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Andrew Jensen's Church Chronology |
CHURCH CHRONOLOGY
A Record of Important Events Pertaining to the
History of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
COMPILED BY ANDREW JENSON, ASSISTANT CHURCH HISTORIAN
SECOND EDITION, REVISED AND ENLARGED, WITH TWO
SUPPLEMENTS AND AN ELABORATE INDEX.
PRINTED AT THE DESERET NEWS,
SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH.
1914.
PREFACE.
The edition of Church Chronology, published in 1898, consisted of 25,000
copies, but only 15,000 have been disposed of. In order to utilize the
remaining 10,000 copies, two supplements have been compiled, one covering a
period of seven years (1899-1905), and the other eight years (1906-1913),
which are now published and offered to the general public, with an elaborate
index of a new and original design.
These two editions to the work brings the narration of events down the
stream of time to the close of 1913. With the new index, Church Chronology
becomes a work of reference to the fullest extent, and as such is
indispensable to all students of Church History. It also contains several
unique and interesting features which undoubtedly will please and interest the
intelligent reader.
In the compilation of the work no pains have been spared to make it
accurate and reliable in every particular.
THE PUBLISHER
PREFACE TO THE FIRST EDITION.
In offering to the public this work of reference, the author has the
satisfaction of knowing that he has been conscientious in its preparation. It
embodies years of patient labor--a labor of love, rather than a labor with
prospects of pecuniary gain--and if it shall prove acceptable and satisfactory
to the people, in whose interest it has been compiled, his object will be
fully attained. In regard to dates and incidents the work will be found
reliable, although not perfect. As the sources of information have
necessarily in some instances been confined to current literature, and foreign
affairs have been frequently dealt with, there may be a few technical errors.
The author will be thankful to any readers, who may discover such mistakes, if
they will direct his attention to them, that they may not appear in any
further editions that may be published.
ANDREW JENSON.
PREFACE TO THE SECOND EDITION.
This edition of Church Chronology, consisting of 25,000 copies, is a
thorough revision of the first edition, with many new features added, and the
chronological thread brought down to the close of 1898. Before printing, the
copy was carefully read to a committee appointed by Historian Franklin D.
Richards, consisting of Assistant Historians John Jaques and Charles W.
Penrose and Elder A. Milton Musser. Great pains have been taken to make the
work accurate and in all respects reliable as a work of reference, and as such
it is respectfully presented to the public at large, and particularly to those
who desire correct information in regard to the Latter-day Saints and their
most remarkable history.
THE PUBLISHER.
INTRODUCTORY.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was organized with six
members, April 6, 1830, at a meeting held at Fayette, Seneca Co., N. Y. Since
that time is has continually grown, and its members have steadily increased
until the great portion of Utah and parts of Idaho, Arizona, Nevada, Wyoming,
Colorado and New Mexico are peopled with Latter-day Saints. There are also
colonies of Saints in Old Mexico and Canada, besides branches and conferences
in nearly every State in the Union and in Great Britain, Denmark, Sweden,
Norway, Germany, Switzerland, Holland, Belgium, Turkey, New Zealand,
Australia, Tasmania, Hawaii, Samoa, Society Islands, Tuamotu Islands, and
other countries. The Church in her gathered condition consists at the present
time of forty organized Stakes of Zion, of which twenty-five are in Utah, or
mostly so, seven in Idaho, four in Arizona, one in Colorado, one in Wyoming,
one in Old Mexico, and one in Canada. The Saints in Nevada and New Mexico
belong to Stakes, the headquarters of which are located in Utah.
The general authorities of the Church consists of, 1, The First
Presidency; 2, The Council of Twelve Apostles; 3, Presiding Patriarch; 4, The
First Council of Seventies; 5, The Presiding Bishopric; 6, Church Historians.
THE FIRST PRESIDENCY.
Joseph Smith the Prophet, "who was called of God and ordained an Apostle
of Jesus Christ, to be the first Elder of this Church" (Doc. and Cov. 20:2),
was the first President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
For nearly three years after its organization he acted without Counselors, but
close by his side and associated with him in nearly all his administrations,
stood Oliver Cowdery," who was also called of God, an Apostle of Jesus Christ,
to be the second Elder of this Church, and ordained under his (Joseph's)
hand." (Doc. and Cov., 20:3.)
March, 18, 1833, agreeable to a revelation given March 8, 1833, the
Prophet Joseph ordained Sidney Rigdon to be his first and Frederick G.
Williams to be his second Counselor. Prior to this, at a conference held at
Amherst, Lorain Co., Ohio, Jan. 25, 1832, Joseph the Prophet had been
acknowledged as President of the High Priesthood. A similar action was taken
at a general council, held April 26, 1832, at Independence, Jackson Co., Mo.
At an important conference held at Far West, Caldwell Co., Mo., Nov. 7,
1837, Frederick G. Williams was rejected as a Counselor to Pres. Smith,
charges having previously been made against him at a conference held at
Kirtland, Ohio, Sept. 3, 1837. On the same occasion Hyrum Smith was appointed
his successor by unanimous vote. Hyrum Smith filled his position with honor
and ability, until some time after the demise of his father, Joseph Smith,
sen., who died at Nauvoo, Ill., Sept. 14, 1840.
In a revelation given through Joseph the Prophet at Nauvoo, Jan. 19,
1841, Hyrum Smith was called to take the office of Patriarch to the Church, as
his father's successor. In the same revelation William Law was called to
succeed Hyrum Smith as second Counselor to Pres. Joseph Smith. William Law
occupied this position until April 18, 1844, when he, together with others,
who like himself had apostatized, were excommunicated from the Church.
Joseph the Prophet was martyred at Carthage, Ill., June 27, 1844, when
the responsibility of presiding over the Church fell upon the Twelve Apostles.
They constituted the presiding Council of the Church till Dec. 5, 1847, when
an important council meeting was held at the house of Apostle Orson Hyde. On
this occasion Brigham Young was unanimously elected President of the Church,
with authority to choose his Counselors, which he did by naming Heber C.
Kimball for his first and Willard Richards for his second Counselor. The
following Apostles attended this council meeting: Brigham Young, Heber C.
Kimball, Orson Hyde, Willard Richards, Wilford Woodruff, Geo. A. Smith, Amasa
M. Lyman and Ezra T. Benson. These transactions on the part of the Twelve
were ratified by the Church at a conference held in the Log Tabernacle, at
Council Bluffs, Iowa, Dec. 27, 1847, and at a general conference held in G. S.
L. Valley, Oct. 8, 1848.
Counselor Willard Richards died of dropsy in G. S. L. City, March 11,
1854. At the general conference, held April 6, 1854, Jedediah M. Grant was
called to fill the vacancy thus created.
Counselor Jedediah M. Grant died Dec. 1, 1856, and Daniel H. Wells
succeeded him as second Counselor to Pres. Brigham Young, being ordained and
set apart to that position, Jan. 4, 1857. Daniel H. Wells acted in that
capacity till the death of Pres. Young.
Counselor Heber C. Kimball died June 22, 1868, in Salt Lake City. The
vacancy occasioned thereby was filled by the appointment of George A. Smith to
the position of first Counselor in the First Presidency. He served in that
capacity until his death, which occurred in Salt Lake City, Sept. 1, 1875.
John W. Young succeeded him as first Counselor, being sustained as such by the
general conference held Oct. 8, 1876.
Pres. Brigham Young died in Salt Lake City, Aug. 29, 1877, after which
the Twelve Apostles again presided over the Church, continuing to do so for
three years, or until the general conference held in Salt Lake City in
October, 1880, when the First Presidency was organized, for the third time, by
the appointment of John Taylor as President, with Geo. Q. Cannon as his first
and Joseph F. Smith as his second Counselor.
Pres. John Taylor died at Kaysville, Davis Co., Utah, July 25, 1887,
after which the Twelve Apostles presided over the Church till the general
conference, held in Salt Lake City, in April 1889, on which occasion a First
Presidency was again organized, consisting of Wilford Woodruff, President;
Geo. Q. Cannon, first Counselor; and Joseph F. Smith, second Counselor.
Pres. Wilford Woodruff died in San Francisco, Cal., Sept. 2, 1898. At an
important council meeting of the Apostles, held in Salt Lake City, Sept. 13,
1898, the First Presidency was once more organized, as follows: Lorenzo Snow,
President; Geo. Q. Cannon, first Counselor; Joseph F. Smith, second Counselor.
By the foregoing it will be seen that five Apostles, namely, Joseph
Smith, Brigham Young, John Taylor, Wilford Woodruff and Lorenzo Snow, have
filled the exalted position of President of the Church; five (Sidney Rigdon,
Heber C. Kimball, Geo. A. Smith, John W. Young and Geo. Q. Cannon) have acted
as first Counselors; and seven (Frederick G. Williams, Hyrum Smith, William
Law, Willard Richards, Jedediah M. Grant, Daniel H. Wells and Joseph F. Smith)
as second Counselors in the First Presidency, since the first organization of
the Council in 1833.
COUNCIL OF TWELVE APOSTLES.
In a revelation, given through Joseph the Prophet, in June 1829, at
Fayette, Seneca Co., N. Y., the Lord made known that Twelve Apostles should be
called in this dispensation. (Doc. and Cov., Sec. 18.) Nearly six years
later, on Feb. 14, 1835, at a special meeting, held at Kirtland, Ohio, Joseph
the Prophet, in accordance with that revelation, blessed Oliver Cowdery, David
Whitmer and Martin Harris, the Three Witnesses to the Book of Mormon, to
select twelve men who should constitute the Council of Twelve Apostles. They
were chosen by the Three Witnesses in the following order: Lyman E. Johnson,
Brigham Young, Heber C. Kimball, Orson Hyde, David W. Patten, Luke S. Johnson,
Wm. E. McLellin, John F. Boynton, Orson Pratt, William Smith, Thos. B. Marsh
and Parley P. Pratt. Most of these brethren the previous year (1834) had
proved their faithfulness and integrity to the Church as members of Zion's
Camp, which journeyed from Kirtland, Ohio, to Missouri and back, subject to
much suffering and many privations. They were ordained to the Apostleship by
Joseph Smith, Oliver Cowdery, David Whitmer and Martin Harris as follows:
Lyman E. Johnson, Brigham Young and Heber C. Kimball on Feb. 14, 1835; Orson
Hyde, David W. Patten, Luke S. Johnson, Wm. E. McLellin, John F. Boynton and
William Smith on the following day, Feb. 15th; Parley P. Pratt on Feb. 21st;
and Thomas B. Marsh and Orson Pratt, who had been absent on missions, in
April, 1835. At a grand council, held at Kirtland, Ohio, May 2, 1835, at
which the First Presidency was in attendance, the Twelve were arranged
according to their age, after which they stood as follows, commencing with the
eldest: Thomas B. Marsh, David W. Patten, Brigham Young, Heber C. Kimball,
Orson Hyde, William E. McLellin, Parley P. Pratt, Luke S. Johnson, William
Smith, Orson Pratt, John F. Boynton and Lyman E. Johnson.
In 1837 and 1838 four of the Twelve apostatized, namely, John F. Boynton,
disfellowshipped Sept. 3, 1837, at Kirtland, Ohio; Lyman E. Johnson and Luke
S. Johnson, excommunicated April 13, 1838, at Far West, Missouri; and Wm. E.
McLellin, excommunicated May 11, 1838, at Far West.
July 8, 1838, John Taylor, John E. Page, Wilford Woodruff and Willard
Richards were called by revelation to fill the places of those who had fallen.
Elders Page and Taylor were ordained Dec. 19, 1838; Wilford Woodruff April 26,
1839, at Far West, Missouri; and Willard Richards April 14, 1840, at Preston,
England.
In the meantime other vacancies occurred. David W. Patten was killed in
the Crooked River battle, in Missouri, Oct. 25, 1838, and Thos. B. Marsh was
excommunicated for apostasy, March 17, 1839, at Quincy, Ill. To fill the two
vacancies occasioned thereby, George A. Smith (ordained April 26, 1839, at Far
West, Mo.) and Lyman Wight (ordained April 8, 1841, at Nauvoo, Ill.), were
chosen.
William Smith was rejected as an Apostle, at the general conference held
at Nauvoo, in October, 1845, and finally excommunicated from the Church, Oct.
12, 1846. John E. Page was disfellowshipped, Jan. 9, 1846, at a council
meeting held at Nauvoo, Ill. Amasa M. Lyman, who had been ordained an
Apostle, Aug. 20, 1842, at Nauvoo, and Ezra T. Benson, ordained July 16, 1846,
at Council Bluffs, Iowa, were chosen to fill the vacancies.
The reorganization of the First Presidency in December, 1847, with three
of the Apostles (Brigham Young, Heber C. Kimball and Willard Richards), and
the excommunication of Lyman Wight for apostacy, Feb. 12, 1849, made four
vacancies in the Council of the Twelve. these were filled Feb. 12, 1849, at
an important council meeting held in the "Old Fort," G. S. L. City, when
Elders Charles C. Rich, Lorenzo Snow, Erastus Snow and Franklin D. Richards
were ordained Apostles.
The next vacancy occurred May 13, 1857, when Parley P. Pratt was
assassinated near Van Buren, Arkansas. George Q. Cannon was chosen to fill
the vacancy, being ordained an Apostle Aug. 20, 1860, in G. S. L. City, Utah.
In October, 1867, Amasa M. Lyman was dropped from the Council of the
Twelve; and Joseph F. Smith, who had previously been ordained to the
Apostleship, was chosen to fill the vacancy, Oct. 6, 1867, at a general
conference.
Geo. A. Smith was chosen as first Counselor to Pres. Brigham Young, after
the demise of Heber C. Kimball in 1868. Elder Brigham Young, jun., who
previously had been ordained an Apostle, was chosen to fill the vacancy, being
sustained as a member of the Council of the Twelve at the general conference
held Oct. 9, 1868.
Elder Ezra T. Benson died Sept. 3, 1969, at Ogden, Utah. Albert
Carrington was chosen to fill the vacancy, and was ordained an Apostle, July
3, 1870, in Salt Lake City.
Orson Hyde, who had acted as president of the Twelve Apostles, from the
reorganization of the First Presidency in 1847, to October, 1875, died Nov.
28, 1878, at Spring City, Sanpete Co., Utah. At the annual conference, held
April 7, 1879, Elder Moses Thatcher was chosen to fill the vacancy.
After the death of Pres. Brigham Young, in 1877, the Twelve Apostles
presided over the Church nearly three years. Daniel H. Wells and John W.
Young, who had acted as Pres. Brigham Young's Counselors, were sustained by
the Church as Counselors to the Twelve.
Another reorganization of the First Presidency took place, Oct. 10, 1880,
at the general conference held in Salt Lake City, three of the Apostles (John
Taylor, Geo. Q. Cannon and Joseph F. Smith) being chosen to constitute said
Presidency. This caused three vacancies in the Council of the Twelve, two of
which were filled Oct. 27, 1880, by the ordination of Francis M. Lyman and
John Henry Smith to the Apostleship.
Orson Pratt, the last surviving member of the first Council of Twelve
Apostles, died in Salt Lake City, Utah, Oct. 3, 1881. The vacancy occasioned
by his demise, and the vacancy left since October, 1880, was filled by the
calling of George Teasdale and Heber J. Grant to the Apostleship. These
brethren were called by direct revelation, through Pres. John Taylor, and were
ordained in Salt Lake City, Oct. 16, 1882.
Charles C. Rich died at Paris, Bear Lake Co., Idaho, Nov. 17, 1883, and
the vacancy caused thereby, in the Council, was filled by the ordination of
John W. Taylor to the Apostleship, Oct. 16, 1883.
After the death of Pres. John Taylor, July 25, 1887, the Twelve Apostles
acted as presiding Council of the Church for about one year and nine months,
during which time Geo. Q. Cannon and Joseph F. Smith occupied their former
positions as members of the Council of Twelve Apostles.
At the general conference, held in April, 1889, the First Presidency was
reorganized, with Wilford Woodruff as President. The vacancy in the Council
of the Apostles caused thereby, as well as that occasioned by the
excommunication of Albert Carrington, in November, 1885, and a third vacancy
caused by the demise of Erastus Snow, May 27, 1888, were filled at the general
conference, held in October, 1889, by the calling of Marriner W. Merrill,
Anthon H. Lund and Abraham H. Cannon to the Apostleship.
Abraham H. Cannon died in Salt Lake City, July 19, 1896, and Moses
Thatcher was dropped from his position as one of the Twelve Apostles, Nov. 19,
1896. The two vacancies thus occasioned were filled at the general conference
held in Salt Lake City, in October, 1897, when Matthias F. Cowley and Abraham
Owen Woodruff were sustained as members of the Council of Twelve Apostles.
After the death of Pres. Wilford Woodruff, Sept. 2, 1898, the Twelve
Apostles once more became the presiding Council of the Church, and Geo. Q.
Cannon and Joseph F. Smith were returned to their former positions among the
Twelve Apostles. But the Apostles only retained the presidency a few days.
Sept. 13, 1898, the First Presidency was organized the fifth time since the
organization of the Church, Lorenzo Snow, Geo. Q. Cannon and Joseph F. Smith
being the three Apostles chosen to form the new Presidency. This caused a
vacancy in the Council of the Apostles, which was filled at the general
conference, held in Salt Lake City, Oct. 9, 1898, when Rudger Clawson was
sustained as one of the Twelve Apostles.
The Council of Twelve Apostles now stands as follows: Franklin D.
Richards, president, Brigham Young, Francis M. Lyman, John Henry Smith, Geo.
Teasdale, Heber J. Grant, John W. Taylor, Marriner W. Merrill, Anthon H. Lund,
Matthias F. Cowley, Abraham Owen Woodruff and Rudger Clawson.
PRESIDING PATRIARCHS.
Joseph Smith, sen., father of the Prophet Smith, was the first Patriarch
in the Church. He was ordained to that high and holy calling, Dec. 18, 1833,
at Kirtland, Ohio, under the hands of the Prophet Joseph, Oliver Cowdery,
Sidney Rigdon and Frederick G. Williams. Father Smith continued as Patriarch
until his death, which occurred at Nauvoo, Ill., Sept. 14, 1840. In an
important revelation, given through the Prophet Joseph, Jan. 19, 1841, Hyrum
Smith, Father Smith's eldest living son, who then acted as second Counselor in
the First Presidency, was called to succeed his father as Patriarch. He
"received" the office, Jan. 24, 1841, and kept it until his martyrdom in
Carthage Jail, Ill., June 27, 1844. His brother William Smith, who was also a
member of the Council of Twelve Apostles, succeeded him by virtue of his
birthright, or age, but he apostatized. At the general conference, held in
October 1845, he was rejected as an Apostle and as a Patriarch. He was
finally excommunicated from the Church, Oct. 12, 1845.
After the rejection of William Smith, the Patriarchal office, according
to the hereditary order belonged to Asahel Smith (a brother of Joseph Smith,
sen.), who had been ordained a Patriarch at Nauvoo in 1844; but his health
being poor, he is not known to have officiated in his office as a Patriarch.
Soon afterwards (July 20, 1848) he died at Iowaville, Wapello Co., Iowa.
John Smith, another brother of the late Joseph Smith, sen., who had
previously been ordained a Patriarch at Nauvoo, was ordained presiding
Patriarch in the Church, Jan. 1, 1849, at G. S. L. City, under the hands of
Brigham Young and Heber C. Kimball. He had been sustained as a "Patriarch in
the Church" as early as the general conference, held at Winter Quarters, April
6, 1847.
Uncle John Smith, as he was familiarly called, died May 23, 1854, in G.
S. L. City. John Smith, eldest son of the martyred Hyrum Smith, to whom the
Patriarchal Priesthood descended direct from his father, was chosen as his
successor. At the time of his father's death he was too young to receive the
office. He was ordained presiding Patriarch, Feb. 18, 1855, in G.S.L. City,
by Pres. Brigham Young, and is the present incumbent of the office of
Presiding Patriarch.
FIRST COUNCIL OF SEVENTIES.
The organization of the first quorum of Seventy was commenced at
Kirtland, Ohio, Feb. 28, 1835. Nearly all the first members consisted of men
who had distinguished themselves for their faithfulness as members of Zion's
Camp. When the quorum was fully organized the following were chosen to act as
its seven presidents; Hazen Aldrich, Joseph Young, Levi W. Hancock, Leonard
Rich, Zebedee Coltrin, Lyman Sherman and Sylvester Smith.
Questions arose among some of the brethren in regard to the corresponding
grades of the Seventies and High Priests, and it was ascertained that five or
six of the seven presidents had previously been ordained High Priests. The
Prophet Joseph Smith, in a meeting held in the Kirtland Temple, April 6, 1837,
counseled these brethren, namely, Hazen Aldrich, Leonard Rich, Zebedee
Coltrin, Lyman Sherman and Sylvester Smith, to join the High Priests' quorum,
which five of them did, and the following named Elders were chosen to fill the
vacancies thus created in the First Council of the Seventies: John Gould, in
place of Hazen Aldrich; James Foster, in place of Leonard Rich; Daniel S.
Miles, in place of Zebedee Coltrin; Josiah Butterfield, in place of Lyman
Sherman; Salmon Gee, in place of Levi W. Hancock, and John Gaylord, in place
of Sylvester Smith.
In the summer of 1837 it was ascertained that Levi W. Hancock, who was in
Missouri at the time of the April meeting, was not a High Priest, and he was
therefore received back into his former position as one of the First Seven
Presidents of Seventies, at an important meeting held at Kirtland, Ohio, Sept.
3, 1837. John Gould, one of the newly appointed presidents, was asked by the
Prophet Joseph to join the High Priests, which he did. After these changes
the First Council of Seventies stood as follows: Joseph Young, Levi W.
Hancock, James Foster, Daniel S. Miles, Josiah Butterfield, Salmon Gee, and
John Gaylord.
Jan. 13, 1838, John Gaylord, together with many others was excommunicated
from the Church by the High Council at Kirtland, Ohio, for rising up in
rebellion against the Church authorities. Elder Henry Herriman was called and
ordained Feb. 6, 1838, to fill the vacancy in the First Council of Seventies.
In a meeting of the Seventies, held at Kirtland, Ohio, March 6, 1838, the
council withdrew their fellowship from Salmon Gee for neglect of duty and
other causes. Elder Zera Pulsipher was chosen and ordained to fill the
vacancy the same day. The foregoing information about the Seventies is
obtained from the original record of Seventies kept at Kirtland, Ohio.
After these two changes the council stood unchanged until the Church had
removed to Nauvoo, Ill. It appears that James Foster, instead of gathering
with the Saints, settled at Jacksonville, Morgan Co., Ill., and had no direct
communication with his brethren. Prior to the October conference, 1844, he
was dropped from his position by the council of the Seventies. In the
following spring (1845), Albert P. Rockwood was called to fill the vacancy
caused by the removal of Foster.
Josiah Butterfield retained his standing as one of the seven Presidents
until a misunderstanding arose between the Prophet Joseph and him, and he was
finally cut off from the Church, Oct. 7, 1844, at the general conference held
at Nauvoo, for neglect of duty, etc. The vacancy was filled the same day by
the appointment of Jedediah M. Grant as one of the council of the Seventies,
but he was not ordained until some time afterwards.
Elder Daniel S. Miles died a faithful man in the early part of 1845, in
Hancock County, Ill., and the vacancy occasioned by his death was filled by
Elder Benjamin L. Clapp, in April, 1845. Elder Albert P. Rockwood, Benjamin
L. Clapp and Jedediah M. Grant were ordained to the positions to which they
had been elected Dec. 2, 1845.
After the demise of Willard Richards in 1854, Elder Jedediah M. Grant was
selected by President Brigham Young to fill the office of second Counselor in
the First Presidency, thus leaving another vacancy in the council of
Seventies. Elder Horace S. Eldredge was called, at the October conference,
1854, to fill that vacancy, and was ordained about the same time in G. S. L.
City.
Elder Benjamin L. Clapp, after living some years in G. S. L. City,
removed his family to Ephraim, Sanpete Co., where he had some difficulty with
Bishop Warren S. Snow. After investigation before the Council of Seventies,
he was dropped from his position in the council, and finally excommunicated
from the Church, at the general conference, held in G. S. L. City, April 7,
1859. Elder Jacob Gates was called to fill the vacancy, at the April
Conference, 1860, but, being absent on a mission to Europe, he was not
ordained until October, 1862, some time after his return home.
Elder Zera Pulsipher transcended the bounds of the Priesthood in the
ordinance of sealing, for which he was cited to appear before the First
Presidency of the Church, April 12, 1862. It was there voted, that he be
rebaptized, reconfirmed and ordained to the office of a High Priest, or go
into the ranks of the Seventies. Subsequently he was ordained a Patriarch.
Elder John Van Cott was called to fill the vacancy in the council of the
Seventies, at the October conference, 1862.
Albert P. Rockwood died in Sugar House Ward, Salt Lake Co., Nov. 27,
1879, and at the April conference, 1880, Elder Wm. W. Taylor was called to
fill the vacancy and soon afterwards ordained one of the First Seven
Presidents of Seventies.
The vacancies caused by the death of Pres. Joseph Young, July 16, 1881,
and of Levi W. Hancock, June 10, 1882, were filled by the ordination of
Abraham H. Cannon as one of the First Seven Presidents, Oct. 9, 1882, and
Seymour B. Young as another, Oct. 16, 1882.
Elder John Van Cott died Feb. 18, 1883. Christian Daniel Fjeldsted was
called to fill the vacancy. He was ordained, April 28, 1884, after his return
from a mission to Scandinavia.
The demise of Elder Wm. W. Taylor, Aug. 1, 1884, caused another vacancy,
which was filled Oct. 7, 1884, by the ordination of John Morgan as one of the
First Seven Presidents.
Horace S. Eldredge died in Salt Lake City, Sept. 6, 1888, and the vacancy
caused thereby was filled by the calling of Brigham H. Roberts to act as one
of the council, at the October conference, 1888.
Abraham H. Cannon having been ordained an Apostle in October, 1889,
George Reynolds was sustained as one of the First Seven Presidents of
Seventies, at the April conference, 1890.
Elder Henry Herriman died at Huntington, Emery Co., Utah, May 17, 1891.
Elder Jacob Gates died at Provo, Utah Co., April 14, 1892. The vacancies
caused by the demise of those two veteran presidents were filled by the
selection of Jonathan G. Kimball and Rulon S. Wells as members of the First
Council of Seventies. The former was sustained at the general conference,
held in October, 1892, and the latter at the general conference, held in
April, 1893.
Elder John Morgan died at Preston, Idaho, Aug. 14, 1894. At the
following October conference, Edward Stevenson was chosen to fill the
consequent vacancy in the council.
Elder Edward Stevenson died in Salt Lake City, Jan. 27, 1897; and at the
general conference of the Church, held in Salt Lake City, in October, 1897,
Joseph W. McMurrin was chosen to fill the vacancy. He was ordained by Apostle
Anthon H. Lund in Liverpool, England, Jan. 21, 1898.
The council now stands as follows: Seymour B. Young, Christian D.
Fjeldsted, Brigham H. Roberts, George Reynolds, Jonathan G. Kimball, Rulon S.
Wells and Joseph W. McMurrin.
PRESIDING BISHOPRIC.
Edward Partridge, the first Bishop of the Church, was called to that
position Feb. 4, 1831, by revelation. (Doc. and Cov., Sec. 41.) Later, when
other Bishops were ordained, he became known as the first or presiding Bishop.
June 6, 1831, at solemn meeting, held at Kirtland, Ohio, Isaac Morley and John
Corrill were ordained and set apart as counselors to Bishop Partridge.
In a letter written by the First Presidency at Kirtland, Ohio, to Wm. W.
Phelps and others, in Missouri, under date of June 25, 1833, the following
occurs: "Let Brother Isaac Morley be ordained second Bishop in Zion, and let
brother John Corrill be ordained third. Let Brother Edward Partridge choose,
as counselors in their place, Brother Parley P. Pratt and Brother Titus
Billings, ordaining Brother Billings to the High Priesthood."
Owing to the persecutions which befell the Saints in Missouri, these
appointments were not made; but at a meeting, held at Far West, Mo., Aug. 1,
1837, Titus Billings was elected Bishop's counselor, in place of John Corrill;
and at a conference held at the same place, Nov. 7, 1837, Edward Partridge
"was nominated to still act as Bishop;" after which he nominated Isaac Morley
and Titus Billings for his counselors, and they "were unanimously chosen."
These three constituted the head Bishopric of the Church during the life
time of Bishop Partridge.
Bishop Edward Partridge filled his responsible position faithfully, in
the midst of the most severe persecutions, until his death, which occurred at
Nauvoo, Ill., May 27, 1840.
In a revelation given through Joseph the Prophet, Jan. 19, 1841, George
Miller was called to the position of Bishop, in place of Edward Partridge,
deceased. (Doc. and Cov., 124. 21.) In the same revelation, Sec. 141, the
Lord says: "I give unto you, Vinson Knight, Samuel H. Smith and Shadrach
Roundy, if he will receive it, to preside over the Bishopric."
From the documents at our command at present, we are unable to learn
whether or not the above named brethren officiated in the callings whereunto
they were called; but at the general conference, held in October, 1844, at
Nauvoo, Ill., Newel K. Whitney (who had been called by revelation to act as
Bishop at Kirtland, Ohio, Dec. 4, 1831) was sustained as "first Bishop," and
George Miller as "second Bishop" in the Church. From that time till his death
Newel K. Whitney was recognized, and after April, 1847, sustained by the voice
of the general conference, as presiding Bishop of the Church. He had no
regularly appointed Counselors; but recognized Brigham Young and Heber C.
Kimball as his chief counselors and advisers.
Bishop Newel K. Whitney died in G. S. L. City, Sept. 23, 1850. At the
general conference of the Church, held in April, 1851, Edward Hunter, who had
been ordained a Bishop in Nauvoo in 1844, was sustained as presiding Bishop.
It appears, however, that he was not ordained and set apart to that position
till a year later. Like his predecessor, he received immediate advice from
presidents Brigham Young and Heber C. Kimball, and chose no other counselors
until October, 1856, when, at the general conference, held in G. S. L. City,
Leonard W. Hardy was sustained as first and Jesse C. Little as second
counselor to Bishop Edward Hunter.
Counselor Jesse C. Little resigned his position as counselor. At the
general conference held in Salt Lake City, in October, 1874, Robert T. Burton
was sustained as second counselor to Bishop Hunter. He was ordained and set
apart to this position, Sept. 2, 1875, after his return from a mission to
England.
Bishop Edward Hunter died in Salt Lake City, Oct. 16, 1883. At the
general conference, held in April 1884, Wm. B. Preston, who had previously
presided over the Cache Stake of Zion, was sustained as presiding Bishop, with
Leonard W. Hardy as his first and Robert T. Burton as his second counselor.
Counselor Leonard W. Hardy died in Salt Lake City, July 31, 1884. At the
general conference, held in October, 1884, Robert T. Burton was sustained as
first and John Q. Cannon as second counselor to Bishop Wm. B. Preston.
Counselor John Q. Cannon, because of transgression was released from his
position. At the general conference, held at Provo, Utah, Co., in April,
1886, John R. Winder was sustained as second counselor in the Presiding
Bishopric.
Thus Wm. B. Preston, Robert T. Burton and John R. Winder constitute at
the present time the presiding Bishopric of the Church.
CHURCH HISTORIANS AND RECORDERS.
The office of Church Recorder was provided for by direct revelation,
given April 6, 1830, immediately after the organization of the Church. In
that revelation the Lord says, "Behold, there shall be a record kept among
you," etc. (Doc. and Cov., 21:1.) Oliver Cowdery, who had acted as a scribe
for the Prophet Joseph, while translating the Book of Mormon, received the
appointment as the first Church Recorder.
March 8, 1831, John Whitmer, one of the Eight Witnesses to the Book of
Mormon, was called by revelation to the position of Church Historian.
"Behold, it is expedient in me", said the Lord, "that my servant John
(Whitmer) should write and keep a regular history," and "it shall be appointed
unto him to keep the Church record and history continually, for Oliver Cowdery
I have appointed to another office." (Doc. and Cov., Sec. 47.) John Whitmer
removed to Missouri in the winter of 1831-32, and he was consequently unable
to attend to his duties as Historian and Recorder at the headquarters of the
Church, which were still at Kirtland. Hence, at a meeting of the Presidency
of the Church and the High Council, held at Kirtland, Ohio, Sept. 14, 1835,
Oliver Cowdery was again appointed "Recorder for the Church."
At a conference of the authorities of the Church and of the Saints, held
in the Kirtland Temple, Sept. 17, 1837, Geo. W. Robinson was elected General
Church Recorder, in place of Oliver Cowdery, who had removed to Missouri.
At a general conference, held at Far West, Mo., April 6, 1838, John
Corrill and Elias Higbee were appointed Church Historians, "to write and keep
the Church history;" and Geo. W. Robinson was sustained as General Church
Recorder and clerk to the First Presidency.
John Corrill apostatized during the Missouri persecutions, and was
excommunicated from the Church, at a conference, held at Quincy, Ill., March
17, 1839.
Elias Higbee was selected to accompany the Prophet Joseph to Washington,
D.C., as a delegate from the Church to the Federal Government, and later was
chosen as a member of the committee appointed to superintend the building of
the Nauvoo Temple. Owing to these additional responsibilities, he was unable
to devote much of his time to the writing of Church history. He finally died,
at Nauvoo, June 8, 1843.
At the general conference of the Church, held at Nauvoo, Ill., Oct. 3,
1840, Robert B. Thompson was appointed General Church Clerk, in place of
George W. Robinson, who intended to remove to Iowa.
Elder Thompson entered upon the duties of his office faithfully, but took
suddenly sick and died, at Nauvoo, Aug. 27, 1841.
Oct. 2, 1841, at a general conference, held in the Grove, at Nauvoo,
Ill., James Sloan was elected General Church Clerk, in place of Robert B.
Thompson, deceased.
At a special meeting, held at Nauvoo, July 30, 1843, Elder Willard
Richards was appointed General Church Recorder, succeeding James Sloan, who
had left Nauvoo on a mission to Ireland.
Elder Richards returned from his mission to England in August, 1841.
Dec. 13, 1841, he was appointed by Joseph Smith to act as Recorder for the
Temple, and also as private secretary and general clerk to the Prophet. He
entered immediately upon the duties of his office, and continued the labors
connected therewith till June 28, 1842, when he committed the business of the
office to Wm. Clayton, and left Nauvoo, July 1, 1842, on a visit to the New
England States. From this visit he returned Oct. 20, 1842. Dec. 21, 1842,
the Prophet Joseph again appointed him private secretary and historian, while
Wm. Clayton was retained as Temple Recorder and clerk of the Prophet's
temporal business.
At the general conference of the Church, held at Nauvoo, in October,
1845, President Brigham Young remarked that "about three years ago, Elder
Willard Richards was appointed by Pres. Joseph Smith as historian for the
Church and General Church Recorder." The Saints had previously acted on his
appointment as recorder, but not as historian. He therefore moved that the
Church receive the appointment of Brother Joseph, and that we continue and
sustain Elder Richards as Historian for the Church and General Church
Recorder." The motion was carried unanimously. Since that time the double
office of Church Historian and General Church Recorder has been vested in the
same person.
Willard Richards filled the office faithfully until his death, which
occurred in G. S. L. City, March 11, 1854. At the general conference, held in
G. S. L. city, in April, 1854, Geo. A. Smith was chosen and sustained as
Church Historian and General Church Recorder.
As the Church grew and increased in numerical strength and importance,
the labors of the Church Historian increased proportionately, and it became
necessary to appoint assistants to the Church Historian. Accordingly, Apostle
Wilford Woodruff was sustained as assistant Church Historian, at the general
conference, held in Salt Lake City, in October, 1856. Elder Woodruff was the
first Elder sustained in that capacity by a general conference of the Church.
Apostle Geo. A. Smith, having been chosen as First Counselor to Pres.
Brigham Young, was released from his position as Church Historian. At the
general conference, held in April, 1871, Apostle Albert Carrington was
sustained in that position, with Wilford Woodruff as his assistant.
Apostle Orson Pratt succeeded Albert Carrington as Church Historian and
General Church Recorder, being sustained as such at the general conference,
held in Salt Lake City, May 9, 1874. With Wilford Woodruff as his assistant,
he filled the position till his death, which occurred in Salt Lake City, Oct.
3, 1881.
At the semi-annual conference, held in October, 1883, Apostle Wilford
Woodruff was sustained as Church Historian and General Church Recorder, and at
the next general conference, held in April, 1884, Franklin D. Richards was
sustained as Assistant Church Historian.
At the general conference, April 7, 1889, Wilford Woodruff was chosen and
sustained as President of the Church, and Franklin D. Richards was appointed
his successor as Church Historian and General Church Recorder. At the next
general conference, held in October, 1889, Elder John Jaques was sustained as
assistant Church Historian. Elder Charles W. Penrose was sustained in a
similar capacity at the general conference, held in April, 1896; and Elder
Andrew Jenson at the general conference, held in April, 1898.
THE HOLY PRIESTHOOD.
The Church, which was established on the earth by Jesus Christ and his
Apostles anciently, ceased in course of time to exist, through the martyrdom
of many of its chief representatives and the final "falling away" of the
remnant of its members, as predicted by the Apostle Paul (2 Thess. 2:3), and
Peter (2 Pet. 2:1), and others.
In the present century the gospel of Christ, with its ancient powers and
Priesthood, has been restored to earth anew, through the administration of
heavenly messengers. Early in the spring of 1820, God the Father and his Son
Jesus Christ appeared to Joseph Smith and revealed the true spiritual
condition of the world. About three years later the angel Moroni appeared to
him and subsequently visited him periodically for several years, imparting
important instructions. On Sept. 22, 1827, he gave into the hands of Joseph
Smith the plates on which was inscribed the history of the early inhabitations
of America.
While Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery were engaged in translating the
Book of Mormon, from the plates, at Harmony, Susquehanna Co., Pa., they went
into the woods to enquire of the Lord respecting baptism for the remission of
sins. While thus employed, on the 15th of May, 1829, a messenger from heaven
descended in a cloud of light. Having laid his hands upon them, he ordained
them, saying: "Upon you, my fellow servants, in the name of Messiah, I confer
the Priesthood of Aaron, which holds the keys of the ministering of angels,
and of the gospel of repentance and of baptism by immersion for the remission
of sins; and this shall never be taken again from the earth, until the sons of
Levi do offer again an offering unto the Lord in righteousness."
The heavenly messenger told Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery that the
"Aaronic Priesthood had not the power of laying on of hands for the gift of
the Holy Ghost," but that this should be conferred on them later. He then
commanded them "to go and be baptized," and directed that Joseph Smith should
baptize Oliver Cowdery, after which he should baptize Joseph.
The messenger told them "that his name was John, the same that is called
John the Baptist in the New Testament, and that he acted under the direction
of Peter, James and John, who held the keys of the Priesthood of Melchizedek,"
which Priesthood he said should in due time be conferred on them (Joseph and
Oliver).
In accordance with the commandment aforesaid, Joseph Smith baptized
Oliver Cowdery, who then baptized Joseph. Joseph Smith then laid his hands
upon the head of Oliver Cowdery and ordained him to the Aaronic Priesthood.
Finally Oliver laid his hands on Joseph and ordained him to the same
Priesthood.
Soon after these important events, Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery
"became very anxious" to receive the Melchizedek Priesthood, which John the
Baptist had promised them, if they continued faithful. They had for some time
made this matter a subject of humble prayer, and at length they met "in the
chamber of Mr. Whitmer's house," at Fayette, Seneca Co., N. Y., one day in
June, 1829. They engaged in solemn and fervent prayer, when the word of the
Lord came to them in the chamber commanding that Joseph Smith "should ordain
Oliver Cowdery to be an Elder in the Church of Jesus Christ," and that Oliver
should ordain Joseph to the same office. After that, they were to ordain
others, as it should be made known unto them from time to time. However, they
were commanded to defer these ordinations until "such times as it should be
practicable to have their brethren, who had been and who should be baptized,
assemble together."
This commandment was complied with, April 6, 1830, the day on which the
Church was organized. On that occasion Joseph Smith laid his hands upon
Oliver Cowdery and ordained him an Elder in the Church, after which Oliver
ordained Joseph to the office of an Elder. Next, they administered the
Sacrament, and then laid their hands on each individual member of the Church
present, that they might receive the Holy Ghost and be confirmed members of
the Church.
The exact date of the ordination of Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery to
the Melchizedek Priesthood by Peter, James and John is not stated, but is
generally believed to have taken place in June or July, 1829. In proof of the
ordination we have the word of the Lord Jesus Christ, in a revelation, given
to Joseph Smith at Fayette, N. Y., in September, 1830, as follows: "Listen to
the voice of Jesus Christ, your Lord, your God, and your Redeemer, whose word
is quick and powerful.***The hour cometh that I will drink of the fruit of the
vine with you on the earth, and with Moroni, whom I have sent unto you to
reveal the Book of Mormon, containing the fulness of my everlasting gospel.***
And also John, the son of Zacharias. ** which John I have sent unto you, my
servants, Joseph Smith, jun., and Oliver Cowdery, to ordain you unto this
first Priesthood, which you have received, that you might be called and
ordained even as Aaron.*** And also with Peter, James, and John, whom I have
sent unto you, by whom I have ordained you and confirmed you to be Apostles
and especial witnesses of my name, and bear the keys of your ministry, and of
the same things which I revealed unto them." (Doc. and Cov., 27:1, 5, 7, 8,
12.)
In a revelation on Church Government, given through Joseph Smith, the
Prophet, in April, 1830, at Fayette, the following passage occurs:
"Commandment were given to Joseph Smith, jun., who was called of God and
ordained an Apostle of Jesus Christ, to be the first Elder of this Church; and
to Oliver Cowdery, who was also called of God, an Apostle of Jesus Christ, to
be the second Elder of this Church, and ordained under his (Joseph's) hand."
(Doc. and Cov., 20:2, 3.)
In the light of the foregoing it is plain that none among the children of
men at the present time possess the holy Priesthood, with divine authority to
administer in the ordinances of the gospel, except those who have received
their ordinations through the laying on of hands by men whose commissions rest
upon the divine calling of Joseph the Prophet. This being the case, it is
desirable that every Apostle, Prophet, Patriarch, High Priest, Seventy, Elder,
Bishop, Priest, Teacher and Deacon in the Church should be able to trace the
Priesthood they hold back to the Prophet Joseph.
For the benefit of the brethren who are endeavouring to make proper
records of these things, we publish the subjoined biographical notes, which
contain the ordinations of nearly all the Elders who have been sustained and
who at the present time are being sustained as the general authorities of the
Church. The lack of space in this little work of reference prevents us from
including other officers.
ALDRICH, Hazen; ordained a Seventy Feb. 28, 1835, under the hands of
Joseph Smith and others.
BENSON, Ezra Taft; born Feb. 22, 1811; baptized July 19, 1840, at Quincy,
Ill.; ordained a High Priest Oct. 25, 1840, by Hyrum Smith; ordained an
Apostle July 16, 1846, by Pres. Brigham Young; died Sept. 3, 1869.
BILLINGS, Titus; born March 25, 1793, at Greenfield, Franklin Co., Mass.;
baptized at Kirtland, Ohio, in November, 1830, by Parley P. Pratt; ordained a
High Priest and counselor to Bishop Edward Partridge, Aug. 1, 1837, under the
hands of Edward Partridge and Isaac Morley; died Feb. 6, 1866, at Provo, Utah.
BOYNTON, John Farnham; born Sept. 20, 1811; baptized in September, 1832,
by Joseph the Prophet; ordained an Elder in 1832 by Sidney Rigdon; ordained an
Apostle Feb. 15, 1835, under the hands of Oliver Cowdery, David Whitmer and
Martin Harris; died Oct. 20, 1890.
BURTON, Robert Taylor; born Oct. 25, 1821, in Amersburgh, Ontario,
Canada; ordained a High Priest and Bishop and set apart as second counselor to
Bishop Edward Hunter, Sept. 2, 1875, by Edward Hunter, assisted by Brigham
Young and Daniel H. Wells.
BUTTERFIELD, Josiah; ordained and set apart as one of the First Council
of Seventies, April 6, 1837, under the hands of Sidney Rigdon and Hyrum Smith.
CANNON, Abraham Hoagland; born March 12, 1859; baptized March 12, 1867,
by his father Geo. Q. Cannon; ordained an Elder July 7, 1875, by Geo. Q.
Cannon; ordained a Seventy by ; ordained an Apostle
Oct. 7, 1889, by Joseph F. Smith, assisted by Wilford Woodruff and George Q.
Cannon and nearly all the Apostles; died July 19, 1896.
CANNON, George Quayle; born Jan. 11, 1827; baptized in June, 1840, by
John Taylor; ordained an Elder at Nauvoo, by John Taylor; ordained a Seventy
Feb. 9, 1845, by Arza Adams; ordained an Apostle Aug. 26, 1860, by Pres.
Brigham, assisted by his Counselors and ten of the Apostles.
CANNON, John Q.; born April 19, 1857, at San Francisco, Cal.; baptized
April 19, 1865, by his father, George Q. Cannon; ordained an Elder by Geo. Q.
Cannon; ordained a Seventy Aug. 8, 1881, by Joseph F. Smith; ordained a High
Priest and set apart as second counselor to Bishop Wm. B. Preston in October,
1884, by Pres. John Taylor.
CARRINGTON, Albert; born Jan. 8, 1813; baptized in July, 1841, by Wm. O.
Clark; ordained an Apostle July 3, 1870, by Pres. Brigham Young; died Sept.
19, 1889, in Salt Lake City, Utah.
CLAPP, Benjamin L.; born Aug. 19, 1814, in Alabama; ordained and set
apart as one of the presidents of the 8th quorum of Seventy, Oct. 20, 1844,
under the hands of Joseph Young and Levi W. Hancock; set apart as one of the
First Council of Seventies Dec. 2, 1845, under the hands of Apostles Brigham
Young, Heber C. Kimball, Orson Hyde, Parley P. Pratt and George A. Smith; died
in California about 1860.
CLAWSON, Rudger; born March 12, 1857, in Salt Lake City, Utah; baptized
when about eight years old; ordained a Seventy March 7, 1875, by Hiram B.
Clawson, who was ordained a Seventy Feb. 2, 1845, by Joseph Young; ordained a
High Priest Feb. 12, 1888, by Lorenzo Snow; ordained an Apostle Oct. 10, 1898,
by Lorenzo Snow, assisted by his Counselors and all the Apostles.
CORRILL, John; ordained a High Priest and set apart as second counselor
to Bishop Edward Partridge, June 6, 1831, under the hands of Edward Partridge
and others.
COLTRIN, Zebedee; ordained a Seventy Feb. 28, 1835, under the hands of
Joseph Smith and others; died July 21, 1887, at Spanish Fork, Utah Co., Utah.
COWDERY, Oliver; born in 1805; ordained to the Aaronic Priesthood in
connection with Joseph Smith, May 15, 1829, by John the Baptist; baptized and
reordained by Joseph Smith the same day; later in 1829, together with Joseph
Smith, ordained to the Melchizedek Priesthood by Peter, James and John;
confirmed a member of the Church and reordained an Elder, April 6, 1830, by
Joseph Smith; together with David Whitmer and Martin Harris, he was "blessed
by the laying on of the hands of the Presidency" (Joseph Smith, Sidney Rigdon
and Fred. G. Williams) to select twelve Elders to constitute the Council of
Twelve Apostles, Feb. 14, 1835; died March 3, 1850.
COWLEY, Matthias Foss; born Aug. 25, 1858, in Salt Lake City, Utah,
baptized in 1866 by Samuel Turnbow; ordained an Elder Dec. 28, 1874, by Oluf
F. Due; ordained a Seventy Oct. 11, 1880, by Joseph Young; ordained a High
Priest Oct. 25, 1884, by Francis M. Lyman; ordained an Apostle Oct. 7, 1897,
by Geo. Q. Cannon.
ELDREDGE, Horace S.; born Feb. 26, 1816, at Brutus, Cayuga Co., N. Y.;
baptized June 4, 1836, by Libbeus T. Coon; ordained a Seventy Oct. 13, 1844,
by Joseph Young; chosen one of the First Seven Presidents of Seventies in
1854; died Sept. 6, 1888, in Salt Lake City.
FJELDSTED, Christian Daniel; born Feb. 20, 1829, in Sundbyvester, Amager,
Copenhagen Amt, Denmark; baptized Feb. 20, 1852, by Chr. Samuel Hansen;
confirmed by Ole U. C. Monster; ordained an Elder July 25, 1853, by Peter O.
Hansen, who was ordained a Seventy Nov. 17, 1844 by Joseph Young; ordained a
Seventy Feb. 5, 1859, by Wm. H. Walker, who was ordained a Seventy Nov. 24,
1844, under the hands of Harrison Burgess, who was ordained a Seventy Feb. 28,
1835, by Sidney Rigdon; set apart as one of the First Council of Seventies,
April 28, 1884, by Wilford Woodruff.
FOSTER, James; ordained and set apart as one of the First Seven
Presidents of Seventies April 6, 1837, under the hands of Sidney Rigdon and
Hyrum Smith.
GATES, Jacob; born March 9, 1811, at St. Johnsbury, Caledonia Co., Vt.;
baptized June 17, 1833, by Orson Pratt; ordained a Seventy in 1838, under the
hands of Sidney Rigdon and Joseph Smith; set apart as a president of the 4th
quorum of Seventy Oct. 8, 1844; chosen as one of the First Council of
Seventies in 1862; died April 14, 1892.
GAYLORD, John; ordained a Seventy December 20, 1836, by Hazen Aldrich,
and set apart as one of the First Seven Presidents of Seventies April 6, 1837,
under the hands of Sidney Rigdon and Hyrum Smith.
GEE, Salmon; ordained and set apart as one of the First Seven Presidents
of Seventies April 6, 1837, under the hands of Sidney Rigdon and Hyrum Smith.
GOULD, John; ordained and set apart as one of the First Seven Presidents
of Seventies April 6, 1837, under the hands of Sidney Rigdon and Hyrum Smith.
GRANT, Heber J.; born Nov. 22, 1856; baptized June 2, 1864; ordained a
High Priest Oct. 31, 1880, by Pres. John Taylor; ordained an Apostle by Geo.
Q. Cannon Oct. 16, 1882.
GRANT, Jedediah Morgan; born Feb. 21, 1816; baptized March 21, 1833, by
John F. Boynton; ordained a Seventy Feb. 28, 1835, under the hands of Joseph
Smith and others; set apart as one of the First Council of Seventies, Dec. 2,
1845, under the hands of Apostles Brigham Young, Heber C. Kimball, Orson Hyde,
Parley P. Pratt and George A. Smith; ordained an Apostle and set apart as
second Counselor in the First Presidency in 1854, under the hands of Brigham
Young and others; died Dec. 1, 1856.
HANCOCK, Levi W.; born April 17, 1803, in Massachusetts; baptized Nov.,
16, 1830; ordained a Seventy Feb. 28, 1835, under the hands of Joseph Smith
and others; soon afterwards chosen as one of the First Seven Presidents of
Seventies; died June 10, 1882.
HARDY, Leonard Wilford; born Dec. 31, 1805, in Bradford, Essex County,
Mass.; baptized Dec. 2, 1832, by Orson Hyde; ordained an Elder soon
afterwards; ordained a Seventy March 8, 1851; ordained a High Priest and
Bishop of the 12th Ward, Salt Lake City, April 7, 1856; set apart as first
counselor to Bishop Edward Hunter, Oct. 12, 1856; died July 31, 1884.
HERRIMAN, Henry; born June 9, 1804, in Rowley, Essex Co., Mass.; baptized
in 1832, by Orson Hyde; ordained a Seventy in March 1835, under the hands of
Joseph Smith and Sidney Rigdon; set apart as a member of the First Council of
Seventy, Feb. 6, 1838, under the hands of Joseph Young, James Foster and
Josiah Butterfield; died May 17, 1891.
HARRIS, Martin; born May 18, 1783; baptized in 1830; ordained a High
Priest June 6, 1831, by Lyman Wight; blessed Feb 14, 1835, together with
Oliver Cowdery and David Whitmer, under the hands of Joseph Smith, Sidney
Rigdon and Frederick G. Williams, to select and ordain the Twelve Apostles;
died July 10, 1875.
HIGBEE, Elias; born Oct. 23, 1795, in Galloway, Gloucester Co., N. J.,
baptized in 1832; ordained an Elder Feb. 20, 1833, by his brother, Isaac
Higbee; ordained a High Priest by Amasa M. Lyman, about 1835; died June 8,
1843, at Nauvoo, Ill.
HUNTER, Edward; born June 22, 1793; baptized Oct. 8, 1840, by Orson Hyde;
ordained a High Priest and Bishop Nov. 23, 1844, at Nauvoo, Ill., by Brigham
Young, assisted by Heber C. Kimball and Newel K. Whitney; called and sustained
as presiding Bishop of the Church at the general conference held in April,
1851; ordained and set apart to that position April 11, 1852, by Willard
Richards, assisted by Heber C. Kimball; died Oct. 16, 1883.
HYDE, Orson; born Jan. 8, 1805; baptized Oct. 31, 1830, by Sidney Rigdon;
ordained a High Priest about 1831; ordained an Apostle Feb. 15, 1835, under
the hands of Oliver Cowdery, David Whitmer and Martin Harris; died Nov. 28,
1878.
JACQUES, John; born Jan. 7, 1827, at Market Bosworth, Leicestershire,
England; baptized in the fall of 1845 by Thos. B. Ward; ordained an Elder Jan.
9, 1848, under the hands of John Fidoe, Thos. Stevenson and Wm. Cartwright;
ordained a Seventy Feb. 2, 1857, by Wm. Burgess, who was ordained a Seventy
Oct. 8, 1844, by Daniel S. Miles; ordained a High Priest Dec. 31, 1898, by
Angus M. Cannon.
