History of the Word of Wisdom, May 3, 1845

-- May 3, 1845
[Apostle Wilford Woodruff Journal] 3d I took coach with Br Hardy & rode to Blackburn & called upon Elder John Hartley. We soon had an interview with Elder Wm. Speakman who went with us through the town. We visited their room which they had fitted up & sent for me to come & open it. Their seemed to be some misunderstanding between the Preston Singers & the Blackburn Saints But I trust it will be settled amicably.

I took tea with Br Hartley. Sister Hartley presented us with a good dish of Cockels. Elder Hardy returned to Preston in the evening. Distance 9 miles. I spent the day & night at Br Hartleys. (1)

-- May 11, 1845
[Apostle Wilford Woodruff Journal] ...Met in the Afternoon. I blessed the bread & wine & it was administered to the Saints after which the time was taking up by the Brethren & sisters in bearing testimony of the work of God, & the Power of God rested upon the Congregation untill it melted us into tear This is the Conference that Br Kimball speaks of in his Journal.... (1)

-- May 12, 1845
[Apostle Wilford Woodruff Journal] 12th I parted with the lovely Saints in Clith-ero took Coach rode to Blackborn. From thence to Preston whare I had the happy privilege of meeting with Elders Holmes & Hardy. I met the Saints in Preston & Preached to a full house. Was followed by Elders Holmes. I spoke from the CII Psalm. We had a good time. I spent the night with Elders Holmes & Hardy at Capt Willes. I had a severe Cold & pain in the head during the night. Distance 25.

This being the Whitson week all business was suspended & the people in the streets having a Holly day & at night their was so many drunk in the street & on the side walk that it was with difficulty for a sober man to go along without being run against. (1)

-- May 29, 1845
[Apostle Wilford Woodruff Journal] 29th I reeleyed 4 letters one from Holmes Clark Davis & Charles Miller. I wrote 2 letters one to Holmes one to Davis.

In the evening I went to the seashore with Elder Stratton to Baptize. On the way we saw a man run over a child with a waggon. Their was 500 people gatherd around it in as many minutes. They thought the child was killed but it soon revived. The man was taken up by the policee, & fined for being drunk & carelessness.

When we arived the water the tide was out. We got three cars to take the candidates down into the water and Elder Stratten went down into the sea and baptized 12 persons. We had a plesant and interesting time. Many of the Saints were present & numbers of the world & the whole company left the beach singing by the way. I took supper with Br Hall. Distance 6 m. (1)

-- May 30, 1845
[Apostle Wilford Woodruff Journal] ...After returning to the city I took tea at Br Caines & attended council with the officers of the Liverpool Branch & had a good time. Distance 10 m. (1)

Footnotes:
1 - Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies

LDS History Chronology: the Word of Wisdom

Mormon Timeline: the Word of Wisdom
http://lds-church-history.blogspot.com/

History of the Word of Wisdom, Mar 9, 1845

-- Mar 9, 1845
Roger Orton: Sustained by the seventies as a new president of the First Council of Seventy 9 Mar. 1845, even though they knew he had "addicted himself to drinking whiskey" (1)

-- Apr 12, 1845
Hosea Stout writes in his diary: "At home until about two o'clock and then went with my wife to the Masonic Hall to a feast of beer and cakes prepared by the Old Police. The Old Police and wives and some of the Twelve were present; we had a joyful time, as much cakes and beer as we could eat and drink; we broke up about nine o'clock p.m. and I then came home." (2)

-- Apr 15, 1845
[Apostle Wilford Woodruff Journal] 15th I visited a number of Saints during the day. Dined with Br George Hewett 54 Red Bank Manchester. Took tea with Sister Holebrook. Took rail cars at 6 oclok & rode with my family to Liverpool. Distance of the day 40 m. (3)

-- May 1, 1845
The TIMES AND SEASONS denies that Latter-day Saints engage in polygamy. It also asks, concerning the concept of sending missionaries to Africa: "Have the common propensities of the heathen to do evil been lessened by the labors of the clergy, in as great a proportion as drunkedness and debauchery had increased by civilized intercourse under the board of foreign mission?" (2)

-- May 2, 1845
[Apostle Wilford Woodruff Journal] May 2d I left Liverpool on the rail road & rode to Preston & spent the day with Elder Hardy in visiting the Brethren. I took Breakfast with Capt Willis 136 victoria st And Dinner with Sister Creer at 101 Bedford street. I took tea with Elder John Holsal Taylor North Road. I called upon Br Newsom's London Road. I met with the Council in the evening & spent the night at Capt Willis with Br Hardy. Distance of the day 35. (3)

Footnotes:
1 - Quinn, D. Michael, The Mormon Hierarchy: Origins of Power, Appendix 6, Biographical Sketches of General Officers of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1830-47, http://amzn.to/origins-power
2 - On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com
3 - Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies

LDS History Chronology: the Word of Wisdom

Mormon Timeline: the Word of Wisdom
http://lds-church-history.blogspot.com/

History of the Word of Wisdom, Feb 12, 1845

-- Feb 12, 1845
[Apostle Wilford Woodruff Journal] 12th I recieved a letter from Elder Clayton. I walked to the office. Spent the fore part of the day. In the evening I accompinied Mrs Woodruff & Clark to Br Tysom's & took tea. 5 m. (1)

-- Feb 16, 1845
[Apostle Wilford Woodruff Journal] ...I went & took tea at Br Sheldons, met again at 7 oclock & had a good time.... (1)

-- Feb 18, 1845
[Apostle Wilford Woodruff Journal] ...We all returned to Br Sheldens & took tea. We each got our likeness taken or profile. ... (1)

-- Feb 23, 1845
[Apostle Wilford Woodruff Journal] ...Met in the Afternoon at 2 oclok & had a Crouded house of Saints & citizens. Meeting opened by singing & Prayer. Remarks by Elder Woodruff on the Sacrament after which Elder Sheets blessed the bread & wine.... (1)

-- Mar 9, 1845
[Apostle Wilford Woodruff Journal] ...The Congregation gave good attention & I had much freedom of speech & spirit of speaking & had a good time but was in a high state of perspiration. We dined & took tea at Br Lawrence Newsham 13 London road. I spent the night at Sister Creers No 101 Bedford street. (1)

Footnotes:
1 - Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies

LDS History Chronology: the Word of Wisdom

Mormon Timeline: the Word of Wisdom
http://lds-church-history.blogspot.com/

History of the Word of Wisdom, Sep 26, 1844

-- Sep 26, 1844
[Apostle Wilford Woodruff Journal] 26th Arived in Schenactady in the evening. Took cars and boat for Albany via of Troy. Lost my carpet bag in the scrape. Upon on my arival at Albany it seemed as though I should be torn in peaces by the carman and Irish runners all pulling and haulling. I spent the night at Holmes Temperance House near the rail road landing. Carroans fee 50 cts. Distance from Oswego to Albany 200 miles. (1)

-- Sep 31, 1844
[Apostle Wilford Woodruff Journal] ... I rode to Cole-brook viewed the old mills & house whare father lived, took tea with Johathan Stillman & Called upon Mrs Caroline Wolcott. (1)

-- Nov 14, 1844
[Apostle Wilford Woodruff Journal] (Nov 14th Thursday + When the destroyer reigns darkness prevails.) At about daylight I was Called upon to go to Sister Foss's for Sarah Elizabeth was dying. Mrs Woodruff and myself went up as soon as could, & when we arived at the house we found Sarah Elizabeth apparently dying and appeared as though she would not live 10 minutes. Sister Foss & Ira Foss her older son was vary sick. The family was taking medicine after the Thompsonian system viz roots & herbs. Three doctors were attending upon the family. It was difficult to tell what the fever was that they had. It was first called the Typhus fever, but it proved to be vary malignant if not a putrid fever. The doctors nurses, & watchers, were nearly all more or less affected with it that were in the midst of it. The tongue would turn black & in a low stage would swell. It seemed to be a difficult matter to break up the fever after it once seated.... (1)

-- Nov 24, 1844
[Apostle Wilford Woodruff Journal] 24th Sunday I met with the Saints in New Bedford. Herd Elder Blake in the forenoon. I preached in the afternoon & evening to a full house. I took tea with Br Dexter watch maker. He fixed my watch. I confirmed 3 persons in the evening who were baptized during the day. (1)

-- Jan 12, 1845
[Apostle Wilford Woodruff Journal] ...I took tea with Elder James Marsden. Again met with the Saints in the evening & had a full house. A number of strangers. I addressed them upon the first principles of the gospel. I had the spirit of the Lord and a good time. I administered to 2 sick. Blessed 2 children. Returned home & spent the night. 3 m. (1)

Footnotes:
1 - Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies

LDS History Chronology: the Word of Wisdom

Mormon Timeline: the Word of Wisdom
http://lds-church-history.blogspot.com/

History of the Word of Wisdom, Jun 9, 1844

-- Jun 9, 1844
[Joseph Smith Diary] Sunday, June 9th 1844 At home. Health not very good. Lungs wearied. Hyrum preached at the stand.

2 P.M. Several passengers of the "Osprey" from St. Louis and Quincy put up at the Mansion. I helped carry in their trunks and chatted with them in the bar room.

Meeting at Mansion [at] 6 o'clock. (1)

-- Jun 15, 1844
The Presiding Patriarch publishes an announcement signed as "HYRUM SMITH, President of the Church." William Clayton writes in his journal: "A.M. [Joseph Smith was] conversing with Dr. [Joseph] Wakefield and others in the Bar Room, telling a dream concerning his father killing a man who attempted to stab him. He also spoke concerning key words. The g[reat] key word was the first word Adam spoke and is a word of supplication. He found the word by the Urim and Thummim. It is that key word to which the heavens is opened." (2)

-- Aug 5, 1844
[Apostle Wilford Woodruff Journal] Aug 5th Monday This is the day of election in this state. Their will probably be some fighting and perhaps some blood shed as men are geting wicked and about ripe for judgment. Their was some fighting in the bar room below last evening but nothing vary serious. Elder Kimball had a dream last evening. Thought he was preaching to a large Congregation. Said the Prophet Joseph Smith had laid the foundation for a great work and it was now for us to build upon it. He thought Br Joseph was present and appeared natural. We took the steemer st Croix and left Galena for Nauvoo. We had a plesant sail through the day and evening, though some unplesant feelings during the evening. (3)

James J. Strang announces to his Michigan branch that he is Joseph Smith's successor through a letter of appointment. The branch president denounces the letter as a forgery and excommunicates Strang. William Clayton writes in his journal: "This last night I dreamed that Joseph and Emma came to me and appeared very much dissatisfied and displeased because I had kept back the money sent by Brother [Heber C.] Kimball. I thought I explained the reason and told them I had been councilled to do so." On Tubuai, an island in the South Pacific, missionary Addison Pratt administers the sacrament: "for wine I substituted cocoa nut milk, that was a pure beverage, which never had come to the open air, till we broke the nut for that purpose." (2)

-- Aug 18, 1844
[Apostle Wilford Woodruff Journal] ...President Young arose and said that he had many things to speak of. ... And as to the doctors who are in our midst who are our enemies I would say let them alone, for I have no boubt but that three to one who have died in this place had a doctor and I would say wo unto ye Lawyers for their whole Study is to put down truth and put a lie in its stead. I want the Lawyers to know that we have common sens. They want to make you believe that when you spell Baker it means Cider or whiskey.... (3)

Footnotes:
1 - Faulring, Scott (ed.), An American Prophet's Record: The Diaries and Journals of Joseph Smith: Joseph Smith Diary, 1844, http://amzn.to/jsdiaries
2 - On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com
3 - Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies

LDS History Chronology: the Word of Wisdom

Mormon Timeline: the Word of Wisdom
http://lds-church-history.blogspot.com/

History of the Word of Wisdom, May 19, 1844

-- May 19, 1844
[Joseph Smith Diary] Sunday, May 19th 1844 Cloudy morning. At home. Lyman Wight preached at the stand. Rain commenced about twelve. Bonney returned from the east. [several lines left blank]

Prayer Meeting at P.M. Was dispensed with. So muddy and rainy. About 12 men [and] 2 women attending.

