Below you will find Prince’s research excerpts titled, “Temples, 1832.” You can view other years here.
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TEMPLES, 1832.
1832: Jan.: Sealed up the congregation.
“I continued my labors in the ministry in that locality, until about the middle of January 1832, at which time I was directed to travel to the west. 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 in the last day I held meeting 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 further exhortations, and then requested all the brethren and sister to call upon the Lord with one accord. Accordingly, all of us lifted our voices to God, and while we were praying, the Spirit 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 any fear, for I had a testimony that God would keep them.” (Jared Carter journal, JH 27 Sep., 1831)
early 1832: Returned home for the washing of feet.
“after finishing this mission he [Samuel Smith] returned home and was with us untill Orson Hyde was baptized soon after which a revelation was given comanding Samuel and brother Hyde to go into the eastern country to preach the Gospel see revelation given jan 1832 3 P[aragraph]. They set out on this mission without delay calling at private and public houses as much as was possible for them to do and warning the people to flee from the wrath to come untill they got to Bo[s]ton and they preached from city to city continuing their labour incessangly untill they were called home by a revelation in which the Lord declared that Hyrum {was already at home} and Samuel and William [McLellin] who were all away from home preaching in different places should return and receive the ordinance of the washing of feet for their skirts were clean of the blood of this generation.” (Lucy Mack Smith manuscript, p. 158)
[Orson Pratt’s published version is quite condensed: “Samuel was not long permitted to remain at home in quiet; on the first of January he was sent, with Orson Hyde, on a mission into the eastern country. They went and preached from city to city until they were called home to receive the ordinance of The Washing of Feet.” (Lamoni edition, 1912, p. 233)]
17 Jan.: Promise of power to Sidney.
“Thou didst baptize by water, unto repentance, but they received not the Holy Ghost; but now I give unto you a new commandment, that thou shalt baptize by water, and given the Holy Ghost by laying on of hands, even as the Apostles of old; and it shall come to pass that there shall be a great work in the land, even among the gentiles, for their folly; their abominations shall be made manifest in the eyes of all people, for I am God, and mine arm is not shortned; and I will show miracles, signs, and wonders, unto all those who believe in my name; and whoso shall ask in my name, in faith, they shall cast out Devils; they shall heal the sick; they shall cause the blind to receive their sight, and the deaf to hear, and the dumb to speak, & the lame to walk; and this speedily cometh, that great things are to be shown forth unto the children of men.” (Revelation of 7 Dec., 1830, later becoming D&C 35; published in Painesville Telegraph, 17 Jan., 1832. NOTE THAT THERE IS NO REFERENCE TO RAISING OF THE DEAD. Even though this is dated 7 Dec., 1830, it may be that the text represents a change in light of the June, 1831 Conference.)
14 Feb.: Account of Jos. Brackenbury’s death, etc.
The Wayne Sentinel, Palmyra, N.Y., Tuesday, February 14, 1832, vol. IX, no. 22, whole no. 438.
“Mormonism.–This moral pest is increasing. We gather from the N. Y. Papers, that some miserable fanatics who profess the doctrines of that novel sect, have made a few converts in Pomfret, Chautauque county N.Y. One of their number died, and the night after his burial, a partyi of ‘resurrection men’ were disturbed while disinterring the deceased, and one of the offenders taken and bound over for trial.–The editor of the Censor gives a very flattering account of the intellectual endowments of the community in which he resides, when he says, the Mormonites have selected ‘a suitable field for operation, where nothing is too absurd to gain credence.'” {An exchange item.} (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)
19 Mar.: Sealed up many to the day of wrath.
“Wento on three or four miles; sealed up many to the day of wrath; bound the tares in bundles; blessed some; preached in Westfield Village in the evening to a large congregation; had great liberty of speech.” (Orson Hyde diary, 19 Mar., 1832; Microfilm of typescript, from Bancroft Library.)
23 Mar.: Account of Jos. Brackenbury’s death, etc.
Burlington Sentinel, Burlington, Vt., Friday, March 23, 1832, vol. XXII, no. 12.
“Death of a Mormon Preacher.–Died, in Pomfret, Vt., on Saturday, 7th inst., Joseph H. Brackenbury, a ‘Mormon Preacher.’ He recently came to this town from Ohio, in company with one or two individuals of the same society.–They preached, exhorted, and with great zeal and apparent humility, attempted to propagate their doctrines. Two or three embraced their sentiments so far as to be baptized–one a Free Will Baptist, and the other a Presbyterian.
