597 B.C. Siege of Jerusalem – Nebuchadnezzar, King of Babylon, installs Zedekiah as puppet king. 2 Kings 24:14 “None remained except the poorest people of the land.”

587 B.C. Second siege of Jerusalem, city and Solomon’s Temple destroyed

1611 King James Bible published.

1775 History of the American Indians, James Adair published. Provides 23 arguments that Indians are descendants of Hebrews, tells of buried plates (5 copper and 2 brass) kept by Indians.

1778 Emanuel Swedenborg’s book Heaven and Hell first translated into English.

1784 John Glen, sailing from London, brings Emanuel Swedenborg ‘s popular work, Heaven and Hell to the U.S., lecturing and promoting the book.

1785 Solomon Spalding graduates from Dartmouth.

1786 Ethan Smith (reportedly a Seminary classmate of Solomon Spalding) enters Dartmouth

1789 Emanuel Swedenborg reading groups form in New York, Boston, Ohio and many other Northeastern states, as his philosophical works become more widely known.

1792-1831 Martin Harris (a farmer) in Palmyra, N.Y. knew Joseph Smith Sr. and often hired him as a farm hand.

1796 First elephant arrives in America on Captain Jacob Crowninshield’s boat from India.

1802 President Thomas Jefferson and 100 members of Congress hear Baltimore minister John Hargrove speak on Emanuel Swedenborg’s work.

Spring 1803 Joseph Sr. invests in ginseng, defrauded, loses everything, sells farm to cover debt.

1804 Thomas Jefferson reelected President – U.S. population 6 million.

Nov 7 1805 Lewis and Clark first glimpse Pacific Ocean.

Dec 23 1805 Joseph Smith Jr. born in Sharon, VT.

Oct 3 1806 Oliver Cowdery (third cousin of Joseph Smith) born in Wells, VT.

Oct 15 1807 Joseph Sr. petitions Vermont for military exemption, citing poverty. (To the Honorable General Assembly, Oct 15, 1807)

1811 Solomon Mack, Joseph Smith’s grandfather publishes his war/sailing adventures.

1811 Hyrum Smith, Joseph’s older brother, enters Moor’s Academy, a Dartmouth prep school.

1811 Lucy Mack Smith reported that Joseph Smith Sr. had the tree of life dream.

June 18 1812 President James Madison declares war against Great Britain.

1812-1814 Solomon Spalding brings Manuscript Found to printers Patterson & J. Harrison Lambdin.

1812 Napoleon invades Russia, suffers massive losses, retreat as winter sets in.

1812 Emanuel Swedenborg ‘s Heaven and Hell published in U.S. His philosophies elaborate upon “Three heavens…distinct from each other,” Highest heaven is “the Celestial Kingdom,” degrees correspond to sun, moon and stars.

1813 Joseph Smith endures painful leg operation.

May 1814 Joseph Sr. too poor to be levied poll tax, could not vote.

April 5 1815 Mount Tambora – largest eruption in recorded history, reducing global temperatures.

June 18 1815 Napoleon crushed by British at Waterloo, exiled for final time.

March 1816 Joseph Sr. relates one of several prominent visionary dreams. (Lucy’s Book 266, 319)

March 25 1816 Smith family receives “warning out” of community notice from Constable. (Norwich town records, Vogel, Early Mormon Documents)

June 1816 Smith family crops ruined by record cold summer.

1816 Smith family moves to Palmyra, NY – “The Burned-Over District” known for extreme evangelical fervor. Unpaid creditors seize most of their funds.

1816 Elias Smith published his vision.

1816 The Late War published in New York, becomes required reading in schools.

1817 Religious revival occurs in Palmyra area.

1817 Governor of N.Y. describes mounds around state containing “piles of skeletons.” (see Natural Born Seer p. 376)

July 4 1817 Erie Canal construction begins, largest economic project in the region.

Jan 21 1818 Palmyra Register publishes article speculating of battles and burial mounds in area.

May 7 1818 Joseph Smith Sr. raised to Master Freemason in Ontario Lodge #23 in Canandaigua, NY.

May 26 1819 Palmyra Register publishes speculation “this country was once inhabited by a race of people, partially civilized, exterminated by forefathers of the…tribes of Indians in this country.”

Aug 1819 Jeremiah Hurlburt sues Joseph Smith Sr., includes “damage for not working land according to agreement.” (Ontario County Record Center)

Sept 1819 Smith as a teenager obtains three different seer stones, his first being a whitish, opaque stone, located using Sally chase’s green stone. (see Magical World View p.42)

Spring (date unknown) 1820 Smith experiences the First Vision. Not a single document, family member, friend or foe has ever substantiated this event – nobody heard of it until many years later. Persecution stemmed solely from the Smith family’s money digging activities and unresolved debts.

1820 Compilation of Samuel Mitchill’s speculations on origins of indigenous peoples published. Mitchill theorized that a white race met a dark race in bloody conflicts in upstate NY.

1820 Smith family earns money selling cakes and beer from handcart at regional fairs.

1821 Smith used his whitish seer stone on treasure hunts, sometimes with his brothers. (see Magical World View p. 50)

1821 Charles Finney records his vision.

1821 Smith was “very passable exhorter” at Methodist camp meetings, revivals. (Turner, History of the Pioneer Settlement of Phelps & Gorham’s Purchase, 214)

1822 Smith finds brown seer stone while treasure digging (later said to be a well) on Willard Chase property.

~1822 Antionio Lebolo discovers eleven mummies and several Papyri in Thebes, Egypt. (Egyptian hieroglyphics remain unreadable at this time)

1822 Peter Ingersoll, Smith family neighbor at the time, later stated “general employment of the family was digging for money.” 72 others made corroborating affidavits. (Peter Ingersoll, Affidavit, Dec 2, 1833)

July 2 1822 The land agent, Zechariah Seymour, to whom the Smith’s owe mortgage payments, dies.

1822 Smith served as treasure seer for Oliver Harper, whose partners included Josiah Stowell. (see Magical World View p. 56)

Aug 1 1822 Final payment due on Smith farm.

Nov 1822 Smiths build framed home with mortgage money, failing to pay land owner.

1822-1844 Sidney Rigdon shows Spalding manuscript to John Winters [per Winters].

1823 View of the Hebrews, Ethan Smith published.

1823 There were two bookstores in Palmyra, plus a public library, despite population of farmers and unskilled labor. (see Early Mormonism and the Magic World View p. 179-183)

April 15 1823 Ontario (New York) Repository publishes story of Colonel Abraham Edwards’s discovery of ancient manuscript, nobody could decipher the hieroglyphics, receives prominent press.

May 16 1823 Detroit Gazette publishes article about same ancient manuscript.

Sept 21 1823 Joseph Smith (17) tells of Moroni visit and of the existence of gold plates. Later, he writes of instructions to wait four years.

Sept 22 1823 Smith tells of attempt to retrieve plates, denied, struck by toad-like creature, instructed to bring older brother Alvin next year. (Benjamin Saunders)

Fall 1823 This is the year and time Lucy Smith (Joseph’s mother) later stated Joseph’s first vision occurred (Lucy’s Book p. 335)

Nov 19 1823 Smith’s eldest brother Alvin dies, primary family breadwinner, additional financial strain on Smith family, posing problem for Angel’s command to bring Alvin.

March 13 1824 Large revivals in Palmyra area – Lucy Mack Smith, Hyrum, Sophronia and Harrison join Presbyterians.

1824 Popular history of New York published, relating tradition of Seneca Indians, highly civilized white race totally destroyed, built fortifications against savage red Indians.” (History of State of NY Including its Aboriginal and Colonial Annals, p.40)

May 1824 John Greenwood, New York lawyer, received power of attorney over Smith’s farm, 18 months overdue mortgage payment. Note deferred until Dec 25, 1825.

Sept 1824 Alvin Smith’s grave disturbed.

Sept 22 1824 Smith tells of second attempt to get plates from Hill Cumorah, again denied.

Sept 29 1824 Joseph Sr. publishes announcement in local newspaper, Wayne Sentinel, denying rumors that Alvin’s body has been disinterred.

Feb 18 1825 Russell Stoddard, carpenter on Smith home, sues Joseph Sr. for $66.59.

1825 Hyrum Smith joined Masons.

Summer 1825 Josiah Stowell searches with seeress Odle for lost Spanish mine in Pennsylvania. (Mormon History, Joseph and Heil Lewis)

1825 View of the Hebrews reprinted.

1825 Joseph Smith gets a brown seer stone from the well of Willard Chase, neighbor.

Fall 1825 Joseph, with Samuel Lawrence, mutually envision plates with their seer stones, introducing notion of spectacles accompanying plates.

Oct 11 1825 The Wayne Sentinel, Smith’s hometown newspaper, publishes article describing how Indians are “lineal descendants of the Israelites.“

October 1825 Both Joseph Sr. and Jr. accompany Josiah Stowell to South Bainbridge to search for buried treasure.

Nov 1 1825 Joseph Smith, Isaac Hale, Josiah Stowell and others sign Articles of Agreement for dividing anticipated proceeds from renewed treasure quest. (Articles of Agreement, reprinted in Kirkham, New Witness for Christ in America)

Nov 17 1825 Joseph Sr. and Jr. and Stowell find no treasure, Smith “said the enchantment was so powerful that he could not see” with his stone,” relocate to another Stowell property along the Susquehanna river. (see Early Mormonism and the Magic World View, p. 55)

Nov 1825 Isaac Hale’s affidavit identifies this as the month he met Joseph in the money digging business.

1825 Sidney Rigdon experiences falling out with Alexander Campbell.

Nov – Mar 1825-1826 Smith lives at Josiah Stowell’s in Bainbridge, NY, while working for him as a treasure hunter.

Dec 20 1825 Smith family fails to pay mortgage, lose their land and house, while both Joseph Sr. and Jr. dig for money with Stowell.

1826 There were at least 23 libraries surrounding Manchester/Palmyra.

1826 Journalist William Morgan disappears, presumably murdered for preparing anti-Mason expose.

1826 American Temperance Society forms in U.S.

March 20 1826 Relative of Josiah Stowell files complaint against Smith, who is arrested for money digging fraud. Justice Albert Neely conducts the “glass looker” trial.

Jan 17 1827 Joseph elopes with Emma Hale against her father’s wishes, after using seer stone to confirm she is the one.

Jan 18 1827 Joseph and Emma marry.

Fall 1827 Joseph and father work on money digging project. (Martin Harris, Lorenzo Saunders Interview 1884)

Sept 18 1827 Smith family purchases lamp black paint from Dr. Gain Robinson’s Palmyra store – used to paint objects black for use in treasure seeking rituals. (Gain Robinson Store day book)

Sept 21 1827 Joseph sends Smith Sr. to keep eye on Samuel Lawrence, a treasure digging partner, to ensure he didn’t search for treasure on Hill Cumorah that night. (Saints: The Standard of Truth 1815-1846,’ 1:4:37)

Sept 22 1827 At midnight, Smith goes to Cumorah and received gold plates – this day was both the autumnal equinox and new moon, strong astrological alignment. New moon was in second day – as published in Book of Fate and folklore manuals. Smith family parchments and dagger align with favorable planetary powers of this date. (see Early Mormonism and the Magic World View p. 167)

Fall 1827 Smith describes running for 3 miles while carrying extremely heavy gold plates, while fighting off three attackers. (Lucy Mack Smith)

December 1827 Joseph and Emma move to Harmony to live with her parents. Penniless, earning little money treasure digging, he borrows $50 from Martin Harris.

1828 Palmyra newspapers print anti-Masonic articles describing “secret combination”, referring to “its secret and cut-throat oaths.”

February 1828 Martin Harris travels to NY City, carrying transcribed symbols from plates, to find Mitchill in hopes of verifying authenticity. Mitchell could not decode, drafted introductory note to Charles Anthon.

February 1828 Anthon declares the characters “imitation of various alphabetic characters, no meaning with them…” Harris departs convinced Smith is smarter than Anthon. Anthon remained consistent his entire life refuting JS and Harris account. (Anthon to Coit, Apr 3, 1841)

Spring 1828 Isaac Hale wants son-in-law Joseph out of money digging business, extends him credit for farmland on his property.