JENSON, Andrew; born Dec. 11, 1850, in Torslev, Hjorring Amt, Denmark;
baptized and confirmed Feb. 2, 1859, by Carl W. J. Hecker; ordained an Elder
April 10, 1873, by William H. Folsom, who was ordained a High Priest Oct. 7,
1862, by Pres. Brigham Young; ordained a Seventy May 4, 1873, by Geo. Q.
Cannon.
JOHNSON, Luke S; born Nov. 3, 1807; baptized May 10, 1831, by Joseph
Smith; ordained a High Priest Oct. 25, 1831, by Joseph Smith; ordained an
Apostle Feb. 15, 1835, under the hands of Oliver Cowdery, David Whitmer and
Martin Harris; died Dec. 9, 1861.
JOHNSON, Lyman Eugene; born Oct. 24, 1811; ordained an Elder and
subsequently a High Priest in 1831, by Joseph Smith; ordained an Apostle Feb.
14, 1835, under the hands of Oliver Cowdery, David Whitmer and Martin Harris;
died Dec. 20, 1856.
KIMBALL, Heber Chase; born June 14, 1801; baptized in April, 1832, by
Alpheus Gifford; ordained an Elder in 1832, by Joseph Young; ordained an
Apostle Feb. 14, 1835, under the hands of Oliver Cowdery, David Whitmer and
Martin Harris; died June 22, 1868.
KIMBALL, Jonathan Golden; born June 8, 1853, in Salt Lake City, Utah;
ordained a Seventy July 21, 1886, by Chr. D. Fjeldsted; set apart as one of
the First Seven Presidents of Seventies, April 8, 1892, by Apostle Francis M.
Lyman.
LAW, William; called by revelation Jan. 19, 1841, to "be appointed,
ordained and anointed as a Counselor" to Joseph the Prophet (Doc. and Cov.,
124:91); soon afterwards he was ordained and set apart as second Counselor in
the First Presidency, under the hands of Joseph the Prophet and others.
LITTLE, Jesse Carter; born Sept. 26, 1815, at Belfast, Maine; ordained a
High Priest April 17, 1845, by Parley P. Pratt; ordained a Bishop and set
apart as second counselor to Bishop Edward Hunter, in 1856; died Dec. 26,
1893.
LUND, Anthon Henrik; born May 15, 1844; baptized May 15, 1856, by Jacob
Julander; ordained an Elder a few years later; ordained a Seventy March 23,
1864, by Peter Madsen Peel, who was ordained a Seventy Nov. 21, 1862, by John
Tidwell; ordained an Apostle Oct. 7, 1889, by Geo. Q. Cannon.
LYMAN, Amasa Mason; born March 30, 1813; baptized April 27, 1832, by
Lyman E. Johnson; confirmed the following day by Orson Pratt; ordained an
Elder Aug. 23, 1832, by Joseph Smith; ordained a High Priest Dec. 11, 1833, by
Lyman E. Johnson, assisted by Orson Pratt; ordained an Apostle Aug. 20, 1842,
by Brigham Young, assisted by Heber C. Kimball and Geo. A. Smith; died Feb. 4,
1877.
LYMAN, Francis Marion; born Jan. 12, 1840, at Good Hope, McDonough Co.,
Ill.; baptized in the Elkhorn river, Neb., and confirmed July 1, 1848, by
Amasa M. Lyman; ordained an Elder in 1856, at San Bernardino, Cal., by Amasa
M. Lyman; ordained a Seventy Jan. 7, 1860, at Farmington, Davis Co., Utah, by
John S. Gleason, who was ordained a Seventy Oct. 30, 1843, by Pres. Brigham
Young; ordained a High Priest March 13, 1869, at Fillmore, Millard Co., Utah,
by Thomas Callister, who was ordained a High Priest and Bishop Sept. 17, 1855,
in G. S. L. City, Utah, by Edward Hunter; ordained one of the Twelve Apostles
Oct. 27, 1880, in Salt Lake City, Utah, by John Taylor, assisted by his
Counselors and nearly all the Apostles.
MARSH, Thomas Baldwin; born Nov. 1, 1799; baptized in September 1830, by
David Whitmer; ordained a High Priest June 6, 1831, by Lyman Wight; ordained
an Apostle April 26, 1835, under the hands of Oliver Cowdery, David Whitmer
and Martin Harris; died about 1866, at Ogden, Utah.
McCLELLIN, William E.; born 1806, baptized, confirmed and ordained an
Elder in 1831, under the hands of Samuel H. Smith and Reynolds Cahoon;
ordained an Apostle Feb. 15, 1835, under the hands of Oliver Cowdery, David
Whitmer and Martin Harris; died April 24, 1883.
McMURRIN, Joseph William; born Sept. 5, 1858, at Tooele, Tooele Co.,
Utah; baptized in 1866, by Henry W. Lawrence; ordained a Seventy April 21,
1884, by Royal Barney, who was ordained a Seventy in 1835, under the hands of
Joseph Smith and Sidney Rigdon; set apart as one of the First Council of
Seventies Jan. 21, 1898, by Apostle Anthon H. Lund, in Liverpool, England.
MERRILL, Marriner Wood; born Sept. 25, 1832; baptized April 6, 1852, by
John Skerry; ordained an Apostle Oct. 7, 1889, by Wilford Woodruff, assisted
by his Counselors and most of the Apostles.
MILES, Daniel S.; ordained a Seventy April 6, 1837, by Hazen Aldrich; set
apart as one of the First Seven Presidents of Seventies April 6, 1837, under
the hands of Sidney Rigdon and Hyrum Smith.
MORGAN, John; born Aug, 8, 1842, near Greensburgh, Decatur Co., Ind.;
baptized Nov. 26, 1867, in Salt Lake City, Utah, by Robert Campbell; ordained
an Elder Oct. 23, 1868, by Wm. H. Folsom, who was ordained a High Priest Oct.
7, 1862, by Pres. Brigham Young; ordained a Seventy Oct. 8, 1875, by Joseph
Young; died Aug. 14, 1894.
MORLEY, Isaac; born March 11, 1786, in Montague, Hampshire Co., Mass.;
baptized in November, 1830, at Kirtland, Ohio, by Parley P. Pratt; ordained a
High Priest June 6, 1831, by Lyman Wight, and on the same day set apart as a
counselor to Bishop Edward Partridge; ordained a Patriarch at Far West, Mo.,
Nov. 7, 1837, under the hands of Joseph Smith, Sidney Rigdon and Hyrum Smith;
died June 24, 1865.
PAGE, John E.; baptized Aug. 18, 1833, by Emer Harris; ordained an Elder
in September, 1833, by Nelson Higgins; ordained an Apostle Dec. 19, 1838,
under the hands of Brigham Young and Heber C. Kimball; died near Sycamore,
Dekalb Co., Ill., in the fall of 1867.
PARTRIDGE, Edward; born Aug. 27, 1893; baptized Dec. 11, 1830, by Joseph
the Prophet; ordained an Elder Dec. 5, 1830, by Sidney Rigdon; called by
revelation to be the first Bishop of the Church, and ordained and set apart to
that position Feb. 4, 1831, by Sidney Rigdon; ordained a High Priest June 6,
1831, by Lyman Wight; died May 27, 1840.
PATTEN, David W.; born 1800; baptized June 15, 1832, by John Patten;
ordained an Elder June 17, 1832, by Elisha H. Groves; ordained an Apostle Feb.
15, 1835, under the hands of Oliver Cowdery, David Whitmer and Martin Harris;
died Oct. 25, 1838.
PENROSE, Charles William; born Feb. 4, 1832, in London, England, baptized
May 14, 1850, by John Hyde, sen.; ordained an Elder Jan. 6, 1851, by Geo. B.
Wallace; ordained a Seventy Oct. 27, 1861, by Truman Leonard; later ordained a
High Priest.
PRATT, Orson; born Sept. 19, 1811; baptized Sept. 19, 1830, by Parley P.
Pratt; ordained an Elder Dec. 1, 1830, by Joseph Smith; ordained a High Priest
Feb. 2, 1832, by Sidney Rigdon; ordained an Apostle April 26, 1835, under the
hands of David Whitmer and Oliver Cowdery; died Oct. 3, 1881.
PRATT, Parley Parker; born April 12, 1807; baptized, confirmed and
ordained an Elder by Oliver Cowdery, in September, 1830; ordained a High
Priest June 6, 1831, by Joseph Smith; ordained an Apostle Feb. 21, 1835, by
Joseph Smith; died May 13, 1857.
PRESTON, William Bowker; born Nov. 24, 1830, at Halifax, Franklin Co.,
Va.; baptized in February, 1857, by Henry G. Boyle; ordained an Elder by Geo.
Q. Cannon; ordained a High Priest and Bishop Nov. 14, 1859, by Orson Hyde; set
apart as Presiding Bishop of the Church in 1884, by Pres. John. Taylor.
PULSIPHER, Zera; born June 24, 1789, in Rockingham, Windham Co., Vt.;
baptized and ordained to the ministry in 1832; ordained and set apart as one
of the First Seven Presidents of Seventies March 6, 1838, under the hands of
James Foster and Joseph Young; died Jan. 1, 1872.
REYNOLDS, George; born Jan. 1, 1842, in London, England; baptized May 4,
1856; ordained a Seventy March 18, 1866, by Israel Barlow, who was ordained a
Seventy in 1835, by Sidney Rigdon; set apart as one of the First Seven
Presidents of Seventies, April 10, 1890, by Lorenzo Snow.
RICH, Charles Coulson; born Aug. 21, 1809; baptized April 1, 1832, by
Geo. M. Hinkle, ordained an Elder May 16, 1832, under the hands of Zebedee
Coltrin and Solomon Wixom; ordained a High Priest in April 1836, under the
hands of Hyrum Smith and Uncle John Smith; ordained an Apostle Feb. 12, 1849,
by Pres. Brigham Young; died Nov. 17, 1883.
RICH, Leonard; ordained a Seventy Feb. 28, 1835, under the hands of
Joseph Smith and others.
RICHARDS, Franklin Dewey; born April 2, 1821; baptized June 3, 1838, by
Phinehas Richards, at Richmond, Berkshire Co., Mass.; confirmed June 10, 1838,
by Gibson Smith; ordained a Seventy April 9, 1840, at Nauvoo, Ill., by Joseph
Young; ordained a High Priest May 17, 1844, at Nauvoo, Ill., by Brigham Young;
ordained an Apostle Feb. 12, 1849, in the "Old Fort," G. S. L. City, be Heber
C. Kimball.
RICHARDS, Willard; born June 24, 1804; baptized Dec. 31, 1836, by Brigham
Young; ordained an Elder March 6, 1837, by Alma Beeman; ordained a High Priest
April 1, 1838, under the hands of Heber C. Kimball and others; ordained an
Apostle April 14, 1840, by Brigham Young; died March 11, 1854.
RIGDON, Sidney; born Feb. 19, 1793; baptized, confirmed and ordained an
Elder late in 1830, under the hands of Oliver Cowdery, Parley P. Pratt, Peter
Whitmer, jun., and Ziba Peterson. Subsequently he was ordained a High Priest
by Joseph the Prophet, and on March 18, 1833, he was ordained and set apart as
first Counselor in the First Presidency by Joseph Smith; died July 14, 1876.
ROBERTS, Brigham Henry; born March 13, 1857, in Warrington, Lancashire,
England; baptized in 1867, by Seth Dustin; ordained a Seventy March 8, 1877,
by Nathan T. Porter, who was ordained a Seventy Oct. 6, 1844, by Joseph Young;
set apart as one of the First Council of Seventies in October, 1889, by
Lorenzo Snow.
ROCKWOOD, Albert P.; born June 5, 1805, in Holliston, Middlesex Co.,
Mass.; baptized in 1833; ordained a Seventy Jan. 5, 1839, under the hands of
Joseph Young, Zera Pulsipher, Henry Herriman and Levi W. Hancock; set apart as
one of the First Council of Seventies Dec. 2, 1845, under the hands of
Apostles Brigham Young, Heber C. Kimball, Orson Hyde, Parley P. Pratt and Geo.
A. Smith; died Nov. 26, 1879.
SHERMAN, Lyman; ordained a Seventy Feb. 28, 1835, at Kirtland, Ohio,
under the hands of Joseph Smith and others.
SLOAN, James; born at Donaghmore, Tyrone Co., Ireland; ordained a High
Priest Feb. 18, 1838, under the hands of Joseph Smith, sen.
SMITH, Asahel, son of Asahel Smith and Mary Duty; born May 21, 1773, at
Windham, Rockingham Co., N. H.; baptized June 29, 1835, at Stockholm, Lawrence
Co., N. Y., by Lyman E. Johnson; ordained a High Priest in 1836, by Don Carlos
Smith; ordained a Patriarch Oct. 7, 1844, at Nauvoo, Ill., under the hands of
the Twelve Apostles.
SMITH, George Albert; born June 26, 1817; baptized Sept. 10, 1832, by
Joseph H. Wakefield; ordained a Seventy March 1, 1835, by Sidney Rigdon;
ordained an Apostle April 26, 1839, by Heber C. Kimball; died Sept. 1, 1875.
SMITH, Hyrum; born Feb. 9, 1800; baptized by Joseph Smith in Seneca Lake,
N. Y., in June 1829; ordained a High Priest June 6, 1831, by Joseph Smith;
chosen as second Counselor in the First Presidency Nov. 7, 1837; ordained a
Patriarch Jan. 28, 1841, under the hands of Joseph the Prophet and others;
died June 27, 1844.
SMITH,John, familiarly known as Uncle John Smith; born July 16, 1781, in
Derryfield, Rockingham Co., N. H.; baptized, confirmed and ordained an Elder
Jan. 9, 1832, by his brother Joseph Smith, sen.; ordained a High Priest June
6, 1833, by Sidney Rigdon; ordained a Patriarch Jan. 10, 1844, by Joseph
Smith; ordained Presiding Patriarch Jan. 1, 1849, under the hands of Brigham
Young and Heber C. Kimball; died May 23, 1854.
SMITH, John, eldest son of Hyrum Smith; born Sept. 22, 1832, at Kirtland,
O.; baptized in 1841, by John Taylor; ordained Presiding Patriarch in the
Church Feb. 18, 1855, by Pres. Brigham Young.
SMITH, John Henry; born Sept. 18, 1848; baptized Sept. 18, 1856, by Geo.
A. Smith; ordained an Elder Jan. 16, 1864, by Samuel L. Sprague; ordained a
High Priest and Bishop Nov. 22, 1875, by Pres. Brigham Young; ordained an
Apostle Oct. 27, 1880, by Wilford Woodruff.
SMITH, Joseph, the Prophet; born Dec. 23, 1805; ordained to the Aaronic
Priesthood May 15, 1829, by John the Baptist; baptized and re-ordained the
same day by Oliver Cowdery; later, perhaps in June or July, 1829, he and
Oliver Cowdery were ordained to the Melchizedek Priesthood by Peter, James and
John, three of the ancient Apostles, who held the keys of that Priesthood;
confirmed a member of the Church and ordained the first Elder in the Church
April 6, 1830, by Oliver Cowdery; died June 27, 1844.
SMITH, Joseph, sen.; born July 12, 1771; baptized April 6, 1830; ordained
a High Priest June 6, 1831, by Lyman Wight; ordained a Patriarch Dec. 18,
1833, under the hands of Joseph Smith, Oliver Cowdery, Sidney Rigdon and
Frederick G. Williams; died Sept. 14, 1840.
SMITH, Joseph Fielding; born Nov. 13, 1838; baptized in 1850 or 1851 by
Heber C. Kimball; ordained an Elder in May, 1854, by Geo. A. Smith; ordained a
Seventy March 20, 1858, by George Meyer, who was ordained a Seventy July 13,
1845, by Jesse P. Harmon, who was ordained a Seventy Oct. 8, 1844, by Brigham
Young; ordained a High Priest Oct. 16, 1859; ordained an Apostle July 1, 1866,
by Pres. Brigham Young, and set apart as one of the Twelve Apostles Oct. 8,
1867, by Pres. Brigham Young, assisted by all the members of the Council of
Twelve Apostles.
SMITH, Sylvester; ordained a Seventy Feb. 28, 1835, at Kirtland, Ohio,
under the hands of Joseph Smith and others.
SMITH, William; born March 13, 1811; ordained a High Priest June 6, 1833,
by Sidney Rigdon; ordained an Apostle Feb. 15, 1835, under the hands of Oliver
Cowdery, David Whitmer and Martin Harris; died Nov. 13, 1893.
SNOW, Erastus; born Nov. 9, 1818; baptized Feb. 3, 1833; ordained an
Elder Aug. 16, 1835, by Luke S. Johnson; ordained a High Priest in October,
1839; ordained an Apostle Feb. 12, 1849, by President Brigham Young; died May
27, 1888.
SNOW, Lorenzo; born April 3, 1814; baptized June, 1836, by John F.
Boynton; confirmed by Hyrum Smith; ordained an Elder in the winter of 1836-37
by Alva Beeman; ordained a Seventy July 17, 1840, by Joseph Young; ordained a
High Priest July 18, 1840, by Don Carlos Smith; ordained an Apostle Feb. 12,
1849, by Heber C. Kimball.
STEVENSON, Edward; born May 1, 1820, at Gibraltar, Spain; baptized in
1834 by Japhet Fosdick; ordained a Seventy May 1, 1845, under the hands of
Joseph Young and others; set apart as one of the First Council of Seventies,
Oct. 9, 1894, by Apostle Brigham Young; died Jan. 27, 1897.
TAYLOR, John; born Nov. 1, 1808; baptized, confirmed and ordained an
Elder in 1836, by Parley P. Pratt; ordained an Apostle Dec. 19, 1838, under
the hands of Brigham Young and Heber C. Kimball; died July 25, 1887.
TAYLOR, John Whittaker; born May 18, 1858, at Provo, Utah Co., Utah;
ordained an Elder March 13, 1876, by Wm. J. Smith; ordained an Apostle April
9, 1884, by John Taylor, assisted by his Counselors and most of the Apostles.
TAYLOR, William W.; born Sept. 11, 1853, in Salt Lake City, Utah;
baptized by his father, John Taylor; ordained a Seventy Oct. 11, 1875, by
Orson Pratt, and chosen as one of the First Council of Seventies in 1880; died
Aug. 1, 1884.
TEASDALE, George; born Dec. 8, 1831, in London, England; baptized Aug. 8,
1852, by Robert Till; ordained an Elder April 30, 1854, by John Tuddenham;
ordained a Seventy Oct. 18, 1875, by Joseph Young; ordained a High Priest July
9, 1877, by Pres. Brigham Young; ordained an Apostle Oct. 16, 1882, by John
Taylor.
THATCHER, Moses; born Feb. 2, 1842, in Sangamon County, Ill.; baptized
and confirmed Dec. 25, 1856, by Henry G. Boyle; ordained an Elder March 23,
1857, by Henry G. Boyle; ordained a Seventy by Brigham Young; ordained a High
Priest and set apart to preside over the Cache Stake of Zion in 1877, by Pres.
Brigham Young; ordained an Apostle April 9, 1879, by John Taylor.
THOMPSON, Robert Blashel; born Oct. 1, 1811, in Great Driffield,
Yorkshire, England; baptized and confirmed in May, 1836, in Canada, by Parley
P. Pratt; ordained an Elder July 22, 1836, by John Taylor; died Aug. 27, 1841.
VAN COTT, John; born Sept. 7, 1814, at Canaan, Columbia Co. N. Y.;
baptized in September, 1845, by Parley P. Pratt; ordained a Seventy Feb. 25,
1847, by Joseph Young; died Feb. 18, 1883.
WELLS, Daniel Hanmer; born Oct. 27, 1814; baptized Aug. 9, 1846, by Almon
W. Babbitt, at Nauvoo, Ill.; ordained an Apostle and set apart as second
Counselor in the First Presidency Jan. 4, 1857, by President Brigham Young;
died March 24, 1891.
WELLS, Rulon Seymour; born July 7, 1854, in Salt Lake City, Utah;
baptized about 1862, by Daniel H. Wells; confirmed by John V. Long; ordained
an Elder Aug. 15, 1866, by Wm. J. Smith; ordained a Seventy Oct. 22, 1875, by
Pres. Brigham Young; set apart as one of the First Seven Presidents of
Seventies April 5, 1893, by George Q. Cannon.
WHITMER, David; born Jan. 7, 1805; baptized in June 1829, by Joseph
Smith; confirmed April 6, 1830; ordained an Elder soon afterwards, and
subsequently ordained a High Priest; set apart in 1834 by Joseph Smith to
preside over the Saints in Missouri; "blessed by the laying on of hands of the
Presidency" (Joseph Smith, Sidney Rigdon and Frederick G. Williams), in
connection with Oliver Cowdery and Martin Harris, Feb. 14, 1835 to choose the
Twelve Apostles, in accordance with revelation (Doc. and Cov., 18:37); died
Jan. 25, 1888.
WHITNEY, Newel K.; born Feb. 5, 1795; baptized late in 1830; called by
revelation Dec. 4, 1831, to the office of a Bishop; died Sept. 23, 1853.
WIGHT, Lyman; born May 9, 1796; baptized in 1830, by Oliver Cowdery;
ordained a High Priest June 6, 1831, by Joseph the Prophet; ordained an
Apostle April 8, 1841, by Joseph Smith; died March 31, 1858.
WILLIAMS, Frederick Granger; born Oct. 28, 1787, in Scheffield, Hartford
Co., Conn.; baptized, confirmed and ordained an Elder in November 1830, under
the hands of Oliver Cowdery, Parley P. Pratt, Peter Whitmer, jun., and Ziba
Peterson; called by revelation to "be a High Priest" and a Counselor to Joseph
the Prophet in March, 1832; ordained and set apart by Joseph Smith as he
second Counselor, March 18, 1833; died Oct. 25, 1842, at Quincy, Ill.
WINDER, John Rex; born Dec. 11, 1820, in Biddenden, County of Kent,
England; baptized Sept. 20, 1848; ordained a Seventy in 1854; ordained a High
Priest March 4, 1872, by Edward Hunter; ordained a Bishop and set apart as
second counselor to Bishop Wm. B. Preston in 1886, by Franklin D. Richards,
assisted by George Q. Cannon.
WOODRUFF, Abraham Owen; born Nov. 23, 1872, near Salt Lake City, Utah;
baptized May 3, 1881, by Henry Fowler; ordained an Elder Jan. 8, 1894, by
Samuel H. Harrow; ordained a Seventy June 19, 1894, by Wilford Woodruff;
ordained an Apostle Oct. 7, 1897, by Wilford Woodruff.
WOODRUFF, Wilford; born March 1, 1807; baptized by Zera Pulsipher Dec.
31, 1833; ordained an Elder by Warren Parrish in 1835; ordained a Seventy May
31, 1836, under the hands of David W. Patten and Warren Parrish, ordained an
Apostle April 26, 1839, by Brigham Young; died Sept. 2, 1898.
YOUNG, Brigham, born June 1, 1801; baptized, confirmed and ordained an
Elder April 14, 1832, by Eleazer Miller; ordained an Apostle Feb. 14, 1835,
under the hands of Oliver Cowdery, David Whitmer and Martin Harris; died Aug.
29, 1877.
YOUNG, Brigham, jun.; born Dec. 18, 1836; baptized in 1845, by his
father, Brigham Young; ordained a Seventy; ordained an Apostle Nov. 22, 1855,
by Brigham Young, and admitted into the Council of Twelve Apostles Oct. 9,
1868, being set apart by Brigham Young.
YOUNG, John W.; born Oct. 1, 1844; ordained an Apostle Nov. 22, 1855, by
Pres. Brigham Young, but has never been admitted into the Council of Twelve
Apostles.
YOUNG, Joseph; born April 7, 1797, in Hopkinton, Middlesex Co., Mass.;
baptized April 6, 1832, by Daniel Bowen; ordained an Elder in 1832, by Ezra
Landen; ordained a Seventy Feb. 28, 1835, under the hands of Joseph Smith and
others, and soon afterwards chosen as one of the seven Presidents of Seventy;
died July 16, 1881.
YOUNG, Seymour Bicknell; born Oct. 3, 1837, at Kirtland, Ohio; baptized
in 1848, at Carterville, Ohio, by Ezekiel Lee; ordained an Elder in the
Endowment House, Salt Lake City, Utah, April 15, 1856, by Samuel L. Sprague;
ordained a Seventy Feb. 18, 1857, by Edmund Ellsworth, who was ordained a
Seventy March 8, 1843, by Joseph Young.
INTRODUCTORY.
(Continued from Page xx.)
THE FIRST PRESIDENCY.
Counselor Geo. Q. Cannon died in California, April 10, 1901, and at the
general conference of the Church held in Salt Lake City, Oct. 7, 1901, Joseph
F. Smith was sustained as first and Rudger Clawson as second Counselor to
Pres. Lorenzo Snow.
Pres. Lorenzo Snow died Oct. 10, 1901, in Salt Lake City, and at a
meeting of the First Presidency and Twelve Apostles, held Oct. 17, 1901, the
First Presidency was reorganized with Joseph F. Smith as President, John R.
Winder as first and Anthon H. Lund as second Counselor.
Counselor John R. Winder died March 27, 1910, in Salt Lake City, and at
the April conference, 1910, Anthon H. Lund was promoted from the position of
second Counselor to that of first Counselor and John Henry Smith was chosen
and set apart as second Counselor to Pres. Joseph F. Smith.
Counselor John Henry Smith died Oct. 13, 1911, and at a meeting of the
First Presidency and Apostles held Dec. 7, 1911, Charles W. Penrose was chosen
as second Counselor to Pres. Joseph Smith.
COUNCIL OF TWELVE APOSTLES.
Franklin D. Richards, president of the Twelve Apostles, died Dec. 9,
1899, at Ogden, Utah, and at the general conference of the Church held April
8, 1900, the vacancy caused thereby was filled by Reed Smoot, who was chosen
and ordained one of the Twelve Apostles.
The selection of Anthon H. Lund to the position of second Counselor in
the First Presidency caused a vacancy in the quorum of the Twelve Apostles.
This vacancy was filled by the calling and ordination of Hyrum Mack Smith to
the Apostleship Oct. 24, 1901.
Brigham Young, jun., president of the Twelve Apostles, died April 11,
1903, and at the October conference, 1903, Geo. Albert Smith was sustained as
one of the Twelve Apostles to fill the vacancy.
Apostle Abraham Owen Woodruff died June 20, 1904, at El Paso, Texas, and
at a meeting of the First Presidency and Apostles held July 7, 1904, Charles
W. Penrose was chosen and ordained an Apostle to fill the vacancy.
The resignation of John W. Taylor and Matthias F. Cowley Oct. 6, 1905,
and the death of Marriner W. Merrill Feb. 6, 1906, caused three vacancies in
the quorum of the Twelve, which were filled at the April conference, 1906,
when Geo. F. Richards, Orson F. Whitney and David O. McKay were chosen and
sustained as members of the quorum of Twelve Apostles.
Geo. Teasdale died June 9, 1907, and at the October conference, 1907,
Anthony W. Ivins was chosen and sustained as one of the Twelve Apostles.
The calling of John Henry Smith to the position of second Counselor in
the First Presidency April 7, 1910, caused another vacancy in the quorum of
the Twelve, which was filled by the ordination to the Apostleship of Joseph F.
Smith, jun., April 7, 1910.
Apostle Charles W. Penrose was chosen as second Counselor in the First
Presidency, and the vacancy caused thereby in the quorum of the Twelve was
filled by James E. Talmage who was ordained an Apostle Dec. 8, 1911.
PRESIDING PATRIARCHS.
Patriarch John Smith died in Salt Lake City, Nov. 6, 1911, and at the
general conference of the Church held in April, 1912, Hyrum G. Smith, a
grandson of the late Patriarch John Smith, was sustained as Presiding
Patriarch of the Church. He was ordained May 9, 1912.
FIRST COUNCIL OF SEVENTIES.
Christian D. Fjeldsted died Dec. 23, 1905, in Salt Lake City, and at the
general conference held in April, 1906, Charles H. Hart was chosen to fill the
vacancy caused thereby in the First Council of Seventy.
George Reynolds died Aug. 9, 1909, and at the general conference held in
Salt Lake City Oct. 6, 1909, Levi Edgar Young was chosen to fill the vacancy.
PRESIDING BISHOPRIC.
Counselor John R. Winder having been promoted to the position of first
counselor in the First Presidency, Orrin P. Miller was chosen as second
counselor to Presiding Bishop Wm. B. Preston Oct. 24, 1901.
First Counselor Robert T. Burton died Nov. 11, 1907, in Salt Lake City.
Bishop William B. Preston resigned his position, owing to ill health, and
Charles W. Nibley succeeded him as Presiding Bishop of the Church, Dec. 11,
1907, with Orrin P. Miller as first and David A. Smith as second counselor.
Bishop Preston died Aug. 2, 1908.
CHURCH HISTORIANS AND RECORDERS.
Historian Franklin D. Richards died Dec. 9, 1899, and Assistant Historian
John Jaques died June 1, 1900.
At a meeting of the First Presidency and Apostles held July 26, 1900,
Anthon H. Lund was sustained as Church Historian and General Church Recorder.
At the general conference held April 6, 1902, Orson F. Whitney, A Milton
Musser and Brigham H. Roberts were sustained as Assistant Church Historians,
and at the April conference, 1906, Joseph F. Smith, jun., was also sustained
as an assistant Church Historian.
Elder A. Milton Musser died Sept. 24, 1909, and at the general conference
held April 9, 1911, August William Lund was sustained as an Assistant Church
Historian. Elder Penrose ceased his labors as assistant historian in 1904,
and Orson F. Whitney in 1906, when they were called to the Apostleship.
THE HOLY PRIESTHOOD.
(Continued from Page xxviii.)
HART, Charles Henry; born July 5, 1866, at Bloomington, Bear Lake Co.,
Idaho; baptized Sept. 14, 1872, by Joseph H. Hart, and ordained a Seventy Aug.
10, 1890, by John Henry Smith.
IVINS, Anthony Woodward; born Sept. 16, 1852, at Toms River, Ocean Co.,
N. J.; baptized in 1860; ordained an Elder Sept. 30, 1865, by Wm. H. Folsom,
who was ordained a High Priest Oct. 7, 1862, by Brigham Young; ordained a
Seventy Aug. 19, 1869, by Joseph Young; ordained a High Priest March 20, 1881,
by John D. T. McAllister, who was ordained a High Priest April 5, 1877, by
Brigham Young; ordained an Apostle Oct. 6, 1907, by Joseph F. Smith.
LUND, August William; born Aug. 10, 1886, at Ephraim, Sanpete Co., Utah;
baptized Sept. 24, 1894, by John L. Bench; ordained an Elder Sept. 13, 1906,
by Anthon H. Lund; ordained a Seventy Feb. 3, 1913, by James McGhie, who was
ordained a High Priest by Joseph F. Smith; ordained a High Priest Feb. 24,
1914, by Francis M. Lyman.
MILLER, Orrin Porter; born Sept. 11, 1858, at Mill Creek, Salt Lake Co.,
Utah; baptized June 16, 1867, by Edward F. M. Guest; ordained an Elder Nov. 6,
1881, by Alexander Hill, who was ordained a High Priest in 1853 by Reynolds
Cahoon, who was ordained a High Priest June 3, 1831, by Joseph Smith; ordained
a Seventy Feb. 10, 1884, by Enoch B. Tripp, who was ordained a Seventy Feb.
21, 1857, by Joseph Young; ordained a High Priest Aug. 8, 1886, by Angus M.
Cannon, who was ordained a High Priest May 9, 1873, under the hands of Brigham
Young and others.
MUSSER, Amos Milton; born May 20, 1830, in Donegal County, Pa.; baptized
May 24, 1851, by James Allred; ordained an Elder Dec. 17, 1851, by Geo. A.
Smith; ordained a Seventy in 1852 under the hands of Albert P. Rockwood and
Benjamin L. Clapp, and ordained a High Priest April 25, 1874, by Elias Smith,
who was ordained a High Priest Oct. 19, 1839, by John Smith (afterwards
presiding Patriarch of the Church); died Sept. 24, 1909.
NIBLEY, Charles Wilson; born Feb. 5, 1849 at Hunterfield, Midlothian,
Scotland; baptized in September, 1860, by Thomas Green; ordained an Elder in
1865 by William H. Maughan, who was ordained a High Priest Nov. 12, 1859, by
Orson Hyde; ordained a Seventy May 7, 1877, by Joseph Young; ordained a High
Priest June 9, 1901, by Joseph F. Smith; ordained Presiding Bishop of the
Church Dec. 11, 1907, by Joseph F. Smith.
PENROSE, Charles William; ordained an Elder Jan. 6, 1851, by Geo. B.
Wallace (assisted by Eli B. Kelsey), who was ordained a High Priest in July,
1844, by Brigham Young; ordained a Seventy Oct. 27, 1861, by Truman Leonard,
who was ordained a Seventy in June, 1844, by Noah Packard, who was ordained a
High Priest Jan. 13, 1836, in Kirtland, Ohio, Under the hands of Joseph Smith,
Sidney Rigdon and Hyrum Smith; ordained a High Priest April 9, 1871, by
Franklin D. Richards, and ordained an Apostle July 7, 1904, by Joseph F.
Smith.
RICHARDS, George Franklin; born Feb. 23, 1861, at Farmington, Davis Co.,
Utah; baptized Oct. 12, 1873, by Oliver L. Robinson; ordained an Elder June 5,
1876, by Franklin D. Richards; ordained a Seventy Feb. 3, 1884, by Seymour B.
Young; ordained a High Priest Jan. 29, 1890, by Francis M. Lyman and ordained
an Apostle April 9, 1906, by Joseph F. Smith.
SMITH, David Asael; born May 24, 1879, in Salt Lake City; baptized May
24, 1887, by Albert W. Davis; ordained an Elder Sept. 8, 1897, by Zadok C.
Mitchell, who was ordained an Elder by Elias Smith, who was ordained an Elder
by Elias Smith, who was ordained a High Priest Oct. 19, 1839, by John Smith
(afterwards presiding Patriarch of the Church); ordained a Seventy Feb. 1,
1904, by B. Morris Young, who was ordained a Seventy April 17, 1873, by
Brigham Young; ordained a High Priest Dec. 11, 1907, by Anthon H. Lund.
SMITH, George Albert; born April 4, 1870, in Salt Lake City; baptized by
James Moyle June 6, 1878; ordained an Elder by Edward W. Davis; ordained a
Seventy Dec. 8, 1890, by John Henry Smith and ordained an Apostle Oct. 8,
1903, by Joseph F. Smith.
SMITH, Hyrum Gibbs; born July 8, 1879, at South Jordan, Salt Lake Co.,
Utah; baptized Aug. 14. 1891, by Amos Sergeant; ordained an Elder Nov. 24,
1901, by Moses W. Taylor, who was ordained a Seventy March 8, 1886, by Geo. G.
Bywater, who was ordained a Seventy Dec. 29, 1855, by Wm. Carmichael, who was
ordained a Seventy Dec. 19, 1845 by Jedediah M. Grant; ordained a Seventy Feb.
11, 1907, by Rulon S. Wells, and ordained a High Priest and Patriarch May 9,
1912, by Joseph F. Smith.
SMITH, Joseph Fielding, jun.; born July 19, 1876, in Salt Lake City,
Utah; baptized July 19, 1884, by Joseph F. Smith; ordained an Elder Sept. 8,
1897; ordained a Seventy May 12, 1899, by Joseph F. Smith; ordained a High
Priest March 25, 1904, by Hyrum M. Smith, and ordained an Apostle April 7,
1910, by Joseph F. Smith.
SMOOT, Reed; born Jan. 10, 1862, in Salt Lake City; baptized in 1870;
ordained a High Priest in April, 1895, by Joseph F. Smith, and ordained an
Apostle April 9, 1900, by Lorenzo Snow.
TALMAGE, James Edward; born Sept. 21, 1862, at Hungerford, Berks,
England; baptized June 15, 1873, by James J. Talmage; ordained an Elder June
28, 1880, by Vernee L. Halliday, who was ordained an Elder by Geo. Halliday,
who was ordained a High Priest by Brigham Young; ordained a High Priest Sept.
29, 1884, by David John, who was ordained a High Priest Sept. 10, 1862;
ordained an Apostle Dec. 8, 1911, by Joseph F. Smith.
WHITNEY, Orson Ferguson; born July 1, 1855, in Salt Lake City, Utah;
baptized in 1866 by David P. Kimball; ordained an Elder in 1873 by William J.
Smith, who was ordained a High Priest in 1852 by Orson Spencer; ordained a
Seventy in 1876 by Charles C. Rich; ordained a High Priest July 14, 1878, by
Daniel H. Wells, and ordained an Apostle April 9, 1906, by Joseph F. Smith.
YOUNG, Levi Edgar; born Feb. 2, 1874, in Salt Lake City, Utah; baptized
in 1882 by Seymour B. Young; ordained a Seventy June 18, 1897, by Seymour B.
Young.
CHURCH CHRONOLOGY.
During the two first decades of the Nineteenth Century a number of men
who were destined to take a most active part in the ushering in of the new
gospel dispensation were born. Chief among these was the Prophet Joseph
Smith, to whom the Father and the Son appeared in a glorious vision and
revealed the apostate condition of the religious world.
1805
Joseph Smith, the Prophet, was born in Sharon, Windsor Co., Vt.
Among the prominent men, older than the Prophet, who became intimately
associated with him in establishing the great Latter-day work, were the
following: Joseph Smith, sen., born July 12, 1771, in Topsfield, Essex Co.,
Mass.; Martin Harris, born May 18, 1783, in Easttown, Saratoga Co., N. Y.;
Sidney Rigdon, born Feb. 19, 1793, in St. Clair, Allegheny Co., Pa.; Edward
Hunter, born June 22, 1793, in Newtown, Delaware Co., Pa.; Edward Partridge,
born Aug. 27, 1793, in Pittsfield, Berkshire Co., Mass.; Newel K. Whitney,
born Feb. 5, 1795, in Marlborough, Windham Co., Vt.; Lyman Wight, born May 9,
1796, in Fairfield, Herkimer Co., N. Y.; John E. Page, born Feb. 25, 1799, in
Trenton, Oneida Co., N. Y.; Thomas B. Marsh, born Nov. 1, 1799, in Acton,
Middlesex Co., Mass.; Hyrum Smith, born Feb. 9, 1800, in Tunbridge, Orange
Co., Vt.; David W. Patten, born about 1800, in the State of New York; Brigham
Young, born June 1, 1801, in Whitingham, Windham Co., Vt.; Heber Chase
Kimball, born June 14, 1801, at Sheldon, Franklin Co., Vt.; Willard Richards,
born June 24, 1804, at Hopkinton, Middlesex Co., Mass.; David Whitmer, born
Jan. 7, 1805, near Harrisburg, Dauphin Co., Pa.; Orson Hyde, born Jan. 28,
1805, in Oxford, New Haven Co., Conn.; Oliver Cowdery, born in October, 1805,
in Wells, Rutland Co., Vt.
1806
Wm. E. McLellin was born this year in Tennessee.
1807
Wilford Woodruff was born in Farmington, Hartford Co., Conn.
Parley Parker Pratt was born in Burlington, Otsego Co., N. Y.
1808
John Taylor was born in Milnthorpe, Westmoreland, England.
1809
Charles Coulson Rich was born in Campbell County, Mass.
1811
Ezra Taft Benson was born in Mendon, Worcester Co., Mass.
Wm. Smith was born in Royalton, Windsor Co. Vt.
Orson Pratt was born in Hartford, Washington Co., N. Y.
John F. Boynton was born in Bradford, Essex Co., Mass.
Lyman Eugene Johnson was born in Pomfret, Windsor Co., Vt.
1813
Albert Carrington was born in Royalton, Windsor Co., Vt.
Amasa M. Lyman was born in Lyman, Grafton Co., N.H.
1814
Lorenzo Snow was born in Mantua, Portage Co., O.
Daniel Hanmer Wells was born in Trenton, Oneida Co., N. Y.
1815
Joseph Smith, sen., removed with his family from Vermont to Palmyra,
Wayne Co., N. Y.
1816
Jedediah Morgan Grant was born in Windsor, Broome Co., N. Y.
1817
George Albert Smith was born in Potsdam, St. Lawrence Co., N. Y.
1818
Erastus Snow was born in St. Johnsbury, Caledonia Co., Vt.
1820
The Baptists, Methodists and Presbyterians held protracted revival
meetings in and about Palmyra, N. Y., which resulted in great contention among
the preachers and members of the different sects who sought to influence the
new converts to join their respective churches. Joseph Smith, jun., (then
about fourteen years old), being unable to decide which of all the sects was
right, and being deeply impressed with the promise in James 1,5: "If any of
you lack wisdom, let him ask of God that giveth to all men liberally, and
upbraideth not; and it shall be given him," retired to a grove near his
father's house, early in the spring of the year, where he sought the Lord in
earnest prayer. While thus engaged, he beheld two glorious beings wrapped in
a brilliant light, standing above him in the air. One of them spoke to him,
calling him by name, and said (pointing to the other), "This is my beloved
Son, hear Him." Joseph then asked the personages, standing above him in the
light, which of the sects was right and which he should join. He was answered
that he must join none of them, for they were all wrong. The person speaking
said further that all their creeds were an abomination in his sight and that
"those professors were all corrupt." "They draw near to me with their lips,
but their hearts are far from me; they teach for doctrine the commandments of
men, having a form of godliness; but they deny the power thereof."
These eight years may be termed the preparatory period preceeding the
restoration of the Priesthood and the organization of the Church of Christ on
the earth. The angel Moroni appeared to the Prophet Joseph smith, jun.,
several times and finally delivered to him the plates of the Book of Mormon.
The translation of the sacred records was begun, and Joseph commenced to
receive revelations.
1821
Franklin Dewey Richards was born in Richmond, Berkshire Co., Mass.
1823
Joseph Smith, jun., while engaged in earnest prayer in his father's house
in Manchester, near Palmyra, N. Y., saw the room in which he had retired for
the night filled with light surpassing that of noonday, in the midst of which
stood a person dressed in white, whose countenance was as lightning, and yet
full of innocence and goodness. This was the angel Moroni (sometimes
erroneously called Nephi), who informed Joseph that God had a work for him
(Joseph) to do, and that his "name should be had for good and evil among all
nations." The angel quoted many passages of Scripture, and told Joseph that
the native inhabitants of America were a remnant of Israel who had anciently
enjoyed the ministry of inspired men, that records engraved on plates of gold,
containing their history and also the fulness of the everlasting Gospel had
been preserved and were buried in a neighboring hill. While conversing with
the angel, a vision was opened to Joseph's view, so that he could see the
place where the plates were deposited, and he was told by the angel that he
should obtain them at some future day, if he was faithful. After imparting
many instructions, the angel disappeared, but returned twice during the night,
and repeated what he had said on his first visit; he also gave further
instructions.
Joseph Smith, jun., was again visited by the angel Moroni and received
further instructions. He related what he had seen and heard to his father,
who believed his words, and advised him to do as he had been instructed. He
then went to the hill (Cumorah) that he had seen in his vision the previous
night, and soon found the spot where the plates containing the ancient records
were buried in a stone box. He lifted the lid of the box and beheld "the
plates, the Urim and Thummim and breastplate, as stated by the angel." While
attempting to "take them out," the angel informed him "that the time for
bringing them forth had not yet arrived, neither would, until four years from
that time."
1824
Joseph Smith, jun., again visited the hill Cumorah, according to previous
commandment, and there received further instructions from the angel. On the
same day of the two following years he made similar visits to the hill,
receiving instructions from the angel each time.
1827
George Quayle Cannon was born in Liverpool, Lancashire, England.
Joseph Smith, jun., married Emma Hale, a daughter of Isaac Hale, while in
the employ of Josiah Stoal, in Chenango County, N. Y.
The angel Moroni delivered to Joseph Smith, jun., the ancient records, or
the plates of the Book of Mormon; also the Urim and Thummim, with which to
translate them, and the breastplate.
When it became known that Joseph Smith, jun., had obtained the plates,
severe persecutions arose against him and his father's family, and every
effort was made to rob him of the sacred treasure.
Owing to persecutions Joseph Smith, jun., removed from Manchester, N. Y.,
to Harmony, Susquehanna Co., Pa., but there also persecution awaited him.
During this and the following month he translated some of the characters of
the plates.
1828
Martin Harris visited Joseph Smith, jun., at Harmony, Pa., and took some
of the characters, which had been transcribed, and the translation of them, to
New York City, where he showed them to Professor Charles Anthon and Doctor
Mitchell.
Martin Harris returned from New York City and commenced to write for
Joseph Smith. jun., who continued to translate from the plates until June
14th.
Martin Harris lost the manuscript which he had obtained contrary to the
will of the Lord. It consisted of 116 written pages translated from the
plates by Joseph Smith, jun., and has never since been recovered.
Joseph Smith, jun., having returned to Harmony, Pa., from a visit to his
father's family in Manchester, N. Y., enquired of the Lord through the Urim
and Thummim and received the first revelation published in the Book of
Doctrine and Covenants. (Doc. and Cov., Sec. 3.)
1829
During this year the translation of the Book of Mormon was completed by
Joseph Smith, jun., who was assisted by Oliver Cowdery as scribe; the plates
were shown to the Three Witnesses and the Eight Witnesses; the Aaronic
Priesthood was restored to the earth by John the Baptist, and, later, the
Melchizedek Priesthood by Peter, James and John; Joseph Smith, jun., and
Oliver Cowdery also commenced to preach and baptize.
Joseph Smith, jun., was visited by his father Joseph Smith, sen., at
Harmony, Pa., and received a revelation addressed to him. (Doc. and Cov.,
Sec. 4.)
The revelation known as Section 5 of the Doctrine and Covenants was given
at Harmony.
Joseph Smith, jun., and Oliver Cowdery met for the first time.
Joseph Smith, jun., resumed the translation of the Book of Mormon,
assisted by Oliver Cowdery as scribe, at Harmony.
Later in April, Oliver Cowdery was called by revelation to assist Joseph
Smith, jun., in his labors and stand by him in his difficulties. Oliver was
also promised the gift of translating like Joseph, if he desired it. (Doc.
and Cov., Sec. 6.)
The Lord revealed to Joseph Smith, jun., that John, the beloved Disciple,
was given power over death, that he might live and bring souls to Christ and
to prophesy before nations, kindreds, tongues and people until the coming of
Christ in his glory. (Doc. and Cov., Sec. 7.)
Oliver Cowdery was instructed by revelation through Joseph Smith, jun.,
to exercise great faith, that he might know the mysteries of God, translate
and receive knowledge from ancient records. (Doc. and Cov., Sec. 8.)
As Oliver Cowdery did not translate, according to his former desire, he
was commanded to write for Joseph Smith, jun., until the translation of the
Book of Mormon was finished. (Doc. and Cov., Sec. 9.)
A revelation concerning the alteration of the forepart of the Book of
Mormon was given to Joseph Smith, jun., at Harmony. (Doc. and Cov., Sec. 10.)
Joseph Smith, jun., was visited by Joseph Knight, sen., from Broome Co.,
N. Y., who brought him provisions. Mr. Knight being anxious to know his duty
in relation to the work of God, Joseph Smith, jun., enquired of the Lord and
received a revelation. (Doc. and Cov., Sec. 12.)
While Joseph Smith, jun., and Oliver Cowdery were engaged in prayer in
the woods, near Harmony, John the Baptist descended as a messenger from heaven
in a cloud of light and ordained them to the Priesthood of Aaron and commanded
them to baptize and ordain each other. This they did the same day.
Immediately after being baptized, the Holy Ghost fell upon them in great
measure and both prophesied. (See Doc. and Cov., Sec. 13, and History of
Joseph Smith.)
Samuel Harrison Smith, who had come to visit his brother Joseph at
Harmony, was baptized by Oliver Cowdery.
A few days later Hyrum Smith visited Harmony to make enquiries about the
work of God, and received through his brother Joseph a revelation, calling him
to assist in the work. (Doc. and Cov., Sec. 11.)
Joseph Smith, jun., removed from Harmony, Pa., to the home of Peter
Whitmer, sen., at Fayette, Seneca Co., N. Y., where he resided while finishing
the translation of the Book of Mormon. The Whitmer family was very kind to
Joseph, and John Whitmer rendered efficient aid as a scribe.
David Whitmer, John Whitmer and Peter Whitmer, jun., being very desirous
to know their respective duties, besought Joseph Smith, jun., to "enquire of
the Lord concerning them." He did so through the Urim and Thummim, and
received the revelations known as Sections 14, 15 and 16 of the Doctrine and
Covenants.
Hyrum Smith, David Whitmer and Peter Whitmer, jun., were baptized in
Seneca lake, near Fayette.
As Joseph Smith, jun., progressed with the work of translation, he
ascertained that three special witnesses "were to be provided by the Lord" to
see the plates and bear record of the same. (Ether. 5:2-4.) Oliver Cowdery,
David Whitmer and Martin Harris, being very desirous to "be these three
special witnesses," received the promise by revelation through Joseph Smith,
jun., that they should "have a view of the plates, and also of the
breastplate, the sword of Laban, the Urim and Thummim and the miraculous
directors." (Doc. and Cov., Sec. 17.)
A few days later an angel showed the plates of the Book of Mormon to the
Three Witnesses.
Soon afterwards the plates were shown by Joseph Smith, jun., to Christian
Whitmer, Jacob Whitmer, Peter Whitmer, jun., John Whitmer, Hiram Page, Joseph
Smith, sen., Hyrum Smith and Samuel H. Smith, who subsequently gave their
testimony as the Eight Witnesses to the Book of Mormon.
A revelation was given to Joseph Smith, jun., Oliver Cowdery and David
Whitmer, "making known the calling of Twelve Apostles in these last days," and
containing "instructions relative to building up the Church of Christ,
according to the fulness of the gospel." (Doc. and Cov., Sec. 18.)
Joseph Smith, jun., and Oliver Cowdery being desirous to obtain the
Melchizedek Priesthood which had been promised them by John the Baptist,
engaged in "solemn and fervent prayer," at Fayette, when "the word of the Lord
came," commanding them to ordain each other. But they were to wait for this
ordination till the others who had been baptized assembled together.
1830
In the beginning of this year the Book of Mormon was printed and
published in the English language. This first edition of the book, consisting
of 5,000 copies, was printed by Egbert Grandin, at Palmyra, N. Y. Soon
afterwards the Church was organized; the first conferences were held, the
first missionaries sent out to preach the fulness of the gospel, and several
revelations given for the government of the Church; a large branch was
established at Kirtland, Ohio, etc.
Martin Harris was commanded by revelation through Joseph Smith, jun., at
Manchester, N. Y., to repent of his sins. (Doc. and Cov., Sec. 19.)
An important revelation on Priesthood and Church government in general
was given through Joseph Smith, jun. (Doc. and Cov., Sec. 20.)
The Church (afterwards named by revelation the Church of Jesus Christ of
Latter-Saints) was organized according to the laws of the State of New York,
in the house of Peter Whitmer, sen., at Fayette, Seneca Co., N. Y., with six
members, namely, Joseph Smith, jun., Oliver Cowdery, Hyrum Smith, Peter
Whitmer, jun., Samuel H. Smith and David Whitmer. Joseph Smith, jun., and
Oliver Cowdery ordained each other Elders--the first Elders in the
Church--according to commandment from God. They then laid hands on all the
baptized members present, "that they might receive the gift of the Holy Ghost
and be confirmed members of the Church." The Holy Ghost was poured out upon
them "to a very great degree." Some prophesied and "all praised the Lord and
rejoiced exceedingly."
The Church was commanded by revelation to keep a record, and Joseph
Smith, jun., was named by the Lord a Seer, a Revelator, a Prophet, an Apostle
of Jesus Christ, etc. (Doc. and Cov., Sec. 20.)
Soon after the organization of the Church the Prophet's parents (Joseph
Smith, sen., and Lucy Smith), Martin Harris and A. Rockwell were baptized.
Some persons who had been baptized in the sectarian denominations desired
to join the Church without further baptism, but the Lord, by revelation
through the Prophet Joseph, instructed them to enter in at the gate, as He had
commanded, and not seek to counsel God. (Doc. and Cov., Sec. 22.)
Oliver Cowdery, Hyrum Smith, Samuel H. Smith and Joseph Knight being
anxious to know their respective duties in relation to the work of God, Joseph
the Prophet inquired of the Lord and received a revelation. (Doc. and Cov.,
Sec. 23.)
Oliver Cowdery preached the first public discourse delivered by any of
the Elders in this dispensation. The meeting was held in the house of Peter
Whitmer, sen., at Fayette. Hiram Page, Catherine Page, Christian Whitmer,
Annie Whitmer, Jacob Whitmer and Elizabeth Whitmer were baptized by Oliver
Cowdery, in Seneca lake.
Peter Whitmer, sen., Mary Whitmer, Wm. Jolly, Elizabeth Jolly, Vincent
Jolly, Ziba Peterson and Elizabeth Anne Whitmer were baptized by Oliver
Cowdery in Seneca lake.
Late in April the Prophet Joseph visited Joseph Knight, at Colesville,
Broome Co., N. Y., where, under the Prophet's administration, the first
miracle was wrought in this dispensation, viz: casting out devils.
Newel Knight visited Joseph Smith, jun., at Fayette and was baptized by
David Whitmer.
The Church held its first conference, at Fayette. Several of the
brethren were ordained to the Priesthood; the Holy Spirit was poured out in a
miraculous manner; many of the Saints prophesied and Newel Knight and others
had heavenly visions.
