LIBRARY Brig ham Young University RARE BOOK COLLECTION Vault M270.2 a .1 0 S E P JI SMITH Til IZ P E o r H E T. r r BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES OP JOSEPH SMITH, THE PROPHET, AND HIS ■ ^rugraihrs fur mainj Smniim. BY LUCY SMITH, i MOTHER OK TMK LMIOPNET. ITRLLSUED FOR ORSON PRATT BY W. RICHARDS, 15, WILTON STREET* Eonbon : SOLD AT THE LATTER-DAY SAINTS* BOOK DEPOT, 35, JEVVIX STREET; AND BY ALL BOOKSELLERS. 1853. ? : a ENTERED AT STATIONERS4 MALL. CONTENTS. CHAPTER I. Solomon Mack, the Father of Lucy Mack— Extract from his Narrative 15 CHAPTER II. HUtory of Jason Mack. 21 CHAPTER IXL LoFisa and Lovina Hack £;i CHAPTER IV. Life of Stephen Mack 30 CHAPTER V. " Lydia Maek, third daughter of Salomon Mack 33 CHAPTER VI. Daniel Mack— He rescues three men from a watery S^"*^® '***••'••'»--«*■•-*••»•-***.........••*«•.«.• ...... 3*4 CHAPTER VII. Solomon Mack 35 CHAPTER VIII. Early Life of Lucy Mack— Her Marriage with Joseph Smith..,,.. , 3t> vi CONTENTS CHAPTER IX. Page Seven Generations uf the Smith Family— Four Gene- rations of the Mack Family 38 CHAPTER X. A Promt of one thousand dollars, from John Mudget and Stephen Mack, to the Author 45 CHAPTER XL Sickness in Randolph 46* CHAPTER XIL Joseph Smith, Senior, loses his property, and be- comes poor — Receives a visit from Jason Mack —The History of the latter concluded 49 CHAPTER XIIL The Authors Dream 54 CHAPTER XIV, First Vision of Joseph Smith, Senior— The Box- Second Vision — The Tree and the Spacious Building 56 CHAPTER XV. Sickness at Lebanon — Sophronias miraculous reco- very 59 CHAPTER XVL The Sufferings of Joseph Smith, Junior, with a fever sore — Extraction of large fragments of bone from one of Ids legs o'2 CONTEXTS, vii CHAPTER XVII, Joseph Smith, Senior, removes to Norwich, thence to Palmyra — His Dream of the Images — of the Judgment . . Co CHAPTER XVI IL History of Joseph the Prophet commences— Seventh Viaion of Joseph Smith, Senior 73 CHAPTER XIX. The Angel visits Joseph again — Joseph tells his father what he has seen and 1 • ard — He ia per- mitted to behold the Plates — Receives further instructions — Communicates the same to the family — Takes the Plates into his hands— They are taken from him, and he is reproved — His disappointment „ SI CHAPTER XX. Al vin's sickness and death £7 CHAPTER XXL Religious excitement — Josephs prophecy — - He works for Mr. Stoal — Becomes acquainted with ^^Uima jl lilt T*4I«*r»*4«. -*••*•***■■■■■•■.■. ^ o CHAPTER XXII. Joseph Smith, Senior, loses his farm — Joseph, Junior* is married — Has another interview with the Angel, by whom he ia chastised— Receives fur- ther instructions ■ CHAPTER XXIII. Joseph obtains the Platea 9i) m * » VIU CONTENTS CHAPTER XXIV. Page Joseph brings home the Breast-plate — -Martin Harris and his wifo introduced — The Translation com- mences— Mrs, Harris begins to oppose the work 107 CHAPTER XXV. Martin Hums is permitted to take the Manuscript home with him— He loses it — The season of mourning which ensued 117 CHAPTER XXVL Martin Harris's perfidy ' 122 CHAPTER XXVIL The Uriin and Thutnmiin are taken from Joseph He receives them again 124 CHAPTER XXVIIL Oliver Cowdery commences writing for Joseph — They attend to the ordinance of Baptism 128 CHAPTER XXIX, Mrs, Harris prosecutes Joseph 132 CHAPTER XXX. Joseph and Oliver remove to Waterloo — They finish the Translation 155 CHAPTER XXXI. The Plates are shown to Twelve Witnessea^Joseph makes arrangements for printing the Book of 3t o r Lu0n • * * »•••••'•#-• • • , * ***«*.»•■.*•**••»•>»*»• ■ 1 3 iw CONTENTS. ix CHAPTER XXXII. r: ~ . J :) £ ...... - The printing is begun— A meeting of the citizens held in reference to the Book 143 CHAPTER XXXIIL Esquire Coles Dogberry Paper — Second meeting of the citizens 148 CHAPTER XXXIV. The Church organized 151 CHAPTER XXXV, Joseph Smithy Senior, and Don Carlos visit Stock- holm 154 CHAPTER XXXVL Joseph Smith, Senior, imprisoned — An attempt to tiiktr .ti vru m ,., . » . . . * . * + , . 1 ij »i CHAPTER XXXVIL The family of Joseph Smith, Senior, remove to Waterloo 166 CHAPTER XXXVIII. The first Western Mission — Joseph Smith, Junior, moves to Kirtlaad 168 CHAPTER XXXIX, The different branches of the Church remove to Kirtland— Miracle at Buffalo 172 X CONTENTS. CHAPTER XL. Samuel Smith's first mission to Missouri 184 CHAPTER XLI. Lucy Smith visits Detroit 186 CHAPTER XLIL Ad Extract from the History of Joseph the Prophet — Sidney Rigdon'a transgression — Trouble in Jackson county , 192 CHAPTER XLIII. Lucy Smith builds a School-house — Joseph and Hyrutn return from Missouri — They rehearse the history of their trouble 198 CHAPTER XLIV, The Lord's house at Kirtland commenced — A letter from the Prophet to his uncle Silas 202 CHAPTER XLV. The House of the Lord completed— A division in the Church 209 CHAPTER XLVL Joseph Smith, Senior, and his brother John go on a Mission to the east — The death of Jerusha Smith 213 CONTENTS, CHAPTER XLVII. Pa^e The Persecution revives — Don Carlos and his father fly from their enemies — Joseph moves to Mis- souri 215 CHAPTER XLVIIL Joseph Smith, Senior, moves with his family to Mis- souri— Commencement of the Persecution in Caldwell , 219 CHAPTER XLIX. Testimony of Hyrum Smith 225 CHAPTER L. Removal of the Smith family to Illinois 249 CHATPER LL Joseph nnd Hyrum escape from t heir persecutors, and return to their families 257 CHAPTER LII. A purchase made in the town of Commerce — Joseph the Prophet £oes to Washington — The death of Joseph Smith, Senior 261 CHAPTER LIIL Joseph arrested at Quincy — Discharged at Mon- mouth— Joseph charged with an attempt to assassinate ex Governor Boggs 271 CHAPTER LTV. and Hyrum assassinated 2T5 XII CONTENTS. I APPENDIX. A Journal kept by Don C. Smith while on a mission with George A. Smith, his cousin 283 Letters of Don C. Smith to hia wife, Agnes 289 Elegy on the death of Joseph Smith^ Senior, the Patriarch , 292 Lines on the death of Don Carlos Smith 293 Lines written on the martyrdom of Joseph and Hyruni Smith 295 PREFACE. The following pages, embracing biographical sketches and the genealogy of Joseph Smith, the Prophet, and his Progenitors, were mostly written previous to the death of the Prophet, and under his personal inspection. Most of the hi ^ ri - I items and occurrences re- lated have never before been published. They will therefore be exceedingly interesting to all Saints, and sincere inquirers after the Truth, affording them the privilege of becoming more extensively acquainted with the' private life and character of one of the greatest Prophets that ever lived upon the earth. Independent of this, the events which have occurred in connection with the history of this remarkable family, are, in then use] ves, of the most marvellous kind, and of infinite importance in their bearings upon the present and future generations. No events that have happened since the first advent of our Saviour, are of more thrilling interest than those connected with thehistory of the Prophet, Joseph Smith. Every incident relating to his life, or the liws of his progenitors, will be eagerly souqiit after by all future generations. The geographical, PREFACE. mechanical, and other scientific discoveries of modern ages, sink into insignificance, compared with the importance of those discoveries made by this great man. They are designed by the Almighty to pro- duce the greatest moral and physical revolutions which the inhabitants of this globe ever witnessed — revolutions which, through the judgments of God. will utterly *.v.Tthrow and destroy all governments and kingdoms that will not become subject to Christ Under these infinitely important considerations, the following pages are recommended to the careful and candid perusal of all nations. ORSON PRATT. JOSEPH SMITH, AND HIS PROGENITORS. CHAP. L SOLOMON HACK, TUF. FATHER OF LUCY MACK— EXT a ACT FROM IUS NAiutATiYS, My father, Solomon Mack, was born in the town of Lyme, New London county, state of Connecticut, Sept, 26, 1 73d. His father, Ebenezer Mack, was a man of considerable property, and lived in good style, commanding aJl the attention and respect which are ever shown to those who live in fine cir- cumstances, and habits of strict morality. For a length of time he fully enjoyed the fruits of his industry. But this state oi things did not always continue, for a series of misfortunes visited my grand-parents, by which they were reduced to that extremity, that a once happy and flourishing family were compelled to disperse, and throw themselves upon the charity of a cold, unfeeling world. My father was taken into the family of a neigh- bouring farmer, where he remained until he was nearly tweety-one years of age, about which timo he enlisted in the service of his country, I have a sketch of iny father's life, written by himself, in which is detailed an account of his several campaigns, and many of his adventures^ B 16 JOSEPH SMITH TTIE PROPHET, while in the army. Prom this I extract the fol- lowing : — "At the age of twenty^one years, 1 left my master. Shortly after which, I enlisted in the services of my country, under the command of Captain Henry, and was annexed to the regiment commanded by CoL Whiting. f< From Connecticut, we marched to Fort Edwards, in the state of New York. We were in a severe battle, fought at Half-way Brook in 1755. During this Expe- dition, I caught a heavy cold, which rendered me unfit for business until the return of warm weather. I was carried the ensuing spring to Albany. "In the year 1757, I had two teams in the King's ser- vice, which were employed in carrying the General s baggage. While thus engaged I went one morning as usual to yoke my team, but three of my oxen were missing. When this came to the knowledge of the officer, he was very angry, and drawing his sword, threatened to run it through me. He then ordered me to get three other oxen, which I accordingly did, and proceeded with the baggage to Fort Edwards, and the next day I returned in order to find my missing oxen. "While I was performing this trip, the following circumstance occurred About half way from Stillwater to Fort Edwards, I espied four Indians nearly thirty rods distant, coming out of the woods ; they were armed with scalping knives, tomahawks, and guns. I was alone, but about twenty rods behind me was a man by the name of Webster. I saw my danger, and that there was no way to escape, unless I could do it by stratagem ; so I rushed upon them, calling in the mean time at the top of my voice, Rush on ! rash on, my boys ! we'll have the devils. The only weapon I had, wa3 a walking staff, yet I ran toward them, and as the other man appeared just at that instant, it gave them a terrible fright, and I saw no more of them. u I hastened to Stillwater the next day, as aforemen- tioned, and finding my oxen soon after Tarrived there, I returned the same night to Fort-Edwards, a distance of seven miles, the whole of which was a dense forest u In 1758, I enlisted under Major Spenser, and went immediately over Lake George, with a company who crossed in boats, to the western side, where we had a AN'D III3 rROGEXTTORS. 17 bloody and hot engagement with the enemy, in which Lord Howe fell at the onset of the battle. His bowels were taken out and buried, but his body was embalmed, and carried to England. t{ The next day we marched to the breastworks, but were unsuccessful, being compelled to retreat with a loss of five hundred men killed, and as many more wounded* "In this contest I narrowly escaped — a musket ball passed under my chin, within half an inch of my neck. The amy then returned to Lake George, and, on ita way thither, a large scouting party of the enemy came round by Skeene&borough, and, at the Half-way Brook, destroyed a large number of both men and teams. Upon this, one thousand of our men were detached to repair immediately to Skeenesborough in pursuit of them; but when wo arrived at South Bay, the enemy were entirely out of our reach. " The enemy then marched to Ticonderoga, New York, in order to procure supplies, after which they immediately pursued us, but we eluded them by hastening to Wood- Creek, ami thence to Fort Ann, where we arrived on the 13th day of the month. We had but just reached this place, when the aentry gave information that the enemy were all around us, in consequence of which we were suddenly called to arms. Major Putnian led the company, and Major Rogers brought up the rear* We marched but three quarters of a mile, wb6n we came suddenly upon a company of Indians that were lying in ambush. Major Putman marched his men through their ranks, where- upon the Indians fired, which threw our men into some confusion. Major Putman was captured by them, and would Lave been killed by an Indian, had he not been rescued by a French lieutenant. *' The enemy rose like a cloud, and fired a whole volley upon us, and, aa I was in the foremost rank, the retreat of my company brought me in the rear, and the toma- hawks and bullets flew around me like hail stones. As I was running, I saw not far before me a windfall, which was so high that it appeared to me insurmountable, how- ever, by making great exertions, I succeeded in getting over it. Running a little farther, I observed a man who had in this last conflict been badly wounded, and the Indians were close upon him ; nevertheless I turned aside for the purpose of assisting him, and succeeded in getting him into the midst of our army, in safety. 18 JOSEPH SMITH THE PROPHET, *' In this encounter, a man named Geraham Bowley, had nine bullets shot through his clothes, but received no personal injury. Ensign Worcester received nine wounds, was scalped and tomahawked, notwithstanding which, he lived, and finally recovered. <fThe above engagement commenced early in the morning, and continued until about three o'clock, p.m., in which half of our men were either killed, wounded, or taken prisoners. In consequence of this tremendous slaughter we were compelled to send to Fort Edwards for men, in order to assist in carrying our wounded, which were about eighty in number. " The distance we had to cany them, was nearly four- teen miles. To carry so many thus far, was truly very fatiguing, insomuch, tjiat when we arrived at the place of destination, my strength was about exhausted* 4* I proceeded immediately to Albany, for the purpose of getting supplies, and returned again to the army aa soon as circumstances would admit, u Autumn having now arrived I went home, where I tarried the ensuing winter. *'In the spring of 1759, the army marched to Crown- point, where I received my discharge. In the same year, I became acquainted with an accomplished young woman, a school teacher, by the name of Lydia Gates, She was the daughter of Nathan Gates, who was a man of wrealth, living in the town of East Haddam, Connecticut. To this young woman I was married shortly after becoming ac- quainted with her. " Having received a large amount of money {pr my services in the army, and deeming it prudent to make an investment of the same in real estate, I contracted for the whole town of Granville, in the state of New York. On the execution of the deed, I paid all the money that was required in the stipulation, which stipulation also called for the building of a number of log houses, I accordingly went to work to fulfil i hia part of the contract, but after laboring a short time, I had the misfortune to cut my leg, which subjected me, during that season, to the care of the physician. I hired a man to do the work, and paid him in advance, in order to fulfil my part of the contract ; but he ran away with the money, without per- forming the labor, and the consequence was, I lost the land altogether. AND HIS PROGENITORS. 19 1761, we moved to the town of Harlow, whero we remained until we had four children. When we moved there, it was no other than a desolate and dreary wilderness* Only four families resided within forty miles. Here I was thrown into a situation to appreciate more fully the talents and virtues of my excellent wife ; for, as our children were deprived of schools, she assumed the charge of their education, and performed the duties of an instructress as none, save a mother, is capable of. Precepts accompanied with examples such as hers, were calculated to make impressions on the minds of the young, never to be forgotten. "She, besides instructing them in the various branches of an ordinary education, was in the habit of cniling t hem together both morning and evening, and teaching them to pray ; meanwhile urging upon them the necessity of love towards each other, as well as devotional feelings towards Him who made them. " In this manner my first children became confirmed in habits of piety, gentleness, and reflection, which afforded great assistance in guiding those who came after them, into the same happy channel The education of my children would have been a more difficult task, if they had not inherited much of their mother's excellent dia* position. " In 1776, 1 enlisted in the service of my country, and was for a considerable length of time in the land forces, after which, I went with my two sons, Jason and Stephen, on a privateering expedition, commanded by Captain Havens. Soon after we set sail, we were driven upon Horseneck. We succeeded, however, in getting some of our guns on shore, and bringing them to bear upon the enemy, so as to exchange many shots with them ; yet they cut away our rigging, and left our vessel much shattered 11 We then hauled off, and cast anchor ; but, in a short time we espied two row-gallies, two sloops, and two schooners. We quickly weighed anchor, and hauled to shore again, and had barely time to post four cannon in a position in which they could be used, before a sanguinary contest commenced. The balls from the enemy's guns, tore up the ground, cutting asunder the saplings in every direction* One of the row-gallies went round a point of land with the view of hemming us in, but we killed forty B 2 20 JOSEPH SMITH THE PROPHET, of their men, with our small anus, which caused the enemy to abandon their purpose, u My son Stephen, in company with tha cabin boys, was sent to a house not far from the shore, with a wounded man- Just as they entered the house, an eighteen-pounder followed them, A woman was engaged in frying cakes, at the time, and being somewhat alarmed, she concluded to retire into the cellar, saying, as she left, that the boys might have the cakes, aa she was going below. " The boys were highly delighted at this, and they went to work cooking, and feasting upon the lady's sweet cakes, while the artillery of the contending armies was thundering in their ears, dealing out death and destruc- tion on every hand. At the head of this party of boys, was Stephen Mack, my second son, a bold and fearless stripling of fourteen, * M In tlds contest, the enemy was far superior to us in point of numbers, yet we maintained our ground, with such valour, that they thought it better to leave us, and accordingly did bo. Soon after which, we hoiated sail, and made for New London, "When hostilities had ceased, and peace and tranquillity were again restored, wc freighted a vessel for Liverpool- Selling both ship and cargo hi this place, we embarked on board Captain Foster s vessel, which I afterwards pur- chased; butj in consequence of storms and wrecks, I was compelled to sell her, and was left completely destitute. "I struggled a little longer to obtain property, in making adventures, then returned to my family, after an absence of four years, about pennyless. After this, I determined to follow phantoms no longer, but devote the rest of my life to the service of God, and my family I shall now lay aside my father's journal, as I have made such extracts as are adapted to my pur- pose, and take up the history of his children. AJSD HIS PROGENITORS, 21 CHAP. II. niSTORY OF JASON MACK. Jason, my oldest brother, was a studious and manly boy. Before he had attained hia sixteenth year he became what was then called a Seeker, and believing that by prayer and faith the gifts of the Gospel, which were enjoyed by the ancient disciples of Christ, might be attained, he labored almost incessantly to convert others to the same faith. He was also of the opinion that God would, at some subsequent period, manifest his power as he had anciently done — in signs and wonders. At the age of twenty he became a preacher of the Gospel, And in a short time after this he formed an acquaintance with a young woman of wealthy parentage,* She was the pride of the place in which she resided, not so much on account of her splendid appearance, as the soundness of her mind, and her stately deportment, joined with an unaf- fected mildness of disposition, and a condescension of manners, which were admirably suited to the taste and principles of my brother. Jason became deeply in love with her, insomuch that his heart was com- pletely hers, and it would have been as easy to have convinced him that he could exist without his head, as that he could live and enjoy life, without being united with her in marriage. These feelings, I believe, were mutual, and Jason and she entered into an engagement to be married, but*as they were makiiig arrangements for the solemnization of their nuptials, my father received a letter from Liver- pool, containing information that a large amount of money was collected for him, and that it was ready for his reception, * The name of this young woman was Esther Bruce ; she was from the state of New Hampshire. 22 JOSEPH SMITH TBE PROPHET, On account of this intelligence it was agreed that the marriage of my brother, as my father desired that he should accompany him to Liverpool, should be deferred until their return. Accordingly, my brother left Ma affianced bride, with a heavy heart, and with this promise, that he would write to her and Ins sister conjointly, at least once in three months during his absence. In three months after his departure, according to agreement, a letter ar- rived, which indeed met with a very warm recep- tion, but it was never followed by another from him. A young man who kept the post-office where she received her letters, formed in his heart a determination to thwart my brother, if possible, in his matrimonial prospects, in order to obtain the prize himsel f. He commenced by using the most per- suasive arguments against her marrying my brother ; but not succeeding in this, he next detained his letters, and then reproached him for neglecting her. Being still unsuccessful, he forged letters purport- ing to be from a friend of Jason, which stated that he (Jason Mack) was dead, and his friends might cease to expect him. He then urged his suit again, but she still rejected him, and continued to do so until within four months of Jason's return, when she concluded that she had wronged the young man, and that he was really more worthy than she had expected. The time also which Jason was to be absent having expired without his return, she believed that the reports concerning his death must be true. So she accepted the hand of this young man, and they were united in the bonds of matri- mony. As soon as Jason arrived he repaired imme- diately to her father's house. When he got there she was gone to her brother's funeral ; he went in, and seated himself in the same room where he had once paid his addresses to her. In a short time she came home ; w hen she first sa*v him she did not know him, but wThen she ^ot a full view of his countenance she recognized him, and instantly AST) HIS PHOGEyiTOIlS. 23 fainted. From this time forward she never re- covered her health, but, lingering for two years, died the victim of disappointment. J ason remained in the neighbourhood a short time, and then went to sea, but he did not follow the sea a great while. He soon left the main, and commenced preaching, which he continued until his death. CHAP. IIL LOT ISA AND LOVIKA MACK. The history of Lovisa and Lovina, my two oldest 4 sisters, is so connected and interwoven that I shall not attempt to sej>arate it. They were one in faith, in love, in action, and in hope of eternal life. They were always together, < and when they were old enough to understand the duties of a Christian, they united their voices in ' prayer and songs of praise to God, This sisterly affection increased with their years, and streng- I thened with the strength of their minds. The j pathway of their lives was never clouded with a ] gloomy shadow until Lovisa*s marriage, and removal from home, which left Lovina very lonely. Ia about two years after Lovisa's marriage she was taken very sick, and sent for Lovina, Lovina, as might be expected, went immediately, and re- mained with her sister during her illness, which lasted two years, baffling the skill of the most ex- perienced physicians ; but at the expiration of this time she revived a little, and showed some symp- toms of recovery. ] I shall here relate a circumstance connected with her sickness, which may try the credulity of some of ♦ 3 my readers, yet hundreds were eye witnesses, and 24 JOSEPH SMITH TITE PTtorTTET, doubtless many of them are now living, who, if they would, could testify to the fact which I am about to mention. As before stated, after the space of two years she began to manifest signs of convalescence, but soon a violent re-attack brought her down again, and she grew worse and worse, until she became entirely speechless, and so reduced that her attendants were not allowed to even turn her in bed. She took no nourishment except a very little rice water. She lay in this, situation three days and two nights- On the third night, about two o'clock, she feebly pro- nounced the name of Lovina, who had all the while watched over her pillow, like an attendant angel, observing every change and symptom with the deepest emotion. Startled at hearing the sound of Lovisa's voice, Lovina now bent over the emaciated form of her sister, with thrilling interest, and said, "my sister ! my sister ! what will you ?" Lovisa then said emphatically, "the Lord has healed me, both soul and body — raise me up and give me my clothes, I wish to get up." Her husband told those who were watching with her, to gratify her, as in all probability it was a re- vival before death, and he would not have her crossed in her last moments. They did so, though with reluctance, as they sup- posed she might live a few moments longer, if she did not exhaust her strength too much by exerting herself in this manner. Having raised her in bed, they assisted her to dress ; and although, when they raised her to her feety her weight dislocated both of her ancles, she would not consent to return to her bed, but insisted upon being set in a chair, and having her feet drawn gently in order to have her ancle joints re- E laced. She then requested her husband to bring er some wine, saying, if he would do so she would do quite well for the present. Soon after this, by her own request, she was as- sisted to cross the street to her father-in-law's, who - AND HIS PROGENITORS. 