In confirmation of their doctrines and divine mission, they professed to have power to heal the sick and raise the dead. It is credibly reported, that they attempted twice, without effect, to heal a Miss Nancy Johnson, made a cripple by falling from a horse. She was not healed, for lack of faith; but started for Ohio with the Mormons, to obtain more. The company of Brackenbury attempted also to heal him, and since his disease [sic], to raise him from the dead.” {Evidently an exchange item.} (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)
11 Apr.: Account of Jos. Brackenbury’s death, etc.
The Wayne Sentinel, Palmyra, N.Y., Wednesday, April 11, 1832, vol. IX, no. 30, whole no. 446.
“Death of a Morman [sic] Preacher.–Died, in Pomfret, Vt. on Saturday, 7th inst., Joseph H. Brackenbury, a ‘Mormon Preacher.’–He recently emigrated from Ohio, in company with one or two individuals of the same society. They preached, exhorted, and with great zeal and apparent humility, attempted to propagate their doctrines.–Two or three embraced their sentiments as far as to be baptized–one a Free Will Baptist, and an other a Presbyterian. In confirmation of their doctrine and divine mission, they professed to have power to heal the sick and raise the dead. It is reported, that they attempted twice without effect, to heal a Miss Nancy Johnson, made a cripple by falling from a horse. She was not healed, for lack of faith; but started for Ohio with the Mormons, to obtain more.–The company of Brackenbury, attempted also to heal him, and since his decease, to raise him from the dead.” {an exchange item.} (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)
18 Apr.: The Mormon preacher says he will never die.
The Wayne Sentinel, Palmyra, N.Y., Wednesday, April 18, 1832, vol. IX, no. 30, whole no. 447.
“A Rochester paper mentions that Mormonism has taken ‘deep root’ in a certain church in the town of Mendon, Monroe county. ‘The preacher says he shall never die, but be translated, after the manner of Enoch, and that in eighteen months Mormonism will be the prevailing religion; and that in five years, the wicked are to be swept from the face of the earth.'” (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)
28/29 Apr.: Colesville Church sealed to eternal life.
“The next year in 1832 he [Joseph Smith] Came again to Missouri and set things in order and Cald the Colesvill Church to gather and seald them up to Eternal Life. And this made some little feeling among others But I think he [k]new Best.” (Joseph Knight’s “Early History of Mormonism,” in BYU Studies 17(1):39, Autumn, 1976; From the HC 1:269:
“On the 27th, we transacted considerable business for the salvation of the Saints, who were settling among a ferocious set of mobbers, like lambs among wolves. It was my endeavor to so organize the Church, that the brethren might eventually be independent of every incumbrance beneath the celestial kingdom, by bonds and covenants of mutual friendship, and mutual love.
On the 28th and 29th, I visited the brethren above Big Blue river, in Kaw township, a few miles west of Independence, and received a welcome only known by brethren and sisters united as one in the same faith, and by the same baptism, and supported by the same Lord. The Colesville branch, in particular, rejoiced as the ancient Saints did with Paul.”)
Jun.: A king and a priest to God in eternity.
“Man, being created but little below the angels, only wants to know for himself, and not by another, that, by obeying the commands of his Creator, he can rise again, after death, in the flesh, and reign with Christ a thousand years on the earth, without sin; be changed in the twinkling of an eye, and become a king and a priest to God in eternity–to forsake his sins, and say: Lord, I am thine!” (W. W. Phelps, E&MS Jun., 1832)
“Bless’d inhabitants of Zion,
Purchas’d with the Savior’s blood!
Jesus whom their souls rely on,
Makes them kings and priests to God.
While in love his people raises,
With himself to reign as kings;
All, as priests, his solemn praises,
Each for a thank-offering brings.”
(“Hymns, Selected and prepared for the Church of Christ, in these last days.” E&MS Jun., 1832)
Jul.: Sealed by the Holy Spirit of promise.
“. . . by keeping the commandment, they might be washed and cleansed from all their sins, and receive the Holy Ghost by the laying on of the hands of him who is ordained and sealed unto this power; and who overcome by faith, and are sealed by that Holy Spirit of promise, which the Father shedeth forth upon all those who are just and true: they are they who are the church of the first-born: they are they into whose hands the Father hath given all things: they are they who are priests and kings, who having received of his fulness, and of his glory, are priests of the most High after the order of Melchisedek, which was after the order of Enoch, which was after the order of the only begotten Son: wherefore, as it is written, they are gods, even the sons of God: wherefore all things are theirs, whether life or death, or things present, or things to come, all are theirs, and they are Christ’s, and Christ is God’s . . .” (“A Vision,” E&MS Jul., 1832; E&MS Dec., 1832) [Compare to D&C 76]
20 Sep.: “A nail in a sure place.”
“Brother David soon came in and I began to converse with them, and the devils were case out, for the word cut them to the heart, and it fastened like a nail in a sure place . . .” (Simeon Carter to Sidney Rigdon, 20 Sep., 1832. E&MS Nov., 1832)
