1831 Chronology

1831 Chronology

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January 2		Third conference of the church, Peter Whitmer Sr.'s home in Fayette, New York (no minutes known). D&C 38 (Fayette): Wicked are kept in chains of darkness until the judgment; land of promise governed by God's law when the Lord returns (vss. 18–22); be one (vss. 25–27); gather in Ohio, where God's law will be given and the people will be endowed with power; care for the poor.	Far West Record, 5. ¶ Sidney on the Early Days The log home—in Fayette township, but closer to the town of Waterloo—was 20 x 30, with two rooms on the main floor and one or two rooms in the attic story. "Organizational Origins," 150–151.
January 5		D&C 39 (Fayette): Baptist minister James Covill commanded to be baptized.
January 6		D&C 40 (Fayette): James Covill gladly received the commandment, but Satan tempted him, feared persecution, rejected the word.
January 11		Eber D. Howe, publisher of the Painesville Telegraph, writes William W. Phelps for information on Mormonism—probably not knowing Phelps had received a Book of Mormon on April 9, 1830 and had met Joseph on December 24.	Early Mormon Documents, 3:5.
January 14		[Palmyra Reflector:] Mormon missionaries proclaimed that there had been no religion in the world for 1500 years,—that no one had been authorized to preach and teach for that period,—that Joseph Smith had now received a commission from God for that purpose. … Smith (they affirmed) had seen God frequently and personally—Cowdery and his friends had frequent interviews with angels.
January 15		[Painesville Telegraph:] I had ten hours discourse with a man from your State named Sidney Rigdon, a convert to its doctrines and he declared it was true, and he knew it by the power of the Holy Ghost, which was again given to men in preparation for the Millennium; he appeared to be a man of talents and sincere in his profession. … At other times they are taken with a fit of jabbering that which they neither understand themselves nor anybody else, and this they call speaking foreign languages by divine inspiration.
January 18		[Painesville Telegraph:] A young gentleman by the name of Whitmer arrived here last week from Manchester, New York, the seat of wonders, with a new batch of revelations from God, as he pretended, which have just been communicated to Joseph Smith. As far as we have been able to learn their contents, they are a more particular description of the creation of the world, and a history of Adam and his family, and other sketches of the ante-diluvian world, which Moses neglected to record.
January 24		(Monday) after delivering a sermon at the court house, Sidney takes the stage from Waterloo bound for Kirtland.	Letter to the editor dated January 26 in Palmyra Reflector, February 1, 1831, qtd. in Early Mormon Documents 3:243–244. Waterloo is 20 miles southeast of Palmyra, as the crow flies.
		The Prophet, Spouse, and whole "holy family" as they style themselves,) will follow Rigdon, so soon as their deluded or hypocritical followers, shall be able to dispose of what little real property they possess in this region; one farm (Whitmers) was sold a few days ago for $2,300. Their first place of destination is understood to be a few miles west of Painesville, Ohio, (the present place of the Elder's residence) which is just within the east bounds of this new land of promise, which extends from thence to the Pacific Ocean …
		According to the Newel Knight autobiography [1846], Joseph, Emma, Sidney, and Edward started for Kirtland "T<o>wards the latter part of January."	Newel Knight, Journal A, item 3 qtd. in Early Mormon Documents 4:43.
January 29		Oliver to Joseph: 25 miles from Shawnees on south side of Kansas River at its mouth; has not heard from Joseph since he and other missionaries left in fall 1830; deep snow; met with chief and 18–20 council members; chief said "they were very glad for what I their Brother had told them and they had recived it in their hearts &c—But how the matter will go with this tribe to me is uncirtain."	Joseph to Hyrum, March 3, 1831 in Personal, 231.
January 30		Sidney tells his Kirtland congregation that Joseph will arrive soon, challenges the world to refute the Book of Mormon. (But when Thomas Campbell offers to debate, Sidney is so offended by Campbell's letter that he tosses it into the fire.)	Sidney, 80.
February 1		[Palmyra Reflector:] It appears quite certain that the prophet himself never made any serious pretensions to religion until his late pretended revelation.
