Mormon History, Jan 8, 1844

-- Jan 8, 1844
[Anointed Quorum] Joseph Smith "told me I had no longer a place in the Quorum, and that he had cut me off from the first Presidency and appointed another in my place" . (1)

[Apostle Wilford Woodruff Journal] 8th Spent the day but done but little. (2)

Joseph Smith tells William Law that he is no longer his counselor. (3)

Amasa M Lyman: Privately appointed second counselor 8 Jan. 1844 to replace William Law , but when William Law was not released at Apr. 1844 conference, Amasa M Lyman remained a special counselor (4)

William Law: Informed by Joseph Smith Jr. 8 Jan. 1844 that he was released from office (4)

[Joseph Smith Diary] Monday, January 8th At home in the morning. 11 A.M. went to My office to investigate a difficulty between John D. Parker and his wife. Staid about 2 hours left the case to Bro[ther] Phelps, who labored to produce a reconciliation with good effect. Each agreeing to promote each others happiness, which if they kept their covenant, Bro[ther] Phelps told them God would bless them and if they did not God would curse them.

Had an interview with W[illia]m Law in the street [in] front of Bro[ther] Phelps. Uncle John Smith come from Macedonia to day. Amos Fielding arrived from Liverpool and put up at Sniders.

Eldri[d]ge returned to Carthage with a possey of 11 men to apprehend Milton Cook. Could not get him and put up at Hamilton's for the night. Some snow this eve. (5)

-- Jan 9, 1844
[Apostle Wilford Woodruff Journal] 9th I wrote 2 Letters one to Br Neff & one to Br Baker of Cincinnati. (2)

[Joseph Smith Diary] Tuesday, January 9th At home. About 10 Bro[ther] Phelps called just as I was about to ride out. [several lines left blank] Eldri[d]ge and possey found Milton Cook in a grocery and arrest[ed] him and he was again taken from him. See "Nauvoo Neighbor" January 10th 1844 [for] Mr. Markam's account. (5)

-- Jan 9, 1844 (Tuesday)
Elder Horace S. Eldredge, a county constable, was prevented by mob force from performing an official duty at Carthage. (6)

-- Jan 9, 1844, Tuesday
[William Clayton Writings] Tuesday 9th. At Prest. J's settling with E. Robinson & Lawrence &c -- P.M. Got Lawrence's account from Yearsley ... J. sent for me to make out Maria Lawrence account (7)

-- Jan 10, 1844
[Apostle Wilford Woodruff Journal] 10th I wrote 3 Letters one to Dwight Webster & father Woodruffs family & one to Aunt Cos-setts family & one to Luther Scammans. (2)

John Smith: Ordained patriarch 10 January 1844 by Joseph Smith. (8)

Nauvoo, Illinois. Joseph Smith received a letter from Francis M. Higbee, who falsely accused him of slandering his character. (9)

[Joseph Smith] Joseph ordains his uncle John Smith as a patriarch. Francis M. Higbee sends Joseph a letter charging him with slandering his (Higbee's) character. He does not deny the supposed charges Joseph made against him. (10)

Nauvoo, Illinois. Joseph Smith ordained his Uncle John Smith as a patriarch; he later became the fourth patriarch of the Church on January 1, 1849. (11)

[Joseph Smith Diary] Wednesday, January 10th At home ordained Uncle John Smith a Patriarch. Enjoyed myself well in an interview with Brethren and concluded to take a ride part way with Uncle John who is about to return to Macedonia.

Lawyer Backman and another Lawyer viz Sherman, and Mr. Hamilton called on me from Carthage and stated that our late ordinance concerning search and Seizure of persons and property by forcing [outside law enforcement personnel to work through Nauvoo courts but refusing to recognize due] process [as executed by other courts] was the cause of dissatisfaction and what led them people to resist the Law. I explained it fully to them and called the City Council together at my house at 7 eve who passed an amendment [requiring cooperation with officers of the county and state in their official duties], see records, to satisfy the mobocrats and prevent mistakes among all.

Wrote a letter to Esq[ui]r[e] Backman to let him know I had called the council and fulfilled my promise. See file.

William Jones staid all night at Wilson's tavern in Carthage. Very cold. (5)

Footnotes:
1 - Quinn, D. Michael, The Mormon Hierarchy: Origins of Power, Signature Books, 1994, Appendex: Meetings and Initiations of the Anointed Quorum, 1842-45, http://amzn.to/origins-power
2 - Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies
3 - Advent Adam website (defunct) - based on http://amzn.to/originsofpower
4 - Quinn, D. Michael, The Mormon Hierarchy: Origins of Power, Appendix 6, Biographical Sketches of General Officers of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1830-47, http://amzn.to/origins-power
5 - Faulring, Scott (ed.), An American Prophet's Record: The Diaries and Journals of Joseph Smith: Joseph Smith Diary, 1843-44, http://amzn.to/jsdiaries
6 - Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology
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 - 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, http://amzn.to/RevelationsofJosephSmith
9 - BYU Studies Journal, volume 46, no. 4: A Chronology of the Life of Joseph Smith, http://amzn.to/BYUStudies-JSChron
10 - Conklin, Christopher J., Joseph Smith Chronology
11 - Joseph Smith Resource Center: Daily Events in the Life of Joseph Smith, http://josephsmith.net/josephsmith/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=e581001cfb340010VgnVCM1000001f5e340aRCRDlocale=0

LDS History Timeline
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Mormon History, Jan 6, 1844

-- Jan 6, 1844
[Joseph Smith Diary] Saturday, January 6th At home. About ten o'clock rode out in a sleigh with Emma. Snow about 4 inches deep. [several lines left blank] Horace L. Eldridge county constable went to Carthage with a precept from R[obert] D. Foster, J[ustice] [of the] P[eace,] to apprehend Milton Cook in a case of Bastardy on complaint of Olive Smith, not a member of the Church. Eldridge made the arrest and the prisoner was taken from him by force of arms and he [Eldridge] returned to this city. [several lines left blank] Good sleighing. (1)

-- January 6th 1844
[High Council Minutes] Council met according to adjourn at the residence of President Marks. Present Marks & Rich Presiding 1) Bent 2) Allred 3) Wilson 4) Cutler 5) Fulmer 6) Harris 7) Grover 8) Johnson 9) 8) Samuel William[s]pro tem. 9) Knight 10) Huntington 11) Soby 12) Sherwood. Prayer by Leonard Soby.

Sidney A Knowlton against Benjamin Willis

Charge.

"To the Honorable High Council of Nauvoo.

I prefer the following charges against Benjamin Williss, viz:

First for neglecting or refusing to comply with his contract with me in a farm which I rented for him, and left it on my hands late in the season by which I sustained considerable damage.

Second For coming to Nauvoo with my team to move him to my house place according to his request, he having previously sent for me, and then being disappointed by his refusing to move, damage to me being greater as it was in the time of planting.

Third, for suing me at law without giving me any notice of so doing.

Nauvoo City Dec 23rd 1843

S.A. Knowlton"

Defendant plead not guilty. Two were appointed to speak on the case, viz: 1) Bent and 2) Allred.

On motion George Snider took the place of Thomas Grover during the above trial

The charge was sustained. The parties then agreed to leave the matter to refferees to say how much the plaintiff had been damaged.

Adjourned till next Saturday week at one o'clock P.M. (the 20th)

Hosea Stout Clk. (2)

-- Jan 7, 1844
[Anointed Quorum] Sunday evening prayer circle at 6 p.m. in upper room of Joseph Smith's store, William Law and William Marks were absent . (3)

William Law was dropped from membership in the Anointed Quorum: "I was present when William Law, Joseph Smith's counselor, was dropped from that quorum by each one present voting yes or no in his turn. He was the first member that was dropped who had received his endowments. One member hesitated to vote, which called forth earnest remarks from the Prophet Joseph. He showed clearly that it would be doing a serious wrong to retain him longer. After his explanation the vote was unanimous" (note). William Marks was not the uncertain voter, because "Marks absent" . (3)

[Apostle Wilford Woodruff Journal] Jan 7th 1844 Sunday Elder Hale Came with his sleigh & took myself & wife Brs Smith & Morgan on to the Hill & I preached to a full house at Br Abers, & had a good time. We dined at Br Hales & Father & Mother Boyontons. At 3 oclck I attended another meeting & preachd at the house of Br Cheese, after which Mr Boynton took us home.

Mrs Woodruff and myself met with the quorum and we had an interesting time of instruction. + I spoke during the day upon the relationship that we sustained towards our Progenitures & posterity in the resurrection of the dead. We returned home offered up our prayers for the salvation of our friends & retired to rest. (4)

William Law: Dropped from Quorum of Anointed 7 Jan. 1844 (5)

[Joseph Smith] Members of the Quorum of the Anointed vote one-by-one to expel William Law. Women vote on equal basis. (6)

[Joseph Smith Diary] Sunday, January 7th 1844 At home in the morning. Rode out to my farm and preached at Bro[ther] Lot's. Also O[rson] Spencer and Reynolds Cahoon preached. [several lines left blank]

6 P.M. attended the prayer meeting in the assembly room. Law absent. Marks not present. [several lines left blank] Very cold. (1)

The endowed quorum meets for prayer. They vote to drop William and Jane Law from the group. (7)

-- 1844: 8 January
[Patriarchal Blessings] Elisha Groves. (Given by Hyrum Smith.)