12 Oct.: None have been raised from the dead.
“Sir,–Dwelling as I do among a people called Mormonites,and on the very land which they sometimes call Mount Zion, at other times the New Jerusalem; and where, at no distant period, they expect the re-appearing of the Lord Jesus to live and reign with them on earth a thousand years,–I have thought perhaps it might be a part of duty to inform those who may feel interested in relation to this subject, that although there has, from first to last, four or five hundred Mormonites in all–men, women, and children–arrived at this place, yet there is no appearance here different from that of other wicked places. The people eat and drink, and some get drunk, suffer pain and disease, live and die like other people, the Mormons themselves not excepted. They declare there can be no true church where the gift of miracles, of tongues, of healing, &c. are not exhibited and continued. Several of the, however, have died, yet none have been raised from the dead. And the sick, unhappily, seem not to have faith to be healed of their diseases. One woman I am told, declared in her sickness, with much confidence, that she should not die, but here live and reign with Christ a thousand years; but unfortunately she died, like other people, three days after. They tell indeed of working miracles, healing the sick, &c. &c. These things, however, are not seen to be done, but only said to be done. Peopoe therefore who set their faces for the Mount Zion of the West, (which by the by is on a site of ground not much elevated,) must calculate on being disappointed, if they believe all that is said of the place, or expect much above what is common in any new country of the West.
. . . .
They profess to hold frequent converse with angels; some go, if we may believe what they say, as far as the third heaven, and converse with the Lord Jesus face to face. They baptize, saying, ‘I, John, the Messenger, baptize thee,’ &c.
More secretly, they are said to impart to their converts the gift of the Holy Ghost. They profess to know where the ark of the covenant, Aaron’s rod, the pot of Manna, &c. &c. now remain hid. they who can belive all this, will no doubt expect a Saviour soon, and without hesitation will worship the first object that may be proclaimed and presented to them for that purpose.” (B. Pixley, letter of 12 Oct., 1831; published in Journal and Telegraph [Albany, NY, 4:207, 17 Nov., 1832]; reprinted in part in “The Mormons,” Mormon List Twenty-Seven, Rick Grunder Books, Feb., 1988, item #33.; also published in The Standard [Cincinnati], 30 Nov., 1832, from which the above expanded version was copied.
ca. Nov.: School of the Prophets established.
“Soon after Joseph returned from the eastern country [Lucy Mack Smith says this was shortly after Joseph 3rd was born, this being 6 Nov., 1832] he had arrangements made for establishing a schooll for the Elders and sent for them to come in it was at this time that a revelation was given that my children who were absent should return–and the school of prophets was organized which is spoken of in the Book of Covenants and which was held in an upper room of the house that Joseph occupied when my sons returned and had rested their selves Joseph took them with all of the males Mr. Smith and Carlos as well as those who had been away on missions into the room where the school of the prophets was kept and girding himself administered to them the ordinance of washing of feet according to the direction of the Savior who said If I wash your feet ye ough also to wash one anothers feet. When the ceremony was over the spirit of the Lord fell upon them and they spoke in other tongues and prophesied as on the day of penticost and the brethren gathered together to wittness the manifestation of the power of God. I was on the farm a short distance from the place where the meeting was held but my children who could not bear that Mother should loose anything dispatched a messenger in great haste for me. I was putting some loaves [of] bread into the oven but the brother who came for me would not wait till I had set my bread to baking. I went and shared with the rest one of the most glorious outporings of the spirit of God that had ever been witnessed in the church at that time. This produced great joy and satisfaction among the Brethren and sisters and we felt as though we had about gained the victory over the adver[s]ary and truly it was as the poet says
We could not believe,
That we ever should grieve
Or ever should sorrow again.
But alas! how our joy was measureably [destined?] to grief for not 2 months until news came to our ears of the dificulties in Jackson county.” (Lucy Mack Smith manuscript, pp. 162-163)