	¶	"Feb. 1, 1831.—Mr. Rigdon just returned from the state of New York. … Two days after, I accompanied several friends to Mr. R.'s residence, and found him in conversation with a Methodist elder. …	Anonymous source qtd. in Mormonism Unvailed, 112, 113.
	¶	"Mr. Smith arrived at Kirtland the next day …
February [4]		Joseph and Emma arrive in Kirtland, stay at the home of Newel K. Whitney for several weeks.	Mormon Enigma, 38.
February 4		D&C 41 (Kirtland): Edward Partridge called as bishop. Ordained by Sidney Rigdon. Duties not enumerated.
February 7		Millennial Harbinger, vol. 2 no. 2 is published in Bethany, Brooke county, Virginia, containing Alexander Campbell's "Delusions," the first substantive critique of the Book of Mormon.	Off-site link
February 9		D&C 42:1–73 (Kirtland): Law of the Church, church government, missionaries in pairs, penalties for sins, consecration and stewardship; plain, homemade clothing; idleness; sick call on elders; live together in love, etc.
February [6–23]		D&C 43 (Kirtland): Only Joseph to receive revelations as long as he lives and remains faithful (vss. 1–7), only he can appoint a successor if he falls.
February [9–23]		D&C 44 (Kirtland): Missionaries to return to Kirtland in June; Joseph and Sidney to visit the poor and minister to their needs.
February 14		Indian missionaries Oliver Cowdery, Parley P. Pratt (h), Ziba Peterson, Peter Whitmer Jr., and Frederick G. Williams decide to send Parley back to report results. Palmyra Reflector: Mormons claim that Joseph Smith had "seen God frequently and personaly—Cowdery and his friends had frequent interviews with angels," and that "commissions and papers were exhibited, said to be signed by Christ himself."
February 15		Painesville Telegraph publishes the challenge of Thomas Campbell (father of Alexander) to debate Sidney about the Book of Mormon. Sidney burned the letter of challenge.
		Painesville Telegraph describes Mormons speaking in tongues at a meeting last December: "At other times they are taken with a fit of jabbering that which they neither understand themselves nor anybody else, and this they call speaking foreign languages by divine inspiration."
February 23		D&C 42:78–93 (Kirtland): Methods for dealing with transgressors; murderers, thiefs, and liars to civil authorities; adulterers to be tried before the church, bishop should be present, two witnesses required; other offenders rebuked in secret if offense was private.	Not in the Book of Commandments. The Book of Commandments, Book B refers only to males, females added in 1835. JS Revelations, 119–20.
February 27		Orson Pratt (h1) arrives in Kirtland with Samuel Smith.	¶ Joseph to Hyrum, March 3–4, 1831
February 28		Palmyra Reflector: "It is well known that Joe Smith never pretended to have any communion with angels, until a long period after the pretended finding of his book."	¶ Joseph to Hyrum, March 3–4, 1831
March 3–4		Joseph to Hyrum: Devil tries to overthrow churches in Ohio. Oliver's letter from Independence. Met with Deleware chief. Joseph urges Hyrum to come quickly. Joseph performs exorcism. Samuel and Orson Pratt arrived a few days ago. Joseph Sr. is threatened with suit. Avoid Buffalo (enemy ambush).	Joseph to Hyrum, March 3–4, 1831
March [6–7]		D&C 45 (Kirtland): City of Enoch, signs of second coming, millennium, gather to Zion. Commandment to translate the New Testament.
March 8		Joseph begins revision of the New Testament.	Date appears at the top of the first page of A Translation of the New Testament translated by the power of God, in the Community of Christ Archives. JS Revelations, 123n29.
		D&C 46 (Kirtland): Admit all to public meetings, all members to sacrament meetings, transgressors not to partake of sacrament, honest seekers to sacrament and confirmation meetings; gifts of the Spirit.
		D&C 47: (Kirtland) John Whitmer to "keep a regular history" > and assist Joseph "translating all things."
March 8–31		D&C 48 (Kirtland): Stay in Kirtland for now, share land to share with new arrivals, save to buy land for new city.
