Mormon History, Summer/Fall 1842

-- During Summer/Fall 1842
[Emma Smith] Joseph is in hiding. Emma and children are ill; Emma nearly dies. Joseph returns home to bless his family. (1)

-- 1, Sep 6, 1842
[Joseph Smith] By letter, announces new guidelines for administration of baptisms for the dead (D&C 127, 128). (2)

-- Sep 01, 1842
Joseph Smith addresses a letter to the Saints, now found in Doctrine and Covenants 127, containing information on procedures associated with the practice of baptism for the dead. At this time, the Prophet is hiding (at Edward Hunter's home) from Missouri officials who are bent on returning him to stand trial in Missouri. (3)

[Polygamy] to 01 Sep 1842 Smith publishes denouncement of polygamy. Smith publishes teaching gainst polygamy in the Times and Seasons, of which he was editor. In the September 1 1842 issue, Smith declares: "All legal contracts of marriage made before a person is baptized into this church, should be held sacred and fulfilled. Inasmuch as this church of Christ has been reproached with the crime of fornication, and polygamy: we declare that we believe, that one man should have one wife; and one woman, but one husband, except in case of death, when either is at liberty to marry again." SOURCE: Times and Seasons, Sep 1, 1842, Vol.3, No.21, p.909 (4)

-- Sep 1, 1842
[D and C] Doctrine and Covenants 127: An epistle from Joseph Smith the Prophet to the Latter-day Saints at Nauvoo, Illinois, containing directions on baptism for the dead; dated at Nauvoo, September 1, 1842. HC 5: 142-144.
1-4, Joseph Smith glories in persecution and tribulation; 5-12, Records must be kept relative to baptisms for the dead. (5)

Joseph Smith editorializes in the TIMES AND SEASONS that "the public mind has been unjustly abused through the fallacy of Dr. Bennett's letters" and reminds readers that the church's rule for marriage was "that one man should have one wife; and one woman, but one husband." At this time Joseph Smith has married sixteen plural wives in addition to his legal wife, Emma. (6)

Nauvoo, Illinois. While in seclusion, Joseph Smith wrote a general epistle to the Church concerning the work of baptisms for the dead, which was later canonized as Doctrine & Covenants 127. (7)

Lyman Wight: Assigned to travel east to preach and counter false reports propagated by John C. Bennett 1 September 1842. Met with several branches of Church in Ohio, New York, and Pennsylvania during next several months. (8)

-- Sep 1, 1842 & 6
Joseph Smith writes two letters to the church regarding baptism for the dead, clarifying the doctrine and practice. (D&C 127, 128) (9)

-- Sep 2, 1842
Orson Pratt Orson writes in the Mormon newspaper THE WASP that, contrary to rumor, he had not "renounced 'Mormonism,' left Nauvoo, &c." He further explains how he is able to believe his wife's accusations against Joseph Smith while remaining in the Church: "The lustre of truth cannot be dimmed by the shadows of error and falsehood. Neither will the petty difficulties existing among its votaries weaken its influence or destroy its power. Its course is onward to accomplish the purposes of its great Author in relation to the happiness and salvation of the human family." (6)

Nauvoo, Illinois. Joseph Smith received a report that the sheriff was on his way to Nauvoo with a posse. (7)

-- Sep 3, 1842
Sheriff comes to Nauvoo to arrest Joseph Smith; Smith escapes and goes into hiding. (10)

Nauvoo, Illinois. Joseph Smith escaped out the back door of his home from Deputy Sheriff Pitman and others who had come to arrest him. (7)

William Clayton Appointed "private clerk" to Joseph Smith, as well as temple recorder. (11)

-- Sept 3rd 1842
[High Council Minutes]
It was decided that former decision stand confirmed Sept 3rd 1842 The minutes of the 3 & 4 of Sept were taken by Elder James Sloan.
Adjourned till next Saturday at 4 o clock at this place
Hosea Stout Clk (12)

[High Council Minutes]
On application of J.M. Powers to have a hearing of his appeal from the Bishops (Miller) decision which has lain over, or that he be reinstated in as much as the hand of fellowship has been withdrawn from him (12)

[High Council Minutes]
[original minutes on file note some deletions] Council met according to adjournment
A Charge was prefered against Gustavius Hills by Elijah Everett one of the teachers of the Church for illicit intercourse with a certain woman by the name of Mary Clift by which she is with child and for teaching the said Mary Clift that the heads of the Church practised such conduct & that the time would come when men would have more wives than one &c.
Mary Clift did not appear & upon vote it was adjourned untill 4 o'clock P.M. tommorrow
Samuel Bent David Fulmer Elisha Everett & Gustuvius Hills were to go to her house at 8 o'clock tommorow morning & take Alderman Spencer to take her depositions and so that the trial might take place according to adjournment to morrow (omission) [See Page 10 for omission] (12)

Footnotes:
1 - Emma Smith, Woman of Faith, http://emmasmithmormon.com
2 - Highlights in the Prophet's Life, Ensign, June 1994
3 - The Woodland Institute 'On This Day Historical Database,' http://www.woodlandinstitute.com
4 - Joseph Smith Polygamy Timeline, http://www.i4m.com/think/polygamy/JS_Polygamy_Timeline.htm
5 - Doctrine and Covenants
6 - On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com
7 - BYU Studies Journal, volume 46, no. 4: A Chronology of the Life of Joseph Smith
8 - Cook, Lyndon W., The Revelations of the Prophet Joseph Smith: A Historical and Biographical Commentary of the Doctrine and Covenants, Seventy's Mission Bookstore, Provo UT, 1985
9 - Wikipedia, 19th Century (Mormonism), http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/19th_century_(Mormonism)
10 - Tidd, N. R., "Mormon Chronology"
11 - Smith, George D., An Intimate Chronicle; The Journals of William Clayton, p.lxiii, A William Clayton Chronology
12 - Minutes of the High Council of the Church of Jesus Christ of Nauvoo Illinois: Nauvoo Hancock County Illinois

LDS History Timeline

About this site: http://bit.ly/mohist

Mormon History, 1842. August

-- During 1842. August
(Emma Smith) An efficient business woman, Emma often helped Joseph with tithing appraisals and the operation of his boardinghouses. She was also an accomplished hostess. On their fifteenth wedding anniversary she and Joseph served seventy-four guests at four tables. An immaculate housekeeper, she redressed her hair every day after completing her afternoon work.
1842. August: After three weeks of hiding from Missouri lawmen, Joseph returned to Nauvoo, where he described his feelings for Emma: "With what unspeakable delight, and transports of joy swelled my bosom, when I took by the hand, on that night, my beloved Emmaâ€"she that was my wife, even the wife of my youth, the choice of my heart. Many were the reverberations of my mind when I contemplated for a moment the many scenes we had been called to pass through, the fatigues and the toils, the sorrows and sufferings, and the joys and consolations, from time to time, which had strewed our paths and crowned our board. Oh what a commingling of thought filled my mind for the moment, again she is here, even in the seventh troubleâ€"undaunted, firm, and unwaveringâ€" unchangeable, affectionate Emma!" (1)

-- During Aug 1842
[Polygamy] to 27 Jun 1844 Marriage - Joseph to Martha McBride. PLACE: Smith's Store, Nauvoo, IL SOURCE: FamilySearch.com record for Joseph Smith Jr. (2)

[Polygamy] to 27 Jun 1844 Marriage - Joseph to Ruth Vose Sayers, age 33, already married. SOURCE: LDS Biographical Encyclopedia. Elder Jenson, Andrew. 1951 Volume: 1 Page: 697 Marriages in Nauvoo Region 1839-45. Easton, S. Civil Marriages in Nauvoo 1839-45. Cook, Lyndon Nauvoo Temple Endowment Register 1845-46 Mormon Manuscripts to 1846. (2)

[Polygamy] Martha McBride Knight (Age 37): Martha McBride married Vinson Knight in 1826 at the age of twenty-one. Eight years later, while living in New York State, the couple met Joseph Smith and together they joined the church. In the spring of 1835, Martha and Vinson sold their property and joined the Saints in Kirtland. Thinking he had found the truth, Vinson wrote a letter to his Mother, Now you think that your priests are holy...I do know that the foundation you stand on is an abomination in the sight of God. He continued, ...we are blessed with the privelege of going to meeting such as we never had before.
By 1841, Martha and Vinson were in Nauvoo, where Vinson was appointed Bishop of one of the three Nauvoo wards. About this same time, Joseph taught Vinson the doctrine of plural marriage and he soon took a second wife, Philinda Merrick. In mid 1842, Vinson became sick. Joseph Smiths diary records, Bro Knight has been sick about a week and this morning he began to sink very fast untill 12 o clock when death put a period to his sufferings.
Less than a month after Vinsons death, Martha married Joseph Smith. The details of the wedding and subsequent married life with Joseph are sparse. Joseph did inquire about Marthas seventeen-year-old daughter, Almira, wondering if she would be willing to become a plural wife of his brother, Hyrum. Martha discussed the issue with her daughter, but Almira chose to marry another man instead, eventually leaving Nauvoo and the unfolding of polygamy. Marthas other daughter, Adaline, would follow her mothers path by entering polygamy. Many years later, Martha received a letter from Almira discussing her apprehension about polygamy: I can never like [polygamy] for [it] has robed my Sister & her family of their just dues by dividing...substance between more than the law allows & what is still worse divided affection worse than none at all would have killed me in a vary little time but God spared me my heart bleeds for her... write soon from your affectionate daughter.... Si
nce
Almira mentions her sister in this letter, she was perhaps unaware that her mother, Martha, was a plural wife of Joseph Smith.
After Joseph Smith was in killed in 1844, Martha obtained a cut of his hair, which she kept in a locket and treasured throughout her life. A few months later, she married Heber C. Kimball. Martha joined the westward migration to Utah, building friendships with several of her sister wives. For a few months she lived in Salt Lake City with three of Hebers thirty-nine wives, although she lived most of her life with relatives in the Ogden and Weber County area, essentially living apart from Heber. At one point she wrote in a letter to her daughter Adaline, to tell you all my feelings would be hard to do but feel some like a wanderer for truly I have not a home on the earth. I do not know where I shall go nor what I shall do. I have no one to look to but the Lord alone...I trust in him and do not dispair. Martha died in 1901. (3)

-- During Aug. 1842
[Joseph Smith] In hiding, records poignant expressions of gratitude for those who have assisted him from the beginning of his ministry. (4)

[Polygamy] Martha McBride (Knight) age 37, Widow of Vinson Knight; later sealed to Heber C. Kimball. Wiki-(3)

-- During August 1842
Orson Pratt: Rebelled against Joseph Smith August 1842. (6)

