Part Three

Part ThreeThe Ohio and Missouri Period

Chapter 15Removal of the Church in New York to Ohio1830–1831“A Crooked Generation”In October 1830, Ezra Thayer and Northrop Sweet were called by revelation, as they had sought the will of the Lord, to preach the Gospel unto “a crooked and perverse generation.” “My vineyard,” declared the Lord, “has become corrupt every whit; and there is none which doth good save it be a few; and they err in many instances because of priestcrafts; all having corrupt minds. And verily, verily, I say unto you, that this Church have I established and called forth out of the wilderness: and even so will I gather mine elect from the four quarters of the earth, even as many as will believe in me, and hearken unto my voice.”Call of Edward Partridge and Orson PrattIn November Orson Pratt, the younger brother of Parley P. Pratt, who had been baptized by his brother Parley a few weeks earlier in Canaan, Columbia County, N. Y., came to Fayette to learn the will of the Lord concerning himself. In the following December Sidney Rigdon came from Ohio on a similar visit, bringing with him a young man named Edward Partridge, who was not a member of the Church. Edward Partridge, the day after his arrival, satisfied with what he had seen and heard, was baptized by Joseph Smith and later was confirmed by Sidney Rigdon. Both of these young men, Orson Pratt and Edward Partridge, were called to labor in the ministry and received the commendation and blessing of the Lord for their faith and desire to serve him. “And this commandment,” said the Lord, “shall be given unto the elders of my Church, that every man which will embrace it with singleness of heart, may be ordained and sent forth, even as I have spoken.”Sidney Rigdon to WriteSidney Rigdon was commanded to be a companion to Joseph Smith and to “forsake him not;” moreover, he was to write for him, “and the scriptures shall be given, even as they are in mine own bosom, to the salvation of mine elect,” was the word of the Lord to him.Lost Scriptures RestoredBy commandment of the Lord, a revision of the scriptures by inspiration had already commenced. Much conjecture frequently occurred among the Saints regarding scripture mentioned in the Bible that could not be found. They had learned in the reading of the Book of Mormon, “that many plain and precious things” had been taken away from the Bible as it went forth among the Gentiles. Many of these the Lord promised to restore. From time to time, as their labors would permit, the Prophet received by revelation these scriptures which, were lost, and Sidney Rigdon wrote for him. Shortly after the coming of Sidney Rigdon to Fayette, the Lord revealed the writings of Enoch, spoken of by Jude, which caused much rejoicing among the Saints. These revelations now form a part of the Book of Moses, in the Pearl of Great Price.Command to Go to OhioSoon after the restoration of the words of Enoch, the Lord commanded that the correction of the scriptures should cease until Joseph Smith and companions could remove to Ohio. Such a step was necessary, the Lord declared, “because of the enemy and for your sakes.” However, they were not to go in haste, but first to strengthen the several branches of the Church in New York; especially that at Colesville, where the members exercised much faith. Not only were Joseph and the brethren with him to go to Ohio, but the Lord instructed all the Saints in New York also to journey there, “against the time” when Oliver Cowdery should return from the Lamanites.Conference of January, 1831In January, 1831, a conference was held in Fayette. Ordinary business was transacted and a revelation given in which the Lord made known the reason for the removal of the Church to the West (Doc. and Cov. Sec. 38). “All eternity is pained,” the revelation read, “and the angels are waiting the great command to reap down the earth, to gather the tares that they may be burned.” This was because “all flesh is corrupted” and the powers of darkness prevail. The Lord revealed that the wicked were plotting in secret chambers the destruction of Joseph Smith and the Church. However, he would lead the Saints, to a land of promise, and they and their children after them should possess it forever, if they would seek it with all their hearts as an inheritance. This reference was to Zion, the location of which the Lord had not yet revealed. They were commanded to assemble in Ohio, and there he would give unto them his law and these things should be made known. They were to dispose of their property as best they could; farms that could not be sold should be rented, and men of wisdom were to be appointed to look after the interests of the poor and needy and send them forth to the place the Lord commanded them.In the latter part of January, Joseph Smith and his wife, accompanied by Sidney Rigdon and Edward Partridge, moved to Kirtland. They were welcomed there by Newel K. Whitney, and Joseph and his wife remained in the Whitney home for several weeks receiving every kindness and attention which could be shown in Christian love.The Branch in KirtlandThe branch of the Church in Kirtland had been living according to a plan called “common stock” or the holding of all property in common. This arrangement had been in practice before they joined the Church, but false spirits crept in among them causing them to receive strange notions in variance with the Gospel plan. With a little caution and exercise of wisdom, the Prophet persuaded them to abandon this plan and their difficulties were removed.The Law Given to Govern the ChurchOn the fourth of February, the Lord gave direction by revelation that the elders of the Church should assemble together to agree on his word; for he would give them his law by which the Church was to be governed. Instructions were also given that Joseph Smith should have a house built wherein he could live and translate, and receive the ancient scriptures from the Lord. Edward Partridge was to receive the office of bishop in the Church and to spend all his time in that ministry, leaving his merchandise, to labor in the interests of the members of the Church.At Kirtland, on the 9th of February, in the presence of twelve elders, the Lord revealed his law by which the Church was to be governed, according to the promise given in Fayette. This important revelation (Doc. and Cov. Sec. 42) may be termed a code of laws for the government and guidance of the members of the Church. Their attitude towards the law of the land as well as the moral law was clearly established. As members of the Church they were to keep the Church covenants and articles, and the Lord would reveal unto them, from time to time, other covenants sufficient to establish them in Ohio and later in the New Jerusalem, or city of Zion, the site of which would presently be revealed. The duties of the bishop and other officers in the Church were defined. Idlers were condemned; for, said the Lord, “the idler shall not eat the bread nor wear the garments of the laborer.” The Bible and the Book or Mormon were to be the standards on doctrine, and they who have not the Spirit were not to teach. The manner of administering to the sick was explained, and the Saints instructed to live together in love. This is one of the very important revelations given to the Church.A Woman’s “Revelation”Soon after this revelation was given a woman named Hubble came among the people pretending to have revelations, and professing to be a prophetess of the Lord. By declaring that the Book of Mormon was the word of the Lord, and appearing to be very righteous, she deceived some of the Saints.For the benefit of the members a revelation was received by Joseph Smith in which the Church was instructed to hearken to him, for there was none other appointed to receive revelations for the Church, and none other should be appointed while he lived, if he remained true to his trust. This commandment had previously been given, when Hiram Page was led into error; but it seemed the Lord must speak again on this point before the Saints could understand. The members of the Church were instructed to purge themselves from all iniquity, and the Lord would give them knowledge, even the mysteries of his kingdom would be revealed, if they would sustain and assist Joseph Smith. The elders were instructed to go forth and preach the Gospel, laboring in the vineyard for the last time, for the Lord would shortly come upon the earth in judgment.Important Revelations to The ChurchDuring the spring and summer of 1831, a number of important revelations were received. On March 7, the Lord made known many things (Doc. and Cov. Sec. 45) pertaining to his second coming and the signs of the times. After revealing in clearness the teachings given to his disciples in Jerusalem, relative to the destruction of the temple, the scattering of the Jews, and the signs which should precede his second coming, he made known many things which should take place in the day in which we live. He spoke of the signs and wonders; of the gathering of the Jews; the darkening of the sun and the bathing of the moon in blood; of his second coming and his judgments upon the nations; the redemption of the Jews, who shall look upon him whom they have pierced; the binding of Satan; the millennial reign, and the redemption of heathen nations and those who knew no law.Zion a Place of RefugeZion, the New Jerusalem, shall be built and there the righteous shall come to Zion from among all nations, singing songs of everlasting joy. They will be the only people who will not be at war, and every man who will not take up his sword against his neighbor, must flee to Zion for safety. Such is to be the condition of the world before the coming of the Lord.John Whitmer, HistorianIn another revelation John Whitmer was appointed to keep the records of the Church, and assist Joseph Smith in transcribing all things given for the history.“For,” said the revelation, “Oliver Cowdery I have appointed to another office. Wherefore it shall be given him (Whitmer) in as much as he is faithful, by the Comforter, to write these things.”The Purchase of LandsAs the Saints in New York had been commanded to settle in Ohio, the residents in that place were instructed to impart of their lands, as they were able to do, for the benefit of their brethren from the east for it was needful that they should remain in Ohio for a time. Eventually, however, it was expected that they would move farther westward, and the members of the Church were to save their money for the purpose of buying lands for an inheritance in the city Zion, when the location of that place should be revealed. This information should be made known when the brethren arrived from the east, for to them it was to be revealed. “And they shall be appointed to purchase the lands, and to make a commencement to lay the foundation of the city, and then shall you begin to be gathered with your families, every man according to his family— as is appointed to him by the presidency and the bishop of the Church.”Equality Among the FamiliesIn the month of May the Saints from New York commenced to arrive in Ohio, and it fell to the lot of Bishop Partridge to assign to them their lands. They were to be made equal according to their families and their needs. The head of each family was to receive a certificate to secure him and his portion and inheritance in the Church. Should a man transgress, after receiving his portion and standing, he was not to have power to claim that portion which had been consecrated to the bishop for the use of the poor and needy of the Church; but he could retain that portion which was deeded to him. A storehouse was to be provided and the substance of the people, more than needful for individual use, was to be placed therein, for the wants of the people, to be kept by the bishop, who was to distribute it as the necessities of the people should demand. In this manner the doctrine of consecration was partially put into practice, as a preparatory step before the members of the Church should go to Zion —for in Zion the law of the united order, or consecration of properties, was the law upon which that city should be built. “And thus I grant unto this people,” the Lord declared, with reference to the New York Saints, “a privilege of organizing themselves according to my laws; and I consecrate unto them this land for a little season, until I, the Lord, shall provide for them otherwise, and command them to go hence.”The Important Conference of June 1831In the month of February the Lord had commanded that word be sent out to the elders of the Church calling them from the east and from the west; from the north and from the south; to meet in conference and receive instruction. Accordingly, a conference was set for June 3, which convened at Kirtland and continued until the sixth. The Spirit of the Lord was displayed in a marvelous way, and the power of the evil one, which was made manifest in opposition to the work, was successfully rebuked.The First High Priests OrdainedAt this conference the first high priests in this dispensation were ordained. Lyman Wight, John Murdock, Reynolds Cahoon, Harvey Whitlock and Hyrum Smith, were ordained to the office of high priest, by Joseph Smith the Prophet; Joseph Smith, Sen., Joseph Smith the Prophet, Parley P. Pratt, Thomas B. Marsh, Isaac Morley, Edward Partridge, Joseph Wakefield, Martin Harris, Ezra Thayer, Ezra Booth, John Corrill, Samuel H. Smith, John Whitmer and Sidney Rigdon, were ordained to the office of high priest, under the hands of Lyman Wight. Edward Partridge, the bishop of the Church, then blessed those who had been ordained. John Corrill and Isaac Morley were then sustained and ordained as assistants, or counselors, to Bishop Whitney, under the hands of Lyman Wight. All this was done by commandment from the Lord.The Mission of JohnDuring the conference, Joseph Smith the Prophet was led to say, “that John the Revelator was then among the ten tribes of Israel who had been led away by Shalmaneser, king of Assyria, to prepare them for their return from their long dispersion.”The Elders Called to MissouriThe spirit of prophecy was abundantly manifest and during the sessions of this conference a number of revelations were received. Many of the elders were called to take their journey through the western country, going two by two, preaching the Gospel, and were to assemble again in Jackson County, Missouri, where the next conference was to be held. The Lord said to them: “And thus, even as I have said if ye are faithful, ye shall assemble yourselves together to rejoice upon the land of Missouri, which is the land of your inheritance, which is now the land of your enemies. But, behold, I the Lord, will hasten the city in its time, and will crown the faithful with joy and with rejoicing.”The Thompson BranchThe members of the Church from Colesville, New York, on their arrival in Ohio, were located at a place called Thompson, about sixteen miles northwest of Kirtland. Here, as we have learned, they were directed to live according to the Lord’s law, that is, the order of stewardship and consecration of properties. Among these people there resided a man named Leman Copley, who was a member of the “Shaking Quakers” before he joined the Church. He owned a large tract of land which he agreed to turn over to the Colesville branch to occupy in this manner of stewardship, agreeable with the revelation they had received. It appears that Copley had not been fully converted to the Gospel and he, with some others, later rebelled and broke the covenant of consecration. This caused confusion among the Colesville Saints and placed them at the mercy of their enemies, as well as in jeopardy before the Lord. In their distress they sent Newel Knight, who was in charge of the branch at Thompson, to the Prophet to learn what they should do. The Lord spoke unto them saying that their covenant had been broken and therefore was of no effect, and it would have been better for the one who was responsible for the offense, “had he been drowned in the depth of the sea.” The members of the branch were now commanded to journey to Missouri, “unto the borders of the Lamanites,” and there they were to seek “a living like unto men,” until the Lord might prepare a place for them. Almost immediately they took their departure under the guidance of Newel Knight, for Missouri.A Letter from MissouriA few days following the conference a letter was received from Oliver Cowdery, dated May 7, giving an account of the labors of himself and companions in Missouri. He spoke of their labors among the Lamanites, and of a tribe of “Navashoes” farther to the west, near Santa Fe. Almost the whole country where he and his fellow laborers were located, he declared, consisted of “Universalists, Atheists, Presbyterians, Methodists, Baptists, and other professing Christians, priests and people; with all the devils from the infernal pit, united and foaming out their shame,” against the elders of the Church. Then he adds: “God forbid that I should bring a railing accusation against them, for vengeance belongs to him who is able to pay.” His expressed opinion of these inhabitants of the border land was all too true, as events immediately to follow will attest.The Mission to the WestAbout the middle of June (1831) the elders who were appointed at the conference, commenced their journey westward, traveling two by two. Ezra Thayer, the companion chosen for Thomas B. Marsh, failed to go. Selah J. Griffin was appointed to go in his stead. On the 19th of June, Joseph Smith, Sidney Rigdon, Martin Harris, Edward Partridge, William W. Phelps, Joseph Coe, and Algernon Sidney Gilbert, took up their journey for Missouri. All these missionaries, and others not here mentioned, commenced their travels with great anticipation of what the result would be. Their destination was the “land of their inheritance,” where Zion—the New Jerusalem—should be built. The Lord had promised that the site for this holy city should be revealed to them at their journey’s end.

