Six members become thousands. The Church is organised in a farmhouse in Fayette, missionaries go out within weeks, and converts gather first to Kirtland in Ohio and then to Jackson County in Missouri. A temple rises in Kirtland and is dedicated, and in the same decade the Saints are driven out of Jackson County by force.
926 entries in this era, shown 200 to a page. This is page 3 of 5, covering 1832 to 1834. See the same material on the moving timeline.
Preliminary hearing begins in Richmond with Thomas C. Burch, prosecuting attorney, Alexander W. Doniphan and Amos Rees, defense attorneys. "Witnesses were called and sworn at the point of the bayonet." Sampson Avard (not included in list of the accused) testifies the First Presidency directed Danite activities. Other prosecution witnesses include John Corrill, Reed Peck, W. W. Phelps, George M. Hinkle, Burr Riggs, and John Whitmer.
Prospectus for The Evening and the Morning Star Published
Revelation Calling for Temple in Kirtland
Revelation Directing Formation of United Firm
Revelation on Priesthood
Revelation on War and Pestilence
Samuel H. Smith leaves on first Church mission to distribute Book of Mormon copies, leading to conversion of Brigham Young and Heber C. Kimball.
South Carolina threatened to secede from the United States.
South Carolina Threatened to Secede from Union
(Sunday) Joseph Smith, Sidney Rigdon, Martin Harris, W. W. Phelps, Edward Partridge, Sidney and Elizabeth Gilbert, and Joseph Coe leave Kirtland for Jackson County (900 miles).
The Kirtland Safety Society Anti-Banking Company begins issuing stock certificates as bank notes.
The next day, November 2d, all the Independence Mormons, numbering about thirty families, left town and gathered together for protection. The same day people made another attack on the Big Blue settlement, when they unroofed another house. They also attacked another settlement about six miles from Independence.
The Prophet Joseph Smith was residing with his family in the farm home of John Johnson in Hiram, Ohio, when a mob broke in to drag him from the side of his ailing son, Joseph. After being beaten, the Prophet regained strength and returned home to spend the night picking and scrubbing tar and feathers from his skin. On this day, he preached from the front steps of the farm home to a congregation assembled outside the door that included members of the mob that had attacked him the night before. Later that day, Joseph baptized three people.
The Twelve leave Kirtland for the East on their first mission.
Joseph Smith and Sidney Rigdon record a vision of three degrees of glory while revising the New Testament, reshaping how members understand the afterlife.
Those appointed to recruit men for Zion's Camp on February 24 leave on their assignments.
W. W. Phelps, John Corrill, A. S. Gilbert, and Edward Partridge write Governor Dunklin about his order for Colonel S. D. Lucas to return Mormon arms taken last November. They forwarded it to Lucas on the 17th. He replied that he would write by the next mail but moved to Lexington without writing. The "excitement, or rather spite of the mob, runs so high against our people," that we ask for Col. Allen or Captain Atchison to return the weapons.
W.W. Phelps brings the first printing press to Independence, Missouri (first press in western Missouri).
While working on the inspired revision of the Bible, Joseph Smith and Sidney Rigdon received a vision in Hiram, Ohio, of the three degrees of glory. (See D&C 76.)
William W. Phelps's Arrival in Independence
"Rise and Progress of the Church of Christ" Published
Organizes School of the Prophets (see Doctrine and Covenants 88:70–80, 117–141) at Kirtland.
A Book of Commandments published in Independence, Missouri; a mob destroys the W.W. Phelps print shop and both the Evening and Morning Star and Upper Missouri Advertiser cease publication.
A mob destroyed the Evening and Morning Star printing office in Independence, Mo., interrupting the printing of the Book of Commandments.
About two hundred men, women and children, of the deluded followers of Jo Smith's Bible speculation have arrived on our coast during the last week, from the State of New York, & are about seating themselves down upon the "promised land" in this county.