Eve I talked a long time in the bar Room. Judge Phelps read my rejoinder to Clay. Esq[ui]r[e] Reid my old Lawyer present.

Fog[g]y and wet. "Maid of Iowa" has not arrived 10 o'clock. (1)

-- May 31, 1844
[Joseph Smith Diary] Friday, May 31st 1844 9 A.M. Ordered a capias to arrest T[homas] B. Johnson for threatening the peace of the city with Draggon [dragoon] &c. H. Hugins made affidavit but Johnson had gone.

10 A.M. Called at my office and wrote. 1 P.M. was called to see Sister Richards who was very sick. Laid on hands. Directed some Raspberry tea and she was better. [met with Council of Fifty]] 2 or 3 Indians stay in hall over night. [several lines left blank] Pleasant. (1)

-- Jun 1, 1844
"Drank a glass of beer at Moissers," reads an entry in Joseph Smith's manuscript diary in reference to Frederick G. Moesser's "grog shop," which Joseph had condemned in a sermon on Aug 12, 1843. When the manuscript history is published as HISTORY OF THE CHURCH this sentence is omitted without indication. (2)

[Joseph Smith Diary] Saturday, June 1st 1844 At home. Some gentle showers. 1 P.M. Rode out with Dr. Richards and O[rrin] P[orter] Rockwell called on Davis at the boat. /Paid Manhard $90.00/ Met G[eorge] J. Adams and paid him $50.00 to J[ohn] P. Green paid him and another bro[ther] $200.00 to [blank]. Excha[nge]d $100 Gold and a check. Drank a glass of beer at Moissers. Called at W[illia]m Clayton's while Dr. R[ichards] and Rockwell called at Dr. New House. Home 4 1/2 [P.M.]. ... (1)

-- Jun 6, 1844
[Joseph Smith Diary] Thursday, June 6th 1844 At home. About 9 [A.M.] ordered my carriage which stood at the door till near noon, while I read my letter to H[enry] Clay to many strangers in the bar room among whom was one who advocated for H[enry] Clay. I argued long to show the subject in its true light and showed him that no man could honestly vote for a man /like Clay/ who had violated his oath and not acted on constitutional principles.

About 12 [P.M.] 1/2 D[imick] B. Huntington come and said R[obert] D. Foster felt bad and he thought there was a chance for him to return if he could be reinstated in his office in the Legion &c. that he had all the anties affidavits &c. at his control. ! told him if he would return, withdraw all his suits &c. and do right he should be restored. Met Bro[ther] Richards coming from his garden with new potatoes. Told him to go to the High Council and have Bro[ther] Brown restored to the church and give him his licence. Rode out with several in my carriage an hour or so.

7 P.M. Heavy shower, thunder, lightning [and] rain and again about 9. (1)

Footnotes:
1 - Faulring, Scott (ed.), An American Prophet's Record: The Diaries and Journals of Joseph Smith: Joseph Smith Diary, 1844, http://amzn.to/jsdiaries
2 - On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com

LDS History Chronology: the Word of Wisdom

Mormon Timeline: the Word of Wisdom
http://lds-church-history.blogspot.com/

History of the Word of Wisdom, Jan 16, 1844

-- Jan 16, 1844
[Joseph Smith] Francis M. Higbee is tried before the municipal court for "slanderous and abusive language." During the trial Higbee and Joseph are reconciled, and Higbee states that the difficulties between him and Joseph are buried and that they are friends forever. An "Ordinance concerning the Sale of Spirituous Liquors" is also passed by the city council. (History of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (7 volumes) 6:178-79.) (1)

-- Jan 19, 1844
[Joseph Smith Diary] Friday, January 19th 1844 At home. [several lines left blank] Rode out in the course of the day. [several lines left blank] In the evening gave a Lecture on the Constitution and candidates for the Presidency &c. Backenstos, clerk of the Co[unty] Court, [was] present. Bro[ther] Phelps and a great Co[mpany] in Bar Room. [several lines left blank] Mild weather, Cloudy P.M. and eve. (2)

-- Mar 7, 1844
[Joseph Smith Diary] ..."Shallow drafts intoxicate the brain &c. Look at the reason. No vessel could land any where if subject to individual[s'] laws. [The] Corporation owns the streets of the city and have a right to tax the Boats to make wharfs. The same as to tax citizens to make roads. [I] Want every man in this city to stay at home and let the Boat Captains, peace officers, and every body alone. ... (3)

-- Before May 3, 1844
Augustine Spencer writes a letter charging Joseph Smith with drinking, swearing, carousing, and keeping six or seven young females as wives [Per Parley P. Pratt]. (4)

-- May 5, 1844
[Joseph Smith Diary] Sunday, May 5th 1844 At home. Instructed Dr. Richards, my clerk, to go to Quincy and pay Walsh 100 dollars due on my farm. Rain. Messenger did not go.

Elder Grant preached at the Mansion 2 P.M. A large co[mpany] in Bar Room. P.M. and eve. Joseph spoke a long time on petitions read F. Grierson's letter, Clay's letter, &c.

J[ohn] P. Green attended Conference at Quincy Saturday and to day. Rain continues. (3)

Footnotes:
1 - Conklin, Christopher J., Joseph Smith Chronology
2 - Faulring, Scott (ed.), An American Prophet's Record: The Diaries and Journals of Joseph Smith: Joseph Smith Diary, 1843-44, http://amzn.to/jsdiaries
3 - Faulring, Scott (ed.), An American Prophet's Record: The Diaries and Journals of Joseph Smith: Joseph Smith Diary, 1844, http://amzn.to/jsdiaries
4 - Tidd, N. R., "Mormon Chronology"

LDS History Chronology: the Word of Wisdom

Mormon Timeline: the Word of Wisdom
http://lds-church-history.blogspot.com/

History of the Word of Wisdom, Dec 25, 1843

-- Dec 25, 1843
[Joseph Smith Diary] A large party supped at my house and spent the evening /in a most cheerful and friendly manner/ in Music, Dancing, &c. During the festivities a man apparently drunk, with his hair long and falling over his shoulders come in and acted like a Missourian. I commanded the Capt[ain] of the police to put him out of doors. In the scuffle, I looked him full in the face and to my great surprize and Joy untold I discovered it was Orrin Porter Rockwell, just arrived from a years imprisonment in M[iss]o[uri] (1)

-- Dec 27, 1843
[Joseph Smith] The church's newspaper Nauvoo Neighbor advertises ale and beer from the Nauvoo Brewery. (2)

-- Dec 29, 1843
[Joseph Smith Diary] At 4 P.M. in City Council 40 Policemen [were] sworn [in], whom I addressed at considerable length. See minutes of Council. Two petitions for licensing spirituous liquors. (1)

-- Jan 13, 1844
[Apostle Wilford Woodruff Journal] 13th The City Council met & treated upon the Subject of granting licence for retailing liquors. President Smith addressed the Council a number of times.

I commenced shingleing my house this day. Let the Job to John Gray for $12. The Cornish Cost $22, the tin gutter $7. (3)

-- Jan 16, 1844
An "Ordinance concerning the sale of Spirituous Liquors" is passed by the Nauvoo City Council. It states: "Be it ordained by the City Council of the city of Nauvoo. that the Mayor of this city is hereby authorized to sell said liquors in such quantities as he may deem expedient." The ordinance is signed by "Joseph Smith, Mayor." (4)

Footnotes:
1 - Faulring, Scott (ed.), An American Prophet's Record: The Diaries and Journals of Joseph Smith: Joseph Smith Diary, 1843-44, http://amzn.to/jsdiaries
2 - Quinn, D. Michael, The Mormon Hierarchy: Origins of Power, Appendix 7: Selected Chronology of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1830-47, http://amzn.to/origins-power
3 - Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies
4 - Advent Adam website (defunct) - based on http://amzn.to/originsofpower

LDS History Chronology: the Word of Wisdom

Mormon Timeline: the Word of Wisdom
http://lds-church-history.blogspot.com/

History of the Word of Wisdom, Dec 1, 1843

-- Dec 1, 1843
Joseph Smith's manuscript diary makes first mention of the Nauvoo Mansion's bar room. Joseph Smith III later reminisced that his father set up a fully-stocked bar with Orrin Porter Rockwell as bartender. (1)

-- Dec 15, 1843
[Joseph Smith Diary] Friday, December 15th 1843 I [Joseph Smith] awoke this morning in good health, but was soon suddenly seized with a great dryness of the mouth and throat and sickness of the stomach, and vomited freely. My wife waited on me assisted by my scribe and Dr. L[evi] Richards, who administered to me herbs and mild drinks. I was never prostrated so low in so short a time before, but by evening was considerably revived. [several lines left blank] Very warm. (2)

Nauvoo, Illinois. After becoming ill in the morning, Joseph Smith was administered herbs and mild drinks by Levi Richards and was considerably revived by evening. (3)

-- Dec 20, 1843, Wednesday
[William Clayton Writings] To Emigrants and Latter-Day Saints Generally: I feel it my duty to say ... that there is in the hands of the trustee in trust, a large quantity of lands, both in the city and adjoining townships in this county, which is for sale, some of which belongs to the Church and is designed for the benefit of the poor, and also to liquidate debts owing to the Church, for which the trustee in trust is responsible. Some, also, is land which has been consecrated for the building of the Temple and the Nauvoo House.

If the brethern who move in here and want an inheritance, will buy their lands of the trustee in trust, they will thereby benefit the poor, the Temple, and the Nauvoo House, and even then only will be doing that which is their duty, and which I know, by considerable experience, will be vastly for their benefit and satisfaction in days to come. Let all the brethern, therefore, whey they move into Nauvoo, consult President Joseph Smith, the trustee in trust, and purchase their lands of him; and I am bold to say that God will bless them. ...

We hold ourselves ready at any time to wait upon the brethern and show them the lands ... and can be found any day, either at President Joseph Smith's bar-room, or the Temple Recorder's office at the Temple. (4)

-- Dec 21, 1843
[Joseph Smith Diary] Thursday, 21st Called on Bro[ther] Phelps before Sunrise and told him an alarm gun had been fired, but I believed nothing serious. Took the key and went into the office. A few citizens assembled but Bro9 Cairns had returned home and all was peace. At 12 went into City Council and remained till 2 P.M. Passed [an] ordinance to prevent unlawful arrests and Sezure in Nauvoo. Read Memorial to Congress for Territorial powers &c. /Appointed O[rson] Pratt delegate to convey it/ Appointed J[ohn] P. Green Marshal &c. In the evening conversed with strangers in the bar room &c.

