Newel K. Whitney (1795–1850)

Mormon History: 1830 to 1839

Search

Newel K. Whitney (1795–1850)

Early convert (1830), Bishop (Kirtland and Nauvoo), Presiding Bishop (1847–1850). Establishes first store in Kirtland §, ashery §, partner with Sidney Gilbert §, Campbellite §.

Born		Newel Kimball Whitney, February 5, 1795 in Marlborough, Windham Co., Vermont. Oldest son, second of nine children.		Newel K. Whitney "Newel K. Whitney," Orson F. Whitney, Contributor 6, no. 4 (January 1885): 123-132. , 121.
Died		September 23, 1850 in Salt Lake City		Newel K. Whitney "Newel K. Whitney," Orson F. Whitney, Contributor 6, no. 4 (January 1885): 123-132. , 121.
Father		Samuel Whitney (b. April 18, 1772 in Marlboro, Windham Co., Vermont; d. March 17, 1846 in Kirtland)		Newel K. Whitney "Newel K. Whitney," Orson F. Whitney, Contributor 6, no. 4 (January 1885): 123-132. , 121.
Mother		Susanna Kimball (b. July 24, 1769; md. April 7, 1792 in Marlboro, Vermont; d. 1859)		Newel K. Whitney "Newel K. Whitney," Orson F. Whitney, Contributor 6, no. 4 (January 1885): 123-132. , 121.
Merchant		[1814]–1819 army sutler in the area around Plattsburg, New York; then to what became Monroe, Michigan at the east end of Lake Erie. He traded with the Indians for furs along Lake Michigan at Green Bay and Milwaukee and sold them in Buffalo New York. Becomes friends with Sidney Gilbert in Monroe in [1818].		Newel K. Whitney "Newel K. Whitney," Orson F. Whitney, Contributor 6, no. 4 (January 1885): 123-132. , 121–122 // Whitney in Ohio "Thou Art the Man: Newel K. Whitney in Ohio," Mark L. Staker in BYU Studies 42, no. 1 (2003): 75-138. , 76–78.
Works for Sidney Gilbert		1819–1820 moves to Painesville, Ohio with Sidney Gilbert and works in Sidney's new store in near the border with Mentor, Ohio.		Whitney in Ohio "Thou Art the Man: Newel K. Whitney in Ohio," Mark L. Staker in BYU Studies 42, no. 1 (2003): 75-138. , 80.
Kirtland		1821 moves to Kirtland, courts Ann Smith, establishes first Kirtland store.		Whitney in Ohio "Thou Art the Man: Newel K. Whitney in Ohio," Mark L. Staker in BYU Studies 42, no. 1 (2003): 75-138. , 83.
First store		[1821–1822] builds the first store in Kirtland, a small log cabin, on Ann's Uncle Elijah Smith's land in a swampy area of the east branch of the Chagrin River in the northern end of the township.		Whitney in Ohio "Thou Art the Man: Newel K. Whitney in Ohio," Mark L. Staker in BYU Studies 42, no. 1 (2003): 75-138. , 83.
Peter French corners		Peter French, one of the earliest settlers of the area, owns the land on all four corners of one of the busiest intersections in the state—where Chardon and Chester Roads cross. On the northwest corner is an apple orchard. On the northeast, Peter's double log cabin; on the southeast, a livery stable and barn.		Whitney in Ohio "Thou Art the Man: Newel K. Whitney in Ohio," Mark L. Staker in BYU Studies 42, no. 1 (2003): 75-138. , 84–85, 89, 92, 95.
Red store		June 1, 1822 purchases a portion of French's apple orchard on the northwest corner of the intersection and builds a small (23' by 40') store with two small rooms, probably bedrooms, upstairs. The public knows it as the Whitney store, the family later calls it the Red Store to distinguish it from the White Store, which is later built across the street to the east.		Whitney in Ohio "Thou Art the Man: Newel K. Whitney in Ohio," Mark L. Staker in BYU Studies 42, no. 1 (2003): 75-138. , 84–85, 88, 92.