William B Smith: Elected member of Illinois State House of Representatives August 1842. (6)

Footnotes:
1 - Van Wagoner, Richard and Walker, Steven C., A Book of Mormons
2 - Joseph Smith Polygamy Timeline, http://www.i4m.com/think/polygamy/JS_Polygamy_Timeline.htm
3 - Remembering the Wives of Joseph Smith, http://www.wivesofjosephsmith.org/
4 - Highlights in the Prophet's Life, Ensign, June 1994
5 - Wikipedia, List of the Wives of Joseph Smith, Jr., http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_the_wives_of_Joseph_Smith,_Jr.
6 - Cook, Lyndon W., The Revelations of the Prophet Joseph Smith: A Historical and Biographical Commentary of the Doctrine and Covenants, Seventy's Mission Bookstore, Provo UT, 1985

LDS History Timeline

About this site: http://bit.ly/mohist

Mormon History, Aug 31, 1842

-- Aug 31, 1842
To refute John C. Bennett's allegations Joseph Smith authorizes publication of affidavits in the Mormon publication THE WASP accusing first counselor Sidney Rigdon's daughter Nancy and Orson Pratt's wife Sarah of sexual misconduct with Bennett. This is part of an ongoing pattern to attack the moral character of women who have publicly told of being approached regarding the still-secret practice of polygamy. (1)

Nauvoo, Illinois. Joseph Smith rode to a grove near the Nauvoo Temple with his wife, Emma Smith, to attend a meeting of the Relief Society. (2)

-- Aug 31, 1842 (Wednesday)
[Joseph Smith Sermon] Location: Grove, Nauvoo, Hancock County, Illinois, USA
Source: Nauvoo Relief Society Minutes (Words of Joseph Smith, 129-31)
Prest. Joseph Smith opened the meeting by addressing the Society. He commenced by expressing his happiness and thankfulness for the privilege of being present on the occasion. He said that great exertions had been made on the part of our enemies, but they had not accomplished their purposeâ€"God had enabled him to keep out of their handsâ€"he had war'd a good warfare inasmuch as he had whip'd out all of Bennett's host his feelings at present time were that inasmuch as the Lord Almighty had preserv'd him to day. He said it reminded him of the Savior, when he said to the pharisees, "Go ye and tell that fox, Behold I cast out devils, and I do cures today and tomorrow, and the third day I shall be perfected." &C.
He said he expected the heavenly Father had decreed that the Missourians shall not get himâ€"if they do, it will be because he does not keep out of the way.
Pres. S. continued by saying, I shall triumph over my enemiesâ€"I have begun to triumph over them at home and I shall do it abroadâ€"All those that rise up against me will feel the weight of their iniquity upon their own headsâ€"Those that speak evil are abominable characters and full of iniquity. All the fuss and all the stir against me, is like the jack in the lantern, it cannot be found. Altho' I do wrong, I do not the wrongs that I am charg'd with doingâ€"the wrong that I do is thro' the frailty of human nature like other men. No man lives without fault. Do you think that even Jesus, if he were here would be without fault in your eyes? They said all manner of evil against himâ€"they all watch'd for iniquity. How easy it was for Jesus to call out all the iniquity of the hearts of those whom he was among? The servants of the Lord are required to guard against those things that are calculated to do the most evilâ€"the little foxes spoil the vinesâ€"little evils do the most
injury to the church
If you have evil feelings and speak of them to one another, it has a tendency to do mischiefâ€"these things result in those evils which are calculated to cut the throats of the heads of the church.
When I do the best I canâ€"when I am accomplishing the greatest good, then the most evils are got up against me. I would to God that you would be wise. I now counsel you, if you know any thing, hold your tongues, and the least harm will be done.
The Female Relief Society has taken the most active part in my welfareâ€"against my enemiesâ€"in petitioning to the Governorâ€"these measures were all necessaryâ€"Do you not see that I foresaw what was coming beforehand? by the spirit of prophecy?â€"all had an influence in my redemption from the hand of my enemies.
If these measures had not been taken, more serious consequences would have resulted.
I have come here to bless you. The Society has done wellâ€"their principles are to practice holiness. God loves you and your prayers in my behalf shall avail muchâ€"let them not cease to ascend to God in my behalf. The enemy will never get weary, I expect he will array everything against meâ€"I expect a tremendous warfare. He that will war the christian warfare will have the angels of devils and all the infernal powers of darkness continually array'd against him. When wicked and corrupt men oppose, it is a criterion to judge if a man is warring the christian warfare. When all men speak evil of you, blessed are ye, &C. Shall a man be considered bad when men speak evil of him? No! If a man stands and opposes the world of sin, he may expect all things array'd against him.
But it will be but a little season and all these afflictions will be turned away from us inasmuch as we are faithful and are not overcome by these evils. By seeing the blessings of the endowment rolling on and the kingdom increasing and spreading from sea to sea, we will rejoice that we were not overcome by these foolish things.
Prest. S. then remark'd that a few things had been manifested to him in his absence respecting the baptism for the dead, which he should communicate next Sabbath if nothing should occur to prevent.
Prest. S. then addressed the throne of grace.
Prest. S. said he had one remark to make respecting the baptism for the dead to suffice for the time being, until he has opportunity to discuss the subject to greater lengthâ€"that is, all persons baptiz'd for the dead must have a Recorder present, that he may be an eye witness to testify of it. It will be necessary in the grand Council, that these things be testified let it be attended to from this time lest if there is any lack it may be at the expense of our friendsâ€"they may not come forth &C. (3)

-- During 1842 Aug
[Lucy Mack Smith] Joseph goes into hiding. (4)

[Prophecy] LDS settle in Rocky Mountains - "I prophesied that the Saints would continue to suffer much affliction and would be driven to the Rocky Mountains, many would apostatize, others would be put to death by our persecutors or lose their lives in consequence of exposure or disease, and some of you will live to go and assist in making settlements and build cities and see the Saints become a mighty people in the midst of the Rocky Mountains." (Documentary History of the Church 5:85) -- Church critics Jerald and Sandra Tanner claim that this alleged prophesy was inserted into Smith's "Manuscript History" after his death (in a different handwriting). (5)

Footnotes:
1 - On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com
2 - BYU Studies Journal, volume 46, no. 4: A Chronology of the Life of Joseph Smith
3 - The Woodland Institute, http://www.woodlandinstitute.com
4 - Proctor, Scott and Maurine Jensen, editors, History of Joseph Smith by His Mother: Revised and Enhanced
5 - Wikipedia, Prophesies of Joseph Smith, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prophecies_of_Joseph_Smith,_Jr.

LDS History Timeline

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Mormon History, Aug 29, 1842

-- Aug 29, 1842
[Polygamy] to 29 Aug 1842 Smith sends 380 Elders across the country to deny allegations of his polygamy. Joseph Smith calls and holds a special conference in Nauvoo. At that conference 380 elders volunteer to travel nationwide to distribute a broadside (a two-paged newspaper) filled with affidavits and certificates in a massive effort to convince the public, among other things, that that Joseph Smith was not a polygamist. Smith spearheads this endeavor, which is one of his greatest efforts to deny he was practicing plural marriage. It was such a tremendous undertaking and was promoted with such zeal that it can rightly be called a crusade. Smith had been arrested on August 8 by Missouri officials on charges that he had been an accomplice in the attempted assassination of former Missouri governor,Lilburn Boggs. The Prophet was released the same day of his arrest by the Nauvoo Municipal Court. He then went into hidingfirst in Iowa, and then back in Nauvoo. Upon his return to Na
uvoo, Smith recorded: "I advised the Twelve to call a special conference on Monday next (August 29), to give instructions to the elders, and call upon them to go forth upon this important mission; meantime, that all the affidavits concerning Bennett's conduct be taken and printed, so that each elder could be properly furnished with correct and weighty testimony to lay before the public." On Monday, August 29, a vast crowd of concerned Saints gathers at the Grove near the Temple for the conference. Near the close of Hyrum's address, Joseph, who had not been seen in public for three weeks, walks up onto the stand and sits down. Joseph's sudden appearance is a great surprise, for there was speculation among the Saints that he had gone to Washington or Europe, while others believed he was still in Nauvoo. After Hyrum concludes speaking, Joseph addresses the large congregation. He referrs to the affidavits and certificates which he had been busily preparing, by giving both a plea
and a prophecy as he proclaimes: "Let the Twelve send all who will support the character of the Prophet, the Lord's anointed; and if all who go will support my character, I prophesy in the name of the Lord Jesus, whose servant I am, that you will prosper in your missions." (LDS History of the Church 5:139) After the Prophet speaks, 380 elders volunteer to go on "missions" to spread the Affidavits and Certificates throughout the nation (see Dean C. Jessee, The Papers of Joseph Smith 2:447). These men leave their families, homes, and jobs to travel thousands of miles to distribute the Affidavits and Certificatesand to give their own testimonies that Joseph is not a polygamist. LOCATION: Nauvoo, IL SOURCE: LDS History of the Church 5:131132; RLDS History of the Church 2:613; ; see also Dean C, Jessee, The Papers of Joseph Smith 2 [Salt Lake City, Utah: Deseret Book Company, 1992]: 443444) (1)