Removal of the Church in New York to Ohio

1830–1831

In October 1830, Ezra Thayer and Northrop Sweet were called by revelation, as they had sought the will of the Lord, to preach the Gospel unto “a crooked and perverse generation.” “My vineyard,” declared the Lord, “has become corrupt every whit; and there is none which doth good save it be a few; and they err in many instances because of priestcrafts; all having corrupt minds. And verily, verily, I say unto you, that this Church have I established and called forth out of the wilderness: and even so will I gather mine elect from the four quarters of the earth, even as many as will believe in me, and hearken unto my voice.”

In November Orson Pratt, the younger brother of Parley P. Pratt, who had been baptized by his brother Parley a few weeks earlier in Canaan, Columbia County, N. Y., came to Fayette to learn the will of the Lord concerning himself. In the following December Sidney Rigdon came from Ohio on a similar visit, bringing with him a young man named Edward Partridge, who was not a member of the Church. Edward Partridge, the day after his arrival, satisfied with what he had seen and heard, was baptized by Joseph Smith and later was confirmed by Sidney Rigdon. Both of these young men, Orson Pratt and Edward Partridge, were called to labor in the ministry and received the commendation and blessing of the Lord for their faith and desire to serve him. “And this commandment,” said the Lord, “shall be given unto the elders of my Church, that every man which will embrace it with singleness of heart, may be ordained and sent forth, even as I have spoken.”

Sidney Rigdon was commanded to be a companion to Joseph Smith and to “forsake him not;” moreover, he was to write for him, “and the scriptures shall be given, even as they are in mine own bosom, to the salvation of mine elect,” was the word of the Lord to him.

By commandment of the Lord, a revision of the scriptures by inspiration had already commenced. Much conjecture frequently occurred among the Saints regarding scripture mentioned in the Bible that could not be found. They had learned in the reading of the Book of Mormon, “that many plain and precious things” had been taken away from the Bible as it went forth among the Gentiles. Many of these the Lord promised to restore. From time to time, as their labors would permit, the Prophet received by revelation these scriptures which, were lost, and Sidney Rigdon wrote for him. Shortly after the coming of Sidney Rigdon to Fayette, the Lord revealed the writings of Enoch, spoken of by Jude, which caused much rejoicing among the Saints. These revelations now form a part of the Book of Moses, in the Pearl of Great Price.

Soon after the restoration of the words of Enoch, the Lord commanded that the correction of the scriptures should cease until Joseph Smith and companions could remove to Ohio. Such a step was necessary, the Lord declared, “because of the enemy and for your sakes.” However, they were not to go in haste, but first to strengthen the several branches of the Church in New York; especially that at Colesville, where the members exercised much faith. Not only were Joseph and the brethren with him to go to Ohio, but the Lord instructed all the Saints in New York also to journey there, “against the time” when Oliver Cowdery should return from the Lamanites.

In January, 1831, a conference was held in Fayette. Ordinary business was transacted and a revelation given in which the Lord made known the reason for the removal of the Church to the West (Doc. and Cov. Sec. 38). “All eternity is pained,” the revelation read, “and the angels are waiting the great command to reap down the earth, to gather the tares that they may be burned.” This was because “all flesh is corrupted” and the powers of darkness prevail. The Lord revealed that the wicked were plotting in secret chambers the destruction of Joseph Smith and the Church. However, he would lead the Saints, to a land of promise, and they and their children after them should possess it forever, if they would seek it with all their hearts as an inheritance. This reference was to Zion, the location of which the Lord had not yet revealed. They were commanded to assemble in Ohio, and there he would give unto them his law and these things should be made known. They were to dispose of their property as best they could; farms that could not be sold should be rented, and men of wisdom were to be appointed to look after the interests of the poor and needy and send them forth to the place the Lord commanded them.

In the latter part of January, Joseph Smith and his wife, accompanied by Sidney Rigdon and Edward Partridge, moved to Kirtland. They were welcomed there by Newel K. Whitney, and Joseph and his wife remained in the Whitney home for several weeks receiving every kindness and attention which could be shown in Christian love.

The branch of the Church in Kirtland had been living according to a plan called “common stock” or the holding of all property in common. This arrangement had been in practice before they joined the Church, but false spirits crept in among them causing them to receive strange notions in variance with the Gospel plan. With a little caution and exercise of wisdom, the Prophet persuaded them to abandon this plan and their difficulties were removed.

On the fourth of February, the Lord gave direction by revelation that the elders of the Church should assemble together to agree on his word; for he would give them his law by which the Church was to be governed. Instructions were also given that Joseph Smith should have a house built wherein he could live and translate, and receive the ancient scriptures from the Lord. Edward Partridge was to receive the office of bishop in the Church and to spend all his time in that ministry, leaving his merchandise, to labor in the interests of the members of the Church.

At Kirtland, on the 9th of February, in the presence of twelve elders, the Lord revealed his law by which the Church was to be governed, according to the promise given in Fayette. This important revelation (Doc. and Cov. Sec. 42) may be termed a code of laws for the government and guidance of the members of the Church. Their attitude towards the law of the land as well as the moral law was clearly established. As members of the Church they were to keep the Church covenants and articles, and the Lord would reveal unto them, from time to time, other covenants sufficient to establish them in Ohio and later in the New Jerusalem, or city of Zion, the site of which would presently be revealed. The duties of the bishop and other officers in the Church were defined. Idlers were condemned; for, said the Lord, “the idler shall not eat the bread nor wear the garments of the laborer.” The Bible and the Book or Mormon were to be the standards on doctrine, and they who have not the Spirit were not to teach. The manner of administering to the sick was explained, and the Saints instructed to live together in love. This is one of the very important revelations given to the Church.

Soon after this revelation was given a woman named Hubble came among the people pretending to have revelations, and professing to be a prophetess of the Lord. By declaring that the Book of Mormon was the word of the Lord, and appearing to be very righteous, she deceived some of the Saints.

For the benefit of the members a revelation was received by Joseph Smith in which the Church was instructed to hearken to him, for there was none other appointed to receive revelations for the Church, and none other should be appointed while he lived, if he remained true to his trust. This commandment had previously been given, when Hiram Page was led into error; but it seemed the Lord must speak again on this point before the Saints could understand. The members of the Church were instructed to purge themselves from all iniquity, and the Lord would give them knowledge, even the mysteries of his kingdom would be revealed, if they would sustain and assist Joseph Smith. The elders were instructed to go forth and preach the Gospel, laboring in the vineyard for the last time, for the Lord would shortly come upon the earth in judgment.

During the spring and summer of 1831, a number of important revelations were received. On March 7, the Lord made known many things (Doc. and Cov. Sec. 45) pertaining to his second coming and the signs of the times. After revealing in clearness the teachings given to his disciples in Jerusalem, relative to the destruction of the temple, the scattering of the Jews, and the signs which should precede his second coming, he made known many things which should take place in the day in which we live. He spoke of the signs and wonders; of the gathering of the Jews; the darkening of the sun and the bathing of the moon in blood; of his second coming and his judgments upon the nations; the redemption of the Jews, who shall look upon him whom they have pierced; the binding of Satan; the millennial reign, and the redemption of heathen nations and those who knew no law.

Zion, the New Jerusalem, shall be built and there the righteous shall come to Zion from among all nations, singing songs of everlasting joy. They will be the only people who will not be at war, and every man who will not take up his sword against his neighbor, must flee to Zion for safety. Such is to be the condition of the world before the coming of the Lord.

