Pioneers and prominent men of Utah : comprising photographs, genealogies, biographies, Part 273

Author: Esshom, Frank Ellwood, b. 1865
Publication date: 1913
Publisher: Salt Lake City, Utah : Utah pioneers book publishing company
Number of Pages: 1336

USA > Utah > Pioneers and prominent men of Utah : comprising photographs, genealogies, biographies > Part 273

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

Then comes the High Priesthood, which is the greatest of all; Wherefore it must needs be that one be appointed of the High Priesthood to preside over the Priesthood, and he shall be called President of the High Priesthood of the church;

Or. in other words. the Presiding High Priest over the High Priesthood of the church.

From the same comes the administering of ordinances and bless- ings upon the church, by the laving on of the hands.

Wherefore the office of a bishop is not equal unto it; for the office of a hlshop is in administering ail temporal things:

Nevertheless a bishop must be chosen from the High Priesthood, uniees he is a literal descendant of Aaron;

For unless he is a literal descendant of Aaron he cannot hold the kevs of that priesthood

Nevertheless, a High Priest that ie after the order of Melchiscdek, may be set apart unto the ministering of temporal things, having a knowledge of them by the Spirit of truth.

And also to be a judge in Israel. to do the business of the church, to sit in judgment upon transgressors upon testimony as it shall be laid before him according to the laws, by the assistance of his

counselors, whom he has chosen, or will choose among the elders of the church.

This is the duty of a bishop who is not a literal descendant of Aaron, but has been ordained to the High Priesthood after the order of Melchisedek.

Thus shall he be a judge, even a common judge among the inhabitants of Zion. or in a Stake of Zion, or in any branch of the church where he ehail be set apart unto this ministry, until the borders of Zion are enlarged, and it becomes necessary to have other bishops or judgee in Zion, or elsewhere;

And inasmuch as there are other bishops appointed they shall act in the same office.

But a literal descendant of Aaron has a legal right to the presidency of this priesthood, to the keys of this ministry, to act in the office of bishop independently, without counselors, except in a case where a President of the High Priesthood, after the order of Meichisedek, is tried, to sit as a judge in Isreel.

And the' decision of either of these councils, agreeable to the commandment which says,

Again, verily, I say unto you. the most important business of the church, and the most difficult cases of the church, inasmuch as there is not satisfaction upon the decision of the bishop or judges, it shall be handed over and carrled up unto the Council of the church, hefore the Presidency of the High Priesthood;

And the Presidency of the Council of the High Priesthood shall have power to call other High Priests. even twelve. to assist as counselors; and thus the Presidency of the High Priesthood and its counselors shall have power to decide upon testimony according to the laws of the church.

And after this decision it shall be had in remembrance no more before the Lord; for this is the highest Council of the church of God, and a final decision upon controversics in spiritual matters. There is not any person belonging to the church who is exempt from this Council of the church.

And inasmuch as a President of the High Priesthood shall trans- gress. he shall be had in remembrance hefore the common council of the church. who shall be assisted by twelve counselors of the Iligh Priesthood:

And their decision upon his head shall be an end of controversy concerning him.

Thus, none shell be exempted from the justice and the laws of God, that ail things may be done in order and in solemnity before him, according to truth end righteousness.

And again, verily I say unto you, the duty of a president over the office of a deacon is to preside over twelve deacons. to sit in council with them, and to teach them their duty-edifying one another, as it is given according to the covenants.

And also the duty of the president over the office of the teachers is to preside over twenty-four of the teachers, and to sit in council with them, teaching them the duties of their office, as given in the covenents.

Also the duty of the president over the priesthood of Aaron is to preside over forty-eight priests. and sit in councli with them, to teach them the duties of their office, as is given In the covenants. This president is to be a bishop; for this is one of the duties of this priesthood.

Again, the duty of the president over the office of eldere is to preside over ninety-six elders, and to sit in councii with them, and to teach them according to the covenante.

This presidency is a distinct one from that of the seventy, and is designed for those who do not travel into ali the world.

And again. the duty of the President of the office of the High Priesthood is to preside over the whole church, and to be like nnto Moses.

