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| March 19 |
|
Newspaper advertisement: Book of Mormon available within the week. |
|
Wayne Sentinel (Palmyra), Mar. 19,
1830. Source |
| March 26 |
|
First copies of the Book of Mormon go sale at Grandin Bookstore
in Palmyra, New York. |
|
Wayne Sentinel, Mar. 26, 1830. Source |
| March [26–31] |
|
Joseph and Joseph Knight arrive in Manchester.
D&C
19 (Manchester): Christ to destroy Satan and his works at the end of
the world, judgment, endless/eternal punishment is God's punishment (not
without end); Martin Harris to preach nothing but repentance; certain things
should not be taught; don't lust after neighbor's wife or think of killing
him; don't covet your own property; pay the printer's bill.
|
|
|
| April |
|
Joseph Smith casts devil out of Newel
Knight (first miracle of the restoration). |
|
Exorcisms cp. June 1 entry. |
| April 2 |
|
The "Book of Mormon" has been placed in our hands. A viler
imposition was never practised. It is an evidence of fraud, blasphemy and
credulity, shocking to the Christian and moralist. The "author and
proprietor" is one "Joseph Smith, jr."—a fellow who,
by some hocus pocus, acquired such an influence over a farmer of Wayne
county, that the latter mortgaged his farm for $3,000, which he paid for
printing and binding 5000 copies of this blasphemous work. … |
|
"Blasphemy—"Book of Mormon," alias the Golden
Bible," Rochester Daily Advertiser and Telegraph. Source
Reprinted in Lorain Gazette (Elyria, Ohio), May 21, 1830. |
| April 6 |
|
The Church of Christ is organized,
probably at the Smith home in Manchester, New York. The six organizing members
are probably Joseph, Joseph Sr., Hyrum, and Samuel
H. Smith; Oliver Cowdery and Joseph Knight,
though Orrin Porter Rockwell, Sarah Rockwell, Lucy Smith, and Martin
Harris have also appeared on some lists of six.
|
|
Inventing, 154–156.
Minutes of April 6, 1830 |
|
|
Joseph an apostle and an elder, Oliver
an apostle and an elder. |
|
¶ Articles
and Covenants |
|
|
Oliver baptizes, by all accounts,
Joseph Sr. and Martin
Harris in Crooked Brook; also by most accounts, Sarah W. Rockwell;
and by some accounts, also Lucy Smith. Joseph Sr. and Martin (and others?)
are baptized at night "Because of persecution." |
|
Inventing, 157–159.
Knight recollection, 37. |
|
|
D&C 21 (Manchester):
A record to be kept; Joseph to be known as a seer, translator, prophet,
apostle, and elder. Church to give heed to him and receive his word "as
if from mine own mouth." Oliver to ordain him. |
|
|
D&C 23 (Manchester):
Oliver Cowdery should beware of pride; Hyrum to preach and strengthen the
church forever because of his family; Samuel
H. Smith to exhort and strengthen the church but not yet to go on a
mission; Joseph Sr. to exhort and strengthen the church forever; Joseph
Knight (swh)
to take up his cross and pray publicly, unite with the church, and exhort
continually.
|
|
Joseph Knight was still reading
the Book of Mormon and wanted more time before being baptized. Knight recollection,
37. |
| April 10 |
|
D&C 20: Articles and Covenants of the Church of Christ. |
|
|
| April 11 |
|
Church at Fayette is organized. Oliver delivers the first public address about the church at the
home of Peter Whitmer. Oliver baptizes Hiram
Page
and Catherine Whitmer Page in Seneca Lake. Also baptized: Christian,
Anne, Jacob, and Elizabeth Whitmer. |
|
TS 4, no. 1 (Nov. 15, 1842): 12. |
| April 16 |
|
D&C 22: All ordinances are
done away, all must be baptized into the church. |
|
|
| April 18 |
|
Oliver baptizes Peter Whitmer Sr., Vincent Jolly, Richard
Z. Peterson (Ziba
Peterson), Elizabeth Anne Whitmer in Seneca Lake. |
|
TS 4, no. 1 (Nov.