March 15		[Alexander Campbell: The Book of Mormon is a composite of:] every error and almost every truth discussed for the last ten years. He [Joseph] decides all the great controversies: infant baptism, ordination, the trinity, regeneration, repentance, justification, the fall of man, the atonement, transubstantiation, fasting, penance, church government, religious experience, the call of the ministry, the general resurrection, eternal punishment, who may baptize, and even the question of free masonry, republican government, and the rights of men. All these topics are repeatedly alluded to.	Painesvile Telegraph, 1, qtd. in Heavens, 54–55.
March 22		The Painesvile Telegraph publishes a letter signed by ten unidentified Palmyra residents asserting that in New York Joseph and his father had "belonged to a gang of money-diggers … Jo pretending he could see the gold and silver by the aid of what they called a 'peep stone.'" Mormons in the Palmyra area are "few and generally of the dregs of community. … The whole gang of these deluded mortals, except a few hypocrites, are profound believers in witchcraft, ghosts, goblins, &c." The signers found it "hardly possible that so clumsy an imposition can spread to any considerable extent."	Painesville Telegraph, March 22, 1831, 2. The letter is dated March 12, 1831.
March [26]		D&C 49 (Kirtland): Sidney, Parley, Leman Copley mission to Shakers; marriage ordained of God (one wife); abstinence from meat not required; temporal inequality a sin; Jesus will not come as a woman; disasters precede his coming; first Indians will blossom as a rose, Zion upon the mountains.	The brethren "proclaimed according to the revelation given to them, but the shakers hearkened not to their words." From Historian, 57.
Early spring		Joseph and Emma move into cabin built by Isaac Morley on his land several miles north of Kirtland.	Mormon Enigma, 38.
April		Joseph revising the King James Bible.
		Simonds Ryder permits Ezra Booth to address his congregation. Visits Kirtland but is put off by Mormon girl predicting destruction of Peking, China >.
April 7		Martin Harris sells 151 acres to pay for the printing of the Book of Mormon.
April 9		Conference (Kirtland): John Whitmer appointed Church Historian by ten elders" <.	Minutes of April 9, 1831
April 19		Painesville Telegraph publishes a letter from Martin Harris that includes the earliest published version of the Articles and Covenants of the Church of Christ. Joseph and Oliver are each "called of God and ordained an apostle of Jesus Christ, an elder of the church."
April 30		Joseph and Emma's twins, Thadeus and Louisa, are born in the cabin but survive only 3 hours.	Mormon Enigma, 38.
May		Fayette, Colesville, and Manchester, New York branches arrive in Kirtland.
		¶ Revelation: Joseph Smith Sr. and Ezra Thayer, and use of Frederick G. Williams' farm.
May 3 or 4		Lucy Mack Smith leads a group of about fifty persons, with another group of about thirty headed by Thomas B. Marsh (h), from Fayette through the Cayuga, Seneca, and Erie Canals to Buffalo, then to Fairport, Ohio (arriving on May 14), and finally on to Kirtland.	Early Mormon Documents, 1: 450n312.
May 9		D&C 50 (Kirtland): Satan uses false spirits to deceive; abominations in the church; cut off hypocrites; preach by spirit of truth; ask God to discern spirits; Edward Partridge not to put obstacles in the way of missionaries; grow in grace.
		Joseph and Emma adopt the Murdock twins, Joseph and Julia.
May 20		D&C 51 (Thompson, Ohio): Instructions to Edward Partridge on organizing the Colesville Branch, which had settled on Leman Copley's farm in Thompson >; consecration and stewardship. Not included in Book of Commandments.	D& C 51:1–19
Late May, early June		Leman Copley attempts to recover land he had consecrated in Thompson < >.	"Colesville Branch," 282–283.
June		First issue of The Evening and the 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).
Early June		Newspapers report earthquake in Peking. Simonds Ryder is baptized <.	¶ Simonds Ryder
June 3		Conference (Kirtland): First ordinations to the High Priesthood, Lyman Wight (h) (swh) has a vision of the Father and the Son, prophesies that the Second Coming will occur in this generation, some will be martyred.	Minutes of June 3–6, 1831
June 6		D&C 52: Missionary assignments made. Brethren to travel in pairs to Missouri, preaching as they go and taking different routes. Transfer blessing of Heman Basset (in transgression) to Simonds Ryder. Oliver to give to give Joseph, Sidney, and Edward recommends to take with them to Zion.