-- Aug 29, 1842 (Monday Morning)
[Joseph Smith Sermon] Location: Grove Near Temple, Nauvoo, Hancock County, Illinois, USA
Source: Manuscript History of the Church (Words of Joseph Smith, 127-29)
Near the close of Hyrum's remarks I went upon the Stand. I was rejoiced to look upon the Saints once more, whom I have not seen for about three weeks. They also were rejoiced to see me, and we all rejoiced together. My sudden appearance on the Stand under the circumstances which surrounded us, caused great animation and cheerfulness in the Assembly. Some had supposed that I had gone to Washington, and some that I had gone to Europe, while some thought I was in the City; but whatever difference of opinion had prevailed on this point, we were now all filled with thanksgiving and rejoicing. When Hyrum had done speaking I arose and congratulated the brethren and Sisters on the victory I had once more gained over the Missourians. I had told them {formerly about fighting the Missourians, and about fighting alone. I had not fought them with the Sword, or by carnal weapons; I had done it by stratagem, by outwitting them, and there had been no lives lost, and there would be no lives
lost
if they would hearken to my Council. Up to this day God had given me wisdom to save the people who took Council. None had ever been killed who abode by my Council. At Hauns Mill the brethren went contrary to my Council; if they had not, their lives would have been spared. I had been in Nauvoo all the while, and outwitted Bennett's associates, and attended to my own business in the City all the time. We want to whip the world mentally and they will whip themselves physically. The brethren cannot have the tricks played upon them that were done at Kirtland and Far West, they have seen enough of the tricks of their enemies and know better. Orson Pratt has attempted to destroy himself and caused all the city almost to go in search of him. Is it not enough to put down all the infernal influence of the devil, what we have felt and seen, handled and evidenced of this work of God? But the Devil had influence among the Jews after all the great things they had witnessed to cause the de
ath of
Jesus Christ by hanging him between heaven and earth. O. Pratt and others of the same class caused trouble by telling stories to people who would betray me, and they must believe those stories because his Wife told him so! I will live to trample on their ashes with the souls of my feet. I prophecy in the name of Jesus Christ that such shall not prosper, they shall be cut down in their plans. They would deliver me up Judas like, but a small band of us shall overcome. We dont want or mean to fight with the sword of the flesh, but we will fight with the broad Sword of the Spirit. Our enemies say our Charter and writs of Habeas Corpus are worth nothing. We say they came from the highest authority in the State and we will hold to them. They cannot be disannulled or taken away. I then told the brethren I was going to send all the Elders away, and when the Mob came there would only be women and children to fight and they would be ashamed. I dont want you to fight but to go and gath
er
tens, hundreds, and thousands to fight for you. If oppression comes, I will then shew them that there is a Moses and a Joshua amongst us; and I will fight them, if they dont take off oppression from me. I will do as I have done this time. I will run into the woods. I will fight them in my own way. I will send brother Hyrum to call conferences everywhere throughout the States and let documents be taken along and show to the world the corrupt and oppressive conduct of Boggs, Carlin, and others, that the public may have the truth laid before them. Let the Twelve send all who will support the character of the Prophet, the Lord's anointed, and if all who go will support my character, I prophecy in the name of the Lord Jesus, whose servant I am, that you will prosper in your missions. I have the whole plan of the kingdom before me, and no other person has. And as to all that Orson Pratt, Sidney Rigdon, or George W. Robinson can do to prevent me, I can kick them off my heels, as ma
ny as
you can name, I know what will become of them. I concluded my remarks by saying I have the best of feelings towards my brethren, since this last trouble began, but to the Apostates and enemies, I will give a lashing every opportunity and I will curse them}. During the address an indescribable transport of good feeling was manifested by the Assembly and about 380 Elders volunteered to go immediately on the proposed Mission. (2)

Footnotes:
1 - Joseph Smith Polygamy Timeline, http://www.i4m.com/think/polygamy/JS_Polygamy_Timeline.htm
2 - The Woodland Institute, http://www.woodlandinstitute.com

LDS History Timeline

About this site: http://bit.ly/mohist

Mormon History, Aug 29, 1842

-- Aug 29, 1842
Nauvoo, Illinois. Joseph Smith gave a talk in which he promised the Saints that there would be no lives lost if they would listen to his counsel. (1)

[Joseph Smith Journal] [Near the close of Hyrum's remarks I went upon the Stand. I was rejoiced to look upon the Saints once more, whom I have not seen for about three weeks. They also were rejoiced to see me, and we all rejoiced together. My sudden appearance on the Stand under the circumstances which surrounded us, caused great animation and cheerfulness in the Assembly. Some had supposed that I had gone to Washington, and some that I had gone to Europe, while some thought I was in the City; but whatever difference of opinion had prevailed on this point, we were now all filled with thanksgiving and rejoicing.
When Hyrum had done speaking I arose and congratulated the brethren and Sisters on the victory I had once more gained over the Missourians. I had told them] formerly about fighting the Missourians, and about fighting alone. I had not fought them with the Sword, or by carnal weapons. I had done it by strategem, by outwitting them, and there had been no lives lost, and there would be no lives lost if they would hearken to my Council. Up to this day God had given me wisdom to save the people who took Council. None had ever been killed who abode by my Council. At Hauns Mill the brethren went contrary to my Council. If they had not, their lives would have been spared. I had been in Nauvoo all the while, and outwitted [John C.] Bennett's associates, and attended to my own business in the City all the time.
We want to whip the world mentally and they will whip themselves physically. The brethren cannot have the tricks played on them that were done at Kirtland and Far West, they have seen enough of the tricks of their enemies and know better. Orson Pratt has attempted to destroy himself and caused all the city almost to go in search of him. Is it not enough to put down all the infernal influence of the devil, what we have felt and seen, handled and evidenced of this work of God? But the Devil had influence among the Jews after all the great things they had witnessed to cause the death of Jesus Christ by hanging him between heaven and earth. O. Pratt and others of the same class caused trouble by telling stories to people who would betray me, and they must believe those stories because his Wife [Sarah Marinda Bates] told him so? I will live to trample on their ashes with the souls of my feet. I prophecy in the name of Jesus Christ that such shall not prosper, they shall be cut d
own in their plans. They would deliver me up Judas like, but a small band of us shall overcome.
We don't want or mean to fight with the sword of the flesh, but we will fight with the broad Sword of the Spirit. Our enemies say our [Nauvoo City] Charter and writs of Habeas Corpus are worth nothing. We say they came from the highest authority in the State and we will hold to them. They cannot be disannulled or taken away.
I then told the brethren I was going to send all the Elders away, and when the Mob came there would only be women and children to fight and they would be ashamed. I dont want you to fight but to go and gather tens, hundreds, and thousands to fight for you. If oppression comes, I will then shew them that there is a Moses and a Joshua amongst us; and I will fight them, if they dont take off oppression from me. I will do as I have done this time. I will run into the woods. I will fight them in my own way. I will send brother Hyrum to call conferences everywhere throughout the States and let documents be taken along and show to the world the corrupt and oppressive conduct of [Lilburn W.] Boggs, [Thomas] Carlin, and others, that the public may have the truth laid before them. Let the Twelve [Apostles] send all who will support the character of the Prophet, the Lord's anointed, and if all who go will support my character, I prophecy in the name of the Lord Jesus, whose servant I a
m, that you will prosper in your missions. I have the whole plan of the kingdom before me, and no other person has. And as to all that Orson Pratt, Sidney Rigdon, or George W. Robinson can do to prevent me, I can kick them off my heels, as many as you can name, I know what will become of them. I concluded my remarks by saying I have the best of feelings towards my brethren, since this last trouble began, but to the Apostates and enemies, I will give a lashing every opportunity and I will curse them. {pages 183-84} (2)

Footnotes:
1 - BYU Studies Journal, volume 46, no. 4: A Chronology of the Life of Joseph Smith
2 - Scott H. Faulring, An American Prophet's Record: Journal, ca. 1841-43 'The Book of the Law of the Lord'

LDS History Timeline

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Mormon History, Aug 25, 1842

-- Aug 25, 1842
Joseph Smith publicly admonishes the Twelve and others to "support the character of the Prophet, the Lord's anointed." He lashes out at "O[rson] Pratt and others of the same class [who] caused trouble by telling stories to people who would betray me, and they must believe these stories because his Wife told him so! And as to all that Orson Pratt, Sidney Rigdon, or George W. Robinson can do to prevent me, I can kick them off my heels, as many as you can name." (1)

-- Aug 26, 1842
Nauvoo, Illinois. Joseph Smith had a meeting with the Twelve in which he stressed the importance of continued missionary work, despite the persecutions against the Church. (2)

-- Aug 27, 1842
LDS newspaper THE WASP denounces "John C. Bennett, the pimp and file leader of such mean harlots as Martha H. Brotherton and her predecessors from old Jezebel." Brotherton had gone public about being approached regarding polygamy. This is part of a pattern, extending to Nancy Rigdon and Sarah Pratt, to attack the moral character of women who have publicly told of being approached regarding the still-secret practice of polygamy. (1)

Emma Smith writes to Governor Carlin. (3)

-- Aug 27, 1842 (Saturday Evening)
[Joseph Smith Sermon] Location: Old Homestead, Nauvoo, Hancock County, Illinois, USA
Source: Eliza R. Snow Journal (Words of Joseph Smith, 127)
Pres. S. was at home and met in the large drawing room with a respectable number of those considered trustworthyâ€"counsel'd them to go out forthwith to proclaim the principles of truth. (4)

-- August 27th 1842
[High Council Minutes]
Council met according to adjournment. Adjourned till 3rd of Sept next at 4 o'clock at this place
H. Stout Clerk (5)

-- 29Aug42
[Joseph Smith Sermon] Joseph Returns from Hiding
Orson Pratt Believes His Wife Before Joseph
Endowment to Come - Nauvoo Charter - Increase Membership to Protect Church
Character Missionaries for the Prophet (6)

-- Aug 29, 1842
Sidney Rigdon: Publicly condemned 29 Aug. 1842 by Joseph Smith Jr. who authorized publication Aug. 31 of affidavit that Sidney Rigdon 'S daughter had "illicit intercourse" with John C Bennett (7)

Nauvoo resident, Mary Clift, testifies to the Nauvoo High Council that she is pregnant with Gustavius Hills's child. She says he told her that "the heads of the Church practiced such conduct & that the time would come when men would have more wives than one." Hills is excommunicated. (1)

Joseph Smith comes out of hiding and attends a special conference: asks for support sent from the 12 Apostles and for those like Orson Pratt, Sidney Rigdon, and George W. Robinson who would prevent him, he can kick them off his heels. He also says that Orson Pratt attempted to destroy himself. [per Joseph Smith]. (3)

Having been in hiding since August 8 (after being falsely accused of the attempted assassination of ex-Governor Lilburn W. Boggs), Joseph Smith makes a surprise appearance at a meeting of the Saints in the grove in Nauvoo, Illinois. (8)

Footnotes:
1 - On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com
2 - BYU Studies Journal, volume 46, no. 4: A Chronology of the Life of Joseph Smith
3 - Tidd, N. R., "Mormon Chronology"
4 - The Woodland Institute, http://www.woodlandinstitute.com
5 - Minutes of the High Council of the Church of Jesus Christ of Nauvoo Illinois: Nauvoo Hancock County Illinois
6 - The Parallel Joseph, http://www.boap.org/LDS/Parallel/
7 - Quinn, D. Michael, The Mormon Hierarchy: Origins of Power, Appendix 6, Biographical Sketches of General Officers of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1830-47
8 - The Woodland Institute 'On This Day Historical Database,' http://www.woodlandinstitute.com

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Mormon History, Aug 23, 1842