25 was at that time prostrated upon a bed of sickness. When she entered the house he cried out in amaze- ment, u Lovisa is dead, and her spirit is now come to warn me of my sudden departure from this world." "No, father," she exclaimed, "God has raised me up, and I have come to tell you to prepare for death," She conversed an hour or so with him, then, with the assistance of her husband and those who attended upon her that night, she crossed the street back again to her own apartment. When this was noised abroad, a great multitude of people came together, both to hear arid see con- cerning the strange and marvellous circumstance which had taken place. She talked to them a short time, and then sang a hymn, after which she dis- missed them, promising to meet them the next day at the village church, where she would tell them all about the strange manner in which she had been healed. The following day, according to promise, she pro- ceeded to the church, and when she arrived there a large congregation had collected. Soon after she entered, the minister arose and remarked, that as many of the congregation had doubtless come to hear a recital of the strange circumstance which had taken place in the neighbourhood, and as he himself felt more interested in it than in hear- ing a Gospel discourse, he would open the meeting and then give place to Mrs. Tuttle, The minister then requested her to sing a hymn ; she accordingly did so, and her voice was as high and clear as it had ever been. Having sun**, sue arose and addressed the audience aa follows : — " I seemed to be borne away to the world of spirits, where I saw the Saviour, as through a veil, which appeared to me about as thick as a spider's web, and he told me that I must return again to warn the people to prepare for death ; that I must exhort them to be watchful as well aa prayerful ; that I must declare faithfully unto them their accountabi- lity before God, and the certainty of their being 20 JOSEPH SMITH THE PROPHET, called to stand before the judgment seat of Christ ; and that if I would do this, my life should be pro- longed." After which, Bhe spoke much to the peoplo upon the uncertainty of life. When she sat down, her husband and sister, also those who were with her during the last night of her sickness, arose and testified to her appearance just before her sudden recovery. Of these things she continued to speak boldly for she was seized with the consumption which ter- minated her earthly existence, A short time before Lovisa was healed in the miraculous manner before stated, Lovina was taken with a severe cough which ended in consumption. She lingered three years. During which time she spoke with much calmness of her approaching dis- solution, contemplating death with all that serenity which is characteristic of the last moments of those who fear God, and walk uprightly before him. She conjured her young friends to remember that life upon this earth cannot be eternal. Hence the necessity of looking beyond this vale of tears, to a glorious inheritance, "where moths do not cor- rupt, nor thirws break through and steal," The care of Lovina, during her illness, devolved chiefly upon myself. The task, though a melan- choly one, I cheerfully performed, and, although she had much other attention, I never allowed my- self to go an hour, at a time, beyond the sound of her voice while she was sick. A short time before she breathed out her last moments, which was in the night, she awakened me, and requested that I would call father and mother, for she wished to see them, as she would soon be gone. When they came, she said, " Father and mother, now I am dying, and I wish you to call my young associates, that I may speak to them before I die." She then requested me to place her in a chair, and as soon as the young people who were called in, were seated, she com- menced speaking. After talking a short time to AND HIS PROGENITORS, 27 them, she stopped, and, turning to her mother, said, u Mother, will you get me something to eat ? it is the last time you will ever bring me nourishment in this world/' When my mother had complied with her request, she eat a small quantity of food, with apparent appetite, then gave back the dish, saying, u There, mother, you will never get rue anything to eat again. After which, she turned to the company, and pro- ceeded with her remarks, thus : — u I do not know when I received any material change of heart, unless it was when I was ten years old. God, at that time, heard my prayers, and forgave my sins ; and ever since then I have endeavored to serve him accord- ing to the best of my abilities. And I have called you here to give you my last warning — to bid you all farewell, and beseech you to endeavor to meet me where parting shall be no more." Shortly after this, holding up her hands, and looking upon them as one would upon a trifling thing unobserved before, she said, with a smile upon her countenance, "See, the blood is settling under my nails," Then, placing the fingers of her left hand across her right, she continued thus, " *Tis cold to there — soon this mortal flesh will be food for worms." Then, turning to me, she said, "Now, sister Lucy, will you help me into bed." I did as I was directed, carrying her in my arms just as I would a child. Although I was but thirteen years old, she was so emaciated that I could carry her with considerable ease. As I was carrying her to bed, my hand slipped. At this she cried out, * Oh ! Sister, that hurt me." This, indeed, gave me bitter feelings. I was well assured, that this was the last sad office I should ever perform for my sister, and the thought that I had caused her pain in laying her on her death bed, wounded me much. Soon after this, she passed her hand over her face, and again remarked, ** My nose is now quite cold." Then, slightly turning and straightening herself in 28 JOSEPH SMITH TJ1E rnorilET, bed, she continued, " Father, mother, brother, sister and dear companions, all farewell, I am going to rest — prepare to follow me ; for ** Death ! *tis a melancholy day To those that have no God, When the poor bouI is forced away To seek her last abode. * In vain to heaven she lifts her eves • But guilt, a heavy chain, Still drags her downwards from the skies To darkness, fire, and pain, * " Awake and mourn, ye heirs of he!) Let stubborn sinners fear ; Vou must be driven from earth, and dwell A long fob. ever there I " See how the pit gapes wide for you And flashes in your face ; And thou, my soul, look downward too And sing- recovering graeo. * " He is a God of sov'reign love, Who promised heaven to me. And taught my thoughts to soar above. Where happy spirits be, U S,rei>are me> Lord» for thy riffht hand, Then come the joyful day ; Come, death, and' some celestial band -To bear my soul away." After repeating this hymn, she folded her hands across her breast, and then closed her eyes for ever Haviiig led iny readers to the close of Lovina's life, I shall return to Lovisa, of whom there only remains the closing scene of her earthly career In the course of a few months subsequent to the death of sister Lovina, my father receded a letter from South Hadley, stating, that Lovisa was very a - a ? onsumPtl0?, and that she earnestly desired him to come and see her as soon as possible as she expected to live but a short time *™H"uie» My father set out immediately, and when h« arrived there he found her in rather better health than he expected. In a few days after he got there she resolved in her heart to return with fim at in hazards. To this her father mri^^^ AND nrs PHOGENITOM. 29 They travelled about four miles, and came to an inn kept by a man by the name of Taff. Here her father halted, and asked her if she did not wish to tarry a short time to rest herself. She replied in the affirmative* By the assistance of the land- lord, she was presently seated in an easy chair. My father then stepped into the next room to pro- cure a little water and wine for her. He was ab- sent but a moment ; however, when he returned it was too late, her spirit had fled from its earthly tabernacle to return no more, until recalled by the trump of the Archangel. My father immediately addressed a letter to mother, informing her of Lovisa's death, lest the shock of seeing the corpse unexpectedly should overcome her And as soon as he could get a coffin, he proceeded on his journey for Gilsum. a distance of fifty miles. She was buried by the side of her sister Lovina, according to her own request. The following is part of a hymn composed by herself, a few days previous to her decease " Lord, may my thoughts be turned to thee ; I- 1 ft thou my heavy soul on high ; Wilt thou, O Lord, return to me In mercy, Father, ere 1 die ! My soaring thoughts now rise above — Oh fill my soul with heavenly love. " Father and mother, now farewell ; And husband, partner of my life, Go to my father's children, tell That lives no more on earth thy wife ; That while she dwelt, in cumbrous clay, For them she prayed both night and day. " My friends, I bid you all adieu ; The Lord hath called, and I must go — And all the joys of this vain earth, Are now to me of little worth ; * 3?'^ ^ tne ramo with you as me, When brought as uear eternity/' Thus closes this mournful recital, and when I pass with my readers into the next chapter, with them probably may end the sympathy aroused by this rehearsal, but with me it must last while life endures. josEpn smitii the rnoriiET, CHAP. IV. LIKE 0? STEPHEN' MACK. 1 C Mr brother Stephen, who was next in age to Jason, was born in the town of Mar low, June 15, 1766. I shall pass his childhood in silence, and say nothing about him until he attained the age of four- teen, at which time he enlisted in the army, the circumstances of which were as follows : — A recruiting officer came into the neighbourhood to draft soldiers for the revolutionary war, and lie called out a company of militia t o which my brother belonged, in order to take therefrom such as were best qualified to do military duty. My brother, being very anxious to go into the army at this time, was so fearful that he would be passed by on account of his age, that the sweat stood in large drops on his face, and he shook like an aspen leaf. Fortunately, the officer made choice of him among others, and he entered the army, and continued in the service of his country until he was seventeen. During this time he was in many battles, both on land and sea, and several times narrowly escaped death by famine; but, according to his own account, whenever he was brought into a situation to fully realize his entire dependance upon God, the hand of Providence was always manifested in his deliverance, Not long since, I met with an intimate acquaint- ance of my brother Stephen, and requested him to furnish me such facts as were in his possession in relation to him ; and he wrote the following brief, yet comprehensive account, for the gratification of my readers : — " I, Horace Stanly, was born in Tunbridge, Orange county, Vermont, August 21, 1798- I have been per- sonally acquainted with Major Mack and hi? faintly ever since I can remember, as I lived in the same township, AND 11IS FROG EDITORS. 31 within one mile and a half of the Major*** farm, and two miles from his store, and eight miles from Chelsea, the county *eat of Orange county ; where he conducted the mercantile and tinning business, " My eldest brother went to learn the tinning business of the Major's workmen* The Major being a man of great enterprize, energetio^n business, and possessed of a high degree of patriotism, launched forth on the frontiers at Detroit, in the year 1S00 (if I recollect rightly), where he immediately commenced trading with the Indiana. " He left hia family in Tunb ridge, on his farm, and while he was engaged in business at Detroit he visited them — sometimes once in a year, in eighteen months, or in two years, jost as it happened- **I visited Detroit November 1, 1820, where I found the Major merchandising upon quite an extensive scale, having six clerks in one store; besides thia, he had many other stores in the territory of Michigan, as well as in various parts of Ohio, " His business at Pontiac was principally farming and building, but in order to facilitate these two branches of business, he set in operation a saw and flour mill, and afterwards added different branches of mechanism. Ho made the turnpike road from Detroit to Pontiac at his own expense. He also did considerable other public work, for the purpose of giving employment to the poor, " He never encouraged idleness, or the man above his business. In 1328, having been absent from Detroit a short time, I returned. The Major was then a member of the Council of the territory, and had acted a very conspicuous part in enhancing its prosperity and enlarg- ing its settlement ; and it was a common saying, that ho had done much more for the territory than any other individual, u In short, the Major was a man of talents of the first order. He was energetic and untiring. He always en- couraged industry, and was very cautious how he applied his acts of charity, "Respectfully by "Horace Stanly/' My brother was in the city of Detroit hi 1812, the year in which Hull surrendered the territory to the British Crown. My brother, being somewhat u 2 32 JOSEPH SMITH THE PROPHET, celebrated for his prowess, was selected by General Hull to take the command of a company, as Captain. After a short service in this office, he was ordered to surrender. At this his indignation was roused to the highest pitch. He broke his sword across his knee ; and, throwing it into the lake, exclaimed that he would never submit to such a disgraceful compromise while the blood of an American con- tinued to run through his veins. This drew the especial vengeance of the army upon his head ; and Vila property, doubtless, would have been sacrificed to their resentment, had they known the situation of his affairs. But this they did not know, as his housekeeper deceived them by a stratagem, related by Mr. Stanly, as follows ^ <f At the surrender of Detroit, not having as yet moved his family hither, Major Mack had an elderly lady, by the name of Trotwine, keeping house for him. The old lady took in some of the most distinguished British officers as boarders. She justified them in their course of conduct towards the Yankees, and, by her shrewdness and tact, she gained the esteem of the officers, and thus secured through them the good will of the soldiery, so far as to prevent their burning (what they supposed to be) her store and dwelling, both of which were splendid build- ings. ,( The Major never forgot this service done him by the old lady, for he ever afterwards supported her hand- somely." Thus was a great amount of goods and money saved from the hands of his enemies. But this is not ail : the news came to her ears that they were about to burn another trailing establishment be- longing to the Major, and, without waiting to con- suit him, she went immediately to the store, and took from the counting-room several thousand dol- lars, which she secreted until the British left the city. The building and goods were burned. As soon as the English left the territory, he re- commenced business, and removed his family from Tunbridge to Detroit Here they remained but a short time, when he took them to Pontiac ; and, as AND HIS PROGENITORS 33 soon as they were well established or settled in this place, he himself went to the city of Rochester, whore he built a saw-mill. But, in the midst of his prosperity, he was called away to experience another state of existence, with barely a moment's warning, for he was sick only four days from the time he was first taken ill until he t lied ; and even on the fourth day, and in the last hour of his illness, it was not supposed to be at all dangerous, until his son, who sat by his bed side, discovered that he was dying, lie left his family with an estate of fifty thousand dollars, clear of encumbrance. CHAP. V. LYD1A MACK, T1IIHD DAUGHTER OF SOLOMON MACK, Of my sister Lydia t shall say but little ; not that I loved her K-ss, ur that she was less deserving of honourable mention ; but she seemed to float more with the stream of common events than those who have occupied the foregoing pages : hence fewer incidents of a striking character are furnished for the mind to dwell upon. She sought riches and obtained them ; yet in the day of prosperity she remembered the poor, for she dealt out her snbstauce to the needy, with a liberal band, to the end of her days, and died the object of their affection. As she was beloved in life, so she was bewailed in death. 34 JOSErn SMITH THE rROPHET, CHAR VI. DANIEL MACK— HE JIESCUES THREE MK3T PBOM A WATERY GRAVK* Daniel comes next in order. He was rather worldly minded, yet lie was not vicious ; and if he had any peculiar trait of character, it was this— lie possessed a very daring and philanthropic spirit, which led him to reach forth Ins hand to the assist- ance of those whose lives were exposed to danger, * even to the hazard of his own life. For instance ; he, in company with several others, was once .stand- ing on the bank of Miller's River, in the town of Montague, when one of the number proposed taking a swim. Daniel objected, saying it was a dangerous place to swim in, yet they were determined, and three went in ; but, going out into the stream rather too far, th ey were overpowered by the current, and a kind of eddy which they fell into, and they sunk immediately. At this, Daniel said, " Now, gentlemen, these men are drowning : who will assist them at the risk of his life V* No one answered. At this, he sprang into the water, and, diving to the bottom, found one of them fastened to some small roots, Daniel took hold of him, and tore up the roots to which he was clinging, and brought him out, and then told the by- standers to get a barrel, for the purpose of rolling him on it, in order to make him disgorge the water which he had taken. He then went in again, and found the other two in the same situation as the first, and saved them in like manner. After rolling them a short time on barrels, he took them to a house, and gave them every possible attention, until they had so far recovered as to be able to speak. As soon as they could talk, one of them, fixing his eyes upon Daniel, said, "Mr, Mack* we have reason to look upon you as our saviour, for you have delivered us from a wateiy tomb j and I and nis rnoGEyrroits. 35 would that I could always live near you. We arc now assured that you have not only wisdom to counsel, but, when men have spurned your advice, you have still that greatness of soul which leads you to risk your own life to save your fellow man. No, I will never leave you as long as I live, for I wish to convince you that I ever remember you, and that I will never slight your counsel again." In this they were all agreed, and they carried out the same in their future lives. CHAP. VIL SOLOMON MACS. My youngest brother, Solomon, was bora and mar- ried in the town of Gilsum, state of New Hamp- shire, where he is still living ; and although lie is now very aged, he has never travelled farther than Boston, to which place his business leads him twice a year. He has gathered to himself in this rocky region, fields, flocks, and herds, which multiply and increase upon the mountains. He has been known at least twenty years, as Captain Solomon Mack, of Gilsum ; but, as he lives to speak for himself, and as I have to do chiefly with the dead, and not the living, I shall leave him, hoping that, as he has lived peaceably with all men, he may die happily, I have now given ' a brief account of all my father's family, save myself ; and what I have written has been done with the view of discharging an obligation which I considered resting upon me, inasmuch as they have all passed off this stage of action, except myself and youngest brother. And seldom do I meet with an individual with whom I 36 JOSEPH SMITH THE PROPHET, was even acquainted in my early years, and I am constrained to exclaim — u The friends of my youth ! where are they?" The tomb replies, "Here arc they ! " But, through my instrumentality, " Safely truth to urge her claims, presume* On names now found alone on books and tombs." CHAP. VIII. PARLY LIFE OP Ll'CT HACK — HER MARRIAGE WITH JOSEm SMITH. I shall now introduce the history of my own life. I was born in the town of Gilsum, Cheshire county, state of New Hampshire.on the eighth of July, 1776, When I arrived at the age of eight years, my mother had a severe fit of sickness. She was so low that she, as well as her friends, entirely despaired of her recovery. During this sickness she called her children around her bed, and, after exhorting them always to remember the instructions which she had given them — to fear God and walk uprightly before Him, she gave me to my brother Stephen, request- ing him to take care of me, and bring me up as his own child, then bade each of us farewell. This my brother promised to do ; but, as my mother shortly recovered, it was not necessary, and I consequently remained at my father's house until my sister Lovisa was married. Some time after this event I went to South Hadley, to pay Lovisa, who was living there, a visit, I returned home to my parents in about six months, and remained with them in Gilsum until the death of Lovina. Soon after which, my brother Stephen, who was living at Tunbridge, Vermont, came to my father's on a visit ; and he insisted so earnestly on my accompanying him home, that my parents consented. The grief occasioned by the AVD JITS TV, 00 EDITORS. 37 death of Lovhia was preying upon my health, and threatened my constitution with serious injury, and they hoped that to accompany my brother home might serve to divert my mind, and thus prove a benefit to me. For I was pensive and melancholy, and often in my reflections I thought that life was not worth possessing. In the midst of this anxiety of mind, I determined to obtain that which I had heard spoken of so much from the pulpit — a change of heart. To accomplish this, I spent much of my time in reading the Bible, and praying ; but, notwithstand- ing my great anxiety to experience a change of heart, another matter would always interpose in all my meditations — If I remain a member of no church, all religious people will say I am of the world ; and if I join some one of the different denominations, all the rest will say I am in error. No church will admit that I am right, except the one with which I am associated. This makes them witnesses against each other ; and how can T decide in such a case as this, seeing they are all unlike the Cfhurch of Christ, as it existed in former days ! While I remained at Tunbridge, I became ac- quainted with a young man by the name of Joseph Smith, to whom I was subsequently married, I continued with my brother one year, then went home. I was at home but a short time, when my brother came after me again, and insisted so hard upon my returning with him, that I concluded to do so. And this time I remained with him until I was married, which took place the next J anuary. 38 JOSEPH SMITH THE PROPHET, CHAP. IX. SEYBN GEXERATIOSS OP THE EMITS FAMlI/T— FOUR GENERATIONS 07 THE HACK FAMILY. Here, I would like to give the early history of lay husband, for many facta might be mentioned, that doubtless would be highly interesting ; but, as I am not capable of giving them in order, I shall de- cline making the attempt, and in the place thereof shall insert a transcript from the record of his family, beginning with Samuel Smith, who was the son of Robert and Mary Smith, who came from England. The above Samuel Smith, was born Jan. 26, 1666, in Toppsfield, Essex county, Massachusetts ; and was married to Rebecca Curtis, daughter of John Curtis, Jan. 25, 1707, Children of Samuel and Rebecca Smith, NAMES. Thebe 1st. Mary ... 2nd. Samuel Rebecca Elizabeth ... Hephzibah... Robert Susanna Hannah ...... BORN. Jan. 8, 1708 Aug. 14, 1711 Jan. 26, 1714 Oct. 1, 1715 July 8, 1718 1HFJD, HARRIED. To Steph. Averel To Amos Towne. ToPriscillaGouldiNov. 14, 1785 To John Batch... To Elizer Gould/March, 1753. Muy 12, 1722 To Win. Gallop.. Kov. 15, 1774 Apr. 25, 1724 May % 1726 jMay 5, 1741, Apr. 5, 1729(ToJohnPeabodylAu^ 17, 17iii 1st. Samuel Smith died July 12} 1748. His wife Rebecca Smith, March 2, 1753. Children of 2nd, Samuel, and 1st, Priscitla Smith, uh'ch Samttd was the son of 1st. Samuel and Rebecca Smith. Priscilla Sept.26, 1735 To Jacob Kimball [ j Sept. 15, 1755. 3rd. Samuel.Oct. 28, 1737!To RebecTowne [ Jan, 2, 1760. Vasta Oct. 5, l739 ToSolomonCurtis Sept 15, 1763. The 2nd. time to JacobHobbs,l7<J7 » A20) HIS PROGENITORS. 39 NAME. BOR2T. MARRIED. WED, Susanna Jan. 24, 1742 To I saac Hobba 1761 i 1st. Asael ...Mar. 1,1744 To Mary Duty, 1 Feb. 12, 1761. CtdldrenoflsUAsaelandMaYy Smith; which Asael the son of 2nd, Samuel and PiHscilla Smith. 1st. Jesse ... Priscilla 1st. Joseph.. 2nd. AsaeL.. Marj 4 th. Samuel,, 1st Silas ... 1st. John ... 3rd. Susanna Stephen Sarah Oct. 27,1769 May 21, 1773 Apr. 20,1768|ToHanh.Peabodj Jan. 20, 1792. To John C.WalW Aug. 24, 1796. July 12,1771 To Lucy Mack,... Jan. 24, 1796. „ BetsvSchillingcr Mar' 21, 1S02. June 4, 1775 To Israel Pearce. , Sept. 15, 1777 Oat 1, 1779^To Ruth Stevens, Jan. 29, 1805. The second time to Mary Atkins, March 4, 1828. ToClariesaLyman Sept 11, 1815. Sep. 14, 1840 July 16,1781 May 18, 1783 Apr. 17, 1785 May 17,1789 ToJoaephSanford Oct. 15, 1809. July 25,1802 May 27, 1824 Children of 1st Jesse and Hannah Smith ; which Jesse was the son of 1st. Asael and Mary Smith, Benjamin Q. was born Eliza, „ n Ira^ M it Harvy, „ M Harriet, „ ?, Stephen, n „ Mary, „ „ Catherine, ,, Royal, „ t> Sarah, ,, n D May 2, Mar. 9t Jan. 30, Apr. 1, Apr. 8, May 2, May 4, July 13, July 2, Dec. 16, 1793, 1795. 