Ashery		September 5, 1822 purchases a section of land on nearby Stony Brook from Peter French or an ashery. Potash is "used in making glass, cleaning wool, and other industrial processes."		Whitney in Ohio "Thou Art the Man: Newel K. Whitney in Ohio," Mark L. Staker in BYU Studies 42, no. 1 (2003): 75-138. , 85–86.
Marries		October 20, 1822 marries Elizabeth Ann Smith.		Whitney in Ohio "Thou Art the Man: Newel K. Whitney in Ohio," Mark L. Staker in BYU Studies 42, no. 1 (2003): 75-138. , 127n54.
Home		[September–November 1822] builds 28.5' x 25.5' home with an attached 20' x 12' summer kitchen behind the Red Store.		Whitney in Ohio "Thou Art the Man: Newel K. Whitney in Ohio," Mark L. Staker in BYU Studies 42, no. 1 (2003): 75-138. , 88.
Erie Canal		Fall 1825 Erie Canal is completed, bringing a rush of new settlers and economic opportunities.
Orson Hyde		[1825–1826] Orson Hyde works in the store for "a year or two," then in the ashery (1827), then back to the store.		¶ Orson Hyde (h)
White store		April 13, 1826 purchases Peter French's log home/hotel on the corner directly south of the Whitney home and Red Store. N. K. tears down the cabin and erects a two-story, 30' x 42.5' store with two stories, which the family calls the White Store.		Whitney in Ohio "Thou Art the Man: Newel K. Whitney in Ohio," Mark L. Staker in BYU Studies 42, no. 1 (2003): 75-138. , 89, 92, 127n59. These dimensions, correcting the BYU Studies article, are provided in a June 17, 2003 email from Mark L. Staker.
Whitney-Gilbert partnership		Late December 1826 invites Sidney Gilbert to join him as partner in N. K. Whitney and Company.		Whitney in Ohio "Thou Art the Man: Newel K. Whitney in Ohio," Mark L. Staker in BYU Studies 42, no. 1 (2003): 75-138. , 89.
Store in Kirtland		[Early 1827] the Gilberts move into the Red Store in Kirtland as partner in N. K. Whitney and Company.		Whitney in Ohio "Thou Art the Man: Newel K. Whitney in Ohio," Mark L. Staker in BYU Studies 42, no. 1 (2003): 75-138. , 93.
Reformed Baptists		1827–1828 reforming Baptists popularly known as Campbellites baptize in the Kirtland area, seeking an ecumenical return to primitive Christianity. In the first half of 1828, "Bishops Scott, Rigdon, and Bentley" baptize "about eight hundred" in Ohio. It is not known when the Whitneys joined the Campbellites, only that it was after their marriage.		Whitney in Ohio "Thou Art the Man: Newel K. Whitney in Ohio," Mark L. Staker in BYU Studies 42, no. 1 (2003): 75-138. , 95. Quote from Christian Baptist 5 (June 2, 1832) in Whitney in Ohio "Thou Art the Man: Newel K. Whitney in Ohio," Mark L. Staker in BYU Studies 42, no. 1 (2003): 75-138. . Campbellites recognized only two offices, elder and deacon. A bishop was an elder who presided over one congregation.
Ashery expansion		Summer 1828 N. K. and Sidney enlarge the capacity of the ashery to help make up for a slowdown in the growth of the mercantile business. Reynolds Cahoon is one of the workers hired for the work.		Whitney in Ohio "Thou Art the Man: Newel K. Whitney in Ohio," Mark L. Staker in BYU Studies 42, no. 1 (2003): 75-138. , 94.
Purchase southeast corner		March 5, 1829 N. K. Whitney and Company purchase the southeast corner of the intersection where Peter French had a livery and barn. It is not known what improvements the partners made.		Whitney in Ohio "Thou Art the Man: Newel K. Whitney in Ohio," Mark L. Staker in BYU Studies 42, no. 1 (2003): 75-138. , 95.