"Brother Elisha I lay my hands upon your head in the name of Jesus of Nazareth and bless and seal the same upon your head behold I say unto you Elisha you shall be blessed in your day and generation even spiritually and temporally notwithstanding the past afflictions trials and tribulations in all your past experience and the afflictions that have been suffered by the hand of providence for your benefit to bring you into the powers of appreciation and for a promise of a better inheritance to be received in Zion which by the Lord shall be founded and they that have been oppressed and the poor shall dwell there and there hearts shall be saciated when the Earth shall yield forth in its strength and their hearts shall be filled and shall overflow and nevertheless you shall be blessed in your house and in your habitation and yet in your garner[?] and in posterity and with the Priesthood and with your rights inherent coming in the lineage of your Fathers with the seal and the know
ledge to be confirmed in due time which lineage is in Ephraim according to the tribe and rights of your Fathers the same to be continued from generation to generation and your name shall be perpetuated in their lineage untill the latest generation of man; and your name shall be written in the chronicles of your Brethren and be numbered with the called and chosen to stand in your lot in the appointed hour upon Mount Zion with the hundred and forty and four thousand. These blessings I seal upon your head, Even so Amen." (From photocopy of manuscript; LDS Archives.) [Age, 46; Scribe, ?] (8)

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 - Minutes of the High Council of the Church of Jesus Christ of Nauvoo Illinois: Nauvoo Hancock County Illinois, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies
3 - Quinn, D. Michael, The Mormon Hierarchy: Origins of Power, Signature Books, 1994, Appendex: Meetings and Initiations of the Anointed Quorum, 1842-45, http://amzn.to/origins-power
4 - Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies
5 - 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, http://amzn.to/origins-power
6 - 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, http://amzn.to/origins-power
7 - Hales, Brian C., Joseph Smith's Polygamy: History and Theology, 2 vols., Salt Lake City: Greg Kofford Books, 2011 (www.JosephSmithsPolygamy.com)
8 - Selected LDS Patriarchal Blessings, New Mormon Studies CD ROM, Signature Book, 2009, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies

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Mormon History, Jan 4, 1844

-- Jan 4, 1844
[Joseph Smith] Joseph dines with Emma and W. W. Phelps. When Joseph praises Emma for cooking in great quantities, Phelps says that Joseph should do as Bonaparte did and just have a small table. Emma says, "Mr. Smith is a bigger man than Bonaparte; he can never eat without his friends." Joseph says, "That is the wisest thing l ever heard you say." (History of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (7 volumes) 6:165-66.) (1)

[Joseph Smith Diary] Thursday, January 4th 1844 At home. Another Tempest in a tea pot about nothing at all. W[illia]m Marks thought somebody had concluded he was the Brutus or doe head. Leonard Soby made affidavit that Warren Smith had said something about Law and Marks. Se[e] affidavit.

Took dinner in the North room. I was remarking to Bro[ther] Phelps what a kind, provident wife I had. That when I wanted a little bread and milk she would load the table with so many good things it would destroy my appetite. At this moment Emma came in and Bro[ther] Phelps in continuation of the conversation said, "You must do as [Napoleon] Bonaparte did [and] have a little table, just large enough for yourself and your order thereon." Mrs Smith replied, "Mr. Smith is a bigger man than Bonaparte. He can never eat without his friends." I remarked, "That is the wisest thing I ever heard you say." (2)

-- Jan 5, 1844
[Apostle Wilford Woodruff Journal] 5th We had a snow storm commenced in the evening. I spent the time settleing accounts. (3)

[Brigham Young] --5-- I went to La Harpe, and counselled with and preached to the Saints. (4)

At another meeting with Nauvoo Police William Law says he, Wilson Law, William Marks, and Leonard Soby feel threatened by the police. Joseph Smith denies that they are in peril. That night Joseph Smith "Dreamed about 2 serpents swallowing each tail foremost." (5)

William Law: Condemned obliquely by Joseph Smith Jr. as "a Brutus" at organization of Nauvoo police 29 Dec. 1843 (police said 5 Jan. 1844 that the Brutus was William Law ) (6)

[Joseph Smith] Joseph dreams of "2 serpents swallowing each other tail foremost." During the cold night some people had built a fire on the shore opposite Stake President William Marks's house. Marks swears before the city council that the fire was a warning against his life. It is charged that Joseph's statement about a "Judas" was a signal to the forty special policemen to take certain action against traitorist brothers. Thirty policemen swear that they were never given any special or private instructions. After many testimonies, Wilson Law says, "I am Joseph's friend: he has no better friend in the world: I am ready to lay down my life for him." Joseph records his own thoughts: "What can be the matter with these men? Is it that . . . hit pigeons always flutter, that drowning men catch at straws, or that Presidents Law and Marks are absolutely traitors to the Church, that my remarks should produce such an excitement in their minds. Can it be possible that the traitor whom P
orter Rockwellreports to me as being in correspondence with my Missouri enemies, is one of my quorum?" (History of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (7 volumes) 6:166-70.) (1)

Nauvoo, Illinois. Joseph Smith dreamed the night before that two serpents were swallowing each other by the tail, but gave no explanation for this dream in his history. (7)

[Joseph Smith Diary] Friday, January 5th 1844 At home. 12 noon City Council. All about nothing at all. /W[illia]m Marks afraid Joseph had given some Saint[s the impression he was the traitor and that this] untruth [was communicated] to the police [who warmed themselves all night by a fire they had built just outside Marks's house.]

/4 1/2 [P.M.] adjourned. 5 went to my office. Bro[ther] Phelps made out commission for Joseph H. Jackson and Mariner J. Eaton as my aids as L[i]eut[enant] General. Returned home. [Spoke with] A number of gentlemen who had put up [boarded] with me and others. I sent for Bro[ther] Phelps who come in and read my letter to J[ohn] C. Calhoun. Dreamed about 2 serpents swallowing each tail foremost. [several lines left blank]

Commenced Snowing a little before sunset and continued all night. (2)

-- Jan 5, 1844 (Friday)
Wm. Marks, president of the Nauvoo Stake of Zion, being alarmed on account of a fire being kindled near his house, made statements before the city council; his fears were unfounded. (8)

-- Jan 6, 1844
[Apostle Wilford Woodruff Journal] 6th Is several inches of snow on the ground. I went to the upper landing after wood. (3)

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, http://amzn.to/jsdiaries
3 - Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies
4 - Manuscript History of Brigham Young, 1801-1844, ed. Elden Jay Watson (Salt Lake City: Smith Secretarial Service, 1968).
5 - Advent Adam website (defunct) - based on http://amzn.to/originsofpower
6 - 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, http://amzn.to/origins-power
7 - Joseph Smith Resource Center: Daily Events in the Life of Joseph Smith, http://josephsmith.net/josephsmith/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=e581001cfb340010VgnVCM1000001f5e340aRCRDlocale=0
8 - Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology

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Mormon History, Jan 1, 1844

-- Jan 1, 1844
John Taylor is sealed to his second plural wife, Mary Cook. (1)

-- Jan 2, 1844
[Apostle Wilford Woodruff Journal] 2d A light snow storm through the day. I spent the day in posting Books in preparing accounts for settlement. (2)

An English court acquits the first Mormon missionaries to accidently drown a convert during baptism by immersion. (3)

[Joseph Smith] Joseph writes a "strong" letter to John C. Calhoun. (He had written Calhoun on Nov. 4, 1843, and Calhoun had answered on Dec. 2, 1843, stating that the redress of the Saints "does not come within the jurisdiction of the Federal Government. ") Joseph tells Calhoun, "If the Latter-day Saints are not restored to all their rights and paid for all their losses . . . God will come out of His hiding place, and vex this nation with a sore vexation: yea the consuming wrath of an offended God shall smoke through the nation. . . ." (History of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (7 volumes) 6:155-60.) (4)

[Joseph Smith Diary] Tuesday, January 2d 1844 The party continued till morning. [several lines left blank] 2 P.M. Hiram Dayton was brought before Mayor Court for disorderly conduct in resisting and abusing the police in their duty. Fined $25.00 and cost. His son Lysander Dayton for same offence [was sentenced to] 10 days hard labor and subsequently for contempt of court 10 days more on the public streets. [several lines left blank] Cold, 1 inch [of] snow, first this winter of consequence. (5)

-- Jan 2, 1844, Tuesday
[William Clayton Writings] Clayton sold Willard Richards two lots for $500. For some reason, recorded but unexplained, this displeased the prophet and Clayton received a scolding. (6)

[William Clayton Writings] Sometimes, however, he did not please the church leader, such as on 2 January 1844 when he sold Willard Richards's two lots for $500. For some reason, recorded Clayton, ``this did not please the Prest. & he scolded.'' (6)

-- Jan 3, 1844
[Apostle Wilford Woodruff Journal] 3d A Court of inquiry was held at Joseph Store concerning Win. & Wilson Laws & Wm. Marks who had herd some reports from the police against their interest but all proved a fals report. /Wm Law professed to believe that Joseph Smith had instructed the policee to kill him but it was without foundation. / (2)

[Brigham Young] --3-- Attended the city council. William Law came before the council and complained that Joseph had administered a secret oath to the police and instructed them to kill him; but the police came forward and unanimously testified under oath to the falsity of Law's statements. (7)

Second Counselor William Law meets with Joseph Smith and the Nauvoo police. Law claims policeman (and former Danite) Daniel Carn said they had orders to kill him. Bishop Carn defends "Daniteism" and criticizes Law's rejection of polygamy. Smith and Carn, however, deny Law's accusation. (3)

[Joseph Smith] The city council holds a trial most of the day. William Law, Joseph's second counselor, said that some policemen told him Joseph had called Law a "Judas," and that "he must be taken care of." Law believes that Joseph has threatened his life. The policemen who told him this, and several others, testify throughout the day as to the source of this story. Law realizes that the policemen had only supposed that Law was the "Judas" of whom Joseph had spoken. Law promises to stand by Joseph to the death. (History of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (7 volumes) 6:162-65.) (4)

[Joseph Smith Diary] Wednesday, January 3d 1844 At home. [several lines left blank] 12 noon City Council. W[illia]m Law sworn, and Eli Norton concerning certain reports in circulation about a "doe" [dough] head [traitor] which proved to be all about nothing at all. [several lines left blank] Cloudy and cold. (5)

-- Jan 3, 1844 (Wednesday)
A special session of the city council was held at Nauvoo because of Wm. Law's intimation that his life was in danger. (8)

-- Jan 4, 1844
[Apostle Wilford Woodruff Journal] 4th Another court of inquiry was held upon the same subject of the one yesterday but all terminated in report without foundation. /Wm. & Wilson Law were traitors to Joseph and were seeking his life. History sayes this court was on the 5th./ (2)

Footnotes:
1 - Hales, Brian C., Joseph Smith's Polygamy: History and Theology, 2 vols., Salt Lake City: Greg Kofford Books, 2011 (www.JosephSmithsPolygamy.com)
2 - Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies
3 - Advent Adam website (defunct) - based on http://amzn.to/originsofpower
4 - Conklin, Christopher J., Joseph Smith Chronology
5 - Faulring, Scott (ed.), An American Prophet's Record: The Diaries and Journals of Joseph Smith: Joseph Smith Diary, 1843-44, http://amzn.to/jsdiaries
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 - Manuscript History of Brigham Young, 1801-1844, ed. Elden Jay Watson (Salt Lake City: Smith Secretarial Service, 1968).
8 - Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology

LDS History Timeline
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Mormon History, 1843-47

-- During 1843-47
Oliver Cowdery: Seneca County Master Commissioner in Chancery (1843-47) (1)

-- During 1843?-1856
* Thomas Bullock -- primary scribal author for this period. Writings used in assembling The History of the Church (often cited as HC) (originally entitled History of Joseph Smith; first published under the title History of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints; nicknamed Documentary History of the Church or DHC) (2)

-- Before 1843
Joseph Smith marries Flora Woodworth [per Lucian Woodworth (Flora's mother) per Orange Wight]. Lucian Woodworth is referred to as a Pagan Prophet. (3)

-- During By 1843
Joseph Smith and Sidney Rigdon reportedly advocated decapitation or throat-cutting for various crimes and sins. (3)

-- 1844: January
[Patriarchal Blessings] Susanah Bigler. (Given by John Smith.)