1797. 1799. 1801. 1803. 1805. 1807- 1809. 1810. 40 JOBEPTI SMITT1 THE rTV'TTlFT, Children of John C. and Priscilla Waller; which Pri&cilla was the dattghter of 1st A sad Smith. Calvin C. was bom June 6, 1797. Dolly, „ Oct 16, 1799. Marshall, „ „ March 18, 1801. Royal, „ „ Nov. 29, 1802, Dudley G\ „ „ Sept. 29, 1801 Bushrod, „ „ Oct 18, 180C. Silas R n H Jan. 1, 1809. Sally P. „ „ Oct 31, 1810. John H. „ „ Sept 9, 1812. Children of 1st. Joseph and Lucy SmitJi; which Jose}Ji was the son of the l$L A sad and Mary Smith. V AMES. Alvin 1 [yrum ■ » m ■• i Sophronia ... 2nd, Joseph . Feb. 11,1790 Feb. 9, 1800 Tunbridge, Vermont. May 18, 1803 Tunbridge, Vermont. Dec. 23,1805 Sharon, Windsor co., Vermont, MARRIED* DIED. Nov. 19, 1821 To Jerusha Bar- Murdered by den, Nov, 2, 1826 a mob, June Manchester, N,Y. 27, 1844, in To Mary Fielding,' Cartilage Jail 1837. Hancock co. Illinois, while under the protec- tion of Gov, Thos. Ford, To Calvin Stodard Dec. 2, 1827, Palmyra, N.Y. To Emma Hale/ Murdered by daughter of Isaac a mob, June Hale, in South 27, 1844, in Baiubridge, Chen-| CarthageJail ango county, N. Hancock co. York, Jan. 1 8,1 827 Illinois, while under the protec- tion of Gov. Thoe. Ford. ANT' T1I3 PROGENITORS. 41 NAME. BOHX. 5th* Samuel .[Mar. 13tlS08 Tunbridge, Vermont. Ephraim William,., Catherine Mar. 13,1810 Mar. 13,1811 Royalton, Vermont. July 8, 1812 Lebanon, K. Hampshire. To Mary Bailey, Aug. 13, 183 4. To Levira Clark, Apr, 29, 1812. DIED. July 30,1 84 4 of a fever, oc- casioned by over exer- tion in get- ting away from a mob, when his brothers were killed. Mar. 24, 1810 To Caroline Grant daughter of .Joshua Grant, Feb. 14, 1833. To Wilkins J. Salisbury, Jan. 8, 1S31. Don Carlos . . Mar. 2 5, 1 8 16 To Agnes Cool- brith, July 30, 1835, Kirtland, Ohio, Lucy July !StlS21 To Arth. Miliken, Juno 4, 1840, Nauvoo, Aug. 7, 1841 Children of 2nd. A sad and Betsy Smith; which A sad was the son of 1st. A sad arid Mary Smith. born Sept. 6, 1804, Sept 1, 1806. was Emily, „ 2nd. Jesse J, Esther, Mary J. Julia P, Martha, 2nd. Silas „ if it ft H it Oct. 6, 1808. Sept. 20, 1810. April 28, 1813. March 4, 1815. June 9, 1817. June 5,1822, Children r>f Iwad and Mary Pearce ; which Mary was (he davghter of 1st. Asad and Mart; Smith, Eunice, was born April 29, 1799. Miranda, „ #, June 17, 1803. Horace, „ „ June 8, 1S05, JohnS. „ „ March 6, 1807. 42 JOSEPD SMITH TIIE PROPHET, Susan, was born June 20, 1809. Mary, „ „ April 25, 1811. Laura, „ „ Feb. S, 1814. Eliza A. „ „ Sept. 2, 1817* Children of 1st, Silas and Ruth Smith ; which Silas was the son of 1st. Asael and Mary Smith, Charles, was born Nov. 11, 1806* Charity, „ „ April 1, 1808. Curtis. „ „ Oct 29, 1809. 6th*Samuel, „ „ Oct, 3, 1811. Stephen, n „ Jan. 8, 1815. Susan, „ Oct. 19, 1817. 3rd Asael, )$ „ Oct 12, 1819. Children by hUsecond wife Mary Smith. Silas L. was bom Oct 20, 1830. John A. „ „ July 6, 1832. Nathaniel J. „ „ Dec. 2, 1834. Children of 1st John and Clarissa Smith; which John was the son of \sL A sad and Jfai*y Smith* George A. vraa born June 26, 1817. Caroline, „ „ June 6, 1820. 2ml John L. „ „ Nov. 17, 1823. Children of II y mm and Jeruslia Smith; which Ht/rum was the son of 1st. Joseph and Lncy Smith* Lovina, was born Sept 16, 1827. Mary, ~, „ June 27, 1829, John, „ „ Sept 22, 1832. 2nd. Hyrum, „ April 27, 1834. Jerusha, „ „ Jan. 13, 1 836. Sarab, „ „ Oct 2, 1837. Children of Hyrum Smith and Mary, his second wife. 4th. Joseph, was born Nov, 13, 1838. Martha, „ May 14, 1841, Children of 2nd. Joseph , the Prophet, and Emma Smith; which Joseph wax the son of 1st. Joseph and Lucy Smith* Julia M. Smith, adopted daughter, was born April 30, 1831. AND HIS PROGENITORS. * 43 3rd. Joseph, was born Nov. 6, 1832. Frederick O. W. „ June 20, 1836. Alexander, „ ,t June 2, 1838, Don Carlos, „ „ June 13, 1840. David H, „ „ Nov. 18, 1844. Children of 5th. Samuel Smith and Mary, his fast wife ; which Samuel was the son of 1st Jos?i>h and Lucy Smith. Susanna B. was born Oct. 27, 1835. Mary B. „ „ March 27, 1837. Samuel H.B. „ „ Aug. 1, 1838. Lucy B. „ „ Jan. 31, 1841. Mary Smith died Jan. 25fch, 184L Children of Samud Smitft and Levira, his second wife. Levira A. C. was born April, 29, 1842. Lovisa a „ „ Aug. 28, 184 3. Lucy J, C. Jt Aug, 20, 1844. Cliildren of William and Caroline Smith ; which William was the son of 1st. Joseph and Lucy Smith. Mary Jane, was born Jan* 1835. Caroline L. „ n Aug, 1836. Childncn* of Don Carlos and Agnes Smith; which Don Carlos was the son of 1st. Joseph and Lacy Smith. Agnes C. was born Aug. 1, 1836* Sophronia C. „ >9 1838. Josephine D. „ „ March 10, 1841. Children of Calvin and Sophronia Stodard. Eunice, was born March 22, 1S30. Maria, n „ April 12, 1832. Children of Willins /. and Catharine Salisbury; which Catharine was the daughter of 1st, Joseph Smith. Elizabeth, was born April 9, 1832, Lucy, „ „ Oct 3, 1834. Solomon J. „ „ Sept. 18, 1835. Alvin, „ „ June 7, 1838. Don C. „ Oct. 25, 1841. Emma C. n March 25, 1844. d 2 44 JOSEPH SMITH THE PI10PHET, Arthur and Lucy Milikeu have one sod, named Don Carlos Milikeu. Geo* A. Smith, son of 1st. John Smith, was married to Bathsheba Bigler, July 25, 1841. Children of George A. and Bathsheba Smith, George Albert, was born July 7, 1842. Bathaheba, „ „ Aug, 14, 1844, Having now given all tlie names belonging to the family of Smith, I shall take Tip another lineage, namely, that of the Mack family, commencing with my grandfather Ebenezer Mack. Ebenezer Mack had three sons, Elisha, Samuel, and Solomon, and one daughter named. Hypsebeth. His son Solomon was born in the town of Lyme, state of Con- necticut, Sept. 26, 1735 ; was married to a young woman by the name of Lydia Gates, in the year 1759. This Lydia Gates was bom in East Haddam, state of Connecticut, Sept. 3, 1735, The following are the name* of the children of 1st. Solomon , and Lydia Mack ; which Solomon teas the son of Ebenezer and Hannah Mack. Jason Mack . Stephen Mack. Daniel Mack. 2nd. Solomon Mack. Lovisa Mack, Lovina Mack. Lydia Mack, Lucy Mack Children of 2nd. Solomon Mack; which Solomon was the son of l$f. Solomon. Mack. Calvin, was born Nov. 28, 1797. Orlando, „ „ Sept. 23, 1799. Chilon, n h July 26, 1802. 3rd. Solomon „ „ May 23, 1805. Amos, „ n May 1, 1807. Dennis, #f „ Oct. 18, 1809. Merrill, M n Sept, 14, 1812, Esther, „ „ April 2, 1815. Itizpah, n u June 5, 1818, AND HIS PROGENITORS, 45 CHAP. X. A PBE8181 Ot 091 TUOCSASD DOLLARS, FROM JOUX Ml'DGET AND STHPHKII MACK, TO THE AUTHOR. Soon after I was married, I went with my husband to see my parents, and as we were about setting out on this visit, my brother Stephen, and his partner in business, John Mudget, were making some re- marks in regard to my leaving them, and the conversation presently turned upon the subject of giving me a marriage present. "Well/* said Mr. Mudget, *' Lucy ought to have something worth naming, and I will give her just as much as you will." "Done," said ray brother, "I will give her fivo hundred dollars in cash." *' Good" said the other, " and I will give her five hundred dollars more " So they wrote a cheque on their bankers for one thousand dollars, and presented me with the same. This cheque I laid aside, as I had other means by me sufficient to purchase my housekeeping fur- niture. Having visited my father and mother, we re- turned again to Tunbridge, where my companion owned a handsome farm, upon which we settled ourselves, and began to cultivate the soil. We lived on this place about six years, tilling the earth for a livelihood. In 1802 we rented our farm in Tunbridge, and moved to the town of Randolph, where we opened a mercantile establishment. When we came to this place we had two children, Alvin and Hyrum, 46 Joseph smm the prophet, 9 CHAP, XL SICKNESS IN RANDOLPH. We had lived in Randolph but six months when I took sl heavy cold, which caused a severe cough. To relieve4his, every possible exertion was made, but it was all in vain. A hectic fever set in, which threat- ened to prove fatal, and the physician pronounced my case to be confirmed consumption. During this sickness my mother watched over me with much anxiety, sparing herself no pains in administering to my comfort, yet I continued to grow weaker and weaker, until I could scarcely endure even a foot- fall upon the floor, except in stocking-foot, and no one was allowed to speak in the room above a whisper. While I was in this situation a Methodist ex- hort er came to see me. On coming to the door, he knocked in his usual manner, and his knocking so agitated me that it was a considerable length of time before my nerves became altogether quieted again. My mother motioned him to a chair, and in a whisner informed him of my situation, which prevented his askiug me any questions. He tarried some time, and while he sat he seemed deeply to meditate upon the uncertainty of my recovering ; in the mean time, he showed a great desire to have conversation with me respecting my dyin<*. As he thus sat pondering, I fancied to myself that lie was going to ask me if I was prepared to die, and I dreaded to have him speak to me, for then I did not consider myself ready for such an awful event, inasmuch as 1 knew not the ways of Christ ; besides, there appeared to be a dark and lonesome chasm, between myself and the Saviour, which I dared not attempt to pass. I thought I strained my eyes, and by doing so I could discern a faint glimmer of the light that ASD HIS PHOG EDITORS. * 47 was beyond the gloom which lay immediately before me, When I was meditating upon death, in this man- ner, my visitor left, soon after which my hnsband came to my bed, and took me by the hand, and said, u Oh, Lncy ! my wife ! my wife ! yon must die ! The doctors have given you up ; and all say you cannot live," I then looked to the Lord, and begged and pleaded with him to spare my life, in order that I might bring np my children, and be a comfdrt to my hus- band. My inind was much agitated during the whole night. Sometimes T contemplated heaven and heavenly things ; then my thoughts would turn upon those of eavth — my babes and my companion. During this night I made a solemn covenant with God, that, if he would let me live, I would endeavour to serve him according to the best of my abilities. Shortly after this, I heard a voice say to me, "Seek, and ye shall find ; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. Let your heart be comforted ; ye believe in God, believe also in me." In a few moments my mother came in, and, look* ing upon me, she said, tf Lucy, you are better." I replied, as my speech returned just at that in- stant, " Yes, mother, the Lord will let me live, if I am faithful to the promise which I made to him, to be a comfort to my mother, my husband, and my children." I continued to gain strength, until I be- came quite well as to my bodily health ; but my mind was considerably disquieted. It was wholly occupied upon the subject of religion. As soon as I was able, I made all diligence in endeavouring to find some one who was capable of instructing me more perfectly in the way of life and salvation. As soon as I had strength sufficient, I visited one Deacon Davics, a mnn whom I regarded as exceed- ingly pious ; and, as he was apprised of my sudden and miraculous recovery, I expected to hear about the same which I had heard from my mother — "The Lord has done a marvellous work; let His 48 JOSEPH SMITH TOE PROPHET, name have the praise thereof." But, no : from the time I arrived at his house until I left I heard nothing, except, " Oh, Mrs. Smith has come— help her in — ran, build a fire, make the room warm — fill the tea-kettle — get the great arm-chair/' &c., &c. Their excessive anxiety concerning my physical convenience and comfort, without being seasoned with one word in relation to Christ or godliness, sickened and disgusted me, and I returned home very sorrowful and much disappointed. From my anxiety of mind to abide the covenant which I had made with the Lord, I went from place to place, for the purpose of getting information, and finding, if it were possible, some congenial spirit who could enter into my feelings, and thus be able to strengthen and assist me in carrying out my resolutions. I heard that a very devout man was to preach the next Sabbath in the Presbyterian Church ; I there- fore went to meeting, in the full expectation of hear- ing that which my soul desired — the Word of Life. When the minister commenced speaking, I fixed my mind with deep attention upon the spirit and mat- ter of his discourse ; but, after hearing him through, I returned home, convinced that he neither under- stood nor appreciated the subject upon which lie spoke! and I said in my heart that there was not then upon earth the religion which I sought. I therefore determined to examine my Bible, and, taking Jesus and his disciples for my guide, to en- deavour to obtain from God that which man could neither give nor take away. Notwithstanding this, I would hear all that could be said, as well as read much that was written, on the subject of religion ; but the Bible I intended should be my guide to life and salvation. This course I pursued a number of years. At length I considered it my duty to be baptized, and, finding a minister who was willing to baptize me, and leave me free in regard to join- ing any religious denomination, I stepped forward , and yielded obedience to this ordinance ; after AND HIS PROGENITORS. 49 which I continued to read the Bible as formerly, until my eldest son had attained his twenty-second year. I CHAP. XIL JOSEPH SMITH, SENIOR, LOSES HIS PftOPEUTY A!H> BECOttRS POOR — RECEIVES A VISIT PBOM JAftO^ MACK — THE HISTORY OF TUB LATTF.R CONCLUDED. I My husband, as before stated, followed merchandis- ing for a short period in the town of Randolph. I Soon after he commenced business in this place, he ascertained that crystal ized gensang root sold very I high in China, being used as a remedy for the plague, which was then raging there. He therefore concluded to embark in a traffic of this article, and consequently made an investment of all the means which he commanded, in that way and manner which was necessary to carry on a busi- ness of this kind, viz*, crystalizing and exporting the root. When he had obtained a quantity of the same, a merchant by the name of Stevens, of Royalton, offered him three thousand dollar^ for what he had ; but my husband refused his offer, as it was only I about two-thirds of its real value, and told the gen- tleman that he would rather venture shipping it himself. My husband, in a short time, went to the city of New York, with the view of shipping his gensang, and finding a vessel in port which was soon to set sail , he made arrangements with the captain to this effect — that he was to sell the gensang in China, * and return the avails thereof to my husband ; and tliis the captain bound himself to do, in a written obligation, I . Mr, Stevens, hearing that Mr, Smith was making arrangements to ship his gensang, repaired imme- diately to New York, and, by taking some pains, 50 JOSEPH SMITH THE PROPHET, lie ascertained the vessel on board of which Mr, Smith had shipped his gensang ; and having some of the same article on nand himself, he made ar- rangements with the captain to take his also, and he was to send his son on board the vessel to take charge of it. It appears, from circumstances that afterwards transpired, that the gensang was taken to China, and sold there to good advantage, or at a high price, hut not to much advantage to us, for we never re- ceived any thing, except a small chest of tea, of the avails arising from this adventure. When the vessel returned, Stevens the younger also returned with it, and when my husband be- came apprized of his arrival, he went immediately to him and made inquiry respecting the success of the captain in selling his gensang. Mr. Stevens told him quite a plausible tale, the particulars of which I have forgotten ; but the amount of it was, that the sale had been a perfect failure, and the only thing which had been brought for Mr. Smith from China was a small chest of tea, which chest had been delivered into his care, for my husband. In a short time after this, young Stevens hired a house of Major Mack, and employed eight or ten hands, and commenced the business of crystalizing gensang. Soon after engaging in this business, when he had got fairly at work, my brother, Major Mack, went to see him, and, as it happened, he found him considerably intoxicated When my brother came into his presence, he spoke to him thus, u Well, Mr. Stevens, you are doing a fine business ; you will soon be ready for another trip to China, * Then observed again, in a quite indifferent manner, u Oh, Mr. Stevens, how much did brother Smith's adven- ture bring ?" Being under the influence of liquor, lie was not on his guard, and took my brother by the hand and led him to a trunk ; then opening it, he observed, u There, sir, are the proceeds of Mr. Smith's gensang ! " exhibiting a large amount of sil- ver and gold. AND HIS PROOEXTTOBS. 51 My brother was much astounded at this ; how- ever, he disguised M3 feelings, and conversed with him a short time upon different subjects, then re- turned home, and about ten o'clock the same night he started for Kandolph, to see my husband. When Mr, Stevens had overcome his intoxication, he began to reflect upon what he had done, and making some inquiry concerning my brother, he ascertained that he had gone to Kandolph. Mr. Stevens, conjecturing his business — that he had gone to see my husband respecting the gensang adven- ture, went immediately to his establishment, dis- missed his hands, called his carriage, and fled with his cash for Canada, and I have never heard any thing concerning him since. My husband pursued him a while, but finding pursuit vain, returned home much dispirited at the state of his affairs. He then went to work to over- haul his accounts, in order to see how he stood with the world j upon which he discovered that, in addi- tion to the loss sustained by the China adventure, he had lost about two thous&nd dollars in bad' debts. At the time he sent his venture to China he was owing eighteen hundred dollars in the city of Boston, for store goods, and he expected to discharge the debt at the return of the China expedition ; but, having invested almost all his means in gensang, the loss which he suffered in this article rendered it im- possible for him to pay his debt with the property which remained in his hands. The principal depen- dence left him, in the shape of property, was the farm at Tunbridge, upon which we were then living, hav- ing moved back to this place immediately after his venture was sent to China. This farm, which was worth about fifteen hundred dollars,my husband sold for eight hundred dollars, in order to make a speedy payment on the Boston debt ; and, as I had not used the check of one thousand dollars, which my brother and Mr, Mudget gave me, I added it to the eight hundred dollars obtained for the farm, and by this means the whole debt was liqxiidated. I 52 JOSEPH SMITH THE PROPHET, While we were living on the Tunbridge farm, my brother Jason made us a visit. He brought with him a young man by the name of William Smith, a friendless orphan, whom he had adopted as his own bod, and, previous to this time, had kept constantly with him ; but he now thought best to leave him with us, for the purpose of having him go to schooL He remained with us, however, only six months be- fore my brother came again and took him to New Brunswick, which they afterwards made their home, and where my brother had gathered together some thirty families, on a tract of land which he had pur- chased for the purpose of assisting poor persons to the means of sustaining themselves. He planned their work for them, and when they raised anything which they wished to sell, he took it to market for them. Owning a schooner himself, he took their produce to Liverpool, as it was then the best market. m ■ • -4 When Jason set out on the above-mentioned visit to Tunbridge, he purchased a quantity of goods, which he intended as presents for his friends, especi- ally his mother and sisters ; but, on his way thither, he found so many objects of charity, that he gave away not only the goods, but most of his money. On one occasion, lie saw a woman who had j ust lost her husband, and who was very destitute ; he gave her fifteen dollars in money, and a full suit of clothes for herself "and each of her children, which were six in number. This was the last interview I ever had with my brother Jason, but, twenty years later, he wrote the following letter to my brother Solomon, and that is about all the intelligence I have ever received from him since I saw him : — " South Brauch of Onnucto, Province of New Brunswick, June 30, 1835* " My Dear Brother Solomon,— Yon will, no doubt, be surprised to hear that I am still alive, although in au absence of twenty years I have never written to you before. But I trust you will forgive me when I tell you AND IIIS PROQEXITORS 63 that, for most of the twenty year?*, I have been so situated that I have had little or no communication with the lines, and have been holding meetings, day and night, from place to place ; besides, my mind has been so taken up with the deplorable situation of the earth, the dark- ness in which it lies, that, when my labours did call me near the lines, I did not realize the opportunity which presented itself of letting you know where I was. And, again, I have designed visiting you long since, and annu- ally have promised myself that the succeeding year I would certainly seek out my relatives, and enjoy the pri- vilege of one pleasing interview with them before I passed iuto the valley and shadow of death. But last, though not least, let me not startle you when I say, that, accord* iug to my early adopted principles of the power of faith, the Lord has, in his exceeding kindness, bestowed upon me the gift of healing by the prayer of faith, and the use of such simple means as seem congenial to the human system ; but my chief reliance is upon him who organized us at the first, and can restore at pleasure that which is disorganized " The first of my peculiar success in this way was twelve years since, and from nearly that date I have had little rest. In addition to the incessant calls which I, in a short time had, there was the most overwhelming torrent of opposition poured down upon me that I ever witnessed. But it pleased God to take the weak to con- found the wisdom of the wise. I have in the last twelve years seen the greatest manifestations of the power of God in healing the sick, that, with all my sanguinity, I ever hoped or imagined. And when the learned infidel has declared with sober face, time and again, that disease Lad obtained such an ascendancy that death could be resisted no longer, that the victim must wither beneath his potent arm, I have seen the almost lifeless clay slowly but surely resuscitated, and revive, till the pallid monster fled 30 far that the patient was left in the full bloom of vigorous health. But it is God that hath done it, and to him let all the praise be given. *' I am now compelled to close this epistle, for I must start immediately on a journey of more than one hundred miles, to attend a heavy case of sickness ; so God be with you all. Farewell 1 "Jason Mack.