History of the Church Vol. 1 Chapter 12 [Oct. 1830 - Dec. 1830]

Lost Books of Ancient Scripture--Commandment To the Church In New York To Move To Ohio.0

[For and explanation of abbreviations used see volume 1 chapter 1.]
[Copyright © 1997 BOAP. All rights reserved.]

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THE LORD, who is ever ready to instruct such as diligently seek in faith, gave the following revelation at Fayette, New York:

Revelation to Ezra Thayre(1) and Northrop Sweet(2), given October, 1830. [D&C 33](3)

1. Behold, I say unto you, my servants Ezra and Northrop, open ye your ears and hearken to the voice of the Lord your God, whose word is quick and powerful, sharper than a two-edged sword, to the dividing asunder of the joints and marrow, soul and spirit; and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

2. For verily, verily, I say unto you that ye are called to lift up your voices as with the sound of a trump, to declare my gospel unto a crooked and perverse generation.

3. For behold, the field is white already to harvest; and it is the eleventh hour, and the last time that I shall call laborers into my vineyard.

4. And my vineyard has become corrupted every whit; and there is none which doeth good save it be a few; and they err in many instances because of priestcrafts, all having corrupt minds.

5. And verily, verily, I say unto you, that this Church have I established and called forth out of the wilderness.

6. 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.

7. Yea, verily, verily, I say unto you, that the field is white already to harvest; wherefore, thrust in your sickles, and reap with all your might, mind, and strength.

8. Open your mouths and they shall be filled, and you shall become even as Nephi of old, who journeyed from Jerusalem in the wilderness.

9. Yea, open your mouths and spare not, and you shall be laden with sheaves upon your backs, for lo, I am with you.

10. Yea, open your mouths and they shall be filled, saying: Repent, repent, and prepare ye the way of the Lord, and make his paths straight, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand;

11. Yea, repent and be baptized, every one of you, for a remission of your sins; yea, be baptized even by water, and then cometh the baptism of fire and of the Holy Ghost.

12. Behold verily, verily I say unto you, this is my gospel, and remember that they shall have faith in me, or they can in no wise be saved;

13. And upon this rock I will build my church; yea, upon this rock ye are built, and if ye continue, the gates of hell shall not prevail against you.

14. And ye shall remember the church articles and covenants to keep them.

15. And whoso having faith you shall confirm in my church, by the laying on of the hands, and I will bestow the gift of the Holy Ghost upon them.

16. And the Book of Mormon and the Holy Scriptures are given of me for your instruction; and the power of my Spirit quickeneth all things.

17. Wherefore, be faithful, praying always, having your lamps trimmed and burning, and oil with you, that you may be ready at the coming of the Bridegroom--

18. For behold, verily, verily, I say unto you, that I come quickly. Even so. Amen.

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In the fore part of November, Orson Pratt(4) (5), a young man nineteen years of age, who had been baptized at the first preaching of his brother, Parley P, Pratt, September 19th (his birthday), about six weeks previous, in Canaan, New York, came to inquire of the Lord what his duty was, and received the following answer:

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A Revelation to Orson Pratt, given November, 1830. [D&C 34](6)

1. My son Orson, hearken and hear and behold what I, the Lord God, shall say unto you, even Jesus Christ your Redeemer;

2. The light and the life of the world, a light which shineth in darkness and the darkness comprehendeth it not;

3. Who so loved the world that he gave his own life, that as many as would believe might become the sons of God. Wherefore you are my son;

4. And blessed are you because you have believed;

5. And more blessed are you because you are called of me to preach my gospel--

6. To lift up your voice as with the sound of a trump, both long and loud, and cry repentance unto a crooked and perverse generation, preparing the way of the Lord for his second coming.

7. For behold, verily, verily, I say unto you, the time is soon at hand that I shall come in a cloud with power and great glory,

8. And it shall be a great day at the time of my coming, for all nations shall tremble.

9. But before that great day shall come, the sun shall be darkened, and the moon be turned into blood; and the stars shall refuse their shining, and some shall fall, and great destruction await the wicked.

10. Wherefore, lift up your voice and spare not, for the Lord God hath spoken; therefore prophesy, and it shall be given by the power of the Holy Ghost.

11. And if you are faithful, behold, I am with you until I come--

12. And verily, verily, I say unto you, I come quickly. I am your Lord and your Redeemer. Even so. Amen.

In December Sidney Rigdon(7) came to inquire of the Lord(8), and with him came Edward Partridge(9); the latter was a pattern of piety, and one of the Lord's great men(10). Shortly after the arrival of these two brethren, thus spake the Lord:

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Revelation to Joseph Smith, Jun., and Sidney Rigdon, given at Fayette, New York, December, 1830. [D&C 35](11)

1. Listen to the voice of the Lord your God, even Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, whose course is one eternal round, the same today as yesterday, and forever.

2. I am Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who was crucified for the sins of the world, even as many as will believe on my name, that they may become the sons of God, even one in me as I am one in the Father, as the Father is one in me, that we may be one.

3. Behold, verily, verily, I say unto my servant Sidney, I have looked upon thee and thy works. I have heard thy prayers and prepared thee for a greater work.

4. Thou art blessed, for thou shalt do great things. Behold thou wast sent forth, even as John, to prepare the way before me, and before Elijah which should come and thou knewest it not.

5. Thou didst baptize by water unto repentance, but they received not the Holy Ghost;

6. But now I give unto thee a commandment, that thou shalt baptize by water, and they shall receive the Holy Ghost by the laying on of the hands, even as the apostles of old.

7. And it shall come to pass that there shall be a great work in the land, even among the Gentiles, for their folly and their abominations shall be made manifest in the eyes of all people.

8. For I am God, and mine arm is not shortened; and I will show miracles, signs, and wonders, unto all those who believe on my name.

9. And whoso shall ask it in my name in faith, they shall cast out devils; they shall heal the sick; they shall cause the blind to receive their sight, and the deaf to hear, and the dumb to speak, and the lame to walk.