Later in June David Whitmer baptized Wm. Smith, Don Carlos Smith,
Catherine Smith and six others in Seneca lake.
Joseph Smith, jun., returned with his family to his own home at Harmony,
Pa.
Joseph Smith, jun., Oliver Cowdery, John Whitmer and David Whitmer
visited Colesville, N. Y., where they held meeting, notwithstanding the mob,
and baptized thirteen persons, among whom were Emma Smith and Joseph Knight.
Joseph Smith, jun., was arrested, charged with setting the country in an
uproar by his preaching, tried and acquitted in South Bainbridge, Chenango
Co., N. Y. Immediately afterwards he was again arrested, tried and acquitted
at Colesville.
Joseph Smith, jun., and Oliver Cowdery again visited Colesville, but were
driven away by a mob.
An important revelation (Words of Moses) was given to Joseph Smith, jun.
(Pearl of Great Price, page 1.)
Joseph Smith, jun. and Oliver Cowdery again visited Colesville and
confirmed the newly baptized members.
Joseph Smith, jun., was commanded by revelation to devote all his time to
the interest of the Church, but in temporal labors he should "not have
strength." (Doc. and Cov., Sec. 24.)
Emma Smith, the Prophet's wife, was called by the Lord to expound
scriptures, exhort the Church, and make a selection of sacred hymns for the
use of the Saints. (Doc. and Cov., Sec. 25.)
The Lord commanded that "all things" in the Church should "be done by
common consent." (Doc. and Cov., Sec. 26.)
Oliver Cowdery returned to Fayette where he and the Whitmer family became
disaffected because of a paragraph in one of the revelations (Doc. and Cov.,
20:37); but Joseph the Prophet paid them a visit and set matters right.
Newel Knight and wife visited Joseph Smith, jun., at Harmony, Pa., which
gave occasion for the appearance of a heavenly messenger and a revelation on
the Sacrament. (Doc. and Cov., Sec. 27, and History of Joseph Smith.)
Joseph Smith, jun., and others visited the branch of the Church at
Colesville, N. Y., where they barely escaped mob violence.
Joseph the Prophet removed with his family to Fayette, N. Y., on account
of the persecutions prevailing against them at Harmony. At Fayette, Hiram
Page had obtained possession of a stone by means of which he received false
revelations.
In a revelation, given through Joseph the Prophet to Oliver Cowdery, the
Lord said that "those things" which Hiram Page had written from the stone were
not of God, and that none could receive commandments and revelations for the
Church except Joseph Smith, jun. (Doc. and Cov., Sec. 28.)
In a revelation given through Joseph the Prophet in the presence of six
Elders at Fayette, N. Y., the Lord spoke of the gathering of the Saints, the
end of the world, the reward of the righteous, the punishment of the wicked,
etc. (Doc. and Cov., Sec. 29.)
The second conference of the Church, which was continued three days, was
held at Fayette, N. Y. After considerable discussion, Hiram Page and the
whole Church renounced the stone and all things connected therewith," after
which the power of God was made manifest. David Whitmer, Peter Whitmer, jun.,
John Whitmer and Thos. B. Marsh were called by revelation to preach the
gospel. (Doc. and Cov., Sec. 30 and 31.)
Oliver Cowdery, Parley P. Pratt, Peter Whitmer, jun., and Ziba Peterson
were called by revelation to preach the gospel to the Lamanites. (Doc. and
Cov., Sec. 32.)
Oliver Cowdery, Parley P. Pratt, Peter Whitmer, jun., and Ziba Peterson
started westward as the first missionaries to the Lamanites. On their journey
they established a large branch of the Church at Kirtland, Geauga Co., O.
Among those baptized by Parley P. Pratt was Sidney Rigdon.
A revelation calling Ezra Thayre and Northrop Sweet to the ministry was
given through Joseph Smith, jun., at Fayette. (Doc. and Cov., Sec. 33.)
Orson Pratt, then nineteen years old, was called to the ministry by
revelation through Joseph Smith, jun. Brother Pratt was visiting the Prophet
at Fayette. (Doc. and Cov., Sec. 34.)
William B. Preston was born in Franklin County, Va.
Sidney Rigdon and Edward Partridge, from Ohio, visited Joseph Smith,
jun., at Fayette, N. Y. Sidney Rigdon was called by revelation to assist
Joseph in his labors, and both he and Edward Partridge were commanded to
preach the gospel. (Doc. and Cov., Sec. 35 and 36.)
The prophecy of Enoch was revealed to Joseph the Prophet. (See Pearl of
Great Price.)
The Saints in the State of New York were commanded by revelation to
gather to Ohio. (Doc. and Cov., Sec. 37.)
Edward Partridge was baptized by Joseph Smith, jun., in the Seneca river.
1831
The first Elders arrived in Jackson County, Mo., and the Saints from the
State of New York and other places commenced to build up Kirtland, O., where
the Prophet Joseph also located with his family. Jackson County, Mo., was
named by the Lord a land of Zion where the New Jerusalem should be built, and
where the Saints were to gather. The land was dedicated for that purpose, a
Temple site selected and dedicated, and the building of a settlement
commenced. The Elders also began to preach the gospel with great zeal.
The third conference of the Church was held at Fayette, Seneca Co., N.
Y., and a revelation given through Joseph Smith, jun., in which the Lord
promised the Saints a land of inheritance. (Doc. and Cov., Sec. 38.)
James Coville, a Baptist minister, who had come to visit Joseph at
Fayette, was commanded by revelation through Joseph the Prophet to receive the
fulness of the gospel. (Doc. and Cov., Sec. 39.)
As James Coville rejected the word of the Lord and returned to his former
doctrines and people, the Lord gave a revelation explaining why he did so.
(Doc. and Cov., Sec. 40.)
In the latter part of this month, Joseph Smith, jun. and wife, in company
with Sidney Rigdon and Edward Partridge, left Fayette, N. Y., for Kirtland,
Geauga Co., O., where they arrived about the first of February.
Oliver Cowdery and fellow-missionaries arrived in Jackson County,
Missouri, where they commenced their mission among the Lamanites on its
western border.
Edward Partridge was called by revelation to leave his merchandise and be
ordained the first Bishop of the Church. (Doc. and Cov., Sec. 41.) This was
the first revelation given through Joseph the Prophet at Kirtland, O.
In the presence of twelve Elders, the Lord gave through Joseph Smith,
jun., an important revelation on Church government and how transgressors
should be dealt with. The Elders were commanded to go out two and two to
preach the gospel. (Doc. and Cov., Sec. 42.)
Oliver Cowdery, Parley P. Pratt, Ziba Peterson, Peter Whitmer, jun., and
Frederick G. Williams (who had joined the mission at Kirtland, O.) held a
council at Independence, Mo., and decided that Parley P. Pratt should return
to the East to report their labors to the heads of the Church.
A woman, who pretended to receive commandments, laws and other "curious
matters," visited Joseph Smith, jun., who inquired of the Lord and received a
revelation in which God said that none but Joseph would be appointed to
receive revelations and commandments, as long as he lived and remained
faithful. (Doc. and Cov., Sec. 43.)
A revelation instructing the Elders who had gone on missions to assemble
at Kirtland in June following was given to Joseph Smith, jun., and Sidney
Rigdon, at Kirtland. (Doc. and Cov., Sec. 44.)
An important revelation concerning the salvation of man and the
calamities of the last days was given through Joseph Smith, jun., at Kirtland.
The Saints were also commanded to gather means wherewith to purchase a land of
inheritance on which to build a New Jerusalem. (Doc. and Cov., Sec. 45.)
A revelation was given through Joseph Smith, jun., at Kirtland, relative
to the gifts of the Holy Ghost, and John Whitmer was called by revelation to
be Church Historian. (Doc. and Cov., Sec. 46 and 47.)
Later in March, the Saints were commanded by revelation to save their
money to purchase land for an inheritance; and Sidney Rigdon, Parley P. Pratt
and Lemon Copley were called by revelation to preach the gospel to the
Quakers. (Doc. and Cov., Sec. 48 and 49.)
Joseph Smith, jun., continued to translate the Scriptures.
As a number of Elders did not understand the different spirits which
manifested themselves at the time, Joseph Smith, jun., inquired of the Lord
and received a revelation. (Doc. and Cov., Sec. 50.)
The Saints from the State of New York and other places commenced to
gather to Kirtland, O., and vicinity; and Edward Partridge was appointed by
revelation through Joseph Smith, jun., to locate them for a short time at
Thompson, Geauga Co., O., agreeable to the principles of the United Order.
(Doc. and Cov., Sec. 51.)
The fourth conference of the Church was held, at Kirtland, O., on which
occasion several brethren were called by revelation to the office of High
Priests. This was the first occasion in which this office in the Priesthood
was fully revealed and conferred upon any of the Elders in this dispensation.
Joseph Smith and about thirty other Elders were called by revelation to
go to Missouri and preach the gospel by the way. (Doc. and Cov., Sec. 52.)
Later in June, a revelation was given through Joseph Smith, jun., at
Kirtland, to Algernon Sidney Gilbert. (Doc. and Cov., Sec. 53.)
The Saints in Thompson, O., were commanded by revelation to remove to
Missouri. (Doc. and Cov., Sec. 54.)
The Elders, in obedience to revelation, began to take their departure for
the western country two and two.
About the middle of the month, Wm. W. Phelps arrived at Kirtland with his
family. He was commanded by revelation to receive the fulness of the gospel,
and then to assist in writing and printing for the Church, and also accompany
the Prophet Joseph and Sidney Rigdon to Missouri. (Doc. and Cov., Sec. 55.)
Thomas B. Marsh and others were commanded by revelation through the
Prophet Joseph to go to Missouri. (Doc. and Cov., Sec. 56.)
Joseph Smith, jun., Sidney Rigdon, Martin Harris, Edward Partridge, Wm.
W. Phelps, Joseph Coe and A.S. Gilbert and wife left Kirtland, O., for
Missouri.
About the middle of this month Joseph Smith, jun., and his companions
arrived at Independence, Jackson Co., Mo. The first Sabbath after their
arrival Wm. W. Phelps preached to a western audience, over the boundary line
of the United States. The following week the Colesville branch arrived. The
Lord revealed the location of the New Jerusalem and the spot upon which the
Temple was to be built. (Doc. and Cov., Sec. 57.)
A revelation, directing the Saints how to locate in the land of Zion, was
given in Jackson County. (Doc. and Cov., Sec. 58.)
The Saints commenced erecting houses in Jackson County, the first log
being laid in Kaw Township, twelve miles southwest of Independence. The log
was carried and placed in position by twelve men, in honor of the twelve
tribes of israel. On that occasion the land of Zion was consecrated and
dedicated by Elder Rigdon for the gathering of the Saints.
The spot for the Temple, a short distance west of Independence, was
dedicated in the presence of eight brethren, among whom were Joseph Smith,
jun., Sidney Rigdon, Edward Partridge, Wm. W. Phelps, Oliver Cowdery, Martin
Harris and Joseph Coe.
The fifth conference of the Church, and the first in the land of Zion,
was held at the house of brother Joshua Lewis, in Kaw Township, Jackson Co.,
Mo.
Polly Knight, wife of Joseph Knight, sen., died in Jackson County, Mo.
This was the first death among the Saints in that land. On the same day
Joseph the Prophet received a revelation about the Sabbath. (Doc. and Cov.,
Sec. 59.)
A revelation, directing some of the brethren to return to the East, was
given through Joseph Smith, jun., in Jackson County. (Doc. and Cov., Sec.
60.)
Joseph the Prophet, in company with ten Elders, left Independence, Mo.,
in sixteen canoes, on their return to Kirtland, O.
The returning Elders reached McIlwair's Bend (of the Missouri river)
where Wm. W. Phelps "saw in open vision, by daylight, the Destroyer in his
most horrible power ride upon the face of the water; others heard the noise,
but saw not the vision."
A revelation was given through Joseph Smith, jun. at McIlwairs' Bend,
about the cursing of the waters in the last days. (Doc. and Cov., Sec. 61.)
Joseph Smith, jun., and company met several of the Elders on their way to
the land of Zion. A revelation was given to them through Joseph Smith, jun.,
on the bank of the Missouri river. (Doc. and Cov., Sec. 62.)
Joseph Smith, jun., Sidney Rigdon and Oliver Cowdery arrived at Kirtland,
O., from their visit to Missouri.
Late in August, the Saints were commanded by revelation, through Joseph
the Prophet, to purchase lands in Jackson County, Mo., and the future
persecutions of the Church were foreshadowed. (Doc. and Cov., Sec. 63.)
The Saints were commanded by revelation, through Joseph Smith, jun., to
forgive one another; and the Lord, in speaking of the present time, said it
was a day of sacrifice and a day of tithing for His people. (Doc. and Cov.,
Sec. 64.)
Joseph Smith, jun., removed with his family from Kirtland to Hiram,
Portage Co., O., about thirty miles from Kirtland, where he continued the
translation of the Bible.
Ezra Booth, formerly a Methodist minister, came out as an apostate.
A conference was held in Hiram, at which Wm. W. Phelps was instructed to
purchase a press and type, at Cincinnati, O., for the purpose of establishing
and publishing a monthly paper at Independence, Jackson Co., Mo., to be called
the Evening and Morning Star.
Early in this month the revelation on prayer was given. (Doc. and Cov.,
Sec. 65.)
A conference was held at Father John Johnson's house, in Hiram, at which
the Elders were instructed about the ancient manner of holding meetings.
An important conference was held at Orange, Cuyahoga Co., O. Wm. E.
McLellin and Samuel H. Smith were called by revelation through Joseph the
Prophet to preach the gospel. (Doc. and Cov., Sec. 66.)
At a special conference held at Hiram, Oliver Cowdery was appointed to go
to Independence, Jackson Co., Mo., with the revelations which Joseph the
Prophet had received up to that time and get them printed. The revelation
known as the Preface to the Doctrine and Covenants was given." (Doc. and
Cov., Sec. 1.)
Some of the brethren having criticised the language used in some of the
revelations, given through Joseph the Prophet, the Lord gave the wisest among
the Elders permission to write a revelation like the least of those the
Prophet had received, on certain conditions. (See Doc. and Cov., Sec. 67.)
Wm. E. McLellin, as the "wisest man in his own estimation," failed in his
attempt to write a revelation. (See History of Joseph Smith.)
The revelation called the Appendix was given through Joseph Smith, jun.
(Doc. and Cov., Sec. 133.)
In a revelation given through Joseph Smith, jun., at Hiram, to Orson
Hyde, Luke S. Johnson, Lyman E. Johnson and Wm. E. McLellin, the Lord
explained the nature and authority of the Aaronic Priesthood, the duties of
parents towards their children, etc. (Doc. and Cov., Sec. 68.)
John Whitmer was called by revelation to accompany Oliver Cowdery to
Missouri, and to travel among the different branches of the Church in order to
obtain information in his capacity as Church Historian. (Doc. and Cov., Sec.
69.)
Joseph Smith, jun., Martin Harris, Oliver Cowdery, John Whitmer, Sidney
Rigdon and Wm. W. Phelps were appointed by revelation "to be stewards over the
revelations and commandments" which had been given. (Doc. and Cov., Sec. 70.)
Oliver Cowdery and John Whitmer started for Missouri with the
revelations, after which Joseph the Prophet, assisted by Sidney Rigdon as
scribe, resumed the translation of the Scriptures.
Joseph Smith, jun,. and Sidney Rigdon were called by revelation to go out
and preach the gospel. (Doc. and Cov., Sec. 71.)
Joseph Smith, jun., and Sidney Rigdon went to Kirtland in obedience to
revelation.
Joseph Smith, jun., and a number of other Elders and members of the
Church assembled at Kirtland to learn their duties. Newel K. Whitney was
called by revelation to act as Bishop in Kirtland, and the duties of that
calling were made known. (Doc. and Cov., Sec. 72.)
Geo. Teasdale was born in London, England.
1832
Joseph the Prophet visited Missouri a second time. The Evening and
Morning Star, the first organ of the Church, was commenced at Independence,
Jackson Co., Mo., and many important revelations for the government of the
Church and the instructions of the Saints were given.
Joseph Smith, jun., preached in Shalersville, Ravenna and other places in
Portage County, Ohio.
The Elders were commanded by revelation to continue their preaching till
the next conference. (Doc. and Cov., Sec. 73.)
Later in the month, a revelation, explaining 1 Cor. 7:14, was given to
Joseph Smith, jun., at Hiram. (Doc. and Cov., Sec. 74.)
A conference was held at Amherst, Loraine Co., O., at which a number of
Elders were called by revelation on special missions and to preach the gospel
in different parts of the country. (Doc. and Cov., Sec. 75.)
The revelation known as the "Vision" was given at Hiram, in which the
beautiful doctrine of the three glories was explained. In this vision Joseph
Smith, jun., and Sidney Rigdon "beheld the glory of the Son on the right hand
of the Father," and "saw the holy angels and they who are sanctified before
His throne." And after the many testimonies which had been given of the Son,
they, last of all, gave this testimony, that he lived, for they "saw him, even
at the right hand of God," and "heard the voice bearing record that he is the
Only Begotten of the Father." (Doc. and Cov., Sec. 76.)
A key to John's Revelation was given to Joseph Smith, jun., at Hiram.
(Doc. and Cov., Sec. 77.)
The order of the Lord in relation to the poor was revealed. (Doc. and
Cov., Sec. 78.)
Jared Carter, Stephen Burnett and Eden Smith were called by revelation to
preach the gospel, and Frederick G. Williams to be a Counselor to Joseph
Smith, jun. (Doc. and Cov., Sec. 79, 80 and 81.)
Joseph Smith, jun., left Hiram, O., to make a second journey to Missouri,
accompanied by Newel K. Whitney, Peter Whitmer, jun., and Jesse Cause to
fulfil a revelation. (See Doc. and Cov., Sec. 78:9.)
Brigham Young was baptized by Eleazer Miller at Mendon, Monroe Co., N. Y.
Joseph Smith, jun., and company arrived at Independence, Jackson Co., Mo.
At a general council, held in Jackson County, Mo., Joseph Smith, jun.,
was acknowledged the president of the High Priesthood.
A revelation "showing the order given to Enoch and the Church in his day"
was given. (Doc. and Cov., Sec. 82.)
A revelation concerning the rights of women and children in the Church
was given through Joseph Smith, jun., at Independence, Mo. (Doc. and Cov.,
Sec. 83.)
At a council, held at Independence, it was decided to print 3,000 copies
of the "Book of Commandments."
Joseph Smith, jun., Sidney Rigdon and Newel K. Whitney left Independence,
Mo., for Ohio. On the journey Bro. Whitney broke his leg and was miraculously
healed. Joseph was poisoned by his enemies, but was restored in an instant.
Joseph Smith, jun., arrived at Kirtland, O., and recommenced the
translation of the Scriptures; thus he spent most of the summer.
The first number of the Evening and Morning Star was issued at
Independence, Mo. The Upper Missouri Advertizer, a newspaper, was commenced
about the same time in connection with the Star.
An important revelation on Priesthood was given through Joseph Smith,
jun., at Kirtland, O., as the Elders began to return from their missions to
the Eastern States. (Doc. and Cov., Sec. 84.)
Marriner Wood Merrill was born in Sackville, County of Westmoreland, New
Brunswick.
Joseph Smith returned home from a rapid journey to Albany, New York and
Boston. On the day of his return his son Joseph was born.
Joseph Smith, jun., wrote an encouraging letter and revelation to the
Saints in Jackson County, Mo. (Doc. and Cov., Sec. 85.)
A revelation, explaining the parable of the wheat and tares, was given
through Joseph Smith, jun., at Kirtland. (Doc. and Cov., Sec. 86.)
Joseph Smith, jun., prophesied about the civil war between the North and
the South which commenced about twenty-eight years afterwards. (Doc. and
Cov., Sec. 87.)
The revelation known as the "Olive Leaf" was given through Joseph Smith,
jun., at Kirtland, O. It contains grand and glorious principles and tells of
important future events. The Saints were commanded to build a House of the
Lord at Kirtland and to open a school for the benefit of the Elders to be
known as the School of the Prophets. (Doc. and Cov., Sec. 88.)
Joseph Smith, jun., spent the winter of 1832-33 translating the
Scriptures, attending the School of the Prophets and sitting in conferences.
1833
During this year the First Presidency of the Church was organized and the
translation of the Bible finished by the Prophet Joseph; the corner stones of
the Kirtland Temple were laid, and the Saints driven by a mob from their homes
in Jackson County, Mo. The Church printing office having been destroyed by
the mob in Missouri, a new press and type were secured, and the publication of
the Evening and Morning Star was recommenced at Kirtland, O.
Joseph Smith, jun., Sidney Rigdon, Frederick G. Williams, Newel K.
Whitney, Hyrum Smith, Zebedee Coltrin, Joseph Smith, sen., Samuel H. Smith,
John Murdock, Lyman E. Johnson, Orson Hyde, Ezra Thayer, Levi W. Hancock and
William Smith assembled in conference at Kirtland, O. On this occasion the
Prophet Joseph, Zebedee Coltrin and Wm. Smith spoke in tongues, "after which
the Lord poured out his spirit in a miraculous manner, until all the Elders
and several members, both male and female, spoke in tongues." Praises were
sung to God and the Lamb, and speaking and praying in tongues occupied the
conference until a late hour at night. (See History of Joseph Smith.)
The conference was continued at Kirtland. "After much speaking, singing,
praying and praising God, all in tongues," the brethren "proceeded to the
washing of feet, as commanded of the Lord," according to the practice recorded
in John 13:4-15. (See History of Joseph Smith.)
Joseph Smith, jun., completed the translation of the New Testament.
The revelation known as the "Word of Wisdom," was given through Joseph
Smith, jun., at Kirtland. (Doc. and Cov., Sec. 89.)
A revelation concerning the keys of the kingdom and the oracles of God
was given to Joseph Smith, jun., at Kirtland. (Doc. and Cov., Sec. 90.)
Joseph Smith, jun., was commanded by revelation not to translate the
Apocrypha. (Doc. and Cov., Sec. 91.)
A revelation concerning Frederick G. Williams was given through Joseph
Smith, jun., at Kirtland. (Doc. and Cov., Sec. 92.)
Sidney Rigdon and Frederick G. Williams were appointed and set apart by
President Joseph Smith to be his Counselors in the Presidency of the Church,
according to the revelation given March 8th. On the same occasion "many of
the brethren saw a heavenly vision of the Savior and concourses of angels."
(See History of Joseph Smith.)
A committee was appointed to purchase lands for the Saints at Kirtland.
An important council was held by the High Priests in Jackson County, Mo.,
in which some misunderstanding in regard to the presiding authorities in that
land was amicably settled.
In this month the first mob gathered at Independence, Jackson Co., Mo.,
to consult upon a plan for the removal or immediate destruction of the Church
in that county.
About eighty official and some unofficial members of the Church met at
the ferry on Big Blue river, near the western boundary of Jackson County, Mo.,
and, for the first time, celebrated the birthday of the Church.
Hyrum Smith, Jared Carter and Reynolds Cahoon were appointed a committee
to obtain subscriptions for building a house for the Priesthood at Kirtland.
A revelation on the pre-existence of man was given through Joseph Smith,
jun., at Kirtland, and on the same date the Saints were commanded by
revelation to build a House to the Lord at Kirtland. (Doc. and Cov., Sec. 93
and 94.)
The Lord gave further instructions to Joseph the Prophet about the Temple
to be built at Kirtland. (Doc. and Cov., Sec. 95.)
A revelation, showing the order of the Kirtland Stake of Zion, was given
to Joseph Smith, jun. (Doc. and Cov., Sec. 96.)
A conference of High Priests held at Kirtland, O., instructed the
committee for building the House of the Lord to proceed at once in obtaining
material for its construction.
Doctor P. Hurlburt, afterwards connected with the spurious Spaulding
story, was excommunicated from the Church for adultery.
An explanation of the plat of the city of Zion was sent to the brethren
in Jackson County, Mo. (See History of Joseph Smith.)
By this time about twelve hundred Saints, including children, had
gathered to Jackson County, Mo.
Joseph the Prophet finished the translation of the Bible.
The printing office belonging to the Saints at Independence, Jackson
Count, Mo., was destroyed by a mob, who also tarred and feathered Bishop
Edward Partridge and a Brother Allen.
Orson Pratt preached in Patten, Canada. This is supposed to be the first
discourse preached by a Latter-day Saint Elder in The Dominion.
The Saints at Independence, Mo., made a treaty with the mob and consented
to leave Jackson County. Oliver Cowdery was dispatched as a special messenger
to Kirtland O., to consult with the First Presidency.
The corner stones of the Lord's House at Kirtland, O., were laid.
In a revelation given through Joseph Smith, jun., at Kirtland, the Lord
commanded that a house be built to Him in the land of Zion by the tithing of
His people. (Doc. and Cov., Sec. 97.)
The Saints were commanded by revelation to observe the constitutional
laws of the land, to forgive their enemies and cultivate a spirit of charity
toward all men. Their rights of self-defense were also made clear. (Doc. and
Cov., Sec. 98.)
A few days later John Murdock was called to the ministry by revelation.
(Doc. and Cov., Sec. 99.)
It was decided in council to establish a printing press at Kirtland, and
publish a paper to be called the Latter-day Saints' Messenger and Advocate;
also that the Evening and Morning Star, formerly published in Jackson County,
Mo., should be published at Kirtland.
Bishop Edward Partridge was acknowledged as the head of the Church in
Zion, and ten High Priests were appointed to watch over the ten branches of
the Church there.
Orson Hyde and John Gould arrived in Jackson County, Mo., as messengers
from Kirtland; and the Church in Zion dispatched Wm. W. Phelps and Orson Hyde
to Governor Daniel Dunklin at Jefferson City, with a petition from the Saints.
Joseph Smith, jun., in company with Elders Sidney Rigdon and Freeman
Nickerson, left Kirtland on a visit to Canada.
Wm. W. Phelps and Orson Hyde presented to Governor Daniel Dunklin, of
Missouri, the petition from the Saints in Jackson County.
In a revelation given at Perrysburg, N. Y., Joseph Smith, jun., and
Sidney Rigdon were commanded to continue their missionary labors in the East.
(Doc. and Cov., Sec. 100.)
In answer to the petition from the Saints in Jackson County, Gov.
Dunklin, of Missouri, wrote a letter to the leading men of the Church in that
county, promising to enforce the laws.
Joseph Smith, jun., preached and baptized twelve persons at Mount
Pleasant, Upper Canada.
a mob attacked a branch of the Church, west of the Big Blue, in Jackson
County, Mo., destroyed ten houses, and beat several of the brethren in a most
brutal manner.
The Saints at Independence were attacked by a mob, and Gilbert &
Whitney's store was partly destroyed, besides many private dwellings.
The mob attacked the Saints on the Big Blue, Jackson County, and beat
David Bennett severely.
A skirmish took place between a company of Saints and a mob, several
miles west of the Big Blue, in Jackson County. Andrew Barber, one of the
Saints, was mortally wounded, two of the mob were killed, and several others
wounded on both sides.
Joseph Smith, jun., returned to Kirtland, O., from his mission to Canada.
Col. Thos. Pitcher, commanding the mob militia, in Jackson County,
demanded that the Saints should give up their arms, which order was
reluctantly complied with. During the following night and the next day the
mob drove the Saints from their homes at the point of the bayonet. The exiles
were thereby exposed to the most severe sufferings from cold and hunger.
On this and the following day the exiled Saints were busy crossing the
Missouri river from Jackson to Clay County, Mo., where the inhabitants
received them with some degree of kindness.
Others of the Saints found temporary shelter in Ray, Van Buren, Lafayette
and other counties.
A grand meteoric shower or "falling of the stars" was witnessed
throughout the land, which cheered the Saints and alarmed their enemies.
Persecution raged against the Saints who had fled to Van Buren County,
Mo.
Oliver Cowdery and Bishop Newel K. Whitney arrived at Kirtland, O., with
a new printing press.
The Saints in Clay County, Mo., sent another petition to Gov. Dunklin,
praying for redress.
Joseph Smith, jun., received a revelation at Kirtland, O., in which the
Lord said that he had allowed afflictions to come upon the Saints in Missouri
because of their transgressions, but that he in His own due time would permit
the pure in heart to return to their inheritances. This was illustrated by a
parable. (Doc. and Cov., Sec. 101.)
The printing office at Kirtland, O., was dedicated and the publication of
the Evening and Morning Star recommenced with Oliver Cowdery as editor.
Joseph Smith, sen., was ordained Patriarch to the whole Church.
Wm. Pratt and David W. Patten left Kirtland, O., for Missouri, bearing a
message from the First Presidency to the exiled Saints.
Four aged families, living near Independence, Mo., whose penury and
infirmities, incident to old age, forbade a speedy removal, were driven from
their houses by a mob.
The printing press and materials, taken from the Saints at Independence,
Mo., were disposed of by the mob to Davis & Kelley, who removed them to Clay
County, and there commenced the publication of the Missouri Enquirer.
Wilford Woodruff was baptized at Richland, N. Y., by Zera Pulsipher.
1834
The first High Council of the Church was organized at Kirtland, O.
Zion's Camp made its famous march to Missouri, and a High Council was
organized in Clay County, Mo., where most of the Saints, who had been expelled
from Jackson County, had located.
A conference of the scattered Saints in Clay County, Mo., resolved to
send Lyman Wight and Parley P. Pratt as special messengers to the First
Presidency at Kirtland, O.
The first High Council of the Church was organized at Kirtland. The
members were Joseph Smith, sen., John Smith, Joseph Coe, John Johnson, Martin
Harris, John S. Carter, Jared Carter, Oliver Cowdery, Samuel H. Smith, Orson
Hyde, Sylvester Smith and Luke S. Johnson. Joseph Smith, jun., Sidney Rigdon
and Frederick G. Williams were acknowledged as presidents by the voice of the
council. (Doc. and Cov., Sec. 102.)
The first case brought before the High Council was tried at Kirtland.
Lyman Leonard, who had returned from Van Buren County, Mo., and Joseph
Summer and Barnet Cole were severely beaten with clubs by a mob in Jackson
County, Mo.
A revelation concerning the redemption of Zion was given through Joseph
Smith, jun., at Kirtland, O. (Doc. and Cov., Sec. 103.)
Joseph Smith, jun., returned to Kirtland from his trip to the State of
New York, whither he went to get volunteers for the expedition to Missouri.
Dr. P. Hurlburt, the apostate, who had threatened the life of Joseph the
Prophet, was put under $300 bonds in Chardon, Ohio.
The United Order at Kirtland was dissolved.
The Saints, who had been expelled from Jackson County, Mo., wrote a
petition to the President of the United States, asking for redress.
A revelation was given through Joseph Smith, jun., concerning the order
of Enoch. (Doc. and Cov., Sec. 104.)
On this and the following six days the mob burned about one hundred and
fifty houses belonging to the Saints in Jackson County, Mo.
Over twenty men with four baggage wagons left Kirtland, O., for Missouri
and traveled to New Portage, about fifty miles distant, where they waited for
the rest of the company from Kirtland.
At a conference of Elders, held at Kirtland, the Church was first named
"The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints."
Joseph Smith, jun., left Kirtland with the remainder of the company,
which was being organized for the relief of the suffering Saints in Missouri.
The Prophet's company of volunteers, known in the history of the Church
as Zion's Camp, was partly organized, consisting of over one hundred and fifty
men with twenty baggage wagons.
The organization of Zion's Camp was completed, and it traveled twelve
miles.
On this and the following day Zion's Camp crossed the Mississippi river
into Missouri. Sylvester Smith rebelled against the order of the company.
Zion's Camp was strengthened by a company of volunteers led by Hyrum
Smith and Lyman Wight. It then numbered two hundred and five men and
twenty-five baggage wagons.
A large meeting of the citizens of Clay County, Mo., held at the Liberty
court house, failed to adjust the difficulties between the Saints and the
Jackson County people. From the meeting Samuel C. Owens, James Campbell and
about thirteen other mob-leaders started for Jackson County to raise a mob, in
which, however, they failed, as Mr. Campbell and six others were drowned in
attempting to cross the Missouri River.
Notwithstanding the threats of enemies, Zion's Camp passed through
Richmond, Mo., and camped at night between two branches of Fishing river. A
mob, numbering over three hundred men, who had arranged to concentrate that
night to attack them, were prevented from crossing the river by a terrible
storm.
An important revelation was given to Joseph Smith, jun., on Fishing
river, in which the Lord told his Saints that the time for the redemption of
Zion had not yet come. (Doc. and Cov., Sec. 105.)
Zion's Camp arrived at a point near Liberty, Clay County, Mo.
The cholera, which during several preceding days had attacked some of the
brethren, broke out in its most terrible form in Zion's Camp. It continued
its ravages about four days; sixty-eight of the Saints were attacked and
thirteen died, among whom was A. Sidney Gilbert, a prominent man in the
Church; he expired on the 26th.
In company with a few friends, Joseph Smith, jun., visited Jackson
County, Mo., secretly.
The High Priests of Zion assembled in Clay County, Mo., and organized a
High Council with David Whitmer as president and Wm. W. Phelps and John
Whitmer as counselors. The members of the council were: Christian Whitmer,
Newel Knight, Lyman Wight, Calvin Bebee, Wm. E. McLellin, Solomon Hancock,
Thos. B. Marsh, Simeon Carter, Parley P. Pratt, Orson Pratt, John Murdock and
Levi Jackman.
Joseph Smith, jun., started on his return journey to Kirtland, where he
arrived in the latter part of the month.
The first number of the Latter-day Saints' Messenger and Advocate was
published at Kirtland, O., taking the place of the Evening and Morning Star,
suspended.
Joseph Smith, jun., and other Elders left Kirtland to visit the Saints in
Michigan, from which trip they returned in the latter part of the month.
Warren A. Cowdery was called by revelation to preside over the Saints at
Freedom, N. Y., and the regions round about. (Doc. and Cov., Sec. 106.)
Joseph Smith, jun., and Oliver Cowdery covenanted with the Lord to pay
their tithing.
1835
The Council of Twelve Apostles and the First Quorum of Seventy were
organized at Kirtland, O. The Book of Doctrine and Covenants was accepted by
the Church, and Joseph Smith, jun., obtained some Egyptian rolls of papyrus
containing the writings of Abraham, etc.
The Northern Times, a weekly newspaper supporting democracy, was
commenced by the Saints at Kirtland, O.
At a special meeting held in Kirtland twelve Apostles were chosen by the
Three Witnesses to the Book of Mormon according to revelation (Doc. and Cov.,
Sec. 18:37), namely: Thos. B. Marsh, David W. Patten, Brigham Young, Heber C.
Kimball, Orson Hyde, Wm. E. McLellin, Parley P. Pratt, Luke S. Johnson, Wm.
Smith, Orson Pratt, John F. Boynton and Lyman E. Johnson. Brigham Young and
Heber C. Kimball were ordained and blessed the same day.
Orson Hyde, David W. Patten, Luke S. Johnson, Wm. E. McLellin, John F.
Boynton and Wm. Smith were ordained Apostles.
Parley P. Pratt was ordained to the Apostleship. Thos. B. Marsh and
Orson Pratt, who were absent on missions, were not ordained until their return
in April.
The organization of the First Quorum of Seventy was commenced at
Kirtland.
An important revelation concerning the order of the Priesthood was given
to Joseph Smith, jun., at Kirtland. (Doc. and Cov., Sec. 107.)
Elders Brigham Young, John P. Greene and Amos Orton were appointed to
preach the gospel to the Lamanites.
The Twelve left Kirtland on their first mission as Apostles.
Michael H. Chandler arrived at Kirtland to exhibit four Egyptian mummies
and some rolls of papyrus, covered with hieroglyphic figures and devices.
They were afterwards purchased by some of the Saints, and Joseph the Prophet
translated some of the characters on the rolls. One was found to contain the
writings of Abraham, subsequently published in the Pearl of Great Price;
another the writings of Joseph in Egypt.
At a general assembly of the Church, held at Kirtland, the Book of
Doctrine and Covenants was approved, and thus became a law of faith and
practice to the Church.
Oliver Cowdery was appointed to act as Church Recorder, and Emma Smith to
make a selection of sacred hymns, according to revelation. (Doc. and Cov.,
25:11.)
The Twelve returned to Kirtland from their mission to the East.
Joseph Smith, jun., was abused by his brother William in a council
meeting, held at Kirtland.
Christian Whitmer, one of the Eight Witnesses to the Book of Mormon, died
in Clay County, Missouri.
Wm. Smith became enraged in a debating school, held at Kirtland, and used
violence upon the person of his brother Joseph Smith, jun., and, others.
Joseph Smith, jun., with other Elders, commenced studying the Hebrew
language, having previously commenced reading Greek. Mr. Seixas, a competent
professor of languages, was subsequently employed as teacher.
A revelation, concerning Lyman Sherman, was given through Joseph Smith,
jun., at Kirtland. (Doc. and Cov., Sec. 108.)
1836
The Kirtland Temple was dedicated, and the Savior, Moses, Elias and
Elijah the Prophet appeared to the Elders in that building and committed the
keys of their respective dispensations to the Prophet Joseph Smith. The
Saints who had resided temporarily in Clay County, Mo., removed to another
location on Shoal Creek, which was organized into Caldwell County.
Wm. Smith received forgiveness of his brother Joseph, and a general
family reconciliation took place in the house of the latter, at Kirtland, O.
At a council meeting, held at Kirtland, the High Council of Zion
(Missouri) was reorganized.
A sumptuous feast, to which the lame, the halt and the blind were
invited, was held in Bishop Newel K. Whitney's house, at Kirtland.
In a council of the Twelve Apostles, held at Kirtland, President Joseph
Smith said: "The Twelve are not subject to any other than the First
Presidency.*** Where I am not, there is no First Presidency over the Twelve."
(See History of Joseph Smith.)
Joseph the Prophet organized the several councils of the Priesthood at
Kirtland, on which occasion the Lord poured out His Spirit in a great measure
upon the brethren, who confessed their faults to each other; the congregation
was overwhelmed in tears and the spirit of tongues came upon them "like the
rushing of a mighty wind." (See History of Joseph Smith.)
The Presidency of the Church, and the councils of Kirtland and Zion, met
in the evening in the Lord's House, at Kirtland, and attended to the ordinance
of anointing with oil and blessing each other. The visions of heaven were
opened, angels administered to them, and the house was filled with the glory
of God. Joseph the Prophet "beheld the celestial kingdom of God and the glory
thereof," the "transcendent beauty of the gate through which the heirs of that
kingdom will enter, the throne of God whereon was seated the Father and Son,"
and the beautiful streets of the kingdom. He also saw Fathers Adam and
Abraham. On seeing his brother Alvin, who died before the Church was
organized, the Prophet marvelled, but the voice of the Lord told him that all
who had died without a knowledge of the gospel, who would have received it if
they had been permitted to tarry, should be heirs of the celestial kingdom of
God. (See History of Joseph Smith.)
The Twelve Apostles, the presidency of the Seventy and others were
blessed and anointed in the Lord's House, at Kirtland.
The leading authorities of the Church administered in the Lord's House at
Kirtland, on which occasion angels again appeared to the brethren, and other
great manifestations of the power of God were witnessed. (See History of
Joseph Smith.)
The organization of the second quorum of Seventy was commenced at
Kirtland.
The sisters at Kirtland met in the Lord's House to commence their work of
making the vail for that building.
The Lord's House, at Kirtland, afterwards known as the Kirtland Temple,
was dedicated. It is a rock building, 80 feet long and 60 feet wide, the
walls are 60 feet and the tower 110 feet high. (For dedicatory prayer, see
Doc. and Cov., Sec. 109.)
On this and the following day the ordinance of the washing of feet was
attended to in the Kirtland Temple.
Joseph Smith, jun., and Oliver Cowdery saw and heard the Savior in the
Kirtland Temple. Moses also appeared before them and committed unto them "the
keys of the gathering of Israel from the four parts of the earth, and the
leading of the Ten Tribes from the land of the north." Then Elias appeared
and committed the dispensation of the gospel of Abraham, and finally Elijah
the Prophet "stood before them" and committed to them the keys of turning "the
hearts of the fathers to the children, and the children to the fathers." (See
History of Joseph Smith and Doc. and Cov., Sec. 110.)
The Elders began to spread abroad from Kirtland into all parts of the
land, preaching the gospel.
Mary Smith, aged 93 years old, and grandmother of Joseph the Prophet,
arrived at Kirtland from the East.
Warren Parrish and other Elders were mobbed and arrested in Tennessee for
preaching the gospel, and subsequently compelled to leave the country.
A large meeting of citizens held at Liberty, Clay Co., Mo., passed
resolutions to expel the Saints from Clay County.
In a large meeting of Elders, held in Clay County, Mo., it was agreed
that the Saints should leave the county, agreeably to the request of the older
settlers.
Joseph Smith, jun., left Kirtland for a trip to the Eastern States.
Joseph Smith, jun., arrived at Salem, Mass., where he, on August 6th,
received a revelation, in which the Lord said He had many people in that city.
(Doc. and Cov., Sec. 111.)
Joseph Smith returned to Kirtland from his trip to the East.
The Saints in Missouri began to remove from Clay County to their newly
selected location on Shoal Creek (later known as Far West), in the territory
attached to Ray County. That part of the State of Missouri was at that time
almost uninhabited, but in the following December it was organized under the
name of Caldwell County.
Peter Whitmer, jun., one of the Eight Witnesses to the Book of Mormon,
died near Liberty, Clay County, Mo.
Preparations were made for organizing a banking institution at Kirtland,
O., to be called the "Kirtland Safety Society."
Brigham Young, jun., was born at Kirtland.
Dr. Willard Richards was baptized at Kirtland, by Brigham Young.
1837
Far West, Caldwell Co. Mo., was surveyed, and the first foreign mission
of the Church called and sent to England, where a successful opening was made.
A great apostasy took place in the Church, both in Kirtland, O., and in
Missouri.
An important Priesthood meeting was held in the Kirtland Temple, in which
new presidents were ordained to preside over the Seventies, as some of the
former presidents were High Priests.
The city plat of Far West, Caldwell County, Mo., having been surveyed,
the sale of town lots was left to Wm. W. Phelps, John Whitmer and Edward
Partridge. Jacob Whitmer, Elisha H. Groves and Geo. M. Hinkle were appointed
a building committee for the erection of a house of the Lord at Far West.
A spirit of apostasy and speculation, affecting every quorum of the
Church, more or less, became very prevalent at Kirtland.
Early in this month Apostles Heber C. Kimball and Orson Hyde were set
apart to go on a mission to England. This was the first foreign mission of
the Church. A few days later Willard Richards was called to accompany them.
Apostles Heber C. Kimball and Orson Hyde and Elders Willard Richards and
Joseph Fielding, accompanied by three brethren from Canada, namely, John
Goodson, Isaac Russell and John Snider, sailed from New York on the ship
Garrick. They arrived in Liverpool, England, on the 20th.
Ground was broken at Far West, Mo., for the foundation of a Temple,
which, however, was not built, on account of persecutions.
A revelation concerning the Twelve Apostles was given through Joseph the
Prophet, at Kirtland. (Doc. and Cov., Sec. 112.)
The gospel was first preached by Latter-day Saint Elders in England, in
the church of the Rev. James Fielding, at Preston.
Joseph, the Prophet, was persecuted with a vexatious lawsuit at
Painesville, Ohio.
Nine persons were baptized in the river Ribble, at Preston, England, as
the first converts to the fulness of the gospel in England. Geo. D. Watt was
the first person baptized.
In the latter part of this month Joseph Smith, jun., returned to
Kirtland, O, from a mission to Canada, on which he had started July 27th.
At a conference, held at Kirtland, Oliver Cowdery, Joseph Smith, sen.,
Hyrum Smith and John Smith were appointed assistant counselors to the First
Presidency. Luke S. Johnson, Lyman E. Johnson and John F. Boynton, three of
the Twelve Apostles, were disfellowshipped.
Luke S. Johnson, Lyman E. Johnson and John F. Boynton made confessions
and were received back into fellowship.
Geo. W. Robinson was elected General Church Recorder, in place of Oliver
Cowdery, who had removed to Missouri.
Joseph Smith, jun., and Sidney Rigdon left Kirtland, O., to establish
other places of gathering for the Saints, and to visit with the Saints in
Missouri, where they arrived in the latter part of October.
About this time the "Voice of Warning" was published in New York City by
Parley P. Pratt.
The first number of the Elders' Journal, edited by Joseph Smith, jun.,
and published at Kirtland, O., bears date of this month. It was published
instead of the Messenger and Advocate, which had been discontinued.
Jerusha F. Smith, Hyrum Smith's wife, died at Kirtland.
An important conference was held at Far West, Mo., Joseph Smith, jun.,
having arrived from Kirtland. Frederick G. Williams was rejected as a
counselor to Pres. Joseph Smith, and Hyrum Smith appointed in his stead.
David Whitmer, John Whitmer and Wm. W. Phelps were sustained as the presidency
at Far West, and a High Council was organized consisting of John Murdock,
Solomon Hancock, Elias Higbee, Calvin Bebee, John M. Hinkle, Thos. Grover,
Simeon Carter, Lyman Wight, Newel Knight, Geo. M. Hinkle, Levi Jackman and
Elisha H. Groves.
At a general meeting held at Far West it was voted that the town of Far
West "be enlarged so as to contain two square miles."
The printing office at Kirtland was destroyed by fire, and the
publication of the Elders' Journal ceased.
Joseph Smith, jun. arrived at Kirtland O., from Missouri. During his
absence a number of prominent men, including Warren Parrish, John F. Boynton,
Luke S. Johnson and Joseph Coe, had united together for the overthrow of the
Church at Kirtland.
Apostle Brigham Young left Kirtland on account of the fury of the mob,
who threatened to kill him because he would proclaim publicly and privately
that he knew by the Holy Ghost that Joseph Smith, jun., was a Prophet of the
Most High God.
The first general conference by Latter-day Saints in England was held in
the "Cock Pit," at Preston. The Church in England numbered already about one
thousand members. At this conference the Word of Wisdom was first publicly
taught in England.
Apostasy, persecution, confusion and mobocracy reigned in Kirtland, O.,
at the close of the year.
1838
Joseph Smith, jun., and most of the faithful Saints left Kirtland, O., on
account of apostasy and persecution, and removed to Missouri.
Adam-ondi-Ahman, in Daviess County, Mo., was surveyed, and organized into a
Stake of Zion; the revelation on tithing was given; persecutions were renewed
against the Saints in Missouri, and DeWitt, Adam-ondi-Ahman and Far West were
taken and sacked by the mob; nearly a score of Saints were massacred at Haun's
Mill, Joseph the Prophet and other Elders imprisoned, and all the Saints
ordered out of Missouri, under pain of death by the exterminating order of
Gov. Lilburn W. Boggs.
Joseph Smith, jun., and Sidney Rigdon left Kirtland, O., on horseback to
escape mob violence. They traveled toward Missouri.
In a general assembly of Saints at Far West, Mo., David Whitmer, John
Whitmer and Wm. W. helps were rejected as the presidency of the Church in
Missouri, because of transgression.
Thomas B. Marsh and David W. Patten were appointed presidents pro tem. of
the Church in Missouri, until the arrival of Joseph Smith, jun., or Sidney
Rigdon from Kirtland.
Answers to certain questions on Scripture, principally the 11th chapter
of Isaiah, were given by revelation through Joseph Smith, jun. (Doc. and
Cov., Sec. 113.)
Wm. W. Phelps and John Whitmer were excommunicated from the Church by the
Council at Far West, Mo. Some time afterwards Wm. W. Phelps was received back
into the Church by baptism.
Joseph the Prophet arrived at Far West, Mo., with his family, accompanied
by Apostle Brigham Young and others.
The Saints in Missouri met at Far West to celebrate the anniversary of
the organization of the Church and transact business. John Corrill and Elias
Higbee were appointed historians and Geo. W. Robinson General Church Recorder
and clerk to the First Presidency. Thomas B. Marsh was sustained as president
pro tem. in Missouri, with Brigham Young and David W. Patten as assistant
presidents.
On this and the following day, the Church held its first quarterly
conference at Far West.
John Whitmer refused to give up the records of the Church in his
possession to the newly appointed Church clerk and recorder.
Oliver Cowdery was excommunicated from the Church by the High Council, at
Far West, Mo. The following day David Whitmer and Lyman E. Johnson were cut
off.
Apostle David W. Patten was called by revelation through Joseph the
Prophet, at Far West, Mo., to "make a disposition of his merchandise," and
prepare for a mission. (Doc. and Cov., Sec. 114.)
Apostles Heber C. Kimball and Orson Hyde sailed from Liverpool, England,
for America on the ship Garrick. They arrived in New York May 12th, and at
Kirtland, O., May 22nd.
A revelation was given through Joseph Smith, jun., at Far West, Mo.,
concerning the building up of that place and the Lord's House. (Doc. and
Cov., Sec. 115.)
Wm. E. McLellin was excommunicated from the Church, at Far West.
Joseph Smith, jun., Sidney Rigdon and others visited a place on the north
side of Grand river (about twenty-five miles north of Far West) called by the
Saints Spring Hill, which by revelation was named Adam-ondi-Ahman, because "it
is the place where Adam shall come to visit his people or the Ancient of Days
shall sit, as spoken of by the Prophet Daniel." (Dan. 7:9-14; Doc. and Cov.,
Sec. 116.)
A Stake of Zion called Adam-ondi-Ahman was organized in Daviess County,
Mo., with John Smith as president and Reynolds Cahoon and Lyman Wight as his
counselors. A High Council was also organized with John Lemon, Daniel
Stanton, Mayhew Hillman, Daniel Carter, Isaac Perry, Henry Harrison Sagers,
Allanson Brown, Thomas Gordon, Lorenzo D. Barnes, George A. Smith, Harvey
Olmstead and Ezra Thayer as members.
The third number of the Elders' Journal was published at Far West, Mo.
The first two numbers had been published at Kirtland, O.
The corner stones of the House of the Lord, at Far West, Mo., were laid,
agreeable to a commandment of the Lord, given April 26, 1838.
Five hundred and fifteen Saints left Kirtland, O., for Missouri, under
the direction of the Seventies.
Wm. Marks, Newel K. Whitney and Oliver Granger were commanded by
revelation to leave Kirtland, O., and remove to Missouri. (Doc. and Cov.,
Sec. 117.)
John Taylor, John E. Page, Wilford Woodruff and Willard Richards were
called by revelation to the Apostleship, "to fill the places of those had
fallen." (Doc. and Cov., Sec. 118.)
In answer to the question, "O Lord, show unto they servants how much thou
requirest of the properties of the people for a tithing," the Lord gave a
revelation on tithing. (Doc. and Cov., Sec. 119.)
A revelation making known the disposition of property tithing was given
through Joseph the Prophet, at Far West. (Doc. and Cov., Sec. 120.)
During this month the Saints at De Witt, Carroll Co., Mo., were
threatened by a mob.
The Missourians opposed the voting of the Saints at Gallatin, Daviess
County, and a skirmish occurred, in which about twelve brethren gained a
victory over about one hundred and fifty mobbers. Some of the brethren took
their families into the hazel brush and guarded them during the night, through
fear of the mob.
Joseph Smith, jun., and others called on Adam Black, a justice of the
peace in Daviess County, Mo., and had a friendly conversation with him about
the trouble in Gallatin.
Gov. Lilburn W. Boggs, of Missouri, ordered out a part of the State
militia to quell the civil disturbances in Caldwell, Daviess and Carroll
Counties. The whole upper Missouri was in an uproar and state of confusion
about the "Mormons."
A great number of mobbers had collected in Daviess County, Mo., with
headquarters at Millport.
Joseph Smith, jun., and Sidney Rigdon commenced to study law, under the
instructions of Generals David R. Atchison and Alexander W. Doniphan.
Joseph Smith, jun., and Lyman Wight appeared before Judge Austin A. King,
in Daviess County, they and others having been falsely accused of threatening
Adam Black's life on their visit to his house, Aug. 8th.
Captain William Allred, of Far West, frustrated the plans of the mob, by
arresting three men who were bringing guns and ammunition from Richmond, Ray
Co., Mo., to the mobbers in Daviess County.
As the militia, under Generals Atchison, Doniphan and Parks had succeeded
in restoring temporary peace in Daviess County, the mobbers went to De Witt,
Carroll Co., and attacked the Saints there.
The Kirtland Camp arrived at its destination, Adam-ondi-Ahman.
Joseph the Prophet arrived at De Witt, Carroll Co., Mo., whither he went
to assist the brethren who were trying to defend themselves against an
overwhelming mob force.
After several days' bombardment, the mob succeeded in driving the Saints
from De Witt. During the siege some of them had perished from starvation, and
their sufferings had been very great.
The exiles from De Witt arrived at Far West.
The brethren at Far West organized for self-defense.
The mobbers renewed their depredations in Daviess County, by burning the
houses of the Saints, driving off their stock, etc. Col. Lyman Wight,
agreeable to an order from General Parks, organized a company in self-defense.
This frightened the mobbers, who fled from the neighborhood, after burning
some of their own houses, of which they wickedly accused the Saints.
The Saints were fleeing from the smaller settlements into Far West for
safety, the mobs increasing in numbers all around. The most wicked lies were
circulated about the Saints, and their movements in self-defense were by the
State authorities construed into treason.
A battle was fought between a mob and about seventy-five brethren on
Crooked river, Ray County, Mo., in which Gideon Carter was killed and eleven
others wounded, among these were Apostle David W. Patten and Patterson
O'Banion who died soon afterwards.
Apostle David W. Patten was buried at Far West.
Gov. Lilburn W. Boggs issued his famous exterminating order, which gave
the Saints the choice between banishment from Missouri and death.
About this time Sampson Avard, an apostate, secretly organized a company
called Danites. The Church used all proper means to expose and counteract his
schemes.
