John Murdock (1793

Mormon History 1830-1844

John Murdock (1792–1871)

Reformed Baptist preacher. November 1830 convert. Early proselyting §. Names of John's November 1830—June 1831 converts §. Mission to Jackson (1831) §. School of the Prophets, Zion's Camp, Clay County High Council §. Eastern states mission (1835–1836) §. Far West §. Nauvoo bishop, Mormon Battalion §. September 1847 pioneer §. Fourteenth Ward bishop, legislator §. Australia mission, patriarch §. Lehi, Utah resident §. Beaver Stake President §.

Born		July 15, 1792 in Kortright, Delaware County, New York.		Murdock journal, 1
Died		December 23, 1871 while visiting son in Beaver, Beaver County, Utah.
Father		John Murdock
Mother		Eleanor Riggs		(No known connection to Burr and Harpin Riggs.)
Cuyahoga County		[1820] family moves to Cuyahoga County, Ohio.
Campbellites		[1827] joins Sidney Rigdon's Reformed Baptist congregation.
Conversion, baptism		November 1830. See below.
Early proselything		November 1830–June 1831. See below.
Wife dies, Joseph and Emma adopt twins		April 30, 1831 Julia dies in Warrensville after giving birth to twins. With three other children under seven years old, John felt he could not look after two more newborns. Emma Smith had lost twins in childbirth on the same day that Julia died. She would be able to nurse the twins, so John gave them to Joseph and Emma. They named the twins Joseph and Julia.
High Priesthood		June 6, 1831 ordained to the High Priesthood by Joseph Smith in Kirtland.		¶ Lyman Wight's Vision and the Man of Sin
Mission call to Jackson County		June 6, 1831 called to Jackson County, Missouri, with Hyrum Smith.		¶ D&C 52:8–9
Detroit		June 14, 1831 at Fairport boards the steamer William Penn with Hyrum Smith, Lyman Wight, John Corrill, Lucy Mack Smith, and Almira Mack. They arrive at Detroit at 11 p.m. the following night and put up at a tavern as Almira's sister, Mrs. Cooper, "who was the only one of My brothers family who lived in Detroit was in very ill health and with a nervous affliction which she had been under the influence of for several years—"		Murdock autobiography, 23; Lucy (1844–1845), 544, 547.
Curse Detroit Michigan		June 16, 1831 take breakfast with "a Merchants wife sister to Almira [Mack]." The missionaries unsuccessfully seek preaching opportunities. "I was turned out of dore for calling on the wool carder to repent. After dinner we took our leave of the two femails and the family with whome we had dined, and wiped our feet as a testimony against that city. Bro’s Lyman <and John> took the North rout throug Oakland Co. Bro Hyrum and my self took the Chicago rode through white Pidgeon prairie. We traveled twelve miles to Pekin." Preach six times in Pekin Township area before leaving the area on the 23rd. Preach twice in White Pigeon Prairie at the end of the month.		Murdock autobiography, 23. Pekin: township renamed Redford in March 1833. 16 mi. W of Detroit.
Potawatomie Indians Illinois		July 1, 1831 overnight with Potawatomie Indians. "… received supper and breakfast from them and gave them some articles we had for their kindness." Next stops are at Elkhart, Logansport, Lafayette, and Attica, Indiana, preaching occasionally. Pass through Danville, Illinois on the 20th, and preach at Decatur on the 25th.		Murdock autobiography, 23.
		July 30, 1831 preach at an unnamed location 28 miles from a crossing of the Illinois River:		Murdock journal, 7–8. Barton Warren Stone (Dec. 24, 1772–Nov. 9, 1844) was born in Maryland, raised in Virginia, studied law in North Carolina (1790); converted to "New Light" (revivalist) Presbyterianism by James MeGready and studied under William Hodge. Became an itinerant preacher in Tenessee, then received an appointment at Cane Ridge, Bourbon County Kentucky (1798). He sponsored the evangelican Cane Ridge revival which ignited the Second Great Awakening. United with four other Presbyterian ministers who withdrew from the Kentucky Synod (1803) and the following year abandoned denominational affiliation altogether, preferring the designation "Christians" (popularly known as "Stonites"). Founded the Christian Messenger, which called for ecumenical evangelicalism (1826). United with Alexander Campbell's Disciples of Christ in 1831. Lived in Lexington, Kentucky, died in Hannibal, Missouri. "Stone, Barton Warren," American National Biography.