April 12 1828 Martin Harris heads for Harmony, becomes scribe.

June 15 1828 Emma delivers son, dies within day.

~June 25 1828 Joseph and Emma, along with many of her kin, seek consolation, affiliate with Methodists.

June 28 – July 1828 Emma’s cousin Joshua McKune and another accost Smith, “such a character as he was a disgrace to the church.” Force him to either make public confession, renounce fraudulent practices or withdraw from church. Smith withdraws from Methodists.

July 1828 Martin Harris loses 116 pages of manuscript.

July 1828 Smith reveals D&C 3, loses ability to translate for a season.

Aug 1828 Oliver Cowdery, second cousin to Lucy Smith, hired as school teacher, boards at Joseph Sr. home.

Aug 1828 Smith reveals D&C 10, solving the problem of the 116 pages – numerous problems with this story.

Sept 22 1828 Plates and interpreters apparently returned to Smith, though he never uses them.

March 1829 Martin Harris asks Smith for “greater witness.” Smith instructs Harris to follow his tracks into snowy woods where he had buried the plates. Harris never locates any plates. (Affidavit of Isaac Hale / see also Natural Born Seer p. 332)

March 1829 Smith reveals Book of Commandments 4:2 “he shall pretend to no other gift, for I will grant him no other gift.” Joseph’s role, clearly defined in canonized scripture, would be significantly altered and expanded in 1835 D&C 5:4.

April 1829 Oliver Cowdery becomes Smith’s scribe. Oliver is Smith’s distant cousin.

April 1829 Smith provides Oliver with D&C 8 blessing, originally identifying his gift as “gift of working with the sprout” (divining rod), later altered to “gift of working with the rod”, then altered to “gift of Aaron”.

May 1829 Smith and Cowdery relocate to Whitmer farm in N.Y., at Whitmer’s expense.

May 1829 Oliver attempts to translate but sees nothing but blackness in the rock. He “could have translated…it is not expedient now” reveals Smith in D&C 9.

May 1829 Martin Harris hears progress report, wants to visit Smith. Lucy Harris gathers affidavits from neighborhood, files complaint before magistrate. Martin testifies he believes Smith has powers, judges tosses them all out.

May 15 1829 John the Baptist visits, without mention or record anywhere until several years later.

May 16-28 (date unknown) 1829 Peter, James, John appear possibly within this 13-day period, also without mention or record anywhere until several years later. The Church remains unaware of location or date.

Late May 1829 Smith and Oliver relocate to Whitmer farm in NY, at Whitmer’s expense. Witnesses to the translation process, confirm no plates or breastplate were present – Smith stared into his hat for entire project.

June 1 1829 Smith and Oliver resume work on the book.

June 11 1829 Smith applies for Book of Mormon copyright.

June 1829 As the Book nears completion, Smith family writes many letters to family members promoting the “marvelous work”, yet not one mentions a vision or visitation from God.

June 16 1829 E.B. Grandin’s Wayne Sentinel newspaper publishes Book of Mormon title page, a requirement for copyright, along with derisive commentary about the project.

June 17 1829 Hyrum Smith receives response from Uncle Jesse Smith, angry at attempts to promote Smith, accusing him of “making lead books…deception…shielded by your ignorance.” (Natural Born Seer p. 362)

June 26 1829 E.B. Grandin declares “most people entertain an idea that the whole matter is the result of a gross imposition, and a grosser superstition.”

June 28 1829 Smith, Cowdery, Whitmer, Harris go into the woods, pray to receive spiritual vision of the plates. Whitmer later describes “a table with many records on it, plates, sword of Laban, directors and interpreters, heard voice. (Whitmer, Sept 7-8, 1878)

June 1829 Book of Mormon finished.

July 2 1829 8 additional witnesses vision plates after praying for hours while admonished by Smith to repent. Versions differ if in grove, in home, plates in box, no angel.

July-Aug 1829 Negotiations with printer continue. Grandin does not trust the Smiths to pay him, will not extend credit or begin work without securing collateral.

Aug 11-25 1829 Unable to pay any portion of the printing costs or secure credit, Smith delivers chastising D&C 19 revelation to Martin Harris – “eternal, endless God’s punishment, repent, smite, wrath, anger, suffering, not covet thine own property, impart freely.”

Aug 25 1829 Martin Harris mortgages his land to E. B. Grandin for $3,000 to pay for Book printing, repayment due within 18 months. (Martin Harris to E.B. Grandin, Indenture, Aug 25, 1829, Wayne Co., NY, Mortgage Records, 3:325–26, Family History Library)

Winter 1829 Smith received revelation via his seer stone to sell Book of Mormon copyright. When the effort failed, Smith declared the revelation not of God.

Jan 16 1830 Smith signs agreement granting Martin Harris and friends equal right to sell books “until enough of them shall be sold to pay for the printing.”

March 1830 Martin Harris “gave up his entire time to advertising the book” for $1.75, soon reduced to $1.25. Book does not sell, most 5,000 copies remain in storage.

March 29 1830 Presbyterian church suspends Lucy, Hyrum and Samuel Smith.

April 6 1830 Church of Christ organized in Manchester, not Fayette.

April 7 1830 Hyrum Smith signs promissory note to shoe his horse.

May 7 1830 Collection order issued against Joseph Smith Sr. for $37.50, Constable Sylvester Southworth.

May 26 1830 Congress passes Indian Removal Act, forcing Indians west of Mississippi. Mormons view displacement as “God’s work”, fulfilling prophecy of a literal gathering.

June 1 1830 First proselytizing mission directed toward Native Americans. Mission fails to convince Indians, but converts Sidney Rigdon and Frederick Williams.

June 9 1830 First church conference. Smith casts devil out of Newel Knight, who then sees vision of God.

June 28 1830 Smith arrested.

June 29 1830 Smith trial for disorderly conduct begins, extends to July 3, Smith leaves town that night.

July 4 1830 Smith and Emma arrived home in Harmony.

Early July 1830 Smith and Oliver return to Knight home, chased out of town, travel through night, arrive back in Harmony next morning. NOTE: this is the night Richard Bushman suggests Peter, James, John may have visited.

July 1830 Smith reveals D&C 24 enhancing his position as called and chosen, chastises members to “support him under threat of God’s curse” in exchange for spiritual and temporal blessings, labor not his calling.

July 1830 Smith reveals D&C 25 instructing Emma not to “fear for livelihood” as Joseph will support her “from the church.” The LDS Church later altered this revelation to read “in the church” to soften the original economic meaning.

Aug 1830 Sidney Rigdon has a doctrinal falling out with Alexander Campbell over importance of spiritual gifts and communal property. (see My Doctrine p. 385)

Aug 25 1830 Pressed by Isaac Hale’s annoyance at Joseph and daughter living off sweat of others’ brows, Smith makes a payment for Isaac’s land using borrowed money. Church becomes his sole livelihood for the remainder of his life.

Aug 1830 The Church claims D&C 27 was received this month, yet this mundane revelation about sacrament wine contained no mention of Peter, James, John or priesthood authority when originally published in 1833. Someone inserted all the text dealing with priesthood authority, hundreds of words, at a later date. (See Priesthood Restoration section)

Sept 1830 Hale family fed up with Joseph, no longer offers protection, Smith summons benefactor Newell Knight to transport him and Emma to Fayette to Whitmer home. Emma never sees her home again.

Sept 1830 Hiram Page (married to Catherine Whitmer), supported by Cowdery and Whitmers, uses black seer stone to dictate 16 pages of revelations about Zion.

Sept 1830 Smith reveals D&C 28, only he may receive commandments and revelations, as he is like Moses, do not command Joseph who is at the head of the Church, he is appointed to preside, Zion will be on borders by the Lamanites, sends Oliver packing on mission. Mormon eyes turn westward.

Oct 1830 Four months before the payment from Harris was due, disbelieving he would be paid, Grandin assigns the mortgage to Thomas Rogers for $2,000.

Oct 1830 First missionaries Cowdery, Peter Whitmer Jr., Parley Pratt, Ziba Peterson prioritize taking Book of Mormon story to Indians (specifically called Lamanites) in Ohio and Missouri. Church of Christ numbers about 60 people.

Oct 28 1830 Cowdery and Pratt meet Sidney Rigdon, Reformed Baptist minister Pratt had known for years.

Oct 26 1830 Constable Nathan Harrington attempts to serve warrant on Hyrum, farrier still unpaid from April, Hyrum flees the county to avoid creditors. Joseph Sr. sentenced to 30 days in debtors’ prison. Smith later recounts “I brought salvation to my father’s house…when they were in a miserable situation.”

Oct-Nov 1830 Sidney Rigdon baptized, recruits over 100 members of his Kirtland congregation and common stock community.

Nov 4 1830 Smith used the white stone to dictate a revelation (D&C 34) for Orson Pratt.

Nov 16 1830 Missionaries depart Ohio for region past Mississippi, seeking Indian converts.

Nov 4 1830 Smith discontinues use of seer stones in dictating revelations, begins offering revelations as they occur to him.

Oct 6 1830 Kirtland chapter of Temperance Society formed, 239 members, before Mormons arrived from NY.

1830 A key summary of the Church is written, yet contains no mention of first vision, visitations, angels or restored authority.

Nov 1830 Samuel Smith returns home from selling books, frees Smith Sr. from prison, moves poverty stricken parents to New York.

Dec 2 1830 Joseph writes his brother, Hyrum. warning to “beware of the freemasons…who care more for his body than the debt…heard were in Manchester, got a warrant.” (see Natural Born Seer p. 457)

Mid Dec 1830 Sidney Rigdon and Edward Partridge (a Rigdon parishioner) travel to NY to meet Smith. They remain unaware of treasure digging, Smith Sr. incarceration or creditors pursuing family.

Dec 7 1830 Smith provides D&C 35 revelation to Sidney Rigdon to prepare for greater work.

Dec 24 1830 Rigdon and Smith preach in Canandaigua, meet William Wines (W.W.) Phelps. Rigdon persuades Smith to relocate to Ohio where he maintains a communitarian, sharing all things in common, many wealthy members.

Jan 2 1831 Church’s third conference, in Whitmer home in Fayette. Smith reveals D&C 37, commands followers to relocate to Ohio. Original speech includes assurances of “greater riches…land of promise…shall be endowed with power from on high.” Followers begin selling property.

Feb 1 1831 Rigdon catches stagecoach for Kirtland. The Palmyra Reflector reported “…whole family will follow Rigdon, as soon as their deluded followers shall be able to dispose of what little real property they possess.”

Feb 1831 Smith delivers revelation (Book of Commandments 44: 26) to consecrate “all thy properties” to the church.

March 3 1831 Smith again writes Hyrum, warning him that creditors were again pursuing Smith Sr. for unpaid debts. “Come to Fayette, bring father, do not go through Buffalo for they lie in wait for you.” (Jessee, The Personal Writings of Joseph Smith)

April 1 1831 With Martin’s mortgage two months overdue and foreclosed, Tomas Rogers sells the Harris farm to Thomas Lakey for $3,000. Contrary to Martin’s statement decades later, the Smiths never repaid any portion of the obligation.

1831 Smith told 12 year old Mary Elizabeth Rollins that God told him she was to be his first plural wife. They later married when she was 23 and already married to Adam Lightner.

June 3 1831 General Conference notes state “Joseph Smith Jr. & Sidney Rigdon were ordained to the High Priesthood under the hand of br. Lyman Wright.” Years later, History of the Church, 1:175-76 recorded “The authority of the Melchizedek Priesthood was manifested and conferred for the first time upon several of the Elders.” This is first time the word “priesthood” is referenced within church. Recognizing the problem, B.H.Roberts, as church historian, inserted footnote denying the text.

July 17 1831 Smith reveals that already married Mormon men should intermarry Lamanite women (W.W. Phelps records).

July 20 1831 Independence, MO is selected for the city of Zion, a literal gathering in “New Jerusalem.”

