| Newspaperman §. 1830 convert §. Travels to Jackson County with Joseph Smith §. Preaches to "specimens of all the families of the earth" in Indian territory, July 1831 §. One of six "stewards over the revelations and commandments" §. Member, United Firm §. Editor, Evening and Morning Star §. Assistant president of the church
in Missouri §. Scribe to Joseph Smith §. , member of the Literary Firm §. , church
printer, editor, song-write §. r. Excommunicated, warned out of Missouri in
1838, returns to the church in 1841 §. |
|
| Baptism § 1831 Trip to Independence § Family § |
|
| Born |
|
William Wines Phelps,
February 17, 1792, in Hanover, Morris, New Jersey, the first of twelve
children. |
|
FamilySearch™ Ancestral
File v4.19 |
| Died |
|
March 7, 1872 in Salt
Lake City. |
|
FamilySearch™ Ancestral
File v4.19 |
| Father |
|
Enon Phelps (Nov.
18, 1766–Feb. 7, 1855) |
|
FamilySearch™ Ancestral
File v4.19 |
| Mother |
|
Mehitable Goldsmith
(1763–Apr. 12, 1854) |
|
FamilySearch™ Ancestral
File v4.19 |
| Marriage |
|
April 28, 1815 marries
Sally Waterman. |
|
FamilySearch™ Ancestral
File v4.19 |
| Newspaper
editor |
|
Edits
the Western
Courier in New York, starts Lake Light in Trumansburg, and
the anti-Masonic Ontario Phoenix (1827/1828) in Canandaigua.
(Dean Jessee refers to William as "one of [the] founders" of
the anti-Masonic movement in New York.) |
|
Revelations
Revelations of the Prophet Joseph Smith: A Historical and Biographical Commentary of the Doctrine and Covenants, Lyndon Cook (Provo: Seventy’s Mission Bookstore, 1981).
, 87;
Vogel has W. W. starting to edit the paper in
1828.
Early documents
Early Mormon Documents, compiled and edited by Dan Vogel. 4 vols. (Salt Lake City: Signature Books, 1996, 1998, 2000, 2002).
3:5.
PWJS
Personal Writings of Joseph Smith, rev. ed., compiled and edited by Dean C. Jessee (Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 2002).
, 688. |
| Book
of Mormon |
|
April 9, 1830 purchases
a Book of Mormon from Parley P. Pratt. |
|
Alice Phelps to Walter
Dean Bowen,
Who's who
Who's Who in the Doctrine and Covenants, Susan Easton Black. (Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, Inc., 1997).
, 223. |
| Joseph |
|
December 24, 1830 meets
Joseph and is convinced he is a prophet. |
|
¶ W
W Phelps Letter 6 |
Writes Eber D. Howe
Book of Mormon |
|
I have read the book, and many
others have, but we have nothing by which we can positively detect it as
an imposition, [273] nor have we any thing more than what I have stated
and the book itself, to show its genuineness. We doubt—supposing, if
it is false, it will fall, and if of God, God will sustain it. |
|
W. W. Phelps to Eber D. Howe,
Jan. 10, 1831,
Unvailed
Mormonism Unvailed, Eber D. Howe (Painesville, Ohio: author, 1834).
, 272–273. |
| Sidney Rigdon |
|
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 man in preparation for the
millennium: he appeared to be a man of talents, and sincere in his profession. |
|
|
| Jailed to prevent
baptism |
|
[April 29, 1831] I was thrown into
prison at Lyons, N.Y. by a couple of Presbyterian traders, for a small
debt, for the purpose, as I was informed, of "keeping me from joining
the Mormons." |
|
¶ W
W Phelps Letter 6 |
| Jailed for debt |
|
[April 30, 1831] While I was in
Palmyra, comparing the "Book of Mormon" with the Bible, to find
out the truth, and investigate the matter from public good, — — — —,
members of the church and pretended Anti-masons, sent their foolish clerk
from Canandaigua, and took me with a warrant, and obtained a judgment against
me, on a balance of their account. This was done after I had engaged a
passage home, having learned that my family were sick. An execution was
sworn out on the spot, and I was hurried to jail in the course of the night,
where I shall stay thirty days, "in durance vile," for a double
purpose. |
|
"Retribution," Geneva Gazette
and Mercantile Advertiser, May 11, 1831. Source |
| New York to Ohio |
|
June 9, 1831 leaves Canandiagua,
takes Erie Canal system to Buffalo, arriving June 12. |
|
|
| Revelation addressed
to |
|
[June [15], 1831] While we were preparing for our Journey to Missouri, about the middle of June, W. W. Phelps and his family arrived among us, and <as> he said, "to do the will of <the> Lord." I inquired and received the following … |
|
MH-A
Manuscript History of the Church (December 1805-August 30, 1834), 553 pages numbered from the "back" of Joseph's "large journal" (A-1), written June 11, 1839-Aug. 24, 1843. Selected Collections 1:1, Volume 1 // “Joseph Smith History, 1839” (first 93 pages), Early Mormon Documents 1:56-148; “History, 1839” (first 240 pages), Papers of Joseph Smith 1:265-386. Original, Church Archives, CR 100 102, Volume 1.