-- Aug 23, 1842
[Joseph Smith Journal] This day President Joseph [Smith] has renewed the subject of conversation, in relation to his faithful brethren, and friends in his own words, which I now proceed to record as follows:
While I contemplate the virtues and the good qualifications and characteristics of the faithful few, which I am now recording in the Book of the Law of the Lord, of such as have stood by me in every hour of peril, for these fifteen long years past, say, for instance, my aged and beloved brother Joseph Knight, Sen[io]r., who was among the number of the first to administer to my necessities, while I was laboring, in the commencement of the bringing forth of the work of the Lord, and of laying the foundation of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. For fifteen years has he been faithful and true, and even handed, and exemplary and virtuous, and kind, never deviating to the right hand or to the left. Behold he is a righteous man. May God Almighty lengthen out the old man's days, and may his trembling, tortured and broken body be renewed, and in the vigor of health turn upon him, if it can be thy will, consistently, O God. And it shall be said of him, by the sons of Z
ion, while there is one of them remaining, that this man, was a faithful man in Israel. Therefore his name shall never be forgotten. There are his son[s] Newel Knight and Joseph Knight whose names I record in the Book of the Law of the Lord, with unspeakable delight, for they are my friends.
There is a numerous host of faithful souls, whose names I could wish to record in the Book of the Law of the Lord, but time and chance would fail. I will mention therefore only a few of them as emblematical of those who are to[o] numerous to be written.
But there is one man I would mention namely [Orrin] Porter Rockwell, who is now a fellow-wanderer with myself, an exile from his home because of the murderous deeds and infernal disposition of the indefatigable and unrelenting hand of the Missourians. He is an innocent and a noble boy. May God Almighty deliver him from the hands of his pursuers. He was an innocent and a noble child, and my soul loves him. Let this be recorded for ever and ever. Let the blessings of salvation and honor be his portion.
But as I said before, so say I again while I remember the faithful few who are now living, I would remember also the faithful of my friends who are now dead, for they are many. And many are the acts of kindness, and paternal and brotherly kindnesses which they have bestowed upon me. And since I have been hunted by the Missourians many are the scenes which have been called to my mind. Many thoughts have rolled through my head, and across my breast.
I have remembered the scenes of my childhood. I have thought of my father who is dead, who died by disease which was brought upon him through suffering by the hand of ruthless mobs. He was a great and a good man. The envy of knaves and fools was heaped upon him, and this was his lot and portion all the days of his life. He was of noble stature, and possessed a high, and holy, and exalted, and a virtuous mind. His soul soared above all those mean and groveling principles that are so subsequent to the human heart. I now say, that he never did a mean act that might be said was ungenerous, in his life, to my knowledge. I love my father and his memory, and the memory of his noble deeds, rest with ponderous weight upon my mind; and many of his kind and parental words to me, are written on the tablet of my heart. Sacred to me, are the thoughts which I cherish of the history of his life, that have rolled through my mind and have been implanted there, by my own observation since I
was born. Sacred to me is his dust, and the spot where he is laid. Let the memory of my father eternally live. Let the faults and the follies Let his soul, or the spirit my follies forgive. With him may I reign one day, in the mansions above, and tune up the Lyre of anthems, of the eternal Jove. May the God that I love look down from above, and save me from my enemies here, and take me by the hand, that on Mount Zion I may stand and with my father crown me eternally there. Words and language, is inadequate to express the gratitude that I owe to God for having given me so honorable a parentage.
My mother also is one of the noblest, and the best of all women. May God grant to prolong her days, and mine, that we may live to enjoy each other's society long yet in the enjoyment of liberty, and to breathe the free air.
Alvin my oldest brother, I remember well the pangs of sorrow that swelled my youthful bosom and almost burst my tender heart, when he died. He was the oldest, and the noblest of my father's family. He was one of the noblest sons of men. Shall his name not be recorded in this book? Yes, Alvin. Let it be had here, and be handed down upon these sacred pages, forever and ever. In him there was no guile. He lived without spot from the time he was a child. From the time of his birth, he never knew mirth. He was candid and sober and never would play, and minded his father, and mother, in toiling all day. He was one of the soberest of men and when he died the angel of the Lord visisted him in his last moments. These childish lines I record in remembrance of my childhood scenes.
My Brother Don Carlos Smith, whose name I desire to record also, was a noble boy. I never knew any fault in him. I never saw the first immoral act, or the first irreligious, or ignoble disposition in the child. From the time that he was born, till the time of his death, he was a lovely, a goodnatured, and a kind-hearted, and a virtuous and a faithful upright child. And where his soul goes let mine go also. He lays by the side of my father. Let my father, Don Carlos, and Alvin, and children that I have buried be brought and laid in the tomb I have built. Let my mother, and my brethren, and my sisters be laid there also, and let it be called the Tomb of Joseph, a descendant of Jacob. And when I die, let me be gathered into the tomb of my father. There are many souls, whom I have loved stronger than death. To them I have proved faithful. To them I am determined to prove faithful, untill God calls me to resign up my breath.
O, thou who seeeth, and knoweth the hearts of all men, thou eternal omnipotent, omnicient, and omnipresent Jehovah, God, thou Eloheem, that sitteth, as saith the psalmist, enthroned in heaven, look down upon thy servant Joseph, at this time, and let faith on the name of thy Son Jesus Christ, to a greater degree than thy servant ever yet has enjoyed, be conferred upon him, even the faith of Elijah. And let the Lamp of eternal life, be lit up in his heart, never to be taken away, and the words of eternal life, be poured upon the soul of thy servant, that he may know thy will, thy statutes, and thy commandments, and thy judgments to do them. As the dews upon Mount Hermon, may the distillations of thy divine grace, glory and honor in the plenitude of thy mercy, and power and goodness be poured down upon the head of thy servant.
O Lord God, my heavenly Father, shall it be in vain, that thy servant must needs be exiled from the' midst of his friends, or be dragged from their bosoms, to clank in cold and iron chains, to be thrust within dreary prison walls, to spend days of sorrow, and of grief and misery there, by the hand of an infuriated, insensed and infatuated foe, to glut their infernal and insatiable desire upon innocent blood, and for no other cause on the part of thy servant, than for the defence of innocence, and thou a just God will not hear his cry?
Oh, no, thou wilt hear me, a child of woe, pertaining to this mortal life, because of sufferings here, but not for condemnation that shall come upon him in eternity. For thou knowest O God, the integrity of his heart. Thou hearest me, and I knew that thou wouldst hear me, and mine enemies shall not prevail. They all shall melt like wax before thy face, and as the mighty floods, and waters roar, or as the billowing earthquake's, devouring gulf, or rolling thunder's loudest peal, or vivid, forked lightnings flash, or sound of the Arch-Angels trump, or voice of the Eternal God, shall the souls of my enemies be made to feel in an instant, suddenly, and shall be taken, and ensnared, and fall backwards, and stumble in the ditch they have dug for my feet, and the feet of my friends, and perish in their own infamy and shame, be thrust down to an eternal hell, for their murderous and hellish deeds.
After writing so much President Joseph left off speaking for the present but will continue the subject again.4
W[illia]m Clayton, Clerk. (1)

-- Aug 24, 1842
Nauvoo, Illinois. Thomas Carlin, governor of Illinois, sent a letter to the Prophet's wife, Emma Smith, assuring her that all of his actions concerning Joseph Smith had been prompted by a strict sense of duty. (2)

Footnotes:
1 - Scott H. Faulring, An American Prophet's Record: Journal, ca. 1841-43 'The Book of the Law of the Lord'
2 - BYU Studies Journal, volume 46, no. 4: A Chronology of the Life of Joseph Smith

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Mormon History, Aug 20, 1842

-- Aug 20, 1842
John C. Bennett declared unworthy to be chancellor of the university. (1)

Orson Pratt cut off; Amasa Lyman ordained to replace him in the 12, per Joseph Smith's direction [per Brigham Young].. (1)

Elder Orson Pratt is excommunicated for refusing to accept the doctrine of plural marriage. (2)

Amasa M. Lyman is ordained an Apostle, replacing Orson Pratt, who had been excommunicated (Orson returns to the Church and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles a year later). (3)

[Joseph SMith] Nauvoo, Illinois. Joseph Smith had a meeting with his brother Hyrum Smith and four others in which they discussed the illegal proceedings of their prosecutors. (4)

[Quorum of the Twelve] Orson Pratt excommunicated. Amasa M. Lyman ordained. (5)

-- August 20th 1842
[High Council Minutes]
Council met according to adjournment.
John Hodson appeared before the Council and made satisfaction according to the decision of the Council and was restored to full fellowship in the Church
2 Resolved that the City of Nauvoo be divided into ten wards, according to the division made by the "Temple Committee" and that there be a Bishop appointed over each ward, and, also that these Bishops be appointed over such districts immediately out of the City and adjoining thereto as shall be considered necessary.
3rd Resolved that Samuel H. Smith be appointed Bishop in the place of Bishop Vinson Knight dec
also that Tariton Lewis be appointed Bishop of the 4th ward
John Murdock of the 5th ward
Daniel Carn of the 6th ward
Jacob Foutz of the 8th ward
Jonathan H Hale of the 9th ward
Hezekiah Peck of the 11th ward
David Evans of the destrict south of the City called the 11th ward
Israel Calkins of the district East of the City and South of Knight Street
Adjourned till tomorrow at 4 o'clock at this place
Hosea Stout Clk (6)

-- Aug 21, 1842
Orson Pratt: "signified his intention of coming out in defense of the truth and go to preaching" 21 Aug. 1842 (7)

-- August the 21st 1842
[High Council Minutes]
Council met according to adjournment.
1. President Hyrum Smith informed the Council that Samuel H. Smith could not take upon him the office of Bishop as appointed on the 20th inst
2. Tarlton Lewis, John Murdock, Jacob Foutz, Johnathan H Hale Hezekiah Peck, David Evans, and Israel Calkins were ordined to the office of Bishop according to their several appointments who all accepted of their offices.
Adjourned till next satterday at 4 o'clock at this place
Hosea Stout Ck (6)

-- Aug 22, 1842
Three Apostles excommunicate Orson Pratt and ordain his replacement in the Quorum of the Twelve. (8)

-- Aug 23, 1842
Lucy Hannah White (Flake), later an important Arizona pioneer and diarist, is born in Knox County, Illinois. (3)

Footnotes:
1 - Tidd, N. R., "Mormon Chronology"
2 - Wikipedia, 19th Century (Mormonism), http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/19th_century_(Mormonism)
3 - The Woodland Institute 'On This Day Historical Database,' http://www.woodlandinstitute.com
4 - Joseph Smith Resource Center: Daily Events in the Life of Joseph Smith, http://josephsmith.net/josephsmith/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=e581001cfb340010VgnVCM1000001f5e340aRCRDlocale=0
5 - Wikipedia, Chronology of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles (LDS Church), http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chronology_of_the_Quorum_of_the_Twelve_Apostles_(LDS_Church)
6 - Minutes of the High Council of the Church of Jesus Christ of Nauvoo Illinois: Nauvoo Hancock County Illinois
7 - Quinn, D. Michael, The Mormon Hierarchy: Origins of Power, Appendix 6, Biographical Sketches of General Officers of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1830-47
8 - McQue, Bob; Religious Faith: Enlightening or Blinding?: Timeline of Key Events in Mormon History