Barton Stone		Barton Stone & another newlite Preacher presant B. Stone talked much with us & undertook to pwut [put] us down by his learning but we told him we did not profess a knowledge of any language but the english & we believed that they <the Bible> contained a sufficiency [8] if a man would obey them he would be saved & if he was willing to investigate according to the english Bible we would investigate with him but he declined.
		[July 31, 1831 (Sunday)] We preached a 9 Oclock AM And as we had the evening before planely shewn faith repentance & baptism for remision of Sins & the laying on hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost. We now Shewed The promise of the Savior was that all who obey the gosple shall receive the gift of the Holy ghost & signs shall follow them. We had great liberty by the Spirit priest Stone trembled but would not yeald obedience for we had called on all to repent both Priests & people & we went 2 miles to fill another appointment
Illinois River		August 1, 1831 crosses the Illinois River.		Murdock journal, 8.
Sick		[August 2, 1831] got my feet wet which ca<u>sed me a severe Sickness even <near> unto death."		Murdock journal, 8.
Mississippi River		August 2, 1831 travels to New London, "a verry wicked place," in Pike County, Missouri.		Murdock journal, 8.
		August 4, 1831 reach Salt River (also known as Allred settlement), Missouri.		Murdock journal, 9.
Chariton		August 5, 1831 sick. Remains in Salt Creek a week, then gives William Ivy his watch to transport him to Chariton.		Murdock journal, 9.
Chariton rendezvous		August 12–13, 1831 John and Hyrum meet Joseph and Sidney, who are returning to Kirtland, in Chariton. Harvey Whitlock and David Whitmer also arrive. Joseph receives a revelation instructing the missionaries to continue to Independence. They pool their resources with John and Hyrum and purchase a horse for John to ride.		Murdock journal, 9. D&C 62
		August 14, 1831 John, Hyrum, Harvey, and David resume their journey.		Murdock journal, 9.
Returns to find son dead		[March 25–April 2, 1832] My Little daughter Julia I found well with Br Joseph the Prophet but my little sone Joseph was dead. When the Prophet was halled out of bed by the mob in Hyram the child having the mesles		Murdock journal, 18.
Mission		August 29, 1832 mission call "into the eastern countries."		D&C 99
Branch		Fall 1832 baptizes and organizes branch in eastern Geauga County.
School of the Prophets		1833 attends School of the Prophets.
		March 17, 1834 attends conference in Avon, New York with Joseph Smith, Sidney Rigdon, Parley Pratt, Lyman Wight, Orson Pratt, Orson Hyde, and others to raise volunteers for Zion's Camp.		Meeting of March 17, 1834
Mission to New York		April 3, 1833 to April 28, 1834 mission with Zebedee Coltrin to New York. Organizes branch in Delaware County.
Zion's Camp		May–June 1834 Zion's Camp.
Clay County high council		July 7, 1834 Clay County high council
Leaves Missouri		September 24, 1834 leaves Missouri for Kirtland.
Orson Pratt in Indiana		November 1834 joins Orson Pratt at Terre Haute and continues east with him to Sugar Creek, Indiana, where they find Lorenzo D. Barnes and Lewis Robbins. A few days later, Orson and Lorenzo continue on their journey east.		Orson Pratt journals, 44.
Arrives Kirtland		January 1835 arrives in Kirtland.
Patriarchal blessing		February 20, 1835 patriarchal blessing from Joseph Smith Sr.
Mission to New York, Vermont		March 5, 1835 leaves on mission to New York, Vermont.
		May 24, 1835 assigned by the Twelve to visit the church in Springville, Pennsylvania, and Chenango Point with Lloyd Lewis and "set in order the things that were wanting ther[e]."		¶ Minutes of May 22–25, 1835
Marries		February 4, 1836 marries Amoranda Turner in New York.
Kirtland		February 24, 1836 returns to Kirtland.
Endowment		March 3, 1836 Kirtland endowment.
Missouri		May 28, 1836 Amoranda arrives in Kirtland, they leave June 3 for Missouri.
Far West		July 14, 1836 settles in Far West, serves on high council
Wife dies		August 16, 1837 Amoranda dies of fever.