, 124. |
| |
|
Phelps is to be baptized,
ordained, assist Oliver Cowdery in the printing office, and accompany Joseph
and the rest to Missouri. |
|
D&C
55 |
| Baptism |
|
June 16, 1831 baptized. |
|
¶ W.
W. Phelps Letter 6 |
| Missouri
tour with Joseph |
|
June
18, 1831 leaves Kirtland for Jackson County with Joseph, Sidney Rigdon, Martin Harris, Edward Partridge,
Joseph Coe, and A.
Sidney Gilbert and his wife, Elizabeth. |
|
W. W. Phelps to editor,
July 31, 1831, Ontario Phoenix, Sept. 7, 1831. Source
The departure date in
MH-C
Manuscript History of the Church (Nov. 2, 1838-July 31, 1842), pages 850-1361 (book labeled C-1). Selected Collections 1:1, Volume 3. Original, Church Archives, CR 100 102, Volume 3.
, 126 is June 19.. |
| Independence |
|
July 14, 1831
arrives at Independence. |
|
|
| Lamanite
women revelation |
|
July 17, 1831 Joseph
gives revelation recalled by William in 1861 authorizing missionaries
to marry Indian women. |
|
¶ Ezra Booth Letters (8–9)
|
| Preaches
in Indian territory |
|
[July 18, 1831 preaches
to] a western audience over the boundary of the United States, wherein
were present specimens of all the families of the earth; Shem, Ham and
Japheth; several of the Lamanites or Indians—representative of Shem;
quite a respectable number of negroes—descendants of Ham; and the
balance was made up of citizens of the surrounding country, and fully
represented themselves as pioneers of the West. |
|
HC
History of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, edited by B. H. Roberts, 7 vols. (Salt Lake City: Deseret News, 1902-1912, 1932).
1:189-91. |
| High priesthood |
|
October 1, 1831 ordained to the
High Priesthood by Joseph Smith. |
|
¶ Minutes
of October 1, 1831 |
| Steward
of revelations |
|
November 12, 1831 named
as one of the "stewards over the revelations and commandments."
Others are Joseph, Martin, Oliver, John Whitmer, and Sidney. |
|
D&C 70:1–3 |
| Superintend
Zion schools |
|
January 24, 1832 Conference
in Zion. Oliver Cowdery, William W. Phelps, and John
Corrill are to superintend schools. |
|
FWR
Far West Record: Minutes of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1830-1844, edited by Donald Q. Cannon and Lyndon W. Cook (Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Company, 1983).
,
234, |
| Attend
to poor |
|
April 26, 1832 William
is among the leaders "bound together by a bond and covenant that
cannot be broken by transgression, except judgment shall immediately
follow …
to manage the affairs of the poor, and all things pertaining to the bishopric
both in the land of Zion and in the land of Kirtland." The others
are Joseph Smith, Oliver Cowdery, Martin
Harris, Sidney Rigdon, Edward
Partridge,
John Whitmer, Sidney
Gilbert, and Newel K. Whitney. |
|
¶ D&C
82:11–12 |
| Literary
Firm, book |
|
April 30, 1832 the Literary
Firm, of which William is a member, decides to print 3,000 copies of the
Book of Commandments. William, Oliver, and John Whitmer are to "select
for printing such as shall be deemed by them proper, as dictated by the
Spirit & make all necessary verbal corrections." William is also
to "correct" hymns selected by Emma. |
|
Minutes of April 30, 1832
United Firm
At the end of July, Joseph decides not to release
the revelations to the committee. ¶
Joseph to W. W. Phelps (July 31, 1831)
William authored 29 of the 90 songs in the first hymn book (1835). |
| Evening
and Morning Star |
|
June 1832 publishes
first issue of The Evening and the Morning Star in Independence.
Fourteen issues are published before the press is destroyed on July 20,
1833. |
|
Papers
Papers of Joseph Smith, Volume 1: Autobiographical and Historical Writings, edited by Dean C. Jessee (Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Company, 1989).
1:26n2. |
| Rebuked
by Joseph |
|
July 31, 1832 Joseph
is upset by William's letter. He denounces William, Edward, and
the Missouri church generally. Sidney was furious when he read William's
letter and he had to be temporarily removed from office. |
|
Joseph
to W. W. Phelps (July 31, 1832) |
| Cordial letter from
Joseph |
|
November 27, 1832 Joseph writes
a cordial letter to William. |
|
Smith to W. W. Phelps (November 27, 1832) |
| Critical
letter from Joseph |
|
January 14, 1833 Joseph
responds to a letter from W. W. Phelps, criticizing the brethren in Zion
of the judgments of God if they do not repent. |
|
|
| Writes
for high council to Kirtland |
|
February 26, 1833 with
Oliver Cowdery and John Corrill, William writes an epistle on behalf of
a special conference of high priests in Kirtland to the brethren in Kirtland. |
|
Minutes
of February 26, 1833 |
| "Free
People of Color" article angers citizens |
|
July 1833 issue of
the Evening and Morning Star, edited by W. W. Phelps, includes an
article titled "Free People
of Color,"
which quotes from the laws of Missouri the circumstances under which free
people of color can come to the state. Jackson county citizens are infuriated.
