“A Crooked Generation”

In October 1830, Ezra Thayer and Northrop Sweet were called by revelation, as they had sought the will of the Lord, to preach the Gospel unto “a crooked and perverse generation.” “My vineyard,” declared the Lord, “has become corrupt every whit; and there is none which doth good save it be a few; and they err in many instances because of priestcrafts; all having corrupt minds. And verily, verily, I say unto you, that this Church have I established and called forth out of the wilderness: and even so will I gather mine elect from the four quarters of the earth, even as many as will believe in me, and hearken unto my voice.”

Call of Edward Partridge and Orson Pratt

In November Orson Pratt, the younger brother of Parley P. Pratt, who had been baptized by his brother Parley a few weeks earlier in Canaan, Columbia County, N.Y., came to Fayette to learn the will of the Lord concerning himself. In the following December Sidney Rigdon came from Ohio on a similar visit, bringing with him a young man named Edward Partridge, who was not a member of the Church. Edward Partridge, the day after his arrival, satisfied with what he had seen and heard, was baptized by Joseph Smith and later was confirmed by Sidney Rigdon. Both of these young men, Orson Pratt and Edward Partridge, were called to labor in the ministry and received the commendation and blessing of the Lord for their faith and desire to serve him. “And this commandment,” said the Lord, “shall be given unto the elders of my Church, that every man which will embrace it with singleness of heart, may be ordained and sent forth, even as I have spoken.”

Sidney Rigdon to Write

Sidney Rigdon was commanded to be a companion to Joseph Smith and to “forsake him not;” moreover, he was to write for him, “and the scriptures shall be given, even as they are in mine own bosom, to the salvation of mine elect,” was the word of the Lord to him.

Lost Scriptures Restored

By commandment of the Lord, a revision of the scriptures by inspiration had already commenced. Much conjecture frequently occurred among the Saints regarding scripture mentioned in the Bible that could not be found. They had learned in the reading of the Book of Mormon, “that many plain and precious things” had been taken away from the Bible as it went forth among the Gentiles. Many of these the Lord promised to restore. From time to time, as their labors would permit, the Prophet received by revelation these scriptures which, were lost, and Sidney Rigdon wrote for him. Shortly after the coming of Sidney Rigdon to Fayette, the Lord revealed the writings of Enoch, spoken of by Jude, which caused much rejoicing among the Saints. These revelations now form a part of the Book of Moses, in the Pearl of Great Price.

Command to Go to Ohio

Soon after the restoration of the words of Enoch, the Lord commanded that the correction of the scriptures should cease until Joseph Smith and companions could remove to Ohio. Such a step was necessary, the Lord declared, “because of the enemy and for your sakes.” However, they were not to go in haste, but first to strengthen the several branches of the Church in New York; especially that at Colesville, where the members exercised much faith. Not only were Joseph and the brethren with him to go to Ohio, but the Lord instructed all the Saints in New York also to journey there, “against the time” when Oliver Cowdery should return from the Lamanites.

Conference of January, 1831

In January, 1831, a conference was held in Fayette. Ordinary business was transacted and a revelation given in which the Lord made known the reason for the removal of the Church to the West (Doc. and Cov. Sec. 38). “All eternity is pained,” the revelation read, “and the angels are waiting the great command to reap down the earth, to gather the tares that they may be burned.” This was because “all flesh is corrupted” and the powers of darkness prevail. The Lord revealed that the wicked were plotting in secret chambers the destruction of Joseph Smith and the Church. However, he would lead the Saints, to a land of promise, and they and their children after them should possess it forever, if they would seek it with all their hearts as an inheritance. This reference was to Zion, the location of which the Lord had not yet revealed. They were commanded to assemble in Ohio, and there he would give unto them his law and these things should be made known. They were to dispose of their property as best they could; farms that could not be sold should be rented, and men of wisdom were to be appointed to look after the interests of the poor and needy and send them forth to the place the Lord commanded them.

In the latter part of January, Joseph Smith and his wife, accompanied by Sidney Rigdon and Edward Partridge, moved to Kirtland. They were welcomed there by Newel K. Whitney, and Joseph and his wife remained in the Whitney home for several weeks receiving every kindness and attention which could be shown in Christian love.

The Branch in Kirtland

The branch of the Church in Kirtland had been living according to a plan called “common stock” or the holding of all property in common. This arrangement had been in practice before they joined the Church, but false spirits crept in among them causing them to receive strange notions in variance with the Gospel plan. With a little caution and exercise of wisdom, the Prophet persuaded them to abandon this plan and their difficulties were removed.

The Law Given to Govern the Church

On the fourth of February, the Lord gave direction by revelation that the elders of the Church should assemble together to agree on his word; for he would give them his law by which the Church was to be governed. Instructions were also given that Joseph Smith should have a house built wherein he could live and translate, and receive the ancient scriptures from the Lord. Edward Partridge was to receive the office of bishop in the Church and to spend all his time in that ministry, leaving his merchandise, to labor in the interests of the members of the Church.