		He [N. K. Whitney] was a thorough and successful businessman, worth, when he became a Mormon, from twenty to thirty thousand dollars.		Rev. S. F. W. "Statement of Rev. S. F. Whitney on Mormonism" (March 6, 1885), Naked Truths About Mormonism 1, no. 1 (Jan. 1888): 3, cols. 2-7. A. B. Deming, editor. , 3, col. 7. Source
Ann's baptism		My convictions were so strong, that much as I desired my husband to participate in these blessings, I felt impressed that I must not wait, and I was baptized immediately. My husband, however, examined the doctrine and was himself baptized within a few days. This was in Nov., 1830.		Ann Whitney "A Leaf from an Autobiography," Elizabeth Ann Whitney, Woman's Exponent 7, no. 6 (Aug. 15, 1878): 42; no. 7 (Sept. 1, 1878): 51; no. 9 (Oct. 1, 1878): 71; no. 12 (Nov. 15, 1878): 91. , no. 7, (Sept. 1, 1878): 51. In my opinion, N. K. was probably not baptized until August 1831.
Joseph and Emma		[February 1], 1831 Joseph and Emma Smith arrive and move into a 9' x 12' room facing east just inside the entrance to the Whitney home.		Whitney in Ohio "Thou Art the Man: Newel K. Whitney in Ohio," Mark L. Staker in BYU Studies 42, no. 1 (2003): 75-138. , 99.
Baptism		[August 1831] My reasoning: there is no mention of N. K. in contemporary records until D&C 63 (August [30/31]. He did not attend the June [3]–6, 1831 conference or make the trip to Jackson County in the summer. Had he been a member, Joseph would have likely given him an assignment or called upon him for financial support.
Church agent		August [30/31], 1831 called as "an agent unto the disciples that shall tarry [in Kirtland]."		¶ D&C 63:42–46
		September 1, 1831 called as "an agent unto the Disciples in this land" at Kirtland conference.		Minutes of September 1, 1831
Bishop		December 4, 1831 called as bishop.		D&C 72:7–8
United Firm		March 1, 1832 member, United Firm.		D&C 78
To Independence		April 1–24, 1832, travels from Kirtland to Independence with Joseph Smith, Sidney Rigdon, and Jesse Gause.
Broken leg in Indiana		May 6, 1832 on return to Kirtland, stage overturns, Newel breaks leg and remains in Indiana 4 weeks, returning to Kirtland, July 1832.
School of prophets		January 23, 1833 attends commencement of the school of the prophets.		Minutes of January 23, 1833
Warned		May 6, 1833 warned to set house in order.		D&C 93
Visit churches, hire agent, mission		September 22–23, 1832 revelation to visit the churches, hire an agent to do secular business, go to New York, Albany, Boston.		¶ D&C 84:112–114
Mission		September–November 1832 to Albany, New York City, and Boston.
Manage French farm		June 4, 1833 named manager of the farm purchased from Peter French.		Minutes of June 4, 1833
To New York for goods		October 1, 1833–December [1], 1833 trip to New York for Gilbert and Whitney mercantile.
Prays with brethren		January 11, 1834 joins Joseph Smith, Frederick G. Williams, Oliver Cowdery, Orson Hyde, and John Johnson in prayer that the Lord will send his angels to watch over them and their families, protect the lives of the members of the united order [United Firm], grant that Joseph would prevail over Doctor Hurlbut in court, bless the bishop with means to discharge every debt of the order, deliver the printing press from the hands of evil men, deliver Zion and gather his scattered people, and "unveil his face, that his saints might behold his glory, and dwell with him. Amen."		TS Times and Seasons 6, no. 13 (July 15, 1845): 481.
Church name change		April 6, 1834 second name of the church: Church of the Latter Day Saints.		Minutes of May 3, 1834
Prays with Joseph for relief		April 7, 1834 prays with Joseph, Frederick G. Williams, Oliver Cowdery, Heber C. Kimball for means to deliver the firm from debt and Joseph from the prosecution of Doctor Hurlbut.		Diary-1 Joseph Smith diary (Nov. 27, 1832-Dec. 5, 1834). Selected Collections, 1:20. Original, Church Archives, MS 155. in Papers Papers of Joseph Smith, Volume 2: Journal, 1832-1842, edited by Dean C. Jessee (Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Company, 1992). 2:28.