A mob under the leadership of Col. Wm. O. Jennings attacked a little
settlement of Saints at Haun's Mill, Caldwell Co., Mo., and killed and
mortally wounded Thomas McBride, Levi N. Merrick, Elias Benner, Josiah Fuller,
Benjamin Lewis, Alexander Campbell, Warren Smith, Geo. S. Richards, Wm.
Napier, Austin Hammer, Simon Cox, Hiram Abbott, John York, John Lee, John
Byers, Sardius Smith and Charles Merrick. Others were severely wounded, but
recovered. Among these were Alma L. Smith, who was healed in a most
miraculous manner, through prayers and faith.
The mob-militia, about two thousand strong, under command of Samuel D.
Lucas, arrived near Far West, and the citizens prepared for their own defense.
Joseph Smith, jun., Sidney Rigdon, Parley P. Pratt, Lyman Wight and Geo.
W. Robinson were betrayed by Col. George M. Hinkle and made prisoners in the
camp of the mob-militia.
Hyrum Smith and Amasa M. Lyman were brought as prisoners into camp. A
court martial was held, and the prisoners were sentenced to be shot the
following morning; they were, however, saved through the interference of
General Doniphan.
On demand of General Samuel D. Lucas the citizens of Far West were forced
to give up their arms, after which the mob-militia pillaged the town, ravished
women, and committed other acts of barbarity.
Joseph Smith, jun., and fellow-prisoners were taken to Far West under a
strong guard and permitted to see their families, from whom they then were
rudely torn and started under a strong guard, commanded by Generals Samuel D.
Lucas and Robert Wilson, for Independence, Jackson Co., where they arrived on
the 4th.
Gen. John B. Clark arrived at Far West with about two thousand troops,
and the following day he made most of the brethren prisoners.
John B. Clark delivered an insulting speech to the brethren at Far West,
in which he advised the Saints to scatter abroad and never again organize with
Bishops, presidents, etc. Of the leaders of the Church, who had been
imprisoned, he said their fate was fixed, their die cast, and their doom
sealed, and that they would never be seen by their friends again.
The brethren were compelled to sign deeds of trust for paying the expense
of the mob. About sixty men were retained as prisoners, and the remainder of
the Saints ordered to leave the State, according to the exterminating order of
Gov. Boggs.
Gen. Wilson placed guards around Adam-ondi-Ahman, took all the men
prisoners and put them under guard. A court of inquiry was organized, with
Adam Black on the bench, which resulted in the acquittal of the prisoners.
Joseph Smith, jun., and fellow-prisoners arrived at Richmond, Ray County,
Mo., where they were put in chains and much abused by their guards. On one
occasion the Prophet Joseph rebuked the wicked guard with the power of God,
and stopped the foul conversation with which the prisoners were being
tantalized.
Gen. Wilson ordered every family to be out of Adam-ondi-Ahman in ten
days, with permission to go to Caldwell County and tarry till spring, then to
leave the State under pain of extermination.
Joseph Fielding Smith was born at Far West, Mo.
A mock trial, which lasted sixteen days, was commenced at Richmond, and
nearly sixty of the brethren were brought before Judge Austin A. King, charged
with treason, murder, burglary, arson, robbery and larceny. Up to that date
about thirty of the brethren had been killed and many wounded since the
hostilities commenced the previous August.
Twenty-three of the Far West prisoners were discharged at Richmond, Mo.,
as nothing could be found against them.
The remaining prisoners in Richmond were released, or admitted to bail,
except Joseph Smith, jun., Lyman Wight, Caleb Baldwin, Hyrum Smith, Alex.
McRae and Sidney Rigdon, who were sent to jail in Liberty, Clay Co., to stand
their trial for treason and murder, of which they were falsely accused; and
Parley P. Pratt, Morris Phelps, Luman Gibbs, Darwin Chase and Norman Shearer
were confined in the Richmond jail to stand their trial on a similar charge.
John Taylor and John E. Page were ordained Apostles, at Far West, Mo.
A petition from the Saints in Caldwell County was presented to the
Missouri legislature, causing much warm debate, but the petition was finally
laid on the table, which meant that the legislature would do nothing for the
suffering Saints.
Anson Call was brutally whipped by a mob, near Elk Horn, Ray Co., Mo.
1839
The Saints who were banished from Missouri escaped to Illinois; Joseph
the Prophet and the other imprisoned brethren made their escape. After being
kindly treated by the citizens of Quincy, Commerce, Hancock Co., Ill., was
selected as a new gathering place for the Saints; the building of a city was
commenced and a Stake of Zion organized. Most of the Apostles started on a
mission to Great Britain.
The Elders met at Far West to complete measures for the removal of the
poor from Missouri, and pledged themselves to assist each other until all were
removed.
Brigham Young, President of the Twelve, left Far West, Mo., for Illinois,
on account of persecution.
Many of the fugitive Saints having arrived at Quincy, Adams Co., Ill.,
the citizens of that place met to adopt measures for their relief.
About this time Sidney Rigdon was released from prison in Liberty jail,
Mo., on bail.
Thomas B. Marsh, formerly President of the Twelve, Wm. W. Phelps,
Frederick G. Williams, George M. Hinkle and others were excommunicated from
the Church at a conference held at Quincy, Ill.
Joseph Smith, jun., who was still imprisoned in Liberty jail, Mo., wrote
an excellent epistle "to the Saints at Quincy, Ill., and scattered abroad," in
which was embodied a most fervent prayer in behalf of the suffering Saints,
and words of prophecy. (See Doc. and Cov., Sec. 121, and History of Joseph
Smith.)
A few days later the Prophet Joseph continued his epistle and wrote among
other beautiful gems that which constitutes Section 122 and 123 of the
Doctrine and Covenants.
A company of about fifty men in Daviess County, Mo., swore that they
would never eat or drink until they had murdered Joseph the Prophet.
Joseph Smith, jun., and fellow-prisoners were started from Liberty jail,
to Gallatin, Daviess County, Mo., where they arrived on the 8th, and were
again subjected to a mock trial before a drunken court and jury.
Ten mobbers made an unsuccessful attempt to kill Stephen Markham in
Daviess County, Mo., because he had testified truthfully in the case of the
prisoners.
The committee for the removal of the Saints from Missouri moved 36
families into Tenney's Grove, about twenty-five miles from Far West.
Joseph Smith, jun., and fellow-prisoners, started from Daviess towards
Boone County, Mo., under a change of venue.
The guard being drunk, Joseph Smith, jun., and fellow-prisoners made
their escape. After a severe journey they arrived at Quincy, Ill., on the
22nd.
The last of the Saints left Far West. Thus a whole community, numbering
about fifteen thousand souls, were expelled from their homes on account of
their religion.
Parley P. Pratt and fellow-prisoners were brought before the grand jury
of Ray County, at Richmond. Darwin Chase and Norman Shearer were dismissed
after having been imprisoned for six months.
Joseph Smith, jun., and others visited Iowa for the purpose of finding a
location for the Church. Commerce, Hancock Co., Ill., was finally selected as
a gathering place for the Saints.
Early in the morning a conference was held on the Temple site at Far
West, Mo., in fulfillment of the revelation given July 8, 1838. Among those
present were Apostles Brigham Young, Heber C. Kimball, Orson Pratt, John E.
Page and John Taylor, who ordained Wilford Woodruff and George A. Smith
Apostles, "to fill the places of those who had fallen." Alpheus Cutler, the
master-workman of the Temple, then commenced laying its foundation, in
accordance with revelation, by rolling up a large stone near the southeast
corner. Isaac Russell, John Goodson, Luman Gibbs and twenty-eight others were
excommunicated from the Church.
The first purchase of land for the Church at Commerce, Ill., was made by
Joseph Smith, jun., and others of the committee. The purchase consisted of
two farms bought respectively of Hugh White and Isaac Galland.
Six of the Apostles met Joseph the Prophet near Quincy, Ill. The doings
of the Twelve at Far West on April 26th were sanctioned. Elder Oliver Granger
was appointed to go to Kirtland, O., to preside, and the Saints in the Eastern
States were advised to gather to Kirtland and settle that place as a Stake of
Zion. On the 5th it was decided to send Sidney Rigdon as a delegate to
Washington, D. C., to lay the grievances of the Saints before the General
Government.
At a conference, held at Quincy, Ill., Wm. Marks was appointed to preside
at Commerce, and John P. Greene over the Saints in New York. A number of
Seventies and High Priests were called to accompany the Apostles on their
missions to Europe.
Joseph Smith, jun., left Quincy with his family, and arrived the
following day at Commerce.
Parley P. Pratt, Morris Phelps, Luman Gibbs and King Follett, having
obtained a change of venue, left Richmond, Mo., handcuffed, for Columbia,
Boone County, where they arrived on the 26th and were thrown into a filthy
dungeon.
The first house erected by the Saints in Commerce was raised by Theodore
Turley.
The Church purchased the town of Nashville, in Lee County, Iowa
Territory, and twenty thousand acres of land adjoining it. About the same
time another tract of land lying west of Montrose, Iowa, opposite Nauvoo, was
purchased.
Much sickness prevailed among the Saints at Commerce, which at that time
was a very unhealthful place, but many of them were miraculously healed by the
power of God.
Joseph the Prophet advised that a town be built on the Iowa purchase, to
be called Zarahemla.
After more than seven months' imprisonment without conviction, Parley P.
Pratt and Morris Phelps escaped from the Columbia jail, Boone County, Mo.
They arrived in Quincy, Ill., after days of dreadful suffering from hunger and
fatigue. King Follett, who also tried to escape, was retaken.
Elijah Fordham, Henry G. Sherwood, Benjamin Brown, Joseph B. Noble and
many others, at Commerce, Ill., and Montrose, Iowa, were miraculously healed
under the powerful administrations of the Prophet Joseph, assisted by other
Elders.
Apostles John Taylor and Wilford Woodruff left Commerce, Ill., on a
mission to England.
Apostles Parley P. Pratt and Orson Pratt and Elder Hiram Clark departed
from Commerce on a mission to England.
Apostles Brigham Young and Heber C. Kimball started from Commerce on a
mission to England, leaving their families sick and poverty-stricken.
Apostle Geo. A. Smith and Elders Reuben Hedlock and Theodore Turley left
Commerce for England on a mission.
At a general conference, held at Commerce, William Marks was appointed
president of that Stake, Edward Partridge, Bishop of the upper Ward, and
Vinson Knight, Bishop of the lower Ward. Geo. W. Harris, Samuel Bent, Henry
G. Sherwood, David Fullmer, Alpheus Cutler, Wm. Huntington, Thomas Grover,
Newel Knight, Chas. C. Rich, David Dort, Seymour Brunson and Lewis D. Wilson
were chosen members of the High Council. John Smith was appointed to preside
over the Saints on the other side of the Mississippi river, in Iowa Territory,
with Alanson Ripley as Bishop. Asahel Smith, John M. Burk, Abraham O. Smoot,
Richard Howard, Willard Snow, Erastus Snow, David Pettigrew, Elijah Fordham,
Edward Fisher, Elias Smith, John Patten and Stephen Chase were chosen as
members of the High Council.
Apostle Heber C. Kimball was poisoned at Terre Haute, Indiana, but his
life was saved by the administration of Apostle Brigham Young.
The High Council appointed for the Church in Iowa met for the first time,
at Nashville, Iowa. Reynolds Cahoon and Lyman Wight were appointed counselors
to John Smith.
Joseph Smith, jun., accompanied by Sidney Rigdon, Elias Higbee and O.
Porter Rockwell left Commerce for Washington, D. C., to lay the grievances of
the Saints before the President and Congress of the United States.
In the latter part of this month King Follett, the last of the Missouri
prisoners, was tried and set free.
The first number of the Times and Season was published at Commerce, Ill.
James Mulholland, Joseph Smith's clerk; died at Commerce.
Apostles Wilford Woodruff and John Taylor and Elder Theodore Turley
sailed from New York for England; they arrived at Liverpool Jan. 11, 1840.
Joseph Smith, jun., arrived at Philadelphia, Pa., (from Washington),
where he remained until the 30th, preaching the gospel.
1840
Joseph the Prophet and other Elders visited Washington, D. C., to seek
redress for the Saints from the Federal Government, but were unsuccessful.
Commerce, Ill., was incorporated as the City of Nauvoo, and Stakes of Zion
were organized in different parts of Illinois. The Apostles performed a great
missionary work in England, whence also the first missionary was sent to
Australia.
Francis Marion Lyman was born at Macomb, McDonough Co., Ill.
Multitudes were baptized into the Church in the United States and
England. Apostle Wilford Woodruff built up large branches in Herefordshire,
England.
Joseph Smith, jun., arrived in Commerce, Ill., from Washington, D. C.,
after a fruitless endeavor to obtain redress for the wrongs suffered by the
Saints in Missouri. He had presented to Congress claims against Missouri from
491 individuals for about $1,381,000. President Martin Van Buren, in answer
to Joseph's appeal, said, "Your cause is just, but I can do nothing for you."
The Committee on the Judiciary, to whom was referred the memorial of the
Saints, reported adversely to the prayer of the petitioners.
Brigham Young, Heber C. Kimball, Parley P. Pratt, George A. Smith and
Reuben Hedlock sailed from New York on the ship Patrick Henry for Liverpool,
where they arrived April 6th.
A general conference of the Church was commenced at Nauvoo, Ill. It
continued three days, On the first day Apostle Orson Hyde was called on a
mission to Jerusalem and on the 8th Apostle John E. Page was appointed to
accompany him. The conference also adopted a series of resolutions,
expressive of sorrow and disappointment at the action of the Committee of the
Judiciary at Washington, D. C.
At a council of the Apostles held at Preston, England, Willard Richards
was ordained one of the Twelve Apostles.
Apostle Orson Hyde left Commerce, Ill., on his mission to Jerusalem.
At a conference held at Preston, England, where 34 branches and 1,686
members were represented, it was decided to publish a monthly periodical in
the interest of the Church in England.
The Postmaster General at Washington, D.C., changed the name of the
postoffice at Commerce, Hancock Co., Ill., to Nauvoo, and appointed George W.
Robinson postmaster.
Elder Theodore Turley, who had been imprisoned in Stafford jail, England,
at the instigation of a Methodist preacher, was released.
Bishop Edward Partridge died at Nauvoo, 46 years old. He lost his life
in consequence of the Missouri persecutions.
The first number of The Latter-day Saints' Millennial Star was published
at Manchester, England; Apostle Parley P. Pratt, editor.
By this time the Saints had erected about two hundred and fifty houses in
Nauvoo.
Forty-one Saints sailed from Liverpool, England, on the ship Britannia,
for the United States, being the first Saints that gathered from a foreign
land. John Moon was leader of the company.
The Bran Green and Gadfield Elm conference was organized by Apostle
Wilford Woodruff in Worcestershire, England, consisting of twelve branches.
This was the first conference organized in the British mission.
At a meeting held on Stanley Hill, Herefordshire, England, the Froome's
Hill conference was organized by Apostle Wilford Woodruff, consisting of
twenty branches.
The first British edition of the Latter-day Saints' Hymn Book was
published in England.
James Allred, Noah Rogers, Alanson Brown and Benjamin Boyce were
kidnapped from Hancock County, Ill., by Missourians, and taken to Tully, Lewis
Co., Mo., where they were imprisoned, whipped and ill-treated until nearly
dead. Brown and Allred escaped a few days afterwards.
Apostle Geo. A. Smith ordained and set apart Wm. Barratt at Burslem,
Staffordshire, England, for a mission to South Australia. He was the first
missionary to that country.
John Moon's company of British emigrants arrived at New York.
Apostle John Taylor sailed from Liverpool for Ireland to open the door of
the gospel in that country.
Elder Wm. Donaldson, of the British army, sailed from England for the
East Indies. He was the first member of the Church to visit that country.
Noah Rogers and Benjamin Boyce escaped from their unlawful imprisonment
in Missouri, during which they had been put in irons and suffered much.
Apostle Heber C. Kimball baptized Henry Conner, a watchmaker, in London,
England, as the first fruit of preaching the fulness of the gospel in that
city.
Apostle John Taylor and others first preached the gospel on the Isle of
Man.
The ship North America sailed from Liverpool, England, with about two
hundred Saints, under the presidency of Theodore Turley, bound for Nauvoo,
Ill.
Joseph Smith sen., Patriarch to the Church, died at Nauvoo.
Gov. Lilburn W. Boggs, of Missouri, made a demand on Gov. Thos. Carlin,
of Illinois, for Joseph Smith, jun., Sidney Rigdon, Lyman Wight, Parley P.
Pratt, Caleb Baldwin and Alanson Brown as fugitives from justice.
At a conference held at Nauvoo, Robert B. Thompson was appointed General
Church Clerk, instead of Geo. W. Robinson. Almon W. Babbitt was appointed to
preside over the Church at Kirtland, O., and a committee was appointed to
organize new Stakes for the gathering of the Saints.
A Stake was organized by the committee at Lima, Hancock Co., Ill., with
Isaac Morley as president and John Murdock and Walter Cox as his counselors.
A Stake was organized at Quincy, Adams Co., Ill., with Daniel Stanton,
Stephen Jones and Ezra T. Benson as the presidency.
A Stake called Mount Hope was organized at the steam mills, Columbus,
Adams Co., Ill., with the following brethren as the presidency: Abel Lamb,
Sherman Gilbert and John Smith.
The committee organized a Stake called Geneva, in Morgan Co., Ill., with
Wm. Bosley, Howard S. Smith and Samuel Fowler as the presidency.
The charter for the incorporation of Nauvoo, granted by the State
legislature, was signed by Governor Thomas Carlin, but not to take effect
until the first of February following.
1841
During this year Nauvoo, Ill., began its career as an incorporated city;
the Nauvoo Legion was organized, and the cornerstones of the Nauvoo Temple
were laid. The Twelve Apostles returned from their missions to England, and
baptism for the dead was commenced in the Church.
The first number of the Gospel Reflector, a semi-monthly periodical
published in the interest of the Church, was issued in Philadelphia, Pa.;
Benjamin Winchester, editor.
The first British edition of the Book of Mormon was published in
Manchester, England.
The Saints were commanded by revelation to build a Temple at Nauvoo,
Ill., and also a "boarding house" for the accommodation of strangers, which
subsequently became known as the Nauvoo House. The general authorities of the
Church and other officers were named in the revelation, which also contains
important explanations on the order of the Priesthood. (Doc. and Cov., Sec.
124.)
Hyrum Smith succeeded his father, Joseph Smith, sen., as Patriarch to the
Church, and Wm. Law was appointed a Counselor in the First Presidency,
succeeding Hyrum Smith, in that capacity, according to revelation.
At a meeting held at Nauvoo, Ill., Joseph Smith was elected sole Trustee
for the Church, to hold the office during life, his "successors to be the
First Presidency" of the Church.
The first election took place for members of the city council of Nauvoo.
John C. Bennett was elected mayor; Wm. Marks, Samuel H. Smith, Daniel H. Wells
and Newel K. Whitney, aldermen; Joseph Smith, Hyrum Smith, Sidney Rigdon,
Charles C. Rich, John F. Barnett, Wilson Law, Don Carlos Smith, John P. Greene
and Vinson Knight, councilors.
The city council of Nauvoo elected Henry G. Sherwood, marshall; James
Sloan, recorder; Robert B. Thompsen, treasurer; James Robinson, assessor;
Austin Cowles, supervisor of streets.
The Nauvoo Legion, originally consisting of six companies, was organized
with Joseph Smith as lieutenant-general.
The ship Sheffield sailed from Liverpool, England with 235 Saints, under
the leadership of Hiram Clark.
Apostle Orson Hyde sailed from New York for Liverpool, on his mission to
Jerusalem.
The London (England) conference was organized with Lorenzo Snow as
president.
The ship Echo sailed from Liverpool, England, with 109 Saints, under the
direction of Daniel Browitt.
The Saints were commanded by revelation to build a city in Iowa
Territory, opposite Nauvoo, to be called Zarahemla. (Doc. and Cov., Sec.
125.)
The city council divided the city of Nauvoo into four wards. An
ordinance was passed, giving free toleration and equal privileges in the city
to all religious sects and denominations.
Governor Thos. Carlin, of Illinois, commissioned Joseph Smith
lieutenant-general of the Nauvoo Legion.
The ship Uleste sailed from Liverpool, England, with 54 Saints, under the
direction of Thomas Smith and Wm. Moss, bound for America.
Charles C. Rich and Austin Cowles were chosen counselors to Wm. Marks,
president of the Nauvoo Stake of Zion.
A general conference of the Church was commenced at Nauvoo, and the
corner stones of the Nauvoo Temple were laid. The conference was continued
till the 11th.
Lyman Wight was chosen one of the Twelve Apostles, in place of David W.
Patten, martyred in Missouri.
Apostles Brigham Young, Heber C. Kimball, Orson Pratt, Wilford Woodruff,
John Taylor, Geo. A. Smith and Willard Richards sailed from Liverpool,
England, on the ship Rochester, accompanied by 130 Saints. They arrived at
New York May 20th.
At a conference held at Kirtland, O., Almon W. Babbitt was chosen
president of the Kirtland Stake, with Lester Brooks and Zebedee Coltrin as
counselors.
The First Presidency at Nauvoo called upon all scattered Saints to gather
to Hancock County, Ill., and Lee County, Ia. All neighboring Stakes outside
of these two counties were discontinued.
Joseph Smith was arrested on a requisition from the State of Missouri.
He was tried on the 9th and liberated on the 10th on a writ of habeas corpus,
at Monmouth, Warren Co., Ill.
Theodore Curtis, who had been under arrest in Gloucester, England, five
days for preaching the gospel, was acquitted.
Apostles Brigham Young, Heber C. Kimball and John Taylor arrived at
Nauvoo from their missions to England.
By revelation, through Joseph the Prophet, Apostle Brigham Young was
commanded to send the "word" abroad, and to take special care of his family.
(Doc. and Cov., Sec. 126.)
Apostle Geo. A. Smith returned to Nauvoo from his mission to England.
Wm. Yokum lost his leg by amputation, as the result of a wound received
in the massacre at Haun's Mill.
Don Carlos Smith, the youngest brother of the Prophet, died at Nauvoo.
Joseph Smith preached to about one hundred Sac and Fox Indians (among
whom were the chiefs Keokuk, Kiskuhosh and Appenoose), who had come to visit
him at Nauvoo.
Apostle Willard Richards arrived at Nauvoo from his mission to England.
Oliver Granger died at Kirtland, O.
Robert B. Thompson, Joseph Smith's scribe, died at Nauvoo.
The ship Tyrean sailed from Liverpool for New Orleans with 204 Saints,
under the direction of Joseph Fielding, bound for Nauvoo.
A company of brethren left Nauvoo for the Pineries, Wisconsin, about five
hundred miles north, to procure lumber for the Nauvoo Temple.
An important general conference was commenced in the Grove at Nauvoo. It
was continued till the 4th. Joseph Smith declared, as the will of the Lord,
that the Church should not hold another general conference until the Saints
could meet in the Temple. James Sloan was elected Church clerk, instead of
Robert B. Thompson deceased.
Apostle Wilford Woodruff arrived at Nauvoo from his mission to England.
In a council of the Twelve, a number of brethren were called on missions,
among whom were Joseph Ball to South America and Henry Harrison Sagers to
Jamaica, West Indies.
Apostle Orson Hyde, who had arrived at Jerusalem, ascended the Mount of
Olives and dedicated the land of Palestine by prayer for the gathering of the
Jews.
The temporary baptismal font in the Nauvoo Temple was dedicated.
The ship Chaos sailed from Liverpool with 170 Saints, under the direction
of Peter Melling, bound for Nauvoo.
Baptisms for the dead were commenced in the font in the basement of the
Nauvoo Temple.
The Tyrean company of British Saints arrived at Warsaw, intending to
settle Warren, a new town site, one mile south of Warsaw, which had been
selected for a settlement of the Saints, but they soon afterwards removed to
Nauvoo, because of oppression on the part of anti-Mormons.
The Stake organization at Ramus, Hancock County, Ill., was discontinued.
Apostle Willard Richards was appointed Joseph Smith's private secretary
and general clerk for the Church.
John Snider was called by revelation on a special mission to Europe,
bearing a message from the Twelve.
1842
A large number of Saints from Great Britain arrived at Nauvoo, Ill. John
C. Bennett, who turned traitor against the Church, sought the Prophet Joseph's
life. Joseph Smith was arrested on a false charge, tried and acquitted; and
when the officers planned to arrest him again, he hid himself and from his
places of seclusion wrote important communications to the Saints.
A conference was held at Zarahemla, Ia., opposite Nauvoo, when a Stake of
Zion, previously organized there, was discontinued, and a branch organized in
its stead, with John Smith as president.
The ship Tremont sailed from Liverpool with 143 Saints bound for Nauvoo
via New Orleans.
Moses Thatcher was born in Sangamon County, Ill.,
Apostle Wilford Woodruff took the superintendency of the printing office
and Apostle John Taylor the editorial department of the Times and Seasons, at
Nauvoo.
The ship Hope sailed from Liverpool for New Orleans with 270 Saints.
20, Sun. The ship John Cummins sailed from Liverpool with about two
hundred Saints.
The Millennial Star office in England was moved from Manchester (No. 47
Oxford Street) to the Church emigration office in Liverpool (No. 36 Chapel
Street).
The ship Hanover sailed from Liverpool with about two hundred Saints,
under the direction of Amos Fielding.
Joseph Smith took charge of the editorial department of the Times and
Seasons.
The organization of the Female Relief Society of Nauvoo was commenced.
It was completed on the 24th, with Emma Smith as president; Mrs. Elizabeth Ann
Whitney and Mrs. Sarah M. Cleveland, counselors; Miss Elvira Cowles,
treasurer; and Eliza R. Snow, secretary.
Joseph Smith baptized eighty person for the dead in the Mississippi
river, after which he confirmed about fifty.
John Snider left Nauvoo on his special mission to England.
Joseph Smith baptized 107 persons for the dead in the Mississippi river.
A special conference of the Church was held at Nauvoo; it was continued
till the 8th, and during its sessions 275 brethren were ordained Elders.
About two hundred Saints arrived at Nauvoo from Great Britain.
The Wasp, a miscellaneous weekly newspaper, was first published at
Nauvoo; Wm. Smith, editor.
Joseph Smith wrote: "A conspiracy against the peace of my household was
made manifest, and it gave me some trouble to counteract the design of certain
base individuals and restore peace. The Lord makes manifest to me many
things, which it is not wisdom for me to make public, until others can witness
the proof of them."
Joseph Smith gave James Adams, Hyrum Smith, Newel K. Whitney, George
Miller, Brigham Young, Heber C. Kimball and Willard Richards instructions
about holy endowments.
Ex-Governor Lilburn W. Boggs, of Missouri, was shot, but not killed, at
Independence, Mo.
The Nauvoo Legion, now numbering 26 companies, or 2,000 men, was reviewed
and it fought a sham battle, in which John C. Bennett conspired against the
Prophet's life, but failed to carry out his design.
John C. Bennett having resigned the mayorship of Nauvoo, Joseph Smith was
elected by the city council to fill the vacancy.
Chauncey L. Higbee was excommunicated from the Church by the High Council
of Nauvoo, for unchaste and unvirtuous conduct.
The authorities of the Church had at this time withdrawn their fellowship
from John C. Bennett, who soon afterwards left Nauvoo.
At a general conference held in Manchester, England, 8,265 officers and
members of the Church were represented.
Joseph Smith spoke to eight thousand people at Nauvoo.
Apostle Orson Hyde published a pamphlet of 120 pages in the German
language, in Germany, entitled "A Cry in the Wilderness," etc., setting forth
the rise, progress and doctrines of the Church.
Joseph Smith prophesied that the Saints would be driven to the Rocky
Mountains, where they should become a mighty people.
Joseph Smith was arrested by a deputy sheriff at Nauvoo, by requisition
from Gov. Thos. Reynolds, of Missouri, falsely accused of being accessory to
the shooting of ex-Governor Boggs. O. Porter Rockwell was also arrested as
principal. A writ of habeas corpus was issued by the municipal court of
Nauvoo, by which the prisoners were released for the time being.
The deputy sheriff returned to Nauvoo to re-arrest Joseph Smith and O.
Porter Rockwell, but they could not be found. To escape imprisonment the
Prophet had to keep concealed for some time. His first retreat was the house
of his uncle John Smith, at Zarahemla, Ia.
Joseph Smith concealed himself in the house of Edward Sayer, in Nauvoo.
Rumors being afloat that the Prophet's hiding place was discovered, he
changed his quarters from the house of Edward Sayer to that of Carlos Granger,
who lived in the northeast part of Nauvoo. Great excitement prevailed among
the people around Nauvoo on account of John C. Bennett's lies.
Joseph Smith returned to his own house.
Amasa M. Lyman was ordained one of the Twelve Apostles.
Sidney Rigdon testified in public meeting, at Nauvoo, that his daughter,
Eliza, had been raised from the dead by the power of God.
After not showing himself in public for three weeks, Joseph Smith spoke
to an assembly of Saints at Nauvoo. 380 Elders volunteered to take missions
to the various States of the Union for the purpose of refuting John C.
Bennett's lies.
Joseph Smith wrote an address to the Saints at Nauvoo concerning baptism
for the dead. (Doc. and Cov., Sec. 127.)
Another effort was made to arrest Joseph Smith without legal process.
His house was searched, but he eluded pursuit, and afterwards kept himself hid
for some time in the house of Edward Hunter.
Joseph Smith wrote another important address to the Saints in relation to
baptism for the dead, and the necessity of keeping records. (Doc. and Cov.,
Sec. 128.)
Joseph Smith returned home undiscovered.
The ship Sidney sailed from Liverpool with 180 Saints; it arrived at New
Orleans Nov. 13th.
The ship Henry sailed from Liverpool for New Orleans, with 157 Saints,
under the direction of John Snider.
Reports reached Joseph Smith that Gov. Thos. Reynolds, of Missouri, had
offered a reward for the arrest of himself and O. Porter Rockwell.
Joseph Smith again left home to elude the pursuit of his enemies, leaving
his wife Emma sick. He returned on the 20th.
Some of the brethren arrived at Nauvoo from the Pineries, Wisconsin, with
90,000 feet of lumber and 24,000 cubic feet of timber for the Temple and
Nauvoo House.
Thomas Ward succeeded Apostle Parley P. Pratt as president of the British
Mission, with Lorenzo Snow and Hiram Clark as counselors.
The ship Emerald sailed from Liverpool with 250 Saints, under the
leadership of Apostle Parley P. Pratt. Because of ice in the Mississippi
river the company was detained during the winter in St. Louis, Alton, Chester
and other places, and did not arrive in Nauvoo until April 12, 1843.
Apostle John Taylor succeeded Joseph Smith as editor of the Times and
Seasons.
Alpheus Harmon was frozen to death on the prairie, between Nauvoo and
Carthage, Ill., as he was returning home from a mission.
The city of Nauvoo was divided into ten Bishop's wards.
Apostle Orson Hyde returned to Nauvoo from his mission to Jerusalem.
Lorenzo D. Barnes died at Bradford, England. His was the first death of
an Elder on a foreign mission.
Apostle Willard Richards, who had been in the East several months, was
appointed Church Historian, etc.
Joseph Smith was arrested the third time on a requisition from the State
of Missouri.
Joseph Smith, accompanied by several brethren, left Nauvoo for
Springfield, Ill., where they arrived on the 30th.
1843
During this and the preceding year Joseph the Prophet preached many
powerful sermons and uttered a number of important prophecies. While on a
visit to Dixon, Ill., he had a narrow escape from being kidnapped under legal
pretense and taken to Missouri. The revelation on celestial marriage was
given and the first missionaries sent to the Society Islands.
Joseph Smith prophesied that he should not go to Missouri dead or alive.
Joseph Smith was on trial before Judge Pope, of Springfield, on the
accusation of being an accessory to the shooting of ex-Governor Boggs of
Missouri.
Joseph Smith was proven innocent and acquitted.
Joseph Smith and company arrived at Nauvoo from the trip to Springfield.
The ship Swanton sailed from Liverpool with 212 Saints for New Orleans,
led by Lorenzo Snow. The emigrants arrived at Nauvoo April 12th.
The Saints being overjoyed because of Joseph Smith's release, meetings of
prayer and thanksgiving were held at Nauvoo.
Apostle Parley P. Pratt arrived at Nauvoo from his mission to England.
Joseph Smith received by revelation three grand keys, by which bad
angels, or spirits, may be known. (Doc. and Cov., Sec. 129.)
A "Young Gentlemen's and Ladies' Relief Society" was organized at Nauvoo,
with Wm. Cutler as president.
Joseph Smith studied the German language.
The Illinois legislature passed a bill for repealing the Nauvoo city
charter, which, however, was not approved.
O. Porter Rockwell was taken prisoner in St. Louis by the Missourians.
The ship Yorkshire sailed from Liverpool, England, with 82 Saints on
board, led by Thomas Bullock; the emigrants arrived at Nauvoo, May 31st, via
New Orleans.
Joseph Smith prophesied that O. Porter Rockwell would get away honorably
from the Missourians.
The ship Clayborne sailed from Liverpool with 106 Saints.
"Important Items of Instruction" were given by Joseph Smith, at Nauvoo,
who also prophesied "that the commencement of the difficulties which will
cause much bloodshed previous to the coming of the Son of Man, will be in
South Carolina." (Doc. and Cov., Sec. 130.)
At a conference held in the Temple, at Kirtland, O., it was decided that
all the Saints residing at that place should remove to Nauvoo, Ill.
An important conference, which continued its sessions till the 8th, was
commenced on the floor of the Temple, at Nauvoo, Ill. Joseph Smith prophesied
that Christ would not come until he (Joseph) was eight-five years of age.
About one hundred and fifteen Elders were called on missions to different
States, at a special conference held at Nauvoo.
Joseph Smith preached to the British Saints, who had arrived at Nauvoo
the day previous.
Six brass plates and a skeleton were found by Mr. R. Wiley and others,
near Kinderhook, Pike Co., Ill.
The first number of the Nauvoo Neighbor, a newspaper, was issued at
Nauvoo, instead of the Wasp, suspended.
On this and the following day Joseph Smith made some important remarks
about the celestial glory, at Ramus, Ill. (Doc. and Cov., Sec. 131.)
Returning to Nauvoo from his visit to Ramus, Joseph Smith dined with
Judge Stephen A. Douglas, at Carthage, Hancock Co., Ill. During the
conversation which took place Joseph prophesied that Judge Douglas would
aspire to the Presidency of the United States, and added that if he ever
turned his hand against the Latter-day Saints, he should feel the hand of the
Almighty upon him, etc.
Addison Pratt, Noah Rogers, Benjamin F. Grouard and Knowlton F. Hanks
were set apart for a mission to the Pacific Islands.
Joseph Smith gave endowments, and also instructions on the Priesthood and
the new and everlasting covenant, to Hyrum Smith, Brigham Young, Heber C.
Kimball and others, at Nauvoo.
Addison Pratt, Benjamin F. Grouard, Knowlton F. Hanks and Noah Rogers
left Nauvoo on their missions to the Pacific Islands.
Elias Higbee died in Nauvoo.
A conference was held at Lima, Ill., and the branch at that place
reorganized, with Isaac Morley as president, and Gardiner Snow, Bishop.
Joseph Smith left Nauvoo with his wife Emma to visit her sister, living
near Dixon, Lee County, Ill.
Joseph Smith was arrested and brutally treated by Joseph H. Reynolds,
sheriff of Jackson Co., Mo., and Constable Harmon T. Wilson, of Carthage,
Ill., without legal process, and only through interference of friends at Dixon
saved from being kidnapped and taken to Missouri.
The corner stones of the Masonic Temple at Nauvoo were laid.
Joseph Smith secured a writ of habeas corpus and started towards Ottawa
to have his case examined by Judge John D. Caton, but, arriving at Pawpaw
Grove, the company learned that Judge Caton was not at home, and, therefore,
returned to Dixon the following day.
News of Joseph Smith being kidnapped reached Nauvoo, and 175 men
immediately started on horseback to his rescue.
Joseph Smith started under guard towards Quincy, Ill.
The company traveling with Joseph Smith was met by the brethren from
Nauvoo, when it was decided that instead of going to Quincy to have the writ
of habeas corpus examined, the prisoner and escort should proceed to Nauvoo.
Joseph Smith and company arrived at Nauvoo, nearly the whole city turning
out to meet him. In the afternoon he addressed the people, giving the history
of his arrest. While he was speaking Officers Reynolds and Wilson started for
Carthage and tried to raise a mob; afterwards they petitioned Gov. Thos. Ford
for militia to take Joseph out of Nauvoo by force.
Joseph Smith was tried before the municipal court of Nauvoo on a writ of
habeas corpus and acquitted.
Joseph Smith had a pleasant interview with several Pottawattamie chiefs
who had come to visit him, and a very good impression was made upon the
Indians.
The steamboat Maid of Iowa returned to Nauvoo, after a very adventurous
trip in search of Joseph. The brethren who had participated in that river
expedition, numbering about eighty, were blessed by the Prophet.
A number of Elders were called to visit the various counties of Illinois,
to preach the gospel and disabuse the public mind with regard to Joseph
Smith's arrest.
Charles C. Rich and a company of twenty-five men, who had been out
searching for the Prophet, returned to Nauvoo, having traveled about five
hundred miles on horseback in seven days.
Nauvoo was visited by about one thousand gentlemen and ladies from St.
Louis, Quincy and Burlington.
Mr. M. Braman arrived at Nauvoo as a messenger from the governor, to
learn the particulars of Joseph Smith's late arrest.
Bishop George Miller arrived at Nauvoo from the Pineries with 157,000
feet of lumber and 70,000 shingles for the Temple.
The revelation on celestial marriage was written in the presence of Hyrum
Smith and Wm. Clayton. (Doc. and Cov., Sec. 132.)
General James Adams, of Springfield, died at Nauvoo.
Joseph Smith moved into the Nauvoo Mansion.
The ship Mitoka sailed from Liverpool with 280 Saints, bound for Nauvoo.
Joseph Smith opened the Nauvoo Mansion as a hotel.
Reuben Hedlock and other missionaries from Nauvoo arrived at Liverpool,
England.
Joseph Smith gave a dinner party in the Nauvoo Mansion to about two
hundred Saints.
A special conference of the Church, which continued its sessions on the
8th, was commenced at Nauvoo, Ill. Serious complaints were made against
Sidney Rigdon.
At a meeting of the special conference at Nauvoo, Sidney Rigdon was
sustained as a Counselor to Joseph Smith, although the Prophet said, "I have
thrown him off my shoulders, and you have again put him on me; you may carry
him, but I will not."
Addison Pratt, Noah Rogers, Benjamin F. Grouard and Knowlton F. Hanks
sailed from New Bedford, Mass., on board the ship Timoleon, for the Pacific
Islands.
20, Fri.
John P. Greene returned to Nauvoo, from a mission to the State of New
York, with about one hundred emigrants.
The ship Champion sailed from Liverpool with 91 Saints, bound for Nauvoo.
Apostles Brigham Young, Heber C. Kimball and George A. Smith returned to
Nauvoo from a mission to the Eastern States.
Knowlton F. Hanks, one of the missionaries to the Pacific Islands, died.
He was the first Latter-day Saint Elder who died and was buried at sea.
Erastus Snow returned to Nauvoo with a company of immigrants from
Massachusetts.
Philander Avery was kidnapped from the neighborhood of Warsaw and carried
forcibly across the Mississippi river to Missouri.
Apostles Orson Hyde, Parley P. Pratt, Wilford Woodruff and George A.
Smith and Elder Orson Spencer received their endowments at Nauvoo, Ill.; 35
persons were present.
Daniel Avery was kidnapped from Bear Creek, Hancock Co, Ill., by a
company of Missourians, and imprisoned in Monticello jail, Lewis Co., Mo.,
where his son Philander was already confined.
The German brethren met at the Assembly Room at Nauvoo, chose Bishop
Daniel Garn as their presiding Elder, and organized to have preaching done in
their own language.
John Ellioth, a schoolmaster, was arrested and brought to Nauvoo, where
he was tried and found guilty of having kidnapped Daniel Avery and son.
The Nauvoo Legion paraded near the Temple, was inspected by the officers
and instructed to prepare for meeting the mob, which was gathering in the
neighborhood.
The city council of Nauvoo signed a petition to Congress, praying for
redress for the Missouri persecutions.
David Holman's house, near Ramus, Hancock Co., Ill, was burned by the
mob.
O. Porter Rockwell arrived in Nauvoo from nearly a year's imprisonment in
Missouri without conviction, during which time he was subjected to very cruel
treatment.
Daniel Avery was liberated from his imprisonment in Missouri, his son
having previously escaped.
Forty policemen were sworn into office in the city of Nauvoo.
1844
Joseph the Prophet became a candidate for the Presidency of the United
States. Mobs gathered around Nauvoo, and during the ensuing troubles Joseph
and his brother Hyrum were martyred in Carthage jail. The Twelve Apostles
returned from their missions to the Eastern States and were accepted by the
Saints as the presiding Council of the Church. A great number of Seventies
were ordained.
Jonathan Pugmire, sen., and Thos. Cartwright, who had been imprisoned in
Chester, England, about six weeks, for the accidental drowning of Mrs.
Cartwright during an attempt to baptize her, Nov. 23, 1843, were acquitted.
A special session of the city council was held at Nauvoo because of Wm.
Law's intimation that his life was in danger.
Wm. Marks, president of the Nauvoo Stake of Zion, being alarmed on
account of a fire being kindled near his house, made statements before the
city council; his fears were unfounded.
Elder Horace S. Eldredge, a county constable, was prevented by mob force
from performing an official duty at Carthage.
John Smith, uncle to Joseph Smith, the Prophet, was ordained a Patriarch.
Francis M. Higbee was tried before the municipal court of Nauvoo for
slandering Joseph Smith.
The ship Fanny sailed from Liverpool, England, with 210 Saints under the
direction of Wm. Kay, bound for Nauvoo. It arrived at New Orleans, March 7th.
At a political meeting, held at Nauvoo, Joseph Smith was nominated a
candidate for the Presidency of the United States. Soon afterwards a large
number of Elders were sent to the various States of the Union to electioneer
for him.
The ship Isaac Allerton sailed from Liverpool with 60 Saints, bound for
Nauvoo.
Joseph Smith completed his address to the people of the United States,
entitled: "Views of the Powers and Policy of the Government of the United
States."
The ship Swanton sailed from Liverpool with 81 Saints, bound for Nauvoo,
where they arrived April 18th.
The anti-Mormons held a convention at Carthage, Ill., the object being to
devise ways and means for expelling the Saints from the State.
Joseph Smith instructed the Twelve Apostles to send a delegation to
California and Oregon, to search for a good location, to which the Saints
could remove after the completion of the Temple.
A meeting of the Apostles was held at Nauvoo for the purpose of selecting
"a company to explore Oregon and California and select a site for a new city
for the Saints." Jonathan Dunham, Phinehas H. Young, David D. Yearsley and
David Fullmer volunteered to go; and Alphonso Young, James Emmett, Geo. D.
Watt and Daniel Spencer were requested to go.
Another meeting was held at Nauvoo, in favor of the California and Oregon
expedition. Several of the brethren volunteered to go; among whom were Samuel
Bent, John A. Kelting, Samuel Rolfe, Daniel Avery and Samuel W. Richards.
Joseph Smith prophesied that in five years the Saints would be out of the
power of their old enemies, whether apostates or of the world.
Moses Smith and Rufus Beach volunteered to join the Oregon exploring
expedition.
It was decided in council at Nauvoo to cease work on the Nauvoo House
until the Temple was completed.
The ship Glasgow sailed from Liverpool with 150 Saints, led by Hiram
Clark, bound for Nauvoo, where they arrived April 26th.
Joseph Smith and the leading authorities of the Church held another
council at Nauvoo about the Saints moving to the mountains.
Joseph Smith spoke in public meeting against Chauncey L. Higbee, Robert
D. Foster, Wm. and Wilson Law and others, as conspirators against his life.
Joseph Smith petitioned Congress to protect the citizens of the United
States, emigrating west; this he did in view of the Saints going to the
mountains in the near future.
The Masonic Temple, which had been erected at Nauvoo, was dedicated.
About five hundred and fifty members of the Masonic fraternity from various
parts of the world were present.
A conference, which lasted five days, commenced at Nauvoo. The Prophet
spoke to 20,000 Saints on the 7th, and on the 8th declared the whole of North
and South America to be the land of Zion.
Under the leadership of Wm. Kay, 210 British Saints arrived at Nauvoo.
Wm. and Wilson Law, Robert D. Foster and other apostates, formerly
prominent in the Church, were excommunicated.
Augustine Spencer, Robert D. Foster, Charles Foster and Chauncey L.
Higbee were arrested and fined, in Nauvoo, for assault and resisting the
officers.
Elders Addison Pratt, Noah Rogers and Benjamin F. Grouard landed on the
island of Tubuai (one of the Austral group), as the first missionaries of the
Church to the islands of the Pacific.
Joseph Smith was arrested at Nauvoo on complaint of Francis M. Higbee,
but took out a writ of habeas corpus, and was tried on the 8th before the
municipal court of Nauvoo, which resulted in Joseph's acquittal, and Higbee
was sentenced to pay the cost of the suit.
Elders Noah Rogers and Benjamin F. Grouard landed at Papeete, Tahiti,
Society Islands, as the first Latter-day Saint missionaries to that group.
Anthon H. Lund was born at Aalborg, Denmark.
A State convention was held at Nauvoo, Ill., in which Joseph Smith was
nominated as a candidate for the Presidency, and Sidney Rigdon for the Vice
Presidency, of the United States.
The first number of The Prophet, a weekly paper devoted to the interests
of the Church, was issued in New York City, by a society of Saints.
Apostles Brigham Young, Heber C. Kimball and Lyman Wight, and about a
hundred other Elders, left Nauvoo, Ill., on political missions to the East.
Apostles Wilford Woodruff and Geo. A. Smith and others had left on the 9th.
Joseph Smith had a talk with a number of Sac and Fox Indians at Nauvoo.
Joseph Smith learned that the grand jury at Carthage had found two
indictments against him, one of them for polygamy.
Joseph Smith, accompanied by a number of friends, went to Carthage to
have the indictments against him investigated by the circuit court, but, the
prosecution not being ready, the case was continued until next term.
The first and only number of the Nauvoo Expositor was published, edited
by Sylvester Emmons.
The paper and printing material of the Nauvoo Expositor were destroyed,
according to the proclamation of the city council, declaring it a nuisance.
Joseph Smith was arrested on a charge of destroying the Expositor, tried
before the municipal court of Nauvoo and acquitted. The following day the
other members of the city council were tried before the same court, on a
similar charge, and honorably acquitted.
Joseph Smith communicated the facts connected with the removal of the
Expositor's printing materials, by letter, to Gov. Thos. Ford.
In a public meeting, held at Nauvoo, a number of delegates were called to
visit the different precincts in Hancock County, Ill., to lay a truthful
statement of the troubles in Nauvoo before the people. Joseph Smith, as mayor
of the city, also stated the facts in a proclamation.
Addison Pratt baptized Ambrose Alexander, a white man, on the island of
Tubuai, as the first convert to "Mormonism" on the Pacific Isles.
Joseph Smith and a number of others were arrested, on complaint of W. G.
Ware, for riot in destroying the Expositor, tried before Justice Daniel H.
Wells, and, after a long and close examination, acquitted.
Mobs began to gather in the surrounding country, threatening to drive the
Saints from Nauvoo.
The Nauvoo Legion was ordered out and the city declared under martial
law, by the proclamation of the mayor, Joseph Smith. The Prophet delivered
his last public address. An extra of the Warsaw Signal was read, in which all
the "old citizens" were called upon to assist the mob in driving away the
Saints.
Mobs were gathering at different points to attack Nauvoo.
General Joseph Smith, with other officers of the Legion, examined the
approaches to Nauvoo as a preparatory measure for defense. The Prophet also
sent for the Twelve Apostles, who were on missions, to come home immediately.
Late in the evening Joseph and Hyrum Smith and Willard Richards left
Nauvoo and crossed the Mississippi river, with the intention to flee to the
West, and thus escape from their enemies.
Through the solicitation of Emma Smith, and several supposed friends,
Joseph Smith and his companions returned to Nauvoo.
Joseph and Hyrum Smith, accompanied by seventeen friends, started for
Carthage, to submit to another trial, under pledge of protection from Gov.
Thos. Ford. On the way they received a demand from the governor to surrender
the State arms in possession of the Nauvoo Legion; Joseph returned and
complied with the request, and then proceeded to Carthage.
Joseph Smith and his brethren surrendered themselves to a constable at
Carthage and submitted to a trial, after which they were, contrary to law,
remanded to prison.
Gov. Thos. Ford had a long interview with the prisoners in Carthage jail.
He renewed his promises of protection and said, if he went to Nauvoo, he would
take them with him.
Gov. Thos. Ford went to Nauvoo, leaving the prisoners in jail to be
guarded by their most bitter enemies, the "Carthage Greys." About 5:20 p.m.
an armed mob with blackened faces surrounded and entered the jail, and
murdered Joseph and Hyrum Smith in cold blood; Apostle John Taylor was
severely wounded, while Apostle Willard Richards only received a slight wound
on his ear.
Apostle Willard Richards and Samuel H. Smith conveyed the bodies of the
martyrs to Nauvoo, where they were met by the officers of the Nauvoo Legion,
and a very large number of citizens.
About ten thousand persons visited and viewed the remains of the martyred
Prophet and Patriarch at Nauvoo. The funeral took place in the evening.
Apostle John Taylor was brought home to Nauvoo from Carthage.
Apostle Parley P. Pratt arrived at Nauvoo; he was the first of the absent
Twelve to return.
Addison Pratt baptized four white men and four natives on the island of
Tubuai. These natives, whose names were Nabota and his wife Telii, Pauma and
Hamoe, were the first of the Polynesian race to embrace the fulness of the
gospel.
Erastus Snow and many other Elders arrived at Nauvoo. All seemed weighed
down with gloom.
Apostle Geo. A. Smith and a party of brethren arrived at Nauvoo.
A branch of the Church, consisting of eleven members, was organized by
Addison Pratt on the island of Tubuai (Society Islands mission). This was the
first branch of the Church on the Pacific Islands.
Samuel H. Smith, brother of the Prophet, died at Nauvoo, as a martyr to
persecution.
Apostle Amasa M. Lyman arrived at Nauvoo.
A political meeting of the citizens of Hancock County, Ill., was held
near the Temple at Nauvoo. Great excitement prevailed throughout the county.
The mob party was determined to elect officers who would screen the murderers
of Joseph and Hyrum Smith and exterminate the "Mormons."
Sidney Rigdon arrived at Nauvoo from Pittsburgh, Pa.
Sidney Rigdon preached to the Saints at Nauvoo, declaring that a guardian
should be appointed to build up the Church to Joseph, intimating that he was
the man who should lead the Saints.
Apostles Brigham Young, Heber C. Kimball, Lyman Wight, Orson Hyde, Orson
Pratt and Wilford Woodruff arrived at Nauvoo.
The Twelve met in council with Elder Taylor, at his house at Nauvoo; they
found him recovering from his wounds. In the afternoon, the Twelve, the High
Council and High Priests held a meeting in the Seventies' Hall, where Sidney
Rigdon's claim to lead the Church was considered.
A special meeting of the Church was held at Nauvoo, in which Elder Rigdon
harangued the Saints about choosing a guardian, etc. In the afternoon meeting
the Twelve Apostles, through their President, Brigham Young, asserted their
right to lead the Church, which claim was recognized by the unanimous vote of
the people.
At a council of the Twelve Apostles, Amasa M. Lyman was admitted into
their quorum, having been previously ordained to the Apostleship. Elder
Wilford Woodruff was appointed to go to England to preside over the British
mission.
The Twelve issued an epistle to the Saints in all the world, giving such
instructions and words of counsel to the Church as were necessary after the
martyrdom of the Prophet.
Wilford Woodruff, Dan Jones and Hiram Clark, with their families, left
Nauvoo for England.
Brigham Young was elected lieutenant-general of the Nauvoo Legion, and
Charles C. Rich, major-general.
At a meeting of the High Council of Nauvoo, Sidney Rigdon was
excommunicated from the Church.
The ship Norfolk sailed from Liverpool with 143 Saints, bound for Nauvoo.
Seventy presidents to preside over the Seventies, and fifty High Priests
to preside in different sections of the country, were ordained.
Gov. Thos. Ford visited Nauvoo with about five hundred troops and three
pieces of artillery, ostensibly for the purpose of bringing the murderers of
Joseph and Hyrum Smith to justice.
About this time several persons in Hancock County were indicted for the
murder of Joseph and Hyrum Smith, among whom was Jacob C. Davis.
At the general conference held in Nauvoo Wm. Marks was rejected as
president of the Stake and John Smith appointed in his stead.
A reorganization of the Seventies took place in the general conference at
Nauvoo. At the close eleven quorums were filled and properly organized, and
about forty Elders organized as a part of the 12th quorum. The senior
presidents of these twelve quorums of Seventy were Joseph Young (1st), Edson
Barney (2nd), Elias Hutchins (3rd), Jacob Gates (4th), Henry Jacobs (5th),
Israel Barlow (6th), Randolph Alexander (7th), John Pack (8th), Philip
Ettleman (9th), Albert P. Rockwood (10th), Jesse P. Harmon (11th), and Hyrum
Dayton (12th).
About the same time the 16th quorum of Seventy was organized, with Dana
Jacobs as senior president.
Edward Hunter was ordained a Bishop and set apart to take care of the 5th
Ward in Nauvoo.
Apostle Parley P. Pratt was appointed to go to the city of New York to
regulate and counsel the emigration from Europe and preside over all the
eastern branches of the Church.
