Compiled by N. R. Tidd from Internet souces through 13 August, 1998

Mormon Chronology Rev 01 Volume 02

Subject

Date

Event

ConversionAbout1825Parley P. Pratt joins the Baptists. [Parley P. Pratt autobiography]
Politics4 Mar1825John Q. Adams becomes 6th U.S. President.
FinancesPrior Oct1825Joseph Smith's father (a cooper) defaults on his mortgage. [Inventing Mormonism / Reason site]
Finances,

Lodging,

Magic

Oct1825Joseph Smith hires out to Josiah Stowell to help discover an old silver mine on his property in Harmony, PA. Smith boards with Isaac Hale and meets his daughter, Emma. [Church History Vol I]Joseph Smith Senior also went. Emma was a schoolteacher and Isaac Hale was one of the money diggers. They were digging for Spanish treasure. [Joseph Smith by C. Clark Julius, MPS / Honest Intellectual Inquiry site]Joseph Smith was employed as a seer, by means of putting a stone in his hat then putting the hat over his face. Hale says Smith was insolent to his father. [Isaac Hale 1834 affidavit]
Marriage10 Nov1825Hiram Page (~25) marries Catherine Whitmer. [Nibley's biography of the eight witnesses]
LodgingAbout 17 Nov1825Joseph Smith leaves Isaac Hale's. [Isaac Hale 1834 Affidavit]
19 Nov1825Joseph Smith leaves Hale's but visited several times afterward. [Isaac Hale 1834 affidavit]
Masonry,

Magic

By 1826Joseph Smith apparently begins to carry a Jupiter Talisman (a Masonic magic charm). [Reason site]
Bk of Morm3 Mar1826Wayne Sentinel prints discussion to exclude the Apocrypha from scriptures.
Migration,

Doctrine

1826Sidney Rigdon leaves Pittsburgh, moves to Bainbridge Ohio and continues as a Campbellite preacher (also called “Disciples”). [Church History Vol I]
LodgingUntil1826Joseph Smith lives at Josiah Stowell's in Bainbridge, NY. [Reason site]
Legal,

Magic,

Finances

20 Mar1826Joseph Smith (20) the "Glass Looker" (a minor) tried for "money digging" (a misdemeanor) in Bainbridge, NY. by Justice Neely under Vagrant Act. Charged by Peter G. Brigdman and other former treasure hunters.Accused of palpable deceptions with the stone, such as reading pages from a closed book, etc. Isaac Hale testifies against Smith.No sentence, but “condemned” and required to leave area. Told: "Off Off" (Also known as "leg bail.") Trial fee: 2.68. [Mormon Origins site] & [Reason site]
Bk of MormLate1826Ethan Smith visits Palmyra, NY. [The Hundredth Sheep site]
Bk of Morm1826 or1827Sidney Rigdon reportedly tells Alexander Campbell and Adamson Bentley that a golden book will come out (Bentley says it was in 1827, Campbell recalls it as 1826). [Book of Mormon Studies site]
Bk of Morm1827Sidney Rigdon seen at Smith's several times and several months apart by Mrs. S. F. Anderick, while visiting Sophronia Smith. [per Anderick / Book of Mormon Studies site]
Bk of Morm1827Sidney Rigdon seen several times at Joseph Smith's by Abel Chase. [Book of Mormon Studies site]
Conversion1827Orson Hyde joins Methodists. [Orson Hyde autobiography]
Masonry1827William Morgan (an anti-Mason) disappears (while writing an expose of the Masons). [Book of Mormon Studies site]
Masonry,

Bk of Morm

1827Hyrum Smith joins Masons. [per Kenneth Godfrey / Reason site]Masonic Mysteries tell of carved golden plate in arched stone vault. [Reason site] & [Mormons in Transition site]
Bk of Morm,

Magic

Prior 18 Jan1827Joseph Smith uses seer stone to determine that Emma is right person to bring to the hill to retrieve the plates. [per Joseph Knight / Reason site]
Marriage18 Jan1827Joseph Smith (21) elopes with Emma Hale (23) (a Methodist) (against her father's wishes) and marries her in South Bainbridge, NY in the house of Squire Tarbill. [Church History Vol I]
MigrationAfter 18 Jan1827Joseph Smith and Emma return to Harmony with Peter Ingersol to get Emma's things. [Joseph Smith by C. Clark Julius, MPS / Honest Intellectual Inquiry site]
LodgingAfter 18 Jan1827Joseph and Emma Smith live with his family in Manchester, NY. [Joseph Smith by C. Clark Julius, MPS / Honest Intellectual Inquiry site]
Bk of MormMid Mar1827Sidney Rigdon seen at Smith's by Lorenzo Saunders (identified by Samuel Harrison Smith). [Book of Mormon Studies site]
Bk of Morm,