Assets returned		April 23, 1834 receives back his home, store, and other property in the breakup of the United Firm.		¶ D&C 104:39–42
Vindicates Joseph		August 11, 1834 moderator of council that vindicates Joseph against Sylvester Smith's charges of criminal conduct on Zion's Camp.		Minutes of August 11, 1834
Distressed circumstances		September 24, 1834 council decides that due to Newel's "embarrased circumstances" he should be make whatever arrangements he can with the store.		Minutes of September 24, 1834
Kirtland house of the Lord		1835 works on Kirtland house of the Lord.
To New York with Hyrum		October 7, 1835 leaves for New York with Hyrum to purchase goods for the store. Joseph gives Newel a blessing.		MH-B Manuscript History of the Church (Sept. 1, 1834-Nov. 2, 1838), pages 496-849 (book labeled B-1), written Aug. 30, 1834-Apr. 4, 1845 and Jan. 15, 1846-July 1, 1854. At the time of Joseph's death (1844), the history was complete to August 5, 1838. Selected Collections 1:1, Volume 2. Original, Church Archives, CR 100 102, Volume 2. , 559. Cf. 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). 2:288. Joseph Smith Blesses Newel K. Whitney
Co-signer for Joseph		December 4, 1835 functions as cosigner on $350 loan so Joseph can pay Vinson Knight.		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). 2:324–325.
Dinner for Joseph and the poor		January 9, 1836 Newel's dinner invitation to Joseph:
Dinner for Joseph and the poor		Thus saith the voice of the Spirit to me—If thy brother Joseph Smith, Jun., will attend the feast at thy house, this day (at twelve o'clock), the poor and the lame will rejoice in his presence, and also think themselves honored.		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). 2:363.
House of Lord dedication		March 1836 attends dedication of Kirtland house of the Lord.
Kirtland bank		January 1837 charter member, Kirtland Safety Society.
Sent to Kirtland		July 8, 1838 Sent to Kirtland with William Marks to sell properties and pay debts.		D&C 117:1–5
Rebuked		July [8], 1838 Let my servant Newel K. Whitney be ashamed of the Nicolaitane band and of all their secret abominations, and of all his littleness of soul before me, saith the Lord, and come up to the land of Adam-ondi-Ahman, and be a bishop unto my people, saith the Lord, not in name but in deed, saith the Lord.		D&C 117:11
To Missouri		Fall 1838 leaves for Missouri; learns of extermination order in St. Louis
To Illinois		Moves to Carrollton, Greene County, Illinois.
To Commerce		May 6, 1839 at a conference in Quincy, Illinois, Joseph appoints Newel to move to Commerce to "act in unison with the other Bishops of the Church."		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). 3:347.
Bishop		October 6, 1839 bishop, Nauvoo Middle Ward.
No secret wife system		Fall 1840 signs statement that he knows "no other rule or system of marriage than the one published from the Book of Doctrine and Covenants, and we give this certificate to show that Dr. J. C. Bennett's 'secret wife system' is a creature of his own make as we know of no such society in this place nor never did."		TS Times and Seasons 3 no. 23 (Oct. 1, 1840), 939–940. Other signers are: S. Bennett, George Miller, Alpheus Cutler, Reynolds Cahoon, Wilson Law, W. Woodruff, Albert Pettey, Elias Higbee, John Taylor, E. Robinson, Aaron Johnson.
Alderman		February 1, 1841 elected alderman.
Endowed		May 4, 1842 endowed.
Bishop		September 20, 1842 sustained as bishop of the Nauvoo seventh ward.		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). 5:119.
Council of Fifty		March 11, 1844 Council of Fifty.
Trustee-in trust		August 9, 1844 trustee-in-trust for the church.
Plural wife		January 7, 1846 sealed to Elizabeth Ann Smith.
Winter Quarters		February 1846 leaves Nauvoo for Winter Quarters
Presiding Bishop		April 6, 1847–September 23, 1850 Presiding Bishop.
Salt Lake		October 8, 1848 arrives in the Salt Lake Valley.