June 6–15		D&C 53 (Kirtland): Algernon Sidney Gilbert to be the bishop's agent.
		D&C 54: Colesville, New York branch to move from Copley's land in Kirtland to Missouri < under direction of Newel Knight. According to Joseph Knight Sr., Copley was cut off for refusing to consecrate his property. The Colesville branch left Copley's property some time in June and moved about 90 miles southeast to Wellsville on the Ohio River >.	"Joseph Knight's Recollection," 39.
June 14		Painesville Telegraph: After all the good followers of Jo Smith from York state had got fairly settled down in this vicinity, which Rigdon had declared to be their "eternal inheritance," Jo. must needs invent another "command from God." At a meeting of the tribe on the 3d inst. the fact was made known to them that 28 elders must be selected and ordained, to start immediately, for Missouri. … The ceremony of endowing them with miraculous gifts, or supernatural power, was then performed, and they were commanded to take up a line of march; preaching their gospel, (Jo‘s Bible) raising the dead, healing the sick, casting out devils, &c. …The flock are to be left to shirk for themselves the best way they can. It is said they are about to commence an establishment some 500 miles up the Missouri where they contemplate building the New Jerusalem, and they have expressed doubts whether few if any of them will ever return to this "land of promise." … The chosen few are to be off during the present week, going by pairs in different routes, all on foot, except Jo., Rigdon, and Harris.	Painesville Telegraph qtd. in Revelations, 137n8. ¶ Ezra Booth Letters (4–6) emphasizes the expectation of the party to witness and perform miracles on their way. ¶ Ezra Booth Letters (4–6) also refers to the high hopes and expectations of the elders.
June 15		D&C 56 (Kirtland): Changes in assignments: Thomas B. Marsh (h) and Selah J. Griffin to go directly to Missouri because the Colesville branch in Thompson < is stubborn and rebellious. Newel Knight to lead members of the branch who are willing, to Missouri >. Ezra Thayer must agree to use of the land where he lives or he will be excommunicated. Rich must give to the poor. Poor must have broken hearts and contrite spirits.
June [15]		D&C 55 to W. W. Phelps: called to be baptized, ordained, assist Oliver in printing >, select and write school books, go to Missouri with Joseph, Sidney, and others >.
June 16		W. W. Phelps is baptized and presumably ordained an elder.
June 19		Joseph, Sidney, Martin Harris, W. W. Phelps, Edward Partridge, Sidney and Elizabeth Gilbert, and Joseph Coe leave Kirtland for Jackson County (900 miles) >.	Manuscript History of the Church, A–1 in Papers 1:356; also Times & Seasons vol. 5 no. 4 (February 15, 1844), 434; HC 1:188.
Late June early July		Joseph and party meet Campbellite leader Walter Scott in Cincinnati. He is not interested.	HC 1:188.
June 21		Orson Hyde (h) and Hyrum give testimony against Doctor Hurlbut.
June 30		William E. McLellin (h), converted by Harvey Whitlock and David Whitmer, leaves Paris, Illinois (northwest of Terre Haute, Indiana) for Independence to meet the Prophet.	Journals of William McLellin, 29–30.
July 3		Colesville branch boards a steamer at Wellsville, Ohio < >.	"Joseph Knight's Recollection," 39.
July 14		Joseph, Edward, Martin Harris, W. W. Phelps, and Joseph Coe reach Independence <.	'Joseph Knight's Recollection," 39.
July 17		Revelation (west of Independence) for Oliver Cowdery, W. W. Phelps, Joseph Coe, and Ziba Peterson as they were about to commence a mission to Native Americans in Missouri, as recalled by W. W. Phelps in 1861: "For it is my will, that in time, ye should take unto you wives of the Lamanites and Nephites, that their posterity may become white, delightsome and Just, for even now their females are more virtuous than the gentiles." Since three of the four were already married, and the fourth—Ziba Peterson—would marry Rebecca Hooper within a month—this passage is sometimes used as an argument that plural marrage was envisioned as early as 1831.	Joseph Smith Revelations, 374–376. Link to text off-site. Also [SHOWREF=sc] 1:19, Revelations Collections, box 1, folder 78. Ezra Booth referred to this revelation in 1831. ¶ Ezra Booth Letters (8–9) "Mormons and Native Americans," 35. Mormon Polygamy, 12–13.