At Kirtland, on the 9th of February, in the presence of twelve elders, the Lord revealed his law by which the Church was to be governed, according to the promise given in Fayette. This important revelation (Doc. and Cov. Sec. 42) may be termed a code of laws for the government and guidance of the members of the Church. Their attitude towards the law of the land as well as the moral law was clearly established. As members of the Church they were to keep the Church covenants and articles, and the Lord would reveal unto them, from time to time, other covenants sufficient to establish them in Ohio and later in the New Jerusalem, or city of Zion, the site of which would presently be revealed. The duties of the bishop and other officers in the Church were defined. Idlers were condemned; for, said the Lord, “the idler shall not eat the bread nor wear the garments of the laborer.” The Bible and the Book or Mormon were to be the standards on doctrine, and they who have not the Spirit were not to teach. The manner of administering to the sick was explained, and the Saints instructed to live together in love. This is one of the very important revelations given to the Church.

A Woman’s “Revelation”

Soon after this revelation was given a woman named Hubble came among the people pretending to have revelations, and professing to be a prophetess of the Lord. By declaring that the Book of Mormon was the word of the Lord, and appearing to be very righteous, she deceived some of the Saints.

For the benefit of the members a revelation was received by Joseph Smith in which the Church was instructed to hearken to him, for there was none other appointed to receive revelations for the Church, and none other should be appointed while he lived, if he remained true to his trust. This commandment had previously been given, when Hiram Page was led into error; but it seemed the Lord must speak again on this point before the Saints could understand. The members of the Church were instructed to purge themselves from all iniquity, and the Lord would give them knowledge, even the mysteries of his kingdom would be revealed, if they would sustain and assist Joseph Smith. The elders were instructed to go forth and preach the Gospel, laboring in the vineyard for the last time, for the Lord would shortly come upon the earth in judgment.

Important Revelations to The Church

During the spring and summer of 1831, a number of important revelations were received. On March 7, the Lord made known many things (Doc. and Cov. Sec. 45) pertaining to his second coming and the signs of the times. After revealing in clearness the teachings given to his disciples in Jerusalem, relative to the destruction of the temple, the scattering of the Jews, and the signs which should precede his second coming, he made known many things which should take place in the day in which we live. He spoke of the signs and wonders; of the gathering of the Jews; the darkening of the sun and the bathing of the moon in blood; of his second coming and his judgments upon the nations; the redemption of the Jews, who shall look upon him whom they have pierced; the binding of Satan; the millennial reign, and the redemption of heathen nations and those who knew no law.

Zion a Place of Refuge

Zion, the New Jerusalem, shall be built and there the righteous shall come to Zion from among all nations, singing songs of everlasting joy. They will be the only people who will not be at war, and every man who will not take up his sword against his neighbor, must flee to Zion for safety. Such is to be the condition of the world before the coming of the Lord.

John Whitmer, Historian

In another revelation John Whitmer was appointed to keep the records of the Church, and assist Joseph Smith in transcribing all things given for the history.

“For,” said the revelation, “Oliver Cowdery I have appointed to another office. Wherefore it shall be given him (Whitmer) in as much as he is faithful, by the Comforter, to write these things.”

The Purchase of Lands

As the Saints in New York had been commanded to settle in Ohio, the residents in that place were instructed to impart of their lands, as they were able to do, for the benefit of their brethren from the east for it was needful that they should remain in Ohio for a time. Eventually, however, it was expected that they would move farther westward, and the members of the Church were to save their money for the purpose of buying lands for an inheritance in the city Zion, when the location of that place should be revealed. This information should be made known when the brethren arrived from the east, for to them it was to be revealed. “And they shall be appointed to purchase the lands, and to make a commencement to lay the foundation of the city, and then shall you begin to be gathered with your families, every man according to his family— as is appointed to him by the presidency and the bishop of the Church.”

Equality Among the Families

In the month of May the Saints from New York commenced to arrive in Ohio, and it fell to the lot of Bishop Partridge to assign to them their lands. They were to be made equal according to their families and their needs. The head of each family was to receive a certificate to secure him and his portion and inheritance in the Church. Should a man transgress, after receiving his portion and standing, he was not to have power to claim that portion which had been consecrated to the bishop for the use of the poor and needy of the Church; but he could retain that portion which was deeded to him. A storehouse was to be provided and the substance of the people, more than needful for individual use, was to be placed therein, for the wants of the people, to be kept by the bishop, who was to distribute it as the necessities of the people should demand. In this manner the doctrine of consecration was partially put into practice, as a preparatory step before the members of the Church should go to Zion —for in Zion the law of the united order, or consecration of properties, was the law upon which that city should be built. “And thus I grant unto this people,” the Lord declared, with reference to the New York Saints, “a privilege of organizing themselves according to my laws; and I consecrate unto them this land for a little season, until I, the Lord, shall provide for them otherwise, and command them to go hence.”

