Chapter XIII: Part 13

B.C. N.A. Y.J. Slight contentions on doctrinal questions. 14 587 78 The controversies increase; Nephi and Lehi receive many 13 588 79 revelations and put an end to the disputes. Dissenters search out the ancient abominations, re- 12 589 80 establish the Gadianton bands and commence war. The robbers grow strong, defy the united armies of the 11 590 81 Nephites and Lamanites, commit depredations and carry off many prisoners. Great loss of life on both sides. The Nephites again begin to forget the Lord. The 10 591 82 Lamanites remain faithful. The people wax strong in iniquity. 9 592 83 The people do not mend their ways. 8 593 84 The people grow in wickedness and ripen for 7 594 85 destruction. Samuel, the Lamanite, prophesies on the walls of 6 595 86 Zarahemla; some attempt to kill him, others believe. The latter seek Nephi and are baptized. Samuel escapes to his own land. Nephi performs many miracles. The greater portion of the people remain in their pride 5 596 87 and wickedness, the lesser portion walking more circumspectly before God. The people grow more hardened. 3 598 89 The words of the prophets commence to be fulfilled, 2 599 90 signs and wonders appear, betokening the near advent of the Savior; angels are seen by many: yet the people still harden their hearts. The Book of Helaman closes. The Third Book of Nephi opens. Nephi departs out of the 1 600 91 land, and is never again seen. Lachoneus Chief Judge and Governor. A.C. The promised signs of the Redeemer's birth appear, much to the joy of believers. The two days and nights of constant light; a new star appears. The majority of the people join the church. The Nephites reckon their time from the Messiah's 1 601 92 advent. The Gadianton robbers commit many murders; the 2 602 people not strong enough to overpower them. Dissensions increase, owing to many joining the robber 3 603 band, especially among the youth. Wickedness and unbelief greatly increase. 4 604 Evil continues to gain strength to this time. Gadianton 13 613 bands grow so numerous that both Nephites and Lamanites take up arms against them. The robbers driven into their secret fastnesses in the 14 614 mountains and the wilderness. Owing to dissensions, the robbers gain many advantages. 15 615 Giddianhi, the robber chief, writes an epistle to Lachoneus, calling upon the Nephites to surrender.

A.C. N.A. Gidgiddoni chosen commander of the Nephite forces. Lachoneus 16 616 decides to gather all the Nephites from both continents into the lands of Zarahemla and Bountiful, and fortify against the inroads of the robbers. The people, with all their movable substance and seven 17 617 years' provisions, gather at the appointed place. In the latter part of the year the robbers sally out of their 18 618 hiding places and occupy the lands deserted by the people. The robbers, under Giddianhi, attack the Nephites. The 19 619 slaughter more terrible than in any previous battle amongst the children of Lehi; Giddianhi is slain, the robbers are defeated and pursued to the borders of the wilderness. The robbers do not venture to again attack the Nephites. 20 620 Zemnarihah made chief of the robber bands. The robbers surround and ineffectually besiege the Nephites, 21 621 who make many sorties and slay tens of thousands of them; the robbers attempt to concentrate on the northern continent, but are cut off, their armies destroyed, and many thousands taken prisoners, among whom is Zemnarihah, who is afterwards hanged. The Nephites greatly rejoice in their marvelous deliverance. All the Nephites believe the words of the prophets; 22 622 righteousness prevails. They preach to the robber prisoners; all who make a covenant to murder no more are set at liberty, those who refuse are punished according to the law. The Nephites all return to their own lands on both continents. 26 626 The laws revised according to justice and equity; great order 27 627 Throughout the land. Many new cities built and old ones repaired; numerous other 28 628 improvements made. Disputings and contentions re-commence, pride and other 29 629 evils increase. Lachoneus, the younger, Governor. The church broken up, 30 630 except among a few Lamanites. Many prophets testify and are persecuted, some are executed contrary to law. The officers committing these crimes, on being called to account, rebel and seek to establish a monarchy, with Jacob as king. The Chief Judge is assassinated, and the ancient iniquitous combinations re-introduced. The Nephite commonwealth is broken up, and the people divided into numerous tribes. Jacob leads his followers into the northernmost part of the land. The various tribes more fully regulated. Nephi performs 31 631 many miracles; among others, raises his brother Timothy from the dead. But few are converted to the Lord.