An Extra is printed on the 16th, quoting paragraphs in the same
issue that blacks are not to immigrate and are not accepted into the
church. |
|
|
Citizens'
ultimatum
Home, press destroyed |
|
July 20, 1833 a gathering
of Jackson county citizens declares Mormons must leave the county immediately.
They present their demands to W. W. Phelps, A. S. Gilbert, and Bishop Edward
Partridge, who ask for time to consult with other leaders in Missouri and
Ohio. The mob raze the printing press office—where William and his
family live—force A. S. Gilbert to close the store, and tar and feather
Edward Partridge and Charles Allen. |
|
¶
Missouri Persecutions (3)
¶ Missouri Persecutions (2)
¶ Edward Partridge |
| Negotiates evacuation of Jackson County |
|
July 23, 1833 with the rest of Church leadership in Jackson County, W. W. agrees to move out of the county by January 1, 1834 and use his influence to persuade all Saints to leave by April 1. W. W., Edward Partridge, John
Corrill, John Whitmer, A.
S. Gilbert, and Isaac Morley reportedly say they were "willing to be scourged or die, if that would appease their
anger toward the church." |
|
¶ Missouri
Persecutions (2)
EMS
The Evening and the Morning Star
2, no. 15 (Dec. 1833): 114. |
| Sings
in tongues |
|
September 11, 1833 sings
in tongues about the Nephites at council meeting. |
|
¶
Minutes of September 11, 1833 |
| Mob rampage |
|
May 1, 1834 writes to
the Star that last week the mob burned most of 170 Mormon structures.
Also Clay county depredations. Some non-Mormons leaving Jackson. Only God
can stop the mob. |
|
W. W. Phelps to the Star, May 1, 1834 |
| Named
for endowment |
|
June 23, 1834 named
to receive Kirtland endowment. |
|
¶
Minutes of June 23, 1834 |
| High
council presidency |
|
July 3, 1834 at the organization of "a general Council of High Priests" in Clay
County, high priests name W. W. Phelps and John Whitmer assistant presidents to "first president" David Whitmer. |
|
Minutes
of July 3, 1834
Wilford Woodruff, a teacher, attended the meeting, indicating not all
present were high priests. "On
the 3d day of July I attended the Meeting at Lyman Wight's at which time
Joseph Smith the Prophet Organized the High council. Joseph was Clothed
with the power of God. He Chastised David Whitmer & others for unfaithfulnes.
Said their hearts were not set upon the building up the Kingdom of God
as they should be. After He was chastised He was set apart under the hand
of Joseph to Preside over the Land of Zion And Wm W. Phelps & John
Whitmer assistant Pres[ident?] or Councillor."
WWJ
Wilford Woodruff's Journal, 9 vols., compiled by Scott G. Kenney (Midvale: Signature Books, 1981-1984).
1:14.
Wilford's journal entry was probably written in January
1835, which may account for his conflating the July 3 and 7 meeetings.
Presidents of the Church |
| Counsels
branches on diplomacy |
|
July 31, 1834 assigned
with David Whitmer, Orson Pratt,
and Lyman Wight to visit churches throughout Missouri, instructing members "how to
escape the indignation of our enemies." |
|
Minutes
of July 31, 1834 |
| Missouri public relations |
|
August 24, 1834 reports public relations
effort to mollify Missourians. |
|
That
the Destroyer May Pass |
| Silences
Parley |
|
Winter 1834–1835
suspends (silences) Parley P. Pratt for leaving Missouri in debt. Parley
had offered to pay, but the creditor refused payment in view of Parley's
church service. William: "such conduct was not the way of the pure
in heart." Parley stops officiating in the New Portage area. (Joseph
overturns the ruling in early February.) |
|
Parley P. Pratt
Autobiography of Parley P. Pratt, edited by Scot Facer Proctor and Maurine Jensen Proctor (Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Company, 2000). Originally published as Autobiography of Parley Parker Pratt, edited by Parley P. Pratt Jr. (New York: Published for the Editor and Proprietor by Russell Brothers, 1874).
,
145. |
| Leaves
for Kirtland |
|
April 28, 1835 leaves
Missouri for Kirtland with son Waterman and John Whitmer. |
|
Whitmer history typescript
Book of John Whitmer, typescript by Andrew Jenson. LDS Church Archives and Community of Christ (RLDS) Archives.
in
J. Whitmer
From Historian to Dissident: The Book of John Whitmer, edited by Bruce N. Westergren (Salt Lake City: Signature Books, 1995 ).