"Sister I lay my hands upon thy head by authority of the Holy Priesthood to seal a Fathers blessing upon thee, because thou hast no Father to bless thee Thou art a Daughter of Abraham, through the loins of Manassah and a lawful heir to the Priesthood in common with thy companion and thou shalt redeem thy dead friends and bring them up in the first Reserection with thy Companion and children and if thou desirest thou shalt be sealed to thy companion for all Eternity, he shall be endowed with the power of the Priesthood to posess thee in Eternity. Thou art a Mother in Israil and thy name shall be had in everlasting rememberance, because of the power that shall be made manifest among thy desendants thou shalt live untill thou art sattisfied with life, have all thy desires.

thy greatest reward shall not be in this world, yet thou shalt enjoy all the Blessings of the Priesthood, thou shalt be happy with thy children and thy grandchildren and thy ofspring shall be numerous

thou shalt have an inheritance with thy Breathren in Zion, and be entitled to all the blessings that Jacob pronounced upon the head of Ephrim, be faithful dear sister and thou shalt enjoy all these blessings for I seal them upon thy head in the name of Jesus Christ and I seal thee up unto Eternal life Amen." (From photocopy of manuscript; George A. Smith Papers, Ms 36, Box 5, Book 1, University of Utah Special Collections.) [Age, 58; Scribe, ?] (4)

-- 1844: August
[Patriarchal Blessings] Joseph C. Kingsbury. (Given by John Smith.)

"[excerpt] Thou art entitled to all the blessings which the servants of God sealed upon their children in ancient days which is a fulness of the Melchizedek Priesthood with all the blessings and benefits thereof. Thou are a lawful heir to these things because thou art a son of Joseph, the son of Jacob who was sold into Egypt." (From typescript citing Joseph C. Kingsbury diary, University of Utah Library.) [Age, ?; Scribe, ?] (4)

-- Jan 1, 1844
[Apostle Wilford Woodruff Journal] Jan 1st

Eighteen hundred forty four enters the stage with a Cold blustering rain storm. I spent the day plastering and white washing the printing office. I spent a few moments however in planting some choice stones in my garding. I planted 4 Apricotts, 13 Plums, 11 Shugar Cherry & 30 choice peach stones.

President Smith had a large Company at his house as he did on the eve of christmas. (5)

[Black History] Joseph Smith runs for president of the United Stat,

Abolitionists rejected such measures because it meant that Congress colluded with slavery and slave-holders, and confirmed that humans could be bought and sold, even if it was to free them. Their "higher moral ground" was to simply acknowledge slavery as ethically wrong and emancipate all slaves summarily, without compensation to the "owners". (6)

[Brigham Young] January 1, 1844.-- Visited at Brother E. D. Wooley's. (7)

William Law complained that Joseph Smith instructed the police to kill him [per Brigham Young]. (3)

Second Counselor William Law catches Joseph Smith and Maria Lawrence, a teenaged orphan who was living in the Smith household, in a "compromising situation." Unknown to Law, Maria Lawrence had been a secret plural wife of Joseph Smith for half a year. (8)

Nauvoo, Illinois. Joseph Smith wrote a letter to Thomas Ford, governor of Illinois, relative to the kidnapping of certain Saints who were falsely imprisoned in Missouri. (9)

[Joseph Smith] A large party and New Year's supper is held at Joseph's house, with music and dancing till morning. (10)

[Joseph Smith Diary] January 1st 1844, Monday At sunrise Thomas Miller, James Leach, James Bridget, [and] John Frodsham were brought up before me by police for disorderly conduct. T[homas] Miller fined five dollars and cost. Others discharged. Wrote the Governor /T[homas] Ford/ See file. [several lines left blank]

A large party took a N[ew] Year supper at my house and continued music and dancing till morning. I was in my private room with my family and John Taylor &c. (11)

Footnotes:
1 - Quinn, D. Michael, The Mormon Hierarchy: Origins of Power, Appendix 6, Biographical Sketches of General Officers of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1830-47, http://amzn.to/origins-power
2 - Wikipedia, History of the Church, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_the_Church
3 - Tidd, N. R., "Mormon Chronology"
4 - Selected LDS Patriarchal Blessings, New Mormon Studies CD ROM, Signature Book, 2009, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies
5 - Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies
6 - http://www.xtimeline.com/events.aspx?q=Bif200802111550260291166
7 - Manuscript History of Brigham Young, 1801-1844, ed. Elden Jay Watson (Salt Lake City: Smith Secretarial Service, 1968).
8 - Advent Adam website (defunct) - based on http://amzn.to/originsofpower
9 - BYU Studies Journal, volume 46, no. 4: A Chronology of the Life of Joseph Smith, http://amzn.to/BYUStudies-JSChron
10 - Conklin, Christopher J., Joseph Smith Chronology
11 - Faulring, Scott (ed.), An American Prophet's Record: The Diaries and Journals of Joseph Smith: Joseph Smith Diary, 1843-44, http://amzn.to/jsdiaries

LDS History Timeline
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Mormon History, 1843-44

-- During 1843-44
William Smith: Missions (1842, 1843-44) (1)

-- During 1843-45
Albert P Rockwood: Nauvoo City fire warden, Assessor, and Collector (1843-45) (1)

Amasa M Lyman: Anointed Quorum (1843-45) (1)

George A Smith: Anointed Quorum (1843-45) (1)

George A Smith: Nauvoo alderman and associate justice, Nauvoo Municipal court (1843-45) (1)

Henry Harriman: Nauvoo Legion 3rd lieutenant (1841-42), 1st lieutenant (1842-43), and captain (1843-45) (1)

Jedediah M Grant: Branch president (1843-45) (1)

John E Page: Missions (1842, 1843-45) (1)

John Smith: Anointed Quorum (1843-45) (1)

John Taylor: Anointed Quorum (1843-45) (1)

Orson Hyde: Anointed Quorum (1843-45) (1)

Orson Hyde: Nauvoo City Council (1843-45) (1)

Orson Pratt: Anointed Quorum (1843-45) (1)

Parley P Pratt: Nauvoo City Council pro-tem (1843-45) (1)

Wilford Woodruff: Anointed Quorum (1843-45) (1)

Willard Richards: Nauvoo City Recorder (1843-45) (1)

William Smith: Married polygamously at least six times (1843-45) in violation of Illinois and Massachusetts laws (1)

-- During 1843-46
John Taylor: Married polygamously ten times (1843-46) in violation of Illinois law (1)

Levi W Hancock: Nauvoo Police (1843-46) (1)

Parley P Pratt: Married polygamously six times (1843-46) in violation of Illinois law (1)

Willard Richards: Married polygamously eight times (1843-46) in violation of Illinois law (1)

Footnotes:
1 - Quinn, D. Michael, The Mormon Hierarchy: Origins of Power, Appendix 6, Biographical Sketches of General Officers of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1830-47, http://amzn.to/origins-power

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

Mormon History, 1843

-- During 1843
Joseph Smith marriage to Hannah Ells age 29, (4 March 1813 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England - 1844 in Nauvoo, Illinois) (1)

Joseph Smith marriage to Melissa Lott Sep. 20, age 19, Daughter of early Mormon leader Cornelius P. Lott, who managed Smith's farm in Nauvoo. (1)

Joseph Smith marriage to Olive Grey Frost Summer age 27, (24 July 1816 in Bethel, Maine - 6 October 1845 in Nauvoo, Illinois) After Smith's death, Frost would remarry, becoming the eighteenth plural wife of Brigham Young. They married in 1844 , and she bore him no children. (1)

Joseph Smith marriage to Rhoda Richards Jun. 12, age 58, (8 August 1784 in Framingham, Massachusetts - 17 January 1879 in Salt Lake City, Utah) 1st cousin of Brigham Young whom she married after Smith's death. (1)

[Relief Society] From its beginning with twenty members the society grew rapidly. Within six months more than a thousand women of the 12,000 total population had voluntarily enrolled. Meeting only during summer, the Nauvoo society declined in activity in 1843. (2)

[Temple] Eternal marriage (sealings) and the second anointing are instituted.