10. And the time speedily cometh that great things are to be shown forth unto the children of men;

11. But without faith shall not anything be shown forth except desolations upon Babylon, the same which has made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication.

12. And there are none that doeth good except those who are ready to receive the fulness of my gospel which I have sent forth unto this generation.

13. Wherefore, I call upon the weak things of the world, those who are unlearned and despised, to thresh the nations by the power of my Spirit;

14. And their arm shall be my arm, and I will be their shield and their buckler; and I will gird up their loins, and they shall fight manfully for me; and their enemies shall be under their feet; and I will let fall the sword in their behalf, and by the fire of mine indignation will I preserve them.

15. And the poor and the meek shall have the gospel preached unto them, and they shall be looking forth for the time of my coming, for it is nigh at hand--

16. And they shall learn the parable of the fig-tree, for even now already summer is nigh,

17. And I have sent forth the fulness of my gospel by the hand of my servant Joseph; and in weakness have I blessed him;

18. And I have given unto him the keys of the mystery of those things which have been sealed, even things which were from the foundation of the world, and the things which shall come from this time until the time of my coming, if he abide in me, and if not, another will I plant in his stead.

19. Wherefore, watch over him that his faith fail not, and it shall be given by the Comforter, the Holy Ghost, that knoweth all things.

20. And a commandment I give unto thee--that thou shalt write for him, and the scriptures shall be given, even as they are in mine own bosom, to the salvation of mine own elect;

21. For they will hear my voice, and shall see me, and shall not be asleep, and shall abide the day of my coming; for they shall be purified, even as I am pure.

22. And now I say unto you, tarry with him, and he shall journey with you; forsake him not, and surely these things shall be fulfilled.

23. And inasmuch as ye do not write, behold, it shall be given unto him to prophesy; and thou shalt preach my gospel, and call on the holy prophets to prove his words, as they shall be given him.

24. Keep all the commandments and covenants by which ye are bound; and I will cause the heavens to shake for your good, and Satan shall tremble and Zion shall rejoice upon the hills and flourish;

25. And Israel shall be saved in mine own due time; and by the keys which I have given shall they be led, and no more be confounded at all.

26. Lift up your hearts and be glad, your redemption draweth nigh.

27. Fear not, little flock, the kingdom is yours until I come. Behold, I come quickly. Even so. Amen.

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And the voice of the Lord to Edward Partridge was:

A Revelation to Edward Partridge, given December, 1830. [D&C 36](12)[December 7, 1830]

1. Thus saith the Lord God, the Mighty One of Israel: Behold, I say unto you, my servant Edward, that you are blessed, and your sins are forgiven you, and you are called to preach my gospel as with the voice of a trump,

2. And I will lay my hand upon you by the hand of my servant Sidney Rigdon, and you shall receive my Spirit, the Holy Ghost, even the Comforter, which shall teach you the peaceable things of the kingdom;

3. And you shall declare it with a loud voice, saying; Hosanna, blessed be the name of the most high God.

4. And now this calling and commandment give I unto you concerning all men--

5. That as many as shall come before my servants Sidney Rigdon and Joseph Smith, Jun., embracing this calling and commandment, shall be ordained and sent forth to preach the everlasting gospel among the nations--

6. Crying repentance, saying. Save yourselves from this untoward generation and come forth out of the fire, hating even the garments spotted with the flesh.

7. And this commandment 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.

8. I am Jesus Christ, the Son of God; wherefore, gird up your loins and I will suddenly come to my temple. Even so. Amen.

It may be well to observe here, that the Lord greatly encouraged and strengthened the faith of His little flock, which had embraced the fulness of the everlasting

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Gospel, as revealed to them in the Book of Mormon, by giving some more extended information upon the Scriptures, a translation of which had already commenced. Much conjecture and conversation frequently occurred among the Saints, concerning the books mentioned, and referred to, in various places in the Old and New Testaments, which were now nowhere to be found.(13) The common remark was, "They are lost books;" but it seems the Apostolic Church had some of these writings, as Jude mentions or quotes the Prophecy of Enoch, the seventh from Adam. To the joy of the little flock, which in all, from Colesville to Canandaigua, New York, numbered about seventy members, did the Lord reveal the following doings of olden times, from the prophecy of Enoch(14):

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Extracts from the Prophecy of Enoch. [PGP Moses 7](15)

1. And it came to pass that Enoch continued his speech, saying: Behold, our father Adam taught these things, and many have believed and become the sons of God, and many have believed not, and have perished in their sins, and are looking forth with fear, in torment, for the fiery indignation of the wrath of God to be poured out upon them.

2. And from that time forth Enoch began to prophesy, saying unto the people, That: As I was journeying, and stood upon the place Mahujah, and cried unto the Lord, there came a voice out of heaven, saying--Turn ye, and get ye upon the Mount Simeon.

3. And it came to pass that I turned and went up on the mount; and as I stood upon the mount, I beheld the heavens open, and I was clothed upon with glory;

4. And I saw the Lord; and he stood before my face, and he talked with me, even as a man talketh one with another, face to face; and he said unto met Look, and I will show unto thee the world for the space of many generations.

5. And it came to pass that I beheld in the valley of Shum, and lo, a great people which dwelt in tents, which were the people of Shum.

6. And again the Lord said unto me: Look; and I looked towards the north and I beheld the people of Canaan, which dwelt in tents.

7. And the Lord said unto me; prophesy; and I prophesied, saying; Behold the people of Canaan, which are numerous, shall go forth in battle array against the people of Shum, and shall slay them that they shall utterly be destroyed; and the people of Canaan shall divide themselves in the land, and the land shall be barren and unfruitful, and none other people shall dwell there but the people of Canaan;

8. For behold, the Lord shall curse the land with much heat, and the barrenness thereof shall go forth forever; and there was a blackness came upon all the children of Canaan, that they were despised among all people.

9. And it came to pass that the Lord said unto me: Look; and I looked, and I beheld the land of Sharon, and the land of Enoch, and the land of Omner, and the land of Heni, and the land of Shem, and the land of Haner, and the land of Hanannihah, and all the inhabitants thereof.