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Mormon History, Aug 19, 1842

-- Aug 19, 1842
The SANGAMO JOURNAL publishes "JOE SMITH'S MORALITY. What Joe's morality amounts to, can be learned from his letter to Miss Rigdon, which will be found in the 6th communication of Gen. Bennett, in this paper. Joe Smith, in the letter alluded to, undertakes to sustain by the Scriptures, by reason, argument, and GOD'S REVELATION TO HIMSELF, the lawfulness of his "spiritual wife doctrine." Joseph Smith's letter to Nancy Rigdon is given by John C. Bennett, former Assistant P resident of the Church, in his exposee of Mormonism: "Happiness is the object and design of our existence; and will be the end thereof, if we pursue the path that leads to it, . . . That which is wrong under one circumstance, may be, and often is, right under another. God said, thou shalt not kill, -- at another time he said, thou shalt utterly destroy. This is the principle on which the government of heaven is conducted -- by revelation adapted to the circumstances in which the children of the kingdom are pl
aced. Whatever God requires is right, NO MATTER WHAT IT IS, . . . " Mormon leaders deny that Joseph wrote the letter and claim it is made up by Bennett. However long after the Mormons have moved to Utah the same "essay" is published in the History of the Church and later in "Teaching of the Prophet Joseph Smith" as being by Joseph Smith. (1)

-- Aug 20, 1842
[Amasa M. Lyman] Lyman was ordained an apostle at age 29 on 20 August 1842 by Brigham Young. He served twenty-five years as an apostle, including one and a half years in the church First Presidency as counselor to the prophet Joseph Smith. Amasa served with Zion's Camp, and was imprisoned with Joseph Smith in the Richmond jail. He was a regent of the University of Nauvoo, a justice of the peace, and a company captain in the first two pioneer treks to Utah. He helped to lead a detachment of the Mormon Battalion from Pueblo to the Great Salt Lake Valley, and helped to lay out the wards of Salt Lake City. He later served ten years in the Utah Territorial Legislature. He scouted the western and southern approaches to Utah and designed a defense against potential attack from enemies. He and Porter Rockwell evaluated the valley around Utah Lake for its first settlement. (2)

Amasa Mason Lyman: Elected regent for University of Nauvoo 20 August 1842. (3)

Amasa Mason Lyman: Ordained apostle 20 August 1842, filling vacancy created by Orson Pratts excommunication. (3)

Amasa M Lyman: Ordained apostle 20 Aug. 1842 to replace Orson Pratt , but never sustained as "prophet, seer, and revelator" (4)

Orson Pratt: Excommunicated 20 Aug. 1842 by three apostles (4)

Three apostles excommunicate Orson Pratt and ordain his replacement, Amasa Lyman, in the Quorum of the Twelve. Pratt is excommunicated for his anger against Joseph Smith who, Pratt found out from his wife, had propositioned Pratt's wife, Sarah, while Pratt was absent on a mission. Joseph, in maintaining his innocence, calls Sarah Pratt "a whore from her mother's breast." (1)

Footnotes:
1 - On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com
2 - Utah History Encyclopedia: Amasa M. Lyman, http://www.media.utah.edu/UHE/l/LYMAN%2CAMASA.html
3 - Cook, Lyndon W., The Revelations of the Prophet Joseph Smith: A Historical and Biographical Commentary of the Doctrine and Covenants, Seventy's Mission Bookstore, Provo UT, 1985
4 - Quinn, D. Michael, The Mormon Hierarchy: Origins of Power, Appendix 6, Biographical Sketches of General Officers of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1830-47

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Mormon History, Aug 17, 1842

-- Aug 17, 1842
[Emma Smith] Emma writes a letter to Governor Carlin defending Joseph. (1)

Joseph Smith denies claims of polygamy and cites the Article on Marriage, saying a man should have one wife. (2)

Nauvoo, Illinois. Joseph Smith continued to receive letters from his wife and various others at his secret retreat at Brother Edward Sayer's. (3)

-- Aug 18, 1842
Joseph Smith writes to Newell Whitney, Newell's wife and seventeen-year-old daughter Sarah Ann who became Joseph's plural wife three weeks earlier: "Dear, and Beloved, Brother and Sister, Whitney, and &c.-I take this oppertunity to communi[c]ate, some of my feelings, privetely at this time, which I want you three Eternaly to keep in your own bosams; for my feelings are so strong for you since what has pased lately between us, that the time of my abscence from you seems so long, and dreary, that it seems, as if I could not live long in this way: and if you three would come and see me in this my lonely retreat, it would afford me great relief, of mind, if those with whom I am alied, do love me, now is the time to afford me succour, in the days of exile, for you know I foretold you of these things. I am now at Carlos Graingers, Just back of Brother Hyrams farm, it is only one mile from town, the nights are very pleasant indeed, all three of you can come and See me in the fore pa
rt of the night, let Brother Whitney come a little a head, and nock at the south East corner of the house at the window; it is next to the cornfield, I have a room intirely by myself, the whole matter can be attended to with most perfect safty, I know it is the will of God that you should comfort me now in this time of afiliction, or not at [al]l[;] now is the time or never, but I hav[e] no kneed of saying any such thing, to you, for I know the goodness of your hearts, and that you will do the will of the Lord, when it is made known to you; the only thing to be careful of; is to find out when Emma [Smith] comes then you cannot be safe, but when she is not here, there is the most perfect safty: only be careful to escape observation, as much as possible, I know it is a heroick undertakeing; but so much the greater frendship, and the more Joy, when I see you I will tell you all my plans, I cannot write them on paper, burn this letter as soon as you read it; keep all locked up i
n your breasts, my life depends upon it. one thing I want to see you for it is to git the fulness of my blessings sealed upon our heads, &c. you will pardon me for my earnestness on this subject when you consider how lonesome I must be, your good feelings know how to make every allowance for me, I close my letter, I think Emma [Smith, his first wife] wont come tonight[,] if she dont dont fail to come to night. I subscribe myself your most obedient, and affectionate, companion, and friend." (4)

Nauvoo, Illinois. Joseph Smith wrote a letter to the Newel K. Whitney Family. (3)

Nauvoo, Illinois. Joseph Smith's wife, Emma Smith, encouraged him to change his hiding spot immediately, and they accordingly traveled together to Carlos Granger's place. (3)

[Polygamy] to 18 Aug 1842 Smith writes love letter to arrange night with plural wife. To arrange night liason with plural wife, Newel K. Whitney's daughter Sarah Ann, Smith writes "... the only thing to be careful of; is to find out when Emma comes then you cannot be safe, but when she is not here, there is the most perfect safty. ... Only be careful to escape observation, as much as possible, I know it is a heroick undertakeing; but so much the greater friendship, and the more Joy, when I see you I will tell you all my plans, I cannot write them on paper, burn this letter as soon as you read it; keep all locked up in your breasts, my life depends upon it. ... I close my letter, I think Emma wont come tonight if she dont, dont fail to come to night, I subscribe myself your most obedient, and affectionate, companion, and friend. Joseph Smith." SOURCE: Joseph Smith, Jr., to Newel K. Whitney, Elizabeth Ann Whitney, etc., 18 August 1842, George Albert Smith Family Papers, Special
Collections, Marriott Library, University of Utah, Salt Lake City. The text and the signature of this document are in the handwriting of Joseph Smith, Jr. This document has been reproduced in Dean C. Jessee's masterful The Personal Writings of Joseph Smith (Salt Lake City, Utah: Deseret Book Co., 1984), pp. 539-40. See also In Sacred Lonliness, page 349,-350 (5)

Footnotes:
1 - Emma Smith, Woman of Faith, http://emmasmithmormon.com
2 - Tidd, N. R., "Mormon Chronology"
3 - BYU Studies Journal, volume 46, no. 4: A Chronology of the Life of Joseph Smith
4 - On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com
5 - Joseph Smith Polygamy Timeline, http://www.i4m.com/think/polygamy/JS_Polygamy_Timeline.htm

LDS History Timeline

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Mormon History, Aug 12, 1842

-- Aug 12, 1842
Zarahemla, Iowa. It became apparent to Joseph Smith that the entire proceedings of his arrest and trial by Thomas Carlin, governor of Illinois, and others were entirely illegal. (1)

-- Aug 13, 1842
Nauvoo, Illinois. Joseph Smith's wife, Emma Smith, eluded detection by the sheriff while taking a carriage to visit her husband, who was in hiding. (1)

-- August 13th 1842
[High Council Minutes]
Council met according to appointment Adjourned till the 20th inst
H. Stout Clerk (2)

-- Aug 14, 1842
Eliza R. Snow, secret plural wife of Joseph Smith, moves in to the Smith home. Six months later Eliza abruptly moves out and finds other lodgings, possibly due to Emma learning of her relation with Joseph. (3)

Nauvoo, Illinois. Joseph Smith spent an enjoyable afternoon talking and reading his history with Emma Smith, his wife. (1)

[Lucy Mack Smith] Eliza R. Snow moves into Joseph's and Emma's home and teaches in their family school. (4)

-- Aug 15, 1842
Nauvoo, Illinois. Joseph Smith heard multiple reports that sheriffs, officers, and a militia were on their way to take him captive. (1)

-- Aug 16, 1842
Nauvoo, Illinois. In a letter to his wife, Emma Smith, Joseph Smith mentioned how he, through dream and vision, was persuaded against traveling to the Pine Country in Wisconsin. (1)

Nauvoo, Illinois. Joseph Smith exchanged letters with Wilson Law, who advised him to retire away from Nauvoo until the next governor took office. (1)

Nauvoo, Illinois. Joseph Smith wrote some personal reflections, which his clerk, Willard Richards, recorded. (1)

