The three Nephites cease to minister among the people, 326 926
because of their iniquities. Things hidden in the earth
become slippery. Mormon endeavors to preach, but his mouth
is shut. War re-commences, and Mormon is chosen General of
the Nephite armies.
The Nephites, under Mormon, retreat before the Lamanites 327 927
to the north countries. The Lamanites capture the city of
Angola.
†The Lamanites drive the Nephites out of the land of David 328 928
into the land of Joshua.
†Revolution, blood and carnage throughout all the land. The 329 929
Nephite warriors gathered for battle into one place.
The Lamanite king, Aaron, defeated by Mormon. 330 930
Great sorrow among the Nephites, because of their pitiable 331 931
condition.
Mormon obtains the plates, as Ammaron directed. 335 935
Wars, with much slaughter, until. 344 944
The Lamanites drive the Nephites to the land Jashon, thence 345 945
northward to the land of Shem. The Nephites fortify the city
of Shem.
Mormon, with 30,000 Nephites, defeats 50,000 Lamanites in 346 946
the land of Shem; he pursues and again defeats the enemy.
The Nephites regain the lands of their inheritance by the year. 349 949
The Nephites as one party, and the Lamanites and Gadiantons 350 950
as the other, make a treaty, by which the Nephites possess
the country north of the Isthmus, and the Lamanites the south
of it. Ten years' peace follows.
By the command of the Lord, Mormon preaches repentance, but 360 960
the Nephites harden their hearts, during the ten years ending.
The Lamanite king declares war; the Nephites gather at the 360 960
land Desolation.
The Lamanites march to Desolation, are defeated and return 361 961
home.
The Lamanites make another invasion and are defeated. 362 962
Mormon refuses to lead the wicked Nephites any longer.
The Nephites invade South America, and are driven back 363 963
to Desolation. The Lamanites capture the city of Desolation.
The Lamanites besiege Teancum, are repulsed, and the Nephites 364 964
re-capture Desolation.
The Lamanites re-commence war; they capture the cities of 367 967
Desolation and Teancum, but are afterwards driven entirely
out of the lands of the Nephites.
The Lamanites again commence war. An exceedingly fierce 375 975
battle is fought in the land of Desolation. The Lamanites
capture Desolation, Boaz and other cities. Mormon takes up
all the records from the hill Shim.
A.C. N.A.
Mormon, having resumed command of the Nephites, the Lamanites 379 979
twice attack the city of Jordan, and are repulsed. They burn
many Nephite towns.
The Nephites disastrously routed. 380 980
†Mormon writes to the Lamanite king, asking to be allowed 382 982
to gather all his people to the hill Cumorah, and there
give battle. His request is granted.
At the end of this year all the Nephites are gathered at 384 984
the hill Cumorah.
Mormon hides all the records entrusted to him in the hill
Cumorah, save the abridged records, which he gives to Moroni.
The final battle, in which all but twenty-four Nephites are 385 985
killed, and a few who escape to the South. Mormon closes
his record.
Moroni records the death of his father and the extinction 400 1000
of his people, also that the Lamanites were at war with
each other all over the land.
Moroni closes up the record. 421 1021
TEMPLES AND SACRED PLACES.
When the Lord brought Israel out of Egypt, determined to make that
people a nation to himself, as soon as they had arrived at a safe
distance from surrounding peoples, he required them to build a
Tabernacle, which is sometimes called the Temple, wherein he could
institute certain ordinances and regulations for their guidance and
worship.
This, at the commencement of their pilgrimage in the wilderness, was
made portable, and of the costliest and best material within their
reach, and one of the tribes was set apart to have charge of it and its
appurtenances. Such has ever been the purpose of the Lord. This served
them through their journey and in the promised Canaan, until suitable
wealth enabled Solomon to erect a magnificent Temple on Mount Moriah,
since called "The Hill of Zion," to which all Israel came annually to
worship or attend Conference.
