The land of Zion was consecrated and dedicated by prayer for the gathering of the Saints. (1)
-- August 2, 1831
[Joseph Smith] Kaw Township, Missouri. Joseph Smith assisted the Colesville Branch in laying the first log of the first house in the establishment of Zion in Missouri. (2)
-- 1831, August 2
[Joseph Smith] Presides as Sidney Rigdon dedicates Jackson County, Missouri, as the land of Zion. (3)
-- 1831 Aug 2
[Lucy Mack Smith] Foundation of Zion laid in Kaw Township, Jackson County, Mo. (4)
-- 1831, August 3
Temple site, Independence, MO, dedicated by Joseph Smith. (5)
-- 1831 3 August
Joseph Smith dedicated the temple site at Independence, Missouri. (6)
-- August 3, 1831
[Joseph Smith] Independence, Missouri. Joseph Smith dedicated the first temple site in this dispensation just west of Independence. (2)
[Joseph Smith] Joseph dedicates a site for a temple in Missouri. (7)
-- 1831, August 3
[Joseph Smith] Dedicates a temple site in Independence. (3)
-- 3 Aug. 1831
[Lucy Mack Smith] Sidney Rigdon dedicates the temple site at Independence, Missouri. (8)
-- 1831 Aug 3
[Lucy Mack Smith] Place for the temple dedicated by Joseph Jr. (4)
-- 1831 August 4
The first Conference of the Church in the land of Zion was held. (1)
-- August 4, 1831
[Joseph Smith] Kaw Township, Jackson County, Missouri. At the home of Joshua Lewis, Joseph Smith attended and conducted the first conference of the Church in Missouri. (2)
-- August 7, 1831
[Joseph Smith] Kaw Township, Jackson County, Missouri. Joseph Smith attended the funeral of Sister Polly Knight, the first Church member to pass away in Missouri, and received Doctrine & Covenants 59, a revelation about Sabbath observance. (2)
[Revelations] Jackson county, Missouri. Doctrine and Covenants 59. Blessings for those who come to Zion for the glory of God. Love the Lord, serve neighbors, don't steal, etc. , broken heart and contrite spirit. Everything on earth made for man, to be used responsibly. God expects gratitude, obedience.
Newel K. Whitney Collection, BYU.
Book of Commandments 60 heading: A revelation to the church, given in Zion, August, 1831.
1835 Doctrine and Covenants 19 heading: Revelation given in Zion, August, 1831. (9)
-- August 8, 1831
[Joseph Smith] Independence, Missouri. Joseph Smith received Doctrine & Covenants 60, a revelation concerning the elders called to serve missions to the East. (2)
[Revelations] Jackson County, Missouri. Doctrine and Covenants Section 60. Build or buy a boat to travel to St. Louis , then Joseph, Sidney, and Oliver to Cincinnati. All to preach as they return to Kirtland. Shake off dust as a witness.
Book of Commandments 61 heading: A Revelation to the elders of the church, given in Zion, August, 1831.
1835 Doctrine and Covenants 70 heading: Revelation given August, 1831.
Book of Commandments 61. (9)
-- August 9, 1831
[Joseph Smith] Independence, Missouri. Joseph Smith and 10 other elders left in canoes on the Missouri River for Kirtland, Ohio. (2)
-- 9 Aug. 1831
[Lucy Mack Smith] Joseph Jr. and ten others leave Independence to return to Kirtland. About this time, Samuel and Reynolds Cahoon return from their mission to Missouri. (8)
-- August 12, 1831
[Joseph Smith] McIlwaines Bend, Missouri River. After Brother William W. Phelps saw the destroyer riding on the face of the river in an open vision by daylight, Joseph Smith received Doctrine & Covenants 61, a revelation concerning Satans power over the waters. (2)
[Revelations] McIlwaine's Bend, Missouri River. Doctrine and Covenants 61. Water travel is not safe. The time is coming when no one will be safe on it. Take canals, not rivers. Joseph, Sidney, and Oliver should go directly to Cincinnati, for the people there are ripe for destruction. Watch for the coming of the Lord, for he will come when you don't expect it.
Book of Commandments 62 heading: A Revelation to eleven elders, given upon the bank of the Missouri river, August, 1831.
1835 Doctrine and Covenants 71 heading: Revelation given August, 1831.
Background.
Travel by canoe/On August 9, Joseph and ten elders leave Independence Landing for Kirtland. His companions are: Sidney, Frederick G. Williams, Oliver, Samuel H. Smith, Reynolds Cahoon, Sidney Gilbert, W. W. Phelps, Joseph Coe, and Ezra Booth. /They travel fourteen miles by canoe to Fort Osage the first day.
W. W. Phelps vision of the destroyer on the waters/Nothing very important occurred till the third day, when many of the dangers so common upon the western waters, manifested themselves; and after we had encamped upon the bank of the river, at McIlwaine's Bend, brother Phelps, in open vision, by daylight, saw the destroyer in his most horrible power, ride upon the face of the waters. Others heard the noise, but saw not the vision. /in Papers 1:361n5.
Ezra Booth Letters (7).
The next morning after prayer, Joseph receives this revelation. (9)
Footnotes:
1 - Richards - Little, Compendium of the Doctrines of the Gospel, Church Chronology, Ch.66, p.306
2 - BYU Studies Journal, volume 46, no. 4: A Chronology of the Life of Joseph Smith
3 - Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Salt Lake City, Utah
4 - History of Joseph Smith by His Mother: Revised and Enhanced by Scot Facer Proctor Maurine Jensen Proctor
5 - Encyclopedia of Mormonism, Vol. 4, Appendix 2: A Chronology of Church History
6 - http://www.lds.net/forums/scripture-study-forum/12108-church-chronology-1800-2000-part-1-a.html#post214550
7 - http://www.prophetjosephsmith.org/joseph_smith_timeline
8 - Lucy's Book: A Critical Edition of Lucy Mack Smith's Family Memoir, Edited by Lavina Fielding Anderson, 2001, Signature Books
9 - http://saintswithouthalos.com/s/_dc.phtml
Clair Barrus