,
137. |
| Works
D&C |
|
May 17, 1835 arrives
in Kirtland and lives in Joseph's home while working on the 1835 D&C. |
|
Whitmer history typescript
Book of John Whitmer, typescript by Andrew Jenson. LDS Church Archives and Community of Christ (RLDS) Archives.
in
J. Whitmer
From Historian to Dissident: The Book of John Whitmer, edited by Bruce N. Westergren (Salt Lake City: Signature Books, 1995 ).
,
137. |
| |
|
|
Joseph's great sermon
Kirtland conditions |
|
May 26, 1835 sends Sally the first six forms of the D&C and writes that the Saints are so emphatic about the Word of Wisdom that they drink cold water and " don’t even mention tea and coffee. They pray in the morning and in the evening. Kirtland is expensive, and "Our brethren are so poor and hard
for money." |
|
W.
W. Phelps to Sally, May 26, 1835 |
| Eternal marriage |
|
A new idea, Sally, if you and I continue faithful to the end, we are certain
to be one in the Lord throughout eternity; this is one of the most glorious
consolations we can have in the flesh. … |
|
|
| Joseph's
great sermon |
|
President Smith preached last Sabbath and I gave him
the text; "This is my beloved son: hear ye him!" He preached one
of the greatest sermons I ever heard; it was about 3 1/2 hours long—and
unfolded more mysteries than I can write at this time. … |
|
|
| |
|
The order of receiving inheritances in Zion when it is redeemed was commenced to day in council—Elder Martin for his great good in [assay]ing to bring forth the Book of Mormon, &c. is No 1 President Smith No 2 —mine Is No 16___President John M. Burke is No 37 |
|
|
| |
|
|
| Pledges
$500 for temple |
|
June 25, 1835 subscribes
$500 for House of the Lord. |
|
HC
History of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, edited by B. H. Roberts, 7 vols. (Salt Lake City: Deseret News, 1902-1912, 1932).
2: 234. |
| Scribe
for Book of Abraham |
|
July 3, 1835 Michael
H. Chandler arrives in Kirtland to exhibit four Egyptian mummies and rolls
of papyrus covered with hieroglyphics. "Some of the Saints" in
Kirtland purchase the artifacts and, "and with W. W. Phelps and Oliver
Cowdery as scribes," Joseph begins translating the scrolls. |
|
HC
History of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, edited by B. H. Roberts, 7 vols. (Salt Lake City: Deseret News, 1902-1912, 1932).
2:235.
William leaves for Missouri on |
| 1835
General Assembly |
|
August 17, 1835 General
Assembly approves 1835 D&C. William reads the testimony of the Twelve
about the book and Oliver's Article on Marriage, which is included as the
last section. |
|
¶
Minutes of August 17, 1835
¶ Minutes of August 17, 1835 |
Revelation:
takes honor to himself
Riches promised
Be lawyer |
|
September 22, 1835 revelation
through Joseph: William "shall have the desires of his heart in the
gift that pertaineth to writing the law of God and in being an instrument
in writing to lift up an ensign to the Nations … [but] the Lord will
chasten him because he taketh honor to himself. … because of his liberal
soul, the Lord will make him rich, even with treasures of gold, silver,
precious stones, and with all precious metals." To be lawyer. |
|
William W. Phelps
journal qtd. in
New Mormon studies
New Mormon Studies CD-ROM: A Comprehensive Resource Library (Smith Research Associates, 1988).
. |
| Council
of presidency of church |
|
September 26, 1835 participates
in "the council of the Presidency of the Church" (First Presidency
and presidents of Zion) to resolve differences with the Twelve." |
|
Minutes
of September 26, 1835
term: council of the presidency of the church |
| Future
of the Lamanites |
|
The Indians are
the people of the Lord; they are the tribes of Israel; the blood of
Joseph, with a small mixture of the royal blood of Judah, and the hour
is nigh when they will come flocking into the kingdom of God, like doves
to their windows; yea, as the book of Mormon foretells—they will
soon become a white and delightsome people … |
|
W. W. Phelps to
Oliver Cowdery, "Letter No. 11, "
MA
Latter Day Saints' Messenger and Advocate
2,
no. 1 (Oct 1835): 193. |
| Israelites
at North Pole |
|
there may be a continent
at the north pole, of more than 1300 square miles, containing thousands
of millions of Israelites, who, after a highway is cast up in the great
deep, may come to zion, singing songs of everlasting joy. |
|
Ibid, 194. |
| |
|
October 29, 1835 while at the Doct [F. G. Williams] Bishop E, Patrige came in, in company with President Phelps, I was much rejoiced to see him, we examined the mumies |
|
Diary-3
Joseph Smith diary (September 3-October 6, 1838). Digital images: Selected Collections, 1:20. Transcript: "Journal, March-September 1838" in The Joseph Smith Papers: Journals, vol. 1: 1832-1839. Original, Church Archives, MS 155.