The Lord has informed us _Doc. & Cov_., _Sec_. 124, _v_. 39, that his
people are always commanded to build Temples, or holy houses, unto his
holy name. This accounts for our reading in the Book of Mormon of so
many Temples having been erected on this continent. It also explains
why the Prophet Joseph so early taught the commencement of a Temple in
every important location of the Saints.
Not less than eight Temples have been designated, and their sites
consecrated, of which there have been dedicated and ordinances
administered therein--one at Kirtland, Ohio; Nauvoo, Illinois; St.
George, and Logan, Utah. Those at Salt Lake City and Manti are
progressing satisfactorily, the latter nearing completion. The places
appointed in Independence and Far West are in the hands of our
persecutors, who have driven the Saints from their homes, and from the
State.
The site for a Temple at Independence was dedicated Aug. 3, 1831. Those
present were Joseph Smith, Jr., Sidney Rigdon, Edward Partridge, Wm.
W. Phelps, Oliver Cowdery, Martin Harris, Joseph Coe and Newel Knight.
Description of Temple and city plot in History of Joseph Smith, under
date of June 23 and 24, 1883. This was the first ground dedicated for a
Temple in this dispensation.
The Temple at Kirtland was 55x65 feet; the corner stones were laid July
23, 1833. Reynolds Cahoon and Jared Carter were building committee.
This was accomplished by donation and voluntary contribution; was
completed and dedicated March 27, 1836.
The corner stone for a Temple at Far West was laid July 4, 1838, with
appropriate ceremony. Dimensions of building to be 110 feet long and
80 feet wide. Particulars given in the History of Joseph Smith under
this date. Work was re-commenced on this foundation April 26, 1839, and
abandoned for the time on account of exterminating order of Governor
Boggs, expelling the Saints from the State. Apostles Wilford Woodruff
and George A. Smith were ordained on the corner stone of this building,
and took leave of the Saints for a foreign mission, with the other
Apostles who were present, at that time.
The Temple at Nauvoo, Illinois, was about 128 feet long by 88 feet
wide. The corner stones were laid in the presence of the Nauvoo Legion,
by the various authorities of the Priesthood, on the 6th day of April,
1841. The history of this date gives details of the proceedings.
The building was erected by the tithing and freewill offerings of
the people, and was so rapidly advanced that on the 8th of November
of the same year the Baptismal Font was dedicated, and baptisms for
the dead were administered. The cap stone was laid May 24, 1845. The
upper rooms were dedicated Sunday, December 7, 1845, and sacrament was
administered. Endowments were commenced on the 10th inst. The lower
part of the building was dedicated with public services on Saturday and
Sunday, the 2d and 3d of May, 1846.
The Salt Lake City site was consecrated and the ground broken for the
foundation Feb. 14, 1853. The corner stones were laid April 6, 1853. It
is 186 1/2 feet by 99 feet in length and width, and is constructed of
hard granite rock, brought from the mouth of Little Cottonwood Canyon,
a distance of about twenty miles. With ordinary prosperity, its walls
will be up to the square by the Autumn of 1883. We will not undertake a
description of the harmony of its parts, the beauty or grandeur of its
appearance, but refer our readers to the Deseret News of Aug. 17, 1854,
and the Millennial Star, Vol. 16, page 753, for a full description
given by its architect, Truman O. Angell.
The Temple at St. George, the site of which was dedicated by prayer
by President George A. Smith, and ground broken November 9, 1871, is
141 feet 8 inches by 93 feet 4 inches; 84 feet from ground to top
of parapet. The basement is of volcanic rock, the upper part of red
sandstone, and contains about 1900 cords of rock, and 1,000,000 feet of
lumber, and cost about $800,000.
The first foundation rock was laid March 10, 1873. On the first of
April following, a deposit of records was made by President Brigham
Young. On the first day of January, 1877, the Font, lower story and
first main floor were dedicated by President Wilford Woodruff, and
April 6, following, a general Conference of all the authorities of the
Church consummated its consecration, at which Counselor Daniel H. Wells
offered the dedication prayer.