In another revelation John Whitmer was appointed to keep the records of the Church, and assist Joseph Smith in transcribing all things given for the history.

“For,” said the revelation, “Oliver Cowdery I have appointed to another office. Wherefore it shall be given him (Whitmer) in as much as he is faithful, by the Comforter, to write these things.”

As the Saints in New York had been commanded to settle in Ohio, the residents in that place were instructed to impart of their lands, as they were able to do, for the benefit of their brethren from the east for it was needful that they should remain in Ohio for a time. Eventually, however, it was expected that they would move farther westward, and the members of the Church were to save their money for the purpose of buying lands for an inheritance in the city Zion, when the location of that place should be revealed. This information should be made known when the brethren arrived from the east, for to them it was to be revealed. “And they shall be appointed to purchase the lands, and to make a commencement to lay the foundation of the city, and then shall you begin to be gathered with your families, every man according to his family— as is appointed to him by the presidency and the bishop of the Church.”

In the month of May the Saints from New York commenced to arrive in Ohio, and it fell to the lot of Bishop Partridge to assign to them their lands. They were to be made equal according to their families and their needs. The head of each family was to receive a certificate to secure him and his portion and inheritance in the Church. Should a man transgress, after receiving his portion and standing, he was not to have power to claim that portion which had been consecrated to the bishop for the use of the poor and needy of the Church; but he could retain that portion which was deeded to him. A storehouse was to be provided and the substance of the people, more than needful for individual use, was to be placed therein, for the wants of the people, to be kept by the bishop, who was to distribute it as the necessities of the people should demand. In this manner the doctrine of consecration was partially put into practice, as a preparatory step before the members of the Church should go to Zion —for in Zion the law of the united order, or consecration of properties, was the law upon which that city should be built. “And thus I grant unto this people,” the Lord declared, with reference to the New York Saints, “a privilege of organizing themselves according to my laws; and I consecrate unto them this land for a little season, until I, the Lord, shall provide for them otherwise, and command them to go hence.”

In the month of February the Lord had commanded that word be sent out to the elders of the Church calling them from the east and from the west; from the north and from the south; to meet in conference and receive instruction. Accordingly, a conference was set for June 3, which convened at Kirtland and continued until the sixth. The Spirit of the Lord was displayed in a marvelous way, and the power of the evil one, which was made manifest in opposition to the work, was successfully rebuked.

At this conference the first high priests in this dispensation were ordained. Lyman Wight, John Murdock, Reynolds Cahoon, Harvey Whitlock and Hyrum Smith, were ordained to the office of high priest, by Joseph Smith the Prophet; Joseph Smith, Sen., Joseph Smith the Prophet, Parley P. Pratt, Thomas B. Marsh, Isaac Morley, Edward Partridge, Joseph Wakefield, Martin Harris, Ezra Thayer, Ezra Booth, John Corrill, Samuel H. Smith, John Whitmer and Sidney Rigdon, were ordained to the office of high priest, under the hands of Lyman Wight. Edward Partridge, the bishop of the Church, then blessed those who had been ordained. John Corrill and Isaac Morley were then sustained and ordained as assistants, or counselors, to Bishop Whitney, under the hands of Lyman Wight. All this was done by commandment from the Lord.

During the conference, Joseph Smith the Prophet was led to say, “that John the Revelator was then among the ten tribes of Israel who had been led away by Shalmaneser, king of Assyria, to prepare them for their return from their long dispersion.”

The spirit of prophecy was abundantly manifest and during the sessions of this conference a number of revelations were received. Many of the elders were called to take their journey through the western country, going two by two, preaching the Gospel, and were to assemble again in Jackson County, Missouri, where the next conference was to be held. The Lord said to them: “And thus, even as I have said if ye are faithful, ye shall assemble yourselves together to rejoice upon the land of Missouri, which is the land of your inheritance, which is now the land of your enemies. But, behold, I the Lord, will hasten the city in its time, and will crown the faithful with joy and with rejoicing.”

The members of the Church from Colesville, New York, on their arrival in Ohio, were located at a place called Thompson, about sixteen miles northwest of Kirtland. Here, as we have learned, they were directed to live according to the Lord’s law, that is, the order of stewardship and consecration of properties. Among these people there resided a man named Leman Copley, who was a member of the “Shaking Quakers” before he joined the Church. He owned a large tract of land which he agreed to turn over to the Colesville branch to occupy in this manner of stewardship, agreeable with the revelation they had received. It appears that Copley had not been fully converted to the Gospel and he, with some others, later rebelled and broke the covenant of consecration. This caused confusion among the Colesville Saints and placed them at the mercy of their enemies, as well as in jeopardy before the Lord. In their distress they sent Newel Knight, who was in charge of the branch at Thompson, to the Prophet to learn what they should do. The Lord spoke unto them saying that their covenant had been broken and therefore was of no effect, and it would have been better for the one who was responsible for the offense, “had he been drowned in the depth of the sea.” The members of the branch were now commanded to journey to Missouri, “unto the borders of the Lamanites,” and there they were to seek “a living like unto men,” until the Lord might prepare a place for them. Almost immediately they took their departure under the guidance of Newel Knight, for Missouri.

A few days following the conference a letter was received from Oliver Cowdery, dated May 7, giving an account of the labors of himself and companions in Missouri. He spoke of their labors among the Lamanites, and of a tribe of “Navashoes” farther to the west, near Santa Fe. Almost the whole country where he and his fellow laborers were located, he declared, consisted of “Universalists, Atheists, Presbyterians, Methodists, Baptists, and other professing Christians, priests and people; with all the devils from the infernal pit, united and foaming out their shame,” against the elders of the Church. Then he adds: “God forbid that I should bring a railing accusation against them, for vengeance belongs to him who is able to pay.” His expressed opinion of these inhabitants of the border land was all too true, as events immediately to follow will attest.

About the middle of June (1831) the elders who were appointed at the conference, commenced their journey westward, traveling two by two. Ezra Thayer, the companion chosen for Thomas B. Marsh, failed to go. Selah J. Griffin was appointed to go in his stead. On the 19th of June, Joseph Smith, Sidney Rigdon, Martin Harris, Edward Partridge, William W. Phelps, Joseph Coe, and Algernon Sidney Gilbert, took up their journey for Missouri. All these missionaries, and others not here mentioned, commenced their travels with great anticipation of what the result would be. Their destination was the “land of their inheritance,” where Zion—the New Jerusalem—should be built. The Lord had promised that the site for this holy city should be revealed to them at their journey’s end.