10. And the Lord said unto me; Go to this people, and say unto them--Repent, lest I come out and smite them with a curse, and they die.

11. And he gave unto me a commandment that I should baptize in the name of the Father, and of the Son, which is full of grace and truth, and of the Holy Ghost, which beareth record of the Father and the Son.

12. And it came to pass that Enoch continued to call upon all the people, save it were the people of Canaan, to repent;

13. And so great was the faith of Enoch, that he led the people of God, and their enemies came to battle against them; and he spake the word of the Lord, and the earth trembled, and the mountains fled, even according to his command; and the rivers of water were turned out of their course; and the roar of the lions was heard out of the wilderness; and all nations feared greatly, so powerful was the word of Enoch, and so great was the power of the language which God had given him.

14. There also came up a land out of the depth of the sea, and so great was the fear of the enemies of the people of God, that they fled and stood afar off and went upon the land which came up out of the depths of the sea.

15. And the giants of the land, also stood afar off; and there went forth a curse upon all people that fought against God;

16. And from that time forth there were wars and bloodshed among them; but the Lord came and dwelt with his people, and they dwelt in righteousness.

17. The fear of the Lord was upon all nations, so great was the glory of the Lord, which was upon his people. And the Lord blessed the land, and they were blessed upon the mountains, and upon the high places, and did flourish.

18. And the Lord called his people Zion, because they were of one heart and one mind, and dwelt in righteousness; and there was no poor among them.

19. And Enoch continued his preaching in righteousness unto the people of God. And it came to pass in his days, that he built a city that was called the city of Holiness, even Zion.

20. And it came to pass that Enoch talked with the Lord; and he said unto the Lord: Surely Zion shall dwell in safety forever. But the Lord said unto Enoch: Zion have I blessed, but the residue of the people have I cursed.

21. And it came to pass that the Lord showed unto Enoch all the inhabitants of the earth; and he beheld, and lo, Zion, in process of time, was taken up into heaven. And the Lord said unto Enoch; Behold mine abode forever.

22. And Enoch also beheld the residue of the people which were the sons of Adam; and they were a mixture of all the seed of Adam, save it were the seed of Cain, for the seed of Cain were black, and had not place among them.

23. And after that Zion was taken up into heaven, Enoch beheld, and lo, all the nations of the earth were before him; and there came generation upon generation;

24. And Enoch was high and lifted up, even in the bosom of the Father, and of the Son of Man; and behold, the power of Satan was upon all the face of the earth.

25. And he saw angels descending out of heaven; and he heard a loud voice saying: Wo, wo be unto the inhabitants of the earth.

26. And he beheld Satan; and he had a great chain in his hand, and it veiled the whole face of the earth with darkness; and he looked up and laughed and his angels rejoiced.

27. And Enoch beheld angels descending out of heaven, bearing testimony of the Father and the Son; and the Holy Ghost fell on many, and they were caught up by the powers of heaven into Zion.

28. And it came to pass that the God of heaven looked upon the residue of the people, and he wept; and Enoch bore record of it, saying: How is it that the heavens weep, and shed forth their tears as the rain upon the mountains?

29. And Enoch said unto the Lord: How is it that thou canst weep, seeing thou art holy, and from all eternity to all eternity?

30. And were it possible that man could number the particles of the earth, yea millions of earths like this, it would not be a beginning to the number of thy creations; and thy curtains are stretched out still; and yet thou art there, and thy bosom is there; and also thou art just; thou art merciful and kind forever;

31. And thou hast taken Zion to thine own bosom, from all thy creations from all eternity to all eternity; and nought but peace, justice, and truth is the habitation of thy throne; and mercy shall go before thy face and have no end; how is it thou canst weep?

32. The Lord said unto Enoch: Behold these thy brethren; they are the workmanship of mine own hands, and I gave unto them their knowledge, in the day I created them; and in the Garden of Eden, gave I unto man his agency;

33. And unto thy brethren have I said, and also given commandment, that they should love one another, and that they should choose me, their Father: but behold, they are without affection, and they hate their own blood.

34. And the fire of mine indignation is kindled against them; and in my hot displeasure will I send in the floods upon them, for my fierce anger is kindled against them.

35. Behold, I am God; Man of Holiness is my name; Man of Counsel is my name; and Endless and Eternal is my name, also.

36. Wherefore, I can stretch forth mine hands and hold all the creations which I have made; and mine eye can pierce them also, and among all the workmanship of mine hands there has not been so great wickedness as among thy brethren.

37. But behold, their sins shall be upon the heads of their fathers; Satan shall be their father, and misery shall be their doom; and the whole heavens shall weep over them, even all the workmanship of mine hands; wherefore should not the heavens weep, seeing these shall suffer?

38. But behold, these which thine eyes are upon shall perish in the floods; and behold, I will shut them up; a prison have I prepared for them.

39. And That which I have chosen hath plead before my face. Wherefore, he suffereth for their sins; inasmuch as they will repent in the day that my Chosen shall return unto me, and until that day they shall be in torment;

40. Wherefore, for this shall the heavens weep, yea, and all the workmanship of mine hands.

41. And it came to pass that the Lord spake unto Enoch, and told Enoch all the doings of the children of men; wherefore Enoch knew, and looked upon their wickedness, and their misery, and wept and stretched forth his arms, and his heart swelled wide as eternity; and his bowels yearned; and all eternity shook.

42. And Enoch also saw Noah, and his family; that the posterity of all the sons of Noah should be saved with a temporal salvation;

43. Wherefore Enoch saw that Noah built an ark; and that the Lord smiled upon it, and held it in his own hand; but upon the residue of the wicked the floods came and swallowed them up.

44. And as Enoch saw this, he had bitterness of soul, and wept over his brethren, and said unto the heavens: I will refuse to be comforted; but the Lord said unto Enoch: Lift up your heart, and be glad; and look.

