council meeting in Far West, apparently for the first time
since September 11, 1833. |
|
FWR,
116; Minutes of September 11, 1833 |
| August 1 |
|
Far West high council: presidents of high priests
and elders must be ordained by a higher authority. Quorum presidents may
ordain their counselors. Bishop takes charge of the Lesser Priesthood. Quorums
to choose their presidents. |
|
Minutes
of August 1, 1837 |
| August
1 |
|
A general
meeting in Far West votes to proceed with construction of a house of the
Lord "as we have means." Building committee to have no store.
Members are free to compete. |
|
Minutes
of August 5, 1837 |
| August 20 |
|
This certifies that Charles C. Rich was duly electged a
president of the Highpriesthood in Zion and was ordained to that office
under the hand of John Whitmer and William W. Phelps presidents. Also Harvey
Green to the presidency of Elders in Caldwell Co. Mo. at the same time.
[John Whitmer, recorder] |
|
FWR, 119. HC 2:507 mistakenly
dates this August 15.) |
| August [30] |
|
Joseph returns to Kirtland from Canada "about the last of
August." |
|
HC 2:508. |
September
3
(Sunday) |
|
Kirtland conference sustains Joseph as president
of the whole church, with Sidney Rigdon and Frederick G. Williams as counselors,
and Oliver Cowdery, Joseph Smith Sr., and Hyrum Smith as assistant counselors.
The Kirtland bishopric is also sustained.
Luke S. Johnson,
Lyman E. Johnson,
and John F. Boynton (h) are excommunicated
or rejected as apostles (the technical aspects are unclear) >.
Nine high council members are replaced. |
|
Minutes
of September 3, 1837 |
| September
4 |
|
John Whitmer and W.
W. Phelps "…have done things which are not pleasing in my
sight Therefore if they repent not they shall be removed." |
|
Revelation
of September 4, 1837 |
| September
9 |
|
Kirtland High Council reorganized. |
|
Minutes of September 9, 1837 |
September 10
(Sunday) |
|
An "assembly of Saints" in Kirtland approves "the "rules & regulations governing the House of the Lord." |
|
|
|
Luke Johnson, Lyman Johnson, John F. Boynton confess and are received back into fellowship as apostles. |
|
Minutes of September 10, 1837 |
| |
|
President John Smith and Sidney Rigdon deny rumors that they had conspired to remove the apostles from their positions last Sunday. |
|
|
| September 17 |
|
William Marks elected bishop's agent in Kirtland, George
W. Robinson elected Church Clerk Recorder in place of Oliver Cowdery (gone
to Missouri). At evening conference of elders, Joseph and Sidney are asked
to locate new stakes for the poor to gather to, 109 missionaries are assigned
directions to take from Kirtland. |
|
Minutes of September
17, 1837 |
| |
|
General conference of elders in Kirtland appoint Joseph and
Sidney to visit Far West and locate gathering places "for a refuge
and safety, in the day of the wrath of God which is soon to burst upon
the head of this generation, according to the testimony of the prophets;
who speak expressly concerning the last days." |
|
Elders Journal 1, no. 2 (Nov. 1837):
27. (Neither this appointment nor the wrath of God are mentioned in minutes
or MH B-1, 773–774.) |
| September
18 |
|
Kirtland Bishop Newel
K. Whitney and counselors Reynolds Cahoon
and Vinson Knight write to the Saints scattered abroad pleading for donations. |
|
MA 3, no. 12 (Sept.
1837): 361–364.
MH B-1, 773, 774 // HC
2:525. |
| September 27 |
|
Joseph Smith and Sidney Rigdon leave
Kirtland for Far West "to fulfil the mission appointed us on the 18th [sic]
of sept by a conference of elders in establishing places of gathering for
the Saints Brothers William Smith and Vinson
Knight accompanying us." |
|
MH B-1, 774 // Elders Journal 1, no. 2
(Nov. 1837): 27.
Original: vinson Knights |
| October |
|
Joseph and Sidney are found guilty of violating
state banking statutes. Each to pay $1,000 plus court costs. They appeal. |
|
|
| October 18 |
|
Kirtland high council and quorum presidents, "after
lengthy discussion concerning existing Evils, agreed that it was time to
commence the work of reform" and agree to meet in a week to "commence
pruning the vine of God in Kirtland. and thus continue the work evening
after evening. until it shall be wisdom to stay the hands." |
|
|
| November
7 |
|
Far West general assembly elects
Joseph as president of the whole church, and Sidney as a counselor. Frederick
is rejected as counselor and Hyrum is vote in. Opposition to David
Whitmer, W. W. Phelps, and John
Whitmer, but ultimately they are elected. A high council is elected,
as are members of the Quorum of the Twelve (including the Johnsons and John
F. Boynton (h) who had been rejected by
the Kirtland conference) <, bishopric, patriarch, keeper
of the Lord's storehouse, presidents of seventies. |
|
Minutes
of November 7, 1837 |
| November
10 |
|
Far West priesthood members vote to double the size of the
city. Those who lay out the city plat are to be compensated in land. The
rest of the land to be consecrated to the public good. |
|
Minutes of November
10, 1837 |
| December |
|
Many excommunications. On January
1, 1838, Adam-ondi-Ahman stake president John Smith writes his son, George
A.: |
|
|
| |
|
I called the High Council together last week and laid
before them the case of dissenters, 28 persons were, upon mature discussion
cut off from the Church. … We have cut off between 40 and 50 from
the Church since you left. Thus you will see the Church has taken a mighty
pruning and we think she will rise in the greatness of her strength,
and I rejoice, for the Lord is good and He will cut his work short in
righteousness. … I will rejoice for the Lord will purify His Church. |
|
Qtd. in Lost legacy, 112. |
| December
6 |
|
Far West high council and bishop's council vote to pay themselves
and recorders for services and reimburse Bishop Partridge expenses he incurred
defending the church during the Jackson county episode. |
|
Minutes of December
6, 1837 |
| December
7 |
|
Bishop Edward Partridge and his counselors submit to the high
council a plan to raise funds for the church based on an annual contribution
of 2% of a man's net worth. |
|
Minutes of December
7, 1837 |
| December
10 |
|
Joseph returns to Kirtland. |
|
¶
Thomas B. Marsh (h) // HC 2:528. |
| December
24 |
|
Hyrum marries Mary Fielding. |
|
| December
27 |
|
Brigham flees Kirtland. Dissenters "had threatened
to destroy him because he would proclaim publicly and privately that
he knew by the power of the Holy Ghost that I was a Prophet of the Most
High God, that I had not transgressed and fallen as the apostates declared." |
|
HC
2:529. |
|
|
|
|
1838
1836
Chronologies
|