15, 1842): 12. |
| Late May |
|
New Bible—A fellow by the name of Joseph Smith, who resides
in the upper part of Susquehanna county [Pennsylvania], has been, for the last two years
we are told, employed in dictating, as he says, by inspiration, a new Bible.
He pretended that he had been entrusted by God with a golden bible which
had been always hidden from the world. Smith would put his face into a hat
in which he had a white stone, and pretend to read from it, while his coadjutor
transcribed. The book purports to give an account of the "ten tribes"
and strange as it may seem, there are some who have full faith in his divine
commission. The book, it seems is now published. |
|
[Probably Lyons Republican (Wayne County, New York) reprint in Fredonia Censor (Chautauqua County, New York), June 2, 1830. Source |
| May [last week] |
|
David Whitmer baptizes Newel Knight (first
of his family). |
|
Early documents 4:25. |
| June 1 |
|
Newel Knight is unable to pray in public. The devil takes possession of him and Joseph Smith casts him out. Newel has a vision of Jesus Christ and is assured of eternal life. |
|
Minutes of June 1, 1830 |
| June 1 |
|
The apostle to the NEPHITES (Cowdery) has started
for the EAST, on board a boat with a load of "GOLD bibles," under
a command, (as he says) to declare the truth (according to JO SMITH,) "in
all the principal cities in the Union." We must, however, caution this
second Mohomet, (Jemima Wilkinson,) to be careful how he treds upon the
old Saybrook Platform. Oliver (he left out two middle names in the "Book
of Mormon") may find his way to the Simsbury mines. |
|
The Reflector (Palmyra), June 1, 1830. Source // Early documents 2:230–231.
Jemima Wilkinson (1707–1819), "the Publick Universal Friend,"
taught that she died in October 1776 and returned
to life, experienced visions and revelations. Founded settlement of Jerusalem
near Pen Yann at the north end of Keuka Lake, Yates County, New York.
The Simsbury mines were worked by prisoners. Early documents 2:231n19. |
| June |
|
Joseph begins revisions of the Bible and receives the "Visions
of Moses" (Moses 1). |
|
|
| June 9 |
|
First (second?) conference of the church, Fayette, New
York.
Articles and Covenants ratified. David Whitmer, John Whitmer, Peter Whitmer, Ziba Peterson, Samuel H. Smith are ordained elders. Joseph
Sr., Martin Harris, and Hyrum Smith are ordained priests. |
|
Minutes
of June 9, 1830 |
| June 12 |
¶ |
1. And it came to pass in the latter days, that wickedness did much abound, and the "Idle and slothful said one to another, let us send for Walters the Magician, who has strange books, and deals with familiar spirits; peradventure he will inform us where the Nephites, hid their treasure, so be it, that we and our vagabond van, do not perish for lack of sustenance. … |
|
Abner Cole, "THE BOOK OF PUKEI.—Chap. 1," Palmyra Reflector, June 12, 1830. Source |
| |
¶ |
10. Now the rest of the acts of the magician, how his mantle fell upon the prophet Jo. Smith Jun. and how Jo. made a league with the spirit, who afterwards turned out to be an angel, and how he obtained the "Gold Bible." Spectacles, and breast plate—will they not be faithfully recorded in the book of Pukei? |
|
|
| June [25] |
|
Joseph arrives in Colesville. |
|
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| June 28 |
|
At a dam built specifically for baptisms in or near Colesville, Oliver
Cowdery baptizes Emma Smith, Hezekiah Peck and wife Martha Long, Joseph
Knight and wife Polly Peck, William Stringham, Joseph Knight Sr., Aaron
Culver and wife Esther Peck, Levi Hall, Polly Knight, Julia Stringham,
and Sally Colburn (wife of Newel Knight). Also baptized: William Stringham
and wife Esther Knight, Anna Knight (wife of Freeborn De Mill). |
|
Study of origins, 80. |
| |
|
Colesville branch organized
with 14 members. |
|
EMS 1, no. 11 (Apr. 1833): {4}; Papers 1:311. |
| |
|
Joseph is charged with disorderly conduct and taken to South
Bainbridge, New York, for trial. Josiah Stowell, Jonathan Thompson refuse
to give incriminating evidence. |
|
Newel Knight autobiography in Early documents 4:30–31; TS 4, no. 3 (Dec.