J. Holman and E[lbridge] Tuftes left papers for history. Very warm and pleasant. (2)

Footnotes:
1 - Quinn, D. Michael, The Mormon Hierarchy: Origins of Power, Appendix 7: Selected Chronology of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1830-47, http://amzn.to/origins-power
2 - Faulring, Scott (ed.), An American Prophet's Record: The Diaries and Journals of Joseph Smith: Joseph Smith Diary, 1843-44, http://amzn.to/jsdiaries
3 - Joseph Smith Resource Center: Daily Events in the Life of Joseph Smith, http://josephsmith.net/josephsmith/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=e581001cfb340010VgnVCM1000001f5e340aRCRDlocale=0
4 - Fillerup, Robert C., compiler; William Clayton Nauvoo Diaries and Personal Writings, A chronological compilation of the personal writings of William Clayton while he was a resident of Nauvoo, Illinois. http://www.boap.org/LDS/Early-Saints/clayton-diaries

LDS History Chronology: the Word of Wisdom

Mormon Timeline: the Word of Wisdom
http://lds-church-history.blogspot.com/

History of the Word of Wisdom, Nov 05, 1843

-- Nov 05, 1843
Smith becomes violently ill at dinner and assumes that his wife Emma of trying to poison him due to her opposition to polygamy. At the prayer circle meeting that evening Smith accuses her of poisoning his cup of coffee, and Brigham Young regards her shocked silence as proof of her guilt. However, Joseph's rapid recovery from this illness suggests something other than poisoning, possibly ulcers. Smith accuses Emma of poisoning his coffee . PLACE: Nauvoo, IL SOURCE: Joseph Smith, History of the Church, Vol. 6, p.65, Brigham Young, conference address, 7 Oct. 1866, The Essential Brigham Young, p.188 (1)

-- Nov. 25th 1843
[High Council Minutes]

Council met according to adjt in the upper room of J. Smith's Store.

Prayer by Br Huntington. W. Marks & C.C. Rich Presiding. Council all present.

Francis Fox against Thomas Richardson.

Charge.

"To William Marks President of the High Council, in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

I, Francis Fox, do prefer a charge against Elder Thomas Richardson, to wit:

1st For demanding my licence unlawfully.

2nd For also demanding and taking the licence of other Brethren in a clandestine manner &c &c in Chicago Cook County Ill. in the month of February 1842.

City of Nauvoo Nov 15th 1843

Francis Fox, Elder.

One were appointed to speak on a side Viz 5) Fulmer and 6) Harris. The matter of difficulty appeared to be in relation to the manner of organizing a branch of the Church in Chicago, and some ordinations which took place. Decided by the President that the ordinations were legal and that Elder Richardson had no right to demand their licence which was unanimously sanctioned by the Council.

The case of Elisha Hoops was next brought up on the complaint by letter from Pike Co. Ill. for getting drunk and using bad language which thing he confessed, and asked forgiveness but thought that he did not use bad language. President Marks give him some instructions which he accepted. he was continued in the Church.

Joseph Smith against Harrison Sagars.

"Nauvoo City November 21st 1843.

Brother Marks

Dear Sir I hereby prefer the following charges against Elder Harrison Sagars, namely:

1st For trying to seduce a young girl, living at his house by the name of Phebe Madison.

2nd For using my name in a blasphemous manner, by saying that I tolerated such things in which thing he is guilty of lying &c. &c.

Joseph Smith"

The defendant plead not guilty. One were appointed to speak on a side, Viz: 7) Grover and 8) Johnson.

The charge was not sustained, but it appeared that he had taught false doctrine which was corrected by President Joseph Smith, and the doctrine which was corrected by President Joseph Smith, and the defendant was continued in the church. Council adjd till Saturday the 9th of Dec. next at 2 O'clock P.M.

Hosea Stout Clerk (2)

-- Dec 1, 1843
[Joseph Smith Diary] December 1st 1843 At home. 12 A.[M.] Sec[retary] called to get a petition for an appropriation from Congress to improve the rapids, but the Pres[ident] standing in the bar room said it was not [yet] written. Howard Corey started for Bear Creek to get subscribers. [several lines left blank] Clear and cold. Some ice floating in the river. (3)

Footnotes:
1 - Joseph Smith Polygamy Timeline, http://www.i4m.com/think/polygamy/JS_Polygamy_Timeline.htm
2 - Minutes of the High Council of the Church of Jesus Christ of Nauvoo Illinois: Nauvoo Hancock County Illinois, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies
3 - Faulring, Scott (ed.), An American Prophet's Record: The Diaries and Journals of Joseph Smith: Joseph Smith Diary, 1843-44, http://amzn.to/jsdiaries

LDS History Chronology: the Word of Wisdom

Mormon Timeline: the Word of Wisdom
http://lds-church-history.blogspot.com/

History of the Word of Wisdom, Aug 21, 1843

-- Aug 21, 1843
[Joseph Smith Diary] August 21st, Monday Having received a letter from Esqu[ire] Patrick covering one from J. Hall Esqu[ire], Independance, M[iss]o[uri,] gave instruction to have them copied with some additional remarks and sent to Governor Ford. Copied accordingly.

Many folks at house. Rode out.

P.M. Held court Nauvoo vs Frederick J. Mosser on Temperance ordinance. Fined $3 and costs. (1)

-- Aug 25, 1843
[Joseph Smith Diary] Friday, August 25th 1843 Hyrum in the office. Spoke of a new revelation.1

Rain in gentle showers through the day, the first water of much amount that has fallen since 1st June in Nauvoo. The Earth has been exceedingly dry, and the early potato [crop] nearly destroyed. Corn has been checked in its growth and even vines much injured by drouth [drought].

Saw the President at tea 5 P.M. (1)

-- Sep 18, 1843. Monday.
[William Clayton Journal] A.M. at President Joseph's ...Joseph and I rode out to borrow money, drank wine at Sister Lyons. P.M. I got $50 of Sister Lyons and paid it to D. D. Yearsley. (2)

-- Oct 3, 1843
[Brigham Young] --3-- In company with Elders Kimball, Hyde, Woodruff, G. [George] A. Smith and J. [Jedediah] M. Grant, visited the Saints in Philadelphia; dined at Brother J. B. Nicholson's, and in the evening partook of an oyster supper at Mr. Jeffrey's, who undertook to get us drunk, but only succeeded in intoxicating himself. We consecrated several bottles of oil. (3)

-- Oct 20, 1843
[Joseph Smith Diary] October 20th B[enjamin] F. Johnson and wife Melissa LaBarron by Hy[rum] Smith {Listed Marriage} (4)

Footnotes:
1 - Faulring, Scott (ed.), An American Prophet's Record: The Diaries and Journals of Joseph Smith: Joseph Smith Diary, 1843-44, http://amzn.to/jsdiaries
2 - George D. Smith, An Intimate Chronicle; The Journals of William Clayton, Signature Books in association with Smith Research Associates, Salt Lake City, 1995, http://amzn.to/william-clayton
3 - Manuscript History of Brigham Young, 1801-1844, ed. Elden Jay Watson (Salt Lake City: Smith Secretarial Service, 1968).
4 - Faulring, Scott (ed.), An American Prophet's Record: The Diaries and Journals of Joseph Smith: Joseph Smith Diary, 1843, http://amzn.to/jsdiaries

LDS History Chronology: the Word of Wisdom

Mormon Timeline: the Word of Wisdom
http://lds-church-history.blogspot.com/

History of the Word of Wisdom, Jun 27, 1843

-- Jun 27, 1843
In the afternoon Joseph meets the first of the men on horseback from Nauvoo. Letting his tears go, Joseph cries, "I am not going to Missouri this time. These are my boys." These men have all been riding frantically from Nauvoo, sometimes forcing whiskey down their horses' throats just to keep them going. Emma and the children reach Nauvoo at night. (History of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (7 volumes) 5:451-52; Donna Hill, Joseph Smith: The First Mormon 328.) (1)

-- Jul 22, 1843
[Brigham Young] --22-- We took the steamer Adelaide for Pittsburgh, and on the 27th left the Adelaide on a sand bar and took stage at Bridgewater for the city; stopped at the town of Economy, founded by Mr. Rapp, upon the common stock principle.

On our arrival at Pittsburgh Brother Small informed us there was a Latter-day Saint meeting at the Temperance Hall; we went there, and found Elders H. [Heber] C. Kimball, O. [Orson] Pratt and J. [John] E. Page. Elder Page was preaching; he hammered the sectarian churches unmercifully. He informed the people of our arrival, which made six of the Quorum of the Twelve in that city. (2)

-- Jul 31, 1843
[Joseph Smith Diary] Monday, July 31 st Wilson Law and E[benezer] Robinson started for Chicago with W[illia]m Marks. Went on the Prairie. Newell Nurse called to get Joel Bullard confined. He is threatening, drinking, and probably delirious at first. (3)

-- Aug 13, 1843
[Joseph Smith Diary] ...The city is enlarging very fast. We have so many learned men in this city and the height of knowledge is not [sufficient] to know enough to keep out of the way. I have been ferretting out grog shops, groceries, and beer barrels.

Mr. Bagby[, county tax collector out] of Carthage, who has exercised more despotic power over the inhabitants of this city than any despot of the Eastern country I met. He gave me some abusive language [and] took up a stone to throw at me. I siezed him by the throat to choke him off. ... (3)

-- Aug 13, 1843. Sunday.
[William Clayton Journal] ... [Joseph Smith spoke] of the Grog and Beer shops and said he should rip them up. ... (4)

Footnotes:
1 - Conklin, Christopher J., Joseph Smith Chronology
2 - Manuscript History of Brigham Young, 1801-1844, ed. Elden Jay Watson (Salt Lake City: Smith Secretarial Service, 1968).
3 - Faulring, Scott (ed.), An American Prophet's Record: The Diaries and Journals of Joseph Smith: Joseph Smith Diary, 1843-44, http://amzn.to/jsdiaries
4 - George D. Smith, An Intimate Chronicle; The Journals of William Clayton, Signature Books in association with Smith Research Associates, Salt Lake City, 1995, http://amzn.to/william-clayton

LDS History Chronology: the Word of Wisdom

Mormon Timeline: the Word of Wisdom
http://lds-church-history.blogspot.com/

History of the Word of Wisdom, Mar 25, 1843

-- Mar 25, 1843
[Joseph Smith Diary] Saturday, March 25th 1843 In the office at 8 o'clock, heard a report from Hyrum concerning thieves as given by J[ohn?]. <Wilson> and directed a proclamation to be published offering security to all who will devulge their secrets.

Received a letter from A. Jonas requesting the use of a cannon to celebrate /the creation of/ the New County of Marquetts and answered it that he might have it. Also rec[eive]d letter from Senator Young containing a bond for 1/4 section of land from Welch.

9 [A.M.] Baptized Esqu[ire] Mif[f]lin of Philadelphia.

10 [A.M.] Ordered a writ against A. Fields for disorderly conduct. Gave E[benezer] Robinson an order on T[aylor] and Woodruff for papers $16.

A. Fields was brought in about noon drunk or pretending to be so and was ordered to be put in irons till sober. He abused all present by his drunken appearance. Has been out in the city.

Dined at 2 o'clock.

"Awful gale" says St. Louis Gazette, within the last 6 weeks 154 vessels were wrecked on the coast of England and 190 lives lost; on the east of Ireland 5 vessels and 134 lives; on the coast of Scotland 17 vessels [and] 39 lives; on the coast of France 4 vessels and 100 lives. Value of vessel and cargoes roughly estimated 825,000. (1)

-- Mar 27, 1843
[Joseph Smith Diary] Monday, March 27th 1843 Dictated a letter to Esqui[re] Rigdon showing that he [Joseph] believed said Rigdon was concerned [connected] with J[ohn] C. Bennet[t], Geo[rge] W. Robinson, and Jared Carter and unless satisfaction was made should withdraw fellowship and bring him before conference. Letter was presented by W[illard] Richards.

11 [A.M.] Court assembled over the store to try A. Field for drunkenness and abusing his wife. [He was] fined $10 costs and bail $50 for 6 months to keep the peace. (1)

-- May 3, 1843
[Joseph Smith Diary] Wednesday, May 3d 1843 Called at the office. Drank a glass of wine with Sister Richards of her mother's make in England.... (1)

-- May 27, 1843
[Quorum of Twelve] Saturday May 27th 1843. The Twelve assembled in council ... also President Joseph Smith, Patriarchs, Hiryam [sic] Smith and James Adams, Bishop Whitney and others — Prayer by Elder Kimball after singing.