Women receive the endowment for the first time. (3)

Wilford Woodruff: Mission to eastern states to collect funds for construction of Nauvoo House and Temple 7 July-November 1843. (4)

[William Clayton] He recorded the famous revelation on plural marriage as it was dictated by Joseph Smith in 1843, and after he accepted the principle he ultimately married nine additional wives (although three left him). Clayton was responsible for keeping many of the important church records in Nauvoo, including those that were considered the most private and sacred. He was also recorder and clerk of the Nauvoo City Council, secretary pro tem of the Nauvoo Masonic Lodge, an officer in the Nauvoo Music Association, a member of the influential Council of Fifty, and a member of Joseph Smith's private prayer circle where the LDS temple ceremonies were first introduced. He later helped prepare Joseph Smith's official history, and Clayton's personal journals became the source for many entries in that history. (5)

[Wives of John Taylor] (Nauvoo): Elizabeth Kaighen -

Elizabeth Kaighen Born 1811 Peel (f: Thomas Kaighin,m:Elizabeth Garrett), d.1895 S.L.C. Cousin of *Leonora Cannon

3 Children 1848, 1849, 1853 [Recognized by LDS Church] jt(1)

Zebedee Coltrin: Assisted in rescuing Joseph Smith from Dixon arrest 1843. (4)

-- During 1843 to 1846
[John Taylor] He edited the Times and Seasons from 1842 to 1846, and the Nauvoo Neighbor from 1843 to 1846. (7)

-- During 1843-1845
[Periodicals] The Nauvoo Neighbor; John Taylor Nauvoo, Illinois (News Paper) (8)

-- During 1843-1915
[Catholic Church in Utah] In 1873 Archbishop Joseph S. Alemany of San Francisco entrusted the approximately 800 Catholics among Utah's 87,000 inhabitants to Father Lawrence Scanlan (1843-1915). (9)

-- During 1843-44
Hyrum Smith: Nauvoo Temple Committee (1843-44) q(4)

Joseph Smith Jr.: Nauvoo Board of Health (1843-44) q(4)

Lyman Wight: Missions (1841, 1842-43, 1843-44) q(4)

Parley P Pratt: Mission (1843-44) q(4)

William Law: Nauvoo Board of Health (1843-44) q(4)

Footnotes:
1 - Wikipedia, List of the Wives of Joseph Smith, Jr., http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_the_wives_of_Joseph_Smith,_Jr.
2 - Utah History Encyclopedia: Relief Society, http://www.media.utah.edu/UHE/r/RELIEFSOCIETY.html
3 - Duffy, John Charles, http://www.ldsendowment.org/timeline.html
4 - Cook, Lyndon W., The Revelations of the Prophet Joseph Smith: A Historical and Biographical Commentary of the Doctrine and Covenants, Seventy's Mission Bookstore, Provo UT, 1985, http://amzn.to/RevelationsofJosephSmith
5 - Utah History Encyclopedia: William Clayton, http://www.media.utah.edu/UHE/c/CLAYTON%2CWILLIAM.html
6 - Isle of Man, 'John Taylor' http://www.isle-of-man.com/manxnotebook/mormon/jtaylor.htm
7 - Utah History Encyclopedia: John Taylor, http://www.media.utah.edu/UHE/t/TAYLOR%2CJOHN.html
8 - Ludlow, Daniel H. editor, Encyclopedia of Mormonism, Vol.4, Appendix 3: Church Periodicals, http://amzn.to/eG0DIp
9 - Utah History Encyclopedia: Catholic Church in Utah, http://www.media.utah.edu/UHE/c/CATHOLIC.html
10 - 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, http://amzn.to/origins-power

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

Mormon History, 1843

-- During 1843
[Juke Johnson Autobiography] My father moved to Kirtland, and was ordained to the office of high priest, and was a member of the first high council organized in the Church. He died in Kirtland in 1843. (1)

[Nauvoo] Life continued in a routine of hard work during the week and worship on Sunday. Sunday meetings were really general meetings for the entire community lasting about two hours each, one held in the morning and one in the evening. They were held in open-air groves, one of which was west of the temple and another a few blocks east of the temple. (2)

[Oregon Trail] Over 800 people outfit for the first major migration and push their wagons through much of the intermountain west, establishing that a wagon road to Oregon is feasible. Jesse Applegate's misfortunes on the Columbia River inspire him to forge a new route into Oregon. Oregon's Provisional Government is formed in anticipation of the arrival of this wave of emigrants. (3)

[Orin Porter Rockwell] It was on his return to Nauvoo, Illinois, where the church had relocated, that Rockwell became the subject of an astonishing prophecy by Mormon leader Joseph Smith on Christmas day of 1843. Smith said that as long as Rockwell remained loyal and true to his faith, he need fear no enemy: "Cut not thy hair and no bullet or blade can harm thee!" (4)

Orson Hyde: Took first plural wife, Martha Rebecca Browett , early 1843. No known children. One child: Urania. (5)

The revelation on celestial marriage contained in Section 132 of The Doctrine and Covenants is recorded by Joseph Smith. (6)

Edwin D. Wolley polygamous marriage to Lousa Gordon (7)

Hyrum Smith polygamous marriage to Catherine Phillips (7)

Hyrum Smith polygamous marriage to Lydia D. Granger (7)

Joseph Smith marries Nancy Winchester (Age 14): Nancy was born August 10, 1828 in Erie County Pennsylvania. She was the only daughter of Stephen and Nancy Winchester. When the younger Nancy was four-years-old the Winchesters were visited in Erie by two Mormon missionaries, John F. Boynton and Evan M. Greene. Nancys parents and older brother, Benjamin, were soon baptized.

The following year, the Winchesters moved to Kirtland, Ohio to be near others who shared their faith. Following Mormon practice, Nancy was probably baptized when she turned eight- years of age.

By 1842 the Winchesters had spent time in Missouri and were now settled in Nauvoo, living in the third ward. In May of that year, Nancy joined the Female Relief Society where she served on committees with the charter to search out the poor and suffering-To call on the rich for aid and thus as far as possible relieve the wants of all.

Nancys marriage to Joseph is undocumented, although according to Mormon Church Historian Andrew Jenson, Nancy married Joseph sometime before his death in June of 1844. Nancy would have been fourteen or fifteen years old.

A few months after Joseph Smiths death, Nancy and another six of Josephs wives married Heber C. Kimball. Since the temple had not been completed when Nancy married Joseph, she was re-sealed to him in 1846 in the near complete, but dedicated, Nauvoo temple. Her husband for time, Heber C. Kimball stood proxy for Joseph Smith in this sealing.

Nancy immigrated to Utah in 1849. Several years later she received a patriarchal blessing from John Smith. She was blessed, to heal the sick, cast out devils, and raise the dead, if necessary.

Nancy died on March 17, 1876 in Salt Lake City. (8)

Joseph Smith marriage to Almera Woodward Johnson Apr. age 30, (12 October 1812 in Westfield, Vermont - 4 March 1896 in Parowan, Utah) (9)

Joseph Smith marriage to Desdemona Fullmer Jul. age 32, (6 October 1809 in Huntington, Pennsylvania - 9 February 1886 in Salt Lake City, Utah) . William Clayton said Smith told him in February 1843 that Fullmer was one of his plural wives. (9)

Joseph Smith marriage to Eliza Maria Partridge Mar.8, age 22, Daughter of Edward Partridge and sister of Emily. Eliza married after Smith's death, to Amasa M. Lyman, who was already husband to Eliza's older sister, Caroline. William Clayton listed her as one of Smith's wives married during the early May 1843 period. (9)

Footnotes:
1 - Autobiography and History of Luke Johnson, Millennial Star 26 (1864), http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies
2 - LDS Church News: Nauvoo -- The City of Joseph, http://www.ldschurchnews.com/articles/58063/Church-history--Nauvoo.html
3 - Clackamas Heritage Partners, http://www.historicoregoncity.org/HOC/index.php?option=com_contentview=articleid=107Itemid=75
4 - Utah History Encyclopedia: Orin Porter Rockwell, http://www.media.utah.edu/UHE/r/ROCKWELL%2CORIN.html
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, http://amzn.to/RevelationsofJosephSmith
6 - Howick, E. Keith, Polygamy: The Mormon Enigma, http://www.polygamy-faq.com/chronology.php
7 - Smith, George D (Spring 1994), "Nauvoo Roots of Mormon Polygamy, 1841-46: A Preliminary Demographic Report", Dialogue: A Journal of Mormon Thought 27
8 - Remembering the Wives of Joseph Smith, http://www.wivesofjosephsmith.org/
9 - Wikipedia, List of the Wives of Joseph Smith, Jr., http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_the_wives_of_Joseph_Smith,_Jr.

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

Mormon History, 1843

-- During 1843
Luke S Johnson: Methodist Episcopal minister by 1843 (1)

Lyman Wight: Armed himself to resist arrest for extradition to Missouri 1843 (1)

Newel K Whitney: Declared in contempt of court 1843, excused by Nauvoo Chief Justice Joseph Smith Jr. upon payment of court costs (1)

Oliver Cowdery: Chairman of Tiffin, Ohio's fire department 1843 (1)

Orson Hyde: ! mission 1843 (1)

Parley P Pratt: Armed himself to avoid arrest 1843 (1)

Parley P Pratt: Mason 1843, Nauvoo lodge (1)

William Law: Committed adultery in violation of Illinois law 1843 (1)

William Law: Unsuccessful candidate for Nauvoo City Council and for alderman 1843 (1)

William Smith: Delegate to Whig convention but withdrew legislative candidacy 1843 (1)

William Smith: Fined by Nauvoo municipal court for non-attendance at city council 1843 (1)

Zebedee Coltrin: Among "ten of the best mounted men" (including several other Danites) in Relief Expedition to rescue Joseph Smith Jr. from arrest 1843 (1)

Zebedee Coltrin: Mission 1843 (1)

Zera Pulsipher: Mason 1843, Nauvoo's lodge (1)

George Miller: Mission to Mississippi and Alabama with Peter Haws September-October 1843. (2)

George Miller: Returned to pinery November-December 1843. (2)

Heber Chase Kimball: Mission to eastern states July-October 1843. (2)

[Homosexuality] Joseph Smith preaches that God destroyed Sodom "for rejecting the prophets". The traditional Christian tradition had been, and remains to this day (even among most Latter-day Saints) that Sodom was destroyed for homosexual behavior. (3)

John Edward Page: Conflict with other members of Twelve 1843. (2)

John Edward Page: Edited and published The Gospel Light in Pittsburgh and Philadelphia 1843-44. (2)

Footnotes:
1 - Quinn, D. Michael, The Mormon Hierarchy: Origins of Power, Appendix 6, Biographical Sketches of General Officers of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1830-47, http://amzn.to/origins-power
2 - Cook, Lyndon W., The Revelations of the Prophet Joseph Smith: A Historical and Biographical Commentary of the Doctrine and Covenants, Seventy's Mission Bookstore, Provo UT, 1985, http://amzn.to/RevelationsofJosephSmith
3 - LDS Gay History Timeline [Unabridged], http://mormoninthecloset.blogspot.com/2008/11/lds-gay-history-timeline-unabridged.html

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

Mormon History, 1843-46

-- During 1843-46
John Taylor: Married polygamously ten times (1843-46) in violation of Illinois law (1)

Levi W Hancock: Nauvoo Police (1843-46) (1)

