“The Times and Seasons of the Doctrine and Covenants,” Ensign, Jan. 1993, 38

Exploring the Doctrine and Covenants

The Times and Seasons of the Doctrine and Covenants

By Susan Easton Black,* Milton V. Backman, Jr.,* Richard O. Cowan,* and Larry C. Porter *

The following time line was developed to assist our gospel study this year. It shows the historical context for the sections and official declarations recorded in the Doctrine and Covenants. The entries are listed by year, reading chronologically across the page, and are color-coded to the geographic area where the events took place or the revelations were given.

1805

Sharon, Vermont

December 23: Birth of Joseph Smith, Jr.

1816

Palmyra/ Manchester, New York

Smith family settles in Palmyra

1820

Palmyra/ Manchester, New York

Spring: First Vision (JS—H 1:14–20)

1823

One revelation in Doctrine and Covenants

Palmyra/ Manchester, New York

September 21–22: Appearances of Moroni (JS—H 1:27–54; D&C 2)

1827

No revelations in Doctrine and Covenants

South Bainbridge, New York	January 18: Joseph Smith marries Emma Hale
Palmyra/ Manchester, New York	September 22: Joseph Smith obtains plates at Hill Cumorah
Harmony, Pennsylvania, area	December: Joseph and Emma move to Harmony, Pennsylvania

1828

Two revelations in Doctrine and Covenants

New York	February: Martin Harris takes transcript to professors Anthon and Mitchell
Palmyra/ Manchester, New York	April 12–June 14: Joseph Smith translates Book of Lehi
Harmony, Pennsylvania, area	Summer: Joseph’s translation of 116 pages lost (D&C 3, 10)

1829

Fourteen revelations in Doctrine and Covenants

Harmony, Pennsylvania, area	February: Joseph Smith, Sr., called to labor (D&C 4)
	March: Martin Harris to see plates if humble (D&C 5)
	April: Joseph Smith resumes translation, with Oliver Cowdery as scribe (D&C 6)
	April: Revelation regarding promise to John the Apostle that he “may live and bring souls unto” God (D&C 7)
	April: Oliver Cowdery attempts to translate (D&C 8–9)
	May: Hyrum Smith and Joseph Knight, Sr., called to labor (D&C 11–12)
	May 15: Aaronic Priesthood restored by John the Baptist (D&C 13; JS—H 1:66–75)
	May–June: Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery receive the Melchizedek Priesthood from Peter, James, and John
Fayette, New York	June: Book of Mormon translation completed
	June: David, John, and Peter Whitmer, Jr., called to labor (D&C 14–16)
	June: Three witnesses shown plates (D&C 17)
Palmyra/ Manchester, New York	June: Eight witnesses shown plates
Fayette, New York	June: Revelation on the worth of souls (D&C 18)
Palmyra/ Manchester, New York	August: Egbert B. Grandin begins printing Book of Mormon

1830

Nineteen revelations in Doctrine and Covenants

Palmyra/ Manchester, New York	March: Martin Harris to pay debt; revelation on atonement of Christ (D&C 19)
	March 26: Book of Mormon published
Fayette, New York	April 6: Church organized (D&C 20–21)
	April: Baptism, a new and everlasting covenant (D&C 22)
Palmyra/ Manchester, New York	April: Duties of five brethren specified (D&C 23)
Harmony, Pennsylvania, area	June: Vision of Moses (Moses 1)
Fayette, New York	June 9: First Church conference
Harmony, Pennsylvania, area	July: Joseph Smith promised strength to magnify his office (D&C 24)
	July: Emma Smith, an elect lady (D&C 25)
	July: Common consent (D&C 26)
	August: Sacramental emblems (D&C 27)
Fayette, New York	September: Only the prophet receives revelations for Church (D&C 28)
	September: Great doctrinal truths are revealed (D&C 29)
	September: David, John, and Peter Whitmer, Jr., are to heed the Prophet (D&C 30)
	September: Counsel to Thomas B. Marsh (D&C 31)
	October: Missionaries sent to Lamanites (D&C 32)
	October: Laborers called in the eleventh hour (D&C 33)
	November 4: Orson Pratt called to preach (D&C 34)
	December: Sidney Rigdon called as a scribe for Bible translation (D&C 35)
	December: Edward Partridge to accept gospel (D&C 36)
	December: Saints to gather to Ohio (D&C 37)