The Manti Temple site was dedicated and the ground broken by President
Brigham Young April 25, 1877. The corner stones were laid April 14,
1879. Its size is 172x95 feet, and 82 feet to square. Its Eastern Tower
is to be 179 feet high; the Western Tower 169 feet high. This edifice
stand on a hill, which required 2400 cords of rock terrace to provide
for its location.
The site of the Logan Temple is situated on an elevation of table land
in the eastern part of the city bearing that name. It was dedicated
with prayer offered by Apostle Orson Pratt, May 18, 1877, and the
ground was broken the same day. Instructions were given by Presidents
Brigham Young and John Taylor. The corner stones were laid September
17, 1877. The building, including tower and buttresses, is 171 feet
long by 95 in width, with a tower 28 feet square at each end, the
Eastern tower is 156 feet, and the Western tower 151 feet in height,
and 87 feet from the surface to top of battlements. It was dedicated
May 17, 1884, President John Taylor offering the dedicatory prayer.
The location of the Temple sites at Independence, Kirtland, Far West
and Nauvoo were determined and consecrated by or under direction of the
Prophet Joseph Smith, who also directed the designs and construction of
the Kirtland and Nauvoo Temples.
The locations of the Temples at Salt Lake City, at St. George, at Manti
and at Logan were determined and dedicated by President Brigham Young,
or by his direction. He also directed the designs of the Salt Lake City
and St. George Temples, and presided at the dedication services of the
latter house.
Bible.
_Exo. Chapters_ 25, 26, 27, 28 give a description of the Tabernacle
constructed in the wilderness, with its appointments. This Tabernacle
is frequently called a Temple in the Old Testament; as in 1 _Sam_. 1. 9.
1 _Kings_, _Chapters_ 6, 7, and 8. Temple of Solomon is described, with
the dedication ceremonies.
_Ezra_, _Chap_. 6. The rebuilding of Solomon's Temple by Cyrus is
given. The decree is found in _verse_ 3.
The final demolition of this Temple was foretold by Christ in _Matt_.
24. 2. This terrible prophecy was fulfilled by the Romans under Titus
about the year seventy of our Lord.
Book of Mormon.
2. _Nephi_ 5. 16 and I, Nephi, did build a Temple after the manner of
the Temple of Solomon, etc.
_Jacob_ 1. 17 wherefore I, Jacob, gave unto them these words, as I
taught them in the Temple, etc.
2. 2 I come up unto the Temple this day, that I might declare unto you
the word of God.
2. 11 get thee up into the Temple on the morrow, etc.
_Mos_. 1. 18 might gather themselves together to go up to the Temple,
to hear the words which his father should speak unto them.
2. 6, 7 pitched their tents around the Temple, with their doors toward
the Temple.
_Alma_ 16. 13 and Alma and Amulek went forth preaching repentance to
the people in their Temples, and in their sanctuaries, and in their
synagogues, which were built after the manner of the Jews.
23. 2 but that they should have free access to their houses, and also
their Temples and their sanctuaries.
26. 29 we have taught them in their houses, in their streets, upon
their hills, and we have also entered into their Temples, and their
synagogues, and taught them.
_Hel_. 3. 9 have timber to build houses, cities, Temples, synagogues,
sanctuaries and all manner of buildings.
3. 14 an hundreth part of their building of ships, of Temples,
synagogues and sanctuaries cannot be contained in this work.
10. 8 if ye shall say unto this Temple, it shall be rent in twain, it
shall be done.
Doctrine and Covenants.
_Sec_. 84. 3 which city (New Jerusalem) shall be built, beginning at
the Temple lot, which shall be appointed by the finger of the Lord.
4 even the place of the Temple, which Temple shall be reared in this
generation.
5 this generation shall not all pass away, until an house shall be
built unto the Lord, and a cloud shall rest upon it, etc.
31 which House shall be built unto the Lord in this generation, upon
the consecrated spot as I have appointed.
97. 10 it is my will that an house should be built unto me in the land
of Zion, like unto the pattern which I have given you.
