Mormon History, Jun 6, 1831

/Mormon History Chronology/
-- Jun 6, 1831
[Murdock, John] Ordained high priest 6 June 1831. (1)

[Revelations] Kirtland, Ohio. Doctrine and Covenants 53. Sidney Gilbert, Newel K. Whitney's business partner, wants to know about his calling and election. Become an elder, preach. Called as church agent in Kirtland.
The Manuscript History of the Church indicates that this revelation was received "shortly after" D&C 52 (June [6], 1831).
Book of Commandments 55 heading: A Revelation to Sidney (G. ,) given in Kirtland, Ohio, June, 1831.
1835 Doctrine and Covenants 66 heading: Revelation to Sidney Gilbert, given June, 1831. (2)

-- June 6 or 7, 1831
[Revelations] Kirtland, Ohio. Doctrine and Covenants 52. Elders to travel by different routes to Missouri for the next conference. They are to travel in pairs, preaching along the way, and take different routes (to reach as many people as possible). The Lord is cutting short his work.
"At a meeting of the tribe on the 3d. inst. the fact was made known to them that 28 elders must be selected and ordained, to start immediately, for Missouri. " "Mormonism on the Wing," Painesville Telegraph, June 14, 1831. Source.
Minutes of June [3-6], 1831 do not mention this revelation, nor do the eyewitness accounts of Levi Hancock or Ezra Booth.
John Whitmer's history begins the conference June 3 and June 4, and the revelation June 6. J. Whitmer, 41, 69, 81.
The Manuscript History of the Church (1839) dates the conference June 6 and the revelation June 7. MH-A, 118.
Book of Commandments 54 heading: A Revelation to the elders of the church assembled in Kirtland, Ohio, given June, 1831.
1835 Doctrine and Covenants 66 heading: Revelation given June, 1831.
Two different sections are numbered LXVI in the 1835 D&C. The other one is the current LDS D&C 53.
Book of Commandments 54. (2)

-- Jun 7, 1831
The new bishop and several others are called to settle Jackson County, Missouri to build the city of Zion. A small group travels to Independence, Missouri. (3)

[Joseph Smith] Kirtland, Ohio. Joseph Smith received Doctrine & Covenants 52, a revelation organizing pairs of elders to proselyte en route to the next Church conference to be held in Missouri. (4)

-- about Jun 8, 1831
[Joseph Smith] Kirtland, Ohio. Joseph Smith received Doctrine & Covenants 53, a revelation to Algernon Sidney Gilbert, telling him of his calling to be an agent of the Church and to travel with the Prophet and Sidney Rigdon. (4)

-- After Jun 10, 1831
Heber C. Kimball joins the Baptists. (5)

-- Jun 12, 1831
John Whitmer begins his history of the church. (6)

-- about Jun 12, 1831
[Joseph Smith] Kirtland, Ohio. Joseph Smith received Doctrine & Covenants 54, a revelation directed to Newel Knight concerning difficulties in the branch at Thompson, Ohio. (4)

-- Jun 14, 1831
After all the good followers of Jo. Smith from York state had got fairly settled down in this vicinity, which Rigdon had declared to be their "eternal inheritance," Jo must needs invent another 'command from God.' At a meeting of the tribe on the 3d inst. the fact was made known to them that 28 elders must be selected and ordained, to start immediately, for Missouri. The ceremony of endowing them with miraculous gifts, or supernatural power, was then performed, and they were commanded to take up a line of march; preaching their gospel, (Jo's Bible) raising the dead, healing the sick, casting out devils, &c. The flock are to be left to shirk for themselves the best way they can. It is said they are about to commence an establishment some 500 miles up the Missouri where they contemplate building the New Jerusalem, and they have expressed doubts whether few if any of them will ever return to this "land of promise"; but in due time a command will be sent for the remainder
of their deluded and infatuated followers to move-we opine however, that very few will obey the summons. The chosen few are to be off during the present week, going by pairs in different routes, all on foot, except Jo., Rigdon, and Harris, the contrivers and commanders of the expedition.
"Mormonism on the Wing," PT, June 14, 1831.
Ezra Booth Letters (4-6) emphasizes the expectation of the party to witness and perform miracles on their way.
Ezra Booth Letters (4-6) also refers to the high hopes and expectations of the elders en route to Independence. (6)

Lucy Mack Smith, Almira Mack (daughter of Lucy's deceased brother Stephen), Hyrum Smith, John Murdock, John Corrill, and Lyman Wight board the steamer William Penn at Fairport, traveling to Detroit. (6)

-- Jun 15, 1831
D&C 55 to W. W. Phelps: called to be baptized, ordained, assist Oliver in printing, select and write school books, go to Missouri with Joseph, Sidney, and others. (6)

D&C 56 (Kirtland): Ezra Thayer refuses to leave on his mission with Thomas B. Marsh until he has made arrangements to sell his property or get his payments refunded. If he does not fulfill the mission, he will be repaid, but he will also be excommunicated. Thomas is reassigned to Selah J. Griffin, whose companion, Newel Knight will take charge of the Colesville families on their trek to Missouri. Rich must give to the poor. Poor must have broken hearts and contrite spirits. (6)


Footnotes:
1 - Lyndon W. Cook, The Revelation of the Prophet Joseph Smith: A Historical and Biographical Commentary of the Doctrine and Covenants, Seventy's Mission Bookstore, Provo UT, 1985
2 - http://saintswithouthalos.com/s/_dc.phtml
3 - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/19th_century_(Mormonism)
4 - BYU Studies Journal, volume 46, no. 4: A Chronology of the Life of Joseph Smith
5 - http://docs.google.com/Doc?id=dgv482t8_0d5hdn5cv
6 - http://saintswithouthalos.com/dirs/d_c.phtml


LDS History

A lighter version of this blog:
http://lds-church-history.blogspot.com/

Current Issues:
http://mormon-chronicles.blogspot.com/

Clair Barrus

No comments:

Post a Comment