Finances

20 Sep1827Joseph Knight and Josiah Stowell come to stay at Joseph Smith's house as they know about Smith's plans to retrieve the plates on 22 Sep. [Inventing Mormonism / Reason site]
Bk of Morm22 Sep1827Joseph Smith takes Knight's horse and wagon in the early morning and went with Emma to the hill (a glacial drumlin). Knight was upset that his horse and wagon were gone. [per Lucy Mack Smith / Inventing Mormonism / Reason site]
Bk of Morm22 Sep1827Joseph Smith says, while Emma prayed (staying with the wagon), he retrieved the gold plates and hid them in an old black hollow oak tree top [Martin Harris 1859 interview]; in a birch log [per Lucy Mack Smith / Inventing Mormonism / Mormon Origins site] meanwhile, Joseph Smith Senior and Josiah Stowell were digging for money at Smith's. [Martin Harris 1859 interview]
Misc.22 Sep1827Heber C. Kimball, in Mendon, has a vision of armies marching in the heavens. [Heber C. Kimball autobiography]
Bk of MormAfter 22 Sep1827Joseph Smith tells Henry Harris that he used the seer stone upon instructions from an angel to find the plates. [per Henry Harris / Inventing Mormonism / Reason site]
Finances23 Sep1827Joseph Smith goes on a job to Macedon to help put a wall in a well and some other labor for widow Wells. [Inventing Mormonism / Reason site]
Bk of Morm,

Magic,

Finances

After 23 Sep182710 - 12 money-diggers are “clubbed” with Willard Chase (a Methodist Class leader) who send for their own conjuror (Samuel Lawrence) to determine where the plates are hidden. Joseph Smith Senior investigates and finds the group at Lawrence's house. [per Lucy Mack Smith / Inventing Mormonism / Reason site]
Bk of MormFall1827Sidney Rigdon seen with Joseph Smith in Palmyra by Lorenzo Saunders (identified by Jugegsah). [Book of Mormon Studies site]
FinancesEarly Oct1827Joseph Smith doing work for Peter Ingersoll. [Martin Harris 1859 interview]
Bk of Morm,

Conversion,

Finances

Early Oct1827Martin Harris hears of gold bible from his brother, Preserved Harris, and visits Joseph Smith and agrees to finance its publication. Says Smith told him that he used his seer stone, from the well of Mason Chase (neighbor) to discover the plates, and Smith told him that he used the spectacles to see that Martin Harris was the man who would assist him to get the book published. Harris says Luck Mack Smith came to see him and that Joseph wanted Harris to come see him. [Martin Harris 1859 interview]
Bk of Morm,

Finances

2 Oct1827Emma Smith rides to Macedon and tells Joseph about the money-diggers plan. Joseph looks in to his seer stone and says the plates are safe.Joseph and Emma return to Smith's. Joseph walks to the hill and retrieves the plates from his hiding place. While carrying them back through the woods (off regular path) is attacked by a man who sprang up and hit him with a gun, knocking him down, Joseph leveled him and ran home, knocking several more down as he ran. Dislocated his thumb, which was reset by Joseph Smith's father. Joseph Smith relays the story to Joseph Knight and Josiah Stowell then goes to Willard Chase's house and tells him the story. [per Lucy Mack Smith]Smith tells Willard Chase that it was two men that attacked him and that if not for the stone that he got from Chase's well, he would not have obtained the book [per Willard Chase]Smith tells Martin Harris that he was attacked by what appeared to be a man who wanted the plates and struck him with a club. [Martin Harris 1859 interview]
Migration,

Lodging,

Finances,

Bk of Morm

Late Oct

or Early Nov

1827Joseph and Emma Smith move back to Harmony, PA with Alva (Emma's brother)'s help. Martin Harris pays Smith's debts and finances the trip. [Martin Harris's 1859 interview]After living with the Hale's they later move to Jesse Hale's (who had moved to Illinois) house. [Church History Vol I Ch 11 notes]Martin Harris gives Smith $50 to assist their journey. [Church History Vol I]Martin Harris gives Smith $50 to help translate The Book of Mormon [Nibley's Sketch of the Life of Martin Harris]
MagicAbout Nov1827Joseph Smith tells Isaac Hale that he's given up “glass-looking.” [Isaac Hale 1834 affidavit]
Bk of Morm,

