Mormon History, Aug 5, 1843

-- Aug 5, 1843
[Joseph Smith] Several thousand persons attend a meeting in which Hyrum Smith and William Law speak on the upcoming election. Hyrum says that the Mormons must support the Democrat, Hoge, because God has revealed it to him. William Law says that this is impossible because Joseph has promised his vote to the Whig, Cyrus Walker. (1)

[Joseph Smith Diary] Saturday, August 5th [several lines left blank] 4 P.M. G[eorge] J. Adams, Hyrum, and W[illia]m Law spoke on the Election of Hoge and Walker. (2)

-- August 5th 1843
[High Council Minutes]

Council met according to adjournment at Hiram's office No buisness before the Council.

Adjd till next Saturday the 12th at 2 o'clock P.M.

Hosea Stout Clerk. (3)

-- Aug 6, 1843
[Apostle Wilford Woodruff Journal] 6th Sunday In the fore part of the day I attended meeting of the Millerites in company with Elder Young & others. Mr Litz preached from Jer 24 ch. concerning the good & bad figs. In speaking of the Covenant made to Abraham in giving him the land of Canaan he said it was not to seeds but seed which was Christ. So the land belong to Jesus Christ & not the Jews. But Jesus Christ had rented it to the Jews at 6 per cent or for evry 10th & the ownly terms on which it was given to the Jews, & that they were robing God all the while. Will a man rob God &c? & the Land was taken away from the Jews & who shall have the land? Not the Jews the natural seed, But those that are Baptised into Jesus Christ & his spiritual Children. The kingdom was to be taken from the Jews & given to a Nation Bringing forth the fruits there of which will take place when Christ Come with his Church & Body & will then take Jerrusalem. (Why did he not say that it has already be
en given to the gentiles & they have also fallen [-]?)

The Jews as a nation will not go to the land of Jerrusalem & when Jesus Christ Comes the Jews will No more be his people. I will admit that the Jews will go with the other Nations against Jerrusalem to Battle against the Lord & his Saints & fight against Jerrusalem & the Lord shall go forth & fight against the Nations & the Jews among the rest & that the Jews will fight against Jerrusalem. If the Jews ever go to Jerrusalem they will not go as Jews but all Christians as Christ Body &c &c.

The above was the arguments presented by the milerite to do away with the literal fulfillment of the Bible concerning the return of the Jews & the rebuilding of Jerrusalem. But most of his arguments were fals & groundless.

In the Afternoon we met with the Saints In the canaanite Church in Julia Ann st. About 300 Saints were present. Meeting was opened by Elder Grant & Elder B Young Addressed the Congregation to Considerable length & laid a good foundation.

Among other things said that a man or woman may ask of God & get a witness & testimony from God concerning any work or messenger that is sent unto them. But if a person asks for a thing that does not concern him, such as governing the Church what shall the prophet or the Twelve do &c? He will not get an answer. If he does it will not be from God.

He also remarked in Conversation or inquired who had the Melchezedek priesthood. That if any in the Church had it he did not know it. For any person to have the fulness of that priesthood must be a king & a Priest. A person may have a portion of that Priesthood the same as Governors or Judges of England have power from the King to transact business but yet he is not the king of England. A person may be anointed king & priest before they receive their kingdom &c.

At the close of the meeting I returned to Br Hammers & in the evening Elder O. Pratt Preached & was followed by few remarks from Elder G A Smith. (4)

Nauvoo, Illinois. Joseph Smith preached to the Saints about politics and the current elections. (5)

[Joseph Smith Diary] Sunday, August 6th /Emma started for St. Louis/ Zebedee Coltrin prayed. P[arley] P. Pratt preached on testimony. After sermon Joseph (for he came to the stand soon after Parly commenced) said he would preach his sermon next Sunday. He was not able to day. Would speak of another subject. [Regarding] The elections he was above the kingdoms of the world for he spake no laws [to the church to influence the election].

"I have not come to tell you /to/ vote this way, that way, or the other in relation to National matters. I want it to [go] abroad to the whole world that every man should stand on his own merits. The Lord has not given me Revelation concerning politics. I have not asked the Lord for it. I am a third party [and] stand independant and alone. I desire to see all parties protected in their rights. In relation to Mr. Walker, he is 9 Whig candidate, a high minded man.

"Mr. Walker has not hung on to my coat tail to gain his election as some have said. I am going to give a testimony but not for electioneering purposes. Before Mr. Walker come to Nauvoo rumor come up that he might become a candidate for Congress. Says I, he is an old friend [and] I will vote for him. When Mr. Walker come to my house, I voluntarily told him I was going to vote for him. When I dictated to him the laws of Nauvoo, he received them on my testimony. The rascals took Walker['Is and Montgomery['s] security [bond] /when I was arrested/. Walker made Reynolds come to me and beg my pardon for abuse /he gave me/ and /through his men/ took his pistols from the rascals and withdrew all claim to your vote and influence if it will be detrimental to your interest as a people.

"Bro[ther] Hiram tells me this morning that he has had a testimony that it will be better for this people to vote for Hoge. I never knew Hiram say he ever had a revelation and it failed. [I] Never told Bro[ther] Law to tell my private feelings. (Let God speak and all men hold their peace) I utterly forbid these political demagog[u]es from using my name hereafter forever.

"It is my settled feeling that if Gov[ernor] Ford erred in granting a writ against me it is of the head and not of the heart, and I authorize all men to say I am a personal friend of Gov[ernor] Ford.

"A cap to Parley's Sermon. Every word that proceedeth from the mouth of Jehovah has such an influence over the human mind, the logical mind that it is convincing without /other/ testimony. Faith cometh by hearing.

"If 10,000 men testify to a truth, [men whom] you know, would it add to your faith? No, or will 1,000 testimonies destroy your knowledge of a fact? No. I do not want anyone to tell I am a prophet or attempt to prove my word. I prophecy in the name of God Almighty. They shall bear off the palm."

Hyrum Smith explained at some length concerning the election. (2)

Footnotes:
1 - Conklin, Christopher J., Joseph Smith Chronology
2 - Faulring, Scott (ed.), An American Prophet's Record: The Diaries and Journals of Joseph Smith: Joseph Smith Diary, 1843-44
3 - Minutes of the High Council of the Church of Jesus Christ of Nauvoo Illinois: Nauvoo Hancock County Illinois
4 - Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993
5 - BYU Studies Journal, volume 46, no. 4: A Chronology of the Life of Joseph Smith

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Mormon History, Aug 2, 1843

-- Aug 2, 1843
[Apostle Wilford Woodruff Journal] 2d Elder Beck Paid $48.00 for the passage of the Twelve to Baltimore. A Collection was taken up of about $20 to assist the quorum to Philadelphia. (1)

[Joseph Smith Diary] Wednesday, August 2nd Some better. (Phelps translating) (2)

-- Aug 3, 1843
[Apostle Wilford Woodruff Journal] 3d Can a Church make buy laws as expediences [ ] for themselves that are not specifiyed in any revelation? Yes if they wish. They may make laws to stick their fingers in their eyes if they wish, but it is like sticking their fingers through a not hole in the wall to see what custom will do. (1)

[Apostle Wilford Woodruff Journal] Aug 3d We parted with the Saints in Pittsburgh & took stage for Baltimore. Their was six of us of the quorum of the Twelve viz B Young, H. C. Kimball, O. Pratt, J. E. Page, W. Woodruff & G. A. Smith. We traveld about 25 miles along the River & over the mountains whare Rocks Hung in mases almost over our heads & on the other side was yawning gulfs below. We Came onto the National Road at Washington Pa. We Rode all day & all night in the stage about 120 miles. We arived next morning at Cumberland. We passed through Brownville & Uniontown.

/<We had a talk with [man?] [--] territory also [paid/put] it in [-].> (1)

[Joseph Smith Diary] Thursday, August 3d 1843 Not so well says Lorin. (2)

-- Aug 3, 1843, Thursday
[William Clayton Writings] Clayton received the down payment in specie /from Meginess/ and happily took the note for the rest. (3)

[William Clayton Writings] Thursday 3rd A.M. at Prest. J's ... Conversed about W Law, Emma &c. ... (3)

-- Aug 3, 1843. Thursday.
[William Clayton Journal] A.M. at President Joseph'sÂ…Conversed about W[illiam] Law, Emma &cÂ… (4)

-- Aug 4, 1843
[Apostle Wilford Woodruff Journal] 4th We Took the rail cars at cumberland at 8 oclock AM & passed through many miles of Deep Moun-taineous cutting /stoped at Harpers ferry/ & arived at Baltimore (MD) about 6 oclock. We here took the Steemboat George Washington. Crossed the Bay of Chesepeke to Frenchtown. We here took the Railroad again to New Castle (Del) then the steem Boat to Philadelphia where we arived at 4 oclock on the 5th Aug being 48 hours from Pittsburgh to Philadelphia By Stage, Rail Road & Steem Boat. The whole Distance 430 miles. (1)

[Apostle Wilford Woodruff Journal] 4th When any person is ordained legally by the vote of the Church to any office can he be releaced from that office [&/of?] priesthood (No)and hold his standing in the church? (No.)

Elder Young made many useful remark. Conference Adjourned untill tomorrow. (1)

[Joseph Smith Diary] Friday, August 4th Health improving. (2)

-- Aug 5, 1843
[Apostle Wilford Woodruff Journal] 5th We were distributed among the Saints in Philadelphia at the following places: Elder B Young at Br P Hesse 36 old York Road. Elder H. C. Kimball at 34 Old York Road at sister Jeff res. Elder J E Page & G A Smith at Elder Win. Wharton Elizabeth st opposite the Methodist Chapel. Elder O Pratt at sister Nickolsons at 6 st 2 doors Below Rase st. (sassafras). [ ] & myself at Br [ ] Hammers at 12 Logan street near spring garden market. After getting sum Breakfast we went to rest as we had had not slep any for two nights of any account. During the after noon & evening we had the hardest storm & rain & wind that had been known for many years in & about the city of Philadelphia. Much damage was done houses unroofed, sullers filled with water, streams suddenly rose, bridges, lumber & houses Carried away, a number of persons were drowned &c &c. (1)

Two days before the election and three weeks after Joseph's comments about Hyrum's taking over as prophet, Hyrum Smith announces to a large assembly that it was the will of God that the Saints should vote for the Democratic candidate. The next day, before the election, Joseph Smith preaches at the Sunday gathering and says, "Brother Hyrum tells me this morning that he has had a testimony to the effect that it would be better for the people to vote for Hoge; and I never knew Hyrum to say that he had a revelation and it failed. Let God speak and all men hold their peace." Joseph had promised his support to the Whig party but had changed his mind. The Mormon vote allowed Joseph Hoge to win a close race without Joseph, technically, breaking his promise. (5)

Footnotes:
1 - Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993
2 - Faulring, Scott (ed.), An American Prophet's Record: The Diaries and Journals of Joseph Smith: Joseph Smith Diary, 1843-44
3 - Fillerup, Robert C., compiler; William Clayton Nauvoo Diaries and Personal Writings, A chronological compilation of the personal writings of William Clayton while he was a resident of Nauvoo, Illinois. http://www.boap.org/LDS/Early-Saints/clayton-diaries
4 - George D. Smith, An Intimate Chronicle; The Journals of William Clayton, Signature Books in association with Smith Research Associates, Salt Lake City, 1995
5 - On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com