45. And it came to pass that Enoch looked; and from Noah, he beheld all the families of the earth and he cried unto the Lord, saying: When shall the day of the Lord come? When shall the blood of the Righteous be shed, that all they that mourn may be sanctified, and have eternal life?

46. And the Lord said: It shall be in the meridian of time, in the days of wickedness and vengeance.

47. And behold, Enoch saw the day of the coming of the Son of Man even in the flesh; and his soul rejoiced, saying: The Righteous is lifted up, and the Lamb is slain from the foundation of the world; and through faith I am in the bosom of the Father, and behold, Zion is with me.

48. And it came to pass that Enoch looked upon the earth; and he heard a voice from the bowels thereof, saying: Wo, wo is me, the mother of men; I am pained, I am weary, because of the wickedness of my children. When shall I rest, and be cleansed from the filthiness which has gone forth out of me? When will my Creator sanctify me that I may rest, and righteousness for a season abide upon my face?

49. And when Enoch heard the earth mourn, he wept, and cried unto the Lord, saying: O Lord, wilt thou not have compassion upon the earth? Wilt thou not bless the children of Noah?

50. And it came to pass that Enoch continued his cry unto the Lord, saying; I ask thee, O Lord, in the name of thine Only Begotten even Jesus Christ, that thou wilt have mercy upon Noah and his seed, that the earth might never more be covered by the flood.

51. And the Lord could not withhold; and he covenanted with Enoch, and sware unto him with an oath, that he would stay the floods; that he would call upon the children of Noah;

52. And he sent forth an unalterable decree, that a remnant of his seed should always be found among all nations, while the earth should stand;

53. And the Lord said: Blessed is he through whose seed Messiah shall come; for he saith--I am Messiah, the King of Zion, the Rock of Heaven, which is broad as eternity; whoso cometh in at the gate and climbeth up by me shall never fall; wherefore, blessed are they of whom I have spoken, for they shall come forth with songs of everlasting joy.

54. And it came to pass that Enoch cried unto the Lord, saying: When the Son of Man cometh in the flesh, shall the earth rest? Pray thee, show me these things.

55. And the Lord said unto Enoch: Look, and he looked and beheld the Son of Man lifted up on the cross, after the manner of men;

56. And he heard a loud voice; and the heavens were veiled; and all the creations of God mourned; and the earth groaned; and the rocks were rent; and the Saints arose, and were crowned at the right hand of the Son of Man, with crowns of glory;

57. And as many of the spirits as were in prison came forth, and stood on the right hand of God; and the remainder were reserved in chains of darkness until the judgment of the great day.

58. And again Enoch wept and cried unto the Lord, saying: When shall the earth rest?

59. And Enoch beheld the Son of Man ascend up unto the Father; and he called unto the Lord, saying; Wilt thou not come again upon the earth? For as much as thou art God, and I know thee, and thou hast sworn unto me, and commanded me that I should ask in the name of thine Only Begotten; thou hast made me, and given unto me a right to thy throne, and not of myself, but through Thine own grace; wherefore, I ask thee if thou wilt not come again on the earth.

60. And the Lord said unto Enoch; As I live, even so will I come in the last days, in the days of wickedness and vengeance, to fulfil the oath which I have made unto you concerning the children of Noah;

61. And the day shall come that the earth shall rest, but before that day the heavens shall be darkened, and a veil of darkness shall cover the earth; and the heavens shall shake, and also the earth; and great tribulations shall be among the children of men, but my people will I preserve;

62. And righteousness will I send down out of heaven; and truth will I send forth out of the earth, to bear testimony of mine Only Begotten; his resurrection from the dead; yea and also the resurrection of all men; and righteousness and truth will I cause to sweep the earth as with a flood, to gather out mine elect from the four quarters of the earth, unto a place which I shall prepare, an Holy City, that my people may gird up their loins, and be looking forth for the time of my coming; for there shall be my tabernacle, and it shall be called Zion, a New Jerusalem.

63. And the Lord said unto Enoch: Then shalt thou and all thy city meet them there, and we will receive them into our bosom, and they shall see us; and we will fall upon their necks, and they shall fall upon our necks, and we will kiss each other;

64. And there shall be mine abode, and it shall be Zion, which shall come forth out of all the creations which I have made; and for the space of a thousand years the earth shall rest.

65. And it came to pass that Enoch saw the day of the coming of the Son of Man, in the last days, to dwell on the earth in righteousness for the space of a thousand years;

66. But before that day he saw great tribulations among the wicked; and he also saw the sea, that it was troubled, and men's hearts failing them, looking forth with fear for the judgments of the Almighty God, which should come upon the wicked.

67. And the Lord showed Enoch all things, even unto the end of the world; and he saw the day of the righteous, the hour of their redemption; and received a fulness of joy;

68. And all the days of Zion, in the days of Enoch, were three hundred and sixty-five years.

69. And Enoch and all his people walked with God, and he dwelt in the midst of Zion; and it came to pass that Zion was not, for God received it up into his own bosom; and from thence went forth the saying, Zion is fled.

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Soon after the words of Enoch were given, the Lord gave the following commandment:

A Revelation to Joseph Smith, Jun., and Sidney Rigdon, given December, 1830. [D&C 37](16)

1. Behold, I say unto you that it is not expedient in me that ye should translate any more until ye shall go to the Ohio, and this because of the enemy and for your sakes.

2. And again, I say unto you that ye shall not go until ye have preached my gospel in those parts, and have strengthened up the church whithersoever it is found, and more especially in Colesville; for, behold, they pray unto me in much faith.

3. And again a commandment I give unto the church, that it is expedient in me that they should assemble together at the Ohio(17), against the time that my servant Oliver Cowdery shall return unto them.

4. Behold, here is wisdom, and let every man choose for himself until I come. Even so. Amen.


Return to History page.