An "Extra" edition of the Church's EVENING AND MORNING STAR states: "Having learned with extreme regret, that an article entitled, 'Free People of Color,' in the last number of the Star, has been misunderstood, we feel in duty bound to state, in this Extra, that our intention was not only to stop free people of color from emigrating to this state, but to prevent them from being admitted as members of the Church. . . . To be short, we are opposed to having free people of color admitted into the state; and we say, that none will be admitted into the Church; . . ." This "Extra," is printed in the form of a handbill and circulated as promptly as possible.
Attack on Blue River Settlement
Attack on Gilbert and Whitney Store
Attacks on Saints at Whitmer Settlement
Bible Revision Finished
Book of Commandments Copyright
Book of Commandments Printed
Book of Moses (Pearl of Great Price) is being written as Joseph continues to revise the Bible.
Camp reaches Independence, Missouri. General Clark takes fifty-six men prisoner at Far West.
Church Leaders Imprisoned
City of Zion Plat
Clay County high council suspends proselyting missions and public meetings to assuage public hostility.
Cornerstones laid for Kirtland Temple. It is completed three years later.
Council (Independence): Joseph "President of the High Priesthood." Bishop Edward Partridge extends "the right hand of fellowship." "All differences settled & the hearts of all run together in love.".
County Militia Called Out
D&C 100 was revealed to Joseph Smith and Sidney Rigdon at Perrysburg, New York.
D&C 101 was revealed to Joseph Smith at Kirtland, Ohio.
D&C 104 (Kirtland): Those who have broken United Order covenants are cursed; the United Orders of Kirtland and Zion are to be separated. Stewardships are assigned to Sidney, Martin Harris, John Johnson, Frederick G. Williams, Oliver Cowdery, Joseph, and N. K. Whitney.
D&C 31: Thomas B. Marsh (h) called on a mission, sins forgiven, physician to the church.
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.
D&C 78 (Hiram): Joseph, Sidney, and Newel to covenant with one another on behalf of the United Firm, and counsel with Saints in Zion.
D&C 89, the Word of Wisdom, was revealed at Kirtland, Ohio.
D&C 90 was revealed to Joseph Smith at Kirtland, Ohio.
D&C 91 was revealed at Kirtland, Ohio.
D&C 92 was revealed to Joseph Smith at Kirtland, Ohio.
D&C 93 was revealed at Kirtland, Ohio.
D&C 94 was revealed at Kirtland, Ohio.
D&C 95 was revealed at Kirtland, Ohio.
D&C 96 was revealed at Kirtland, Ohio.
D&C 97 was revealed at Kirtland, Ohio.
D&C 98 was revealed at Kirtland, Ohio.
Doctrine & Covenants Section 100 was given to Joseph Smith and Sidney Rigdon in matters relating to Joseph Smith and Sidney Rigdon to preach gospel; Rigdon to be Smith'sspokesman; welfare of Orson Hyde and John Gould
Doctrine & Covenants Section 101 was given to Joseph Smith in matters relating to the redemption of Zion; parables; United States and U.S. Constitution; Saints to seek redress
Doctrine & Covenants Section 89 was given to Joseph Smith in matters relating to A word of wisdom
Doctrine & Covenants Section 90 was given to Joseph Smith in matters relating to keys of the kingdom; First Presidency
Doctrine & Covenants Section 91 was given to Joseph Smith in matters relating to the Apocrypha
Doctrine & Covenants Section 92 was given to Joseph Smith in matters relating to Frederick G. Williams
Doctrine & Covenants Section 93 was given to Joseph Smith in matters relating to John’s record of Christ; intelligence; innocence of children
Doctrine & Covenants Section 94 was given to Joseph Smith in matters relating to Hyrum Smith, Reynolds Cahoon and Jared Carter; construction of various buildings commanded
Doctrine & Covenants Section 95 was given to Joseph Smith in matters relating to temples to be built; purpose of temples
Doctrine & Covenants Section 96 was given to Joseph Smith in matters relating to division of property
Doctrine & Covenants Section 97 was given to Joseph Smith in matters relating to the Saints in Jackson County, Missouri; temple to be built in Jackson County, Missouri
Doctrine & Covenants Section 98 was given to Joseph Smith in matters relating to the promises and warnings; martyrs; when war is justified; forgiving enemies
Mobs destroy the Church printing office and force the Saints out of the county they had identified as Zion. Most resettle temporarily in Clay County.