Parley P Pratt: Married polygamously six times (1843-46) in violation of Illinois law (1)

Willard Richards: Married polygamously eight times (1843-46) in violation of Illinois law (1)

-- During 1843-47
Oliver Cowdery: Seneca County Master Commissioner in Chancery (1843-47) (1)

-- During 1843
Albert P Rockwood: "Relief Expedition" to rescue Joseph Smith Jr. from arrest 1843 (1)

Benjamin L Clapp: Election day 1843, "made a public confession" for saying that Joseph Smith Jr. and Hyrum Smith "had attempted to take away the rights of the citizens" in the previous election (1)

Benjamin L Clapp: Mason 1843, Nauvoo lodge (1)

Benjamin L Clapp: Relief Expedition with other Danites to rescue Joseph Smith Jr. from arrest 1843 (1)

Hyrum Smith: Heard audible voice of God 1843 (1)

Hyrum Smith: Indicted 1843 as fugitive, charges dismissed by Illinois court (1)

Hyrum Smith: ! married polygamously 1843 in violation of Illinois law (1)

Joseph Smith Jr.: Arrested 1843 for treason against Missouri, released on writ of habeas corpus by Nauvoo municipal court before extradition (1)

Joseph Smith Jr.: Assaulted President of Seventy Josiah Butterfield 1843, not charged (1)

Joseph Smith Jr.: Missouri governor offered bounty of $400 for kidnapping Joseph Smith Jr. back to Missouri 1843 (1)

Joseph Smith Jr.: Petitioned Congress 1843 to make Nauvoo an independent territory and him governor (1)

Joseph Smith Jr.: Pleaded guilty to assault and battery on county tax assessor 1843, paid fine (1)

Joseph Smith Jr.: Reported 1843 vision of resurrection (1)

Joseph Young: Mason 1843, Nauvoo lodge (1)

Josiah Butterfield: Joseph Smith Jr. kicked Josiah Butterfield out of his house and into the street 1843 (1)

Footnotes:
1 - Quinn, D. Michael, The Mormon Hierarchy: Origins of Power, Appendix 6, Biographical Sketches of General Officers of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1830-47, http://amzn.to/origins-power

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

Mormon History, 1843

-- During 1843
Ezra Thayer: Mission to New York 1843. (1)

Joseph Smith - "Wednesday, 8 â€"This morning, I read German, and visited with a brother and sister from Michigan, who thought that 'a prophet is always a prophet;' but I told them that a prophet was a prophet only when he was acting as such ...'" History of the Church, vol. 5, p. 265 (2)

During this and the preceding year Joseph the Prophet preached many powerful sermons and uttered a number of important prophecies. While on a visit to Dixon, Ill., he had a narrow escape from being kidnapped under legal pretense and taken to Missouri. The revelation on celestial marriage was given and the first missionaries sent to the Society Islands. (3)

(Edward Partridge) In 1819 he married Lydia Clisbee; they had seven children. Two daughters, Eliza Marie and Emily Dow, married Joseph Smith on the same day in 1843. After the Prophet's death, Eliza married Amasa Lyman, and Emily married Brigham Young. Two other daughters, Caroline Ely and Lydia, also married Amasa Lyman. (4)

(Elijah Abel) Abel's desire to engage in missionary work in Cincinnati, Ohio, presented special difficulties for a traveling high council comprised of Apostles John E. Page, Orson Pratt, Heber C. Kimball, and Lorenzo Snow. Despite their respect for "a coloured Bro.," the brethren felt "wisdom forbids that we should introduce [him] before the public … [but] Bro Abels [sic] was advised to visit the coloured population." (4)

(Hyrum Smith) In a public meeting, July 16, 1843, the Prophet "said I would not prophesy any more, and proposed Hyrum to hold the office of prophet to the Church, as it was his by birthright. I am going to have a reformation, and the Saints must regard Hyrum, for he has the authority, that I might be Priest of the Most High God." (4)

(Hyrum Smith) In the controversy over John C. Bennett's lurid allegations of spiritual wifery at Nauvoo and the denials of Joseph Smith and others, Hyrum condemned polygamy and declared he would never believe in plural marriage unless God gave a revelation sanctioning it. (4)

(Hyrum Smith) July 12: Joseph Smith dictated the revelation now known as section 132 of the Doctrine and Covenants. Converted, Hyrum presented the revelation to the Nauvoo high council in August, performed plural marriages for the Prophet and others, and married plural wives himself. (4)

(Hyrum Smith) Two months later, Hyrum married Mary Fielding, by whom he had two children, Joseph Fielding and Martha Ann. In 1843 he married Mary's sister Mercy Fielding Thompson, Catherine Phillips, and Lydia Dibble Granger. (4)

(John D. Lee) Like many former Danites, Lee served as a city policeman in Nauvoo and guarded Joseph Smith's home. He was also wharfmaster, major in the Nauvoo Legion, and general secretary of Nauvoo seventies. (4)

(John M. Bernhisel) Though he was baptized in 1837 and ordained a bishop in New York City in 1841, it was not until 1843 that the Prophet could convince him to migrate to Nauvoo. On his arrival, Joseph Smith insisted that he board in the Smith home. He became a respected friend and adviser to the family, serving as Joseph's personal emissary to Governor Ford in 1844 and attending to Emma Smith after the birth of her son, David Hyrum, five months after the Prophet's death. (4)

(Martin Harris) During the next twenty years, Hyde served thirteen missions, including Ohio (1831, 1833), "eastern countries" (1832), Missouri (1833), Pennsylvania (1834), New York (1835), Canada (1836), England (1837, 1846), Indiana (1839), Palestine (1841), and the Eastern United States (1843). (4)

(Orson Pratt) July 15: According to the Prophet, Pratt attempted to commit suicide "and caused almost all the city to go in search of him."

July 22: Pratt refused to endorse a resolution affirming Joseph Smith's moral character. Brigham Young wrote Parley P. Pratt that "Br. Orson Pratt is in trouble in consequence of his wife. His feelings are so wrought up that he does not know whether his wife is wrong, or whether Joseph's testimony and others are wrong, and do lie, and he deceived for 12 years or not; he is all but crazy about the matters … We will not let Br. Orson go away from us. He is too good a man to have a woman destroy him."

Church leaders tried in vain to get Pratt to "recall his sayings against Joseph and the Twelve," Wilford Woodruff recorded, "but he persisted in his wicked course and would not recall any of his sayings which were unjust and untrue."

August 20: After four days of fruitless efforts at reconciliation, the Twelve excommunicated Pratt for "insubordination," and Sarah for "adultery."

Within three months Pratt publicly "confessed his error and his sin in criticizing Joseph." In 1878 he said that he had "got his information from a wicked source, from those disaffected, but as soon as he learned the truth he was satisfied." Joseph Smith rebaptized Orson and Sarah Pratt in January, 1843, and Orson was reinstated in the Quorum of the Twelve. (4)

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, http://amzn.to/RevelationsofJosephSmith
2 - Instutite for Religious Research
3 - Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology
4 - Van Wagoner, Richard and Walker, Steven C., A Book of Mormons, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies

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

The Word of Wisdom

Mormons are not
supposed to drink coffee

The next topic at LDS-Church-History will be the Word of Wisdom.

Some have suggested the Word of Wisdom has taken the place of polygamy as the common outward badge of identification for Latter-day Saints. Though the 19th and into the early 20th century the Mormon church was most commonly identified as a polygamous church.  With the abandonment of polygamy by the LDS church and the increased enforcement of the Word of Wisdom into the mid-20th century, members of the Church of Jesus-Christ of Latter-day Saints are more likely to be identified as those who don't drink coffee, alcohol, or smoke.

A vigorous temperance movement
swept the U.S. in the early 19th century

Factors related to the Word of Wisdom include an evolving standard of compliance for church members and the influence of a prohibition movement. Also an important factor for the Word of Wisdom, was temperance movement in the early 19th century that caught the attention of the early saints, and could have served in part as a catalyst for the revelation.

The overall spirit of the Word of Wisdom is healthy living.  More specifically it suggests avoidance of habit-forming substances with a focus on healthy foods.  Latter-day Saints have enjoyed a greater measure of health by following these standards.

Items related to the Word of Wisdom are pulled from a database of church history built from a wide variety of sources. Several items will be posted each day via Blog, Email, Twitter, Facebook, and Feed.

Consider subscribing at LDS-Church-History for this this chronology of the Word of Wisdom (beginning May 4th)

Mormon History, 1843

-- 1843
Church Membership at end of year: 25,980

New Converts : 2,416

Percent Change from previous year: 10.25% (1)

-- Dec 31, 1843
The endowed quorum meets for prayer and the sacrament. (2)

-- During December 1843
[Heber C. Kimball] Receives fullness of priesthood ordinance or second anointing. (3)

-- During Dec. 1843
[Joseph Smith] Prophet places Brigham Young in charge of overseeing temple ordinance meetings in his absence. (4)

-- During 1843 Dec
William Henry Sagers marries his first plural wife, Phoebe Madison. (2)

-- winter of 1843
Robert D Foster: Joined dissident Mormons in Nauvoo during winter of 1843-44. (5)

-- During 1843
Amasa Mason Lyman: Mission with family to Alquina, Fayette County, Indiana, 1843-44. (5)

Amos Davis: Traveled to Philadelphia April-September 1843. (5)

[Black History] Apostles Heber C. Kimball, Orson Pratt and John Page restrict Elijah Abel-s missionary work to his own people. There is no indication from the documentation of this meeting that any of these three Apostles remark upon there being something wrong with Abel-s holding the Priesthood. (6)

[Black History] Elijah Abel serves another mission. (6)

[Black History] Sometime in the Nauvoo era, Elijah Abel participates in at least two baptisms for the dead. (6)

Brigham Young: Mission to eastern states to collect funds for Nauvoo House and Temple July-September 1843. One child: Oscar Brigham. (5)

-- During 1843-1915
[Catholic Church in Utah] In 1873 Archbishop Joseph S. Alemany of San Francisco entrusted the approximately 800 Catholics among Utah's 87,000 inhabitants to Father Lawrence Scanlan (1843-1915). (7)

-- During 1843
[Catholic Church in Utah] The cross etched in stone by Kit Carson in 1843 can still be seen on Fremont Island in the Great Salt Lake. (7)