Behold, here is wisdom; yee, to be a seer. a revelator, a translator. and a prophet, having all the gifte of God which he bestows npon the head of the church.

And it is according to the vision, showing the order of the seventy. that they should have seven presidents to preside over them. chosen out of the number of the seventy;

And the seventh president of these presidents is to preside over the six;

And these seven presidents are to choose other seventy hexides the first seventy, to whom they belong, and are to preside over them;

And also other seventy. until seven times eeventy, if the labor in the vineyard of necessity requires it.

And these seventy are to he traveling ministers unto the Gentiles first. and also unto the Jews:

Whereas other officers of the church, who belong not unto the Twelve, neither to the eeventy, are not under the responsibility to travei among all nations, but are to travel as their circumstances shall allow. notwithstanding they may hold as high and responsible offices in the church.

Wherefore now iet every man learn his duty, and to act in the office in which he is appointed. in ali diligence.

He that is slothful shall not be counted worthy to stand, and he that learns not his duty and shows himself not approved, shall not he counted worthy to stand. Even so. Amen .- Doc. and Cov. 107: 1-39, 58-100.

May. Sat. 2 .- Elders Brigham Young. John P. Greene and Amos Orton were appointed to preach the gospel to the Lamanites.

Mon. 4 .- The Twelve left Kirtland on their first mission as Apostles.

July. Fri. 3 .- Michael H. Chandler arrived at Kirtland to exhibit four Egyptian mummies and some rolls of papy- rus, covered with hieroglyphic figures and devices. They were afterwards purchased by some of the Saints, and Joseph the Prophet translated some of the characters on the rolls. One was found to contain the writings of Abra- ham, subsequently published in the Pearl of Great Price; another the writings of Joseph in Egypt.

August. Mon. 17 .- At a general assembly of the Church, held at Kirtland. the Book of Doctrine and Covenants was approved, and thus became a law of faith and practice to the Church.

September. Mon. 14 .- Oliver Cowdery was appointed to act as Church Recorder, and Emma Smith to make a sclec- tion of sacred hymns, according to revelation.

From revelaiion to Joseph Smith, Jr., given nt Fayette, New York, April 6, 1830. (See Doc. nnd Cov. 21 :1.)

Behold there shall be a record kept among you, and in it thou shalt be called a seer, a translator, a prophet. an apostle of Jesus Christ, an eider of the church through the will of God the Father, and the grace of your Lord Jesus Chriet.

October. Sun. 25 .- The Twelve returned to Kirtland from their mission to the East.

Thurs. 29 .- Joseph Smith, Jr., was abused by his brother William in a council mecting, held at Kirtland.

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November. Fri. 27 .- Christian Whitmer, one of the Eight Witnesses to the Book of Mormon, died in Ciay County, Mo. December. Wed. 16 .- Wm. Smith became enraged in a debating school, held at Kirtland, and used violence upon the person of his brother, Joseph Smith, Jr., and others.

Sat. 26 .- Joseph Smith, Jr., with other Elders, commenced studying the Hebrew language, having previously com- menced reading Greek. Mr. Seixas, a competent professor of languages, was subsequently employed as teacher.

-A revelation, concerning Lyman Sherman, was given through Joseph Smith, Jr., at Kirtland. (Doc. and Cov., Sec. 108.)

1836

The Kirtiand Tempie was dedicated, and the Savior, Moses, Elias and Elijah the Prophet appeared to the Elders in that building and committed the keys of their respective dispensations to the Prophet Joseph Smith. The Saints who had resided temporarily in Ciay County, Mo., removed to another location on Shoal Creek, which was organized into Caidwell County.

January. Fri. 1 .- Wm. Smith received forgiveness of his brother Joseph, and a general family reconciliation took place in the house of the latter, at Kirtland, Ohio.

Wed. 6 .- At a council meeting, held at Kirtland, the High Council of Zion (Missouri) was reorganized.

Thurs. 7 .- A sumptuous feast, to which the lame, the halt and the blind were invited, was held in Bishop Newel K. Whitney's house, at Kirtiand.

