Phelps was imprisoned at Lyons, New York, by a "couple of Presbyterian traders, for a small debt, for the purpose, as [he] was informed, of 'keeping [him] from joining the Mormons.'" Kirtland, Ohio Phelps moved to Kirtland, Ohio in 1831. He soon visited Joseph Smith and asked him to ask God for an answer as to what Phelps should do. Smith delivered a revelation (now known as section 55 of the Doctrine and Covenants) in which Phelps was encouraged to join the church, preach as a missionary, and be the printer for the church. He was then baptized on June 16, 1831. He was subsequently chosen "to head printing and publishing for the Church" a few days later, on June 20. He moved to Jackson County, Missouri in 1832 and spearheaded the church's publishing arm, W. W. Phelps & Co., in Independence, Missouri, where he edited the Evening and Morning Star from June 1832 to 1833. He was also superintendent of the local schools. On July 20, 1833, while working to publish the church's Book of Commandments, a mob of vigilantes attacked Phelps's home, seizing printing materials, destroying the press, and throwing Phelps's family and furniture out-of-doors. Most of the copies of the Book of Commandments were destroyed in the raid. He fled to Clay County, Missouri, where he was called as Assistant President of the Church in Missouri on July 3, 1834. In the early part of 1835, Phelps and his son, Waterman, were called to Kirtland, arriving on May 16, 1835 and departing on April 9, 1836. They resided with Joseph Smith's family temporarily. During his stay in Kirtland, Phelps acted as "co-steward over the modern revelations" alongside Joseph Smith, editing the sections of the Doctrine and Covenants for publication. He was also tasked with editing and publishing the Latter Day Saints' Messenger and Advocate. Phelps donated US$500 towards the erection of the Kirtland Temple and was present for the establishment of the School of the Prophets. In Kirtland, he helped print the first Latter Day Saint hymnal in 1835, which included his own hymn, "The Spirit of God Like a Fire Is Burning", sung at the dedication of the Kirtland Temple. Phelps wrote "at least thirty-five of the ninety hymns" included in the first LDS hymnal. In late June or early July 1835, Joseph Smith acquired Egyptian papyri from Michael Chandler, and Phelps began assisting with the