Aug 12 1831 Joseph delivers D&C 61 revelation, that “Satan controls the waters.”

Nov 1831 D&C 68:15 received, refers to Melchizedek Priesthood, yet original 1831 text does not contain the priesthood phrase, it was added in 1835.

Dec 1831 Oliver Cowdery marries.

March 1 1832 Smith delivers D&C 78 establishing United Order, aggressively solicits communal property donations.

March 8 1832 Sidney Rigdon and Jesse Gause named to First Presidency, both experienced with communal consecration.

March 15 1832 Smith receives D&C 81 revelation for Jesse Gause, later crossed out, altered in D&C to Frederick Williams. Not corrected until 1980’s when historians pressed the issue.

March 24 1832 Smith tared and feathered, almost castrated (disputed), upon accusation of his intimacy with 16 year old Nancy Marinda Johnson while staying in their home. See April 1842 – Smith marries this very same Nancy, after sending her husband Orson Hyde on mission to Jerusalem.

1832 First vision draft, hand written (mostly) in Smith’s own hand – Letterbook 1 journal. He does not tell anyone (other than scribe Frederick Williams) of this journal or angelic visitation. Public remained unaware of this journal until 1965 – published by Tanners despite official Church efforts to withhold information.

June 1832 The Evening and The Morning Star, church’s first periodical, publishes numerous revelations – yet still ZERO mention of first vision, Peter, James, John.

July 1832 W.W. Phelps speculates in The Evening and Morning Star that the Nephite interpreters may be the Urim & Thummim mentioned in the Bible. This is the first reference to Urum & Thummim in Mormonism.

July 5 1832 Sidney Rigdon tries to seize control of Church, disfellowshipped for a few weeks.

Aug 10 1832 Orson Hyde is quoted in Boston Investigator referring to “two crystal stones in the form of spectacles.”

Sept 22 1832 D&C 84 revealed – No man can see God without the priesthood and live.

1832 Elijah Abel, a black man, baptized into the Church.

1832 Several acquaintances of Solomon Spalding claim that the historical content of The Book of Mormon is identical to Spalding’s Manuscript Found, but not the religious content.

Oct 1832 Andrew Jackson spoke against S. Carolina seceding, prayed to prevent civil war, dispatched Federal troops to squash state rebellion.

Nov 6 1832 Emma catches Smith having a “transaction” with Fanny Alger, the teenage nanny (some suggest closer to 1835).

Nov 27 1832 Governor of SC states willingness to resist U.S. Gov’t by force if necessary.

Nov 27 1832 Smith begins keeping a journal, commanded two years earlier.

Dec 3 1832 Jesse Gause, First Presidency counselor excommunicated. He was sent on mission and kept on walking, denying Mormonism.

Dec 18 1832 Oliver Cowdery marries Elizabeth Ann Whitmer.

Dec 25 1832 Smith prophesies “For behold, the southern states shall be divided against the norther states…” Peace held for 28 years. Church abandoned the prophecy, excluding it from 1833 and 1835 books of revelations, re-inserting it decades later out of context.

Jan 1833 Smith calls upon “Christian world” to flee to Zion before overflowing scourge overtakes you.”

Jan 5 1833 Frederick G. Williams named to Presidency. Smith later swaps his name into D&C 81, altering original revelation to Jesse Gause.

Jan 1833 W.W. Phelps hypothesizes in The Evening & Morning Star that Smith’s interpreters or spectacles could be Urim & Thummim. Thereafter, the term was used to describe Smith’s seer stone.

1833 American Antiquities, Discoveries in the West published. “The opinion that the American Indians are descendants of the lost ten Tribes, is now a popular one, and generally believed.”

Feb 1 1833 Temperance society eliminates distillery in Kirtland and nearby Mentor.

Feb 2 1833 Smith declares JST Bible retranslation “finished” and “correct.” Several passages, including critically important Malachi text, would be changed years later. The LDS Church has never published the complete JST translation.

Feb 26 1833 National Day of Temperance. Several speeches given, later distributed as pamphlets. (The Journal of Health, Philadelphia)

Feb 27 1833 Smith creates Word of Wisdom at Emma’s request, suggested as good advice, not by command. Wording mirrors Temperance literature.

1833 Oliver Cowdery commits adultery, bitter at Smith’s rebuke because aware of ongoing Fanny affair.

Feb – Mar 1833 Smith secretly marries his nanny Fanny Alger (16) who lives in Smith home. Exact date unknown, but closely linked to sanction of Levi’s marriage soon after.

Mar 29 1833 Levi Hancock, successful in “his mission” to secure Fanny for Smith, terminates engagement to Temperance Jane Miller, receives Clarissa Reed as reward.

1833 45 prominent Palmyra citizens sign affidavits describing Smith family as “destitute of that moral character.” (Vogel, Early Mormon Documents)

July 1833 Book of Commandments – predecessor to D&C – published by W.W. Phelps, yet ZERO mention of Peter, James, John.

July 20 1833 Mob destroys Evening & Morning Star press in Independence, MO. Book of Commandments almost destroyed, few copies remain.

July 22 1833 Agreement signed with Jackson County, Mo. to depart and not restart printing press.

Nov 7 1833 Saints began fleeing from mobs in Jackson County, Missouri across river.

Nov 15 1833 First significant anti-Mormon book, Mormonism Unvailed printed, with no mention of First Vision, Peter, James, John or priesthood.

1833 Joseph Knight writes history of important events in Mormonism up to that year, with no mention of first vision, John the Baptist or Peter, James, John.

Dec 16 1833 Smith received D&C 101, outlining force to retake lands, pacifist response ceased.

Dec 18 1833 Smith delivers blessing to Oliver Cowdery, calling out “two evils in him that he must needs forsake.” Refers to Oliver’s adultery.

Jan 1834 D. P. Hurlbut travels through Kirtland and Palmyra to investigate Joseph’s past, denounces Smith for ministering “under pretense of Divine Authority”, stirs up opposition.

1834 Oliver Cowdery writes first official church history – yet ZERO mention of first vision.

Feb 12 1834 Kirtland High Council meeting – FIRST mention of any Angel, first mention to members of conferral of authority before church’s organization, but they only refer to angel in general terms.

Feb 17 1834 Charles Anthon, furious that Mormons are using his name to promote Book of Mormon, writes “The whole story about my having pronounced the Mormonite inscriptions to be ‘reformed Egyptian hieroglyphics’ is perfectly false.” (Anthon to Howe)

March 20 1834 Isaac Hale (Emma’s father) affidavit on this day states that Smith boarded with him while he was employed by money-diggers as a seer, by means of putting a stone in his hat, then putting the hat over his face.

April 1834 United Order dissolved. Communal real estate assets divided personally among Joseph Smith, Oliver Cowdery, Sidney Rigdon, Frederick G . Williams.

May 1 1834 Zion’s Camp begins, the 1,000 mile march from Kirtland, OH to retake Jackson County, MO. Only 207 men at peak, plus women/children.

1834 Isaac Hale makes statements against Smith for fraud -“money digger looking into hat, delusion, fabrication.”

June 2 1834 Smith provides inspiring Zelph revelation to troops at Indian mount on Illinois River.

June 4 1834 Smith wrote letter to Emma identifying the whole Mississippi area as Nephite territory. (The Personal Writings of J. Smith, p. 324)

June 22 1834 Cholera sweeps through. Negotiations with locals and gov’t fail to yield any result, JS chastises Zion Camp members, blames failure on their disobedience, it was merely a test of their faith.

June 25 1834 Zion’s camp disbands, nothing achieved except apostasy and dissention, long walk home.

Aug 16 1834 Smith reveals Sept 11, 1836 as future “appointed time” of Zion’s redemption in Jackson County (JS Letterbook 1, p. 86)

Aug 27 1834 Smith states / implies his son Joseph III would be his successor.

Feb 14 1835 Quorum of 12 and Seventies organized in Kirtland.

May 1835 Fifth Lecture on Faith published in Messenger and Advocate – says God is a spirit.

1835 Smith worked with Oliver to produce an account of early church beginnings for publication in Latter Day Saint Messenger and Advocate paper. It contains no mention of first vision. Nobody knew of Smith’s 1832 journal vision draft at this time.

July 3 1835 Smith solicits $2,400 from member donations to purchase Egyptian mummies and papyrus scrolls, claiming one is from hand of Abraham, the other of Joseph of Egypt. Translation attempt begins.

July 20 1835 W.W. Phelps writes his wife Sally, recounting how Smith said “…the rolls of papyrus contained the sacred record kept by Joseph…in Egypt and the teachings of father Abraham.” (History of the Church)

July 1835 Smith records via W.W. Phelps, “I was continually engaged in translating an alphabet of the Book of Abraham, and arranging a grammar of the Egyptian language…” (History of the Church, 2:238)

Aug 1835 The Church via Phelps and Cowdery issues the first of an ongoing series of denials of polygamy.

Aug 17 1835 Updated and revised Doctrine & Covenants presented at conference, containing numerous unannounced changes and expansions to previously published revelations. PETER, JAMES, JOHN retroactively inserted into D&C 27 – FIRST TIME ANYBODY HEARS OF PRIESTHOOD RESTORATION.

1835 D&C version contains Lectures of Faith and includes details of the Godhead, describing God as a spirit only. There is no mention of Joseph supposedly having seen them both 15 years earlier.

Aug 1835 “Article on Marriage” introduced at conference, became D&C Section 101 – later removed from LDS scripture in 1876.

Oct 7 1835 Smith uses white seer stone (referred to as Urim &Thummim) for blessing to Newel Whitney.

Nov 9 1835 Smith dictates his history and first vision to Warren Parrish, for visitor Robert Matthias. It is not shared with members. “…I received the first visitation of Angels when I was about 14 years old…” (Personal writings of Joseph Smith, p. 84) It should be noted that this entry was altered in the History of the Church, Vol. 2, pg. 312. It now reads “my first vision” instead of “visitation of Angels”

Nov 14 1835 Smith relates first vision to Erastus Holmes.

Nov 1835 Smith issues “Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands…husband head of the wife…” revelation.

Nov 1835 Smith marries Newel Knight to undivorced Lydia Goldthwaite, illegal and lacking authority.

Jan 26 1836 Jewish scholar, Joshua Seixas, began teaching Hebrew to Smith and other leaders in Kirtland, OH. Classes ran for two months.

Mar 3 1836 Elijah Abel, a black man, was ordained an Elder in the LDS Church.

March 27 1836 Kirtland Temple dedication.

April 3 1836 Elijah (and Elias apparently, even though they’re the same person) restore sealing authority while Smith and Oliver are behind a curtain.

Jan 6 1836 Blackrock Advocate, a New York newspaper, questions solvency of Bank of Monroe, a Mormon bank.

1836 Grammar & Alphabet of Egyptian Language (GAEL) is developed to interpret papyri.

1836 Cholera epidemic passed through, thousands die.

July 25 1836 Desperate with debt, Smith departs for Salem, MA with Hyrum, Rigdon and Cowdery under false pretense of missionary effort, in search of treasure rumored to be buried under house.

Aug 19 1836 Joseph writes Emma, “…we have found the house…very luckily and providentially, as we have one spell been most discouraged…. The house is occupied, and it will require much care and patience to rent or buy it.”

Sept 1836 Fanny Alger moves from Kirtland to Missouri.

Sept 11 1836 The day Smith previously appointed for the redemption of Zion (their lost lands) – passes without event.

Oct 1836 Kirtland Safety Society Bank organized, Rigdon as President, Smith as Cashier and signer on notes.

Nov 7 1836 First Presidency and numerous general authorities warn non-Mormon Justice of The Peace, Ariel Hanson, to “depart forthwith out of Kirtland.”

Dec 7 1836 Bishop Edward Partridge defines tithing as 2% of net worth, to cover operating expenses of the Church.

Jan 1 1837 Bank paper currency arrives in Kirtland.

Jan 1 1837 Ohio legislature denies Smith’s bank incorporation application, citing lack of capital, bank begins operations as anti-bank.

