-- Jul 2, 1833
A Second Communication to the Brethren in Zion-- This communication to the Brethren in Zion (Missouri) ...
We received your letters of June 7th: one from Brothers William W. Phelps and Oliver Cowdery; one from Brother David Whitmer; and one from Brother Sidney Gilbert, for which we are thankful to our Heavenly Father, as also to hear of your welfare, and the prosperity of Zion. Having received your letters in the mail of today, we hasten to answer, in order that our reply may go with tomorrow's mail. ...
We are engaged in writing a letter to Eugene respecting the two Smiths, as we have received two letters from them; one from John Smith, the other from the Elder of the Church. As to the gift of tongues, all we can say is, that in this place, we have received it as the ancients did: we wish you, however, to be careful lest in this you be deceived.
Guard against evils which may arise from any accounts given by women, or otherwise; be careful in all things lest any root of bitterness spring up among you, and thereby many be defiled. Satan will no doubt trouble you about the gift of tongues, unless you are careful; you cannot watch him too closely, nor pray too much. May the Lord give you wisdom in all things. ... (1)
-- During July 1833
The Evening and Morning Star publishes an announcement titled "Free People of Color." So that any Mormon Negroes can migrate into Missouri without being captured as slaves, the announcement quotes the law that allows free Negroes to come and go unhindered. The southern settlers in Missouri, whose animosities toward the Mormons have been building all along, are infuriated by this announcement. They join together to form a secret constitution to rid themselves of the Mormons "peaceably if we can, forcibly if we must." They accuse the Mormons of (1) pretending to claim personal revelations, miracles, tongues, and thereby blaspheming God; (2) being deluded fanatics; (3) increasing in numbers daily; (4) being the very dregs of society; (5) raising sedition among the slaves; (6) inviting free Negroes and mulattoes of other states to become Mormons and move to Missouri; (7) declaring that God has given the state of Missouri to them. (History of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (7 volumes) 1:374-76.) (2)
-- Sep 11, 1833
A council is held in Jackson County, Missouri. Bishop Partridge is acknowledged as head of the Church in Zion, and ten high priests are chosen to preside over the ten branches there. W. W. Phelps sings a song about the tribulations of the Nephites in tongues and Lyman Wight interprets the tongues. (2)
-- Oct 27, 1833-28
After visiting other villages in Upper Canada (Ontario), Joseph [Smith], Sidney [Rigdon], and Freeman [Nickerson] return to Mount Pleasant on the 24th. Joseph finds the people "very superstitious," but on Sunday, the 27th begin baptizing--twelve on Sunday, two on Monday. "One of the sisters got the gift of tongues which made the saints rejoice may God increse the gifts among them for his sons sake." (3)
Endnotes:
1 - Clark, James R., Messages of the First Presidency (6 volumes)
2 - Conkling, Christopher J., Joseph Smith Chronology
3 - Kenny, Scott, Saints Without Halos, "Mormon History 1830-1844," http://saintswithouthalos.com/dirs/d_c.phtml
LDS History Chronology: Speaking in Tongues
Mormon History Timeline: the gift of Tongues
http://lds-church-history.blogspot.com/