*1 , 54 JOSEPH SMITH THE PPvOFllET, The next intelligence we received concerning Jason, after his letter to brother Solomon, was, that he, his wife, and oldest son, were dead \ and this concludes my account of my brother J ason, CHAP. XIII. THE AUTHOR'S DAEAjf. While we were living in the town of Tunbridge, my mind became deeply impressed with the subject of religion ; which, probably, was occasioned by my singular experience during my sickness at Kandolph. I began to attend Methodist meetings, and, to oblige me, my husband accompanied me ; but when this came to the ears of his father and oldest brother, they were so displeased, and said so much in regard to the matter, that my husband thought it best to desist. He said that he considered it as hardly worth our while to attend the meetings any longer, as it would prove of but little advantage to us ; besides this, it gave our friends such disagreeable feelings, I was considerably hurt by this, yet I made no reply. I retired to a grove not far distant, where I prayed to the Lord in behalf of my husband — that the true Gospel might be presented to him, and that his heart might be softened so as to receive it, or, that he might become more religiously inclined* After praying some time in this manner, I returned to the house, much depressed in spirit, which state of feel- ing continued until I retired to my bed. I soon fell asleep, and had the following dream : — I thought that I stood in a large and beautiful meadow, which lay a short distance from the house in which we lived, and that everything around me wore an aspect of AND HIS mOGENTTORS. peculiar pleasantness The first thing that attracted my special attention in this magnificent meadow, was a very- pure and clear stream of water, which ran through the midst of it ; and as I. traced this stream, I discovered two trees standing upon its margin, both of which were on the same side of the stream. These trees were very beautiful, they were well proportioned, and towered with majestic beauty to a great height* Their branches, which added to their symmetry and glory, commenced near the top, and spread themselves in luxurious gran- deur around, I gazed upon them with wonder and admiration ; and after beholding them a short time, I saw one of them was surrounded with a bright belt, that ahone like burnished gold, but far more brilliantly. Presently, a gentle breeze passed by, and the tree encircled with this golden zone, bent gracefully before the wind, and waved its beautiful branches in the light air. As the wind in- creased, this tree assumed the moat lively and animated appearance, and seemed to express in its motions the ut- most joy and happiness. If it had been an intelligent creature, it could not have conveyed, by the power of language, the idea of joy and gratitude so perfectly as it did ; and even the stream that rolled beneath it, shared, apparently, every sensation felt by the tree, for, as the branches danced over the stream, it would swell gently, then recede again with a motion as soft as the breathing of an infant, but as lively as the dancing of a sunbeam. The belt also partook of the same influence, and as it moved in unison with the motion of the stream and of the tree, it increased continually in refulgence and magnitude, until it became exceedingly glorious. I turned my eyes upon its fellow, which stood oppo- site ; but it was not surrounded with the belt of light as the former, and it stood erect and fixed as a pillar of marble. No matter how strong the wind blew over it, not a leaf was stirred, not a bough was bent; but obsti- nately stiff it stood, scorning alike the zephyr's breath, or the power of the mighty storm. I wondered at what I saw, and said in my heart, What can be the meaning of all this ? And the interpretation given me was, that these personated my husband and his oldest brother, Jesse Smith; that the •tubbora and un- yielding tree was like Jesse j that the other, more pliant and flexible, was like J^eph, my husband ; that the breath of heaven, which passed over them, was the E2 56 JOSEPH SMITH THE PROniET, pure and undefilcd Gospel of the Sou of God, which Gospel Jesse would always resist, but which Joseph, when he was more advanced in life, would hear and receive with his whole heart, and rejoice therein; and unto him would be added intelligence, happiness, glory, and evcr; lasting life. CHAP, XIV, riRST VISION OF JOSEPH SMITH, SENIOR— THIS BOX — SB COX D VISION — TIlK TRUE AKD THE 8PAG10CB BUILDIJCG, After selling the farm at Tunbridge, we moved only a short distance, to the town of Royalton. Here we resided a few months, then moved again to Sharon, Windsor county, Vermont, In the latter place, my husband rented a farm of my father, which he cultivated in the summer, teaching school in the winter. In this way husband con- tinued labouring for a few years, during which time our circumstances gradually improved, until we found ourselves quite comfortable again. In the meantime we had a son, whom we called Joseph, after the name of his father ; he was born December 23, 1805. I shall speak of him more particularly by and by. We moved thence to Tunbridge. Here we had another son, whom we named Samuel Harrison, born March 13, 1808. We lived in this place a short time, then moved to Royalton, where Ephraim was born, March 13, 1810, We continued here until we had another son, born March 13, 1811, whom we called William. About this time my husband's mind became much excited upon the subject of religion ; yet he would not subscribe to any particular system of faith, but A5"D IIIS PROGENITORS fi9 contended for the ancient order, as established by our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, and his Apostles. One night my husband retired to his bed, in a very thoughtful state of mind, contemplating the situation of the Christian religion, or the confusion and discord that were extant. He soon fell into a sleep, and before waking had the following vision, which I shall relate in his own words, just as he told it to me the next morning H I seemed to be travelling in an open, barren field, and as I was travelling, I turned my eyes towards the east, the west, the north, and the south, but could see nothing save dead fallen timber. Not a vestige of life, either animal or vegetable, could be seen ; besides, to render the scene still more dreary, the most death-like silence prevailed, no sound of anything animate could be heard in all the field* I was alone in this gloomy de3ert, with the excep- tion of an attendant spirit, who kept constantly by my side. Of him I inquired the meaning of what I saw, and why I was thus travelling in such a dismal place. He answered thus : 1 Thia field is the world^ which now lieth inanimate and dumb, in regard to the true religion, or plan of salvation ; but travel on, and by the wayside you will find on a certain log a box, the contents of which, if you eat thereof, will make you wise, and give unto you wisdom and understanding.' I carefully observed what was told me by my guide, and proceeding a short distance, I came to the box. I immediately took it up, and placed it under my left arm ; then with eagerness I raised the lid, and began to taste of its contents ; upon which all manuer of beasts, horned cattle, and roaring animals, rose up on every side in the most threatening manner possible, tear- ing the earth, tossing their horns, and bellowing most terrifically all around me, and they finally came so close upon me, that I was compelled to drop the box, and fly for my life. Yet, in the midst of all this I was perfectly happy, though I awoke trembling." From this forward, my hnsband seemed more con- firmed than ever, in the opinion that there was no order or class of religionists that knew any more concerning the Kingdom of God, than those of the 58 JOSErH SMTTTT THE FTtOriTET, world, or such as made no profession of religion whatever. In 1811, we moved from Royal ton, Vermont, to the town of Lebanon, New Hampshire. Soon after arriving here, my husband received another very singular vision, which I will relate : — " I thought," said he, 1 f I was travelling in an open, desolate field, which appeared to be very barren. As 1 was thus travelling, the thought suddenly came into my mind that I had better stop and reflect upon what 1 was doing, before 1 went any further. So 1 asked myself, ' What motive can 1 have in travelling here, and what place can this be V My guide, who was by my side, as before, said, ' This is the desolate world ; but travel on/ The road was so broad and barren, that I wondered why I should travel in it ; for, said I to myself, * Broad is the road, and wide is the gate that leads to death, and many there be that walk therein; but narrow is the way, and straight is the gate that leads to everlasting life, and few there be that go in thereat.' Travelling a short distance further, 1 came to a narrow path* This path I entered, and, when I had travelled a little way in it, I beheld a beautiful stream of water, which ran from the east to the west. Of this stream I could see neither the source nor yet the termination ; but as far as my eyes could extend I could see a rope, running along the bank of it, about as high as a man could reach, and beyond me, was a low, but very pleasant, valley, in which stood *i tree, such as I, had never seen before. It was exceedingly handsome, insomuch that I looked upon it with wonder and admi- ration. Its beautiful branches spread themselves some- what like an umbrella, and it bore a kind of fruit, in shape much like a chestnut bur, and as white as snow, or, if possible, whiter. I gazed upon the same with consider- able interest, and as I was doing so, the burs or shells commenced opening and shedding their particles, or the fruit which they contained, which was of dazzling white- ness. I drew near, and began to eat of it, and I found it delicious beyond description. As I was eating, I said iu my heart, ' I cannot eat this alone, I must bring my wife and children, that they may partake with me/ Accord- ingly, I went and brought my family, which consisted of a wife and seven children, and we all commenced eating, and praising God for this blessing. We were exceedingly AND niS PftOGENITOKS- 59 happy, insomuch that our joy could not easily be ex- pressed. While thus engaged, I beheld a spacious build- ing standing opposite the valley which we were in, and it appeared to reach to the very heavens. It was full of doors and windows, and they were all filled with people, who were very finely dressed. When these people ob- served us in the low valley, under the tree, they pointed the finger of scorn at us, and treated us with all manner of disrespect and contempt* But their contumely we utterly disregarded. I presently turned to my guide, and inquired of him the meaning of the fruit that was so delicious. He told me it was the pure love of God, shed abroad in the hearts of all those who love him, and keep his commandments. He then commanded me to go and bring the rest of my children, I told him that we were all there, 4 No,* he replied, 4 look yonder , you have two more, and you must bring them also/ Upon raising my eyes, I saw two small children, standing some distance off. I immediately went to them, and brought them to the tree ; upon which they commenced eating with the rest, and we all rejoiced together. The more we eat, the more we seemed to desire, until we even got down upon our knees, and scooped it up, eating it by double handfuUs. After feasting in this manner a short time, I asked my guide what was the meaning of the spacious building which I saw. He replied, 'It is Babylon, it is Babylon, and it must fall The people in the doora and windows are the inhabitants thereof, who scorn and despise the Saints of God, because of their humility.' I soon awoke, clapping my hands together for joy/' CHAP. XV. SICKNESS AT LEBASOX— SOPUROXU'S SUR AC CLOUS RECOVERY. We moved, as before-mentioned, to the town of Lebanon, New Hampshire. Here we settled ourselves down, and began to contemplate, with joy and satis- CO JOSEPH SMITH THE PROPHET, faction, the prosperity which had attended our recent exertions ; and we doubled our diligence, in order to obtain more of this world's goods, with the view of assisting our children, when they should need it ; and, as is quite natural, we looked forward to the decline of life, and were providing for its wants, as well as striving to procure those things which contribute much to the comfort of old age. As our children had, in a great measure, been debarred from the privilege of schools, we began to make every arrangement to attend to this impor- tant duty. We established our second son Hyrum in an academy at Hanover ; and the rest, that were of sufficient age, we were sending to a common school that was quite convenient. Meanwhile, my- self and companion were doing all that our abilities would admit of for the future welfare and advantage of the family, and were greatly blessed in our labours. But this state of things did not long continue, The typhus fever came into Lebanon, and raged tremendously. Among the number seized with this complaint were, first, Sophronia ; next Hyrum, who was taken while at school, and came home sick i then Alvin ; in short, one after another was taken down, till all of the family, with the exception of myself and husband, were prostrated upon a bed of sickness, Sophronia had a heavy siege. The physician attended upon her eighty-nine days, giving her medicine all the while ; but on the ninetieth day, he said she was so far gone, it was not for her to receive any benefit from medicine, and for this cause he discontinued his attendance upon her. The ensuing night, she lay altogether motionless, with her eyes wide open, and with that peculiar aspect which bespeaks the near approach of death. As she thus lay, I gazed upon her as a mother looks upon the last shade of life in a darling child. In this moment of distraction, my husband and myself clasped our hands, fell upon our knees by the bed- AND HIS PROGENITORS. 61 side, and poured out our grief to God, in prayer and supplication, beseeching him to spare our child yet a little longer. Did the Lord hear our petition ? Yes, he most assuredly did, and before we rose to our feet, he gave us a testimony that she should recover. When we first arose from prayer, our child had, to all appearance, ceased breathing. I caught a blanket, threw it around her, then, taking her in my arms, commenced pacing the floor. Those present remon- strated against my doing as I did, saying, "Mrs. Smith, it is all of no use ; you are certainly crazy, your child is dead." Notwithstanding, I would not, for a moment, relinquish the hope of again seeing her breathe and live. This recital, doubtless, will be uninteresting to some ; but those who have experienced in life some- thing of this kind are susceptible of feeling, and can sympathize with me. Are you a mother who has been bereft of a child ? Feel for your heart-strings, and then tell me how 1 felt with my expiring child pressed to my bosom ! Would you at this trying moment feel to deny that God had " power to save to the uttermost all who call on Him "! I did not then, neither do I now. At length she sobbed. I still pressed her to my breast, and continued to walk the floor. She sobbed again, then looked up into my face, and commenced breathing quite freely. My soul was satisfied, but my strength was gone. 1 laid my daughter on the bed, and sunk by her side, completely overpowered by the intensity of my feelings. From this time forward Sophronia continued mending, until she entirely recovered. fi2 JOSKriT SMITH THE TROPHET, CHAP. XVI. T1H! SUFFERINGS OF JOSEPH SMITH, JUNIOR, WITH A FEVER EXTRACTiOtf^OF LARflB FRAGMENTS OF BOMB FROM OXE OF JUS LEGS, W Joseph, our third son, having recovered from the typhus fever, after something like two weeks' sick- ness; one day screamed out while sitting in a chair, with a pain in his shoulder, and, in a very short time, he appeared to be in such agony, that we feared the consequence would prove to be something very serious. We immediately sent for a doctor. When he arrived, and had examined the patient, he said that it was his opinion that this pain was occasioned by a sprain. But the child declared this could not be the case, as he had received no injury in any way whatever, but that a severe pain had seized him all at onoe, of the cause of which he was entirely ignorant. Notwithstanding the child's protestations, still the physician insisted, that it must be a sprain, and consequently, he anointed his shoulder with some bone linament ; but this was of no advantage to him, for the pain continued the same after the anointing as before. When two weeks of extreme suffering had elapsed, the attendant physician concluded to make closer examination ; whereupon he found that a large fever sore had gathered between his breast and shoulder. He immediately lanced it, upon which it discharged fully a quart of matter. As soon as the sore had discharged itself, the pain left it, and shot like lightning (using his own terms) down his side into the marrow of the bone of his leg, and soon became very severe. My poor boy, at this, was almost in despair, and he, cried out u Oh, father ! the pain is so severe, how can I bear it !" His leg soon began to swell, and he continued to Buffer the greatest agony for the space of two weeks longer. During this period, I carried him much of AND HIS PROGENITORS. 03 the time in my arms, in order to mitigate his suffer- ing as much as possible ; in consequeupe of which, I was taken very ill myself. The an4pty of mind that I experienced, together with j^ysical over- exertion, was too much for my constitution, and my nature sunk under it. Hyrum, who was rather remarkable for his ten- derness and sympathy, now desired that he might take my place. As he was a good, trusty boy, we let him do so ; and, in order to make the task as easy for Itim as possible, we laid Joseph upon a low bed, and Hyrum sat beside him, almost day and night, for some considerable length of time, holding; the affected part of his leg in his hands, and pressing it between them, so that his afflicted brother might be enabled to endure the pain, which was so excru- ciating, that he was scarcely able to bear it* At the end of three weeks, we tin night it a<l vis- able to send again for the surgeon. When he came, he made an incision of eight inches, on the front side of the leg, between the knee and ankle. This relieved the pain in a great measure, and the patient was quite comfortable until the wound began to heal, when the pain became as violent as ever, The surgeon was called again > and he this time enlarged the w^ound, cuttiug the leg even to the bone. It commenced healing the second time, and as soon as it began to heal, it also began to swell again, which swelling continued to rise till we deemed it wisdom to call a council of surgeons ; and when they met in consultation, they decided that amputation was the only remedy. Soon after coming to this conclusion, they rode up to the door, and were invited into a room, apart from the one in which Joseph lay. They being seated, I addressed them thus : '* Gentlemen, what can you do to save my boy's leg ?" They answered, " We can do nothing ; we have cut it open to the bone, and find it so affected that we consider his leg incurable, and that amputation is absolutely neces- sary in order to save his life." F 61 JOSEPn SMITH THE PROPHET, This was like a thunder bolt to me. I appealed to the principal surgeon, saying, "Dr. Stone, can you not make another trial ? Can you not, by cutting around the bone, take out the diseased part, and perhaps that which is sound will heal over, and by this means you will save his leg ? You will not, you must not, take off his leg, until you try once more. I will not consent to let you enter his room until you make me this promise," After consulting a short time with each other, they agreed to do as I had requested, then went to see my suffering son* One of the doctors, on ap- proaching his bed, said, "My poor boy, we have come again." u Yes," said J osepli, " I see you have ; but you have not come to take off my leg, have you, sir?" "No" replied the surgeon, "it is your mother's request that we make one more effort, and that is what we have now come for,** The principal surgeon, after a moment's conver- sation, ordered cords to be brought to bind Joseph fast to abedstead ; but to this Joseph objected. The doctor, however, insisted that he must he confined, upon which Joseph said very decidedly, " No, doc- tor, I will not be bound, for I can bear the opera- tion much better if I have my liberty." " Then," said Dr. Stone, "will youdriuk some brandy ?" u No," said Joseph , u not one drop." « Will y you take some wine !" rejoined the doctor. " You must take something, or you can never en- dure the severe operation toiwhich you must be subjected" " No," exclaimed Joseph, "I will not touch one particle of liquor, neither will I be tied down ; but I will tell you what I will do — I will have my father sit on the bed and hold me iu his arms, and then I will do whatever is necessary iu order to have the bone taken out " Looking at me, he said, " Mother, I want you to leave the room, for I know you cannot bear to see me suffer so ; father can stand it> but you have carried me so much, and watched over me so long, you are almost worn out." Then looking up AND IRS PROGENITORS. 65 into my face, his eyes swimming in tears, he con- tinued, " Now, mother, promise me that you will not stay, will you 1 The Lord will help me, and I shall get through with it" To this request I consented, and getting a number of folded sheets, and laying them under his leg, I retired, going several hundred yards from the house in order to be out of hearing. The surgeons commenced operating by boring into the bone of his leg, first on one side of the bone where it was affected, then on the other side, after which they broke it off with a pair of forceps or pin- cers. They thus took away large pieces of the bone. When they broke off the first piece, Joseph screamed out so loudly, that I could not forbear running to him. On my entering his room, he cried out, " Oh, mother, go back, go back ; I do not want you to come in — I will try to tough it out, if you will go away." . When the third piece was taken away, I burst into the room again — and oh, my God ! what a spec- tacle for a mother's eye ! The wound torn open, the blood still gushing from it, and the bed literally covered with Wood, Joseph was as pale as a corpse, and large drops of sweat were rolling down his face, whilst upon every feature was depicted the utmost agony ! I was immediately forced from the room, and detained until the operation was completed ; but when the act was accbmplished, Joseph put upon a clean bed, the room cleared of every appearance of blood, and the instruments which were used in the operation removed, 1 was permitted again to enter- Joseph immediately commenced getting better, and from this onward, continued to mend until he became strong and healthy. When he had so for recovered as to be able to travel, he went with his uncle, Jesse Smith, to Salem, for the benefit of his health, hoping the sea-breezes would be of service to him, and in this he was not disappointed. Having passed through about a year of sickness ee JOSEFH SMITH THE FROPHET, and distress, health again returned to our family, and we most assuredly realized the blessing ; and indeed, we felt to acknowledge the hand of God, more in preserving our lives through such a tremen- dous scene of affliction, than if we had, during this time, seen nothing but health and prosperity. CHAR XVII. JOftEFtl &MTTIT, SENIOR, REMOVES TO NORWICH, TtlKNCE TO TALMYRA— 1118 DREAM OF THE IMAGES — OF THE JUDGMENT* When health returned to tts,as one would naturally suppose, it found us in quite low circumstances. We were compelled to strain every energy to pro- vide for our present necessities, instead of making arrangements for the future, as we had previously contemplated. Shortly after sickness left our family, we moved to Norwich, in the state of Vermont, In this place we established ourselves on a farm belonging to one Esquire Moredock. The first year our crops failed ; yet, by selling fruit which grew on the place, we succeeded in obtaining bread for the family, and by making considerable exertion, #*e were enabled to sustain ourselves. I The crops the second year M ere as the year be- fore—a perfect failure. Mr* Smith now deter- mined to plant once more, and if he should meet with no better success than he had the two preced- ing years, he would then go to the state of New York, where wheat was raised in abundance. The next year an untimely frost destroyed the crops, and being the third year in succession in which the crops had failed, it almost caused a famine. This was enough ; my husband was now altogether decided upon going to New York* He AND HIS rftOGE^TTOP^ 67 came in, one day, ia quite a thoughtful mood, and sat down ; after meditating some time, he observed that, could he so arrange his affairs, he would be glad to start soon for New York with a Mr, Howard, who was going to Palmyra* He further remarked, that he could not leave consistently, as the situation of the family would not admit of his absence ; besides, he was owing some money that must first be paid. I told him it was my opinion he might get both his creditors and debtors together, and arrange mat- ters between them in such away as to give satisfac- tion to all parties concerned ; and, in relation to the family, I thought I could make every necessary pre- paration to follow as soon as he would be ready for us. He accordingly called upon all with whom he had any dealings, and settled up his accounts with them* There were, however, some who, in the time of settlement, neglected to bring forward their books, consequently they were not balanced, or there were no entries made in them to show the settlement ; but in cases of this kind, he called witnesses, that there might be evidence of the fact. Having thus arranged his business, Mr. Smith set out for Palmyra, in company with Mr. Howard. After his departure, I and those of the family who were of much size, toiled faithfully, until we considered ourselves fully prepared to leave at a moment's warning. We shortly received a commu- nication from Mr. Smith, requesting us to make our- selves ready to take up a journey for Palmyra. In a short time after this, a team came for us* As we were about starting on this journey, several of those gentlemen who had withheld their books in the time of settlement now brought them forth, and claimed the accounts which had been settled, and which they had, in the presence of witnesses, agreed to erase. We were all ready for the journey, and the teams were waiting on expense. Under these cir- cumstances I concluded it would be more to our advantage to pay their unjust claims than to hazard a lawsuit. Therefore, by making considerable f 2 H8 JOSEPH ^MTTIT THE PROPHET, exertion, I raised the required sum, which was one hundred and fifty dollars, and liquidated the de- mand, A gentleman by the name of Flog, a wealthy settler, living in the town of Hanover, also a Mr. Howard, who resided in Norwich, were both ac- quainted with the circumstance mentioned above. They were very indignant at it. and requested me to give them a sufficient turn* tu tret the witnesses together, and they would endeavour to recover that whieh had 1.m*p.ji taken from nie by r*r;ni<T. I told then* L could not <!<► bo, for my husband had sent teams for me, trhtcli wera on expense ; more- over, there was an uncertainty in getting the money back again, aud in case of failure, I should not be able to raise the mean3 necessary to take the family where we contemplated moving. They then proposed raising some money by sub- scription, saying, " We know the people feel as we do concerning this matter, and if you will receive it we will make you a handsome present/* This I ut- terly refused. The idea of receiving assistance in sue* i a ^ ay as this was indeed very repulsive to my feelings, and I rejected their offer. My aged mother, who had lived with us some time, assisted in preparing for the journey. Shu came with us to Royalton, where she resided until she died, which was two years afterwards, in coiiRe- quence of an injury which she received by getting upset in a waggon while travelling with us. On arriving at Royalton I had a scene to pass through, and it was truly a severe one — one to which I shall ever look back with peculiar feelings. Here I was to take leave of my affectionate mother, The parting hour came; my mother wept over me, long and bitterly. She told me that it was not probable she should ever behold my face again ; " But, my dear child " said she, u I have lived long — my days are nearly numbered — I must soon ex- change the things of this world for those which per- tain to another state of existence, where I hope to AND HIS PROGENITORS. 