Joseph Smith Diary (1835–1836)

22 September 1835 • Tuesday

This day Joseph Smith, Jr. labored with Oliver Cowdery, in obtaining and writing blessings. We were thronged a part of the time with company, so that our labor, in this thing, was hindered; but we obtained many precious things, and our souls were blessed. O Lord, may thy Holy Spirit be with thy servants forever. Amen.

23 September 1835 • Wednesday

This day Joseph Smith, Jr. was at home writing blessings for my most beloved Brotheren I have been hindered by a multitude of visitors but the Lord has blessed our Souls this day. May Godd grant to continue his mercies unto my house, this night day for Christ sake. This day my Soul has desired the salvation of Brother Ezra, Thayr [Thayer]. Also Brother Noah, Packard. Came to my house and let the Chappel Committee have one thousand dollers, by loan, for the building the house of the Lord; Oh may God bless him with an hundred fold! even of the things of Earth, for this ritious act. My heart is full of desire to day, to be blessed of the God, of Abraham; with prosperity, untill I will be able to pay all my depts; for it is the delight of my soul to be honest. Oh Lord that thou knowes[t] right well! help me and I will give to the poor.

This day Brothers William, Tibbets John, and Joseph Tibbits [Tippets] Started for Mosoura the place designated for Zion or the Saints gathering they Came to bid us farewell the Brotheren Came in to pray with them and Brother David Whitmer acted as spokesman he prayed in the spirit a glorious time succeded his prayr Joy filled our hearts and we blessed them and bid them God speed and and promiced them a safe Journy and took them by the hand and bid them farewell for a season Oh! may God grant them long life and good days these blessings I ask upon them for Christ sake Amen

24 September 1835 • Thursday

This day the high Council met at my house to take into conside[r]ation the redeemtion of Zion and it was the voice of the spirit of the Lord that we petition to the Governer that is those who have been driven out should to do so to be set back on their Lands next spring and we go next season to live or dy to this end so the dy is cast in Jackson County we truly had a good time and Covena[n]ted to strugle for this thing u[n]till death shall desolve this union and if one falls that the rest be not dis ha discouraged but pe[r]sue this object untill it is acomplished which may God grant u[n]to us in the name of Christ our Lord

This day drew up an Article of inrollment for the redemtion of Zion that we may obtain volenteers to go me next Spring to Mo - I ask God in the name of Jesus that we may obtain Eight hundred men or one thousand well armed and that they may acomplish this great work even so Amen

/ 25 September 1835 • Friday

This day I remained at home: nothing of note transpired. The twelve all returned from the east to day.

26 September 1835 • Saturday

This evening, the twelve having returned from the east this morning, we met them, and conversed upon some matters of difficulty which ware existing between some of them, and president Rigdon, and all things were settled satisfactorily.

27 September 1835 • Sunday

Attended meeting: brethren, Thomas B. Marsh, David W. Patten, Brigham Young and Heber C. Kimball preached and broke bread. The Lord poured out his Spirit, and my soul was edified.

28 September 1835 • Monday

High council met and tried brother Gladden Bishop: he was reproved, repented, and was reordained. The next was Lorenzo L. Lewis for fornication: he was cut off from the Church.

29 September 1835 • Tuesday

High Council met to-day and tried brother Allen Avery: he was acquited from any charge. Also Brother Phineas H. Young who was also acquited: also bro. Lorenzo Young, who confessed his error and was forgiven. In all these I acted on the part of the defence for the accused to plead for mercy. The Lord blessed my soul, and the council was greatly blessed, also. Much good will no doubt, result from our labors during the two days in which we were occupied on the business of the CCh Church.

30 September 1835 • Wednesday

Stayed at home and visited many who came to enquire after the work of the Lord.

1 October 1835 • Thursday

This after noon labored on the Egyptian alphabet, in company with brsr. O. Cowdery and W. W. Phelps: The system of astronomy was unfolded.