Charles Coulson Rich: Mission to Ottawa, Illinois, April-June 1843. (5)

[Chief Wakara] One observer described Wakara in 1843 as the "principal ruling chief...ow [ing] his position to great wealth. He is a good trader, trafficking with the whites and reselling goods to such as his nation are less skillful in striking a bargain." Wakara was becoming the leader of larger numbers of people as several bands coalesced with the invasion of the Europeans. This larger band came to be known as the Tumpanawach. (8)

[Civil War] Many Mormons in Utah viewed the events in the east as fulfillment of statements made by their prophet/founder Joseph Smith nearly thirty years earlier: "Verily, thus saith the Lord concerning the wars that will shortly come to pass, beginning at the rebellion of South Carolina." In a later statement made in 1843, Smith added: "The commencement of the difficulties which will cause much bloodshed previous to the coming of the Son of Man will be in South Carolina. It may probably arise through the slave question." (9)

[Deseret] (10)

[Deseret] John C. Fremont and Kit Carson explore the Great Basin. (10)

[Deseret] Miles Goodyear builds Fort Buenaventura. (10)

Footnotes:
1 - Wikipedia, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Membership History, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Church_of_Jesus_Christ_of_Latter-day_Saints_membership_history
2 - Hales, Brian C., Joseph Smith's Polygamy: History and Theology, 2 vols., Salt Lake City: Greg Kofford Books, 2011 (www.JosephSmithsPolygamy.com)
3 - Kimball, Stanley B. (editor), On the Potter's Wheel: The Diaries of Heber C. Kimball, Chronology, Signature Books in association with Smith Research Associates, Salt Lake City, 1987, http://bit.ly/heberckimball
4 - Highlights in the Prophet's Life, Ensign, June 1994
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, http://amzn.to/RevelationsofJosephSmith
6 - Crapo, Richley, Chronology Pertaining to Blacks and the LDS Priesthood, http://www.mormonsocialscience.org/node/62
7 - Utah History Encyclopedia: Catholic Church in Utah, http://www.media.utah.edu/UHE/c/CATHOLIC.html
8 - Utah History Encyclopedia: Chief Wakara, http://www.media.utah.edu/UHE/w/WAKARA.html
9 - Utah History Encyclopedia: Civil War, http://www.media.utah.edu/UHE/c/CIVILWAR.html
10 - History to Go, Trappers, Traders and Explorers, http://historytogo.utah.gov/timeline/trapperstradersandexplorers.html

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

Mormon History, Dec 29, 1843

-- Dec 29, 1843
[Lucy Mack Smith] Joseph says his life is in danger from a Brutus, a "doughhead." William Law takes the comment as a personal threat. (1)

-- Winter 1843
[Nauvoo Temple] An early winter brought an end to work on the Temple. During the 1843 construction season the walls had risen to the arches of the first tier of windows all around the building. (2)

-- Dec 29, 1843
Joseph Smith publicly refers to a "right-hand Brutus. William Law takes offense believing the reference is to him. (3)

-- Dec 30, 1843
[Anointed Quorum] Afternoon prayer circle meeting in the upper room of Joseph Smith's store "with the quorum"; William Law and wife Jane were absent, and Smith "preached on the principles of integrity, and showed that the lack of sustaining this principle led men [i.e. Law] to apostasy" . (4)

[Apostle Wilford Woodruff Journal] 30th I drew 900 feet of sheeting to my house & some floor Boards. I met in council in the afternoon & herd a lecture deliverd on principle which was truly interesting & edifying. (5)

-- Dec 30th 1843
[High Council Minutes] Council met according to adjournment at the residence of President Marks. Present William Marks, Prest 1) Bent 2) Allred 3) Wilson 4) Joseph Mount pro tem. 5) Fulmer 6) Harris 7) Grover 8) Johnson 9) Sidney Roberts pro tem 10) Huntington 11) Soby 12) Howard Corey pro tem. Prayer by Howard Corey.

The case of William Gribble against Jonah R. Ball was then taken up; which was adjourned till next Saturday.

The case of Sidney A Knowlton against Benjamin Willis was next taken up, which adjourned till next Saturday.

An appealed case was next taken which was appealled from the Bishop of the Sixth ward, to wit:

"Nauvoo Dec 20th 1843

A trial took place before me, on the 8th day of Sept. 1843 between Isaac Higbee plaintiff and Amos Lour Defendant the charges were sustained by Isaac Higbee and the hand of fellowhship withdrawn from Amos Lour, untill he will pay five dollars and twelve and a half cents to the said plaintiff in ten days

Daniel Carns, Bp. 6[th] W[ard]

Nauvoo

One were appointed to speak on a side, viz; 11) Soby and 12) Howard Corey pro tem. The charg

Charge.

I prefer a charge against Amos Lour for refusing to pay a just debt

Sept. 8th 1843 Isaac Higbee

One were appointed to speak on a side, viz: 11) Soby and 12) Corey. The charge was sustained. Decided the the defendant pay the plaintiff five dollars or be disfellowshiped Adjourned till next Saturday the sixth inst at one o'clock P.M.

Howard Corey Clerk pro tem. (6)

-- Dec 30, 1843
[Joseph Smith Diary] Saturday, December 30th 1843 9 A.M. Mayor's court in office. Two Boys, Roswell and Evander White, brought up for stealing 6 hens and Rooster. Sentence—pay for the hens and 10 days each hard labor on the road.

P.M. with the Quorum [of the anointed] in Assembly room. W[illia]m Law and wife were not present. [several lines left blank] Warm and rain. (7)

The endowed quorum meets for instruction. William and Jane Law are absent. (3)

-- Dec 31, 1843
[Anointed Quorum] Sunday evening prayer circle meeting; no ordinances, but "administered the sacrament" . (4)

[Apostle Wilford Woodruff Journal] 31st Sunday and the last day of the year I Preached at Br Abers in the morning & had a good time. I met with the High Priest & spoke a few moments & was followed by Elder B Young. I met in council In the evening & was interested. (5)

[Brigham Young] --31-- I met with the high priests quorum, and instructed them in relation to their duties. Evening, attended prayer meeting in the Assembly Room. (8)

Nauvoo, Illinois. About fifty musicians and singers sang William W. Phelps' New Year's hymn under Joseph Smith's window. (9)

[Joseph Smith] Joseph writes: "At midnight, about 50 musicians and singers sang Phelps' New Year's Hymn under my window." (History of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (7 volumes) 6:153.) ___ (10)

[Joseph Smith Diary] Sunday, December 31st At home. [several lines left blank] P.M. Called at Dr. Richards. Called again with Bro[ther] P[arley] P. Pratt to see his wife. To meeting early candle light till ten o'clock. Prayer Meeting. Sacrament [passed] after [which] I retired. [several lines left blank]

At 12 this night about 50 musicians and singers sung Phelp's New Year hymn under my window. Warm and rainy. No ice to be seen. (7)

Footnotes:
1 - Anderson, Lavina Fielding, Editor, Lucy's Book: A Critical Edition of Lucy Mack Smith's Family Memoir, 2001, Signature Books, http://bit.ly/lucys-book
2 - Brown, Lisle (compiler), Chronology of the Construction, Destruction and Reconstruction of the Nauvoo Temple
3 - Hales, Brian C., Joseph Smith's Polygamy: History and Theology, 2 vols., Salt Lake City: Greg Kofford Books, 2011 (www.JosephSmithsPolygamy.com)
4 - Quinn, D. Michael, The Mormon Hierarchy: Origins of Power, Signature Books, 1994, Appendex: Meetings and Initiations of the Anointed Quorum, 1842-45, http://amzn.to/origins-power
5 - Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies
6 - Minutes of the High Council of the Church of Jesus Christ of Nauvoo Illinois: Nauvoo Hancock County Illinois, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies
7 - Faulring, Scott (ed.), An American Prophet's Record: The Diaries and Journals of Joseph Smith: Joseph Smith Diary, 1843-44, http://amzn.to/jsdiaries
8 - Manuscript History of Brigham Young, 1801-1844, ed. Elden Jay Watson (Salt Lake City: Smith Secretarial Service, 1968).
9 - BYU Studies Journal, volume 46, no. 4: A Chronology of the Life of Joseph Smith, http://amzn.to/BYUStudies-JSChron
10 - Conklin, Christopher J., Joseph Smith Chronology

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

Mormon History, Dec 27, 1843

-- Dec 27, 1843
[Apostle Wilford Woodruff Journal] 27th I spent the day at home. Their was a lecture deliverd on music By a stranger at Joseph store in the evening. (1)

[Joseph Smith Diary] Wednesday, December 27th At home. A little frost and ice in the river it having been clear some time past. [several lines left blank]

P.M. Bro[ther] Phelps called. I gave him a letter from Lewis Cass and one from John C. Calhoun. Ans[wer] to Letters I wrote them, and instructed him to answer them and shew them the folly of keeping p[e]ople out of their right[s] and that there was power in government to redress wrongs.

Mr. Keith gave a lecture and concert of music in the assembly room this eve. (2)

[Joseph Smith] The church's newspaper Nauvoo Neighbor advertises ale and beer from the Nauvoo Brewery. (3)

-- Dec 28, 1843
[Apostle Wilford Woodruff Journal] 28th Mrs Woodruff was sick this morning. I went to the mill for my sheeting but did not get it. I attended meeting in the evening with Elder Young on the flat. We had the house full and a good time. The following are some of the items of doctrin that Elder Young presented:

+ Be subject to the powers that be. Our sufferings are that we may learn by experiance the principle of contrast between good and evil. In order to obtain Power never suffer anger to find a seat in your breast. Never get angry at all. Treat all mildly. Govern yourself your passions & it will give you power. When the Temple is done I expect we shall be baptized, washed anointed ordained, & offer up the keys & signs of the priesthood for our dead that they may have a full salvation & we shall be a saviors on mount Zion acording to the Scriptures.