60 enjoy the society of the blessed ; and now, as my last admonition, I beseech you to continue faithful in the service of God to the end of your days, that I may have the pleasure of embracing you in another and fairer world above*" This parting scene was at one Willard Pierce's, a tavern keeper. From his house my mother went fo Daniel Mack's, with whom she afterwards live«1 until her decease. Having travelled a short distance, I diaeoveted tkit Mr. Howard, our teamster, was an unprincipled and unfeeling wretch. h\* the wnv in u'hich he haa- died both our goods and money, as well as by his treatment of my children, especially Joseph, He would compel him to travel miles at a time on foot, notwithstanding he was still lame. We bore pati- ently with his abuse, until we got about twenty miles west of Utica, when one morning, as we were getting ready to continue our journey, my oldest son came to me and said, " Mother, Mr, Howard lias thrown the goods out of the waggon, and is about starting off with the team." Upon hearing this, I told him to call the man in. I met him in the bar-room, in the presence of a large company of travellers, both male and female, and I demanded his reason for the course which he was taking. He told me the money which I had given him was all expended, and he could go no further, I then turned to those present and said, "Gentle* men and ladies, please give your attention for a moment. Now, as sure as there is a God in heaven, that team, as well as the goods, belong to my hus- band, and this man intends to take them from me, or at least the team, leaving me with eight children, without the means of proceeding on my journey." Then turning to Mr, Howard, I said, u Sir, 1 now forbid you touching the team, or driving it one step further. You can go about your own business ; I have no use for you. I shall take charge of the team myself, and hereafter attend to my own affairs " I accordingly did so, and, proceeding on our journey, 70 joseph srnxn THE rRorcreT, we in a short time arrived at Palmyra, with a small portion of our effects, and barely two cents in cash. When I again met my husband at Palmyra, we were much reduced — not from indolence, but on account of many reverses of fortune, with which our lives had been rather singularly marked. Notwith- standing our misfortunes, and the embarassments with which we were surrounded, I was quite happy in once more having the society of my husband, and in throwing myself and children upon the care and affection of a tender companion and father. We all now sat down, and counselled together relative to the course which was best for us to adopt in our destitute ciroumstances, and we came to the conclusion to unite our strength in endeavouring to obtain a piece of land. Having done considerable at painting oil-cloth coverings for tables, stands, &c., I set up the business, and did extremely well. I furnished all the provisions for the family, and, be- sides this, began to replenish our household furni- ture, in a very short time, by my own exertions. My husband and his sons, Alvin and Hyrum, set themselves to work to pay for one hundred acres of land, which Mr, Smith contracted for with a land agent. In a year, we made nearly all of the first payment, erected a log house, and commenced clear- ing. I believe something like thirty acres of land were got ready for cultivation the first year. I shall now deviate a little from my subject, in order to relate another very singular dream which my husband had about this time, being as follows ; — t( I dreamed," said he, "that I was travelling on foot, and I was very sick, and so lame I could hardly walk. My guide, as usual, attended me. Travelling some time together, I became so lame that I thought I could go no further. I informed my guide of this, and asked him what I should do. He told me to travel on till I came to a certain garden. So I arose and started for this garden. While on my way thither, I asked my guide how I should know the place. He said, 1 Proceed until you come to a AND HIS PROGENITORS. 71 very large gate ; open this, and you will see a garden, blooming with the most beautiful flowers that your eyes ever beheld, and there you shall be healed. By limping along with great difficulty, I finally reached the gate ; and, on entering it, I saw the before-mentioned garden, which was beautiful beyond description, being filled with the most delicate flowers of every kind and colour. In the garden were walks about three and a half feet wide, which were set on both sides with marble stones. One of the walks ran from the gate through the centre of the garden ; and on each side of this was a very richly-carved seat, and on each seat were placed six wooden images, each of which was the size of a very large man. When I came to the first image on the right side, it arose and bowed to me with much deference. I then turned to the one which sat opposite me, on the left side, and it arose and bowed to me in the same manner as the first. I continued turning, first to the right and then to the left, until the whole twelve had made their obeisance, after which I was entirely healed. I then asked my guide the meaning of all this, but I awoke before I received an answer" I will now return to the subject of the farm. When the time for making the second payment irew nigh, Alvin went from home to get work, in order to raise the money, and after much hardship and fatigue, returned with the required amount, This payment being made, we felt relieved, as this was the only thing that troubled us ; for we had a snug log-house, neatly furnished, and the means of living comfortably. It was now only two years since we entered Palmyra, almost destitute of money, property, or acquaintance. The hand of friendship was extended on every side, and we blessed God, with our whole heart, for his u mercy, which endureth for ever " And not only temporal blessings were bestowed upon us, but also spiritual were administered. The Scripture, whicfi saith, " Your old men shall dream dreams," was fulfilled in the case of my husband, for, about this time, he had another vision, which I shall here relate ; this, with one more, is all of his that I shall obtrude upon 72 JoSErn smitii the prophet, the attention of my readers. He received two more visions, which would probably be somewhat interesting, but I cannot remember them distinctly enough to rehearse them in Ml. The following, which was the sixth, ran thus : — " I thought I was walking alone ; I was much fatigued, nevertheless I continued travelling. It seemed to me that I was going to meeting, that it was the day of judg- ment, aud that I was going to be judged. u When I came in sight of the meeting-house, I saw multitudes of people coming from every direction, and pressing with great anxiety towards the door of this great building ; but I thought I should get there in time, hcuce there was no need of being in a hurry. But, on arriving at the door, I found it shut ; I knocked for admission, and was informed by the porter that I had come too late. I felt exceedingly troubled, aud prayed earnestly for admittance. Presently I found that my flesh was perish- ing. I continued to pray, still my flesh withered upon my bones. I was almost iu a state of total despair, when the porter asked me if I had done all that was necessary in order to receive admission. I replied, that I had done all that was in my power to do. 'Then/ observed the por- ter, 'justice must be satisfied ; after this, mercy hath her claima.' "It then occurred to me to call upon God, in the name of his son Jesus ; and I cried out, in the agony of my soul, 1 Oh, Lord God, I beseech thee, in the name of Jesus Christ, to for give my sins.' After which I felt con- siderably strengthened, and I began to amend. The porter or angel then remarked, that it was necessary to plead the merits of Jesus, for he was the advocate with the Father, and a mediator between God and man. 4t I was now made quite whole, and the door was opened, but, on entering, I awoke.1* The following spring we commenced making pre- parations for building another house, one that would be more comfortable for persons in advanced life. AXD IIIS PROGENITORS. CHAP, xviil niSTOftY OF JOSEPH TIIK PROrriET COMMENCES — seventh vmiox op JOSEPH SMITH, SENIOR. I n*ow come to the history of Joseph* By reference to the table (chap, ix.)f you will find the date and place of his birth ; beside which, except what has already been said, I shall say nothing respecting him until lie arrived at the age of fourteen. How- ever, in this I am aware that some of my readers will be disappointed, for I suppose, from ques- tions which are frequently asked me, that it is thought by some that I shall be likely to tell many very remarkable incidents which attended hia child- hood ; but, as nothing occurred during his early life, except those trivial circumstances which are com- mon to that state of human existence, I pass them in silence. At the age of fourteen, an incident occurred which alarmed us much, as we knew not the cause of it Joseph being a remarkably quiet, well dis- posed child, we did not suspect that any one had aught against him. He was out one evening on an errand, and, on returning home, as he was passing through the door yard, a gun was fired across his pathway, with the evident intention of shooting him. He sprang to the door much frightened. We imme- diately went in search of the assassin, but could find no trace of him that evening. The next morning we found his tracks under a waggon, where he lay when he fired ; and the following day we found the balls, which were discharged from the gun, lodged in the head and neck of a cow that was standing opposite the waggon, in a dark corner. TV^e have not as yet discovered the man who made this attempt at murder, neither can we discover the cause thereof, I shall here insert the seventh and last vision that 74 JOSEPH SMITH THE TROPHET, my husband had, which vision was received in the year 1819. It was as follows ; — " I dreamed," said he, " that a man with a pedlar's budget on his back, came in, aud thus addressed me : * Sir, will you trade with me to-day? I have now called upon you seven times, I have traded with you each time, and have always found you strictly honest in all your dealings. Your measures are always heaped, and your weights overbalance ; and I have now come to tell you that this is the last time I shall ever call on you, and that there is but one thing which you lack, in order to secure your salvation/ As I earnestly desired to know what it was that I still lacked, I requested him to write the same upon paper. He said he would do so, I then sprang to get some paper, but, in my excitement, I awoke.0 Shortly after my husband received the foregoing vision, there was a great revival in religion, which extended to all the denominations of Christians in the surrounding country in which we resided. Many of the world's people, becoming concerned about the salvation of their souls, came forward and presented themselves as seekers after religion. Most of them were desirous of uniting with some church, but were not decided as to the particular faith which they would adopt When the nume- rous meetings were about breaking up, and the can- didate and the various leading church members began to consult upon the subject of adopting the candidates into some church or churches, as the case might be, a dispute arose, and there was a great contention among them. While these things were going forward, Joseph s mind became considerably troubled with regard to religion ; and the following extract from his history will show, more clearly than I can express, the state of his feelings, and the result of his reflections on this occasion : — u I was at this time in my fifteenth year. My father's family was proselyted to the Presbyterian faith, and four of them joined that fchurch, namely, my mother Lucy, my brothers Hynim and Samuel Harrison, and my sister Sophronia. AND HIS PROGENITORS* 75 ff During this time of great excitement my mind was called up to serious reflection and great uneasiness ; but though my feelings were deep, and often pungent, still I kept myself aloof from all those parties, though I attended their several meetings as often as occasion would permit. But in process of time my mind became somewhat partial to the Methodist sect, and I felt some desire to be united with them, but so great was the confusion and strife among the different denominations, that it was impossible for a person, young as I was, and so unacquainted with men and things, to come to any certain conclusion who was right and who was wrong. My mind at different times was greatly excited, the cry and tumult were so great and in- cessant The Presbyterians were most decided against the Baptists and Methodist?, and used all their powers of either reason or sophistry to prove their errors, or at least to make the people think they were in error. On the other hand, the Baptists and Methodist^ in their turn, were equally zealous to establish their own tenets and disprove all others. • ff In the midst of this war of words, and tumult of opin- ions, I often said to myself. What is to be done ) Who, of all these parties, are right? or, are they all wrong together? If any one of them be right, which ia it? and how shall I know it ? "While I was labouring under the extreme difficulties caused by the contests of ^these parties of religionists, I was one day reading the epistle of Jaines, first chapter and fifth verse, which reads, 1 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, thatgiveth unto all men liberally, and upbraidet.h not, and it shall be given him/ Never did auy passage of Scripture come with more power to the heart < f m m than this? did at this time to mine* It seemed to enter with great force into every feeling of my heart. I reflected on it again and again, knowing that if any person needed wisdom from God, I did, for how to act I did not know, and, unless I could get more wisdom than I then had, would never know : for the teachers of religion of the different sects understood the same pas- sage so differently, as to destroy all confidence in settling the question by an appeal to the Bible. At length I came to the conclusion, that I must either remain in darkness and confusion, or else I must do as James directs, that is, ask of God, I at length came to the determination to ask G 76 JOSEPH SMITH THE TROPHET, of God, concluding that if he gave wisdom to theru that lacked wisdom, and would give liberally, and not upbraid, I might venture. So, in accordance with this my deter- mination to ask of God, I retired to the woods to make the attempt. It was on the morning of a beautiful clear day, early in the spring of 1820. It was the first time in my life that I had made such an attempt ; for amidst all my anxieties I had never as yet made the attempt to pray vocally. After I had retired into the place where 1 had previously designed to go, having looked around me, and finding rayself alone, I kneeled down and began to offer up the desires of my heart to God. I had scarcely done bo, when immediately I was seized upon by some power which entirely overcame me, and had such astonishing influence over me as to bind my tongue, so that I could not speak* Thick darkness gathered around me, and it seemed to me for a time as if I were doomed to sudden destruction. But exerting all my powers to call upon God, to deliver me out of the power of this enemy which had seized upon me, and at the very moment when I was ready to sink into despair, and abandon myself to destruc- tion— not to an imaginary ruin, but to the power of some actual being from the unseen world, who had such a marvellous power as I had never before felt in any being; ju*st at this moment of great alarm, I saw a pillar of light exactly over my head, above the brightness of the sun, which descended gradually until it fell upon me. It no sooner appeared, than I found myself delivered from the enemy which held me bouni When the light rested upon me, I saw two personages, whose brightness and glory defy all description, standing above me in the air. One of them spake unto me, calling me by name, and said, point- ing to the other, 'This is my beloved Son; hear hini!' " My object Ira going to enquire of the Lord, was to know which of all these sects was right, that I might know which to joim No sooner, therefore, did I get pos- session of myself, so as to be able to speak, than I asked the personages who stood above me in the light, which of all the sects was right — for at this time it had never en- tered into my heart that all were wrong — and which I should join, I was answered that I should join none of them, for they were all wrong ; and the personage who addressed me said that all their creeds were an abomina- tion in his sight ; that those professors were all corrupt. AND HIS PBOGEKTTORS. * They draw near me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me ; they teach for doctrine the commandments of men, having a form of godliness, but they deny the power thereof He again forbade me to join any of them; and many other things did he say unto me which I cannot write at this time* When I came to myself again, I found myself lying on my back, looking up into heaven. Some few days after I had this vision* I happened to be in com- pany with one of the Methodist preachers who was very active in the before-mentioned religious excitement, and conversing with him upon the subject of religion, I took occasion to give him an account of the vision which I had had, I was greatly surprised at his behaviour : he treated my communication not only lightly, but with great con- tempt, saying it was all of the devil ; that there was no such thing as visions or revelations in these days ; that all such things had ceased with the Apostles, and that there never would be any more of them. I soon found, how- ever, that my telling the story had excited a great deal of prejudice against me among professors of religion, and wa^ the cause of great persecution, which continued to increase ; and though I was an obscure boy, only between fourteen and fifteen years of age, and my circumstances in life such as to make a boy of no consequence in the world, yet men of high standing would take notice suffi- cient to excite the public mind against me and create a hot persecution ; and this was common among all the sects — all united to persecute me. It has often caused me serious reflection, both then and since, how very strange it was that an obscure boy, of a little over four- teen years of age — and one, too, who was doomed to the necessity of obtaining a scanty maintenance by his daily labour, should be thought a character of sufficient impor- tance to attract the attention of the great ones of the most popular sects of the day, so as to create in them a spirit of the hottest persecution and reviling. But strange or not, bo it was, and was often cause of great sorrow to myself. However, it was, nevertheless, a fact that I had had a vision, I have thought since, that I felt much like Paul when he made his defence before King Agrippa, and .related the account of the vision ho had when he 1 saw a light and heard a voice but still there were but few who believed him. Some Baid he was dishonest, others said lie was mad, and he was ridiculed and reviled; but all this did - ?8 JOSEPH SMITH THE PROPHET, not destroy the reality of Lis vision. He had seen a vision — he knew he had — and all the persecution under heaven could not make it otherwise ; and though they should persecute him unto death, yet he knew, and would know unto his latest breath, that he had both seen a light and heard a voice speaking to him, and all the world could not make him thiuk or Relieve otherwise. So it was with me. I had actually Been a light, and in the midst of that light I saw two personages, and they did in reality speak unto me, or one of them did ; and though I was hated and persecuted for saying that I had seen a vision, yet it was true ; and while they were persecuting me, reviling me, and speaking all manner of evil against me falsely, for so saying, I was led to say in my heart, Why persecute for telling the truth? I have actually seen a vision; and who am I that I can withstand God ? or why does the world think to make me deny what I have actually seen 1 for I had seen a vision. I knew it, and I knew that God knew it; and I could not deny it, neither dare I do it — at least, I knew that by so doing I would offend God, and come under condemnation." — Times and *Sca«07W, vol, iii., p. 727. Sttpp* to Mil. Star, vol. xiv, p, 2. From this time until the twenty-first of September, 1823, Joseph continued, as usual, to labour with his father, and nothing during this interval occurred of very great importance — though he suffered, as one would naturally suppose, every kind of opposition and persecution from the different orders of religionists. On the evening of the twenty-first of September, he retired to his bed in quite a serious and contem- plative state of mind. He shortly betook himself to prayer and supplication to Almighty God, for a manifestation of his standing before him, and while thus engaged he received the following vision ; — " While I was thus in the act of calling upon God, I discovered a light appealing iu the room, which continued to increase until the room was lighter than at noon-day, wheu immediately a personage appeared at my bed-side, standing in the air, for his feet did not touch the floor. He had on a loose robe of most exquisite whiteness. It was a whiteness beyond anything earthly I had ever seen, nor do I believe that any earthly thing could be made to appear bo exceedingly white and brilliant His hands were naked, and his arms also, a little above the wrist : A>TD ITT3 PROGENITORS. 7f> so also were his feet naked, as were his legs a little above thq ankles. His head and neck were also bare. I could discover that he had no other clothing on but this robe, us it was open, so that I could see into his bosom. Not only was his robe exceedingly white, but his whole person was glorious beyond description, and his countenance truly like lightning. The room was exceedingly light, but not so very bright as immediately around his person When I first looked upon him I was afraid, but the fear soon left me. He called me by name, and said unto me me that he was a messenger ut from the presence of God to me, and that his name was Nephi;* that God had a work for me to do, and that my name should be had for good and evil among all nations, kindreds, and tongues; or that it should be both good and evil spoken of among all people. He said there was a book deposited, written upon gold plates, giving an account of the former inhabitants of this continent, and the source from whence they sprang. He also said that the fulness of the everlasting Gospel was contained in it, as delivered by the Saviour to the ancient inhabitants. Also, that there were two stones in silver bowa, and these stones fastened to a breastplate, constituted what is called the Urim and Thummim, deposited with the plates ; and the possession and use of these stones were what consti- tuted Seers in ancient or former times ; and that God had prepared them for the purpose of translating the book. After telling me these things, he commenced quoting the prophecies of the Old Testament. He first quoted part of the third chapter of Malachi ; and he quoted also the fourth or last chapter of the same^ prophecy, though with a little variation from the way it reads in our Bible. Instead of quoting the first verse as it reads in our book?, he quoted it thus : 1 For behold the day cometh that shall burn as an oven ; and all the proud, yea, and all that do wickedly, shall burn as stubble, for they that come shall burn them, saith the Lord of Hosts, that it shall leave them neither root nor branch/ And again he quoted the fifth verse thus : ' Behold, I will reveal unto you the Priesthood by the hand of Elijah the prophet, before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord.' He also quoted the next verse differently : # Moroni, sec Doc. & Cor. boo. L., par. 2 ; Etderi Journal, vol i., pp. 28 and 129 ; History of Joseph Smith under year 1838 ; Dcserei Newt, No. 10, vul iiL O.P. &2 80 JOSEPn SMITH TIIE PROPHET, ' And lie .shall plaut in the hearts of the children the pro* inises made to the fathers, and the hearts of the children shall turn to their fathers; if it were not so, the whole earth would be utterly wasted at its coining/ In addition to these, he quoted the eleventh chapter of Isaiah, saying that it was about to be fulfilled. He quoted also the third chapter of Acts, twenty-second and twenty-third verses, precisely as they stand in our New Testament He said that that Prophet wasrChrist,but the day had not yet come ' when they who would not hear his voice should be cut off from amoug the people/ but soon would come, He also quoted the second chapter of Joel, from the twenty- eighth verse to the last* He also said that this was not yet fulfilled, but was soon to be. And he further stated the fulness of the Gentiles was soon to come in. He quoted many other passages of Scripture, and offered many expla- nations which cannot be mentioned here* Again, he told me that when 1 got those plates of which he had spoken, (for the time that they should be obtained was not then ful- filled,) I should not show them to any person, neither the breast-plate, with the Urim and Thummim, only to those to whom I should be commanded to show them : if I did I should be destroyed. While he was conversing with me about the plates, the vision was opened to my tnind that I could see the place where the plates were deposited, and that so clearly and distinctly, that I knew the place again when I visited it. " After this communication, I saw the light in the