Chapter 16The Land of Zion—Its Dedication1831Character of InhabitantsAbout the middle of July, 1831, the missionaries commenced to arrive in western Missouri, and were met with tears of joy by their brethren there. Here, on the borders of the United States, had gathered renegades from the east; lawless and vile outcasts, who had been forced to flee to the west for safety. “How natural it was,” wrote the Prophet, “to observe the degradation, leanness of intellect, ferocity, and jealousy, of a people that were nearly a century behind the times.”First Sabbath in ZionThe first Sabbath (July 17, 1831), the elders spent in Jackson County, William W. Phelps preached a public discourse. His congregation was composed of “specimens of all the families of the earth.” After this meeting two persons, who had previously believed, were baptized.Arrival of the Colesville BranchA few days later the members of the Colesville branch, from Thompson, Ohio, arrived in Missouri and were located on lands in Kaw township, where a portion of Kansas City is now built.Assignment of LaborsThe duty devolved on the Prophet to assign the labors to the several elders who were to remain in the Land. Some of them were called by revelation to make their permanent settlement in Missouri, while others were instructed to return to the eastern lands, after their mission in the west was finished. William W. Phelps, who joined the Church at the time the little band of missionaries were leaving Ohio for Missouri, had previously been instructed by the Lord (Doc. and Cov. Sec. 55) to engage with Oliver Cowdery, in the work of printing and selecting and writing books for schools in the Church, that “little children also may receive instruction” which would be pleasing to the Lord. Upon his arrival in Jackson County, this commandment was repeated.Algernon Sidney Gilbert was appointed to act as agent for the Church in receiving moneys and buying lands on which the Saints might locate. Edward Partridge was to act in his calling as bishop of the Church. His great duty was to divide the inheritances of the members, severally, according to their needs. In this manner duties were assigned to each of those expected to remain as a nucleus for the building up of Zion (Doc. and Cov. Sections 57–58).Location of the City RevealedAs the Lord had promised, he now fulfilled. In answer to the questions: “When will the wilderness blossom as the rose? When will Zion be built up in her glory, and where will thy temple stand, unto which all nations shall come in the last days?” the Lord gave the following:“Hearken, O ye elders of my Church, saith the Lord your God, who have assembled yourselves together, according to my commandments, in this land, which is the land of Missouri, which is the land which I have appointed and consecrated for the gathering of the Saints: wherefore this is the land of promise, and the place for the city of Zion. And thus saith the Lord your God, if you will receive wisdom, here is wisdom: behold, the place which is now called Independence, is the center place, and the spot for the temple is lying westward, upon a lot which is not far from the court house. Wherefore it is wisdom that the land should be purchased by the Saints; and also every tract lying westward even unto the line running directly between Jew and Gentile. And also every tract bordering by the prairies, inasmuch as my disciples are enabled to buy lands. Behold, this is wisdom, that they may obtain it for an everlasting inheritance” (Doc. and Cov. Sec. 57).The Saints to Keep the LawIn another revelation (Doc. and Cov. Sec. 58) given at this time, the members of the Church were commanded to keep the law the Lord had given them, as well as to observe the laws of the land. “Let no man think he is ruler,” it read, “but let God rule him that judgeth, according to the counsel of his own will; or, in other words, him that counseleth or sitteth upon the judgment seat. Let no man break the laws of the land, for he that keepeth the laws of God hath no need to break the laws of the land: wherefore, be subject to the powers that be, until he reigns whose right it is to reign, and subdues all enemies under his feet.”After Much Tribulation, the BlessingsThat Zion was to be established and the city built at once, was evidently the idea possessed by some of the Saints; moreover, that they were at liberty to establish their own laws, independent of all else. Hence the instructions as here given by the Lord regarding the keeping of the law. The Lord had warned them previously and given instruction in regard to their duties and requirements in that land. That the city was not to be built at that time is indicated in his word: “Ye cannot behold with your natural eyes, for the present time, the design of your God concerning those things which shall come hereafter, and the glory which shall follow after much tribulation. For after much tribulation cometh the blessings. Wherefore the day cometh that ye shall be crowned with much glory; the hour is not yet, but is nigh at hand. Remember this, which I tell you before, that you may lay it to heart, and receive that which shall follow. Behold, verily I say unto you, for this cause I have sent you that you might be obedient, and that your hearts might be prepared to bear testimony of the things which are to come and also that you might be honored of laying the foundation, and of bearing record of the land upon which the Zion of God shall stand” (Doc. and Cov. Sec. 58).From this we see that the glory and greatness of the city Zion was reserved for the future; although in the scriptural sense, the time “is nigh at hand.” These early settlers were to lay the foundation, and prepare the way for the Saints, who were yet to come, after the preaching of the Gospel “to the uttermost parts of the earth;” for the elders were to “push the people together from the ends of the earth.” It was a great honor conferred upon the first laborers in the vineyard, if they would be faithful to every command.Dedication of the LandThe Colesville Saints were located in Kaw township. The Prophet assisted them in laying the first log, “for a house, as a foundation of Zion” in that place. The log was carried by twelve men representing the twelve tribes of Israel. At the same time it was made manifest through prayer that the land should be consecrated and dedicated by Sidney Rigdon. “It was a season of joy,” the Prophet said, “to those present, and afforded a glimpse of the future, which time will yet unfold to the satisfaction of the faithful.” All this took place on the second day of August, 1831.Sidney Rigdon, according to his appointment, stood up and asked:“Do you receive this land for the land of your inheritance, with thankful hearts, from the Lord?”“We do.”“Do you pledge yourselves to keep the law of God on this land, which you never have kept in your own lands?”“We do.”“Do you pledge yourselves to see that others of your brethren who shall come hither do keep the laws of God?”“We do.”After prayer, Elder Rigdon arose and said: “I now pronounce this land consecrated and dedicated unto the Lord for a possession and inheritance for the Saints, and for all the faithful servants of the Lord, to the uttermost ages of time, in the name of Jesus Christ, having authority from him. Amen” (Documentary History of the Church, vol. 1:196).Description of the LandIn addition to the appointment to dedicate the land, Sidney Rigdon was also called by revelation to write a description of it, to be sent “unto all the churches.” One object of this description was to stir up the Saints to donate for the purchase of the lands, by placing in the hands of the bishop money for that purpose. Those who would do this should be given an inheritance, for Zion was to be built by purchase; otherwise they could not obtain it except by the shedding of blood, which was forbidden. The first description written was rejected by the Lord, and Sidney Rigdon was commanded to write another.The Future Glory of ZionMany of the ancient prophets spoke of Zion and her glory. Isaiah declared that in the latter days “out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem,” in that day when swords will be made into plowshares, and spears into pruning-hooks.”1Moreover, again he prophesied, saying:“For the nation and kingdom that will not serve thee shall perish; yea, those nations shall be utterly wasted. The glory of Lebanon shall come unto thee, the fir tree, the pine tree, and the box together, to beautify the place of my sanctuary; and I will make the place of my feet glorious. The sons also of them that afflicted thee shall come bending unto thee; and all they that despised thee shall bow themselves down at the soles of thy feet; and they shall call thee, The city of the Lord, The Zion of the Holy one of Israel. Whereas thou hast been forsaken and hated, so that no man went through thee, I will make thee an eternal excellency, a joy of many generations. . . . For brass I will bring gold, and for iron I will bring silver, and for wood brass, and for stones iron: I will also make thy officers peace, and thine exactors righteousness. Violence shall no more be heard in thy land, wasting nor destruction within thy borders; but thou shall call thy walls Salvation, and thy gates Praise. The sun shall be no more thy light by day; neither for brightness shall the moon give light unto thee; but the Lord shall be unto thee an everlasting light, and thy God thy glory. Thy son shall no more go down; neither shall thy moon withdraw itself; for the Lord shall be thine everlasting light, and the days of thy mourning shall be ended. Thy people also shall be all righteous; they shall inherit the land forever, the branch of my planting, the work of my hands, that I may be glorified. A little one shall become a thousand, and a small one a strong nation: I the Lord will hasten it in his time.”2Dedication of the Temple SiteOn the 3rd day of August, Joseph Smith, Oliver Cowdery, Sidney Rigdon, Edward Partridge, William W. Phelps, Martin Harris and Joseph Coe, met on a spot a little west of the Independence court house, and there they dedicated the site for the great temple of the latter days. The 87th Psalm was read, and the scene was most impressive; for here the house of the Lord was to be reared in the holy city Zion, which had been spoken of by ancient seers, from whence should go forth the law to the ends of the earth.First Conference in ZionOn the 4th day of August (1831) the first conference in that land was held at the home of Joshua Lewis, in Kaw township. The members of the Colesville branch formed the greater part of the congregation—a total of thirty-one souls. The Spirit of the Lord was with them and they rejoiced. Sidney Rigdon preached and exhorted the Saints “to obedience to the requisition of heaven,” that they might be planted in their inheritances in Zion. Ziba Peterson, who had been silenced for wrongdoing, humbled himself and made confession; by unanimous vote he was reinstated. Joseph Smith addressed the conference and admonished the people to be true to their covenants that they might receive the blessings.A Commandment and a Promised BlessingOn the 7th, Polly Knight wife of Joseph Knight, Sen., died; she had been in failing health while on the westward journey. The same day the Prophet received a revelation of commandment and blessing to the Saints, in which they were admonished again to keep the commandments of the Lord. Their course of action was pointed out for them with a statement that all who had come up to the land to keep the commandments should be blessed; if they lived they should inherit the earth; if they died they should rest in the mansions of the Father. On the Lord’s day they were to rest from all labor and assemble in the house of prayer to partake of the sacrament and confess their sins (Doc. and Cov. Sec. 59).The Return to KirtlandOn the 9th day of August Joseph Smith and the elders who were to return, started on their journey back to Kirtland. They traveled down the Missouri River towards St. Louis. On the third day out they encountered some of the dangers common on these waters. At a place called McIlwaine’s Bend, William W. Phelps, in open vision, saw the destroyer in his power, riding upon the waters. The next morning the Prophet Joseph received a revelation in confirmation of the vision of Elder Phelps.Dangers on the WatersThe Lord revealed (Doc. and Cov. Sec. 61) to Joseph Smith the great dangers that would be upon the waters in these latter days. “Behold, I, the Lord, in the beginning blessed the waters, but in the last days, by the mouth of my servant John, I cursed the waters. Wherefore, the days will come that no flesh shall be safe upon the waters. . . . I, the Lord, have decreed, and the destroyer rideth upon the face thereof, and I revoke not the decree.” It was further stated that the time would come when none would dare go upon the waters but those who were pure in heart, and the elders were counseled to travel by other means than by the rivers, that their faith fail not.Object of the Mission to ZionOn the 27th day of August Joseph Smith, Oliver Cowdery and Sidney Rigdon arrived in Kirtland; others of the elders had previously arrived. Their mission had been fulfilled. They had gone to Missouri for the purpose of receiving definite knowledge concerning the location of the land and site for the future city of Zion; to dedicate the land as the “inheritance of the Saints,” also to choose and dedicate a spot for the building of the temple. Those who were to remain were instructed in their duties and given commandments by which they were to be governed in that land and upon which their inheritances, and those of the Saints who should follow after, might be made secure.Notes1.Isaiah 2:1–4.2.Isaiah 60:12–22. The following reference to Zion or the New Jerusalem, is from the prophecy of Ether; Book of Mormon, Ether, 13th chapter:“Behold, Ether saw the day of Christ, and he spake concerning a New Jerusalem upon this land. And he spake also concerning the house of Israel, and the Jerusalem from whence Lehi should come—after it should be destroyed it should be built up again, a holy city unto the Lord; wherefore, it could not be a new Jerusalem for it had been in a time of old; but it should be built up again, and become a holy city of the Lord; and it should be built unto the house of Israel—And that a New Jerusalem should be built upon this land, unto the remnant of the seed of Joseph, for which things there has been a type. For as Joseph brought his father down into the land of Egypt, even so he died there; wherefore, the Lord brought a remnant of the seed of Joseph out of the land of Jerusalem, that he might be merciful unto the seed of Joseph that they should perish not, even as he was merciful unto the father of Joseph that he should perish not. Wherefore, the remnant of the house of Joseph shall be built upon this land; and it shall be a land of their inheritance; and they shall build up a holy city unto the Lord, like unto the Jerusalem of old; and they shall no more be confounded, until the end come when the earth shall pass away. And there shall be a new heaven and a new earth; and they shall be like unto the old save the old have passed away, and all things have become new. And then cometh the New Jerusalem; and blessed are they who dwell therein, for it is they whose garments are white through the blood of the Lamb; and they are they who are numbered among the remnant of the seed of Joseph, who were of the house of Israel.”

The Land of Zion—Its Dedication

1831

About the middle of July, 1831, the missionaries commenced to arrive in western Missouri, and were met with tears of joy by their brethren there. Here, on the borders of the United States, had gathered renegades from the east; lawless and vile outcasts, who had been forced to flee to the west for safety. “How natural it was,” wrote the Prophet, “to observe the degradation, leanness of intellect, ferocity, and jealousy, of a people that were nearly a century behind the times.”

The first Sabbath (July 17, 1831), the elders spent in Jackson County, William W. Phelps preached a public discourse. His congregation was composed of “specimens of all the families of the earth.” After this meeting two persons, who had previously believed, were baptized.

A few days later the members of the Colesville branch, from Thompson, Ohio, arrived in Missouri and were located on lands in Kaw township, where a portion of Kansas City is now built.

The duty devolved on the Prophet to assign the labors to the several elders who were to remain in the Land. Some of them were called by revelation to make their permanent settlement in Missouri, while others were instructed to return to the eastern lands, after their mission in the west was finished. William W. Phelps, who joined the Church at the time the little band of missionaries were leaving Ohio for Missouri, had previously been instructed by the Lord (Doc. and Cov. Sec. 55) to engage with Oliver Cowdery, in the work of printing and selecting and writing books for schools in the Church, that “little children also may receive instruction” which would be pleasing to the Lord. Upon his arrival in Jackson County, this commandment was repeated.

Algernon Sidney Gilbert was appointed to act as agent for the Church in receiving moneys and buying lands on which the Saints might locate. Edward Partridge was to act in his calling as bishop of the Church. His great duty was to divide the inheritances of the members, severally, according to their needs. In this manner duties were assigned to each of those expected to remain as a nucleus for the building up of Zion (Doc. and Cov. Sections 57–58).

As the Lord had promised, he now fulfilled. In answer to the questions: “When will the wilderness blossom as the rose? When will Zion be built up in her glory, and where will thy temple stand, unto which all nations shall come in the last days?” the Lord gave the following:

“Hearken, O ye elders of my Church, saith the Lord your God, who have assembled yourselves together, according to my commandments, in this land, which is the land of Missouri, which is the land which I have appointed and consecrated for the gathering of the Saints: wherefore this is the land of promise, and the place for the city of Zion. And thus saith the Lord your God, if you will receive wisdom, here is wisdom: behold, the place which is now called Independence, is the center place, and the spot for the temple is lying westward, upon a lot which is not far from the court house. Wherefore it is wisdom that the land should be purchased by the Saints; and also every tract lying westward even unto the line running directly between Jew and Gentile. And also every tract bordering by the prairies, inasmuch as my disciples are enabled to buy lands. Behold, this is wisdom, that they may obtain it for an everlasting inheritance” (Doc. and Cov. Sec. 57).