Lodging

About Nov1827Joseph Smith answers Isaac Hale's question (as to who will be the first to see the plates) that a child will be the first to see them. Isaac Hale demands to see the plates, if Joseph is to stay at his house. Joseph Smith refuses and hides the plates in the woods. [Isaac Hale 1834 affidavit]
Migration,

Doctrine

About1827Sidney Rigdon moves (upon an invitation from the people) to Mentor, OH and continues to preach, converting many. [Church History Vol I]
Lodging,

Education

After1827Orson Hyde joins Campbellites and moves in with Sidney Rigdon in Mentor, who instructs him in English grammar. [Orson Hyde autobiography]
DoctrineBtwn Fall

- Oct

1827

1828

Sidney Rigdon, Alexander Campbell, and Philip Scott preaching baptism for the remission of sins. [Luman Shurtliff journal]
Birth1828Helen Mar Kimball born.
Bk of Morm1828Isaac Hale says Smith used his seer stone in his hat over his face to translate the plates, while the plates were hid in the woods. [Isaac Hale 1834 affidavit]
Bk of Morm1828Joseph Smith gives Martin Harris a copy of characters transcribed from the gold plates; Martin Harris shows the copy to Prof. Charles Anthon of Columbia University. Anthon (after hearing the story) says it's no known language. Joseph Smith says it's Reformed Egyptian. [Trust the Truth Association site]
Doctrine,

Bk of Morm

1828King James Bible with the Apocrypha and the 1769 revisions is printed by H. & E. Phinney Co. in Cooperstown, NY.
Bk of Morm12 Apr1828Joseph Smith begins translating The Book of Mormon with Emma acting as the scribe. Joseph dictated with his face burried in a hat with his stone in it. [Emma Smith 1879 interview]
Bk of MormSpring1828Martin Harris goes to Harmony, PA as scribe (says plates were not in the room, and that Joseph Smith used his seer stone to translate). [Martin Harris 1859 interview]
Bk of Morm14 Jun1828Joseph Smith completes 116 pages (foolscap-size) of translation from the gold plates (the book of Lehi), with Martin Harris transcribing with a blanket stretched between them. [Nibley's Sketch of the Live of Martin Harris]
Bk of Morm14 Jun1828Martin Harris repeatedly asks Joseph Smith to borrow the transcript. Smith refuses twice but relents (by revelation) on the third request but makes Harris agree to a covenant to only show his family. [Church History Vol I]Harris brings the 116 page translation from the gold plates back to Palmyra and shows them to his wife, Lucy Harris, but he looses the transcripts (says they were stolen). (Lucy Harris was suspected of hiding or destroying them.) [Nibley's Sketch of the Life of Martin Harris]
Bk of MormAfter 14 Jun1828Joseph Smith looses the Urim and Thummim, through transgression. [Church History Vol I]
Birth,

Death

15 Jun1828Son of Joseph and Emma Smith born and died, Harmony, PA. [Church History Vol I]
Misc.Jun1828Joseph Smith applies for membership in (his wife's) Methodist Church. [Reason site]
Bk of MormJul1828The Urim and Thummim are returned to Joseph Smith, by a heavenly messenger (as they were taken away earlier). [Church History Vol I]
Bk of MormJul1828Joseph Smith reports his first revelation where he is rebuked for letting Martin Harris take the translations. After this revelation, the Urim and Thummim and the plates were taken away from Joseph Smith again but they are returned in a few days. [Church History Vol I]
Bk of MormJul1828Joseph Smith receives another revelation (after the Urim and Thummim and the plates are returned, saying that the first 116 pages should not be retranslated because wicked men may have the original and would change its words to disagree with the re-translation and claim that Joseph Smith was a fraud. So, he's to replace the 116 pages with the small plates of Nephi (book of Lehi). [Church History Vol I]
Bk of MormSummer1828Sidney Rigdon reportedly seen with Samuel Lawrence at Lawrence's by Lorenzo Saunders. [Book of Mormon Studies site]
Bk of MormWinter 1828 -1829Oliver Cowdery (son and brother of Royal Arch Mason Initiates [Mormons in Transition site]) works as a teacher in Manchester, NY. Joseph Smith's father is one of Cowdery's students. Cowdery stays with the Smiths (customary for teachers to board with a student's family) and learns of the "Golden Bible" story. [Nibley's sketch of the life of Oliver Cowdery]
Doctrine1829Sidney Rigdon converts Parley P. Pratt to Reformed Baptist (Rigdon acknowledges that he doesn't have the proper religious authority to provide the gift of the Holy Ghost). [Parley P. Pratt autobiography]
Bk of MormFeb1829Joseph Smith Senior visits Joseph Smith (Jr.) and is given a revelation that a marvelous work is about to come forth, etc. [Church History Vol I]
Politics4 Mar1829Andrew Jackson becomes 7th U.S. President.
Bk of MormMar1829Joseph Smith receives a revelation that Martin Harris can be a witness to the plates (one of three) if he humbles himself. [Church History Vol I]
Bk of MormPrior 5 Apr1829Oliver Cowdery meets David Whitmer in Palmyra, NY and they discuss reports of the Book of Mormon. [Church History Vol I]
Bk of Morm5 Apr1829Oliver Cowdery (reportedly an experienced rod worker and clairvoyant [Mormons in Transition site]) travels to Harmony, PA with Samuel Harrison Smith to meet Joseph Smith. [Nibley's sketch of the life of Oliver Cowdery]
Bk of Morm,