Notes Chapter 12

0. The source material for the history up to this point has been Joseph Smith's memory and brief records together with the 1835 D&C, KRB and some collected correspondence and church periodicals. Beginning with the organization of the church, some clerks were appointed to make records of meetings, etc. These were very brief. Beginning with this chapter, there is much less supervision by Joseph Smith while the compositors, in this case W. W. Phelps, assume virtual complete responsibility for the history. Phelps relied on the meager collections given him by Smith and apparently also consulted Rigdon. John Whitmer (who was out of the church by 1839) who had reluctantly accepted the appointment as historian, refused to give up his record to Smith when the 1839 history effort began.

1. Ezra Thayer was the son of Ezra Thayer and Charlotte French. B. October 14, 1791 at Randolph, Windsor County, Vermont. Married Polly Wales 1810. Except for son, Andrew, names of children unknown. Builder of bridges, dams, and mills in Palmyra, New York, area. Acquainted with, and provided employment for Joseph Smith, Sr., family in New York. Lived in Ontario County, New York, 1820-30. Thayer was baptized in October 1830 by Parley P. Pratt. He later gave this account of his conversion to Mormonism:

When Hyrum began to speak, every word touched me to the inmost soul. I thought every word was pointed to me. God punished me and riveted me to the spot. I could not help myself. The tears rolled down my cheeks, I was very proud and stubborn. There were many there who knew me, I dare not look up. I sat until I recovered myself before I dare look up. They sung some hymns and that filled me with the Spirit. When Hyrum got through, he picked up a book and said, 'here is the Book of Mormon.' I said, let me see it. I then opened the book, and I received a shock with such exquisite joy that no pen can write and no tongue can express. I shut the book and said, what is the price of it? 'Fourteen shillings' was the reply. I said, I'll take the book. I opened it again, and I felt a double portion of the Spirit, that I did not know whether I was in the world or not. I felt as though I was truly in heaven. [American enconomy in rural areas of the North was one of barter/credit. Currency terminology was slow to change to the Hamiltonian standard. States and private banks still used British terminology in some respects in issuing notes.]

Martin Harris rushed to me to tell me that the book was true. I told him that he need not tell me that, for I knew that it is true as well as he.

Ordained elder by June 1831. In (unpublished) revelation [KRB], given May 1831 in Kirtland, Ohio, instructed to board with Joseph Smith, Sr. Revelation continued,

"Let my servant Ezra humble himself and at the [June 1831] conference meeting he shall be ordained unto power from on high and he shall go from thence (if he be obedient unto my commandments) and proclaim my gospel unto the western regions with my servants that must go forth even unto the borders of the Lamanites."

Ordained high priest 3 June 1831 by Lyman Wight. In D&C 52 directed to accompany Thomas B. Marsh to Missouri; unable to prepare in time and did not go. In the October 10, 1831 conference of church instructed to remain with family in Kirtland until spring 1832. William W. Phelps instructed by conference to rebuke Thayer for giving disrespect to Church. On January 25, 1832 again called to accompany Thomas B. Marsh on mission. Appointed to purchase tannery from Arnold Mason for Church April 2, 1833. Member of Zion's Camp 1834. Membership suspended 1835 for impropriety. Later restored to full fellowship. One of 1st quorum of Seventy. Moved to Missouri 1838. Settled in Nauvoo after being expelled from Missouri. Mission to New York 1843. Member of Council of Fifty before April 18, 1844. Left Nauvoo on mission to campaign for Joseph Smith as President of United States May 9, 1844. Did not support leadership of Twelve Apostles after Prophet's death. Dropped from Council of Fifty February 4, 1845. Residing in Michigan 1860; there baptized into Reorganized LDS Church by W. W. Blair.[RJS, 47-48]

2. Northrop Sweet b. 1802 New York. Married before 1828 to Elathan Harris (born 1805), daughter of Emer Harris. Eight children: Benjamin, Salina, Sarah, Roxann, Garrin, Susan, Hezekiah, and Hiram. Baptized October 1830 by Parley P. Pratt. Living in Palmyra 1830. Ordained elder by June 3, 1831. Shortly after moving to Ohio, 1831, was influenced by false spirits and received revelation instructing him to be prophet. Left Church 1831. With Wycom Clark and others, organized short-lived church called "The Pure Church of Christ." Paid tax on two cows in Kirtland 1834. Living in Lake County, Ohio, 1840. Moved to Batavia, Branch County, Michigan, about 1845. Moved to Bethel, Branch County, Michigan, by 1870. Farmer; 1860 assets of $1,500. Married Eunice Hanmer April 14, 1861. Living in Bethel with son Hezekiah 1880. No death recorded in Branch County, Michigan.[RJS, 49.]

3. D&C 33. A ms fragment (has vs 1) of this revelation exists in the hand of Edward Partridge, possibly dating from December 1830. The only other ms is that in the ms history. First publication in BC(1833). This revelation was published in TS (vol. 4 no. 20, pp. 304-305) with an incorrect date (October 1836). The error propagated to the MS publication the following year. No variations of any significance exist in the known instances of this revelation. [Woodford]

4. Orson Pratt was born September 18, 1811, in Hartford, Washington county, New York. His ancestors are enumerated in the biographical note of his brother, Parley P. Pratt, pp. 118, 119. The humble circumstances of his parents compelled him to seek employment where he could obtain it in various places, mainly at farming during which time, however, he managed to get some schooling, paying especial attention to arithmetic and gaining an acquaintance also with bookkeeping grammar, geography and surveying. The early lessons of morality and religion taught at his father's home made deep impressions on his youthful mind, and led him in the autumn of 1829 particularly to seek the Lord For this purpose he retired frequently to the lonely fields or the woods for prayer. This continued till September, 1830, when his brother Parley P. Pratt, an Elder of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day saints, came into the neighborhood where he resided, and as related in the text was converted at the first preaching of his brother Parley P. Pratt.(BHR)