A.C. N.A. Nephi continues his preaching and ministry; a few accept 32 632 his message. Many join the church. 33 633 On the fourth day of the new year the signs of Christ's crucifixion commence. An unparalleled storm rages for three hours, convulsing the land and destroying many cities. It is followed by three days darkness. The voice of the Lord is heard proclaiming the destructions that had happened. Jesus appears to the people in the land Bountiful. He preaches his Gospel, performs many mighty works, and chooses twelve disciples. Nephi, the son of Nephi, takes the records. 34 634 All the people are converted, and the church becomes 36 636 universal. The believers have all things common. The disciples of Jesus work many wonderful miracles. 37 637 The people again becoming numerous. Zarahemla and other 59 659 cities rebuilt. All the original twelve disciples, except the three who 100 700 were to tarry, have died by this date. The first generation in Christ have passed away. Nephi, 110 710 the recorder, dies, and his son Amos takes charge of the records. All the second generation have passed away, except a few. 200 800 Pride appears in the church; its members have their goods 201 801 no more in common, and sects arise. Many churches established opposed to the true church of Christ. 210 810 The wicked increase; the disciples and saints persecuted. 230 830 The three Nephites perform many miracles, from the last date to. The people divided into Nephites and Lamanites. 231 831 The more wicked portion of the people have grown much stronger. 244 844 The wicked build up many expensive churches to their false 250 850 faiths. The members of the true church, or Nephites, begin to grow 260 860 proud and sinful. The Gadianton iniquities are again developed. Both Nephites and Lamanites have grown exceedingly wicked; 300 900 none are righteous except the three disciples. The Gadianton robbers have spread over all the land. Amos transfers the records to his brother Ammaron, and dies. 306 906 Mormon born. 311 911 Ammaron hides up the records in the hill Shim. 321 921 Mormon, the father of Mormon, brings his son to Zarahemla. War commences between the Nephites and Lamanites; a number 322 922 of battles are fought, in which the Nephites are victorious. Commencement of Mormon's record.

A.C. N.A. 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.

_November_ 1. The first number of the "Journal of Discourses" was published in England.

1854.--_May_ 23. Patriarch John Smith died.

_June_ 28. John Smith, son of Hyrum Smith, was appointed Patriarch over the Church.

1855.--_May_ 5. The Endowment House in Salt Lake City was dedicated.

_October_. A branch of the Church was organized in Dresden, Germany.

During this year grasshoppers and drouth caused a great failure of crops in Utah.

_October_ 29. The First Presidency of the Church, in their General Epistle, proposed, for the Saints who should emigrate by the P. E. Fund, to cross the plains with handcarts.

1856.--During this year the practice of paying tithing was generally introduced among the Saints in Europe. During the winter and spring there was a great scarcity of food in Utah, and many domestic animals perished.

_September_ 26. The first company of Saints, who crossed the plains with handcarts, arrived.

1857.--_April_ 23. A company of about seventy missionary elders left Salt Lake City to cross the plains with handcarts.

_July_ 11. A. Cumming, of Georgia, was appointed governor of Utah.

_July_ 23. Messrs. J. Stoddard and A. O. Smoot arrived from Independence without the mails, the postmaster there having received orders not to forward them. They brought the news that General Harney, with over 2000 men, was ordered to Utah.

Near the close of the year, the U. S. army, under General Johnson, took possession of Fort Bridger.

1858.--_March_ 21. The citizens of Utah, living north of Utah County, agreed to abandon their homes and move south. This was deemed advisable as a defensive measure.

In the meantime Col. Thos. L. Kane had arrived in Salt Lake City, via California, for the purpose of bringing about a peaceful solution of the difficulties between the U. S. and Utah.

_April_ 19. Gov. Cumming and Col. Kane visited the Utah library, where they were shown the records and seal of the U.S. court, which was said to have been destroyed.

_June_ 7. Messrs. Powell and McCullough, sent out as peace commissioners, by the general government, arrived in Salt Lake City.

_June_ 26. The "Army of Utah," under Col. Johnson, passed through Salt Lake City and camped on the west side of the river Jordan.

_June_ 30. The people who had moved south began to return to their homes.

_October_ 28. Jacob Hamblin, with eleven men, left Southern Utah to open intercourse with the Indians on the east side of the river Colorado.

1861.--_April_ 23. Two hundred wagons, with four yoke of cattle each, carrying 15,000 pounds of flour, started for the Missouri river, to bring the poor of the Saints to Utah.

_October_ 18. President B. Young sent the first message over the overland wire to the U.S.

_October_ 24. The first telegram was sent to San Francisco. In the autumn of this year a large colony of Saints was sent to southern Utah.

1862.--_October_ 24. Camp Douglas, near Salt Lake City, was located by Col. P. E. Connor.

1863.--Col. P. E. Connor defeated a band of the Shoshone Indians near Bear river.

_March_ 3. Great mass meeting held in the Tabernacle, Salt Lake City, to protest against the infamous course of U.S. officials.

