Future-apostle Charles C. Rich describes his endowment ceremony-experience in the Kirtland Temple: "We then continued to fast and pray until the setting of the sun when we Broke Bread and Drank wine[.] we prophesied all night pronouncing blessings and cursings until the morning light[.] there was Great manifestations of the power of God . . . and I was filled with the spirit of prophesy and I was endued with power from on high." (1)
-- May 16, 1836
[Joseph Smith] Joseph is involved in Church courts concerning a variety of charges, such as drinking, family neglect, adultery, unChristian-like conduct, and lying. (2)
-- 1836: 11 September
[Patriarchal Blessings] Betsy Pratt. (Given by Joseph Smith, Sen.)
"In the name of Jesus Christ I lay my hands upon thy head as thou hast no father in the Priesthood and seal on thee a fathers Blessing. I say unto thee do away thy fears for thou hast not only had fears for thyself but for others refrain from these things in patience possess thy soul be faithfull in keeping the Commandments of God and thou shalt be blessed with the Blessings of heaven and the earth also. Yea keep thy tongue let thy conversation be such as becometh righteousness have faith in God look to the Lord for wisdom and knowledge and thou shalt obtain hidden treasures of knowledge and wisdom thy mind shall expand thy judgement be informed and thou shalt grow in grace and in the knowledge of the truth. Keep the word of wisdom be faithfull and you shall overcome all besetments and receive Blessings in Zion which are great if thou shalt desire it. thou shalt see Angels. thou shalt speak in Tongues the wonderfull works of God yea if faithfull thou shalt see thy Children s
erving the Lord in righteousness in the Land of Zion. this is thy Blessing which is for thee and thy Children throughout their generations if faithful in keeping the commandments of the Lord and thou shalt desire it, thou shalt live to the age of seventy-five. even so, Amen." (From photocopy of manuscript; P8, f23, RLDS Archives.) [Age, 37; Scribe, ? Gibbs.] (3)
-- Dec 4, 1836
[Word of Wisdom] Sacrament and Washing Only
[Kirtland:] President RIGDON called a vote of the Church to discountenance the use intirely of all liquors from the Church in Sickness & in health except wine at the Sacraments & for external Washing. The vote was carried eunanimously. (4)
-- April 3-6, 1837
[Joseph Smith] A conference of the Church is held in Kirtland, with a solemn assembly held on April 6 for the purpose of the washing of feet, anointing, and receiving various instructions. Other meetings are held by different quorums, leading up to a general meeting on April 6. The seventies who have previously been ordained high priests are released from their callings as seventies, and new seventies are called and ordained. Joseph explains that the Melchizedek Priesthood is "no other than the Priesthood of the Son of God." He also says, "After all that has been said, the greatest and most important duty is to preach the Gospel." He talks about "embarrassment, of a pecuniary nature," stating that $6,000 is still needed by the members in Missouri, and $13,000 is needed for the debts caused by the building of the Lord's House in Kirtland. The sacrament of the Lord's Supper is passed, using bread and water. This is the first mention of water being used in the sacrament instea
d of wine. (History of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (7 volumes)2:475-80.) (2)
Footnotes:
1 - On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com
2 - Conklin, Christopher J., Joseph Smith Chronology
3 - Selected LDS Patriarchal Blessings, New Mormon Studies CD ROM, Signature Book, 2009, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies
4 - Kenny, Scott, Saints Without Halos, Mormon History 1830-1844, Word of Wisdom, http://www.saintswithouthalos.com/n/wow.phtml
LDS History Chronology: the Word of Wisdom
Mormon Timeline: the Word of Wisdom
http://lds-church-history.blogspot.com/