DeWitt		June 1838 called to settle DeWitt County, Missouri.
Expelled from Missouri		February 1839 expelled from Missouri.
Lima, Illinois		Settles near Lima, Illinois.
Nauvoo		Spring 1841 moves to Nauvoo.
Bishop		August 20, 1842 ordained bishop of the Nauvoo Fifth Ward, serves to November 29, 1844.
Nauvoo exodus		May 1846 leaves Nauvoo.
Mormon Battalion		1846 Mormon Battalion
Salt Lake		September 24, 1847 arrives Salt Lake valley.
Bishop		February 14, 1849 set apart as bishop of the Salt Lake Fourteenth Ward, serves to February 6, 1851.
Legislature		December 1849 member of the legislature, State of Deseret
Mission to Australia		February 6, 1851 resigns as bishop to open mission to Australia. Leaves with Parley P. Pratt for San Francisco, March 12, 1851.
		October 30, 1851 lands in Sydney with Charles W. Wandell, the first missionaries to Australia.
		June 2, 1852 sails from Australia, leaving Charles Wandell to preside.
Patriarch		April 9, 1854 ordained a patriarch by Heber C. Kimball.
Lehi		1852–1867 lives in Lehi, Utah and presides over high priests.
Second anointings		June 7, 1867 second anointings.
Stake president		1869–1891 Beaver (Utah) Stake President.

		Conversion and Baptism
		Journal
Birth to conversion		John Murdock was born July 15th 1792 Kartright [Kortright] Delaware [-] Newyork N.A. And had become an inhabitant of Orrange Cuyahoga Co Ohio & after many years diligent Search & p<r>ayer before God to not only know the truth but to also find a people that lived according to truth & found O. Cowdery P. P. Pratt P. Whitmer & Z. Peterson Elders of the Church of L.D.S. in Kirtland Geauga Co Ohio,		Murdock journal, 1. Church of L.D.S.: The name was changed from Church of Christ to Church of the Latter Day Saints May 3, 1834. Minutes of May 3, 1834
Baptized, confirmed, and ordained		And I being convinsed that they not only had the truth but also the authority to administer the ordinances of the Gospel, I therefore was baptised by Elder Pratt confirmed by a member by Elder Cowdery Ordained an Elder by the same in Mayfield Nov. 5th 1830		The November 5 date of John's baptism is inconsistent with Oliver Cowdery's letter of November 12–13, which reports no baptisms on the 5th.
Returns to family		I then returned to my family having been absent four days carrying with me the book of Mormon & I read it to them & they believed it for I was filled with the spirit when I read
Missionaries visit		& the next first day of the week came & the brethren who ministered to me fill<e>d an apointment I had made in Warrensville I baptised five my wife being one of the five.		Oliver Cowdery and his companions leave the Kirtland area on November 22, 1830.
		Autobiography		Murdock autobiography
		… word came to me that four men had arrived at Kirtland from the State of N. Y.; who were preaching, baptizing, and building up the Church after the Ancient order. It was one Sunday morning as I was going to attend an appointment to preach, that I was informed of this (for I had been ordained a Campbelite preacher)		Murdock autobiography
		I was also told that Elder Rigdon with many others of the Campbellite Church were baptised by them. I replyed to my informer that it was an insinuation of the Devil; but I was immediately checked in my feelings, and I made no more harsh expressions respecting them.		The Sunday after the first baptisms (17) was November 7. The Sunday after Sidney's baptism waas November 14.
	¶	I attended my appointment and got along with my meeting as easy as I could, and went home; and went to reading my Bibel, and frequently heared of the new preachers untill thursday the same week.		The Thursday after November 7/14 would be November 11/18.
		I went to see for my self a distance of about twenty miles.
		I heared the sayings of many people by the way: Some for the new preachers, some against but I observed the Spirit that stimulated those on both sides. I met with squire Waldo, who was a Campbellite and biterly oposed; he tryed to have me take another rode, and not go to Kirtland, but I told him I was of age, and the case was an important one, of life, and death, exhisting between me and my God; and I must act for my self, for no one can act for me. I rode about three miles further and met an other man of the same order, I had about the same kind of discourse with him and passed on, and arrived at Father Isaac Morleys about dark and was soon interduced to those four men from N. Y., and presented with the Book of Mormon. …
		the question with me was, are these the men to commence the work. I did not ask a sign of them by working a miracle, by healing a sick man, by raising a ded man, or, by casting out a Devil; Only I desiered to know whether the Holly Ghost would attend their ministration, if the Book of Mormon was not true; neither if they were not sent forth by God.
