| False Spirits |
|
Joseph recalls false spirits in Kirtland—all sorts
of visions, enthusiastic notions, fallings-down, false speaking in tongues,
false discernment of spirits without evidence, etc. Members exhibiting
such spirts were tried and disfellowshipped or excommunicated. |
| History of
the Mormonites |
|
Josiah Jones provides
a glimpse into the religious life of Kirtland Saints. This is among the
first and most detailed accounts of Lamanite missionaries Oliver Cowdery,
Parley P. Pratt, Peter Whitmer Jr., and Ziba Peterson in Kirtland and the
impact of their ministry. It also provides some of the scant details we
have of Isaac Morley's common stock communities. |
| Ezra Booth Letters |
|
Popular
Methodist minister, Ezra Booth, joins the church early in 1831, goes to Missouri with Joseph,
Sidney, and others, and comes to the conclusion that Mormonism is a hoax
and a fraud. Beginning in September 1831 he writes nine letters detailing
his experience. They are published in the Ohio Star between October
and December 1831. |
| Tarring of Joseph
and Sidney |
|
Joseph and Sidney are
dragged from their beds, tarred and feathered in March 1832. The mob is
led by former Mormon and Campbellite preacher Symonds Ryder.
Other former Mormons include Methodist minister Ezra Booth, brothers Eli
and Edward Johnson (not sons of John Johnson Sr.) and John Johnson Jr. |
| Grandison Newell
Murder Plot |
| Argument to
Argument |
|
August 1838 Elders
Journal attack on Warren Parrish and other 1837 dissenters. Parrish
is accused of embezzling from the Kirtland Safety Society Bank and leading
the attack on the Prophet in the Kirtland Temple. Co-conspirators: Leonard
Rich, John F. Boynton, Luke S. Johnson, Stephen Burnett, Sylvester Smith,
Grandison Newell. Others denounced: Warren Cowdery, Martin Harris, Joseph
Coe, Cyrus Smalling. |
| Egging of Parley P. Pratt (1835) |
| Thomas B. Marsh
to Wilford Woodruff [1837] |
|
In Joseph's absence, Warren Parrish, three apostles, and
a member of the high council tried to seize control of the church. When
Joseph returns from Canada, they publicly renounce the church. William
Parrish is a deist. |
| Doings and Sayings |
|
George A. Smith (January
10, 1858) relates how
Joseph and the church were scoffed at by the learned, abused by the newspapers,
and persecuted by blackguards. Early converts of all stripes. Some departed
for frivolous reasons, others to start their own churches, but all wound
up fighting against the work of God. Numerous anecdotes about apostates
to make his point that envy, hypocrisy, and adultery lead to apostasy—and
dissenters are immoral. |
| Stephen Burnett to Lyman E. Johnson (1838) |
|
Kirtland dissident Stephen Burnett writes excommunicated Lyman E. Johnson excoriating Joseph Smith and Sidney Rigdon for deceiving Church members, "filching" their money, and squandering funds. Martin Harris said the Book of Mormon witnesses saw the plates "only in vision or imagination," but later recanted. Stephen renounced Mormonism in the "Stone Chapel" (House of the Lord). Kirtland property is worthless. Joseph blamed Lyman for the Safety Society failure. Martin Harris, others reject Joseph but still believe the Book of Mormon. |
| Satan Came Also |
|
George A. Smith (November 15,
1864) recalls the unusual characters and spiritual
manifestations of the early Kirtland period, especially Ezra Booth. Joseph
and Sidney tarred and feathered. Dedication of the House of the Lord at
Kirtland. The bank failed because Warren Parrish and other apostates embezzled
funds. Councils and trials were held constantly in Kirtland. |
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