In another revelation (Doc. and Cov. Sec. 58) given at this time, the members of the Church were commanded to keep the law the Lord had given them, as well as to observe the laws of the land. “Let no man think he is ruler,” it read, “but let God rule him that judgeth, according to the counsel of his own will; or, in other words, him that counseleth or sitteth upon the judgment seat. Let no man break the laws of the land, for he that keepeth the laws of God hath no need to break the laws of the land: wherefore, be subject to the powers that be, until he reigns whose right it is to reign, and subdues all enemies under his feet.”

That Zion was to be established and the city built at once, was evidently the idea possessed by some of the Saints; moreover, that they were at liberty to establish their own laws, independent of all else. Hence the instructions as here given by the Lord regarding the keeping of the law. The Lord had warned them previously and given instruction in regard to their duties and requirements in that land. That the city was not to be built at that time is indicated in his word: “Ye cannot behold with your natural eyes, for the present time, the design of your God concerning those things which shall come hereafter, and the glory which shall follow after much tribulation. For after much tribulation cometh the blessings. Wherefore the day cometh that ye shall be crowned with much glory; the hour is not yet, but is nigh at hand. Remember this, which I tell you before, that you may lay it to heart, and receive that which shall follow. Behold, verily I say unto you, for this cause I have sent you that you might be obedient, and that your hearts might be prepared to bear testimony of the things which are to come and also that you might be honored of laying the foundation, and of bearing record of the land upon which the Zion of God shall stand” (Doc. and Cov. Sec. 58).

From this we see that the glory and greatness of the city Zion was reserved for the future; although in the scriptural sense, the time “is nigh at hand.” These early settlers were to lay the foundation, and prepare the way for the Saints, who were yet to come, after the preaching of the Gospel “to the uttermost parts of the earth;” for the elders were to “push the people together from the ends of the earth.” It was a great honor conferred upon the first laborers in the vineyard, if they would be faithful to every command.

The Colesville Saints were located in Kaw township. The Prophet assisted them in laying the first log, “for a house, as a foundation of Zion” in that place. The log was carried by twelve men representing the twelve tribes of Israel. At the same time it was made manifest through prayer that the land should be consecrated and dedicated by Sidney Rigdon. “It was a season of joy,” the Prophet said, “to those present, and afforded a glimpse of the future, which time will yet unfold to the satisfaction of the faithful.” All this took place on the second day of August, 1831.

Sidney Rigdon, according to his appointment, stood up and asked:

“Do you receive this land for the land of your inheritance, with thankful hearts, from the Lord?”

“We do.”

“Do you pledge yourselves to keep the law of God on this land, which you never have kept in your own lands?”

“We do.”

“Do you pledge yourselves to see that others of your brethren who shall come hither do keep the laws of God?”

“We do.”

After prayer, Elder Rigdon arose and said: “I now pronounce this land consecrated and dedicated unto the Lord for a possession and inheritance for the Saints, and for all the faithful servants of the Lord, to the uttermost ages of time, in the name of Jesus Christ, having authority from him. Amen” (Documentary History of the Church, vol. 1:196).

In addition to the appointment to dedicate the land, Sidney Rigdon was also called by revelation to write a description of it, to be sent “unto all the churches.” One object of this description was to stir up the Saints to donate for the purchase of the lands, by placing in the hands of the bishop money for that purpose. Those who would do this should be given an inheritance, for Zion was to be built by purchase; otherwise they could not obtain it except by the shedding of blood, which was forbidden. The first description written was rejected by the Lord, and Sidney Rigdon was commanded to write another.

Many of the ancient prophets spoke of Zion and her glory. Isaiah declared that in the latter days “out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem,” in that day when swords will be made into plowshares, and spears into pruning-hooks.”1Moreover, again he prophesied, saying:

“For the nation and kingdom that will not serve thee shall perish; yea, those nations shall be utterly wasted. The glory of Lebanon shall come unto thee, the fir tree, the pine tree, and the box together, to beautify the place of my sanctuary; and I will make the place of my feet glorious. The sons also of them that afflicted thee shall come bending unto thee; and all they that despised thee shall bow themselves down at the soles of thy feet; and they shall call thee, The city of the Lord, The Zion of the Holy one of Israel. Whereas thou hast been forsaken and hated, so that no man went through thee, I will make thee an eternal excellency, a joy of many generations. . . . For brass I will bring gold, and for iron I will bring silver, and for wood brass, and for stones iron: I will also make thy officers peace, and thine exactors righteousness. Violence shall no more be heard in thy land, wasting nor destruction within thy borders; but thou shall call thy walls Salvation, and thy gates Praise. The sun shall be no more thy light by day; neither for brightness shall the moon give light unto thee; but the Lord shall be unto thee an everlasting light, and thy God thy glory. Thy son shall no more go down; neither shall thy moon withdraw itself; for the Lord shall be thine everlasting light, and the days of thy mourning shall be ended. Thy people also shall be all righteous; they shall inherit the land forever, the branch of my planting, the work of my hands, that I may be glorified. A little one shall become a thousand, and a small one a strong nation: I the Lord will hasten it in his time.”2

On the 3rd day of August, Joseph Smith, Oliver Cowdery, Sidney Rigdon, Edward Partridge, William W. Phelps, Martin Harris and Joseph Coe, met on a spot a little west of the Independence court house, and there they dedicated the site for the great temple of the latter days. The 87th Psalm was read, and the scene was most impressive; for here the house of the Lord was to be reared in the holy city Zion, which had been spoken of by ancient seers, from whence should go forth the law to the ends of the earth.

On the 4th day of August (1831) the first conference in that land was held at the home of Joshua Lewis, in Kaw township. The members of the Colesville branch formed the greater part of the congregation—a total of thirty-one souls. The Spirit of the Lord was with them and they rejoiced. Sidney Rigdon preached and exhorted the Saints “to obedience to the requisition of heaven,” that they might be planted in their inheritances in Zion. Ziba Peterson, who had been silenced for wrongdoing, humbled himself and made confession; by unanimous vote he was reinstated. Joseph Smith addressed the conference and admonished the people to be true to their covenants that they might receive the blessings.

On the 7th, Polly Knight wife of Joseph Knight, Sen., died; she had been in failing health while on the westward journey. The same day the Prophet received a revelation of commandment and blessing to the Saints, in which they were admonished again to keep the commandments of the Lord. Their course of action was pointed out for them with a statement that all who had come up to the land to keep the commandments should be blessed; if they lived they should inherit the earth; if they died they should rest in the mansions of the Father. On the Lord’s day they were to rest from all labor and assemble in the house of prayer to partake of the sacrament and confess their sins (Doc. and Cov. Sec. 59).

On the 9th day of August Joseph Smith and the elders who were to return, started on their journey back to Kirtland. They traveled down the Missouri River towards St. Louis. On the third day out they encountered some of the dangers common on these waters. At a place called McIlwaine’s Bend, William W. Phelps, in open vision, saw the destroyer in his power, riding upon the waters. The next morning the Prophet Joseph received a revelation in confirmation of the vision of Elder Phelps.

The Lord revealed (Doc. and Cov. Sec. 61) to Joseph Smith the great dangers that would be upon the waters in these latter days. “Behold, I, the Lord, in the beginning blessed the waters, but in the last days, by the mouth of my servant John, I cursed the waters. Wherefore, the days will come that no flesh shall be safe upon the waters. . . . I, the Lord, have decreed, and the destroyer rideth upon the face thereof, and I revoke not the decree.” It was further stated that the time would come when none would dare go upon the waters but those who were pure in heart, and the elders were counseled to travel by other means than by the rivers, that their faith fail not.

On the 27th day of August Joseph Smith, Oliver Cowdery and Sidney Rigdon arrived in Kirtland; others of the elders had previously arrived. Their mission had been fulfilled. They had gone to Missouri for the purpose of receiving definite knowledge concerning the location of the land and site for the future city of Zion; to dedicate the land as the “inheritance of the Saints,” also to choose and dedicate a spot for the building of the temple. Those who were to remain were instructed in their duties and given commandments by which they were to be governed in that land and upon which their inheritances, and those of the Saints who should follow after, might be made secure.

1.Isaiah 2:1–4.

2.Isaiah 60:12–22. The following reference to Zion or the New Jerusalem, is from the prophecy of Ether; Book of Mormon, Ether, 13th chapter:“Behold, Ether saw the day of Christ, and he spake concerning a New Jerusalem upon this land. And he spake also concerning the house of Israel, and the Jerusalem from whence Lehi should come—after it should be destroyed it should be built up again, a holy city unto the Lord; wherefore, it could not be a new Jerusalem for it had been in a time of old; but it should be built up again, and become a holy city of the Lord; and it should be built unto the house of Israel—And that a New Jerusalem should be built upon this land, unto the remnant of the seed of Joseph, for which things there has been a type. For as Joseph brought his father down into the land of Egypt, even so he died there; wherefore, the Lord brought a remnant of the seed of Joseph out of the land of Jerusalem, that he might be merciful unto the seed of Joseph that they should perish not, even as he was merciful unto the father of Joseph that he should perish not. Wherefore, the remnant of the house of Joseph shall be built upon this land; and it shall be a land of their inheritance; and they shall build up a holy city unto the Lord, like unto the Jerusalem of old; and they shall no more be confounded, until the end come when the earth shall pass away. And there shall be a new heaven and a new earth; and they shall be like unto the old save the old have passed away, and all things have become new. And then cometh the New Jerusalem; and blessed are they who dwell therein, for it is they whose garments are white through the blood of the Lamb; and they are they who are numbered among the remnant of the seed of Joseph, who were of the house of Israel.”

2.Isaiah 60:12–22. The following reference to Zion or the New Jerusalem, is from the prophecy of Ether; Book of Mormon, Ether, 13th chapter:

“Behold, Ether saw the day of Christ, and he spake concerning a New Jerusalem upon this land. And he spake also concerning the house of Israel, and the Jerusalem from whence Lehi should come—after it should be destroyed it should be built up again, a holy city unto the Lord; wherefore, it could not be a new Jerusalem for it had been in a time of old; but it should be built up again, and become a holy city of the Lord; and it should be built unto the house of Israel—And that a New Jerusalem should be built upon this land, unto the remnant of the seed of Joseph, for which things there has been a type. For as Joseph brought his father down into the land of Egypt, even so he died there; wherefore, the Lord brought a remnant of the seed of Joseph out of the land of Jerusalem, that he might be merciful unto the seed of Joseph that they should perish not, even as he was merciful unto the father of Joseph that he should perish not. Wherefore, the remnant of the house of Joseph shall be built upon this land; and it shall be a land of their inheritance; and they shall build up a holy city unto the Lord, like unto the Jerusalem of old; and they shall no more be confounded, until the end come when the earth shall pass away. And there shall be a new heaven and a new earth; and they shall be like unto the old save the old have passed away, and all things have become new. And then cometh the New Jerusalem; and blessed are they who dwell therein, for it is they whose garments are white through the blood of the Lamb; and they are they who are numbered among the remnant of the seed of Joseph, who were of the house of Israel.”