5. Orson Pratt son of Jared Pratt and Charity Dickinson. B. September 19, 1811 in Hartford, Washington County, New York. In youth studied arithmetic, bookkeeping, geography, grammar, and surveying. Baptized September 19, 1830 by Parley P. Pratt in Canaan, Columbia County, New York. Ordained elder December 1, 1830 by Joseph Smith. Served first mission to Colesville, New York, late 1830. Preached with Lyman Wight to Lorain County, Ohio, early 1831. Appointed to travel to Missouri with brother, Parley P. Pratt, June 1831. Returned to Ohio late 1831. Preached with Lyman E. Johnson in Lorain County, Ohio, January 1832. Appointed to preach in eastern states with Lyman E. Johnson 25 January 1832. Ordained to High Priesthood February 2, 1832 by Sidney Rigdon. Left with Lyman E. Johnson for East February 3, 1832. Preached in Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, Vermont, New Hampshire, Connecticut, and Massachusetts. Joined with William Snow November 10, 1832. Returned to Kirtland February 17, 1833, having baptized 102 persons. Attended School of Prophets in spring of 1833. Left Kirtland with Lyman E. Johnson March 26, 1833 to preach again in East. Returned to Kirtland September 28, 1833, having baptized 50 persons. Worked on Kirtland Temple. Left Kirtland again for East with Lyman E. Johnson November 27, 1833. Returned to Kirtland February 13, 1834. Appointed to assist in gathering volunteers for Zion's Camp February 24, 1834. Member of Zion's Camp. Appointed member of Clay County, Missouri, high council July 8, 1834. Ordained one of twelve apostles April 26, 1835. Left May 4, 1835 on mission to East with members of twelve apostles. Returned to Kirtland September 25, 1835. Took short mission along Ohio River with William Pratt October 14 to November 16, 1835. Served mission to Upper Canada and Jefferson County, New York, April 6 to October 12, 1836. Married Sarah Marinda Bates July 4, 1836. Twelve children: Orson, Lydia, Celestia, Larissa Sarah Marinda, Vanson, Laron, Marlon, Marintha Althera, Harmel, Arthur, Herma Ethna, and Loila Menella. Charter member of Kirtland Safety Society 1837. Mission to Jefferson County, New York, October 1837. Appointed to preside over branch of Church in New York City in spring of 1838. Pursuant to request to return to Missouri, with family left New York City and arrived in St. Louis mid-November 1838; spent winter there. In fulfillment of D & C section 118, met with others of twelve apostles in Far West, Missouri, April 26, 1839. Helped brother, Parley, escape from Boone County Jail, Missouri, July 4, 1839. Left Illinois on mission to England August 29, 1839. Arrived in Liverpool April 6, 1840. preached several months in Edinburgh, Scotland. Returned to Nauvoo mid-July 1841. Given responsibility for English literature and mathematics at University of Nauvoo August 1841. Rebelled against Joseph Smith August 1842. Excommunicated August 20, 1842. Rebaptized and reordained to apostleship January 20, 1843. Elected to Nauvoo city council February 6, 1843. Left on mission to East with others of twelve apostles July 1, 1843. Returned October 1843. Received endowment December 23, 1843. Member of Council of Fifty March 11, 1844. Left on mission to Washington, D.C., April 1844. Returned to Nauvoo August 7, 1844, after prophet's death. Sealed to Charlotte Bishop in fall of 1844. No children. Sealed to Adelia Ann Bishop December 13, 1844. Six children: Lucy Adelia, Elzina, Lorum, Lorus, Eltha, and Orthena. Sealed to Mary Ann Merrill March 27, 1845. Five children: Milando, Vianna, Oradine, Lathilla, and Valton. Mission to New York City August 1845 to preside over eastern churches. Returned to Nauvoo December 11, 1845. Sealed to Sarah Louis Chandler January 17, 1846. No children. Exodus from Nauvoo February 1846. First to enter Great Salt Lake Valley, July 1847. Appointed to preside over all branches of Church in England, Scotland, Wales, and Ireland 1848. While in England, authored fifteen pamphlets and edited Millennial Star. Several times elected speaker of house of Territorial Legislature of Utah. In 1852 appointed president of all branches of church in United States and Canada. Sealed to Marion Ross February 19, 1852. Six children: Marian Agnes, Larinda Marissa, Milson, Irintha, Ray, and Ruby. Sealed to Sarah Louisa Lewis June 20, 1853. One child: Willow. Sealed to Juliett Ann Phelps December 14, 1855. Seven children: Alva, Clomenia, Ortherus, Margaret, Rella, Neva, and Julius. Sealed to Eliza Crooks July 24, 1857. Five children: Lerius, Dora, Jared, Onthew, and Samuel. Appointed to open up gospel in Austria April 1864; unsuccessful. Sealed to Margaret Graham December 28, 1868. Published Book of Mormon in Deseret Alphabet in New York 1869. Appointed "Historian and General Church Recorder" 1874. Under direction of Brigham Young, prepared 1876 edition of Doctrine and Covenants. Edited and rearranged 1878 edition of Pearl of Great Price. Died October 3, 1881 in Salt Lake City, Utah.[RJS, 49-52]

6. Orson says he heard his brother preach on the restoration of the Gospel. Pratt and his brothers left home and consequently were separated at a relatively young age, so it may have been some time since he had seen Parley. Orson traveled two hundred miles to see Joseph Smith, Jr. and found him at Fayette living with Peter Whitmer, Sr. Orson met Book of Mormon witnesses and requested that Smith inquire of the Lord in his behalf on Nov. 4, 1830. D&C 34 was the result. [Elden J. Watson, "The Orson Pratt Journals," (Salt Lake City: Elden J. Watson, 1975), p. 9] The earliest instance of this revelation is chapter 34 of the BC. No instance varies in any significant way from the presently published D&C 34.[Woodford]