The 13th, 14th and 15th quorums of Seventy were organized in Nauvoo, with
Charles Bird, Jonathan Dunham and John Lytle as senior presidents.
1845
Work on the Nauvoo Temple was prosecuted with much vigor; mobs attacked
the outlying settlements in Hancock County, Ill., burned a number of houses,
and caused much suffering among the Saints.
During this month the legislature of Illinois repealed the city charter
of Nauvoo.
Apostle Wilford Woodruff and accompanying missionaries arrived at
Liverpool, England. Wilford Woodruff succeeded Reuben Hedlock as president of
the British mission.
The 17th quorum of Seventy was organized at Nauvoo, with Daniel M.
Kepsher as senior president.
The ship Palmyra sailed from Liverpool, England, with a company of
Saints, under the direction of Amos Fielding, bound for Nauvoo.
The 18th quorum of Seventy was organized in Nauvoo, with John W. Bell as
senior president.
The 19th quorum of Seventy was organized at Nauvoo, with Samuel Moore as
senior president.
The 21st quorum of Seventy was partly organized at Nauvoo, with Erastus
H. Derby as senior president.
The 20th quorum of Seventy was organized at Morley's Settlement, Hancock
Co., Ill., with Hiram Blackman, of Bear Creek branch, as senior president.
The Twelve Apostles issued "A proclamation to all the kings of the world,
to the President of the United States of America, to the governors of the
several States, and to the rulers and people of all nations."
The general conference of the Church was commenced at Nauvoo, Ill. It
was continued till the 9th and attended by about twenty-five thousand people.
In honor of the Prophet Joseph it was decided by vote to change the name of
Nauvoo to "City of Joseph."
At a conference held in Manchester, England, Dan. Jones, who had lately
arrived from America, was appointed president of the Wrexham conference
(Wales), consisting of himself and wife. One year later there were seven
hundred members of the Church in Wales, largely through his instrumentality.
At a conference held in Manchester, England, the so-called Joint Stock
Company was organized, with Thomas Ward as president.
The 22nd, 23rd, 24th, 25th and 26th quorums of Seventy were organized at
Nauvoo, with David Clough (22nd), Benjamin Sweatt (23rd), Lewis Eger (24th),
Thomas Spiers (25th), and Benjamin Jones (26th) as senior presidents.
A U. S. deputy marshal of Illinois arrived at Nauvoo, with writs for
Brigham Young and others, but failed to arrest them.
As the city charter of Nauvoo had been repealed, a small part of the city
was incorporated as the town of Nauvoo.
In a general council held at Nauvoo, it was decided to send a written
appeal in behalf of the Saints to the President of the United States, and to
the governor of every State in the Union, except the State of Missouri. This
resolution was subsequently acted upon, but without any response, except from
the governor of Arkansas, who replied in a respectful and sympathetic letter.
Some of the citizens of Nauvoo went to Carthage, to attend the trial of
the murderers of Joseph and Hyrum Smith.
President Brigham Young and others who had been secreted for some time,
to avoid arrest and persecution by their enemies, appeared at Nauvoo and took
part in the laying of the cap stone of the Temple, in the presence of a large
number of Saints.
The murderers of Joseph and Hyrum Smith were acquitted by the jury at
Carthage, although every one who witnessed the trial was satisfied of their
guilt.
At the close of its fifth volume the Millennial Star (England) was
changed from a monthly to a semi-monthly periodical.
The organization of the 27th quorum of Seventy was commenced in Nauvoo.
The 27th quorum of Seventy was organized at Nauvoo, with Rufus Beach as
senior president.
A constable came to Nauvoo with writs for the arrest of Apostles Brigham
Young and John Taylor, and others, but he did not succeed in finding them.
The first stone was laid for a new baptismal font in the Nauvoo Temple.
This being the first anniversary of the martyrdom of Joseph and Hyrum
Smith, the day was spent in prayer and fasting by the Saints in Great Britain.
Noah Rogers sailed from Tahiti, Society Islands, per ship Three Brothers,
on his return to Nauvoo, Ill., where he arrived Dec. 29, 1845. He was the
first Latter-day Saint Elder who circumnavigated the globe as a missionary.
The first number of the New York Messenger was published by Samuel
Brannan in New York City, as a continuation of the Prophet, suspended.
The 28th and 29th quorums of Seventy were organized in Nauvoo, with John
Gaylord and Augustus A. Farnham as senior presidents.
Twenty-eight persons were killed by an explosion in a colliery at
Cromstock, near Aberdare, South Wales. Several of the Saints employed in the
colliery escaped, having been warned by vision of the catastrophe.
The dome of the Nauvoo Temple was raised.
The 30th quorum of Seventy was organized in Nauvoo, with Sahiel Savage as
senior president.
One hundred and thirty-five teams were sent from Nauvoo to bring in the
families and grain from the surrounding country.
The few Saints who still remained at Kirtland, O., were persecuted by
their enemies, who took possession of the Temple.
The ship Oregon sailed from Liverpool, England, with a company of Saints
bound for Nauvoo, Ill.
A mob attacked the house of Edmund Durfee, in Morley's Settlement,
Hancock Co., Ill., turned the people out of doors, set fire to the buildings
and threatened instant death to men, women and children. The mob then burned
all the other houses, barns and shops in the settlement and turned the
inhabitants into the open air. Also a farming settlement called Green Plains,
inhabited by about eighty members of the Church, was burned by the mob.
The mob drove Jacob Backenstos, sheriff of Hancock County, from his home
at Carthage.
The mob made an effort to kill the sheriff. In his defense O. Porter
Rockwell killed Frank A. Worrell, one of the leaders of the mob, who was an
officer of the guard at Carthage jail when Joseph and Hyrum Smith were killed.
Sheriff Backenstos, with a posse consisting of some seven hundred men,
surrounded Carthage, Ill., to make arrests, but the house-burners had fled.
He also issued a proclamation to the mobbers to disperse, which, however, was
not obeyed, as they went to Missouri and other places, preparing for new
depredations.
As the persecutions in Hancock County continued to rage, the Saints
commenced to leave their possessions in the smaller settlements and flee to
Nauvoo for protection. The authorities of the Church made a proposition to
the mob to have the Saints leave the State of Illinois the following spring.
General John J. Hardin arrived at Nauvoo with four hundred troops,
pretending to hunt for criminals, but undoubtedly had other motives for his
diligent search of the Temple and other public buildings.
The Apostles at Nauvoo had an important consultation with General John J.
Hardin, Senator Stephen A. Douglas, W. B. Warren and J. A. McDougal,
commissioners from a convention held in Carthage, about the removal of the
Saints.
The Nauvoo Temple was so far completed that a meeting, attended by five
thousand people, was held in it.
The first general conference of the Saints for three years was commenced
in the Temple, the Prophet Joseph having ordered that they should not hold
another general conference until they could meet in that house. The
conference continued for three days. Wm. Smith was dropped as an Apostle and
Patriarch.
Wm. Smith was excommunicated from the Church at Nauvoo.
Major Warren came into Nauvoo with a body of troops and threatened to put
the place under martial law. After he had left, the authorities of the Church
sent E. A. Bedell and Bishop Geo. Miller with a communication to Gov. Thomas
Ford. They informed him of Major Warren's threats and implored him to dismiss
the troops under his command, as the Saints had more to fear from them than
from the mob at large. The governor did not grant their request.
The 31st quorum of Seventy was partly organized at Nauvoo, with Edmund M.
Webb as senior president.
Edmund Durfee was killed by the mob in Green Plains, Hancock Co., Ill.
About the same time Joshua A. Smith was poisoned at Carthage.
The attic story of the Nauvoo Temple was dedicated.
After laboring nearly one year and eight months on Tubuai, Elder Addison
Pratt left that island to join Elder Benjamin F. Grouard, who had commenced a
most successful missionary work on Anaa, one of the Tuamotu Islands.
The 32nd quorum of Seventy was organized at Nauvoo, with Geo. Mayer as
senior president.
The famous "Bogus Brigham" arrest was made, the officers taking Elder Wm.
Miller to Carthage, believing that they had captured Apostle Brigham Young.
A U.S. deputy marshal visited Nauvoo, again searching for the Twelve and
others, but failed to make any arrest.
During this month many of the Saints received their blessings and
endowments in the Nauvoo Temple.
1846
Early in the year the Saints commenced to leave Nauvoo, fleeing from the
mob, which later drove the remnants out and took forcible possession of the
city. The Nauvoo Temple was dedicated, and many of the Saints received their
endowments before going into the wilderness. While traveling through Iowa,
the exiled Saints were called upon to raise five hundred men to participate in
the war with Mexico. Winter Quarters as established on the Missouri river.
The 33rd quorum of Seventy was organized with Albern Allen as senior
president.
At a council held in the Nauvoo Temple, to take into consideration the
means of organizing for the removal of the Saints, 140 horses and 70 wagons
were reported ready for immediate service.
The ship Liverpool sailed from Liverpool, England, with 45 Saints, under
the direction of Hiram Clark, bound for Nauvoo via New Orleans.
Apostle Wilford Woodruff sailed from Liverpool to return to America,
because of the contemplated removal of the Church to the mountains. Reuben
Hedlock, with Thomas Ward and John Banks as counselors, succeeded him in the
presidency of the British Mission.
A general meeting of the official members of the Church was held in the
Nauvoo Temple, for the purpose of arranging the affairs of the Church, prior
to its removal from Nauvoo.
The vane was placed on the Nauvoo Temple.
The Saints at Nauvoo commenced crossing the Mississippi river for the
purpose of moving west. Charles Shumway was the first to cross the river.
The ship Brooklyn sailed from New York with 235 Saints on board. They
were well supplied with implements of husbandry, and necessary tools for
establishing a new settlement. They also took with them a printing press and
materials, which afterwards were used in publishing the first newspaper issued
in California.
The 34th quorum of Seventy was organized at Nauvoo, with David W. Rogers
as one of the presidents.
About the same time the 35th quorum of Seventy was organized.
A fire, which broke out in the Nauvoo Temple, was put out before it did
much damage.
John E. Page was disfellowshipped.
Joseph Young was appointed to preside over the Saints who remained at
Nauvoo.
Apostles Brigham Young and Willard Richards, with their families, and
Apostle Geo. A. Smith crossed the Mississippi river for the West. They
traveled nine miles, and camped on Sugar Creek, where Pres. Young spent the
following day organizing the camps of the Saints.
Apostle Heber C. Kimball arrived in the camp on Sugar Creek. Willard
Richards was appointed camp historian and Wm. Clayton clerk.
President Young and a few others returned to Nauvoo, but rejoined the
camp the following day.
Bishop George Miller and company were the first to leave the camp ground
on Sugar Creek to travel westward.
A petition to the governor of Iowa, in which the Saints asked for
protection while passing through the Territory, was approved by the Twelve.
At this time the camp consisted of four hundred wagons, very heavily loaded.
The teams were too weak for rapid journeying. Most of the families had
provisions for several months, while some were quite destitute.
During the month the camps of the Saints in Iowa traveled about one
hundred miles. The roads were almost impassable most of the way, and the
Saints suffered much from cold and exposure, the weather being very windy and
stormy.
The camps of the Saints made a general move from Sugar Creek and traveled
five miles in a north-westerly direction.
At a council held at Apostle Parley P. Pratt's camp, near the east fork
of Shoal Creek, the camps of the Saints were more perfectly organized.
Brigham Young was elected president over all the "Camps of Israel."
The Saints in England suffered spiritually and financially on account of
the Joint Stock Company business, which was urged upon them by speculating
Elders.
The advance portion of the camps arrived at a place on the east fork of
Grand river, 145 miles from Nauvoo, which the Saints called Garden Grove,
where a temporary settlement was commenced for the benefit of the companies
which should follow after.
The Nauvoo Temple was dedicated privately, Elder Joseph Young offering
the dedicatory prayer.
The Nauvoo Temple was publicly dedicated by Apostle Orson Hyde.
About three thousand Saints met in the Temple at Nauvoo. Apostle Wilford
Woodruff preached.
Part of the camps continued the journey from Garden Grove, and on the
18th arrived at the middle fork of Grand river, on the land of the
Pottawattamie Indians, where another temporary settlement was established,
called Mount Pisgah. This was 172 miles from Nauvoo.
A general council of the camps at Mount Pisgah had under consideration
the subject of sending an exploring company to the Rocky Mountains that year.
The subsequent call for the Mormon Battalion, however, made this impossible.
Elder Noah Rogers, recently returned from a mission to the Society
Islands, died at Mount Pisgah, Iowa. His remains were the first interred in
the burying ground at that place.
A three days' conference convened in Manchester, England, in which the
business of the Joint Stock Company was the main topic.
Amos Fielding, who returned to Nauvoo this month, counted 902 west-bound
wagons in three days. By this some idea may be formed of the number of teams
on the road at that time.
Elder Jesse C. Little wrote an appeal to James K. Polk, President of the
United States, in behalf of the Saints. He afterwards called on the
President, Vice-President and several members of the cabinet.
A conference of the Church was organized on the Isle of Man, with Samuel
J. Lees as president.
Pres. Brigham Young left Mount Pisgah and continued the journey westward.
Elder Jesse C. Little left Philadelphia for the West, accompanied by Col.
Thos. L. Kane, who had decided to visit the camps of the Saints.
Pres. Brigham Young, Heber C. Kimball, Geo. Miller and Parley P. Pratt
arrived on the banks of the Missouri river, with their respective companies.
Here a ferry boat was built soon afterwards, when some of the Saints commenced
to cross the river.
The advance camps of the exiled Saints moved back to the bluffs across
Mosquito Creek, and encamped near good water, about nine miles from the
trading post. There they remained till the ferry boat was built.
At this date about five hundred wagons had arrived on the Missouri river;
nine of the Apostles were already there.
The ship Brooklyn arrived at Honolulu, Hawaii, on its way to California.
Capt. James Allen, of the U.S. army, arrived at Mount Pisgah and had an
interview with Apostle Wilford Woodruff and Pres. Wm. Huntington and council.
He was the bearer of a circular to the "Mormons," making a requisition on the
camps of the Saints for four or five companies of men, to serve as volunteers
in the war with Mexico. Capt. Allen was advised to visit the authorities of
the Church at Council Bluffs.
John E. Page was excommunicated from the Church.
Capt. Allen arrived at Council Bluffs, and on the following day he met
with the authorities of the Church, showing his authority for raising five
hundred volunteers from the camps of the Saints. The same day Pres. Young and
Capt. Allen addressed the brethren who had assembled, and the general council
voted unanimously to comply with the requisition from the government.
The first number of Prophwyd y Jubili (The Prophet of Jubilee) was
published by Dan Jones, in Wales, as the Church organ in that country.
The Saints having continued to arrive from the East, there were now
fourteen companies encamped on the bluffs near the Missouri river.
Pres. Brigham Young and others started for Mount Pisgah, where they
arrived on the 6th, after having met eight hundred wagons and carriages.
Pres. Brigham Young, Heber C. Kimball and Jesse C. Little addressed a
meeting of the brethren at Mount Pisgah on the subject of raising a battalion
to march to California. Sixty-six volunteered. Geo. W. Langley was sent to
Garden Grove with a letter to the presiding brethren there upon the same
subject. A similar communication was sent to Nauvoo.
Pres. Brigham Young and others left Mount Pisgah for Council Bluffs,
where they arrived on the 12th.
John Hill, Achibald N. Hill, Caleb W. Lyons, James W. Huntsman, Gardiner
Curtis, John Richards, Elisha Mallory and J. W. Phillips were severely whipped
by mobocrats, while harvesting wheat twelve miles from Nauvoo.
In obedience to a call of the authorities of the camps of the Saints the
men met at head-quarters on Mosquito Creek. Col. Thos. L. Kane, who had
arrived in camp, and Capt. Allen were present. Pres. Young, Capt. Allen and
others addressed the people in regard to furnishing the battalion. Four
companies were raised on that day and the day following. The fifth company
was organized a few days later.
At this time severe persecutions were again raging against the few
remaining Saints at Nauvoo, and also against the "new citizens" who had bought
the property of the members of the Church, who had already left the city for
the west.
At a council of the Twelve held at Council Bluffs, Ia., Ezra T. Benson
was ordained an Apostle, and took the place of John E. Page, who had
apostatized. Apostles Orson Hyde, Parley P. Pratt and John Taylor were
appointed to go to England to set the Church in order there; Reuben Hedlock
and Thomas Ward, who at that time presided over the British mission, were
disfellowshipped for disregard of counsel.
Four companies of the volunteers were brought together in a hollow square
and mustered into service by their respective captains. They were
interestingly addressed by several of the Apostles. A few days later (July
20th) they commenced their march towards Fort Leavenworth.
A number of men were selected to take care of the families of the
volunteers.
A High Council was selected to preside in all temporal and spiritual
matters at Council Bluffs.
The fifth and last company of the Mormon Battalion left the camps of the
Saints and started for Fort Leavenworth.
Samuel Boley, a member of the Mormon Battalion, died on the road to Fort
Leavenworth.
The Mormon Battalion passed through St. Joseph, Mo.
The Mormon Battalion, now numbering 549 souls, including officers,
privates and servants, arrived at Fort Leavenworth.
At a council of the Apostles it was decided that the brethren on the west
side of the Missouri river should settle together. A municipal High Council,
consisting of Alpheus Cutler, Winslow Farr, Ezra Chase, Jedediah M. Grant,
Albert P. Rockwood, Benjamin L. Clapp, Samuel Russell, Andrew Cahoon,
Cornelius P. Lott, Daniel Russell, Elnathan Eldredge and Thomas Grover, was
appointed to superintend the affairs of the Church there.
A small company of Saints from Mississippi, under the direction of John
Brown, arrived at Pueblo, on the Arkansas river, where it wintered, waiting
till the following spring for the advance companies of the "Mormon"
emigration.
The first meeting was held at Cutler's Park, where the exiled Saints at
that time intended to spend the winter. The municipal High Council was
accepted by the people and the place named Cutler's Park, in honor of Alpheus
Cutler. This place, which now became the temporary headquarters of the camps,
is three miles from the spot where Winter Quarters afterwards was built.
Three companies of the Mormon Battalion began to move west from F.
Leavenworth, after having received their arms, camp equipage, etc. On the
14th the other two companies took up the line of march.
About this time the mobbers in Hancock County, Ill., concluded to drive
the few remaining "Mormon" families from Nauvoo.
Col. James Allen, commander of the Mormon Battalion, died at Ft.
Leavenworth. The command then devolved on Capt. Jefferson Hunt, as the
ranking officer, but notwithstanding this, Lieut. A. J. Smith shortly after
assumed the command.
Col. Thos. L. Kane left the camps of the Saints for the East.
The few remaining Saints at Nauvoo, of whom only about one hundred and
twenty-five were able to bear arms, were attacked by an armed mob, about
eighteen hundred strong, who with five pieces of artillery bombarded the city
for several days. The brethren organized for self-defense and stopped the
mobbers about two miles from the city.
The mobbers were prevented from entering Nauvoo by the gallantry of the
"Spartan Band," who fired on the enemy with cannons made of steamboat shafts.
A site for building winter quarters for the Saints was selected on the
west bank of the Missouri river. Teams began to return to Nauvoo after the
poor.
The Mormon Battalion reached the Arkansas river.
The battle of Nauvoo took place. Wm. Anderson, his son Augustus and
Isaac Norris were killed, and others of the defenders were wounded. The mob
force, which again was driven back, also sustained considerable loss.
The enemy was driven back from Nauvoo the fourth time. Through the
negotiations of one hundred citizens of Quincy, a treaty was completed, by
which the Saints should be allowed to move away in peace.
Some of the families accompanying the Mormon Battalion left the main body
on the Arkansas river, in care of Capt. Higgins, for Pueblo. About this time
Alva Phelps, a member of the Battalion, died.
The mob entered Nauvoo, and, notwithstanding the treaty, immediately
drove out the Saints, and treated some of the brethren in a most brutal
manner.
Norman Sharp, a member of the Mormon Battalion, accidentally shot himself
in the arm and died a few days later, from the effect of the wound.
A partial reorganization of the Nauvoo Legion took place at Cutler's
Park.
The Saints began to move to the new location for Winter Quarters.
A conference was held at Putuahara, Anaa, at which 852 members of the
Church in the Society Islands mission were represented.
The first public meeting at Winter Quarters was held. By this time most
of the Saints had removed from Cutler's Park to Winter Quarters.
Apostle Orson Hyde succeeded Reuben Hedlock as president of the British
Mission, and the Joint Stock Company was dissolved.
Martin Harris and others, followers of the apostate James J. Strang,
preached among the Saints in England, but could get no influence.
The Mormon Battalion reached Red river.
The Battalion was divided in two divisions, of which the first,
containing the strongest and most able-bodied men, arrived at Santa Fe, N. M.,
on the 9th, and the second, containing the sick and the women, on the 12th.
Apostles Orson Hyde and John Taylor arrived at Liverpool, England, and
immediately issued a circular to the British Saints, advising them to
"patronize the Joint Stock Company no more for the present."
The teams which were sent back to help the poor away from Nauvoo, arrived
at the Mississippi river, opposite Nauvoo.
The camp of the poor was organized and started for the West. Flocks of
quails visited the camp and were easily caught. This was a providential
supply of food for the suffering exiles.
Capt. P. St. George Cooke assumed command of the Mormon Battalion at
Santa Fe, by order of General Kearney.
Apostle Parley P. Pratt and Elders Franklin D. Richards, Samuel W.
Richards and Moses Martin arrived at Liverpool, England, from the camps of the
Saints in the wilderness.
On this and the following day a general conference was held in
Manchester, England, under the presidency of Apostles Hyde, Pratt and Taylor.
Dan Jones reported one thousand Saints in Wales, and a conference was
organized in Ireland, with Paul Jones as president.
The sick detachment of the Mormon Battalion, consisting of about ninety
men, left Santa Fe for Pueblo, under command of Capt. James Brown.
The Battalion left Santa Fe for California. On the journey it suffered
much from excessive marches, fatigue and short rations.
Milton Smith, a member of the Battalion, died on his way with the sick
detachment to Pueblo.
A memorial to the Queen of England "for the relief, by emigration, of a
portion of her poor subjects," was circulated for signatures among the British
Saints.
James Hampton, a member of the Mormon Battalion, died.
Milton Kelly, a member of the Battalion, died at Pueblo.
A detachment of fifty-five sick men of the Battalion, under the command
of Lieutenant W. W. Willis, was separated from the main body and started back
to Pueblo. Two days later John Green died.
Capt. Brown's sick detachment of the Battalion arrived at Pueblo.
John D. Lee and Howard Egan arrived at Winter Quarters, as messengers
from the camps of the Mormon Battalion beyond Santa Fe.
Joseph Wm. Richards a member of the Mormon Battalion, died at Pueblo.
Capt. O. M. Allen with the remainder of the sick camp from Nauvoo,
arrived at the east bank of the Missouri river.
Elijah Freeman and Richard Carter, members of the Battalion (Leut.
Willis' detachment), died, and were buried by their comrades four miles south
of Secora, on the Rio Grande.
The main body of the Battalion reached the summit of the Rocky Mountains.
Winter Quarters, afterwards known as Florence, Nebraska, consisted at
this time of 538 log houses and 83 sod houses, inhabited by 3,483 souls, of
whom 334 were sick and 75 were widows. There were 814 wagons, 145 horses, 29
mules, 388 yoke of oxen and 463 cows. The place was divided in 22 Wards, each
presided over by a Bishop. The Ward on the east side of the river contained
210 souls.
The Saints on the banks of the Missouri river made great exertions to
provide themselves with shelter and food for the winter. Notwithstanding
this, there was much privation and suffering among them.
The presidency of the Church in England published a balance sheet of the
Joint Stock Company, showing that the Saints had been swindled and their means
squandered by officers of the company.
The Mormon Battalion had an extraordinary encounter with wild buffalos in
the San Pedro river.
The Battalion left Tucson. During the remainder of the month it suffered
almost beyond human endurance from overmarching, and want of food and water.
Capt. Willis' detachment of the Battalion joined the detachments of
Captains Brown and Higgins at Pueblo.
The Battalion arrived at the Pima village, and encamped the following day
by a village of Maricopa Indians.
1847
The Mormon Battalion arrived in California, and the company of Pioneers,
under the leadership of Pres. Brigham Young, crossed the plains and mountains
to the valley of the Great Salt Lake, where they founded Great Salt Lake City.
After the return to the Missouri river the First Presidency of the Church was
reorganized. About two thousand souls and nearly six hundred wagons arrived
in G. S. L. Valley in the fall.
The committee who had been appointed to settle up the Joint Stock Company
business in England were able to pay one shilling and three pence on the pound
of capital stock paid in.
The Mormon Battalion reached the mouth of the Gila river. Two days later
(10th) it crossed the Colorado.
A revelation was given through Pres. Brigham Young, at Winter Quarters,
showing the will of the Lord concerning the camps of Israel (Doc. and Cov.,
Sec. 136); in accordance with which the Twelve Apostles proceeded to organize
the camps by appointing captains of hundreds and fifties. The captains were
directed to organize their respective companies.
John Perkins, a member of the Mormon Battalion, died at Pueblo.
Apostles Parley P. Pratt and John Taylor and a small company of Saints
sailed from Liverpool, England, bound for New Orleans, but were on account of
storms obliged to return to Liverpool, after nine days of rough sailing.
Orson Spencer arrived at Liverpool, England, to preside over the British
Mission as successor to Apostle Orson Hyde. Elder Franklin D. Richards had
had temporary charge of the mission.
The Mormon Battalion arrived at San Luis Rey, a deserted Catholic
mission, and from a neighboring bluff first saw the Pacific Ocean.
The Battalion arrived at a point near San Diego, Cal.
The Battalion was ordered back to San Luis Rey, where it rested a short
time.
Apostles Parley P. Pratt and John Taylor again sailed from Liverpool,
bound for New Orleans, where they landed March 10th.
John H. Tippetts and Thomas Woolsey arrived at Winter Quarters, as
messengers from the Battalion boys at Pueblo, after extreme sufferings on the
journey.
Apostle Orson Hyde sailed from Liverpool, England, returning to America.
He arrived at New York April 6th, and at the camps of the Saints, on the
Missouri river, May 12th.
Arnold Stevens, a corporal in the Mormon Battalion, died at Pueblo.
At this time Winter Quarters contained 41 blocks, 820 lots, 700 houses,
22 wards, etc.
Thomas Ward, formerly president of the British mission, died in England.
Company B of the Mormon Battalion was ordered from San Luis Rey to
garrison San Diego.
Most of the Mormon Battalion, except company B, (which was stationed as a
garrison at San Diego), left San Luis Rey for Pueblo de los Angeles, where it
arrived on the 23rd.
After nearly three years missionary labors in the Society Islands
mission, Elder Addison Pratt sailed from Papeete, Tahiti, per ship Providence,
on his return to America, leaving Benjamin F. Grouard in charge of the
mission.
A number of the Pioneers at Winter Quarters reported themselves ready to
start for the mountains.
About that time David Smith, of the Mormon Battalion, died at San Luis
Rey.
Apostle Heber C. Kimball moved out four miles from Winter Quarters, with
six teams, and formed a nucleus to which the company of Pioneers could gather.
Apostle Parley P. Pratt returned to Winter Quarters from his mission to
England.
M. S. Blanchard, of the Mormon Battalion, died at Pueblo.
Company C of the Mormon Battalion was ordered to the Cajun Pass, about
forty-five miles east of Los Angeles.
Pres. Brigham Young and his brethren of the Twelve left Winter Quarters
for the Rocky Mountains. They joined the Pioneer camp near the Elkhorn river.
The Pioneer company was organized. It consisted of 73 wagons, 143 men, 3
women and 2 children--148 souls.
The Mormon Battalion was ordered to erect a fort on a hill near Los
Angeles.
Mrs. Hunter, wife of Captain Jesse D. Hunter, of the Battalion, died at
San Diego, Cal.
Albert Dunham, of the Battalion, died at San Diego, from an ulcer on the
brain.
Gen. Stephen F. Kearney left Los Angeles for Ft. Leavenworth, accompanied
by about fifteen brethren of the Battalion. The general and four of the men
went by water and the rest by land to Monterey.
The sick detachments of the Battalion which had wintered at Pueblo, took
up the line of march for California.
Gen. Stephen F. Kearney's detachment of the Battalion left Monterey and
traveled by way of the Sacramento Valley, over the Sierra Nevadas, via Ft.
Hall, Soda Springs, and the Platte River, where it met several companies of
Saints, going west, and arrived at Ft. Leavenworth in August.
The Pioneers arrived at Ft. Laramie. A company of Saints, left the State
of Mississippi the previous year, joined the Pioneers at that place. It was a
part of the company who had wintered at Pueblo; the remainder of it came on
with Capt. Brown's detachment of the Battalion.
The Pioneers crossed the North Fork of the Platte river at Fort Laramie,
having traveled on the left bank of the Platte, from the Elkhorn to that
point.
Amasa M. Lyman, who had been sent back from the Pioneer camp, and other
Elders, met the sick detachment of the Mormon Battalion on Pole Creek.
The Pioneers recrossed the Platte river from its south to north side, 124
miles west of Ft. Laramie.
The first company of emigrating Saints was organized at Elkhorn river for
journeying west, and on the 19th about five hundred and seventy-five wagons
from Winter Quarters had crossed the "Horn."
Capt. Brown's detachment of the Mormon Battalion reached Ft. Laramie, and
continued the following day westward, intending, if possible, to overtake the
Pioneers, who had passed twelve days before.
Thomas Smith was arrested and imprisoned at Covington, Warwickshire,
England, for having cast out evil spirits. After examination, he and Richard
Currell, the subject of administration, were dismissed, there being no cause
of action.
The Pioneers crossed the South Pass of the Rocky Mountains. On the
following day they met Capt. James Bridger who considered it imprudent to
bring a large population into the Great Basin, until it could be ascertained
that grain could be raised there. So sanguine was he that it could not be
done, that he said he would give one thousand dollars for the first ear of
corn produced there.
Henry W. Bigler and others of the Mormon Battalion, stationed at San
Diego, cleared the first yard for moulding brick in California.
Samuel Brannan, on his way from California, met the Pioneers at Green
river, with news from the Saints who went out in the ship Brooklyn the year
previous.
Thirteen men of Capt. Brown's detachment of the Mormon Battalion,
overtook the Pioneers on Green river.
The Pioneers arrived at Fort Bridger.
The Pioneers were encamped at the head of Echo Canyon; Apostle Orson
Pratt was appointed to take 23 wagons and 42 men and precede the main company
of Pioneers into Great Salt Valley.
Company B of the Mormon Battalion joined the main body at Los Angeles.
The Battalion was honorably discharged at Los Angeles.
Eighty-one members of the Battalion re-enlisted for six months at Los
Angeles. Four days later they were ordered to San Diego, where they arrived
on Aug. 2nd, and were stationed as a provost guard to protect the citizens
from Indian raids, etc. Those who did not re-enlist, organized into companies
for traveling, and a few days later took up the line of march towards the
East.
The advance company of the Pioneers camped in Emigration Canyon, went
into the valley, and a circuit of about twelve miles was made before they got
back to camp at 9 p.m.
The advance company of Pioneers entered Great Salt Lake Valley and camped
on Canyon Creek.
The advance company moved about three miles and camped on what was
subsequently known as the 8th Ward Square of Salt Lake City. Apostle Orson
Pratt called the camp together, dedicated the land to the Lord, invoked his
blessings on the seeds about to be planted, and on the labors of the Saints in
the valley. The camp was organized for work. The first successful plowing
was done by Wm. Carter. A company commenced the work of getting out water for
irrigation. Pres. Brigham Young, who was sick, and those with him, encamped
at the foot of the Little Mountain.
Pres. Young entered Great Salt Lake Valley and joined the main body of
Pioneers at 2 p.m. Not a member of the company had died on the journey.
Religious services were held for the first time in Great Salt Lake
Valley. Geo. A. Smith preached the first public discourse and the Sacrament
was administered there for the first time.
Pres. Young and others ascended what is now known as Ensign Peak, north
of Salt Lake City, and name it.
Some Ute Indians visited the Pioneer camp. The Twelve and a few others
started west from the Pioneer camp on an exploring expedition. Crossing the
stream which forms the outlet of Utah lake, they named it the Jordan river,
and then proceeded to Black Rock, eighteen miles further, where the company
took a bath in the lake.
The exploring party returned to camp, a council was held and the Temple
Block located.
The detachment of the Mormon Battalion, which had wintered at Pueblo, on
the Arkansas river, under Capt. James Brown, arrived in G.S.L. Valley,
accompanied by the Saints from Mississippi. This increased the number in camp
to about four hundred souls.
The survey of a city was commenced in G.S.L. Valley.
Twenty-seven of the re-enlisted Battalion boys were ordered to San Luis
Rey, Cal., to protect the mission property.
The Apostles in G.S.L. Valley renewed their covenants by baptism, and the
rest of the company soon after followed their example.
Catharine C. Steele, wife of John Steele, of the Battalion, gave birth to
a female child who was named Young Elizabeth Steele. She was the first white
child born in the Valley.
The building of the "Old Fort" was commenced by the Pioneers in G.S.L.
Valley on what is now known as the Pioneer Square, Sixth Ward, Salt Lake City.
Nearly half of the Pioneers left G.S.L. Valley with ox teams, on their
return to Winter Quarters for their families.
The returning Battalion boys arrived on the Sacramento river. On the
24th they reached a settlement of white people, and received the first news of
the Saints settling in G.S.L. Valley.
Albert Carrington, John Brown and Wm. W. Rust ascended to the summit of
the Twin Peaks, the highest mountain near G.S.L. Valley.
At a special conference held in G.S.L. Valley, the city, which had been
commenced by the Pioneers, was named Great Salt Lake City; the river Jordan
and the mountain streams on the east side of the Valley were also named.
The second company of returning Pioneers left G.S.L. Valley for Winter
Quarters to forward the emigration, where they arrived Oct. 31st. On their
trip they met several companies of Saints who followed in the track of the
Pioneers. Between six and seven hundred wagons, with about two thousand
souls, arrived in the Valley that fall. When the Pioneers left for Winter
Quarters, the colonists in the Valley had laid off a fort, built 27 log
houses, plowed and planted 84 acres with corn, potatoes, beans, buckwheat,
turnips, etc.
The members of the Mormon Battalion who had returned to California from
the Truckee river were employed by Capt. John A. Sutter, digging mill-races
and erecting mills, near the place where Sacramento City now stands.
The returning Battalion boys, having crossed the Sierra Nevada Mountains,
reached the place where the unfortunate Hastings company had perished the
previous winter. A number of human bodies were yet lying unburied on top of
the ground. Henry P. Hoyt died.
A few days later the soldiers were met by Samuel Brannan, James Brown and
others, on the Truckee river. Brannan brought word from Pres. Brigham Young
for those who had no means of subsistence to remain in California and work
during the winter, and come to the Valley in the spring. About half of the
company then returned to California.
Sergeant Lafayette N. Frost, of the re-enlisted Mormon Battalion company,
died at San Diego.
Harriet P. Young, wife of Lorenzo D. Young, gave birth to a male child,
which was subsequently named Lorenzo Dow. He died March 22, 1848. This was
the first white male child born in G.S.L. Valley.
The Saints in G.S.L. Valley were organized into a Stake of Zion with John
Smith as president and Charles C. Rich and John Young as counselors.
Selections for a High Council were also made. Charles C. Rich was elected
chief military commander in the Valley.
Those of the discharged Battalion boys who did not return to California
arrived in G.S.L. City.
Thirty-two of the Battalion boys, who were anxious to meet their families
at Winter Quarters, left G.S.L. City for that place, where they arrived Dec.
18th, after a hard journey.
Capt. James Brown returned to G.S.L. Valley from a visit to California,
bringing about $5,000 in gold.
Neal Donald, one of the Battalion boys who had re-enlisted, died at San
Diego.
Apostle Parley P. Pratt and others visited the Utah Lake, where they
launched a boat.
At a council of the Apostles held in the house of Apostle Orson Hyde,
(attended by Brigham Young, Heber C. Kimball, Orson Hyde, Willard Richards,
Wilford Woodruff, Geo. A. Smith, Amasa M. Lyman and Ezra T. Benson), Brigham
Young was unanimously elected President of the Church, with authority to
nominate his Counselors, which he did by naming Heber C. Kimball as his first
and Willard Richards as his second Counselor.
John Smith, the Prophet's uncle, was chosen by the Council of the
Apostles, as Patriarch to the whole Church.
Philemon C. Merrill, with fifteen others of the Mormon Battalion, arrived
at Winter Quarters; they left G.S.L. City Oct. 8th.
The Twelve issued an important epistle from Winter Quarters to all the
Saints, announcing, among other things, that emigration could be recommenced.
A general conference of the Church was commenced in a log Tabernacle
erected by the Saints on the east side of the Missouri river (on the present
site of Council Bluffs). It lasted four days. On the last day (Dec. 27th)
Brigham Young was unanimously sustained as President of the Church, with Heber
C. Kimball as his first and Willard Richards as second Counselor. John Smith
was sustained as presiding Patriarch to the Church.
1848
Gold was discovered in California by members of the Mormon Battalion.
Winter Quarters was vacated and most of the Saints who had spent the winter
there removed to Great Salt Lake Valley. About one thousand wagons arrived in
the Valley during the year, with immigrating Saints. Ogden was founded by
Capt. James Brown and others. Many extraordinary and miraculous cases of
healing strengthened the faith of the Saints in the British Isles.
Gold was discovered in Sutter's mill race, which had been dug by the
Mormon Battalion boys. This discovery soon put the whole country in a fever
of excitement.
Nathaniel Thos. Brown, one of Pres. Brigham Young's Pioneer corps, was
shot and killed at Council Bluffs, Ia.
By the treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, Mexico, Upper California, including
what is now Utah, was ceded to the United States.
The ship Carnatic sailed from Liverpool, England, with 120 Saints, bound
for G.S.L. Valley, under the direction of Franklin D. Richards. It arrived at
New Orleans about April 19th, whence the company proceeded up the Mississippi
and Missouri rivers to Winter Quarters, and thence commenced the journey
across the plains.
About this time Davis County was settled by Perrigrine Sessions, who
located the settlement subsequently called Bountiful.
The G.S.L. City fort contained 423 houses and 1,671 souls. The adjoining
farming field consisted of 5,133 acres of land, of which 875 acres were sown
with winter wheat.
The ship Sailor Prince sailed from Liverpool, England, with 80 Saints,
under the direction of Moses Martin.
The re-enlisted company of the Mormon Battalion was disbanded at San
Diego, and on the 25th twenty-five men, with Henry G. Boyle as captain,
started for G.S.L. Valley, where they arrived June 5th.
At a conference held in the log Tabernacle (Miller's Hollow), on the east
side of the Missouri river, the settlement at that place was called
Kanesville, in honor of Col. Thomas L. Kane.
Elder Mephibosheth Sirrine died of consumption on the steamer Niagara,
near the mouth of the Ohio river, on his way to St. Louis, Mo.
A company of Saints from Great Britain arrived at Winter Quarters.
Twenty-two wagons--the first of the season--left Winter Quarters for the
Valley and traveled twenty-seven miles to the Elkhorn river.
Apostle Orson Pratt left Winter Quarters on a mission to England.
Pres. Brigham Young left Winter Quarters for the second time for G.S.L.
Valley.
At Elkhorn river, Pres. Young commenced to organize the emigrating Saints
into companies of hundreds, fifties and tens.
In the commencement of this month Pres. Young broke camp at the Elkhorn
and started for G.S.L. Valley, with a company consisting of 1,229 souls and
397 wagons. He was followed by Heber C. Kimball's company of 662 souls and
226 wagons, and Willard Richard's company, consisting of 526 souls and 169
wagons. The last wagons left Winter Quarters July 3rd, leaving that place
almost destitute of inhabitants.
Myriads of big crickets came down from the mountains into G.S.L. Valley,
and began to sweep away fields of grain and corn. The grain, however, was
mostly saved by the arrival of immense flocks of sea gulls, which devoured the
crickets.
Capt. James Brown entered into negotiations with Miles M. Goodyear, an
Indian trader, located on the present site of Ogden City, for the purchase of
all the lands, claims and improvements, owned by Goodyear, by virtue of a
Spanish grant. Brown paid $3,000 for the improvements, and soon after located
himself on the Weber.
Captain Daniel Browett, Daniel Allen and Henderson Cox, three of the
Battalion boys, left Sutter's Fort, Cal., on an exploring trip across the
Sierra Nevada Mountains. A few days later they were killed and their bodies
terribly mutilated by Indians.
About thirty-seven of the Battalion boys, who had spent the winter and
spring in the Sacramento Valley, Cal., commenced their eastward journey from
Pleasant Valley, fifty miles from Sutter's Fort, with 16 wagons, bringing with
them two cannons. After a dangerous and adventurous journey they arrived in
G.S.L. City, Oct. 1st.
Patriarch Asahel Smith died at Iowaville, Wapello Co., Iowa.
Apostle Orson Pratt and family arrived in England from Winter Quarters.
Apostle Orson Pratt succeeded Orson Spencer as president of the British
mission.
The G.S.L. City fort contained 450 buildings and 1,800 inhabitants.
There were three saw mills and one temporary flouring mill running, and others
in course of construction.
The Saints in G.S.L. City had a feast to celebrate the first harvest
gathered in the Great Basin.
At a general conference, held in Manchester, England, on this and the
following day, 28 conferences and 350 branches, with a total of 17,902 members
were represented in the British mission. Wm. Howell was called to go to
France to open up a missionary field in that country.
The ship Erin's Queen sailed from Liverpool, England, with 232 Saints,
under the direction of Simeon Carter, bound for St. Louis, where the emigrants
arrived Nov. 6th. Most of them remained there during the winter.
John Henry Smith was born at Carbunca, near Kanesville, Ia.
Pres. Brigham Young arrived in G.S.L. Valley with the advance portion of
his company. Pres. Kimball's division arrived a few days later, and the other
companies all reached the Valley in good season.
Reuben Brinkworth, who had been deaf and dumb for five years, was
restored to his speech and hearing under the administration of the Elders, at
Newport, Monmouthshire, England.
The ship Sailor Prince sailed from Liverpool, England, with 311 Saints on
board, under the direction of L. D. Butler, bound for G.S.L. Valley.
Addison Pratt arrived in G.S.L. City from a five years' mission to the
Society Islands, where about twelve hundred persons had been baptized.
At a public meeting held in G.S.L. City, it was voted to build a council
house by tithing labor, and Daniel H. Wells was appointed superintendent of
its erection.
At a general conference held in the G.S.L. City fort, Brigham Young was
unanimously sustained as President of the Church, with Heber C. Kimball and
Willard Richards as his Counselors.
The Nauvoo Temple was burned through the work of an incendiary.
Apostle Willard Richard's company arrived in G.S.L. City, having been met
by teams from the Valley.
Apostle Amasa M. Lyman's company arrived in G.S.L. City.
Oliver Cowdery bore his testimony to the truth of the Book of Mormon, in
a conference held at Kanesville, Ia.
The High Council at Kanesville voted to receive Oliver Cowdery back into
the Church by baptism, according to his own humble request. Soon afterwards
he was baptized, and he made preparation to take a mission to England.
At a meeting, held in the G.S.L. City fort, fellowship was withdrawn from
Apostle Lyman Wight and Bishop Geo. Miller.
1849
During this year Utah Valley was settled by John S. Higbee and others,
Tooele Valley by John Rowberry and several others, and Sanpete Valley by Isaac
Morley and company. G.S.L. Valley was surveyed by Capt. Howard Stansbury and
Lieutenant John W. Gunnison, according to order from the government. About
five hundred wagons and fourteen hundred immigrating Saints arrived in the
Valley, besides a number of California emigrants who, during their sojourn
among the Saints, were converted to "Mormonism" and remained in the Valley.
the five companies of Saints which crossed the plains from the Missouri river
to the Valley this season were led by Elders Orson Spencer, Allen Taylor,
Silas Richards, Geo. A. Smith and Ezra T. Benson. Capt. Dan Jones, with quite
a number of Welsh Saints, were included in Geo. A. Smith's company. Elder Wm.
Howell commenced to preach the gospel in France. In consequence of the scanty
harvest of 1848, breadstuff and other provisions became very scarce in G.S.L.
Valley, and many of the people were compelled to eat raw hides and to dig sego
and thistle roots, for months, upon which to subsist. Those persons who had,
imparted measurably to those who had not, so that extreme suffering from
hunger was avoided.
The first number of Udgorn Seion (Zion's Trumpet), was issued in the
interest of the Church in Wales, as a continuation of Prophwyd y Jubili.
John Smith, uncle of the Prophet Joseph, was ordained Patriarch to the
whole Church.
The first $1 bill of "Valley Currency" was signed by Brigham Young, Heber
C. Kimball and Thos. Bullock.
Marcus B. Thorpe, one of Pres. Brigham Young's Pioneers, was murdered in
California.
Pres. Brigham Young and Thos. Bullock were engaged in setting type for
the 50-cent bills of the Valley paper currency. This was the first type
setting in G.S.L. Valley.
The ship Zetland sailed from Liverpool, England, with 358 Saints, bound
for G.S.L. Valley, under the presidency of Orson Spencer. It arrived at New
Orleans April 2nd, and the emigrants arrived at Kanesville, Iowa, May 17th,
having suffered much from cholera while passing up the Missouri river.
The Stake of Zion in G.S.L. Valley was reorganized with Daniel Spencer as
president and David Fullmer and Willard Snow counselors. A High Council was
also organized, of which the members were: Isaac Morley, Phineas Richards,
Shadrach Roundy, Henry G. Sherwood, Titus Billings, Eleazer Miller, John
Vance, Levi Jackman, Ira Eldredge, Elisha H. Groves, Wm. W. Major and Edwin D.
Wooley.
This was a very cold day in G.S.L. City, the thermometer showed 33
degrees F. below zero.
The ship Ashland sailed from Liverpool, England, with 187 Saints, under
the direction of John Johnson, bound for G.S.L. Valley.
The first number of the Frontier Guardian, a semi-monthly four-page
newspaper, was published by Apostle Orson Hyde, at Kanesville, Iowa.
The ship Henry Ware sailed from Liverpool, England, with 225 Saints on
board, bound for G.S.L. Valley, under the direction of Robert Martin.
Charles C. Rich, Lorenzo Snow, Erastus Snow and Franklin D. Richards were
ordained Apostles, to fill the vacancies in the Council of Twelve Apostles
caused by the reorganization of the First Presidency and the rejection of
Lyman Wight.
G.S.L. City was divided into nineteen ecclesiastical Wards of nine blocks
each.
The First Presidency and the Apostles, in council assembled, divided the
country lying south of G.S.L. City into four Bishop's Wards, namely, Canyon
Creek (afterwards Sugar House), Mill Creek, Holladay (afterwards Big
Cottonwood) and South Cottonwood.
At a council meeting held in G.S.L. City, the following Bishops were
ordained and set apart to preside in the City Wards: David Fairbanks, 1st
Ward; John Lowry, 2nd Ward; Christopher Williams, 3rd Ward; Wm. Hickenlooper,
6th Ward; Wm. G. Perkins, 7th Ward; Addison Everett, 8th Ward; Seth Taft, 9th
Ward; David Pettigrew, 10th Ward; Benjamin Covey, 12th Ward; Edward Hunter,
13th Ward; John Murdock, 14th Ward; Abraham O. Smoot, 15th Ward; Isaac Higbee,
16th Ward; Joseph L. Heywood, 17th Ward and James Hendricks, 19th Ward.
The ship Buena Vista sailed from Liverpool, England, with 249 Welsh
Saints, under the direction of Dan Jones.
Work was commenced on the Council House, G.S.L. City.
Provo, Utah Valley, was settled by John S. Higbee and some thirty others.
On March 18th a branch of the Church was organized with John S. Higbee as
president. During the year the settlers had some trouble with the Indians.
A post office was established in G.S.L. City, with Joseph L. Heywood as
postmaster.
The Icarians arrived at Nauvoo, Ill., and bought the ruins of the Temple,
with a view to refit it for school purposes.
The ship Hartley sailed from Liverpool, England, with 220 Saints bound
for G.S.L. Valley, under the direction of W. Hulme. It arrived at New Orleans
April 28th.
A convention, which was held for three days, convened in G.S.L. City.
Before its adjournment a State constitution for the proposed State of Deseret
was adopted. Almon W. Babbitt was soon after sent as delegate to Congress,
with a petition asking for admission into the Union.
An election took place for officers of the provisional government of the
State of Deseret. Brigham Young was chosen governor; Willard Richards,
secretary; Newel K. Whitney, treasurer; Heber C. Kimball, chief judge; John
Taylor and Newel K. Whitney, associate judges; Daniel H. Wells, attorney
general; Horace S. Eldredge, marshal; Albert Carrington, assessor and
collector of taxes; Joseph L. Heywood, surveyor of highways. Magistrates were
also appointed for the several Wards.
The ship Emblem sailed from Liverpool, England, with about one hundred
Saints, under the direction of Robert Deans, bound for G.S.L. Valley.
John Van Cott sold a peck of potatoes for $5 in G.S.L. City, which was
considered cheap.
The first public meeting was held on the Temple Block, G.S.L. City.
The Nauvoo Legion was partly reorganized; Daniel H. Wells was appointed
major-general. The first company organized was under the command of Capt.
George D. Grant, and those who belonged to it were styled "minute men."
The settlers in Utah Valley built a fort near the present site of Provo
City.
The Fourth Ward, G.S.L. City, was organized with Benjamin Brown as
Bishop.
The First Presidency issued the "First General Epistle" to the whole
Church from G.S.L. Valley. By this time the people in the G.S.L. City fort
had commenced to move out to their city lots.
Elder Elijah Malin, of Winter Quarters, died of cholera, in St. Louis,
Mo., returning from a mission to Pennsylvania.
Caleb Baldwin, one of the brethren who had been imprisoned with the
Prophet Joseph in Liberty jail, Mo., died in G.S.L. City.
Parties from the east en route for the California gold mines began to
arrive in the Valley, and during the summer they traveled through by
thousands. They brought all kinds of merchandise, wagons, tools and farming
implements, etc., which were sold to the Saints below original cost, in
exchange for provisions.
Elder William Howell visited France and began to preach the gospel; he
baptized the first person on July 30th, at Havre, and during the remainder of
the year he baptized a few more. Among the number was a Baptist preacher
about sixty years old.
The General Assembly of the Provisional State of Deseret met for the
first time in G.S.L. City.
The first endowment in G.S.L. Valley was given to Addison Pratt on Ensign
Peak.
The first celebration to commemorate the entrance of the Pioneers into
G.S.L. Valley was held in G.S.L. City.
Wm. W. Phelps ascended to the top of Mount Nebo, south of Utah Valley, to
make scientific observations.
Captain Howard Stansbury and party of surveyors arrived in G.S.L. Valley,
accompanied by Lieutenant John W. Gunnison.
Wm. Dayton was accidentally killed and Geo. W. Bean crippled for life, by
the premature discharge of a cannon at Fort Utah (Provo), Utah.
The ship James Pennell sailed from Liverpool, England, with 236 Saints,
under the direction of Thomas H. Clark, bound for G.S.L. Valley. It arrived
at New Orleans Oct. 22nd.
The ship Berlin sailed from Liverpool with 253 Saints, under James G.
Brown's direction, bound for G.S.L. Valley; it arrived at New Orleans Oct.
22nd. Twenty-six died on the voyage, of cholera.
Orson Spencer arrived in G.S.L. Valley, with his company of British
Saints.
Three companies of emigrating Saints were exposed to the fury of a
tremendous snow storm near the South Pass. Sixty head of cattle perished.
The Deseret Dramatic Association was organized in G.S.L. City.
On this and the following day a general conference of the Church was held
in G.S.L. City, at which the Perpetual Emigration Fund was commenced. John
Taylor, Curtis E. Bolton and John Pack were called on missions to France;
Erastus Snow and Peter O. Hansen to Denmark; Lorenzo Snow and Joseph Toronto
to Italy; Franklin D. Richards, Joseph W. Johnson, Joseph W. Young, Job Smith,
Haden W. Church, Geo. B. Wallace and John S. Higbee to Great Britain; Charles
C. Rich and Francis M. Pomeroy to Lower California; Addison Pratt, James S.
Brown and Hiram H. Blackwell to the Society Islands, and John E. Forsgren to
Sweden. A "Carrying Company," for carrying goods from the Missouri river to
the Valley and also to run a wagon passenger train, was organized. It was
voted to lay off a city in Capt. James Brown's neighborhood (Ogden), and
another one in Utah Valley (Provo); also to make a settlement in Sanpete
Valley (Manti). For the latter Isaac Morley, Charles Shumway and Seth Taft
were appointed a presidency.
The First Presidency issued the "Second General Epistle" from G.S.L.
Valley, to the Saints in all the world.
The missionaries' camp was organized for traveling, Shadrach Roundy being
appointed president. The company consisted of 35 men, with 12 wagons, 1
carriage, and 42 horses and mules. Among the Elders were Apostles Lorenzo
Snow, Erastus Snow and Franklin D. Richards, Bishop Edward Hunter and other
prominent men. It was the first company of missionaries sent from the Rocky
Mountains.
The ship Zetland sailed from Liverpool, England, with 250 Saints, under
the direction of S. H. Hawkins. It arrived at New Orleans Dec. 24th.
The missionaries traveling east were attacked by about two hundred
Cheyenne warriors, on the Platte river, but escaped unhurt.
Sanpete Valley was settled by a company, under the guidance of Isaac
Morley, Seth Taft and Charles Shumway. They located near the present site of
Manti.