Sat. 16 .- In a council of the Twelve Apostles, held at Kirtiand, President Joseph Smith said: "The Twelve are not subject to any other than the First Presidency .. .

. Where I am not, there is no First Presidency over the Twelve." (See History of Joseph Smith.)

Sun. 17 .- Joseph the Prophet organized the severai coun- cils of the Priesthood at Kirtland, on which occasion the Lord poured out His Spirit in a great measure upon the brethren, who confessed their fauits to each other; the con- gregation was overwhelmed in tears and the spirit of tongues came upon them "like the rushing of a mighty wind." (See History of Joseph Smith.)

Thurs. 21 .- The Presidency of the Church, and the coun- cils of Kirtland and Zion, met in the evening in the Lord's House, at Kirtiand, and attended to the ordinance of anoint- ing with oil and blessing each other. The visions of heaven were opened, angels administered to them, and the house was filled with the glory of God. Joseph the Prophet "be- heid the celestial kingdom of God and the glory thereof," the "transcendent beauty of the gate through which the heirs of that kingdom will enter, the throne of God whereon was seated the Father and Son," and the beautiful streets of the kingdom. He also saw Fathers Adam and Abraham. On seeing his brother Aivin, who died before the Church was organized, the Prophet marveled, but the voice of the Lord told him that all who had died without a knowledge of the gospel, who would have received it if they had been permitted to tarry, should be heirs of the celestial kingdom of God. (See History of Joseph Smith.)

Fri. 22 .- The Twelve Apostles, the Presidency of the Seventy and others were blessed and anointed in the Lord's House, at Kirtland.

Thurs. 28 .- The leading authorities of the Church ad- ministered in the Lord's House at Kirtland, on which oc- casion angeis again appeared to the brethren, and other great manifestations of the power of God were witnessed. (See History of Joseph Smith.)

February. Sun. 7 .- The organization of the second quorum of Seventy was commenced at Kirtland.

Mon. 22 .- The sisters at Kirtland met in the Lord's House to commence their work of making the veil for that bulld- ing.

March. Sun. 27 .- The Lord's House, at Kirtiand, after- wards known as the Kirtland Temple, was dedicated. It is a rock building, 80 feet long and 60 feet wide; the wails are 50 feet and the tower 110 feet high. (For dedicatory prayer, see Doc. and Cov., Sec. 109.)

Tues. 29 .- On this and the following day the ordinance of the washing of feet was attended to in the Kirtland Temple. April. Sun. 3 .- Joseph Smith, Jr., and Oliver Cowdery saw and heard the Savior in the Kirtland Temple. Moses also appeared before them and committed unto them "the keys of the gathering of Israel from the four parts of the earth, and the leading of the Ten Tribes from the land of the north." Then Elias appeared and committed the dis- pensation of the gospei of Abraham, and finally Elijah the Prophet "stood before them" and committed to them the keys of turning "the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the children to the fathers." (See History of Joseph Smith and Doc. and Cov., Sec. 110.)

Mon. 4 .- The Elders began to spread abroad from Kirt- land into ail parts of the land, preaching the gospel.

May. Tues. 17 .- Mary Smith, aged 93 years. and grand- mother of Joseph the Prophet, arrived at Kirtland from the East.

June .- Warren Parrish and other Elders were mobbed and arrested in Tennessee for preaching the gospel, and subsequently compelled to leave the country.

Wed. 29 .- A large meeting of citizens heid at Liberty, Clay County, Mo., passed resolutions to expel the Saints from Clay County.

July. Fri. 1 .- In a large meeting of Elders, held in Clay County, Mo., it was agreed that the Saints should leave the county, agreeably to the request of the older settlers.

Mon. 25 .- Joseph Smith, Jr., left Kirtiand for a trip to the Eastern States.

August .- Joseph Smith, Jr., arrived at Salem, Mass., where he, on August 6th, received a revelation, in which the Lord said He had many people in that city. (Doc. and Cov., Sec. 111.)

September .- Joseph Smith returned to Kirtland from his trip to the East.