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Mormon History, July 1843

-- During July 1843
Charles Coulson Rich: Mission to DeKalb and LaSalle counties, Illinois, July 1843 to "disabuse the public mind" with respect to Prophets Dixon arrest. (1)

Hyrum Smith: Publicly designated by Joseph Smith Jr. 16 July 1843 as prophet, while Joseph Smith Jr. remained president q(1)

George Albert Smith: Left on mission to solicit donations for Nauvoo House and Temple July 1843. (1)

-- During July, 1843
[Joseph Smith] Sealed polygynously to Desmodema Fullmer. (3)

-- During Summer 1843
[Polygamy] Joseph Smith marriage to Mary Ann Frost (Pratt) age ?. (4)

-- During summer of 1843
Amasa Mason Lyman: Directed to settle with family in Shockoquon, Henderson County, Illinois, late 1842; remained until summer of 1843. (1)

William B Smith: Mission to East in summer of 1843. (1)

William Law: Opposed revelation on plural marriage in summer of 1843. (1)

-- Aug 1, 1843
[Apostle Wilford Woodruff Journal] Aug 1st We crossed the Allagany River into the town of Allegany & spent the day at C Seechrist & returned in the evening. Their is three Bridges & one canal crosses the Allegany River from Pittsburgh within a short distance of each other. We attended meeting in the evening & Elder Young preached. Was followed By Elders Page & Kimball. We spent the night with Elder Charles Beck. (5)

[Joseph Smith] Joseph is sick again in the morning. Candidates Hoge and Walker each give long speeches for the upcoming election. Joseph has an argument with Walter Bagby, a tax collector. Bagby throws a stone at Joseph, "which so enraged me that I followed him a few steps, and struck him two or three times." After the fight is broken up, Joseph gladly pays the assault fine. Bagby hereafter becomes a relentless enemy of Joseph, inspiring Carthage meetings and stirring up other old enemies against him. (History of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (7 volumes) 5:523-24.) (6)

[Joseph Smith Diary] Tuesday, August 1 st 1843 Joseph sick. Esqu[ire] Walker gave a stump speech at the stand. [Joseph] Hoge [Walker's opponent in the congressional election] and Hyrum [Smith] called at the office. Hoge acknowledged the power of the Mormon Habeus Corpus.

News arrived from the Gov[ernor] that the writ was returned and killed. (Phelps translating)

The news above referred to was a private communication from Mr. Broman to Joseph by Mr. Backenstos and not [from] the Gov[ernor]. (7)

Joseph Smith physically assaults the county tax assessor, for which he pleads guilty and pays a fine. (8)

-- Aug 1, 1843, Tuesday
[William Clayton Writings] On August 1, 1843, Joseph rode in his buggy up to the temple where he began to discuss with Clayton and other the fact that some of his property was being sold for taxes. Suddenly Walter Bagby, the county assessor and collector, appeared and when Joseph confronted him with the issue, he denied all knowledge of it. As the discussion heated up, Joseph told Bagby that he was always abusing the citizens in the area, and Bagby angrily called Joseph a liar. Obviously irritated, the church leader stepped down from his buggy, whereupon Bagby picked up a stone to throw at him. Enraged, Joseph went after him and struck him two or three times, and it took Daniel H. Wells to separate the two. (9)

-- Aug 1, 1843. Tuesday.
[William Clayton Journal] Â…Bagby said he had done more for Joseph than for any other man in the country. Joseph reiterated that Bagby was continually abusing the citizens here. Bagby called the prophet a liarÂ…pick up a stone to throw at him which so enraged him that President Joseph followed him a few steps and struck him two or three times. Esquire Daniel H. Wells stepped between them and succeeded in separating them. President Joseph told the Esquire to assess the fine for the assault and he was willing to pay it. President Joseph rode down to Alderman Whitney stated the circumstances and he imposed a fine which the prophet paid and then returned to a political meeting. Bagby stayed awhile muttering that Joseph was a coward. (10)

Footnotes:
1 - 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
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
3 - Scott H. Faulring, An American Prophet's Record, 'A Joseph Smith Chronology'
4 - Wikipedia, List of the Wives of Joseph Smith, Jr., http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_the_wives_of_Joseph_Smith,_Jr.
5 - Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993
6 - Conklin, Christopher J., Joseph Smith Chronology
7 - Faulring, Scott (ed.), An American Prophet's Record: The Diaries and Journals of Joseph Smith: Joseph Smith Diary, 1843-44
8 - 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"
9 - Fillerup, Robert C., compiler; William Clayton Nauvoo Diaries and Personal Writings, A chronological compilation of the personal writings of William Clayton while he was a resident of Nauvoo, Illinois. http://www.boap.org/LDS/Early-Saints/clayton-diaries
10 - George D. Smith, An Intimate Chronicle; The Journals of William Clayton, Signature Books in association with Smith Research Associates, Salt Lake City, 1995

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Mormon History, Jul 30, 1843

-- Jul 30, 1843
John Johnson: Died 30 July 1843, in Kirtland, Lake County, Ohio. (1)

[Joseph SMith] Nauvoo, Illinois. Joseph Smith felt very ill and so he called for his brother Hyrum Smith, William Law, and Willard Richards to lay on hands to bless him. (2)

[Joseph Smith Diary] Sunday, July 30th Joseph sick. Lungs oppressed &c., over heated preaching one week before. J[ohn] Taylor preached A.M. After preaching President Marks called a special Conference to appoint Recorders for the baptism of the dead, Elder Sloan having started for Ireland. Willard Richards was appointed gen[eral] Church Recorder and Joseph M. Cole of the 4th ward and Geo[rge] Walker and Johnathan H. Hale and J. A. W. Andrews recorders for the baptisms of the dead.

P.M. the clerks met to organize and prepare for recording baptisms. Joseph called Hyrum Smith, W[illia]m Law, and W[illard] Richards to lay on hands and pray for him. (3)

Willard Richards: Appointed General Church Recorder 30 July 1843. (1)

-- Jul 31, 1843
[Apostle Wilford Woodruff Journal] 31st Our Quorum assembled together & walked over Pittsburgh. We first visited Mr Curlings Glass works & saw them to work through each branch of it. We saw them make pressed stamped & ground or cut & plain tumblers & large jars &c.

We next went onto the bluff above the city & had a view of the New Basin that is to contain the water to be forced into it from the Alleghaney River to water the city. From this place we had a fair view of the City below & it truly sends forth its Colums of smoke & blackness that arises from the Cole fires that propels the numerous engines as the main spring of all the founderies manufacturies & works of the valey of the City of Pittsburgh.

We then desended the hill & visited the city water works or resurvoy. The building is 150 feet long 110 feet wide containing two engines of 200 Horse power each to drive a force pump to force the water from the Alleganey River into the bason on the bluff to water the city as above spoken of. The whole cost of this building resurvoy & Bason was $200,000. The building is after the Roman order. The whole Archatecture design, & making & finishing the building was executed by Elder Charles Beck a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

We visited Miltonbergers Iron works through each branch of it. We saw the keel laid for an Iron steem Ship of war 140 feet keel for Lake Erie. Br G. A. Smith & myself spent the night with Elder Beck. (4)

[Joseph Smith] Joseph's health improves, and he sells 100 acres of prairie land. (5)

[Joseph Smith Diary] Monday, July 31 st Wilson Law and E[benezer] Robinson started for Chicago with W[illia]m Marks. Went on the Prairie. Newell Nurse called to get Joel Bullard confined. He is threatening, drinking, and probably delirious at first. (3)

-- Jul 31, 1843, Monday
[William Clayton Writings] It was unusual for Clayton actually to receive cash /for the sale of lots/, and this probably accounts for the satisfaction he seemed to feel when he wrote in his journal on July 31, 1843, that he sold a hundred acres to Benjamin Meginess for $1,000 and that the purchaser had agreed to pay $800 cash and give a $200 note. (6)

-- During 1843, July to November
[Wilford Woodruff] Serves a mission in the eastern United States, seeking funds to help complete the construction of the Nauvoo Temple. (7)

-- During Jul 1843
[Polygamy] Amasa M. Lyman polygamous marriage to Diontha Walker (8)

[Polygamy] Marriage - Joseph to Desdemona Fullmer, age 32 ,. SOURCE: Affidavit, Joseph F. Smith Affidavit Books, 1:32, 4:32; Bachman, "A Study of the Mormon Practice of Plural Marriage," #58; Historical Record 6:225. (9)

[Polygamy] Joseph Smith marries Desdemona Fullmer (Age 32): As a thirteen-year-old girl, Desdemona Fullmer remembers studying various churches and praying to know which one to join. On one occasion as she prayed she fell to the ground unconscious. For several hours she laid there, as if dead. She wrote, Their was a voice said to me stop yet a little longer. their is something better for you yet...so I stopt till I heard the laterday santes preach the gosple I joined them soon after.

Some ten years later, in 1835, the Fullmer family obtained a Book of Mormon. They spent time reading it aloud together. Desdemonas brother, Almon remembers, it provoked mirth [amusement] since it so often came to pass. It riveted, however, a conviction of its truth upon our minds. Desdemona was baptized a year later and soon gathered with the church in Kirtland and later in Missouri.

In Missouri, Desdemona witnessed many of the persecutions suffered by church members. In spring of 1839 a mob came to the Fullmer home and demanded that they leave. Desdemona bravely replied, we have no teem or waggon. we may as well dye in the house as a few roods from it. so they said hell let us go. Soon, however, the Fullmers were forced to leave for Illinois.

According to the Nauvoo 4th Ward records, in the spring of 1842, Desdemona was living in Joseph Smiths home. She probably knew Emily and Eliza Partridge and Elvira Cowles who were also living there at the time. Some time before the spring of 1843, Desdemona moved out of the Smith home.

Desdemona married Joseph Smith in July of 1843. As Joseph continued to secretly accumulate wives, his first wife, Emma, struggled with polygamy. Perhaps Desdemona experienced, or maybe only feared, the anguish of Emma discovering her and Josephs relationship. She recalls the resultant anxiety, In the rise of poligamy i was warned in a dream Amy [Emma] Smith was going to poisen me. Desdemona was not poisoned and remained Josephs wife until he was killed in June of 1844. In 1846, before leaving for Utah, Desdemona had her sealing to Joseph re-performed in the Nauvoo temple.