An exploring company, consisting of about fifty men, was organized at
Capt. John Brown's house, on Big Cottonwood, with Apostle Parley P. Pratt as
president; it started the next day to explore what is now southern Utah.
The general assembly of the Provisional State of Deseret met for the
second time and held adjourned meetings at intervals through the winter.
Among the important business done was the creating of Great Salt Lake, Weber,
Utah, Sanpete, Juab and Tooele counties, appointing a supreme court,
chartering a State University, etc.
The first Sunday school in Utah was opened by Elder Richard Ballantyne,
in the 14th Ward, G.S.L. City.
Nineteen men on foot arrived in G.S.L. City from the East in a very
destitute condition, having left their wagons in the snow on Echo creek, forty
miles back.
After an adventurous journey, during which an overruling Providence was
clearly made manifest in behalf of the Elders, the missionaries arrived at Old
Ft. Kearney, on the Missouri river.
A terrific wind swept over G.S.L. Valley from the south.
Before the end of the year, the Saints who had settled on the Little
Cottonwood creek, south of G.S.L. City, were organized into a Ward, named
Little Cottonwood, with Silas Richards as Bishop.
1850
In Utah Valley, where a number of new settlements were founded during the
year, the Saints had trouble with the Indians. The first missions of the
Church were opened in France, Italy and Denmark by Apostles John Taylor,
Lorenzo Snow and Erastus Snow respectively, assisted by other Elders. Later
in the year the first Latter-day Saint Elders also arrived in Switzerland and
in Hawaii (Sandwich Islands) and commenced missionary labors. The Territory
of Utah was created by act of Congress.
The British Mission contained about twenty eight thousand Saints, having
increased more than ten thousand during the last sixteen months.
Apostle Parley P. Pratt's company explored the southern country as far
south as the mouth of the Santa Clara river, beyond the Rim of the Basin.
The ship Argo sailed from Liverpool, England, with 402 Saints, under the
direction of Jeter Clinton. It arrived at New Orleans March 8th.
Apostle Parley P. Pratt's company on its return from the South went into
winter camp on Chalk Creek (near the present site of Fillmore), unable to
travel further with wagons through the deep snow. Twenty-four of the men with
the best horses and mules pushed on to G.S.L. City, and the remainder followed
in March.
A company of about one hundred minute men, under command of Capt. Geo. D.
Grant, left G.S.L. City for Utah County, to protect the settlers there against
the depredations of the Indians (Utes).
On this and the following day a battle was fought between the "minute
men" and about seventy Indian warriors under Big Elk, close to Utah Fort (now
Provo), in which several were killed and wounded on both sides. The Indians
subsequently retreated to the mountains.
General Daniel H. Wells, who had arrived in Utah Valley with more men,
pursued the Indians and overtook them near Table Rock. Five warriors were
killed and the rest taken prisoners. The next day, when the Indians tried to
overpower the guard, another battle ensued in which several natives were
killed. The squaws and children were subsequently taken to G.S.L. City, and a
number of the children adopted by citizens.
The ship Josiah Bradley sailed from Liverpool, England, with 263 Saints
under the direction of Thomas Day. It arrived at New Orleans April 18th.
A light shock of earthquake was felt in G.S.L. Valley.
The ship Hartley sailed from Liverpool, England, with 109 Saints, under
David Cook's direction. It arrived at New Orleans May 2nd.
Oliver Cowdery died in the faith, at Richmond, Ray Co., Mo., of
consumption.
A branch of the Church was organized at Ogden with Lorin Farr as
president.
Col. Thos. L. Kane delivered his famous lecture on the "Mormons" before
the Historical Society of Pennsylvania, at Philadelphia.
The 20th annual conference of the Church was commenced in G.S.L. City; it
was continued until the 8th; a number of missionaries were called to Great
Britain, the Society Islands, the United States, etc.
Elder Wm. Howell organized a branch of the Church with six members at
Boulogne-sur-mer, France. This was the first branch of the Church raised up
in that country.
The First Presidency issued the "Third General Epistle" to all the
Saints.
Addison Pratt arrived at Papeete, Tahiti, on his second mission to the
Society Islands, accompanied by Elder James S. Brown.
The walls of the Nauvoo Temple were blown down by a hurricane.
The water was higher in G.S.L. Valley than ever before since the Pioneers
arrived. A number of bridges were washed away and other damage done.
Emigrants en route to California passed through G.S.L. City almost daily.
The first mail of the season from the States arrived in G.S.L. Valley.
Apostle Erastus Snow and Elders John E. Forsgren and Geo. P. Dykes landed
in Copenhagen, Denmark, as the first missionaries to Scandinavia, except Elder
Peter O. Hansen, who had arrived there a few weeks before.
The first number of the Deseret News was published in G.S.L. City;
Willard Richards, editor.
Apostle John Taylor and Elder Curtis E. Bolton, accompanied by Wm.
Howell, arrived at Boulogne, France. John Pack arrived a few days later.
Soon afterwards they all proceeded to Paris.
Apostle Lorenzo Snow and Elders Joseph Toronto and Thos. B.H. Stenhouse
arrived at Genoa, Italy, as the first Latter-day Saint missionaries to that
country.
Under the new management of Apostle Orson Pratt, the Millennial Star had
increased its circulation from about three thousand seven hundred to over
twenty two thousand.
Elder Thos. B. H. Stenhouse and Joseph Toronto left Genoa, Italy,
according to appointment by Apostle Lorenzo Snow, to visit the Protestant
valleys of Piedmont.
Parley's Canyon, Utah, was opened for travel under the name of the
"Golden Pass"; Parley P. Pratt, proprietor. The toll was 75 cts. for each
conveyance drawn by two animals, and 10 cents for each additional draught,
pack or saddle animal, etc. The Newark Rangers, of Kendall County, Ill., was
the first company to follow Apostle Pratt through the pass, which opened a new
road through the mountains from the Weber river to G.S.L. Valley.
The general assembly of the State of Deseret held a joint session and
passed an ordinance taxing the sale of liquor at the rate of 50 per cent. ad
valorem.
Elder John E. Forsgren baptized his brother Peter A. Forsgren, near
Gefle, Sweden. This was the first baptism in Sweden by divine authority in
this dispensation.
Apostle Lorenzo Snow left Genoa, Italy, and traveled via Turin to La
Tour, in the valley of Luzerne, Piedmont.
Pioneer day was celebrated in grand style in G.S.L. City; the brass band
occupied a carriage built for the occasion, 9 feet wide and 29 feet long,
drawn by 14 horses. Willard Richards delivered the oration.
Pres. Brigham Young and Heber C. Kimball left G.S.L. City on their first
visit to Sanpete Valley; they returned Aug. 12th.
Lehi, Utah Valley, was first settled; about the same time the two
neighboring towns of American Fork and Pleasant Grove were settled.
Pres. Brigham Young pointed out the site for a Temple on the hill where
the Manti Temple, Sanpete Co., Utah, now stands.
The first baptisms in Denmark, by divine authority in this dispensation,
took place in Copenhagen, Apostle Erastus Snow baptizing fifteen persons in
Oresund. The first man baptized was Ole U. C. Monster and the first woman
Anna Beckstrom.
Apostle Orson Hyde arrived in G.S.L. City from Kanesville, Iowa, and
reported eight hundred wagons with "Mormon" emigrants organized for crossing
the plains.
The Sacrament was administered for the first time in Denmark by divine
authority in this dispensation, at a meeting held in Copenhagen.
Capt. Howard Stansbury and suite, having completed their surveys, left
G.S.L. City, on their return to Washington, D.C.
Presidents Brigham Young and Heber C. Kimball, Apostle Orson Hyde, Bishop
Newel K. Whitney, Daniel H. Wells and others left G.S.L. City for the purpose
of locating a city on the Weber (Ogden). They returned on the 31st, having
located the corner stake and given a plan for the city of Ogden.
A small branch of the Church was organized in Dublin, Ireland, by Elder
Edward Sutherland.
The ship North Atlantic sailed from Liverpool, England, with 357 Saints,
under the presidency of David Sudworth and Hamilton G. Park. It arrived at
New Orleans Nov. 1st.
The semi-annual conference of the Church was commenced in G.S.L. City; it
continued until the 8th. Willard Snow, Edward Hunter and Daniel Spencer were
chosen as a committee to transact the business of the Perpetual Emigrating
Fund Company. Isaac Morley was authorized to select one hundred men, with or
without families, to settle Sanpete Valley.
The act of Congress providing for the organization of the Territory of
Utah was approved. The original size of the Territory was about 225,000
square miles, being bounded on the north by Oregon, east by the summit of the
Rocky Mountains, south by the 37th parallel of north latitude, and west by
California.
Capt. Johnson's second fifty of emigrants arrived in G.S.L. City.
An ordinance incorporating the Perpetual Emigrating Fund Company was
passed by the general assembly of the State of Deseret.
At a public meeting (resolved into a special conference of the Church),
held in the Bowery, Salt Lake City, Brigham Young was chosen president of the
Perpetual Emigrating Fund Company, with Heber C. Kimball, Willard Richards,
Newel K. Whitney, Orson Hyde, George A. Smith, Ezra T. Benson, Jedediah M.
Grant, Daniel H. Wells, Willard Snow, Edward Hunter, Daniel Spencer, Thomas
Bullock, John Brown, William Crosby, Amasa M. Lyman, Charles C. Rich, Lorenzo
Young and Parley P. Pratt as assistants.
The first branch of the Church in Scandinavia was organized in
Copenhagen, Denmark, with fifty members.
Jabez Woodard joined Lorenzo Snow and fellow-missionaries in Italy.
Apostle Lorenzo Snow and Elders Joseph Toronto, Thos. B.H. Stenhouse and
Jabez Woodard ascended a high mountain, which they named Mount Brigham, near
La Tour, Valley of Luzerne, Piedmnot, Italy, and organized themselves into the
first branch of the Church in that country.
Pres. Brigham Young was appointed governor of Utah Territory: Benjamin D.
Harris, of Vermont, secretary; Joseph Buffington, of Pennsylvania, chief
justice; Perry C. Brocchus, of Alabama, and Zerubbabel Snow, of Ohio,
associate justices; Seth M. Blair, of Utah, U.S. attorney, and Joseph L.
Heywood, of Utah, U.S. marshal.
Newel K. Whitney, presiding Bishop of the Church, died in G.S.L. City.
The First Presidency issued the "Fourth General Epistle," from G.S.L.
Valley, to all the Saints.
Amasa M. Lyman arrived in G.S.L. City from California, accompanied by a
number of brethren who returned from an unsuccessful trip to the California
gold mines. A similar company arrived in November.
Springville, Utah Co., was settled by Aaron Johnson and others.
Apostle Orson Hyde left G.S.L. City for Kanesville, Iowa.
The ship James Pennell sailed from Liverpool, England, with 254 Saints
under the direction of Christopher Layton. It arrived at New Orleans Nov. 22,
1850.
The general assembly of Deseret met and passed a bill, providing for the
organization of Davis County.
Elder Geo. P. Dykes arrived as a missionary in Aalborg, Jutland, Denmark,
where he commenced to baptize Oct. 27th. A month later (Nov. 25th) he
organized a branch of the Church at Aalborg, which was the second branch in
Scandinavia.
Bishop Edward Hunter arrived in G.S.L. City with the first company of
P.E. Fund emigrants from the United States.
Apostle Wilford Woodruff and family arrived in G.S.L. City with a company
of emigrants.
The mail bringing the first information to the Valley of the organization
of the Territory of Utah, arrived in G.S.L. City.
The ship Joseph Badger sailed from Liverpool, England, with 227 Saints on
board, under the direction of John Morris; it arrived at New Orleans Nov.
22nd.
James Pace and others with their families arrived on Peteetneet Creek,
Utah Valley, and settled what is now Payson.
At an adjourned meeting of the Seventies, held in the Bowery, G.S.L.
City, it was resolved to build a hall, to be called "The Seventies' Hall of
Science"; $5,200 worth of shares were subscribed for at once, each share being
$25.
Apostle Lorenzo Snow baptized a man at La Tour, Valley of Luzerne,
Piedmont, Italy, as the first fruit of preaching the fulness of the gospel in
that land. Soon afterwards a number of others were baptized in the same
locality.
Elder Joseph A. Stratton died in G.S.L. City.
Thomas Ford, ex-governor of Illinois, died at Peoria, Ill.
Apostle Charles C. Rich, O. Porter Rockwell and about fifty other
brethren arrived in G.S.L. City from California.
Apostle Orson Hyde arrived at Kanesville, Iowa, from his visit to G.S.L.
Valley.
Apostle Lorenzo Snow ordained Jabez Woodard a High Priest and called him
to preside over the Church in Italy. He also ordained Thos. B.H. Stenhouse a
High Priest and appointed him to open up the gospel door in Switzerland. This
was done on "Mount Brigham," Piedmont, Italy.
The Warm Springs bath-house, north of G.S.L. City, was opened with a
festival attended by the First Presidency, a number of the Apostles and other
leading men; Heber C. Kimball offered the dedicatory prayer.
Thirty families, including 118 men, left G.S.L. City with 101 wagons and
six hundred head of stock, under the direction of Apostle Geo. A. Smith, for
the Little Salt Lake Valley, to locate a settlement there.
Elder Thos. B.H. Stenhouse commenced to preach the gospel in Geneva, as
the first Latter-day Saint missionary in Switzerland.
The general assembly of Deseret opened its third session in G.S.L. City.
After sitting four days the house adjourned till the first Monday in January,
1851.
The first meeting in the Council House, G.S.L. City, was held.
A branch of the Church was organized by Apostle John Taylor and
co-laborers in Paris, France.
Hiram Clark, Thos. Whittle, Henry W. Bigler, Thos. Morris, John Dixon,
Wm. Farrer, James Hawkins, Hiram H. Blackwell, James Keeler and Geo. Q. Cannon
arrived at Honolulu as the first Latter-day Saint missionaries to Hawaii
(Sandwich Islands).
A branch of the Church was organized by Apostle Geo. A. Smith at Payson,
Utah Co., with James Pace as president.
1851
Great Salt Lake City, Utah, was incorporated and the first officers
elected. The newly appointed officers for the Territory of Utah entered upon
the duties of their offices. The first Territorial legislature convened in
G.S.L. City and passed important laws. In the spring of the year school
houses were built in most of the Wards in G.S.L. City, and also in the country
Wards. A railroad (with wooden rails) was built from G.S.L. City to Red Butte
canyon, to bring rocks to the Temple Block. Cedar City, Iron Co., North
Willow Creek (now Willard City), Box Elder Co., and Nephi, Juab Co., were
settled this year. North Ogden, Weber Co., was settled by Solomon, Jonathan
and Samuel Campbell, John Riddle and others; Santaquin, Utah Co., by Benjamin
F. Johnson and others, and Carson County (now in the State of Nevada) by Col.
John Reese. A settlement of the Saints (San Bernardino) was founded in
Southern California. Missions were opened in New South Wales, (Australia),
and in India.
City charters were granted to Ogden, Provo, Manti and Parowan, by the
general assembly of the State of Deseret.
Udgorn Seion (Zion's Trumpet), the organ of the Church in Wales, was
changed from a monthly to a semi-monthly periodical.
Apostle Franklin D. Richards succeeded Apostle Orson Pratt as president
of the British Mission.
The first native Elder in the Scandinavian mission (Christian
Christiansen) was ordained by Apostle Erastus Snow, at Copenhagen, Denmark.
The first criminal trial by jury took place in the Provisional State of
Deseret, in G.S.L. City.
The general assembly of the State of Deseret met in G.S.L. City; daily
meetings were held until the 17th, when it adjourned until the first Tuesday
in February. Much important business was transacted.
The ship Ellen sailed from Liverpool, England, with 466 Saints, under the
direction of James W. Cummings; it arrived at New Orleans, March 14th.
The bill incorporating G.S.L. City was passed by the general assembly of
Deseret, and the following officers were appointed by the governor and
assembly: Jedediah M. Grant, mayor; Nathaniel H. Felt, Wm. Snow, Jesse P.
Harmon and Nathaniel V. Jones, aldermen; Vincent Shurtliff, Benjamin L. Clapp,
Zera Pulsipher, Wm. G. Perkins, Lewis Robison, Harrison Burgess, Jeter
Clinton, John L. Dunyon, and Samuel W. Richards, councilors.
The G.S.L. City council assembled in the Representatives Hall, and the
officers elect took their oath of office from Thomas Bullock, clerk of the
county court; when the council proceeded to complete the city organization by
electing Robert Campbell, recorder; Thomas Rhodes, treasurer; and Elam
Luddington, marshal. The city was divided into four municipal wards.
Apostle Geo. A. Smith and company of settlers arrived on Centre Creek,
Little Salt Lake Valley, Utah, where they located a town site, which later was
named Parowan. They commenced their settlement by building a fort.
On this and the following day the Seventies held a special conference in
the Bowery, G.S.L. City; a number of vacancies were filled and other important
business was transacted.
Presidents Brigham Young and Heber C. Kimball, Apostle Amasa M. Lyman,
Elder Jedediah M. Grant and others left G.S.L. City to visit the settlements
in Davis and Weber Counties. In the evening they preached in the house of
Perrigrine Sessions, and organized a branch of the Church; John Stoker was
ordained Bishop. The place at that time was known as Sessions settlement.
Pres. Brigham Young and party held meeting with the people of North
Cottonwood (Farmington), in the school house, and appointed Gideon Brownell
presiding Elder of that branch.
The ship George W. Bourne sailed from Liverpool, England, with 281
Saints, under the direction of William Gibson; it arrived at New Orleans March
20th.
Pres. Brigham Young and party held meetings with the Saints in the south
fort, Ogden, when Lorin Farr was chosen president of the Weber Stake, with
Charles R. Dana and David B. Dille as counselors. A High Council was also
organized. Isaac Clark was ordained Bishop of the South Ward, with James
Browning and James Brown as counselors; and Erastus Bingham Bishop of the
North Ward, with Charles Hubbart and Stephen Perry as counselors.
Pres. Brigham Young and party held a meeting with the Saints who had
settled on Kay's creek, (now Kaysville, Davis Co.,) and appointed William Kay
Bishop of that Ward.
Official news of the organization of the Territory of Utah first reached
G.S.L. City.
Pres. Brigham Young and party returned to G.S.L. City from their visit to
the settlements in Weber and Davis Counties.
Elder James Henry Flanigan, a good and faithful American missionary, died
of small-pox at Birmingham, England.
The ship Ellen Maria sailed from Liverpool, England, with 378 Saints on
board, under George D. Watt's direction. Apostle Orson Pratt and family also
returned with that company. The ship arrived at New Orleans April 6th.
Brigham Young took the oath of office as governor of the Territory of
Utah.
The general assembly of Deseret again met in G.S.L. City and was in
session on that and the following day; also on the 10th and on the 24th; it
finally adjourned to the fourth Saturday in March.
The settlers who had located on Centre Creek (Parowan), Iron Co., Utah,
were organized into a branch of the Church, under the presidency of Apostle
George A. Smith.
Robert Dickson opened a school in the 14th Ward, G.S.L. City, with 18
scholars, teaching phonography.
Brigham City, Box Elder Co., was settled by William Davis, James Brooks
and Thomas Pierce.
The ship Olympus sailed from Liverpool, England, with 245 Saints, bound
for Utah, under the direction of Wm. Howell. Some fifty non-Mormon passengers
were converted and baptized on the voyage to New Orleans, where the company
arrived about April 27th.
Presidents Brigham Young and Heber C. Kimball and others left G.S.L. City
on a visit to Utah County.
Elder Wm. Burton, of G.S.L. City, died at Edinburgh, Scotland, where he
labored as a missionary.
A Stake of Zion was organized by Pres. Brigham Young at Provo, Utah Co.,
with Isaac Higbee as president, and John Blackburn and Thos. Willis as
counselors.
23, Sun.
Benjamin Cross was ordained a High Priest and set apart to act as the
first Bishop of Payson.
A company of settlers for Southern California was organized for
traveling, at Payson, Utah Co., and commenced the journey the same day, under
the presidency of Apostles Amasa M. Lyman and Charles C. Rich, accompanied by
Apostle Parley P. Pratt and a party of missionaries going to different
countries to preach the gospel.
Pres. Brigham Young and party returned to G.S.L. City from their visit to
Utah County.
The general assembly of Deseret met and passed a number of resolutions
expressive of their good feelings toward the government for creating the
Territory of Utah.
Pres. Brigham Young dictated the plan for a tabernacle to be erected on
the southwest corner of the Temple Block, G.S.L. City.
The Eighteenth Ward, G.S.L. City, was organized with Lorenzo D. Young as
Bishop.
The schooner Ravaai, which had been built by the Elders and Saints on
Tubuai, Society Islands mission, for missionary purposes, was finished and
launched.
The general assembly of the Provisional State of Deseret was dissolved.
Among a number of other acts passed during the session of 1850-51 was one
providing for the organization of Iron County.
The 21st annual conference of the Church convened in G.S.L. City, but
after the opening exercises it was adjourned to the 7th, on account of the
heavy rains.
At the general conference held in G.S.L. City in was voted to build a
Temple. Edward Hunter was appointed successor to the late Newel K. Whitney as
presiding Bishop of the whole Church. At this time there were about thirty
thousand inhabitants in Utah, of which nearly five thousand were in G.S.L.
City. The First Presidency issued the "Fifth General Epistle" to the Saints
in all the world.
Presidents Brigham Young and Heber C. Kimball and many other prominent
men left G.S.L. City to visit the Saints in the southern settlements and
explore the Sevier Valley.
Pres. Brigham Young organized a High Council at Manti, Sanpete Co., Utah.
The Book of Mormon in the Danish language, translated by Peter O. Hansen,
was published by Erastus Snow in Copenhagen, Denmark; it was the first edition
of the book printed in a foreign language.
The first number of the Etoile du Deseret (Star of Deseret), a monthly
periodical published in the interest of the Church, was issued by Apostle John
Taylor, in Paris, France.
The first wagons of the season direct from Fort Laramie arrived in G.S.L.
City, laden with provisions.
Pres. Brigham Young and party arrived at Parowan, Iron Co., where they
remained until the 16th.
The first job of blacksmithing with Utah stone coal was done by Mr.
Bringhurst at Parowan, Iron Co., in the presence of Gov. Brigham Young and
party.
The foundation of the Seventies' Hall of Science in G.S.L. City was
completed.
Work was commenced on the "Old Tabernacle," in G.S.L. City.
Pres. Brigham Young and party returned to G.S.L. City from their visit to
the southern settlements.
The Saints who had settled at American Fork, Utah Co., Utah, were
organized into a Ward; Leonard E. Harrington, Bishop.
Apostles Amasa M. Lyman and Charles C. Rich, with about five hundred
souls from Utah, arrived at San Bernardino, Cal., for the purpose of making a
settlement.
Elder Joseph Richards, member of the British army, arrived at Calcutta,
India, having been authorized by the presidency of the British mission to
introduce the gospel in that country.
The Channel Islands' mission was transferred from the British to the
French mission, at a special conference, held in London, England.
Judge Lemuel G. Brandenbury arrived in G.S.L. City.
The Indians stole about sixty head of stock near Black Rock, Salt Lake
Co.
The Saints' assembly hall at Aalborg, Denmark, was demolished by a mob,
which also ill-treated some of the brethren.
Elder Geo. Q. Cannon commenced to baptize natives in the district of
Kula, on the island of Maui, Hawaii. This was the commencement of a great
missionary work on that island; a few natives had previously been baptized on
the island of Hawaii, and one or more at Honolulu.
Elder Joseph Richards baptized James Patrick Meik, Mary Ann Meik, Matthew
McCune and Maurice White, at Calcutta, India, as the first converts to the
fulness of the gospel in Asia in this dispensation. These four, together with
Elder Richards, were organized into a branch of the Church, called the
Wanderers' branch.
Gov. Brigham Young issued a proclamation appointing the first Monday in
the following August for electing members to the first Territorial
legislature, according to the organic act.
The citizens of G.S.L. City celebrated the day by an excursion to Black
Rock, in the Great Salt Lake.
Apostle Parley P. Pratt and company of missionaries arrived at San
Francisco, Cal.
Apostle Orson Hyde and traveling companions, en route for G.S.L. Valley,
were attacked by about three hundred Pawnee Indians, near Loupe Fork, and
robbed of several thousand dollars' worth of property.
The Eleventh Ward, G.S.L. City, was organized with John Lytle as Bishop.
Four of the newly appointed Federal officers for Utah, namely, Judge
Zerubbabel Snow, Secretary Benjamin D. Harris and Indian Agents Stephen B.
Rose and Henry R. Day arrived in G.S.L. City, accompanied by Dr. John M.
Bernhisel and Almon W. Babbitt.
Gov. Brigham Young, by proclamation, divided the Territory of Utah into
three Indian agencies, and assigned the sub-agents, Rose and Day, their
respective districts.
Pioneer day was celebrated in excellent style in G.S.L. City and the
different settlements of the Saints in Utah.
The first kiln of earthen ware was burned at the Deseret Pottery, located
near the head of Emigration or Third South Streets.
The first election for delegate to Congress and members of the
Territorial legislature took place in Utah. Dr. John M. Bernhisel was elected
Utah's first delegate to Congress.
The first branch of the Church in the Hawaiian Islands was organized by
Elder Geo. Q. Cannon, in the Kula district, on the island of Maui.
Gov. Brigham Young, by proclamation, divided the Territory of Utah into
three judicial districts. Hon. Lemuel G. Brandenbury was assigned to the
first, Hon. Zerubbabel Snow to the second and Hon. Perry E. Brocchus to the
third judicial district.
The first general conference in the Scandinavian mission convened in
Copenhagen, Denmark, Erastus Snow presiding. It was continued three days.
Apostle Orson Hyde, Albert Carrington and others arrived in G.S.L. City
from Kanesville, Ia., accompanied by Perry E. Brocchus, one of the newly
appointed judges for Utah; they brought with them a brass cannon.
Juab County was settled by Joseph L. Heywood and others, who located on
Salt Creek (now Nephi).
Chief Justice Brandenbury, Associate Judge Perry E. Brocchus and
Secretary Benjamin D. Harris deserted their official posts in Utah and went to
the States, taking with them the $24,000 which had been appropriated by
Congress for the legislature.
The Athrawiaeth a Chyfammodau (Doctrine and Covenants) was published in
the Welsh language, in Wales.
The general conference of the Church convened in the Bowery, G.S.L. City;
it was continued four days. During the conference Judge Perry E. Brocchus,
who with the other Federal officers had been invited to the stand, spoke
insultingly to the large assembly.
Elder Hans F. Petersen arrived at Riisor, as the first Latter-day Saint
missionary to Norway.
The First Presidency issued an epistle to the Saints in Iowa, counseling
them to come to the Valley.
The first legislature of Utah Territory convened in G.S.L. City and
organized by electing Heber C. Kimball president of the Council, and Wm. W.
Phelps speaker of the House.
The First Presidency issued the "Sixth General Epistle" to the whole
Church.
Amasa M. Lyman and party purchased the Ranche of San Bernardino,
containing about one hundred thousand acres of land. The location was about
one hundred miles from San Diego, seventy miles from the seaport of San Pedro
and fifty miles from Pueblo de los Angeles.
The first number of Skandinaviens Stjerne, a monthly (now semi-monthly)
periodical, was published by Apostle Erastus Snow, in Copenhagen, Denmark.
John Hartley, who had met with a railroad accident, was miraculously
healed under the administration of Elders, at Accrington, England.
A joint resolution, passed by the Utah legislature, legalizing the laws
of the provisional government of the State of Deseret, was approved by the
governor.
Elder Maurice White baptized Anna, a daughter of a high caste Brahmin, at
Calcutta, India, as the first native convert to "Mormonism" in the East India
mission.
Gov. Brigham Young, Heber C. Kimball, Geo. A. Smith and others left
G.S.L. City on a tour to the South, for the purpose of locating the
Territorial seat of government. They reached Chalk creek, Pauvan Valley, Oct.
28th.
The last company of the immigrating Saints for the season arrived in
G.S.L. City.
Elders Hans Peter Jensen and Hans Larsen received very cruel treatment
from a mob on Bornholm, Denmark, for preaching the gospel.
Fillmore, Millard Co., Utah, which had just been settled by Anson Call
and thirty families, was selected for the capital of the Territory.
Elder James S. Brown was arrested by order of the French officials at
Anaa, Society Islands mission, and the next day placed on board a French
man-of-war.
John Murdock and Charles W. Wandell, arrived at Sydney, as Latter-day
Saint missionaries to Australia, and commenced to preach the gospel.
The first number of Zions Panier (Zion's Banner), a monthly 16-page
periodical, was published at Hamburg, Germany, by Apostle John Taylor.
The first meeting by Latter-day Saint Elders in New South Wales,
Australia, was held by Elders John Murdock and Charles W. Wandell at Sydney.
Pres. Brigham Young and party returned to G.S.L. City from Fillmore,
having come by way of Sanpete Valley.
Apostle Parley P. Pratt and Rufus Allen arrived as missionaries in
Valparaiso, Chili, South America, after 64 days' rough sailing from San
Francisco.
The "University of the State of Deseret" was opened in G.S.L. City.
The Deseret News, which had been suspended for lack of paper since Aug.
19th, commenced its second volume.
Elder Hans F. Petersen baptized Peter Adamsen and John Olsen in Riisor,
as the first fruits of preaching the gospel in Norway.
Three families commenced a settlement on Clover Creek (Mona), eight miles
north of Nephi, Juab Co.
The San Bernardino settlers had erected about one hundred dwellings and
built a stockade fort for defense against the Indians.
A number of Saints were cruelly treated by a mob in Brondbyoster,
Sjaelland, Denmark.
The British mission consisted of 44 conferences and 679 branches, with
32,894 members. This is the greatest number of Saints ever reported in that
mission.
A number of fishermen at Arnager, Bornholm, Denmark, armed themselves and
defended two "Mormon" missionaries against mob violence.
The first baptism by divine authority in New South Wales, Australia, took
place in Sydney.
Peter Adamsen and John Olsen were confirmed members of the Church by
Elder Hans F. Petersen, at Riisor. This was the first confirmation by
Latter-day Saints in Norway. The Sacrament was also administered for the
first time by divine authority in that country.
A branch of the Church was organized at Spanish Fork, Utah Co., (recently
settled), with Stephen Markham as president and Wm. Pace, as Bishop.
Elder Wm. Willes arrived at Calcutta, India, as a Latter-day Saint
missionary from England, sent by Apostle Lorenzo Snow to preach the gospel in
India.
1852
In the spring of this year John D. Lee located a ranch on Ash Creek (near
the present Harmony, Washington Co.), Utah, and Cedar Valley was settled by
Allen Weeks, Alfred Bell and others. Early in the year post offices were
established at American Fork, Springville and Payson, Utah Co., Salt Creek
(Nephi), Juab Co., and Fillmore, Millard Co. About twenty companies of
emigrating Saints arrived in the Valley which included most of the Saints who
had been located temporarily in and about Kanesville (Council Bluffs), Iowa.
During this year the Book of Mormon was published in the Welsh, French, German
and Italian languages. The missionaries sent to labor in Norway were
imprisoned at Frederikstad. In Hawaii and Australia the Elders met with
considerable success, but the attempt to open a mission in Chili, South
America, proved a failure. The Elders were banished from the Society Islands
mission. Missionaries were called to India, China, Siam, Cape of Good Hope,
Prussia, Gibraltar, the West Indies and other countries.
The first branch of the Church in New South Wales, Australia, was
organized at Sydney, with twelve members.
The ship Kennebec sailed from Liverpool, England, with 333 Saints, under
the direction of John S. Higbee. It arrived at New Orleans March 11th.
The Saints who had settled on the river Jordan, south of G.S.L. City,
were organized into a Ward with John Robinson as Bishop.
Elder Knud H. Bruun was fearfully whipped and nearly killed by a mob at
Falkerslov, on Falster, Denmark.
Elder Geo. Q. Cannon commenced the translation of the Book of Mormon in
the Hawaiian language, at Wailuku, Maui.
Nine Saints sailed from Copenhagen, Denmark, for America, being the first
"Mormon" emigrants from Scandinavia.
The Territorial Library was opened in the Council House, G.S.L. City,
with Wm. C. Staines, as librarian. Congress had appropriated $5,000 towards
the purchase of books, which were selected by Delegate Bernhisel.
Legislative acts, providing for the organization of the counties of Great
Salt Lake, Weber, Utah, Sanpete, Juab, Tooele, Iron, Davis (previously created
by acts of the general assembly of Deseret), Millard, Washington, Green River
and Deseret Counties were approved.
The Utah legislature adjourned, but met again on the 16th.
Gov. Brigham Young approved an act, recently passed by the Utah
legislature, appointing probate judges in the counties in Utah; to wit., Isaac
Clark, Weber Co.; Joseph Holbrook, Davis Co.; Elias Smith, G.S.L. Co.; Preston
Thomas, Utah Co.; Alfred Lee, Tooele Co.; Geo. W. Bradley, Juab Co.; Geo.
Peacock, Sanpete Co.; Anson Call, Millard Co.; Chapman Duncan, Iron Co.
A branch of the Church was organized at Mountainville (Alpine), Utah Co.,
Utah; Charles S. Peterson, president.
The ship Ellen Maria sailed from Liverpool, England, with 369 Saints,
under the direction of Isaac C. Haight. It arrived in New Orleans April 6th.
The legislative assembly of Utah Territory memorialized Congress for the
construction of a great national central railroad from the Missouri river to
the Pacific Coast. The memorial was approved on the 3rd of March following.
At the same session, the legislature petitioned Congress for the establishment
of a telegraph line across the continent.
Lorenzo Snow and Jabez Woodard arrived as the first missionaries of the
Church on the island of Malta, and commenced preaching. A branch of the
Church, consisting of 26 members, was organized there on the 28th of June
following.
A site for a city at San Bernardino was surveyed by the Saints in
California.
After an unsuccessful attempt to open a mission in South America, Apostle
Parley P. Pratt and Rufus Allen sailed from Valparaiso, Chili, for San
Francisco, Cal., where they arrived May 21st.
After establishing a mission in Scandinavia, Erastus Snow sailed from
Copenhagen, Denmark, to return home, accompanied by 19 emigrating Saints.
The ship Rockaway sailed from Liverpool, England, with 30 Saints and
machinery purchased by Apostle John Taylor for the manufacture of sugar in
Utah. It arrived at New Orleans after seven weeks' passage.
Apostle John Taylor, accompanied by about twenty Saints, sailed from
Liverpool for Boston, on his return home.
The ship Italy sailed from Liverpool, England, with 28 Scandinavian
Saints--the first from the Scandinavian mission--under the direction of Ole
U.C. Monster. The company arrived at New Orleans May 10th and in G.S.L. City
Oct. 16th, crossing the plains in Eli B. Kelsey's company.
G.S.L. County was organized with Elias Smith as county and probate judge.
The Millennial Star, the Church organ in Great Britain, was changed from
a semi-monthly to a weekly periodical.
The building subsequently known as the Old Tabernacle, which had been
erected and just completed on the southwest corner of the Temple Block, in
G.S.L. City, was dedicated. This structure, built of adobe, was 126 feet
long, 64 feet wide and arched without a pillar. It was capable of seating
about twenty-five hundred people. The ground is now occupied by the Assembly
Hall.
The first general conference of the Church in the Hawaiian mission was
commenced in the valley of Iao, near Wailuku, Maui.
A number of emigrating Saints lost their lives by the explosion of the
steamboat Saluda, at Lexington, Missouri. There were about one hundred and
ten Saints on board when the calamity occurred.
The First Presidency issued its "Seventh General Epistle" to the whole
Church.
Pres. Brigham Young, accompanied by Heber C. Kimball, Orson Pratt,
Wilford Woodruff, Geo. A. Smith and others, left G.S.L. City on an exploring
trip. After visiting all the southern settlements and several Indian tribes,
the party returned on May 1st.
The Deseret Iron Company was organized at Liverpool, England, and Erastus
Snow and Franklin D. Richards were appointed general agents and managers of
the same.
Sixty-nine men were killed by an accident in a coal pit, at Cymback, near
Merthyr Tydfil, Wales; among them were nineteen brethren.
Apostles Erastus Snow and Franklin D. Richards sailed from Liverpool on
the steamship Africa, homeward bound.
Samuel W. Richards succeeded Franklin D. Richards as president of the
British mission. Previous to this the mission was divided into pastorates,
presided over mostly by American Elders, while the native brethren generally
had charge of the conferences. Each pastorate embraced a number of
conferences.
Wm. Willes reported 189 members of the Church in Calcutta and vicinity,
India, of whom 170 were "Ryots," who previously professed Christianity.
The Elders laboring on the Society Islands being forbidden by the French
authorities to continue their missionary labors, Elder Addison Pratt and
Benjamin F. Grouard with their families sailed from Papeete, Tahiti, per ship
Calao bound for America. The other missionaries followed soon afterwards.
Elders John F.F. Dorius, A. Andersen and others were subjected to wicked
mob violence, near Skive, Jutland, Denmark.
Elder Hugh Findlay arrived at Poonah, India, from Bombay, as the first
Latter-day Saint missionary to that part of the country.
A townsite called Palmyra was surveyed on the Spanish Fork river, Utah
Co., on which the first house was built in the following August. This
settlement was afterwards united with and absorbed in Spanish Fork.
The first branch of the Church in Norway was organized with eighteen
members by Hans Peter Jensen, at Riisor. A few days later another branch was
organized at Frederikstad. The third branch was established at Brevig, where
a hall was rented for holding meetings. Brevig was made the headquarters of
the Norwegian mission for some time.
A special conference was held at Provo, at which Apostle Geo. A. Smith
was appointed to preside over the Saints in Utah County. He chose Isaac
Higbee and Dominicus Carter for his counselors.
The thermometer stood 127 degrees F. in the sun, in G.S.L. City.
Elder Christoffer O. Folkman was brutally whipped and nearly killed by a
mob at Tinstad, Bornholm, Denmark, where he labored as a missionary.
Provo, Utah Co., was divided into five Bishop's Wards, with Jonathan O.
Duke as Bishop of the First, James Bird of the Second, Elias H. Blackburn of
the Third, Wm. M. Wall of the Fourth and Wm. Faucett of the Fifth Ward.
Elder Michael Johnson, who was sent to Sweden to continue the work
commenced there by John E. Forsgren two years previously, was arrested and
brought as a prisoner to Stockholm, after which he was sent in chains six
hundred miles to Malmo, together with two thieves.
A small branch of the Church was organized in Hamburg, Germany, by Elder
Daniel Garn.
Hiram Page, one of the Eight Witnesses to the Book of Mormon, died near
Excelsior Springs, Ray Co., Mo.
Elder Matthew McCune, a member of the British army, arrived at Rangoon,
Burmah, authorized by the American Elders laboring in India to preach the
gospel in that empire.
Apostles John Taylor, Erastus Snow and Franklin D. Richards, accompanied
by other Elders, arrived in G.S.L. City from their foreign missions.
A special two days' conference was commenced in G.S.L. City; 106 Elders
were called to go on missions, namely 6 to the United States, 4 to Nova Scotia
and the British N.A. Provinces, 2 to British Guiana (South America), 4 to the
West Indies, 39 to Great Britain, 1 to France, 4 to Germany, 3 to Prussia, 2
to Gibraltar, 1 to Denmark, 2 to Norway, 9 to Calcutta and Hindostan, 4 to
China, 3 to Siam, 3 to Cape of Good Hope, Africa, 10 to Australia and 9 to the
Hawaiian Islands.
The revelation on celestial marriage was first made public. It was read
in the conference held in G.S.L. City, and Apostle Orson Pratt delivered the
first public discourse on that principle.
Apostle Lorenzo Snow returned to G.S.L. City from his foreign mission.
The Utah "run away judges" were superseded by the appointment of Lazarus
h. Reed, as chief justice, and Leonidas Shaver, as associate justice. Ben. G.
Ferris had previously been commissioned as secretary.
Over seventy Elders left G.S.L. City for Europe and the United States,
Apostle Orson Pratt being among the number.
Elders John A. Ahmanson and Jeppe G. Folkman were imprisoned four days at
Brevig, Norway, for preaching the gospel.
The first company of P.E. Fund emigrants arrived at G.S.L. City from
Europe with 31 wagons; Abraham O. Smoot, captain. It was met by the First
Presidency, Capt. Wm. Pitt's band and many leading citizens. This company
brought the remains of Elder Lorenzo D. Barnes and Wm. Burton, who died while
on missions in Great Britain.
A branch of the Church, consisting of twelve members, was organized in
the city of Poonah, British India, by Elder Hugh Findlay.
Apostle Orson Hyde arrived in G.S.L. City, with his family from Iowa.
Nearly all the Saints had left Kanesville for the Valley.
Mary Fielding Smith, widow of Hyrum Smith, died in G.S.L. County.
The general semi-annual conference of the Church was commenced in G.S.L.
City; it was continued till the 10th. A number of home missionaries were
called to preach in the various settlements of the Saints in Utah.
The First Presidency issued the "Eighth General Epistle" to the whole
Church.
Elders Jeppe G. Folkman and Niels Hansen were arrested at Ingolsrud,
Norway, for preaching the gospel. John F. F. Dorius, Christian Knudsen,
Christian Larsen and Svend Larsen were arrested the following day, and Peter
Beckstrom on the 16th, on similar charges. Christian Larsen, Svend Larsen,
Dorius and Beckstrom were imprisoned at Frederikstad, while Ole Olsen (who had
been arrested two weeks previously), Christian Knudsen, Jeppe G. Folkman, and
Niels Hansen were confined at Elverhoj.
Apostle Parley P. Pratt arrived in G.S.L. City from his mission to South
America.
A number of missionaries left G.S.L. City for India and the Pacific
Islands.
A number of native Saints in the Society Islands mission were imprisoned
and sentenced to hard labor in the mountains for holding meetings.
Elders Wm. Willes and Joseph Richards left Calcutta, on a trip to the
interior of India.
Apostles Erastus Snow and Franklin D. Richards left G.S.L. City for Iron
County where they surveyed a tract of land for the "Deseret Iron Company."
They returned to the city Dec. 12th.
Elder John A. Ahmanson was brought as a prisoner to Frederikstad, Norway.
Thus all the missionaries in that country were in jail.
Peter Beckstrom, one of the imprisoned brethren in Norway, was liberated
on bail.
The second session of the Utah legislature convened at G.S.L. City, and
was organized by the election of Willard Richards for president of the Council
and Jed. M. Grant for speaker of the House.
1853
This year the Indians under Chief Walker waged war against the citizens
of Utah, of whom a number were killed. The "Spanish wall" was built in part
around G.S.L. City, as a means of protection against the Indians. Summit
County, Utah, was settled by Samuel Snyder, who built saw-mills in Parley's
Park; a settlement of Saints (Fort Supply) was commenced on Green River. New
missions were opened up on the Island of Malta (in the Mediterranean), at
Gibraltar (Spain), and in the Cape Colony, Africa. The missionaries and
Saints in Sweden were subjected to cruel and barbarous persecution. Some were
whipped, others imprisoned and a number compelled to go into exile.
The Social Hall, on First East Street, G.S.L. City, was dedicated; it was
erected the year previous.
Elder Daniel Garn was arrested in Hamburg, Germany, for preaching the
gospel. Soon afterwards he was ordered out of the city.
The ship Forest Monarch sailed from Liverpool, England, with 297
Scandinavian Saints, under John E. Forsgren's direction. The company arrived
at New Orleans March 12th; at Keokuk, Iowa, in the beginning of April; and
most of the emigrants reached G.S.L. City, Sept. 30th. This was the first
large company of Saints who emigrated to Utah from Scandinavia.
The Deseret Iron Company was chartered by the Utah legislature.
The ship Ellen Maria sailed from Liverpool, England, with 332 Saints,
under the direction of Moses Clawson. It arrived at New Orleans March 6th,
where Elder John Brown acted as Church emigration agent that season. The
emigrants continued up the Mississippi river to Keokuk, Iowa, which had been
selected as the outfitting place for the Saints crossing the plains in 1853.
The first theatrical play in the Social Hall was presented.
The Utah legislature closed its second regular session.
The ship Golconda sailed from Liverpool, England, with 321 Saints, under
the direction of Jacob Gates; it arrived at New Orleans, March 26th.
Elders Orson Spencer and Jacob Houtz, arrived as missionaries in Berlin,
Prussia. They were banished Feb. 2nd following.
The missionaries, bound for Hindostan and Siam, sailed from San
Francisco, Cal., per sailing ship Monsoon. John M. Horner, a wealthy member
of the Church in California, contributed nearly $6,000 toward defraying the
expenses of these missionaries, and of those going to China, Australia and
Hawaii.
Elder Christian Larsen, one of the imprisoned missionaries in
Frederikstad, Norway, was liberated.
The ship Jersey sailed from Liverpool, England, with 314 Saints, under
the direction of Geo. Halliday; it arrived at New Orleans, March 21st.
The Temple Block, in G.S.L. City, was consecrated, and the ground broken
for the foundation of the Temple.
The Elvira Owen sailed from Liverpool, England, with 425 Saints, under
the direction of Christopher Arthur. It arrived at New Orleans April 23rd.
Edward Stevenson and Nathan T. Porter arrived at Gibraltar, as the first
Latter-day Saint missionaries to Spain.
After being confined in prison for several months, Svend Larsen was
liberated from the Frederikstad jail, and ordered to preach "Mormonism" no
more in Norway.
The ship Falcon sailed from Liverpool, England, with 324 Saints, under
Cor. Bagnall's direction. It arrived at New Orleans May 18th.
Augustus Farnham and nine other American Elders arrived at Sydney, New
South Wales, as Latter-day Saint missionaries to Australia.
The Saints who had settled in Cedar Valley, Utah, were organized into a
Ward; Allen Weeks, Bishop.
Elder Jacob F. Secrist was imprisoned at Wissen an der Sieg, Prussia,
whither he had gone from Hamburg, on a visit. The following day he was
liberated and ordered out of the country.
The corner stones of the Temple in G.S.L. City were laid under the
direction of the First Presidency of the Church.
A small company of Saints, in charge of Elder Charles W. Wandell, and
bound for America, sailed from Sydney, Australia, per ship Envelope.
The ship Camillus sailed from Liverpool, England, with 228 Saints, under
the direction of Curtis E. Bolton. It arrived at New Orleans in the latter
part of May.
The Fifth ward, G.S.L. City, was organized with Thos. W. Winter as
Bishop.
The First Presidency issued the "Ninth General Epistle" to all the
Saints.
Elders Jesse Haven, Leonard I. Smith and Wm. Walker arrived as the first
Latter-day Saint missionaries at the Cape of Good Hope. In about four months
they baptized thirty-nine persons.
The first branch of the Church in Sweden was organized by Anders W.
Winberg at Skurup, in Skaane, called the Sjonabaeck branch.
Elders Nathaniel V. Jones, Amos Milton Musser, Richard Ballantyne, Robert
Skelton, Robert Owen, Wm. F. Carter, Wm. Fotheringham, Truman Leonard, Samuel
A. Woolley, Chauncey W. West. Elam Luddington, Levi Savage and Benjamin F.
Dewey arrived at Calcutta as missionaries from Utah to Hindostan and Siam,
after 86 days' voyage from San Francisco, Cal.
Elders Hosea Stout, James Lewis and Chapman Duncan arrived at Hong Kong,
as the first Latter-day Saint missionaries to China. Soon afterwards they
commenced to preach the gospel, but meeting with no success, they returned to
California.
At a conference of American Elders held at Calcutta, Hindostan, Nathaniel
V. Jones was sustained as president of the East India mission; Richard
Ballantyne, Robert Skelton and Robert Owens were appointed to labor in Madras;
Wm. F. Carter and Wm. Fotheringham in Dinaghpore; Truman Leonard and Samuel A.
Woolley in Chinsurah, and Nathaniel V. Jones and A. Milton Musser in Calcutta.
Rodney Badger, one of the Pioneers of 1847, was accidentally drowned in
the Weber river, Utah.
Elder John F.F. Dorius and fellow prisoners, in Norway, were finally
liberated, after nearly seven months' imprisonment for the gospel's sake.
A branch of the Church was organized at Cape Town, Africa.
High water did much damage in G.S.L. City. City Creek cut a deep channel
through the Seventeenth Ward.
The Utah legislature convened in the Social Hall, G.S.L. City, and after
three days' sitting adjourned. This was a special session.
Chief Justice Lazarus H. Reed arrived at G.S.L. City, and next day took
the oath of office.
The first emigrant train of the season arrived in G.S.L. City.
A branch of the Church was organized on Westmanoen, Iceland, with six
members.
Elders Wm. F. Carter and Wm. Fotheringham returned to Calcutta, India,
from an unsuccessful missionary trip to Dinaghpore, Chunar and Mirzapore.
Alexander Keel was killed by Indians under the chief Walker, near Payson,
Utah Co. This was the commencement of another Indian war.
The guard at Pleasant Creek, Sanpete Co., was fired upon by Indians who
also, during the following night, stole some cattle at Manti, drove away
horses at Nephi (Juab Co.), and wounded Wm. Jolley, at Springville (Utah Co.).
Peter W. Connover's company of militia, sent out from Provo to protect
the weaker settlements, had an engagement with the Indians, near the Pleasant
Creek settlement (Mount Pleasant), Sanpete Co., in which six Indians were
killed.
John Berry and Clark Roberts were fired upon and wounded by Indians at
Summit Creek (Santaquin), while bringing an express through. The inhabitants
had deserted the place and moved to Payson.
Elders Richard Ballantyne and Robert Skelton arrived at Madras, India, to
introduce the gospel.
The guard at Nephi, Juab Co., was fired upon by Indians and David Udall
wounded in the leg.
John M. Bernhisel was re-elected delegate to Congress from Utah.
The Indians fired upon a company of ten men on Clover Creek (Mona), Juab
Valley, wounding Isaac Duffin and killing two horses.
The first number of Zion's Watchman, a monthly eight-page octavo
periodical, published in the interest of the Church in Australia, was issued
at Sydney by Augustus Farnham.
John Dixon, a Utah Pioneer of 1847, and John Quayle were killed and John
Hoagland was wounded by Indians, near Parley's Park, Utah.
Gov. Brigham Young issued a proclamation, ordering the Territorial
militia to be kept in readiness for marching against Indians, who were killing
people and stealing stock in various parts of the Territory.
Elder Willard Snow died on board the steamer Transit, on the German
Ocean, during his return voyage from Copenhagen, Denmark, to England. He was
buried at sea.
At a Bishop's meeting, held in the Council House, G.S.L. City, it was
decided to build a wall around the city.
Elders Samuel A. Woolley and Wm. Fotheringham left Calcutta in a
government bullock train on a missionary trip to the interior of India.
John Hyde, an American Elder, died at Sydney, Australia, where he labored
as a missionary.
Resolutions were adopted by the city council, in compliance with
expressed request of the inhabitants, to build a Spanish wall around G.S.L.
City.
A terrible flood caused considerable damage to property in Iron County,
Utah.
Joseph Chatterly, a member of the High Council, in the Parowan Stake of
Zion, died in Cedar City, Iron Co., Utah, from the effects of a wound.
Daniel A. Miller's ox-train of emigrants, consisting of the last Saints
from Pottawattamie County, Iowa, arrived in G.S.L. city. The company
consisted of 282 souls, 70 wagons, 27 horses, 470 head of cattle and 153
sheep, and had left camp at Winter Quarters June 9th, 1853.
Wm. Hatton was killed by Indians, while standing guard at Fillmore, Utah.
James Nelson, Wm. Luke, Wm. Reed and Thos. Clark were killed by Indians
at the Uintah Springs, Sanpete Valley.
At a skirmish between the whites and Indians, at Nephi, Juab Co., Utah,
eight Indians were killed, and one squaw and two boys taken prisoners.
John E. Warner and Wm. Mills were killed by Indians, a few hundred yards
above the grist mill, at Manti, Sanpete Co., Utah.
The general conference of the Church was commenced in G.S.L. City. It
continued four days. Apostles Geo. A. Smith and Erastus Snow were called to
gather fifty families to strengthen the settlements of Iron County, Wilford
Woodruff and Ezra T. Benson fifty families to strengthen the settlements in
Tooele, Lyman Stevens and Reuben W. Allred fifty families for each of the
settlements in Sanpete, Lorenzo Snow fifty families to go to Box Elder, Joseph
L. Heywood fifty families to Nephi, Juab Co., and Orson Hyde to raise a
company to make a permanent settlement on Green river, near Fort Bridger.
According to the Bishops' reports read at conference, the number of souls
in the various settlements in the Territory was as follows: Great Salt Lake
City: 1st Ward, 260; 2nd Ward, 149; 3rd Ward, 170; 4th Ward, 183; 5th Ward,
69; 6th Ward, 206; 7th Ward, 384; 8th Ward, 236; 9th Ward, 298; 10th Ward,
219; 11th Ward, 180; 12th Ward, 345; 13th Ward, 454; 14th Ward, 662; 15th
Ward, 501; 16th Ward, 444; 17th Ward, 406; 18th Ward, 241; 19th Ward, 572.
Great Salt Lake County: Butterfield Settlement, 71; West Jordan, 361; Mill
Creek, 668; Big Cottonwood, 161; South Cottonwood, 517; Little Cottonwood,
273; Willow Creek, 222. Utah County; Dry Creek, 458; American Fork, 212;
Pleasant Grove, 290; Provo: 1st Ward, 423; 2nd Ward, 264; 3rd Ward, 248; 4th
Ward, 424; Mountainville no report; Springville, 799; Palmyra, 404; Payson and
Summit, 427; Cedar Valley, 115. Juab County: Salt Creek, 229. Sanpete
County: Manti, 647; Pleasant Creek, 118. Millard County: Fillmore, 304. Iron
County: Parowan, 392; Cedar, 455. Tooele County: Grantsville, 215; Tooele, no
report. Davis County: North Kanyon, 574; Centreville, 194; North Cottonwood,
413; Kays Ward, 417. Weber County: East Weber, 233; Ogden: 1st Ward, 449; 2nd
Ward, 683; 3rd Ward, 200; Willow Creek, 163. Box Elder, 204.