		Accordingly that night was held the first confirmation meeting that was held in Ohio. And I said within my self it is a good time for me. For thought I, this night must prove it to be true, or false.
		I did not find out resp[e]cting the meeting till about ten oclock at knight. And at that time they had all the room except [15] three men; and I found they wanted to go to the meeting, and did not want those in that had not been baptised. I said to them go for if you wish to be alone, I do not blame you; the case is one of importance. They went and I stayed alone, and read the Book of mormon.
	¶	During the evening previous to the meeting, a Nathan Goodwell [Goodell] a campbellite, came and commenced talk with Elder Olliver [Oliver] Cowdery for he was the principal one of the four, and I watched the spirit of each one of them in their conversation and I found that goodwell bore down with warmth, whereas Cowdery wished not for contention, and endeavored to evade controversy,
		and I seeing this spake as followes, Bro. Goodwell I have come to Kirtland, not to contend either for or against these men, for I do not know whether <they> are true or false, but I have come to see what they have brought.
		I want to converse with you if you are willing. I said I had some questions to ask him. He said he would try to answer them. 1st do you not think that you and I have <a> form of Godliness? he replyed, yes. I said you and I agree on that point. …
Baptized	¶	About ten oclock that morning, being Nov. 5th 1830, I told the servants of the Lord that I was ready to walk with them into the water of baptism. Accordingly Elder P. P. Pratt baptised me in Chagrin River and the Spirit of the Lord sensibly attended the ministration, and I came out of the water rejoicing, and singing praises to God and the Lamb. But the two former baptisms had no such manifestations of the Spirit of God …
		It apeared to me that not with standing all the profession of religion that I had previously made and all I had done, that by my act of now being baptised, I had just escaped a horribal pit of destruction; for I felt as tho all my sins were forgiven.
Confirmed and ordained		I continued with the brethren till Sunday, at w<h>ich time they preached in Mayfield and baptized a number. And on Sunday evening they confirmed about thirty, I was one of the number. Elder Oliver Cowdery was administrator; I was also ordained an Elder;
Some see visions		And it was truly a time of the out poring of the Spirit. I know the Spirit rested on me as it never did before and others said they saw the Lord and had visions.
		I tarried <till> Monday morning, to[o]k breakfast, and attended prayrs with the Brethren, and then rode home a distance of seven miles
		I endeavored to bear testimony to my neighbors whome I met, by the way but they would not believe. At length I arived home. My family gladly received me, and my words. Thank the Lord. And my wife, and Brother Covey both believed the Book of Mormon, for I braught it home with me, and read it to them, and I was filled with the Spirit as I read.

		Proselyting (November 1830–June 1831)
		Journal	Autobiography
		& I Preached the next Sunday in Warrensville & baptised three & after I had [2] confirmed them	At length the 1rst day of the next week arrived and the N.Y. brethren held [a] meeting in WarrensVille, four miles west of my house, and I bore testimony to the truth; my wife brother Covey, and three others were baptised.
			Brother Ziba Peterson held meeting in my house the evening before and I bore testimony to my neighbors. on Monday Morning the York brethren accompined by F. G. Williams, a late convert, took leave of us for uper Missourri.
3 in Orange		I preached the next Sunday in Orange	At length another week passed away and Sunday arrived, and I attended my appoint ment in Orrange, and preached to the people in great plainness, and some believed and some opposed the truth.
		& baptised three	And I baptised three. Bro. Judd, his wife and Daughter.
			The next Sunday arrived, and I attended my appointment in Warrensville. I preached in great plainness to the people and baptised three more, viz Israel Huffs wife, Steven Burnet, and Lomira Gardner.