, 11 //
Journals, Volume 1
The Joseph Smith Papers: Journals, Volume 1: 1832-1839, edited by Dean C. Jessee, Mark Ashurst-McGee, Richard L. Jensen (Salt Lake City: The Church Historian's Press, 2008).
, 76. |
| School
of the Prophets |
|
November 2, 1835 attends
organization of the School of the Prophets. |
|
|
| Phelps, John Witmer condemned, forgiven |
|
November 8, 1835 "The
word of the Lord cam[e] unto me saying that President Phelps & President
J. Whitmer are under condemnation before
the Lord, for their errors <for which they made satisfaction the same
day> |
|
Papers
Papers of Joseph Smith, Volume 2: Journal, 1832-1842, edited by Dean C. Jessee (Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Company, 1992).
2:68 //
HC
History of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, edited by B. H. Roberts, 7 vols. (Salt Lake City: Deseret News, 1902-1912, 1932).
2:304.
Dean Jessee notes that the insertion is in W. W. Phelps' hand. |
Temple
dedication
William's hymns |
|
March 27, 1836 dedication
of the House of the Lord. Three of the six hymns sung are William's: "Now
Let Us Rejoice," "Adam-ondi-Ahman," and "The Spirit
of God." |
|
HC
History of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, edited by B. H. Roberts, 7 vols. (Salt Lake City: Deseret News, 1902-1912, 1932).
2:416–417,
426–427. |
| Temple
feet washing |
|
March 29, 1836 David
Whitmer washes W. W. Phelps' feet during the all-night temple session.
William then washes John Whitmer's feet
. |
|
American prophet
American Prophet's Record: The Diaries and Journals of Joseph Smith, edited by Scott H. Faulring (Salt Lake City: Signature Books, 1987; 2d ed., 1989).
,
153. |
| Leaves
Kirtland for Zion |
|
April 9, 1836 leaves
Kirtland for Zion with Edward Partridge,
Isaac Morley, John Corrill. |
|
HC
History of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, edited by B. H. Roberts, 7 vols. (Salt Lake City: Deseret News, 1902-1912, 1932).
2:436.
|
| Appoint
building committee |
|
November 15, 1836 William
and John Whitmer appoint building committee
for temple. |
|
Minutes
of November 15, 1836 |
| Charged
by high council |
|
April 3–7, 1837
high council and bishop's council charge William and John Whitmer with exceeding
their authority. Reconcile on the fourth day. |
|
Minutes of April 3, 1837
Minutes of April
5–6, 1837
Minutes of April 7, 1837 |
| Warned
to repent |
|
September 4, 1837 revelation to Joseph
warns, "John Whitmer & William W. Phelps have done those things which
are not pleasing in my Sight. Therefore if they repent not they Shall be
removd out of their places. Amen." |
|
Revelation
of September 4, 1837 |
| Assistant president |
|
November 7, 1837 confesses to a "general assembly" of the Church in Far West. Joseph nominates him as "an assistant
President, for this Church" (in Missouri). |
|
Minutes
of November 7, 1837 |
| Excommunicated |
|
March 10, 1838 accused
of profiting from Far West land deals and reneging on the $2,000 subscription
to the house of the Lord that they did not pay, William and John Whitmer
are excommunicated by the high council and congregation for "persisting in unchristian-like conduct." |
|
Minutes
of March 10, 1838 |
| Objection |
|
Marcellus Cowdery reads a letter from Oliver to Thomas B. Marsh on behalf of David Whitmer, W. W. Phelps, and John Whitmer objecting the high council's meeting to cut them off: |
|
|
| |
|
Sir, It is contrary to the principles of the revelations of Jesus Christ & his Gospel, and the laws of the land, to try a person by an offense by an illegal tribunal, or by men prejudiced against him, or by authority that has given an opinion or decision before hand or in his absence. |
|
|
| Warned
out of Far West |
|
June 1838 warned out
of Far West "or a more fatal calamity shall befall you." Others
warned are Oliver Cowdery, David Whitmer, John Whitmer, and Lyman E. Johnson. |
|
|
| May be
ordained elder, be missionary |
|
July 8, 1838 William
and Frederick G. Williams have lost their standing, but may be ordained
elders and serve missions abroad. |
|
Revelation
of July 8, 1838 |
| "Betrayal" |
|
October 1838 William
is one of the men who meets with Colonel Lucas prior to the "betrayal"
of Joseph at Far West, the others being George M. Hinkle, Reed Peck, John
Corrill, and John Cleminson. |
|
|
| Accuses Sidney of Danite activity |
|
November [12–18], 1838 testifies
at the hearing in Richmond, Missouri, that he had tried to reconcile Mormons
and non-Mormons. Charges Sidney Rigdon declared that those who refused
to defend their brethren in Caldwell and Daviess counties would have their
blood "spilled in the streets of Far West," and that at a meeting in Far
West he witnessed Sidney place all present under covenant to kill any who
attempted to flee the town. |
|
Document
Document Containing the Correspondence, Orders &c., in Relation to the Disturbances with the Mormons and the Evidence Given Before the Hon. Austin A. King, Judge of the Fifth Judicial Circuit of the State of Missouri, at the Court-House in Richmond, in a Criminal Court of Inquiry, Begun November 12, 1838, on the Trial of Joseph Smith Jr., and Others for High Treason and Other Crimes Against the State (Fayette, Missouri: by order of the General Assembly at the office of Boon's Lick Democrat, 1841).