Far West high council excommunicates John Whitmer and W. W. Phelps for "persisting in unchristian-like conduct."
First Meeting of School of the Prophets
First ordinances in the House of the Lord.
First Presidency organized with Sidney Rigdon and Frederick G. Williams.
First Presidency organizes the quorum of Seventies. Sylvester sees "a pillar of fire rest down and abide upon the heads of the quorum, as we stood in the midst of the twelve."
Governor Boggs orders Major General David R. Atchison to call out the state militia. About the same time, Neil Gillum, a militia captain, begins plundering Saints at Hunters Mills.
Heber, Willard, and Orson leave Kirtland, take steamboat at Fairport.
In 1833 there were 41 missionaries called to serve.
In Kirtland the United Firm decides to establish a new company, F. G. Williams & Co., to publish The Latter-day Saints Messenger and Advocate and, until it can resume operations in Independence, The Evening and the Morning Star, edited by Oliver Cowdery. Within a few days, Oliver leaves for Buffalo, where he purchases a new press, returning at the end of October.
Jackson County conference (Kaw township): 1,200 acres purchased for inheritances; Bishop Edward Partridge to ask branches in the East to send various craftsmen to Zion.
Joseph and Hyrum Smith and John and David Whitmer arrive in Colesville "to confirm those who had been baptized in June previous."
Joseph is charged with disorderly conduct and taken to South Bainbridge, New York, for trial. Josiah Stowell, Jonathan Thompson refuse to give incriminating evidence.
Joseph moves from Quincy to Commerce
Joseph Smith announces a revelation regarding government and war. This establishes Mormonism's theocratic prerogatives.
Joseph Smith appoints a temple building committee, the beginning of LDS bureaucracy.
Joseph Smith completes his retranslation of the New Testament.
Joseph Smith concluded his Bible revision work.
Joseph Smith departed Kirtland on a proselytizing mission, returning November 4.
Joseph Smith describes the future temple of the city of Zion Independence, Missouri as a complex of twenty-four temples, three each designated for deacons, teachers, priests, the presidency of Lesser Priesthood, elders, high priests, bishops, and the presidency of the High Priesthood. He also gives the the layout of the city of Zion which becomes the master plan for Mormon settlements from Kirtland, Ohio, to San Bernardino, California, and from Canada to Mexico.
Joseph Smith finished his translation of the New Testament.
Joseph Smith finishes his "translation" of the King James Version (KJV) of the Bible. Making changes in an 1828 edition, Smith alters more than 3,400 verses and introduces new passages.
Mission to Canada. On this mission the Prophet travels to Springfield, Pennsylvania; Westfield, Perrysburg, Lodi, and Buffalo, New York; and, in what was then called Upper Canada (now Ontario, Canada), to Mount Pleasant, Brantford, Colburn (Colborne), and Waterford.
Joseph Smith participated in laying Kirtland Temple cornerstones.
Joseph Smith receives the revelation on the Word of Wisdom.
Joseph, David Whitmer, Martin Harris, and Oliver Cowdery meet with members of Zion's Camp. The Three Witnesses select twelve men to be apostles: Lyman E. Johnson, Brigham Young, Heber C. Kimball, Orson Hyde, David W. Patten (h), Luke S. Johnson, William E. McLellin, John F. Boynton (h), Orson Pratt, William Smith, Thomas B. Marsh (h), and Parley P. Pratt (h). The Three Witnesses bless Whitmer, Harris, and Cowdery.
JS Learned of Saints' Expulsion
JS's Mission to Canada
Julia Clapp Murdock dies in Warrensville after delivering twins. With three other children under seven years old, John felt he could not look after two more newborns. Emma would be able to nurse the twins, so John gave them to Joseph and Emma to raise. They named the twins Joseph and Julia.
Kirtland Company arrives at Far West after a journey of 860 miles. The First Presidency and others escort them into town. The company continues to Adam-ondi-Ahman, arriving October 4.