/+ I Procured 65 subscribers for the T & S & Neighbor while east & 10 in Nauvoo making in all 75 subscribers./ [Asterisk is Woodruff's.] (1)

[Joseph Smith Diary] Thursday, December 28th 1843 At home. [several lines left blank] [Mr.] Keith lectured again in the Hall. (2)

Edwin D. Wolley polygamous marriage to Ellen Wilding (4)

-- Dec 29, 1843
[Apostle Wilford Woodruff Journal] 29th I spent the time about town. (1)

-- Dec 29, 1843 (Friday)
Forty policemen were sworn into office in the city of Nauvoo. (5)

-- Dec 29, 1843
[Joseph Smith] W. W. Phelps gives Joseph and others a lesson on eloquence. Joseph relates his early revelations to Dr. Bernhisel and John H. Jackson (a man who recently became a close friend, but will soon turn against Joseph). Jackson states he is almost persuaded to join the Church. Joseph, as mayor, calls 40 extra policemen to be on guard throughout the city. Relating his fear that there are Saints in Nauvoo working against him, he tells the policemen, "My life is more in danger from some little dough-head of a fool in this city than from all my numerous and inveterate enemies abroad. I am exposed to far greater danger from traitors among ourselves than from enemies without. . . . I can live as Caesar might have lived, were it not for a right-hand Brutus. . . . Judas was one of the Twelve . . . and we have a Judas in our midst." (History of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (7 volumes) 6:149-52.) (6)

[Joseph Smith Diary] Friday, December 29th At home. In the forenoon Bro[ther] Phelps called and gave us a lesson on eloquence and read my appeal to the Green Mountain boys, and also a New Year's Hymn without rhyme.

3 P.M. I related to Dr. Bernhisel and Joseph H. Jackson my commencement in receiving Rev[elation]. Mr. Jackson [who the following year wrote an expose entitled A Narrative of the Adventures and Experiences of Joseph H. Jackson in Nauvoo, Disclosing the Depths of Mormon Villany] said he was almost persuaded to be one with me. I replied I would to God he were not only almost but altogether.

At 4 P.M. in City Council 40 Policemen [were] sworn [in], whom I addressed at considerable length. See minutes of Council. Two petitions for licensing spirituous liquors. [several lines left blank] Cool, freezing. (2)

Nauvoo, Illinois. Joseph Smith pronounced a blessing on the Nauvoo Police and offered to pay twice the amount of any bribe offered to them for information about the briber. (7)

[Joseph Smith] At the organization of the Nauvoo police (former Danites), Smith authorizes them to kill "if need be" and says his life is endangered by "a little dough-head" and "a Brutus." (3)

Footnotes:
1 - Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies
2 - Faulring, Scott (ed.), An American Prophet's Record: The Diaries and Journals of Joseph Smith: Joseph Smith Diary, 1843-44, http://amzn.to/jsdiaries
3 - Quinn, D. Michael, The Mormon Hierarchy: Origins of Power, Appendix 7: Selected Chronology of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1830-47, http://amzn.to/origins-power
4 - Smith, George D (Spring 1994), "Nauvoo Roots of Mormon Polygamy, 1841-46: A Preliminary Demographic Report", Dialogue: A Journal of Mormon Thought 27
5 - Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology
6 - Conklin, Christopher J., Joseph Smith Chronology
7 - Joseph Smith Resource Center: Daily Events in the Life of Joseph Smith, http://josephsmith.net/josephsmith/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=e581001cfb340010VgnVCM1000001f5e340aRCRDlocale=0

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

Mormon History, Dec 25, 1843

-- Dec 25, 1843
Nauvoo, Illinois. Joseph Smith was serenaded in the morning by Sister Lettice Rushton's family, and later that evening he and his wife, Emma Smith, hosted a dinner for 50 couples. (1)

[Lucy Mack Smith] Orrin Porter Rockwell, released from prison in Missouri but still threatened by mobs, reaches Nauvoo. He interrupts a Christmas party at Joseph's and Emma's, haggard, unshaven, ragged, and dirty. (2)

-- Dec 25, 1843, Monday
[William Clayton Writings] Some time in the Winter or Spring of the year 1844, the Patriarch Hyrum made a proclamation to the women of the Church, asking them to subscribe in money one cent each per week, for the purpose of buying the glass and nails for the temple. He represented to them that by this means he would be able to meet all the requirements in this regard. He also gave a promise that all the sisters who would comply with this call should have the first privilege of seats in the temple when it was finished.

He opened a record of these contributions which he kept, with the aid of Sister Mercy R. Thompson, until his death. (3)

-- Dec 26, 1843
[Apostle Wilford Woodruff Journal] 26th Spent the day about town getting materials for the roof of my house. (4)

[Joseph Smith Diary] Tuesday, December 26th 1843 At home. [several lines left blank] I rejoiced exceedingly this day that Rockwell and Avery had returned and M[iss]o[uri] was again rid of the Brethren [several lines left blank] About dusk Bro[ther] Daniel Avery arrived in Nauvoo. Cloudy, wind N[orth] W[est]. Froze. (5)

-- 1843: 26 December
[Patriarchal Blessings] Orson Pratt. (Given by Hyrum Smith.)

"Brother Orson, I lay my hands upon your head in the name of Jesus of Nazareth to place and seal upon you a blessing according to your lineage--manifesting your rights, inherent. Behold, I say unto you, Orson, you are a descendant of Abraham and of the lineage and tribe of Ephriam. Therefore, in that lineage cometh your blessings and rights inherent, even the rights of Priesthood and the rights of inheritance in answer and in fulfilment of the promise obtained by your fathers and by the promise in a greater or less degree has your heart been inspired and preserved in integrity, therefore you are blessed and shall be blessed in all your days in ratio with the past--with multiplication and addition in grace, in faith, in knowledge, in wisdom, in greatness and also in posterity with the promise to bless them in their lineage with the Priesthood and power to reach unto posterity from generation to generation until you and your house shall receive a fulness of the Everlasting Cov
enant made with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.

Your father and you shall be blessed also with a full development of the Priesthood--its power--gifts--and graces and with an inheritance of the lineage and tribe of your father the same. Your seed shall possess and inherit it--even their promised possessions--and perpetuate your name in honor unto the latest generation. And you shall be blessed in your house and habitations-

-possessions and tenaments with days and years to be multiplied upon your head, and you shall stand upon Mount Zion with the hundred and forty and four thousand--and you shall fill your place and appointment in the appointed hour at the end of your days, and the times and seasons--spaces and intermediate spaces--the day shall be sufficient for the evil thereof.

Therefore, lift up your head and fear not, for the hour of redemption and deliverance draweth nigh. Therefore, look and live for a Crown of Immortality and Eternal Life is laid up for you in the mansion that is prepared, and you shall possess it and none shall hinder.

These blessings I seal upon your head, even so, Amen." (From The Orson Pratt Journals, pub. by Elden Jay Watson, 1975, p. 556.) [Age, 32; Scribe, ?] (6)

[Patriarchal Blessings] Sarah Mirinda Pratt. (Given by Hyrum Smith.)

"Sister Sarah I lay my hands upon your head in the name of Jesus of Nazareth to bless you Spiritually and Temporally as the Spirit giveth utterance behold I say unto you Sarah your blessings shall be acording to the Desires of your heart zeal and integrity even to possess them in your habitation in your possessions and Teniments in the Priesthood and its Developments in your inheritance and Promised possessions and in the lineage of your Posterity Even the blessings of the Priesthood and the power of God to be continued in your liniage as also the blessings of the everlasting covenant in the seal thereof shall be in common with your husband if you desire it with all your heart and will ask in faith believing for he that asketh shall receive and he that seeketh shall find and have mercy and salvation administered unto him and he that knocketh unto him shall the mysteries of God be unfolded and you shall be blessed in the liniage of your posterity and in the knowledge of your
progenitors and you shall have an inheritance in the liniage of your Fathers the same is in the liniage of your husband which is the liniage of his Father and in every blessing touching all things that are sealed upon his head if you will have faith and Doubt not and shall be agreed the same shall be had in common with each other and your name shall be perpetuated and had in honor in the liniage of your posterity with the blessings of the Priesthood unto the latest Generation and your Days and years shall be many these blessings I seal upon your head Even so Amen." (From photocopy of manuscript.) [Age, 26; Scribe, ?] (6)

Footnotes:
1 - Joseph Smith Resource Center: Daily Events in the Life of Joseph Smith, http://josephsmith.net/josephsmith/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=e581001cfb340010VgnVCM1000001f5e340aRCRDlocale=0
2 - Anderson, Lavina Fielding, Editor, Lucy's Book: A Critical Edition of Lucy Mack Smith's Family Memoir, 2001, Signature Books, http://bit.ly/lucys-book
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 - Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies
5 - Faulring, Scott (ed.), An American Prophet's Record: The Diaries and Journals of Joseph Smith: Joseph Smith Diary, 1843-44, http://amzn.to/jsdiaries
6 - Selected LDS Patriarchal Blessings, New Mormon Studies CD ROM, Signature Book, 2009, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies

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

Mormon History, Dec 24, 1843

-- Dec 24, 1843
[Apostle Wilford Woodruff Journal] 24th Sunday I Preached in the fore part of the day at Br David Fulmers. In the afternoon I met with the quorum of High Priest in company with Elder G. A. Smith. I addressed the quorum for about one hour and was followed by Elder G. A Smith. I had the liberty of speach. In the evening I again met with the quorum in Company with Mrs Woodruff. We recieved some instruction concerning the Priesthood. (1)

[Brigham Young] --24-- Attended a prayer meeting with the [First] Presidency and Twelve in the Assembly Room. (2)

[Joseph Smith Diary] Sun[day], December 24th 1843 At home. Received a visit from Mr. Richards[, the] one who assisted to kidnap Avery. He manifested some repentance and promised to use his influence to prevent Avery's conviction by the Missourians. (3)

[Joseph Smith] Apostle John E. Page preaches at Boston "that England, Ireland & Scotland would again become catholic....That the pope will unite all Europe to go & fight the Jews at Jerusalem....And the world will not come to an end before 1863." (4)

The endowed quorum meets for instruction. (5)

-- Dec 25, 1843
Amos Davis: Issued six-month license to sell merchandise 25 December 1843. (6)

Brigham Young performed a monogamous marriage for Anointed Quorum member Levi Richards. This was recorded in "Meetings of anointed Quorum [--] Journalizings," even though his wife was not endowed and there was apparently no formal meeting of the quorum. Perhaps members of the Anointed Quorum held a prayer circle as part of the marriage ceremony . (7)

[Apostle Wilford Woodruff Journal] 25 CHRISTMAS DAY A large Party met at the Nauvoo Mansion & had A splendid dinner and supper and spent a long evening.