124. 29, 30 that they, my Saints, may be baptized for those who are
dead; for this ordinance belongeth to my House.
31 but I command you, all ye, my Saints, to build a House unto me.
39 for the beginning of the revelations and foundation of Zion, and for
the glory, honor and endowment of all her municipals, are ordained by
the ordinance of my Holy House, which my people are always commanded to
build unto my Holy Name.
55 and again, verily I say unto you, I command you again to build a
House to my name, even in this place.
127. 9 let all the records be had in order, that they may be put in the
archives of my Holy Temple, to be held in remembrance from generation
to generation, saith the Lord of Hosts.
_See Sermon by B. Young, J. of D., Vol. I, page 277_.
" " " " " " " _131_.
" " " " " _2, " 29_.
" " " " " _9, " 239_.
" " _O. Pratt, " " 14, " 271_.
" " " " " _16, " 251_.
" " _G. A. Smith, " " 17, " 160_.
_An Article entitled, The Order of Laying Temple Corner Stones, Deseret
Weekly News, Vol. 27, page 214_.
_History of Joseph Smith, date of Aug. 3, 1831, and July 4, 1838_.
_History of Joseph Smith, date of May 6, June 6, and July 23, 1833, and
March 27, 1836_.
GEMS FROM THE HISTORY OF JOSEPH SMITH.
HOW THE BOOK OF MORMON WAS OBTAINED.--_May_ 8, 1838. Joseph Smith's
answer to the question, "How and where did you obtain the Book of
Mormon?" "Moroni, who deposited the plates (from whence the Book of
Mormon was translated,) in a hill in Manchester, Ontario County, New
York, being dead and raised again therefrom, appeared unto me, and
told me where they were, and gave me directions how to obtain them.
I obtained them, and the Urim and Thummim with them, by the means of
which I translated the plates; and thus came the Book of Mormon."
PLURALITY OF WIVES.--_October_ 5, 1843. "Gave instructions to try those
persons who were preaching, teaching, or practising the doctrine of
plurality of wives; for, according to the law, I hold the keys of this
power in the last days; for there is never but one on earth at a time
on whom the power and its keys are conferred; and I have constantly
said no man shall have but one wife at a time, unless the Lord directs
otherwise."
_October_ 8, 1843. THE ORGANIZATION OF THE SPIRITUAL AND HEAVENLY
WORLDS, and of spiritual and heavenly beings, was agreeable to the
most perfect order and harmony; their limits and bounds were fixed
irrevocably, and voluntarily subscribed to in their heavenly estate by
themselves, and were by our first parents subscribed to upon the earth.
Hence the importance of embracing and subscribing to principles of
eternal truth by all men upon the earth that expect eternal life.
CHURCH CHRONOLOGY.
This Compendium being designed for the elucidation of theological
rather than of historical subjects, we have only given the dates of a
few important events in the development of the great latter-day work.
1805.--Joseph Smith, Jun., was born on the 23d of December, in Sharon,
Windsor Co., Vermont.
1820.--Early in the Spring, Joseph Smith, Jun., had his first vision.
1823.--_September_ 21; Joseph Smith, Jun., had his second vision, in
which the existence of the Plates of the Book of Mormon was revealed
to him. The following day he opened the place where the Plates were
deposited, and saw them.
1827.--_September_ 22. Joseph Smith, Jun., obtained the Plates of the
Book of Mormon, the Urim and Thummim, and Breastplate.
1828.--_February_; Martin Harris showed some of the characters
transcribed from the Plates, and the translation of them to Professor
Anthon and Dr. Mitchell, of New York.
1829.--_May_ 15; Joseph Smith, Jun., and O. Cowdery were ordained to
the Aaronic Priesthood, by John the Baptist, and were baptized by each
other.
1830.--_April_ 6. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was
organized, Elders were ordained, the Sacrament was administered, and,
for the first time in the Church, hands were laid on for the reception
of the Holy Ghost.
_June_ 1. The Church held its first Conference, in Fayette, Seneca
County, New York. In October the first missionaries to the Lamanites
were appointed.