Jan 6 1837 Wilford Woodruff records in his journal hearing Smith testify of revelation to continue bank.

Jan 18 1837 The Cleveland Weekly Gazette warns readers of Smith’s bank, labeling Rigdon “a notorious hypocrite and knave.” Smith would “take up what little money they have, and depart hence.” – which is exactly what he did.

Jan 27 1837 Kirtland Safety Society collapsing, Rigdon announces cessation of note redemptions, only land or hard assets accepted.

Feb 1 1837 Notes selling for 12.5 cents on the dollar.

Feb 9 1837 Warren Parrish states in Painesville Telegraph that Smith declared “the audible voice of God instructed him to establish a anti-banking institution, which, like Aaron’s rod, should swallow up all other banks…”

March 24 1837 Smith loses court case, financial penalty imposed.

April 1837 Smith flees town to avoid arrest.

May Financial panic, many banks fail. 13 law suits filed against Smith between June 1837-April 1839. Major apostasy among leadership begins.

May 1837 6 of 12 apostles in open rebellion, form rival church, claim the temple they paid for.

May 23 1837 Parley Pratt writes Smith, reminding him of their land agreement, threatens to sue for extortion, undue influence.

June 5 1837 Smith tried for conspiracy to commit murder. Apostles Orson Hyde and Luke S. Johnson acknowledge in court that “Smith seemed much excited and declared that Grandison Newell should be put out of the way, or where the crows could not find him; he said destroying Newell would be justifiable in the sight of God, that it was the will of God.” Hyde and Johnson insist that Smith is “tender-hearted,” court acquits him because his statements do not constitute conspiracy. (Quinn)

June 1837 Smith launches England mission.

1837 A Voice of Warning, Parley P. Pratt, 1st edition printed. One of the most influential works in Mormon history, a most powerful proselytizing tool – yet no mention of first vision.

July 1837 Smith departs on Canadian mission tour – wants everyone out of Kirtland to cool down. Upon his return, Whitmer, Harris, Cowdery have pledged loyalty to an opposing faction. Frederick Williams, Joseph’s former First Counselor, was her scribe. “The girl seeress would dance herself into a state of exhaustion, fall to the floor, and burst forth with revelations.”

1837 Heber C. Kimball, Orson Hyde and other missionaries cross the Atlantic, began missionary work in Great Britain.

1837 Book of Mormon reprinting alters nature of God wording in multiple places, replacing Eternal Father with Son of Eternal Father.

August 1837 David Whitmer resigns, leaves Church while accusing Smith of altering doctrines.

Oct 1837 Smith and Rigdon convicted of illegal banking (court only met twice annually)

1837 Lyman Wight dismisses D&C as Telestial law, Book of Commandments as Celestial law, because of numerous significant changes, almost excommunicated.

1837 Apostles write how “Many scores of persons were healed by our sending a handkerchief (Smith’s) to them.” (Orson Whitney, Life of Heber C. Kimball, 1888)

December 1837 Martin Harris excommunicated.

January 21 1838 Oliver Cowdery writes his brother re: Smith’s “dirty, nasty, filthy affair” with Fanny the nanny.

January 12 1838 Smith flees Kirtland to Far West (Zion), Church in chaos, outstanding warrant for bank fraud, all is lost.

Feb 5 1838 Warren Parrish, Smith’s trusted scribe, writes letter to Editor of Painesville Republican heavily criticizing Smith and Rigdon for fraud, lying, deception, mismanagement, etc.

March 14 1838 Far West, MO saints welcome Smith home with song and cheer, welcome home the prophet, restart/reset.

March 25 1838 Martin Harris testifies publicly that none of 8 Book of Mormon signatories saw or handled physical records.

Late March 1838 Apostles Luke Johnson, Lyman Johnson, John Boynton and others leave the Church.

April 12 1838 Oliver Cowdery excommunicated, won’t recant adultery claim against Smith. Takes Book of Mormon printer’s manuscript with him.

April 13 1838 David Whitmer excommunicated – strongly disaffected by Kirtland Bank fraud.

April 15 1838 Martin Harris says the 8 witnesses never saw the plates, hesitated to sign document, but were persuaded. (Harris in Burnett to Johnson, 1838)

April 26 1838 Name of the Church changed again, reinstating “Jesus Christ” back into name.

May 12 1838 Smith and Rigdon request annual salary of $1,100 each. High Council approves, many object, rescinds following week, each given 80 acres instead. See July 8, revelation commanding member donations.

May 19 1838 Smith says that Davies County is Adam-Ondi-Ahman where Adam dwelt after his expulsion from Eden.

June 1838 Smith’s First Presidency accuses Cowdery, Whitmer and others of affiliating with counterfeiters, etc.

June 1838 Sampson Avard organizes Danites. Smith remains aware or organization.

June 17 1838 Sidney Rigdon delivers “Salt Sermon” in Far West, harsh public condemnation of many church leaders for their perceived disloyalty towards him and Smith, Danites start threatening lives.

June 19 1838 LDS Dissenters, including Oliver Cowdery, having been warned in Danite Manifesto, flee Caldwell County.

June 28 1838 Mormons lay out town and organize a Stake of Zion at Adam-ondi-Ahman in Daviess County.

July 4 1838 Sidney Rigdon delivers fiery speech, threatening Missouri Gentiles, declares “war of extermination,” sparking the Mormon War.

July 8 1838 D&C 119 received, redefines tithing as paying “one-tenth of all their interest annually” and any “surplus property” as a “standing law unto them forever.” See May 12, 1838 – Smith’s salary request was denied.

July 1838 Mormons open settlements at DeWitt and throughout northwestern Missouri.

July 14 1838 Carroll citizens meet to oppose Mormon settlement at DeWitt. Meetings and threats against Mormons at DeWitt continue throughout the summer.

July 27 1838 Joseph writes in journal that Danites organized according to revelation to put right physically that which is not right, and to cleanse the Church of very great evils which hath hitherto existed among us. This portion of journal crossed out and not included in History of the Church. (Jessee 1992, p. 262)

Aug 6 1838 Gallatin election battle. Daviess settlers talk of organizing against Mormons.

1838 Joseph marries his second plural wife, Lucinda Pendleton Morgan Harris. This was his first polyandrous marriage, as Lucinda was already married to devout LDS member and leader, George Washington Harris.

Aug 6 1838 Mormon War in Missouri begins, Danites present active offense.

Aug 7 1838 Smith leads 150 Danites to Diahman to protect the Saints. Mormons threaten Judge Adam Black and others suspected of anti-Mormon activities. Reports of Mormon “invasion” spread through upper counties.

Aug 13 1838 Daviess County judges issue writs for the arrest of Joseph Smith and Lyman Wight. Committee of Carroll citizens orders the Saints to leave the county.

Aug 20 1838 One hundred armed men ride into DeWitt and threaten Mormons.

Aug 30 1838 Governor Lilburn W. Boggs, responding to reports of civil and Indian disturbances in western counties, orders twenty-eight hundred state troops to stand ready to march.

Sept 7 1838 Smith and Wight receive a preliminary hearing in Daviess County. Judge Austin A. King orders the defendants to post bail and appear at the next hearing of the grand jury in Daviess.

Sept9 1838 Excitement in upper counties continues as Mormons capture three men attempting to transport guns to vigilantes in Daviess County. Mormons and Missourians petition Judge King to quell the disturbances.

Sept 10 1838 Judge King orders General Atchison to raise four hundred troops and disperse the Mormons and non-Mormon vigilantes.

Sept 13 1838 Carroll vigilantes postpone assault on DeWitt and march to Daviess to assist settlers against the Mormons.

Sept 18 1838 After receiving reports of disturbances, Governor Boggs orders out two thousand troops and prepares to lead march to western Missouri.

Sept20 1838 Atchison disperses vigilantes in Daviess County and leaves one hundred troops under General Parks to maintain peace.

Sept 24 1838 Governor Boggs receives letter from Atchison stating that vigilantes in Daviess have dispersed. Boggs dismisses troops and returns to Jefferson City.

Oct 1 1838 Vigilantes attack DeWitt, burn the home and stables of Smith Humphrey. During the next several days Mormons appeal to Governor Boggs and other civil authorities for protection.

Oct 6 1838 General Parks arrives in DeWitt with one hundred troops to quell disturbances. Anti-Mormon spirit among troops forces Parks to return to Ray County a few days later.

Oct 9 1838 Messenger reports to Mormons that the Governor said they must rely on local authorities for protection, will not intervene.

Oct 11 1838 Mormons at DeWitt surrender and move to Caldwell and Daviess counties. Carroll vigilantes resolve to help settlers expel Mormons from Daviess.

Oct 14-15 1838 Smith and Rigdon call upon Mormon troops to ride to Diahman to protect the Saints, threatening those who will not join the Mormon army. Four hundred soldiers march to Daviess County.

Oct 18 1838 Mormon soldiers attack Gallatin, Millport, and other settlements in Daviess, driving non-Mormon settlers from their homes, plundering, and burning. Missourians retaliate. General Parks visits Mormons and Missourians in Daviess. Parks discovers that civil war has broken out and declares that Mormons are now the aggressors.

Oct 22 1838 Mormon troops return to Far West after driving nearly all non-Mormons from Daviess.

Oct 24 1838 Bogart and his troops harass Mormon settlers in Ray and Caldwell counties. They capture two Mormon spies and threaten to execute them.

Oct 24 1838 Apostles Thomas Marsh and Orson Hyde sign affidavits in Ray County describing Mormon activities. Ray committee returns from Daviess with similar reports of depredations. Capt. Samuel Bogart calls out Ray troops to prevent invasion by Mormons.

Oct 25 1838 Capt. David W. Patten leads Mormon troops to rescue spies. Troops clash at Crooked River, with three Mormons and one Missourian killed. Exaggerated reports of Crooked River battle spread throughout the state. Fearing the Mormons intend to continue attacks, Generals Atchison, Doniphan, and Parks call out state militia to quell alleged Mormon rebellion.

Oct 27 1838 Governor Boggs, responding to reports of Mormon depredations in Daviess County and their attack on state troops at Crooked River, issues Executive Order 44, that Mormons must be “exterminated or driven from the state.”

Oct 30 1838 Missouri troops, under command of Gen. Samuel D. Lucas of Jackson County, arrive outside Far West. Mormon leaders send messengers to learn intentions of troops. 200 soldiers from Livingston and nearby counties overrun Mormon village of Haun’s Mill, killing 18 and wounding 15.

Oct 31 1838 Col. George Hinkle, John Corrill, and other Mormon representatives attempt to negotiate with General Lucas, but receive demands for surrender. Joseph Smith, Sidney Rigdon, Lyman Wight, and other Mormon leaders give themselves up as hostages. About seventy-five Mormon soldiers, advised of the surrender plans, flee from Far West during the night.

Nov 1 1838 Smith advises Mormon troops at Far West and Diahman to surrender. Mormon War ends.

Nov 2 1838 Mormons forced to deed over their property to pay expenses for the war. This part of the surrender agreement is later declared illegal.

Nov 12-29 1838 Judge Austin King presides at Court of Inquiry held in Richmond, Ray County. Joseph, Hyrum and Sidney Rigdon, and others charged wit high treason, arson, murder, robbery – committed to prison on the basis of testimony against them.

Nov 26 1838 Smith writes in his diary while aboard ship in storm, how he commanded the winds and they abated.

December 1838 Missouri legislature debates whether to investigate the disturbances and allow the Mormons to remain. Legislation to investigate is tabled until July, after the Mormons have already left the state.

February 1839 Mormons pool resources and organize to leave Missouri.

March 17 1839 Sampson Avard excommunicated (Danite leader).

1838-1839 Church drafts another version of First Vision, expanding upon prior versions, not shared with members.

1839 Salomon Spaulding’s widow, Matilda Spaulding Davison, upon hearing a reading of Book of Mormon, declares it to be similar to husband’s writing.

April 11 1839 Joseph Smith and four others are indicted for arson, treason, riot, burglary in Daviess County, and are granted a change of venue to Boone County.

