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| Popular Methodist minister Ezra Booth
joins the church early in 1831, goes to Missouri, and comes to the conclusion
that Mormonism is a hoax and a fraud. Writes nine letters detailing his
experience that are published October–November 1831. |
| Born |
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1792 in Connecticut |
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| Chardon |
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1820 moves to Chardon, Ohio and
organizes a Methodist class of ten members. |
|
Geauga history, 299. |
| Nelson |
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1819 living in Nelson,
Ohio. |
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| Deerfield Circuit rider |
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1822 forms the
Deerfield Circuit (Methodist Episcopal) with Rev. William Westlake. They
are followed by Revs. Dennis Goddard and Elijah H. Fields, and, in 1824
Rev. Ira Eddy and Rev. B. O. Plympton. |
|
Portage history, 443. |
| Minister |
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Methodist minister
in Mantua, Portage county, Ohio, by 1831. |
|
Hayden history, 250. |
| Investigates |
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[February–March]
1831 goes to Kirtland with John and Elsa Johnson soon after Joseph's arrival
to investigate Mormonism and witnesses Joseph healing Elsa's arm. |
|
¶
Healings |
| Baptized and ordained |
|
Ezra Booth became a convert and
an elder, May 1831. |
|
Hayden history,
251. Marinda Nancy Johnson's recollection implies earlier. Women of Mormondom,
404. |
| Proselytes in Hiram |
|
May 1831 visits Hiram, listens
to his good friend Symonds Ryder preach,
and obtains his permission to speak. |
|
Hayden history, 251. |
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[He] stated in the strong, clear
language of impassioned enthusiasm, the ground of his new faith, and the
inspiring hopes which it gave him. A deep impression was made upon the minds
of many who heard him. Elder Ryder was himself staggered; and "lest
haply he should be found even to fight against God," he sat in silence,
neither approving nor disapproving. |
|
Hayden history, 251. |
| High
Priesthood |
|
June 3, 1831 ordained
to the High Priesthood by Lyman Wight (h)
(swh). |
|
Minutes
of June 3, 1831 |
| Call
to Missouri |
|
June [6], 1831 called
to go to Missouri with Isaac Morley "preaching
the word by the way." |
|
¶
D&C 52:23 |
| Preaches in Norton township |
|
[June] 1831 preaches
the Book of Mormon to a large audience in
Bates Corners, Norton Township, Ohio. |
|
Ambrose Palmer to the editor,
Jan. 28, 1835, MA 1 no. 1 (Jan. 1835): 61. |
| Kaw county conference |
|
August 4, 1831 one
of fourteen elders attending the conference in Kaw county, Missouri. |
|
Minutes
of August 8, 1831 |
| Silenced |
|
September
6, 1831 "silenced from preaching as an Elder" by Joseph, Sidney,
Oliver, others. |
|
Minutes
of September 6, 1831 |
| Lord
angry with |
|
[September 11, 1831]
Behold, I, the Lord, was angry with him who was my servant Ezra Booth,
and also my servant Isaac Morley, for
they kept not the law, neither the commandment; They sought evil in their
hearts … They condemned for evil that thing in which there was no
evil; nevertheless I have forgiven my servant Isaac Morley. |
|
D&C
64:15–16. |
| Letters to the Ohio Star |
|
September 12, 1831
renounces Mormonism in the first of nine letters to be published in the Ohio
Star beginning in November 1831. |
|
Ezra
Booth Letters |
| Impact |
|
[November–December] 1831
in Norton township the effect of Ezra's letters is such that "the public
feeling was, that "mormonism" was overthrown" until Reynolds
Cahoon, David Whitmer, and Lyman
Johnson arrive on a mission. |
|
Ambrose Palmer to the editor,
Jan. 28, 1835, MA 1 no. 1 (Jan. 1835): 61–62.
On November 15, 1831, about 30 miles north of Norton township, Reynolds and
David seal the Shalersville church "up
unto Eternial life." Cahoon diary, 21–22. |
| Resumes ministerial work |
|
Information about Ezra after 1831
is scarce. However, he did marry a couple in Mentor on January
16, 1832. |
|
PT,
Jan. 24, 1832. |
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Ezra
Booth Letters
Biographies
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