-The Saints in Missouri began to remove from Ciay County to their newiy seiected location on Shoal Creek (later known as Far West), in the territory attached to . Ray County. That part of the State of Missouri was at that time aimost uninhabited, but in the following Decem- ber it was organized under the name of Caidwell County.

Thurs. 22 .- Peter Whitmer, Jr., one of the Eight Wit- nesses to the Book of Mormon, died near Liberty, Clay County, Mo.

November. Wed. 2 .- Preparations were made for organ- izing a banking institution at Kirtland, Obio, to be calied the "Kirtland Safety Society."

December. Sun. 18 .- Brigham Young, Jr., was born at Kirtland.

Sat. 31 .- Dr. Wlilard Richards was baptized at Kirtiand, by Brigham Young.

1837

April. Thur. 6 .- An important Priesthood meeting was held in the Kirtland Tempie, in which new presidents were ordained to preside over the Seventies, as some of the former presidents were High Priests.

April. Fri. 7 .- The city plat of Far West, Caldwell County, Mo., having been surveyed, the sale of town iots was left to Wm. W. Phelps, John Whitmer and Edward Partridge. Jacob Whitmer, Elisha H. Groves and Geo. M. Hinkie were appointed a building committee for the erec- tion of a house of the Lord at Far West.

May .- A spirit of apostasy and speculation, affecting every quorum of the Church, more or less, became very prevaient at Kirtland.

June .- Early in this month Aposties Heber C. Kimball and Orson Hyde were set apart by the First Presidency of the Church to go on a mission to England. This was the first foreign mission of the Church. A few days later Wii- lard Richards was called to accompany them.

Tues. 13 .- Aposties Heber C. Kimbali and Orson Hyde and Elders Willard Richards and Joseph Fieiding left Kirtiand, O., on their missions to England.

July. Sat. 1 .- Apostles Heber C. Kimball and Orson Hyde and Elders Willard Richards and Joseph Fielding, accom- panied by three brethren from Canada, namciy, John Good- son, Isaac Russell and John Snider, saiied from New York on the shlp "Garrick." They arrived in Liverpool, England, on the 20th.

July. Mon. 3 .- Ground was broken at Far West, Mo., for the foundation of a Temple, which, however, was not built, on account of persecutions.

Sun. 23 .- A revelation concerning the Twelve Apostles was given through Joseph, the Prophet, at Kirtland. (Doc. and Cov., Sec. 112.)

-The gospel was first preached by Latter-day Saint Elders in England, in the church of the Rev. James Field- ing, at Preston.

Thur. 27 .- Joseph, the Prophet, was persecuted with a vexatious lawsuit at Painesville, Ohio.

.Sun. 30 .- Nine persons were baptized in the river Ribble, at Preston, England, as the first converts to the fullness of the gospel in England. Geo. D. Watt was the first person baptized.

August .- In the latter part of this month Joseph Smith, Jr., returned to Kirtland, Ohio, from a mission to Canada, on which he had started July 27th.

September. Sun. 3 .- At a conference, held at Kirtland, Oliver Cowdery, Joseph Smith, Sr., Hyrum Smith and John Smith were appointed assistant counselors to the First Presidency. Luke S. Johnson, Lyman E. Johnson and John F. Boynton, three of the Twelve Aposties, were disfellow- shipped.

Sun. 10 .- Luke S. Johnson, Lyman E. Johnson and John F. Boynton made confessions and were received back into fellowship.

Sun. 17 .- Geo. W. Robinson was elected General Church Recorder, in place of Oliver Cowdery, who had removed to Missouri.

Wed. 27 .- Joseph Smith, Jr., and Sidney Rigdon ieft Kirt- land, Ohio, to establish other places of gathering for the Saints, and to visit with the Saints in Missouri, where they arrived in the latter part of October.

About this time the "Voice of Warning" was published in New York City by Parley P. Pratt.

October .- The first number of the "Elders' Journal," edited by Joseph Smith, Jr., and published at Kirtiand, Ohio, bears date of this month. It was published instead of the "Mes- senger and Advocate." which had been discontinued.

Fri. 13 .- Jerusha F. Smith, Hyrum Smith's wife, died at Kirtland.