1831

Thirty-seven revelations in Doctrine and Covenants

Fayette, New York	January 2: Instructions for move to Ohio (D&C 38)
	January 5: James Covill fails to heed call from the Lord (D&C 39–40)
Kirtland, Ohio	February 1: Joseph Smith arrives in Kirtland, Ohio
	February 4: Edward Partridge called as first bishop of Church (D&C 41)
	February 9: Law of Church is given, including moral conduct and consecration (D&C 42)
	February: Further instructions to the Saints—to assemble and instruct each other, to organize according to the laws of the land, and to care for the poor (D&C 43–44)
	March 7: Revelation regarding the Savior’s second coming (D&C 45)
	March 8: Gifts of the Spirit (D&C 46)
	March 8: Importance of record keeping; John Whitmer to serve as historian (D&C 47)
	March: Ohio members instructed to prepare for gathering Saints (D&C 48)
	March: Mission to the Shakers (D&C 49)
	May: Discerning of true and false spirits (D&C 50)
Thompson, Ohio	May: Further instructions and stewardship assignments (D&C 51)
Kirtland, Ohio	June 3: First high priests ordained
	June 7: Missionaries called to Missouri (D&C 52)
	June: Sidney Gilbert to serve as bishop’s agent (D&C 53)
	June: Newel Knight and Colesville branch directed to Missouri (D&C 54)
	June: William W. Phelps called to preach and write (D&C 55)
	June: The Lord may revoke as well as command (D&C 56)
Jackson County, Missouri	July 14: Joseph Smith arrives in Independence, Missouri
	July 20: Independence is the center place of Zion (D&C 57)
	August 1: The land and people of Zion (D&C 58)
	August 2–3: Land of Zion and temple site dedicated
	August 7: The Sabbath day (D&C 59)
	August 8: Brethren to return to Ohio (D&C 60)
Near Bank of Missouri River	August 12, McIlwaine’s Bend: Many destructions are decreed for the waters (D&C 61)
	August 13: Testimonies are recorded in heaven (D&C 62)
Kirtland, Ohio	August: Further instructions for Zion and her people (D&C 63)
Hiram, Ohio	September: Joseph Smith moves to Hiram, Ohio
Kirtland, Ohio	September 11: Forgiveness and tithing (D&C 64)
Hiram, Ohio	October: Kingdom of God to roll forth (D&C 65)
Orange, Ohio	October 25: Instructions to William E. McLellin (D&C 66)
Hiram, Ohio	November 1: The revelations may now be published (D&C 1, 67–68)
	November 3: Saints commanded to prepare for the Second Coming (D&C 133)
Kirtland, Ohio	November: Instructions on publishing the revelations (D&C 69–70)
Hiram, Ohio	December 1: Joseph Smith and Sidney Rigdon are to preach the gospel (D&C 71)
Kirtland, Ohio	December 4: Newel K. Whitney called as second bishop (D&C 72)

1832

Seventeen revelations in Doctrine and Covenants

Hiram, Ohio	January 10: Joseph Smith to resume translation of Bible (D&C 73)
	January: Paul’s teachings on marriage clarified (D&C 74)
Amherst, Ohio	January 25: Joseph Smith sustained as President of the High Priesthood; duties of missionaries (D&C 75)
Hiram, Ohio	February 16: Visions of glory (D&C 76)
	March: Questions and answers on the Book of Revelation (D&C 77)
	March: United Order (D&C 78)
	March: Three brethren called to labor (D&C 79–80)
	March: A counselor for Joseph Smith (D&C 81)
	March 24: Joseph Smith tarred and feathered
Jackson County, Missouri	April 26: Instructions to improve harmony among the Saints (D&C 82)
	April 30: Providing for women and children (D&C 83)
	June: First issue of The Evening and the Morning Star in Independence
Hiram, Ohio	August: John Murdock called to labor (D&C 99; see also section headnote)
Kirtland, Ohio	September 22–23: Oath and Covenant of the Priesthood (D&C 84)
	November 27: Bishop to give inheritances in Zion (D&C 85)
	December 6: Wheat and tares (D&C 86)
	December 25: Prophecy on war (D&C 87)
	December 27: The Olive Leaf: The Lord’s House and School of the Prophets (D&C 88)