Justice of the peace		March 12, 1849 elected justice of the peace.
S. F. Whitney allegations	¶	My brother did not wish to leave Kirtland, but Jo's father, called the patriarch, told him it would not be well for him not to. I endeavored to persuade him to leave them at Nauvoo and return to Kirtland. He said he would like to, and promised me he would. The Mormons threatened him, so he dared not leave. He went to Utah. I was told by a Mormon who left them, but retained his faith in the "Book of Mormon," that the Kirtland Safety Society Bank bills were used as currency in Utah, and the church authorities ordered my brother to counter-sign as many bills as gold-dust was deposited to redeem them. Because he would not violate his instructions and counter-sign more, he was poisoned by the Mormons at a conference and lunch which he attended. He fell on the street, and died soon after being taken home, September, 1850, aged fifty-five. His successor was appointed before he was poisoned, such I believe was the case.		Rev. S. F. W. "Statement of Rev. S. F. Whitney on Mormonism" (March 6, 1885), Naked Truths About Mormonism 1, no. 1 (Jan. 1888): 3, cols. 2-7. A. B. Deming, editor. , 3, col. 7. A Methodist preacher, N. K.'s brother S. F. opposed Sidney Rigdon before 1830 and vehemently opposed Joseph Smith from his arrival in Kirtland.

		Without guile
Guileless 1832		On their return from Independence to Kirtland in 1832, the stagecoach in which Newel, Joseph, and Sidney were riding overturned, badly breaking Newel's leg. Though it meant he was unable to attend to most of his duties in Kirtland, the Prophet remained with his friend for a month in Greenville, Indiana—until Newel could travel again. While there, Joseph referred to Newel as "without guile" <.				¶ Joseph to W. W. Phelps, July 31, 1832. Joseph also referred to Edward Partridge, the first bishop, as "without guile." ¶ D&C 41
		Bishop
Early bishop positions not defined		When Newel was called as bishop, "he did not Know at the time nor Joseph either what the position of a bishop was. Thought like the Catholics and Episcopalians a Bishop was the highest office in the church."				Edward Hunter in Aaronic Priesthood Minutes, Miscellaneous Minutes, 1855–1972, March 3, 1877, cited in Bishop "Office of Bishop," Dale Beecher in Dialogue 15, no. 4 (Winter 1982): 103-115. 103.
Edward Partridge 1839 stakes		Until 1839 the jurisdictions of Bishops Edward Partridge and Newel K. Whitney were Church-wide, but also with regional responsibilities.
Alanson Ripley Vinson Knight		When the Zarahemla and Nauvoo Stakes were organized, bishops were assigned to stakes: Bishop Alanson Ripley to the Zarahemla; Partridge, Whitney, and Vinson Knight to the Nauvoo Stake, each presiding over the three political wards.
George Miller		The Nauvoo bishops and later George Miller, of the fourth ward, also functioned as general bishops.
Edward Partridge Knight Presiding Bishop		Edward Partridge was known only as "first bishop" (not Presiding Bishop). The revelation of January 19, 1841 (D&C 124:141) named Vincent Knight "to preside over the bishopric" (v. 141), but he was never ordained to the position.
Newel senior bishop		Partridge died May 27, 1840; and Knight, July 31, 1842. Miller, who had been sustained as "second bishop," October 7, 1844, was dropped from the position in 1847, and Newel became the senior bishop.
Sealings		January 26, 1846 Brigham Young seals to Joseph C. and Dorcas Kingsbury, and Loenza Alcina Pond to N. K. and Elizabeth Ann Whitney.				Endowment Companies The Nauvoo Endowment Companies, 1845-1846: A Documentary History, edited by Devery S. Anderson and Gary James Bergera (Salt Lake City: Signature Books, 2005). , 497.
President of bishop's quorum		In the First Presidency's "First General Epistle" (1849), Newel is referred to as the "president of the bishops' quorum."				First Presidency messages Messages of the First Presidency, compiled by James R. Clark. 6 vols (Salt Lake City: Bookcraft Publishers, 1965-1970). , 1:354.

