[Joseph Smith] Fayette, New York. Joseph Smith and others saw in vision the growth of the Church. (1)
-- 24 Jan. 1831
[Lucy Mack Smith] Joseph and Emma with Sidney Rigdon, Edward Partridge, and Joseph (not Newel) Knight Sr. leave for Ohio, arriving 1 February. (2)
-- 1831 January -May
Members from New York branches moved to Ohio. (3)
-- 1831, early February
[Joseph Smith] After traveling more than 250 miles from New York, arrives in Kirtland, Ohio. (4)
-- 1831, February 1
Joseph Smith arrived at Newel K. Whitney Store in Kirtland, OH, and commenced ministry there. (5)
-- 1831 1 February
Joseph Smith arrived at the Newel K. Whitney Store in Kirtland, Ohio. (3)
-- about February 1, 1831
[Joseph Smith] Kirtland, Ohio. Joseph Smith and his wife, Emma Smith, arrived in Kirtland from New York and were kindly received into the house of Brother Newel K. Whitney. (1)
-- 1831 Feb 1
[Lucy Mack Smith] Joseph and Emma arrive at Kirtland, Ohio. Stay with Whitneys. (6)
-- Feb. 4, 1831
[Financial] By revelation to Joseph Smith (Doctrine and Covenants 41:9), Edward Partridge is appointed "bishop unto the church," the first Latter-day Saint to hold that office. Bishops, most importantly the Presiding Bishop, eventually become key figures in the stewardship of the church's financial and material assets. (Newel K. Whitney, who had already been serving as a bishop in the church, is appointed to succeed Partridge in 1844, and becomes the first bishop to be designated Presiding Bishop in 1847.) (7)
-- 1831, February 4
Edward Partridge called and ordained first Bishop of Church. (5)
-- 1831 4 February
Edward Partridge became first bishop. (3)
-- 1831 February 4
additional revelation is given, naming Edward Partridge the first bishop (D&C 42). (8)
-- February 4, 1831
[Joseph Smith] Kirtland, Ohio. Joseph Smith received Doctrine & Covenants 41, a revelation calling Edward Partridge to be the first bishop of the Church. (1)
-- 4 Feb. 1831
[Lucy Mack Smith] Joseph Jr. advises Isaac Morley to abandon his "common stock" farm, calls Partridge to be the first bishop. (2)
-- February 4, 1831
[Revelations] Kirtland, Ohio. Doctrine and Covenants 41. Lord blesses and curses. Church to gather and agree on the word of the Lord. Pray to receive laws to govern church. Lord comes quickly. Whoever keeps the law is the Lord's disciple; others to be cast out. Don't cast pearls before swine. Build a house for Joseph. Sidney can live wherever he likes , as he keeps the commandments. Edward Partridge, "in whom there is no guile" , is called to be bishop.
First revelation given in Kirtland.
Kirtland Revelations Book, 93-94, heading: A Commandment given Febury 4th 1831 to choose A Bishop &c.
Book of Commandments 43 heading: A Revelation to the church in Kirtland, Ohio, and also the calling of Edward to the office of bishop, given February, 1831.
1835 D&C 61 heading: Revelation given February, 1831.
John Whitmer's history is consistent with the 1835 D&C text except for one minor difference as noted.
Manuscript History of the Church heading: The Lord gave unto the church the following revelation at Kirtland, Ohio, February 4, 1831. (9)
-- 1831, February 9
Revelation on Church government and Law of Consecration received (D&C 42). (5)
-- 1831 9 February
Joseph Smith received "the law of the Church," including the law of consecration (D&C 42). (3)
-- 1831 February 9
Section 42 is received, laying out the law of the church, including naming specific sins and the punishments thereof. (8)
-- February 9, 1831
[Joseph Smith] Kirtland, Ohio. Joseph Smith received Doctrine & Covenants 42, a revelation containing the law of the Lord to his Church, including the law of consecration and stewardship of property. (1)
-- 9 Feb. 1831
[Lucy Mack Smith] Joseph Jr. introduces the law of consecration (D&C 42). (2)
-- 1831 Feb 9
[Lucy Mack Smith] Law of the Church given (D&C 42). (6)
Footnotes:
1 - BYU Studies Journal, volume 46, no. 4: A Chronology of the Life of Joseph Smith
2 - Lucy's Book: A Critical Edition of Lucy Mack Smith's Family Memoir, Edited by Lavina Fielding Anderson, 2001, Signature Books
3 - http://www.lds.net/forums/scripture-study-forum/12108-church-chronology-1800-2000-part-1-a.html#post214550
4 - Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Salt Lake City, Utah
5 - Encyclopedia of Mormonism, Vol. 4, Appendix 2: A Chronology of Church History
6 - History of Joseph Smith by His Mother: Revised and Enhanced by Scot Facer Proctor Maurine Jensen Proctor
7 - http://www.heraldextra.com/content/view/282148/
8 - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/19th_century_(Mormonism)
9 - http://saintswithouthalos.com/s/_dc.phtml
Clair Barrus
