[Joseph Smith Diary] Wednesday, October 4th 1843 A.M. Joseph was sworn before Alderman Phelps at the Mansion to an affidavit concerning a suit in court. Clayton and Joseph vs Rhodes. /Gave Phelps orders to take such steps as were necessary to procure arms &c. for the Legion/ P.M. Esqu[ire] [Justin] Butterfield arrived and Joseph spent the P.M. in riding about the city with him and in the evening chatting.
Council of the quorum [of the anointed] adjourned to Sunday eve[ning], Hiram's child being sick. Towards night Joseph called to direct a license for an auction to be given E. Hovey and N. Heeper for the space of 10 days for $5.00. Granted accordingly and they were sworn to make due returns to the treasurer. (1)
-- Oct 05, 1843
Concerning "the doctrine of plurality of wives," Smith's manuscript diary reads: "Joseph forbids it and the practice thereof. No man shall have but one wife." When incorporating Joseph Smith's journal into the History of the Church, Apostle George A. Smith, a cousin, altered this passage to reverse this prohibition on polygamy. Smith writes in diary that plurality of wives is forbidden . PLACE: Nauvoo, IL SOURCE: Mormon Polygamy, p.63 (2)
-- Oct 5, 1843
Joseph Smith qualifies his earlier position on plural marriage, saying a man should have one wife unless the Lord directs otherwise. (3)
Concerning "the doctrine of plurality of wives," JosephSmith's manuscript diary reads: "Joseph forbids it and the practice thereof. No man shall have but one wife." HISTORY OF THE CHURCH, 6:46 makes an addition which reverses this absolute denial. (4)
[Joseph Smith Diary] Thursday, October 5th Morning rode out with Esqu[ire] Butterfield to farm &c. P.M. rode on prairie to shew some brethren some land. Eve[ning] at home. Walked up and down St[reet] with Scribe and gave instructions to try those who were preaching, teaching, or practicing the doctrine of plurality of wives on this Law. Joseph forbids it and the practice thereof. No man shall have but one wife. (1)
-- Oct 6, 1843
Joseph Smith says he's dissatisfied with Sidney Rigdon and asks that he not be re-appointed as a counselor (at a special conference), citing Rigdon's mismanagement of the Post Office and detaining Smith's mail. Sidney Rigdon apologizes and is re-appointed. Smith says I've cast him off of my back and you have put him back on; you can carry him for I will not. (3)
[Joseph Smith Diary] Friday, October 6th To special conference 11 1/2 [A.M.] So cold and windy few people [came] out. Gave notice President Rigdon's case would be considered &c. Adjourned to morrow [at] 10 or 1st pleasant day. Walked towards home giving instructions to his scribe to cause all the paper relating to his 1/2 breed land in Iowa to be put in the hands of Esqu[ire] Butterfield. (1)
-- Oct 6, 1843 (Friday)
A special conference of the Church, which continued its sessions on the 8th, was commenced at Nauvoo, Ill. Serious complaints were made against Sidney Rigdon. (5)
-- Oct 6, 1843, Friday
[William Clayton Writings] [Clayton was not in Nauvoo on this date]
On the 6th day of October, 1843, the special conference was held in the temple. This was the first time a conference was held in the building.
At this conference charges were again preferred against the temple committee, and a public investigation was entered into; and it was again voted that the members of the committee should be retained in their standing.
On this occasion the President proposed to the people to place under bonds all agents who were sent out to collect funds for the temple and Nauvoo House. He showed that some of the Elders, when they were away, received contributions to the temple; but as they sometimes devoted a portion of the money in other channels, they did not make proper returns at Nauvoo and the accounts did not, therefore, accurately balance.
He stated that the Temple Apostles were not about to go East to raise means for the temple and also for the Nauvoo House. He suggested that they give bonds to the amount of two thousand dollars each; and that this rule be enforced upon all the Elders from this time forward. An action was taken by the Conference and it was decided by unanimous vote to carry this proposition into effect. The Twelve gave bonds in the required amount previous to their going East, which bonds were filed in the office of the Trustee-in-Trust.
Thus the Twelve were the first agents who were ever placed under bonds, when sent to collect funds for the Church. The wisdom of this order was soon manifest; for, although it was well understood and universally believed that the Twelve would invariably make correct returns, there were others who might not be so careful or scrupulous. And, inasmuch as members of this first quorum were required to give bonds, no other man could justly complain if he were brought under the same rule.
At this conference the Saints again voted to renew their exertions and double their diligence in order that the temple might be speedily finished.
During this conference, also, Elder Sidney Rigdon was tried for his fellowship, charged with a long course of conduct which rendered him unworthy of a place in the Church. President Joseph told the Saints that he had carried Elder Rigdon long enough and that he should do so no more. But notwithstanding this, the Patriarch Hyrum pleaded for mercy in Sidney's behalf; and the conference voted to sustain Elder Rigdon in his position as counsellor to the First Presidency. (6)
Footnotes:
1 - Faulring, Scott (ed.), An American Prophet's Record: The Diaries and Journals of Joseph Smith: Joseph Smith Diary, 1843-44, http://amzn.to/jsdiaries
2 - Joseph Smith Polygamy Timeline, http://www.i4m.com/think/polygamy/JS_Polygamy_Timeline.htm
3 - Tidd, N. R., "Mormon Chronology"
4 - On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com
5 - Jenson, Andrew, Church 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
LDS History Timeline
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