Chapter 17The Book of Commandments—The Vision of the Glories—The Hiram Mobbing1831–1832Desire of the Saints for Knowledge of ZionAugust 28, the day after the return of the brethren from Missouri, fell on Sunday. An inspirational meeting was held at which the brethren reported their labors. Among the business transacted was the ordination of Oliver Cowdery to the office of high priest “by the voice of the Church and the command of God, under the hand of Sidney Rigdon,” says the record. Oliver Cowdery was in Missouri when the conference in June was held, at which the first high priests were ordained.As the Saints were very anxious to know more in relation to Zion, the purchasing of lands there and their inheritances, the Prophet inquired of the Lord, and received a revelation (Doc. and Cov. Sec. 63) in which the difficulties and persecutions of the Saints in that land were fore-shadowed. Again the people were cautioned and reproved wherein they had not kept the commandments of the Lord. Among other things the Lord declared the following:“And now, verily, I say unto you, that as I said that I would make known my will unto you, behold I will make it known unto you, not by the way of commandment, for there are many who observe not to keep my commandments; but unto him that keepeth my commandments, I will give the mysteries of my kingdom, and the same shall be in him a well of living water, springing up unto everlasting life. And now, behold, this is the will of the Lord your God concerning his Saints, that they should assemble themselves together unto the land of Zion, not in haste, lest there should be confusion, which bringeth pestilence. Behold, the land of Zion, I, the Lord, holdeth it in mine own hands; nevertheless, I, the Lord, render unto Caesar the things which are Caesar’s. Wherefore, I, the Lord, will that you should purchase the lands that you may have advantage of the world, that you may have claim on the world, that they may not be stirred up unto anger; for Satan putteth it into their hearts to anger against you, and to the shedding of blood. Wherefore the land of Zion shall not be obtained but by purchase or by blood, otherwise there is none inheritance for you. And if by purchase, behold you are blessed; and if by blood, as you are forbidden to shed blood, lo, your enemies are upon you, and ye shall be scourged from city to city, and from synagogue to synagogue, and but few shall stand to receive an inheritance. I, the Lord, am angry with the wicked; I am holding my Spirit from the inhabitants of the earth.”Apostasy of Ezra BoothIn September Joseph Smith moved with his family to Hiram, in Portage County, Ohio, about thirty miles southeast of Kirtland, and commenced living at the home of John Johnson. About this time Ezra Booth left the Church. He had been ordained a high priest, and had taken the trip to Missouri, but had been rebellious. Before coming into the Church he was a Methodist priest; but through the performance of a miracle he was baptized, and from that time he desired to make men believe by the performance of miracles, even by smiting them, or with forcible means. After leaving the Church he wrote a number of articles against the truth which were afterwards published in an anti-“Mormon” book.Purchase of a Printing PressAs Oliver Cowdery and William W. Phelps had been called to print and publish books and writings for the Church, it was necessary that a printing press be purchased. William W. Phelps was instructed, therefore, to call at Cincinnati on his return to Missouri, and purchase a press for this purpose. This press was to be taken to Independence, where they were to print a monthly paper to be called theEvening and Morning Star. This was the first publication in the Church.Revision of the BibleWhile residing at Hiram, Joseph Smith was engaged in the revision of the Bible, which work was commenced in Fayette, but had been delayed by command of the Lord until this time because of other duties Sidney Rigdon, who also had located in Hiram, continued to write for him. In course of time the Prophet went through the Bible, topic by topic, revising as he was led by revelation. The work was never fully completed, for he had intended, while at Nauvoo, a number of years later, to finish the work, but was cut off by his enemies. Nevertheless, many plain and precious things were revealed which throw great light upon many subjects.Special Conference of NovemberAs Oliver Cowdery and John Whitmer were appointed to go to Missouri to attend to duties there, which had been assigned to them, a special conference was called for November 1, 1831, to consider such matters as might need attention before their departure.Preparation for Publication of CommandmentsAt this special conference, which was held at Hiram, the matter of publishing the revelations and commandments given through Joseph Smith, was considered. This was the will of the Lord, for during that conference he gave the revelation—one of the most important in the Doctrine and Covenants—which he called “my preface unto the book of my commandments, which I have given them to publish unto you, O inhabitants of the earth” (Doc. and Cov. Sec. 1). These inhabitants were commanded, as well as were the Saints, to “search these commandments, for they are true and faithful, and the prophecies and promises which are in them shall all be fulfilled.” The Lord was willing, “to make these things known unto all flesh, for I am no respecter of persons,” he said, “and will that all men shall know that the day speedily cometh; the hour is not yet, but is nigh at hand, when peace shall be taken from the earth, and the devil shall have power over his own dominion; and also the Lord shall have power over his Saints, and shall reign in their midst, and shall come down in judgment upon Idumea, or the world.”Endorsement of the RevelationsIt was decided that an edition of ten thousand copies of the Book of Commandments should be published. However, at a later date (May 1, 1832) this was changed to three thousand copies. Joseph Smith addressed the elders and said, inasmuch as the Lord had bestowed a great blessing upon them in giving commandments and revelations, he would ask the conference what testimony they were willing to give regarding these commandments which should shortly be sent to the world. After the reading of the Lord’s preface, a number of the brethren arose and bore witness to the truth of the revelations, which were to be published in the Book of Commandments. The conference lasted two days and much other business was transacted.Criticism of the RevelationsNot all of those present at the conference fully endorsed these revelations; there was one at least, who questioned their language. This was William E. McLellin, who had but recently joined the Church. The Prophet thereupon received a commandment from the Lord (Doc. and Cov. Sec. 67) in which he was directed to invite the “most wise among you” to choose out of the revelations the least, and attempt to make one like unto it; and if this “wise” individual could duplicate the least of the revelations, then the elders might be justified in saying they did not “know that they are true.” If this proved to be a failure, then they would be “under condemnation” if they did not bear record that they are true.William E. McLellin’s FollyWilliam E. McLellin, as the wisest man, accepted the challenge from the Lord. His attempt was a humiliating failure, to the convincing of the elders present, who unitedly signified their willingness to bear testimony to all the world, of the truth of the revelations given to Joseph Smith.Other Important RevelationsAt the conclusion of this conference the Lord gave another commandment (Doc. and Cov. Sec. 68) for the benefit of Orson Hyde, Luke Johnson, Lyman E. Johnson and William E. McLellin, who had inquired concerning themselves. In addition to the advice and commandments given to these men there was much counsel and commandment for the inhabitants in Zion, for there were idlers among them, the Lord declared, and they were to keep the Sabbath day, to remember their prayers, to teach their children the principles of the Gospel and have them baptized when eight years old, for these things they were failing to do; therefore the Lord was not pleased with them. Instructions were also given regarding the Priesthood and its powers, for the guidance of the Church. This information Oliver Cowdery was to carry on his return to Zion.On the 3rd of November, the Lord gave the great revelation known as the Appendix, to the Book of Commandments, which appears as Section 133 in the book of Doctrine and Covenants.Arrangement of the RevelationsIt was decided that Oliver Cowdery should carry the revelations to Missouri, where they should be printed. Joseph Smith was therefore kept busy during the days intervening, as Oliver expected to leave about the 15th of November. The Prophet writes: “My time was occupied closely in reviewing the commandments and sitting in conference, for nearly two weeks; for from the first to the twelfth of November, we held four special conferences.”Worth of the RevelationsAt the last of these conferences, held in Hiram, at the home of John Johnson, the members voted, after deliberate consideration of the revelations, “that they prize the revelations to be worth to the Church the riches of the whole earth, speaking temporally.” The benefits to the Church and to the world, which come from the Book of Mormon and the revelations to Joseph Smith, were also considered, and the expression of the conference was to the effect that the infinite wisdom of the Lord, in granting for their salvation and the salvation of the world, these sacred things, should be fully appreciated.Commandments DedicatedIt was voted that Joseph Smith be appointed to dedicate and consecrate these brethren, Oliver Cowdery and John Whitmer, and the sacred writings entrusted to their care, to the Lord. Moreover, it was also voted that, in consequence of the diligence of Joseph Smith, Oliver Cowdery, John Whitmer and Sidney Rigdon, “in bringing to light, by the grace of God, these sacred things, they be appointed to manage them according to the laws of the Church, and that their families as well as the families of Hyrum Smith, Christian Whitmer, Peter Whitmer, Jacob Whitmer, Hiram Page and David Whitmer, also Samuel Smith, William Smith and Don Carlos Smith, be remembered to the bishop of Zion as worthy of inheritances in the land of Zion.” In accord with this motion regarding the dedication of the revelations and those who should carry them, this action was taken at this time by Joseph Smith. Shortly after this conference, Oliver Cowdery and John Whitmer departed on their journey.Labors Among the EnemyOn the 1st of December, Joseph Smith and Sidney Rigdon were commanded to take “a mission for a season” and call upon the inhabitants of the earth, and, said the Lord, “confound your enemies; call upon them to meet you, both in public and in private; and inasmuch as ye are faithful, their shame shall be made manifest. Wherefore let them bring forth their strong reason against the Lord.” The reason for this commandment was due to the activities of the apostate Ezra Booth, who was publishing in Ravenna, Ohio, many falsehoods against the Church. According to this call Joseph Smith and Sidney Rigdon left on the 3rd of December for Kirtland, to fulfil this revelation. For some time they spoke in Kirtland, Shalersville, Ravenna, and other places, vindicating the cause and confounding their enemies. They were blessed with the Spirit of the Lord, and witnessed the fulfilment of the promises made to them; for they were able to allay much of the excitement and change false impressions which had grown out of scandalous articles in the“Ohio Star”at Ravenna.The Amherst ConferenceOn the 15th day of January, 1832, a conference was held at Amherst, Loraine County, Ohio. At this conference much business was transacted in harmony and in the spirit of fellowship. Joseph Smith was sustained as President of the High Priesthood. The revelation known as Section 75 in the Doctrine and Covenants was also given in which a number of elders were called to take missions, two by two, in several directions throughout the land.The Vision of the GloriesAt the close of this conference, Joseph Smith and Sidney Rigdon again took up their work of revising the scriptures. While doing so, “it appeared self-evident,” they declared, “from what truths were left, that if God rewarded every one according to the deeds done in the body, the term ‘Heaven’ is intended for the Saints’ eternal home, must include more kingdoms than one.” Accordingly on the 16th of February, 1832, while revising St. John’s Gospel, and in answer to their prayer, they saw the heavens opened and beheld the Father and the Son. The account of this vision, as it is given in Section 76 of the Doctrine and Covenants, is one of the choicest bits of literature, and one of the greatest revelations ever given to man. It throws a flood of light upon eternity and the destiny of the human race and teaches the mercy of a loving Father, who saves all the workmanship of his hands, save it be the sons of perdition, who sin against the light and crucify their Redeemer again unto themselves. That every man shall be rewarded according to his works, and that a place has been prepared for each individual somewhere in the mansion of the Father, after he is purged from sin, is a glorious and merciful provision in the plan of salvation, which this vision declares, as it was provided before the world began. It would be folly to attempt to comment on this most wonderful revelation of the power and loving kindness of the Lord, which the words of man cannot adequately express.The Prophet’s Views on the VisionThe words of Joseph Smith pertaining to this opening of the heavens, are well expressed. “Nothing,” he has written, “could be more pleasing to the Saints upon the order of the kingdom of the Lord, than the light which burst upon the world through the foregoing vision. Every law, every commandment, every promise, every truth, and every point touching the destiny of man, from Genesis to Revelation, where the purity of the scriptures remains unsullied by the folly of men, go to show the perfection of the theory [of different degrees of glory in the future life] and witness the fact that that document is a transcript from the records of the eternal world. The sublimity of the ideas; the purity of the language; the scope for action; the continued duration for completion, in order that the heirs of salvation may confess the Lord and bow the knee; the rewards for faithfulness, and the punishments for sins, are so much beyond the narrow-mindedness of men, that every honest man is constrained to exclaim: “It came from God!” Joseph Smith or any other man guided by the inspiration of man’s power could not have written it.Mob Violence in HiramBefore going to Hiram, Ohio, to live, Joseph Smith and his wife adopted two children (twins) of Elder John Murdock’s. Their mother died at their birth, and Emma Smith, having lost twins of her own which were born the same day, took the Murdock twins to raise. In March, 1832, when these children were about eleven months old, they took the measles, and their care caused both the Prophet and his wife to lose much rest. On the night of the 24th, after the family had retired, a mob surrounded the house, broke open the door and dragged the Prophet into the open. On the way he managed to get one foot loose with which he kicked one of the ruffians and knocked him down. At this, with blasphemous oath, the fiends swore they would kill the Prophet if he made further resistance. They then choked him until he was unconscious. When he came too, he discovered Sidney Rigdon, whom they had also taken from his home and dragged by his heels so that his head struck at every step on the frozen earth. He was unconscious on the ground. About sixty rods from the house the mob held a council to decide what further action they might take. Some were ready to kill the Prophet, but returning to him they attempted to force a vial of acid in his mouth, but the vial was broken against his teeth. An attempt was also made to fill his mouth with tar; failing in this they tore from him his clothes, and applied the tar with feathers to his body. After shamefully beating him they left him helpless on the ground. Joseph attempted to rise, but fell to the ground again. After a while he began to recover his strength, and made his way with difficulty to his home.Sidney received similar treatment, which left him delirious for several days. The Prophet’s friends spent the night cleaning the tar from his body, and the following day, it being the Sabbath, he met with the people at the regular hour, and addressed them. Several of the members of the mob were present, including Simonds Ryder, an apostate, and leader of the mob; a Mr. McClentic and Felatiah Allen, who had provided the mob with a barrel of whisky to raise their spirits and make them “brave” to do the deed. During the mobbing one of the twins became exposed, contracted a severe cold, and a few days later, died.Second Visit to MissouriThe first of April, Joseph Smith, with Newel K. Whitney and Jesse Gause, left for Missouri to fulfil the provisions of a revelation (Doc. and Cov. Sec. 78) in respect to regulating and establishing the affairs of the store house for the poor, and the consecration of properties. They were later joined by Sidney Rigdon. On the way they purchased paper, at Wheeling, Virginia, for the press in Zion, and arrived in Independence on the 24th of April. Two days later at a general council of the Church, Joseph Smith was acknowledged by the Saints in Zion as President of the High Priesthood, ratifying the action of the Amherst conference, held January 25, 1832.Zion and Her StakesDuring this conference a revelation was given commanding the elders to bind themselves in a covenant of consecration, which could not be broken. Kirtland was to become a “stake of Zion.”1“For I have consecrated the land of Shinehah (Kirtland), in mine own due time,” said the Lord, “for the benefit of the Saints of the Most High, and for a stake of Zion. For Zion must increase in beauty, and in holiness; her borders must be enlarged; her stakes must be strengthened; yea, verily I say unto you, Zion must arise and put on her beautiful garments. Therefore I give unto you this commandment, that ye bind yourselves by this covenant, and it shall be done according to the laws of the Lord.”Return to KirtlandJoseph and the brethren visited the Colesville Saints in Kaw township, who rejoiced greatly to see them. It was agreed in a council held on the first of May to print but three thousand copies of the Book of Commandments, and that the revelations should be reviewed and prepared by Oliver Cowdery, William W. Phelps and John Whitmer; and that the hymns selected by Emma Smith be prepared for printing. After the transaction of other necessary business, Joseph Smith and his companions, Rigdon and Whitney, returned to Kirtland. On this journey Joseph was poisoned and Bishop Whitney met with an accident breaking his leg and foot in several places; both were healed by the power of the Lord.Notes1.The term “Stake of Zion,” which was first used in a revelation given in November, 1831 (Sec. 68) is a comparison to the stakes which bind a tent. Isaiah says: “Look upon Zion, the city of our solemnities; thine eyes shall see Jerusalem a quiet habitation, a tabernacle that shall not be taken down; not one of the stakes thereof shall ever be removed, neither shall any of the cords thereof be broken” (Ch. 33:20). Again: “Enlarge the place of thy tent and let them stretch forth the curtains” of thine habitations: spare not, lengthen thy cords, and strengthen thy stakes.” (Ch. 54:2)Zion is the tent, the settlements surrounding her, are the cords and stakes. It is as improper to speak of Zion in Missouri as the “center stake of Zion,” as it would be to call a tent a stake.