Desdemona would marry twice more in her life, but neither marriage endured. When Desdemona was in her late fifties, she wrote a short autobiography and delivered it to the Church Historians office where it could be preserved. In it, she wrote, I want to write a short history of my life the more particuler part that I think will do the youth som godde [good] and those that come into this church not having the same experience that I have had. Desdemona died in 1886 when she was seventy-six and was laid to rest in Salt Lake City as Desdemona Fullmer Smith. (10)

Footnotes:
1 - 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
2 - Joseph Smith Resource Center: Daily Events in the Life of Joseph Smith, http://josephsmith.net/josephsmith/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=e581001cfb340010VgnVCM1000001f5e340aRCRDlocale=0
3 - Faulring, Scott (ed.), An American Prophet's Record: The Diaries and Journals of Joseph Smith: Joseph Smith Diary, 1843-44
4 - Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993
5 - Conklin, Christopher J., Joseph Smith Chronology
6 - Fillerup, Robert C., compiler; William Clayton Nauvoo Diaries and Personal Writings, A chronological compilation of the personal writings of William Clayton while he was a resident of Nauvoo, Illinois. http://www.boap.org/LDS/Early-Saints/clayton-diaries
7 - Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Wilford Woodruff, Salt Lake City, Utah
8 - Smith, George D (Spring 1994), "Nauvoo Roots of Mormon Polygamy, 1841-46: A Preliminary Demographic Report", Dialogue: A Journal of Mormon Thought 27
9 - Joseph Smith Polygamy Timeline, http://www.i4m.com/think/polygamy/JS_Polygamy_Timeline.htm
10 - Remembering the Wives of Joseph Smith, http://www.wivesofjosephsmith.org/

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Mormon History, Jul 29, 1843

-- Jul 29, 1843
[Joseph Smith Diary] Saturday, July 29th Was at the office with Mr. [William] Clayton along. Went to Lodge I suppose. [Joseph] gave directions to send copy of certificates of trustee and Granger's power of Attorney to Rubin McBride [in] Kirtland.

(Noon James Sloan City Recorder /and Church Recorder/ brought the desk containing the city and church books and papers to the Mayor's office as he [Sloan] was about to leave for Ireland. 28 delivered) Sent Clayton to Hiram Kimball's to borrow $50. (1)

-- July 29th 1843
[High Council Minutes]

Council met according to adjt at H Smith's office. W. Marks & A Cowles Presiding.

Present 1) Bent 2) Allred 3) Wilson 4) Cutler 5) Fulmer 6) Harris 7) Grover 8) Johnson 9) Robert Stone pro tem. Prayer by Allred.

Case of Betsy Dean.

"North Caanan May 23rd 1843 Connecticut

To the honorable High Council at Nauvoo.

The undersigned desires to state that she was not notified of the withdrawing of the hand of fellowship from her, by the Saints in North Caanan and likewise that she was cut from the Church without her knowledge or recieving any notification of such a proceeding from Elder Gibson Smith Presiding Elder of this branch, which took place full two years since, and would likewise state, she was not aware but what she was in the kingdom of God untill this day.

For particulars would refer you to Elders Woodruff, J.H. Hale & J.H. Holmes, who would give you every information relative to her case, and likewise to Elder B.S. Wilber President of the Conference held this day at the house of Brother Francis Benedick

Betsy Dean"

Witness James G. Willie

Clerk of Meeting.

It was decided that she be reinstated in the Church and that she be notified by letter of the same and that David Fulmer & Hosea Stout be appointed to write to her and also that they inform the Branch at North Canaan that they are advised by the High Council to move to Nauvoo, if they wish to save themselves.

Addison Pratt by E H Derby his Agent against Buckly Anderson.

Appealled from Bishop Isaac Higbees Court

appealed by Buckly Anderson, to wit,

"May the 14th 1843

A charge was prefered before me against Buckley Anderson by Adison Pratt for unchristian-like conduck in depriving him of his rights.

May the 17th the parties met for trial and the charge sustained and decided that Buckley Anderson give possession of a lot which Addison Pratt claimed or be disfellowshiped.

Isaac Higbee, Bishop"

One was appointed to speak on a side, Viz: 7) Grover and 8) Johnson.

Decided by Prest Marks that the Council sustain the decision of the Bishop's Court which was unanimously sanctioned by the Council

Adjourned till next Saturday the 5th of August at 2 o'clock P.M. Closed in prayer by Prest Cowles.

Hosea Stout Clerk (2)

-- 1843: 30 July
[Patriarchal Blessings] Catharine Stoker. (Given by Hyrum Smith.)

"Sister Catharine, I lay my hands upon your head in the name of Jesus of Nazareth and seal you up unto Eternal life from this very hour for this is thy Blessing for thy days and years are on the decline. Nevertheless there are some more to be multiplied upon thy head and a consolation to inspire your heart yet in the days of your Pilgrimage and you have a crown laid up for you in the Mansion of your Father and ye shall stand in your place and in your station as a Mother in Israel as one that hath kept the commandments and that hath been faithful. Since you believed, therefore you are blessed in time and your blessing shall be continued in eternity, for you are sealed here on earth and sealed in heaven that you may live and be comforted with this comforter that your name is written as is made known by the Spirit in the Lamb's Book of Life and shall not be blotted out, but shall be continued henceforth and forever and there is a blessing upon your house, even your children fro
m generation to generation and the priesthood is theirs according to the rights of lineage and the covenants and promises made to their Father Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Therefore, let your heart be comforted henceforth and forever for the promise is sure and your days shall yet continue for a season and your name shall be perpetuated from generation to generation and handed down in honor by your children until the latest generation. These blessings I seal upon your head in the name of Jesus. Amen." (From typescript; P8, f11, RLDS Archives.) [Age, 70; Scribe, ?] (3)

-- Jul 30, 1843
[Apostle Wilford Woodruff Journal] 30th Sunday Six of the quorum of the Twelve met at Temperance Hall in Pittsburgh with the Saints. Elder G. A. Smith opened the meeting by prayer. Elder W. Woodruff Addressed the people bore testimony of the work & spoke the things that were given by the spirit of God. Among other things said that the Church of God was organized with Prophets & Apostles, but what is the use of Prophets & Apostles if their is not to be revelations given & work for the apostles to do? They certainly are not needed if the work of Prophets & Apostles are not to be received. But the vary Idie of those offices exhisteing is a proof of Revelation & gifts &c.

I was followed by Elder G A Smith who also bore testimony of the work of God & among other things said that whenever God sent a witness or messenger to deliver a message to the inhabitants of the earth he does not require that messenger to prove the truth of his assertion but deliver his message as God has commanded him.

In the after part of the day, Elder J. E. Page addressed the meeting & bore testimony of the work & was followed by Elder O. Pratt who reasoned soundly upon the prophesyes.

In the evening at early candlelight the meeting was addressed by Elder H. C. Kimball who gave some of his experiance & bore testimony to the work of the Lord much to our edifycation. He was followed by Elder B Young who also bore testimony to the work of the Lord and among the many remarks he made he argued in the following manner:

Why do the people oppose the gifts & graces? If a man Can get faith by the power of God & the gift of the Holy Gost so as to lay hands upon his wife & Children or friends when they lie sick & languishing nigh unto death & Command the fever or disease or the power of the destroyer or even death itself to depart to cease its work, to be still & the person is relieved I ask what harm is their in all this? Or if a man by faith & humility before God can get the testimony of Jesus Christ & prophecy of things to Come or speak in tongues or cast out devils, I ask what harm in all this? Does it do any harm? No it does not. I know the New Testament is true for I have proved it according to the pattern given by believing in Christ obeying the gospel & knowing the signs do follow. Then I ask does these things harm any one? No they do not.

In speaking of the kingdom of God He said the kingdom must be together. The people must be together & gatherd into one place. For How would the king of france or England look undertaking to reign over a kingdom when the people were scatterd all over the world except in france or England? They could not reign over a people unless a people were with those kings to reign over.

So with the saints. They must be gatherd together & this work has already commenced, & who is the Author of this work & gathering? Joseph Smith the Prophet of God as an instrument in the hands of God is the Author of it. He is the greatest man on earth. No other man of this age has power to assemble such a great people from all the Nations of the earth with all their varied dispositions as assimu-late them & cement them together so that they will be subject to rule & order. This the Prophet is doing & what makes a great king President or man is to have a great People to rule over.

We had an interesting time through the day. After meeting Closed I went home with Elder Charles Beck & spent the night. (4)

Footnotes:
1 - Faulring, Scott (ed.), An American Prophet's Record: The Diaries and Journals of Joseph Smith: Joseph Smith Diary, 1843-44
2 - Minutes of the High Council of the Church of Jesus Christ of Nauvoo Illinois: Nauvoo Hancock County Illinois
3 - Selected LDS Patriarchal Blessings, New Mormon Studies CD ROM, Signature Book, 2009
4 - 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/mhist

Mormon History, Jul 27, 1843

-- Jul 27, 1843
[Apostle Wilford Woodruff Journal] 27th As the water was so low we could not get up the river we stoped near Beaver. Passed through the town to Bridgwater. Here we took stage for Pittsburgh. 28 miles. On the way we stoped at Econemy the town founded by Mr Wrap. It is esstab-lished sumthing upon the principles of Shakerism. They raised much grain fruit & make wine from the pure juse of the grape. We drank a glass of it which was vary nice. We arived at Pittsburgh at 6 oclock. Distance from Cincinnatti to Pittsburgh 469 1/2 miles.

We soon found Br Small who informed us that there was a meeting at the Temperance Hall By the Church of Latter Day Saints. We went to the Hall & about the first persons we saw was Elder H C Kimball & O. Pratt & we herd the voice of Elder J E Page preaching. He Hammered the sects during his discourse, & at the close He informed the people of our arival which made six of the quorum of the Twelve in the city. We were all truly glad to strike hand with each other once more. I spent the night with Br [ ] Beck. (1)

[Joseph Smith Diary] Thursday, 27th Was at the store to pray for Sis[ter] Walker and anoint her finger, a phal[anx] broken. (2)

-- Jul 27, 1843, Thursday
[William Clayton Writings] Thursday 27 A.M. I went to see Prest. J. in our conversation about M & A. he said if A went to making me any trouble he would defend me to the uttermost and stand by me through all, for which I feel thankful. ... (3)

-- Jul 28, 1843
[Apostle Wilford Woodruff Journal] 28th We spent the fore part of the day walking about. We met in council at 2 oclok at Br Richard Savorry. Elder B Young enquired concerning the procedings of the Twelve at cinciati. Found that Elders H C Kimball, O Pratt & J. E Page Held a Conference organized the Church & left for Pittsburgh. Elder Page stayed & in few days disunnoled what had been done & reorganized the Church but it left the church in no better situation. Elder Young reproved Elder Page some for undoing alone what three of the quorum had done together. He also spoke of the instruction that Br Joseph spoke of ie. to be gentle & mild in our teaching & not to Battle the Sects any more at present but win the affections of the people. We had a good time together.

We met in the evening at Jeremiah Cooper's house. I opened the meeting by Prayer. Elder B Young arose & addressed the Saints in a vary interesting manner & tried to instill into their minds to be prepared to Harken to the word of the Lord & obey his commandments & obey the things that the prophet tells us to do & was followed By Elders H C Kimball & G. A. Smith who bore testimony of the work of God. I spent the night at Br James McDaniel's.

