Leonard Rich (1800–1868)

One of the first seven presidents of the Seventy, charter member of the Kirtland Safety Society, Kirtland dissenter.


Born New York    
Died 1868 in Kirtland, Ohio    
Occupation Farmer    
Ordinations Elder, 1833    
  High priest, 1834    
  One of the first seven presidents of the First Quorum of Seventy, February 28, 1835    
Events 1830 resident of Warsaw, Genesee County, New York.    
Mission January 1833 with Elder Aaron Lyons, teach and baptize Truman O. Angell.   "His Journal," 196
Zion's Camp 1834 Zion's Camp.   Heber's Accounts of Zion's Camp
Rebuked February 12. 1834 rebuked by high council for breaking the Word of Wisdom and selling revelations at exorbitant prices.   ¶ Minutes of February 12, 1834
Witness July 31, 1834 one of the principal witnesses in the Hulet branch case.   ¶ Minutes of July 31, 1834
D&C August 17, 1835 bears witness at the General Assembly to the first edition of the D&C.   Minutes of August 17, 1835
Friend of Joseph December 10, 1835 Joseph Smith: "I would remember Elder Leonard Rich, who was the first one that proposed to the brethren to assist me, in obtaining wood for the use of my family, for which I pray my heavenly Father to bless <him> with all the blessings, named above, and I shall ever remember him with much gratitude, for this testimony, of benevolence and respect, and thank the great I am, for puting into his heart to do me this kindness."   blessings, named above: Blessings for those who brought him a supply of winter's wood: health for their families, strength, powers of intellect and understanding hearts, preservation from plauges, pestilence, famine, power of the adversity, peace and happiness forever, everlasting life in the celestial kingdom. Joseph Smith 1835–1836 Journal in Papers 2:99–100
December 23, 1835 accompanies Joseph to Oliver Cowdery's home "to visit his relatives; but had ot a very agreeable visit, for he found them filled with prejudice against the work of the Lord, and their minds blinded with superstition and ignorance."   Manuscript History of the Church in Papers 2:177
Mission April 12, 1836 leaves on a mission to northwest New York, later writing the Messenger and Advocate that he had preached seven discourses and baptized nine.   Messenger and Advocate, vol. 2 no. 9 (June 1836), 330
Threatening petition November 7, 1836 signs petition warning Kirtland's unpopular justice of the peace to leave the county immediately. Seventy-one signators include Joseph, Oliver, Sidney, Frederick, Brigham, and Parley.   Petition of Joseph Smith Jr. to Ariel Hanson. Lake County Historical Society, Mentor, Ohio, cited in Origins, 91, 331n43.
Kirtland bank January 2, 1837 signs new constitution of the Kirtland Safety Society.   Messenger and Advocate, vol. 3 (March 1837)
Release April 6, 1837 released with other presidents of the Seventy who had been ordained high priests prior to their calling to the Seventy.
Dissenter Fall 1837 one of the Kirtland dissenters.   Comprehensive History, 1:405
Sues for debt When the bank fails, Leonard and Roger Orton, "who who kept the meat market," sue Jonathan Crosby to recover money he owed them. Caroline Barnes Crosby later wrote, "Alas thought I, the trials that I had heard the elders preach of were in reality coming upon us. As to poverty we could endure that patiently, but trials among false brethren, who can endure with patience? Many of our most intimate associates were among the apostates."
  Caroline Barnes Crosby journal in Women's Voices, 56.
Transgressor September 4, 1837 Joseph declares Leonard is in transgression and in danger of losing his standing.   ¶ Scriptory Book
Excommunicated December 1837 excommunicated.   Origins, 574
Joins Warren Parrish February 5, 1838 signs Warren Parrish's declaration that Joseph and Sidney "lie by revelation, swindle by revelation, cheat and defraud by revelation, runaway by revelation."   Origins, 574
"Drunk" August 1838 described in the Elders Journal as "generally so drunk, that he had to support himself by something to keep him from falling down."   ¶ Argument to Argument
Sidney's church April 8, 1845 ordained a seventy in Sidney's Church of Christ.   Origins, 574
Kirtland takeover October 22, 1845 a letter from Reuben McBride in Kirtland arrives in Nauvoo, stating that "apostates …have broken into the House of the Lord, and taken possession of it, and are trying to take possession of the church farm." "Leaders of the rioters" were S. B. Stoddard, Jacob Bump, Hiram Kellogg, Leonard Rich, and Jewel Raney.
  HC, 7:484
David Whitmer 1846 joins William E. McLellin in urging David Whitmer to organize a Church of Christ.   "William E. McLellin: 'Mormonism's Stormy Petrel.'" 88–90.
Strang's church August 7, 1846 joins James J. Strang's Church of Jesus Christ, presides over its Kirtland branch.   Origins, 574–575.
October 16, 1846 urges Strang to renounce John C. Bennett's Order of the Illuminati.   Origins, 575.
December 13, 1846 leads Kirtland Strangites in rejecting Strang.   Origins, 575.
David Whitmer's church February 13, 1847 joins David Whitmer's Church of Christ and is reordained.   Origins, 575.
William Swartzell's church September–October, 1857 joins Martin Harris in supporting William Swartzell's church in Kirtland.   Origins, 575.
Opposes Joseph III July 1860 opposes designation of Joseph Smith III as president of RLDS Church, and organizes his own church of seven people in Kirtland.   Origins, 575.
Families Keziah md. ca 1823, 8+ children   Origins, 574.
  Marina Bassett md. 1858 (not a plural wife)  
      Biographical sketches
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