The Book of Commandments—The Vision of the Glories—The Hiram Mobbing

1831–1832

August 28, the day after the return of the brethren from Missouri, fell on Sunday. An inspirational meeting was held at which the brethren reported their labors. Among the business transacted was the ordination of Oliver Cowdery to the office of high priest “by the voice of the Church and the command of God, under the hand of Sidney Rigdon,” says the record. Oliver Cowdery was in Missouri when the conference in June was held, at which the first high priests were ordained.

As the Saints were very anxious to know more in relation to Zion, the purchasing of lands there and their inheritances, the Prophet inquired of the Lord, and received a revelation (Doc. and Cov. Sec. 63) in which the difficulties and persecutions of the Saints in that land were fore-shadowed. Again the people were cautioned and reproved wherein they had not kept the commandments of the Lord. Among other things the Lord declared the following:

“And now, verily, I say unto you, that as I said that I would make known my will unto you, behold I will make it known unto you, not by the way of commandment, for there are many who observe not to keep my commandments; but unto him that keepeth my commandments, I will give the mysteries of my kingdom, and the same shall be in him a well of living water, springing up unto everlasting life. And now, behold, this is the will of the Lord your God concerning his Saints, that they should assemble themselves together unto the land of Zion, not in haste, lest there should be confusion, which bringeth pestilence. Behold, the land of Zion, I, the Lord, holdeth it in mine own hands; nevertheless, I, the Lord, render unto Caesar the things which are Caesar’s. Wherefore, I, the Lord, will that you should purchase the lands that you may have advantage of the world, that you may have claim on the world, that they may not be stirred up unto anger; for Satan putteth it into their hearts to anger against you, and to the shedding of blood. Wherefore the land of Zion shall not be obtained but by purchase or by blood, otherwise there is none inheritance for you. And if by purchase, behold you are blessed; and if by blood, as you are forbidden to shed blood, lo, your enemies are upon you, and ye shall be scourged from city to city, and from synagogue to synagogue, and but few shall stand to receive an inheritance. I, the Lord, am angry with the wicked; I am holding my Spirit from the inhabitants of the earth.”

In September Joseph Smith moved with his family to Hiram, in Portage County, Ohio, about thirty miles southeast of Kirtland, and commenced living at the home of John Johnson. About this time Ezra Booth left the Church. He had been ordained a high priest, and had taken the trip to Missouri, but had been rebellious. Before coming into the Church he was a Methodist priest; but through the performance of a miracle he was baptized, and from that time he desired to make men believe by the performance of miracles, even by smiting them, or with forcible means. After leaving the Church he wrote a number of articles against the truth which were afterwards published in an anti-“Mormon” book.

As Oliver Cowdery and William W. Phelps had been called to print and publish books and writings for the Church, it was necessary that a printing press be purchased. William W. Phelps was instructed, therefore, to call at Cincinnati on his return to Missouri, and purchase a press for this purpose. This press was to be taken to Independence, where they were to print a monthly paper to be called theEvening and Morning Star. This was the first publication in the Church.

While residing at Hiram, Joseph Smith was engaged in the revision of the Bible, which work was commenced in Fayette, but had been delayed by command of the Lord until this time because of other duties Sidney Rigdon, who also had located in Hiram, continued to write for him. In course of time the Prophet went through the Bible, topic by topic, revising as he was led by revelation. The work was never fully completed, for he had intended, while at Nauvoo, a number of years later, to finish the work, but was cut off by his enemies. Nevertheless, many plain and precious things were revealed which throw great light upon many subjects.

As Oliver Cowdery and John Whitmer were appointed to go to Missouri to attend to duties there, which had been assigned to them, a special conference was called for November 1, 1831, to consider such matters as might need attention before their departure.

At this special conference, which was held at Hiram, the matter of publishing the revelations and commandments given through Joseph Smith, was considered. This was the will of the Lord, for during that conference he gave the revelation—one of the most important in the Doctrine and Covenants—which he called “my preface unto the book of my commandments, which I have given them to publish unto you, O inhabitants of the earth” (Doc. and Cov. Sec. 1). These inhabitants were commanded, as well as were the Saints, to “search these commandments, for they are true and faithful, and the prophecies and promises which are in them shall all be fulfilled.” The Lord was willing, “to make these things known unto all flesh, for I am no respecter of persons,” he said, “and will that all men shall know that the day speedily cometh; the hour is not yet, but is nigh at hand, when peace shall be taken from the earth, and the devil shall have power over his own dominion; and also the Lord shall have power over his Saints, and shall reign in their midst, and shall come down in judgment upon Idumea, or the world.”

It was decided that an edition of ten thousand copies of the Book of Commandments should be published. However, at a later date (May 1, 1832) this was changed to three thousand copies. Joseph Smith addressed the elders and said, inasmuch as the Lord had bestowed a great blessing upon them in giving commandments and revelations, he would ask the conference what testimony they were willing to give regarding these commandments which should shortly be sent to the world. After the reading of the Lord’s preface, a number of the brethren arose and bore witness to the truth of the revelations, which were to be published in the Book of Commandments. The conference lasted two days and much other business was transacted.