		Elizabeth Ann Whitney's sketch
Elizabeth Ann, Relief Society presidency		Elizabeth Ann, Newel's first wife, was Emma Smith's first counselor when the Relief Society was organized in 1842.
		Edward Tullidge and Andrew Jenson quote Elizabeth Ann somewhat differently. Is Jenson editing Tullidge or a common source?				Women Women of Mormondom, Edward W. Tullidge (New York: author), 1877. , 34
		Edward Tullidge Women Women of Mormondom, Edward W. Tullidge (New York: author), 1877. , 34–35, 58, 59–60, 61–62.		Andrew Jenson Biographical Encyclopedia Latter-day Saint Biographical Encyclopedia, Andrew Jenson. 4 vols (Salt Lake City: Andrew Jenson History Co. and Andrew Jenson Memorial Association, 1901-1936; Western Epics, 1971). 1:223–234.
		Shortly after entering my twenty-first year I became acquainted with a young man from Vermont, Newel K. Whitney, who, like myself,		He was a young man who
Moves west seeking his fortune		had left home and relatives and was determined to carve out a fortune for himself.		had come out west to seek his fortune. He had thrift and energy and accumulated property faster than most of his associates. Indeed, he became proverbial as being lucky in all his undertakings.
Trader at Green Bay		He had been engaged in trading with the settlers and Indians at Green Bay, Mich., buying furs extensively for the eastern markets, and exchanging them for goods suitable to the wants of the people in that locality.		He had been trading at Green Bay, buying furs and skins from the Indians and trappers for the eastern market, and exchanging them for goods suitable to the wants of the people in that locality.
Meet in New York		In his travels to and from New York he passed through the charming Lake Erie, and from some unknown influence he concluded to settle and make a permanent home for himself in this region of country; and then subsequently		In his travels to and from New York he passed through the country where we resided;
Marry		we met and became acquainted; and being thoroughly convinced that we were suited to each other, we were married by the Presbyterian minister of that place, the Rev. J. Badger.		we met and became attached to each other, and my aunt granting her full approval, we were married. Our tastes and feelings were congenial, and we were a happy couple with bright prospects in store
Prosper		We prospered in all our efforts to accumulate wealth, so much so, that among our friends it came to be remarked that nothing of Whitney's ever got lost on the lake, and no product of his exportation was ever low in the market; always ready sales and fair prices.		We prospered in all our efforts to accumulate wealth; so much so that among our friends it came to be remarked that nothing of N. K. Whitney's ever got lost on the lake, and no product of his was ever low in the market.
Ann wants to join a church		We had neither of us ever made any profession of religion, but contrary to my early education I was naturally religious, and I [35] expressed to my husband a wish that we should unite ourselves to one of the churches, after examining into their principles and deciding for ourselves.				Jenson writes his own text rather than quoting this passage.
Joins Campbellites Until Parley arrives		Accordingly we united ourselves with the Campbellites, who were then making many converts, and whose principles seemed most in accordance with the scriptures. We continued in this church, which to us was the nearest pattern to our Saviour’s teachings, until Parley P. Pratt and another elder preached the everlasting gospel in Kirtland.
	Tullidge interjects his own prose at this point, resuming the quotation several pages later:
	¶	We had been praying to know from the Lord how we could obtain the gift of the Holy ghost.				Original Tullidge text: "We had been praying," says mother Whitney, "to know …"
	¶	My husband, Newel K. Whitney, and myself, were Campbellites. We had been baptized for the remission of our sins, and believed in the laying on of hands and the gifts of the spirit. But there was no one with authority to confer the Holy Ghost upon us. We were seeking to know how to obtain the spirit and the gifts bestowed upon the ancient saints.
	¶	Sister Eliza Snow was also a Campbellite. We were acquainted before the restoration of the gospel to the earth. She, like myself, was seeking for the fullness of the gospel. She lived at the time in Mantua.