July 20		D&C 57 (Independence): Promised land and city of Zion is in and around Independence; Sidney Gilbert to establish a store; W. W. Phelps to be the church printer <, Oliver "to copy, and to correct, and select" the documents to print.	vss. 9–10 early text: licenses were for clerks to trade with Indians and do missionary work among them. Joseph Smith Revelations, 143–144.
July 25		About sixty members of the Colesville branch under Newel Knight, arrive in Independence <.	Revelations of the Prophet, 85.
August 1		D&C 58 (Independence): obey civil law, do good without being commanded, some not ready to gather.
August 2		Sidney leads the brethren in pledging to receive the land in Missouri as an inheritance, to keep the laws of God, and see that those who follow also keep the laws of God. He then consecrates and dedicates the land.	Consecration Pledge
August 3		Joseph, Sidney, Frederick, Oliver, Martin Harris, Newel Knight, W. W. Phelps, Peter Whitmer Jr, and Joseph Coe gather in Independence. Sidney dedicates the city site, Joseph lays a stone at the northeast corner of the temple site. "After all present had rendered thanks to the great ruler of the Universe, Sidney Rigdon pronounced this Spot of ground wholy dedicated unto the Lord forever: Amen."	From Historian, 86–87.
August 4		Conference in Jackson county. Obedience urged.	Minutes of August 4, 1831
August 7		D&C 59 (Jackson county): keep the Sabbath, acknowledge the hand of the Lord in all things.
		James Gordon Bennett diary entry, Geneva, New York (sixteen miles southeast of the Smith farm near Palmyra): Joseph Smith Sr. a healer and "grand story teller—very glib" and his namesake a "carless, idle, indolent fellow—brought up to live by his wits." The Hill Cumorah. Mormons moved to Ohio "because the people here would not pay any attention to them."	James Gordon Bennett diary, in "James Gordon Bennett's 1831 Report," 355.
		Joseph attends the funeral of Polly Knight, wife of Joseph Knight Sr.
August 8		D&C 60 (Jackson county): Joseph, Sidney, Oliver to go to Cincinnati, their sins are forgiven; other elders to St. Louis; missionaries to wash feet against those who reject them.
		Edward Partridge buys lot 76 in Independence for the print shop, paying $50.	"First Impressions," 54, citing Jackson County Land Records, Book A, 114; HC, 1:202.
August 9		Joseph, Sidney, Oliver, Samuel H. Smith, Reynolds Cahoon, W. W. Phelps, Ezra Booth, Peter Gilbert, Frederick G. Williams, Peter Whitmer Jr., and Joseph Coe leave Independence for Kirtland, taking different routes to proselyte as they go.
August 11		At a bend in the Mississippi river, W. W. Phelps sees a daytime vision of "the Destroyer" riding on the waters.	Manuscript History of the Church, A-1 in Papers 1:362.
August 12		D&C 61 (McIlwaine's Bend, Missouri River, Missouri, 40 miles above Chariton): The Lord cursed the waters in the last days; no flesh safe on them; Joseph, Sidney, Oliver not to travel on them, except by canal; Cincinnati ripe for destruction.
August 12		Lyman Wight (h) (swh) and John Corrill arrive in Jackson county.	From Historian, 72.
August 13		D&C 62 (Chariton, Missouri) to John Murdock, Hyrum, Harvey Whitlock, and David Whitmer: Missions are not finished, but they may go to Zion, before returning to their labors.
August 18		William E. McLellin (h) arrives in Independence.	Journals of William McLellin, 33.
August 20		Hyrum Smith baptizes and confirms William E. McLellin (h).	Journals of William McLellin, 34.