Swoon		Brother Stephen Burnett & Lomira Gardner received the Spirit even to the taking away their Strength	I confirmed them by the laying on of hands, and the two last received <the> out porin of the Spirit so that their strength was taken from them,
		Autobiography
		and they with my self and wife stayed all night at Bro. C. Balldins, and tok brakefast next morning,
		Wee then went to his Fathers and my wife also, bro. Balldin and his wife, and some others. When wee came there they had just moved into their new house. I asked Mr. Burnet what he thaught of these things. he said he believed it to be like the free-masons: One got cached and he would not tell till they caught an other. But after a while supper was ready, and we sat round a long tabel, and bro. Stephen at one end of the tabel, and I at the other, and Mr. Burnet asked me to give thanks, and while I was doing so, bro. Stephen was overcome with the Spirit, so as to loose his strength. Some removed from the tabel with out eating. others ate while his Father and Mother sat in teers.
		Journal	Autobiography
Father Burnett opposes at first		& Mr Burnett the young mans father, when his Sone returned home spoke against the work but the evidences of the Spirit were so evidently shown on his Sone that he concented to have meeting in his house	At length he agreed to have meeting at his house, and I preached various times there and was much blessed in my minestry, in Orrange, and Warrensville, and through my ministration there was added to the Church in that place, in about four months some Seventy or eighty members	the young mans father: Sirenes Burnett
		Autobiography
		and while attending preyr bro. Stephen was carryed away in the Spirit, and said he just go to see his Uncle Warren Thorp and family, before he went home, for so the spirit directed him. I went with him, and he bore testimony to them of the work. But they would not believe.
		Wee then went to his Fathers and my wife also, bro. Balldin [Baldwin] and his wife, and some otherse. When wee came there they had just moved into their new house. I asked Mr. Burnet what he thaught of these things. he said he believed it to be like the free-masons: One got cached and he would not tell till they caught an other. But after a while supper was ready, and we sat round a long tabel, and bro. Stephen at one end of the tabel, and I at the other, and Mr. Burnet asked me to give thanks, and while I was doing so, bro. Stephen was overcome with the Spirit, so as to loose his strength. Some removed from the tabel with out eating. others ate while his Father and Mother sat in teers. At length he agreed to have meeting at his house,
		Journal	Autobiography
3 in Warrensville		& I Preached the next Sunday in Warrensville & baptised three & after I had [2] confirmed them Brother Stephen Burnett & Lomira Gardner received the Spirit even to the taking away their Strength
		And I continued preaching in Orrange & Warrensville & was greatly blessed in my ministry in that region So that	and I preached various times there and was much blessed in my minestry, in Orrange, and Warrensville,
		through my preaching in about 4 months about seventy Souls were aded to the church & being thronged with inquirers I quit other business I left my own house & moved my family in with Bro C[aleb] Baldwin & gave my full time to the ministry
Preaches in Ohio, baptize 70		& was greatly blessed in my ministry in that region So that through my preaching in about 4 months about seventy Souls were aded to the church	and through my ministration there was added to the Church in that place, in about four months some Seventy or eighty members
			viz: Myself and my wife Julia, Benjamin Covey, Caleb Baldwin, Nancy Baldwin, Charles Taylor, the above were baptized by P. [Parley] P. Pratt, under my ministration
			I continued to labor in the ministry, preaching and building up the Church in that region from Nov. 1830 till June 1831 when I could leave my family.
		& being thronged with inquirers I quit other business I left my own house & moved my family in with Bro C. Baldwin & gave my full time to the ministry	And in order that I might the better I left my own home, and moved my family, to Bro. C. Baldwins, in Warrensville in Decr.
		And April 30th my wife died leaveing me 5 Small living children two but six hours old	And my wife died April 30th 1831, and left five small children two of them but six hours old.

