Isaac Morley
| Isaac Morley | |
|---|---|
 | |
| First Counselor to the Bishop of the Church | |
| June 3, 1831[1] – May 27, 1840 | |
| Called by | Edward Partridge |
| End reason | Honorably released at death of Edward Partridge |
| Leader of Sanpete Mormon Colony | |
| In office | |
| 1849 – 1854 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | March 11, 1786 Montague, Massachusetts, United States |
| Died | June 24, 1865 (aged 79) Fairview, Utah Territory, United States |
| Resting place | Manti Cemetery 39°16′35″N 111°37′58″W / 39.2764°N 111.6328°W |
| Spouse(s) | Lucy Gunn Leonora Snow Hannah Blakesley Hannah Knight Libby Harriet Lucinda Cox Hannah Sibley Nancy Anne Bache |
Isaac Morley (March 11, 1786 – June 24, 1865) was an early member of the Latter Day Saint movement and a contemporary of both Joseph Smith and Brigham Young. He was one of the first converts to Smith's Church of Christ. Morley was present at many of the early events of the Latter Day Saint movement, and served as a church leader in Ohio, Missouri, and Utah Territory.
Morley was born on March 11, 1786, in Montague, Massachusetts[2] to Thomas E. Morley and Editha Morley (née Marsh). His parents were members of the Presbyterian faith. Morley served in the War of 1812 from 1812–15, holding the position of captain in the Ohio militia.[3]
In 1812, Morley married Lucy Gunn,
Campbellite commune
Morley was an early settler in the
Latter Day Saint movement
On November 5, 1830, Morley was baptized into the newly organized Church of Christ by Parley P. Pratt.[3] He had been introduced to the teachings of Smith when Oliver Cowdery and several other missionaries passed through Ohio. He was ordained an elder shortly after his baptism.
When the Latter Day Saints began to settle in Kirtland, Morley opened up his home to them.[3] Joseph Smith and his family lived with Isaac Morley when they first came to Kirtland. Morley later built a small house for them on his farm, where Joseph's and Emma's twins, Thaddeus and Louisa, were born and died only three hours later on April 30, 1831. Isaac's daughter, Lucy, and her elder sister kept house for Emma while she was ill.
Morley was ordained a High Priest on June 4, 1831, by Lyman Wight[3] and was immediately selected for a leadership position. He was ordained on June 6 as First Counselor to Bishop Edward Partridge and served until Partridge's death in 1840.
On June 7, 1831, Morley was asked to sell his farm and act as a missionary while traveling to
Morley left Missouri and returned to Kirtland in early 1835. He was in attendance at the dedication of the Kirtland Temple in March 1836 and was among the first to receive the washing and anointing ordinance, also known as the "initiatory".
In 1835, Morley served a mission with Partridge to the Eastern States.[3] They returned to Kirtland on November 5, 1835. On November 7, Joseph Smith wrote:
The word of the Lord came to me, saying: "Behold I am well pleased with my servant Isaac Morley and my servant Edward Partridge, because of the integrity of their hearts in laboring in my vineyard, for the salvation of the souls of men."[4]
Morley returned to Missouri with his family in early 1836, and helped establish the city of
Upon leaving Missouri with the expelled Saints, Morley settled in
Utah settlement
Morley emigrated to the
Morley and the settlers arrived at the present location of Manti in November 1849, and established a winter camp, digging temporary shelters into the south side of the hill on which the Manti Utah Temple now stands. It was an isolated place, at least four days by wagon from the nearest settlement. Relations between the Mormons and the local Utes were cooperative. The first winter was severe, and, although the settlers were fairly well supplied, they had great difficulties. A measles epidemic broke out and the settlers used their limited medicine to nurse the Utes. When supplies ran low, the Utes helped settlers haul food on sleds through the snow.
Morley encouraged the settlers in their work and assured them that their community would grow to be one of the best in the mountains. The settlers and members of the Ute Sanpitch tribe referred to him affectionately as "Father Morley".[1] Morley supervised the building of the first schoolhouse and the first gristmill in Sanpete Valley. The Sanpete Valley settlement grew and prospered and became known as a prime agricultural area.
Morley served as a senator in the general assembly of the provisional State of Deseret.[3] He represented Sanpete county in the Utah territorial legislature[2] from 1851 to 1857.[3]
During his last years, Morley spent most of his time on his calling as a patriarch, conferring priesthood blessings on thousands of church members.[citation needed] He died on June 24, 1865, in Fairview, Utah.[3]
On a wall inside the Manti Utah Temple is a framed piece of temple clothing used by Morley in the Nauvoo Temple when he was endowed there.
See also
- Fountain Green Massacre
References
- ^ Joseph Smith Papers, Minute Book #2, p. 6
- ^ ISBN 9780890365182.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p "Isaac Morley – Biography". The Joseph Smith Papers. Retrieved 2021-08-16.
- ^ "Joseph Smith Papers, 1835-1836 Journal, 5 November 1835, Thursday; and 7 November 1835, Saturday". Archived from the original on 17 August 2012. Retrieved 19 September 2012.
- ISBN 0-87747-594-6
- ISBN 1-57345-224-6
- May, Dean L. Utah: A People's History. Bonneville Books, Salt Lake City, Utah, 1987. ISBN 0-87480-284-9
- ^ Saga of the Sanpitch, Vol 13, 1981, p. 8
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