August 24		Conference (Kaw township): Second coming, gathering, sacrifice.	Minutes of Auust 24, 1831
August 25		Hyrum and William E. McLellin (h) begin journey to Kirtland.	1831 Journey of Hyrum and William E. McLellin
August 27		Joseph, Sidney, and Oliver arrive in Kirtland.	1831 Journey of Hyrum and William E. McLellin
August 28		Sidney ordains Oliver to the High Priesthood.	FWR, 10; John Whitmer's history in From Historian, 59 has August 29,
August 30–31		D&C 63 (Kirtland): Sign-seekers condemned; adulterers and those who deny the faith not in first resurrection; purchase land, do not shed blood; wicked destroyed by fire; Joseph decides who moves to Zion; Newel K. Whitney church agent; millennium: children will be resurrected and grow, elderly will be changed in twinkling of an eye; Sidney's writing unacceptable—repent and rewrite.
August 31 to September 1		James Gordon Bennett's articles on Mormonism appears in the New York Morning Courier and Enquirer. Mormonism is "religious fanatacism" and a "church and state party." Sidney the probable author of the Book of Mormon.	"James Gordon Bennett's 1831 Report." 356–364. Off-site link
September 1		Kirtland conference. Oliver ordains Newel K. Whitney church agent. Two elders are silenced, a priest returns his license.	Minutes of September 1, 1831
September 2		Peter Whitmer Jr. arrives in Kirtland after mission to the Lamanites begun in October 1830.	Journal History
September 6		Nelson conference. Ezra Booth is silenced.	Minutes of September 6, 1831
September 11		D&C 64 (Kirtland): Joseph has the keys, unjustly accused. Maintain Kirtland five years. Time of tithing. Church to judge the nations (¶ vss. 37–40).
September 12		Conference (Kirtland): 3 men in northern Ohio settlements are "silenced from ministering in their respective offices."	Far West Record, 12.
		Joseph and Emma, and Sidney, move to the home of John Johnson in Portage county, Ohio, 30 miles southeast of Kirtland.	Time and Seasons vol. 4 no. 7 (April 1, 1844) 481.
		Ezra Booth writes the first of nine letters to Rev. Ira Eddy, published in mid-October, the first Mormon "exposé."	Ezra Booth Letters
September 29		Conference (Amherst, 50 miles west of Kirtland): Oliver, Sylvester Smith, and Joel Johnson silence Elder Chauncy Odle.	FWR,14.
October 2		Sidney baptizes Orson Hyde, Joseph confirms him, and both ordain him an elder.	¶ Orson Hyde (h); Times and Seasons vol. 5 no. 7 (April 1, 1844), 481.
October 10		Conference (Hiram): Joseph Smith Sr. and Ezra Thayer reproved for their management of Frederick G. Williams' property in Kirtland.
October 11		Conference continues: Committee of six is authorized to raise funds in the branches so Joseph and Sidney can continue work on the Bible. David Whitmer and Reynolds Cahoon are appointed; Simeon Carter, Orson Hyde, Hyrum Smith, and Emer Harris called later.
October 13		First of nine letters Ezra Booth letters to Rev. Eddy, this one dated September 12, is published in the Ohio Star. Booth, a former Methodist minister, had been baptized and went to Missouri. Disillusioned, he decided he had been duped and that Mormonism was nothing more than "a deeply laid plan of craft and deception," and began to warn his neighbors.	Ezra Booth Letters (1–3) Papers 1:364n2. The letters also appeared in other papers and in E. D. Howe's Mormonism Unvailed (1834), 175–221.
October 20		Ezra Booth letter #2 published: Mormon claims of restoration. City of Zion in Missouri for second coming. Mormons to inherit treaures of enemies. Baptism, High Priesthood. Miracles postponed to Missouri. Revelations as commandments. Bible inferior. Emma wanted Joseph to quit. Martin Harris conspicuous.	¶ Ezra Booth Letters (1–3)
October 21		Conference (Hiram): William Cahoon and Peter Devolve accused of abusing a child of Newel K. Whitney. Joseph and Sidney to present the case in Kirtland. Conference (Newel Knight's house): Emily Coburn and Elizabeth Gilbert complain about the "teaching & Spirit which had actuated br Newel Knight for a length of time past." Both parties are reproved, Newel is prohibited from officiating as an elder "until he could see with the other Elders & be able to discover that he had a bad spirit."	FWR, 18, 42–43. child: Sarah Ann was six, Mary Elizabeth three. Coburn: Emily was Newel's sister-in-law. In 1882, as Emily M. Austin, Emily authored Mormonism; or, Life Among the Mormons.
