[Revelations] Kirtland, Ohio. Doctrine and Covenants 49. Sidney Rigdon, Parley P. Pratt, and Leman Copley are called on a mission to the Shakers. Jesus now rigns in heaven, will return soon, but no one knows when. Unknown holy men. Christ will not return as a woman. Marriage is ordained of God (one wife) for procreation. Be equal in all. Lamanites to blossom as the rose and Zion flourish upon the hills. (1)
-- 1831 Spring
Revelation that Zion is located in Independence, Missouri was presented. Many of Smith's followers still living in New York move to Kirtland. (2)
-- Spring 1831
[Joseph Smith] Joseph miraculously heals two women. (3)
-- Apr./May 1831
[Lucy Mack Smith] A Mormon girl prophecies earthquakes in China. (4)
-- 1831 Apr
[Lucy Mack Smith] Lucy Mack Smith and group of eighty Saints depart N.Y. for Ohio. (5)
-- 1/7 Apr. 1831
[Lucy Mack Smith] Martin Harris sells his 151-acre farm to Thomas Lakey for $3,000 to cover the Book of Mormon debt. By the end of the month, he settles some property upon his wife, from whom he separates, and leads several other families to Kirtland. Hyrum Smith leads the Colesville branch to Kirtland, departing from New York before the end of April. (4)
-- 1831 April 4
Edward Partridge is called to be the first bishop in the church. Sidney Rigdon anoints him an elder and sets him apart as a bishop. (2)
-- 1831 Spring
Parley P. Pratt, Leman Copley, and Sidney Rigdon visited Shakers near Cleveland, Ohio. (6)
-- April 7, 1831
[Joseph Smith] Kirtland, Ohio. Joseph Smith translated Matthew 9:111 in his work on the New Testament. (7)
-- April 30, 1831
[Joseph Smith] Kirtland, Ohio. Joseph Smiths wife, Emma Smith gave birth to twins, a son and daughter, who lived only three hours. They were later identified in family records as Thadeus and Louisa. (7)
[Joseph Smith] Joseph and Emma have twins. The twins die the same day. They adopt twins born to John Murdock after his wife dies. (3)
-- 30 Apr. 1831
[Lucy Mack Smith] Emma gives birth to twins (Thaddeus and Louisa) in Kirtland. They die within three hours. She adopts John and Julia Murdock's twins, born the same dayJoseph and Juliawhen the mother dies in childbirth. (4)
-- 1831 Apr 30
[Lucy Mack Smith] Joseph and Emmas twins, Thaddeus and Louisa, are born and die. (5)
[Lucy Mack Smith] Julia Murdock passes away in childbirth with twins. (5)
-- 1831, May
Fayette, Colesville, and Manchester branches of Church in New York arrived in Kirtland-Thompson areas, OH. (8)
-- 1831 May
[Lucy Mack Smith] Lucy Mack Smith and group arrive in Kirtland. (5)
-- May 1831
[Revelations] Kirtland, Ohio. Revelation of May 1831. Joseph Smith Sr. and his family to move into "the house" when it is vacated, and Ezra Thayer will board with them until a house is built for him. Frederick G. Williams' family remain until he returns from mission. Ezra to be ordained, serve mission with others in the West. Save money to buy more land in the West.
Kirtland Revelations Book, 91-92. (1)
-- about May 1, 1831
[Joseph Smith] Thompson, Ohio. Joseph Smith received Doctrine & Covenants 51, a revelation concerning the responsibilities of Bishop Edward Partridge. (7)
-- ca. 1 May 1831
[Lucy Mack Smith] Lucy leaves Waterloo with a group of about eighty Saints, bound for Kirtland. Icebound at Buffalo, they see the passage miraculously open before them. They arrive at Fairport/Kirtland about 14 May. (4)
-- about May 9, 1831
[Joseph Smith] Hiram, Ohio. Joseph and Emma Smith adopted the twin children of John Murdock, whose wife, Julia, died during childbirth. (7)
-- 1831 May 9
[Lucy Mack Smith] Joseph and Emma adopt Murdock twins (Joseph Murdock and Julia) (5)
Footnotes:
1 - http://saintswithouthalos.com/s/_dc.phtml
2 - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/19th_century_(Mormonism)
3 - http://www.prophetjosephsmith.org/joseph_smith_timeline
4 - Lucy's Book: A Critical Edition of Lucy Mack Smith's Family Memoir, Edited by Lavina Fielding Anderson, 2001, Signature Books
5 - History of Joseph Smith by His Mother: Revised and Enhanced by Scot Facer Proctor Maurine Jensen Proctor
6 - http://www.lds.net/forums/scripture-study-forum/12108-church-chronology-1800-2000-part-1-a.html#post214550
7 - BYU Studies Journal, volume 46, no. 4: A Chronology of the Life of Joseph Smith
8 - Encyclopedia of Mormonism, Vol. 4, Appendix 2: A Chronology of Church History
Clair Barrus