President Young stated the object of the meeting was to investigate a letter from Sybbella Armstrong of Philadelphia concerning Benjamin Winchester — and other business. The letter was then read ... stating that B. Winchester had been slandered by her character.

[Then discussed stories of her drunkenness and possessing large amounts, on occasion, of money and having debt — Winchester defended himself as only repeating well known stories.] Hyrum Smith when he was in Philadelphia ... when I preached adultery she left the house. [after more discussion]

Pres[iden]t J. Smith said that it [sic] was a bag of nonsense to sit here without witnesses & hear one slang another. Pres[iden]t J. Smith, it has been the character of B. Winchester form the beginning to contradict every body every thing. and I have been under the ire of his tongue [?] ... I disagreed him before the conference & to be revenged he told one of the most damnable lies about me. Visited Sister Smith, Sister Dibble — small hat shop. — told her to come to Nauvoo [?] with me. & I would protect him [?] & B. Winchester set up a howl that I was guilty of improper conduct.

If Isabella Armstrong, is every so bad so much the worse [?] The patriarchal office is the highest office in the church ... and father Smith conferred this office, on Hyrum Smith, on his death bed. Pres[iden]t Joseph said to the Twelve that Elder Adams has come to me and make acknowledgment, perfect satisfaction — his [license ?] as Elder will be taken form him and he will act as priest. — and Bro[ther] Adams will has now started anew, — and let all present hold their tongues and only say that Elder Adams has started anew. -- (2)

Footnotes:
1 - Faulring, Scott (ed.), An American Prophet's Record: The Diaries and Journals of Joseph Smith: Joseph Smith Diary, 1843, http://amzn.to/jsdiaries
2 - Quorum of the Twelve Apostles: Minutes of Meetings and Other Documents--Excerpts, 1835-1896, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies

LDS History Chronology: the Word of Wisdom

Mormon Timeline: the Word of Wisdom
http://lds-church-history.blogspot.com/

History of the Word of Wisdom, Jul 4, 1842

-- Jul 4, 1842
[Joseph Smith] A grand parade of the Nauvoo Legion is led by Wilson Law. Two are fined $10.25 for selling whiskey. (1)

-- Dec 26, 1842
[Joseph Smith Diary] Visited Sis[ter] Morey in custody of Sec[retary Richards] and prescribed for her afflictions. Spoke very highly of Lobelia [an herb], good in its place, was one of the works of God. But like the power of God or any good, it become an evil when improperly used. Had lear[ne]d the use and value [of Lobelia] by his own experience. (2)

Footnotes:
1 - Conklin, Christopher J., Joseph Smith Chronology
2 - Faulring, Scott (ed.), An American Prophet's Record: The Diaries and Journals of Joseph Smith: Joseph Smith Diary, 1842-43, http://amzn.to/jsdiaries
3 - Faulring, Scott (ed.), An American Prophet's Record: The Diaries and Journals of Joseph Smith: Joseph Smith Diary, 1843, http://amzn.to/jsdiaries

LDS History Chronology: the Word of Wisdom

Mormon Timeline: the Word of Wisdom
http://lds-church-history.blogspot.com/

History of the Word of Wisdom, Mar 20, 1842 (Sunday Morning)

-- Mar 20, 1842 (Sunday Morning)
[Joseph Smith Sermon] The speaker before closing called upon the vast assembly before him to humble themselves in faith before God & in mighty prayer & fasting to call upon his Holy name untill the elements were purified over our heads & the earth sanctified under our feet that the inhabitants of this city may escape the power of the disease pestilence & destroyer that rideth upon the face of the earth & that the holy spirit of God may rest upon this vast multitude (1)

-- Mar 24, 1842
[Joseph Smith] Joseph attends to the completion of the Female Relief Society of Nauvoo. He comments that a great number of sisters attend the meetings and that "they will fly to the relief of the stranger; they will pour in oil and wine to the wounded heart of the distressed; they will dry up the tears of the orphan and make the widow's heart to rejoice." (History of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (7 volumes) 4:567-68.) By September 1842, the membership of this society increases to 1,142; it increases 200 more during the following 18 months. (2)

-- Apr 9, 1842
the Nauvoo City Council passes an ordinance to license taverns and ordinaries in the town to sell beer but not spirits. (3)

-- Apr 28, 1842 (Thursday Afternoon)
[Joseph Smith Sermon] ...Prest. Smith then read, "Though I have the gift of prophecy" &C. He then said though one should become mightyâ€"do great thingsâ€"overturn mountains &C should then turn to eat and drink with the drunken; all former deeds would not save himâ€"but he would go to destruction!... (1)

-- Jun 17, 1842
[Joseph Smith] William Law publishes a defense of the morality of the Saints in Nauvoo. Joseph comments on it, saying, "There is no city . . . that can compare with the city of Nauvoo. You may live in our city for a month, and not hear an oath sworn; you may be here as long and not see one person intoxicated. So notorious are we for sobriety, that at the time the Washington convention passed through our city a meeting was called for them, but they expressed themselves at a loss what to say, as there were no drunkards to speak to." (History of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (7 volumes) 5:32-34.) (2)

Footnotes:
1 - The Woodland Institute, http://www.woodlandinstitute.com
2 - Conklin, Christopher J., Joseph Smith Chronology
3 - On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com

LDS History Chronology: the Word of Wisdom

Mormon Timeline: the Word of Wisdom
http://lds-church-history.blogspot.com/

How coffee won the West

How coffee won the West
Historian Bagley to speak Thursday

ParkRecord.com

June 14, 2011


Utah historian Will Bagley will discuss the Western United States...«12»When the Pioneers from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints took the Overland Trail from Nauvoo to Salt Lake City, they packed a lot of coffee for the trek.

"I've got manifests of what the Brigham Young Pioneer Company took on the trail and some of the parties set out with hundreds of pounds of coffee," said Utah Historian Will Bagley. "The Word of Wisdom was a different thing back then."

Bagley will give a presentation called "Coffee on the Trail" in connection with the "Coffee: The World in Your Cup" exhibit at the Park City Museum, 528 Main St., on June 16. . .

http://www.parkrecord.com/ci_18272064

History of the Word of Wisdom, Oct 7, 1841

-- Oct 7, 1841
[Brigham Young] --7-- Brother Joseph and several of the Twelve called on me. We went to meeting, when Joseph spoke on temperance, virtue, charity and truth. After the meeting I met with the Twelve and high priests quorum. The word of wisdom was brought up; I expressed my views upon the subject, and said I considered it wisdom to use all things put into our hands according to the best judgment God would give us: wisdom was justified of her children. (1)

-- During Oct 1841
[Black History] In a discourse on fault-finding among the brethren, Smith tangentially comments upon the curse Noah laid upon Ham, and states that the curse remains upon the posterity of Canaan until the present day. "I referred to the curse of Ham for laughing at Noah, while in his wine, but doing no harm. Noah was a righteous man, and yet he drank wine and became intoxicated; the Lord did not forsake him in consequence thereof, for he retained all the power of his priesthood, and when he was accused by Canaan, he cursed him by the priesthood which he held, and the Lord had respect to his word, and the priesthood which he held, notwithstanding he was drunk, and the curse remains upon the posterity of Canaan until the present day" (History of the Church, 4:446). (2)

-- Nov 7, 1841 (Sunday)
[Joseph Smith Sermon] 7th Sunday I first called upon Br Joseph with some of the Twelve from thence to B. Young from thence to the meeting ground near the Temple whare I found many hundreds of Saints Elder Wm Clark preached about 2 hours when Br Joseph arose & reproved him as pharisaical & hypocritical & not edifying the people Br Joseph then delivered unto us an Edifying address ... what many people called sin was not sin & he did many things to break down superstition & he would break it down he spoke of the curse of ham for laughing at Noah while in his wine but doing no harm. (3)

-- January the 18th 1842
[High Council Minutes] The High Council of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day [Saints] of Nauvoo Illinois met in council at the office of Elder Hyrum Smith.

1st President William Marks stated that the object of the meeting of the Council was to take into consideration the affairs of the Church, to set in order all things relative to their duty as Councellors, to call on the Bishops and see if they call the Lesser Priest-hood together, if they do their duty, if the Priests visit from house to house, if there was no malice, no hardness, no difficulty in the Church, that he wished to have them make a record of all who do their duty, who keep the word of wisdom &c He recommended that the Bishops adopt such measures as would be most practicable and useful for th to bring about such an order of things, that their reports be brought before the High Council that they may have a knowledge of their proceedings and the situation of the Church.... (4)

-- January the 21st 1842
[High Council Minutes] 2nd Elder Hyrum Smith spoke showing the proper order of things. Spoke, at length, on the word of wisdom, the necessity of obeying it, how it had been trifled with, the temporal danger in not obeying and the blessings in obeying it. (4)

Footnotes:
1 - Manuscript History of Brigham Young, 1801-1844, ed. Elden Jay Watson (Salt Lake City: Smith Secretarial Service, 1968).
2 - Crapo, Richley, Chronology Pertaining to Blacks and the LDS Priesthood, http://www.mormonsocialscience.org/node/62
3 - The Woodland Institute, http://www.woodlandinstitute.com
4 - Minutes of the High Council of the Church of Jesus Christ of Nauvoo Illinois: Nauvoo Hancock County Illinois, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies

LDS History Chronology: the Word of Wisdom

Mormon Timeline: the Word of Wisdom
http://lds-church-history.blogspot.com/

History of the Word of Wisdom, Feb 15, 1841

-- Feb 15, 1841
[Joseph Smith] Joseph, as chairman of the committee on vending of spirituous liquors, suggests a bill that would prohibit selling whiskey in smaller quantities than a gallon. After a long debate it is passed. Joseph says, "I spoke at great length on the use of liquors, and showed that they were unnecessary, and operate as a poison in the stomach, and that roots and herbs can be found to effect all necessary purposes." (History of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (7 volumes) 4:298-99.) (1)

-- Apr 7, 1841, Wednesday
[William Clayton Writings] Alanson Ripley had his Bishopric taken from him for frequently being drunk and not fit for business. (2)

-- Apr 15, 1841
[Brigham Young] April 15.-- Elders O. [Orson] Pratt, W. [Willard] Richards, George A. Smith, Levi Richards and myself, having bid the Saints in Manchester good-bye, went to Liverpool, and arrived in time to attend a tea party at the Music-hall, where 200 Saints were seated at table together. I addressed the meeting a short time, and was followed by several of the Twelve. At the close of the party the Twelve met a few moments, and agreed to sail on Tuesday. (3)

-- Sep 5, 1841
Joseph Smith "preached to a large congregation at the Stand, on the Science and practice of Medicine, desiring to persuade the Saints to trust in God when sick, and not in an arm of flesh, and live by faith and not by medicine, or poison, and when they were sick, and had called for the Elders to pray for them, and they were not healed, to use herbs and mild food." (4)

[Joseph Smith Journal] [I preached to a large congregation at the Stand, on the Science and practice of Medicine, desiring to persuade the Saints to trust in God when sick, and not in an arm of flesh, and live by faith and not by medicine, or poison, and when they were sick, and had called for the Elders to pray for them, and they were not healed, to use herbs and mild food.] (5)

Footnotes:
1 - Conklin, Christopher J., Joseph Smith Chronology
2 - Fillerup, Robert C., compiler; William Clayton Nauvoo Diaries and Personal Writings, A chronological compilation of the personal writings of William Clayton while he was a resident of Nauvoo, Illinois. http://www.boap.org/LDS/Early-Saints/clayton-diaries
3 - Manuscript History of Brigham Young, 1801-1844, ed. Elden Jay Watson (Salt Lake City: Smith Secretarial Service, 1968).
4 - On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com
5 - Scott H. Faulring, An American Prophet's Record: Journal, ca. 1841-43 'The Book of the Law of the Lord', http://amzn.to/jsdiaries