April 16 1839 Smith and other prisoners escape by bribing their guards and return to Saints, who are gathering at Quincy, Illinois.

April 22 1839 Smith implies his son Joseph III would be his successor.

May 1839 Nearly all the Saints have left Missouri.

Spring 1839 Smith gives handkerchief to a father to bring to sick child, that whey would be healed by it. (Wilford Woodruff, Leaves From My Journal, 1881)

June 6 1839 First British converts arrive in Nauvoo. Cheap land is a prominent factor.

July 1839 With no prospect of redeeming Zion, Smith expands geography of Zion to “all of North and South America.”

July 3 1839 Isaac Galland baptized and ordained Elder by Smith.

July 24 1839 Smith receives letter from Isaac Galland repeatedly mentioning Emanuel Swedenborg.

1839 Isaac Galland sells 19,000 acres to Smith

Aug 1839 Joseph Smith, Hyrum Smith, and Sidney Rigdon agreed to the “Hotchkiss Purchase” – 500-acre tract of land near the main steamboat landing in Nauvoo on contract for $53,500 plus interest.

Aug 15 1839 Baptism for the dead publicly announced.

September 1839 Orson Pratt creates pamphlet in Scotland titled An Interesting Account of Several Remarkable Visions, and of the Late Discovery of Ancient American Records. FIRST EVER published account of FIRST VISION, was not viewed in U.S.

Oct 20 1839 Nauvoo High Council minutes state, “five hundred dollars be the average price of lots, i.e., none less than two hundred dollars, nor more than eight hundred dollars.” (History of the Church 4:17)

1840 Book of Mormon edition alters 2 Nephi 30:6, changing white to less racist pure and delightsome.

Feb 4 1840 The Nauvoo Legion militia is organized.

March 2 1840 John C. Bennett’s wife leaves him over adultery.

Jan 1 1841 New bankruptcy law enacted, allowing private citizen bankruptcy, stipulating properties could not be transferred to others to avoid debt obligations.

Jan 1841 Smith reveals that God is flesh and bone, and that “This earth was organized or formed out of other planets which were broke up and remodeled and made into the one on which we live.”

Jan 30 1841 At Conference in Nauvoo Smith is unanimously elected sole Trustee-in-Trust for the Church. (History of the Church, 4:286)

Feb 8 1841 All Church assets assigned to Smith, granting him sole discretion of all disbursements.

April 5 1841 First fully “documented” plural marriage of Smith to Louisa Beaman, she wore men’s clothes to conceal the event, held in grove of trees in Nauvoo.

April 7 1841 Don Carlos, youngest brother to Joseph, dies of Malaria

Aug 15 1841 Smith promotes malarial and yellow-fever plagued bottomland to immigrant saints in Nauvoo, despite penning letter of complaint to prior land owner calling it a “deathly sickly hole…unable to realize valuable consideration” and “keeping up appearances…holding out inducements to encourage immigration.” (History of the Church, 4:406, 5:357)

Aug 16 1841 The Twelve issue an epistle to the Saints in all parts of the world urging them to gather in Nauvoo, where land would be designated for their settlement.

Aug 31 1841 The Twelve vote unanimously “approve of the proceedings of President Smith…in making over certain properties to his wife, children, and friends for their support, and that he continue to deed and make over certain portions of Church property which now exist, or which may be obtained by exchange, as in his wisdom he shall judge expedient, till his own, and his father’s household, shall have an inheritance secure to them…”

1841 Smith prophesies Governor Boggs will die violent death within one year (controversial, yet multiple evidences available).

1841 Smith tells Apostles Book of Mormon is keystone of our religion.

Oct 2 1841 Smith places original Book of Mormon manuscript, witness signatures, and other items in the cornerstone of the Nauvoo House, effectively destroying them. Ebenezer Robinson recorded Joseph as having said “I have had trouble enough with this thing.”

Oct 27 1841 Smith marries Zina Jacobs, in the first case of polyandry. She rebuffed Smith’s first proposal and married Henry Jacobs in March. Smith continued to pursue her, saying an angel with drawn sword threatened his life if he did not obey. Brigham Young later married Zine too.

Nov 13 1841 John C. Bennett paid $100 annually as Mayor of Nauvoo. (Nauvoo City Council Minutes Book, p. 30)

Nov 28 1841 Joseph Smith tells the 12 Apostles that Book of Mormon is the most correct of any book on earth and the keystone of Mormon religion.

1841 Smith took 3 plural wives this year.

Dec 30 1841 Smith petitions Nauvoo Mason Lodge for membership.

Dec-Aug 1841-1842 Hancock County, Illinois – Joseph and Emma Smith made several major transfers of property and deeds to their minor children, the last transfer just two days before filing for bankruptcy. They ‘sold’ their properties for $100 when in fact they were worth thousands of dollars. (History of the Saints p. 96-97)

Jan 6 1842 Joseph Smith secretly marries Agnes Coolbrith Smith, wife of his recently deceased brother, Don Carlos.

Jan 17 1842 Unhappy with the publications of the Times and Seasons, Joseph, the Nauvoo Stake and Q12 decide not to let Ebenezer Robinson continue to publish, having tried unsuccessfully to intimidate him into selling to them.

Jan 17 1842 Joseph Smith marries Mary Elizabeth Rollins Lightner, 6 months pregnant, on the eve of his wedding anniversary.

Jan 18 1842 There is a grand celebration at the Smith home for their 16th wedding anniversary.

Jan 25 1842 Smith reveals that God instructs Ebenezer Robinson to take Marinda Hyde into his home until her husband Orson Hyde returns from mission. His home is the Times and Seasons building. God also tells Marinda to listen to anything and everything which Smith may teach her.

Jan 28 1842 God, via Joseph, reveals that the Quorum of 12 should take over the printing of the Times and Seasons and install Joseph as Editor, John Taylor writing and Wilford Woodruff managing business.

Feb 1 1842 Federal Bankruptcy Act becomes effective, permitting debtors to file voluntary petitions for bankruptcy.

Feb 4 1842 Ebenezer is allowed to name his price for Times &Seasons, affixes hefty $6,600 value . A significant amount of that money was listed as moneys credited to him for the building of the temple in the book of the law of the lord and various other credits so that he actually does not receive $6,600. Unable to relocate his family that day, he is forced out in dead of winter. That same night Apostle Willard Richards moves into the living quarters attached to the printing house with Marinda Hyde who stays in the living quarters. Richards celebrates by boarding up windows, shoots revolvers in celebration. Richards’ wife and family are living in Massachusetts at the time. (See April 1842)

Feb 6 1842 Emma Smith gives birth to Joseph’s stillborn son.

Feb 8 1842 Joseph marries Sylvia Porter Sessions.

Feb 28 1842 Smith marries Sylvia Lyon, already married to Windsor, uncertain if he knew.

March 1 1842 Joseph’s letter to John Wentworth published in Times and Seasons. FIRST PUBLISHED account of FIRST VISION in U.S. Also first time church officially says Native Americans are the primary descendants of the Lamanites.

March 4 1842 Smith approves second facsimile illustration from Egyptian papyri, with references to “grand key words of Holy Melchizedek Priesthood, as revealed to Adam.”

March 5 1842 Office of Registrar of Deeds created, Joseph Smith designated as registrar, requiring any and all land purchases to register with his office.

March 9 1842 Smith marries 42 year old Patty Sessions, who was already married to David. Her daughter, Sylvia, married Smith only a month prior. It is unclear if husband knew.

1842 Smith reads Incidents of Travel in Central America, Chiapas and Yucatan, then prints extracts in Times & Seasons, along with editorial commentary that he believes BoM location to be Guatemala.

1842 Times & Seasons prints translation from Book of Abraham, revealing that Elohim lives near the star Kolob , also introducing the doctrine of plural gods.

March 15 1842 Abraham Jonas establishes Nauvoo Masonic lodge. Smith receives expedited Masonic temple rituals. Abraham Jonas, with overwhelming Mormon support, elected to legislature shortly thereafter.

March 17 1842 Female Relief Society organized – Emma named President.

April 7 1842 Smith reveals establishment of formal theocratic government, “The Kingdom of God,” later knows as The Council of 50.

April 9 1842 Marinda Hyde approaches Nancy Rigdon at funeral, informs that Smith wants to see her “on special business.”

April 1842 Smith marries Marinda Nancy Hyde – already married to Orson Hyde – while Orson away on mission. This is the same Nancy (Johnson) who’s family tarred/feathered Joseph on accusations of his intimacy with the 16 year old while staying in their home in 1832.

April 11 1842 Smith seeks to obtain Sidney Rigdon’s 19 year old daughter Nancy. He wrote “that which is wrong under one circumstance may be and often is right under another…whatever God requires is right, no matter what it is.” Nancy refuses, shows letter to father, who immediately sends for Smith, who promptly denied everything, Rigdon thrust letter in face, Smith admitted he had spoken with Nancy but was only testing her virtue.

April 15 1842 Smith “busily engaged in making out a list of debtors and an invoice of [his] property to be passed into the hands of the assignee.” He declares personal debts of $73,066.38. (History of the Church, 599-600)

April 18 1842 Smith and brothers Hyrum and Samuel ride to Carthage to file for bankruptcy – later denied. (Papers of Joseph Smith, vol.2, Dean Jessee, 1992)

May 4-5 1842 Smith introduces Mormon endowment to close friends – tokens, signs, penalties, prayer circle, new name, apron – all masonic rituals. Teaches polygamy, secretly, soon after.

May 6 1842 Former Governor Boggs shot. Suspicion immediately falls upon Smith and Porter Rockwell.

May 7-14 1842 The Wasp, page 67, publishes Smith’s bankruptcy notice. Public notice also published declaring bankruptcy of Joseph’s Red Brick Store. (Quincy Law Firm)

May 19 1842 Smith elected by City Council as Mayor of Nauvoo after John C. Bennett resigns.

May 28 1842 Nauvoo newspaper The Wasp editorialized “Boggs is undoubtedly killed according to report; but who did the noble deed remains to be found.”

June 1842 As Editor of the official church periodical, Smith reprints a section from Josiah Priest’s 1833 American Antiquities to support the idea that “the Ten Tribes came over to America.” Priest’s book, in turn, was quoting from and commenting on the 1825 View of the Hebrews by Ethan Smith.

June 29 1842 Smith marries Eliza Snow (Sarah Cleveland is a witness to this sealing).

July 1842 Smith’s status includes Editor of Times Seasons, Mayor of Nauvoo, Trustee of church finances, Chief Justice of municipal court, Commanding Officer / General of Nauvoo Legion.

July 2 1842 John C. Bennett asserts in the Sangamo Journal claiming that Smith sought his help obtaining Sidney Rigdon’s 19 year old daughter Nancy.

July 15 1842 John C. Bennett asserts in the Sangamo Journal that Smith had confidentially requested his assistance in securing Sarah Pratt as a “Spiritual Wife.” Also accuses Smith of attempting to swindle his creditors by fraudulently “secreting property . . . for the benefit of himself and family in order to obtain the benefit of the Bankrupt Act.”

July 15 1842 Thousands of Nauvoo Mormons search for Apostle Orson Pratt after suicide note. They find him distraught over Smith’s attempt to seduce his only wife Sarah.

July 15 1842 Martha Brotherton (18 years old) records and publishes in St. Louis Bulletin the combined attempt by Smith and Young to persuade her to marry Young, secrecy, hidden from parents, her character is then attacked.

Summer 1842 Smith publishes official Church denial of polygamy, declaring it “false as many other ridiculous charges.”

July 22 1842 Orson Pratt votes against a public resolution in defense of Smith’s virtue.

July 27 1842 Joseph secretly marries 17 year old Sarah Ann Whitney, with Elizabeth and Newel Whitney’s consent, but without Emma’s knowledge. Joseph was 20 years older than Sarah.

1842 During falling out with John C. Bennett, Nauvoo city council assures Gov. Carlin that Smith “violated no law…” when in fact he was violating anti bigamy law.

