Sunday, April 20, 2008

Joseph Smith Chronology

BYU Studies has published an entire issue containing a chronology of Joseph Smith's life that is also available online. A good review and commentary are available at Times and Seasons where reviews are positive and it is noted as a helpful study aid even though religiously incorrect items have been skipped. I like the links to source materials -- which reminds me of The Parallel Joseph, a more limited chronology with source material included right in the chronology (such as sermons, meeting notes [for example], and other source material).

Below is a two month section from the chronology. A few missing items from this time frame that I am aware of are the organization of the Nauvoo Masonic Lodge, becoming an entered apprentice, introduction of the temple endowment and at least two polygamous marriages.


March 9, 1842
Nauvoo, Illinois. Joseph Smith wrote a letter to Edward Hunter at West Nantmeal, Pennsylvania.
March 11, 1842
Nauvoo, Illinois. Joseph Smith wrote a letter to Edward Hunter.
March 11, 1842
Nauvoo, Illinois. Joseph Smith commanded the Nauvoo Legion (the local civilian militia) on parade through the streets of Nauvoo.
March 15, 1842
Nauvoo, Illinois. An installment of Joseph Smith's translation of the book of Abraham, including facsimile 2, was published in the Church newspaper Times and Seasons.
Sources:
History of the Church 4:519–34
Book of Abraham
March 17, 1842
Nauvoo, Illinois. Joseph Smith organized the Relief Society of Nauvoo, with Emma Smith, his wife, as the president.
March 20, 1842
Nauvoo, Illinois. Joseph Smith preached a sermon on death and resurrection, baptized a large number of individuals in the river, confirmed many of them in the grove near the temple, and then performed additional baptisms in the font of the temple.
March 24, 1842
Nauvoo, Illinois. Joseph Smith attended the Relief Society meeting to complete its organization.
March 27, 1842
Nauvoo, Illinois. Joseph Smith witnessed the landing of Latter-day Saint immigrants from England on the steamboat Ariel, and performed ordinances for 107 individuals after speaking on baptism for the dead.
April 1, 1842
Nauvoo, Illinois. Joseph Smith published a lengthy editorial in the Church newspaper Times and Seasons entitled "Try the Spirits" about the gift of discernment.
April 9, 1842
Nauvoo, Illinois. Joseph Smith preached at the funeral of Brother Ephraim Marks in the morning.
April 10, 1842
Nauvoo, Illinois. While preaching in a grove near the Nauvoo Temple site, Joseph Smith "reproved and rebuked" the Saints for wickedness and all forms of iniquity.
April 15, 1842
Nauvoo, Illinois. Joseph Smith published an editorial in the Church newspaper Times and Seasons concerning baptism for the dead.
April 24, 1842
Nauvoo, Illinois. Joseph Smith preached on the hill near the Nauvoo Temple concerning the building of the temple.
April 28, 1842
Nauvoo, Illinois. Joseph Smith met with the members of the Relief Society and lectured on the privileges and blessings of the priesthood.
Sources:
History of the Church 4:602–7
Journal of Discourses 5:175
May 4, 1842
Nauvoo, Illinois. Joseph Smith met with Hyrum Smith, Brigham Young, Heber C. Kimball, Willard Richards, Judge James Adams, Bishops Newel K. Whitney and George Miller, and William Law in the upper room of the Red Brick Store, where he gave them instructions on the priesthood and celestial marriage.
May 7, 1842
Nauvoo, Illinois. Joseph Smith commanded drills for the Nauvoo Legion throughout the day.

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