The First Presidency issued the "Tenth General Epistle" to all the
Saints.
About thirty Indians attacked a few men, who were securing their crops at
Summit Creek (Santaquin), Utah Co., killed and scalped F.F. Tindrel, and drove
off a number of head of stock.
The main company of the season's P.E. Fund emigrants arrived in G.S.L.
City.
Capt. John W. Gunnison, of the U.S. Topographical Engineer Corps, and
seven other men, were killed by Indians, near the swamps of the Sevier river,
in revenge for the killing of an Indian and the wounding of two others,
alleged to have been perpetrated by a company of emigrants bound for
California.
The first number of the Journal of Discourses, a semi-monthly 16-page
octavo paper, was published in Liverpool, England.
Thirty-nine men, equipped with farming implements, seeds and other things
necessary for establishing a new settlement, left G.S.L. City for Green River
County. They arrived at Fort Bridger Nov. 12th.
Previous to this Pres. Brigham Young purchased of James Bridger a Mexican
grant for 30 square miles of land and some cabins, afterwards known as Ft.
Bridger. This was the first property owned by the Saints in Green River
County.
Chase's sawmill, in Sanpete County, was burned by Indians.
The Indians burned six houses at Summit Creek (Santaquin), Utah Co.
The mail train was attacked by Indians six miles from Laramie, and three
men were killed. C.A. Kinkead, of G.S.L. City, was robbed of $10,500.
Another company of settlers left G.S.L. City for Green River County.
They, together with the preceding company, located on Smith's Fork and called
their town Fort Supply. the whole colony consisted of 53 men from Great Salt
Lake and Utah Counties; John Nebeker and Isaac Bullock were among the number.
Elder Wm. Willes returned to Calcutta, India, from a missionary trip into
the interior, after being absent nearly one year.
The Utah legislature (third annual session) convened in G.S.L. City and
organized by electing Willard Richards president of the Council, and Jedediah
M. Grant speaker of the House.
Hiram Clark, once a prominent missionary, committed suicide at San
Bernardino, Cal.
Elders A. Milton Musser and Truman Leonard, after laboring in Calcutta
and Chinsurah, India, about nine months, sailed from Calcutta for Bombay,
where they arrived Feb. 9, 1854.
The so-called Spanish wall built in part around G.S.L. City this year was
twelve feet high, six feet thick at the base, tapering to two feet six inches
six feet from the ground, and preserving that thickness to the top. It was
six miles in length.
1854
This year the crops in Utah were partly destroyed by grasshoppers; the
so-called Walker war was terminated and the Deseret alphabet was formulated.
Hundreds of emigrating Saints from Europe died from cholera while sailing up
the Mississippi and Missouri rivers and crossing the plains. A Stake of Zion
was organized at St. Louis, Mo., and a mission opened up in New Zealand.
The Deseret News was changed from a semi-monthly to a weekly paper.
The ship Jesse Munn sailed from Liverpool, England, with 300 Scandinavian
and 33 German Saints, under the direction of Christian Larsen. It arrived at
New Orleans Feb. 10th, and the emigrants continued up the rivers to Kansas
City, Mo., which this year was selected as the outfitting place for the Saints
crossing the plains.
Allred's Settlement (Spring City), Sanpete Co., which had been deserted
by its inhabitants the previous summer, because of Indian troubles, was burned
to the ground.
The 37th quorum of Seventy was organized in G.S.L. City, with Cyrus H.
Wheelock, John Lyon, Jesse W. Crosby, Jonathan Midgley, David J. Ross, George
Halliday and Claudius V. Spencer as presidents.
Some time previous the 36th quorum had been organized, with Jesse W. Fox
as one of the presidents.
Elders Samuel A. Woolley and Wm. Fotheringham arrived, as missionaries,
at Agra, Hindostan.
The legislative assembly of Utah adjourned. Among the acts passed and
approved were those providing for the organization of Summit, Green River and
Carson Counties, and defining the boundaries of Davis County.
The ship Benjamin Adams sailed from Liverpool, England, with 378
Scandinavian and 6 British Saints, under the direction of Hans Peter Olsen.
The company arrived at New Orleans, March 22nd, and at Kansas City in the
beginning of April.
A branch of the Church was organized by Edward Stevenson, at Gibraltar,
Spain, with 10 members.
Bishop Isaac Clark died at Ogden.
A mass meeting was held in G.S.L. City for the purpose of taking steps
towards memorializing Congress to construct a national railroad from the
Missouri river, via the South Pass and G.S.L. City, to the Pacific.
The ship Golconda sailed from Liverpool, England, with 464 Saints, under
the direction of Door P. Curtis; it arrived at New Orleans March 18th.
At a Seventies' quarterly conference held in G.S.L. City, the 38th and
39th quorums of Seventy were organized with Benjamin F. Cummings and Daniel
McIntosh as senior presidents.
John C. Fremont, with a company of nine whites and twelve Delaware
Indians, arrived at Parowan, Iron Co., in a state of starvation. One man had
fallen dead from his horse near the settlement, and others were nearly dead.
Animals and provisions were supplied by the Saints, and, after resting until
the 20th, Fremont and company continued their journey to California.
Clarissa Smith, Patriarch John Smith's wife, died in G.S.L. City.
The ship Windermere sailed from Liverpool, England, with 484 Saints,
under Daniel Garn's direction; it arrived at New Orleans April 23rd. Many
died on board from the small pox.
Elders A. Milton Musser and Truman Leonard sailed from Bombay, India, for
Kurrachee, Scinde, which place they reached Feb. 26th. Kurrachee is about 900
miles northwest of Bombay.
Elias Smith succeeded the late Willard Richards as postmaster of Great
Salt Lake City.
Ephraim, Sanpete Co., was first settled.
The first number of the Latter-day Saints' Millennial Star and Monthly
Visitor, an eight-page periodical (octavo size), was published at Madras,
Hindostan; Elder Richard Ballantyne editor and publisher.
The ship Old England sailed from Liverpool, England, with 45 Saints,
under the direction of John O. Angus. It arrived at the mouth of the
Mississippi river April 24th.
Elders Samuel A. Woolley and Wm. Fotheringham returned to Calcutta from
an unsuccessful mission to the interior, on which they visited Benares,
Belaspore, Marat, Delhi, Kurnaul, Agra, Cawnpore, Allahabad, etc.
Dr. Willard Richards, second Counselor to Pres. Brigham Young, and editor
of the Deseret News, died in G.S.L. City, of dropsy.
The ship John M. Wood sailed from Liverpool, with 383 Saints, including
58 from Switzerland and Italy, under the direction of Robert L. Campbell. It
arrived at New Orleans May 2nd.
The ship Julia Ann sailed from Sydney, Australia, with about seventy
Saints, bound for Utah, under the direction of Wm. Hyde. The company landed
at San Pedro, Cal., June 12th.
Geo. E. Ashburner, captain of the police, peremptorily ordered Elders A.
Milton Musser and Truman Leonard out of the cantonment of Camp Kurrachee,
India, and admonished them not to return.
Under the administration of Elders John S. Fulmer and David B. Dille,
Halsden Marsden, 18 years old, who was born deaf and dumb, was miraculously
healed from his deafness, at Rochdale, England.
A number of Elders were called on a mission to the Indians in southern
Utah. This more directly resulted in opening up that part of Utah south of
the Great Basin to settlement.
The ship Germanicus sailed from Liverpool, England, with 220 Saints,
under the direction of Richard Cook. The company arrived at New Orleans June
12th.
The 24th annual conference of the Church was commenced in G.S.L. City; it
was continued till the 9th. On the 7th, Jedediah M. Grant was chosen second
Counselor to Pres. Brigham Young, in place of Willard Richards, deceased. Bro.
Grant was set apart on the 9th. Geo. A. Smith was sustained as Church
Historian. A number of missionaries were called to Great Britain, the United
States, Canada and the Pacific Islands.
The ship Marshfield sailed from Liverpool, with 366 Saints, including
about forty from the French mission, under the direction of Wm. Taylor. The
company arrived at New Orleans May 29th.
The First Presidency issued its "Eleventh General Epistle" to the whole
Church.
The Sugar House Ward, G.S.L. Co., Utah, was organized with Abraham O.
Smoot as Bishop.
Twenty-nine Saints sailed from England on the ship Clara Wheeler, bound
for Utah.
Pres. Brigham Young left G.S.L. City, accompanied by many leading men, on
a tour through the southern settlements, from which he returned on the 30th.
Apostle Parley P. Pratt left G.S.L. City on his second mission to
California. He arrived at San Bernardino June 9th, and in San Francisco July
2nd.
A branch of the Church, consisting of 19 members, was organized in
Piedmont, Italy, where considerable persecution had raged.
Patriarch John Smith died in G.S.L. City, and on June 28th John Smith,
son of Hyrum Smith, was chosen Patriarch to the Church in place of the
deceased.
Late in May, (after a "talk" with Pres. Brigham Young), the Indian chief
Walker, surrounded by his braves, and Kanosh, chief of the Pauvan Indians,
entered into a formal treaty of peace at Chicken Creek, Juab Co. This ended
the Ute war, during which 19 white persons and many Indians had been killed, a
number of the smaller settlements had been broken up, and their inhabitants
moved to the larger towns.
Apostle Franklin D. Richards succeeded Samuel W. Richards as president of
the British mission. His letter of appointment authorized him "to preside
over all the conferences and all the affairs of the Church in the British
Islands and adjacent countries." This was the beginning of what has since
been called the European mission, which embraces all the missions in Europe,
and at one time also the Church organizations in Africa, Australia, India,
etc.
The first company of emigrants of the season, bound for California,
passed through G.S.L. City, having left Council Bluffs April 12th.
The workmen began at the south east corner to lay the foundation of the
Temple, in G.S.L. City.
The grasshoppers made their appearance in the fields of some of the
settlements in Utah and did much damage.
Apostle Erastus Snow, accompanied by other Elders, left G.S.L. City for
the East, to take charge of the Church in St. Louis and the Western States.
The Jordan river bridge, west of G.S.L. City, was crossed by teams and
herds for the first time.
Elder Gudmund Gudmundsen left Iceland, where he had labored upwards of
three years preaching the gospel, and had baptized nine persons. He returned
to Denmark.
Elder Richard Ballantyne sailed from Madras, India, bound for London,
where he arrived Dec. 6, 1854.
The native Saints in the Hawaiian mission commenced to gather to the
island of Lanai, which had been selected as a gathering place for them, and
the building of a city was commenced in the valley or basin known as Palawai.
Pres. Brigham Young advised the presidency of the British mission to ship
the emigrating Saints from Europe to a more northern port than New Orleans, as
the latter place was very unhealthful.
Wm. and Warren Weeks, sons of Bishop Allen Weeks, were killed by Goshute
Indians, in Cedar Valley.
Peter Whitmer, sen., died in Richmond, Ray Co., Mo. He was born April
14, 1773.
Elders Geo. C. Riser and Jens C. Nielsen, who labored as missionaries in
Hamburg, Germany, were arrested and imprisoned for preaching the gospel and
baptizing a few persons.
The wall around the Temple Block, in G.S.L. City, was completed.
Elder Truman Leonard left Kurrachee, India, with a Masonic friend for
Kotree, about one hundred miles inland.
John F. Kinney, of Iowa, succeeded Lazarus H. Reed as chief justice of
Utah.
Geo. Mills, one of the Utah Pioneers of 1847, died in G.S.L. City.
Col. E. J. Steptoe, who had been appointed governor of Utah, arrived in
G.S.L. City with about one hundred and seventy-five soldiers.
After 23 days' imprisonment, Elders Geo. C. Riser and Jens C. Nielsen,
through the influence of Mr. Bromberg, the American consul, were liberated
from prison, in Hamburg, on conditions that they should leave the country
forthwith.
Capt. James Brown's company of immigrating Saints (with 42 wagons)
arrived in G.S.L. City.
Capt. Darwin Richardson's company of immigrating Saints (40 wagons)
arrived in G.S.L. City.
Daniel Garn's company of immigrating Saints, including the Germans,
arrived in G.S.L. City.
Elder Wm. W. Major, of G.S.L. City, died in London, England, where he
labored as a missionary.
Elder Hans Peter Olsen's company of immigrating Saints, including the
Scandinavians, arrived in G.S.L. City. Many had died from cholera while
crossing the plains.
A printing press and the necessary material for printing the Book of
Mormon in the Hawaiian language arrived at Honolulu, Hawaii, but subsequently
it was shipped to San Francisco, Cal., and the printing done there.
Wm. A. Empey's company of immigrating Saints (with 43 wagons) arrived in
G.S.L. City.
Augustus Farnham, president of the Australasian Mission, and Wm. Cooke
arrived at Auckland, as the first missionaries to New Zealand.
Robert L. Campbell's company of immigrating Saints, the last of the
season, arrived in G.S.L. City.
Apostle Erastus Snow organized a Stake of Zion in St. Louis, Mo., with
Milo Andrus as president and Charles Edwards and George Gardiner as
counselors. A High Council was also organized, consisting of James H. Hart,
Andrew Sproule, John Evans, Wm. Morrison, James S. Cantwell, Wm. Lowe, Samuel
J. Lees, Edward Cook, James S. Brooks. William Gore, John Clegg and Charles
Chard.
Professor Orson Pratt discovered "a new and easy method of solution of
the cubic and biquadratic equations."
The first number of the St. Louis Luminary was published by Erastus Snow,
in St. Louis, Mo.
The ship Clara Wheeler sailed from Liverpool, England, with 422 Saints,
under the direction of Henry E. Phelps. The company arrived at New Orleans
Jan. 11, 1855, and at St. Louis Jan. 22nd.
Apostle Charles C. Rich arrived in G.S.L. City from San Bernardino, and
Geo. Q. Cannon and others from the Sandwich Islands.
The Utah legislature (4th annual session) convened in the Council House,
in G.S.L. City, and organized by electing Heber C. Kimball president of the
Council, and Jedediah M. Grant speaker of the House.
Patriarch William Draper died at Draperville, Salt Lake Co.,
The Seventies' Council Hall, in G.S.L. City, was dedicated. It was 53 x
25 feet, and had cost $3,500.
A petition praying for the reappointment of Brigham Young to the
governorship of Utah, and signed by Col. Steptoe and the leading officials and
business men of G.S.L. City, was sent to Washington, D.C.
The European mission, consisted of 67 conferences, 788 branches and
32,627 members. Of these 29,441 were in Great Britain, 2,447 in Scandinavia,
299 in Switzerland and Italy, 326 in the French mission, 56 in the German
mission, 40 on the island of Malta and 18 at Gibraltar.
1855
This year walls were built around some of the settlements in Utah as a
means of protection against the Indians. The County court house, the "Lion
House" and other notable public and private buildings were erected in G.S.L.
City. The mails arrived very irregularly from the States. In the spring of
this year Morgan County, Utah, was settled by Jedediah M. Grant, Thomas
Thurston and others. During the summer grasshoppers did serious damage to
crops, destroying nearly everything green in many parts of Utah. The loss and
suffering aggravated by drought, the combined evils causing a great failure in
crops. In trying to establish a settlement (now Moab) near the Elk Mountains
(now La Salle Mountains), Utah, troubles arose with the Indians and several of
the brethren were killed. A settlement of the Saints was established on
Salmon river, Oregon (now in Idaho). The Book of Mormon was published in the
Hawaiian language by Geo. Q. Cannon in San Francisco, Cal.
A grand party was given by the Utah legislature as a compliment to Judge
John F. Kinney and other Federal officials in the Territory, and also Lt.-Col.
Steptoe with the officers of his command.
The ship Rockaway sailed from Liverpool, England, with 24 Saints, under
the direction of Samuel Glasgow. The company arrived at New Orleans, Feb.
28th, and at St. Louis about the 16th of March.
The ship James Nesmith sailed from Liverpool, with 440 Scandinavian and 1
British Saints, under the direction of Peter O. Hansen. It arrived at New
Orleans, Feb. 23rd, and the company continued up the rivers to Ft.
Leavenworth; afterwards to Mormon Grove.
Thirteen Saints, under the presidency of Thomas Jackson, sailed from
Liverpool on the ship Neva, bound for Utah. The company arrived at New
Orleans, Feb. 22nd.
After making a number of futile attempts to reach the English speaking
people of Camp Kurrachee, Elder A. Milton Musser entered into a contract with
David Sair Mohammed to build a meeting house, 26 x 20 feet, on the main
thoroughfare between Camp Kurrachee, and the landing near the cantonment. The
house was soon built and dedicated, after which regular meetings were held in
it till September, 1855.
Archibald Bowman was accidentally killed while quarrying rock for the
Temple, at the quarry, near G.S.L. City.
The ship Charles Buck sailed from Liverpool, England, with 403 Saints,
under the direction of Richard Ballantyne. The company arrived at New Orleans
about March 14th, and at St. Louis March 27th.
The Utah legislature adjourned after the usual session of forty days.
The 40th quorum of Seventy was organized at Farmington, Davis Co., Utah,
with Ezra T. Clark, John S. Gleason, James Harrison, Hyrum Judd, Daniel
Rawson, Lot Smith and Sanford Porter as presidents. Most of the members were
ordained March 4, 1855.
Geo. C. Riser, Jacob F. Secrist and a small company of Saints (16 souls)
sailed from Liverpool, England, on the ship Isaac Jeans, bound for Utah. They
landed in Philadelphia, March 5th.
Dr. Garland Hurt, of Kentucky, Indian Agent for Utah, arrived at G.S.L.
City.
A grand festival, lasting two days, was commenced in G.S.L. City, in
honor of the Mormon Battalion.
The first number of the Mormon, a weekly paper, published in the interest
of the Church, was issued in the city of New York, by Apostle John Taylor.
John Smith was ordained to his calling as Patriarch to the whole Church.
The name of Sessions' Settlement, Davis Co., was changed to Bountiful.
The ship Siddons sailed from Liverpool, England, with 430 Saints, under
the direction of John S. Fullmer. It arrived at Philadelphia April 20th, from
which place the company went by rail to Pittsburg, Pa., thence on steamboats
down the Ohio river to St. Louis and up the Missouri river to Atchison, Kan.
Mormon Grove, near Atchison, Kan., was selected as an outfitting place
for the Saints crossing the plains this year. Eight companies, with 337
wagons, commenced the journey for G.S.L. Valley from that place in 1855.
Elders Nathaniel V. Jones and William Fotheringham sailed from China and
San Francisco, Cal., after laboring zealously, together with their
co-laborers, to introduce the fulness of the gospel to the inhabitants of
India. Elder Robert Skelton was left in charge of the mission.
Elder Hugh Findlay, accompanied by a few emigrating Saints, sailed from
Bombay, India, homeward bound, via China.
Lazarus H. Reed, late chief justice of Utah, and a friend to her people,
died at his home at Bath, N.Y.
The ship Juventa sailed from Liverpool, England, with 573 Saints, under
the direction of Wm. Glover. It arrived at Philadelphia May 5th. From there
the company went by rail to Pittsburgh, and further on steamboats down the
Ohio river to St. Louis, Mo.
The First Presidency issued the "Twelfth General Epistle" to the whole
Church.
The Millennial Star and Church Emigration office in Liverpool, England,
was removed from 15 Wilton Street to 36 (now 42) Islington, where it has been
ever since.
The 25th annual conference of the Church was held in G.S.L. City; it was
continued for three days; 154 Elders were called on foreign missions.
The ship Chimborazo sailed from Liverpool, England, with 431 Saints,
including 70 from the Channel Islands, under the direction of Edward
Stevenson. The company arrived at Philadelphia May 21st.
The ship Samuel Carling sailed from Liverpool with 581 Saints, under
Israel Barlow's direction; it arrived at New York May 27th. The emigrants
continued by rail to Pittsburgh, thence by steamboat on the rivers, via St.
Louis, Mo., to Atchison, Kan.
The ship Wm. Stetson sailed from Liverpool, with 293 Saints, under Aaron
Smithurst's direction. It arrived at New York May 27th.
Seventy-two Saints from Adelaide (South Australia) and Victoria, sailed
from Melbourne, on board the brig Tarquenia, bound for Utah, via San Pedro,
Cal., under the direction of Burr Frost. Arriving at Honolulu, Sandwich
Islands, the vessel was condemned as unsafe and the emigrants landed. Shortly
afterwards some of them engaged another passage to San Pedro, Cal.
The first number of Der Darsteller der Heiligen der letzten Tage, a
monthly 16-page octavo periodical, was published by Daniel Tyler at Geneva,
Switzerland, in the German language, in the interest of the Church.
The Endowment House, in G.S.L. City, was dedicated.
Pres. Brigham Young and others left G.S.L. City on a trip to the southern
settlements. He returned on the 27th.
Charles C. Rich, Geo. Q. Cannon, Joseph Bull and Matthew F. Wilkie left
G.S.L. City on a mission to California.
A treaty of peace was concluded with the Ute Indians.
Albert Gregory, who was returning west from a mission to the States, died
at Atchison, Kan.
Apostle Orson Hyde and company left G.S.L. City for Carson Valley, where
they arrived June 17th.
The camp of the missionaries, called to settle on the Salmon river,
Oregon (now Idaho), was organized by Thomas S. Smith on the bank of Bear
river, with Francillo Durfee as captain.
A company of about forty men, under the presidency of Alfred N. Billings,
left Manti, Sanpete Co., for a valley near the Elk Mountains (La Salle
Mountains), where they arrived June 15th and commenced a settlement on the
left bank of Grand river, where Moab now stands.
A small company of Saints emigrating to Utah sailed from Calcutta, India,
per ship Frank Johnson.
Andrew L. Lamoreaux, returning missionary from Europe, died at St. Louis,
Mo.
Fort Limhi (Idaho) was located by Thomas S. Smith and his company of
settlers, on the Salmon river, and on the 18th they moved to the site.
Pres. Brigham Young and others left G.S.L. City on a visit to the
northern settlements, from which they returned on the 25th.
Judge Leonidas Shaver died in G.S.L. City.
The manufacture of molasses from beets at the sugar factory, in the Sugar
House Ward, G.S.L. Co., was commenced.
Jacob F. Secrist, captain of the second company of the season's
emigration, and returning missionary, died on Ketchum's Creek, west of Ft.
Kearney.
Elder John Perry died at Mormon Grove, Kansas, on his return from a
mission to England.
The massive foundation of the Temple in G.S.L. was finished.
Wm. Nixon was killed at Provo, Utah Co., by the bursting of a cannon.
David H. Burr, surveyor-general for Utah, arrived in G.S.L. City.
The ship Cynosure sailed from Liverpool, England, with 159 Saints, under
the direction of George Seager. It arrived at New York Sept. 5th.
Thomas Tanner, foreman of the Public Works' blacksmith shop in G.S.L.
City, and a Utah Pioneer of 1847, died from the effects of a fall, which
occurred on July 31st.
John M. Bernhisel was elected the third time as delegate to Congress from
Utah.
Apostle Parley P. Pratt returned to G.S.L. City, after a fifteen months'
mission to California, accompanied by a few immigrants.
Erastus Snow and Chas. H. Bassett arrived in G.S.L. City from their
mission to the States.
The Ute and Shoshone Indians met in front of the Deseret News office,
G.S.L. City, and entered into a treaty of peace.
David Lewis, a survivor of the Haun's Mill massacre, died at Parowan,
Iron Co.
Capt. John Hindley's company of immigrating Saints, the first of the
season, arrived in G.S.L. City. It consisted of 46 wagons and about two
hundred souls.
The second company of immigrating Saints of the season, consisting of 58
wagons, arrived in G.S.L. City, under the direction of Capt. Noah T. Guyman.
The American bark Julia Ann sailed from Sydney, N.S.W., Australia, with a
company of Saints, under the direction of Elders James Graham and John S.
Eldredge, bound for America.
On this and the following day a large company of missionaries left G.S.L.
City for Europe and the States.
Seth M. Blair's train of 45 wagons arrived in G.S.L. City with a few
Saints from Texas.
W. W. Drummond was appointed successor to the late Leonidas Shaver as
associate justice of Utah.
The Horticultural Society was organized in G.S.L. City, with Wilford
Woodruff as president. Various other societies were organized in the forepart
of the year, among which were the "Universal Scientific Society", the
"Polysophical Society", the Deseret Philharmonic Society and the "Deseret
Typographical Association."
Elder A. Milton Musser and Truman Leonard left Kurrachee, India, for
Bombay.
James W. Hunt, Wm. Behunin and Edward Edwards, of the Elk Mountain
mission, were killed by Indians, who also wounded Pres. Alfred N. Billings,
besides burning hay and stealing cattle. The following day the colonists left
their fort and started for Manti, where they arrived Sept. 30th.
The fourth company of immigrating Saints of the season, under Capt.
Richard Ballantyine (45 wagons, 402 souls), arrived in G.S.L. City.
The fifth company of immigrating Saints of the season, under Capt. Moses
Thurston (33 wagons), arrived in G.S.L. City.
Elders John S. Eldredge and James Graham and 28 Saints emigrating to Utah
from Australia, on board the ship Julia Ann, were wrecked on a coral reef near
the Society Islands. Five persons were drowned and the rest barely escaped
with their lives and landed on a barren and uninhabited island (Scilly
Island), where they subsisted on turtle for six weeks, when they were rescued.
Carl G. Maeser, Edward Schoenfeld and two others were baptized by Apostle
Franklin D. Richards, as the first fruits of the preaching of the gospel at
Dresden, Germany.
Gov. Young ordered out part of the Utah militia, to protect the
settlements in the eastern part of the Territory from the Indians.
Elder Orson Spencer died in St. Louis, Mo.
Elder Josiah W. Flemming was arrested at Sydney, N.S.W., Australia, on a
false charge instigated by apostates. After spending the night in a miserable
prison, he was acquitted and liberated the following day.
A branch of the Church consisting of eight members, was organized at
Dresden, Germany. Shortly afterwards the number increased to about twenty,
including a few in Leipzig.
Capt. Milo Andrus' immigrant train, called the third P.E. Fund company of
the season, arrived in G.S.L. City.
The sixth company of immigrating Saints of the season (39 wagons), under
Capt. C.A. Harper, arrived in G.S.L. City.
The First Presidency of the Church, in the "Thirteenth General Epistle,"
proposed that the Saints, who emigrated by the P.E. Fund, should cross the
plains with handcarts.
Part of the seventh or last company of immigrating Saints for the season
(38 wagons, 62 souls) arrived in G.S.L. City; Isaac Allred, captain. Some
wagons, which had to stop over at Green river, arrived on the 13th.
John M. King, formerly a member of the Mormon Battalion, died in G.S.L.
City.
Elders Wm. Walker and Leonard I. Smith, accompanied by 15 Saints, sailed
from Algoa Bay, Cape Colony, Africa, on the Unity, bound for Utah. They
arrived in London, England, Jan. 29, 1856.
Elder Truman Leonard sailed from Bombay, India, for England.
A grand festival, in honor of the returned missionaries, was given by the
First Presidency in the Social Hall, G.S.L. City. About seventy missionaries
attended.
The ship Emerald Isle sailed from Liverpool, England, with 349 Saints,
under the direction of Philemon C. Merrill. It arrived at New York Dec. 29th.
Edler Allen Findlay, a missionary from England, who had assisted the
American Elders in Bombay and vicinity for some time, sailed from Bombay, on
his return to England.
The Utah legislature passed a bill, authorizing an election of delegates
to attend a Territorial convention, the object of which was to draft a State
constitution, and petition Congress a second time for the admission of Utah
into the Union.
Apostle Amasa M. Lyman arrived in G.S.L. City from California, and Wm.
Fotheringham and Hugh Findlay from India.
Elder A. Milton Musser sailed from Bombay for Calcutta, India, where he
arrived Jan. 22, 1856.
The Utah legislature (fifth annual session) met at Fillmore, Millard Co.,
the new capital of the Territory, and organized by electing Heber C. Kimball
president of the Council, and Jedediah M. Grant speaker of the House.
The ship John J. Boyd sailed from Liverpool, England, with 508 Saints
(437 Scandinavians, 41 British and 41 Italians), under the direction of Knud
Peterson. It arrived at New York, Feb. 15, 1856. A part of the company
remained in Iowa and Illinois for some time, while a portion continued to Utah
the same season via St. Louis and Florence.
An able address on plural marriage, written by Apostle Parley P. Pratt,
was read before the Utah legislature at Fillmore, Utah.
1856
In the forepart of this year there was great scarcity of provisions in
Utah. Many domestic animals died from starvation. Beaver County, Utah, was
settled by pioneers from Parowan. A general reformation took place throughout
the Church, most of the Saints renewing their covenants by baptism. This
reformation extended to the several missionary fields in different parts of
the world. Many of the Saints from Europe suffered severely in crossing the
plains and mountains with handcarts. The practice of paying tithing was
generally introduced among the Saints in Europe.
Box Elder, Cache, Greasewood, Humboldt, St. Mary's, Malad and Cedar
Counties, Utah, were created by legislative acts, approved by Gov. Brigham
Young.
An act, passed by the Utah legislature, creating Shambip County, Utah,
was approved.
The Utah legislature adjourned.
At a mass meeting held in G.S.L. City, steps were taken for organizing
the B.Y. Express Carrying Company, to carry a daily express from the Missouri
river to California. In subsequent meeting shares were taken to stock a
thousand miles of the road.
Beaver County, recently created by legislative act, was settled by Simeon
F. Howd and thirteen others from Parowan, who located Beaver City. The
townsite was laid out April 17, 1856.
The Indians stole many cattle and horses in Utah and Cedar Valleys. On
Feb. 21st they killed two herdsmen west of Utah Lake, and on the 22nd a posse
of ten men with legal writs called at an Indian camp in Cedar Valley to arrest
the murderers. A fight ensued, in which one Indian and a squaw were killed
and Geo. Carson, one of the posse, mortally wounded. He died on the 23rd. On
that day (the 23rd) Gov. Brigham Young, by proclamation, ordered out part of
the Utah militia to fight the Indians. This difficulty with the natives is
known in history as the "Tintic War."
Elder Robert C. Petty, of Herriman, Utah, died on Grand river, Ind. Ter.,
where he labored as a missionary.
The Saints who were settling on Beaver creek, Beaver Co., Utah, were
organized into a branch of the Church by Apostle Geo. A. Smith, with Simeon F.
Howd as president.
The Seventies, now numbering 40 quorums, commenced a jubilee in G.S.L.
City, which lasted five days. Their hall, which had undergone a thorough
improvement, was again dedicated.
The ship Caravan sailed from Liverpool, England, with 454 Saints, under
the direction of Daniel Tyler. The company arrived at New York March 27th.
The first number of the Western Standard, a weekly paper published in the
interest of the Church, was issued at San Francisco, Cal.; Geo. Q. Cannon,
editor.
John Catlin and another man were killed, and Geo. Winn was mortally
wounded, by Indians, near Kimball's creek, southwest of Utah lake. Capt.
Peter Connover, with eighty men, soon afterwards crossed Utah lake on the ice
and pursued the hostile tribe into Tintic Valley, where he recovered some of
the stock stolen by the savages.
Elder Robert W. Wolcott, of G.S.L. city, died of small pox at
Northampton, England, where he labored as a missionary.
Elder A. Milton Musser sailed from Calcutta, for London, England, where
he arrived July 19, 1856, after being 138 days at sea. He came by way of the
Cape of Good Hope. Capt. Winsor, of the Viking, gave Elder Musser a free
first-class passage.
A convention met in G.S.L. City to prepare a State constitution and
memorialize Congress for the admission of Utah into the Union as the State of
Deseret. The constitution and memorial were adopted on the 27th, and Apostles
Geo. A. Smith and John Taylor were elected delegates to present the same to
Congress.
The ship Enoch train sailed from Liverpool, England, with 534 Saints,
under the direction of James Ferguson. It arrived at Boston May 1st. From
that city the emigrants traveled by rail via New York to Iowa City, Iowa,
whence the journey across the plains this year was commenced by wagons and
handcarts. Daniel Spencer acted as general superintendent of emigration on
the borders, assisted by Geo. D. Grant, Wm. H. Kimball, James H. Hart and
others.
Elder Hector C. Haight, president of the Scandinavian mission, was
arrested and a conference meeting broken up by the police, at Malmo, Sweden.
On this and the following day the 26th annual conference of the Church
was held in G.S.L. City. About two hundred Elders were called on foreign
missions.
The ship Samuel Curling sailed from Liverpool with 707 Saints, under the
direction of Dan Jones; it arrived at Boston May 23rd. From that city the
emigrants traveled by rail to Iowa City.
Jacob Whitmer, one of the Eight Witnesses to the Book of Mormon, died
near Richmond, Ray Co., Mo.
A large company of missionaries, including Apostles Orson Pratt, Geo. A.
Smith, Ezra T. Benson and Erastus Snow, Elder Abraham O. Smoot and many other
prominent men, left G.S.L. City, on missions to the States and Europe. They
arrived at St. Louis, Mo., June 12th.
Elder Robert Skelton, after appointing James Patrick Meik to preside over
the Saints in India, sailed from Calcutta, homeward bound. He was the last of
the American Elders to leave India, which was now abandoned for the time being
as a missionary field.
The ship Thornton sailed from Liverpool, England, with 764 Saints, under
the direction of James G. Willie. It arrived at New York June 14th, and the
emigrants, continuing the journey by rail, arrived at Iowa City, June 26th.
The ship Horizon sailed from Liverpool with 856 Saints, under the
direction of Edward Martin. The company arrived safely at Boston, and reached
Iowa City by rail July 8th.
A small company of Australian Saints, under the direction of Augustus
Farnham, sailed from Port Jackson, New South Wales, bound for Utah. The ship
touched at Tahiti, Society Islands, June 22nd, Honolulu, Hawaii, July 16th,
and arrived at San Pedro, Cal., Aug. 15th. From the latter place the
emigrants traveled by teams to San Bernardino.
Weber County, Utah, was divided into four Bishop's Wards, and Erastus
Bingham appointed Bishop of the First, James G. Browning of the Second,
Chauncey W. West of the Third and Thos. Dunn of the Fourth Ward.
The ship Wellfleet sailed from Liverpool, England, with 146 Saints, under
the direction of John Aubray. It arrived at Boston July 13th. The emigrants
remained in the States until the following season.
The ship Lucy Thompson sailed from Liverpool with fourteen Saints, under
the direction of James Thompson. It arrived at New York Aug. 8th.
Six families from Mississippi, under the direction of Benjamin Matthews,
arrived at G.S.L. City, as the first immigrants of the season. They brought
small pox with them into the Valley.
Pioneer day was celebrated on the headwaters of Big Cottonwood creek,
where a temporary bowery had been erected for the occasion.
Apostle Orson Pratt succeeded Apostle Franklin D. Richards in the
presidency of the European Mission.
The last of Capt. Philemon C. Merril's company of Saints arrived at
G.S.L. City.
Bishop Isaac Houston, of Alpine, Utah Co., died.
Col. Almon W. Babbitt's train loaded with government property and
traveling west, was plundered by Cheyenne Indians, near Wood river, Neb. A.
Nichols and two others were killed, and a Mrs. Wilson was carried away by the
savages.
Cache County was settled by Peter Maughan and others, who located what is
now the town of Wellsville.
Col. Almon W. Babbitt, Thos. Margetts and child, James Cowdy and wife and
others were killed, and Mrs. Margetts carried away by Cheyenne Indians, east
of Fort Laramie.
Capt. John A. Hunt's company of Saints, the last wagon train of the
season, left Florence, Neb., for G.S.L. Valley, having commenced the journey
from Iowa City a few months previous.
Apostle Parley P. Pratt, accompanied by other Elders, left G.S.L. City on
a mission to the States, from which he never returned.
A Female Relief Society was organized in the 14th Ward, G.S.L. City, with
Phoebe Woodruff as president.
Elder Knud Peterson's wagon company of immigrants (mostly Scandinavians)
arrived in G.S.L. City. This was called the second company of the season.
The first two companies of immigrating Saints, which crossed the plains
with handcarts, arrived at G.S.L. City, in charge of Capt. Edmund Ellsworth
and Daniel D. McArthur. They were met and welcomed by the First Presidency of
the Church, a brass band, a company of lancers, and a large concourse of
citizens. Capt. Ellsworth's company had left Iowa City June 9th, and
McArthur's June 11th. When they started, both contained 497 souls, with 100
handcarts, 5 wagons, 24 oxen, 4 mules and 25 tents.
Capt. John Banks' wagon company of immigrating Saints, and Capt. Edward
Bunker's handcart company, which had left Iowa City June 23rd, arrived in
G.S.L. City. The immigrants in the latter were mostly from Wales.
The Deseret Agricultural and Manufacturing Society commenced its first
exhibition in G.S.L. City, called the "Deseret State Fair."
W. M. F. Magraw, formerly mail contractor, wrote a defamatory letter to
the President of the United States, about Utah affairs.
Apostle Franklin D. Richards, Daniel Spencer, John Van Cott, Wm. C.
Dunbar, John D.T. McAllister, Nathaniel H. Felt, and a number of other
missionaries, arrived in G.S.L. City, having left Florence Sept. 3rd.
The general semi-annual conference of the Church was commenced in G.S.L.
City. It continued three days; 177 Elders were called to go on missions.
The Twentieth Ward, G.S.L. City, was organized with John Sharp as Bishop.
Capt. Geo. D. Grant left G.S.L. City with a relief company to meet the
immigration.
Capt. Croft's company of emigrants from Texas and the Cherokee Nation
arrived in G.S.L. City.
An ordinance was passed by the G.S.L. City council, organizing a Fire
Department. Jesse C. Little was appointed chief engineer.
Capt. Edward Martin's handcart company, detained by the unusual early
snow storms of the season, was met by Joseph A. Young, Daniel W. Jones and
Abel Garr, at a point sixteen miles above the Platte bridge. Three days later
the company arrived at Greasewood creek, where four wagons of the relief
company, in charge of Geo. D. Grant, loaded with provisions and some clothing
for the suffering emigrants were awaiting them.
Capt. James G. Willie's handcart company arrived in G.S.L. City, after
great sufferings from scarcity of provisions, cold and over-exertion in the
mountains. It left Iowa City, Iowa, July 15th, with 120 handcarts and six
wagons, numbering about five hundred souls, of whom 66 died on the journey.
Captain Abraham O. Smoot's wagon train arrived the same day.
Joseph A. Young and Abel Garr arrived in G.S.L. City with the news that
the last companies of emigrants were perishing in the mountains. More teams
and provisions were immediately forwarded to help them in.
The ship Columbia sailed from Liverpool with 223 Saints, under the
direction of J. Williams. It arrived at New York Jan. 1, 1857.
The ladies of Cedar City, Iron Co., organized a Female Benevolent
Society, with Mrs. Lydia Hopkins as president.
Heber Jeddie Grant was born in G.S.L. City.
Edward Martin's handcart company arrived in G.S.L. City, after extreme
suffering. Many of the emigrants had died in the mountains, and the handcarts
had to be gradually abandoned as the relief teams from the Valley were met.
When the company passed Florence, Neb., Aug. 25th, it consisted of 576
persons, 146 handcarts, 7 wagons, etc.
Jedediah M. Grant, second Counselor to Pres. Brigham Young, died in
G.S.L. City.
About sixty mule and horse teams started from G.S.L. City to meet Capts.
Hodgett's and Hunt's wagon companies.
David S. Laughlin, formerly a member of the Mormon Battalion, died in
Cedar Valley, Utah.
The Utah legislature (sixth annual session) convened at Fillmore and
organized by electing Heber C. Kimball president of the Council, and Hosea
Stout speaker of the House. It then adjourned to G.S.L. City.
The First Presidency issued their "Fourteenth General Epistle" to the
Church.
On this and the following six days Capts. Wm. B. Hodgett's and John A.
Hunt's companies of emigrants arrived in G.S.L. City, after much suffering,
being helped in by the relief trains sent out from the Valley.
Contractor Magraw failing to carry the mails through, Feramorz Little and
Eph. K. Hanks left G.S.L. City with the mail, for the East.
The Utah legislature convened in the Social Hall, G.S.L. City.
Pres. Brigham Young gave an entertainment in the "Lion House" to a large
number of Elders, lately returned from foreign missions.
1857
The winter of 1856-57 was excessively severe, snow falling to a depth of
eight feet in various place in the valleys of Utah. The harvest of 1857 was
the best Utah ever had up to that time. Influenced by falsehoods, circulated
by Judge W.W. Drummond and others, the Federal government sent an army to
Utah, when the citizens organized for self-defense. The Elders were called
home from foreign missions, and the Saints who had settled in Carson Valley,
on Salmon river, on Green river and in Southern California were advised to
abandon their locations and return to places nearer the headquarters of the
Church.
Daniel H. Wells was set apart as second Counselor to Pres. Brigham Young,
in place of the late Jedediah M. Grant.
San Bernardino, Cal, was visited by a violent earthquake.
A reformation meeting was held in No. 42 Islington, Liverpool, England,
and on the following day the presiding brethren of the British mission,
including Apostles Orson Pratt and Ezra T. Benson, renewed their covenants by
baptism. This was followed by a general renewal of covenants throughout the
mission.
The 43rd quorum of Seventy was organized in Tooele County, Utah, with
John Shields, James Bevan, Thomas Lee, Francis D. St. Jeor, George Atkin, Hugh
S. Gowans and Geo. W. Bryan as presidents.
The 41st Quorum of Seventy was organized in Salt Lake County, Utah, with
John Van Cott, Wm. C. Dunbar, Knud Peterson, Thomas Morris, Leonard I. Smith,
Wm. Casper and Levi N. Kendall as presidents.
Reformation meetings were held at Swansea, Wales, after which the
presiding Elders, and subsequently all the Saints in that mission, renewed
their covenants by baptism.
Henry Mitchell Johnson formerly a member of the Mormon Battalion, died in
G.S.L. City.
The ship George Washington sailed from Liverpool, England, with 817
Saints, under the direction of James P. Park, bound for Utah via Boston.
Judge W.W. Drummond, in framing the letter of his resignation as chief
justice of Utah, wrote the most wicked and abominable falsehoods against Gov.
Brigham Young and the people of Utah, thereby influencing the government to
send troops against the "Mormons."
Cache County, Utah, was organized; Peter Maughan, probate judge.
The 27th annual conference on the Church convened in G.S.L. City; it was
continued till the 8th; 350 Elders were called on missions.
Feramorz Little, having arrived in the States, with the Utah mail, wrote
a letter to the New York Herald, refuting Drummond's falsehoods.
The Nauvoo Legion held a grand parade in G.S.L. City; the election of
officers took place, and a new system for the government of Utah militia was
inaugurated.
A company consisting of about seventy missionaries, bound for Europe and
other parts of the world, left G.S.L. City with handcarts. They arrived at
Florence, Neb., June 10th, making the trip to the Missouri river in 40 1/2
traveling days. (They rested 7 1/2 days.)
Pres. Brigham Young and many others started from G.S.L. City on a tour to
the settlements on Salmon river, Oregon (now Idaho). They returned May 26th.
The ship Westmoreland sailed from Liverpool, England, with 544 Saints,
mostly Scandinavians, under the direction of Mathias Cowley. It arrived at
Philadelphia May 31st, and the emigrants reached Iowa City by rail June 9th.
The Tithing Office Block wall in G.S.L. City was finished
The 46th quorum of Seventy was organized at Payson and Santaquin, Utah
Co., with James B. Bracken, John Thomas Hardy, Benjamin F. Stewart, Wm. Carrol
McClellan, Geo. W. Hancock and Wm. B. Maxwell as presidents.
A temporary settlement called Genoa, was located for the benefit of
emigrating Saints, on Beaver Creek, near Loup Fork, Neb., about one hundred
miles west of Florence. The settlers consisted mostly of Saints from the St.
Louis branch (Mo.).
The Saints who were settling Washington, in southern Utah, were organized
into a branch of the Church with Robert D. Covington as president. He was
ordained a Bishop Aug. 1, 1858.
The 45th quorum of Seventy was organized at Provo, with Robert T. Thomas,
James Goff, Robert C. Moore, Isaac Bullock, Lewis C. Sabrisky, Wm. Marsden and
Charles Shelton as presidents.
Apostle Parley P. Pratt was murdered by Hector H. McLean, near Van Buren,
Ark.
The 47th quorum of Seventy was partly organized at Ephraim, Sanpete Co.,
Utah, with Tore Thurston, James A. Lemmon, Joseph Clements and Nils Bengtsen
as presidents. Most of the members of the new quorum were ordained Seventies
on the 17th.
The 48th quorum of Seventy was organized at Manti, Sanpete Co., with
Daniel Henrie as senior president.
The 49th quorum of Seventy was organized at Nephi, Juab Co., with John A.
Woolf, Samuel Pitchforth, Timothy S. Hoyt, Geo. Kendall, Miles Miller, John
Burrowman and David Webb as presidents.
The 50th quorum of Seventy was partly organized at Spanish Fork, Utah
Co., with Dennis Dorrity as one of the presidents.
The 51st quorum of Seventy was organized at Springville, Utah Co., with
Alexander F. McDonald, Noah T. Guyman, Lorenzo Johnson, Spicer W. Crandall,
Abraham Day and Hamilton H. Kerns as presidents.
The 52nd quorum of Seventy was organized at Provo, Utah, with Alfred D.
Young as senior president. Quite a number of members were ordained on the
25th.
On the same day the 44th quorum of Seventy was organized at American
Fork, Utah Co., Utah, with Wm. Hyde, James McGaw, Shadrach Driggs, Wm.
Greenwood, James W. Preston, Wm. Fotheringham and Thomas Taylor as presidents.
The U.S. 2nd dragoons, 5th and 10th infantry and Phelps' Battery of the
4th artillery--2,500 men--were ordered out as an expedition to Utah, by order
of Gen. Winfield Scott.
The ship Tuscarora sailed from Liverpool, England, with 547 Saints, under
the direction of Richard Harper. It arrived at Philadelphia July 3rd, and the
emigrants continued by rail to Burlington, Iowa, in the vicinity of which most
of them sought temporary employment.
The 53th and 54th quorum of Seventy were organized at Ogden, Utah, by
Joseph Young and Albert P. Rockwood, with Rufus Allen and James Brown 3rd as
senior presidents.
Senator Stephen A. Douglas, in a political speech, delivered at
Springfield, Ill., characterized "Mormonism" as a loathsome ulcer of the body
politic, and recommended that Congress should apply the knife and cut it out.
The 42nd quorum of Seventy was organized at Fillmore, Utah, with Hiram
Mace, David N. Raney, Andrew Love, J.W. Radford, Edward Frost, Allen Russel
and John Felshaw as presidents.
The American ship Lucas sailed from Sydney, N.S.W., Australia, with 69
Saints, in charge of Elder Absalom P. Dowdle, bound for Utah.
The 55th quorum of Seventy was organized at Kaysville, and the 56th
quorum at Farmington, Davis Co., Utah.
Alfred Cumming, of Georgia, was appointed governor of Utah.
Indian Agent Thomas S. Twiss wrote a libellous letter to the government
at Washington, D.C., about the "Mormons."
The Tenth Infantry, the vanguard of the Utah expedition, took up the line
of march from Fort Leavenworth for the West, under the command of Col. E. B.
Alexander. The artillery and Fifth Infantry followed a few days later. The
command of the whole expedition was given to Gen. W.S. Harney.
The ship Wyoming sailed from Liverpool England, with 36 Saints, under the
direction of Charles Harman. It arrived safely at Philadelphia, Pa.
The people of G.S.L. City and vicinity celebrated the 10th anniversary of
the arrival of the Pioneers by a feast, near the head of Big Cottonwood
Canyon. While the festivities were going on, Abraham O. Smoot and Judson
Stoddard arrived from Independence, Mo., without the mails, the postmaster
there having refused to forward them. They reported that General Harney with
2,000 infantry, and a proportionate number of artillery and cavalry, were
ordered to Utah.
The Utah militia was ordered to be kept in readiness for an expedition to
the mountains, to prevent the entering of the approaching army, if necessary.
Apostles John Taylor and Erastus Snow and other missionaries arrived in
G.S.L. City from the East.
The first part of the "Utah Army," consisting of the Tenth Infantry and
Phelps' Battery, arrived at Fort Kearney.
Geo. Scholes, one of the Pioneers of 1847, died at Big Cottonwood, Salt
Lake Co.
A company of the Carsen Valley settlers returned to G.S.L. City.
Col. Robert T. Burton and James W. Cummings left G.S.L. City for the
East, with seventy men, for the purpose of protecting the emigrant trains and
observing the movements of the approaching army.
Col. Burton's expedition arrived at Ft. Bridger; on the 30th it reached
Devil's Gate.
Col. Albert Sidney Johnston was appointed successor to Gen. W.S. Harney
as commander of the Utah expedition.
Part of Wm. Walker's company of immigrating Saints, including Thos. B.
Marsh, formerly a member of the Twelve Apostles, arrived in G.S.L. City.
Capt. Stewart Van Vliet, of Gen. Harney's staff, arrived in G.S.L. City
and the following day had an interview with President Young. After a few
days' stay he returned to his escort on Ham's Fork, and thence proceeded to
Washington, where he used his influence in favor of the Saints.
The Mountain Meadow massacre took place.
The last of Israel Evans' handcart company, consisting of 154 souls and
31 handcarts, arrived in G.S.L. City.
Jesse B. Martin's wagon company of immigrants arrived in G.S.L. City.
Chr. Christiansen's handcart company and Mathias Cowley's wagon company
of immigrants arrived in G.S.L. City.
Delegate John M. Bernhisel started from G.S.L. City for Washington, D.C.,
in company with Capt. Steward Van Vliet and others.
Joseph A. Kelting, with a company of Saints, sailed from Sydney,
Australia, bound for Utah.
Gov. Brigham Young declared the Territory of Utah under martial law and
forbade the troops to enter G.S.L. Valley. Large numbers of armed militia
were ordered to Echo Canyon and other points to intercept the soldiers and
prevent their access to the Valley.
Col. Philip St. George Cooke left Ft. Leavenworth with the second
division of the "Utah Army." He arrived at Ft. Bridger Nov. 19th.
Col. Robt. T. Burton and three other men camped within half a mile of the
"Utah Army" (Col. E.B. Alexander's command), near Devil's Gate.
Col. Burton's men met the advance companies of the "Utah Army," and from
that time were their "immediate neighbors" until they arrived at Ham's Fork.
Capt. Wm. G. Young's train arrived in G.S.L. City with the last of this
season's immigration. Among the returning Elders in this train was A. Milton
Musser, who returned home from a five year's mission to India and England,
during which he had circumnavigated the globe, traveling as a missionary
"without purse and scrip."
General Daniel H. Wells left G.S.L. City for Echo Canyon, where he
established headquarters. About one thousand two hundred and fifty men, from
the several militia districts, were ordered to Echo Canyon, where they engaged
in digging trenches across the canyon, throwing up breast works, loosening
rocks on the heights, etc., preparing to resist the progress of the army.
The "Mormon" settlements in Carson Valley were broken up; most of the
settlers returned to G.S.L. City in the beginning of November.
Samuel W. Richards succeeded Apostle Orson Pratt as president of the
European mission.
Lot Smith, with a small company of men, surprised and burned two trains
of government stores, near the Big Sandy and Green river.
The officers of the Utah expedition held a council of war at Ham's Fork,
and decided that the army should march to G.S.L. Valley via Soda Springs. The
following day the march was commenced, but after several days of slow and
exhaustive traveling, the expedition was forced to return.
Major Joseph Taylor and Wm. R.R. Stowell, of the Utah militia, were taken
prisoners by the U.S. troops near Ft. Bridger.
Col. Albert Sidney Johnston joined his command on Ham's Fork, with a
small reinforcement.
Five hundred animals perished from cold and starvation around the U.S.
army camp on Black's Fork.
The "Utah Army" went into winter quarters at Camp Scott, two miles from
the site of Ft. Bridger and 115 miles from G.S.L. City.
Capt. John R. Winder was appointed to take charge of a picket guard, to
be stationed at Camp Weber, at the mouth of Echo Canyon, to watch the
movements of the U.S. soldiers during the winter. Two weeks later, when deep
snow fell in the mountains, this guard was reduced to ten men. The remainder
of the militia returned to their homes for the winter.
The Utah legislature convened in G.S.L. City and organized by electing
Heber C. Kimball president of the Council and John Taylor speaker of the
House.
The Utah legislature unanimously concurred in the message, policy and
actions of Gov. Brigham Young, in stopping the army, etc.
An act disorganizing Green River County and attaching it to G.S.L.
County, was approved.
1858
Awaiting the arrival of the Federal army from the East, the Saints in
Utah abandoned G.S.L. City and all their northern settlements and moved south,
but most of them returned after peace was restored. Nearly all the Elders who
had been on foreign missions returned home. In the spring of this year Kane
County, Utah, was settled by Joshua T. Willes at Toquerville, and in the fall
by Nephi Johnson and six others, who located Virgin City. San Bernardino,
Cal., was vacated by the Saints, who removed to Utah. Most of them settled at
Parowan and Beaver. An edition of the Book of Mormon was published by James
O. Wright and Co., 337 Broadway, New York, for speculative purposes and
unauthorized by the Church.
A memorial from the members and officers of the Utah legislature to the
President and Congress of the United States, praying for constitutional
rights, etc., was signed in G.S.L. City.
A large mass meeting of citizens was held in the Tabernacle, G.S.L.
City. A petition and resolution, setting forth the true state of affairs in
Utah, were adopted, and, on motion, sent to the U.S. government at Washington.