1833

Twelve revelations in Doctrine and Covenants

Kirtland, Ohio	January: School of the Prophets begins
	February 27: The Word of Wisdom (D&C 89)
	March 8: First Presidency to hold keys (D&C 90)
	March 9: On the Apocrypha (D&C 91)
	March 15: Frederick G. Williams and the United Order (D&C 92)
	May 6: Obtaining a fulness of God’s glory (D&C 93)
	May 6: Two more Church buildings in Kirtland (D&C 94)
	June 1, 4: Instructions on building the Kirtland Temple (D&C 95–96)
Jackson County, Missouri	July 20: Mob destroys Saints’ press at Independence, demands Saints leave Jackson County
Kirtland, Ohio	August 2: Saints in Zion to be pure in heart (D&C 97)
	August 6: Laws of the land (D&C 98); D&C 99: See August 1832
Ontario Province	October 5: Joseph Smith begins a mission to Upper Canada
Perrysburg, New York	October 12: Joseph Smith to be revelator, Sidney Rigdon to be spokesman (D&C 100)
Jackson Country, Missouri	November 7: Saints flee across Missouri River to Clay County
Kirtland, Ohio	December 16: Instructions to the exiled Saints (D&C 101)
	December 18: Joseph Smith, Sr., ordained as first Church Patriarch

1834

Five revelations in Doctrine and Covenants

Kirtland, Ohio	February 17: First stake organized, high council responsibilities (D&C 102)
	February 24: Call of Zion’s Camp (D&C 103)
	April 23: Guidelines for United Order (D&C 104)
	May 5: Joseph Smith leaves Kirtland for Missouri as leader of Zion’s Camp
Fishing River, Missouri	June 22: Redemption of Zion deferred (D&C 105)
	June 30–July 3: Zion’s Camp discharged
Kirtland, Ohio	October: The Latter Day Saints’ Messenger and Advocate begins publication in Kirtland
	October 16: Joseph Smith leaves Kirtland to visit Saints in Michigan
	November 25: Warren A. Cowdery to serve as local presiding officer (D&C 106)
	December 5: Oliver Cowdery ordained Assistant President of the High Priesthood

1835

Three revelations in Doctrine and Covenants

Kirtland, Ohio	February 14: Quorum of the Twelve organized
	February 28: Quorum of the Seventy called
	March 28: Revelation on priesthood and Church government (D&C 107)
	July: Egyptian mummies and papyrus scrolls purchased from Michael Chandler
	August 17: Doctrine and Covenants adopted as standard work of Church; declaration on governments and laws (D&C 134)
	Fall and winter: Joseph Smith works on translation of the book of Abraham
	December 26: Lyman Sherman assured of his spiritual standing (D&C 108)

1836

Four revelations in Doctrine and Covenants

Kirtland, Ohio	January: First meetings in nearly completed Kirtland Temple
	January 21: Vision of celestial kingdom (D&C 137; see also April 3, 1976)
	March 27: Kirtland Temple dedicated (D&C 109)
	April 3: Heavenly beings restore keys (D&C 110)
Salem, Massachusetts	August 6: Mission of Joseph Smith and leading brethren to Salem, Massachusetts (D&C 111)

1837

One revelation in Doctrine and Covenants

British Isles	July 19: Heber C. Kimball and others arrive in British Isles to open first overseas mission
Kirtland, Ohio	July 23: Instructions for Quorum President Thomas B. Marsh (D&C 112)

1838

Eight revelations in Doctrine and Covenants

	January–July: Exodus of Saints from Kirtland to northern Missouri
Far West, Missouri	March: Insights into the writings of Isaiah (D&C 113)
	March 14: Joseph Smith arrives in Far West, Caldwell County
	April 17: David W. Patten called on mission (D&C 114)
	April 26: Name of the Church given by revelation (D&C 115)
	May 19: Spring Hill, Daviess County, Missouri, revealed as location of Adam-ondi-Ahman (D&C 116)
Far West, Missouri	July 4: Temple cornerstones laid at Far West
	July 8: Duties assigned to William Marks, Newel K. Whitney, and Oliver Granger (D&C 117)
	July 8: The Twelve to serve overseas mission, vacancies filled (D&C 118)
	July 8: Law of tithing (D&C 119–120)
Missouri	August 6: Election day conflict at Gallatin
	October 25: David W. Patten killed at Battle of Crooked River
	October 27: Missouri governor issues Extermination Order
	October 30: Haun’s Mill massacre
Far West, Missouri	November 1: Far West falls, Prophet is imprisoned
Missouri	December 1: Prophet and others are moved to Liberty Jail