Conversion

5 Apr1829Oliver Cowdery meets Joseph Smith (23) at Harmony, PA. Joseph Smith says he “never saw him before this time.” [Church History Vol I]Oliver Cowdery says “my natural eyes, for the first time, beheld this brother...” [Oliver Cowdery letters]
Bk of Morm7 Apr1829Joseph Smith resumes translating the gold plates (from where he left off) with Oliver Cowdery transcribing. [Church History Vol I]

The missing part was re-translated last but with different content. [Reason site] Cowdery desires the gift of translation. [Church History Vol I]

Bk of MormApr1829Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery receive a revelation that a great and marvelous work is about to come forth and for Oliver Cowdery to stand by Joseph Smith. [Church History Vol I]
Bk of MormApr1829Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery receive revelation that Oliver Cowdery is to continue as Joseph Smith's scribe. [Church History Vol I]
Conversion,

Organization

15 May1829Oliver Cowdery (23) and Joseph Smith (23) baptize each other and ordain each other with the Aaronic Priesthood. [Church History Vol I]
Conversion25 May1829Samuel Harrison Smith (21) baptized by Oliver Cowdery. [Church History Vol I]
Bk of Morm,

Finances

25 May1829Joseph Knight Sr. brings provisions for Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery. [Church History Vol I]
Persecution,

Lodging

1829Oliver Cowdery writes to David Whitmer (due to persecution) asking for he and Joseph Smith to move in with him. [Nibley's sketch of the life of Oliver Cowdery]
Migration,

Lodging

About 1 Jun1829David Whitmer arrives at Harmony and brings Oliver Cowdery, Joseph Smith, and Emma Smith to Fayette, NY to stay with the Whitmers with free board. [Church History Vol I]
ConversionJun1829Joseph Smith receives a revelation for David Whitmer to assist and for John and Peter Whitmer Jr. to bring souls. [Church History Vol I]
Bk of MormJun1829Joseph Smith receives a revelation that Oliver Cowdery, David Whitmer, and Martin Harris should be witnesses to the plates, if they have faith. [Church History Vol I]
Bk of MormJun1829Oliver Cowdery and David Whitmer report a vision by an angel of the gold plates. [Church History Vol I]
Bk of MormJun1829Martin Harris reports a vision of the gold plates after Cowdery and Whitmer. [Church History Vol I]
ConversionJun1829David Whitmer (24) baptized by Joseph Smith. [Church History Vol I]
ConversionJun1829Hyrum Smith (29) baptized by Joseph Smith. [Church History Vol I]
ConversionJun1829Peter Whitmer, Jr (19) baptized by Oliver Cowdery. [Church History Vol I]
ConversionJun1829John Whitmer (26) baptized by Oliver Cowdery. [Nibley's biography of the eight witnesses]
Bk of MormJun1829John Whitmer assists with writing the translation. [Church History Vol I]
Bk of MormLate Jun1829Translation complete. [David Whitmer's 1887 Address to All Believers in Christ] Oliver Cowdery makes a printer's copy. [Church History Vol I]
Bk of MormJun1829Joseph Smith reveals that eight additional witnesses to the gold plates are required. [Mormons in Transition site]
Bk of MormJun1829The following report visions of, or handling the covered, gold plates:

First group:

Christian Whitmer, (David's brother),Jacob Whitmer, (David's brother),Peter Whitmer, Jr. (David's brother),John Whitmer, (David's brother) says he saw plates by a supernatural power,

Second group:

Hirum Page, (David Whitmer's brother-in-law),Joseph Smith Senior (Joesph's father),Hyrum Smith (Joseph's brother),Samuel Harrison Smith (Joseph's brother). [Recovery From Mormonism site]