room begin to gather immediately around the person of him who had been speaking to me, and it continued to do so until the room was again left dark, except just around him ; when instantly I saw, as it were, a conduit open right up into heaven, and he ascended up till he entirely disappeared, and the room was left as it had been before this heavenly light^made its appearance, "I lay m using on the singularity of the scene, and marvelling greatly at what had been told me by this ex- traordinary messenger, when, in the midst of my medita- tion, I suddenly discovered that my room was again be- ginning to get lighted, and, in an instant, as it were, the same heavenly messenger was again by my bed side. He commenced, and again related the very same things which he had done at his first visit, without the least variation, which having done, he informed me of great JLKD I11S rEOGENITORS, SI judgments which wore coming upon the earth, with great desolations by famine, 3word, and pestilence: and that these grievous judgments would come on the earth in this generation. Having related these things he again ascended as he had done before." — Times and Seasons, vol. iii, p. 729. Supjh to Mil Star, vol. 3uv,, p. 4. When the angel ascended the second time, he left Joseph overwhelmed with astonishment, yet gave him but a short time to contemplate the things which he had told him before he made his reappear- ance, ami rehearsed the same things over, adding a few words of caution and instruction, thus : that he must beware of covetousness, and he must not sup- pose the Record was to be brought forth with the view of getting gain, for this was not the case, but that it was to bring forth light and intelligence, which had for a long time been lost to the world ; and that when he went to get the plates, he must be on his guard, or his mind would be filled with darkness. The angel then told him to tell his father all which he had both seen and heard. CHAR XIX. THE AMJEL VISITS JOSEPH AGAIN— JOEEril TFXLS TJI8 FATHER WHAT HE 1 1 AS SEEN AND HEARD — I1H IS PERM ITT ED TO BEHOLD TUB PLATES— RECEIVES FURTHER INSTRUCTION'S — COMMUNICATES THE SVMB TO THE FAMILY — TAKES THE PLATES IXTO HIS HANDS— THEY ARE TAKEN FROM HIM, AND HE IS REPROVED— HIS DIS- APPOINTMENT. The next day, my husband, Alvin, and Joseph, were reaping together in the field, and as they ^Fere reap- ing Joseph stopped quite suddenly, and seemed to be in a very deep study. Alvin, observing it, hur- ried him, saying, u We must not slacken our hands or we will not be able to complete onr task." Upon this J oeeph went to work again, and after labouring a short time, he stopped just as he had done before* This being quite unusual and strange, it attracted the attention of his father, upon which he dis- 82 JOSEPH SMITH THE FRO FIT ET, covered that Joseph was very pale. My husband, supposing that he was sick, told him to go to the house, and have his mother doctor him. lie accord- ingly ceased his work, and started, but on corning to a beautiful green, under an apple-tree, he stopped and lay down, for he was so weak he could proceed no farther. He was here but a short time, when the messenger whom he saw the previous night, visited him again, and the first thing he said was, " Why did you not tell your father that which I commanded you to tell him ?" Joseph replied, " I was afraid my father would not believe me*" The angel rejoined, u He will believe every word you say to nim." Joseph then promised the angel that he would do as he had been commanded. Upon this, the mes- senger departed, and Joseph returned to the field, where he had left my husband and Al vin ; but when he got there, his father had just gone to the house, as he was somewhat unwell. Joseph then desired Alvin to go straightway and see his father, and in- form him that he had something of great impor- tance to communicate to him, and that he wanted him to come out into the field where they were at work, Alvin did as he was requested, and when my husband got there, Joseph related to him all that had passed between him and the angel the previous night and that morning. Having heard this account, his father charged him not to fail in attending strictly to the instruction which he had received from this heavenly messenger. Soon after Joseph had this conversation with his father, he repaired to the place where the plates were deposited, which place he describes as follows : — H Convenient to the village of Manchester, Ontario eo,, New York, stands a hill of considerable size, and the most elevated of any in the neighbourhood. On the west side of this hill, not far from the top, under a stone of con- siderable size, lay the plates, deposited in a stone box. This stone was thick and rounding in the middle, on the upper side, and thinner towards the edges, so that the AND HIS FROOEMTOftS. 63 middle part of it was visible above the ground ; but the edges all round were covered with earth. ** Having removed the earth, and obtained a lever, which I got 6xed under the edge of the stone, with a little exertion I raised it up, I looked, and there, indeed, did I behold the plates I the Urim and Thummim, and the breast-plate, as stated by the messenger." — ( Times and Sea- son*, vol. Hi- , p. 7*29. Supp. to Mil. Star, voL xiv, p. 5,) While Joseph remained here, the angel showed him, by contrast, the difference between good and evil, and likewise the consequences of both obedience and disobedience to the commandments of God, in such a striking manner, that the impression was always vivid in his memory until the very end of his days ; and in giving a relation of this circumstance, not long prior to his death, he remarked, that " ever afterwards he was willing to keep the command- ments of God/' Furthermore, the angel told him, at the interview mentioned last, that the time had not yet come for the plates to be brought forth to the world ; that he could not take them from the place wherein they were deposited until he had learned to keep the commandments of God — not only t ill he was witling, but able, to do it. The angel bade Joseph come to this place every year, at the same time of the year, and he would meet him there and give him further instructions. The ensuing evening, when the family were all together, Joseph made known to them ail that he had communicated to his fatherin the field, and also of his finding the Record, as well as what passed between him and the angel while he was at the place where the plates were deposited. Sitting up late that evening, in order to converse upon these things, together with over-exertion of mind, had much fatigued Joseph ; and when Alvin observed it, he said, " Now, brother, let us go to bed, find rise early in the morning, in order to finish our day's work at an hour before sunset, then, if mother will get our suppers early, we will have a fine long evening, and we will all sit down for the 84 JOSEPII SttTTTT THE mOPHET, purpose of listening to you while you tell us the great things which God has revealed to you." Accordingly, by sunset the next day we were all seated, and Joseph commenced telling us the great and glorious things which 0'»d had manifested to him ; but, before proceeding, he charged us not to mention out of the family that which he was about to say to us, as the world was so wicked that when they came to a knowledge of these things they would try to take our lives ; and that when we should obtain the plates, our names would be cast out as evil by all people. Hence the necessity of suppressing these things as much as possible, until the time should come for them to go forth to the world. After giving us this charge, he proceeded to relate further particulars concerning the work which he was appointed to do, and we received them joyfully, never mentioning them except among ourselves, agreeable to the instructions which we had received from him. From this time forth, Joseph continued to receive instructions from the Lord, and we continued to get 11]- children together every evening, for the purpose of listening whale he gave us a relation of the same. I presume our family presented an aspect as sin- gular as any that ever lived upon the face of the earth — all seated in a circle, father, mother, sons, and daughters, and giving the most profound atten- tion to a boy, eighteen years of age, who had never read the Bible through in his life : he seemed much less inclined to the perusal of books than any of the rest of our children, but far more given to medita- tion and deep study. We were now confirmed in the opinion that God was about to bring to light something upon which we could stay our minds, or that would give us a more perfect knowledge of the plan of salvation and the redemption of the human family. This caused us greatly to rejoice, tin- sweetest union and happiness pervaded our house, and tranquillity reigned in our midst. AND HIS PROGENITORS. So During our evening conversations, Joseph would occasionally give us some of the most amusing recitals that could be imagined. He would describe the ancient inhabitants of this continent, their dress, mode of travelling, and the animals upon which they rode ; their cities, their buildings, with every particular ; their mode of warfare \ and also their religious worship. This he would do with as much ease, seemingly, as if he had spent his whole life with them. On the twenty-second of September, 1824, Joseph again visited the place where he found the plates the year previous ; and supposing at this time that the only thing required, in order to possess them until the time for their translation, was to be able to keep the commandments of God — and he firmly believe* L he could keep every commandment which had been given him — lie fully expected to carry them home with him. Therefore, having arrived at the place, and uncovering the plates, he put forth his hand and took them up, but, as he was taking them hence, the unhappy thought darted through his mind that pro- bably there was something else in the box besides the plates, which would be of some pecuniary ad van- tage to him, So, in the moment of excitement, he laid them down very carefully, for the purpose of covering the box, lest some one might happen to pass that way and get whatever there might be remaining in it. After covering it, he turned round to take the Record again, but behold it was gone, and where he knew not, neither did he know the means by which it had been taken from him. At this, as a natural consequence, he was much alarmed* He kneeled down and asked the Lord why the Record had been taken from him ; upon which the angel of the Lord appeared to him, and told him that he had not done as he had been com- manded, for in a former revelation he had been commanded not to lav the plates down, or put them for a moment out of his hands, until he got into the house and deposited them in a chest or trunk, hav- 86 JOSEPH SMITH THE PROPHET, ing a good lock and key, and, contrary to tins, he had laid them down with the view of securing some lan- ded or imaginary treasure that remained. In the moment of excitement, Joseph was over- come by the powers of darkness, and forgot the in- junction that was laid upon him. Having some further conversation with the angel on this occasion, Joseph was permitted to raise the stone again, when Ik- beheld the plates as he hud done before. He immediately reached forth his hand to take them, but instead of getting them, as he anticipated, he was hurled back upon the ground with great violence. When he recovered, the angel was gone, and he arose and returned to the house, weeping tor grief and disappointment. As he was aware that we would expect him to bring the plates home with him, he was greatly troubled, fearing that we might doubt his having seen them. As soon as he entered the house, my husband asked hira if he bad obtained the plates. The answer was, " No, father, I could not get them/1 His father then said, 4i Did you see them ?" 44 Yes," replied Joseph, "I saw them, but could not take them." " I would have taken them " rejoined his father, with much earnestness, " if I had been in your place." " Why," returned Joseph, in quite a subdued tone, "you do not know what you say. I could not get them, for the angel of the Lord would not let me." Joseph then related the circumstance in full, whieh gave us much uneasiness, as we were afraid that he might utterly fail of obtaining the itecord through some neglect on his part-. We, therefore, doubled our diligence in prayer and supplication to God, in order that he might be more fully instructed in his duty, and be preserved from all the wiles and machinations of him "who lieth in wait tn deceive." We were still making arrangements to build us a comfortable house, the management and control of which devolved chieflv upon Alvio. And when AND HIS PROGENITORS. 87 Nov, 1822 arrived, the frame was raised, and all the materials necessary for its speedy completion were procured. This opened to Alvin^s mind the pleasing prospect of seeing his father and mother once more comfortable and happy. He would say, "I am going to have a nice pleasant room for father and mother to Bit in, and everything arranged for their comfort, and they shall not work any more as they have done," CHAP. XX. ALTtS'8 SICKNESS AND DEATH, On the fifteenth of Nov. 1824, about ten o'clock in the morning, Alvin was taken very sick with the bilious colic. He came to the house in much distress, and requested his father to go immediately for a physi- cian. He accordingly went, and got one by the name of Greenwood, who, on arriving, immediately admi- nistered to the patient a heavy dose of calomel. I will here notice, that this Dr. Greenwood was not the physician commonly employed by the family ; he was brought in consequence of the family physi- cian's absence. And on this account, as I suppose, Alvin at first refused to take the medicine, but by much persuasion lie was prevailed on to do so* This dose of calomel lodged in his stomach, and all the medicine which was freely administered by four very skilful physicians could not remove it* On the: third day of his sickness, Dr. M'Intyre, whose services were usually employed by the family, as he was considered very skillful, was brought, and with him four other eminent physicians. But it was all in vain, their exertions proved unavailing, just as Alvin had said would be the case— he told them the ii 88 JOSEPH SMITH THE PROPHET, calomel was still lodged iu the same place, after some exertion had been made to carry it off, and i hat it must take his life. On coming to this conclusion, he called Hyrum to him, and said, M Hyrum, I must die. Now I want to say a few things, which I wish to have you re- member. I have done all I could to make our dear parents comfortable I want you to go on and finish the house, and take care of them in their old age, and do not any more let them work hard, as they are now in old age," He then called Sophronia to him, and said to her, " Sophronia, you must be a good girl, and do all you can for father and mother — never forsake them; they have worked hard, and they are now getting old. Be kind to them, and remember what they have done for us." In the latter part of the fourth night he called for all the children, and exhorted them separately in the Rame strain as above. But when he came to Joseph, he said/* I am now going to die, the distress which I suffer, and the feelings that I have, tell me my time is very short. I want you to be a good boy, and do everything that lies in your power to obtain the Record. Be faithful in receiving instruction, and in keeping every commandment that is given you. Your brother Alvin must leave you ; but remember the example which he has set for you ; and set the same example for the children that are younger than yourself, and always be kind to father and mother." He then asked me to take my little daughter Lucy op, and bring her to him, for he wished to see her. He was always very fond of her, and was in the habit of taking her up and caressing her, which naturally formed a very strong attachment on her part for him* I went to her, and said, u Lucy, Alvin wants to see you." At this, she started from her sleep, and screamed out, " Amby, Amby ; (she could not yet talk plain, being very young). We took her to him, and when she got within reach of him, she sprang from my arms and caught him round the neck, and AND HIS FHOG EDITORS. 39 cried out, * Oh ! my Amby," and kissed him again and again, u Lucy " said he, " you must be the best girl in the world, and take care of mother ; you can't have your Amby any more. Amby is going away ; he must leave little Lucy." He then kissed her, and said, "take her away, I think my breath offends her/' We took hold of her to take her away ; but she clinched him with such a strong grasp, that it was with difficulty we succeeded in disengaging her hands. As I turned with the child to leave him, he said, * father, mother, brothers, and sisters, farewell ! I can now breathe out my life as calmly as a clock." Saying this, he immediately closed his eyes in death. The child still cried to go back to Alvin, One present observed to the child, " Alvin is gone ; an angel has taken his spirit to heaven " Hearing this, the child renewed her cries, and, as I bent over his corpse with her in my arms, she again threw her arms around him, and kissed him repeatedly. And until the body was taken from the house she continued to cry, and to manifest such mingled feelings of both terror and affection at the scene before her, as are seldom witnessed. Alvin was a youth of singular goodness of dispo- sition— kind and amiable, so that lamentation and mourning filled the whole neighbourhood in which he resided. By the request of the principal physician, Alvin was cut open, in order to discover, if it were possible, the cause of his death. On doing so, they found the calomel lodged in the upper bowels, untouched by anything which he had taken to remove it, and as near as possible in its natural state, surrounded as it was with gangrene. A vast concourse of people attended his obsequies, who seemed very anxious to show their sympathy for us in our bereavement. Alvin manifested, if such could be the case, greater zeal and anxiety in regard to the Record that 90 JOSEni SMITH TJIii PROPHET, had been shown to Joseph, than any of the rest of the family ; in consequence of which we could not bear to hear anything said upon the subject. Whenever Joseph sj>oke of the Record, it would immediately brin^ Alvin to our minds, with all his zeal, and with all his kindness ; and, when we looked to his place, and realized that he was gone from it, to return no more in this life, we all with one accord wept over our irretrievable loss, and w* could " not be com- fort ed, because he was not' ' CHAP, XXL religious KxcmancXTwoBEPi^s rnoniEcr— he tcorks tor sir, STOAIr-BECOMES ACQUAINTED "WITH EUMA II ALB* Shortly after the death of Alvin, a man commenced labouring in the neigbourhood, to effect a union of the different churches, in order that all might be agreed, and thus worship God with one heart and with one mind. This seemed about right to me, and I felt much inclined to join in with them ; in fact, the most of the family appeared quite disposed to unite with their numbers ; but Joseph, from the first, utterly refused even to attend their meetings, saying, " Mother, I do not wish to prevent your going to meeting, or any of the rest of the family's ; or your joining any church you please ; but, do not ask me to join them. I can take my Bible, and go into the woods, and learn more in two hours, than you can learn at meeting in two years, if you should go all the time." To gratify me, my husband attended some two or three meetings, but peremptorily refused going any more, either for my gratification, or any other person's. AND HIS PROGENITORS 01 During this excitement, Joseph would say, it would do us no injury to join them, that if we did, we should not continue with them long, for we were mistaken in them, and did not know the wickedness of their hearts. One day he said, that he would give us an example, and that we might set it down as a prophecy ; viz : — "You look at Deacon Jessup," said he, "and you hear him talk very piously Well, you think he is a very good man. Now suppose that one of hi3 poor neighbours should owe him the value of a cow, and that this poor man had eight little children ; moreover, that he should be taken sick and die, leaving his wife with one cow, but destitute of every other means of supporting herself and family — now I tell you, that Deacon Jessup, religious as he is, would not scruple to take the last cow from the poor widow and orphans, in order to secure the debt, not- withstanding he himself has an abundance of every thing." At that time this seemed impossible to us, yet one year had scarcely expire I when we saw Joseph's supposition literally fulfilled* The shock occasioned by Alvin's death, in a short time passed off, and we resumed our usual avoca- tions with considerable interest. The first move to* wards business, was to complete the house before mentioned. This we did as speedily as possible, and, when it was finished, Mr, Stoddard, the principal workman, offered for it the sum of fifteen hundred dollars ; but my husband refused his offer, as he was unwilling to leave the scene of our labour, where we had fondly anticipated spending the remainder of our days. A short time before the house was completed, a man, by the name of Josiah Stoal, came from Che- nango county, New York, with the view of getting Joseph to assist him in digging for a silver mine* Ho came for Joseph on account of having heard that he * This project of StoaTs was undertaken from this cause — an old document had fallen into his possession, in some way or other, containing information of silver mines being somewhere in the neighbourhood in which he re* sided. h 2 92 JOSEPH SMITH THE PROPHET, possessed certain keys, by which he could discern things invisible to the natural eye. Joseph endeavoured to divert him from his vain pursuit, but he was inflexible in his purpose, and offered high wages to those who would dig for him, in search of said mine, and still insisted upon having Joseph to work for him. Accordingly, Joseph and 'several others, returned with him and commenced digging. After labouring for the old gentleman about a month, without success, Joseph prevailed upon him to cease his operations; and it was from this cir- cumstance of having worked by the month, at dig- ging for a silver mine, that the very prevalent story arose of Joseph's having been a money digger. While Joseph was in the employ of Mr. Stoal, he boarded a short time with one Isaac Hale, and it was during this interval, that Joseph became ac- quainted with the daughter, Miss Emma Hale, to whom he immediately commenced paying his ad- dresses, and was subsequently married. When Mr. Stoal relinquished his project of dig- ging for silver, Joseph returned to his father's house. Soon after his return, we received intelligence of the arrival of a new agent for the Everson land, of which our farm was a portion. This reminded us of the last payment, which was still due, and which must be made before we could obtain a deed of the place. Shortly after this, a couple of gentlemen, one of whom was the before-named Stoal, the other a Mr. Knight, came into the neighbourhood for the purpose of procuring a quantity of either wheat or flour ; and we, having sown considerable wheat, made a contract with them, in which we agreed to deliver a certain quantity of flour to them the ensuing fall, for which we were to receive a suf- ficient amount of money to make the final payment on our farm. This being done, my husband sent Hyrutu to Canandaigua to inform the new agent of the fact, namely, that the money should be forth- coming as soon as the twenty-fifth of December 1825, AND HIS PROG EX I TORS f>3 This, the agent said, would answer the purpose, and he agreed to retain the land until that time Having thus, as we supposed, made all secure per- taining to the land, we gave ourselves no further uneasiness in regard to the matter. When the time had nearly arrived for the last payment to be made, and when my husband was about starting for Mr. Stoat's and Mr. Knight's, in order to get the money to mate the same, Joseph called my husband and myself aside, and said, " I have been very lonely ever since Alvin died, and I have concluded to get married ; and if you have no objections to my uniting myself in marriage with Miss Emma Hale, she would be my choice in pre- ference to any other woman I have ever seen." We were pleased with his choice, arid not only consented to his marrying her, but requested him to bring her home with him, and live with us. Accordingly he set out with his father for Pennsyl- vania, CHAP, XXII. JOSEPH &tfITH, 55X.f LOBES UIB FAR if — JQSZFUj JUN.