1839

Three revelations in Doctrine and Covenants

Quincy, Illinois	January 20: Saints gather at Quincy, Illinois
Liberty, Missouri	March 20: Comfort and counsel from Liberty Jail (D&C 121–123)
Far West, Missouri	April 26: Apostles leave for mission to British Isles from Far West Temple site
Nauvoo, Illinois	May 9–10: Joseph Smith moves to Commerce/Nauvoo, Illinois
Washington, D.C.	October 29: Joseph Smith goes to Washington, D. C., seeking redress
Nauvoo, Illinois	November: First issue of Times and Seasons published in Nauvoo

1840

No revelations in Doctrine and Covenants

England	May: First issue of Latter-day Saints’ Millennial Star published in England
Nauvoo, Illinois	August 15: Joseph Smith teaches baptism for the dead

1841

Three revelations in Doctrine and Covenants

Nauvoo, Illinois	January 19: Directions on Nauvoo Temple and Nauvoo House (D&C 124)
	March: Advice to Saints in territory of Iowa (D&C 125)
	July 9: Brigham Young commended for his labors (D&C 126)
Palestine	October 24: Orson Hyde dedicates Palestine for return of Abraham’s seed
Nauvoo, Illinois	November 8: Baptismal font in Nauvoo Temple dedicated

1842

Two revelations in Doctrine and Covenants

Nauvoo, Illinois	March 1: Publication of book of Abraham commenced in Times and Seasons
	March 1: Wentworth letter published in Times and Seasons
	March 17: Relief Society organized
	May 4: First endowment ordinances administered
	August 6: Joseph Smith prophesies Saints to be driven to Rocky Mountains
Nauvoo, Illinois	September 1, 6: Directions on baptisms for the dead (D&C 127–128)

1843

Four revelations in Doctrine and Covenants

Nauvoo, Illinois	February 9: Instructions for identifying ministering angels and spirits (D&C 129)
Ramus, Illinois	April 2: Instructions on some doctrinal principles (D&C 130)
	May 16–17: Celestial kingdom and other doctrinal concepts (D&C 131)
Nauvoo, Illinois	July 12: Celestial marriage (D&C 132) D&C 133: See November 3, 1831 D&C 134: See August 17, 1835

1844

One revelation in Doctrine and Covenants

Nauvoo, Illinois	January 29: Joseph Smith nominated as a United States presidential candidate
	March 11: Council of Fifty organized
	April 7: Joseph Smith delivers King Follett discourse
Carthage, Illinois	June 27: Martyrdom of Joseph and Hyrum Smith (D&C 135)
Nauvoo, Illinois	August 8: Transfiguration of Brigham Young, Apostles sustained to lead Church

1845

Nauvoo, Illinois

April 6: Proclamation of the Quorum of the Twelve to all nations

1846

	February 4: Saints begin exodus to the West
Nauvoo, Illinois	May 1: Nauvoo Temple dedicated
Iowa	July 16: Mormon Battalion mustered into public service
Nauvoo, Illinois	September 10–17: Battle of Nauvoo

1847

Winter Quarters, Nebraska	January 14: Instructions for the pioneers’ journey west (D&C 136)
Salt Lake Area	July 21–24: Pioneer company enters Salt Lake Valley
Salt Lake City	July 28: Brigham Young selects Salt Lake Temple site
Kanesville, Iowa	December 5: Brigham Young sustained as President of the Church