Pittsburgh resembles the English Cities in Consequence of their burning so much Stone Cole which covers the Cities with smoke soot & Blackness. Its Population is 35,000. It has 120 preachers of the Gospel, 95 Churches & 21 Denominations, & It contains a Church of Latter Day Saints Numbering 75. (1)

Heber C. Kimball and Orson Pratt in Pittsburgh, PA. (4)

[Joseph Smith] Patriarch Hyrum Smith blesses Leonora Cannon Taylor: "You shall be blest with your portion of the Priesthood which belongeth to you, that you may be set apart for your Anointing and your induement [endowment]." (5)

[Joseph Smith Diary] Friday, 28th [July] 1843 Mr. Sloan delivered the records at the Mayor's office, not [the] 29th as [recorded]. (2)

[Polygamy] William Felshaw polygamous marriage to Charlotte Walters (6)

[Polygamy] According to Mormon Church Historian Andrew Jenson, Nancy married Joseph sometime before his death in June of 1844. In addition, Orson Whitmney, son of Nacy Maria's friend, Helen, also identified her as sSmith's wife. These two witnesses, taken together, make a good case for NAncy as a plural spouse of Josepoh. Though there is no exac date for her marriage to the prophet, the best hypothosis is that the cereony took place in 1843. Marriage - Joseph to Nancy Maria Winchester, age 15 ,. LOCATION: Nauvoo, IL SOURCE: LDS Biographical Encyclopedia. Elder Jenson, Andrew. 1951 Volume: 1 Page: 697 Marriages in Nauvoo Region 1839-45. See also In Sacred Lonliness, page 606. (7)

-- Jul 29, 1843
[Apostle Wilford Woodruff Journal] 29th I spent the Day at Br McDowell writing & reading. We met in the evening at Br Savorys to teach the Elders. Elder B Young first addressed the meeting. The following are some of the principles taught the Elders By Elders Young:

He says relative to government that A man should in the first place preside over himself, his passions, his person bring himself into subjection to the Law of God, then Preside over his Children & his wife in wrighteouness. Then he will be capable of Presiding over a branch of the Church. But many Elders are contending about presiding over Churches when they are not capable of presiding over themselves or the least child they have.

Again the first Principle of our cause & work is to understand that their is a prophet in the Church & that he is at the head of the Church on Earth. Who called Joseph Smith to be a prophet? Did the people or God? God & not the people Called him. Had the people gatherd together and appointed one of ther number to be a Prophet He would have been accountable to the people but inasmuch as he was called of God & not the people he is accountable to God & the Angel that committed the Gospel to him & not to any man on earth. The Twelve are accountable to the Prophet & his council & not to the church for the course they persue & we have learned to go & do as the Prophet tells us to do. (1)

Footnotes:
1 - Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993
2 - Faulring, Scott (ed.), An American Prophet's Record: The Diaries and Journals of Joseph Smith: Joseph Smith Diary, 1843-44
3 - Fillerup, Robert C., compiler; William Clayton Nauvoo Diaries and Personal Writings, A chronological compilation of the personal writings of William Clayton while he was a resident of Nauvoo, Illinois. http://www.boap.org/LDS/Early-Saints/clayton-diaries
4 - Tidd, N. R., "Mormon Chronology"
5 - 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"
6 - Smith, George D (Spring 1994), "Nauvoo Roots of Mormon Polygamy, 1841-46: A Preliminary Demographic Report", Dialogue: A Journal of Mormon Thought 27
7 - Joseph Smith Polygamy Timeline, http://www.i4m.com/think/polygamy/JS_Polygamy_Timeline.htm

LDS History Timeline
About this site: http://bit.ly/mhist

Mormon History, Jul 23, 1843, Sunday

-- Jul 23, 1843, Sunday
[William Clayton Writings] Sunday 23. ... M. appears dissatisfied with her situation & is miserable O that the Lord will bless my house and deliver us from every evil principle & feeling that we may be saved. For I desire to do right. O Lord make my heart and my affections right and pure as it shall please thee that I may enjoy the blessing of peace and happiness even so Amen. Hyrum preached A.M and Joseph P.M. Evening I had some more talk with M. & find she is miserable which makes me doubly so. I offered to her to try to have her covenant released if she desired it but she said she was not willing (1)

-- Jul 24, 1843
Nauvoo, Illinois. Joseph Smith conversed with Mr. Joseph P. Hoge, the Democratic candidate for the United States Congress. (2)

[Joseph Smith] Joseph meets with Mr. Hoge, the Democratic candidate for Congress. He also receives some money owed him by William and Wilson Law. (3)

[Joseph Smith Diary] Monday, July 24th Exhibition of Divine, the fire king in the Mayor's court over the store. (4)

Parley Parker Pratt: Sealed to Elizabeth Brotherton 24 July 1843. No children. (5)

-- Jul 24, 1843, Monday
[William Clayton Writings] Monday 24. ... M. is still miserable and unhappy and it does seem that my heart must burst. What shall I do? How shall I recompense? And how long must I thus suffer worse than death for that which I have always regarded as being the will of the Lord. By the help of the Lord I will do right. I have repeatedly offered to M. to try to get a release from the covenant and I have done all I know to make things comfortable but to no effect. She appears almost to hate me and cannot bear to come near me. O. God if thou wilt give me M's affections, and cause things to be pleasant and happy between us, If thou will bless her & comfort her by thy spirit & cause her to rejoice in what she has done, and bring it to pass that I may secure her truly with all her affections for time & for eternity. I feel to covenant to try to serve thee with more diligence if possible and to do all that thou shalt require at mine hands, wilt thou not grant me this blessing, and rel
ieve my aching heart from this worst of all troubles which ever befel me in the course of my life? O God plead my cause and give me thine everlasting blessing, and do remember M. for good that she may be comforted even so amen amen and amen (1)

-- Jul 25, 1843
[Apostle Wilford Woodruff Journal] 25 Got along well through the day considering the low water. Susan Cornelia Woodruff was born at half past 11 oclock. (6)

[Joseph Smith Diary] Tuesday, July 25th Saw Joseph in the middle room laying on the /low/ bed, gave him two dollars for room rent and $1.45 for benefit of Temple from Divine's exhibition. (4)

-- Jul 25, 1843, Tuesday
[William Clayton Writings] Tuesday ... M. much as usual. (1)

-- Jul 25, 1843. Tuesday.
[William Clayton Journal] Â…M[argaret] much as usual. (7)

-- July 25-30, 1843
[Joseph Smith] Joseph is sick all week, his "lungs oppressed and overheated through preaching last Sunday." Hyrum Smith, William Law, and Willard Richards administer to him, and many others of the Twelve visit him. (3)

-- Jul 26, 1843
[Apostle Wilford Woodruff Journal] 26th Passed Wheeling. Stoped at Wellsville. Br Little & wife stoped here. We passed a snag Boat employed by [the] government to keep the river Clear of Snags. We run onto a sand bar at night & remained untill morning. (6)

[Joseph Smith Diary] Wednesday, July 26th Shower of rain at twelve o'clock noon. (4)

-- Jul 26, 1843, Wednesday
[William Clayton Writings] Wednesday 26. ... M. seems quite embittered against me in consequence of which I called her to me and asked her if she desired the covenant to be revoked if it were posssible To this she would not give me a satisfactory answer only saying if it had not been done it should not be. (meaning our union) I then asked if she would consent if A would take her under all circumstances; but she would not consent to have it revoked--saying she did it not for her sake but for the sake of the peace of my family. Under these circumstances I could not rest until I had ascertained wether the c could he revoked & although contrary to her wish I went to see Prest. J. I took A to talk with him & asked him some questions whereby I ascertained that he would be willing to take her under all circumstances, I reasoned considerable with him to prove that I had done right in all these matters so far as I knew it, I called the Prest. out and briefly stated the situation of th
ings and then asked him if the C, could be revoked. He shook his head and answered no. At this conclusion my mind seemed for the moment to get relief for the two fold reason that I had done all I could and I did not want the C. revoked. I came back & M & A. were together in Farrs garden. I told them the answer I had got & advised them to take the best measures to make all things right between them. I cannot help thinking that M. has treated me not only unkindly but meanly & cruelly, but I forgive her before the Lord for I sympathize with her in her grief, but cant console her for she will not speak to me. My earnest prayer to God is that all things may soon become right & pleasant & that the Lord may bless her & save her from sinning against him. And if I have done wrong in asking if the C. could be revoked & seeking to have it done O Lord forgive me for I desire to do right in all things that I may he saved, I feel that I have done right in the sight of God and that he has
abundantly blessed me for which I thank him and something tells me that the time will come when M. will love those whom see ought & when she will feel perfectly satisfied with her situation & rejoice that things remain as they are. And now O God bless thy servant and handmaid & stamp the peace upon us and fill us with the spirit of truth for Jesus Christs sake Amen-- (1)

Footnotes:
1 - Fillerup, Robert C., compiler; William Clayton Nauvoo Diaries and Personal Writings, A chronological compilation of the personal writings of William Clayton while he was a resident of Nauvoo, Illinois. http://www.boap.org/LDS/Early-Saints/clayton-diaries
2 - BYU Studies Journal, volume 46, no. 4: A Chronology of the Life of Joseph Smith
3 - Conklin, Christopher J., Joseph Smith Chronology
4 - Faulring, Scott (ed.), An American Prophet's Record: The Diaries and Journals of Joseph Smith: Joseph Smith Diary, 1843-44
5 - 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
6 - Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993
7 - George D. Smith, An Intimate Chronicle; The Journals of William Clayton, Signature Books in association with Smith Research Associates, Salt Lake City, 1995

LDS History Timeline
About this site: http://bit.ly/mhist

Mormon History, 23Jul43

-- 23Jul43
[Joseph Smith Sermon] Hyrum as Prophet Statement

A "Pure" Mormon Embraces all Truth

Temple Ordinances

Interprets Scriptures - Jesus is God of OT - Baptist

Jesus Needed Baptism of John

Zachariah - Baptist - Prayer (1)

-- Jul 23, 1843
[Apostle Wilford Woodruff Journal] 23 Sunday A foggy morning passed by Kentucky to virginia. Spent the night on a sand bar. (2)

Joseph Smith "clarifies" his recent statement that he was resigning his prophet's mantle and giving it to his Brother Hyrum: "Last Monday morning certain brethren came to me and said they could hardly consent to receive Hyrum as a prophet, and for me to resign. But I told them, "I only said it to try your faith; and it is strange, brethren, that you have been in the Church so long, and not yet understand the Melchizedek Priesthood." Joseph's "resignation" was a temporary tactic to allow Hyrum to instruct the Saints to vote for a different candidate than the one to whom Joseph had previously committed his support. Joseph also states: "we learn in [the church about] a priesthood after the order of Melchizedek-Prophet, Priest and King, and I will advance from Prophet to Priest and then to King not to the kingdoms of this Earth but of the most High God." (3)

William Clayton writes in his journal: "M[argaret] appears dissatisfied with her situation and is miserable. . . . Evening I had some more talk with M[argaret] and find she is miserable which makes me doubly so. I offered to her to try to have her covenant released if she desired it but she said she was not willing." Clayton's secret plural wife, Margaret Moon, had on the previous day broken the news of her marriage, to her returned-missionary fiancé Aaron Farr. (3)

[Joseph Smith Sermon] P.M. Law and prophets were until John & 16 Luke 16 v. Joseph preached introduction. It has gone abroad that I was no longer a prophet.--I said it Ironically. I supposed you would all understand. I[t] was not that I would renounce the idea of being a prophet. but that I would renounce the idea of proclaiming myself such. and saying that I bear the testimony of Jesus

No greater love than that a man lay down his life for his friends. I discover 100s & 1000s--ready to do it for me.