2 October 1835 • Friday

To-day wrote a letter to be published in the Messenger and Advocate.

/ 23 October 1835 • Saturday

held a high council on the case of Elder John Gould for giving credence to false and slanderous reports instigated to Injure bro Sidney Rigdon and also Dean Gould for thretning bro Sidney Rigdon and others in authority of the Elders. after due deliberation the[y] both confessed and wer[e] acquited. In the afternoon waited on the twelve most of them at my house and exhibited to them the ancient reccords in my possession and gave explanation of the same thus the day passed off with the blessings of the Lord

4 October 1835 • Sunday

started early in the morning with brother J. Carrell [John Corrill] to hold a meeting in Perry [Geauga County, Ohio] when about a mile from home we saw two Dears playing in the field which diverted our minds by giving an impatus to our thoughts upon the subject of the creation of God we conversed upon many topicks and the day passed off in a very agreeable manner and the Lord blessed our souls when we arived at Perry we were disappointed of a meeting through misarangements but conversed freely upon with Bro John Correls relatives which allayed much prejudice as we trust may the lord have mercy on their souls

5 October 1835 • Monday

returned home being much fatiegued riding in the rain spent the remainder of the day in reading and meditation &c and in the evening attend[ed] a high councel of the twelve apostles. had a glorious time and gave them many instruction[s] concerning their duties for time to come. told them that it was the will of God they should take their families to Missouri next season, also attend this fall the solemn assembly of the first Elders for the organization of the school of the prophets, and attend to the ordinence of the washing of feet and to prepare the[i]r hearts in all humility for an endowment with power from on high to which they all agreed with one accord, and seamed to be greatly rejoiced may God spare the lives of the twelve with one accord to a good old age for christ the redeemers sake amen

6 October 1835 • Tuesday

At home father or Elder Stevens came to my house and loaned F G Williams and Co six hundred Dollars which greatly releaved us out of our present difficulties may God bless and preserve his soul for

ever Afternoon called to visit my father who was very sick with a fever some better towards evening spent the rest of the day in reading and meditation

7 October 1835 • Wednesday

went to visit my fathe[r] find him very low administered some mild herbs agreeable to the commandment may God grant to restore him immediately to health for christ the redeemers sake Amen This day bro N K Whitney and Bro Hyrum Smith started for buffalo [New York] to purchase good[s] to replenish the committe store by land in the stage may God grant in the name of Jesus that their lives may be spared and they have a safe Journey and no accident or sickness of the least kind befall them that they may return in health and in safety to the bosom of their families

Blessed of the lord is bro [Newel] Whitney even the bishop of the church of the latter day saints, for the bishoprick shall never be taken away from him while he liveth and the time cometh that he shall overcome all the narrow mindedness of his heart and all his covetous desires that so easily besetteth him and he shall deal with a liberal hand to the poor and the needy the sick and the afflicted the widow and the fatherless and marviously and miraculously shall the Lord his God provide for him, even that he shall be blessed with all the the a fullness of the good things of this earth and his seed after him from generation to generation and it shall come to pass that according to the measure that he meeteth out with a liberal hand unto the poor so shall it be measured to him again by the hand of his God even an hundred fold Angels shall guard his house and shall guard the lives of his posterity, and they shall become very great and very numerous on the earth, whomsoever he blesseth they shall be blessed. whomsoever he curseth they shall be cursed. and when his enemies seek him unto his hurt and distruction let him rise up and curse and the hand of God shall be upon his enemies in Judgment they shall be utterly confounded and brought to dessolation, therefor he shall be preserved unto the utmost and his life day shall be precious in the sight of the Lord he shall rise up and shake himself as a lion riseth out of his nest and roareth untill he shaketh the hills and as a lion goeth forth among the lesser beasts, so shall the goings forth of him be whom the Lord hath anointed to exalt the poor and to humble the rich, therefore his name shall be on high and his rest among the sanctified this afternoon recommenced translating the ancient reccords