, 43–47. Source |
| Excommunicated |
|
March 17, 1839 excommunicated in
absentia by a conference in Quincy. |
|
Minutes of March 17, 1839 |
| Contacts
apostles |
|
June 1840 contacts Orson
Hyde and John
E. Page in Dayton, Ohio. |
|
J. Whitmer
From Historian to Dissident: The Book of John Whitmer, edited by Bruce N. Westergren (Salt Lake City: Signature Books, 1995 ).
,
94. |
| 1841
mission |
|
May 1841 brief mission
to the East. |
|
|
| Clerk
of Kirtland conference |
|
May 22, 1841
clerk of a conference of Kirtland Saints. |
|
TS
Times and Seasons
2,
no. 17 (July 1, 1841): 458. |
| Joseph's
clerk |
|
August 27, 1841 Robert
B. Thompson, Joseph Smith's clerk, dies. W. W. Phelps replaces him. |
|
Early documents
Early Mormon Documents, compiled and edited by Dan Vogel. 4 vols. (Salt Lake City: Signature Books, 1996, 1998, 2000, 2002).
1:55. |
| William
as editor |
|
[George A. Smith, May
15, 1843:] When it came to the cool discretion necessarily intrusted to
an editor in the control of public opinion, the soothing of enmity, he
was deficient, and would always make more enemies than friends. But for
my part I would be willing, if I were able to pay Phelps for editing a
paper, providing nobody else should have the privilege of reading it but
myself. Joseph laughed heartily and said I had the thing just right. |
|
George A. Smith diary |
| Nauvoo
endowment |
|
December 9, 1843 endowed
in the Nauvoo temple. |
|
Revelations
Revelations of the Prophet Joseph Smith: A Historical and Biographical Commentary of the Doctrine and Covenants, Lyndon Cook (Provo: Seventy’s Mission Bookstore, 1981).
, 87. |
| Polygamy |
|
February 2, 1846 sealed
to Laura Stowell and Elizabeth Dunn. |
|
Revelations
Revelations of the Prophet Joseph Smith: A Historical and Biographical Commentary of the Doctrine and Covenants, Lyndon Cook (Provo: Seventy’s Mission Bookstore, 1981).
,
87. |
| Leaves
Nauvoo |
|
February 1846 leaves
Nauvoo with the main body of Saints. |
|
Revelations
Revelations of the Prophet Joseph Smith: A Historical and Biographical Commentary of the Doctrine and Covenants, Lyndon Cook (Provo: Seventy’s Mission Bookstore, 1981).
, 87. |
| Winter Quarters |
|
Lives in Winter Quarters until
1849. |
|
Revelations
Revelations of the Prophet Joseph Smith: A Historical and Biographical Commentary of the Doctrine and Covenants, Lyndon Cook (Provo: Seventy’s Mission Bookstore, 1981).
, 87. |
| Excommunicated,
baptized |
|
December 9, 1847 excommunicated,
rebaptized two days later. |
|
Revelations
Revelations of the Prophet Joseph Smith: A Historical and Biographical Commentary of the Doctrine and Covenants, Lyndon Cook (Provo: Seventy’s Mission Bookstore, 1981).
, 87. |
| Salt Lake City Old Fort |
|
1849 arrives Salt Lake Valley,
builds adobe house in the Old Fort, in which he lives until his death in
1872. |
|
Revelations
Revelations of the Prophet Joseph Smith: A Historical and Biographical Commentary of the Doctrine and Covenants, Lyndon Cook (Provo: Seventy’s Mission Bookstore, 1981).
, 87. |
| Mission
to southern Utah |
|
November 23, 1849 to
February 1850 mission exploring southern Utah (counselor to Parley P. Pratt). |
|
Parley P. Pratt
Autobiography of Parley P. Pratt, edited by Scot Facer Proctor and Maurine Jensen Proctor (Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Company, 2000). Originally published as Autobiography of Parley Parker Pratt, edited by Parley P. Pratt Jr. (New York: Published for the Editor and Proprietor by Russell Brothers, 1874).