Kirtland Temple Construction Begun
Literary Firm Established Press
Mob breaks into A. S. Gilbert's store, scatter the contents in the street, demolish his brick home, break doors and windows of all Mormon homes in town.
Mob destroyed the Evening and Morning Star printing office in Independence, Missouri.
Mob fires on Whitmer settlement. Mormons return fire, wounding one.
Mob of 40 or 50 men partially destroy twelve Mormon homes at Whitmer settlement, 8–10 miles west of Independence, severely beat Hiram Page and one other.
Mormons forced out of Jackson County, Missouri.
Oliver Cowdery to Purchase Press
Orson Hyde pleads for forgiveness and is set apart with Heber C. Kimball and Joseph Fielding for first mission to England.
Part of the book of Enoch (Moses 7) is written.
Petition to Missouri Governor
Revelation Calling Frederick G. Williams as Counselor in Presidency
Revelation on Christ
Revelation on Conduct of School of the Prophets
Revelation on Dietary Code
Revelation on Kirtland Printing Establishment
Revelation on Kirtland Temple
Saints began construction on the Kirtland Temple.
Saints commanded to build the House of the Lord at Kirtland.
Saints contribute $950 toward construction of the House of the Lord.
Saints in Jackson County agreed to leave under duress.
Saints in Missouri petitioned governor Daniel Dunklin for redress.
Saints' Agreement to Leave Jackson County
Samuel H. Smith leaves on a mission to sell copies of the Book of Mormon in neighboring towns.
School of Prophets begins.
School of the Prophets began in Kirtland, Ohio.Feb. 27 — The revelation known as the "Word of Wisdom" (D&C 89) was received by the Prophet Joseph Smith at Kirtland, Ohio.
Several families, numbering about fifty souls, took up their line of march from this town last week for the "promised land," among whom is Martin Harris, one of the original believers in the "Book of Mormon." Mr. Harris was among the early settlers of this town, and has ever borne the character of an honorable and upright man, and an obliging and benevolent neighbor. He had secured to himself by honest industry a respectable fortune—and he has left a large circle of acquaintances and friends to pity his delusion.
Sign of Christ's Second Coming
The "Word of Wisdom" revelation was received by Joseph Smith in Kirtland, Ohio.
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.
The Evening and the Morning Star Published in Kirtland
The Evening and the Morning Star resumes publication in Kirtland, Ohio (Oliver Cowdery, editor).
The first attack on a Mormon community is launched by neighbors near Independence, Mo., continuing on and off for months. The immediate cause for this attack is THE EVENING AND THE MORNING STAR publication of a pro-abolitionist article entitled "Free People of Color."
The First Presidency was organized when Sidney Rigdon and Frederick G. Williams were set apart by Joseph Smith to be his counselors, to which they had previously been called.
The first School of the Prophets meeting was held at Kirtland, Ohio.
The Prophet Joseph Smith finished the translation of the New Testament.
The Saints fled Jackson County, Mo., in response to mob threats and attacks and took refuge in neighboring counties, particularly Clay County.
The Saints in Jackson County, Missouri, were forced to leave the county.
The Saints were commanded by revelation to build a House of the Lord at Kirtland. (See D&C 94.) Further instructions were given by revelation on June 1. (See D&C 95.)
Given first as counsel and later treated as a commandment, the revelation discourages alcohol, tobacco, and hot drinks and recommends grains, fruit, and moderation.
This day completed the translation and the reviewing of the New testament and sealed up no more to be broken till it goes to Zion.
Thomas B. Marsh, President of the Quorum of the Twelve, having fled the violence in Daviess and Caldwell counties, testifies in Richmond, Ray county, that a company of Mormons under Apostle David Patten had burned Gallatin, that Danites planned to burn Buncombe and perhaps Liberty and Richmond; that Joseph believes his prophecies are superior to the laws of the land, and so forth. Orson Hyde states he knows most of Marsh's statements to be true and believes the rest.
Three People Killed in Missouri Confrontation
Vigilantes attacked Saints in multiple Jackson County locations; some were killed.