Night vision, voice out of a cloud	¶	One night—it was midnight—my husband [41] and I, in our house at Kirtland, were praying to the Father to be shown the way, the spirit rested upon us and a cloud overshadowed the house.		One night—it was midnight—my husband and I were in our house at Kirtland, praying to the Father to be shown the way when the Spirit rested upon us and a cloud overshadowed the house.		Original Jenson text: "One night," says Mother Whitney, "it was midnight …"
	¶	It was as though we were out of doors. The house passed away from our vision. We were not conscious of anything but the presence of the spirit and the cloud that was over us.		It was as though we were out of doors. The house passed away from our vision. We were not conscious of anything but the presence of the spirit and the cloud that was over us.
	¶	We were wrapped in the cloud. A solemn awe pervaded us. We saw the cloud and we felt the spirit of the Lord.		We were wrapped in the cloud. A solemn awe pervaded us. We saw the cloud and felt the Spirit of the Lord.
	¶	Then we heard a voice out of the cloud saying:		Then we heard a voice out of the cloud saying,
	¶	"Prepare to receive the word of the Lord, for it is coming."		"Prepare to receive the word of the Lord, for it is coming."		Original Tullidge and Jenson texts use single quotation marks.
	¶	At this we marveled greatly; but from that moment we knew that the word of the Lord was coming to Kirtland.		At this we marveled greatly; but from that moment we knew that the word of the Lord was coming to Kirtland.		End of Whitney quotation.
		Tullidge inserts the arrival of the Lamanite missionaries and the manifestation of spiritual powers. Jenson continues directly to the next sentence as given below. Except as indicated, both are using their own words.
Joseph and Emma arrive	¶	It was in the beginning of the year 1831 that a sleigh drove into the little town of Kirtland. There were in it a man and his wife with her girl, and a man servant driving. … [59]		About the first of February, 1831, a sleigh containing four persons, drove through the streets of Kirtland		Not quoting Mother Whitney. The name of the store is actually N. K. Whitney & Co.
Thou art the man!	¶	The sleigh wended its course through the streets of Kirtland until it came to the stores of Messrs. Gilbert & Whitney, merchants. There it stopped.		and drew up in front of Gilbert & Whitney's store. The occupants of the sleigh were evenly divided as to sex.
	¶	Leaping from the primitive vehicle the personage shook himself lightly, as a young lion rising from his restful attitude; for the man possessed a royal strength and a magnificent physique. In age he [60] was scarcely more than twenty-five; young, but with the stamp of one born to command.		One of the men, a young and stalwart personage, alighted,
	¶	Leaving his wife in the sleigh, he walked, with a royal bearing and a wonderfully firm step, straight into the store of Gilbert & Whitney. His bearing could not be other. He planted his foot as one who never turned back—as one destined to make a mark in the great world at his every footfall. He had come to Kirtland as though to possess it.		and springing up the steps walked into the store
	¶	Going up to the counter where stood the merchant Whitney, he tapped him with hearty affection on the shoulder as he would have done to a long separated brother or a companion of by-gone years. There was the magnetism of love in his very touch. Love was the wondrous charm that the man carried about him.		and to where the junior partner was standing.		N. K. Whitney as junior in age, but senior in the partnership.
	¶	“Well, Brother Whitney, how do you do?” was his greeting.	¶	"Newel K. Whitney, thou art the man!" he exclaimed, extending his hand cordially, as if to an old and familiar acquaintance.		Quoting Mother Whitney?
	¶	"You have the advantage of me," replied Whitney, wondering who his visitor could be. "I could not call you by name."	¶	"You have the advantage of me," replied the one addressed, as he mechanically took the proffered hand. "I could not call you by name as you have me."
	¶	"I am Joseph the Prophet!"	¶	"I am Joseph the Prophet" said the stranger, smiling.
	¶	It was like one of old making himself known to his brethren—“I am Joseph, your brother!”
	¶	“Well, what do you want of me” Joseph asked with a smile; and then with grave solicitude added:
You've prayed me here	¶	“You have prayed me here, now what do you want of me? The Lord would not let me sleep at nights; but said, up and take your wife to Kirtland!” … [61]		"You've prayed me here; now what do you want of me?"		Quoting Mother Whitney?