Aug 8 1842 Smith and Porter Rockwell arrested for attempted murder, discharged.

Aug 10-29 1842 Smith goes into hiding to avoid second arrest and extradition.

Aug 18 1842 While in hiding, Smith writes Newel and Elizabeth Whitney asking them to come in secret with their daughter Sarah. Despite Joseph’s written instruction to destroy the letter, they retain it.

Aug 19 1842 John C. Bennett produced a transcription of the letter Smith dictated for Nancy Rigdon, in Richards’s handwriting – “That which is wrong in one circumstance, may be, and often is right under another…Whatever God requires is right, no matter what it is…” (see Sunstone: I Could Love Them All).

Aug 20 1842 Orson Pratt excommunicated for siding with his wife Sarah, who accused Smith of attempting to seduce her.

Sept 1 1842 Smith, at Editor of Times & Seasons, prints another polygamy denial, quoting D&C Section 101 “Inasmuch as this church has been reproached…” (vol.3, #21, p.909)

Sept 6 1842 Joseph Smith deeds Sarah Ann Whitney a parcel of land, which was owned by the Church, just one block from his own. Female ownership of land in Nauvoo was extremely rare, unheard of for 17 year old girls.

Sept 1842 U.S. Attorney, Justin Butterfield, travels to Nauvoo, confirms John C. Bennett’s claims that Smith had been transferring property to avoid paying creditors. (Smith and Legal Process: In the Wake of The Steamboat Nauvoo p. 756)

Oct 1 1842 Smith’s bankruptcy petition is denied on grounds of wrongful conveyances, preferential transfers, concealment of assets and omissions from inventory.

Oct 1 1842 Not content with his own denials, Smith musters 31 prominent members to lie in Times & Seasons article denying polygamy, including Emma and all her counselors, some of whom were secretly married to Smith.

1842 Smith finishes “translating” Egyptian papyri, calls it the Book of Abraham (first published in Times and Seasons, including his incorrect reconstruction of Facsimile 1).

1842 Smith took 11 plural wives this year. John C. Bennett’s list of wives this year has been substantiated.

1842 Emigration of predominantly poor European Saints intensifies, thousands emigrate toward prospects of land and labor in Nauvoo.

Jan 14 1843 Smith increases Nauvoo Mayor salary to $500 annually. (Nauvoo City Council Minutes Book, Sec. 1)

Jan 18 1843 Smith marries 16 year old Sarah Longstroth and her 14 year old sister to trusted aid Willard Richards.

Feb 9 1843 Joseph reveals D&C 129 – how shaking hands will reveal if messenger is of God or Devil.

Spring 1843 Smith married Flora Woolworth (16)worked for JS. Emma did not know, saw gold watch Smith had gifted her, stormed over to temple lot, made a scene.

1843 D&C 132 language presented to Emma by Hyrum to persuade of polygamy, threatens Emma with destruction.

March 1843 Smith marries 19 year old Emily Partridge with assistance of Heber Kimball.

March 1843 Just four day after Emily, Smith marries her sister Eliza, keeping each secret from the other.

March 14 1843 Smith sees moon, sketches “A union of power, combination of Nations“ as signs of times.

March 23 1843 Smith provides special blessing to Sarah Whitney, recorded in his own hand, guaranteeing eternal salvation to her extended family.

April 13 1843 Joseph elaborates on his land speculation philosophy, “…suppose I sell you land for $10 per acre & I gave 3, 4, 5 per acre. then you are speculating says one. yes, I will tell you how. I buy others lands & give them to the widow & the fatherless. (J. Smith Papers, Book 2)

April 23 1843 Kinderhook Plates found. Same day Smith borrows $20 from William Allen to pay Woodworth.

April 29 1843 Smith arranges a sham wedding between his new polygamous bride Sarah Whitney and Joseph Kingsbury, by promising Kingsbury sealing to his recently deceased wife (Sarah’s sister). (Source: Marriage Certificate)

May 1 1843 William Clayton, Smith’s trusted clerk, marries him to Lucy Walker – who lived in Smith’s house. The same day, William records Smith saying “he has translated portion of the brass Kinderhook plates.

~1843 Smith allows his mother, Lucy Mack Smith, to exhibited the mummy collection in her home charging a 25 cent admission.

May 11 1843 Smith secretly marries both sisters Maria (18)and Sarah (16) Lawrence, both work as maids in Smith home after father died, Smith was executor of their recently deceased father’s estate.

May 28 1843 Emma finally sealed to Joseph, she was number 20-something wife sealed.

May 1 1843 Smith marries 17 year old Lucy Walker while Emma was in St. Louis buying supplies. Smith said “I will give you until tomorrow to decide this matter. If you reject this message the gate will be closed forever against you.” Lucy’s mother died in 1842, whereupon Smith moved the family into his mansion and sent the father on eastern mission.

May 1843 Smith marries 14 year old Helen Kimball with assist from Apostle Kimball. Gave her 2 days to decide her salvation. See wivesofjosephsmith.org.

June 24 1843 Church advertises in Nauvoo Neighbor, will publish Kinderhook Plates in Times & Seasons “as soon as the translation is complete.”

July 1843 Smith an Emma attempt to persuade Jane Law of “correctness” of spouse swapping revelation, she refuses.

July 12 1843 Smith provides D&C 132 revelation, not delivered to members at this time. Verses 51-54 relate to failed Law spouse swapping offer. No extra husband for Emma, instead threatened with destruction or submit to Joseph’s ongoing affairs.

Aug 27 1843 Smith refers in sermon to succession promise to his son Joseph III.

Sept 28 1843 Emma Smith receives endowment, only then are other women introduced to endowment.

Oct 1843 William Law (in Joseph’s Presidency) pleads with Smith to stop polygamy – Lawrence sisters among other concerns.

Nov 2 1843 Smith takes his final plural wife, Nancy Young.

Nov 5 1843 Emma attempts to poison Joseph, as attested by Brigham Young.

December 1843 Smith petitions Congress to make Nauvoo independent federal territory, with own legion incorporated into U.S. Army and ability to call out Federal troops.

Dec 1 1843 Smith diary mentions Nauvoo Mansion’s bar room, with Porter Rockwell as bartender.

Dec 12 1843 Smith as Mayor of Nauvoo passes ordinance allowing him to sell alcohol from the bar in his house.

Winter 1843 Smith performs second anointing for elite group of leaders and wives.

Dec 20 1843 Nauvoo Neighbor publishes declaration to emigrants, instructing them to purchase any land directly from Smith, as sole trustee of all Church property. He may be found either at “Smith’s bar room, or the Temple Recorder’s office.”

Dec 27 1843 Church newspaper Nauvoo Neighbor advertises ale and beer from Nauvoo Brewery.

1843 Smith took at least 16 plural wives this year.

1843 Federal Indian agents warn “that a grand conspiracy is about to be entered into between the Mormons and the Indians to destroy all white settlements on the Frontier.”

Jan 8 1844 William Law resigns as First Counselor.

Jan 29 1844 Quorum of 12 nominates Smith candidate for U.S. President with Rigdon as VP, emissaries soon dispatched around country.

Feb 20 1844 Joseph Smith and the apostles at Nauvoo begin planning an expedition to Oregon territory and Mexican territories of California to secure a new settlement location.

Feb 24 1844 James Strang baptized

March 11 1844 Council of 50 formed in secret to investigate relocation territories for a theocracy free from Federal intervention. Nearly every member is a Freemason.

March 16 1844 Emma instructs Relief Society women protect their daughters and their own virtue. She says the men had lost their authority, she was the only one still worthy of speaking with authority. The Society is suspended, no further meetings held.

March 20 1844 Emma’s version of “The Voice of Innocence,” published in Nauvoo Neighbor.

April 4 1844 The council sends Orson Hyde to Washington D.C. to petition Congress to make Smith an Officer in U.S. Army with power to raise 100,000 troops to patrol western territories from Texas to Oregon.

April 6 1844 The Council of 50 declares proclamation “To all the Kings”, Pres of U.S. they cannot stand idle as nations and creeds reduced to one political and religious standard – the Mormon one – destined to rule entire world.

April 7 1844 Smith delivers famous King Follet Sermon, declares that God was once a mortal man and is eternally progressing, that resurrected children will always remain in bodies of the same age, that eternity is full of infants upon thrones.

April 11 1844 Council of 50 anoints Smith as “Prophet, Priest and King of the World.”

April 18 1844 William and Jane Law excommunicated.

April 24 1844 Freemasons hold fundraising play, Brigham Young in lead role, to pay Smith’s mounting legal bills.

May 13 1844 William Law records in journal that Smith again attempts to seduce his wife Jane. “He [Smith] had lately endeavored to seduce my wife, and had found her a virtuous woman.”

May 1844 Sidney Rigdon visits the Laws, offers to reinstate both, offer refused unless Smith apologizes for polygamy.

May 23 1844 William Law obtains multiple grand jury indictments against Smith.

May 26 1844 Smith speaks from pulpit on Sunday, “Oh what a thing it is for a man to be accused of committing adultery, and having seven wives, when I can only find one. I am the same man, and as innocent as I was fourteen years ago; and I can prove them all perjurers.”

May 26 1844 “I have more to boast of than ever any man had. I am the only man that has ever been able to keep a whole church together since the days of Adam. A large majority of the whole have stood by me. Neither Paul, John, Peter, nor Jesus ever did it. I boast that no man ever did such a work as I. The followers of Jesus ran away from Him; but the Latter-day Saints never ran away from me yet.” (History of the Church, Vol. 6 Ch. 19)

May 28 1844 William Law writes Justice Andrew Miller, accusing Smith of incompetence in Lawrence estate and guardianship.

June 1 1844 Smith’s journal records, “Drank a glass of beer at Moessers.” Church later excises this entry from its records.

June 1 1844 Joseph H. Jackson prints Startling Disclosures in The Warsaw Signal, accusing Smith of counterfeiting, seduction and the attempted assassination of Governor Boggs.

June 5-9 1844 “Went with Henres uncles family uppon the hill. From this day I understand the Kinsman degree of freemasonry. My husband, [Joseph Smith] being a Master Mason, attended meeting. Hyrum Smith spoke exceeding well also red [sic] a revelation…” (Zina Huntington journal)

June 7 1844 The Nauvoo Expositor, funded by William Law, publishes first and last issue, exposing Smith’s polygamy and governmental secession plans, listing reforms to save the Church.

June 8 1844 Smith convenes City Council, which he controls, tries Expositor editors (lacking jurisdiction) all day, obtains public nuisance declaration.

June 10 1844 Town Marshall carries out Smith’s order as Mayor, uses Nauvoo Legion to destroy the press. Smith then blesses the mob in name of The Lord.

June 12 1844 Hancock County Justice issues warrant for the arrest of Smith and 17 others.

June 12 1844 Municipal Court of Nauvoo dismisses charges against Smith. The following day, Smith presides over the court to dismiss charges against all others involved.

1844 Mormon Nauvoo legion boasts 3,000 troops, while U.S. Army has 8,500.

June 18 1844 Smith declares martial law, calls out Nauvoo Legion militia, marches around on his horse in full military dress, raises sword giving rousing speeches to troops – right before fleeing town.

June 18 1844 A letter of appointment, purportedly from Smith, was mailed from Nauvoo (postal records confirm) to James Strang in Wisconsin appointing him to either Stake or Church leadership.

June 21 1844 Nauvoo Neighbor publishes an extra claiming that Expositor editors left town of their own free will, not because their lives were threatened.

June 21 1844 Governor Ford travels to Hancock County, writes Mayor and City Council of Nauvoo – “destruction of the press was a very gross outrage upon the laws and the liberties of the people.”

June 22 1844 Smith flees town at midnight to avoid arrest, with Hyrum, Willard Richards, bodyguard Porter Rockwell. Smith tells William Clayton to burn or bury the minutes of Council of 50. With opposition forces gathering, members feel abandoned, accuse Smith of cowardice.

June 24 1844 Smith and Hyrum come out of hiding and head to Carthage – “If my life is of no value…” Joseph held on charges of treason and destruction of the press.