Vigilantes destroyed the printing office in Independence, Missouri.
While checking sites for a town in Caldwell county, Joseph learns that DeWitt is under siege.
Wilford Woodruff ordained an apostle.
Wilford Woodruff: I met in Company with the high School of Kirtland in the house of the Lord for the purpose of a public examination It being the last day of the first quarter. The examination lasted about three hours. Then after an intermission of one hour we again repaired to the house &P herd an interesting lecture deliverd on Education By Professor Haws. We have now a vacation of four weeks & the next term [120] will then commence.
[Joseph Smith:] CAUTION / To the brethren and friends of the church of Latter day Saints, I am disposed to say a word relative to the bills of the Kirtland Safety Society Bank. I hereby warn them to beware of speculators, renegadoes and gamblers, who are duping the unsuspecting and the unwary, by palming upon them, those bills, which are of no worth, here. I discountenance and disapprove of any and all such practices. I know them to be detrimental to the best interests of so, as well as to the principles of religion.
A meeting is held between Mormons in Jackson County, Missouri and non-Mormon residents there. The non-Mormon residents offer to either buy out the Mormons or to allow the Mormons to buy them out. The first option is refused on religious grounds, the second for economic reasons.
A revelation ends the Kirtland United Order and distributes its real estate assets among Joseph Smith, Oliver Cowdery, Sidney Rigdon, Frederick G. Williams, Martin Harris, Newel K. Whitney, and John Johnson. Although the revelation says, "it is my will that you shall pay all your debts," Smith requires Whitney to absorb the $1,121.31 Whitney had loaned to him personally as well as $2.484.22 of other men's debts to Whitney. Ten days later the name of the church is officially changed from "The Church of Jesus Christ" to "The Church of the Latter Day Saints" possibly to avoid law suits.
[4:00 a.m. Brother Davis rouses Joseph to:] see the signs in the heavens and I arrose and beheld to my great Joy the stars from the heaven yea they fell like hail stones a litteral fullfilllment of the word of God as recorded in the holy scriptures and a sure sign that the coming of Christ is clost at hand Oh how marvellous are thy works Oh Lord and I thank thyee for thy mecy u<n>to me thy servent Oh Lord save me in thy kingdom for Christ sake Amen
At a meeting of the Saints in the House of the Lord, Woodruff writes, "The power of GOD rested upon the people. The gifts were poured out upon us. Some had the administering of angels & the image of GOD sat upon the countenances of the Saints."
At Kirtland "the Conference proceeded to discuss the subject of names and appellations when a motion was made by Sidney Rigdon, and seconded by Newel K. Whitney, that this church be known hereafter by the name of THE CHURCH OF THE LATTER DAY SAINTS. Appropriate remarks were delivered by some of the members, after which the motion was put by the Moderator, and passed by unanimous voice." This new title first appears in a letter by the presidency January 22.
Battle of Crooked River: David W. Patten killed. Rev. Bogart's men fire on friends who came to rescue Seeley; Seeley placed in front of Bogart's men; order to fire was given, Seeley shot in shoulder by Bogart man; friends took him to his family; 4 months confinement to recover. (Mormon Redress, xxxii)
Bogart's militia "patrol" along Log and Long Creeks in southern Caldwell county, intimidating Mormons and allegedly stealing and destroying property under the pretense of searching for weapons to confiscate.
Participated in march of Zion's Camp.
Camp heads for Liberty, Clay County, but is met by General Atchison and others who urge them not to go to Liberty on account the animosity there. Accordingly, the camp turns left, crosses a prairie and woodland to Sidney Gilbert's home, and camp on the bank of Rush Creek in Brother Burket's field, where cholera strikes the camp.
Camp of Israel Cholera Outbreak
Camp of Israel Contingent Joined Main Camp
Camp of Israel Crossed Mississippi River
Church published a collection of hymns selected by Emma Smith.
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).
D&C 102, high council minutes, was recorded at Kirtland, Ohio.
D&C 103 was revealed at Kirtland, directing "Zion's Camp."