1831.--_January_. Joseph Smith, Jun., moved to Kirtland, Ohio where he
arrived about the first of February.
_August_ 2. The land of Zion was consecrated and dedicated by prayer
for the gathering of the Saints.
_August_ 4. The first Conference of the Church in the land of Zion was
held.
1832.--_April_ 26. Joseph Smith, Jun., was acknowledged President of
the High Priesthood, at a General Council of the Church.
_May_ 1. At a Council held at Independence, it was decided to publish
the Book of Doctrine and Covenants.
_June_. The first periodical, "The Evening and Morning Star," was
published by the Church in Independence.
1833.--_February_ 2. Joseph Smith, Jun., completed the translation of
the New Testament.
_March_ 18. The Quorum of High Priests was first organized in Kirtland.
_July_ 2. Joseph Smith, Jun., finished the translation of the Bible.
_July_ 23. The corner stones of the Lord's house in Kirtland were laid.
_September_ 11. It was decided to publish a paper in Kirtland, entitled
"The Latter-day Saints' Messenger and Advocate." Bishop Edward
Partridge was acknowledged head of the Church in Zion.
_December_ 18. Joseph Smith, Sen., was ordained Patriarch.
1834.--_February_ 17. A First Presidency of three and a High Council of
twelve were first organized.
_May_ 3. At a Conference of Elders in Kirtland, the Church was first
named "The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints."
_May_ 5. Zion's Camp left Kirtland for Missouri.
1835.--_February_ 28. The organization of the Quorums of Seventies
commenced.
_May_ 3. The Twelve left Kirtland on their first mission.
_July_. In the early part of this month the rolls of Egyptian papyrus,
which contained the writings of Abraham and Joseph in Egypt, were
obtained.
_August_ 17. At a general assembly at Kirtland, the Book of Doctrine
and Covenants was accepted as a rule of faith and practice.
1836.--_January_ 21. The authorities of the Church attended to the
ordinances of anointing and blessing each other in the Kirtland Temple.
_March_ 27. The House of the Lord in Kirtland was dedicated.
_April_ 3. In the House of the Lord in Kirtland, the Savior, Moses,
Elias and Elijah appeared to Joseph Smith, Jun., and Oliver Cowdery.
1837.--_June_. In this month Heber C. Kimball, O. Hyde and W. Richards
were set apart for a mission to England. This was the first foreign
mission of the Church.
_July_ 1. The mission for England sailed from New York on the ship
_Garrick_.
_July_ 20. The English mission landed in Liverpool, England.
_July_ 30. The first baptism in England, by divine authority took place
in the River Ribble.
_August_ 4. The first confirmation of members in the Church took place
in England, in Walkerfold, Chaidgley.
_September_ 27. Joseph Smith, Jun., left Kirtland to visit the Saints
in Missouri and establish gathering places. He arrived in Far West
about the last of October, or first of November.
_December_ 10. About this time Joseph Smith, Jun., arrived in Kirtland
from Missouri.
_December_ 25. The first Conference of the Latter-day Saints in England
was held in the Cock Pit, Preston. During this month a somewhat
extensive apostacy took place in Kirtland.
1838.--_March_ 14. Joseph Smith, Jun., and family arrived at Far West.
_July_ 6. 515 Saints left Kirtland for Missouri.
_October_ 27. Governor Boggs' exterminating order was issued.
_October_ 30. The massacre at Haun's Mill took place.
_October_ 31. Joseph Smith, Jun., and others were betrayed by G. M.
Hinckle.
_November_ 1. Joseph Smith, Jun., and others condemned to be shot. Far
West plundered.
1839.--_February_ 14. Brigham Young fled from Far West to Illinois.
_April_ 15. Joseph Smith, Jun., and his companions in bonds, left
Davies for Broome County, and on their way made their escape from the
guard.
_April_ 26. The Saints commenced evacuating Far West.
_April_ 22. Joseph Smith, Jun., arrived in Quincy, Illinois.
