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History of the Church of Christ FINAL HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF CHRIST First Edition - September 2012 Board of Publications Church of Christ (Temple Lot) Independence, Missouri TABLE OF CONTENTS VOLUME ONE An Outline History of the Church of Christ 1830 - 1950 Page 1 VOLUME TWO History of the Church of Christ 1950 - 2008 Page 176 INDEX Page 512 NOTE: Volumes One and Two each have a table of contents and preface. REFERENCES: Throughout this publication, references to “The History of the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints” are made simply as “Reorganized Church History.” Similarly, references to “History of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints” are made simply as “Utah Church History.” History of the Church of Christ 1 VOLUME ONE of the History of the Church of Christ, being AN OUTLINE HISTORY of the CHURCH OF CHRIST (Temple Lot) by Apostle B. C. Flint General Church Historian Original Publication in 1953 * * * Revised and Prepared for Publication by the Board of Publications Church of Christ (Temple Lot) Independence, Missouri In this latest edition of “An Outline History of the Church of Christ,” published here as Volume One of this edition of the “History of the Church of Christ,” some spelling errors were found and corrected as well as some errors in content such as dates, etc. With the exception of spelling corrections, all such content errors are corrected and footnotes are provided explaining the correction. Board of Publications, February 2012 2 History of the Church of Christ VOLUME ONE CONTENTS Illustrations Frontispiece: Picture of previous building and grounds ............................ 8 Temple “Spot” Marker Stone................................................................... 53 Title Pages “Doctrine and Covenants” & “Book of Commandments”.... 73 Plot of Temple Lot Deeds...................................................................... 127 First Church Building on Temple Ground............................................. 132 Introduction Page 9 Chapter 1 Early Beginnings Primitive Church fashioned by Christ himself – Gifts and blessings followed in that day and time – An apostasy foretold – A complete Restoration foretold – An angel to fly in the midst of heaven – the great Reformers made no claim to a Restoration – Place of Restoration pointed out prophetically by prophets of old – Beginning of Restoration – Religious excitement near Manchester, N. Y. – Joseph Smith, Jr. has first vision – Persecution follows. P.12 Chapter 2 Joseph Smith’s Second Vision and What Came of It Thirty-six religions in all the world in 1824 – Joseph Smith, Jr. continues narrative – Smucker’s evaluation of the Prophet – Josiah Quincy writes concerning the Prophet – Joseph’s second vision – Visits Hill Cumorah – Views plates – Works for Josiah Stoal – Marries Emma Hale. P.18 Chapter 3 The Book of Mormon Finding of plates creates excitement – Followed by intolerance and merciless persecution – Book of Mormon stands every test – Prophet tells of obtaining plates – Efforts made to destroy them – Prophet befriended by Martin Harris – Characters transcribed and translated – Professor Charles Anthon certifies to correct translation – Joseph begins translation of Book – One hundred sixteen pages of manuscript lost – Plates and Urim and Thummim taken from Joseph for a time – Are returned to him – Oliver History of the Church of Christ 3 Cowdery meets Joseph for the first time – Tells of writing for the Prophet – Translation finished – In hands of printer – Copyright obtained – Book of Mormon offered for sale, March, 1830 – Spaulding story. P.25 Chapter 4 The Book of Mormon: “The Stick of Joseph” Stick of Joseph – Joseph’s Land – Descendants of Manasseh migrate to America – Prior colony from tower of Babel inhabits America – Book of Mormon a “Book of books” – A record of early inhabitants of America – Mission of book vindicated – Testimony of three witnesses – Testimony of eight witnesses – Henry Wallace makes statement relative to importance of Book of Mormon – Archeology supports claims of Book of Mormon – Indian traditions – Christ among the ancient Americans. P.31 Chapter 5 The Church of Christ is Organized, or Restored The Prophet rebuked – Joseph Smith, Jr. and Oliver Cowdery receive priesthood at hands of an angel – Are baptized and ordained – Lucy Smith writes of those events – Oliver Cowdery writes of the experience – Samuel H. Smith baptized – Higher priesthood is given – Church of Christ organized – Name, “Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints,” unknown until eight years after organization. P.37 Chapter 6 The Church Grows First sermon preached – Missionary work begun – Numbers added to the Church – False manifestations detected – Mission to the Indians – Church in