1864.--_April_ 10. Moves were made for building a telegraph line in Utah.

1866.--_January_ 1. The first number of the "Juvenile Instructor" was issued in Salt Lake City.

1867.--The Deseret Telegraph Company was organized.

1868.--_June_ 19.--Ground was broken in Weber Canyon, on the U. P. Railroad.

_October_ 16. Co-operative Mercantile Institution was organized. B. Young, president.

_March_ 8.--U.S. Land Office opened in Salt Lake City.

_March_ 15. A company was partially organized for building a railroad between Ogden and Salt Lake City.

_May_ 9. The last rail was laid connecting the U. P. and C. P. railroads, thus completing the first railroad across the continent.

_May_ 17. The first ground was broken for the Utah Central Railroad.

_June_ 25. The first company of Latter-day Saint emigrants reached Ogden, per U. P. R. R.

_December_ 24. In the evening street lamps were first used in Salt Lake City.

1870.--_January_ 10. The last rail of the Utah Central Railroad was laid.

_January_ 13. General mass meeting of the ladies of Salt Lake City, to protest against the passage of the Cullom bill.

_February_ 12. "An act conferring the elective franchise upon women," became a law of Utah Territory.

_April_ 27, An abandoned child was left at the door of Mrs. The first circumstance of the kind known in Salt Lake City.

_August_ 12. A discussion commenced, in Salt Lake City, between Professor O. Pratt and Dr. J. P. Newman, chaplain of the U.S. Senate. Question, "Does the Bible sanction polygamy?"

_September_ 15. Gov. J. W. Shafer issued a proclamation, forbidding the assembly of the militia of Utah Territory for any purpose except by his orders.

1871.--_May_ 1. Ground was first broken for the Utah Southern Railroad.

_June_ 30. Acting-Governor of Utah, George A. Black, issued a proclamation forbidding any of the militia of the Territory to assemble for the purpose of celebrating the ninety-fifth anniversary of American Independence.

_October_ 10. President B. Young was arrested by U.S. Marshal on an indictment founded on a charge of "lascivious cohabitation."

1872.--_June_ 1. The first number of the "Woman's Exponent was issued in Salt Lake City.

_September_ 3 Ground was dedicated and broken for the Salt Lake City water works.

_October_ 14. President G. A. Smith and others left Salt Lake City on their Palestine tour.

1873.--_February_ 24. President Smith and party arrived in Jerusalem.

_June_ 18. President Smith arrived in Salt Lake City.

LATTER-DAY SAINTS' EMIGRATION.

The publications of the church show that, commencing with the year 1840 and ending with the year 1883, there have been emigrated from the European countries to the United States, by the church emigration agencies, 78,219 souls, who have crossed the sea in 243 sail vessels and steamships.

These have come in companies of varied numbers, from a dozen or two at a time to as many as eight hundred or more, which latter number has embarked several times on double decked ships.

We regret our inability to give a tabulated statement of the number of persons from each country of their nativity. The greater proportions have been from Great Britain and Scandinavia, while Switzerland, Germany, Italy, Iceland, Finland, East India, South Africa and other countries have contributed to make up the number.

A very remarkable feature in this work of gathering Israel is that of all these vessels that have gone to sea, no one with a Latter-day Saint on it has ever gone down. Some have been driven back to Port before they could get out of the Irish channel, one was dismasted before reaching New Orleans, but all have yielded up their precious souls and freight to the ports of their destination.

The organization, cleanliness and consequent health, peace and safety, have rendered the Saints' emigration notorious and proverbial among European shippers and ship captains, many of whom have been heard to say that a company of Mormon emigrants on their ship they considered better insurance than the underwriters at Lloyd's could give.

THE BOOK OF MORMON.

The Book of Mormon is the name of a record which was engraved upon plates of gold, about 400 years after the crucifixion of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, by a celebrated prophet named Mormon. These plates were deposited by his son, Moroni, in a stone box, in a hill in the western part of the State of New York, called by the Nephites, Cumorah. The language in which this record was made was said by Mormon to be Reformed Egyptian. On the 22d of September, 1823, Moroni discovered the stone box which contained these plates, the Urim and Thummim, a sword and breastplate, to the young Prophet, Joseph Smith, Jr., and he, by the aid of the Urim and Thummim, translated the record from the plates into the English language. This is the most ancient, the most accurate and reliable history of America, its ancient inhabitants and its antiquities, that is now extant; and has since been translated from the English into the French, German, Italian, Danish, Swedish, Welsh, Kanaka, Hindostanee, Dutch and Spanish. It has also been printed and published in all those languages except Spanish, Hindostanee and Dutch, and will soon be published in the Spanish also.