[Joseph Smith] Joseph goes on trial to determine if he can legally be required to return to Missouri to face false charges. It is found illegal to send Joseph to Missouri and Joseph is released. (1)
-- Dec 26, 1842
Nauvoo, Illinois. Joseph Smith was arrested in the Lilburn W. Boggs case, for the second time, on an extradition order. (2)
[Lucy Mack Smith] Second arrest in Boggs case. (3)
[Lucy Mack Smith] On advice from Governor Ford, Joseph gives himself up on the Missouri charges of attempting to assassinate Boggs and goes to Springfield, Illinois. He is released because he cannot be tried in Missouri for a crime (ordering a murder) committed in Illinois. (4)
-- Dec 29, 1842
En route to Springfield, Illinois. Joseph Smith and his company traveled 32 miles in the cold. (2)
-- Dec 31, 1842
Springfield, Illinois. Joseph Smith appeared before the court and gave bail for his appearance at court in the Lilburn W. Boggs case. (2)
-- 1842
Church Membership at end of year: 23,564
New Converts : 3,708
Percent Change from previous year: 18.67% (5)
The Illinois legislature considers revoking Nauvoo's charter, but fails to act. Joseph Smith petitions the federal congress to make Nauvoo a territory. His petition is denied. (6)
-- During 1842-1844
* William Clayton -- primary scribal author for this period. Writings used in assembling The History of the Church (often cited as HC) (originally entitled History of Joseph Smith; first published under the title History of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints; nicknamed Documentary History of the Church or DHC) (7)
-- During 1842
[John Taylor] Appointed by Joseph Smith to edit the Times and Seasons, a Church publication. Also edits the Wasp (1842-43) and then its successor, the Nauvoo Neighbor (1843-45), both Nauvoo newspapers. (8)
[John Taylor] Chosen to be a member of the Nauvoo City Council, a regent of the University of Nauvoo, and Judge-Advocate in the Nauvoo Legion. (8)
[OREGON TRAIL] Dr. Elijah White's party of 200 is known for resulting in many of the guidebooks that would be used by later emigrants. The journals of Medorem Crawford and Asa Lovejoy and the narratives of John C. Fremont contain useful information; the guidebook of Lansford Hastings contains fatal misinformation. White, Crawford, Lovejoy, Fremont, and Hastings would all later find their ways back to the United States and guide other outbound emigrant parties. (9)
-- During 1842-1843
[Periodicals] The Wasp; William Smith Nauvoo, Illinois (News Paper) (10)
Footnotes:
1 - More Good Foundation, Timeline, http://www.prophetjosephsmith.org/joseph_smith_timeline
2 - BYU Studies Journal, volume 46, no. 4: A Chronology of the Life of Joseph Smith
3 - Proctor, Scott and Maurine Jensen, editors, History of Joseph Smith by His Mother: Revised and Enhanced
4 - Anderson, Lavina Fielding, Editor, Lucy's Book: A Critical Edition of Lucy Mack Smith's Family Memoir, 2001, Signature Books
5 - Wikipedia, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Membership History, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Church_of_Jesus_Christ_of_Latter-day_Saints_membership_history
6 - Wikipedia, 19th Century (Mormonism), http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/19th_century_(Mormonism)
7 - Wikipedia, History of the Church, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_the_Church
8 - Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Teachings of Presidents of the Church: John Taylor, Salt Lake City, Utah
9 - Clackamas Heritage Partners, http://www.historicoregoncity.org/HOC/index.php?option=com_contentview=articleid=107Itemid=75
10 - Ludlow, Daniel H. editor, Encyclopedia of Mormonism, Vol.4, Appendix 3: Church Periodicals
Mormon History Timeline /Chronology
http://lds-church-history.blogspot.com/