# IS MARRIED — HAS ANOTHER INTERVIEW WITiI THE ANGEL, BY WHOM LIB IS CliA&TISBD — RECEIVES FURTHER INSTRUCTIONS. A few days subsequent to my husband's departure, I set myself to work to put iny house in order for the reception of my son's bride ; and I felt all that pride and ambition in doing so, that is common to mothers upon such occasions. My oldest son had, previous to this, formed a matrimonial relation with one of the most excellent of women, with whom I had seen much enjoyment, and I hoped for as much happiness with my second daughter-in-law, as I had received from the society 0 4 JOSEPH SMITH THE PROPHET, of the first, and there was no reason why I should expect anything to the contrary. One afternoon, after having completed my ar- rangements, I fell into a very agreeable train of reflections* The day was exceedingly fine, and of itself calculated to produce fine feelings ; besides this, every other circumstance seemed to be in unison, and to contribute to raise in the heart those soothing and grateful emotions which we all have seasons of enjoying when the mind is at rest. Thus, as I stood musing, among other things, upon the prospect of a quiet and comfortable old age, my attention was suddenly arrested by a trio of strangers who w ere just entering. Upon their near approach I fouud one of these gentlemen to be Mr. Stoddard, the principal carpenter in building the house in which we then lived. When they entered the house, I seated them, and commenced common-place conversation. But shortly one of them began to ask questions which I considered rather impertinent— questions con- cerning our making the last payment on the place ; and if we did not wish to sell the house ; further- more, where Mr. Smith and my son had gone, &c. &c "Sell the house !" I replied, "No, sir, we have no occasion for that, we have made every necessary arrangement to get the deed, and also have an understanding with the agent. So you see we are quite secure, in regard to this matter.'1 To this they made no answer, but went out to meet Hyrum, who was approaching the house. They asked him the same questions, and he answered them the same as I had done, When they had experimented in this way, to their satis- faction, they proceeded to inform my son, that he need put himself to no further trouble with regard to the farm ; *' for, " said they," we have bought the place, and paid for it, and we now forbid your touching anything on the farm ; and we also warn you to leave forthwith, and give possession to the lawful owners,* 0 AND HIS FH0GEN1T0RS. 95 This conversation passed within my hearing. When they re-entered the house, I said, Hyrum, is it a reality ? or only a sham to startle us ? But one collected look at the men convinced me of their fiendish determination — I was overcome, and fell back into my chair almost deprived of sensibility. When I recovered, we (Hyrum and myself) talked to them some time, endeavouring to persuade them to change their vile course ; but the only answer we could get from them was, "Well, we've got the place, and d — n you, help yourselves if yoa can.'* Hyrum, in a short time, went to an old friend, Dr. Robinson, and related to him the grievous story. Whereupon, the old gentleman sat down,- and wrote at some considerable length the character of the family — our industry, and faithful exertions to secure a home, with many commendations cal- culated to beget confidence in us with respect to business transactions. And, keeping this writing in his own hands, he went through the village, ana in an hour procured sixty subscribers. He then sent the same, by the hand of Hyrum, to the land agent, who lived in Canandaigua. On receiving this, the agent vtas highly enraged. He said the men had told him that Mr. Smith and his son Joseph had run away, and that Hyrum was cutting down the sugar orchard, hauling oif the rails, burning them, and doing all manner of mischief to the farm. That, believing this statement, he was induced to sell the place, for which he had given a deed, and received the money. Hyrum told him the circumstances under which his father and brother had left home ; also the probability of their being detained on the road, to attend to some business. Upon this, the agent directed him to address a number of letters to my husband, and have them sent and deposited in public-houses on the road which he travelled, that, perchance some of them might meet his eye, and thus cause him to return more speedily than he would otherwise. He then despatched a niea- 06 JOSEPH SMITH THE PROPHET, senger to those individuals to whom he had given a deed of the farm in question, with the view of making a compromise with them ; but they refused to do anything respecting the matter. The agent sent a message to them, stating that if they did not make their appearance forthwith, he would fetch them with a warrant- To this they gave heed, and they came without delay. The agent strove to convince them of the dis- graceful and impolitic course which they were pursuing, and endeavoured to persuade them to retract, and let the land go back into Mr. Smith's hands again* • For some time .they said but little, except in a sneering and taunting way, about as follows : — " We've got the land , sir, and weVe got the deed, so just let Smith help himself. Oh, no matter about Smith, he has gold plates, gold bibles, he is rich — he don't want anything." But finally, they agreed, if Hyrum could raise them one thousand dollars, by Saturday at ten o'clock in the evening, they would give up the deed. It was now Thursday about noon, and Hyrum was at Canandaigua, which was nine miles distant from home, and hither he must ride before he could make the first move towards raising the required amount. He came home with a heavy heart. When he arrived, he found his father, who had returned a short time before him. His father had fortunately found, within fifty miles of home, one of those letters which Hyrum had written. The following day, by the request of my husband, I went to see an old Quaker, a gentleman with whom we had been quite intimate since our com- mencement on the farm, and who had always seemed to admire the neat arrangement of the same. We hoped that he would be both able and willing to Eurchase the place, that we might at least have the enefit of the crops that were upon the grotmrl, as lie was a friend and would be disposed to show us favour. But we were disappointed, not in his will or AXD HIS rRnGEKITORS 97 disposition, but in his ability. He had just paid out to the land agent all the money he could spare, to redeem a piece of land belonging to a friend in his immediate neighborhood. If I had arrived at his house thirty minutes sooner, I would have found him with fifteen-hundred dollars in his pocket- When I rehearsed to him what had taken place, he was much distressed for us, and very much regretted his inability to relieve our necessity. He said, however, " If I have no money, I will try to do something for you, and you may say to your husband, that I will see him as soon as I can, and let him know what the prospect V It was nearly night — the country ^vr\s new, and my road lay through a dense forest. The distance that I had to travel was ten miles, and that alone, yet I hastened to inform my husband of the disap- pointment that I had met with. The old gentleman, as soon as I left, started in search of some one that could afford us assist- ance, and hearing of a Mr. Durfee, who lived four miles distant, he came the same night, and di- rected us to go and see what he could devise for our benefit. Accordingly, ray husband started without delay for Mr. Durfee's, and arrived at his house before daylight in the morning. He sent my husband three miles further, to one of his sons, who was High Sheriff, instructing him to say to the young man that his father wished to see him as soon as possible. Mr. Durfee, the younger, was obedient to the call. Immediately after he arrived at his father's, the three proceeded together to see the farm, and ar- rived about ten o'clock a,u. They tarried a short time, then rode on to see the agent and those villains who held the deed of our place. The anxiety of mind that I suffered that day can more easily be imagined than described. I now looked upon the proceeds of our industry, which smiled around us on every hand, with a kind of yeaxning attachment that I never before had ex- 93 JOSEPH SMITH TUB PROPHET, erienced ; and our early losses I did Hot feel so eenly, for I then realized that we were young, and by making Borne exertions we might improve our circumstances ; besides, I had not felt the incon- veniences of poverty as I had since. My husband, and the Messrs, Durfee, arrived in Canandaigua at half-past nine o'clock in the evening. The agent sent immediately for Mr. Stoddard and his friends, and they came without delay ; but in order to make difficulty, they contended that it was after ten o'clock ; however, not being able to sustain themselves upon this ground, they handed over the deed to Mr. Durfee, the High Sheriff, who now be- came the possessor of the farm. I stated before, that at the time Mr, Smith started to see Knight and Stoal, Joseph accompanied him. When he returned, Joseph also returned with him, and remained with us, until the difficulty about the farm came to an issue ; he then took leave for Pennsylvania, on the same business as before men* tioned, and the next January returned with his wife, in good health and fine spirits* Not long subsequent to his return, my husband had occasion to send liimto Manchester, on business. As he set off early in the day, we expected him home at most by six o'clock in the evening, but when six o'clock came, he did not arrive. We always had a peculiar anxiety about him whenever he was absent, for it seemed as though something was al- ways taking place to jeopardize his life. But to return. He did not get home till the night was far spent. On coming in, he threw himself into a chair, apparently much exhausted. My husband did not observe his appearance, and immediately exclaimed, ? J oseph, why are you so late ? has anything hap- pened to you ? we have been much distressed about ou these three hours." As Joseph made no answer, e continued his interrogations, until, finally, I said, u Now, father, let him rest a moment— don't trouble him now — you see he is home safe, and he is very tired, so pray wait a little." AND 1113 PROGENITORS. 99 The fact was, I had learned to be a little cautious about matters with regard to Joseph, for I was ac- customed to see him look as he did on that occasion, and I could not easily mistake the cause thereof. Presently he smiled, and said in a calm tone, u I have taken the severest chastisement that I have ever had in my life/* My husband, supposing that it was Ironi some of the neighbours, was quite angry^ and observed, " I would like to know what business anybcdy has to find fault with you !" "Stop, father, stop," said Joseph, "it waa the angel of the Lord ; as I passed by the hill of Cumorah, where the plates are, the angel met me, and said that I had not been engaged enough in the work of the Lord ; that the time had come for the Record to be brought forth ; and that I must be up and doing, and set myself about the things which God had commanded me to do. But, father, give yourself no uneasiness concerning the reprimand which I have received, for I now Know the course that I am to pursue, so all will be well." It was also made known to him, at this interview, that he should make another effort to obtain the plates, on the twenty-second of the following Sept, but this he did not mention to us at that time. CHAP. XXIIL JOSEPH OBTAINS TOR FLATE3, On the twentieth of September, Mr* Knight and his friend Stoal, came to see how we were managing matters with Stoddard and Co* ; and they tarried with us until the twenty-second. On the night of the twenty-first, I sat up very late, as my work rather pressed upon my hands. I did not retire until 100 JOSEPn 8MITT1 TITE PROPHET, after twelve o'clock at night. About twelve o'clock, Joseph came to me, and asked me if I had a chest with a lock and key. T knew in an instant what he wanted it for, and not having one, I was greatly alarmed, as I thought it might be a matter of con- siderable moment. But Joseph, discovering my anxiety, said, "Never mind, I can do very well for the proR^nt vrithont it — be calm — all is right." Shortly after tLis, Joseph's wife passed through the room ^ith her bonnet ?nd riding dress; and in a few minuteR they left together, taking Mr, Knight's borse and waggon. I spent the night in prayer and supplication to GoJ, fyr the anxiety of my mind would not permit me to sleep. At the usual hour, I commenced preparing breakfast. My heart flut- tered at every footstep, as I now expected Joseph and Emma momentarily, and feared lest Joseph might meet with a second disappointment. When the male portion of the family were seated at the breakfast table, Mr. Smith enquired for Jo- seph, for he was not aware that he had left home. I requested my husband not to call him, for I would like to have him take breakfast with his wife that morning. t( No, no said my husband, u I must have Joseph sit down here and eat with me." " Wei), now, Mr. Smith,11 continued I, " do let him eat with his wife thu morning ; he almost always takes breakfast with you." His father finally consented, and eat without him, and no further inquiries were made concerning his absence, but in a few minutes Mr. Knight came in quite disturbed, « Why, Mr. Smith," exclaimed he, u my horse is gone, and I i an't find him on the premises, and I wish to start for home in half an hour," " Never mind the horse," said J. " Mr. Knight does not know all the nooks and corners in the pas- tures ; I will call William, ho will bring the horse immediately*" This satisfied him for the time being; but he soon AND HIS PROGENITORS* 101 made another discovery* His waggon also was gone. He then concluded, that a rogue had stolen them both. "Mr. Knight;* said I, "do be quiet; I would be ashamed to have you go about, waiting upon your- self—just go out and talk with Mr. Smith until William comes, and if you really must go home, your horse shall be brought, and you shall be waited upon like a gentleman. He accordingly went out, and while he was absent Joseph returned. I trembled so with fear, lest all might be lost in consequence of some failure in keeping the com- mandments of God, that I was tinder the necessity of leaving the room in order to conceal my feelings. Joseph saw this, and said, **Do not be uneasy mother, all is right — see here, I have got a key." I knew not what he meant, but took the article of which he spoke into my hands, and, upon exami- nation, found that it consisted of two smooth three- cornered diamonds set in glass, and the glasses were set in silver bows, which were connected with each other in much the same way as old fashioned spec- tacles. He took them again and left me, but said nothing respecting the Record. In a short time he returned, and inquired of me in regard to getting a chest made. I told him to go to a certain cabinet-maker, 'who had made some fur- niture for my oldest daughter, and tell him that we would pay him for making a chest, as we did for the other work which he had done for us, namely, one half in cash and the other in produce. Joseph remarked that he would do so, but that he did not know where the money would come from, for there was not a shilling in the house. The following day one Mr. Warner came to him, and told him that a widow by the name of Wells, who was living in Macedon, wanted some labour done in a well, for which she would pay the money, and that she was anxious to have him (Joseph) do thii labour for her. As this afforded us an opportunity to pay the cabinet maker for the chest, Joseph went 102 JOSEPH SMITH TUB PROPHET, immediately to the house of Mrs. Wells, and com- menced work. The next day after he left home, one of the neigh- hours asked Mr. Smith many questions concerning the plates. I will here observe, that no one ever heard anything from us respecting them, except a confidential friend, whom my husband had spoken to about them some two or three years previous* It appeared that Satan had now stirred up the hearts of those who had gotten a hint of the matter from our friend, to search into it, and make every possible move towards thwarting the purposes of the Al- mighty. My husband soon learned that ten or twelve men were clubbed together, with one Willard Chase, a Methodist class leader, at their head; and what was still more ridiculous, they had sent sixty or seventy miles for a certain conjuror, to come and divine the place where the plates were secreted. We supposed that Joseph had taken the plates, and hid them somewhere, and we were apprehensive that our enemies might discover their place of deposit. Accordingly, the next morning, after hearing of their plans, my husband concluded to go among the neighbours to see what he could learn with regard to the plana of the adverse party. The first house he came to, he found the conjuror and Willard Chase, together with the rest of the clan. Making an er- rand, he went in and sat down near the door, leaving it a little ajar, in order to overhear their conversa- " tion. Thej stood in the yard near the door, and were devising plans to find " Joe Smith's goldb ible," as they expressed themselves. The conjuror seemed much animated, although he had travelled sixty miles the day and night previous. * Presently, the woman of the house, becoming un- easy at the exposures they were making, stepped ^ through a back door into the yard, and called to her husband, in a suppressed tone, but loud enough to be heard distinctly by Mr, Smith, " Sam, Sam, you are cutting your own throat." At this the conjuror AND HIS PROGENITORS 103 bawled out at the top of his voice, " I am not afraid of any body- — we will have them plates in spite of J oe Smith or all the devils in hell. When the woman came in again, Mr. Smith laid aside a newspaper which he had been holding in his hand, and remarked, " I believe I have not time to finish reading the paper now," He then left the house, and returned home. Mr, Smithy on returning home, asked Emma, if she knew whether Joseph had taken the plates from their place of deposit, or if she was able to tell him where they were. She said, she could not tell where they were, or whether they were remoTed from their place. My husband then related what he had both seen and heard. Upon this Emma said, that she did not know what to do, but she supposed if Joseph was to get the Re- cord, he would get it, and, that they would not be able to prevent him. u Yes, replied Mr. Smith, u he will, if he is watch- ful and obedient ; but remember, that for a small thing, Esau lost his birthright and his blessing. It may be so with Joseph." " Well," said Emma, t( if I had a horse I would go and see him." Mr. Smith then said, "you shall have one in fifteen minutes, for although my team is gone, there is a Btray on the place, and I will send William to bring him immediately." In a few minutes William brought up the horse with a large hickory withe round his neck (for it was according to law, to put a withe round the neck of a stray before turning it into an enclosure ;) and Emma was soon under way for Macedon. Joseph kept the Urim and Thummim constantly about his person, by the use of which he could in a moment tell whether the plates were in any danger. Just before Emma rode up to Mrs. Wells, Joseph, from an impression that he had had, came up out of the well in which he was labouring, and met her not far from the house. Emma immediately in- I 2 \ 104 JOSEPH SMITH THE PRO Til KT, formed him of "what had transpired, whereupon he looked in the Urim and Thummim, and saw that the Record was as yet safe ; nevertheless, he con- cluded to return with his wife, as something might take place that would render it necessary for him to be at home where he could take care of it. He then told Mrs, Wells that business at home rendered it necessary for him to return. To this she did not agree at first, but finally consented. She then sent a boy for a horse, which Joseph mounted in his linen frock, and with his wife by his side on her horse decorated as before with a hickory withe round his neck, he rode through the village of Palmyra, which was on the way home. On arriving at home, he found, his father pacing the ground near his door in great anxiety of mind, Joseph spoke to him, saying, M Father, there is no danger — all is perfectly safe — there is no cause of alarm." When he had taken a little refreshment, he sent Carlos, my youngest son, to his brother Hyrum's, to have him come up immediately, as he desired to see him. When he came, Joseph requested him to get a chest, having a good lock and key, and to have it there by the time he (Joseph) should return. And, after giving these instructions, Joseph started for the plates. The plates were secreted about three miles from home, in the following manner. Finding an old birch log much decayed, excepting the bark, which was in a measure sound, he took, his pocket knife «*• and cut the bark with some care, then turned it back, and made a hole of sufficient size to receive the plates, and laying them in the cavity thus formed, he replaced the bark ; after which he laid across the log, in several places, some old stuff that happened to lay near, in order to conceal, as much as possible, the place in which they were deposited, t Joseph, on coining to them, took them from their secret place, and, wrapping them in his linen frock, placed them under his arm and started for home. ASD HIS PROGENITORS, After proceeding a short distance, he thought it would be more safe to leave the road and go through the woods. Travelling some distance after he left the road, he came to a large windfall, and as he was jumping over a log, a man sprang up from behind it, and gave him a heavy blow with a gun. Joseph turned around and knocked him down, then ran at the top of his speed. About half a mile further he was attacked again in the same manner as before ; he knocked this man down in like manner as the for- mer, and ran on again ; and before he reached home he was assaulted the third time. In striking the last one he dislocated his thumb, which, however, he did not notice until he came within light of the house, when he threw himself down in the corner of the fence in order to recover his breath. As soon as he was able, he arose and came to the house. He was still altogether speechless from fright and the fatigue of running. After resting a few moments, he desired me to send Carlos for my husband, Mr. Knight, and his friend Stoal, and have them go immediately and see if they could find the men who had been pursuing him. And after Carlos had done this, he wished to have him sent to Hyrum s, to tell him to bring the chest. I did as I was requested, and when Carlos arrived at Hyrum's, he found him at tea, with two of his wife's sisters. Just as Hyrum was raising a cup to his mouth, Carlos touched his shoulder. Without waiting to hear one word from the child, he dropped the cup, sprang from the table, caught the chest, turned it upside down, and emptying its contents on the floor, left the house instantly with the chest on his shoulder. The young ladies were greatly astonished at his singular behaviour, and declared to his wife — who w as then confined to her bed, her oldest daughter, Lovina, being but four days old — that he was cer- tainly crazy. His wife laughed heartily, and replied, * Oh, not I 106 JOSEPn SMITH THE PROPHET, in the least, he has just thought of something which he has neglected, and it is just like him to fly off i u a tangent when he thinks of anything in that way/1 When the chest came, Joseph locked up the Record, then threw himself upon the bed, and after resting a little, so that he could converse freely, he arose and went into the kitchen, where he related his re- cent adventure to his father, Mr. Knight, and Mr. Steal, besides many others, who had by this time collected, with the view of hearing something in re- gard to the strange circumstance which had taken place. He showed them his thumb, saying, " I must stop talking, father, and get you to put my thumb in place, for it is very painful/" I will here mention that my husband, Mr. Knight, and Mr. StoaL went in pursuit of those villains who had attempted J oseph*s life, but were not able to find them. When Joseph first got the plates, the angel of the Lord stood by, and said : — 44 Now you have got the Record into your own hands, and you are but a man, therefore you will have to be watchful and faithful to your trust, or you will be over- powered by wicked men, lor they will lay every plan and scheme that is possible to get it away from you, and if you do not take heed continually, they will succeed. While it was in my hands, I could keep it, and uo man had power to take it away ; but now I give it up to you. Beware, and look well to your ways, and you shall have power to retain it, until the time for it to be translated," That of which I spoke, which Joseph termed a key, was indeed, nothing more nor less than the Urim and Thummim, and it was by this that the angel showed him many things which he saw in vision ; by which he could also ascertain, at any time, the approach of danger, either to himself or the Uncord, and on account of which he always kept the Urim and Thummim about his person. ■ A>~D HIS PROGENITORS. 