I was invited By Elder R. Allexander to meet the Tennessee Saints at his house in company with my own family. I did so & found Br Smoot & family Br Allexander & family & Sister Petty & family. We had a social interesting time together. We had a good feast & spent the evening in conversing about the things of God. (1)

[Brigham Young] --25-- I married Dr. Levi Richards and Sarah Griffiths. (2)

-- Dec 25, 1843 (Monday)
Daniel Avery was liberated from his imprisonment in Missouri, his son having previously escaped. (8)

O. Porter Rockwell arrived in Nauvoo from nearly a year's imprisonment in Missouri without conviction, during which time he was subjected to very cruel treatment. (8)

-- Dec 25, 1843
Orson Pratt returns to Nauvoo. (9)

Orrin Porter Rockwell, after nearly ten months of imprisonment in Missouri, arrives at the home of Joseph Smith in the midst of a Christmas party. The overwhelmed Prophet joyfully receives his old friend. (10)

[Joseph Smith] At one o'clock on Christmas morning, a family of English converts sings Christmas carols under Joseph's window. Joseph's family and boarders in the Mansion House are awake and listen to the music. Joseph blesses the singers. In the afternoon Joseph has 50 couples over for Christmas dinner. During the evening a long-haired man breaks in and acts "like a Missourian." The police are called, but when Joseph sees the man, he realizes, to his "great surprise and joy untold," it is Orrin Porter Rockwell, just returned to Nauvoo from his Missouri imprisonment. (History of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (7 volumes) 6:134-42.) Rockwell then eats and drinks and relates his Missouri experiences, after which Joseph blesses him, saying, "I prophesy, in the name of the Lord, that youâ€"Orrin Porter Rockwellâ€"so long as you shall remain loyal and true to thy faith, need fear no enemy. Cut not thy hair and no bullet or blade can harm thee!" (HC 6:134-42; Harol
d Schindler, Orrin Porter Rockwell: Man of God, Son of Thunder 1089.) Daniel Avery, who had been kidnapped and taken to Missouri, is released by habeascorpus. The First Presidency sanctions a plan that the sisters will donate one cent or a half-penny per week for the building of the temple. (11)

[Joseph Smith Diary] Monday, December 25th 1843 At home. About noon gave counsel to the brethren who called on me from the Morley Settlement. Told them to keep law on their side and they would come out well enough.

About 2 o'c[loc]k about 50 couple[s] sat down at my table to dine. While I was eating my scribe called on me to solemnize the Marraige of Doct[or] Levi Richards and Sarah Griffiths, but as I could not leave I referred the subject to Pres[i]d[en]t B[righam] Young who married them.

A large party supped at my house and spent the evening /in a most cheerful and friendly manner/ in Music, Dancing, &c. During the festivities a man apparently drunk, with his hair long and falling over his shoulders come in and acted like a Missourian. I commanded the Capt[ain] of the police to put him out of doors. In the scuffle, I looked him full in the face and to my great surprize and Joy untold I discovered it was Orrin Porter Rockwell, just arrived from a years imprisonment in M[iss]o[uri].

[several lines left blank] Daniel Avery was liberated on Habeus Corpus in M[iss]o[uri]. Warm and rain this eve. (3)

Footnotes:
1 - Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies
2 - Manuscript History of Brigham Young, 1801-1844, ed. Elden Jay Watson (Salt Lake City: Smith Secretarial Service, 1968).
3 - Faulring, Scott (ed.), An American Prophet's Record: The Diaries and Journals of Joseph Smith: Joseph Smith Diary, 1843-44, http://amzn.to/jsdiaries
4 - 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, http://amzn.to/origins-power
5 - Hales, Brian C., Joseph Smith's Polygamy: History and Theology, 2 vols., Salt Lake City: Greg Kofford Books, 2011 (www.JosephSmithsPolygamy.com)
6 - Cook, Lyndon W., The Revelations of the Prophet Joseph Smith: A Historical and Biographical Commentary of the Doctrine and Covenants, Seventy's Mission Bookstore, Provo UT, 1985, http://amzn.to/RevelationsofJosephSmith
7 - Quinn, D. Michael, The Mormon Hierarchy: Origins of Power, Signature Books, 1994, Appendex: Meetings and Initiations of the Anointed Quorum, 1842-45, http://amzn.to/origins-power
8 - Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology
9 - Tidd, N. R., "Mormon Chronology"
10 - The Woodland Institute 'On This Day Historical Database,' http://www.woodlandinstitute.com
11 - Conklin, Christopher J., Joseph Smith Chronology

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

Mormon History, Dec 22, 1843 (Friday)

-- Dec 22, 1843 (Friday)
David Holman's house, near Ramus, Hancock Co., Ill, was burned by the mob. (1)

-- Dec 22, 1843
[Joseph Smith] A member's house is burned at Ramus, Ill. Foul play is suspected. (2)

[Joseph Smith Diary] Friday, December 22nd 1843 At home. At nine o'clock while reading from a Magazine to my children, Bro[ther] Phelps come in and gave me the common Morning salutation, and I said, "God be with you" and he said "Amen." A little after 12 went into the store room occupied by Bulter and Lewis and commenced a labor with Dr. Charles to convince him that mobocracy is not justifiable and I did not deal in politics.

Near evening went to the printing office after my papers. Br[other] David Holman living about 2 miles from Ramus went out visiting with his family in the eve, when about 10 o'clock discovered his home on fire. Neighbors [had] inquired how long he would be gone. A man rode to Carthage. A co[mpany] went up, secured his provisions to themselves and fired the house. Very warm and pleasant. (3)

-- Dec 23, 1843
[Anointed Quorum] Prayer circle meeting in "Assembly Room" or Mansion House ; the anointing and endowment for Isaac Morley, Lucy Gunn (Morley), Orson Pratt, Permelia Darrow (Lott), Fanny Young (Cart Murray Smith), Phoebe W. Carter (Woodruff), Bathsheba W. Biglet (Smith), Catharine Curtis (Spencer), and Sally Waterman (Phelps) . Mary Fielding Smith performed the ordinances for these women under Emma Smith's supervision . Also, Mary Catherine Fry Miller was endowed before Joseph Smith's death, possibly between 23 Dec. 1843 and 3 Feb. 1844 . (4)

[Apostle Wilford Woodruff Journal] 23d Saturday I arose in the morning quite unwell. I walked with Mrs Woodruff to President Smiths. I met with the quorum through the day. Mrs Woodruff & several other sisters were present. Br & sister Morley &c.

/O Pratt Sisters Lot Fanny M[urr./orr.?] P. W. Woodruff Bathsheba W. Smith Sister O. Spencer Sister Phelps received their Anointing./ (5)

[Brigham Young] --23-- I spent the day with the Quorum in the Assembly Room. Brother Isaac Morley and wife received their endowments. (6)

-- Dec 23rd 1843
[High Council Minutes]

Council met according to adjt at the residence of President Marks. No buisness before the Council, adjourned till next Saturday the 30th at 2 o'clock P.M.

Hosea Stout Clerk (7)

-- Dec 23, 1843
Isaac Morley: Received endowment 23 December 1843. (8)

[Joseph Smith Diary] Saturday, December 23rd At home. Counselling the brethren who called on me and [visited while I was] attending to my domestic duties. [I was] making preparations for a Christmas dinner party. [several lines left blank]

Prayer Meeting in the Assembly room [above the store with] Isaac Morly and wife. O[rson] Pratt, Sister Lot, Fanny Murray, Sister Woodruff, Geo[rge] A. Smith's wife, Sister O[rson] Spencer, [and] Sister Phelp[s] [were anointed]. (3)

[Joseph Smith] Emma Smith supervises initiation of women into the Anointed Quorum, apparently her last meeting. She never enters the temple. (9)

Orson Pratt: Received endowment 23 December 1843. (8)

The endowed quorum meets and nine new members receive temple ordinances: Isaac Morley, Lucy Gunn Morley, Orson Pratt, Permelia Darrow Lott, Fanny Young Carr Murray Smith, Phoebe W. Carter Woodruff, Bathesheba W. Bigler Smith, Catharine Curtis Spencer, and Sally Waterman Phelps. Mary Fielding Smith performed the women's ordinance work under Emma's direction. (10)

[Wilford Woodruff] Phebe Woodruff receives Holy Order endowment (11)

-- Dec 24, 1843
[Anointed Quorum] Sunday prayer circle meeting in the upper room of Joseph Smith's store (which Elden Jay Watson, ed., Manuscript History of Brigham Young, 1801-1844 [Salt Lake City: Smith Secretarial Service, 1968]. wrongly implies was for males only). Wilford Woodruff wrote: "In the evening I again met with the quorum in Company with Mrs Woodruff. We recieved some instruction concerning the Priesthood" . Hannah Greenwood (Fielding) and Agnes Coolbrith (Smith, Smith) were both anointed and endowed sometime between 23 Dec. 1843 and 3 Feb. 1844 . (4)

Footnotes:
1 - Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology
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, 1843-44, http://amzn.to/jsdiaries
4 - Quinn, D. Michael, The Mormon Hierarchy: Origins of Power, Signature Books, 1994, Appendex: Meetings and Initiations of the Anointed Quorum, 1842-45, http://amzn.to/origins-power
5 - Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies
6 - Manuscript History of Brigham Young, 1801-1844, ed. Elden Jay Watson (Salt Lake City: Smith Secretarial Service, 1968).
7 - Minutes of the High Council of the Church of Jesus Christ of Nauvoo Illinois: Nauvoo Hancock County Illinois, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies
8 - Cook, Lyndon W., The Revelations of the Prophet Joseph Smith: A Historical and Biographical Commentary of the Doctrine and Covenants, Seventy's Mission Bookstore, Provo UT, 1985, http://amzn.to/RevelationsofJosephSmith
9 - 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, http://amzn.to/origins-power
10 - Hales, Brian C., Joseph Smith's Polygamy: History and Theology, 2 vols., Salt Lake City: Greg Kofford Books, 2011 (www.JosephSmithsPolygamy.com)
11 - Kenny, Scott (editor), Wilford Woodruff's Journals 1833-1898, Chronology Signature Books, Midvale, Utah, http://bit.ly/wwjournal

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