In the midst of business. & find the spirit willing but the flesh is weak subject to like passions with other men.

although I am under the necessity of bearing the infirmities of other men, &c.--on the other hand the same characters when they discover a weakness in brother Joseph. blast his character &c--all that law &c through him to the church.--he cannot be borne with a moment. men mouth my troubles when I have trouble they forget it all I believe in a principle of reciprosiprocity--if we live in a devilish world--&c

I see no faults in the church.--Let me be resurrected with the saints whether to heaven or hell or any other good place--good society. what do we care if the society is good? dont care what a character is if he's my friend.--a friend a true friend. & I will be a friend to him friendship is the grand fundamental principle of Mormonism, to revolution civilize the world.--pour forth love. friendship like Bro Turley Blacksmith Shop. I do not dwell upon your faults. you shall not upon mine. after you have covered up all the faults among you the prettyest thing is have no faults at all.-- meek, quiet, &c.--Presbyterians any truth. embrace that. Baptist. Methodist &c. get all the good in the world. come out a pure Mormon.

Last Monday morning certain men came to me.--Bro Joseph Hyrum is no prophet he cant lead the church. you must lead the Church--if you resign I felt curious--& said--here we learn in a priesthood after the order of Melchisedeck--Prophet priest & king. & I will advance from prophet to priest & then to King not to the kingdoms of this earth but of the most high god.

If I should would there be a great many disappointed in Mo? Law & prophets &c. Suffereth violence & the violent taketh it by force --heaven and earth shall pass away. &c says Christ. he was the rock &c. --gave the law 30 Ex. 30.31. and thou shalt anoint Aron &c. last Chap Ex 15. and thou shalt anoint them &c. --a tittle of law which must be fulfilled. --forever hereditary.--fixed on the head of aron. down to Zachariah--the father of John. Zachariah had no child had not God gave him a son? Sent his angel to declare a son Name John. with the keys. --John King and lawgiver

The Kingdom of heaven suffereth violence & The kingdom of heaven continueth in authority. [DEL: beareth suffereth violence :DEL] until John. the authority taketh it by absolute power.. John having the power.--take the kingdom by authority.

How do you know all this gr[eat] knowledge? by the gift of the H.G. arrested the kingdom from the Jews of these stony Gentils these dogs to raise up children unto Abraham

John I must be baptized by you. why to answer my decrees John refuses--Jesus had no legal administrator before John. No salvation between the two lids of the bible without a legal administrator

Tis contrary to a governors oath to send a man to Mo. where he is prescribed in his religious opinions.

Jesus was then the legal administrator.--& ordained his apostles.

I will resume the subject at some future time.

James Burgess Notebook

Luke 16 chap 16 verse. The Law and the Prophets were untill John since then the Kingdom of Heaven is preached and all men press into it. We will go back to Mount Scinia where Jesus gave the Law to Moses Exodus 30 chap 30 verse also the last chap 15 verse. The preisthood was given to Aron and his posterity throughout all generations We can trace the leanage down to Zachariah he being the only lawfull administrator in his day and the jews knew it well for they always acknowledge the priesthood. and Zachariah having no children. knew that the promise of God must fail, consequently he went into the Temple to wrestle with God according to the order of the preisthood to obtain a promise of a son, and when the Angel told him that his promise was granted he because of unbelief was struck dumb. And when the set time was come John came forth and when he took up his preisthood, he came bounding out of the wilderness saying repent ye for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. he having recei
vedthe holy anointing was the only lawful administrator and the jews all knew it for the law and the prophets was untill John since then the kingdom of heaven is preached and all men press into it! Why! Why [DEL: John :DEL] because John was the only lawful administrator and they the Jews well knew it. consequently the only alternative was for them to yeild obedience to mandates of this wild man of the woods, namely John or be damned. For all Jerusalem and all Judea came out to be babtised of John, sadusees, pharasees, Essenees &c For untill John was the law and the prophets, since then the kingdom of heaven is preached and all men press into it. The kingdom of heaven suffereth violence and the violent take it by forse. Now I will translate a little, the kingdom of heaven hath power and authority and by that they take or enter legally and lawfully the kingdom of heaven.

J S Prophet

Franklin D. Richards "Scriptural Items"

July 23 Joseph said after reading Matt 11-12 & Luke 16-16 Heaven & Earth might pass but not a jot or tittle of the Law should read Exodus 40-15 Anointing of Aaron & his sons and shewed that all the Power & Authority & Anointing descended upon the head of John the Baptist or "The Government shall be upon his shoulders" This was virtually acknowledged by all Judea & they of Jersualem coming out to be baptised of him & the rendering the Texts is "The Kingdom continueth in authority or Law & the Authority or legality (which belonged to John) took it by force or wrested it from the Jews to be delivered to a Nation bringing forth the fruits thereof.["]

Levi Richards Diary

23 July warm & dryÃÂP.M. J Smith spoke 1 hour & 25 Minutes--Text, Luke 16-16.

Willard Richards Diary

Meeting Hyrum--Joseph. [Joseph Smith Diary, by Willard Richards] (4)

Footnotes:
1 - The Parallel Joseph, http://www.boap.org/LDS/Parallel/
2 - Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993
3 - On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com
4 - The Words of Joseph Smith by Joseph Smith by Andrew F. Ehat and Lyndon W. Cook

LDS History Timeline
About this site: http://bit.ly/mhist

Mormon History, Jul 20, 1843

-- Jul 20, 1843
[Joseph Smith Diary] July 20th M. P. [Mary Ann Price?] to O[rson] Hyde {Listed Marriage} (1)

[Joseph Smith Diary] Thursday, July 20th This evening borrowed $200 of Yearsly and furnished Bishop Miller $290 for the pinery expedition.

Mr. Divine [the] Fire King called on President. (2)

[Polygamy] Orson Hyde polygamous marriage to Martha Rebecca Browett (3)

-- Jul 21, 1843
[Apostle Wilford Woodruff Journal] 21 I wrote 3 Letters one to E Robinson one to Elias Smith & one to Mrs P W. Woodruff all of which I sent By Mr Holdridge. (4)

George Miller: Left again for pineries 21 July 1843. (5)

[Joseph Smith Diary] Friday, July 21st This morning Bishop Miller, Lyman Wight, and a large company including families started on the "Maid of Iowa" for the pinery in Wisconsin. (2)

-- Jul 22, 1843
[Apostle Wilford Woodruff Journal] 22d Saturday We left Cincinnati at 11 oclok on board of the Adolade for Pittsburg. (4)

[Joseph Smith Diary] [July] 22nd W[illiam] Clayton and Ruth Moon {Listed Marriage} (1)

[Joseph Smith Diary] Saturday, July 22d Saw Joseph 4 P.M. in a buggy at the store starting to ride out. (2)

[Lucy Mack Smith] Hyrum Smith takes Martha Jane and Howard Coray in a buggy out on the prairie, teaches them the principle of celestial marriage, then seals them at their request. (6)

Lyman Wight: On 22 July 1843 left with family and about one hundred fifty others for Black River (above LaCrosse, Wisconsin); there Nauvoo House committee had purchased pinery to provide lumber for homes, temple, and Nauvoo House. Preached to Indians while in Wisconsin. While on Black River, with others conceived idea of going to Texas to establish gathering place for southern converts. (5)

-- Jul 22, 1843, Tuesday
[William Clayton Writings] ... on the 22nd of July, 1843, he married to me, according to the order of the Church, my first wife Ruth. (7)

[William Clayton Writings] Saturday 22 ... Mt. and a had a long conversation together. She has stood true to her covenant with CW. [CW is written backwards] I also had some talk with him & although the shock is severe he endures it patiently. And I pray the Great Eloheem to make up the loss to him an hundred fold and enable him to rejoice in all things. My heart aches with grief on his & M's account and could almost say O that I had never known h. But Thou O God knowest the integrity of thy servant. Thou knowest that I have done that which I have understood to be thy will & am still determined to do so and I ask thee in the name of Jesus Christ either to absolutely wean my affections from M. or give me hers entire and then I am content. But to live in this state of feeling I cannot. If I have done wrong in this thing, show it me that thy servant may repent of it and obtain forgiveness. But O Lord have mercy on me and by some means release me from this grievous bondage of feel
ing & thy servant will praise thee. Prest. Joseph came to see me & pronounced a sealing blessing upon Ruth and me. And we mutually entered into an everlasting covenant with each other. (7)

-- July 22nd 1843
[High Council Minutes]

Council met according to adjt at the Nauvoo Siminary William Marks Presiding.

Present 1) Bent 2) Allred 3) Joshua Smith pro tem. 4) Tarlton Lewis pro tem. 5) Fulmer 6) Harris 7) Grover 8) George W. Crouse pro tem. 8) Johnson 9) George W. Crouse pro tem. 10) Huntington 11) Soby 12) Erastus Derby.

Israel Bowen against Elizabeth Rowe.

Charge.

Nauvoo July the 15th 1843

"To the High Council of the Church of Jesus Christ.

I hereby prefer a charge against Elizabeth Rowe, For unchristain-like conduct having been caught in bed with a man not her husband at two different times.

Israel Bowen."

Defendant plead not guilty. Two were appointed to speak on a side. to wit: 3) Smith 4) Lewis 5) Fulmer 6) Harris

The charge was sustained. President Marks decided, That the hand of fellowship be withdrawn from her, which was unanimously sanctioned by the Council.

Adjd till next Saturday the 29th at 2 o'clock P.M.

Hosea Stout Clerk (8)

Footnotes:
1 - Faulring, Scott (ed.), An American Prophet's Record: The Diaries and Journals of Joseph Smith: Joseph Smith Diary, 1843
2 - Faulring, Scott (ed.), An American Prophet's Record: The Diaries and Journals of Joseph Smith: Joseph Smith Diary, 1843-44
3 - Smith, George D (Spring 1994), "Nauvoo Roots of Mormon Polygamy, 1841-46: A Preliminary Demographic Report", Dialogue: A Journal of Mormon Thought 27
4 - Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993
5 - 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
6 - Anderson, Lavina Fielding, Editor, Lucy's Book: A Critical Edition of Lucy Mack Smith's Family Memoir, 2001, Signature Books
7 - Fillerup, Robert C., compiler; William Clayton Nauvoo Diaries and Personal Writings, A chronological compilation of the personal writings of William Clayton while he was a resident of Nauvoo, Illinois. http://www.boap.org/LDS/Early-Saints/clayton-diaries
8 - Minutes of the High Council of the Church of Jesus Christ of Nauvoo Illinois: Nauvoo Hancock County Illinois

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Mormon History, Jul 17, 1843

-- Jul 17, 1843
[Joseph Smith Diary] Monday, July 17th Mostly at home. Called at the office once and in the evening was at the theatre in the store chamber, by Chapman and others. 4 days last past in <privacy[?]> says <William Clayton>. (1)

-- Jul 17, 1843, Monday
[William Clayton Writings] Monday 17. A.M. at the Temple & at Prest. J's, conversed with J. & Hyrum on the priesthood ... (2)

-- 1843: 18 July
[Patriarchal Blessings] Frances Crosby. (Given by Hyrum Smith.)