LDS History Chronology: the Word of Wisdom

Mormon Timeline: the Word of Wisdom
http://lds-church-history.blogspot.com/

History of the Word of Wisdom, Jun 27, 1840

-- Jun 27, 1840
William Clayton writes in his diary: "At night Brother Green spake in tongues. The power of Satan was powerfully manifested upon some of the Sisters. Sarah [Crooks of whom the married Clayton was attracted towards] gave me a pint of porter." (1)

-- Sep 7, 1840. Monday.
[William Clayton Journal] Breakfast at Perkins. Sister Jane Hardman sent me a watch guard and four penny box to remember her by. Brother T. Miller gave me a new hat. Left Perkins about 11 for Railway. Was obliged to get a cab in St. Arms Square. Was a few minutes to late at the office. Went to Mr. Thompsons where I took dinner. She gave me a glass of wine. ... (2)

-- Oct 11, 1840. Sunday.
[William Clayton Journal] ... The first thing that struck my attention was all the men and women I saw sitting cross legged and all the left leg over the right. Elder Adams preached on the principles of the gospel. After preaching we took bread and wine... (2)

-- Jan 19, 1841
Section 124, The construction of the Nauvoo House. (See verses 22-24, 56-82, 111-12, 117, and 119-22.) ... Sale of spirituous liquors in the house was to be prohibited. ... (3)

-- Jan 23, 1841
In England Wilford Woodruff and Heber C. Kimball visit "the Largest Wine vault in the world. . . . We had a tasting order & found the wine a good article. But it seemed dreadful to see such vast sums of money expended for intoxicating drinks when there are thousands nearly starving for bread in the streets." Woodruff writes, "We left this scenery & called into a Jewish Synagogue & attended a meeting of the Jews. They all worship with their hats on." (4)

Footnotes:
1 - On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com
2 - George D. Smith, An Intimate Chronicle; The Journals of William Clayton, Signature Books in association with Smith Research Associates, Salt Lake City, 1995, http://amzn.to/william-clayton
3 - Cook, Lyndon, Revelations of the Prophet Joseph Smith: A Historical and Biographical Commentary of the Doctrine and Covenants, http://amzn.to/RevelationsofJosephSmith
4 - Advent Adam website (defunct) - based on http://amzn.to/originsofpower

LDS History Chronology: the Word of Wisdom

Mormon Timeline: the Word of Wisdom
http://lds-church-history.blogspot.com/

History of the Word of Wisdom, May 17, 1840. Sunday.

-- May 17, 1840. Sunday.
[William Clayton Journal] Supper with Sarah and Rebecca. They gave me a pint of warm porter. 2 baptized at Pend. (1)

-- May 20, 1840. Wednesday.
[William Clayton Journal] Breakfast with Rebecca. Went to Bewshers to Dinner. Had a pint of porter. Returned to fetch 200 stars from office. C. with Rebecca. Brother Garner is gone to Liverpool this A.M. to start for America. 3/- was sent from Brother Clark. Left by a sister. [] On Monday night Alice and Hannah went to Brother Pratts and tarried til near 11. [Nineteen lines crossed out.] I took Railway at 5 o'clock and was at home at 7. Found all Matthias Moons family except John who was gone to Liverpool but he soon returned. Had a little made wine. (1)

-- May 27, 1840. Wednesday.
[William Clayton Journal] Went to Preston. Met Brother Kimball at the Railway and we started. Arrived in 1 3/4 hours. Called at Hardmans and took Water and then went to the office where we found Brothers Pratt, Young, and Taylor. Supper with Sarah and Rebecca. Brother Kimball slept with me. I had a fit of sickness tonight. I drank 6 pints of brandy which gave me ease. (1)

-- May 28, 1840. Thursday.
[William Clayton Journal] Took breakfast at Sister [Elizabeth] Pooles. Brother Kimball sent for a quart of Porter. Dinner with Sarah and Rebecca. I went to the office a little and in the P.M. my face began to be very bad. I had it washed with brandy and went to bed about 12 but was obliged to get up again about 1 and continued up untill 4 1/2. I suffered a great deal. (1)

-- Jun 1, 1840. Monday.
[William Clayton Journal] Breakfast at Hardman's and Dinner with Sarah and Rebecca. Went to Prestwich and preached on the Priesthood Hebrews chapter 7. After preaching I spake to the members on the words of wisdom and afterwards ordained Brother Walker Johnson priest. Took tea and returned. Met Sarah Crooks. She seems low and poorly. Supper with Rebecca. There was come thunder and heavy rain soon as I got home. (1)

Footnotes:
1 - George D. Smith, An Intimate Chronicle; The Journals of William Clayton, Signature Books in association with Smith Research Associates, Salt Lake City, 1995, http://amzn.to/william-clayton

LDS History Chronology: the Word of Wisdom

Mormon Timeline: the Word of Wisdom
http://lds-church-history.blogspot.com/

History of the Word of Wisdom, May 1, 1840. Friday.

-- May 1, 1840. Friday.
[William Clayton Journal] Supper with E. Battersby. She gave me a pint of Porter. Sister Sands was took very dangerously ill through miscarriage. She has been growing careless. Had hardness against me and was giving way to the world. She says she will be better. (1)

-- May 4, 1840. Monday.
[William Clayton Journal] Alice Hardman and her mother is vexed at each other. Alice says her mother would soon break up the house if I was not there. Got a letter from my wife. Went to printing office to start the printer. Dinner at Sister Walkers. Spent the P.M. with Sarah and Alice. Water with Sarah then she went with me to Pendlebury. Preached on Matthew 24 this gospel &c. Full house. [] tea and returned. I found some oyster left by B[etsy] and C[hristiana] Crooks. (1)

-- May 8, 1840. Friday.
[William Clayton Journal] Nothing particular at council meeting. John Bailey has been drunk again. To be visited again and if he will not repent to be cut off. I spake to the officers to be faithful and set a good example. Teach the church unity &c. Supper with E[llen] Battersby. She gave me a pint of porter. C[hristiana] Crooks gave me 1/- Betsy Crooks 2/- and sweets. (1)

-- May 9, 1840. Saturday.
[William Clayton Journal] Found Brother Taylor better. Supper with Cannons. Had a pint of warm Porter at R[]. (1)

-- May 12, 1840. Tuesday.
[William Clayton Journal] Breakfast at Cannons. Went with Brother Taylor to see Sister Harrington. Took dinner and tea and returned to Brother Dumvills. (1)

Footnotes:
1 - George D. Smith, An Intimate Chronicle; The Journals of William Clayton, Signature Books in association with Smith Research Associates, Salt Lake City, 1995, http://amzn.to/william-clayton

LDS History Chronology: the Word of Wisdom

Mormon Timeline: the Word of Wisdom
http://lds-church-history.blogspot.com/

History of the Word of Wisdom, Apr 17, 1840

-- Apr 17, 1840
"This day the Twelve blessed and drank a bottle of wine at Penworthan, made by Mother Moon forty years before." (1)

-- Apr 17, 1840. Friday.
[William Clayton Journal] This day the brethren have come from Preston. Brigham Young, P. P. Pratt, Orson Pratt, Heber C. Kimball, George A. Smith, Willard Richards, Willford Woodruff, Ruben Hadlock, H[ira]m Clark and J[osep]h Fielding. We have each had a glass of wine which my brother in law made 40 year since. (2)

-- Apr 18, 1840. Saturday.
[William Clayton Journal] Went to B. Budge with Brother Stafford &c. Returned home and got dinner. Borrowed 4 of my wife to pay my Coach fare. Went to Preston and took Railway at 2 1/2. Got to Manchester 2-12 in company with brothers Clark and Smith. Saw Sister E. Ravenscroft. She gave me a new watch guard and brought a letter from E. Bromley. Sister H. Parkinson gave me 3 oranges. Margaret Jones gave me 2. Sarah and Rebecca gave me water and supper. Sarah gave me 1 pint of Porter and told me that C[atherine] Beates had told her that great trouble was coming upon her and she must keep herself single for she would scarce have an inch of ground to stand upon. I felt poorly tonight. My limbs and [head] ached very bad. (2)

-- Apr 19, 1840. Sunday.
[William Clayton Journal] My head still very bad. Sarah brought me some wine and a egg in it. Breakfast with Sarah and Rebecca. Brother Clark preached this morning. To B to dinner. Had a pint of Porter. .... I told B[etsy] Crooks that she should have her companion again. She is a loving young woman and desires to do right. I feel to love her much. Supper with Sarah and Rebecca. (2)

-- Apr 21, 1840. Tuesday.
[William Clayton Journal] Breakfast at Hardman's. Spent this A.M. with Brother Pratt in ascertaining the expense of printing a monthly paper. Dinner at Wm. Millers. Tea at old Mrs. Millers after which Brother Pratt and I went to [] fair. Went to see some wild animals. Brother Pratt went to preaching at Cookson Street. I remained at home. E. Gladstone [gave me an orange] and Sister Mary Wood a smelling bottle. Supper with Sarah and Rebecca. Alice is poorly and seems low. (2)

Footnotes:
1 - On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com
2 - George D. Smith, An Intimate Chronicle; The Journals of William Clayton, Signature Books in association with Smith Research Associates, Salt Lake City, 1995, http://amzn.to/william-clayton

LDS History Chronology: the Word of Wisdom

Mormon Timeline: the Word of Wisdom
http://lds-church-history.blogspot.com/

History of the Word of Wisdom, Apr 8, 1840. Wednesday.

-- Apr 8, 1840. Wednesday.
[William Clayton Journal] Elizabeth Mayor seems somewhat careless. She says the saints don't love her. She has observed a great difference since her mother died &c. Brother Bewsher gave us some Porter. Went to see Sister Birch. She gave me an orange. To Brother Bewshers to C[]. From thence I went to Worsely and preached on Revelations 20. Was opposed by a Methodist, Daniel Bradshaw. Took something to eat with Mary. She gave me a glass of Porter. I got to Manchester about 11 o'clock, nearly through. Sarah had some egg milk ready and she washed my feet and I then went to bed. (1)

-- Apr 9, 1840. Thursday.
[William Clayton Journal] This morning Rebecca brought some red wine and a raw egg in it. She also gave me 2 oranges. (1)

-- Apr 10, 1840. Friday.
[William Clayton Journal] Supper with Sister E[llen] Battersby. She gave me a pint of Porter. She is much troubled about the Itch &c. Betsy Crooks gave me some raisins. (1)

-- Apr 12, 1840. Sunday.
[William Clayton Journal] Went to Brother M. Greens to Dinner. Had conversation with Mr. Goodson. I took a little beer. (1)

-- Apr 17, 1840
[Brigham Young] --17-- I met with the Quorum of the Twelve at Mother Moon's. She presented a bottle of wine for us to bless and partake of, which she had kept for forty years, and she said there was something providential in its preservation for when she was married she designed to use it, but forgot until the event was over, and when her first child was married it was also forgotten, and so it had passed over several events until she now had the privilege of presenting it to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.... (2)

Footnotes:
1 - George D. Smith, An Intimate Chronicle; The Journals of William Clayton, Signature Books in association with Smith Research Associates, Salt Lake City, 1995, http://amzn.to/william-clayton
2 - Manuscript History of Brigham Young, 1801-1844, ed. Elden Jay Watson (Salt Lake City: Smith Secretarial Service, 1968).

LDS History Chronology: the Word of Wisdom

Mormon Timeline: the Word of Wisdom
http://lds-church-history.blogspot.com/

History of the Word of Wisdom, Mar 28, 1840. Saturday.