William Smith says he and Hyrum, Samuel, and their father handled the plates while they were covered in a “tow frok.” When asked about removing the cloth, Joseph Smith that he was instructed not to show them to anyone. [Recovery from Mormonism site]

Bk of Morm,

Press

1829Martin Harris goes to Rochester to find a printer other than Grandin. [Inventing Mormonism / Mormon Origins site]
1st Vision,

Conversion

Aug or before 1829Solomon Chamberlain (a Reformed Methodist) hears of the Golden Bible, seeks out the Smiths, brings pamphlets, and tells Hyrum and Father Smith of his 1816 vision from the Lord that all churches were corrupt and a new one would be raised up. [Solomon Chamberlain autobiography]
Bk of Morm,

Press

Aug1829Type setting and printing of The Book of Mormon started at E. B. Grandin's. Martin Harris, Hyrum Smith, and Oliver Cowdery frequently visited the printing office, Joseph Smith only visited once. Hyrum Smith brought the manuscript in for printing a few pages at a time. Each chapter was one paragraph, without punctuation; Gilbert, with permission, added the punctuation. [John H. Gilbert recollections]
Bk of Morm,

Press

5 Sep1829Rochester Gem prints Martins Harris' description of the plates as 8"x6"x1/8" [Inventing Mormonism / Mormon Origins site]
Migration4 Oct1829Joseph Smith arrives at Harmony, PA. [Mormon Origins site]
Bk of Morm8 Oct

or 10 Aug

1829Oliver Cowdery buys an 1828 H. & E. Phinney Bible with the Apocrypha at Egbert B. Grandin's book store in Palmyra, NY for $3.75. [Mormon Origins site]
MissionsFall1829Orson Hyde goes on a Campbellite mission with Sidney Rigdon. [Orson Hyde autobiography]
Bk of Morm,

Finances

Winter 1829 -1830Martin Harris tries to sell his farm to finance the printing of The Book of Mormon. Hyrum Smith becomes impatient and is vexed with Harris and recommends to try to sell the book's copyright in Toronto. Joseph looks into his stone had receives a revelation to go to Toronto to try and sell the book's copyright. Hiram Page and Oliver Cowdery travel to Toronto but failed to sell the copyright, (the revelation sent them to the wrong place). [David Whitmer's 1887 Address to All Believers in Christ]
1st Vision1830Stephen Bradley writes, in a book, that he saw the Savior when he was 14. [Reason site]
Finances,

Press,

Bk of Morm

Mar1830Joseph Smith receives a revelation commanding Martin Harris (under threat of being smitten) to part with his money, settle his debt with the printer, and pay for the printing of The Book of Mormon. [Church History Vol I]
Bk of Morm,

Press

Mar1830Printing of The Book of Mormon completed. [John H. Gilbert recollections]
Bk of Morm,

Press,

Finances,

Doctrine,

Polygamy

25 Mar1830The Book of Mormon Published, 588 pages. 5,000 copies costing $3,000. Sale price $1.75. Joseph Smith listed as Author and Proprietor (as customary).Printed by E. B. Grandin (Publisher of Wayne Sentinel) and funded by Martin Harris who mortgaged 240 acres to Grandin for 18 months (the note was due Feb 5, 1831 and 151 acres of it later sold to Thomas Lakey). [Church History Vol I]

Describes three migrations from the Middle East, 2nd and 3rd around 600 BC to the Americas.

Describes events in the Americas within a 600 mile radius. [Saints Alive in Jesus site]

Outline matches Solomon Spalding's Fabius story. [Saints Alive in Jesus site]

Historical content is reportedly identical to Solomon Spalding's missing Manuscript Found story. [Book of Mormon Studies site]

Addresses every religious issue being debated in the New York area in the 1820s. [per Alexander Campbell]

Says that the converted Lamanites (Indians) will help conquer (exterminate) the unbelieving Gentiles.

Jacob 2:23 - prohibits polygamy.

Contains Greek names and terms and the French word “adieu.”

Contains the name "Jesus Christ" from the Greek "Iesous Christos"

Describes several crops and animals that were not introduced to the Americas until after the 1400s.

Has events similar to and/or phrases similar to those found in:The preface to the King James Bible'The Maccabees (from the Apocrypha - includes a place called “Nephi”),James Adair's History of the American Indians,Josephlus' Wars of the Jews,Ethan Smith's View of the Hebrews,Shakespeare's Macbeth and Hamlet.

Includes 21 chapters of Isaiah (as written in the King James version of the Bible). [Saints Alive in Jesus site]

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Part 4

Part 5

Part 6

Part 7

Part 8

Part 9

Part 10

Part 11

Part 12