Restoration Timeline
The key events of the Restoration and early Church history -- from the First Vision to the organization of the Church, the gatherings to Ohio, Missouri, and Nauvoo, the pioneer trek west, and major milestones beyond.
Restoration (1805–1830)
- Dec 23, 1805
Joseph Smith is born
Joseph Smith Jr. is born in Sharon, Vermont, to Joseph Smith Sr. and Lucy Mack Smith.
Sharon, Vermont - Spring 1820
The First Vision
God the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ, appear to Joseph Smith in a grove near his home.
Manchester, New York - Sep 21–22, 1823
The angel Moroni appears
Moroni first appears to Joseph Smith and tells him of the gold plates.
Manchester, New York - Sep 22, 1827
Joseph receives the plates
After four years of yearly visits, Joseph Smith receives the gold plates from Moroni.
Manchester, New York - May 15, 1829
Aaronic Priesthood restored
John the Baptist confers the Aaronic Priesthood on Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery.
Harmony, PennsylvaniaRead D&C 13 → - May–June 1829
Melchizedek Priesthood restored
Peter, James, and John confer the Melchizedek Priesthood and the keys of the apostleship.
Harmony, Pennsylvania - 1829
Book of Mormon translation completed
Joseph Smith finishes translating the Book of Mormon, largely at the Whitmer home.
Fayette, New York - Mar 26, 1830
Book of Mormon published
The first printed copies of the Book of Mormon become available in Palmyra.
Palmyra, New York - Apr 6, 1830
The Church is organized
The Church of Jesus Christ is formally organized with six members.
Fayette, New YorkRead D&C 20 →
Ohio & Missouri (1831–1838)
- 1831
Saints gather to Kirtland
Kirtland, Ohio, becomes a gathering place and an early headquarters of the Church.
Kirtland, Ohio - Jul–Aug 1831
Independence designated for Zion
The Lord designates Independence, Missouri, as the center place of the city of Zion.
Independence, MissouriRead D&C 57 → - Nov 1833
Saints expelled from Jackson County
Mob violence drives the Saints from Jackson County, Missouri.
Jackson County, Missouri - 1834
Zion's Camp
Joseph Smith leads an expedition (Zion's Camp) from Ohio to aid the Saints in Missouri.
Ohio to Missouri - Feb 1835
Quorum of the Twelve organized
The Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and the First Quorum of the Seventy are organized.
Kirtland, Ohio - 1835
Doctrine and Covenants published
The first edition of the Doctrine and Covenants is published.
Kirtland, Ohio - Mar 27, 1836
Kirtland Temple dedicated
The first temple of this dispensation is dedicated; the dedicatory prayer is given by revelation.
Kirtland, OhioRead D&C 109 → - Apr 3, 1836
Priesthood keys restored
Moses, Elias, and Elijah appear in the Kirtland Temple and commit priesthood keys to Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery.
Kirtland, OhioRead D&C 110 → - 1838
Church moves to Far West
Joseph Smith and other leaders relocate to Far West, Missouri.
Far West, Missouri - Oct 27, 1838
Extermination Order issued
Missouri Governor Lilburn Boggs issues an order that the Saints be expelled or destroyed.
Missouri - Winter 1838–39
Joseph Smith imprisoned in Liberty Jail
Joseph Smith is held for months in Liberty Jail, where he receives comforting revelations.
Liberty, MissouriRead D&C 121 →
Nauvoo (1839–1846)
- 1839
Saints expelled from Missouri; Nauvoo founded
Driven from Missouri, the Saints gather in Illinois and begin building Nauvoo.
Nauvoo, Illinois - 1840
Baptism for the dead taught
Joseph Smith begins teaching the doctrine of baptism for the dead.
Nauvoo, IllinoisRead D&C 128 → - Mar 17, 1842
Relief Society organized
The Relief Society is organized in Nauvoo as the women's organization of the Church.
Nauvoo, Illinois - May 4, 1842
Endowment introduced
Joseph Smith administers the temple endowment ordinance for the first time in this dispensation.
Nauvoo, Illinois - Jul 12, 1843
Revelation on eternal marriage recorded
The revelation on the new and everlasting covenant of marriage is recorded.
Nauvoo, IllinoisRead D&C 132 → - Jun 27, 1844
Martyrdom of Joseph and Hyrum Smith
Joseph and Hyrum Smith are killed by a mob at Carthage Jail.
Carthage, IllinoisRead D&C 135 → - Aug 8, 1844
The Twelve sustained to lead
The Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, led by Brigham Young, is sustained to lead the Church.
Nauvoo, Illinois
Westward & Beyond (1846–)
- Feb 1846
Exodus from Nauvoo begins
The Saints begin leaving Nauvoo to journey west, eventually wintering at Winter Quarters.
Nauvoo, Illinois - 1846
Nauvoo Temple dedicated
The Nauvoo Temple is dedicated even as the Saints prepare to abandon the city.
Nauvoo, Illinois - Jul 24, 1847
Pioneers enter the Salt Lake Valley
Brigham Young leads the first pioneer company into the Salt Lake Valley.
Salt Lake Valley, UtahRead D&C 136 → - Dec 27, 1847
Brigham Young sustained as President
Brigham Young is sustained as President of the Church.
Winter Quarters, Nebraska - Oct 6, 1890
The Manifesto (Official Declaration 1)
President Wilford Woodruff issues the Manifesto ending the practice of plural marriage.
Salt Lake City, Utah - Apr 6, 1893
Salt Lake Temple dedicated
The Salt Lake Temple is dedicated after forty years of construction.
Salt Lake City, Utah - Oct 3, 1918
Vision of the Redemption of the Dead
President Joseph F. Smith receives the vision now recorded as Doctrine and Covenants 138.
Salt Lake City, UtahRead D&C 138 → - Jun 1978
Priesthood revelation (Official Declaration 2)
President Spencer W. Kimball receives the revelation extending the priesthood to all worthy male members.
Salt Lake City, Utah