Not all of those present at the conference fully endorsed these revelations; there was one at least, who questioned their language. This was William E. McLellin, who had but recently joined the Church. The Prophet thereupon received a commandment from the Lord (Doc. and Cov. Sec. 67) in which he was directed to invite the “most wise among you” to choose out of the revelations the least, and attempt to make one like unto it; and if this “wise” individual could duplicate the least of the revelations, then the elders might be justified in saying they did not “know that they are true.” If this proved to be a failure, then they would be “under condemnation” if they did not bear record that they are true.

William E. McLellin, as the wisest man, accepted the challenge from the Lord. His attempt was a humiliating failure, to the convincing of the elders present, who unitedly signified their willingness to bear testimony to all the world, of the truth of the revelations given to Joseph Smith.

At the conclusion of this conference the Lord gave another commandment (Doc. and Cov. Sec. 68) for the benefit of Orson Hyde, Luke Johnson, Lyman E. Johnson and William E. McLellin, who had inquired concerning themselves. In addition to the advice and commandments given to these men there was much counsel and commandment for the inhabitants in Zion, for there were idlers among them, the Lord declared, and they were to keep the Sabbath day, to remember their prayers, to teach their children the principles of the Gospel and have them baptized when eight years old, for these things they were failing to do; therefore the Lord was not pleased with them. Instructions were also given regarding the Priesthood and its powers, for the guidance of the Church. This information Oliver Cowdery was to carry on his return to Zion.

On the 3rd of November, the Lord gave the great revelation known as the Appendix, to the Book of Commandments, which appears as Section 133 in the book of Doctrine and Covenants.

It was decided that Oliver Cowdery should carry the revelations to Missouri, where they should be printed. Joseph Smith was therefore kept busy during the days intervening, as Oliver expected to leave about the 15th of November. The Prophet writes: “My time was occupied closely in reviewing the commandments and sitting in conference, for nearly two weeks; for from the first to the twelfth of November, we held four special conferences.”

At the last of these conferences, held in Hiram, at the home of John Johnson, the members voted, after deliberate consideration of the revelations, “that they prize the revelations to be worth to the Church the riches of the whole earth, speaking temporally.” The benefits to the Church and to the world, which come from the Book of Mormon and the revelations to Joseph Smith, were also considered, and the expression of the conference was to the effect that the infinite wisdom of the Lord, in granting for their salvation and the salvation of the world, these sacred things, should be fully appreciated.

It was voted that Joseph Smith be appointed to dedicate and consecrate these brethren, Oliver Cowdery and John Whitmer, and the sacred writings entrusted to their care, to the Lord. Moreover, it was also voted that, in consequence of the diligence of Joseph Smith, Oliver Cowdery, John Whitmer and Sidney Rigdon, “in bringing to light, by the grace of God, these sacred things, they be appointed to manage them according to the laws of the Church, and that their families as well as the families of Hyrum Smith, Christian Whitmer, Peter Whitmer, Jacob Whitmer, Hiram Page and David Whitmer, also Samuel Smith, William Smith and Don Carlos Smith, be remembered to the bishop of Zion as worthy of inheritances in the land of Zion.” In accord with this motion regarding the dedication of the revelations and those who should carry them, this action was taken at this time by Joseph Smith. Shortly after this conference, Oliver Cowdery and John Whitmer departed on their journey.

On the 1st of December, Joseph Smith and Sidney Rigdon were commanded to take “a mission for a season” and call upon the inhabitants of the earth, and, said the Lord, “confound your enemies; call upon them to meet you, both in public and in private; and inasmuch as ye are faithful, their shame shall be made manifest. Wherefore let them bring forth their strong reason against the Lord.” The reason for this commandment was due to the activities of the apostate Ezra Booth, who was publishing in Ravenna, Ohio, many falsehoods against the Church. According to this call Joseph Smith and Sidney Rigdon left on the 3rd of December for Kirtland, to fulfil this revelation. For some time they spoke in Kirtland, Shalersville, Ravenna, and other places, vindicating the cause and confounding their enemies. They were blessed with the Spirit of the Lord, and witnessed the fulfilment of the promises made to them; for they were able to allay much of the excitement and change false impressions which had grown out of scandalous articles in the“Ohio Star”at Ravenna.

On the 15th day of January, 1832, a conference was held at Amherst, Loraine County, Ohio. At this conference much business was transacted in harmony and in the spirit of fellowship. Joseph Smith was sustained as President of the High Priesthood. The revelation known as Section 75 in the Doctrine and Covenants was also given in which a number of elders were called to take missions, two by two, in several directions throughout the land.

At the close of this conference, Joseph Smith and Sidney Rigdon again took up their work of revising the scriptures. While doing so, “it appeared self-evident,” they declared, “from what truths were left, that if God rewarded every one according to the deeds done in the body, the term ‘Heaven’ is intended for the Saints’ eternal home, must include more kingdoms than one.” Accordingly on the 16th of February, 1832, while revising St. John’s Gospel, and in answer to their prayer, they saw the heavens opened and beheld the Father and the Son. The account of this vision, as it is given in Section 76 of the Doctrine and Covenants, is one of the choicest bits of literature, and one of the greatest revelations ever given to man. It throws a flood of light upon eternity and the destiny of the human race and teaches the mercy of a loving Father, who saves all the workmanship of his hands, save it be the sons of perdition, who sin against the light and crucify their Redeemer again unto themselves. That every man shall be rewarded according to his works, and that a place has been prepared for each individual somewhere in the mansion of the Father, after he is purged from sin, is a glorious and merciful provision in the plan of salvation, which this vision declares, as it was provided before the world began. It would be folly to attempt to comment on this most wonderful revelation of the power and loving kindness of the Lord, which the words of man cannot adequately express.

The words of Joseph Smith pertaining to this opening of the heavens, are well expressed. “Nothing,” he has written, “could be more pleasing to the Saints upon the order of the kingdom of the Lord, than the light which burst upon the world through the foregoing vision. Every law, every commandment, every promise, every truth, and every point touching the destiny of man, from Genesis to Revelation, where the purity of the scriptures remains unsullied by the folly of men, go to show the perfection of the theory [of different degrees of glory in the future life] and witness the fact that that document is a transcript from the records of the eternal world. The sublimity of the ideas; the purity of the language; the scope for action; the continued duration for completion, in order that the heirs of salvation may confess the Lord and bow the knee; the rewards for faithfulness, and the punishments for sins, are so much beyond the narrow-mindedness of men, that every honest man is constrained to exclaim: “It came from God!” Joseph Smith or any other man guided by the inspiration of man’s power could not have written it.

Before going to Hiram, Ohio, to live, Joseph Smith and his wife adopted two children (twins) of Elder John Murdock’s. Their mother died at their birth, and Emma Smith, having lost twins of her own which were born the same day, took the Murdock twins to raise. In March, 1832, when these children were about eleven months old, they took the measles, and their care caused both the Prophet and his wife to lose much rest. On the night of the 24th, after the family had retired, a mob surrounded the house, broke open the door and dragged the Prophet into the open. On the way he managed to get one foot loose with which he kicked one of the ruffians and knocked him down. At this, with blasphemous oath, the fiends swore they would kill the Prophet if he made further resistance. They then choked him until he was unconscious. When he came too, he discovered Sidney Rigdon, whom they had also taken from his home and dragged by his heels so that his head struck at every step on the frozen earth. He was unconscious on the ground. About sixty rods from the house the mob held a council to decide what further action they might take. Some were ready to kill the Prophet, but returning to him they attempted to force a vial of acid in his mouth, but the vial was broken against his teeth. An attempt was also made to fill his mouth with tar; failing in this they tore from him his clothes, and applied the tar with feathers to his body. After shamefully beating him they left him helpless on the ground. Joseph attempted to rise, but fell to the ground again. After a while he began to recover his strength, and made his way with difficulty to his home.

Sidney received similar treatment, which left him delirious for several days. The Prophet’s friends spent the night cleaning the tar from his body, and the following day, it being the Sabbath, he met with the people at the regular hour, and addressed them. Several of the members of the mob were present, including Simonds Ryder, an apostate, and leader of the mob; a Mr. McClentic and Felatiah Allen, who had provided the mob with a barrel of whisky to raise their spirits and make them “brave” to do the deed. During the mobbing one of the twins became exposed, contracted a severe cold, and a few days later, died.

The first of April, Joseph Smith, with Newel K. Whitney and Jesse Gause, left for Missouri to fulfil the provisions of a revelation (Doc. and Cov. Sec. 78) in respect to regulating and establishing the affairs of the store house for the poor, and the consecration of properties. They were later joined by Sidney Rigdon. On the way they purchased paper, at Wheeling, Virginia, for the press in Zion, and arrived in Independence on the 24th of April. Two days later at a general council of the Church, Joseph Smith was acknowledged by the Saints in Zion as President of the High Priesthood, ratifying the action of the Amherst conference, held January 25, 1832.

During this conference a revelation was given commanding the elders to bind themselves in a covenant of consecration, which could not be broken. Kirtland was to become a “stake of Zion.”1“For I have consecrated the land of Shinehah (Kirtland), in mine own due time,” said the Lord, “for the benefit of the Saints of the Most High, and for a stake of Zion. For Zion must increase in beauty, and in holiness; her borders must be enlarged; her stakes must be strengthened; yea, verily I say unto you, Zion must arise and put on her beautiful garments. Therefore I give unto you this commandment, that ye bind yourselves by this covenant, and it shall be done according to the laws of the Lord.”

Joseph and the brethren visited the Colesville Saints in Kaw township, who rejoiced greatly to see them. It was agreed in a council held on the first of May to print but three thousand copies of the Book of Commandments, and that the revelations should be reviewed and prepared by Oliver Cowdery, William W. Phelps and John Whitmer; and that the hymns selected by Emma Smith be prepared for printing. After the transaction of other necessary business, Joseph Smith and his companions, Rigdon and Whitney, returned to Kirtland. On this journey Joseph was poisoned and Bishop Whitney met with an accident breaking his leg and foot in several places; both were healed by the power of the Lord.

1.The term “Stake of Zion,” which was first used in a revelation given in November, 1831 (Sec. 68) is a comparison to the stakes which bind a tent. Isaiah says: “Look upon Zion, the city of our solemnities; thine eyes shall see Jerusalem a quiet habitation, a tabernacle that shall not be taken down; not one of the stakes thereof shall ever be removed, neither shall any of the cords thereof be broken” (Ch. 33:20). Again: “Enlarge the place of thy tent and let them stretch forth the curtains” of thine habitations: spare not, lengthen thy cords, and strengthen thy stakes.” (Ch. 54:2)Zion is the tent, the settlements surrounding her, are the cords and stakes. It is as improper to speak of Zion in Missouri as the “center stake of Zion,” as it would be to call a tent a stake.

Zion is the tent, the settlements surrounding her, are the cords and stakes. It is as improper to speak of Zion in Missouri as the “center stake of Zion,” as it would be to call a tent a stake.

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