Ecclesiastical Duties

October 2, 1841

During a general conference of the Church, Joseph Smith laid the southeast cornerstone of the Nauvoo House (a hotel) and placed the original manuscript of the Book of Mormon and other important documents inside a square-cut chest hewn in the center of the cornerstone and covered with a stone lid.

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November 7, 1841

Joseph Smith spoke to the Saints about the danger of accusing and pointing out the sins of others.

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November 8, 1841

Joseph Smith attended the dedication of the baptismal font built in the cellar of the Nauvoo Temple.

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November 21, 1841

The first baptisms for the dead in the Nauvoo Temple were performed in the temple font in compliance with Joseph Smith's instructions regarding the ordinance.

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December 13, 1841

Joseph Smith appointed Willard Richards as the recorder for the Nauvoo Temple and as his personal scribe. This date marks the first journal entry in Joseph's journal that would continue virtually unbroken until the week of his death.

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December 19, 1841

Joseph Smith spoke about the parable of the vine and its branches at a meeting with the Twelve Apostles in his home.

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December 24, 1841

In the evening, Joseph Smith consulted "with President Brigham Young and Bishop Newel Whitney about establishing an agency in England for the cheap and expeditious conveyance of the Saints to Nauvoo."

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December 26, 1841

At a public meeting of the Saints in his home, Joseph Smith explained that the gift of tongues is the ability to hear and preach the gospel in a different language.