, 463–468. |
|
|
Member, first board
of regents, University of Deseret |
|
|
|
|
Member, Utah territorial
legislature, 1851. |
|
|
| Hill
Cumorah story |
|
January 14, 1855 relates
a story told him by Hyrum that Joseph, Hyrum, Oliver and one of the Whitmers
went to the Hill Cumorah." As they were walking up the hill, a door
opened and they walked into a room about 16 ft. square. In that room was
an angel and a trunk. On the trunk lay a book of Mormon & gold plates,
Laban's sword, Aaron's breastplate." |
|
William H. Dame diary
qtd. in
New Mormon studies
New Mormon Studies CD-ROM: A Comprehensive Resource Library (Smith Research Associates, 1988).
. |
|
|
|
|
|
Baptism |
|
|
| Far
West Record date |
|
The Far West Record
reports Joseph Smith Jr. ordained W. W. Phelps an elder on
June 6, 1831 which is not possible since he was not baptized until June
16:. |
|
¶ Minutes
of June [3–6], 1831 |
| W. W.
Phelps date |
|
Now, notwithstanding
my body was not baptized into this church till Thursday the 16th of June,
1831, yet my heart was there from the time I became acquainted with the
book of Mormon; and my hope steadfast like an anchor, and my faith increased
like the grass after a refreshing shower, when I for the first time, held
a conversation with our beloved brother Joseph (December 24th, 1830) … |
|
¶ W
W Phelps Letter 6 |
| Joseph's
account |
|
Joseph's
1839 history indicates the Phelps family arrived in Kirtland "while
we were preparing for our Journey to Missouri, the middle of June."
William asked for a revelation, which was provided (D&C
55)—a revelation commanding him to be baptized. |
|
Papers
Papers of Joseph Smith, Volume 1: Autobiographical and Historical Writings, edited by Dean C. Jessee (Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Company, 1989).
1:354. |
| Dementia |
|
Before Brothyer died he lost all his judgment, lost all his mind reason, consciousness and all sense. He knew nothing, not even his name, nor how to eat, thus being unable to taste of anything, not even death. His mind gradually dwindled, withered and dried up. H |
|
O Huntington
Oliver B. Huntington Diaries. Photocopy of typescript.,3 vols. in webmaster's possession. Original, 20 vols. + 10 items. + 4 typescripts (vol. 8-11) at BYU Special Collections, Manuscripts, MSS 162.
, Jan. 1, 1881. |
| |
|
|
| |
|
1831
Trip to Independence |
|
|
| Cleveland |
|
June 18,
start for Cleveland.
|
|
W. W. Phelps to editor, July
31, 1831, Ontario
Phoenix, Sept.
7, 1831. Source |
| Newark |
|
To Newark, 176 miles on the Ohio Canal; "found it superior to the Erie Canal
in point of better locks and wider excavation." |
|
|
Dayton |
|
To Dayton,
101 miles; "I passed through Columbus, the capital of the state, an ordinary
town about as large as Geneva." |
|
|
| Cincinnati |
|
To Cincinnati, 65 miles,
by water, on the Miami Canal. "Cincinnati is a thriving place, as large
as Albany, but not so handsome." |
|
|
| Louisville |
|
To Louisville by steamboat,165
miles. "Arrived at Louisville on the 25th. This is a considerable southern
city, with daily newspapers, hacks, and draymen (cartmen) thick as southern
musketoes." |
|
|
| Shippingport |
|
To
"Shippingport, (or Shavingport,)" 1 1/2 miles; wait three days for a
passage. |
|
Shippingport Island is about 2 miles south of the center of Louisville. |
| Falls of Ohio |
|
Viewed the Grand Canal round the Falls of Ohio—a
magnificent display of human skill, which cost $900,000. Three superb
locks of hewn stone, the largest of which, for high water, is 60 feet
wide, 43 feet deep, and 300 feet long. Saw the Franklin, a boat of the
largest size, mount through in a kind of "dreadful
splendor." |
|
| |
|
June
27 leave for St. Louis on the steamboat Don Juan. |
|
|
| |
|
June 29 pass
the mouth of the Ohio river, "where three States
were in sight, in the 37th degree of north latitude, and the sun nearly
over head." |
|
|
| Cape Gerardeau |
|
June 30 sees sawmills on the Mississippi driven by current wheels
"constructed like cider-mill screws, 100 feet long; halted at Cape Gerardeau,
and saw Frenchmen using oxen to draw by the horns, lead piled up like
cord wood; broke the boat wheels on Devil Island." |
|
|
| Genevieve, St. Louis |
|
July 1 stop
at Genevieve, then continue to St. Louis—"quite a city,
with the small pox in it." |
|
|
| Cross Missouri |
|
July 2 start for western Missouri—"saw in the first grave
yard Roman Catholic crosses sprawled over the dead." |
|
"At St. Louis, myself, Br. Harris, Phelp[s], Partridge, and Coe, went on foot by land to Independence, Jackson County, Missouri. where we arrived about the middle of July: and the residue of the company came by water a few days after."
MH-A
Manuscript History of the Church (December 1805-August 30, 1834), 553 pages numbered from the "back" of Joseph's "large journal" (A-1), written June 11, 1839-Aug. 24, 1843. Selected Collections 1:1, Volume 1 // “Joseph Smith History, 1839” (first 93 pages), Early Mormon Documents 1:56-148; “History, 1839” (first 240 pages), Papers of Joseph Smith 1:265-386. Original, Church Archives, CR 100 102, Volume 1.