November. Tues. 7 .- An important conference was held at Far West, Mo., Joseph Smith, Jr., having arrived from Kirtland. Frederick G. Williams was rejected as a coun- selor to Pres. Joseph Smith, and Hyrum Smith appointed in his stead. David Whitmer, John Whitmer and Wm. W. Phelps were sustained as the presidency at Far West, and a High Councli was organized consisting of John Murdock, Solomon Hancock, Ellas Higbee, Calvin Bebee, John M. Hinkle, Thos. Grover, Simeon Carter, Lyman Wight, Newel Knight, Gco. M. Hinkie, Levi Jackman and Eiisha H. Groves.

Fri. 10 .- At a general meeting held at Far West it was voted that the town of Far West "be enlarged so as to contain two square miles."

December .- The printing office at Kirtland was destroyed by fire, and the publication of the "Eiders' Journal" ceased. -Joseph Smith, Jr., arrived at Kirtiand, Ohio, from Mis- souri. During his absence a number of prominent men, in- cluding Warren Parrish, John F. Boynton, Luke S. Johnson and Joseph Coe, had united together for the overthrow of the Church at Kirtland.

Fri. 22 .- Apostie Brigham Young left Kirtland on account of the fury of the mob, who threatened to kill him because he would proclaim publicly and privately that he knew by the Holy Ghost that Joseph Smith, Jr., was a Prophet of the Most High God.

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Mon. 25. - The first general conference by Latter-day Saints in England was held in the "Cock Pit," at Preston. The Church in England numbered already about one thou- sand members. At this conference the "Word of Wisdom" was first publicly taught in England.

Apostasy, persecution, confusion and mobocracy reigned in Kirtland, Ohio, at the close of the year.

1838

January. Fri. 12 .- Joseph Smith, Jr., and Sidney Rigdon left Kirtiand, Ohio, on horseback to escape mob violence. They traveled toward Missouri.

February. Mon. 5 .- In a general assembly of Saints at Far West, Mo., David Whitmer, John Whitmer and Wm. W. Phelps were rejected as the presidency of the Church in Missouri because of transgression.

Sat. 10 .- Thomas B. Marsh and David W. Patten were appointed presidents pro tem. of the Church in Missouri, until the arrival of Joseph Smith, Jr., or Sidney Rigdon from Kirtland.

March .- Answers to certain questions on Scripture, prin- cipally the 11th chapter of Isaiah, were given by revelation through Joseph Smith, Jr. (Doc. and Cov., Sec. 113.)

Sat. 10 .- Wm. W. Phelps and John Whitmer were excom- municated from the Church by the High Council at Far West, Mo. Some time afterwards Wm. W. Phelps was re- ceived back into the Church by baptism.

Wed. 14 .- Joseph the Prophet, arrived at Far West, Mo., with his family, accompanied by Apostle Brigham Young and others.

April. Fri. 6 .- The Saints in Missouri met at Far West to celebrate the anniversary of the organization of the Church and transact business. John Corrill and Elias Hig- bee were appointed historians and Geo. W. Robinson Gen- eral Church Recorder and clerk to the First Presidency. Thomas B. Marsh was sustained as president pro tem. in Missouri, with Brigham Young and David W. Patten as assistant presidents.

Sat. 7 .- On this and the following day, the Church held its first quarterly conference at Far West.

John Whitmer refused to give up the records of the Church in his possession to the newly appointed Church clerk and recorder.

Thur. 12 .- Oliver Cowdery was excommunicated from the Church by the High Council at Far West, Mo. The follow- ing day David Whitmer and Lyman E. Johnson were cut off.

Tues. 17 .- Apostle David W. Patten was called by revela- tion through Joseph the Prophet, at Far West, Mo., to "make a disposition of his merchandise," and prepare for a mission.

Verily thus saith the Lord, it is wisdom in my servant David W. Patten, that he settle up ali his business as soon as he possibly can, and make a disposition of his merchandise, that he may perform a mission unto me next spring, in company with others, even. Tweive, including himself, to testify of my name, and bear glad tidings unto ali the world; * - Doc. and Cov. 114:1.