15, 1842): 39–41; Papers 1:312; MS 4, no. 9 (Jan. 1844): 133–139. |
| June 29 |
|
Joseph is acquitted of disorderly conduct charge in Colesville,
but is forced back to Harmony. |
|
TS 4, no. 4 (Jan.
2, 1843): 61–62. |
| June 30 |
|
Joseph is arrested |
|
Early documents 1:114n143. MH-A dates the arrest June 28. |
| |
|
Samuel H. Smith leaves on a
mission to sell copies of the Book of Mormon in neighboring towns. |
|
Samuel's Books |
| July 1 |
|
Joseph is arraigned again. Oliver testifies "that
said Smith found with the plates, from which he translated his book, two
transparent stones, resembling glass, set in silver bows. That by looking
through these, he was able to read in English, the reformed Egyptian characters,
which were engraved on the plates." Josiah Stowell testifies that
he and Joseph almost succeeded in treasure seeking, but "did not get
quite to it!" Addison Austin testifies that he asked Joseph "to
tell him honestly whether he could see this money or not. Smith hesitated
some time, but finally replied, 'to be candid, between you and me, I cannot,
any more than you or any body else; but any way to get a living.'" |
|
"Mormonites," Evangelical Magazine & Gospel
Advocate (a Universalist magazine published in Utica, New York).
Source
Early documents 1:114–124 compares the 1839 draft history and MS history
versions of the trials.
Newel Knight journal in Early documents 4:31–33. |
| July [4–31] |
|
D&C 24 (Harmony)
Joseph to stop sinning, magnify his office; go to Colesville; branch there
to support him or be cursed; calling to write what Comforter gives, expound
scriptures, bless the churches; Oliver to declare the gospel; do not require
miracles except casting out devils, healing the sick, power over serpents,
etc; dust feet against those who reject you; no purse or scrip; prune the
vineyard.
|
|
|
| July [4–31] |
|
D&C 25 (Harmony) Emma "an elect
lady," not to murmur because of things she has not seen; comfort Joseph;
be a substitute scribe while Oliver is gone; be ordained to expound the
scriptures and exhort the church; compile a book of hymns. |
|
|
| July [4–13] |
|
D&C 26 (Harmony): Joseph,
Oliver, and John to devote their time to studying scriptures, preaching,
and supporting the church at Colesville. All things to be done by common
consent. |
|
|
| July [4–31] |
|
John Whitmer assists Joseph
arrange and copy what becomes Book of Commandments 2–27. |
|
Inventing, 154. |
| August (late) |
|
Newel Knight moves Joseph and Emma from Harmony to Fayette (David
Whitmer home). |
|
TS 4, no. 8 (Mar. 1, 1843):
118. |
| August 28 |
|
Joseph and Hyrum Smith and John and David
Whitmer arrive in Colesville
"to confirm those who had been baptized in June previous." |
|
Newel Knight journal, Early documents 1:11; also TS 4, no. 8 (Mar. 1, 1843): 118. |
| |
|
By letter, Oliver objects to text in ¶ D&C
20:37. |
|
TS 4, no. 8 (Mar. 1, 1843):
117–119. |
| [September 1] |
|
"Apostle" Oliver Cowdery baptizes Parley P. Pratt
in Seneca Lake. Parley is confirmed and ordained an elder the same day. |
|
¶ Parley
P. Pratt (h) |
| September 4 |
|
Newel and Sally Knight visit Joseph and
Emma and John Whitmer in Harmony. D&C 27 (don't
buy wine or strong drink from enemies). |
|
TS 4, no.
8 (Mar. 1, 1843): 117. For date, Early documents 1:12. |
| September 19 |
|
Parley P. Pratt (h) baptizes his brother Orson
Pratt. |
|
¶ Orson
Pratt (h1); Orson Pratt journals, 9. |
| September (late) |
|
Newel moves Joseph and Emma from Harmony to Fayette (David
Whitmer home). |
|
Early documents 1:12; also TS 4, no. 8 (Mar. 1, 1843): 118. |
| September [20–26] |
|
D&C 28 (Fayette): Oliver
to be Joseph's Aaron, preach to the Lamanites, New
Jerusalem to be revealed, correct Hiram Page.