-- Mar 28, 1840. Saturday.
[William Clayton Journal] Went to Brother [Thomas] Jennings. Met him on the road. He said his wife had not been fairly. Brother [Joseph] Jackson had not acted scripturally. I asked how. He answered the scriptures say if thy brother sin against thee tell him his fault alone &c. Yes I said but a public transgression required a public acknowledgment. He said he could not find it in scrip. I answered Paul says them that sin rebuke before all that others also may fear &c. He seemed rather stubborn and hard against Brother Jackson. His wife has been drunk and calling in the street in a very disgraceful manner. She had said to the effect that the L D S were L D devils &c. Brother J[ennings] wanted to cover it up and was not willing that his wife should make acknowledgment to the church. I went forward to see Sister J[ennings] and when I had been in a little while Brother Jackson came in. She seemed quite bitter against him because he had exposed her before the church and told all
the subject in [plain words]. I reasoned considerable with her and she seemed to grow milder. She said she had never had so much of the spirit since she joined the church as she had when among the ranters &c. (1)

-- Mar 30, 1840. Monday.
[William Clayton Journal] Rebecca brought me raw egg in some red wine. Went to T. Millers to Dinner. Received a letter from Brother Fielding and one from Brother Woodruff. Sent one to Brother Alfred Cordon. Water at Hardmans. Went to Prestwich on Narrow lane. Preached on Revelations 14.6. Several are ready to be baptized. Sarah at the preaching house. Eliza Prince and Ann Jackson came to meet us and walked behind. Eliza seemed to be in a fret. Betsy Crooks and Dewsnup went with me. 6 baptized at Dukinfield yesterday, 5 at Manchester. My feet were very sore to[night]. Sarah washed them and gave me a pint of warm Porter. I lent her Book of Doc[trine] and Cov[enants]. (1)

-- Apr 1, 1840. Wednesday.
[William Clayton Journal] To Bewsher's to Dinner. Brother Bewsher gave me more than a pint of Porter. Betsy Crooks gave me some figs. (1)

-- Apr 3, 1840. Friday.
[William Clayton Journal] Dinner and Coffee at Sister Booth's. Sister Mary Aspen gave me £1 for a Bible and some raisins. (1)

-- Apr 6, 1840. Monday.
[William Clayton Journal] Breakfast at Hardman's. Sent a letter to D[avid] Wilding. Dinner at T. Millers. Brother Fielding has been very sick. Water at T. Millers. Went to Pendlebury. Preached near an hour on the destruction of the gentiles &c. Got home at 11 o'clock. Supper with Sarah and Rebecca. They gave me a pint of Porter. Sarah washed my feet. (1)

Footnotes:
1 - George D. Smith, An Intimate Chronicle; The Journals of William Clayton, Signature Books in association with Smith Research Associates, Salt Lake City, 1995, http://amzn.to/william-clayton

LDS History Chronology: the Word of Wisdom

Mormon Timeline: the Word of Wisdom
http://lds-church-history.blogspot.com/

History of the Word of Wisdom, Feb 28, 1840. Friday.

-- Feb 28, 1840. Friday.
[William Clayton Journal] Was called up before six to Brother Batemans wife. She was in labour. She was delivered before I got there. A girl. Prayed with her. Took Breakfast and returned and wrote a letter to Brother Richards. Went to Wm. Millers to Dinner. Sarah Perkins gave me a pint of Porter and some Raisins. (1)

-- Mar 3, 1840. Tuesday.
[William Clayton Journal] Breakfast at Hardman's. Went to see Brother Burgess wife and child. She has been disobedient. She seems very penitent. She has a cow dung plaster on her breast. We promised her in the name of the Lord that if she felt to repent and begin to live faithful she should receive a blessing. We anointed and prayed with her and []. Went to Newton to Sister Booths to Dinner and Water. Sister White and Mary Aspin was there. To T. Millers to Pancake. There was too much lightness. I had little to do with it. Sarah Crooks bath my forehead with rum and gave me some mint drops. Sister Booth gave me some raisins. Sarah is anxious to know where to go to lodge. I told her I preferred Rulingtons. (1)

-- Mar 6, 1840. Friday.
[William Clayton Journal] Went to see Sister Burgess. Prayed with her and anointed her breast. Prayed with Maria. Prayed with R. Williams. Went to Sister Cath[erine] Beates to dinner [sixteen lines crossed out]. She also saw in a dream Brother Richards and Robert Williams and one of Hardmans Sons and old Richard Hardman sitting in a room together. Brother Richards seemed sick and in trouble. The room opened above their heads and she saw 12 small children dressed in white. One of them was Brother Richards child. She knew it. It came down and sat on his shoulder and bending down looked in his face. The scene closed. She says Brother R[ichards] will not live long. He is expecting a many things but in some he will be disappointed. She says she foresaw all that has taken place concerning Arthur Smith. And she prophecies bad concerning Sister Mary Wytch &c. Took tea with her. (1)

-- Mar 15, 1840. Sunday.
[William Clayton Journal] Breakfast with Sarah and Rebecca. Preached this A.M. about 1 1/4 on Isaiah Chapter 40. To Bewshers to Dinner. Gave me 2 oranges and a pint of Porter. (1)

-- Mar 27, 1840. Friday.
[William Clayton Journal] Sarah [Crooks] and Rebecca [Partington] gave me supper. Sarah washed my head with [rum]. (1)

Footnotes:
1 - George D. Smith, An Intimate Chronicle; The Journals of William Clayton, Signature Books in association with Smith Research Associates, Salt Lake City, 1995, http://amzn.to/william-clayton

LDS History Chronology: the Word of Wisdom

Mormon Timeline: the Word of Wisdom
http://lds-church-history.blogspot.com/

History of the Word of Wisdom, Feb 5, 1840

-- Feb 5, 1840
While on a mission in England, William Clayton writes in his diary, "Sister Perkins gave me a tea cup full of red wine;" (1)

-- Feb 5, 1840. Wednesday.
[William Clayton Journal] Went to Brother B. [] Sister Perkins gave me a tea cup full of Red Wine. C. at M[ary] Miller. (2)

-- Feb 15, 1840. Saturday.
[William Clayton Journal] Took supper and staid till 10 1/2. Susan very sick. Rebecca fetched a pint of Porter into the street. Read a letter today from Brother Woodruff. Wrote on Tuesday. Have heard today that there has been 14 baptised at Manchester since last Sabbath and 4 at Stockport. E. Miller gave me a half crown. (2)

-- Feb 16, 1840. Sunday.
[William Clayton Journal] I spoke about 1 hour to the church. Confirmed 13 blessed 1 child, anointed 3 and prayed with 6. Tarried in the room and R[ebecca] Partington fetched some cocoa. She is a loving soul. Preached at night about 1-10 on the gifts of the spirit. Several given us their names to be baptized on Tuesday night. Had considerable talk with C. Beates after meeting. Had 14 oranges and about a dozen sweet cakes given to me. Sister Bewsher gave me a pint of Porter. (2)

-- Feb 19, 1840. Wednesday.
[William Clayton Journal] Sister Poole has been and says Susan is jealous of Thomas [Miller]. He wants her out of the way. If she was to die he would be married again in 3 months &c. Thomas wanted to know who he would be married to &c. She would not tell him. He says he will not go to his work untill she does tell him and she says she will not. Thomas is very much troubled &c. Thomas has practiced kissing all in the house before he goes to bed &c. Went to Bewshers to dinner. She gave me a pint of Porter. (2)

Footnotes:
1 - Advent Adam website (defunct) - based on http://amzn.to/originsofpower
2 - George D. Smith, An Intimate Chronicle; The Journals of William Clayton, Signature Books in association with Smith Research Associates, Salt Lake City, 1995, http://amzn.to/william-clayton

LDS History Chronology: the Word of Wisdom

Mormon Timeline: the Word of Wisdom
http://lds-church-history.blogspot.com/

History of the Word of Wisdom, Jan 20, 1840. Monday.

-- Jan 20, 1840. Monday.
[William Clayton Journal] Br[eakfast] at T. Millers. Dinner at Sands and tea. Wrote a letter to Burslem. Sup[per] at T. Millers. Have prayed with 8 sick today. Have been much gratified with the brethrens conversations. S. Green gave me 2/-towards brethrens coach fare. Last week Sister Bewsher gave me new drawers. Have had a little talk with Brother Berry on teetot[alers]. (1)

-- Jan 24, 1840. Friday.
[William Clayton Journal] ... Called at Brother Paul [Harris's]. Find him much grieved at Brother Jacksons conduct. It seems Brother Jackson has spoken false concerning him. He (Paul) still says that he put nothing in the wine after I had reproved him. He has only little work. But seems humble &c. Called at Sister M[ary] Ann Johnsons. Found her comfortable but very poor. Will try to do something for her. Called at Sister Whiss's. Find her better. Eliz[abeth] poorly. Took cocoa with Eliza. But I would rather not because they have it not to spare. If we did not Eliza would be grieved.... (1)

-- Jan 30, 1840. Thursday.
[William Clayton Journal] Dinner at Sister Greens. Ellen Battersby fetched me a pint of porter.... (1)

-- Feb 4, 1840
In England William Clayton writes, "Sarah Crooks gave me a pint of porter [porter's ale, a dark brown beer]" While Clayton has left his wife and family to go on a mission to England both he and Sarah Crooks wish they could be married to each other. (2)

-- Feb 4, 1840. Tuesday.
[William Clayton Journal] Water at T. Millers. Talked with Sussanah Miller. She has no faith in the word of wisdom and has not kept it. She has not the same degree of knowledge which the other saints have. Loves her acquaintance in Babylon &c. She seemed better when we parted. (1)

Footnotes:
1 - George D. Smith, An Intimate Chronicle; The Journals of William Clayton, Signature Books in association with Smith Research Associates, Salt Lake City, 1995, http://amzn.to/william-clayton
2 - Advent Adam website (defunct) - based on http://amzn.to/originsofpower

LDS History Chronology: the Word of Wisdom

Mormon Timeline: the Word of Wisdom
http://lds-church-history.blogspot.com/

History of the Word of Wisdom, Oct 11, 1839

-- Oct 11, 1839
[Brigham Young] On the 11th, resumed my journey in company with Brothers H. [Heber] C. Kimball, Geo. [George] A. Smith, Theodore Turley and Brother Kimball's father-in-law, Mr. Murray. The brethren had exchanged horses at Springfield, and with a little assistance from the brethren there, we obtained a two-horse wagon. The sisters fitted me up a bed in the wagon to ride on, as I was unable to sit up.

