Nauvoo, Illinois. Joseph Smith was serenaded in the morning by Sister Lettice Rushtons family, and later that evening he and his wife, Emma Smith, hosted a dinner for 50 couples. (1)
[Lucy Mack Smith] Orrin Porter Rockwell, released from prison in Missouri but still threatened by mobs, reaches Nauvoo. He interrupts a Christmas party at Joseph's and Emma's, haggard, unshaven, ragged, and dirty. (2)
-- Dec 29, 1843
Nauvoo, Illinois. Joseph Smith pronounced a blessing on the Nauvoo Police and offered to pay twice the amount of any bribe offered to them for information about the briber. (1)
[Lucy Mack Smith] Joseph says his life is in danger from a Brutus, a "doughhead." William Law takes the comment as a personal threat. (2)
-- Dec 31, 1843
Nauvoo, Illinois. About fifty musicians and singers sang William W. Phelps New Years hymn under Joseph Smiths window. (1)
-- 1843
Church Membership at end of year: 25,980
New Converts : 2,416
Percent Change from previous year: 10.25% (3)
-- During December 1843
[Heber C. Kimball] Receives fullness of priesthood ordinance or second anointing. (4)
-- During 1843
[Deseret] John C. Fremont and Kit Carson explore the Great Basin. (5)
-- During 1843?-1856
* Thomas Bullock -- 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) (6)
-- During 1843
[OREGON TRAIL] Over 800 people outfit for the first major migration and push their wagons through much of the intermountain west, establishing that a wagon road to Oregon is feasible. Jesse Applegate's misfortunes on the Columbia River inspire him to forge a new route into Oregon. Oregon's Provisional Government is formed in anticipation of the arrival of this wave of emigrants. (7)
-- During 1843-1845
[Periodicals] The Nauvoo Neighbor; John Taylor Nauvoo, Illinois (News Paper) (8)
-- Jan 1, 1844
Nauvoo, Illinois. Joseph Smith wrote a letter to Thomas Ford, governor of Illinois, relative to the kidnapping of certain Saints who were falsely imprisoned in Missouri. (1)
-- Jan 3, 1844
[Lucy Mack Smith] William Law and Joseph Smith are reconciled after a lengthy meeting. (2)
-- Jan 5, 1844
Nauvoo, Illinois. Joseph Smith dreamed the night before that two serpents were swallowing each other by the tail, but gave no explanation for this dream in his history. (1)
-- Jan 10, 1844
Nauvoo, Illinois. Joseph Smith ordained his uncle John Smith as a patriarch; he became the fourth patriarch of the Church on January 1, 1849. (1)
Nauvoo, Illinois. Joseph Smith received a letter from Francis M. Higbee, who falsely accused him of slandering his character. (1)
Footnotes:
1 - BYU Studies Journal, volume 46, no. 4: A Chronology of the Life of Joseph Smith
2 - Anderson, Lavina Fielding, Editor, Lucy's Book: A Critical Edition of Lucy Mack Smith's Family Memoir, 2001, Signature Books
3 - 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
4 - Kimball, Stanley B. (editor), On the Potter's Wheel: The Diaries of Heber C. Kimball, Chronology, Signature Books in association with Smith Research Associates, Salt Lake City, 1987
5 - History to Go, Trappers, Traders and Explorers, http://historytogo.utah.gov/timeline/trapperstradersandexplorers.html
6 - Wikipedia, History of the Church, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_the_Church
7 - Clackamas Heritage Partners, http://www.historicoregoncity.org/HOC/index.php?option=com_contentview=articleid=107Itemid=75
8 - Ludlow, Daniel H. editor, Encyclopedia of Mormonism, Vol.4, Appendix 3: Church Periodicals
Mormon History Timeline /Chronology
http://lds-church-history.blogspot.com/