, 126 (W. W. Phelps, comp.). |
| Arrive July 14 |
|
From this time until
the 14th, I passed through patches of timber, and fields of prairies
till I arrived at Independence, 12 miles from the west line of the United
States, containing the last, or outside post-office. |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
Never Taste of Death |
|
O Huntington
Oliver B. Huntington Diaries. Photocopy of typescript.,3 vols. in webmaster's possession. Original, 20 vols. + 10 items. + 4 typescripts (vol. 8-11) at BYU Special Collections, Manuscripts, MSS 162.
, 3:165 (Jan. 1, 1881). |
| Joseph: Phelps never
taste death |
|
Joseph once told W. W. Phelps
and wife that they should never taste death. |
|
|
| |
|
The manner of the fulfillment of
that promise is rather singular. They supposed, and so did all that knew
of the promise, that they were to never die, but the Lord does business
in his own way and his way is not as the way of a man. |
|
|
| W. W. dementia |
|
Before Brother Phelps died he lost
all his judgment, lost al his mind reason, consciousness and all sense.
He knew nothing, not even his name, nor how to eat, thus being unable to
taste of anything, not even death. His mind gradually dwindled, withered
and dried up. |
|
|
| Wife's death |
|
His wife was killed instantly, so quickly that she had no
time to taste of death. She was killed as she was dipping up a bucket of
water from the ditch, a gust of Independence hurled a board from a house
and it struck her on the neck breaking it instantly. “She never tasted
of death nor even felt the blow.” |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
Families |
|
|
| Wife |
|
Sally (Stella) Waterman, b.
July 24, 1797 in Franklin, NY
md. April 28, 1815, at Smyrna, Chenango, NY
d. Jan. 2, 1874 in Salt Lake
City |
|
FamilySearch™ Ancestral
File v4.19 |
| Children |
|
William Waterman,
b. Jan. 23, 1823 in Homer, New York
d. June 6, 1886 in Stockton, CA
Sabrina, b. Aug 30, 1816 in Homer, Cortland., NY
d. Apr. 10, 1887
Mehitabel, b. July 3, 1819 in Wooster, Wayne, OH
d. May 1877
Jerusha, b. Nov. 1, 1821 in Homer, Cortland, NY
d. Jan. 13, 1822
in Homer
Sarah, b. July 19, 1825 in Homer, Cortland, NY
d. [1898]
Henry Enon, b. Oct. 31, 1828 in Canandaigua, Ontario, NY
d. Mar.
2, 1901 in Salt Lake City
Mary, b. Oct. 19, 1830 in Canandaigua, Ontario, NY
d. Nov. 21, 1831
James, b. Sept. 22, 1832 in Independence, Jackson , MO
Lydia, b. Mar. 15, 1835 in Liberty, Clay, MO
d. Mar. 24, 1923 in
Salt Lake City
Princetta/Princella, b. Mar. 20, 1837 in Far West, Caldwell, MO
d. Aug. 31, 1838)
|
|
FamilySearch™ Ancestral
File v4.19 |
| Wife |
|
Laura Stowell, b.
1825 in New York
md. Feb. 2, 1846 |
|
FamilySearch™ Ancestral
File v4.19 |
| Wife |
|
Elizabeth Dunn, b.
1828 in Alabama
md. Feb. 2, 1846 |
|
FamilySearch™ Ancestral
File v4.19 |
| Wife |
|
Mary Jones, b.
1796 in Hanover, Morris, NJ |
|
FamilySearch™ Ancestral
File v4.19; no tmentioned in
Revelations
Revelations of the Prophet Joseph Smith: A Historical and Biographical Commentary of the Doctrine and Covenants, Lyndon Cook (Provo: Seventy’s Mission Bookstore, 1981).
, 87. |
| Wife |
|
Sarah Betsy
Gleason, b. [1796
in Hanover, Morris, NJ] |
|
FamilySearch™ Ancestral
File v4.19; not mentioned in
Revelations
Revelations of the Prophet Joseph Smith: A Historical and Biographical Commentary of the Doctrine and Covenants, Lyndon Cook (Provo: Seventy’s Mission Bookstore, 1981).
, 87. |
| Wife |
|
Harriet Schrider,
b. [1796 in Hanover, Morris Co. NJ] |
|
FamilySearch™ Ancestral
File v4.19; not mentioned in
Revelations
Revelations of the Prophet Joseph Smith: A Historical and Biographical Commentary of the Doctrine and Covenants, Lyndon Cook (Provo: Seventy’s Mission Bookstore, 1981).
, 87. |
W. W. Phelps to Sally, May 26, 1835
W. W. Phelps to Sally, September
9, 1835
W. W. Phelps Autobiographical Letter
Biographies
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|