"Sister Frances, I lay my hands upon your head in the name of Jesus of Nazareth and bless you. Behold thou shalt be blest in this life with light afflictions hereafter and in the world to come thou shalt have Eternal life and shall enter into your everlasting inheritance with your fathers and shall inherit the presence of your Father Mother Brothers and Sisters and again you shall be blest with an habitation an house over which you shall preside according to the Capacity of your calling and your Station in the midst of your own, with comfort, with a blessing of consolation with prosperity in your incomings and outgoings & with a field & with flocks & herds as also the Communion and fellowship in the Kingdom of God as also the the Communion of the Spirit & the fellowship of the Saints & I seal you with the seal of the new and Everlasting Covenant as touching the power to seal on Earth & seal in Heaven, although it is the days of your youth, yet you shall live & there is a rew
ard in Heaven laid up for you & the Key is your Mother therefore you shall be blest & your mind shall be attentive & the memory of the past shall not be forgotten and again you shall also be blest with the knowledge of the mysteries of God as it shall be developed in its fulness & the desires of your heart shall be realised and your name shall be perpetuated with the blessings of the Priesthood upon your Posterity from generation to generation the same is a blessing by promise unto the latest generation and again you are blessed in the lineage of the Covenant being a daughter of Abraham & an heir of promise & as to your days and years they shall be given unto you according to your faith & the desires of your Heart These blessings I seal upon your head even so Amen." (From typescript; Lorenzo Brown Journals, 1823-1901, BYU Archives.) [Age, 25; Scribe, James Sloan.] (3)

-- Jul 18, 1843
[Apostle Wilford Woodruff Journal] 18th We left the valley of Peidmont or Mormon-town as the Elder Called it & we took a skiff in company with Br Pemberton & rode down the licking river & crossed to the city of Cincinnati. Called upon Br Maryweather who has the Charge of the Sale of Brandworths Pills on 3d st Between Walnut & Main. She offerd us $1 each. I told her to give it to Elder Smith & she did so. 10 m. (4)

Nauvoo, Illinois. Joseph Smith spent the day preparing hay on his farm. (5)

[Joseph Smith] "I was making hay on my farm." (History of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (7 volumes) 5:511.) (6)

[Joseph Smith Diary] July 18th, Tuesday Making hay on the prairie. (1)

-- Jul 19, 1843
[Apostle Wilford Woodruff Journal] 19 I took canal packet in company with Elder B Young. Rode to Lockland. Fare 50 cts each $1.00. Stoped & spent the night (upon a pinch) with Mr David Martin. He had been baptized into the Church but was fearful & unbelieveing. We had the privilege however of spending the night with him & lying upon a patent Bedstead upon which it is said that neither a Bedbug or flea will stay on it. But the reason why yet remains a secret. He did not ask us our names untill we left next morning. Distance 10 m. (4)

The Nauvoo Neighbor publishes a recent article from the Illinois State Register titled "Was the Arrest of the Prophet a Political Trick?" This article claims that Joseph's arrest may have been a Whig conspiracy to make the Democratic Governor Ford look bad by having to extradite Joseph Smith at election time. This would hopefully cause the massive Mormon vote to go for the Whigs. The Saints apparently give some credence to this accusation against the Whigs, because in the election they vote Democratic in spite of Joseph's promise to give his vote to the Whig candidate, Cyrus Walker. (6)

[Joseph Smith Diary] Wednesday, July 19th A gentle shower of rain in the P.M. (1)

-- Jul 20, 1843
[Apostle Wilford Woodruff Journal] 20th We walked 2 miles to Br Jackson who was Cradling wheat. We went with him to his house. He gave us a sovreign to assist us on our Journey. We then walked back to the city of Cincinnati & we were weary with our Journey making 15 miles we had walked. 14 mi. (4)

Footnotes:
1 - Faulring, Scott (ed.), An American Prophet's Record: The Diaries and Journals of Joseph Smith: Joseph Smith Diary, 1843-44
2 - Fillerup, Robert C., compiler; William Clayton Nauvoo Diaries and Personal Writings, A chronological compilation of the personal writings of William Clayton while he was a resident of Nauvoo, Illinois. http://www.boap.org/LDS/Early-Saints/clayton-diaries
3 - Selected LDS Patriarchal Blessings, New Mormon Studies CD ROM, Signature Book, 2009
4 - Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993
5 - BYU Studies Journal, volume 46, no. 4: A Chronology of the Life of Joseph Smith
6 - Conklin, Christopher J., Joseph Smith Chronology

LDS History Timeline
About this site: http://bit.ly/mhist

Mormon History, Jul 16, 1843

-- Jul 16, 1843
[Joseph Smith] Sunday. Joseph preaches in the grove, stating that "the same spirit that crucified Jesus is in the breast of some who profess to be Saints in Nauvoo. I have secret enemies in the city intermingling with the Saints, etc. Said I would not prophesy any more, and proposed Hyrum to hold the office Prophet to the Church, as it was his birthright." (History of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (7 volumes) 5:510.) (1)

[Joseph Smith Diary] Sunday, July 16th 1843 Preached all day or A.M. and P.M. at the stand in the grove, near and west of the Temple concerning a man's foes being they of his own house, such as having secret enemies in the city. Intermingling with the Saints &c. and [said he would not prophesy anymore,] proposing Hyrum as a prophet that he might be (a priest) so the hearers tell the story. (2)

[Joseph Smith Sermon] Joseph said July 16th All Blessings that were ordained for man by the Council of Heaven were on conditions of obedience to the Law there of. No man can obtain an eternal Blessing unless the contract or covenant be made in view of Eternity All contracts in view of this Life only terminate with this Life. Case of the woman & 7 husbands Luke 20-29 &c Those who keep no eternal Law in this life or make no eternal contract are single & alone in the eternal world (Luke 20-35) and are only made Angels to minister to those who shall be heirs of Salvation never becoming Sons of God having never kept the Law of God ie eternal Law The earthly is the image of the Heavenly shows that is by the multiplication of Lives that the eternal worlds are created and occupied that which is born of the flesh is flesh that which is born of the Spirit is Spirit.

William Clayton Diary

P.M. went to the Grove and heard Pres. J. preach on the law of the priesthood. He stated that Hyrum held the office of prophet to the church by birth-right & he was going to have a reformation and the saints must regard Hyrum for he has authority. He showed that a man must enter into an everlasting covenant with his wife in this world or he will have no claim on her in the next. He said that he could not reveal the fulness of these things untill the Temple is completed &c.

Levi Richards Diary

P.M. spoke of contracts & covenants made from life end with life. the necessity of the Temple that the Servants of God may be sealed in their foreheads. --the 4 Angels not permitted to destroy the earth till it was done --weather warm & dry

Letter of Willard Richards to Brigham Young

Said he would not prophecy any more.--Hyrum should be the prophet--(did not tell them he was going to be a priest now, nor a King by and by) --told the elders not to prophecy when they went out preaching

Joseph Smith Diary, by Willard Richards

Proposing Hyrum as a prophet--that he might be (a priest) --so the hearers tell the story. [Joseph Smith Diary, by Willard Richards] (3)

[Joseph Smith Sermon] Sunday 16 Joseph preached all day.--A.M. 27th Matthew & c.--did not hear him.--"Mans foes they of his own house. --the spirit that crucified Christ, same spirit in Nauvoo. refered particularly to--I wont say who--was it Bro Marks? --did not Say.--bro Cole [Cowles]? or bro [DEL: P.P.P :DEL] did not hear the sermon, why ask me. nothing new same as when you left. --the spirit was against Christ because of his innocence.--So in the present case.

Joseph Smith Diary, by Willard Richards

preached all day. or A.M. & P.M. at the Stand, in the grove, near & west of the temple concerning a mans foes being they of his own house. Such as having secret enemies in the city--intermingling with the saints &c.

Levi Richards Diary

16 July AM at Temple stand heard Pres. Joseph Smith read the 27th Chapt. Math. spoke of the persecution of the innocent the guilty might [DEL: go free :DEL] escapes

Willard Richards Diary

Joseph Pr[eached]--all day--constituted Hyrum prophet [Franklin D. Richards "Scriptural Items"] (3)

-- Jul 16, 1843, Sunday
[William Clayton Writings] Sunday 16th. A.M. at home writing bro. Kimballs lecture. (4)

-- Jul 17, 1843
[Apostle Wilford Woodruff Journal] 17th I felt quite unwell in the morning with my cold. We went down to the Raspbury patch with Mr James Colbertson & saw the manner they Cultivated & picked the buries. After Conversing a while with him we left him & started back for Cincinnati on foot.

We had got about half way, when we were over-taken by Br Collins Penberton who had been to kirt-land & was returning home. Was within two miles of his house & wished us to go home with him & spend the night. We did so, & found him in a valley a little like the valley of Peidmont. Their was three or four families with him that had come up with Elder Blakesley & all got out of money on the way & they had gone up in that valley near the licking river to Cut wood to Boat down to Cincinnati Market to Get money to go to Nauvoo. They all appeared glad to see us. We had a meeting in the evening & Blessed their Children, 8 in No. Elder Blakesley had got money & gone on to Nauvoo. Had just arived when we left. We had a hard Shower of rain during the evening & night which made it much Cooler. (5)

Nauvoo, Illinois. Joseph Smith spent much of the day at home with his brother Hyrum Smith conversing about the priesthood. (6)

Footnotes:
1 - Conklin, Christopher J., Joseph Smith Chronology
2 - Faulring, Scott (ed.), An American Prophet's Record: The Diaries and Journals of Joseph Smith: Joseph Smith Diary, 1843-44
3 - The Words of Joseph Smith by Joseph Smith by Andrew F. Ehat and Lyndon W. Cook
4 - Fillerup, Robert C., compiler; William Clayton Nauvoo Diaries and Personal Writings, A chronological compilation of the personal writings of William Clayton while he was a resident of Nauvoo, Illinois. http://www.boap.org/LDS/Early-Saints/clayton-diaries
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

LDS History Timeline
About this site: http://bit.ly/mhist

Mormon History, Jul 14, 1843

-- Jul 14, 1843
[Apostle Wilford Woodruff Journal] 14th We had an interview in the morning with Br Hedlock & Jerman & spent the day walking about the city. Elder Grant informed me that he had sent a Barrel of Plaster to Br Taylor to Nauvoo. We all wrote letters to our wives & sent them By Br Far who was going direct to Nauvoo. (1)

[Joseph Smith] "Spent the day at home." (History of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (7 volumes) 5:509.) (2)

[Joseph Smith Diary] Friday, July 14th Introduced Mr. McNeal to the President.