Apostles Orson Pratt and Ezra T. Benson, and Elders John Scott and John
M. Kay arrived in G.S.L. City from missions to Europe, and Geo. Q. Cannon,
Joseph Bull and three other Elders from California.
The Utah legislature adjourned, without the occurrence of a negative vote
on any question or action during the session.
Thorit Peck, formerly a member of the Mormon Battalion, died at Pleasant
Grove, Utah Co., Utah.
Sixty-four Saints, mostly returning Elders, under the direction of Jesse
Hobson, sailed from Liverpool, England, on the ship Empire, which arrived at
New York March 20th.
Col. Thomas L. Kane arrived in G.S.L. City by way of Southern California.
He came voluntarily for the purpose of bringing about a peaceful solution of
the existing difficulties between the United States and Utah. After
conferring with Gov. Brigham Young and other leading citizens, he went out to
the army, which was encamped at Ft. Scott (near Ft. Bridger). There he had an
interview with the new governor, Alfred Cumming, who concluded to accompany
him to G.S.L. City.
Geo. McBride and James Miller were killed and five other brethren wounded
by a large party of Bannock and Shoshone Indians, near Fort Limhi, Oregon (now
Idaho).
Asa Calkin succeeded Samuel W. Richards as president of the European
mission.
The citizens of G.S.L. City and the settlements north of it agreed to
abandon their homes and go south, all the information derived from Eastern
papers being to the effect that the approaching formidable army was sent to
destroy them. Their destination, when starting, was by some supposed to be
Sonora.
The ship John Bright sailed from Liverpool, England, with about ninety
Saints, mostly Scandinavians, under the direction of Iver N. Iversen. The
company arrived at New York April 23rd and at Iowa City May 1st.
Lyman Wight, once a member of the council of Twelve Apostles, died in
Texas.
Bailey Lake, one of a small party from Salmon river, traveling south, was
killed by Indians on Bannock creek. The Indians also robbed the company of
eleven horses.
Gov. Alfred Cumming and Col. Thos. L. Kane, with a servant each, left the
army at Ft. Scott for the Valley. They arrived in G.S.L. City on the 12th.
The new governor was kindly received by Pres. Brigham Young and other leading
citizens and treated everywhere with "respectful attention."
The Saints who were settling on Ash Creek, southern Utah, were organized
into a branch of the Church, called Toquerville, with Joshua T. Willis as
president.
Gov. Alfred Cumming and Col. Thos. Kane examined the Utah library, where
James W. Cummings showed them the records and seal of the U.S. District Court,
alleged to have been destroyed by the Mormons. This accusation was one of the
reasons why the army was ordered to Utah. A few days later the governor sent
a truthful report to the government in relation to the affairs in the
Territory.
Joseph Adair, one of the first settlers of Utah "Dixie", died at
Washington, Washington Co., Utah.
Henry Jones was killed at Salem, Utah Co., Utah.
The citizens of Utah, living north of Utah County, abandoned their homes
and moved southward, leaving only a few men in each town and settlement to
burn everything, in case the approaching troops, on their arrival in the
Valley, should prove hostile.
The Deseret News having been removed from G.S.L. City to Fillmore,
Millard Co., the first number of the paper published at that place was issued.
Gov. Cumming left G.S.L. City for Camp Scott, for the purpose of removing
his wife to the city. When he returned, June 8th, he found the city deserted
by its inhabitants.
Elder Samuel Francis Neslen, of G.S.L. City, Utah, died of consumption,
in Williamsburg, N.Y., returning from a mission to England. He was buried in
the Cypress Hill cemetery.
John Whittaker Taylor was born at Provo, Utah.
Jens Jorgensen and wife, Jens Terkelsen and Christian E. Kjerulf were
murdered by Indians in Salt Creek Canyon, while traveling unarmed on their way
to Sanpete Valley.
Ex-Gov. L.W. Powell, of Kentucky, and Major Ben McCullough, of Texas,
sent as peace commissioners by the Federal government, arrived in G.S.L. City.
The peace commissioners met with Pres. Brigham Young and others in the
Council House, G.S.L. City, and the difficulties between the United States and
Utah were peaceably adjusted.
Commissioners Powell and McCullough visited Provo. The next day Mr.
Powell addressed an audience of about four thousand persons in the Bowery, at
Provo, Utah Co.
Col. Thos. L. Kane arrived in Washington, D.C. Soon afterwards he
reported the situation in Utah to Pres. Buchanan.
A company of Elders returned to G.S.L. City from their missions in
Europe, Canada and the States. A number of these had sailed from Liverpool on
the ship Underwriter, Jan. 21st and others on the ship Empire Feb. 19th.
The army, under Col. Albert Sidney Johnston, passed through G.S.L. City
and camped on the west side of the Jordan river. It subsequently marched to
Cedar Valley, and there located Camp Floyd, about forty miles from the city.
The First Presidency and a few others returned to their homes in G.S.L.
City, from Provo. They were followed by most of the people, who likewise
returned to their deserted city and settlements in the North, and resumed
their accustomed labors.
Commissioners Powell and McCullough left G.S.L. City, en route for
Washington, D.C.
A party of Elders, accompanied by a few immigrating brethren, arrived in
G.S.L. City, under the leadership of Horace S. Eldredge.
Eli Harvey Pierce, one of the Utah Pioneers of 1847, died in G.S.L. City.
Wm. Evans was killed by lightning near Beaver, Utah.
Iver N. Iversen's company of immigrating Saints arrived in G.S.L. City.
The Deseret News resumed its publication in G.S.L. City, after publishing
twenty numbers at Fillmore.
Policeman Wm. Cooke was shot and mortally wounded, in G.S.L. City, by a
ruffian named McDonald. He died on the 18th. The murderer escaped.
The remains of Josiah Call and Samuel Brown, of Fillmore, Millard Co.,
were found in a state of decomposition, near Chicken creek bridge, Juab Co.
They had been murdered by Indians, Oct. 7th.
Jacob Hamblin, with eleven men, left the settlement of Santa Clara, in
southern Utah, to visit the Moquis or Town Indians, on the east side of the
Colorado river. This was the beginning of intercourse with the Indians on
that side of the Colorado and of the exploration of the country, which opened
the way for colonization by the Saints.
Notwithstanding President Buchanan's "Proclamation of Pardon," Judge
Chas. E. Sinclair, in the Third District Court, urged the prosecution of the
leading "Mormons" for alleged treason.
Associate Justice John Cradlebaugh arrived in G.S.L. City, and U.S.
District Attorney A. Wilson the following day.
The police in G.S.L. City were attacked and fired upon by a party of
rowdies. Disturbances of the peace, robberies and stealing occurred
frequently in the city at that time.
A violent wind storm visited G.S.L. Valley and did much damage to
property. Samuel Leaver and Wm. Redman froze to death.
The Utah legislature convened in G.S.L. City and adjourned to meet at
Fillmore.
The Utah legislature convened at Fillmore, and organized by appointing
Wilford Woodruff president of the Council pro tem, and Aaron Johnson speaker
of the house pro tem. It then passed a resolution to adjourn the assembly to
G.S.L. City.
The Utah legislature convened in G.S.L. City and organized by electing
Daniel H. Wells president of the Council and John Taylor speaker of the House.
1859
The Federal judges in Utah exercised undue authority and caused
considerable difficulty by instituting court proceedings against the leaders
of the Church and others. A number of settlements were founded in Cache
Valley, where a Stake of Zion was organized. Provo Valley, Utah, was settled
at Heber, Midway and Charleston.
The Millennial Star announced to the Saints in Europe that emigration to
Utah was again open for those who had means to take them through.
A legislative act, changing the county seat of Washington County from
Harmony to the town of Washington, was approved.
An act passed by the Utah legislature reorganizing Carson and Green River
Counties and attaching St. Mary's and Humboldt Counties to Carson County, was
approved. Genoa was made the county seat of Carson and Ft. Bridger of Green
River County.
The Deseret Alphabet was first introduced in Utah.
The 58th quorum of Seventy was organized at Brigham City, Box Elder Co.,
Utah. Some time previously the 56th and 57th quorums had been organized.
The 59th quorum of Seventy was organized by Joseph Young at North Willow
Creek (Willard), Box Elder Co., Utah, with George J. Marsh, Thomas W.
Brewerton, John M. McCrary, Richard J. Davis, Elisha Mallory, Mathew W. Dalton
and Peter Greenhalgh as presidents.
The 60th quorum of Seventy was organized at Ogden, Weber Co., Utah, with
Luman A. Shurtliff as senior president.
The 61st quorum of Seventy was organized at Mill Creek, G.S.L. Co., with
John Scott, James Craigan, Wm. Casto, James P. Park, Andrew J. Rynearson,
Dudley J. Merrill and Thurston Larson as presidents.
Plain City, Weber Co., Utah, was settled by Jeppe G. Folkman, Christopher
O. Folkman, Jens Peter Folkman, Joseph Skeen, Daniel Collett, John Spiers,
John Carver, Wm. Geddes and others.
Associate Justice John Cradlebaugh, in his charge to the grand jury,
composed of "Mormons," at Provo, called them "fools", "dupes", "instruments of
a tyrannical church despotism", etc. Provo was occupied by a detachment of
U.S. troops.
A small company of Saints, under the leadership of Joseph Humphreys,
sailed from Port Elizabeth, South Africa, bound for America. They arrived at
Boston early in May, 1859.
A small company of Saints from Australia arrived at San Francisco, Ca.,
en route for G.S.L. City.
Howard O. Spencer, a Mormon youth, was assaulted and brutally beaten on
the head by Sergeant Ralph Pike, of the U.S. army, in Rush Valley, Utah.
Gov. Cumming issued a proclamation against the presence of troops in
Provo. About this time it was reported that certain U.S. officials had
entered into a conspiracy to secure the arrest of Pres. Brigham Young, and
that Col. Johnston had promised the assistance of U.S. troops under his
command to effect the arrest. As a consequence Gov. Cumming notified General
Daniel H. Wells to hold the militia in readiness to prevent the outrage,
should it be attempted; 5,000 troops (militia) were placed under arms.
The U.S. troops evacuated Provo.
The 29th annual conference of the Church was commenced at G.S.L. City.
Benjamin L. Clapp, one of the presidents of the Seventies, was excommunicated
from the Church on the 7th, for apostasy.
The ship William Tapscott sailed from Liverpool, England, with 725
Saints, under the direction of Robert F. Neslen. The company arrived at New
York May 14th, and at Florence, Neb., May 25th.
Gen. Albert Sidney Johnston promised protection to all persons who wished
to leave the Territory of Utah.
Isaac Allred was assaulted and killed by Thomas Ivie, at Mount Pleasant,
Sanpete Co., Utah.
Joseph Abbott was killed by lightning, while engaged in planting corn on
the "Old Fort Square," G.S.L. City.
James Johnson, a son of Luke S. Johnson, of Shambip County, was shot and
mortally wounded by Delos Gibson in G.S.L. City. Death ensued the following
day. A number of other murders, principally among bad characters who infested
the Territory, took place about the same time.
Leo Hawkins, clerk at the Historian's office, died in G.S.L. City.
Logan, Cache Co., was first settled.
Hon. Horace Greeley, editor of the New York Tribune, arrived at G.S.L.
City en route for California.
The ship Antarctic sailed from Liverpool, England, with 30 Saints, under
the direction of James Chaplow. It arrived at New York Aug. 21st.
Geo. W. Bradley was ordained Bishop of Moroni, Sanpete Co., which place
had recently been settled.
Wm. H. Hooper was elected Utah's second delegate to Congress, Hon. John
M. Bernhisel having served in that capacity since the organization of the
Territory.
Sergeant Ralph Pike, a U.S. soldier, was shot in G.S.L. City, in supposed
retaliation for having cracked the scull of Howard O. Spencer with a musket,
five months previously.
U.S. soldiers set fire to a hay stack at Cedar Fort, Cedar Valley, Utah,
and fired upon the citizens in the night. The soldiers were excited over the
killing of Sergeant Pike.
The ship Emerald Isle sailed from Liverpool, England, with 54 Saints,
mostly Swiss, under the direction of Henry Hug.
The first number of the Mountaineer, a weekly newspaper, was published in
G.S.L. City; Messrs. Blair, Ferguson & Stout editors and proprietors.
Captain James Brown's company of immigrants, which had left Florence June
13th, and consisted of 353 souls with 59 wagons, arrived at G.S.L. City.
Capt. Horton D. Haight's wagon company (called the Church train),
bringing merchandise and 134 immigrants, arrived at G.S.L. City.
Capt. George Rowley's handcart company, which had left Florence, June
9th, with 235 souls, 60 handcarts, and 6 wagons, arrived in G.S.L. City.
Capt. Robert F. Neslen's company of immigrants, consisting of 372 souls,
with 58 wagons, which had left Florence June 26th, arrived in G.S.L. City.
Capt. Edward Stevenson's immigrating company, consisting of about three
hundred and fifty souls, with 54 wagons, arrived at G.S.L. City. It had
started from Florence June 26th.
Alexander Carpenter was shot and mortally wounded by Thomas H. Ferguson
in G.S.L. City. Both were non Mormons.
Smithfield, Cache Co., was settled by Seth Langton and Robert and John
Thornley.
Thos. H. Ferguson, the murderer, was executed in G.S.L. City. This was
the first execution of a criminal in Utah.
A Stake of Zion was partly organized in Cache Valley, Utah. Peter
Maughan was appointed presiding Bishop in Cache Valley. Logan Ward was
organized, with Wm. B. Preston as Bishop.
The ninth annual session of the Utah legislature convened in G.S.L. City
and organized by electing Daniel H. Wells president of the Council and John
Taylor speaker of the House.
This year Spring City, Sanpete Co., Utah, was resettled under the name of
Little Denmark.
1860
General Albert Sidney Johnston, left Utah with a part of the Federal
army, which had been stationed at Camp Floyd, Cedar Valley, since 1858. A
large immigration arrived in Utah from Europe.
John King was accidentally killed and buried in a snowslide, in
Centreville, Canyon, Davis Co., Utah.
The Social Hall, G.S.L. City, was reopened for public amusements, which
had been discontinued there for three years.
Wm. Price was ordained the first Bishop of Goshen, Utah Co.
Gen. Albert Sidney Johnston, commander of the "Utah Army," left Camp
Floyd for Washington, D.C. He had never visited G.S.L. City since he passed
through with his army on June 26, 1858. Philip St. George Cooke, formerly
commander of the Mormon Battalion, succeeded Johnston in the command.
Levi Gifford, formerly a member of Zion's Camp, died at Moroni, Sanpete
Co.
Dr. Wm. France died suddenly in G.S.L. City.
Apostle Ezra T. Benson moved to Logan, Cache Co., having been called to
preside over the Saints in Cache Valley.
The ship Underwriter sailed from Liverpool, England, with 594 British and
Swiss Saints, under the presidency of James D. Ross. It arrived at New York
May 1st, and the emigrants continued to Florence, where Geo. Q. Cannon was
acting as Church emigration agent this year, to arrange for the journey across
the plains.
Hyrum, Cache Co., Utah, was first settled by about twenty families. In
the following month Calvin Bingham was appointed Bishop. Paradise, Cache Co.,
was settled about the same time.
The Saints who had settled on lower Beaver creek, Beaver Co, Utah, were
organized into a Ward named Minersville, by Apostles Amasa M. Lyman and
Charles C. Rich; James K. Rollins, Bishop.
The first "Pony Express" from the West arrived at G.S.L. City, having
left Sacramento, Cal., on the evening of April 3rd.
The first "Pony Express" from the East arrived at G.S.L. City, having
left St. Joseph, Mo., on the evening of April 3rd.
The Union Academy was opened in the building known as the Union Hotel
(afterwards Deseret Hospital), with Orson Pratt as principal.
Thos. Miles was attacked and wounded by Indians, between Ogden and
Kaysville. The savages proceeded to Brigham City, where they stole horses and
insulted the citizens.
Hyde Park, Cache Co., was settled by several families from Utah County.
Jack Cole, a horsethief and outlaw, was mortally wounded at Springville,
Utah Co., while resisting the officers of the law.
A large number of the troops stationed at Camp Floyd, Utah, left,
according to orders, for New Mexico and Arizona Territories.
Nathaniel V. Jones and Jacob Gates succeeded Asa Calkin in the presidency
of the European mission.
John W. Brown was accidentally killed by the falling of a rock, near
Draper, G.S.L. Co.
Niels Jensen, one of the early members of the Church in Denmark, died in
G.S.L. City.
Jesse W. Johnson was accidentally killed at Snyder's Mill, in Parley's
Park.
The ship William Tapscott sailed from Liverpool, England, with 731 Saints
(including 312 Scandinavians), under the direction of Asa Calkin. During the
voyage small pox broke out among the emigrants, who had to remain several days
in quarantine after arriving at New York harbor. They finally landed June
20th and continued their journey to Florence, Neb., where they arrived July
1st.
G.S.L. City was visited by a heavy snow storm.
The Indians attacked the mail station at Deep Creek, Tooele Co., shot a
man and stole several horses.
Rees Jones Williams was accidentally killed in a saw mill, in Little
Cottonwood Canyon.
The first train of merchandise from the East that season arrived in
G.S.L. City.
Smithfield, Cache Co., was attacked by Indians. A fight ensued; John
Reed and Ira Merrill and two Indians were killed, and several others wounded
on both sides.
The day was celebrated by the citizens of G.S.L. County near the head
waters of Big Cottonwood.
The remains of a woman, evidently killed by the departing soldiers, were
found in Provo Valley, Wasatch Co.
Apostles Amasa M. Lyman and Charles C. Rich succeeded Nathaniel V. Jones
and Jacob Gates in the presidency of the European mission.
Mrs. Ruth B. Clark, of the Sugar House Ward, Salt Lake Co., was bitten by
a scorpion, while asleep, causing her death.
A terrible hailstorm visited Davis County, doing a great deal of damage.
Capt. Warren Walling's train, the first company of immigrating Saints of
the season, arrived in G.S.L. City, having left Florence, May 30th, with 160
persons and 30 wagons, mostly drawn by oxen.
The Indians made an attack upon the mail station at Egan Canyon, (Tooele
Co.) and the following day on Shell Creek Station. A company of soldiers came
to the rescue and killed 17 Indians.
Geo. Q. Cannon was ordained one of the Twelve Apostles, in G.S.L. City.
Capt. Daniel Robinson's handcart company (the first of the season),
consisting of 233 persons, 43 handcarts, 6 wagons, 38 oxen and 10 tents,
arrived in G.S.L. City. Pres. Brigham Young had sent out wagons with 2,500
lbs. of flour and 500 lbs. of bacon to help the company.
Capt. J.E. Murphy's immigrant company, consisting of 279 persons, 38
wagons, 164 oxen and 39 cows, arrived at G.S.L. City, having left Florence
June 19th.
Capt. John Smith's company of immigrants, consisting of 359 persons and
39 wagons, arrived in G.S.L. City.
Capt. James D. Ross' company of immigrants, consisting of 259 persons, 36
wagons, 142 oxen and 54 cows, which left Florence June 17th, arrived in G.S.L.
City.
A portion of Capt. Franklin Brown's company of immigrants arrived in
G.S.L. City.
Capt. Brigham H. Young's train of immigrants arrived in G.S.L. City.
Capt. John Taylor's company of immigrating Saints arrived in G.S.L. City,
having left Florence July 3rd.
The second handcart company of the season, under Capt. Oscar O. Stoddard,
arrived in G.S.L. City, having left Florence July 6th, with 126 persons and 22
handcarts. These were the last immigrants who crossed the plains with
handcarts.
On this and the two following days a company of missionaries left G.S.L.
City, among whom were Apostles Orson Pratt and Erastus Snow, for the United
States and Geo. Q. Cannon on his way to England.
Capt. Jacob Hamblin, left Santa Clara, southern Utah, with nine men, to
visit the Moquis Indians.
Hon. John F. Kinney arrived in G.S.L. City, having been reappointed chief
justice of the Territory of Utah.
Capt. Wm. Budge's train, the last immigrant company of the season,
arrived in G.S.L. City, having left Florence July 20th, with over four hundred
persons, 55 wagons, 215 oxen and 77 cows.
A branch of the Church was organized at Mountain Green, Weber Valley,
Utah.
Geo. A. Smith, jun., (a son of Pres. Geo. A. Smith), one of Jacob
Hamblin's exploring party, was killed by Navajo Indians, in New Mexico. The
rest of the company were obliged to return, and barely escaped with their
lives.
An extra session of the Utah legislature convened in G.S.L. City, for the
purpose of assigning the Federal judges to the various districts, in obedience
to the proclamation of Gov. Cumming.
A terrible storm visited Great Salt Lake, Weber and surrounding Counties,
destroying considerable property.
Starling Graves Driggs, one of the Utah Pioneers of 1847, died in
Parowan, Iron Co.
The Ute Indian Chief Arrapeen died in the mountains between Sevier Valley
and Grass Valley, about sixty miles south of Manti.
The tenth annual session of the Utah legislature convened in G.S.L. City
and organized by electing Daniel H. Wells president of the Council, and John
Taylor speaker of the House.
1861
Utah was divided, and the western part organized into the Territory of
Nevada. A large number of teams were sent to the Missouri river for the poor
Saints. The U.S. soldiers stationed at Camp Floyd were withdrawn from Utah.
the overland telegraph line was completed from the States via G.S.L. City to
California. In the fall of the year a large number of people were called from
the middle and northern counties of Utah Territory to settle in southern Utah,
on the Rio Virgen and Santa Clara. The city of St. George and the towns on
the upper Rio Virgen were located and the resources of the country rapidly
developed. A missionary field was opened in Holland.
The 13th Ward assembly rooms in G.S.L. City were dedicated.
Capt. David R. Evans died at Brigham City, Box Elder Co.
The Utah legislature adjourned.
Wm. S. Champlin, a survivor of the Haun's Mill massacre, died at Lehi,
Utah Co.
The 62nd quorum of Seventy was organized at G.S.L. City, with James F.
Cleary, Wm. L. Brundage, Richard Golightly, Francis Platt, Henry W. Naisbitt,
J.D. Ross and Claude Clive presidents.
A band of thieving Indians (Goshutes) were taken prisoners by a posse of
men, near Grantsville, Tooele Co., but a few days later they escaped, after
shooting one of the guard.
By order of the commander the military post of Camp Floyd changed name to
Fort Crittenden. Secretary of War John B. Floyd, after whom the camp
originally was named, had allied himself with the South against the Union.
A branch of the Church was organized at Deseret, Millard Co., Utah, with
Jacob Croft as president.
A bill, providing for the organization of Nevada Territory out of the
western portion of Utah, was approved by President James Buchanan.
A branch of the Church was organized in Round Valley (now Scipio),
Millard Co., Utah, with B.H. Johnson as president.
On this and the following day the 31st annual conference of the Church
was held in G.S.L. City.
Logan, Cache Co., was divided into four wards, with Benjamin M. Lewis,
Henry Ballard, John B. Thatcher and Thos. X. Smith as Bishops, respectively.
The packet ship Manchester sailed from Liverpool, England, with 380
Saints, under the direction of Claudius V. Spencer. They arrived at New York
May 18th.
The clipper ship Underwriter sailed from Liverpool, with 624 Saints,
under the presidency of Milo Andrus, Homer Duncan and Charles William Penrose.
The company arrived at New York May 22nd, and at Florence June 2nd.
From the 23rd to the 31st of this month upwards of two hundred Church
wagons, with four yoke of cattle each, carrying 150,000 pounds of flour, left
G.S.L. Valley for the Missouri river to bring in the poor. They traveled in
four companies under Capts. Joseph W. Young, Ira Eldredge, Joseph Horne and
John R. Murdock.
Elder Reynolds Cahoon died at South Cottonwood, G.S.L. Co., of dropsy.
Pres. Brigham Young and others left G.S.L. City on a trip to the southern
settlements, from which they returned June 8th. A little later the President
visited Cache Valley.
The packet ship Monarch of the Sea sailed from Liverpool, with 955 Saints
of various nationalities, under the direction of Jabez Woodard, H.O. Hansen
and Niels Wilhelmsen. The company arrived in New York June 19th.
Gov. Alfred Cumming and wife left G.S.L. City, quietly, for the States.
The rest of the army at Camp Floyd, or Fort Crittenden, was ordered to
the States. In consequence of this, government property and outfit at Camp
Floyd was sold at extraordinarily low prices. It was estimated that
$4,000,000 worth of goods was sold for $100,000.
Paul A. Schettler and A.W. Van der Woude arrived as missionaries in
Rotterdam, Holland. After laboring several months, they succeeded in
organizing a branch of the Church of 14 members.
The first company of immigrating Saints of the season, which had left
Florence May 29th, under Capt. David H. Cannon's charge, arrived in G.S.L.
City. The company consisted of 225 persons, with 57 wagons.
A company of settlers left G.S.L. City for the Uintah country, intending
to locate a settlement, in which, however, they did not succeed.
Apostles Orson Pratt and Erastus Snow arrived in G.S.L. City from a
mission of gathering the poor Saints in the Eastern States.
Captains Milo Andrus and John R. Murdock arrived in G.S.L. City with
their respective companies of immigrants.
Captains Joseph Horne and Homer Duncan arrived in G.S.L. City with their
companies of immigrants. Horne's company left Florence July 1st.
Capt. Ira Eldredge's train of immigrants arrived in G.S.L. City, having
left Florence June 30th.
Wm. Cockcroft, the murderer of Robert Brown, was executed in G.S.L. City.
Capt. Samuel A. Woolley arrived in G.S.L. City, with his company of
immigrants, mostly Scandinavians.
The last Church train of the season arrived in G.S.L. City, under the
direction of Capt. Ansel P. Harmon.
Capt. Sextus E. Johnson's company of immigrating Saints arrived in G.S.L.
City, with about sixty wagons. This was the last company of immigrants that
arrived this season.
John W. Dawson was appointed governor of Utah.
The semi-annual conference of the Church was commenced in G.S.L. City.
It was continued three days. A number of brethren were called to settle in
southern Utah and turn their special attention to the raising of cotton.
Parshall Terry died at Draper, G.S.L. Co.
The overland telegraph line was completed from the States to G.S.L. City.
Pres. Brigham Young sent the first telegram, which passed over the line, to J.
H. Wade, president of the company.
The first telegram was sent from G.S.L. City to San Francisco by Pres.
Brigham Young.
The Toquerville branch, southern Utah, was organized as a Ward, with
Joshua T. Willis as Bishop.
A company of Swiss Saints, under the leadership of Daniel Bonnelli,
arrived at Santa Clara, southern Utah, having been called to settle there.
Apostles Geo A. Smith and Erastus Snow, Elder Horace S. Eldredge and
others left G.S.L. City for southern Utah, with a view to locating settlements
in the valleys of the Rio Virgen and Santa Clara for the purpose of raising
cotton.
At a meeting of southern Utah settlers who had arrived from the north, it
was decided, on motion of Apostle Erastus Snow, to build a city to be called
St. George.
John W. Dawson, Utah's third governor, arrived in G.S.L. City,
accompanied by James Duane Doty, superintendent of Indian affairs.
Luke S. Johnson, once a member of the Twelve Apostles, died at Orson
Hyde's residence, G.S.L. City.
The 11th annual session of the Utah legislature convened in G.S.L. City,
and organized by electing Daniel H. Wells president of the Council and John
Taylor speaker of the House.
The Saints who were settling Grafton, southern Utah, were organized into
a Ward, by Apostles Orson Pratt and Erastus Snow, with Franklin W. Young as
Bishop.
Peteetneet, the famous Ute Indian chief, died near Fort Crittenden, Utah
Co.
Gov. John W. Dawson, left G.S.L. City for the States, under peculiar
circumstances. Secretary Frank Fuller succeeded him as acting governor.
1862
The people of Utah petitioned the Federal government the third time for
admission into the Union as a State. A large immigration arrived this year
from Europe, and the Church sent teams to the Missouri river to bring most of
them across the plains. In response to a call from the government a company
of militia went eastward to protect the mail stations against the Indians. In
the fall of this year the southern settlements in Utah were strengthened by
the arrival of new settlers from the North. About one hundred thousand pounds
of cotton was raised in Washington County. Jacob Hamblin, with a small party
crossed the Colorado river, south of St. George, and went to the Moquis towns
via the San Francisco Mountains. On the return trip three of the Moquis
accompanied the party and visited G.S.L. City, where they had an interview
with the leading men of the Church.
An important council of the Priesthood of the European mission was
commenced in Birmingham, England; it was continued for six days.
Lot Huntington, an outlaw, was killed by O. Porter Rockwell, near Ft.
Crittenden, while attempting to escape from the officers. On the following
day, while trying to effect their escape, John P. Smith and Moroni Clawson,
two other outlaws, were killed in G.S.L. City.
The Utah legislature adjourned. Among the acts passed was one defining
the boundaries of the Territory and its respective counties, after the
creation of Nevada, etc. The counties were 17 in number, namely, Beaver, Box
Elder, Cache, Davis, Great Salt Lake, Green River, Iron, Juab, Millard,
Morgan, Summit, Sanpete, Tooele, Utah, Washington, Wasatch and Weber.
A flood did much damage in the Rio Virgen and Santa Clara Valleys,
southern Utah.
A convention for the establishment of a State government, assembled in
G.S.L. City.
The convention of delegates, chosen by the people, adopted a State
constitution for Utah and a memorial to Congress, praying the third time for
the admission of Utah into the Union as a State with the name of Deseret.
George Q. Cannon and Wm. H. Hooper were elected delegates to present them to
Congress.
The Salt Lake Theater, which had been erected the previous season, was
dedicated. The building is 144 feet long and 80 feet wide.
The Salt Lake Theater was opened to the public. The pieces played at the
opening performance were "Pride of the Market" and "State Secrets."
At a conference held in the new settlement of St. George, southern Utah,
that town was divided into four Wards.
Salamon Chamberlain, an old member of the Church, and a Pioneer of 1847,
died in Washington County, Utah.
The 32nd annual conference of the Church was commenced in G.S.L. City; it
was continued until the 9th.
Mr. Morrill of Vermont, introduced a bill in the U.S. House of
Representatives, at Washington, D.C., to punish and prevent the practice of
bigamy in the Territories of the United States. It was read twice and
referred to the committee on Territories. This bill also made it unlawful for
any religious or charitable association in any of the U.S. Territories to own
real estate worth more than $50,000.
The ship Humboldt sailed from Hamburg, Germany, with 323 Scandinavian
Saints, under the direction of Hans Christian Hansen. The company arrived at
New York May 20th and at Florence about the 1st of June.
The ship Franklin sailed from Hamburg, Germany, with 413 Scandinavian
Saints, under the direction of Christian A. Madsen. The company arrived in
New York harbor May 29th and at Florence June 9th. Between forty and fifty
children died of measles on board the ship.
The ship Athenia sailed from Hamburg, Germany, with 484 Scandinavian
Saints, under the direction of Ola N. Liljenquist. The company arrived at New
York June 6th and at Florence June 19th.
The ship John J. Boyd sailed from Liverpool, England, with 701 Saints,
under the direction of James S. Brown; it arrived at New York June 1st.
The Indians having destroyed the mail stations between Fort Bridger and
North Platte, burned the coaches and mail bags, killed the drivers and stolen
the stock. Adjutant-General L. Thomas, at Washington, D.C., made a call upon
Pres. Brigham Young for a company of cavalry to protect the mail route.
Two hundred and sixty-two wagons, 293 men, 2,880 oxen and 143,315 pounds
of flour were sent from Utah to assist the poor of the immigration across the
plains and mountains. They traveled in six companies under Captains Horton D.
Haight, Henry W. Miller, Homer Duncan, Joseph Horne, John R. Murdock and Ansel
P. Harmon.
Col. Patrick Edward Connor was ordered to Utah with California
volunteers. In July they took up their line of march.
In obedience to the call of L. Thomas, a company of cavalry, numbering
about one hundred men, left G.S.L. City for Independence Rock, under Capt. Lot
Smith's command.
The ship Manchester sailed from Liverpool, with 376 Saints, under the
direction of John D.T. McAllister; it arrived at New York June 12th.
The ship Wm. Tapscott sailed from Liverpool, with 808 Saints, under the
direction of Wm. Gibson, John Clark and Francis M. Lyman. It arrived safely
at New York.
The ship Windermere sailed from Havre, France, with 109 Swiss and French
Saints, under the direction of Serge L. Ballif, bound for Utah via New York.
The packet ship Antarctic sailed from Liverpool, England, with 38 Saints,
under the charge of Wm. C. Moody.
The anti-bigamy bill was passed by the U.S. Senate, considerably amended.
The House afterwards concurred in the amendments.
Delegate John M. Bernhisel presented the constitution of the State of
Deseret, and the accompanying memorial, in the U.S. House of Representatives.
On the 10th the Vice-President presented the same in the Senate.
An expedition, or marshal's posse, under Robert T. Burton, left G.S.L.
City for the purpose of arresting Joseph Morris and others, encamped on the
Weber river, a little below the mouth of the canyon.
The expedition, under Capt. Robert T. Burton, which had been joined by
men from the settlements in Davis County, arrived before Morris' Camp, on the
Weber; and as the Morrisites refused to surrender, fire was opened on the
camp, with fatal effect.
Joseph Morris, John Banks, and others were killed and the Morrisites
taken prisoners.
The Morrisites were brought to G.S.L. City.
The Morrisite prisoners were on trial in G.S.L. City; some of them were
fined and others admitted to bail.
President Abraham Lincoln approved the act of Congress prohibiting
slavery in the Territories.
Much property, including a great number of bridges, was destroyed in Utah
by floods.
Apostle George Q. Cannon succeeded Apostles Amasa M. Lyman and Charles C.
Rich in the presidency of the European mission. Jacob G. Bigler had temporary
charge of the mission during the absence of Elder Cannon.
Utah showed its loyalty to the Union by celebrating Independence day in
grand style, while the rebellion was in progress in the East.
John A. Ray died at Fillmore, Millard Co.
Stephen S. Harding, Utah's fourth governor, arrived in G.S.L. City. He
had been appointed to the governorship March 31st.
Florence, Neb., where thousands of Saints were camped, was visited by a
terrible storm, during which two brethren were killed by lightning, and Joseph
W. Young was severely hurt.
The anti-bigamy law was approved by President Lincoln.
Associate Justices Chas. B. Waite and Thos. J. Drake arrived in G.S.L.
City.
Donald McNichols, a member of Captain Lot Smith's expedition, was drowned
in Lewis Fork, about ten miles below the Three Tetons, Oregon (now Idaho),
while pursuing a band of thieving Indians.
Capt. Lewis Brunson's ox-train, which had left Florence June 17th with
212 Saints and 48 wagons, arrived in G.S.L. City.
The first number of Die Reform, a monthly periodical published in the
interest of the Church in the German language, was issued by John L. Smith, at
Geneva, Switzerland.
Pres. Brigham Young and a company of Elders left G.S.L. City on a visit
to southern Utah, from which they returned on the 25th. Later in the season
the President visited the northern settlements.
Apostle Amasa M. Lyman, and Charles C. Rich, accompanied by other Elders,
arrived in G.S.L. City, from their missions to Europe.
The independent companies of Scandinavian Saints, under the direction of
Captains Christian A. Madsen and Ola N. Liljenquist, which had left Florence
July 14th, with about five hundred immigrants and eighty wagons, arrived in
G.S.L. City.
Capt. Homer Duncan's Church train (first), which had left Florence July
22nd, arrived in G.S.L. City. This train had made the round trip from the
Valley to Florence and back in 130 days.
Capt. James Wareham's independent company of immigrants arrived in G.S.L.
City.
Capt. John R. Murdock's Church train (second), which had left Florence
July 24th, with 65 wagons and about seven hundred immigrants arrived in G.S.L.
City.
Capt. Joseph Horne's Church train (third), which had left Florence July
20th, with about five hundred and seventy souls and 52 wagons, arrived in
G.S.L. City.
Capt. James S. Brown's independent company (third), which had left
Florence July 28th, with 46 wagons and about two hundred immigrants, arrived
in G.S.L. City.
Capt. Ansel P. Harmon's Church train (fourth) arrived in G.S.L. City,
with about five hundred immigrants. About fifteen children died of measles,
on the plains.
Capt. Isaac A. Canfield's independent company of immigrants arrived in
G.S.L. City, having been eleven weeks on the journey from Florence.
Capt. Henry W. Miller's Church train (fifth), which had left Florence
Aug. 8th, with sixty wagons and about six hundred and sixty-five immigrants,
arrived in G.S.L. City. The company had suffered considerably from sickness,
and about twenty-eight persons died on the journey.
Col. Patrick E. Connor's command of 750 California volunteers arrived at
Ft. Crittenden, Cedar Valley, and on the following day marched to the Jordan
river.
Capt. Horton D. Haight's Church train (sixth), in which there were about
six hundred and fifty immigrants, arrived in G.S.L. City. Thirty persons died
on the journey.
Col. Patrick E. Connor arrived in G.S.L. City with his command, and on
the 22nd he located Camp Douglas, about three miles east of the city.
Capt. Wm. H. Dame's Church freight train, the last of the season, arrived
in G.S.L. City.
The 65th quorum of Seventy was organized at G.S.L. City, with John L.
Dunyon, Thos. C. Armstrong, Jens. C.A. Weibye, Henry W. Brizzee, Gustaf A.
Ohlson, Edward W. Tullidge and Jens Hansen as presidents.
The 66th quorum of Seventy was organized at Mt. Pleasant, Sanpete Co.,
with Levi B. Reynolds as one of the presidents.
The 68th quorum of Seventy was organized at Lehi, Utah Co., with John
Brown, John R. Moyle, Wm. S.S. Willes, Orice C. Murdock, John C. Naegle, John
R. Murdock and Israel Evans as presidents.
The 67th quorum of Seventy was organized at American Fork, Utah Co., with
Samuel Mulliner, Stephen Chipman, Thomas Barrett, Washburne Chipman, Lewis
Harvey, Calvin Moore and Wm. F. Reynolds as presidents.
The Utah legislature (12th annual session) convened in G.S.L. City, and
organized by electing Daniel H. Wells president of the Council, and Orson
Pratt speaker of the House.
Gov. Harding, who proved to be a bitter enemy to the people of Utah,
delivered a very insulting message to the territorial legislature.
Joseph B. Haws, one of the early members of the Church, died at Spanish
Fork, Utah Co.
Elder Gustav Pegua, who labored as a missionary in Hamburg, Germany, was
arrested and the following day banished from that city.
1863
This year Sevier Valley, Utah, was settled at Richfield and Monroe. The
Shoshone Indians were defeated on Bear river by Col. Connor's troops. Nearly
four hundred wagons were sent to the Missouri river after the poor. In the
fall Bear Lake Valley was settled by Apostle Charles C. Rich and others who
founded Paris (now in Bear Lake Co., Idaho).
The Utah legislature adjourned without being able to accomplish much, as
Gov. Harding vetoed nearly all the bills.
Col. Patrick E. Connor, with about two hundred troops, defeated a band of
Shoshone Indians, numbering over four hundred, in a ravine on Beaver creek,
near Bear River, 12 miles north of Franklin. About sixteen soldiers and some
two hundred and twenty-five Indians were killed, including the chiefs Bear
Hunter and Lehi. The savages were entirely defeated. This is known in
history as the battle of Bear river.
Elder Nathaniel V. Jones, sen., died in G.S.L. City.
The bitter feelings existing between the troops at Camp Douglas and the
citizens of G.S.L. City came near terminating in a collision.
A large mass meeting was held in the Tabernacle, G.S.L. City, at which
protests were entered against the infamous course pursued by Gov. Harding and
Associate Justices Waite and Drake. A petition, asking for their removal, was
drawn up, and subsequently was forwarded to President Abraham Lincoln,
Washington, D.C.
A Congressional act creating the territory of Idaho was approved. A
portion of northeastern Utah was included in the new territory later (July 25,
1868) this became a part of Wyoming.
John Taylor, Jeter Clinton and Orson Pratt, appointed in the mass meeting
the day previous, waited on Gov. Harding and Judges Drake and Waite, asking
them, in behalf of the people, to resign their official positions, which they
refused to do.
Pres. Brigham Young was arrested on a charge of bigamy, under the
anti-bigamy law of 1862, brought before Judge Kinney, and placed under $2,000
bonds.
The barque Rowena sailed from Port Elizabeth, Cape of Good Hope, Africa,
with 15 Saints on board, under the direction of Robert Grant, bound for Utah.
The overland mail coach, with four passengers, was attacked by Indians,
near Eight Mile Creek Station, Tooele Co. Henry Harper, the driver, was
killed and one passenger wounded. Judge Mott, delegate to Congress from
Nevada, who was in the coach, took the reins, drove for life and escaped.
Gov. Stephen S. Harding pardoned all the Morrisites, who had been
convicted of resisting the officers, etc.
A fight took place between a small detachment of U.S. troops from Camp
Douglas and a party of Indians, near Cedar Fort, Utah Co.
In Spanish Fork Canyon, Utah Co., 200 Indians were defeated by 140
cavalry, under Co. G.S. Evans. Lieut. F.A. Queale was killed in the battle.
The thirty-third annual conference of the Church was commenced in G.S.L.
City; it was continued till the 8th; 47 missionaries were called.
A small party of soldiers from Camp Douglas had a fight with Indians at
Pleasant Grove, Utah Co., during which several horses were killed.
Two companies of soldiers from Camp Douglas attacked a band of Indians in
Spanish Fork Canyon, Utah Co. During the engagement several Indians were
killed and wounded. Also a few of the soldiers were wounded.
The 63rd quorum of Seventy was organized at Cedar City, Iron Co., with
Richard R. Birkbeck, Alexander G. Ingram, Christopher J. Arthur, Joseph H.
Smith, John M. Macfarlane, Francis Webster and Robert W. Heyborne as
presidents.
The ship Electric sailed from Hamburg, Germany, with 336 Scandinavian
Saints, under the direction of Soren Christophersen. The company arrived in
New York June 5th and at Florence June 19th.
President Brigham Young left G.S.L. City, on another trip to the South.
After visiting the principal settlements as far as St. George, he returned to
the city on May 19th.
About ten mounted ruffians (soldiers) from Camp Douglas made an
unsuccessful attempt to kidnap a young woman in G.S.L. City, and take her to
camp.
Hiram Kimball and Thos. Atkinson were killed by a steamboat explosion, at
San Pedro, Cal., while on their way as missionaries to the Sandwich Islands.
The ship John J. Boyd sailed from Liverpool, with 763 (or 766) Saints,
under the direction of Wm. W. Cluff. The emigrants landed in New York June
1st, and arrived at Florence June 12th.
Three hundred and eighty-four wagons, 488 men, 3,604 oxen, taking 235,969
pounds of flour, started east to assist the poor of the immigration; 4,300
pounds of Utah grown cotton was sent east for sale, with the teams. The
captains were John W. Woolley, John R. Murdock, Horton D. Haight, Peter
Nebeker, Wm. B. Preston, Thomas E. Ricks, Rosel Hyde, John F. Sanders, Samuel
D. White, and Daniel D. McArthur. Horace S. Eldredge acted as Church
emigration agent in the States this year.
A small band of Indians made a raid on Box Elder Valley, four miles above
Brigham City, killing William Thorpe and driving off several head of horses.
The ship B.S. Kimball sailed from Liverpool, England, with 654 (or 657)
Saints under the direction of Hans Peter Lund. The same day 38 Saints, under
the direction of Anders Christensen, sailed on the Consignment. The emigrants
on the B.S. Kimball landed in New York June 15th and thence continued by rail
to Florence. The Consignment arrived at New York June 20th.
The stage from California was attacked by Indians, in Deep Creek Canyon,
150 miles west of G.S.L. City, and the driver, W.R. Simpson, was killed.
Major Howard Egan, who was one of the passengers, caught the reins and drove
away at full speed.
The Farmer's Oracle, a small semi-monthly paper published by Joseph E.
Johnson, at Spring Lake Villa, Utah Co., Utah, was first issued.
The ship Antarctic sailed from Liverpool, England, with 483 Saints, under
the direction of John Needham. The emigrants landed in New York July 10th and
arrived safely at Florence a few days later.
The ship Cynosure sailed from Liverpool, with 754 Saints, under the
direction of David M. Stuart. It arrived at New York harbor July 19th.
The packet ship Amazon sailed from London, England, with 882 (or 895)
Saints, under the direction of Wm. Bramall. It arrived in New York harbor
July 18th, and the immigrants reached Florence a few days later.
The stage coach was attacked by mounted Indians between Fort Crittenden
and the Jordan river, Utah Co.; the driver and another man were killed and
their bodies fearfully mutilated by the savages.
Gov. Stephen S. Harding, who was succeeded by James D. Doty, left G.S.L.
City for the East.
James D. Doty, formerly superintendent of Indian affairs, took the oath
of office as governor of Utah.
A fire destroyed $3,000 worth of property belonging to Daniel H. Wells,
in G.S.L. City.
The Indians attacked Canyon Station, near Deep creek, 150 miles west of
G.S.L. City, killing four soldiers and Wm. Riley, the station keeper.
Gov. Doty and Gen. Connor made a treaty of peace with the Shoshone
Indians at Brigham City.
The troops under command of Capt. Smith killed twelve Indians, near
Schell Creek station, Tooele Co., Utah.
John F. Kinney, formerly chief justice of Utah, was elected delegate to
Congress from Utah.
John Titus, of Pennsylvania, successor to John F. Kinney as chief justice
of Utah, arrived in G.S.L. City; he took the oath of office on the 12th.
Capt. John R. Murdock's train of immigrants, which had left Florence June
29th, with 375 souls, arrived at G.S.L. City.
Capt. Patterson's independent train of immigrants, which had left
Florence June 30th, arrived at G.S.L. City.
Capt. John F. Sanders' Church train of immigrants, which had started from
Florence July 6th, arrived at G.S.L. City.
Pres. Brigham Young's woolen factory, on Canyon creek, commenced running.
Capt. W.B. Preston's train of immigrants, which had left Florence July
9th, with 55 wagons, arrived in G.S.L. City.
Capt. John R. Young's independent train of immigrants, which had started
from Florence July 7th, arrived in G.S.L. City. Several of the immigrants
were killed in a cattle stampede on the plains July 28th.
Capt. Peter Nebeker's Church train of immigrants, which had started from
Florence July 25th, arrived at G.S.L. City.
Capt. James Brown, formerly of the Mormon Battalion and the founder of
Ogden, died from the effects of an accident, at Ogden.
Gov. James D. Doty, of Utah, and Gov. James W. Nye, of Nevada, formed a
treaty of peace with the Indians at Ruby Valley.
Capt. Daniel D. McArthur's Church train of immigrants, which had started
from Florence Aug. 6th, with about seventy-five wagons, arrived at G.S.L.
City.
Capt. John W. Woolley's Church train of immigrants, which had left
Florence Aug. 9th, and also Capt. Thomas E. Richs' Church train of immigrants,
which had started from Florence Aug. 10th, arrived at G.S.L. City.
Capt. Horton D. Haight's Church train of immigrants arrived at G.S.L.
City.
Charles Hopkins, formerly a member of the Mormon Battalion, died at
Petersburg, Millard Co.
Capt. Rosel Hyde's Church train of immigrants, which had left Florence
Aug. 11th, arrived at G.S.L. City.
Capt. Samuel D. White's Church train of immigrants, which left Florence
Aug. 15th, arrived at G.S.L. City. This was the last Church train of the
season.
Robert C.Egbert, formerly a member of the Mormon Battalion, died at
Deseret, Millard Co.
The first number of the Union Vidette, a bitter anti-Mormon newspaper,
was issued at Camp Douglas, Utah.
Seth Taft, a Pioneer of 1847, died in G.S.L. City.
Ira Jones Willes, formerly a member of the Mormon Battalion, and his son,
were accidentally killed while crossing a creek, near Lehi, Utah Co.
The 13th session of the Utah legislature convened in G.S.L. City, and
organized by appointing Daniel H. Wells president of the Council, and John
Taylor speaker of the House.
Joseph Fielding, one of the first missionaries sent from America to
England, died at Mill Creek, Salt Lake Co.
Bishop David Pettigrew, once a member of the Mormon Battalion, died in
G.S.L. City.
1864
The Perpetual Emigrating Fund Company sent 170 wagons, 1,717 oxen and 277
men to the Missouri river after the poor this year. The first mining
districts were located, the first mining companies incorporated and the first
smelting furnaces built in the Territory. A number of new settlements were
founded in Bear Lake Valley.
The Daily Vidette succeeding the Union Vidette, was first issued at Camp
Douglas, Utah. Like its predecessor, it was a bitter anti-Mormon paper.
An act passed by the Utah legislature, creating Kane and Richland
Counties, was approved.
Lewis Robbins was accidentally killed while quarrying rock near St.
George, Utah.
Circleville, Piute Co., Utah, was settled by about fifty families from
Ephraim, Sanpete Co.
Apostle Lorenzo Snow had a very narrow escape from drowning while
attempting to land at Lahaina, Maui, Hawaiian Islands, with other Elders.
Thomas Pierce and Robert Spurgeon were killed in a snowslide at the head
of Mill Creek Canyon. The body of the latter was not found until May 3rd.
A small company of Saints bound for Utah, sailed from Port Elizabeth,
South Africa, under the direction of John Talbot.
On this and the four following days the 34th annual conference of the
Church was held in G.S.L. City.
At a council meeting held at Lahaina, Maui, Hawaiian Islands, attended by
Apostles Ezra T. Benson and Lorenzo Snow and Elders Joseph F. Smith, Wm. W.
Cluff and Alma L. Smith, Walter M. Gibson, who had usurped Church authority
and imposed upon the native Saints, was excommunicated from the Church.
Elders Wm. Fotheringham and Henry A. Dixon, accompanied by a small
company of Saints, sailed from Port Elizabeth, South Africa, in the barque
Susan Pardew, which arrived at Boston after 60 day's voyage.
The ship Monarch of the Sea, sailed from Liverpool, England, with 973
Saints, under the direction of Patriarch John Smith. It arrived at New York
June 3rd, and the emigrants reached Wyoming, Neb., in safety.
Wyoming, a village seven miles north of Nebraska City, Neb., had been
selected as the outfitting place for the emigrants, crossing the plains,
instead of Florence. About one hundred and seventy Church teams were sent
from Utah to the Missouri river this year, after the poor.
The Saints who were settling Salina, Sevier Co., Utah, were organized as
a Ward by Apostle Orson Hyde, with Peter Rasmussen as Bishop.
The ship General M'Clellan sailed from Liverpool, England, with 802
Saints, under the direction of Thos. E. Jeremy, Joseph Bull and Geo. G.
Bywater. It arrived at New York June 23rd, and the company arrived at Wyoming
July 3rd.
The ship Hudson sailed from London, England, with 863 Saints, under the
direction of John M. Kay. The company arrived at New York July 19th, and at
Wyoming Aug. 2nd.
The Daily Telegraph, a newspaper, was first issued, in G.S.L. City, Thos.
B.H. Stenhouse proprietor and editor. October 8th, a semi-weekly edition was
also commenced.
Capt. John R. Murdock's mule train arrived in G.S.L. City, with 78
passengers.
James Calvin Sly, once a member of the Mormon Battalion, died at Chicken
Creek, Juab Co.
Elder Joseph Greenwood, of American Fork, Utah, died on Bear river, from
the effects of cold, on returning from a mission to the States.
Daniel H. Wells succeeded Apostle Geo. Q. Cannon as president of the
European mission.
Pres. Brigham Young and others left G.S.L. City, on a trip to the
southern settlements. They returned Sept. 29th, after visiting 37 settlements
and holding 39 meetings.
Capt. Wm. B. Preston's train of immigrants, consisting of about fifty
wagons and four hundred passengers, arrived at G.S.L. City. This company also
brought new fonts of type for the Deseret News office.
Capt. Joseph S. Rawlins' train of immigrants arrived at G.S.L. City.
Elder John M. Kay, returning missionary from Europe, died on the Little
Laramie, while crossing the plains in Capt. Warren S. Snow's train.
The first number of the Peep o'Day, a magazine devoted to science,
literature and art, and to opposing the "Mormons," was published by Elias L.T.
Harrison and Edward W. Tullidge, at G.S.L. City.
Capt. John Smith's independent train of immigrants arrived at G.S.L.
City.
Capt. Wm. S. Warren's train of immigrants, which had started from Wyoming
July 19th, arrived at G.S.L. City.
Capt. Isaac A. Canfield's train arrived at G.S.L. City.
The surviving members of Zion's Camp had a festival in the Social Hall,
G.S.L. City. This was the first gathering of these veterans for 30 years; 54
men and 4 women were present out of the 63 then known to be in the Territory.
Capt. Wm. Hyde's train of immigrants arrived at G.S.L. City.
Capt. Warren S. Snow's train of immigrants, the last company of the
season, arrived at G.S.L. City.
A destructive hurricane visited Davis and Weber Counties.
The 14th annual session of the Utah legislature convened in G.S.L. City
and organized by electing Geo. A. Smith president of the Council and John
Taylor speaker of the House.
A landing and site for a Church warehouse, afterwards known as Call's
Landing, was selected by Anson Call, on the Colorado river, 125 miles from St.
George, and the land along the Muddy found suitable to settle on. At that
time the Church contemplated sending the emigrants from Europe, by way of
Panama, the Gulf of California, and up the Colorado river, to this landing,
which was the head of navigation on the Colorado.
Samuel H. Davis was accidentally killed in G.S.L. City, while engaged in
walling up a well.
1865
This year new settlements were founded by the Saints on the Muddy,
Arizona (now Nevada). A long and desperate war between the settlers in
Sanpete and Sevier Valleys and the Indians under the chief Black Hawk was
commenced. Many of the settlers were killed and wounded. | |
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