The Important Conference of June 1831

In the month of February the Lord had commanded that word be sent out to the elders of the Church calling them from the east and from the west; from the north and from the south; to meet in conference and receive instruction. Accordingly, a conference was set for June 3, which convened at Kirtland and continued until the sixth. The Spirit of the Lord was displayed in a marvelous way, and the power of the evil one, which was made manifest in opposition to the work, was successfully rebuked.

The First High Priests Ordained

At this conference the first high priests in this dispensation were ordained. Lyman Wight, John Murdock, Reynolds Cahoon, Harvey Whitlock and Hyrum Smith, were ordained to the office of high priest, by Joseph Smith the Prophet; Joseph Smith, Sen., Joseph Smith the Prophet, Parley P. Pratt, Thomas B. Marsh, Isaac Morley, Edward Partridge, Joseph Wakefield, Martin Harris, Ezra Thayer, Ezra Booth, John Corrill, Samuel H. Smith, John Whitmer and Sidney Rigdon, were ordained to the office of high priest, under the hands of Lyman Wight. Edward Partridge, the bishop of the Church, then blessed those who had been ordained. John Corrill and Isaac Morley were then sustained and ordained as assistants, or counselors, to Bishop Whitney, under the hands of Lyman Wight. All this was done by commandment from the Lord.

The Mission of John

During the conference, Joseph Smith the Prophet was led to say, “that John the Revelator was then among the ten tribes of Israel who had been led away by Shalmaneser, king of Assyria, to prepare them for their return from their long dispersion.”

The Elders Called to Missouri

The spirit of prophecy was abundantly manifest and during the sessions of this conference a number of revelations were received. Many of the elders were called to take their journey through the western country, going two by two, preaching the Gospel, and were to assemble again in Jackson County, Missouri, where the next conference was to be held. The Lord said to them: “And thus, even as I have said if ye are faithful, ye shall assemble yourselves together to rejoice upon the land of Missouri, which is the land of your inheritance, which is now the land of your enemies. But, behold, I the Lord, will hasten the city in its time, and will crown the faithful with joy and with rejoicing.”

The Thompson Branch

The members of the Church from Colesville, New York, on their arrival in Ohio, were located at a place called Thompson, about sixteen miles northwest of Kirtland. Here, as we have learned, they were directed to live according to the Lord’s law, that is, the order of stewardship and consecration of properties. Among these people there resided a man named Leman Copley, who was a member of the “Shaking Quakers” before he joined the Church. He owned a large tract of land which he agreed to turn over to the Colesville branch to occupy in this manner of stewardship, agreeable with the revelation they had received. It appears that Copley had not been fully converted to the Gospel and he, with some others, later rebelled and broke the covenant of consecration. This caused confusion among the Colesville Saints and placed them at the mercy of their enemies, as well as in jeopardy before the Lord. In their distress they sent Newel Knight, who was in charge of the branch at Thompson, to the Prophet to learn what they should do. The Lord spoke unto them saying that their covenant had been broken and therefore was of no effect, and it would have been better for the one who was responsible for the offense, “had he been drowned in the depth of the sea.” The members of the branch were now commanded to journey to Missouri, “unto the borders of the Lamanites,” and there they were to seek “a living like unto men,” until the Lord might prepare a place for them. Almost immediately they took their departure under the guidance of Newel Knight, for Missouri.

A Letter from Missouri

A few days following the conference a letter was received from Oliver Cowdery, dated May 7, giving an account of the labors of himself and companions in Missouri. He spoke of their labors among the Lamanites, and of a tribe of “Navashoes” farther to the west, near Santa Fe. Almost the whole country where he and his fellow laborers were located, he declared, consisted of “Universalists, Atheists, Presbyterians, Methodists, Baptists, and other professing Christians, priests and people; with all the devils from the infernal pit, united and foaming out their shame,” against the elders of the Church. Then he adds: “God forbid that I should bring a railing accusation against them, for vengeance belongs to him who is able to pay.” His expressed opinion of these inhabitants of the border land was all too true, as events immediately to follow will attest.

The Mission to the West

About the middle of June (1831) the elders who were appointed at the conference, commenced their journey westward, traveling two by two. Ezra Thayer, the companion chosen for Thomas B. Marsh, failed to go. Selah J. Griffin was appointed to go in his stead. On the 19th of June, Joseph Smith, Sidney Rigdon, Martin Harris, Edward Partridge, William W. Phelps, Joseph Coe, and Algernon Sidney Gilbert, took up their journey for Missouri. All these missionaries, and others not here mentioned, commenced their travels with great anticipation of what the result would be. Their destination was the “land of their inheritance,” where Zion—the New Jerusalem—should be built. The Lord had promised that the site for this holy city should be revealed to them at their journey’s end.