Fri. 20. - Apostles Heber C. Kimball and Orson Hyde sailed from Liverpool, England, for America on the ship "Garrick." They arrived in New York May 12th, and at Kirt- land, O., May 22nd.

Thurs. 26 .- A revelation was given through Joseph Smith, Jr., at Far West, Mo., concerning the building up of that place and the Lord's House. (Doc. and Cov., Sec. 115.)

Let the city, Far West, be a holy and consecrated iand unto me, and it shall be calied most holy, for the ground upon which thou standest is holy;

Therefore I command you to build an house unto me, for the gathering together of my salnts, that they may worship me;

And let there be a beginning of this work, and a foundation, and a preparatory work, this following summer;

And again, verily I say unto you, it is my will that the city of Far West should be bullt up speedlly by the gathering of my saints. * Doc. and Cov. 115:7-9, 17.

May. Fri. 11 .- Wm. E. McLellin was excommunicated from the Church, at Far West.

Sat. 19 .- Joseph Smith, Jr., Sidney Rigdon and others visited a place on the north side of Grand river (about twenty-five miles north of Far West) called by the Saints Spring Hill, which by revelation was named Adam-ondi- Ahman, because "it is the place where Adam shall come to visit his people or the Ancient of Days shall sit, as spoken of by the Prophet Daniel." (Dan. 7:9-14; Doc. and Cov., Sec. 116.)

June. Thur. 28 .- A Stake of Zion called Adam-ondi-Ah- man was organized in Daviess County, Mo., with John Smith as president and Reynolds Cahoon and Lyman Wight as his counselors. A High Council was also organized with John Lemon, Daniel Stanton, Mayhew Hillman, Daniel Carter, Isaac Perry, Henry Harrison Sagers, Allanson Brown, Thomas Gordon, Lorenzo D. Barnes, George A. Smith, Har- vey Olmstead and Ezra Thayer as members.

July .- The third number of the "Elders' Journal" was pub- lished at Far West, Mo. The first two numbers had been published at Kirtland, Ohio.

Wed. 4 .- The corner stones of the House of the Lord, at Far West, Mo., were laid, agreeable to a commandment of the Lord, given April 26th, 1838.

Fri. 6 .- Five hundred and fifteen Saints left Kirtland, Ohio, for Missouri, under the direction of the Seventies.

Sun. 8. - Wm. Marks, Newel K. Whitney and Oliver Granger were commanded by revelation to leave Kirtland, Ohio, and remove to Missouri. (Doc. and Cov., Sec. 117.)

-John Taylor, John E. Page, Wilford Woodruff and Wil- lard Richards were called by revelation to the Apostleship, "to fill the places of those who had fallen." (Doc. and Cov., Sec. 118.)

Let my servant John Taylor, and also my servant John E. Page, and also my servant Wilford Woodruff, and also my servant Willard Richards, be appointed to fill the places of those who have fallen, and be officially notified of their appointment .- Doc. and Cov. 118:6.

-In answer to the question, "O Lord, show unto . thy

servants how much thou requirest of the properties of the people for a tithing," the Lord gave a revelation on tith- ing. (Doc. and Cov., Sec. 119.)

Wed, 18 .- A revelation making known the disposition of property tithing was given through Joseph the Frophet, at Far West.

Revelation given through Joseph, the Prophet, at Far West, Missouri, July 8th, 1838, in answer to the question, O Lord, show unto thy servants how much thou requirest of the properties of the people for a tithing?

Verlly, thus saith the Lord, I require all their surplus property to be put into the hands of the bishop of my church of Zion,

For the building of mine house, and for the laying of the foun- datlon of Zion and for the Priesthood, and for the debts of the Presidency of my church;

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Pioneers and prominent men of Utah : comprising photographs, genealogies, biographies, Part 273

Author: Esshom, Frank Ellwood, b. 1865 Publication date: 1913 Publisher: Salt Lake City, Utah : Utah pioneers book publishing company Number of Pages: 1336

Author: Esshom, Frank Ellwood, b. 1865
Publication date: 1913
Publisher: Salt Lake City, Utah : Utah pioneers book publishing company
Number of Pages: 1336