October 25		Conference (Orange, Ohio): Ordinations to the High Priesthood. Brethren pledge their all to the Lord; Hyrum asks Joseph to tell the conference about the coming forth of the Book of Mormon but Joseph declines: "it was not expedient for him to relate these things &c." Church to provide for missionaries' families.	Minutes of October 25–26, 1831
		According to John Whitmer and Reynolds Cahoon, Lyman Wight (h) (swh) has a vision of the Lord. Joseph performs exorcisms on Harvey Whitlock and others who are possessed when they receive the High Priesthood.	¶ Minutes of October 25–26, 1831
October 26		Conference continues: Sidney rebukes those who received ordinations with indifference. Oliver and David Whitmer are instructed on selecting the Twelve "that they would be ordained & sent forth from the Land of Zion."	Later McLellin argued there could be only one high priest—Jesus Christ; also objected because original Articles and Covenants of the church did not mention the office. Journals of William McLellin, 55–56n45.
October 27		Ezra Booth, letter #3 published: Gift of tongues, Indian connection discarded. Visions once popular, now only for Joseph. Three Witnesses told what to say. Hidden treasures to benefit church.	¶ Ezra Booth Letters (1–3)
October 29		D&C 66 (Hiram) to William E. McLellin (h): blessed for receiving the gospel, take a mission east with Samuel H. Smith, lay hands on the sick; has been tempted with adultery; descendant of Joseph "through the loins of Ephraim his Son."	Journals of William McLellin, 45–46; Joseph Smith Revelations, 163–164.
October 30		D&C 65 (Hiram): keys of the kingdom committed to men; gospel to roll forth as the stone cut out of the mountain without hands; Son of Man to return in glory; kingdom of God goes forth that the kingdom of heaven may come.
November 1		Conference (Hiram): Vote to print the Book of Commandments, brethren bear witness of the book, D&C 1 (Preface to the book), D&C 67 (challenge to manufacture a revelation), and another Revelation of November 1, 1831 (testimony of the witnesses to the Book of Commandments).	Minutes of November 1–2, 1831 All in Favor? Literary Firm
November 2		Conference continues: Sidney Rigdon ordains Lyman Johnson (h) to the High Priesthood; Oliver Cowdery reads a new revelation; brethren bear witness to the truthfulness of the revelations.
November 3		D&C 133 (Hiram): "The Appendix" to the Book of Commandments: Missionaries to all nations, 144,000, cataclysms; angel flying through the midst of heaven, day of vengeance, resurrection.
		Ezra Booth letter #4 published: High expectations for June 3 or 4, 1831 conference. Joseph promised some would see the Savior. Joseph ordains Lyman Wight and others to the High Priesthood, then Lyman declares he has seen the Lord and Joseph delegates him to ordain the others. The "man of sin" is made manifest and Joseph casts him out.	Ezra Booth Letters (4–6)
November 3–8		D&C 68 (Hiram): inspired statements of missionaries are scripture, sealing power. First-born descendants of Aaron and bishops. Bishops and high priests tried only by the First Presidency. Parents' responsibility to teach and baptize children at 8.
November 8		Conference (Hiram): Sidney: errors in the commandments. Joseph to correct, Oliver edit everything else published in Independence.	Minutes of November 8, 1831
November 9		Conference resumes: Sylvester Hulett and John Noah to be ordained "according to the voice of the Church in which they live."	Minutes of November 9, 1831
November 10		Ezra Booth letter #5 published: Joseph, Sidney, and Martin travel in comfort, by boat, and the others overland on foot. Disappointed by Independence—little civilization, unfulfilled promises of miracles and spiritual gifts. Joseph tells the Saints they must purchase the land, which they believed would be given to them. His vision of a large congregation proves false.	¶ Ezra Booth Letters (4–6)
November 11		Conference (Hiram): Reynolds Cahoon not to go to Zion next spring. Go on fund-raising mission.	Minutes of November 11, 1831
		D&C 107:59–75, 78–92, 99–100 (Hiram): Offices and organization of the priesthood, especially relationship of the president of the High Priesthood to the office of bishop, and church courts.	Dated by reference in Minutes of July 3, 1832.