/8 October 1835 • Thursday

at home nothing of note transpired of as we now recollect. I attended on my Father with feelings of great anxiety

9 October 1835 • Friday

at home nothing worthy of note transpired on this day waited on my Father

10 October 1835 • Saturday

at home, visited the house of my Father found him failing very fast

11 October 1835 • Sunday

visited my Father again who was verry sick in secret prayer in the morning the Lord said my servant thy father shall live I waited on him all this day with my heart raised to god in the name of Jesus Christ that he would restore him to health again, that I might be blessed with his company and advise esteeming it one of the greatest earthly blessings, to be blessed with the society of Parents, whose mature years and experience renders them capable of administering the most wholsom advice; at Evening Bro. David Whitmer came in we called on the Lord in mighty prayer in the name of Jesus Christ, and laid our hands on him, and rebuked the diseas[e] and God heard and answered our prayers to the great Joy and satisfaction of our souls, our aged Father arose and dressed himself shouted and praised the Lord called Br Wm Smith who had retired to rest that he might praise the Lord with us by joining in Songs of praise to the most High

12 October 1835 • Monday

rode to Willoughby in company with my wife to purchase some goods at W[indsor P]. Lyons Store on our return we found a Mr. Bradly lying across the road he had been thrown from from his waggon [and] was much injured by the fall

13 October 1835 • Tuesday

visited my Father who was verry much recovered from his sickness indeed, which caused us to marvel at the might power and condesension of our Heavenly Father in answering our prayers in his behalf

14 October 1835 • Wednesday

at home

15 October 1835 • Thursday

Laboured in Fathers orchard gathering apples

16 October 1835 • Friday

was called into the printing office to settle some difficulties in that department, at evening on the same day I baptised Ebenezer Robinson the Lord poured out his spirit on us and we had a good time

17 October 1835 • Saturday

called my family together and aranged my domestick concerns and domestic dismissed my boarders

18 October 1835 • Sunday

attended meeting in the chapel confirmed several who had been baptised and blessed several blessings children with the blessings of the new and everlasting covenant Elder Parley P. Pratt preach[e]d in the fore noon, and Elder John F. Boynton in the after noon, we had an interesting time

19 October 1835 • Monday

at home, exibited the records of antiquity to a number who called to see them

20 October 1835 • Tuesday

at home preached at night in the School-house.

21 October 1835 • Wednesday

at home nothing of note transpired

22 October 1835 • Thursday

at home attending to my domestick concerns—

23 October 1835 • Friday

at home attended the prayer meeting see page 50

24 October 1835 • Saturday

Mr Goodrich and his lady called called to see the antient Records also called at Doct. F G. Williams to see the mummies, Brs. Hawks & Carpenter from Michigan visited us & taried over Sunday and attended meeting

25 October 1835 • Sunday

attended meeting President Rigdon preached in the fore noon, Elder Lyman Johnson in the afternoon, after which Elder S. Bronson [Seymour Brunson] joined Br. Wm Perry & Sister Eliza Brown in matrimony, and I blessed them with long life and prosperity in the name of Jesus Christ, at evening I attended Prayer meeting opened it and exorted the brethren & Sister[s] about one hour, the Lord pourd out his spirit and some glorious things were spoken in the gift of toungs, and interp[r]eted concerning the redemption of Zion

26 October 1835 • Monday

went to Chardon to attend the county Court in company with Brs Hyrum Samuel & Carloss Smith, Br. Samuel was called in question before this Court for not doing military duty, and was fined because we had not our conference minuets with us for testimony to prove that F G. Williams was clerk of the conference this testimony we should have carried with us had it not been for the neglect of our Council, or Lawyer, who did not put us in possession of this information this we feel was a want of fidelity to his client, and we concider it a base insult practised upon us on the account of our faith, that the ungodly might have unlawful power over us and trample us under their unhallowed feet; & in consequence of this neglect a fine was imposed on Br Samuel of $20. including costs, for which Lawsuit he was obliged to sell his cow, to defray the expenses of the same, and I say in the name of Jesus Christ that the money that they have thus unjustly taken shall be a testimony against them and canker & eat their flesh as fire