We travelled eight miles, and put up with Father Draper for the night. When we went into the house, Brother George A. Smith dropped on to the hearth a bottle containing some tonic bitters, which the brethren had prepared for us because of our sickness. At this Father Draper was very much astonished, and said "You are a pretty set of Apostles, to be carrying a bottle of whiskey with you." We explained to him what it was; this appeased his righteous soul, so that he consented to have us stay over the night. ... (1)

-- After 1838
Joseph Smith receives liquor license in Nauvoo. (2)

-- Jan 1, 1840. Wednesday.
[William Clayton Journal] Brother James Lea from Bedford has called in at T[homas] Miller's and I have been with him to see his wife and children. One child is sick. .... He states that when he entered the Inn it was merely as steward hence the Liquors &c was not judged and he did not know anything about untill he sent his master word that he would leave. Then his master brought in a heavy Bill against him which involved him in great difficulty. He was obliged to sacrifice his goods to get to Manchester. They both seem very humble. He acknowledges having been unfaithful. (3)

-- Jan 18, 1840
In Manchester England Wilford Woodruff performs an exorcism: "We found the sister possessed of the Devel & a burning fever on the brain. She was rageing & trying to tare herself although in the hands of three or four men." Woodruff anoints her head with oil and then administers the oil to her internally. William Clayton writes, "after washing her forehead with rum she appeared better and we left her." (4)

-- Jan 18, 1840. Saturday.
[William Clayton Journal] Had conversation with Brother Heath who says as follows. That once he drank a little wine which was for Joseph [] and several other things. The statements made by Brothers Heath and Featherstone was very contradictory. I told him he had better remain at M[anchester] untill I had wrote to my brethren.... (3)

Footnotes:
1 - Manuscript History of Brigham Young, 1801-1844, ed. Elden Jay Watson (Salt Lake City: Smith Secretarial Service, 1968).
2 - Tidd, N. R., "Mormon Chronology"
3 - George D. Smith, An Intimate Chronicle; The Journals of William Clayton, Signature Books in association with Smith Research Associates, Salt Lake City, 1995, http://amzn.to/william-clayton
4 - Advent Adam website (defunct) - based on http://amzn.to/originsofpower

LDS History Chronology: the Word of Wisdom

Mormon Timeline: the Word of Wisdom
http://lds-church-history.blogspot.com/

History of the Word of Wisdom, Apr 16, 1839 (Tuesday)

-- Apr 16, 1839 (Tuesday)
The guard being drunk, Joseph Smith, jun., and fellow-prisoners made their escape. After a severe journey they arrived at Quincy, Ill., on the 22nd. (1)

-- about Apr 16, 1839
Gallatin, Missouri. While traveling to Boone County under the guard of Sheriff William Morgan and four men, Joseph Smith and his company were encouraged to escape from the guards, who then all became drunk. (2)

-- Apr 16, 1839
[Joseph Smith] Joseph's guard gets purposely intoxicated and tells Joseph he has been instructed never to reach Boone County with the prisoners. Three of the guards get drunk, while the fourth helps Joseph and the other prisoners saddle horses and escape. When the sheriff returns to Gallatin, the people become very angry, and ride the sheriff out of town on a rail. Joseph and the others head for Quincy, Ill. (3)

-- Sep 17, 1839
[Brigham Young] --17-- My wife crossed the river and got a boy with a wagon to bring her up about a mile to Brother Kimball's to see me.

I remained until the 18th at Brother Kimball's, when we started, leaving his family also sick.

Brother Charles Hubbard sent his boy across the prairie fourteen miles to a shanty on the railroad, where Brother O. M. Duel lived. Sister Duel helped the boy to get our trunks out of the wagon. We went into the house feeling very much fatigued. She made us a cup of tea which very much revived us. We tarried there one night.

In the morning Brother Duel took us in his wagon, and carried us as far as Lima, about twelve miles. When Brother Duel left us, he gave each of us a dollar to help us on our journey. A brother then took us into a wagon and carried us to Father Mikesell's, near Quincy. We tarried in Quincy a few days, and began to recover, and preached a few times. We procured a meetinghouse close to the Congregationalists, and we began at different hours from them; but taking a notion to disturb us, they rang their bell furiously after we had commenced our meeting. Elder Page was preaching and he preached so loud as to drown the bell, and thus brought out hundreds who otherwise would not have come to meeting. We received some little assistance from the brethren.

Lyman Wight took us into a one-horse wagon, and carried us to Brother C. C. Rich's, at Burton, where we stayed overnight.

Next morning Brother Rich carried us to Brother Wilbur's. We tarried overnight, and Brother Wilbur took us in a buggy and carried us to Father James Allred's, in Pittsfield, where we remained all night; and Father Allred carried us to the neighborhood where Brother Harlow Redfield lived, where we preached at a small branch of the Church. Next day the brethren carried us on to Scott County to Brother Decker's, near Winchester. (4)

-- Sep 18, 1839
Went to Burlington, Iowa Territory. Elders Young and Kimball left Sister Kimball and all her children sick, except little Heber; fn went thirteen miles on their journey towards England, and were left at Brother Osmon M. Duel's, who lived in a small cabin near the railway between Commerce and Warsaw. They were so feeble as to be unable to carry their trunks into the house without the assistance of Sister Duel, who received them kindly, prepared a bed for them to lie on, and made them a cup of tea. (5)

Footnotes:
1 - Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology
2 - BYU Studies Journal, volume 46, no. 4: A Chronology of the Life of Joseph Smith, http://amzn.to/BYUStudies-JSChron
3 - Conklin, Christopher J., Joseph Smith Chronology
4 - Manuscript History of Brigham Young, 1801-1844, ed. Elden Jay Watson (Salt Lake City: Smith Secretarial Service, 1968).
5 - Kenny, Scott, Saints Without Halos, "Mormon History 1830-1844," http://saintswithouthalos.com/dirs/d_c.phtml

LDS History Chronology: the Word of Wisdom

Mormon Timeline: the Word of Wisdom
http://lds-church-history.blogspot.com/

History of the Word of Wisdom, Nov 8, 1838

-- Nov 8, 1838
[Joseph Smith] General Wilson surroundes Adam-ondi-Ahman. Joseph and some of the other prisoners in Independence leave for Richmond. Their guards become drunk, but no escape is attempted. (1)

-- During 1838
(David Whitmer) Whitmer also objected to high priest ordinations, though he himself had been so ordained by Oliver Cowdery at the age of twenty-six. "This error was introduced at the instigation of Sidney Rigdon. The office of high priests was never spoken of, and never thought of being established in the church until Rigdon came in. … Rigdon … would persuade Brother Joseph to inquire of the Lord about this doctrine and that doctrine, and of course a revelation would always come just as they desired it."

Jealous of Rigdon's popularity, Whitmer wrote, "Rigdon was a thorough Bible scholar, a man of fine education, and a powerful orator. He soon worked himself deep into Brother Joseph's affections, and had more influence over him than any other man living. … Brother Joseph rejoiced, believing that the Lord had sent to him this great and mighty man Sidney Rigdon, to help him in the work. Poor Brother Joseph! He was mistaken."

February 5: A Far West meeting of the "whole Church in Zion" voted to remove David Whitmer, John Whitmer, and W. W. Phelps from their positions as "Presidents of the Church" in Missouri. David Whitmer was accused of persisting "in the use of tea, coffee, and tobacco." All three men allegedly encouraged the sale of Jackson County lands, a transgression which Joseph Smith had earlier declared "a denial of our faith, as that is the place where the Zion of God shall stand, according to our faith and belief in the revelations of God."

April 13: Found guilty of "possessing the same spirit with the dissenters," David Whitmer was excommunicated for failure to observe the Word of Wisdom, neglecting meetings, writing unfavorable letters about Joseph Smith, and signing his name to official Far West documents after being removed from the presidency there.

Fifty years after the fact, Whitmer said, "If you believe my testimony to the Book of Mormon; if you believe that God spake to us three witnesses by his own voice, then I tell you that in June, 1838, God spake to me again by his own voice from the heavens, and told me to separate myself from among the Latter-day Saints for as they sought to do unto me, so should it be done unto them." (2)

-- Apr 6, 1839 (Saturday)
Joseph Smith, jun., and fellow-prisoners were started from Liberty jail, to Gallatin, Daviess County, Mo., where they arrived on the 8th, and were again subjected to a mock trial before a drunken court and jury. (3)

-- Apr 9, 1839
Gallatin, Missouri. Joseph Smith's trial commenced before a drunken grand jury and judge. (4)

[Joseph Smith] Joseph's trial begins before a drunken grand jury. Judge Morin visits him in Millport that evening and recommends that they escape to avoid enduring persecution. (5)

Footnotes:
1 - Wikipedia, Joseph Smith Chronology, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chronology_of_Joseph_Smith,_Jr.
2 - Van Wagoner, Richard and Walker, Steven C., A Book of Mormons, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies
3 - Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology
4 - BYU Studies Journal, volume 46, no. 4: A Chronology of the Life of Joseph Smith, http://amzn.to/BYUStudies-JSChron
5 - Conklin, Christopher J., Joseph Smith Chronology

LDS History Chronology: the Word of Wisdom

Mormon Timeline: the Word of Wisdom
http://lds-church-history.blogspot.com/

History of the Word of Wisdom, Sep 16, 1838

-- Sep 16, 1838
[Joseph Smith Diary] 16th December 1838

Liberty Jail, Missouri

To the Church of Latter day Saints in Caldwell County, and all the Saints who are scattered abroad, [who] are persecuted and made desolate, and are afflicted in divers manners for Christ's sake and the Gospel's and whose perils are greatly augmented by the wickedness and corruption of false brethren.

May grace, mercy, and the peace of God be and abide with you and notwithstanding all your sufferings we assure you that you have our prayers and fervent desires for your welfare and salvation both day and night. We believe that that God who seeth us in this solitary place will hear our prayers and reward you openly.

Know assuredly Dear Brethren that it is for the testimony of Jesus that we are in bonds and in prison. But we say unto you that we consider that our condition is better, (notwithstanding our suffering) than those who have persecuted us and smitten us and borne false witness against us, and we most assuredly believe that those who bear false witness against us do seem to have a great triumph over us for the present.

We want you to remember Haman and Mordecai. You know that Haman could not be satisfied so long as he saw Mordecai at the King's gate. He sought the life of Mordecai and the people of the Jews, But God so ordered that Haman was hanged upon his own gallows. So shall it come to pass with poor Haman in the last days. Those who have sought by their unbelief and wickedness and by the principle of mobocracy to destroy us and the people of God by killing and scattering them abroad and wilfully and maliciously delivering us into the hands of murderers desiring us to be put to death thereby having us dragged about in chains and cast into prison, and for what cause? It is because we were honest men and were determined to defend the lives of the Saints at the expense of our own.

I say unto you that those who have thus viiely treated us like Haman shall be hanged upon their own gallows, or in other words, shall fall into their own gin and snare and ditch and trap which they have prepared for us and shall go backwards and stumble and fall, and /their/ names shall be blotted out, and God shall reward them according to all their abominations.

Dear Brethren, do not think that our hearts faint as though some strange thing had happened unto us for we have seen and been assured of all these things beforehand, and have had an assurance of a better hope than that of our persecutors, therefore God hath made broad our shoulders for the burden.

We glory in our tribulations because we know that God is with us, that he is our friend and that he will save our souls. We do not care for them that kill the body; they cannot harm our souls; we ask no favors at the hands of mobs, nor of the world, nor of the Devil, nor of his emissaries the Dissenters, and those who love and make and swear falsehoods, to take away our lives.

We have never dissembled, nor will we for the sake of our lives, forasmuch then as we know that we have been endeavoring with all our minds, mights, and strength to do the will of God and all things whatsoever he has commanded us. And as to our light observations from time to time they have nothing to do with the fixed purposes of our hearts.

Therefore it sufficeth us to say that our souls were vexed from day to day. We refer you to Isai[a]h who considers those who make a man an offender for a word and lay a snare for him that reproveth in the gate. We believe that the old Prophet verily told the truth, we have no retraction to make, we have reproved in the gate and men have laid snares for us, we have spoken words and men have made us offenders, and notwithstanding all this our minds are not yet darkened but feel strong in the Lord. But behold the words of the Saviour, "If the light which is in you become darkness, behold how great is that darkness."

Look at the dissenters. Again if you were of the world, the world would love its own. Look at Mr. Hinkle [who negotiated the surrender at Far West]. A wolf in sheep's clothing. Look at his Brother John Corrill. Look at the beloved Reed Peck who aided him by /in/ leading us, as the Saviour was led, into the camp as a lamb prepared for the slaughter and a sheep dumb before his shearer so we opened not our mouths. But these men like Balaam being greedy for [a] reward sold us into the hands of those who loved them, for the world loves his own.