All by common consent.
D&C 29: Sins forgiven, gather; resurrection,
end of the world, everlasting fire. All
spiritual. The devil and a third of heavenly host to hell
before Adam was created. Devil necessary to tempt men. Adam yielded,
cast out, spiritually dead, until angels declared repentance
and redemption through the Son. Little children cannot sin, redeemed through
the Only Begotten.
D&C 30: David
Whitmer has not been diligent. Peter Whitmer Jr. to accompany Oliver
on mission. Oliver is to build up the church among the Lamanites and only
Joseph is above him in the church.
D&C
31: Thomas B. Marsh (h) called
on a mission, sins forgiven, physician to the church. |
|
Zion—the New
Jerusalem |
| September 26 |
|
Second church conference, Fayette, New York. |
|
Minutes
of September 26, 1830 |
| October [17] |
|
D&C 32 (Fayette):
Parley P. Pratt (h) and Ziba Peterson to
join Oliver's mission to the Lamanites. |
|
|
| October [18] |
|
Parley, Ziba, Oliver, and Peter Whitmer Jr. leave
on mission. First, Seneca Indians near Buffalo, New York. |
|
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| October [18–31] |
|
D&C 33 (Fayette):
Ezra Thayer and Northrop Sweet called on missions. Gather the elect. |
|
|
| October 21 |
|
Book of Moses (Pearl of Great Price) is being
written as Joseph continues to revise the Bible. |
|
JS revision, 4. |
| October 28 |
|
Lamanite missionaries arrive in Mentor,
Ohio. |
|
¶ History
of the Mormonites |
| October 31 |
|
Missionaries preach in Euclid (now northeast corner of Cleveland) |
|
¶ History
of the Mormonites |
| November |
|
Parley, Ziba, Oliver, and Peter Whitmer Jr. preach
in the Western Reserve (Ohio) and baptize 130 between November 1 and 23. (Parley reports
127 . |
|
Journal History, Jan. 29, 1831, citing December 13, 1831 statement of Peter Whitmer Jr.; J. Whitmer,
3; Parley P. Pratt, 52 |
| November 4 |
|
D&C 34 (Fayette):
Orson Pratt (h2)
to preach, for "the time is soon at hand, that I shall come in a cloud
with power and great glory;" calamities near. |
|
Reportedly received through a
seer stone placed in a hat; recorded by John Whitmer. JS revelations, 94.
|
| November 5 |
|
Date reported by John Murdock of his baptism in the Chagrin River by Parley P. Pratt (h). |
|
Murdock journal, 1; Murdock autobiography, 15; qtd. in
Ohio preaching, 483. |
| November 7 |
|
(Monday) date missionaries preach, baptize, and confirm "about
thirty" in Mayfield, based on November 5 baptismal date for John Murdock. |
|
Ohio preaching, 483. |
| November 14 |
|
Sidney preaches to his Kirtland congregation,
advising them, as paraphrased by the Times and Seasons, to "give
the matter [Mormonism] a careful investigation; and not turn against
it, without being fully convinced of its being an imposition, lest they
should, possibly, resist the truth." |
|
TS
4, no. 19 (Aug. 15, 1843): 290; for the date, ¶
History of the Mormonites |
| |
|
Parley baptizes Lyman Wight and Harriet Benton Wight. |
|
Lyman
Wight Journal |
| November 15 |
|
Likely date of Sidney and Phebe Rigdon's baptism by Oliver
Cowdery. |
|
See discussion at ¶ John
Murdock. |
| November 16 |
|
[Oliver] pretends to have a divine mission and to have seen
and conversed with Angels, and assisted in translating the plates. He
proclaims destruction upon world within a few years,—holds forth
that the ordinances of the gospel, have not been regularly administered
since the days of the Apostliles, till the said Smith and himself commenced
the work— … In the neighboring township of Kirtland, we understand
that twenty or thirty have been immersed into the new order of things;
… We understand that he [Oliver Cowdery] is bound for the regions
beyond the Mississippi, where he contemplates founding a "City of Refuge"
for his followers, and converting the Indians, under his prophetic authority. |
|
"The Golden Bible," PT,
Nov. 16, 1830.
