Titus Billings

Titus Billings (March 25, 1793 – February 6, 1866) 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 The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Billings was present at many of the early events of the LDS church, and served as a church leader in Ohio, Missouri and Utah.

Billings was born on March 25, 1793 in Greenfield, Franklin County, Massachusetts, the son of Ebeneezer Billings and Esther Joyce. He was a carpenter by trade. On February 16, 1817, he married Diantha Morley, the sister of Isaac Morley. As a member of the LDS church, Billings later practiced plural marriage and had nineteen children.

Church history and service

Billings was baptized in November 1830 by LDS missionaries sent to the Lamanites or American Indians. He was the second person baptized in Kirtland, Ohio. He received priesthood offices during his church service, including:
*ordained a Deacon: October 1831
*ordained an Elder: March 10, 1832 by Thomas B. Marsh.
*ordained High Priest: August 1, 1837; under the hands of Edward Partridge and Isaac Morley, his brother-in-law.

Billings was called to serve the church as Second Counselor to Bishop Edward Partridge in 1837 and served in this position until the death of Partridge on May 27, 1840. He received his temple Endowment on December 13, 1845 in the Nauvoo Temple and was sealed to his wife Diantha on January 30, 1846.

Billings died on February 6, 1866 in Provo, Utah County, Utah.

External links

* The Doctrine and Covenants, sourcetext|source=The Doctrine and Covenants|book=Covenant 63|verse=39