June 26 1844 Smith sends secret orders to Major General Jonathan Dunham to attack Carthage with militia to free him.

June 27 1844 5 p.m., a large group of men approach jail. Smith assumes it’s Nauvoo Legion to rescue him, but Dunham disobeyed orders knowing a jailbreak would mean certain annihilation of Nauvoo. Joseph and Hyrum Smith killed by angry mob.

July 1844 Quorum of the Twelve Apostles issues official proclamation to immediately pay “a tenth of all their property and money…and then let them continue to pay a tenth of their income from that time forth.”

1844 At least 29 men were practicing polygamy at time of Joseph Smith’s death – primarily an exclusive leadership perk. Hyrum Smith had 5 living wives at time of his death.

July 1844 Council of 50 explore route to Missouri River for westward migration, sending Lucian Woodworth to Texas to secure a treaty by offering Mormon army help against Mexico in exchange for 3/5th of Texas.

Aug 3 1844 Sidney Rigdon returns to Nauvoo, says received revelation appointing him “Guardian of the Church.”

Aug 8 1844 Conference held to debate who would lead church. Not one single contemporary source supports the changed countenance of Brigham Young myth, it too evolved years later.

Sept 14 1844 Nauvoo City Council reverts Mayor annual salary to pre Joseph Smith level of $100.

Sept 19 1844 Brigham young begins marrying some of Smith’s polygamous widows as his own wives.

1844 Church claims approx. 26,000 membership.

Jan 1845 Nauvoo city charter revoked by State in both Senate and House.

Jan 11 1845 Quorum of 12 reemphasized “the duty of all saints to tithe themselves one-tenth of all they possess when they enter into the new and everlasting covenant: and then one-tenth of their interest, or income, yearly afterwards.”

Jan 29 1845 Quorum of 12 votes to exempt themselves and a few others from paying tithing.

Feb 4 1845 Council of 50 is reorganized, Brigham Young appointed leader.

March 1 1845 Council of 50 anoints Brigham Young as “Prophet, Priest and King of the World.”

Feb-March 1845 The council considers sites for settlement outside the U.S., including territories in Texas, Oregon and California.

March 11 1845 News of the annexation of Texas by the United States reaches Nauvoo, after which Mormons no longer consider Texas a viable gathering place.

March 1845 Brigham Young announces decision to “stay” (halt) Relief Society. (Document 1.13)

June 27 1845 Quorum of 12 prays for God’s vengeance on those who shed the prophet’s blood. 6 months later this formal prayer would become part of temple oath.

July 28 1845 General Jonathan Dunham, despondent over disobeying Smith’s order to rescue him, commits suicide.

Aug 1845 LDS leaders receive positive reports about Salt Lake area.

Sept 9 1845 Brigham Young announces his intention to settle “somewhere near the Great Salt Lake.”

Sept 16 1845 Porter Rockwell murders Franklin Worrell, leader of Carthage Grey militia that collaborated in killing Smith.

Sept 24 1845 Brigham Young signs pledge to lead Mormons in spring to Oregon or Vancouver Island.

Oct 8 1845 Lucy Mack Smith is first woman to speak at general conference. Church authorities do not invite another woman to address conference for 143 years.

Oct 27 1845 Hancock County grand jury indicts Brigham Young on counterfeiting charges.

Oct 31 1845 LDS leaders declare in The Gazette, they will depart Nauvoo “at the first appearance of the first vegetation.”

Dec 1845 Nauvoo temple opens.

Dec 11 1845 Brigham Young, tipped by Samuel Brannan, gathers the Twelve to discuss pending counterfeiting indictments.

Dec 18 1845 Federal grand jury indictments issued against Brigham Young ,Willard Richards, John Taylor, Parley P. Pratt, Orson Hyde and other leaders for counterfeiting. (John Whitmer Historical Assn, Vol 37, Issue 2)

Jan 12 1846 Samuel Brannan writes Young warning U.S. Government, concerned about large militant force fleeing into territories, intends to disarm Mormons in spring.

Jan 11-19 1846 Council of 50 meets to finalize preparations to move west.

Jan 29 1846 Samuel Brannan again writes Young, U.S. Government intends to station troops west of Nauvoo and disarm Mormons. Dallin Oaks later wrote “this warning appears to have been decisive in persuading the Mormon leaders to begin their departure.”

Feb 2 1846 Zina Jacobs Smith marries Brigham Young, for life only, at the same time she’s re-sealed to Smith for eternity. The Church considered civil marriage to Jacobs canceled, superseded by spiritual marriages, yet no divorce documented.

Feb 4 1846 First group of Mormons crosses the Mississippi River into Iowa Territory.

Feb 1846 Nauvoo temple closes.

Feb 15 1846 Brigham young leaves Nauvoo with his family for Iowa.

April 6 1846 Apostle John E. Page, though exempt from tithing obligation, leaves Church over what he called an “unjust and mandatory tax” by which “many paid at the cost of necessities for life.”

May 11 1846 Lucy Mack Smith writes letter upholding James Strang. Every living Book of Mormon witness except Cowdery, plus every living Smith family member join Strang.

May 1846 Brigham Young sends Henry Jacobs on mission to England, starts living with his wife Zina.

Jan 14 1847 Brigham Young records his only canonized and officially published revelation, concerning pioneer trek.

Feb 13 1847 Former Apostle William McLellin organizes a church on behalf of David Whitmer.

April 25 1847 Parley P. Pratt says “…a black man with the blood of Ham in him which lineage was cursed as regards the priesthood.” This is the first publicly recorded priesthood ban statement.

Sept 1847 David Whitmer joins schismatic Church of Christ, sustained as Prophet, Seer, Revelator.

1847 Not a single one of the surviving eleven witnesses remains part of the Mormon church.

July 24 1847 Brigham Young enters Salt Lake Valley.

July 28 1847 Brigham Young selects the site of Salt Lake temple using Oliver Cowdery’s divining rod.

1847 Utah becomes the only western territory where slavery and slave sales are protected by territorial statute.

Feb 2 1848 Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo renders Salt Lake City a breakaway colony on U.S. soil.

1848 Oliver Cowdery rejoins church.

June 1848 Crickets plague Salt Lake Valley, crops lost but faith inspiring Seagull myth is born.

March 1849 Brigham young declares State of Deseret a “free and independent government.”

1849 California gold rush brings hordes of fortune-seekers streaming west through Salt Lake.

1849 James Strang begins practicing polygamy.

1849 Brigham Young institutes Perpetual Emigration Fund, offering high interest loans to settlers.

1850 Brigham Young appointed Governor of Utah territory.

July 11 1850 John Taylor flat out lies in public debate in France, condemns polygamy, says not doctrine or legal, yet he had a dozen wives at the time and knew Church practiced it. He later published the debate to promote missionary efforts in England. Taylor would later take a 16 year old wife when he was 78 years old.

June 1851 Pearl of Great Price published, includes Book of Abraham.

1851 Utah claims 12,000 members on rolls, while England, Wales, Scotland, Ireland claim 33,000, with an additional 11,000 already emigrated to America.

Sept 9 1851 Brigham Young calls for vote on observation of Word of Wisdom, still not a commandment. Also votes to accept excommunication as a punishment for non-payment of tithing.

1852 Brigham Young publicly comes clean on polygamy for first time ever.

Feb 3 1852 Young, as Governor, establishes Utah as a slave territory.

Feb 4 1852 Brigham Young issues public proclamation that blacks can not hold the priesthood, and establishes Utah as a slave territory.

Feb 5 1852 Brigham Young delivers fiery race speech to Utah Legislature.

April 1852 Brigham Young preaches that Adam lived as a man on another planet and then became God. (Journal of Discourses, April 9, 1852)

Aug 29 1852 D&C 132 – polygamy rules defined – presented to members for first time, canonized as scripture.

1853 Lucy Mack Smith’s Biographical Sketches of Joseph Smith published by Orson Pratt in England. Many family visions detailed, yet no first vision mentioned in Lucy’s manuscript, Orson Pratt adds official version after the fact.

Sept 1853 Jesse Hartley, a young non-Mormon attorney, arrives in Salt Lake City.

Sept 24 1853 Hartley’s client, David Hull, poisoned to death.

Sept 25 1853 Hartley accused by Mormons of stealing a horse and money.

Sept 26 1853 Hartley pens letter to Secretary of War to warn of “coming storm…brewing in the Territory,” requests Federal intervention. The letter was intercepted, never leaving Utah Valley, ultimately residing in Brigham Young’s possession.

Sept 30 1853 Judge releases Hartley, finding insufficient cause to detain him. Jesse soon accepts teaching job near Spanish Fork.

Oct 1 1853 Deseret News publishes statement accusing Hartley of theft.

1853 Salt Lake Temple construction begins.

Jan 7 1854 Jesse Hartley joins LDS Church and promptly begins practicing law again.

April 8 1854 On the first day of General Conference, Jesse Hartley received call to serve mission in Texas.

April 9 1854 Brigham Young denounces Jesse Hartley in General Conference, accuses him of being “a vagrant, thief, robber…ought to have his throat cut…ought to be baptized in Salt Lake with stones tied to him…to wash away one hundredth part of his sins.” Hartley declares his innocence, but is excommunicated.

May 3 1854 Bill Hickman, Brigham’s enforcer, murders Jesse Hartley as he flees toward Fort Bridger.

1854 A Voice of Warning, Parley P. Pratt, 4th edition updated, still lacks any mention of first vision. Pratt was still living.

1854 Brigham Young teaches that “the Earth is a living creature and breathes as much as you and I do.” He claimed that the earth’s breathing, not the moon, caused the movement of the tides. (MWV p. 213)

1854 Orson Pratt disagrees with Brigham Young’s Adam God doctrine.

1855 W.P. Harris confesses to Kinderhook fraud.

1855 Brigham Young says of the first vision that an angel of the Lord, not the Lord, visited Joseph Smith.

1855 Ancient Egyptian code cracked using the Rosetta Stone.

Nov 22 1855 Brigham Young privately ordains his 11 yr. old son, John Willard Young, as Apostle to increase likelihood of him eventually becoming senior Apostle, thereby leading Church after Brigham’s death.

Dec 22 1855 Millennial Star publishes the handcart manifesto – poor planning and execution ensues.

April 25 1856 W. P. Harris, writes letter elaborating on Kinderhook fraud.

Spring 1856 Brigham Young initiates a “reformation” resulting in increased fanaticism, control, violence.

July 9 1856 James Strang assassinated by disaffected followers.

1856 Emma Smith sells 4 mummies and some papyrus pieces to Abel Combs 12 days after Lucy’s death. They soon go on display in the St. Louis Museum.

1856 Utah census notoriously inflated, including fictitious and deceased people, in bid to quality the territory for statehood.

Aug 25 1856 Martin handcart company departs Florence, NB (now Omaha) toward Zion, dangerously late in the season.

1856 Brigham Young delivers speech about seeing with spiritual eyes. (Van Wagoner, The Complete Discourses of Brigham Young)

Sept 21 1856 Brigham Young gives Blood Atonement speech.

Nov 2 1856 Rumors and blame spreading of handcart suffering. Heber Kimball in Tabernacle blames others for mess – “If all…had done as they were counseled by the First Presidency…suffering would have been avoided.”

Nov 30 1856 Martin handcart company enters Salt Lake, death toll estimated 150-170.

Dec 4 1857 Deseret News spins and sanitizes suffering and death of Martin company.

April 1857 William Aitken leads 300 ex-Mormons out of Salt Lake, well armed in fear of ambush – “all determined to get off or die.” (see Devils Gate, Roberts)

1857 U.S. President Buchanan, informs Congress, “Brigham Young has been both Governor and Superintendent of Indian Affairs…at the same time head of the church…His power has been, therefore, absolute over both church and state.”

May 13 1857 Parley P. Pratt, Mitt Romney’s great-great-grandfather, killed by estranged husband of his 12th wife.

Sept 6 1857 Brigham Young declares Utah a free and independent people, no longer bound by the laws of the U.S.