Kirtland grows – John Whitmer, Church Historian – Headquarters at Kirtland – Edward Partridge first Bishop of Church – Mission to Indians renewed – Place for Zion indicated – Church directed to go to Missouri – Early elders reach Independence. P.44 Chapter 7 The Idea of Zion: the Temple Zion, a New Jerusalem – A sanctuary, or temple – Conference to be held in Missouri – Missouri consecrated for the gathering – W. W. Phelps establishes printing office – First log house in Kaw Township – “Spot” for Temple dedicated – Land purchased by Edward Partridge – Place of New Jerusalem pointed out by revelation – Stone marker on display. P.48 Chapter 8 Publication Begins Provision made for printing of revelations – The Evening and Morning Star published – Translation of the Scriptures begun – Persecution in East increase – Spreads to Missouri – Printing office destroyed – “Book of 4 History of the Church of Christ Commandments” published – Sacredness of the revelations acknowledged – Typographical errors – “Book of Commandments” completed – Copy in Library of Congress – Box of Books sent to Cleveland, Ohio – Some early Church publications named. P. 53 Chapter 9 Persecution Increases Persecution of saints in Missouri – Cause of persecution – Western Monitor – attacks saints – J. W. Buel defends saints - Driven from their homes and property destroyed, 1833 – Appeal to governor of state futile – Lyman Wight describes cruelty of mob – Newel Knight writes of cruelty – Saints flee to Clay County – Militia organized upon advice of authorities – Joseph Smith and others arrested, court-martialed, ordered executed – Brigadier-General Doniphan refuses to carry out order – Haun’s Mill Massacre – Joseph and others paraded through streets of Independence by mob – in jail at Liberty and Richmond – Liberated after six months. P.62 Chapter 10 The Human Side Warnings by revelation – Changes made in the revelations – Name of the Church changed – change in order of priesthood – Not supported by Bible and Book of Mormon – Utah historian admits change in revelations – Apostles chosen to the quorum of twelve – Extravagant promises made to them – Change in priesthood opened way for factional division at the death of the Prophet. P.71 Chapter 11 The Church Expands Extraordinary missionary activity in the United States, Europe, and Canada – Missionaries to England – Millennial Star published in England – Number in First Presidency raised to seven – Those opposing these changes were denounced as heretics – Temple built at Kirtland – First Seventies ordained, 1835 – Minds darkened because of unbelief. P.78 Chapter 12 An Asylum in Illinois Saints fleeing from Missouri find asylum in Illinois – Began settlement at Commerce – Name of Commerce changed to Nauvoo, and made headquarters of Church – Missionaries appointed to go to Palestine – Joseph and others go to Washington, D. C. – Grievance laid before President and Congress – President and Congress refuse redress. P.81 Chapter 13 Nauvoo Nauvoo becomes largest city in state of Illinois – Obtains city charter – History of the Church of Christ 5 Nauvoo Legion organized – Nauvoo House planned and started – death of Edward Partridge – Church conference in England report 5,850 members – Masonry intrudes upon the Church at Nauvoo – Orson Hyde in Palestine – Prays upon Mount of Olives – Rains return to Palestine – Temple began at Nauvoo – Baptism for the dead practiced – Other strange doctrines taught – Secret organizations bring reproach to Church – Nauvoo Temple never finished. P.84 Chapter 14 The Martyrdom and what Followed Masonry gains strong foothold at Nauvoo – Presaged so-called endowment ceremonies with secret grips and passwords – Insurgent forces in Church turned against the Prophet – Nauvoo Expositor suppressed – Mobocracy rampant – Joseph Smith and others imprisoned at Carthage – Joseph and Hyrum assassinated by howling mob – Panic among citizens of Carthage and vicinity – Bodies of martyrs removed to Nauvoo – Lyman Wight’s appraisement of the Prophet – Saints driven from Nauvoo – Nauvoo Temple burned. P.93 Chapter 15 Factionalism Arises Various claimants clamor for recognition – No cessation in persecution – Nauvoo charter revoked – Evacuation of Nauvoo by saints – Brigham young leads large body to Utah – Rebaptism and re-ordination practiced – Brigham young introduces polygamy in 1852 – Other obnoxious doctrines introduced – J. J. Strang establishes headquarters on Beaver Island, Lake Michigan – Shot by own followers. P.98 Chapter 16 The New Organization Promulgates the doctrine of lineal priesthood – Forms organization at Zarahemla (Blanchardville), Wisconsin – Publishes True Latter Day Saints’ Herald, 1860 – Articles of Association adopted, 1872 – Joseph Smith, son of Prophet becomes President, 1860 – New Organization becomes Reorganized Church
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