	¶	Leaving his store and running across the road to his house, Elder Whitney exclaimed:		Mr. Whitney, astonished, but no less delighted, conducted the party (who were no other than the Prophet Joseph Smith, his wife Emma, and two servants, just arrived [234] from Fayette, the birthplace of the Church) across the street to his house on the corner, where he introduced them to his wife. She shared fully his surprise and pleasure.
	¶	"Who do you think was in that sleigh at the store?"
	¶	"Well, I don't know," replied Sister Whitney.
	¶	"Why, it is Joseph and his wife. Where shall we put them?"		Joseph says of this episode: "We were kindly received and welcomed into the house of Brother N. K. Whitney. I and my wife lived in the family of Brother Whitney several weeks and received every kindness and attention that could be expected, and especially from Sister Whitney."		Jenson quotes Joseph.
	¶	Then came to the mind of Sister Whitney the vision of the cloud that had overshadowed her house at midnight, and the words of the angel who had spoken from the pavilion of his hidden glory. …		Says she: “I remarked to my husband that this was the fulfilment of the vision we had seen of a cloud, as of glory, resting upon our house.” …		Jenson quotes Mother Whitney.
	¶	He had been troubled at nights in his visions. He had seen Elder Whitney and his wife and the good saints praying for his help. This is how he had known “Brother Whitney” at sight; for Joseph [62] on such occasions saw all things before him as by a map unfolded to his view.		Joseph, who is said to have see him in vision, praying for his coming to Kirtland, recognized the part he was destined to play in the great drama of the latter days.

		Families
Wife		Elizabeth Ann Smith, b. December 26, 1800 md. October 20, 1822 in Kirtland, Ohio d. February 15, 1882		Ancestry.com
		N. K. Whitney's wife was a vehement exhorter.		Reuben P. Harmon, Dec. 16, 1884. Naked Truths (Apr. 1888): 1, col. 5. Source
Children		Horace Kimball (b. July 25, 1823, Kirtland; d. November 22, 1884, Salt Lake City; md. Helen Mar Kimball, February 4, 1846; Mary Cravath, Lucy Amelia and Mary Bloxum, December 1, 1856; Elizford Sikes)
		Sarah Ann (b. March 22, 1825, Kirtland; d. September 11, 1873, Salt Lake City; md. Joseph Smith, July 27, 1842; Heber C. Kimball, March 17, 1845)
		Moudalina(b. [1827])		Ancestral File (not 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). , 102).
		Franklin Kimball (b. February 25, 1827, Kirtland)
		Mary Elizabeth (b. September 26, 1828, Kirtland)
		Orson Kimball (b. January 20, 1830, Kirtland; d. July 31, 1884, Salt Lake City; Joanna Hickey Robertson, April 16, 1854)
		John Kimball (b. September 13, 1832, Kirtland; d. August 7, 1915, Mendon, Cache, Utah; md. Ann Longstroth, December 10, 1856; Harriet Louisa Chase, July 24, 1859.)
		Joshua Kimball (b. February 13, 1835, Kirtland; d. January 26, 1902, Salt Lake City; unmd.)
		Ann Maria (b. October 1, 1836, Kirtland; d. June 27, 1881; md. Erastus Foote Hall, May 2, 1866.)
		Don Carlos (b. February 14, 1841, Nauvoo; unmd.)
		Mary Jane (b. January 17, 1844, Nauvoo; d. October 29, 1925; md. Isaac Groo, July 4, 1865)
		Newel Melchizedek (b. February 6, 1847, Winter Quarters, died an infant.)
Wife		Emmeline Belos Woodward md. February 24, 1845		Family data from 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). , 102.
Children		Isabel Modalena
		Melvina Caroline Blanch
Wife		Olive Maria Bishop md. January 7, 1846
Wife		Anna Houston md. January 7, 1846
Child		Jethro Houston
Wife		Elizabeth Mahala Moore md. January 7, 1846
Wife		Elizabeth Almira Pond md. January 7, 1846
Wife		Abigail Augusta Pond md. January 7, 1846
Wife		Henrietta Keys md. January 26, 1846
Biographies Home

Home | Blog | Joseph | Revelations | Beliefs | Chron | Bios | Histories | Missions | Top