Comments: #1
1. John labored in Tennessee.
2. John was prominent in early Church settlements.
3. John was appointed to fill a mission to Tennessee, at a conference held in Nauvoo, Illinois, October 7, 1841.
Comments: #2
1. John was a branch president.
2. John was a guard and clerk for Brigham Young.
Comments: #3
1. John was a member of the Nauvoo, Illinois Third Ward.
Comments: #4
1. John went on a mission to Kentucky on May 28, 1844.
Comments: #5
1. John's diary was unfinished at the time of his execution, 1877. Considered it duty to write history of his life. Acted as his religion and Church leaders ordered him to. Viewed "pure" gospel as taught by Joseph Smith as having been corrupted by Brigham Young.
John's parents were Catholics. Father disappeared, 1820. Death of mother. Lived with contentious relatives. Served in Black Hawk War, 1831. Worked in store at Galena. Moved to Fayette County, Illinois, 1834. Heard Mormon sermon, 1837. Read Book of Mormon. Went to Far West, June 1838. Settled at Marrowbone (later Ambrosia). Baptized. Military organization, "the Host of Israle," 1838. Danites organized at same conference. Fight at Gallatin. Other fights with gentiles.
To Fayette County, Illinois, February 1839. Mission with Levi Stewart, 1839. First preaching experience. Trading company with G.W. Hickerson, 1839-40. To Nauvoo, 1840. Dread of religions fanatics. Corporal in militia. Mission, 1841. Agent for Nauvoo Neighbor and collector for temple donations. Another mission to Tennessee, 1841-43. Trouble following baptims of woman without husband's permission. Joined Masons at Nauvoo. Librarian of the order. Nauvoo wharf master. Major in Legion. General clerk and recorder for seventies. Served on committee to build Seventies Hall. Mormon opposition to Joseph's attempts to introduce polygamy. Sealing doctrine introduced. Expositor. John C. Bennett cut off. Campaigned for Joseph Smith in Kentucky, 1844. Angel told him of death of Smiths and that Twelve should head Church.
Mission to build home for Joseph Young, 1844-45. Taught classes in use of broadsword. Murder of Hodges brothers linked to Brigham Young. Nauvoo police disposed of men dangerous to Church. Obligation to avenge blood of prophets. Law of adoption. Author's many plural marriages, 1845-46. Temple ordinances. Second anointing. Head clerk for temple. Second man adopted to Brigham Young. To Iowa, 1846. Mentions Council of Fifty, organized winter 1843-44. Trip to Missouri to buy cattle and provisions. Accused of misconduct but acquitted. Sent west to bring back pay of Mormon Battalion, 1846. Store at Winter Quarters. ("I am not blind to my own faults. I have been a proud, vain man, and in my younger days I thought I was perfection.") Remained in East to raise corn while pioneers crossed plains, 1847. At Summer Quarters. Fist fight with Brother Kennedy. Almost cut off from Church by enemies.
Confession. Dictated to attorney, William W. Bishop, c. 1876-77. Requested that Bishop publish it after his death.
Brief account of life up to 1857. Iron County Mission, 1851. Located several Utah settlements. Moved to Harmony, 1852. To Cedar City, 1853. Back to Harmony. President of civil affairs there briefly. Interview with George A. Smith as to safety of emigrant trains passing through southern Utah, 1857. Massacre. Ordered to keep matter complete secret. Dame appeared at Meadows and denied having ordered massacre.
Orders arrived from Salt Lake to let train pass safely. Brigham Young had Lee write placing blame on Indians. Enjoyed favor of Young for years after massacre. Sent to Arizona, 1870. Cut off from Church shortly thereafter. Eleven wives deserted him. Brief account of two trials, 1875, 1876. Accounts of killings of various Mormons and gentiles in 1850s. Recollection of how he first heard of polygamy at Nauvoo. Letter written to family just prior to execution.
Account of arrest, trials and execution.
Comments: #6
1. In 1850, John had a household of 14, a real wealth of $5500, and no personal wealth.
2. In 1860, John had a real wealth of $40,000 and a personal wealth of $15,000.
3. In 1870, John had a real wealth of $15,000 and a personal wealth of $300.