1849–1992

Salt Lake City	December 9, 1849: Sunday School organized
	June 15, 1850: Deseret News begins publication in Salt Lake City
Liverpool, England	July 11, 1851: Pearl of Great Price published
Salt Lake City	May 5, 1855: Endowment House on temple block dedicated
	January 1, 1866: Juvenile Instructor published
	October 6, 1867: Salt Lake Tabernacle opens
Promontory Summit, Utah	May 10, 1869: Transcontinental railroad completed
Salt Lake City	November 29, 1869: Young Ladies’ Retrenchment Association, forerunner of Young Women, organized
	June 10, 1875: Young Men’s Mutual Improvement Association, forerunner of Young Men program, organized
Provo, Utah	October 16, 1875: Brigham Young Academy (later Brigham Young University) organized
St. George, Utah	April 6, 1877: St. George Temple dedicated
Farmington, Utah	August 25, 1878: Primary organized
Salt Lake City	October 10, 1880: John Taylor sustained President of Church; Pearl of Great Price accepted as standard work
	April 7, 1889: Wilford Woodruff sustained President of Church
	September 24, 1890: Wilford Woodruff issues Manifesto (D&C OD 1)
	April 6, 1893: Salt Lake Temple dedicated
	November 13, 1894: Genealogical Society of Utah, forerunner of Family History Department, is organized
	December 6, 1896: Fast day changed from first Thursday of the month to first Sunday
	November 1897: Improvement Era published
	September 13, 1898: Lorenzo Snow becomes President of Church
St. George, Utah	May 17, 1899: Lorenzo Snow receives revelation reemphasizing tithing
Salt Lake City	October 17, 1901: Joseph F. Smith becomes President of Church
	January 1902: Children’s Friend published
	1911: Church adopts Boy Scout program
	Fall 1912, Granite High School, Salt Lake City: First seminary opens
	January 1915: Relief Society Magazine published
	October 3, 1918: Joseph F. Smith receives Vision of the Redemption of the Dead (D&C 138)
	November 23, 1918: Heber J. Grant becomes President of Church
Moscow, Idaho	Fall 1926: First institute of religion opens
Salt Lake City	July 15, 1929: Tabernacle Choir weekly radio broadcasts begin
	April 4, 1931: Publication of Church News section of Deseret News begins
	April 7, 1936: Church security or welfare program instituted
	April 6, 1941: Calling of first Assistants to the Council of the Twelve
	May 21, 1945: George Albert Smith becomes President of Church
	1947: Church membership reaches one million
Salt Lake City	April 9, 1951: David O. McKay sustained President of Church
	January 1965: Family Home Evening manuals published
	September 29, 1967: Calling of first regional representatives
	January 23, 1970: Joseph Fielding Smith becomes President of Church
	January 1971: New Church magazines—Ensign, New Era, and Friend—published
	July 7, 1972: Harold B. Lee becomes President of Church
	December 30, 1973: Spencer W. Kimball becomes President of Church
	April 3, 1976: Two revelations added to Pearl of Great Price, later becoming D&C 137–138 (See also entry for January 21, 1836)
	October 3, 1976: First Quorum of Seventy organized
	June 8, 1978: Priesthood extended to all worthy male members of Church (D&C OD 2)
	September 16, 1978: First annual women’s meeting held
Nauvoo, Illinois	February 18, 1979: One thousandth stake in Church organized in Nauvoo
	August 1979: LDS edition of King James Bible with study helps published
	March 1980: Sunday meetings consolidated
	September 26, 1981: Publication of new editions of Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants, and Pearl of Great Price
	June 1984: Area presidencies appointed
Salt Lake City	November 10, 1985: Ezra Taft Benson becomes President of Church
	October 4, 1986: Seventies quorums discontinued in stakes
Salt Lake City	April 1, 1989: Second Quorum of Seventy organized
Jerusalem	May 16, 1989: BYU Jerusalem Center dedicated
	June 24, 1991: Russian Republic grants official recognition to Church
	1992: Wards and branches: 19,960, in 143 countries or territories Stakes: 1,904 Full-time missionaries: 45,000 Estimated Church membership: 8.4 million

Sunset Light, Wind River Range of the Rocky Mountains, 1861, by Albert Bierstadt, courtesy of the Trustees of the Free Public Library, New Bedford, Massachusetts

Woodcuts by Warren Luch

Nauvoo, Illinois, by John Schroder

View of Salt Lake City, 1985, by Al Rounds