7. What is evidently Sidney's own account of his conversion appears in the ms history:

. . . a fornight from the time the Book [of Mormon] was put into his hands, he was fully convinced of the truth of the work, by a revelation from Jesus Christ . . . Being now fully satisfied in his own mind of the truth of the work and the necessity of obedience thereto he informed his wife of the same, and was happy to find that she was not only diligently investigating the subject but was believing with all her heart, and was desireous of obeying the truth . . . The consequence of obeying the truth, and embracing a system of religion so unpopular as that of the church of Jesus Christ at that time was, presented itself in the strongest possible light. At present the honors and applause of the world, were showered down upon him, his wants were abundantly supplied, and even anticipated. He was respected by the entire community, and his name was a tour[tower] of strenght; His council[sic] was sought for . . . Although he felt great confidence in the Lord yet he felt it a trial of some magnitude when he avowed his determination to his beloved companion, who had before shared in his poverty and who had cheerfully struggled through it without murmuring or repining. . . . [he] said, "My Dear you have once followed me into poverty, are you again willing to do the same" she answered I have weighed the matter, I have contemplated on the circumstances in which we may be placed, I have counted the cost, and I am perfectly satisfied to follow you. . . . Accordingly they were both baptized into the church.
John Whitmer [ms, Book of John Whitmer] adds that Rigdon had a vision "that this [The Book of Mormon] emanated from Him and must remain, it being the fullness of the gospel of Jesus Christ, first unto the Gentiles and then unto the Jews."

Parley Pratt recalled his visit with Rigdon:

About the 15th of Oct., 1830, I took my journey, in company with Elder O. Cowdery and Peter Whitmer to Ohio. We called on Elder S. Rigdon, and then for the first time, his eyes beheld the Book of Mormon; I myself had the happiness to present it to him in person. He was much surprised, and it was with much persuasion and argument that he was prevailed on to read it. And after he had read it, he had a great struggle of mind before he fully believed and embraced it. [Parley P. Pratt, Mormonism Unveiled (New York, 1838), p. 41.]
Just as new converts in New York questioned the practice of baptizing those who had already been baptized in other denominations, Matthew S. Clapp related that Rigdon complained the Elders were engaging in the practice. After baptizing 17 of Rigdon's congregation one night, the missionaries returned to Rigdon's home the next day to find him angry. [Clapp, "Mormonism," Painesville Telegraph, Feb. 15, 1831.] Parley Pratt wrote: "At length Mr. Rigdon and many others became convinced that they had no authority to minister in the ordinances of God, and that they had not been legally baptized and ordained. They therefore came forward and were baptized by us, and received the gift of the Holy Ghost by the laying on of hands and prayer in the name of Jesus Christ." [Autobiography of Parley P. Pratt, 50]

8. John Whitmer wrote of Rigdon's visit:

Now after the Lord had made known what he wanted that his servant Sidney should do, he went to writing the things which the Lord showed unto his servant the Seer. The Lord made known, some of the hidden things of his kingdom; for he unfolded, the prophecy of Enoch the seventh from Adam. After they had written this prophecy, the Lord spoke to them again and gave further directions: [D&C 37.]

After the above directions were received, Joseph and Sidney went to the several churches preaching and prophesying wherever they went, and greatly strengthened the churches that were built unto the Lord. Joseph prophesied saying: God is about to destroy this generation, and Christ will descend from heaven in power and great glory, with all the holy angels with him, to take vengeance upon the wicked, and they that know not God. Sidney preached the gospel and proved his words from the holy prophets: and so powerful were their words, that the people who heard them speak were amazed, and trembled, and knew not whereunto this thing would grow. The adversary of all righteousness being crafty, and beguiled the people, and stirred them up to anger against the words spoken, and has blinded their eyes, and is leading them down to darkness, misery and woe. This generation abounds in ignorance, superstition, selfishness, idolatry, and priestcraft, for this generation is truly led by priests, even hireling priests, whose god is the substance of this world's goods, which waxeth old and is beginning to fade away: who look for their hire every one from his quarter.

Because of the abominations that are abroad in the world, it is hard for those who receive the fullness of the gospel, and come into the new and everlasting covenant, to get clear of the traditions of their forefathers: and are to be made to believe the commandments that came forth in these last days for the upbuilding of the kingdom of God, and the salvation of those who believe. [Book of John Whitmer, typescript, p.2]

9. Edward Partridge was born in Pittsfield, Berkshire county, Massachusetts, on the 27th of August 1793, of William and Jemima [Bidwell] Partridge. His father's ancestor emigrated from Berwick, Scotland, during the seventeenth century, and settled at Hadley, Massachusetts, on Connecticut river. Nothing worthy of note transpired in his youth, with this exception, that he remembered, (tough the precise time he could not recollect) that the Spirit of the Lord strove with him a number of times, insomuch that his heart was made tender, and he went and wept; and sometimes he went silently and poured out the effusions of his soul to God in prayer.

At the age of sixteen he went to learn the hatter's trade, and continued as an apprentice for about four years. At the age of twenty he had become disgusted with the religious world. He was no beauty, comelines, or loveliness in the character of God as represented by the teaching of the various religious sects. He however heard a Universal Restorationer preach upon the love of God: this sermon gave him exalted opinions of God, and he concluded that the Universal Restoration was right according to the Bible. He continued in this belief till 1828, when he and his wife were baptized into the "Campbellite" church by Sidney Rigdon, in Mentor, though they resided in Painesville, Ohio. He continued a member of this church, though doubting at times its being the true one, until Elders Parley P. Pratt, Oliver Cowdery, Peter Whitmer, Jun., and Ziba Peterson came with the Book of Mormon, when he began to investigate the subject of religion anew. As stated in the text he accompanied Sidney Rigdon to Fayette, New York, where, on the 11th of December, he was baptized by the Prophet Joseph Smith in the Seneca river.(BHR)