28 Dec.: Reference to solemn assembly.
“Soon after we returned Some of the Elders assembled together & the word of the Lord was given through Joseph & the Lord declared that those Elders who were the first labourers in this last vinyard Should assemble themselves together that they should call a Sollem assembly & evry man call upon the name of the Lord & continue in Prayer that they Should Sanctify themselves & wash their hands & feet for a testimony that their garments were clean from the Blood of all men & the Lord commanded we the first Elders Establish a School & appoint a teacher among them & get learning by Study & by faith get a knowledge of countries languages &c.” (Samuel H. Smith Journal [typescript], after 10 Dec., 1832 entry, BYU Library, Special Collections. In Cook, The Revelations of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 318)
“Reference to a solemn assembly, D&C 88:70, called the elders ‘to tarryy in this place, and call a solemn assembly.’ Those to be invited to this solemn meeting were called the ‘first laborers,’ (also known as ‘first elders’) of this ‘last kingdom’–namely, the leading brethren of the Church. The solemn assembly was intended to be another day of Pentecost for the latter-day elders. An ‘endowment’ of spiritual power was to be poured out upon the faithful at the assembly–but much preparation was to precede the occasion. First the elders were to to be schooled both spiritually and secularly; later they were to be washed and anointed to cleanse them from the sins of this world. The final preparation, the ordinance of washing of feet, was to occur on the day of the sacred meeting when the righteous would see the face of the Lord.” (Lyndon Cook, The Revelations of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 182)
28 Dec.: 1st scriptural reference to Kirtland Temple.
“The first scriptural reference to the erection of a sacred house in Kirtland, Ohio, recorded 28 December 1832, directed the Saints to ‘establish a house, even a house of prayer, a house of fasting, a house of faith, a house of learning, a house of glory, a house of order, a house of God’ (verse 119). Although the building subsequently would be referred to as a ‘temple,’ early appellations were simply ‘house of God,’ or ‘school.’ Evidence shows that the Prophet intially conceived the primary function of the sacred edifice to be that of a schoolhouse for those called to the ministry. A revelation dated 3 January 1833 stated, ‘The order of the house prepared for the presidency of the school of the prophets [was] for their instruction in all things, even for all the officers of the church, or in other words, those who are called to the ministry in the church, beginning at the high priests, even down to the deacons’ (verse 127). It is unclear when the decision to build a house of worship was made public, but by 14 January 1833 the Prophet had written to Church leaders in Missouri regarding the project: ‘The Lord commanded us, in Kirtland, to build a house of God, and establish a school of Prophets [and] the Lord helping us, we will obey.’ [HC l:316] On 8 March 1833 a revelation mentioned the School of the Prophets (section 90), and on 23 March 1833 a committee was appointed to purchase land for the purpose of erecting a school. [HC 1:335]” (Lyndon Cook, The Revelations of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 183)
n.d. (1832): Failure to raise the dead.
“At another time, in 1832, it was announced that on a certain sunday Joseph would heal the sick and revive the dead. Mr. Joel Miller was present, and in his statement to me he said he never had seen so many people together before, as had gathered together on the hillside back of the house of Isaac Morley. ‘Rigdon came out of the house and said there would be no service that day,’ said Mr. Miller, ‘and the spectators were boisterous in expressing their disappointment.’ I have the testimony of others who say that a girl two years old, daughter of John Gould who had recently joined the Mormons, lay upon a bed, apparently in a deep stupor, and that some of the citizens examined the child before its flesh was cold, but found that it was lifeless, and declared at once that the child had evidently been given opium or some such drug for a purpose, and overdosed. The statement we have of members of Mr. Gould’s family leaves no doubt but that there was an attempt to deceive the public and claim a restoration to life by the prophet when the effect of the soporific passed off. [Here he later pencilled in a note to see “Naked Truths,” p. 3] I knew a very prominent citizen of Mentor who entered the house and examined the lifeless body while it was still warm, and declared it a deliberate attempt to deceive. This was at the house of Isaac Morley whose wife was a relation of father Hanson, but she never became a Mormon. It was at this house that the Mormons met and organized the Church of Latter-Day Saints. [Does he mean that this was where the name of the Church was changed?]
At a meeting of Mormons in the Temple the evening before Smith and Rigdon fled from Kirtland to avoid arrest for fraud, Jan. 12, 1838, many of the members including officers of high standing in the church, denounced Smith as an impostor, and Mr. John Gould, the father of the girl who had been doped to death, shook his clenched fist in Smith’s face. This is testified to by ex-Mormons. This meeting is referred to by Linn, p. 159.” (A. C. Williams: Holographic manuscript, “Mormonism.” In A. C. Williams Papers, ca. 1888-1903 [Mss. 593], Western Reserve Historical Society. [Note that this manuscript formed the basis of a letter to William Paden, Salt Lake City, on 9 Mar., 1903, a copy of which is in the same manuscript file. This would place the dating of this manuscript between Summer, 1901 and 9 Mar., 1903.])
“The Mormons announced on a certain day at my husbands uncle Isaac Morleys house they would raise the dead. Prophet Jo made protracted efforts to restore to conciousness a child they had administered an overdose of a soporific but failed. The child died and was buried.” (n.a., n.d. – Author of holograph letter says she is daughter of Rev. E. A. Ward; that her husband’s uncle was Isaac Morley; and that she resided in Kirtland all the time the Mormons were there. Letter in Western Reserve Historical Society Archives.)