I would remember W[illiam] W. Phelps who comes up before us as one of Job's destroyers. God suffered such kind of beings to afflict Job, but it never entered into their hearts that Job would get out of it all. This poor man who professes to be much of a Prophet has no other dumb ass to ride only David Whitmer to forbid his madness when he goes up to curse Israel. And this ass, not being of the same kind of Balaam's, therefore the angel notwithstanding he appeared unto him yet he could /not/ penetrate his understanding sufficiently so but what he brays out cursings instead of blessings. Poor Ass whoever lives to see it will see him and his rider perish like those who perished in the gain saying of Core, or after the same condemnation.

Now as for these and the rest of their company we will not presume to say that the world loves them but we presume to say that they love the world and we classify them in the error of Balaam and in the gainsaying of Core and with the company of Cora, Dathan, and Abiram. Perhaps our brethren may say because we thus write that we are offended at those Characters! If we are, it is not for a word neither because they reproved in the gate, but because they have been the means of shedding innocent blood. Are they not murderers then at heart? Are not their consciences seared as with a hot iron?

We confess that we are offended, but the Saviour said, "It must needs be that offences come but woe unto them by whom they come, and again blessed are ye when men shall revile you and persecute you and shall say all manner of evil fals[e]ly for my sake. Rejoice and be exceeding glad for great is your reward in heaven for so persecuted they the Prophets which were before you."

Now brethren, if any men ever had reason to claim this promise we are the men, for we know that the world not only hates us but they speak all manner of evil of us falsely for no other reason than that we have been endeavoring to teach the fulness of the gospel of Jesus Christ. After we were bartered away by Hinkle and were taken into the militia camp, we had all the evidence we could have asked for that the world hated us. If there were Priests among them of all the different sects they hated us and that most cordially too. If there [were] Generals they hated us, if there were Colonels they hated us, and the soldiers and officers of all classes hated us, and the most profane blasphemers and drunkards and whoremongers hated us. They all hated us most cordially.

And now what did they hate us for? Purely because of the testimony of Jesus Christ. Was it because we ar[e] liars? We know that it is reported by some but it is reported falsely. Was it because we have committed treason against the state in Daviess County or of burglary, or of larceny or arson, or any other unlawful act in Daviess county?

We know that Priests and certain lawyers and certain judges who are the instigators, aiders, and abettors of a certain gang of murderers and robbers who have been carrying on a scheme of mobocracy to uphold their priestcraft against the saints of the last days for a number of years. Who have by a well contemplated and premedi[t]ated scheme to put /down/ by physical operation a system of religion that all the world by all their mutual attainments and any fair means whatever were not able to resist.

Hence, mobbers were encouraged by Priests and Levites, by the Pharisees and the Sadducees, and Essenees, and the Herodians, and every other [ - ] and -ite egging on the most ruthless, abandoned, and debauched and lawless, inhuman, and beastly set of men that the earth can boast of. Indeed, a parallel cannot be found any where else, to gather together to drive, to steal, to plunder, to starve, and to exterminate and burn the houses of the Mormons.

These are the characters that by their treasonable and overt acts have desolated and laid waste Daviess County. These are the characters that would fain make all the world believe that we are guilty of the above-named acts, but they represent us falsely. We stood in our defence and we believe that no man of us acted only in a just, a lawful, and righteous retaliation against such marauders.

We say unto you that we have not committed treason, neither any other unlawful act in Daviess County. Was it for murder in Ray County against Mob Militia? Who was a wolf in [the] first instance, Hide and hair, teeth, legs, and tail, who afterwards put on a Militia sheepskin well tanned with the wool on, who could sally forth in the day time into the flock and snarl and show his teeth, and scatter and devour the flock and satiate himself upon his prey, and then sneak back into the brambles in order that he might conceal himself in his well tryed skin with the wool on?

We are well aware that there is a certain set of Priests and satellites and mobbers that would fain make all the world believe that we are the dogs that barked at this howling wolf that made such havoc among the sheep. Who when he retreated he howled and bl[e]ated at such a desperate rate that if one could have been there he would have thought that all the wolves whether wrapped up in sheep skins or in goat skins or in any other skins and in fine all the beast[s] of the forest were awfully alarmed and catching the scent of innocent blood, they sallied forth with a tremendous howl and crying of all sort[s] and such a howling and such a tremenduous havoc never was known. Such a piece of inhumanity and relentless cruelty and barbarity cannot be found in all the annals of history.

These are the characters that would make the world believe that we had committed murder by making an attack upon this howling wolf while we were at home and in our beds and asleep and knew nothing of the transaction any more than we know what is going on in China while we are within these walls.

Therefore we say again unto you in these things they have represented us falsely. Was it for committing adultery? We are aware that false slander has gone abroad for it has been reiterated in our ears. These are falsehoods also. Renegade Mormon dissenters run abroad into the world and spread various false and libelous reports against us thinking thereby to gain the friendship of the world because they know that we are not of the world and that the world hates us; therefore they make a toast of these characters [and] by them try to do all the injury they can and after that they hate them worse than they do us because they find them to be base traitors and sycophants. Such characters God hates; we cannot love them. The world hates them and we sometimes think that even Satan ought to be ashamed of them.

We have heard that it is reported by some that some of us should have said that we not only dedicated our property but our families also to the Lord; and Satan taking advantage of this has transfigured it into licentiousness such as a community of wives which is an abomination in the sight of God.

When we consecrate our property to the Lord it is to administer to the poor and the needy, for this is the law of God. It is not for the purpose of the rich, those who have no need. And when a man consecrates or dedicates his wife and children, he does not give them to his neighbour, nor to his brother, for there is no such law. For the law of God is that thou shalt not commit adultery. Thou shalt /not/ covet thy neighbor's wife. He that looketh on a woman to lust after her has committed adultery /already/ in his heart.

Now for a man to consecrate his property and his wife and children to the Lord is nothing more or less than to feed the hungry, clothe the naked, visit the widow and the fatherless, the sick, and the afflicted, and do all he can to administer to their relief in their afflictions, and for him and his house to serve the Lord. In order to do this, he and all his house must be virtuous and must shun the very appearance of evil.

Now if any person has represented anything other wise than what we now write he or she is a liar and has represented us falsely and this is another manner of evil which is spoken against us falsely.

We have learned also, since we have been prisoners, that many /false/ and pernicious things, which were calculated to lead the saints far astray and to do them great injury as coming from the Presidency, [were] taught by Dr. [Sampson] Avard. We have reason to fear many other designing and corrupt characters like unto himself which the Presidency never knew of being taught in the Church by any body untill after they were made prisoners, which if they had known of they woud have spurned them and their authors from them as they would the very gates of hell.

Thus we find there have been frauds and secret abominations and evil works going on leading the minds of the weak and unwary into confusion and distraction, and pawning it all the while upon the Presidency, while mean time the Presidency were ignorant, as well as innocent of these things, which were practicing [being practiced] in the church in their name. [This, while the members of the Presidency] were attending to their own secular and family concerns, weighed down with sorrow, in debt, in poverty, in hunger assaying to be fed. Yet finding themselves receiving deeds of charity, but inadequate to their subsistence, and because they /we/ received those deeds they were envied and hated by those who professed to be [our] own friends.

But notwithstanding we thus speak, we honor the church when we speak of the church, as a church, for their liberality, kindness, patience, and long suffering, and their continued kindness towards us. And now brethren, we say unto you, what more can we enumerate? Is not all manner of evil of every description spoken of us falsely? Yea, we say unto you, falsely we have been misrepresented and misunderstood and belied. And the purity and integrity and uprightness of our hearts have not been known. And it is through ignornace, yea, the very depth of ignorance is the cause of it, and not only ignorance but on the part of some gross wickedness and hypocracy also who by a long face and sanctimonious prayers and very pious sermons had power to lead the minds of the ignorant and unwary and thereby obtain such influence that when we approached their iniquities the Devil gained great advantage [and] would bring great sorrow and trouble on our heads.

In fine, we have waded through an ocean of tribulation, and mean abuse practice[d] upon us by the illbred and the ignorant such as [George] Hinkle, [John] Corrill, [William W.] Phelps, [Sampson] Avard, Reed Peck, [John] Cleminson, and various others who are so very ignorant that they cannot appear respectable in any decent and civilized society, and whose eyes are full of adultery and cannot cease from sin.

Such characters as [William] McLellin, John Whitmer, D[avid] Whitmer, O[liver] Cowdery, and Martin Harris, who are too mean to mention and we had liked to have forgotten. [Thomas] Marsh and [Orson] Hyde whose hearts are full of corruption, whose cloak of hypocrisy was not sufficient to shield them or to bear them up in the hour of trouble, who after having escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ became again entangled and overcame. Their latter end is worse than the beginning. But it has happened /unto them/ according to the words of the Saviour, "The dog has returned to his vomit, and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire."

Again, if we sin wilfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sin, but rather a certain fearful looking of judgement and fiery indignation to come which shall devour these adversaries. For [if] he who despiseth Moses' Law died without mercy under two or three witnesses, of how much sorer punishment suppose ye shall he be thought worthy who hath sold his brother and denied the new and everlasting covenant by which he was santified calling it an unholy thing and doing [evil] despite [his claim] unto the spirit of grace.

And again we say unto you, inasmuch as there be virtue in us and the Holy Priesthood hath been conferred upon us, and the keys of the kingdom have not been taken from us. For verily thus saith the Lord, "Fear not, but be of good cheer. For the keys which I gave unto you are yet with you!"

Therefore we say unto you, Dear Brethren in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, we deliver these Characters unto the buffetings of Satan, until the day of redemption, that they may be dealt with according to their works, and from henceforth their works shall be made manifest.

And now Dear and Well-beloved Brethren and when we say Brethren, we mean those who have continued faithful in Christ—Men, Women, and Children, we feel to exhort you in the name of the Lord Jesus to be strong in the faith of the new and everlasting covenant, and nothing fright[en]ed at your enemies. For what has happened unto us is an evident token to them of damnation but unto us of Salvation and that of God. Therefore hold on even unto death, "For he that seeks to save his life shall loose it, but he that looseth his life for my sake and the Gospel's shall find it," sayeth Jesus Christ.

Brethren, from henceforth let truth and righteousness abound in you; and in all things be temperate, abstain from drunkeness and from swearing and from all profane language, and from every thing which is unrighteous or unholy; also from enmity and hatred, and covetousness, and from every unholy desire. Be honest one with another, for it seemeth that some have come short of these things, and some have been uncharitable and have manifested greediness because of their debts towards those who have been persecuted and dragged about in chains without cause and imprisoned. Such characters God hates and shall have their turn of sorrow in the rolling of the great wheel for it rolleth and none can hinder. Zion shall yet live, though she seemeth to be dead. Remember that whatsoever measure you meet out to others it shall be measured unto you again. We say unto you Brethren be not afraid of your adversaries. Contend earnestly against mobs, and the unlawful works of dissenters and of da
rkness. And the very God of peace shall be with you and make a way for your escape from the adversary of your souls.

We commend you to God and the word of His grace which is able to make us wise unto Salvation. Amen.

Joseph Smith, Jr. (1)

-- Nov 8, 1838
General Wilson surrounds Adam-ondi-Ahman, Adam Black convenes a court of inquiry. Joseph and other prisoners in Independence start for Richmond with three guards who get drunk. Prisoners take their arms and horses but apparently do not attempt to escape. (2)

Footnotes:
1 - Faulring, Scott (ed.), An American Prophet's Record: The Diaries and Journals of Joseph Smith: Joseph Smith Diary, 1838, http://amzn.to/jsdiaries
2 - Kenny, Scott, Saints Without Halos, "Mormon History 1830-1844," http://saintswithouthalos.com/dirs/d_c.phtml

LDS History Chronology: the Word of Wisdom

Mormon Timeline: the Word of Wisdom
http://lds-church-history.blogspot.com/