[Joseph Smith Journal] Brother Erastus H. Derby is one among the number of the faithful souls, who have taken as yet the greatest interest that possibly could have been imagined for the welfare of President Joseph [Smith]. I [William Clayton] record the following from the mouth of the President himself:
Blessed is Brother Erastus H. Derby, and he shall be blessed of the Lord. He possesses a sober mind, and a faithful heart. The snares therefore that are subsequent to befall other men, who are treacherous and rotten-hearted, shall not come nigh unto his doors, but shall be far from the path of his feet. He 1oveth wisdom, and shall be found possessed of her. Let there be a crown of glory, and a diadem upon his head. Let the light of eternal Truth shine forth upon his understanding, let his name be had in everlasting remembrance, let the blessings of Jehovah be crowned upon his posterity after him, for he rendered me consolation, in the lonely places of my retreat.
How good and glorious, it has seemed unto me, to find pure and holy friends, who are faithful, just and true, and whose hearts fail not, and whose knees are confirmed and do not faulter, while they wait upon the Lord, in administering to my necessities, {page 135} in the day when the wrath of mine enemies was poured out upon me. In the name of the Lord, I feel in my heart to bless them, and to say in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth that these are the ones that shall inherit eternal life. I say it by virtue of the Holy Priesthood, and by the ministering of Holy Angels, and by the gift and power of the Holy Ghost.
How glorious were my feelings when I met that faithful and friendly band, on the night of the eleventh on thursday, on the Island, at the mouth of the slough, between Zarahemla and Nauvoo. With what unspeakable delight, and what transports of joy swelled my bosom, when I took by the hand on that night, my beloved Emma, she that was my wife, even the wife of my youth, and the choice of my heart. Many were the reviberations [reverberations] of my mind when I contemplated for a moment the many passt scenes we had been called to pass through. The fatigues, and the toils, the sorrows, and sufferings, and the joys and consolations from time to time [which] had strewed our paths and crowned our board. Oh! what a comingling of thought filled my mind for the moment. Again she is here, even in the seventh trouble, undaunted, firm and unwavering, unchangeable, affectionate Emma.
There was Brother Hyrum who next took me by the hand. A natural brother, thought I to myself, brother Hyrum, what a faithful heart you have got. Oh, may the eternal Jehovah crown eternal blessings upon your head, as a reward for the care you have had for my soul. O how many are the sorrows we have shared together, and again we find outselves shackled with the unrelenting hand of oppression. Hyrum, thy name shall be written in the Book of the Law of the Lord, for those who come after thee to look upon, that they may pattern [themselves] after thy works.
Said I to myself here is brother Newel K. Whitney also. How many scenes of sorrow, have strewed our paths together, and yet we meet once more to share again. Thou art a faithful friend in whom the afflicted sons of men can confide, with the most perfect safety. Let the blessings of the eternal be crowned also upon his head. How warm that heart! How anxious that soul! For the welfare of one who has been cast out, and hated of almost all men. Brother Whitney, thou knowest not how strong those ties are, that bind my soul and heart to thee.
My heart was overjoyed, as I took the faithful band by [the] hand, that stood upon the shore one by one. W[illia]m. Law, W[illia]m Clayton, Dimick B. Huntington, George Miller, were there. The above names constituted the little group. I do not think to mention the particulars of the history of that sacred night, which shall forever be remembered by me. But the names of the faithful are what I wish to record in this place. These I have met in prosperity and they were my friends. I now meet them in adversity, and they are still my warmer friends. These love the God that I serve. They love the truths that I promulg[at]e. They love those virtuous, and those holy doctrines that I cherish in my bosom with the warmest feelings of my heart, and with that zeal which cannot be denied. I love friendship and truth. I love virtue {page 164} and Law. I love the God of Abraham and of Isaac and of Jacob, and they are my brethren, and I shall live. And because I shall live, they shall live a
lso.
These are not the only ones, who have administered to my necessity, whom the Lord will bless. There is Brother John D. Parker, and Brother Amasa Lyman, and Brother Wilson Law, and Brother Henry G. Sherwood. My heart feels to reciprocate the unweried kindness that have been bestowed upon me by these men. They are men of noble stature, of noble hands, and of noble deeds, possessing noble and daring, and giant hearts and souls. There is Brother Joseph B. Nobles also, I would call up in remembrance before the Lord. There is brother Samuel Smith, a natural brother; he is, even as Hyrum. There is Brother Arthur Millikin also, who married by [my] youngest sister, Lucy. He is a faithful, an honest, and an upright man.
While I call up in remembrance before the Lord these men, I would be doing injustice to those who rowed me in the skiff up the river that night, after I parted with the lovely group, who brought me to this my safe and lonely and private retreat, brother Jonathan Dunham and the other whose name I do not know. Many were the thoughts that swelled my aching heart, while they were toiling faithfully with their oars. They complained not of hardship and fatigue to secure my safety. My heart would have been harder than an adamantine stone, if I had not have prayed for them with anxious and fervent desire. I did so, and the still small voice whispered to my soul, these that share your toils with such faithful hearts, shall reign with you in the kingdom of their God. But I parted with them in silence and came to my retreat. I hope I shall see them again that I may toil for them and administer to their comfort also. They shall not want a friend while I live. My heart shall love those,
and my hands shall toil for those, who love and toil for me, and shall ever be found faithful to my friends. Shall I be ungrateful? Verily no! God forbid!
The above are the words, and sentiments, that escaped the lips of President Joseph Smith on the 16th day of August AD 1842, in relation to his friends, and has now quit speaking for the moment, but will continue the subject again.
W[illia]m Clayton, Clerk. {page 165} (5)

Footnotes:
1 - BYU Studies Journal, volume 46, no. 4: A Chronology of the Life of Joseph Smith
2 - Minutes of the High Council of the Church of Jesus Christ of Nauvoo Illinois: Nauvoo Hancock County Illinois
3 - On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com
4 - Anderson, Lavina Fielding, Editor, Lucy's Book: A Critical Edition of Lucy Mack Smith's Family Memoir, 2001, Signature Books
5 - Scott H. Faulring, An American Prophet's Record: Journal, ca. 1841-43 'The Book of the Law of the Lord'

LDS History Timeline

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Mormon History, Aug 8, 1842

-- Aug 8, 1842
Orrin Porter Rockwell and Joseph Smith escape arrest and go into retirement. (1)

Orson Pratt, influenced by statements of his wife (Sarah), rebelled against Joseph Smith [per Brigham Young]. (1)

Nauvoo, Illinois. Joseph Smith was arrested on a charge of being an accessory to an assault with intent to kill ex-Governor Lilburn Boggs of Missouri and was placed under custody of the city marshal after the court issued a writ of habeas corpus. (2)

[Joseph Smith] Goes into hiding after arrest warrants without any foundation are issued, falsely charging him with complicity in an attempt to assassinate Missouri Governor Lilburn W. Boggs; the charges signal that the Church's Missouri enemies will go to any length to capture the Prophet. (Similar trumped-up charges by Missouri enemies would dog the Prophet for the rest of his life.) (3)

Jr Smith, Joseph: Arrested 8 August 1842 as accessory in attempted murder of Lilburn W. Boggs. Released same day on habeas corpus. (4)

[Lucy Mack Smith] Joseph arrested for alleged complicity in Boggs assassination attempt. (5)

[Lucy Mack Smith] Joseph refuses an extradition order from Missouri and goes into intermittent hiding for the next four months. At this point, he has married thirteen plural wives, eleven of them within the last eight months. (6)

-- Aug 10, 1842
Joseph Smith goes into hiding to avoid a second arrest. (7)

[Wilford Woodruff] 10th As soon as the Boat arived at Nauvoo & landed our freight & I saw it distributed to its several places whare it Belonged I went home & retired to my bed & passed through the Severest fit of sickness I ever experience in life. I had a thorough course of the Billious fever. I was Brought exceding low & for several days I struggled between life & death. I felt some of the time like gathering up my feet & sleeping with my fathers. (8)

-- Aug 11, 1842
Mississippi River between Nauvoo, Illinois and Montrose, Iowa. Joseph Smith held a private council after dark with his wife, Emma Smith, his brother Hyrum Smith, and a few others at the lower end of an island in the river. (2)

Footnotes:
1 - Tidd, N. R., "Mormon Chronology"
2 - BYU Studies Journal, volume 46, no. 4: A Chronology of the Life of Joseph Smith
3 - Highlights in the Prophet's Life, Ensign, June 1994
4 - Cook, Lyndon W., The Revelations of the Prophet Joseph Smith: A Historical and Biographical Commentary of the Doctrine and Covenants, Seventy's Mission Bookstore, Provo UT, 1985
5 - Proctor, Scott and Maurine Jensen, editors, History of Joseph Smith by His Mother: Revised and Enhanced
6 - Anderson, Lavina Fielding, Editor, Lucy's Book: A Critical Edition of Lucy Mack Smith's Family Memoir, 2001, Signature Books
7 - On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com
8 - Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993

LDS History Timeline

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Mormon History, Aug 6, 1842

-- Aug 6, 1842
Joseph Smith prophesied that the Saints would be driven to the Rocky Mountains, but that he would not go with them. (1)

Rocky Mountain prophecy given by Joseph Smith. (2)

While attending a Masonic ceremony Joseph Smith prophesies that Mormons would settle in the Rocky Mountains. (3)

[Joseph Smith] Prophesies Saints will continue to suffer persecution and will be driven to Rocky Mountains. (4)

[Wilford Woodruff] 6th I left the Boat. Took stage. Arived at Montrose in the midst of a Masonic possession. A lodge was instituted in Montrose. I had an interview with Joseph then crossed to Nauvoo home again & was thoroughly pickled with the Billious fever.
But notwithstand[ing] my sickness I could not stop to rest for on my return I found the printing Office had stood still for about 10 day for the want of paper & the Boat was 5 days getting over the rapids during which time I went down the River with a skiff 6 miles to the Boat & got what paper we needed for the present use. We were untill midnight rowing over the rapids back again & in addition to my fever I had a sever cough. Distance to St Louis & Back 400 mils. (5)

-- about Aug 6, 1842
Nauvoo, Illinois. Joseph Smith prophesied that the Saints would be driven to the Rocky Mountains, endure many afflictions, and become a mighty people. (6)

-- Aug 08, 1842
John Morgan, later one of the First Seven Presidents of the Seventy, is born in Greenburg, Indiana. (7)

-- Aug 8, 1842
John C Bennett: Expelled from Nauvoo Lodge 8 Aug. 1842 (8)

Joseph Smith is arrested as an accessory to the attempted murder of ex-Governor Liburn Boggs. Nauvoo's municipal court claims jurisdiction over Smith and discharges him. The earliest reference to the special undergarment worn by the Holy Order of the endowment reads for this date: "they have oil poured on them, and then a mark or hole cut in the breast of their shirts . . . to keep the Destroying Angel from them and their families." From the eighteenth century to the 1840's, "shirt" referred to an undergarment which was often worn with a separate, tight-fitting underpant reaching to the knees. (9)