Source |
| November 18 |
|
Oliver confirms Wight (and presumably his wife). |
|
Lyman
Wight Journal |
| |
|
For several days past, four individuals, said to have formerly resided
in the State of New-York, have appeared in the northern part of Geauga
County, assuming the appellation of Disciples, Prophets, and Angels. Some
among us, however, are led to believe that they are nothing more than men,
and impostors. |
|
A. S., letter to the editor, titled "The Golden Bible,
or, Campbellism Improved," Hudson
Observer, Nov.
18, 1830. Source |
| November 20 |
|
Oliver ordains Lyman Wight an elder. |
|
|
| November 22 |
|
The "Lamanite missionaries," now joined by Kirtland
physician Frederick G. Williams, leave
Kirtland for Independence, Missouri. |
|
JS revelations. 64. |
| December |
|
Part of the book of Enoch (Moses 7) is written. |
|
|
| December 1 |
|
Joseph confirms Orson Pratt and ordains him an elder. Orson proceeds
to Colesville on his first mission. |
|
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| December 7 |
|
Those who are the friends and advocates of this wonderful book [Book of Mormon], state that Mr. Oliver Cowdery has his commission directly from the God
of heaven, and that he has his credentials, written and signed by the hand
of Jesus Christ, with whom he has personally conversed, and as such, said
Cowdry claims that he and his associates are the only persons on earth who
are qualified to administer in his name. By this authority, they proclaim
to the world, that all who do not believe their testimony, and be
baptized by them … must be forever miserable. |
|
"The Book of Mormon," PT, Dec. 7,
1830. Source |
| December [7] |
|
Sidney Rigdon and Edward
Partridge meet Joseph in Waterloo, New York, a short distance from Fayette. According to Lucy Mack Smith, the two had stopped in Manchester to assess the Smith family's reputation, and "no one could say ought against them untill Joseph deceived them about [the] plates." |
|
Lucy, 505. |
| December 7 |
|
D&C 35 (Fayette): Sidney,
like John, prepared the way for the return of Jesus and Elijah. He baptized
unto repentance, but now will (also) bestow the Holy Ghost. Signs follow believers. The Lord will "let
fall the sword in their behalf." Joseph has the keys of the mysteries.
If he fails, he will be replaced. Sidney is to be Joseph's scribe. The Lord will return
soon. |
|
Sidney work as scribe begins on page
15 of the Old Testament revision. JS revelations, 96n96. |
| December [8–22] |
|
Joseph and Sidney go to Canandaigua "to translate &c," but while there a revelation (D&C 37) directs them to stop translating for the time being and strengthen the church in Colesville. |
|
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| December [8–22] |
|
D&C 37 (Canandaigua):
Joseph and Sidney are to stop translating until they move to Ohio. They are to strengthen the church in Colesville. |
|
Date by William E. McLellin, Ensign of Liberty 1 (Mar. 1847), 2. |
| December 11 |
|
Joseph baptizes Edward Partridge in the Seneca
River. |
|
Whitney: Partridge, 4. |
| December [11–15] |
|
D&C 36 (Fayette):
Edward is called to preach the gospel. |
|
|
| December 15 |
|
Sidney ordains Edward an elder. |
|
JS revelations, 97n97. |
| December 16 |
|
Sidney preaches the Book of Mormon in Canandaigua. He has a ten-hour conversation with W. W. Phelps, who had purchased a copy of the book from Parley P. Pratt on April 9. |
|
Ontario Messenger, Dec. 22, 1830. Source
W. W. Phelps to Eber D. Howe,
Jan. 10, 1831, Mormonism unvailed, 272–273.
Alice Phelps to Walter
Dean Bowen, Who's who, 223. |
| December 24 |
|
W. W. Phelps meets Joseph Smith. |
|
¶ W
W Phelps Letter 6 |
|
|
1831
Chronologies
Kirtland 1830–1831
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