27 October 1835 • Tuesday

in the morning I was called to visit at Br Samuel Smiths his wife was confined and in a verry dangerous situation, Br. Carloss [Don Carlos Smith] took one of my horses and went to Chardon after Doct. [Frederick] Williams I went out into the field and bowed before the Lord and called upon him in mighty prayer in her behalf the word of the Lord came unto me saying my Servant Fredrick shall come and shall have wisdom given him to deal prudently and my handmaden shall be delivered of a living child & be spared, he come in a bout one hour after that and in the course of about 2 hours she was delivered and thus what God had manifested to me was fulfilled every whit, on the night of the same day I preached in the School house to a crowded congregation

28 October 1835 • Wednesday

at home attending to my family concerns &c

29 October 1835 • Thursday

Br W. Parish [Warren Parrish] commenced writing for me. Father & Mother Smith visit[ed] us and while we set writing Bishop Partrige [Edward Partridge] passed our window just returned from the East Br Parish commenced writing for me at $15.00 pr month I paid him $16.00 in advance out of the committee Store Br Parrish agrees to board himself, for which I agree to allow him four Dollars more pr. month making $19.00. I was then called to appear before the high Council which was setting to give my testimony in an action brought against Br. David Eliot for whiping his Daughter unreasonably my testimony was in his favour, returned to our writing room, went to Dr. Williams after my large Journal, made some observations to my Scribe concerning the plan of the City which is to be built up hereafter on this ground consecrated for a stake of Zion while at the Doct[or's] Bishop E Pa[r]trige came in, in company with President Phelps, I was much rejoiced to see him, we examined the mumies, returned home and my scribe commenced writing in my Journal a history of my life, concluding President Cowdery[Ôs 2d] letter to W. W. Phelps, which president Williams had begun Bishop Whitney & his wife with his Father & Mother called to Visit us, his parents having lately arived here from the East called to make enquiry concerning the coming forth of the book of Mormon, Bishop Partrige & some others came in I then set down and taught related to them the history of the coming forth of the book the administration of the Angel to me the rudiments of the gospel of Christ &c they appeared well satisfied & I expect to baptise them in a few days, or this is my feelings upon the subject altho they have not made any request of this Kind at present, went to the council, the Presidency arose and adjourned on my return Elder Boynton observed that long debates were bad. I replyed that it was generally the case that to[o] much altercation was generally indulged in, on both sides and their debates protracted to an unprofitable length; we were seated called to super, after being seated around the table Bishop Whitney observed to Bishop Partrige that the thought had just occured to his mind that perhaps in about one year from this time they might be seated together around a table in on the land of Zion Sister Emma my wife observed that she hoped it might be the case that not only they but the rest of the company present might be seated around her table in the land of promise; the same sentiment was reciprocated from the company round the table and my heart responded amen God grant it, I ask in the name of Jesus Christ, after super I went to the high council in company with my wife and some others that belong to my house hold I was solicited to take a seat with the presidency and preside in a case of Sister Eliots I did so my Mother was called as testimony and began to relate circumstances that had been brought before the church and settled I objected against such testimony the complainant Br. William Smith arose and accused me of invalidating or doubting My mothers testimony which I had not done nor did I desire to do I told him he was out of place & asked him to set down he refused I repeated my request he become enraged I finally ordered him to set down he said he would not unless I knocked him down I was agitated in my feeling on the account of his stubournness and was about to call leave the house, but my Father requ[e]sted me not to do so I complyed the house was brought to order after much debate upon the subject and we proceded to buisness & br. Eliot & his wife were both cleared from the charges prefered against them