_June_ 11. The first house was put up by the Saints in Commerce,
afterward named Nauvoo.
_September_ 18. Elder Brigham Young, accompanied by H. C. Kimball, left
Nauvoo on his first mission to England.
_October_ 29. Joseph Smith, Jun., and others left Nauvoo for
Washington, D.C., as delegates from the Church to the general
government.
_November_ 28. Joseph Smith, Jun., arrived in Washington.
1840--_March_ 4. Joseph Smith, Jun., arrived in Nauvoo from Washington.
1840.--_April_ 15. Elder O. Hyde left Commerce, on his mission to
Jerusalem.
_May_ 27. The first number of "The Latter-day Saints' Millennial Star"
was published at Manchester, England.
_June_ 6. The first company of emigrating Saints, from Europe, sailed
from Liverpool for New York.
_July_ 20. The company of Saints who left Liverpool in June arrived in
New York.
About the first of this month, the first English edition of the
Latter-day Saints' Hymn Book was published.
_September_ 14. Joseph Smith, Sen., died in Nauvoo.
_December_ 16. The charter of the city of Nauvoo became a law.
1841.--_January_. During this month the first English edition of the
Book of Mormon was published.
_November_ 8. The Baptismal Font in the Nauvoo Temple was dedicated.
1842.--_December_ 7. Elder O. Hyde returned from his mission to
Jerusalem.
1844.--_June_ 27. Joseph and Hyrum Smith were assassinated in Carthage
jail.
1845.--_September_ 24. The authorities of the Church made a treaty with
the mob, to evacuate Nauvoo the following spring.
1846.--_February_. In the beginning of this month, the exodus of the
Saints from Nauvoo commenced.
_May_ 16. The Pioneer camp of the Saints arrived at Mount Pisgah, Iowa
Territory.
_June_. A call was made, by the general government, for the Mormon
Battalion.
_September_ 10, 11, 12. Battles took place between the citizens of
Nauvoo and the mob.
_September_ 16. The Trustees of the Church, in Nauvoo, made a treaty
with the mob for the surrender of the city, and its immediate
evacuation by the remnant of the Saints.
1847.--_April_ 14. The Pioneers left Winter Quarters for the Rocky
Mountains.
_July_ 24. The Pioneers entered Great Salt Lake Valley.
_December_ 23. The Twelve sent forth an epistle to the Saints to
recommence the gathering.
1848.--_May_. Presidents B. Young and Heber C. Kimball left Winter
Quarters, the second time, for Great Salt Lake Valley.
_September_ 20. Presidents B. Young and H. C. Kimball arrived, the
second time, in Great Salt Lake Valley.
_November_ 19. The Nauvoo Temple was burned.
1849.--_October_ 6. The organization of the P. E. Fund Company was
commenced.
1850.--_June_ 14. The first missionaries to Scandinavia landed in
Copenhagen, Denmark.
_June_ 15. The first number of the "Deseret News" was published.
_August_ 12. The first baptisms in Denmark, by legal authority, in this
dispensation, took place.
_September_ 9. The "Act" for organizing the Territory of Utah became a
law.
_October_ 13. The first company of P. E. Fund emigrants arrived in Salt
Lake City, from the United States.
_December_ 7. The first branch of the Church, in France, was organized
at Paris.
1851.--_January_ 9. Salt Lake City was incorporated.
_January_ 13. The first settlers of Iron County, U.T., arrived on
Centre Creek, near where the city of Parowan now stands.
1852.--_August_ 29. The revelation on the law of Celestial Marriage was
first made public.
_September_ 3. The first company of P. E. Fund emigrants from Europe
arrived in Utah.
_December_ 13. The Legislative Assembly of Utah Territory met, for the
first time.
1853.--_January_ 25. Elders O. Spencer and J. Houtz, missionaries,
arrived in Berlin, Prussia, and were banished from there on the second
of February following.
_February_ 14. The Temple Block in Salt Lake City was consecrated.
_March_ 7. The first missionaries to Gibraltar arrived there.