4 Apr[il] [18]42 Marinda Johnson [Hyde] to Joseph Smith 1843 {Listed Marriage} (3)

-- Jul 15, 1843
[Apostle Wilford Woodruff Journal] July 15th Saturday I Called upon Mr J. W. Eley in Cincinnati & carried him the deeds & papers from E Robinson of Nauvoo & Mr Eley excepted them & fulfilled his contract by Doing up the goods in Boxes & shiped them to A Johnson in care of A. Morrison Nauvoo. He sent 30 Reams of paper for the Times. His price in trade was $5.50 for Cash $4.50. He forwarded 20 Reams for the neighbor trade. Price was $4 for Cash $3.00. After seeing the goods Boxed up & shiped on Board of the Lancer to St Louis at 20 cts. per cwt. I went in company with Elder B. Young to Br Piews & spent the night. (1)

William Clayton, Joseph Smith's secretary and confidant, "Made Deed for 1/2 S[team] B[oat] Maid of Iowa from Joseph to Emma. Also a Deed to E[mma] for over 60 city lots-" (4)

Nauvoo, Illinois. Joseph Smith went with his family and 100 others on a pleasure excursion on the steamship Maid of Iowa. (5)

[Joseph Smith] "Spent the day at home." (History of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (7 volumes) 5:510.) (2)

[Joseph Smith Diary] Saturday, July 15th 1843 At home. 6 P.M. with his [Joseph Smith's] family and about 100 others took a pleasure excursion on the Maid of Iowa from Nauvoo House Landing to the North part of the city and back at dusk. (Theatre in the evening by Mr. Chapman). A shower this morning wet the ground 1 inch. (6)

-- Jul 15, 1843, Saturday
[William Clayton Writings] Saturday 15th. Made Deed for ½ S.B Maid of Iowa from J. to Emma. Also a Deed to E. for over 60 city lots. ... (7)

-- July 15th 1843
[High Council Minutes]

Council met according to adjt at the Nauvoo Simenary. Prest Marks Presiding

Prayer by Prest A. Cowles. Adjd till next Saturday the 22nd inst at 2 o'clock P.M. H Stout Clerk. (8)

-- 16Jul43
[Joseph Smith Sermon] Hyrum to be Prophet

Sunday Afternoon

Meaning of D&C 130:20 (9)

-- Jul 16, 1843
[Apostle Wilford Woodruff Journal] 16th Sunday We met at a privat house in the city with the Saints & I spoke to the people & was followed By Elder B Young. This is the first time that I ever attempted to preach in Cincinnati. At the close of the meeting Elder Young & myself went on to the ferry Boat & crossed the River & took dinner with Br Derby.

We then took each of us a horse that had been brought to us & rode 8 miles back into Kentucky over the hills streams rocks & valleys to Mr Colbertsons who had professed to be a saint & an Elder in the Church but had lost his faith if he ever had any as had also Br Youtsey in the Same neighbourhood. They had got their eye fixed more upon Strayburys & rasp-burrys (as they were cultivating 10 or 15 acres of them for market) than they had upon the mark or the prize of the high calling in Christ Jesus. We found they had neither of them any faith in the work. Theire was an appointment given out for us to preach at 4 oclock but we did not arive untill it was to late. We had a good supper of red raspburys. I took a severe cold during the day & evening & was about Sick. Distance 10 m. (1)

Joseph Smith creates confusion by declaring that he "would not prophesy any more, and proposed Hyrum to hold the office of prophet to the Church, as it was his birthright" as Presiding Patriarch. Stake president and former Nauvoo resident Abraham O. Smoot would tell the Provo School of the Prophets in 1868 that HyrumSmith "used to say [about] prophecy if you hit once in 10 times that is alright." In the same sermon Joseph Smith also "showed that a man must enter into an everlasting covenant with his wife in this world or he will have no claim on her in the next. He said that he could not reveal the fulness of these things untill the Temple is completed &c." The temple was not completed until after Joseph's death. (4)

Nauvoo, Illinois. Joseph Smith preached in a grove near the Nauvoo Temple concerning traitorous thoughts harbored by some in Nauvoo who professed to be Saints. (5)

Footnotes:
1 - Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993
2 - Conklin, Christopher J., Joseph Smith Chronology
3 - Faulring, Scott (ed.), An American Prophet's Record: The Diaries and Journals of Joseph Smith: Joseph Smith Diary, 1843
4 - On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com
5 - BYU Studies Journal, volume 46, no. 4: A Chronology of the Life of Joseph Smith
6 - Faulring, Scott (ed.), An American Prophet's Record: The Diaries and Journals of Joseph Smith: Joseph Smith Diary, 1843-44
7 - Fillerup, Robert C., compiler; William Clayton Nauvoo Diaries and Personal Writings, A chronological compilation of the personal writings of William Clayton while he was a resident of Nauvoo, Illinois. http://www.boap.org/LDS/Early-Saints/clayton-diaries
8 - Minutes of the High Council of the Church of Jesus Christ of Nauvoo Illinois: Nauvoo Hancock County Illinois
9 - The Parallel Joseph, http://www.boap.org/LDS/Parallel/

LDS History Timeline
About this site: http://bit.ly/mhist

Mormon History, Jul 12, 1843, Wednesday

-- Jul 12, 1843, Wednesday
[William Clayton Journal] On the morning of the 12th of July, 1843, Joseph and Hyrum Smith came into the office in the upper story of the `brick store,' on the bank of the Mississippi River. They were talking on the subject of plural marriage. Hyrum said to Joseph, ``If you will write the revelation on celestial marriage, I will take it to Emma, and I believe I can convince her of its truth, and you will hereafter have peace.'' Joseph smiled and remarked, ``You do not know Emma as well as I do.'' Hyrum repeated his opinion and further remarked, ``The doctrine is so plain, I can convince any reasonable man or woman of its truth, purity or heavenly origin,'' or words to their effect. Joseph then said, ``Well, I will write the revelation and we will see.'' He then requested me to get paper and prepare to write. Hyrum very urgently requested Joseph to write the revelation by means of the Urim and Thummim, but Joseph, in reply, said he did not need to, for he knew the revelation p
erfectly from beginning to end.

Joseph and Hyrum then sat down and Joseph commenced to dictate the revelation on celestial marriage, and I wrote it, sentence by sentence, as he dictated. After the whole was written, Joseph asked me to read it through, slowly and carefully, which I did, and he pronounced it correct. He then remarked that there was much more that he could write, on the same subject, but what was written was sufficient for the present.

Hyrum then took the revelation to read to Emma. Joseph remained with me in the office until Hyrum returned. When he came back, Joseph asked him how he had succeeded. Hyrum replied that he had never received a more severe talking to in his life, that Emma was very bitter and full of resentment and anger.

Joseph quietly remarked, ``I told you you did not know Emma as well as I did'' Joseph then put the revelation in his pocket, and they both left the office. The revelation was read to several of the authorities during the day. Towards evening Bishop Newel K. Whitney asked Joseph if he had any objections to his taking a copy of the revelation; Joseph replied that he had not, and handed it to him. It was carefully copied the following day by Joseph C. Kingsbury. Two or three days after the revelation was written Joseph related to me and several others that Emma has so teased, and urgently entreated him for the privilege of destroying it, that he became so weary of her teasing, and to get rid of her annoyance, he told her she might destroy it and she had done so, but he had consented to her wish in this matter to pacify her, realizing that he knew the revelation perfectly, and could rewrite it at any time if necessary.

The copy made by Joseph C. Kingsbury is a true and correct copy of the original in every respect. The copy was carefully preserved by Bishop Whitney, and but few knew of its existence until the temporary location of the Camps of Israel at Winter Quarters, on the Missouri River, in 1846.

After the revelation on celestial marriage was written, Joseph continued his instructions, privately, on the doctrine, to myself and others, and during the last year of his life we were scarcely ever together, alone, but he was talking on the subject, and explaining that doctrine and principles connected with it. He appeared to enjoy great liberty and freedom in his teachings, and also to find great relief in having a few to whom he could unbosom his feelings on that great and glorious subject.

From him I learned that the doctrine of plural and celestial marriage is the most holy and important doctrine ever revealed to man on the earth, and that without obedience to that principle no man can ever attain to the fulness of exaltation in celestial glory. (1)

-- Jul 13, 1843
[Apostle Wilford Woodruff Journal] 13th We passed Vevey at 8 oclock. We had a plesant view of President Harrison's Tomb as we passed along. We Reached Cincinnati at half past 5 oclock. Spent the night at Br Timothy Bakers at Elm street Between fifth & sixth st. Elder Smith was quite sick through the night. I dreamed that Br Joseph was taken with another writ to be tried in Illinois. Elder B Young also dreamed that we were called home. The distance from the mouth of the Ohio to Cincinnati is 538 miles. (2)

Joseph Smith writes in his diary: "I was in conversation with Emma most of the day." The previous day Joseph's brother Hyrum had presented Emma with the revelation on plural marriage. Emma "said she did not believe a word of it and appeared very rebellious." On This Day William Clayton records: " This A.M. Joseph sent for me and when I arrived he called me up into his private room with E[mma] and there stated an agreement they had mutually entered into. They both stated their feelings on many subjects and wept considerable. O may the Lord soften her heart that she may be willing to keep and abide by his Holy Law-" Three days later Joseph's diary records that he "preached . . . concerning a mans foes being they of his own house" (3)

Nauvoo, Illinois. Joseph Smith spent most of the day in conversation with Emma Smith, his wife. (4)

[Joseph Smith Diary] Thursday, July 13th Shadrach Roundy returned from Springfield. Reported the Gov[ernor] gone to Rock River and left affidavits to the care of Gen[eral] Adams (/all performed in/ less than 4 days). In conversation with Emma most of the day.

Roundy said it was reported that Gen[eral] Wilson of M[iss]o[uri] had started from the interior of Ill[inois] for Washington City. (5)

Footnotes:
1 - Fillerup, Robert C., compiler; William Clayton Nauvoo Diaries and Personal Writings, A chronological compilation of the personal writings of William Clayton while he was a resident of Nauvoo, Illinois. http://www.boap.org/LDS/Early-Saints/clayton-diaries
2 - Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993
3 - On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com
4 - BYU Studies Journal, volume 46, no. 4: A Chronology of the Life of Joseph Smith
5 - Faulring, Scott (ed.), An American Prophet's Record: The Diaries and Journals of Joseph Smith: Joseph Smith Diary, 1843

LDS History Timeline
About this site: http://bit.ly/mhist

Mormon History, Jul 12, 1843

-- Jul 12, 1843
Smith announces revelations about two new practices. First, the dead can be baptized. [This practice is disclosed as a part of three different revelations.] Second, polygamy, or plural marriage, is not only permissible but in certain cases required. The second pronouncement, in particular, causes great division among Mormons, with Brigham Young stating he would rather die and Joseph Smith's wife Emma expressing opposition even though the revelation (now Section 132 in the LDS Doctrine and Covenants) expressly directs Emma Smith to accept plural marriage.) And although the doctrine will not be publicly announced for nearly a decade, rumors quickly spread, increasing anti-Mormon feeling. Joseph Smith will eventually have more than 25 wives, while Young will come to embrace the doctrine, take 20 wives, and father 57 children. (1)

Section 132, Place: Nauvoo, Hancock County, Illinois.