D&C 104 was revealed at or near Kirtland, Ohio.
D&C 105 was revealed at Fishing River, Missouri.
D&C 106 was revealed to Warren A. Cowdery at Kirtland, Ohio.
D&C 119: Law of tithing.
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.
Departure of Camp of Israel
Doctrine & Covenants Section 102 was given to Oliver Cowdery and Orson Hyde (minutes of meeting) in matters relating to the Minutes for first high council meeting
Doctrine & Covenants Section 103 was given to Joseph Smith in matters relating to the redemption of Zion; organization of Zion’s Camp
Doctrine & Covenants Section 104 was given to Joseph Smith in matters relating to the United Order
Doctrine & Covenants Section 105 was given to Joseph Smith in matters relating to the redemption of Zion; purpose of Kirtland Temple; peace
Doctrine & Covenants Section 106 was given to Joseph Smith in matters relating to Warren A. Cowdery; Second Coming
First stake created in Kirtland, Ohio; first high council organized.
Fishing River Storm
General assembly in Zion discusses work and emergency aid for 200 destitute families entering the state.
Governor Dunklin writes W. W. Phelps and others:
House of Representatives votes to table Mormon petition for an investigation of recent events until July 4. Anson Call is captured by a mob in Ray county and beaten before escaping and returning to Far West.
In 1834 there were 111 missionaries called to serve.
Joseph and Emma adopt the Murdock twins, naming them Joseph and Julia.
Joseph leaves for Upper Canada with Freeman Nickerson. His children were living in Mt. Pleasant, Upper Canada.
Joseph Smith appoints his brother Hyrum as captain of twenty "life guards" for the prophet. George A. Smith is appointed Joseph's "armor bearer."
In accordance with revelation, begins recruitment of Zion’s Camp (see Doctrine and Covenants 101, Doctrine and Covenants 103).
Joseph Smith led the camp of Israel (Zion's Camp) from Ohio to Missouri.
Joseph Smith urged the Missouri high council to petition for federal protection.
Joseph Smith writes: "I instructed the camp in the morning that if a gun was fired it would be considered an alarm; but in the course of the day, while I was a little ahead, I shot a squirrel for Brother Foster, when several of the brethren came running up to see what was the matter. I told them Brother Foster was sick; 'I want you to pray for him.'"
Joseph Smith, traveling through Illinois, writes to Emma that he and others had been "wandering over the plains of the Nephites, recounting occasionally the history of the Book of Mormon, roving over the mounds of that once beloved people of the Lord, picking up their skulls & their bones, as proof of its divine authenticity."
JS Issued Statement on Peaceful Intentions of Camp of Israel
JS Joined Advance Contingent of Camp of Israel
Judge Austin A. King sends armed men to obtain witnesses.
Kirtland conference sustains Joseph as president of the whole church, with Sidney Rigdon and Frederick G. Williams as counselors, and Oliver Cowdery, Joseph Smith Sr., "Uncle John" Smth, and Hyrum Smith as assistant counselors. The Kirtland bishopric is also sustained. Luke S. Johnson, Lyman E. Johnson, and John F. Boynton are excommunicated or rejected as apostles (the technical aspects are unclear). Nine high council members are replaced.
Lectures on Church's Theology Began
Led by the high council in Far West, branches in Zion reject the leadership of the stake presidency, David Whitmer, W. W. Phelps, and John Whitmer.
Leman Copley evicts the Colesville church from his farm in Thompson.
Letter circulates in Jackson County calling for the removal of all Mormons.
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 11–12), and finally on to Kirtland.
Messenger and Advocate Published
Missouri Attorney General R. W. Wells writes on behalf of Governor Dunklin that if the Mormons want to return to their homes in Jackson County, "an adequate force will be sent forthwith to effect that object." If Mormons wish to organize their own volunteer company, "the Colonel" would be obliged to accept them. "As only a certain quantity of public arms can be distributed in each County; those who first apply will be most likely to receive them. The less, therefore, that is said upon the subject the better."
Missouri Governor Petitioned to Protect Saints