November 12		D&C 69 (Hiram): Oliver Cowdery and John Whitmer to carry revelations and funds to Zion.	Minutes of November 12–13, 1831
		D&C 70: Those in charge of printing the commandments are worthy of their hire; members are to be temporally equal.	Times and Seasons, vol. 5 no. 9 (May 1, 1844), 516.
November 12–13		Conference (Hiram): Preparations for printing the Book of Commandments, reimbursement for Smith and Whitmer families, Hiram Page.	Minutes of November 12–13, 1831
November 14		Sidney writes to Bishop Partridge's counselors, John Corrill and Isaac Morley, that the bishop has "insulted the Lord's prophet in particular & assumed authority over him in open violation of the Laws of God."	Sidney, 123.
November 15		On a fund-raising mission with Reynolds Cahoon, David Whitmer seals the Shalersville branch "up unto Eternial life."	Reynolds Cahoon diary, 21–22
November 16		William E. McLellin (h) and Samuel H. Smith leave Joseph's home on their mission.	1831 Journey of Hyrum and Willliam McLellin
November 17		Ezra Booth letter #6 published: Independence was selected for proximity to Indians, who are to be converted. But they are not interested. Laying of the temple cornerstone is a disappointment. An expensive trip of little value. Joseph announces great work to do in Kirtland, so gathering to Missouri no longer a high priority.	¶ Ezra Booth Letters (4–6)
November 24		Ezra Booth letter #7 published: Edward Partridge is an honest man, but he serves at Joseph's pleasure and cannot last long. Implores Edward to leave the church. Recounts their trip to Missouri—Joseph's false prophecy of a large church built up there by Oliver Cowdery, his hot temper, overbearance, use of revelations to silence critics, Sidney's exaggerations.	Ezra Booth Letters (7)
December 1		D&C 71 (Hiram): time to [stop work on Bible revisions and] proclaim the gospel, expound the mysteries, "confound your enemies [Ezra Booth]."	Millennial Star, vol. 14 no. 8 (April 15, 1852), 114.
December 3		Joseph and Sidney arrive in Kirtland.	Millennial Star, vol. 14 no. 8 (April 15, 1852), 114.
December 4		Kirtland. D&C 72 (Kirtland): Newel K. Whitney is called as Kirtland's bishop: keep the Lord's storehouse; record all transactions for bishop in Zion; provide for literary stewards. Those going to Zion must take certificate of worthiness.
December 4		Joseph and Sidney begin a month-long preaching tour to Shalersville, Ravenna, and other places "… by which means we did much towards allaying the excited feelings which were growing out of the scandalous letters then being published in the Ohio Star, at Ravenna by the before-mentioned apostate, Ezra Booth."	Millennial Star, vol. 14 no. 8 (April 15, 1852), 115.
December 8		Ezra Booth letters #8 and #9 are published: (8) Book of Mormon claims Indians part of House of Israel and New Jerusalem to be built among them. Oliver to preach to them. Text of D&C 28. Joseph's exclusive prerogatives to give written commandments, name successor. Oliver's aspirations, may declare oral revelations, assigned to put down Hiram Page. Kirtland prophetess popular with some, including Sydney; put down by Joseph. (9) Lamanite missionaries visit Sidney, who gets vision confirming Mormonism. He claims many visions, most ignore them. Oliver's reputation tarnished by proposing marriage to two women at the same time. Indians at Sandusky not interested. Went to Missouri but lacked commitment to get and use required documentation. Instead plan is to use storehouse license to visit Indians, also to marry Indian women.	Ezra Booth Letters (8–9)
December 19		Edward Partridge purchases 63 acres near Independence, including the area where the temple is to be built, for the church.
December 27		Joseph, Hyrum, Reynolds Cahoon, and Lyman Johnson visit William McLellin (h).	Journals of William McLellin, 67.
December 28		Joseph blesses McLellin (h): "I was healed so that I got up and eat breakfast and attended an ap. made for them." In the evening McLellin baptizes Celia Burwell, goes to another meeting with Hyrum and speaks an hour and a half.	Journals of William McLellin, 67–68.
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