Historical Note: Section 132 is a revelation addressing the subjects of eternal and plural marriage and the principles upon which such marriages were to be performed in the Church. Because the Prophet had learned of and begun to practice plural marriage several years earlier, and because he started performing eternal marriages in 1841, many have concluded that section 132 was revealed years earlier, and merely written down in July 1843. A more accurate interpretation is that while Joseph Smith may have received revelation on matters contained in section 132 prior to 1843, this revelation (its form, language, and message) was unquestionably received for the first time in the summer of 1843.

Joseph Smith learned of the principle of plural marriage as early as July 1831, near Independence, on the border of Missouri and what later became Kansas. Moreover, available evidence attests that the Prophet began to take additional wives by 1836, in Kirtland, Ohio. Although plural marriage did not become a law of the Church until its public announcement in 1852, Joseph Smith, and later Brigham Young, did instruct a select number of faithful Mormon brethren to take additional wives before that date.

Whereas the concept of plural marriage appears to have had its birth in Kirtland, the principle of eternal marriage developed at Nauvoo. A combination of both principles was taught privately by the Prophet, beginning in 1841. From the beginning Joseph's wife, Emma, appears to have objected to his taking additional wives. Her refusal to accept the doctrine and to support her husband in righteousness resulted in a year's delay in administering the blessings of the temple endowment to women because Joseph desired his wife to be the first woman to receive the ordinance. Finally, in May 1843 she consented to the Prophet's taking plural-eternal wives, but by July she had reversed her position and was adamant. Hyrum Smith, William Law, and William Marks, presiding Church leaders, also were bitterly opposed to the doctrine, and while Law and Marks could never assent to the implications of the practice, the Prophet's brother, Hyrum, was converted to it on 26 May 1843.

Section 132 was received on the morning of 12 July 1843 at the request of Hyrum Smith, who hoped that a written revelation on the subject would assuage Emma's feelings. Hyrum was fairly confident that if the Prophet would write down a revelation on celestial marriage, he could take it for Emma to read and thereby regain her support. William Clayton took down the ten-page revelation at Joseph Smith's dictation in the "small office upstairs in the rear of [the Prophet's Red Brick] store." An entry in the Clayton diary for 12 July 1843 states the following:.

This A.M. I wrote a Revelation consisting of 10 pages on the order of the priesthood, showing the designs in Moses, Abraham, David and Solomon having many wives & concubines &c. After it was wrote Prests. Joseph & Hyrum presented it and read it to E[mma]. who said she did not believe a word of it and appeared very rebellious.

Towards evening on 12 July Bishop Newel K. Whitney received permission to copy the revelation. About mid-day on 13 July Joseph C. Kingsbury, store-clerk for Bishop Whitney, carefully took a copy, which both Whitney and Kingsbury proofread against the original. The Kingsbury copy, which was given to Brigham Young in March 1847, was used to publish the revelation five years later. Whereas the Clayton copy was burned, the Kingsbury copy is still in existence.

Publication Note. Section 132 was first published in a Deseret News Extra (14 September 1852), and was included as section 132 in the 1876 edition of the Doctrine and Covenants. A statement known as the "Article on Marriage," written by Oliver Cowdery in 1835, served as the Church's official position on marriage and was printed in each edition of the Doctrine and Covenants until 1876, when it was replaced by section 132. (2)

Joseph Smith dictates the revelation concerning eternal marriage, or "the new and everlasting covenant", including the plurality of wive s(D&C 132). Although written down in 1842, Smith received portions of the revelation as early as 1831. (3)

[Joseph Smith Diary] Wednesday, July 12th Received a Revelation in the office in presence of Hyrum and W[illia]m Clayton. [several lines left blank] This P.M. Adams and Hollister returned from Springfield. G. L. Wylie called for an interview. (4)

-- Jul 12, 1843, Wednesday
[William Clayton Journal] Now, I say to you, as I am ready to testify to all the world, and on which testimony I am most willing to meet all the Latter-day Saints and all apostates, in time and through all eternity, I did write the revelations on celestial marriage given through the Prophet Joseph Smith, on the 12th of July, 1843.

When the revelation was written there was no one present except the Prophet Joseph, his brother Hyrum and myself. It was written in the small office upstairs in the rear of the brick store which stood on the banks of the Mississippi river. It took some three hours to write it. Joseph dictated sentence by sentence, and I wrote it as he dictated. After the whole was written Joseph requested me to read it slowly and carefully, which I did, and he then pronounced it correct. The same night a copy was taken by Bishop Whitney, which copy is now here (in the Historian's office) and which I know and testify is correct. The original was destroyed by Emma Smith.

I again testify that the revelation on polygamy was given through the prophet Joseph on the 12th of July, 1843; and that the Prophet Joseph both taught and practiced polygamy I do positively know, and bear testimony to the fact. (5)

Footnotes:
1 - Whitney, Helen, Timeline: The Early History of the Mormons, A Frontline and American Experience Co-Production, //www.pbs.org/mormons/timeline/
2 - Cook, Lyndon, Revelations of the Prophet Joseph Smith: A Historical and Biographical Commentary of the Doctrine and Covenants
3 - Wikipedia, Joseph Smith Chronology, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chronology_of_Joseph_Smith,_Jr.
4 - Faulring, Scott (ed.), An American Prophet's Record: The Diaries and Journals of Joseph Smith: Joseph Smith Diary, 1843
5 - Fillerup, Robert C., compiler; William Clayton Nauvoo Diaries and Personal Writings, A chronological compilation of the personal writings of William Clayton while he was a resident of Nauvoo, Illinois. http://www.boap.org/LDS/Early-Saints/clayton-diaries

LDS History Timeline
About this site: http://bit.ly/mhist

Mormon History, Jul 9, 1843. Sunday.

-- Jul 9, 1843. Sunday.
[William Clayton Journal] A.M. at the Grove. President Joseph preached. (1)

-- Jul 10, 1843
[Apostle Wilford Woodruff Journal] 10th We entered the mouth of the Bold Ohio about 2 o-clok in the morning. Distance from St Louis to the mouth of the Ohio 180 miles. We reached Padukah at 8 o-clok & Smithland at 10 oclock at the mouth of the Cumberland R. We passed the Rok Cave & had a fair view of it. (2)

Heber C. Kimball writes in a letter to his wife and daughter, Helen: "Let us seek to be true to our integrity, wherever we shall make vows or covenants with each other. Then we have got in that narrow way that leads to eternal life. Now let us be careful that we do not make a breach, but let us learn by the things that we see others suffer, and not have to pass through them ourselves. . . . Now, Helen, study to be a comfort to all who are connected to us by the ties of nature, . . ." Two months previously fourteen-year-old Helen had become a plural wife of Joseph Smith (3)

-- 1843: 11 July
[Patriarchal Blessings] William Leany. (Given by John Smith.)

"Brother Wm. Leany, I lay my hands upon thy head in the name of Jesus of Nazareth and place upon you a father's blessing. Thou art of the House of Joseph and thou hast a right by inheritance of the Holy Priesthood which continueth in the lineage of thy fathers and will continue throughout the generations of thy prosperty [sic]. Thou art called to go forth to the nations of the earth to hunt up the remnants of Jacob, not only from among the gentiles but to gather thousands of the Lamanites and their seed. Thy God will send his angles before thee to guard thee on the right hand on the left to deliver thee from evil and to cause thee to prosper in all labors to overthrow the powers of darkness, push forward the cause of Zion, confound the wicked and learned of this generation gather thousands of the remnants of Jacob and build a city for their safety, and establish it as a Stake of Zion and preside over it forever Thou shall have a companion for thy comfort, and numerous poster
ity to keep thy name in rememberance which shall continue to increase forever. Thou shalt have power to do many miracles when it is necessary to roll forward the great work of the Lord. No good thing shall be with held from thee. Riches and honors, glory, immortallity with eternal life shall be added unto thee. This is thy reward with every blessing which your heart desire, therefore dismiss thy fears for thy tongue shall be loosed to enable thee to perform a mighty work. Seek after these things with all due dilligence and not one word herein spoken shall fall [fail?], for I seal it upon thee and thine and no power shall take it from thee. Even so amen." (From typescript; "Autobiography of William Leany, 1815-91," p. 6, BYU Special Collections; "Recorded in Book D, page 286 No. 863.") [Age, 27; Scribe, John L. Smith.) (4)

-- Jul 11, 1843
[Apostle Wilford Woodruff Journal] 11th A Cold Rainy day. We felt quite unwell esspecially Elder Magin. The River rose during the night. (2)

[Polygamy] James Adams polygamous marriage to Roxena Repshire (5)

-- Jul 12, 1843
[Apostle Wilford Woodruff Journal] 12th A Cold raw morning. We passed Albany Ia at 7 oclok. When we arived at Louisville at the foot of the canal Elder Young & myself walked into the City of Louisville about 2 miles.

We called & visited the man Called the Kentucky Baby By the name of [ ] Porter. His hight was 7 feet 7 inches. A thin spare man. His wait was 250 lb. We spent about 2 hours in Louisville.

I visited a paper ware house & prised their paper & could obtain good printing paper for 10 cts. per lb. & good Book paper from 12 to 20 cts per lb. (2)

[D and C] Doctrine and Covenants 132: Revelation given through Joseph Smith the Prophet, at Nauvoo, Illinois, recorded July 12, 1843, relating to the new and everlasting covenant, including the eternity of the marriage covenant, as also plurality of wives. HC 5: 501-507. Although the revelation was recorded in 1843, it is evident from the historical records that the doctrines and principles involved in this revelation had been known by the Prophet since 1831.

1-6, Exaltation is gained through the new and everlasting covenant; 7-14, The terms and conditions of that covenant are set forth; 15-20, Celestial marriage and a continuation of the family unit enable men to become gods; 21-25, The strait and narrow way that leads to eternal lives; 26-27, Law given relative to blasphemy against the Holy Ghost; 28-39, Promises of eternal increase and exaltation made to prophets and saints in all ages; 40-47, Joseph Smith is given the power to bind and seal on earth and in heaven; 48-50, The Lord seals upon him his exaltation; 51-57, Emma Smith is counseled to be faithful and true; 58-66, Laws governing the plurality of wives are set forth. (6)

Joseph Smith (37) announces revelation in favor of Plural Marriage (saying it was important for salvation). Hyrum Smith reportedly explains the revelation to Emma Smith, who rejects it, Joseph Smith shows Emma a transcript of the revelation, Emma throws it into the fireplace, but later gives in to the idea, providing that she gets to approve Joseph's plural wives. (7)

Footnotes:
1 - George D. Smith, An Intimate Chronicle; The Journals of William Clayton, Signature Books in association with Smith Research Associates, Salt Lake City, 1995
2 - Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993
3 - On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com
4 - Selected LDS Patriarchal Blessings, New Mormon Studies CD ROM, Signature Book, 2009
5 - Smith, George D (Spring 1994), "Nauvoo Roots of Mormon Polygamy, 1841-46: A Preliminary Demographic Report", Dialogue: A Journal of Mormon Thought 27
6 - Doctrine and Covenants
7 - Tidd, N. R., "Mormon Chronology"

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