10. Edward Partridge as noted by Roberts above was the son of William Partridge and Jemima Bidwell. Born August 27, 1793 at Pittsfield, Berkshire County, Massachusetts. After completing four years as apprentice, became journeyman hatter in Clinton, New York, 1813. Moved to Painesville, Ohio; there owned hatting business and married Lydia Clisbee August 22, 1819. Seven children: Eliza Maria, Harriet Pamelia, Emily Dow, Caroline Ely, Clisbee, Lydia, and Edward. United with Campbellites in 1828. After hearing message of Lamanite missionaries November 1830, traveled with Sidney Rigdon to Fayette, New York, December 1830 to see Joseph Smith. Baptized December 11, 1830. Ordained elder December 15, 1830. Traveled to share gospel with relatives in Massachusetts December 1830-January 1831. Returned to Ohio by February 4, 1831. Called as first bishop of Church February 4, 1831. Ordained high priest June 3, 1831. Appointed to travel to Missouri with Prophet June 1831. Directed to move family to Missouri August 1831. Responsible for allocating inheritances to Saints in Jackson County, Missouri. Member of United Firm. Dedicated office of Evening and Morning Star May 29, 1832. Tarred and feathered July 20, 1833. Acknowledged as presiding officer of Church in Missouri September 11, 1833. Appointed to receive "endowment" in Kirtland June 23, 1834. Traveled to Kirtland 27 January-29 April 1835 with Thomas B. Marsh. Received patriarchal blessing May 4, 1835. Mission to eastern states June 2nd to November 3, 1835. Participated in dedication of Kirtland Temple 1836. Returned to Missouri in summer of 1836. Moved from Clay County, Missouri, to Far West in fall of 1836. Arrested and incarcerated November 1838 for treason. No conviction. Joined family in Quincy, Illinois, January 1839. Settled in Nauvoo in summer of 1839. Appointed bishop of upper ward in Nauvoo October 5, 1839. Died May 27, 1840 in Nauvoo, Hancock County, Illinois. Nauvoo Temple proxy sealing to Lydia Clisbee January 14, 1846. [RJS, 53-54.]

11. This revelation was published in the Ohio Star on January 5, 1832 and in the Painsville Telegraph on January 17, 1832, carried the date December 7, 1830. The Star received a copy of this revelation from Simonds Ryder, who had received his copy from David Whitmer.[RJS, 51]

No important variations occur among instances of the revelation. Two mss exist, one an undated fragment in an unknown hand containing vss 14-18, the other a relatively late one in John Whitmer's history of the Church. Appears as chapter 37, BC.[Woodford]

12. First published in BC as chapter 38. No significant variations exist among extant copies. Ms fragment of vss 4-8 exists, no date, unknown hand.[Woodford]

13. The most prominent of the "lost books" of the Old Testament are mentioned in the following passages: I Chronicles, xxix: 29; II Chronicles ix: 29; II Chronicles, xii: 15; I Samuel, x: 25; I Kings, iv: 32, 33. The following is the list of "lost books" mentioned in the New Testament:

Scripture of Abraham's Time: "And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the Gospel unto Abraham (Galatians iii: 8.) The Christian world says. "Moses was God's first pen" but it appears from the above quotation that some one wrote scriptures even before Abraham's day and he read them, learned the Gospel from them and also learned that God would justify the heathen through faith.

Prophecy of Enoch: Speaking of characters who are like "raging waves of the sea, foaming out their own shame." Jude says: "And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam prophesied of these saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of His saints to execute judgment upon all," etc. (Jude. 14, 15.) From this it appears that Enoch had a revelation concerning the glorious coming of the Son of God to judgment. May not the prophecy of Enoch have been among the scriptures with which Abraham was acquainted?

Another Epistle of Jude: "When I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints." (Jude 3.) We have but one epistle of Jude. Would not the epistle on the common salvation" be as important as the one the only one we now have from Jude's pen?

Another Epistle to the Ephesians: In Ephesians, iii and 3rd, Paul alludes to another epistle which he had written to that people, but of which the world has no knowledge except from this reference which is made by its author. This epistle contained a revelation from God.

An Epistle to the Laodiceans: "When the epistle [Colossians] is read among you, cause that it be read also in the church of the Laodiceans; and that ye likewise read the epistle from Laodicea." (Colossians, iv: 16.) The epistles to the Laodiceans is among the lost scripture.

Another Epistle to the Corinthians: In the "first letter to the Corinthians" is this statement: "I wrote you in an epistle not to company with fornicators" (1 Corinthians, v: 9). From this it would appear that our so-called first epistle to the Corinthians is really not the first, since Paul in it speaks of a former letter he the Corinthians, and which was doubtless as good scripture as the two which have been preserved.(BHR)

14. This prophecy of Enoch is contained in the "Writings of Moses," which about this time were revealed to the Prophet, and are now published in the "Pearl of Great Price." It will be understood, then, by the reader, that the "Prophecy of Enoch" itself is found in the "Writings of Moses," and that in the text above we have but a few extracts of the most prominent parts of "Enoch's Prophecy." For the complete prophecy the reader is referred to the "Pearl of Great Price." (Chapter vii.)(BHR)

15. For more details on the Enoch and Moses texts, see Robert J. Matthews, "A Plainer Translation:" Joseph Smith's Translation of the Bible (Provo, Utah, 1975). Also see, Kent P. Jackson, et al., Joseph Smith's New Translation of the Bible: Original Manuscripts. (Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 2004).

16. No significant variations exist among extant copies. First published as chapter 39 BC. A large number of revelations currently published in the D&C resulted from the effort of Bible revision. Appointing of scribes: sections 25, 35, and 47; ceasing and resuming translation: sections 37, 45, 73, 91, and 93; printing the translation: sections 94, 104, and 124; doctrinal revelations received as a direct result of the translation: sections 76, 77, and 86; doctrinal revelations apparently received in conjunction with the translation: sections 74, 84, 88, 93, 102, 107, 113, and 132; and other related revelations: sections 26, 41, 42, and 90.[Woodford; RJS, 54]

17. Newel Knight recalled that the move to Ohio generally resulted in great sacrifice of property for the NY Saints. However, the persecution in NY was not diminishing and the environment of Ohio was clearly more friendly to the new religion. Indeed, the Church population in Ohio now outnumbered that of NY and was continuing to grow rapidly. Headquarters of the Church was to move to Ohio in January 1831.[Joseph Fielding Smith, Church History and Modern Revelation, pp. 150-151.]