107 CHAR XXIV. JOSEPH BRiyOB HOHK THE BRE AST-PLATE— MABTLV HARRIS AWP HIS WIFE INTRODUCED — THE TRANSLATION COMMENCE* — MRS. HARRIS BEOIKB TO OPPOSE THE WORK. After bringing home the plates, Joseph commenced working with his father and brothers on the farm, in order to be a.s near as possible to the treasure which was confided to his care. Soon after this, he came in from work, one after- noon, and after remaining a short time, he put on his great coat, and left the house, I was engaged at the time, in an upper room, in preparing some oil-cloths for painting. When he returned, he requested me to come down stairs. I told him, that I could not leave my work just then, yet, upon his urgent request. I finally concluded to go do wn, and see what he wanted, upon which he handed me the breast- plate spoken of in his history. It was wrapped in a thin muslin handkerchief, so thin that I could see the glistening metal, and as- certain its proportions without any difficulty. It was concave on one side, and convex on the other, and extended from the neck downwards, as far as the centre of the stomach of a man of extra- ordinary size. It had four straps of the same material, for the purpose of fastening it to the breast, two of which ran back to go over the shoul- ders, and the other two were designed to fasten to the hips. They were just the width of two of my fingers, (for I measured them,) and they had holes in the end of them, to be convenient in fastening. The whole plate was worth at least five hundred dollars : after I had examined it, Joseph placed it in the chest with the Urim and Thummim. Shortly after this circumstance, Joseph came to the house in great haste, and inquired, if there 108 JOSEPH SMITH THE PROPHET, had been a company of men about, I told him, not a single individual had come to the house since he left. He then said, that a mob would be there that night, if they did not come before that time, to search for the Record, and that it must be removed immediately. Soon afterwards, a man by the name of Braman came in from the village of Livonia, a man in whom we reposed much confidence, and who was well worthy of the same. Joseph told him his apprehen- sions of a mob being there that night, and that they must prepare themselves to drive them away ; but, that the first thing to be attended to, was to secure the fiecord and breast-plate. In view of this, it was determined that a portion of the hearth should be taken up, and that the Kecord and breastr-plate should be buried under the same, and then the hearth be relaid, to prevent suspicion. This was done as speedily as possible, but the h earth was scarcely relaid when a large company of men well armed came rushing up to the house. Joseph threw open the doors, and taking a hint from the stratagem of his grandfather Mack, hal- looed as if he had a legion at hand, in the mean- while, giving the word of command with great c mvh i ; while all the male portion of the family, from the father down to little Carlos, ran out of the house with such fury upon the mob, that it struck them with terror and dismay, and they fled before the little Spartan band into the woods, where they dispersed themselves to their several homes. ^ In a short time Joseph received another intima- tion of the approach of a mob, also of the necessity of removing the .Record and breast-plate from the place wherein they were secreted, consequently he took them out of the box in which they were placed, and wrapping them in clothes, carried them across the road to a cooper's shop, and laid then in a quan- tity of flax winch was stowed in the shop loft. After which he nailed up the box again, then tore up the floor of the shop, and put it under the same. AND HIS FROGBNITORS, 109 As soon as night came, the mob came also, and commenced ransacking the place. They rummaged round the house, and all over the premises, but did not come into the house. After making satisfactory search they went away. The next morning we found the floor of the cooper's shop torn up, and the box which was laid under it shivered in pieces. In a few days afterwards we learned the cause of this last move — why their curiosity led them in the direction of the cooper's shop. A young woman by the name of Chase, sister to WiUard Chase, found a green glass, through which she could see many very wonderful things, and among her great discoveries she said that she saw the precise place where ** Joe Smith kept his gold bible hid,4* and obedient to her directions, the mob gathered their forces and laid siege to the cooper's shop. Notwithstanding their disappointment in not finding the plates in the shop, their confidence was not in the least shaken in Miss Chase, for they still went from place to place by her direction, determined to get, if possible, the much desired object of their search. Not long after the circumstance of the mob's going into the cooper's shop, and splitting in pieces the box, Joseph began to make arrangements to ac- complish the translation of the Record. The first step that he was instructed to take in regard to this work, was to make a facsimile of some of the characters, which were called reformed Egyptian, and to sen<i them to some of the most learned men of this generation, and ask them for the translation thereof. The reader will here observe, that on a preceding, page of this volume, I spoke of a confidential friend to whom my husband merely mentioned the existence of the plates, some two or three years prior to their coming forth. This was no other than Martin Harris, one of the witnesses to the book subsequent to its being translated. 110 JOSEPH SMITH TIIE PEOPIIET, With the view of commencing the work of transla- tion, and carrying it forward as speedily as circum- stances would permit, Joseph came to me one after- noon and requested me to go to this Mr, Harris, and inform him that he had got the plates, and that he desired to see Mr, Harris concerning the matter. This, indeed, was an errand which I much disliked, as Mr, Harris's wife was a very peculiar woman, one that was naturally of a very jealous disposition; besides this, she was rather dull of hearing, and when ;tnvihing was said that she did not hear dis- tinctly, she suspected that it was some secret, which was designedly Kept from her. So I told Joseph that I would rather not go, unless I could have the pri- vilege of speaking -to her first upon the subject. To this he consented, and I went according to his request. On arriving at Mr. Harris's, I cautiously detailed the particulars with regard to Joseph's finding the plates, so far as wisdom dictated and necessity de- manded, in order to satisfy Mrs. Harris's curiosity. However, she did not wait for me to get through with my story, before she commenced urging upon me a considerable amount of money, that she had at her command. Her husband always allowed her to keep a private purse, in order to satisfy her singular disposition, and it was this private money that she . wished me to receive, She also had a sister living with her who desired me to receive an amount of money, I think some seventy-five dollars, to assist in getting the Record translated, I fold her that I came on no such business, that I did not want her money, and that Joseph would attend to his own affairs ; but, that I would like to talk with Mr. Harris a moment, and then return home, as my family would soon be expecting me. Yet, notwithstanding all this, she was determined to assist in the business, for she said she knew that we should want money, and she could spare two hundred dollars as well as not. After detaining me a few minutes, she went with AST) HIS rilOGENITORS. Ill me to her husband, and told him that I wished to speak to him. He replied, that he was not going to stop his work, for he was just laying the last brick in his hearth. " Yoxx see," said he, "this is the last'work I have to do on the house, and it is the last work I shall do about the house, or on the farm, in one year. And when this is done, I am going to hire a hand to work a year for me, aa I shall travel that length of time before I shall settle myself at home again/' After completing the work in which he was engaged, he left the house, but was absent only a short time. On returning, he came to me and said, " Xuw I am a free man — my hands are altogether untied — I can come and go and do as I please. I related, in short, the errand on which I had come. He said, that he would see Joseph in the course of a few days* At this his wife exclaimed, a Yes, and I am coming to see him too, and I will be there on Tuesday afternoon, and will stop over night.1' Accordingly, when Tuesday afternoon arrived, Mi's. Harris made her appearance, and as soon aa she was well seated, she began to importune my son relative to the truth of what he had said concerning the Record, declaring that if he really had any plates, she would see them, and that she was determined to help him publish them* He told her she was mistaken— that she could not see them, for he was not permitted to exhibit them to any one, except those whom the Lord should appoint to testify of them. u And, in relation to assistance," he observed, ** I always prefer dealing with men, rather than their wives." This highly displeased Mrs. Harris, for she con- sidered herself altogether superior to her husband, and she continued her importunities. She would say, "Now, Joseph, are you not telling me a He? Can you look full in my eye, and say before God, that you have in reality found a Record, as you pretend V 112 JOSEPH SMITH THE morHET, To this, Joseph replied, rather indifferently, * Why, yes, Mra Hams, I would as soon look you in the face, and say so as not, if that will be any gratification to yon. Then, said she, " J oseph, I will tell you what I will do, if I can get a witness that you speak the truth, I will believe all you say about the matter, and I shall want to do something about the translation — I mean to help you any way/1 This closed the evening^ conversation. The next morning, soon after she arose, she related a very remarkable dream which she said she had had during the night. It ran about as follows. She said that a personage appeared to her, who told her, that as she had disputed the servant of the Lord, and said his word was not to be believed, and had also asked him many improper questions, she had done that which was not right in the sight of God. After which he said to her, u Behold, here are the plates, look upon them, and believe," After giving us an account of her dream, she des- cribed the Record very minutely, then told us that she had made up her mind in relation to the course which she intended to pursue, namely that she had in her possession twenty-eight dollars which she received from her mother just before she died, while she was on her death bed, and that Joseph should accept of it If he would he might give his note, but he should certainly take it upon some terms. The last proposal Joseph accepted, in order to get rid of further importunity upon the subject- Soon afterwards, Alva Hale, Joseph's brother-in- law, came to our house, from Pennsylvania, for the purpose of moving Joseph to his fether-in-iaw's, as word had been sent to them, that Jospeh desired to move there as soon as he could settle up his busi- ness. During the short interval of Alva's stay with us, he and Joseph were one day in Palmyra, at a public-house, transacting some business. As they were thus engaged, Mr. Harris came in ; he stepped immediately up to my son, and taking him by the AND I11S PROGENITORS 113 hand, said, * How do you do, Mr. Smith." After which, he took a bag of silver from his pocket, and said again, " Here, Mr, Smith, is fifty dollars ; I give this to you to do the Lord's work with ; no, I give it to the Lord for his own work," " No, said Joseph, " We will give you a note, Mr. Hale, I presume, will sign it with me" "Yes," said Alva, "I will sign it." Mr, Harris, however, insisted that he would give the money to the Lord, and called those present to witness the fact that he gave it freely, and did not demand any compensation, that it was for the pur- pose of helping Mr. Smith to do the Lord's work. And as I have oeen informed, many were present on that occasion, who witnessed the same circumstance, Joseph, in a short time, arranged his affairs, and was ready for the journey. The Kecord and breast' plate for security, he nailed up in a box and then put them into a strong cask ; and after filling the cask with beans, headed it up again. When it became generally known that Joseph was about moving to Pennsylvania, a mob of fifty men collected themselves together, and they went to one Dr. Me. Intyre, and requeste4 him to take the com- mand of the company, stating, that they were re- solved on following " Joe Smith," and taking his "gold bible" from him. The doctor's ideas and feelings did not altogether harmonize with theirs, and he told them they were a pack of devilish fools, and to go home and mind their own business ; that, if J oseph Smith had any business of that sort to attend to, he was capable of doing it , and that it would be better for them to busy themselves about that which more concerned them. After this, a quarrel arose among them respecting who should be captain, and it ran so high that it broke up the expedition. When Joseph had had a sufficient time to accom- plish the journey, and transcribe some of the Egyp- tian characters, it was agreed that Martin Harris should follow him — and that he (Martin) should take [ 114 JOSEPH SMITH THE PROPHET, r the characters to the East, and, on his way, he was to I call on all the professed linguists, in order to give i them an opportunity to display their talents in giving a translation of the characters* | When Mrs, Harris heard of what her husband had iu contemplation, she resolved to accompany him ; but he, concluding that it would be better to go with- [ out her, left quite suddenly without her knowledge, I in company with my son Hyrum. I Mrs. Harris soon missed her husband, and came I to me, for the purpose of ascertaining if I knew where \ he was. I told her what he had said concerning his | leaving, suppressing, however,his remarks pertaining to herself. On hearing this,aahe became highly exasperated, \ and charged me with planning the whole affair. I 1 protested against it, assert ing that I had nothing to I do with the plan, nor the execution of it, Further- more, that the business of a house, which was the { natural cares of a wom;in, was all that I attempted t to dictate, or interfere with, unless it was by my nus- t band's or son's request. Mr?. Harris then observed, that she had property, [ and knew how to take care of it, which she would convince me of. " Now, stop," said I, u do you not know that we have never asked you for money or property ? an«l I that if we had been disposed to take advantage of f your liberality, could we not have got, at least, two I hundred and seventy dollars of your cash T She an- [ swered in the affirmative, notwithstanding she went f home in a great rage, determined to have satisfaction for the treatment which she had received. [ In & short time Mr. Harris returned, and his wife's l anger kindled afresh at his presence, insomuch that she prepared a separate bed and room for him, which i room she refused to enter. r A young man by the name of Bikes, had been F paying some attention to Miss Lucy, Martin Harris's f oldest daughter. To this young man Mr, Harris r was quite attached, and his daughter Lucy was by > AND HI3 PROGENITORS* 115 no means opposed to him ; but Mrs. Harris, of course, was decidedly upon the negative. However, just at this crisis , a scheme entered her brain which mate- rially changed her deportment to Mr. Dikes. She told him, if he would manage to get the Egyptian characters from Mr. Harris's possession, and procure a room in Palniyra for the purpose of transcribing them, and then bring her the transcript, that she would consent to his marriage with her daughter Lucy. To this, Mr. Dikes cheerfully consented, and suffice it to say, he succeeded to her satisfaction, and thus received the promised reward. When Mr. Harris began to make preparations to start for Pennsylvania the second time, with the view of writing for J oseph, his wife told him that she had fully decreed in her heart to accompany him. Mr. Harris, having no particular objections, informed her that she might do so ; that she might go and stay one or two weeks, and then he would bring her home again, after which he would return, and resume his writing for Joseph. To this she cheerfully agreed. But Mr. Harris little suspected what he had to en- counter by this move. The first time he exhibited the characters before named, she took out of Tier pocket an exact copy of the same ; and told those present, that " Joe Smith" was not the only one who was in possession of this great curiosity, that she had the same characters, and, they were quite as genuine as those shown by Mr. Harris. This course she continued to pursue, until they arrived at Joseph's. As soon as she arrived there, she informed him that her object in coming, was to see the plates, and that she would never leave until she had accom- plished it. Accordingly, without delay, she com- menced ransacking every nook and corner about the house— chests, trunks, cupboards, &c.j consequently, Joseph was under the necessity of removing both the breast-plate and the Record from the house, and secreting them elsewhere. Not finding them in the 110 JOSEPH SMITH THE PROPHET, house, she concluded that Joseph had buried them, and the next day she commenced searching out of doors, which she continued to do until about two o'clock p.m. She then came in rather ill-natured ; after warming herself a little, she asked Joseph's wife if there were snakes in that country in the winter. She replied in the negative, Mrs. Harris then said, "I have been walking round in the woods to look at the situation of your place, and as I turned round to come home, a tremendous black snake stuck up his head before me, and commenced hissing at me." The woman was so perplexed and disappointed in al ! her undertakings, that she left the house and took lodgings during her stay in Pennsylvania with a near neighbour, to whom she stated that the day previous she had been hunting for the plates, and that, after a tedious search, she at length came to a spot where she judged, from the appearance of things, they must be buried ; but upon stooping down to scrape away the snow and leaves, in order to ascertain the fact, she encountered a horrible black snake,* which gave her a terrible fright, and she ran with all possible speed to the house. While this woman remained in the neighbour- hood, she did ail that lay in her power to injure Joseph in the estimation of his neighbours — telling them that he was a grand impostor, and, that by his specious pretensions, he had seduced her husband into the bt-lief tlvA lie (Joseph Smith) was some great one, merely through a design upon her hus- band's property. When she returned home, being about two weeks after her arrival in Harmony, the place where Joseph resided, she endeavoured to dissuade her husband from taking any further part in the publication of the Record ; however, Mi. Harris paid no attention to her, but re turned and continued writing. Immediately after Martin Harris left home for Pennsylvania, his wife went from place to place, and from house to house, telling her grievances, and AKD HIS rROGEN'ITOR.3. 117 declaring that Joseph Smith was practising a decep- tion upon the people, which was about to strip her of all that she possessed, and that she was compelled to deposit a few things away from home in order to secure them. So she carried away her furniture, linen, and bedding; also other moveable articles, until she nearly stripped the premises of every thing that could conduce either to comfort or convenience, depositing them with those of her friends and ac- quaintances, in whom she reposed sufficient con- fidence to assure her of their future safety. CHAP. XXV. MARTIN HARRIS IS PERMITTED TO TAJKE TTJB StASrSCRlFT HOMK WITH HIM*— HB LOSES IT—TUB gttAJBOtf OF MOTttKIXG WHICH Martin Harris, having written some one hundred and sixteen pages for Joseph, aaked permission of my son to carry the manuscript home with him, in order to let his wife read it, as he hoped it mioht have a salutary effect upon her feelings, * J oseph was willing to gratify his friend as far as he could consistently, and he inquired of the Lord to know if he might do as Martin Harris had requested but was refused. With this, Mr. Harris was not altogether satisfied, and, at his urgent request, Joseph inquired again, but received a second refusal! Still, Martin Harris persisted as before, and Joseph applied again, but the last answer was not like the two former ones. In this the Lord permitted Martin Harris to take the manuscript home with him, on condition that he would exhibit it to none, save five individuals whom he had mentioned, and who be- longed to his own family. 118 Joseph s^riTii the mopnETj Mr. Harris was delighted with this, and bound himself in a written covenant of the most solemn nature, that he would strictly comply with the in- junctions which he had received- Which being done, he took the manuscript and went home. Joseph did not suspect but that his friend would keep his faith, consequently, he gave himself no uneasiness with regard to the matter. Shortly after Mr, Harris left, Joseph's wife became the mother of a son, which, however, remained witli her but a short time 1>efore it was snatched from her arms by the hand of death. And the mother seemed, for some time, more like sinking with her infant into the mansion of the dead, than remaining with her husband among the living. Her situation was such for two weeks, that Joseph slept not an hour in un- disturbed quiet- At the expiration of this time she began to recover, but as J oseph's anxiety about her began to subside, another cause of trouble forced itself upon his mind. Mr. Harris had been absent nearly three weeks, and Joseph had received no in- telligence whatever from him, which was altogether aside of the arrangement when they separated. But Joseph kept his feelings from his wife, fearing that if she became acquainted with them it might agitate her too much. In a few days, however, she mentioned the subject herself, and desired her husband to go and get ner mother to stay with her, while he should repair to Palmyra, for the purpose of learning the cause of Mr. Harris's absence as well as silence. At first Joseph objected, but seeing her so cheerful, and so willing to have him leave home, he finally con- sented. He set out in the first stage that passed for Palmyra, and, when he was left to himself, he began to contemplate the course which Martin had taken, and the risk which he (Joseph) had run in letting the manuscript go out or his own hands — for it could not be obtained Again, in case Martin had lost it through transgression, except by the power of God, which AND HIS PROGENITORS. 119 was something Joseph could hardly hope for— and that, by persistingin his entreaties to the Lord, he had perhaps fallen into transgression, and thereby lost the manuscript. "When, I say, he began to contem- plate these things, they troubled his spirit, and his soul was moved with fearful apprehensions. And, although he was now nearly worn out, sleep fled from his eyes, neither had he any desire for food, for he felt that he had done wrong, and how -reat his con- demnation was he did not know. Only one passenger was in the stage besides him- self: this man, observing Joseph's gloomy appear- ance, inquired the cause of his affliction, and offered to assist him if his services would be acceptable. Joseph thanked him for his kindness, and mentioned that he had been watching some time with a sick wife and child, that the child had died, and that his wife was still very low j but refrained from giving any further explanation. Nothing more passed between them upon this subject, until Joseph was about leaving the stage ; at which time he remarked, that he still had twenty miles further to travel on foot that night, it being then about ten o'clock. To this the stranger objected, saying, u I have watched you since you first entered the stage, and I know that you have neither slept nor eat since that time, and you shall not go on foot twenty miles alone this night ; for, if you must go, I will be your company. Now tell me what can be the trouble that makes you thus dispirited f* Joseph replied, about as before — that he had left his wife in so low a state of health, that he feared he should not find her alive when he returned; besides, he had buried his first and only child but a few days previous. This was true, though there was another trouble lying at his heart, which he dared not to mention, . The stranger then observed, u I feel to sympathize with you, and I fear that your constitution, which is evidently not strong, will be inadequate to sup- port you. You will be in danger of falling asleep 120 JOSEPH SMITH THE PEOPHET, in the forest, and of meeting with some awful disaster." J oseph again thanked the gentleman for his kind- ness, and, leaving the stage, they proceeded together, When they reached our house it was nearly day- light. The stranger said he was under the necessity of leading Joseph the last four miles by the aim ; for nature was too much exhausted to support him any longer, and he would fell asleep as he was walking along, every few minutes, towards the last of this distance* On entering our house, the stranger remarked that he had brought our son through the forest, because he had insisted on coining, that he was sick, and needed rest, as well as refreshment, and that he ought to have some pepper tea to warm his stomach. After thus directing us, relative to our son, he said, that when we had attended to Joseph he would thank us for a little breakfast for himself as he was in haste to be on his journey again. When J oseph had taken a httle nourishment, ac- cording to the directions of the stranger, he requested us to send immediately for Mr. Harris. This we did without delay. And when we had given the stranger his break&st, we commenced preparing breakfast for the family ; and we supposed that Mr! Harris would be there, as soon as it was ready, to eat with tis, for he generally came in such haste when he was sent for. At eight o'clock we set the victuals on the table, as we were expecting him every moment We waited till nine, and he came not—till ten, and he was not there — till eleven, still he did not make his appearance. But at half-past twelve we saw him walking with a slow and mea- sured tread towards the house, his eyes fixed thought- fully upon the ground. On coming to the gate, he stopj>ed, instead of passing through, and got upon the fence, and sat there some time with his hat drawn over his eyes. At length he entered the house. Soon after which we sat down to the table, Mr, Harris with the rest He took up his knife and AtfD HT3 PROGENITORS. 121 fork as if he were going to use them, htit imme- d lately dropped them, fiyruni, observing this, said u Martin, why do you not eat ; are you sick ? Upon which, Mr. Han-is pressed his hands upon his temples, and cried out, in a tone of deep anguish, " Oh, I have lost my soul ! I have lost my soul ! 11 Joseph, who had not expressed his fears till now, sprang from the table, exclaiming, "Martin, have you lost that manuscript ? have you broken your oath, and brought down condemnation upon my head, as well as your own f1 "Yes, it is gone," replied Martin, "and I know not where," " Oh, my God !n said Joseph, clinching his hands, L All is lost ! all is lost ! What shall I do? I have sinned — it is I who tempted the wrath of God. I should have been satisfied with the first answer which I received from the Lord ; for he told me that it was not safe to let the writing go out of my pos- session." He wept and groaned, and walked the floor continually. At length he told Martin to go back and search again. "No," said Martin, "it is all in vain; for I have ripped open beds and pillows : and I know it is not there." " