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TEMPLES, 1831
1831: 2 Jan.: Promise of an endowment in Ohio.
“Wherefore, for this cause I gave unto you the commandment that ye should go to the Ohio; and there I will give unto you my law; and there you shall be endowed with power from on High.” (D&C 38:32)
“And that ye might escape the power of the enemy, and be gathered unto me a righteous people without spot and blameless:
Wherefore, for this cause I gave unto you the commandment, that ye should go to the Ohio; and there I will give unto you my law & there you shall be endowed with power from on high, and from thence, whomsoever I will shall go forth among all nations, and it shall be told them what they shall do, for I have a great work laid up in store:
For Israel shall be saved, and I will lead them whithersoever I will, and no power shall stay my hand.” (E&MS Jan., 1833)
“This brings to my mind a revelation which was given in a General Conference on the 2nd day of January, 1831, the Church then having been organized about nine months. All the Saints were gathered together from various little Branches that had been established in the house of Father Whitmer, whose sons became conspicuous in this last dispensation as being witnesses of the Book of Mormon,–whose house also became conspicuous as the place where the Prophet Joseph Smith received many revelations and communications from heaven. In one small room of a log-house, nearly all the Latter-day Saints (east of Ohio) were collected together. They desired the Prophet of the Lord to inquire of God and receive a revelation to guide and instruct the Church that were then present. Brother Joseph seated himself at the table. Brother Sidney Rigdon, who was at that time a member of the Church, having just arrived from the West, where he embraced the Gospel through the administration of some of the Elders, was requested to act as scribe in writing the revelation from the mouth of the Prophet Joseph.” (Orson Pratt, 29 Jan., 1860; JD 7:372)
[Note: Check on the earliest revelation to go to Ohio – was an endowment an afterthought, felt necessary to entice them there? See note 20, p. 35 of Whitmer’s History]
“Thus strangely were all things needful prepared, and now a call comes forth from the skies (?) for Smith’s saints to exchange the Empire for the Buckeye State. It was in December of 1830 that Ohio was first named in ‘direct revelation,’ and in these memorable words, to wit: ‘It is not expedient in me that ye translate the scriptures [by ‘inspiration’ as Smith and Rigdon had already begun to do] until ye shall go to the Ohio.’ ‘And again I give a command unto the church that it is expedient in me that they should assemble at the Ohio. Behold here is wisdom.’ And yet again: ‘Inasmuch [always in inspired speech synonymous with our mundane in so far] as my people shall assemble themselves to the Ohio, I have kept in store a blessing such as is not known among the children of men.’ All which command and allurement tremendously stirred up the faithful in due season to bend their steps towards the promised land now grandly looming up in the distance. And the call came in the nick of time, since for months his neighbors in divers cogent ways had been reminding Joseph of their earnest desire, and even determination, that he and his should emigrage. Therefore late in January of 1831 he transferred himself, and his wife Emma, and his few belongings, to Kirtland.” (Leonard, D. L. “The Mormon Sojourn in Ohio,” in Papers of the Ohio Church History Society, Vol. 1, pp. 43-60, 1890.
pp. 45-46)
“On the 2nd day of January, 1831, a Conference was held in the same house where this Church was organized, and the various Branches in the State of New York were there gathered together. By the solicitations of the Conference the Prophet Joseph enquired of the Lord to know what was His will concerning the few Latter-day Saints that were then in existence. The Lord hearkened to him, and gave on that occasion a revelation contained in the Book of Doctrine and Covenants, in which certain commandments were given, one being that all the Elders, Priests, Teachers, and Deacons [!] of the various Branches of the Church, instead of going out to preach, should go to with all their might and labor for the gathering up of the people from the State of New York to the State of Ohio; that is, they were to assist those in the various Branches who had property to dispose of the same, and in regulating all their affairs, and to arrange business in such a manner that they might be able to keep this commandment to gather together.
Now, suppose the people had refused to comply with this commandment; suppose that the Elders, Priests, Teachers and Deacons had considered the physical labor which the carrying out of this command entailed upon them beneath their notice, and had refused to make preparations to flee from the State of New York and to gather up some six hundred miles to the State of Ohio, what would have been the result? Would the love of God have dwelt in their hearts? No.” (Orson Pratt, 5 May, 1870; JD 13:356)
“I will now refer you to a revelation given on the second day of January, 1831, it is on page 120 of the Book of Doctrine and Covenants. I will tell you how this revelation was given, for I was present at the time it was given. The Church, then, was about nine months old. The Prophet Joseph, who received all the revelations contained in this book, was then living in the State of New York, in the town of Fayette, Seneca County. He called together the various branches of the Church that had been organized during the nine months previous in that State, and they assembled together in the house in which the Church was organized, namely, Father Whitmer’s house. You will recollect, in reading the Book of Mormon, that the sons of Father Whitmer, young men, are noted as witnesses of the Book of Mormon, David Whitmer having seen the angel, and the plates in the hands of the angel, and heard him speak, and the hand of the angel was placed on his head, and he said unto him–‘Blessed be the Lord and they that keep his commandments.’ And he heard the voice of the Lord in connection with three other persons testifying out of the heavens, at the same time that the angel was administering, that the Book of Mormon had been translated corectly by the gift and power of God, and commanding him to bear witness of it to all people, nations and tongues, in connection with the other three that were with him. These were some of the individuals also who saw the plates and handled them, and saw the engraving upon them, and who gave their testimony to that effect in the Book of Mormon. It was in their father’s house where this Church was organized, on the 6th of April, 1830; it was in their father’s house where this little Conference was convened on the 2nd of January, 1831, and this Conference requested the Prophet Joseph Smith to inquire of the Lord concerning their duties. He did so. He sat down in the midst of the Conference, of less than one hundred, I do not know exactly the number, and a scribe wrote this revelation from his mouth.” (Orson Pratt, 14 Jun., 1874; JD 17:104-105)
“We have a special promise in relation to that land given to us as Latter-day Saints, a promise which I believe I have formerly repeated in this house. It was first given on the 2nd day of January, 1831, at a general conference of pretty much all the Saints who lived in the State of New York, held in the house where the Church was first organized. The revelation was given in their presence, written by a scribe as the sentences fell from the mouth of the Prophet Joseph.” (Orson Pratt, 7 Feb., 1875; JD 17:292)
18 Jan.: Non-Mormon account of Book of Moses.
Painesville Telegraph, Tuesday, January 18, 1831, vol. II, no. 31.
“Mormonism.–A young gentleman by the name of Whitmer arrived here last week from Manchester, N.Y. the seat of wonders, with a new batch of revelations from God, as he pretended, which have just been communicated to Joseph Smith. As far as we have been able to learn their contents, they are a more particular description of the creation of the world, and a history of Adam and his family, and other sketches of the anti-diluvian world, which Moses neglected to record.” (DALE MORGAN – “THE MORMONS AND THE FAR WEST: A collection of transcripts of newspaper articles on the Mormons, also containing material on the following subjects: the opening of the West; the fur trade; Indians of the middle and south-western states; the Santa Fe trade, etc. 1809-c.1857.” Huntington Library)
26 Jan.: Sidney Ridgon.
“Waterloo, Jan. 26, 1830 [1831].
Mr. Editor–
Elder S. Rigdon left this village on Monday morning last in the stage, for the ‘Holy Land,’ where all the ‘Gold Bible’ converts, have recently received a written command from God, through Jo Smith, junior, to repair with all convenient speed after selling off the property. This command was at first resisted by such as had property, (the brethren from the neighboring counties being all assembled by special summons,) but after a night of fasting, prayer and trial, they all consented to obey the holy messenger.–Rigdon has for some time past been arranging matters with Smith for the final departure of the faithful for the ‘far west.’ This man of many CREEDS, (Rigdon) appears to possess colloquial powers to a considerable degree, and before leaving this vicinity left us his blessing. He delivered a discourse at the Court House immediately preceding his departure, wherein he depicted in stron glanguage, the want of ‘charity and brotherly love’ among the prevailing sects and demonimations of professing christians, and sorry I am to admit, that he had too much truth on his side with regard to this particular. After denouncing dreadful vengeance on the whole state of New York, and this village in particular, and recommending to all such as wished to flee from ‘the wrath to come,’ to follow him beyond the ‘western waters,’ he took his leave. The Prophet, Spouse, and whole ‘holy family’ (as they style themselves,) will follow Rigdon, so soon as their deluded or hypocritical followers, shall be able to dispose of what little real property they possess in this region; one farm (Whitmers) was sold a few days ago for $2,300. Their first place of destination is understood to be a few miles west of Painesville, Ohio, (the present place of the Elder’s residence) which is just within the east bounds of this new land of promise, which extends from thence to the Pacific Ocean, embracing a territory of 1500 miles in extent, from north to south.
Yours respectfully,”
(Palmyra Reflector 2(Series 1. No. 12):95, 1 Feb., 1831)
4 Feb.: All non-Mormons destined to Hell.
“The sooner this investigation takes place, the better for all concerned; therefore, it is hoped that you will not protract the time beyond which may be justly deemed necessary for giving sufficient publicity to the proposed discussion–say one week after your reception of this proposal to accept the challenge you have publicly given for the vindication and eviction of the divine authorship of Mormonism, which, if your assertion be true, that there is no salvation for any that do not embrace it; and not only so, but I am credibly informed you have asserted, that even those who have lived and died in the faith and obedience of the old book, in the triumphant assurance of a glorious resurrection and a blissful immortality, may be in hell for aught you know; therefore, I say again, the soner the matter is publicly settled, the better.” (Thomas Campbell [father of Alexander Campbell] to Sidney Rigdon, 4 Feb., 1831; in Painesville Telegraph, 15 Feb., 1831; reprinted in Kirkham, A New Witness for Christ in America, Vol. II, p. 90)
15 Feb.: Attempted displays of power in Kirtland.
“Immediately after Mr. R. and the four pretended prophets left Kirtland, a scene of the wildest enthusiasm was exhibited, chiefly, however, among the young people; they would fall, as without strength, roll upon the floor, and, so mad were they, that even the females were seen in a cold winter day, lying under the bare canopy of heaven, with no couch or pillow but the fleecy snow. At other times they exhibited all the apish actions imaginable, making grimaces both horrid and ridiculous, creeping upon their hands and feet, &c. Sometimes, in these exercises the young men would rise and play before the people going through all the Indian manoeuvres of knocking down, scalping, ripping open and taking out the bowels. At other times, they are taken with a fit of jabbering that which they neither understand themselves nor any body else, and this they call speaking foreign languages by divine inspiration. At other times they would start and run several furlongs, then get upon stumps and preach to imagined congregations baptize ghosts, &c. Again the young men are seen running over the hills in pursuit they say of balls of fire which they see flying through the air.
They say much about working miracles, and pretend to have that power. Cowdery and his fellows essayed to work several while they tarried in Kirtland, one in particular, the circumstances of which I had from the Mormonites themselves. It was a young female who had been confined to her bed for two years–they prayed over her, laying on hands and commanded her in the name of Jesus Christ ot rise up and walk; however no effect appeared until the next day, when she was persuaded to leave her couch and attempt to walk. She arose, walked three or four steps, (which they told as a miracle) she then almost fainted, and was assisted back to her bed from which she has not since arisen. But as all their miracles have proved to be a mere sham, to speak vulgarly, the Mormonites have endeavored to save the credit of their prophets, by declaring that they never pronounced these people whole but only prayed for them–but when confronted by one of the disciples in Kirtland upon the instance just mentioned, as it was so public they could not deny it, one of them said that he did not know but Cowdery did command her to arise, but if he did it was in a laughing, jesting way!!! Another of the Mormonites said Cowdery did not command her to arise, but merely asked her why she did not arise. Another instance of a man in Painesville, who was in the last stage of consumption, was attempted to be healed by Cowdery. A few days afterwards Mr. Rigdon was heard to say ‘that he would get well, if there was a God in Heaven!’ He has since deceased. But these prophets had the policy to cover their retreat in these things by saying that they would not recover immediately; the Lord would take his own time; and one of these people a few days ago, when put to the worst upon the subject, said that he did not think Cowdery would have attempted to do any miracles, had he have known how things would turn out.” (Painesville Telegraph, 15 Feb., 1831)
Feb.: Further promise of an endowment.
“And ye are to be taught from on high. Sanctify yourselves and ye shall be endowed with power, that ye may give even as I have spoken.” (D&C 43:16; E&MS Oct., 1832)
Feb.: Revelation directing June Conference.
“The latter part of February I received the following revelation which caused the church to appoint a conference to be held on the 6th of June, ensuing. It was given at Kirtland, February, 1831, to me and Sidney Rigdon.
Revelation to Joseph Smith jr. and Sidney Rigdon, given February, 1831.
Behold thus saith the Lord unto you my servants it is expedient in me that the elders of my church should be called together, from the east and from the west, and from the north and from the south, by letter or some other way.
And it shall come to pass, that inasmuch as they are faithful, and exercise faith in me, I will pour out my spirit upon them in the day that they assemble themselves together. And it shall come to pass that they shall go forth into the regions round about, and preach repentance unto the people; and many shall be converted, insomuch that ye shall obtain power to organize yourselves, according to the laws of man; that your enemies may not have power over you, that you may be preserved in all things; that you may be enabled to keep my laws, that every band may be broken wherewith the enemy seeketh to destroy my people.
Behold I say unto you, that ye must visit the poor and the needy and administer to their relief, that they may be kept until all things may be done according to my law which ye have received: Amen.” (History of Joseph Smith, T&S 5(1):385, 1 Jan., 1844)
7 Mar.: Power to become sons of God.
“I came unto my own and my own received me not; but unto as many as received me gave I power to do many miracles, and to become the sons of God, and even unto them that believed on my name gave I power to obtain eternal life.” (Prophecy of 7 Mar., 1831. E&MS June, 1832)
7 Mar.: Regarding temple in Jerusalem.
“And now ye behold this temple which is in Jerusalem, which ye call the house of God, and your enemies say that this house shall never fall. But verily I say unto you, that desolation shall come upon this generation as a thief in the night, and this people shall be destroyed and scattered among all nations, and this temple which ye now see, shall be thrown down that there shall not be left one stone upon another. And it shall come to pass, that this generation of Jews shall not pass away, until every desolation which I have told you concerning them, shall come to pass.” (Prophecy of 7 Mar., 1831. E&MS Jun., 1832)
22 Mar.: Earliest Masonic connection?
“Our neighbor-in-law, Billy Perkins, says that Mormonism is the Antimasonic religion, because all who have embraced it are anti-masons. This is quite a random shot, Billy. But your great eagerness to draw from any source, however filthy, a little help for the handmaid, has probably led you into this error. You appear not to be aware that some ‘zealous masons’ and several ‘republican jacks’ have beset Jo Smith for ‘more light’. And perhaps you have yet to learn that the Mormon bible was printed and sent forth to the world, from a masonic printing office, under a masonic, or some other injunction, of secrecy. You may also discover a striking resemblance between masonry and mormonism. Both systems pretend to have a very ancient origin, and to possess some wonderful secrets which the world can not have without submitting to the prescribed ceremonies, and appropriating a portion or all of their property as common stock. The secrets of masonry are kept from the world by blasphemous oaths, under a penalty of death–the secrets of mormonism by making the candidate believe that it will be violating the ‘express command of Heaven’ and the penalty is the eternal displeasure of God, and all ‘worthy and well-qualified’ mormons. Billy seems willing to encourage and support any thing that he things will be calculated to divert public attention from the iniquitous character of Freemasonry. Mormonism, Billy, will fail in doing it, unless you give it a hoist with your press, which it is rumored you are inclined to do, as another Bible is in a state of forwardness for the press.” (Painesville Telegraph, 22 Mar., 1831)
5 Apr.: Failure of power to heal.
“Fanaticism — Died in Kirtland on Tuesday night last, Mr. Warner Doty, aged about 20 years. The deceased was one of those who had embraced the imposition of Jo Smith, and a victim to the delusion of Mormonism. He was duly commissioned after their manner to preach, and was one of the most active and zealous in their cause. So fully did he believe in the divinity of Smith, that he had been made to have full faith that he should live a thousand years–this he confessed to a near relative some four weeks before his decease. Five days before he expired, he was suddenly attacked by an inflammation in the bowels, which afterward assumed a typhoid appearance. He was immediately removed to the residence of his parents, who had no faith in the Mormon remedies for the cure of diseases. No persuasion could induce the young man to have a physician called, so strong was he impressed with the supernatural powers of Smith. Several of the Mormonites soon assembled around the sick man, where they continued to encourage him to persevere, and strengthen his delusion, telling him that he was getting better and would soon be well, till they saw he was about to expire, when they all fled from the house, without offering to assist in the last sad solemnities of the dead. Smith was sent for soon after he was taken sick, and proceeded toward the house of Doty, to heal him, but (as Smith said) he received a command not to go to Doty’s and ‘cast his pearls before swine.’ He however visited the sick man a day or two after, and said he would get well and protested against calling a physician. He held his hand upon the head of Doty for 10 or 15 minutes, but with what object is not known. A few hours before the young man expired, Dr. Brainard was sent for, much against the will of the worshipers of Smith, by the interference of other friends. The doctor immediately pronounced his disease past remedy and told the mormon doctors that their superstitions had probably been the means of the young man’s death, or something of like import. When the young man discovered that death was nigh, his faith in Smith’s pretensions seemed to forsake him. He said ‘What a wonderful mistake I have made,’ and called all his friends to take his leave. Addressing himself to an old man of the Mormon faith, he said, ‘you are a friend to everybody–I must shake hands with you–this is a lesson which I have learnt by actual experience, by which you ought to profit, but with me it is too late.’ The MOrmonites will probably contradict many of these statements, as they have many positive facts heretofore; but we have our information from a relative of the deceased, who was present during the last 18 hours of his life, and whose intelligence and veracity will not suffer in comparison with the whole of those deluded people who have adopted Jo Smith as their spiritual leader.” (Painesville Telegraph, 5 Apr., 1831)
26 May: They will attempt to raise the dead in June.
“Latest from the Mormonites.–The following is from the Western Courier of May 26th, published at Ravenna, Portage county, Ohio.
We understand that a new arrival of Mormonites has taken place–some two hundred men, women and children having lately landed in Geaugy county, their holy land, from New York. It is said, they they [sic] are an active, intelligent and enterprising sect of people. They have commenced a new settlement, in the township of Thompson, near the line of Ashtabula county, thus extending the holy land farther east than the limits originally fixed. They have full faith in the Mormon doctrine, having as they say, worked a miracle in clearing a passage through the ice at Buffalo, by which they sailed several days sooner than others vessels.
In June they are all to meet, and hold a kind of jubilee in this new ‘land of promise,’ where they are to work divers miracles–among others that of raising the dead. It is said there are soon to be miraculous births among them, and the number it is expected, will materially increase after the general meeting.
Strange as it may appear, it is an unquestionable fact, that this singular sect have, within three or four weeks, made many proselytes in this county. The number of believers in the faith, in three or four of the Northern Townships, is said to exceed one hundred–among whom are many intelligent and respectable individuals. The prospects of obtaining still greater numbers in this county, is daily increasing.”
(St. Louis Times 3(105):2, 9 Jul., 1831; Snider Collection)
Spring?: Commanded me to seal you up to everlasting life.
“A few evenings later the Prophet moved to Kirtland, Ohio and mother and I went over to their house. We wanted to hear more about the Gospel. There were other visitors so when Joseph saw the crowd he said, ‘We might as well have a meeting.’ The men soon fixed some planks and boxes in the large room. After prayer and singing, Joseph began talking. Suddenly he stopped and seemed almost transfixed. He was looking ahead into space and his face outshone the candle that was on the shelf back of him. I thought I could see his cheek bones. He looked as though a searchlight was inside his face shining through every pore. I could not take my eyes from him. After a short time he looked at us very solemnly and said, ‘Brothers and Sisters do you know who has been in your midst this night?’ One of the Smith family said, ‘An angel of the Lord.’ Joseph did not answer. Martin Harris was sitting at the Prophet’s feet on a box. He slid to the floor on his knees, clasped his arms around Joseph’s knees and said, ‘I know, it was our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.’ Joseph put his hand on Martin’s head and answered, ‘Martin, God revealed that to you. Yes, Brothers and Sisters, the Saviour has been in your midst. I want you to remember it. He cast a veil over your eyes for you could not endure to look upon Him. You must be fed with milk and not meat. Remember this as if it were the last thing to escape my lips. He has given you to me and commanded me to seal you up to everlasting life; that where He is, there you may be also, and when you are tempted by Satan, say ‘get thee behind me, Satan.’ Then he knelt as did the rest of us. I have never heard anything like the prayer he uttered. I felt he was talking right to God and the power rested on us all. His prayer was so long that some of the people got up and rested awhile and knelt again. This is the only meeting of this kind I have ever heard of. Many were baptized during those days, among them my Uncle Gilbert and my aunt.
In the fall of 1831, in company with Bishop Partridge, Father Morley, W. W. Phelps, Cyrus Daniels and their families, my brother Henry and sister Caroline, mother and myself, and Aunt Gilbert, left Kirtland under the guardianship of my Uncle Sidney A. Gilbert for Independence, Jackson County, Missouri, where there was quite a settlement of the Saints.” (Mary Elizabeth Rollins Lightner autobiographical sketch; in Our Pioneer Heritage, 5:306-307, 1962)
“I joined the Church in the year 1830, in Kirtland, Ohio, just months after it was organized. I was then twelve years old.
The Smith family came to Kirtland early in the spring of 1831. After they were settled in their house, mother and I went to see them. We had heard so much about the Golden Bible, as it was then called, that we were very anxious to hear more. The whole Smith family, excepting Joseph, was there. As we stood talking to them, Brother Joseph and Martin Harris came in with two or three others. When the greetings were over, Brother Joseph looked around very solemnly (it was the first time some of them had ever seen him) and said, ‘There are enough here to hold a little meeting.’
A board was put across two chairs to make seats. Martin Harris sat on a little box at Joseph’s feet. They sang and prayed, then Joseph got up to speak. He began very solemnly and very earnestly; all at once his countenance changed and he stood mute. He turned so white, he seemed perfectly transparent. Those who looked at him that night said he looked like he had a search light within him. I never saw anything like it on earth. I could not take my eyes away from him. I remember I thought we could almost see the bones through the flesh of his face.
I shall remember him as he looked then as long as I live.
He stood some moments looking over the congregation, as if to pierce each heart, then said, ‘Do you know who has been in your midst this night?’
One of the Smiths said, ‘An angel of the Lord.’
Martin Harris said, ‘It was our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.’
Joseph put his hand down on Martin’s head and said,
The Spirit of God revealed that to thee. Yes, brothers and sisters, the Savior has been in your midst this night, and I want you all to remember it. There is a veil over your eyes, for you could not endure to look upon him. You must be fed with milk not with strong meat. I want you all to remember this as if it were the last thing that escapes my lips. He has given you all to me, and commanded me to seal you up to Everlasting Life, that where he is there you may be also. And if you are tempted of Satan say, ‘Get behind me Satan, for my Salvation is secure.’
Then he knelt down and prayed. And such a prayer, I never heard before or since. We all felt that he was talking to the Lord and that the Spirit of the Lord rested down on the congregation.” (Mary E. Rollins Lightner, “Joseph Smith, the Prophet,” YWJ 16(12):556-557, Dec., 1905)
4 Jun.: An “Endowment”: the High Priesthood.
“Previous to this there was a revelation received, requiring the prophet to call the elders together, that they might receive an endowment. This was done, and the meeting took place some time in June. About fifty elders met, which was about all the elders that then belonged to the church. The meeting was conducted by Smith. Some curious things took place. the same visonary and marvellous spirits spoken of before, got hold of some of the elders; it threw one from his seat to the floow; it bound another, so that for some time he could not use his limbs nor speak; and some other curious effects were experienced, but, by a mighty exertion, in the name of the Lord, it was exposed and shown to be from an evil source. The Melchizedek priesthood was then for the first time introduced, and conferred on several of the elders. In this chiefly consisted the endowment–it being a new order–and bestowed authority. However, some doubting took place among the elders, and considerable conversation was held on the subject. The elders not fairly understanding the nature of the endowments, it took some time to reconcile all their feelings.” (John Corrill, History, Chapter 10)
“Let my servant Ezra [Thayer] humble himself and at the [June 1831] conference meeting he shall be ordained unto power from on high and he shall go from thence (if he be obedient unto my commandments) and proclaim my gospel unto the western regions with my servants that must go forth even unto the borders of the Lamanites.” (unrecorded Joseph Smith revelation, May, 1831, “Kirtland Revelation Book,” pp. 91-92. In Cook, The Revelations of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 48)
“Brs. Lyman Wight John Murdock Reynolds Cahoon Harvey Whitlock & Hyrum Smith were ordained to the high Priesthood under the hand of br. Joseph Smith jr.
Exhortation by brs. Lyman Wight & Harvey Whitlock
Brs. Parley P. Pratt Thomas B. Marsh Isaac Morley Edward Partridge Joseph Wakefield Martin Harris Ezra Thayer Ezra Booth (denied the faith) John Corrill Samuel H. Smith Solomon Hancock Simeon Carter Wheeler Baldwin Jacob Scott (denied the faith) Joseph Smith sen. John Whitmer Joseph Smith jr. & Sidney Rigdon were ordained to the High Priesthood under the hand of br. Lyman Wight.” (Far West Record, 3 Jun., 1831)
“Conference was opened by prayer and exhortation by Joseph Smith Jr. the Revelator. After the business of the church was attended to according to the covenants. The Lord made manifest to Joseph that it was necessary that such of the elders as were considered worthy, should be ordained to the high priesthood. . . . After he had prophesied, he laid his hands upon Lyman Wight [and ordained him] to the High priesthood after the holy order of God. And the Spirit fell upon Lyman and he prophesied, concerning the coming of Christ. . .” (John Whitmer, The Book of John Whitmer, Kept by Commandment, Chapter 7)
“On the 6th of June [sic], the elders from the various parts of the country where they were laboring came in, and the conference before appointed, convened, in Kirtland, and the Lord displayed his power in a manner that could not be mistaken. The man of sin was revealed, and the authority of the Melchisedec priesthood was manifested, and conferred for the first time upon several of the elders. It was clearly evident that the Lord gave us power in proportion to the work to be done, and strength according to the race set before us; and grace and help as our needs required. Great harmony prevailed; several were ordained; faith was strengthened; and humility, so necessary for the blessing of God to follow prayer, characterized the saints.” (“History of Joseph Smith,” T&S 5(3):416, 1 Feb., 1844)
“I was baptized in this church by Parley P. Pratt on the 13 Nov 1830 on the 20th of the same month I was ordained an elder under the hand of Oliver Cowdry and in the spring of 1831 Joseph came to Kirtland on the 4th of June I was ordained by the hand of Joseph to the Melchizidek priesthood being the first elder ordained to that office in this dispensation I then ordained Joseph Sydney and sixteen others the same day I then ordained high councilor next a president of a high council and after being driven from Jackson county I went to Kirtland and in the company with Joseph and Sydney I went to the state of New York 300 miles while in old father Bosley’s Joseph and I walked out in the sugar orchard here Joseph ordained me to the office of Benamey in the presence of an angel I shall never forget the conversation held between him and brother Joseph then I was ordained one of the twelve apostles and then one of the fifty went through two endowments then ordained to lead the armies of Israel to Zion as Moses lead the children Israel out of Egypt in this ordination I received a white stone in it a new name which no man knew or could know save him to whom it should be revealed this ordination I received from Joseph.” (Lyman Wight to the Northern Islander, Beaver Island, July, 1855. Letter #15 in Lyman Wight Letter Book, RLDS Archives)
“On the 4th of June 1831, a conference was held at Kirtland Ohio represented by all the above named branches; Joseph Smith our modern Prophet presided; and here I again saw the visible manifestations of the power of God as plain as could have been on the day of pentecost, and here for the first time I saw the Melchisidec priesthood introduced into the church of Jesus Christ as anciently; whereunto I was ordained under the hands of Joseph Smith and I then ordained Joseph and Sidney and sixteen others such as he chose unto the same priesthood. The spirit of God was made manifest to the heeling [sic] of the sick, casting out devils, speaking in unknown tongues, discerning of spirits, and prophesying with mighty power.” (Lyman Wight to Wilford Woodruff, 24 Aug., 1857)
“Firstly, I appeal to God, men and Angels to bear record that, after I had been ordained to the Melchisedek priesthood by him who holds the keys of the last dispensation of God on earth, on the 4th day of June 1831, I immediately took up my travels . . .” (Lyman Wight, An Address by way of an abirdged account and journal of my life from February 1844 to April 1848, with an appeal to the Latter Day Saints . . ., Austin, Texas?, 1848. p. 11)
“MORMONISM ON THE WING. After all the good followers of Jo Smith from York state had got fairly settled down in this vicinity, which Rigdon had declared to be their ‘eternal inheritance’, Jo must needs invent another ‘Command from God.’ At a meeting of the tribe on the 3rd inst. the fact was made known to them that 28 elders must be selected and ordained to start immediately for Missouri. Jo accordingly asked the Lord in the assembly whom he should select, and the Lord named them over to him, as he made them believe. The ceremony of endowing them with miraculous gifts, or supernatural power,, was then performed, and they were commanded to take up a line of march; preaching their gospel (Jo’s Bible) raising the dead, healing the sick, casting out devils, &c. This squad comprised Jo himself, Ridgon, Martin Harris, Gilbert, Morley, Murdock, Partridge, and all the other leading and influential men among them. The flock are to be left to shirk for themselves the best way they can. It is said they are about to commence an establishment some 500 miles up the Missouri, where they contemplate building the New Jerusalem, and they have expressed doubts whether few if any of them will ever return to this ‘land of promise’; but in due time a command will be sent for the remainder of their deluded and infatuated followers to move–we opine however that very few will obey the summons. The chosen few are to be off during the present week, going by pairs in different routes, all on foot, except Jo, Rigdon and Harris, the contrivers and commanders of the expedition.” (Painesville Telegraph, 14 Jun., 1831)
“The following article, from the Painesville (Ohio) Telegraph of June 14, has been in type for some time, but crowded out to make room for more important intelligence. Among the number ordained as elders, and commissioned to preach the Mormon faith, we understand is the late editor and publisher of the Ontario Phoenix, W. W. Phelps, Esq.” [Reprints above article in its entirety.] (The Ontario Repository, Canandaigua, N.Y., Wednesday, July 20, 1831, vol. XXXX, no. 17, whole no. 1473; in DALE MORGAN – “THE MORMONS AND THE FAR WEST: A collection of transcripts of newspaper articles on the Mormons, also containing material on the following subjects: the opening of the West; the fur trade; Indians of the middle and south-western states; the Santa Fe trade, etc. 1809-c.1857.” Huntington Library)
“On the fourth of June , 1831, a conference was held at Kirtland, Ohio, represented by all the above-named branches. Joseph Smith, our modern prophet, presided. Here for the first time I saw the visible manifestation of the power of God, as plain as could have been on the day of Pentecost; and here for the first time I saw the Melchisedek priesthood introduced into the Church of Jesus Christ, as anciently, whereunto I was ordained under the hands of Joseph Smith, and I then ordained sixteen others, such as he chose, unto the same priesthood.” [Note that Lyman had been ordained to the office of Elder on 20 Nov., 1830] (Lyman Wight diary, quoted in Joseph Smith III and Heman C. Smith, The History of the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, I:193, 1967 edition)
“Several were selected by revelation, through President Smith, and ordained to the High Priesthood after the order of the Son of God; which is the order of Melchizedek. this was the first occasion in which this priesthood had been revealed and conferred upon the Elders in this dispensation, although the office of Elder is the same in a certain degree, but not in the fulness.” (Parley P. Pratt, Autobiography, 1976 edition, p. 68)
“We started the latter part of May and arrived there [Kirtland] by the last of the month. I learned that on the fourth of June there was to be an endowment of some Elders.
The Fourth of June came and we all met in a little string oldings under the hill near Issac Morleys in Kirtland, Genoya County, Ohio. then we all went to a school house on the hill about one fourth of a mile ascending nearly all the way. The building was built of long. It was filled with slab benches. Here the Elders were seated and the meeting was opened as usual. Joseph Smith began to speak, he said that the Kingdom of Christ that he spoke of that was like a grain of mustard seed was now before him and some should see it put forth its branches and the angels of heaven would some day come like birds to its branches just as the Saviour had said. Some of you shall live to see it come with great glory. Some of you must die for the testimony of this work and he looked at Lyman White and said to him, ‘you shall see the Lord and meet him near the corner of the house[‘] and laid his hands upon him and blessed him with the visions of heaven.
Joseph Smith then stepped out on the floor and said, ‘I now see God, and Jesus Christ at his right hand, let them kill me, I should not feel death as I am now.’
Joseph put his hands on Harvey Whitlock and ordained him to the high priesthood. He turned as black as Lyman was white. His fingers were set like claws. He went around the room and showed his hands and tried to speak, his eyes were in the shape of oval O’s. Hyrum Smith said, ‘Joseph, that is not of God.’ Joseph said ‘do not speak against this.’ ‘I will not believe, said Hyrum, unless you inquire of God and he ownes it.’ Joseph bowed his head, and in a short time got up and commanded Satan to leave Harvy, laying his hands upon his head at the same time. At that very instant an old man said to weigh two hundred and fourteen pounds sitting in the window turned a complete summersault in the house and came his back across a bench and lay helpless. Joseph told Lyman to cast Satan out. He did. The man’s name was Leamon Coply, formally a Quaker. The evil spirit left him and as quick as lightening Harvey Green fell bound and screamed like a panther. Satan was cast out of him. But immediately entered someone else. This continued all day and the greater part of the night. But to return to the meeting, Joseph said, ‘now if you elders have sinned it will do you no good to preach if you have not repented. Heamon Bassett you sit still the Devil wants to sift you . . .’ Then he ordained Jacob Scott and some others to the High Priesthood. He came to Zebidee Coltrin and myself and told us that we had another calling as high as any man in the house. I was glad for that for I was so scared I would not stir without his liberty for all the world. I knew the things I had seen was not made.
Joseph said that John was to tarry until Christ came. He is now with the ten tribes preaching to them and when we can get ready for them they will come.
Joseph Smith called Lyman White and laid his hands on his head and say what God should tell him to say. He did and the blessing was so long I cannot write it.
After this we went down to the house and heard Harvey Whitlock say when Hyrum Smith said it was not god, he disdained him in his heart and when the Devil was cast out he was convinced it was Satan that was in him and he knew then it. I also heard Harvey Green say that he could not describe the awful feeling he experienced while in the hands of Satan. (Levi Ward Hancock diary, 4 Jun., 1831)
“About this time solomon Came to see me and brought Zebedee Coltrin along he held some metings and wanted I should go to Kirtland with him we started the latter part of May got there by the Last of the month I Lerned that on the fourth of june there was to be an indowment of some Elders The fourth of june Came and we all met a little string of Buildings under the hill nere Isaac Morley in Kirtland Geauga County Ohio we all went to a school house on the hill about one fourth of a mile asending nearly all the way it was builded of logs this was filled with slab Benches here the elders was seated the meting was opened as usual Joseph began to speak he said that the kingdom that Christ spoke of that was like a grain of musterd seed was not before him and some should see it put forth its branches And the angel of heaven would some day come like Birds to its branches just as the Saviour said and some of you shall live to see it come with great glory some of you must die for the testimony of this work and Looked and Lyman Write and said you shall see the Lord and me[e]t him nere the Corner of the house and laid his hands upon him and blessed him with the visions of heaven he then stepted out on the floor and said I now see God and Jesus Christ at his right hand let them kill me I should not feel death as I am now Joseph put his hands upon Harvey Whitlock and Ordained him to the high Priesthood he turned as black as Lyman was white his fingers was set like claws he went round the room and showed his hands and tryed to speak his eyes wer in the Shape of Ovil Oes Hyrum Smith said Joseph that is not God Joseph said do not speak against this I will not beleive said Hyrum unless you inquire of God and [He] owns it Joseph Bowed his head a short time and got up and Commanded Satan to leave Harvey laying his hands upon his head at the same time At that very instant an Old man said to way [sic] two hundread and fourteen pounds sitting in the window turned a complete summerset in the house and Came his back across a bench and lay helpless Joseph told Lyman to cast saten out he did the man’s name was Leamon Coply formaly a Shaker The evil spirit left him and as quick as lightning Harvy Green fell bound and screamed like a Panther then Satan was cast out of him but amediately entered so pheared [sic] in continued all day and the greatest part of the knight But to return to the meting said Joseph now if you elders have sined it will do you no good to preach if you have not repented Heamon Basset you sit still the Devil wants to sift you and then ordained jacob scot and some others to the high priesthood he come to Zebidee Coltrin and myself and told us that we had an other calling as high as any man in the house I was glad of that for I was so sacred I would not stir without his liberty for all the world for [?] I knew the things I had seen was not made said Joseph John was to tarry untill Christ come he is now with the ten tribes a preaching and when we can git ready for them they will come Joseph Smith Called on Lyman White to Lay his hands on his head and say what God should tell him to say he did and the things was so large I Can not write them After this we went down to the house And hered Harvy Whitlook say when Hyram Smith said it was not God he disdained him in his hart and when the Devil was cast out he was convinced it was satan that was in him and he then new it I also hered Harvy Green say that he could not describe the Awful feelings he expearenced while in the hands of Satan june fifth we all assembled on the hill, in a field whare there was alarg concaurs of people Collected Lyman White spoke Joseph said from that time the Elders would have large Congregations to speak to and they must soon take there departance into the reagions west when the meting was out we went to Gilberts and Salomon sung some and we talk with brother Whitmer [?] and told him what happend at the Conferance He asked me if what Joseph had said was fulfilled about some one Seeing the Lord I told him I considered it so do you said he yes sir said I was you not there I understood him no when knight came soloman my self Wheeler Baldwin and some others started to My fathers we walked heavely some said that they felt as if they would be seased by satan others said that they feld as tho they was hanging heavily about them I cept [kept] my feelings to myself untill we came to the millpond of the Jorgasons about half or a little over the distance we had to go that knight when we had got against the pond which was about fourteen rods across very deep I said let us pray we all kneled down and praied around as soon as the last one got through about nine oclock at knight and moonshone bright a sudden Bray of a jackass was hered about twenty feet behind us we looked and could see nothing and nothing in the way it started towards the pond Braying all the time I never had seen one in my life and I know none for I was well acquanited there I had hered tell how they Brayed and hered many tell how they Brayed the most of our company had seen them this bray continued across the pond and assended the high hills on the other side grew less and less untill it got out of hering there said brother Baldwin this proves to me that this work is true for when we praid the Devil run [?] that must be satan all said we there started on as light as we ever felt we told it to some but it seemed like an idle tale to them this took place on the fifth night of june-1831 This may appear strange but God knows I lie not and am ready to meet it before the heavens–that night he seased [sic] me and I thought he would destroy me I went to Solomon he prayed for me however I was not bound but but [sic] Awfully trued next day held meting at knight A Revilation came from Joseph to many Elders to go to Missouri and preach by the way.” (Levi Ward Hancock, 1854 Autobiography, LDS Archives, pp. 88-94; Ouellette)
“Christ commanded the Nep[h]ites to write his teachings, for they were to come down to us as the fulness of his gospel to us. And why is it–Oh, why is it that you will not take the words of Christ himself, and lay down your contentions and disputations, taking his plain, simple teachings which he has given us in that book? As you know, the teachings of Christ are the same at Jerusalem and upon this land; but on account of the plain and precious things being taken from the Bible, there is room therein for disputations on some points; but the teachings of Christ in the Book of Mormon are pure, plain, simple, and full. Christ chose ‘twelve’ and called them disciples, or Elders,–not apostles, and the ‘twelve’ ordained elders, priests, and teachers. These are all the spiritual offices in the Church of Christ, and their duties are plainly given. The manner of baptism, and the manner of administering the flesh and blood of Christ, and everything pertaining to the Church of Christ is plainly set forth in the fullness of the gospel.
In order to set some important facts clearly before your minds, concerning some changes in some of the revelations, I will give you in this article a brief outline of them, and speak in full on this subject hereafter. Some of the revelations as they now appear in the Book of Doctrine and Covenants have been changed and added to. . . .
These revelations were arranged for publication by Bro. Joseph Smith, Sydney Rigdon, Orson Hyde and others, in Hiram, Ohio, while I was there; and were sent to Independence to be published, and were printed just exactly as they were arranged by Bro Joseph and the others. And when the Book of Commandments was printed, Joseph and the church received it as being printed correctly. This I know. But in the winter of 1834 they saw that some of the revelations in the Book of Commandments had to be changed, because the heads of the church had gone too far, and had done things in which they had already gone ahead of some of the former revelations. So the book of ‘Doctrine and Covenants’ was printed in 1835, and some of the revelations changed and added to. . . .
I will also show by a revelation in the Book of Commandments–afterwards changed in the Doctrine and Covenants–that we were commanded to rely upon the Book of Mormon in building up the church; for ‘in it is all things written concerning my church, my gospel, and my rock. Wherefore, if you shall build up my church, my gospel, and my rock, the gates of hell shall not prevail against you.’ But they did not rely upon the Book of Mormon in building up the church; but Joseph ‘went on in the persuasions of men,’–(Sec. 2, D. and C) as he did while translating, and heeded Rigdon who expounded the old scriptures to him and showed him that high priests and other offices should be added to ‘elders, priests and teachers;’ and so we did not establish His (Christ’s) church, His gospel, and His rock, so the gates of hell did prevail against the church, and it finally landed in Salt Lake in polygamy. I will also show you by a revelation in the Book of Commandments (afterwards changed in the Doctrine and Covenants) that we had no high priests, etc. in the beginning, as if God had organized his church at first with ‘elders, priests, and teachers,’ and after we had preached, baptized and confirmed many couls into the church, then God concluded he had not organized it right, and decided to put in high priests and other offices above an elder. No brethren–God does not change and work in any such manner. This is man’s work. I will tell you many facts hereafter, things that I know and which will prove beyond a doubt that every spiritual office added to the church which is not according to the teachings of Christ to the ‘twelve’ on this land, is the work of man, and not the work of God.
I want to say a few words here concerning this last revelation spoken of. I know the claims of some of the Latter Day Saints concerning it. It is section 17, in the Doctrine and Covenants. It is a revelation, you admit this fact. The Book of Commandments shows it is a revelation! This revelation was published in the ‘Evening and Morning Star’ in 1832, before the Book of Commandments was published; and published in that paper as, ‘The Articles and Covenants of the Church of Christ, with a few items from other revelations.’ (Paragraphs 16 and 17 is the added part.) This revelation was received in June, 1830, and these two paragraphs were added in June, 1832, in that paper. The added part gives the duties of high priests and other officers that Bro. Joseph nor any of us ever thought of being in the church until Rigdon came in. The first high priests were ordained in June, 1831. Now I will explain why they did not print this revelation in the Book of Commandments in 1833, with these added parts in it. It is this: The heads of the church had not yet become sufficiently blinded to change a revelation that God had given in 1830, and print it changed in God’s Book of Commandments in 1833. W. W. Phelps is the one who printed this revelation in that paper with the ‘items’ added to it; but when the heads of the church changed the name of the church to “The Church of Latter Day Saints,’ (leaving out the name of ‘Christ’ entirely as the first edition of the Doctrine and Covenants shows), when they did this, and compiled the ‘Doctrine and Covenants’ in 1835, God had then given them over to blindness of mind, and they could print this revelation and others changed and added to, with a clear conscience, as they did many other grievous things with a clear conscience after this, thinking they were all right. . . .
The heads of the church had gone away ahead of Christ’s teachings to the ‘twelve’ in the Book of Mormon, and had established high spiritual offices which are not even mentioned in the teachings of Christ to the ‘twelve;’ so these revelations had to be changed. Many of the members objected seriously to these changes, and some left the church on account of it. Many of them did not want to say much at the time because it was Bro. Joseph and the leaders who did it. The majority of the members–poor weak souls–thought that anything Bro Joseph would do must be all right: And so in their blindness of heart, trusting in an arm of flesh, they looked over it and were led into error, and finally all talk about it ceased. . . .
I want to tell the brethren, that when the Doctrine and Covenants was published and presented to that assembly on that occasion, a very few of the brethren knew at that time about those ‘changes’ in revelations concerning ‘Joseph’s Gift’ and ‘to rely upon the Book of Mormon in building up the church,’ etc. In time it was generally found out, and the result was as I have stated. I want to state also that Oliver Cowdery told me that Rigdon was the cause of those changes being made: by smooth talk he convinced Joseph, Oliver, and F. G. Williams that it was all right. Oliver told me that he had sorely repented of that thing; and he repented of the other errors he had been led into by Rigdon and others. Bro. John Whitmer likewise. Thank God I can say that Bro. John and Bro. Oliver come out of their errors, repented of them, and died believing as I do to-day. I stand to-day just where I and the others stood in the early days of the church when the Bible and the Book of Mormon were the rule and guide to our faith.” (David Whitmer to Joseph Smith III, Saints Herald 34:92-93, 1887)
“The Mormonite preachers go forth proclaiming repentance and baptism for the remission of sins, and the laying on of hands for the reception of the Holy Ghost. The form of baptism is similar to other orders; only it is prefaced with–‘having authority given me of Jesus Christ;’ also, the laying on of hands–‘In the name of Jesus Christ, receive ye the Holy Ghost.’ Many of them have been ordained to the High Priesthood, or the order of Melchisedec; and profess to be endowed with the same power as the ancient apostles were. But they have been hitherto unsuccessful in finding the lame, the halt, and the blind, who had faith sufficient to become the subjects of their miracles: and it is now concluded that this work must be postponed until they get to Missouri; for the Lord will not show those signs to this wicked and adulterous generation. In the commandment given to the churches in the State of New York, to remove to the State of Ohio, they were assured that these miracles should be wrought in the State of Ohio; but now they must be deferred until they are settled in Missouri.” (Ezra Booth to Rev. Ira Eddy, Sep., 1831. In E. D. Howe, Mormonism Unvailed, pp. 180-181)
“From the time that Mormonism first made it [sic] appearance upon the stage, until the grand tour to the Missouri, an expectation universally pervaded the church, that the time was not far distant, when the deaf, the dumb, the maimed, the blind, &c. would become the subjects of the miraculous power of God, so that every defect in their systems would be entirely removed.
This expectation originated from, and was grounded upon a variety of premises, included in a number of commandments, or verbal revelations from Smith, or, as he is styled ‘the head of the church.’ As the 4th of June last was appointed for the sessions of the conference, it was ascertained, that that was the time specified, when the great and mighty work was to be commenced, and such was the confidence of some, that knowledge superceded their faith, and they did not hesitate to declare themselves perfectly assured that the work of miracles would commence at the ensuing conference. With such strong assurances, and with the most elevated expectations, the conference assembled at the time appointed. To give, if possible, energy to expectation, Smith, the day before the conference, professing to be filled with the spirit of prophecy, declared, that ‘not three days should pass away, before some should see their Savior, face to face.’ Soon after the session commenced, Smith arose to harangue the conference. He reminded those present of the prophecy, which he said ‘was given by the spirit yesterday.’ He wished them not to be overcome with surprise, when that event ushered in. He continued, until by long speaking, himself and some others became much excited. He then laid his hands on the head of Elder Wight, who had participated largely in the warm feeling of his leader, and ordained him to the High Priesthood. He was set apart for the service of the Indians, and was ordained to the gift of tongues, healing the sick, casting out devils, and discerning spirits; and in like manner he ordained several others; and then called upon Wight to take the floor. Wight arose, and presented a pale countenance, a fierce look, wqith his arms extended, and his hands cramped back, the whole system agitated, and a very unpleasant object to look upon. He exhibited himself as an instance of the great power of God, and called upon those around him, ‘if you want to see a sign, look at me.’ He then stepped upon a bench, and declared with a loud voice, he saw the Savior: and thereby, for the time being, rescued Smith’s prophecy from merited contempt.–It, however, procured Wight the authority to ordain the rest. So said the spirit, and so said Smith. The spirit in Smith selected those to be ordained, and the spirit in Wight ordained them. But the spirit in Wight proved an erring dictator; so much so, that some of the candidates felt the weight of hands thrice, before the work was rightly done. Another Elder, who had been ordained to the same office as Wight, at the bidding of Smith, stepped upon the floor. Then ensued a scene, of which you can form no adequate conception; and which, I would forbear relating, did not the truth require it. The Elder moved upon the floor, his legs inclining to a bend; one shoulder elevated above the other, upon which the head seemed disposed to recline, his arms partly extended; his hands partly clenched; his mouth partly open, and contracted in the shape of an italic O; his eyes assumed a wild ferocious cast, and his whole appearance presented a frightful object to the view of the beholder.–‘Speak, Brother Harvey’ said Smith. But Harvey intimated by signs, that his power of articulation was in a state of suspense, and that he was unable to speak. Some conjectured that Harvey was possessed of the devil, but Smith said, ‘the Lord binds in order to set at liberty.’ After different opinions had been given, and there had been much confusion, Smith learnt by the spirit, that Harvey was under a diabolical influence, and that Satan had bound him; and he commanded the unclean spirit to come out of him.
It now became clearly manifest, that ‘the man of sin was revealed,’ for the express purpose that the elders should become acquainted with the devices of Satan; and after that they would possess knowledge sufficient to manage him. This, Smith declared to be a miracle, and his success in this case, encouraged him to work other and different miracles. Taking the hand of one of the Elders in his own, a hand which by accident had been rendered defective, he said, ‘Brother Murdock, I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to straighten your hand; in the mean while, endeavoring to accomplish the work by using his own hand to open the hand of the other. The effort proved unsuccessful; but he again articulated the same commandment, in a more authoritative and louder tone of voice; and while uttering with his tongue, his hands were at work; but after all the exertion of his power, both natural and supernatural, the deficient hand returned to its former position, where it still remains. But ill success in this case, did not discourage him from undertaking another. One of the Elders, who was decriped in one of his legs, was set upon the floor, and commanded, in the name of Jeses [sic] Christ to walk. He walked a step or two, his faith failed, and he was again compelled to have recourse to his former assistant, and he has had occasion to use it ever since.
A dead body, which had been retained above ground two or three days, under the expectation that the dead would be raised, was insensible to the voice of those who commanded it to awake into life, and is destined to sleep in the grave till the last trump shall sound, and the power of God easily accomplishes the work, which frustrated the attempts, and bid defiance to the puny efforts of the Mormonite.
That an attempt was made to raise the child, is denied, of course, as every other attempt has been, after its entire failure was obvious to all. The parents of the deceased child, however, state, that they were prevented from procuring medical aid for the child, by the representations of the elders, that it was in no danger–that it would certainly be restored. The father had no other idea but that the child was to be raised; neither did his faith fail him till preparations were made for its interment. He then awoke from his dream of delusion, and dissolved his connexion with the imposters.” (Ezra Booth to Rev. Ira Eddy, Sep., 1831. In E. D. Howe, Mormonism Unvailed, pp. 187-190)
“At a meeting of the tribe on the 3d inst. the fact was made known to them that 28 elders must be selected and ordained, to start immediately, for Missouri. Jo accordingly asked the Lord in the assembly whom he should select, and the Lord named them over to him as he made them believe. The ceremony of endowing them with miraculous gifts, or supernatural power, was then performed, and they were commanded to take up a line of march; preaching their gospel, (Jo’s Bible) raising the dead, healing the sick, casting out devils, &c.” (Painesville Telegraph, 14 Jun., 1831. In Cook, The Revelations of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 137)
“On Joseph’s arrival at Kirtland, he found a church consisting of nearly one hundred members, who were, in general, good brethren, though a few of them had imbibed some very erroneous ideas, being greatly deceived by a singular power, which manifested itself among them in strange contortions of the visage, and sudden unnatural exertions of the body. This they supposed to be a display of the power of God. Shortly after Joseph arrived, he called the church together, in order to show them the difference between the Spirit of God, and the spirit of the Devil. He said, if a man arose in meeting to speak, and was seized with a kind of paroxysm, that drew his face and limbs, in a violent and unnatural manner, which made him appear to be in pain; and if he gave utterance to strange sounds, which were incomprehensible to his audience, they might rely upon it that he had the spirit of the Devil. But on the contrary, when a man speaks by the Spirit of God, he speaks from the abundance of his heart–his mind is filled with intelligence, and even should he be excited, it does not cause him to do anything ridiculous or unseemly. He then called upon one of the brethren to speak, who arose and made the attempt, but was immediately seized with a kind of spasm, which drew his face, arms, and fingers in a most astonishing manner.
Hyrum, by Joseph’s request, laid hands on the man, whereupon he sunk back in a state of complete exhaustion. Joseph then called upon another man to speak, who stood leaning in an open window. This man also attempted to speak, but was thrown forward into the house, prostrate, unable to utter a syllable. He was administered to, and the same effects followed as in the first instance.
These, together with a few other examples of the same kind, convinced the brethren of the mistake under which they had been laboring; and they all rejoiced in the goodness of God, in once more condescending to lead the children of men by revelation and the gift of the Holy Ghost.” (Lucy Mack Smith, Biographical Sketches of Joseph Smith the Prophet and His Progenitors for Many Generations, 1853 ed., pp. 171-172)
Lucy Mack Smith wrote the following about Joseph’s arrival in Kirtland in February 1831: “Shortly after Joseph arrived, he called the church together, in order to show them the difference between the Spirit of God, and the spirit of the devil. He said, if a man arose in a meeting to speak, and was seized with a kind of paroxysm that drew his face and limbs in a violent and unnatural manner, which made him appear to be in pain; and if he gave utterance to strange sounds, which were incomprehensible to his audience, they might rely upon it, that he had the spirit of the devil. But, on the contrary, when a man speaks by the Spirit of God, he speaks from the abundance of his heart–his mind is filled with intelligence, and even should he be excited, it does not cause him to do anything ridiculous or unseemly. He then called upon one of the brethren to speak, who arose and made the attempt, but was immediately seized with a kind of spasm, which drew his face, arms, and fingers in a most astonishing manner.
Hyrum, by Joseph’s request, laid hands on the man, whereupon he sunk back in a state of complete exhaustion. Joseph then called upon another man to speak, but stood leaning in an open window. This man also attempted to speak, but was thrown forward into the house, prostrate, unable to utter a syllable. He was admininstered to, and the same effects followed as in the first instance.
These, together with a few other examples of the same kind, convinced the brethren of the mistake under which they had been laboring; and they all rejoiced in the goodness of God, in once more condescending to lead the children of men by revelation, and the gift of the Holy Ghost.” (Lucy Mack Smith, in JH; Ouellette)
“In this same month viz dec 1830 word came to Joseph from John Whitmer that the church much needed his presence and he would be glad of his assistance in setting in order the affairs of the branch where he presided. upon the receipt of this intelligence he inquired of the Lord and received the following revelation–Times and Seasons Page 352 rev 2nd. Joseph and Emma Sydney Rigdon E Partridge Ezra B. Thayer and Newel night set out for Kirtland Ohio when on their way thither they preached at our house on Seneca river–and in Macedon at the house of Calvin Stoddard Sophronia’s husband and preached again at the house of Preserved Harris. they baptized some in both places after which he proceeded on his jounrney [sic]. When he came to Kirtland he found nearly 100 members in the church they were fine brethren in general but they had imbibed some very strange ideas which it cost some fiascos [?] to rid them of as the Devil had been deceiving them with a specious appearance of power manifested by strange contortions of the visage and unnatural motions which they suposed to be occasioned by an opperation of the power of God.–Joseph called them together and told them that he could easily show them the difference between the spirit of God and the spirit of the Devil or that they could try the spirits in a measure themselves. Now said when a man gets up to speak and draws his face or limbs into an unnatural shape or position and is convulsed in a manner that makes him appear to be in pain when there is no perceptible cause you may rely upon it that he has the spirit of the Devil. But on the contrary when a man has the spirit of God he is calm when he speaks except he is animated by the subject he speaks upon and that does not cause him to do anything rediculous or unseemly you can also perceive that his mind is filled with intelligence and speaks from the abundance of his heart. He called upon one of the brethren who had been deceived by an evil spirit to speak when he arose he was immediately convulsed in the most singular manner his face his arms and his fingers being drawn like a person in a spasm. Joseph turned ty Hyrum and said will you go and lay hands on that brother when Hyrum did so the man fell back into his chair as weak as though he had exhausted himself by excessive hard labor. he then called uopn another who was standing on the outside of the house leaning in the window this man pitched forward into the house and after trying somtime to speak without being able to do so was administered to by the laying on of hands which affected him the same as the one who preceeded him. this showed the brethren clearly the mistake under which they had been laboring and they all rejoiced together in the goodness of God in that he condescended to lead the children of men once more by revelation and the Gift of the Holy Ghost, as in former days.” (Lucy Mack Smith manuscript, pp. 129-130)
Parley P. Pratt wrote: “As I went forth among the different branches, some very strange spiritual operations were manifested, which were disgusting, rather than edifying. Some persons would seem to swoon away, and make unseemly gestures, and be drawn or disfigured in their countenances. Others would fall into ecstacies, and be drawn into contortions, cramp, fits, etc. Others would seem to have visions and revelations, which were not edifying, and which were not congenial to the doctrine and spirit of the gospel. In short, a false and lying spirit seemed to be creeping into the Church.
All these things were new and strange to me, and had originated in the Church during our absence, and previous to the arrival of President Joseph Smith from New York.
Feeling our weakness and inexperience, and lest we should err in judgement concerning these spiritual phenomena, myself, John Murdock, and several other Elders, went to Joseph Smith, and asked him to inquire of the Lord concerning these spirits or manifestations.
After we had joined in prayer in his translating room, he dictated in our presence the following revelation. (Each sentence was uttered slowly and very distinctly, and with a pause between each, sufficiently long for it to be recorded, by an ordinary writer, in long hand.
This was the manner in which [all?] his written revelations were dictated and written. There was never any hesitation, reviewing, or reading back, in order to keep the run of the subject; neither did any of these communications undergo revisions, interlinings, or corrections. As he dictated them so they stood, so far as I have witnessed; and I was present to witness the dictation of several communications of several pages each.” [D&C 50 was the revelation.] (JH; Ouellette)
“The fourth general conference of the Church of Christ was held at Kirtland, Geauga county, Ohio. . . . At this Conference the following named brethren were ordained to the High Priesthood, namely, Lyman Wight, Sidney Rigdon, John Murdock, Reynolds Cahoon, Harvey Whitlock and Hyrum Smith; they were all ordained by Joseph Smith, Jun. . . . The following were ordained by Lyman Wight by commandment: Parley P. Pratt, Thomas B. Marsh, Isaac Morley, Edward Partridge, Joseph Wakefield, Ezra Thayer, Martin Harris, Ezra Booth, Harvey Whitlock [note that he was supposedly ordained by Joseph also], Joseph Smith Sen., Joseph Smith Jun., John Whitmer (and Sidney Rigdon). The Bishop then proceeded and blessed the above named brethren and others by the laying on of hands. Isaac Morley and John Correll were ordained counselors to Edward Partridge.” (JH; Ouellette)
John Whitmer wrote: “The Spirit of the Lord fell upon Joseph in an unusual manner, and he prophesied that John the Revelator was then among the Ten Tribes of Israel who had been led away by Salmanasser, king of Assyria, to prepare them for their return from their long dispersion, to again possess the land of their fathers. He prophesied many more things that I have not written. After he had prophesied he laid his hands upon Lyman Wight and ordained him to the High Priesthood, [i.e. ordained him a High Priest], [NOTE THAT THIS BRACKETED ENTRY IS PART OF THE JOURNAL HISTORY QUOTATION] after the holy order of God. And the Spirit fell upon Lyman, and he prophesied concerning the coming of Christ. He said that there were some in the congregation that should live until the Savior should descend from heaven with a shout, with all the holy angels with him. . . . Joseph Smith, Jun., prophesied the day previous that the man of sin would be revealed.” (Satan bound the tongues of Harvey Whitlock and John Murdock) “. . . the Lord showed to Joseph, the seer, the design of the thing; he commanded the devil in the name of Christ, and he departed, to our joy and comfort.” (JH; Ouellette)
Parley Pratt wrote about this conference: “Several were then selected by revelation, through President Smith, and ordained to the High Priesthood after the order of the Son of God; which is after the order of Melchisedec. This was the first occasion in which this priesthood had been revealed and conferred upon the Elders in this dispensation, although the office of an Elder is the same in a certain degree, but not in the fulness. On this occasion I was ordained to this holy ordinance and calling by President Smith.” (JH; Ouellette)
Jared Carter wrote about his brother at this conference: “. . . he had become a mighty instrument in the service of the Almighty, and an Elder in the High Priesthood filled with the Holy Ghost.” (JH; Ouellette)
Newel Knight wrote: “A number were ordained to the Melchizedek Priesthood, and the hearts of the Saints rejoiced in the rich blessings bestowed upon them.” (JH; Ouellette)
[JOURNAL HISTORY ENTRY FOR 3 JUN., 1831]
“The fourth general conference of the Church of Christ was held at Kirtland, Geauga county, Ohio. Of the Priesthood of the Church the following bretheren [sic] were present: Elders Joseph Smith jun., David Whitmer, John Whitmer, Samuel H. Smith, Hyrum Smith, Joseph Smith, sen., Parley P. Pratt, Thomas B. Marsh, Sidney Rigdon, John Murdock, Lyman Wight, Levi W. Hancock, Orson Pratt, Edward Partridge, Ezra Thayer, Northrop Sweet, Emer Harris, Joseph Wakefield, Ezra Booth, John Corril, Seymour Brunson, Isaac Morley, Harvey Whitlock, Zebedee Coltrin, Jacob Scott, William Carter, Sylvester Smith, Simeon Carter, Calvin Bebee, Solomon Hancock, Wheeler Baldwin, Edison Fuller, Burr Riggs, Ebenezer Abbott, Reynolds Cahoon, Solomon Humphrey, John Woodard, Joseph Brackenberry, Newel Knight, Joseph Coe, William Mitchel, Ebnezer Page and Alpheus Gifford; Priests Martin Harris, Daniel Stanton, Solomon Chamberlain, Lorin Page, Jacob Sherman, Benjamin Bragg, Caleb Baldwin, James Durfee, and Major N. Ashley; Teachers Hezekiah Peck, Hiram Page, Christian Whitmer, William Smith, Stephen Burnett, Isaac Beebe, Benjamin Johnson, Samuel Day, Thoret Parsons, and Jacob Chamberlain.
The Conference was opened by Joseph Smith, jun. in exhortation and prayer. He was followed by Sidney Rigdon in prayer and exhortation, after which most of the Elders present spoke. Bros. Lyman Wight, John Murdock, Reynolds Cahoon, and Hyrum Smith were ordained to the High Priesthood (High Priests [written in typescript by hand]) under the hands of Joseph Smith, jun. Exhortations were given by Lyman Wight, after which Harvey Whitlock, Parley P. Pratt, Thomas B. Marsh, Isaac Morley, Edward Partridge, Joseph Wakefield, Martin Harris [note that, according to these minutes, Harris was only a Priest at this time], Ezra Thayer, Ezra Booth, John Corrill, Samuel H. Smith, Solomon Hancock, Simeon Carter, Wheeler Baldwin, Jacob Scott, Joseph Smith (sen.), John Whitmer, Joseph Smith jun. and Sidney Rigdon were ordained to the High Priesthood (High Priests [written in typescript by hand]) under the hands of Lyman Wight. The Bishop (Edward Partridge) then blessed those who were ordained in the name of Christ, according to commandment. John Corrill and Isaac Morley were ordained assistants to the Bishop under the hands of Lyman Wight. Exortation by Sidney Rigdon and Joseph Smith jun. Closed by prayer by Sidney Rigdon. John Whitmer, clerk. (Far West Record, p. 4)
Following is the Prophets account of this important conference:
On the 3rd of June, the Elders from the various parts of the country where they were laboring, came in; and the conference before appointed, convened in Kirtland; and the Lord displayed His power to the most perfect satisfaction of the Saints. The man of sin was revealed, and the authority of the Melchisedek Priesthood was manifested and conferred for the first time upon several of the Elders. It was clearly evident that the Lord gave us power in proportion to the work to be done, and strength according to the race set before us, and grace and help as our needs required. Great harmony prevailed; several were ordained; faith was strengthened; and humility, so necessary for the blessing of God to follow prayer, characterized the Saints. [HC]
John Whitmer, in his history of the Church, gives the following additional particulars about this conference:
June 3rd, 1831, a general conference was called, and a blessing promised if the Elders were faithful and humble before Him. Therefore the Elders assembled from the east and from the west, from the north and the south, and also many members.
Conference was opened by prayer and exhortation by Joseph Smith Jun, the Revelator, after the business of the Church was attended to according to the covenants, the Lord made manifest to Joseph Smith that it was necessary that such of the Elders as were considered worthy should be ordained to the High Priesthood. The Spirit of the Lord fell upon Joseph in an unusual manner, and he prophesied that John the Revelator was then among the Ten Tribes of Israel who had been led away by Salmanasser, king of Assyria, to prepare them for their return from their long dispersion, to again possess the land of their fathers. He prophesied many more things that I have not written. After he had prophesied he laid his hands upon Lyman Wight and ordained him to the High Priesthood, {i.e. ordained him a High Priest}, after the holy order of God. And the Spirit fell upon Lyman, and he prophesied concerning the coming of Christ. He said that there were some in the congregation that should live until the Savior should descend from heaven with a shout, with all the holy angels with him. He said the coming of the Savior should be like the sun rising in the east, and will cover the whole earth. So with the coming of the Son of Man; yea, he will appear in His brightness and consume all {the wicked} before him; and the hills will be laid low, and the valleys be exalted, and the crooked be made straight, and the rough smooth. And some of my brethren shall suffer martyrdom for the sake of the religion of Jesus Christ, and seal their testimony of Jesus with their blood. He saw the heavens opened and the Son of Man sitting on the right hand of the Father, making intercession for His brethren, the Saints. He said that God would work a work in these last days that tongue cannot express and the mind is not capable to conceive. The glory of the Lord shone around.
At this Conference the following named brethren were ordained to the High Priesthood, namely, Lyman Wight, Sidney Rigdon, John Murdock, Reynolds Cahoon, Harvey Whitlock and Hyrum Smith; they were all ordained by Joseph Smith, Jun., except Sidney Rigdon. The following were ordained by Lyman Wight by commandment: Parley P. Pratt, Thomas B. Marsh, Isaac Morley, Edward Partridge, Joseph Wakefield, Ezra Thayer, Martin Harris, Ezra Booth, (who denied the faith), Harvey Whitlock (denied the faith); also Joseph Smith Sen. Joseph Smith Jun., and John Whitmer. The Bishop then proceeded and blessed the above named brethren and others by the laying on of hands. Isaac Morley and John Correll were ordained counsellors to Edward Partridge.
Joseph Smith, Jun., prophesied the day previous that the man of sin would be revealed. While the Lord poured out His Spirit upon His servants, the devil took a notion to make known his power. He bound Harvey Whitlock and John Murdock so that they could not speak, and others were affected; but the Lord showed to Joseph, the seer, the design of the thing; he commanded the devil in the name of Christ, and he departed, to our joy and comfort.
Parley P. Pratt, in his autobiography, gives the following account of this important gathering:
A general conference was convened at Kirtland, consisting of all the Elders, far and near, who could be got together. In this conference much instruction was given by President Smith, who spake in great power, as he was moved by the Holy Ghost; and the spirit of power and of testimony rested down upon the Elders in a marvellous manner. Here also were some strange manifestations of false spirits, which were immediately rebuked.
Several were then selected by revelation, through President Smith, and ordained to the High Priesthood after the order of the Son of God; which is after the order of Melchisedec. This was the first occasion in which this priesthood had been revealed and conferred upon the Elders in this dispensation, although the office of an Elder is the same in a certain degree, but not in the fulness. On this occasion I was ordained to this holy ordinance and calling by President Smith.
Brother Jared Carter, who also attended this conference, has the following to say about it in his private journal:
The Friday before this happened {referring to a case of healing} was that memorable day when Christ first gave the fulness of the High Priesthood to the Elders of the Church of Christ. On this occasion Bro. Joseph, notwithstanding he was not naturally a talented speaker, was filled with the power of the Holy Ghost, and spoke as I never heard man speak for God before. Surely the Holy Ghost spoke through him and marvelous, indeed, was the display of the power of the Spirit among the Elders present. At this conference I met my Brother Simeon whom I had not seen for eight years. He had left Benson, Vermont, where I then lived, and had resided in Ohio. At his place of residence, at Amherst, he had first met with the Elders of the Church. The meeting with my brother was one that filled me with great joy, especially on such an occasion when the glorious manifestations of the power of God was so richly poured out. In watching my brother in his earlier life I had almost dispaired of him because of his backwardness in the cause of God, but now he had become a mighty instrument in the service of the Almighty, and an Elder in the High Priesthood filled with the Holy Ghost. After the conference I moved my family to Amherst, where my brother resided.
Newel Knight refers to the conference in the following language:
The Elders, from various parts of the country where they had been laboring, came in, and the power of the Lord was manifested in our midst. [Some of these words are guesses, as my copy is obscured.] A number were ordained to the Melchizedek Priesthood, and the hearts of the Saints rejoiced in the rich blessings bestowed upon them.
That this conference was held on the 3rd of June, and not on the 6th, is proven conclusively by John Smith, one of the early Elders of the Church in Ohio, who makes the following entry in his private journal:
Friday, June 3 {1831} I went to Kirtland to attend conference, but did not reach there till Saturday the 4th, and conference was over and I continued there {at Kirtland} until the 6th and after the commandment had come forth for the Elders to go to Missour, I returned and reached my home in Northampton on the 7th.”
(Journal History, 3 Jun., 1831)
“Elder Jared Carter, who resided temporarily in Thompson, Ohio, speaks of his experience there as follows:
Here we again had severe trials and I, together with other members must acknowledge that here we passed through some of the most trying scenes that I have ever experienced, for the grand adversary of all souls gained great power over some of my brethren. And among the rest I was most shockingly tempted, yet not withstanding the many temptations I had I never doubted that the work I had espoused was the work of God.
After our arrival in Thompson, my wife, who hitherto had opposed me to a greater or less extent and had feared that the work in which we had engaged was that of delusions, now became convinced that it was true, and was finally baptized into the Church. About this time we witnessed some display of the power of God in a miraculously manner in the Church in Thompson. One case I will mention which happened in my own family under the instrumentality of Joseph the Seer. My youngest child was distressingly sick at the time Joseph came to visit my house and I told him that I had faith that the babe might be healed; he then spoke in the name of the Lord and said, that it should be to me according to my faith; the child was healed immediately. On the same day one of our sisters was healed from blindness by his instrumentality. I also saw another manifestation of the healing power of God at Kirtland {early in June 1831}; it took place through the instrumentality of my natural brother Simeon Carter. A woman had on a certain occasion fallen from a wagon on her way to the meeting. To all appearance she was mortally wounded and was not expected to live. She was so badly bruised that she could not even move a toe, and her pain was intense. In my conversation with her, I told her that she need not have any more pain, and also mentioned my Brother Simeon who was endowed with great power from on high, and that she might be healed, if she had faith. Brother Simeon also conversed with her, and after awhile took her by the hand, saying, ‘I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to arise and walk.’ And she arose and walked from room to room.”
(Jared Carter journal, in Journal History, 8 Jun., 1831)
“I went to Kirtland to see Brother Joseph and to attend a conference which had been appointed to commence on the Sixth of June 1831.
Conference convened the elders from various parts of the country where they had been laboring Came in and the power of the Lord was displayed in a manner that could not be mistaken. The authority of the Melchesidec preisthood was manifested and confered for the first time upon the elders. It was evident that the Lord gave his people power in proportion to the work which was to be done and grace and help as our needs required. Great harmony prevailed; Several were ordained: faith was strengthened; and humility, so necessary to Strengthen for the blessing of God to follow prayer, Characterized the Saints. The next day as a kind Continuation of this great work of the last days Joseph Smith received the following revelation given June 1831.” (Newel Knight Autobiographical Sketch, LDS Archives; Ouellette)
“Soon after the gospel was established in Kirtland, and during the absence of the authorities of the church, many false spirits were introduced, many strange visions were seen, and wild enthusiastic notions were entertained; men run out of doors under the influence of this spirit, and some of them got upon the stumps of trees and shouted, and all kinds of extravagances were entered into by them: one man pursued a ball that he said he saw flying in the air, until he came to a precipice when he jumped into the top of a tree which saved his life, and many ridiculous things were entered into, calculated to bring disgrace upon the church of God; to cause the spirit of God to be withdrawn; and to uproot and destroy those glorious principles which had been developed for the salvation of the human family. Bkut when the authorities returned the spirit was made manifest, those members that were exercised with it were tried for their fellowship; and those that would not repent and forsake it were cut off.” (Joseph Smith, “Try the Spirits,” T&S 3(11):747, 1 Apr., 1842)
“I was present at Kirtland on the 3rd day of June A.D. [1831] when the man of sin was revealed, and the High priesthood was given to the church.” (Zebedee Coltrin Autobiography, LDS Archives, MS d 2793; Corcoran)
“Having given this brief sketch of our religious principles, we will now proceed to our account of the rise and progress of the church until this present time. After the church was organized as stated in the foregoing, they gradually increased in numbers from that time until June, 1831; the whole church numbered near two thousand. A general conference was then held in Kirtland, Ohio; and was attended by something like sixty of our preachers.” [Seems to say that no women were present.] (Elder Adams, “What do the Mormons Believe,” from the Boston Bee; in T&S 4(9):142, 15 Mar., 1843)
“I saw Joseph Smith the Prophet when he first came to Kirtland, and was with him in the first conference held in that place, which was in a small school house. When he arose in our midst he said that before the conference closed there were those present who should see the heavens open and bear record of the coming of the Son of Man, and that the man of sin should be revealed.
While he talked he laid his hand upon the head of Lyman Wight. He then laid his left hand upon the head of Harvey Whitlock. Lyman Wight stepped into the middle of the room and bore record of the coming of the Son of Man. Then Harvey Whitlock stepped into the middle of the room with his arms crossed, bound by the power of Satan, and his mouth twisted unshapely.
Hyrum Smith arose and declared that there was an evil spirit in the room.
Joseph said, ‘Don’t be too hasty,’ and Hyrum sat down.
Shortly Hyrum rose the second time, saying, ‘I know my duty and will do it,’ and stepping to Harvey, commanded the evil spirits to leave him, but the spirits did not obey.
Joseph then approached Harvey and asked him if he believed in God. Then we saw a change in Harvey. He also bore record of the opening of the heavens and of the coming of the Son of Man, precisely as Lyman Wight had done.
Next a man by the name of Harvey Green was thrown upon his back on the floor by an unseen power. Some of the brethren wanted to administer to him by laying on of hands, but Joseph forbade it. Harvey looked to me like a man in a fit. He groaned and frothed at the mouth. Finally he got upon his knees and came out of it.
Next thing I saw a man came flying through the window from outside. He was straight as a man’s arm as he sailed into the room over two rows of seats filled with men, and fell on the floor between the seats and was pulled out by the brethren. He trembled all over like a leaf in the wind. He was soon apparently calm and natural. His name was Lemon Copley. He weighed over two hundred pounds. This I saw with my own eyes and know it is all true, and bear testimony to it.” (Philo Dibble, JI 27(10):303, 15 May, 1892)
Jun.: “Endowed with great power from on high.”
Early in June 1831, Jared Carter wrote: “A woman had on a certain occasion fallen from a wagon on her way to the meeting. To all appearance she was mortally wounded and was not expected to live. She was so badly bruised that she could not even move a toe, and her pain was intense. In my conversation with her, I told her that she need not have any more pain, and also mentioned my Brother Simeon who was endowed with great power from on high, and that she might be healed, if she had faith. Brother Simeon also conversed with her, and after awhile took her by the hand, saying, ‘I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to arise and walk.’ And she arose and walked from room to room.” (JH; Ouellette)
7 Jun.: Move to Missouri following failure of endowment.
“I removed from Seneca County, New York, to Geauga County, Ohio, in February, 1831.
I received, by a heavenly vision, a commandment in June following, to take my journey to the western boundaries of the State of Missouri, and there designate the very spot which was to be the central place for the commencement of the gathering together of those who embrace the fullness of the everlasting Gospel.” (Joseph Smith to the Elders of the Church of Latter-day Saints, 1 Sep., 1835, HC 2:253)
“The next day [7 Jun.] As a kind continuation of this great work of the last days, I received the following Revelation, given June, 1831.
Behold, thus saith the Lord unto the elders whom he hath called and chosen, in these last days, by the voice of his Spirit, saying, I the Lord will make known unto you what I will that ye shall do from this time until the next conference, which shall be held in Missouri, upon the land which I will consecrate unto my people, who are a remnant of Jacob, and those who are heirs according to the covenant.
Wherefore, verily I say unto you, let my servant Joseph Smith, jr. and Sidney Rigdon take their journey as soon as preparations can be made to leave their homes, and journey to the land of Missouri. And inasmuch as they are faithful unto me, it shall be made known unto them what they shall do; and it shall also, inasmuch as they are faithful, be made known unto them the land of your inheritance. And inasmuch as they are not faithful, they shall be cut off, even as I will, as seemeth me good.” (“History of Joseph Smith,” T&S 5(3):416-417, 1 Feb., 1844)
“In my last letter I gave you a faint representation of the events which transpired and the circumstances which attended the meeting of the Mormonite Conference [of 3-6 Jun.]. Though many stumbled, yet none irrecoverably fell. Another grand object was presented, and the attention was some what diverted from these scenes of disappointment, through which we had recently passed. The tour to the Missouri revived the sinking expectations, and gave new energy to faith and hope. In that distant region, anticipation was to be realized in full, and the objects of faith, and hope were to become the objects of knowledge and fruition. A commandment was received, and Elders were directed to take their journey for the ‘promised land.’ . . .
When we arrived at the place to which our mission destined us, we perceived to our mortification, that disappointment, instead of being confined to the state of Ohio, had journeyed thither, and had arrived before us. We would gladly have here avoided an interview with this, our old companion; but this was impossible, she met us, & stared us in the face which way soever we turned, nor was it possible to look her out of countenance, or put the blush upon her pallid features, or expel her from our society. Some were for making the best of her they could; but for myself, I resolved that she should be expelled, or at any rate, that her visits should be less frequent, or I would abandon the habitation entirely.
When we commenced our journey for Missouri, we expected an ‘effectual door’ would be opened, to proclaim the new system of faith, in that region; and that those who were ordained to the gift of tongues, would have an oportunity to display their supernatural talent, in communicating to the Indians, in their own dialect. Some who were ordained to this office, absolutely knew that thro’ this medium, they should gain access to the Natives, and I will venture to say, I know, that their succes will be similar to that of their predecessor, Oliver Cowdry, who stated that he was endowed with the same fore-knowledge. But the event has proved his presumption false. For more than two weeks while I remained there, the disposition of the Elders appeared to be averse to preaching, either to the white or the red people, and indeed, adverse circumstances prevented it.
We expected to assemble together in conference, according to commandment, and the Lord would signally display his power, for the conformation of our faith; but we commenced our journey home, before most of the Elders arrived. It is true, a conference was held, but it was considered so unimportant, that myself and another man were permitted to be absent, for the purpose of procuring the means of conveyance down the river. We expected to find a large Church, which Smith said, was revealed to him in a vision, Oliver had raised up there. This large Church was found to consist of four females.
We expected to witness the exercise of these miraculous gifts, to which some were ordained while in the state of Ohio. But the same difficulty, the same want of faith among the people, which counteracted them here, prevailed there; consequently no miracles could be wrought. We expected to see the foundation of the City and Temple laid; and this we were permitted to see, and it was in fact a curiosity, but not worth going to Missouri to see. The honor of consecrating the land, &c, was conferred on Rigdon. The commandment reads thus: ‘let my servant Sidney consecrate and dedicate the land, and the spot for the Temple’.” (Ezra Booth to Rev. I. Eddy, 7 Nov., 1831; in Painesville Telegraph, 22 Nov., 1831)
17 Jul.: Power to raise the dead.
“MORMONISM. Most of our readers must recollect that certain knaves, pretending to have found some holy writings hidden under a stone in Ontario county, New York, started a new religion! The leaders make bold pretensions and assert a gift to work miracles. The members of this sect are now said to amount to 1,000 souls!–some of whom, very honestly, no doubt, believe in all things that are told them, and yet have borne the character of worthy men. Their great prophet Jo, has selected a part of Geauga county, Ohio, and pronounced it to be ‘the promised land,’ and thither the deluded people are flocking, chiefly from New York. As a few men of property have been induced to cast their funds into a common stock, there is no want of recruits from among the lazy and the worthless classes of society. They say that a miracle was worked in their behalf, by clearing a passage through the ice at Buffalo–some of them affect a power even to raise the dead, and perchance, (such is the weakness of human nature), really believe that they can do it! The chiefs of those people appear to exempt themselves from labor, and herein is, probably, the grand object for which they have established this new religion.” (Niles’ Weekly Register, 16 Jul., 1831. Quoted in Grunder Mormon List #18, June, 1986, item #29)
17 Jul.: Fulness of priesthood through anointing?
“Verily I say unto you, that the wisdom of may in hiz fallen state, knoweth not the purposez and the privileges of my Holy priesthood, but ye shall know, when ye receive a fulness by reason of the anointing: For it is my will, that, in time, ye should take unto you wives of the Lamanites and Nephites, that thier posterity may become white, delightsome and Just; for even now their females are more virtuous than the Gentiles.” (Revelation of 17 Jul., 1831; Sent to Brigham Young in a letter from W. W. Phelps dated 12 Aug., 1861; HDC Ms d 4583 fd 78)
Jul.: Endowed with power from on high.
“Bro. Jared Carter, who resided at Amherst in the summer of 1831, while Joseph the Prophet, and others of the Elders, were absent on their journey to Missouri describes the peculiar experiences in regard to false spirits which manifested themselves in Amherst and other place[s] at this time. Elder Carter writes:
It seemed as if I was placed in the front ranks, exposed to the armies of the Pit, for I had not resided at Amherst very long before I began to be tried with certain transactions that took place in the Churc, and especially certain exercises which they called visions. The first instance of this kind, that I witnessed, was at the house of a Mr. Barna, in Amherst. On seeing these manifestations I was doubtful concerning them, and did not know what to do. I felt that I could not depend upon my own views as well as upon those of some of the others who were present who were more experienced than myself. But I proposed that we engage in prayer. In this, however, I could not obtain a union with the spirit that prevailed in the meeting. At last I concluded to kneel down and pray openly, and it seemed to me that I could pray in faith that any false spirit present should depart from the meeting. After I arose from my prayer, I found that quite a change in the meeting had taken place, for when I began my prayer, two of the members laid prostrate in what some of them called a vision, but after I had prayed a few minutes, they suddenly caue out of them and were clothed in their right mind. On seeing this, I felt pretty well convinced in my own mind that these exercises were not good; but after meeting, I conversed with some of the Elders, whom I found to be fully of the belief that these visions were from a good source, in fact, so united were the members of the church in their belief that these manifestations were from God, that I almost concluded that I had been mistaken, and that the reason why their visions ceased when I prayed was because I was so far inferior to my glorious privilege under this influence. I was led to conclude that these exercises were of the Spirit of the Lord, though at other times I was very much concerned about them. At length, I proved by revelation, which had been given to the Elders concerning these spirits, that they were not of the Lord. I proved them in the following manner: On a certain occasion I attended a meeting together with Sylvester Smith, at Amherst, where, just as we were about to administer the Sacrament, a young woman was taken with an exercise that brought her to the floor. I doubted the propriety of such an experience in a public meeting and suggested to Bro Sylvester that we should try that Spirit according to the revelation that God had given. Complying with my suggestion, we kneeled down and asked our Heavenly Father in the name of Christ, that if that Spirit which the sister possessed was of him, he would give it to us. We prayed in faith, but did not receive the Spirit. After we had risen from our prayer I sat silently upon my seat for some minutes, while Bro. Sylvester laid hands upon the sister and proceeded to administer to her. This, however, was not according to the commandment of the Lord, which says: ‘Wherefore it shall come to pass, that if you behold a Spirit manifested that ye cannot understand, and you receive not that Spirit, Ye shall ask the Father in the name of Jesus, and if he give not unto you that Spirit, then you may know that it is not of God. And it shall be given unto you power over that Spirit, and you shall proclaim against that Spirit with a loud voice, that it is not of God–not with railing accusation, that ye be not overcome, neither with boasting, nor rejoicing, lest ye be seized therewith.’ (D&C 50:31) After Bro. Sylverster had made some communication which was not proclaiming against the Spirit, I arose and proclaimed against it with a loud voice, but this was very trying to the brethren present, as nearly all of them believed that the manifestations were of God; and now after this I had lost all my influence in the Church, and sure enough that seemed to be the case for awhile, but after contemplating for a time, I received assurance that I had the approbation of my Heavenly Father, which was better than the good will of many deceived brethren. After I had made this sacrifice, I was blessed with a greater gift of the word than ever before, so that my influence, instead of decreasing, began to increase. On the following Sabbath, a week after I had proclaimed against the Spirits mentioned, we met in meeting on the North Ridge, where I experienced a marvelous display of the Spirit, though in the earlier part of the same meeting I had been almost overwhelmed with the awful influence of the powers of darkness; but in this state of mind I called upon God in mighty prayer for help, when the cloud and gross darkness burst from my soul, and I was quickly filled with the blessed influence of the Spirit, and was endowed with power from on High in a marvelous manner. I was inclined by the Spirit to ask the Lord for what purpose I was thus marvelously blessed, and immediately it seemed as if a voice spake to me saying, ‘This is the fulfilment of my word to you, and this power that is given you is the power over the Spirit you proclaimed against.’ I then felt endowed with full power over that Spirit against which I had proclaimed the previous Sabbath, and after that time that Spirit never again manifested itself in our meetings when I was present. This to me was one of the most infallable proofs of the divine origin of the revelation of which I have spoken.
After this gathering I attended another meeting in Brownsham, where I saw a young woman possessed of the Devil, or an evil Spirit, that had taken possession of her, for she was brought into awful postures of body, so that her very looks were frightful and in this condition she was dispossessed of her right mind.
The Brethren came to me and requested that I should cast out the Devil. I went to the place where she was, laid my hands on her and commanded Satan in the name of Jesus Christ to depart. And as I spoke these words, she instantly fell to the floor as though she realized an extraordinary immortal influence, and she shouted with a loud voice: Glory to God” (JH Jul., 1831)
3 Aug.: Independence temple site dedicated.
“In a document, written by Wm. W. Phelps in Salt Lake City, Utah, April 21, 1864, and now on file in the Historian’s office, the author says, in describing the solemnities of the dedication of the Temple site in Jackson county: ‘I {Phelps} offered the opening prayer, Joseph Smith delivered the dedicatory words and Oliver Cowdery closed with a benediction. We planted a stone at the southeast corner of the ten acres for the first Temple.'” (JH 3 Aug., 1831)
“On the third day of August, I proceeded to dedicate the spot for the Temple, a little west of Independence, and there were also present Sidney Rigdon, Edward Partridge, W. W. Phelps, Oliver Cowdery, Martin Harris and Joseph Coe.