30 October 1835 • Friday

at home Mr. Fransis Porter called from Jefferson Co. New York a member of the Methodist Church, called to make some inquiry about lands in this place whether there is any farmes for sale that are valuable and whether a member of our church could move into this vicinity and purchase lands and enjoy his own possessions & property without making it common Stock, he had been requested to do so by some brethren who live in the town of Leroy Jeff[erson] Co N. Y I replyed that I had a valuable farm joining the Temple Lot that I would sell & that there is other lands for sale in this place and that we have no common stock business among us, that every man enjoys his own property, or can if he is disposed, consecrate liberally or illiberally to the support of the poor & needy, or the building up of Zion, he also enquired how many members there are in this church I told him that there is about five or six hundred who commune at our chapel and perhaps a thousand in this vicinity; at evening I was presented with a letter from Br. Wm Smith the purport of which is that he is censured by the brethren on the account of what took place at the council last night and wishes to have the matter settled to the understanding of all, that he may not be censured unjustly, concidering that his cause was a just one, and that he had been materially injured; I replied that I thought we parted with the best of feelings, that I am not to blame on the account of the dissatisfaction of others. I invited him to call and talk with me, and that I would give talk with him in the spirit of meekness and give him all the satisfaction I could this reply was by letter copy retained

31 October 1835 • Saturday

in the morning br. Hyram Smith came in and said he had been much troubled all night and had not slept any that something was wrong while talking br. Wm Smith came in according to my requ[e]st last night br. Hyram observed that he must go to the Store I invited him to stay he said he would go and do his business & return he did so while he was gone br. William introduced the subject of our difficulty at the council, I told him I did not want to converse upon the subject untill Hyrum returned, he soon came in I then proposed to relate the occurrences of the council before named and wherein I had been out of the way I would confess it and ask his forgivness, and then he should relate his story and make confession wherein he had done wrong he said he had not done wrong and then leave it to br. Hyrum Smith & br. Parish to decide the matter between us and I would agree to the decission & be satisfyed there with; he observed that he had not done wrong, and that I was always determined to carry my points whether right or wrong and there fore he would not stand an equal chance with me; this was an insult, but I did not reply to him in a harsh manner knowing his inflamatory disposition, but tryed to reason with him and show him the propriety of a complyance with my request, I finally succeeded with the assistance of br. Hyrum in obtaining his assent to the proposition that I had made. I then related my story and wherein I had been wrong I confessed it and asked his forgivness after I got through he made his statements jusifying himself throughout in transgressing the order of the council & treating the authority of the Presidency with contempt; after he had got through br. Hyrum began to make some remarks, in the spirit of meekness, he became enraged, I joined my brother in trying to calm his stormy feelings, but to no purpose he insisted that we intended to add abuse to injury, his passion increased, he arose abruptly and declared that he wanted no more to do with them us or the church and said we might take his licence for he would have nothing to do with us, he rushed out at the door we tryed to prevail on him to stop, but all to no purpose, he went away in a passion, and soon sent his licence to me, he went home and spread the levvin of iniquity among my brethren and especially prejudiced the mind of br. Samuel as I soon learned that he was in the street exclaiming against me, which no doubt our enemys rejoice at, and where the matter will end I know not, but I p[r]ay God to forgiv[e] him and th[e]m, and give them humility and repentance, the feelings of my heart I cannot express on this occasion. I can only pray my heavenly Father to open their eyes that they may discover where they stand, that they may extricate themselves from the snare they have fallen into after dinner I rode out in company with my wife and children, br. carloss & some others, we went to visit br. Roundy & family who live near Willoughby, we had an interesting visit at br. Roundy[Ôs] as soon as I returned I was called upon to baptise Samuel Whitney & his Wife and Daughter after baptism we returned to their house and offered Our thanks, in prayer I obtained a testimony that Br. William Would return and to the church and repair the wrong he had done

