Titus Billings

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Titus Billings bigraphy, stories - Religion

Titus Billings : biography

March 25, 1793 – February 6, 1866

Titus Billings (March 25, 1793 – February 6, 1866) was an early convert to the Latter Day Saint movement. He served in several positions in the church and was a contemporary of Joseph Smith, and Brigham Young. Billings was a councilor in the first Bishopric of the Church to Edward Partridge. He participated in the Battle of Crooked River, and was a Colonel in the Nauvoo Legion. He participated in the Mormon migration as a Captain of Fifty in the second company, and was a notable settler of Manti, Utah.

Mob persecution

On October 25, 1838 Titus participated in the Battle of Crooked River, and as part of the aftermath was forced to flee from his home to Des Moines river. While fleeing the mob he suffered from lack of food for several days and frostbite on his feet . As a result of the battle, Governor Boggs signed the infamous Extermination order. Titus signed a petition documenting the losses of property during this time which were never recovered. Escaping the mobs, he and his family moved to what became known as Morleytown or Yelrome which is near modern day Lima, Illinois and is a short distance from Nauvoo, Illinois.

In February 1841 the Nauvoo Legion was organized and Titus was made a Captain. By September, Billings was promoted to the rank of Colonel in the legion.Wells, Junius F. "The Contributor: representing the Young men’s and Young ladies’ mutual improvement associations of the Latter-day saints", Volume 9 1888 pg. 47

August 22, 1842 Billings was called on a mission to the New England states. Luman Andros Shurtliff was his companion. They returned in June 1843 after suffering much and having only small successes.Shurtliff, Luman. Autobiography (1807-1847) "Biographical Sketch of the Life of Luman Andros Shurtliff," http://www.boap.org/LDS/Early-Saints/LShurtliff.html

In September 1846, Isaac Morley’s cooper shop was burned and the Billings family and all of the residents of Morleytown moved to Nauvoo. During this time Billings worked daily on the Nauvoo temple until its completion. However due to mob pressure, their stay was short lived and after the death of Joseph Smith the Billings family and the saints moved out of Nauvoo.

In 1848 Titus was appointed as a Captain of Fifty in Heber C Kimball’s company of pioneers.Jenson, Andrew "The Historical record, Volumes 7-9" 1888 pg. 902 The company arrived in Salt Lake Valley in the winter of 1848. In February 1849 Titus is called to the Greater Salt Lake City Stake High Council.Jenson, Andrew "Church chronology: a record of important events pertaining to the history of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints" 1886 pg. 34

Polygamy

On January 20, 1854 Titus married Mary Ann Tuttle as his second wife under the practice of polygamy. Mary Ann was the divorced ex-plural wife of Howard Egan. She bore four children with Titus before they too divorced. Mary Ann moved to Bicknell, Utah and remarried. However near the end of her life she was resealed to Titus and changed her name again to Billings as can be seen on her grave marker.

Early life

Titus was born in Greenfield, Franklin County, Massachusetts on March 24, 1793.Price, F. Lynn. "Every Person in the Doctrine and Covenants" 1997 pg. 17 ISBN 0-88290-597-X, 9780882905976 He was the son of Ebeneezer Billings and Ester Joyce. One notable ancestor is Sir Thomas Billing, Chief Justice of the Kings Bench in England.

Early church membership

In March 1831 Joseph Smith said he had received a revelation directing the Saints to impart of their land and money to the church.The Doctrine and Covenants, In August 1831 Billings was commanded to sell the Morley Family farm and holdings in preparation to move to Independence Missouri.The Doctrine and Covenants, On March 10, 1832 he was ordained an Elder by Thomas B Marsh.Pearson Harris Corbett. "Hyrum Smith, patriarch" 1963 Deseret Book Co. pg. 98 While en route to Jackson County Missouri he met with Joseph Smith on "The Charleston" a steam packet in Louisville Kentucky. The Billings family arrived in Clay County Missouri in May.Jenson, Andrew "The Historical record, Volumes 7-9" 1888 pg.403