1857 U.S. Government sends 2,500 troops to retake Utah territory (see Utah War).

Sept 11 1857 Mountain Meadows Massacre, 120 men, women and children murdered – much misinformation spun by Church in attempt to conceal.

Fall 1857 Young visits Idaho, exploring if entire Mormon colony might take refuge there.

June 26 1858 U.S. Army expeditionary force marched through Salt Lake City.

Aug 10 1859 The New York Times publishes The Great Forgery Case, detailing Brigham Young’s attempt to finance Utah War with counterfeit money.

1860 M. Theodule Deveria, a pioneering Egyptologist in Paris, views LDS pamphlet with Book of Abraham facsimiles, dismisses Smith’s interpretation as rambling nonsense.

1860 William Smith, Joseph’s son, establishes his own church, Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Now called Community of Christ.

March 4 1861 Abraham Lincoln becomes U.S. President.

April 1861 U.S. Civil War begins.

Oct 1861 Brigham Young delivers “if a woman preferred another man of higher authority” speech, no bill of divorce required.

1862 U.S. Government passes Morill Act, first in a series of laws designed to force Church to relinquish plural marriage.

1863 The St. Louis Museum closes and the mummy collection goes to the Chicago Museum.

Aug 23 1865 Brigham Young disapproves of Lucy Mack Smith’s biography of Smith, orders saints to destroy books.

1866 Brigham Young calls Eliza Snow to be second Relief Society President, 22 years after disbanding the organization.

1869 Joseph F. Smith countering RLDS denials of Smith’s polygamy, has living widows sign affidavits documenting marriages.

1871 Museum destroyed in the Great Chicago Fire. Papyri are salvaged and are passed down to Alice Heusser.

1873 Orson Hyde describes tithing as paying one tenth of one’s property at baptism and then one tenth of one’s annual income thereafter. This is the first instance of tithing described as income-based rather than surplus or interest.

1873 Martin Harris interviewed by Anthony Metcalf, reiterates visionary, entranced state when seeing plates. Harris made numerous statements throughout his life reinforcing spiritual eye view. (NBS p. 358)

1876 D&C 101:4 marriage doctrine of one man, one woman, quietly removed from D&C scripture.

March 23 1877 John D. Lee executed by firing squad for the Mountain Meadows Massacre.

1878 Orson Pratt publishes The Pearl of Great Price, removing the name of Nephi from the text entirely, inserting Moroni.

1878 Survivors of 1856 handcart tragedy publicly dispute official Church versions for first time. SLC Herald chastises the Church for continued attempts to collect high interest Perpetual Emigration loans from handcart victims. (See Devil’s Gate p. 263)

June 30 1879 W. Fugate, one of the 9 original Kinderhook witnesses, writes an affidavit that he, Robert Wiley, and Bridge Whitton created the Kinderhook plates has a hoax.

1879 Church loses Reynolds v. United States, polygamy is not protected by First Amendment. This is the first U.S. limitation on free expression of religion.

1879 Pres. John Taylor repeatedly refers to Smith asking an angel in first vision which church was true. Church still was not teaching God/Jesus first vision version at this time.

Oct 10 1880 Pearl of Great Price canonized as scripture, including facsimiles 1,2 and 3.

1880 John Taylor declares a Jubilee Year in which he forgives half the delinquent tithing debt.

March 30 1881 Helen Mar Kimball Whitney writes autobiography detailing marriage to Smith.

Aug 4 1881 Philip Klingensmith’s dead body found in prospect hole in Mexico. A former Bishop, he first publicly exposed Mountain Meadows Massacre and feared he would be killed for his testimony in John D. Lee trial.

1884 Spaulding’s Manuscript Found discovered in Hawaii.

1884 The Council of 50 terminated after the Church publicly abandons theocratic government aspirations.

July 4 1885 Prophet John Taylor lowers all U.S. flags to half staff in protest of Federal anti-polygamy laws.

1887 Apostle Charles Penrose letter to President John Taylor, expressed concern that “the endless subterfuges and prevarications which our present condition impose…threaten to make our rising generation a race of deceivers.“

1887 U.S. Congress passes the Edmunds-Tucker Act to punish the Church, not just its members, dissolving the Corporation and authorizing seizure of Church property.

May 19 1890 U.S. Supreme Court upholds Edmunds-Tucker Act. Among other things, the act disincorporated the LDS Church.

Oct 6 1890 First polygamy Manifesto accepted at Conference, yet formally sanctioned polygamy continued within church, 250 more plural marriages.

Oct 10 1890 Apostle John Taylor marries 3rd wife Janet Maria Wooley, backdating it to same day one year prior, 1889.

Oct 25 1893 Congressional resolution authorizes release of assets seized from the LDS Church.

May 18 1894 Jane Elizabeth Manning James, black servant, sealed to Smith as his eternal servant.

1895 Church issues Political Manifesto, prohibiting leaders from running for political office without church approval

April 1895 Ongoing confusion regarding the godhead prompted President Woodruff to declare in conference, “Cease troubling yourselves about who god is; who Adam is, who Christ is, who Jehovah is. God is God. Christ is Christ. The Holy Ghost is the Holy Ghost. That should be enough for you and me to know.” (Millennial Star 57:355-356)

1896 Utah finally granted statehood.

1897 Wine used in sacrament as late as this year.

1898 B.H. Roberts was polygamous, resulting in denied Senate seat, millions signed protest.

May 17 1899 President Lorenzo Snow delivers “those with means” tithing talk, limits the law of tithing to one-tenth of annual income, removing the required payment upon conversion.

March 31 1900 Presidency changes the Prophet succession policy to prevent John Willard Young ascension to Prophet.

1901 Apostle Marriner W. Merrill took a plural wife, later lied under oath at Senate committee investigating Reed Smoot, despite committee possessing solid evidence he was lying.

1902 Joseph F. Smith condemns the “pernicious superstition” of witchcraft as an “outrageous” belief that persisted among LDS members. (see Early Mormonism and the Magic World View, p. 293)

April 18 1903 RLDS church purchases Book of Mormon printers manuscript from Whitmer family.

1903 Reed Smoot sworn into U.S. Senate.

March 1904 Pres. Joseph F Smith, polygamist, subpoenaed in Smoot hearings. His testimony conveys a distinction Church leaders had long understood: the Manifesto removed divine command for the Church collectively; it had not prohibited individuals from continuing to practice or perform plural marriage as a matter of religious conscience.

April 6 1904 Second polygamy Manifesto issued, clarifying end of polygamy.

1909 Word of Wisdom becomes mandatory for “all who enter the temple.”

1910 The payment of tithing became a requirement to receiving a temple recommend.

1912 Pres. Joseph F. Smith says “The Saints should know that the pattern of endowment garments was revealed from heaven” …and that can’t change form or manner of wearing. (Dev. of LDS Temple Worship p. xl)

1912 History of the Church is released with King Follet Discourse omitted without Editor B.H. Roberts knowledge. First Presidency believes it to be in direct conflict with revelations accepted as divine. It stays in print into the 1960s. (Lyon 1978, p.14-15)

1912 Franklin Spalding sends copies of Joseph’s interpretations to 8 Egyptologists and Semitists. All denounce Joseph as an “impudent fraud,” pronouncing the Papyri nothing more than common funerary directives and representations of Egyptian gods with spells written upon the hypocephalus.

Dec 29 1912 NY Times proclaims Joseph a fraud for Book of Abraham, as several scholars and Egyptologists agree “authenticity has been destroyed completely.”

1917 Utah ratifies prohibition

Jan 17 1920 National Prohibition Act takes effect, prohibition becomes law nationwide

1921 Church ceases teaching that God is spirit without physical body, Lectures on Faith removed from D&C, Section 130 added – thus officially changing nature of Mormon God.

Aug 22 1921 Apostle James Talmage receives 5 question letter from Mr. Couch – assigns B.H. Roberts to investigate.

1921 Joseph Fielding Smith called as Church Historian.

1921 – 1935 Sometime between these years, Joseph Fielding Smith discovers Letterbook 1A in a box – finds Smith’s original, hand written first vision draft. Finds it so troubling he cuts pages from journal, hides in his private safe for decades.

Jan 4-5 1922 B.H. Roberts submits findings to General Authorities – “not in a studious mood.”

Jan 9 1922 B.H. Roberts writes Pres. Grant, expressing “disappointment re: irrelevancy of comments expressed”

1925 John A. Widtsoe published Discourses of Brigham Young – removing Adam-God doctrines.

1926 Oath of vengeance is removed from the temple ceremony.

1928 LDS Church purchases Hill Cumorah in New York.

May 29 1929 Presidency instructs B.H. Roberts, who is still pestering about troubling BoM history, to select a mission to focus his labors and attention, moves to N.Y.

June 17 1930 Reed Smoot’s sponsored Smoot–Hawley Tariff becomes law, despite signatures of 1,029 economists, contributing greatly to historic collapse of global trade.

1937 The Hill Cumorah Pageant begins – celebrating the millions of Lamanites that perished on that very hill.

1938 Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith is published. It includes a copy of the King Follet Discourse, but omits the infants doctrine, with a note suggesting a scribal error in copying what the Prophet originally said.

Nov 12 1943 Apostle Richard R. Lyman excommunicated, had been living in polygamy since 1925. Last excommunication of an apostle

1945 Fawn Brodie publishes No Man Knows My History.

Feb 1 1946 Thomas Ferguson‘s first trip to Mexico in search of Book of Mormon evidence.

1947 Ludlow Bull, associate curator of the Department of Egyptian Art (Metropolitan Museum of Art) acquires Joseph’s papyri fragments.

1947 Church First Presidency investigation concludes “the races…badly mixed…no color line is drawn among the mass of people.” It realized “a great part of the population of Brazil is colored.

1947 Thomas Ferguson publishes Cumorah – Where?

Aug 17 1949 First Presidency releases statement, race ban “…is not a matter of the declaration of a policy but of direct commandment from the Lord, on which is founded the doctrine of the Church.”

1950 King Follet Discourse is returned to the History of the Church.

1950 Levi Young, President of 1st Quorum of 70’s requests, but is denied access to J. Fielding Smith’s sequestered records. Levi goes over his head, obtains clearance. JF Smith opens private safe only after assurance not to copy anything or tell anyone.

Oct 1952 Thomas Ferguson organizes the New World Archeological Foundation. Ezra Benson indicates that the church is sympathetic to his efforts, declines to provide funds. John A. Widtsoe is placed on board of directors.

Feb 3 1953 Amateur historian Lamar Peterson interviewing Levi Young when he mentions a “strange account of first vision”, but says it must remain confidential. Lamar Peterson kept confidence until Levi’s death.

1954 David O. McKay visits South Africa, the first General Authority to visit the area.

1954 David O. McKay conducts private research project within 12 on race ban, they know it’s not doctrine, just policy. (see Leonard Arrington for context p. 309)

Nov 1954 National Urban League publishes report indicating UT, NV, southern AZ racial discrimination almost as severe as Southern U.S.

1955 First Presidency relents to constant lobbying and provides $200,000 to Thomas Ferguson to support his efforts to find archeological evidence of Book of Mormon (Larson, 1990 p.64)

1958 Bruce R. McConkie publishes Mormon Doctrine, drawing private criticism from First Presidency.

1959 Church stops providing financial disclosure.

1960 BYU assumes control of New World Archeological Foundation, all funding flows through the university, Howard W. Hunter is Chairman. Thomas Ferguson demoted to Secretary, writes he is “content to eat whatever piece of pie is thrown my way, however small or humble.” (Larson, 1990 p.67)

1961 Church correlation program instituted, aligning doctrine and polished official narratives.

1962 Joseph Vincent, Editor of California Archaeologist, reignites limited geography theory at a BYU symposium.

1963 LDS Church attempts to establish mission in Nigeria, but government learns of race ban and denies visas for 3 years. Church closed mission attempt short while later.

1963 “If the pressure continues to increase on the Negro question, the leaders of the Mormon Church will probably have another revelation which will allow the Negro to hold the priesthood.” – Jerald Tanner

Dec 13 19