1 November 1835 • Sunday

Verily thus Saith the Lord unto me, his servant Joseph Smith jr min[e] anger is kindle[d] against my servant Reynolds Cahoon because of his iniquities his covetous and dishonest principles in himself and family and he doth not purge them away and set his house in order therefore if he repent not chastisment awaiteth him even as it seemeth good in my sight therefore go and declare unto him these words I went imediately and del[i]vired this message according as the Lord commanded me I called him in & read what the Lord had said concerning him, he acknowledged that it was verily so & expressed much humility I then went to meeting Elder Carrill [John Corrill] preached a fine discourse, in the afternoon President Phelps continued the servises of the day by reading the 5th chapt. of Mathew also the laws regulating the High Council and made some remarks upon them after which sacrament was administered I then confirmed a number who had been baptised & blessed a number of children in the name of Jesus Christ with the blessings of the new and everlasting covenant, notice was then given that the Elders School wou[1]d commence on the morrow, I then dismissed the meeting.

2 November 1835 • Monday

was engaged in regulating the affairs of the School, I then had my team prepared & Sidney Oliver Frederick and my scribe and a number of others went to Willoughby to Hear Doct[or] Piexotto [Daniel Peixotto] deliver a lecture on the profession theory & practice of Physic [medicine] we called at Mr. [Nathan] Cushmans, had our horses put in the Stable took dinner, attended the lecture was treated with great respect throughout; returned home Lyman Wight came from Zion to day; George & Lyman Smith also from the East the question was agitated whether Frederick G. Williams or Oliver Cowdery Should go to New York to make arangements respecting a book bindery they refered to me for a decision, and thus cam[e] the word of the Lord unto me saying it is not my will that my servant Frederick should go to New York, but inasmuch as he wishes to go and visit his relatives that he may warn them to flee the wrath to come let him go and see them, for that purpose and let that be his only business, and behold in this thing he shall be blessed with power while to overcome their prejudices, Verily thus saith the Lord Amen.

3 November 1835 • Tuesday

Thus came the word of the Lord unto me saying concerning the Twelve saying behold they are under condemnation, because they have not been sufficiently humble in my sight, and in consequence of their covetous desires, in that they have not dealt equally with each other in the division of the moneys which came into their hands, nevertheless some of them dealt equally therefore they shall be rewarded, but verily I say unto you they must all humble themselves before me, before they will be accounted worthy to receive an endowment to go forth in my name unto all nations, as for my Servant William let the Eleven humble themselves in prayer and in faith and wait on me in patience and my servant William shall return, and I will yet make him a polished shaft in my quiver, in bringing down the wickedness and abominations of men and their shall be none mightier than he in his day and generation, nevertheless if he repent not spedily he shall be brought low and shall be chastened sorely for all his iniquities he has commited against me. nevertheless the sin which he hath sined against me is not even now more grevious than the sin with which my servant David W. Patten and my servant Orson Hyde and my servant Wm E. McLellen have sinned against me, and the residue are not sufficiently humble before me, behold the parable which I spake concerning a man having twelve Sons, for what man amon[g] you having twelve Sons and is no respecter to them and they serve him obediantly and he saith unto the one be thou clothed in robes and sit thou here, and to the other be thou clothed in rags and sit thou there, and looketh upon his sons and saith I am just, ye will answer and say no man, and ye answer truly, therefore Verely thus saith the Lord your God I appointed these twelve that they should be equal in their ministry and in their portion and in their evangelical rights, wherefore they have sin[n]ed a verry grevious sin, in asmuch as they have made themselves unequal and have not hearkned unto my voice therfor let them repent speedily and prepare their hearts for the solem[n] assembly and for the great day which is to come Verely thus saith the Lord Amen.

I then went to assist in organizing the Elders School called to order and I made some remarks upon the object of this School, and the great necessity there is of our rightly improving our time and reigning up our minds to the a sense of the great object that lies before us, viz, that glorious endowment that God has in store for the faithful I then dedicated the School in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. after the School was dismissed I attended a patriarchal meeting at Br Samuel Smiths, his wifeses parents were blessed also his child & named Susanah, at evening I preach[e]d at the Schoolhouse to a crowded congregation