Footnotes:
1 - Church News: Historical Chronology of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, http://www.ldschurchnews.com/articles/58765/Historical-chronology-of-The-Church-of-Jesus-Christ-of-Latter-day-Saints.html
2 - Hemidakaota, "Church Chronology from 1800-2000," http://www.lds.net/forums/scripture-study-forum/12108-church-chronology-1800-2000-part-1-a.html#post214550
3 - Quinn, D. Michael, The Mormon Hierarchy: Origins of Power, Appendix 7: Selected Chronology of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1830-47"
4 - Highlights in the Prophet's Life, Ensign, June 1994
5 - Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993
6 - BYU Studies Journal, volume 46, no. 4: A Chronology of the Life of Joseph Smith
7 - The Woodland Institute 'On This Day Historical Database,' http://www.woodlandinstitute.com
8 - Quinn, D. Michael, The Mormon Hierarchy: Origins of Power, Appendix 6, Biographical Sketches of General Officers of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1830-47
9 - On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com

LDS History Timeline

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Mormon History, Aug 2, 1842

-- Aug 2, 1842
Illinois governor Thomas Carlin, signs an order for Joseph Smith's arrest and delivery to Missouri officials to answer charges in the case of the attempted assassination of Missouri Governor Boggs. (1)

[Wilford Woodruff] 2d Start well in the morning. The Musketoes have spotted up my face in a dredful manner. After running aground twice we pased Alton & the mouth of the Missouri River & arived in St Louis at 12 oclock AM. We stoped at the American House. After Dining one of my busy scenes commenced notwithstand[ing] my ill state of health with the fever raging upon me I had much to do & but 24 hours to accomplish it in. I bought my stock of paper & other articles & walked till 10 oclock at night. Was tired out. Returned to the tavern & went to bed sick with severe pain in the head. I did not get sleep untill 2 oclock. (2)

-- Aug 3, 1842
[Wilford Woodruff] 3d Was awoke in the morning by bleeding at the nose. Bled 1 pint. Felt vary weak. Much paine in the head. Not seen a well day since I left home. Commenced business before breakfast. Continued at it untill 2 oclock. Got all goods & things on board the steem boat Rapids & Bills of Fraite made out. Got dinner. Went to bed tired & Sick enough. Left St Louis at 6 oclock PM. (2)

-- Aug 4, 1842
Nauvoo, Illinois. Joseph Smith and 15 other brethren practiced fencing with Colonel Brewer. (3)

[Nauvoo] The first rafts carrying high-quality wood from Church-operated sawmills in the Black River area of Wisconsin arrive for the temple project. (4)

[Wilford Woodruff] 4th Traveld well through the day. Run on to some sand Bars. Had to get a lighter & light of from one of them. I continued to suffered much with pain in the head & canker in the mouth. I killed the Canker by chewing a piece of tobaco. (2)

-- Aug 5, 1842
[Wilford Woodruff] 5th Friday Nose bled considerable in the morning. We sail well. Passed Marion city, do Quincy at 2 oclock. Arived at Keokirk in the night. (2)

-- Aug 06, 1842
Joseph Smith prophesies that the Saints would later flee to the Rocky Mountains and there become a mighty people. (5)

Footnotes:
1 - On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com
2 - Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993
3 - BYU Studies Journal, volume 46, no. 4: A Chronology of the Life of Joseph Smith
4 - LDS Church News: Nauvoo -- The City of Joseph, http://www.ldschurchnews.com/articles/58063/Church-history--Nauvoo.html
5 - The Woodland Institute 'On This Day Historical Database,' http://www.woodlandinstitute.com

LDS History Timeline

About this site: http://bit.ly/mohist

Mormon History, July 1842

-- During July 1842
Orson Pratt: Voted against resolution 22 July 1842 that Joseph Smith Jr. was "good, moral, virtuous, peaceable and patriotic" (1)

Orson Pratt: Wrote suicide note 14 July 1842 when wife said Joseph Smith Jr. tried to seduce her and Joseph Smith Jr. said she was John C Bennett 's mistress (1)

Vinson Knight Death: 31 July 1842, Nauvoo, Hancock Co., Illinois , Estate: No record (1)

George Miller: Returned the last week in July 1842. (2)

-- During Summer, 1842
[Joseph Smith] Rumors of polygamy circulating. Sealed polygynously to Martha McBride. (3)

-- Aug 1, 1842
Apostle Parley P. Pratt publishes a rebuttal to John C. Bennett's claims that Joseph is secretly teaching polygamy: "But for the information of those who may be assailed by those foolish tales about the two wives [Bennett had written "that God had given a revelation that men might have two wives"], we would say that no such principle ever existed among the Latter-day Saints, and never will." Pratt's autobiography later states that Joseph Smith disclosed to him the revelation on celestial marriage in Jan 1840. (4)

[Wilford Woodruff] Aug 1st An exceding Cold day & night & morning. As for myself I am in almost evry kind of trouble. A severe cold has settelled throughout my body. I have the Rheumatism, teeth ake, head ake, bones ake, have got the musketoe fever, Bilious fever, & sick Stomack, & am fearful that if we run on to many more Sand bars & am many more weeks getting to St Louis & if the Musketoes do not favor me more than they have done, that it will be a question whether I ever reach home or not. But I hope for the best.
H[ ]. We have run smash into another sand bank. We have not gone more than 3 miles since we left the other that we was on the whole day.
This is election day in Illinois Nauvoo &c. I wish I was there but here I am fast on a sand bar & like to be. We are both out of provisions & wood. I think sumthing will be done for the hands have gon on to the Island cutting wood.
Got a lighter & took of some of the led. We then got off the bar & soon got on another. Soon got of & sailed 3 miles up the river & down again in another Channel. Then tied up to a wood pile &spent the night. (5)

Footnotes:
1 - Quinn, D. Michael, The Mormon Hierarchy: Origins of Power, Appendix 6, Biographical Sketches of General Officers of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1830-47
2 - Cook, Lyndon W., The Revelations of the Prophet Joseph Smith: A Historical and Biographical Commentary of the Doctrine and Covenants, Seventy's Mission Bookstore, Provo UT, 1985
3 - Scott H. Faulring, An American Prophet's Record, 'A Joseph Smith Chronology'
4 - On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com
5 - Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993

LDS History Timeline

About this site: http://bit.ly/mohist

Mormon History, Jul 1842

-- During Jul 1842
[Polygamy] Sarah Ann Whitney (Age 17): Sarah Ann Whitney married Joseph Smith in a private ceremony during July of 1842. A revelation through Joseph Smith to Sarah Anns father authorized the union: Verily, thus saith the Lord unto my servant N.K. Whitney, the thing that my servant Joseph Smith has made known unto you and your family and which you have agreed upon is right in mine eyes and shall be rewarded upon your heads with honor and immortality and eternal life to all your house, both old and young... Sarah Anns Mother, Elizabeth wrote, we were convinced in our own minds that God...approved...we were willing to give our eldest daughter, then only seventeen years of age, to Joseph, in...plural marriage.
Her father, Newel K. Whitney, performed the ceremony: You both mutually agree to be each others companion so long as you both shall live, preserving yourselves for each other and from all others and also throughout all eternity, reserving only those rights which have been given to my servant Joseph by revelation...If you both agree to covenant and do this, I then give you, S.A. Whitney, my daughter, to Joseph Smith, to be his wife, to observe all the rights between you both that belong to that condition...
About the time of the marriage, Joseph sent Sarah Anns brother, Horace, on a mission. Helen Mar Kimball, another one of Josephs plural wives, wrote, But Joseph feared to disclose it, believing that [others] would embitter Horace against him...and for this reason he favored his going East.
On August 18th, several weeks after the marriage, Joseph Smith wrote a letter to his new bride and her parents. He was hiding from the law at a home on the outskirts of Nauvoo: ...my feelings are so strong for you since what has passed lately between us...it seems, as if I could not live long in this way; and if you three would come and see me...it would afford me great relief...I know it is the will of God that you should comfort me now in this time of affliction...the only thing to be careful of; is to find out when Emma comes then you cannot be safe, but when she is not here, there is the most perfect safty...burn this letter as soon as you read it; keep all locked up in your breasts...You will pardon me for my earnestness on this subject when you consider how lonesome I must be...I think emma wont come tonight if she dont dont fail to come tonight...
In April of the following year, Sarah Ann publicly married Joseph C. Kingsbury. Kingsbury said of this marriage: according to President Joseph Smith[s] Council & others [I] agread to Stand by Sarah Ann Whitney as Supposed to be her husband & had a pretended marriage for the purpose of Bringing about the purposes of God in these last days....
After Joseph Smiths death, Sarah Ann married Apostle Heber C. Kimball, becoming one of his thirty-nine wives. This essentially ended her faux marriage with Kingsbury. (1)

-- During July 1842
John C Bennett: Publicly accused 27 July 1842 of adultery, fornication, "buggery," and abortions (2)

Footnotes:
1 - Remembering the Wives of Joseph Smith, http://www.wivesofjosephsmith.org/
2 - Quinn, D. Michael, The Mormon Hierarchy: Origins of Power, Appendix 6, Biographical Sketches of General Officers of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1830-47

LDS History Timeline

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Mormon History, Jul 27, 1842

-- Jul 27, 1842
[Polygamy] to 27 Jun 1844 Marriage - Joseph to Sarah Ann Whitney, age 17 ,. Father Elder Newel K. Whitney officiating PLACE: Nauvoo, IL SOURCE: FamilySearch.com record for Joseph Smith Jr. (1)

-- Jul 27, 1842 (Wednesday)
[Joseph Smith Sermon] Location: Grove, Nauvoo, Hancock County, Illinois, USA
Source: Manuscript History of the Church (Words of Joseph Smith, 127)
Attended meeting at the Grove and listened to the Electioneering Candidates, and spoke at the close of the meeting. (2)

-- Jul 29, 1842
SANGAMO JOURNAL editorializes: "We do not know what course will be pursued by Mr. [Orson] Pratt. If he sinks under the denunciations and schemes of Joe Smith- if he fails to defend the reputation of himself and of the woman he has vowed to protect before high heaven-he will fix a stain upon his character which he can never wash out, and carry to the grave the pangs caused by 'the gnawings of the worm that never dies.'" Pratt had recently refused to sign a statement attesting to the good character of Joseph Smith after finding that Joseph had proposed marriage to Pratt's wife while Pratt was on a mission. (3)

[Lucy Mack Smith] Eliza R. Snow becomes a plural wife of Joseph Smith. (4)

-- July/August 1842
The Millennial Star (England) republishes the available text of the Book of Abraham, facsimiles included. (5)

-- Jul 31, 1842
Vinson Knight: Died in Nauvoo, Hancock County, Illinois, 31 July 1842. (6)