		Names of Converts
		A typescript version of an "Abri[d]ged Record ... Taken from His Journal by Himself" [1792–1864], probably written after the Journal and Autobiography provides names of those John Baptized in the Orange/Warrensville area between November 1830 and June 1831:
November 1830–March 1831 baptisms		… and through my ministration there was added to the Church in that place, in and about the following four months, these people viz: Myself and my wife Julia, Benjamin Covey, Caleb Baldwin, Nancy Baldwin, Charles Taylor, the above were baptized by P. P. Pratt, and confirmed under the hands of Oliver Cowdery, and the following under my ministration, Philo Judd, Nancy Judd, Sally and Rebecca Judd, Nancy Eames, Stephen Burnet, Louisa Gardner, Nancy Huff, Isaac Eames, Louis Carpenter, Grace Carpenter, Ira Sherman, Phebe Sherman, Lance and Cyrus Barnet, Hason, Alouson Cleviland, Julia Smith, Betsy Gates, James Rich, Elias Hutchings and Sally Rhoda Gates, Benjamin Carpenter, Helen Woodard, Lydia _____, Benjamins Evans Turner and Jeddiah Hubbel, Eunice Woodard, Arenath Carpenter, Olive Hutchings, Seliman Hubbel, Benjamin Blagg, Nobles Hubbel, Hannah Bragg, Rhoda Kimball, Rither Gates, Sophia Covey, Justus Arnold and his wife, Electa Jonathan, Eunice, Phebe, Seeth, and Elisha Covey, Justus Pooler, Elan Barbar, Louisa Covey, Ludinda Hubbel, Nancy M. and Caleb T. Baldwin, William and Nancy Dunchy, Amos Cleveland, Harry Hutchins, Zenos Barnet, and some others.		Murdock abridged record.

		August 1831 Sickness
		Autobiography
Chariton		[August 5, 1831, en route to Jackson County] We Preached after which I being Sick went to bed & we continued here near one week & I gave my watch for Wm Ivy to carry me to Chariton 10 m's in a waggon		Murdock journal, 9–10. The town of Chariton no longer exists.
Revelation		we stayed there two days & met J. Smith the Prophet S. Rigdon & others & received the Revilation in book of covenants Page 202 [1844 edition].		D&C 62, Aug. 13, 1831. Also arriving in Chariton while Joseph's party is there are David Whitmer and Harvey Whitlock.
Joins David Whitmer and Harvey Whitlock		We also fel in company with Brs David Whitmer & Harvey Whitlock. We four put our money together & bought a horse & I rode him to Lexington 60 m's
Fever		& on the way we four slept in a chamber where one half of the flore was laid & the other not & a window being open & I weltering under a burning feever I went to the window in the night steped off of the flore & fell across the joice & hurt my leg.
Seriously ill		The next day I being forward of the brethren as I rode in to Lexington being weak fell from my horse & lay til brethren picked me up & took me in to house where they left me four days & Br's S. Hancock & L. Wight came with a horse & carried me to [-] Hopper's Where I remained a few day I then was caried in a waggon to Joshua Lewis Jackson Co [10] Where I lay Sick 2 or 3 months & the Brethren thought I could not live
Flies		but tho I was so weak that I could not keep the flies out of my mouth my faith was fixed that I could not die for the Lord had something more for me to do.
Too weak to pray		Altho I was so weak that A nu<m>ber of days was lost time with me & had not energy enough to even prey to my God tho I believed he would take care of me in my weakness.
		After I had a little recovered I went to N. Knights & from that to L. Wights and so remained with the brethren for a tim[e]

		Families
Wife		Julia Clapp, b. Feb. 23, 1796 md. Dec. 14, 1823 d. Apr. 30, 1831		Julia Clapp's family were staunch Campbellites and strongly anti-Mormon. Her father and brother (a friend of Orson Hyde) were largely responsible for thwarting the Mormons in Mentor. Joseph's early death was attributed to exposure while sick with the measles during the ¶ 1832 Tarring of Joseph Smith and Sidney Rigdon.
Children		Orrice Clapp, b. Dec. 24, 1824; d. May 1, 1915; member, Mormon Batallion John Riggs, b. Sept. 13, 1826; d. Nov. 16, 1913; member, Mormon Batallion Phebe Clapp, b. Mar. 10, 1828; d. July 6, 1834 Infant, b. and d. Sept. 1829 Joseph (b. Apr. 30, 1831; adopted by Joseph and Emma Smith at nine days old; d. Mar. 30, 1832) Julia (b. Apr. 30, 1831; adopted by Joseph and Emma Smith at nine days old; d. Apr.10, 1880)
Wife		Amoranda Turner md. Feb. 4, 1836 in New York d. Aug. 16, 1837
Children		Gideon, bishop of Joseph, Sevier, UT Rachel Hyrum Smith Electa, d. Oct. 16, 1845
Wife		Sarah Zuflet md. Mar. 13, 1846 in Fulton Co., IL
Children		George Weire, adopted Brigham Young
		Biographies Home