The 87th Psalm was read.” (Joseph Smith, HC 1:199)
“On the third day of August, the spot for the Temple, a little west of Independence, was dedicated in presence of eight men, among whom were myself, Sidney Rigdon, Edward Partridge, W. W. Phelps, Oliver Cowdery, Martin Harris, and Joseph Coe. The 87th Psalm was read, and the scene was solemn and impressive.” (“History of Joseph Smith,” T&S 5(5):450, 1 Mar., 1844)
“[Eight elders] assembled together where the temple is to be erected. Sidney Rigdon dedicated the ground where the city is to stand, and Joseph Smith, Jr., laid a stone at the northeast corner of the contemplated temple in the name of the Lord Jesus of Nazareth. After all present had rendered thanks to the Great Ruler of the universe, Sidney Rigdon pronounced this spot of ground wholly dedicated unto the Lord forever. Amen.” (“The Book of John Whitmer,” p. 32 of manuscript version)
“The next day the ground for the temple was consecrated, and Smith claimed the honor of laying the corner-stone himself. Should the inhabitants of Independence, feel a desire to visit this place, destined at some future time to become celebrated, they will have only to walk one half of a mile out of the town, to a rise of ground, a short distance south of the road. They will be able to ascertain the spot by the means of a sapling, distinguished from the others by the bark being broken off on the north and on the east side. On the south side of the sapling will be found the letter T, which stands for Temple; and on the east side ZOM! for Zomas; which Smith says is the original word for Zion. Near the foot of ths sapling, they will find a small stone covered over with bushes, which were cut for that purpose. This is the corner stone for the temple–They can there have the privilege of beholding the mighty work, accomplished by about thirty men, who left their homes, traveled one thousand miles, most of them on foot, and expended more than $1,000 in cash.” (Ezra Booth to Rev. Ira Eddy, 14 Nov., 1831. In E. D. Howe, Mormonism Unvailed, pp. 198-199; see also Painesville Telegraph, 29 Nov., 1831)
“A few things about dedications. When Solomon dedicated his Temple in Jerusalem power was manifested and displayed. God sent down fire from heaven and burned up the sacrafise and filled the house with his glory. When Jesus was dedicated in his ministry, after his baptism, the heavens were opened upon him, and the Holy Spirit came down and abode upon him; and a voice from the excellent glory, saying, ‘This is my beloved Son.’ When the Apostles were dedicated for their ministry on the day of Pentecost, the whole room was filled with the power of God. And it ‘sat upon each of them.’ When the Deciples on this land were dedicated, to carry out their mission, they were so filled with power that even their garments, as well as their countenances shined with the glory of God, until they were whiter than the driven snow.’ But when the land of Zion was dedicated by Joseph Smith, and his Elders in 1831, it was done as sectarians would do it, by ceremony! and ceremony only!! without any power being shown forth. The Lord did not acknowledge its performance by any of his displays or foot-prints. He kept entire silence because he did not acknowledge it by any act of his power. . . .
Take Solomon’s Temple, Jesus consecration, the Apostles at Jerusalem, and the twelve Disciples on this land, and power was displayed in each case. But no power in any of Jos. Smith’s dedications. Please to make the contrast and tell me why! If it was not transgression, what was the cause of so much disappointment?” (William McLellin to “Mary”, 30 Aug., 1872. RLDS Archives, P13/F215)
“I was asked on cross-examination about the ground here, known as the Temple plot, or Temple Lot. There was a small portion of it, that was consecrated or set apart for the purpose of building a temple on, sometime in the future, and that portion of it was the part that they occupied for religious worship from time to time. I did not see it consecrated or set apart, but I was present at the time of the occupation thereof for for religious worship a great many times, as the lot that was set apart and consecrated for the purpose of building the temple was used for religious worship, and I was present at religious worship a great many times. I have heard, I cannot say how many times, but more times than one, the announcement made from the stand when speaking there, that this lot was sacredly consecrated and dedicated by God for the building of his temple there. I have heard that several times. I have heard Oliver Cowdery make that statement, also heard Mr. Phelps make the same statement, and others in general conversation made the same statement. It was a matter of common notoriety that this piece of ground was set apart and solemnly dedicated for the purpose of the building of a temple at sometime in the future, and that temple was to be used for the purpose of worshiping in. When Oliver Cowdery and Mr. Phelps made these declarations, Edward Partridge was present. Edward Partridge himself stated publicly the same thing, that it was set apart and dedicated for a temple, for the worship of God. I have heard him state that publicly. These declarations of Partridge were made right there on the ground where the meetings were held. At the meetings would be the times that they would speak specially about it. They seemed to speak of it as being a sacred spot.” (Hiram Rathbun, “Temple Lot Case,” pp. 229-230)
Lucy Mack Smith wrote: “On their route, Samuel [Smith] and Brother Cahoon suffered great privations, such as want of rest and food. At the time that they started for Missouri, near fifty others also set out for the same place, all taking different routes. When they arrived, they dedicated the spot for the Temple.” (JH; Ouellette)
17 Sep.: Power to heal sick, cast out devils.
“They [the Mormonites] still persist in their power to work miracles. They say they have often seen them done–the sick are healed and the lame walk, devils are cast out–and these assertions are made by men heretofore considered rational men, and men of truth. The [Painesville] Gazette [Telegraph?] expresses the opinion that although the leaders of this sect are gross imposters, a great portion of its members are sincere and honest.” (Missouri Intelligencer & Boon’s Lick Advertiser 13(18):2, 17 Sep., 1831; Snider Collection)
18 Sep.: They claim to work miracles & raise the dead.
Vermont Patriot and State Gazette, Montpelier, Vt., Monday, September 18, 1831, vol. VI, no. 37, whole no. 297.
“It is said they believe their leader to be the real Jesus, and that both he and his disciples have infinite power to work miracles, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, cast out devils–that the millenium is at hand, and that Philadelphia is the place where Jesus Christ will meet his disciples and followers–with many absurdities, which do not appear to be sanctioned by the ‘Book of Mormon.'” (DALE MORGAN – “THE MORMONS AND THE FAR WEST: A collection of transcripts of newspaper articles on the Mormons, also containing material on the following subjects: the opening of the West; the fur trade; Indians of the middle and south-western states; the Santa Fe trade, etc. 1809-c.1857.” Huntington Library)
27 Sep.?: Sealed up to the Lord. [CHECK DATE]
“During my labors in Benson I witnessed many manifestations, both in spirit and miracles, a few of which I will mention. The first instance of god manifesting his power to the Church was on the last day I held meetings with them. While I, in the commencement of the meeting, was praying, I was directed to pray most earnestly that God would grant unto us sealing grace. After this I felt directed by the spirit to declare unto the brethren that that day was a sealing time with them, as I had prayed in faith, that they might be blessed. My communication to them caused some of the brethren to tremble, for this was something that they had never before experienced; but I exhorted them to call more earnestly on the Lord. We then began to pray, but the spirit, as I viewed it in my mind, was not yet poured out; therefore, I again arose and devoted a few minutes to call upon the Lord with one accord. Accordingly, all of us lifted our voices to God, and while we were praying, the Skpirit rested down upon us. We then administered the Sacrament and it appeared to me that the Church of Christ in that locality was sealed up to the Lord, and it was likewise made plain to me that every one of us present should meet again in Zion. I then felt as though I could leave them without fear, for I had a testimony that God would keep them.” (Jared Carter account in Journal History, 27 Sep., 1831? CHECK DATE IN ORIGINAL)
2 Oct.: Expectations of power in Ohio failed.
“Many of them have been ordained to the High Priesthood, or the order of Milchesidec; and profess to be endowed with the same power as the ancient apostles were. But they have been hitherto unsuccessful in finding the lame, the halt, and the blind, who had faith sufficient to become the subjects of their miracles; and it is now concluded that this work must be postponed until they get to the Missouri, for the Lord will not show these signs to this wicked and adulterous generation. In the commandment given to the churches in the state of New York, to remove to the state of Ohio, they were assured that these miracles should be wro’t in the state of Ohio; but now they must be deferred until they are settled in Missouri.” (Ezra Booth to Rev. I. Eddy, 2 Oct., 1831; reprinted in Painesville Telegraph 1 Nov., 1831)
25 Oct.: Order of High Priesthood: Sealing.
“Br. Sidney Rigdon said . . . ‘I bear testimony that God will have a pure people who will give up all for Christ’s sake and when this is done they will be sealed up unto eternal life.
Br. Joseph Smith jr. said that the order of the High-priesthood is that they have power given them to seal up the Saints unto eternal life. And said it was the privilege of every Elder present to be ordained to the Highpriesthood. . . .
Br. Daniel Stanton said that he had a long time since covenanted to do the will of God in all things, and also said that it was his desire to be sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise. . . .
Br. Joseph Smith Jr . . . said until we have perfect love we are liable to fall and when we have a testimony that our names are sealed in the Lamb’s Book of life we have perfect love & then it is impossible for false Christs to deceive us.” (Far West Record, 25 Oct., 1831)
[“This practice was discontinued sometime in 1835 and not resumed until the Nauvoo period, and then only by express permission and direction of the Prophet.” (Lyndon Cook, Kirtland Elders’ Quorum Record, p. 12)
Nov.: Congregation “confirmed”–sealed to eternal life?
“I attended a conference in the town of Orange, {Oct. 25, 1831}, at which I was ordained a High Priest under the hands of Joseph Smith, and appointed on a mission to Elyria, (Lorain Co., Ohio), and Florence, (Erie Co., Ohio), in connection with Brother Hyrum Smith. In these places we were the means of converting and baptizing many of my old Campbellite friends–raised up and organized two or three branches of the Church, laid hands on several sick persons and healed them by prayer and faith. After confirming the churches and bearing a faithful testimony to them and to all people, in the midst of much opposition, we returned again to Kirtland.” (Orson Hyde, JH Nov., 1831)
Nov.: “To seal them up unto eternal life.”
“And unto you it shall be given to know the signs of the times, and the signs of the coming of the Son of man; and of as many as the Father shall bear record, to you it shall be given power to seal them up unto eternal life: Amen.” (Revelation, through Joseph Smith, to Orson Pratt, Nov., 1831. E&MS Oct., 1832)
9/17 Nov.: “Seeled them up unto Eternal life.”
“tuesday came to shalersville held a meting in the Evning with the Br and after labaring with them Some length of time Br David seeled them upunto Eternal life.” (Reynolds Cahoon diaries, between 9 Nov. and 17 Nov., 1831; LDS Archives, Ouellette)
19 Nov.: “Sealed up the Church unto Eternal life.”
“Thurs 17 Nov held a meting att Br Gates in the evening Saturday evening held a meting at Br Smiths and found the Br in shon [written in above the sentence–hard to read] the faith of the Book of Mormon Broke bread with them sealed up the Church unto Eternal life and ordained Eden Smith & Micha O [best guess] Welton Elders of this Church.” (Reynolds Cahoon diaries, 17-19 Nov., 1831; LDS Archives, Ouellette)
26 Nov.: “Sealed the Church unto eternal life.”
“Satuerday Evening held a Met_ [sic] with the Brth at Mr Reevs & Blest the Children in the name of the lord & sealed the Church unto eternal life.” (Reynolds Cahoon diaries, 26 Nov., 1831; LDS Archives, Ouellette)
6 Dec.: A Temple must be built.
“This is the person [Oliver Cowdery] commissioned by the Lord to proceed to the western wilds, and as he himself stated, ‘to the place where the foot of a white man never trod,’ to rear up a pillar for a witness, where the Temple of God shall be built in the glorious New Jerusalem. But alas! he was arrested by man in his course, and by the breath of man the mighty undertaking was blown into the air, and Cowdery was thrown back among the Gentiles, to wait for the spirit to devise some new plans in the place of those which had been frustrated. But as a City and a Temple must be built, as every avenue leading to the Indians was closed against the Mormonites, it was thought that they should be built among the Gentiles, which is in direct opposition to the original plan–as foreign from the design of the spirit, expressed in several commandments, as it would have been, had the Directors, who were appointed to build the Court-house in Ravenna, built it in Trumbull county, foreign from the design of those who intrusted them with the business.” (Ezra Booth to Rev. I. Eddy, 6 Dec., 1831; in Painesville Telegraph, 27 Dec., 1831)
late 1831: Mormons believe they can raise the dead.
“Just then a Lady who was a Doctor’s wife came up very near us with the appearance of wishing to hear our conversation. She paced to and fro before us for some time carrying herself daintily. I assure you she was sumptuously dressed and in seeming absence of mind she allowed her rich scarf to fall from one shoulder and thus displayed a neck and bosom so splendidly decoreated as almost to dazzel the eyes. after a while she turned sharply upon me saying Now I do not want to hear any more about that stuff or anything about Joe Smith who they say he is a Mormon prophet and it is nothing but deception and lies. There was one Mr. Murdock who believed in Joe Smiths doctrine and the Mormons all think that he can cure the sick and can raise the dead. so when Mr. Murdocks wife was sick he refused to send for a doctor although the poor woman wanted him to do so–and so by his neglect his wife died.
I told her I thought she must be a little mistaken in regard to that matter for my son had taken the twins which she left and I had an idea that I knew something near the truth of the affair. I know all about it said the lady. Well now said [I] perhaps not. just stop a moment and I will explain a little. no that I wont said she. Then I will introduce you to Mr Murdock himself and let him tell the story said I. turning to Elder Murdock who stood near just before this however the chamber maid who was very friendly to went down stairs and complained to the Lady’s husband of his wife’s unbecoming behaviour and before she had heard a dozen words from our Brother her husband came bustling up stairs said he they tell me you are abusing this old lady and taking her hand drew it within his arm marched her off at an unusually quick pace.” (Lucy Mack Smith manuscript, pp. 151-152)