-- During Bef. Jul. 1842
[Polygamy] Delcena Johnson (Sherman) age 37, (19 November 1806 in Westfield, Vermont - 21 October 1854 in Salt Lake City, Utah; widow of Lyman R. Sherman) (7)

-- During Jul 1842
[Polygamy] Delcena Johnson (Age 37): In late 1831 Delcena and Lyman Sherman were visited by Mormon missionaries at their home in Pomfret, New York. They were soon baptized and gathered with the other Saints in Kirtland, Ohio. Sherman quickly became a church leader, helping to lay the cornerstone of the Kirtland Temple. Wilford Woodruff remembered Lymans spiritual nature at a particular Kirtland temple meeting: Elder Sherman sung in the gift of tongues & proclaimed great & marvelous things while clothed upon by the power & spirit of God.
In winter 1838, amid church dissention in Kirtland, Delcena and husband Sherman moved to Missouri, declared by revelation as Zion. Several months after arriving in Far West, Sherman died. Delcenas brother, Benjamin remembers, I arrived at Far West and found my sister Delcena a widow, with six small children for whom I must do my best to provide for their... support. Due to unrest in Missouri, Delcenas stay there would be short. The same winter Benjamin helped relocate her family to Illinois Here my sister Delcena with her children concluded to remain until it should be known where the next gathering place would be. The next gathering would soon take place in nearby Nauvoo.
About this time, Delcenas brother Benjamin left for Canada on a mission. He returned in July of 1842. He later wrote, The marriage of my Eldest Sister to the Prophet [Joseph Smith] was before my Return to Nauvoo. and it being...admitted I asked no questions. In Nauvoo, Delcena was living with another one of Josephs wives, Louisa Beaman. Less than a year later, Benjamin, Delcena and Louisa would be influential in introducing Delcenas younger sister, Almera, to plural marriage and persuading her to become one of Joseph wives.
After Joseph Smiths death in 1844, Delcena married Almon Babbitt. Maria Lawrence, another one of Josephs wives, would also marry Babbitt. As most of the Nauvoo citizens left for Utah, Delcena and Almon, stayed behind as Almon was involved in the disposal of church assets in Nauvoo. In 1848, Babbitt left for Utah, without Delcena. Finally in 1850 anxious to settle in the new gathering place, Delcena along with her mother and five children, struck out on her their own for Utah. She wrote a letter to her brother Benjamin, now serving a mission in Hawaii, expressing her desire, My health has been very poor for the last nine months we have been very lonesom ... we expected to have gone to the valley this season but was disapointed...I wish we were to the valley your sister Delcena...
After a delay in Council Bluffs, and enduring failing health on the journey, Delcena arrived in Utah, her final Zion, in late 1854. Her time there would be short, as she died a few months later, on October 21. (8)

Footnotes:
1 - Joseph Smith Polygamy Timeline, http://www.i4m.com/think/polygamy/JS_Polygamy_Timeline.htm
2 - The Woodland Institute, http://www.woodlandinstitute.com
3 - On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com
4 - Anderson, Lavina Fielding, Editor, Lucy's Book: A Critical Edition of Lucy Mack Smith's Family Memoir, 2001, Signature Books
5 - Sherry Baker: Mormon Media History Timeline: 1827-2007, http://byustudies.byu.edu/showTitle.aspx?title=7984
6 - Cook, Lyndon W., The Revelations of the Prophet Joseph Smith: A Historical and Biographical Commentary of the Doctrine and Covenants, Seventy's Mission Bookstore, Provo UT, 1985
7 - Wikipedia, List of the Wives of Joseph Smith, Jr., http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_the_wives_of_Joseph_Smith,_Jr.
8 - Remembering the Wives of Joseph Smith, http://www.wivesofjosephsmith.org/

LDS History Timeline

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Mormon History, Jul 24, 1842 (Sunday Afternoon)

-- Jul 24, 1842 (Sunday Afternoon)
[Joseph Smith Sermon] Location: Grove, Nauvoo, Hancock County, Illinois, USA
Source: Manuscript History of the Church (Words of Joseph Smith, 127)
This morning at home sickâ€"Attended meeting at the Grove in the afternoon and spoke of brother Miller's having returned with the good news that Bennett could not be able to accomplish his designs. (1)

-- Jul 27, 1842
Another revelation is given by Joseph Smith on polygamy. The text is available but is not canonized or officially published. (2)

[Joseph Smith] Sealed polygynously to Sarah Ann Whitney. (3)

Revelation - Polygamy (never canonized or officially published). Pior to his marriage to Newel Whitney's 17 year-old daughter, Sarah Ann Whitney, Joseph Smith recevied and recorded a revelation on polygamy, which remains in LDS church archives. Although recorded in the official "Revelation Book" of the time, the revelation was not canonized as scripture. In this revelation, the Lord reveals a plural marriage ceremony, which would later be altered and become the sealing ceremony in the temple. From copies in archives at the Historical Department, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Salt Lake City, Utah: Verily, Thus Saith the Lord, unto My Servant Newell. K. Whitney A Revelation to Newell K. Whitney, 27 July 1842, and Joseph Smith Elizabeth Ann Whitney, and Sarah Ann Whitney "Verily, thus saith the Lord unto my servant N[ewel]. K. Whitney, the thing that my servant Joseph Smith has made known unto you and your Family [his plural marriage to Sarah Ann Whitney] and whic
h you have agreed upon is right in mine eyes and shall be rewarded upon your heads with honor and immortality and eternal life to all your house both old & young because of the lineage of my Preast Hood saith the Lord it shall be upon you and upon your children after you from generation to generation, by virtue of the Holy promise which I now make unto you saith the Lord." "These are the words which you shall pronounce upon my servant Joseph and your Daughter Sarah Ann. Whitney. They shall take each other by the hand and you shall say 'You both mutually agree," calling them by name, '"to be each other's companion so long as you both shall live preserving yourselves for each other and from all others and also throughout all eternity reserving only those rights which have been given to my servant Joseph by revelation and commandment and by legal Authority in times passed.' If you both agree to covenant and do this then I give you Sarah Ann Whitney, my daughter, to Joseph Smith
to be his wife, to observe all the rights between you both that belong to that condition. I do it in my own name and in the name of my wife, your mother, and in the name of my Holy Progenitors, by the right of birth which is of Preast Hood, vested in my by revelation and commandment and promise of the living. God obtained by the Holy Melchisedeck Jethro and other of the Holy Fathers, commanding in the name of the Lord all those Powers to concentrate in you and through to your posterity forever. All these things I do in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ that through this order he may be glorified and that through the power of anointing David may reign King over Israel, which shall hereafter be revealed. Let immortality and eternal life henceforth be sealed upon your heads forever and ever. Amen." LOCATION: Nauvoo, IL SOURCE: Original manuscript of Kirtland Revelation Book, Church Historical Department, Ms f 490 # 2, also The Historical Record 6:222 (1887 edition.), also In S
acred Lonliness, p. 348-349 (4)

Footnotes:
1 - The Woodland Institute, http://www.woodlandinstitute.com
2 - Quinn, D. Michael, The Mormon Hierarchy: Origins of Power, Appendix 7: Selected Chronology of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1830-47"
3 - Scott H. Faulring, An American Prophet's Record, 'A Joseph Smith Chronology'
4 - Joseph Smith Polygamy Timeline, http://www.i4m.com/think/polygamy/JS_Polygamy_Timeline.htm

LDS History Timeline

About this site: http://bit.ly/mohist

Mormon History, Jul 21, 1842

-- Jul 21, 1842
Wilford Woodruff writes: "There was a Counsel of the Twelve held for four days with Elder Orson Pratt to labour with him to get him to recall his sayings against Joseph & The Twelve but he persisted in his wicked course & would not recall any of his sayings which were made in public against Joseph & others sayings which were unjust & untrue. The Twelve then rejected him as a member of their quorum & he was cut off from the Church." (1)

-- 22Jul42
[Joseph Smith Sermon] Prophet's Practice of Polygamy and Bennett Causes Him Difficulties
Orson Pratt Votes Against Joseph (2)

-- Jul 22, 1842
Orson Pratt votes against a public resolution in defense of Joseph Smith's virtuous conduct. George W. Robinson, a prominent Nauvoo citizen and brother-in-law of Nancy Rigdon, writes to James A. Bennett, a New York friend to the church, that "Smith sent for Miss Rigdon to come to the house of Mrs. [Orson] Hyde, who lived in the under rooms of the printing-office." According to Robinson, Nancy "inquired of the messenger . . . what was wanting, and the only reply was, that Smith wanted to see her." Robinson says that Smith took her into a room, "locked the door, and then stated to her that he had had an affection for her for several years, and wished that she should be his; that the Lord was well pleased with this matter, for he had got a revelation on the subject, and God had given him all the blessings of Jacob, &c., &c. and that there was no sin in it whatever." Robinson states that Nancy "repulsed him and was about to raise the neighbors if he did not unlock the door and le
t her out." (1)

Orson Pratt votes against defense of Smith virtuous conduct. Pratt votes against a public resolution in defense of Smith's virtuous conduct. SOURCE: Richard S. Van Wagoner, Mormon Polygamy, p.33 PLACE: Nauvoo, IL (3)

-- Jul 22, 1842 (Friday Morning)
[Joseph Smith Sermon] Location: Meeting Ground, Nauvoo, Hancock County, Illinois, USA
Source: Times and Seasons (1 August 1842): 869 (Words of Joseph Smith, 126-27)
The meeting was called to order by the chairman [Orson Spencer], who stated the object of the meeting to be to obtain an expression of the public mind in reference to the reports gone abroad, calumniating the character of Pres. Joseph Smith. Gen. Wilson Law then rose and presented the following resolution.
Resolvedâ€"That, having heard that John C. Bennett was circulating many base falsehoods respecting a number of the citizens of Nauvoo, and especially against our worthy and respected Mayor, Joseph Smith, we do hereby manifest to the world that so far as we know him to be a good, moral, virtuous, peaceable and patriotic man, and a firm supporter of law, justice and equal rights; that he at all times upholds and keeps inviolate the constitution of this State and of the United States.
A vote was then called and the resolution adopted by a large concourse of citizens, numbering somewhere about a thousand men. Two or three, voted in the negative.
Elder Orson Pratt then rose and spoke at some length in explanation of his negative vote. Pres. Joseph Smith spoke in replyâ€" (4)

Footnotes:
1 - On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com
2 - The Parallel Joseph, http://www.boap.org/LDS/Parallel/
3 - Joseph Smith Polygamy Timeline, http://www.i4m.com/think/polygamy/JS_Polygamy_Timeline.htm
4 - The Woodland Institute, http://www.woodlandinstitute.com

LDS History Timeline

About this site: http://bit.ly/mohist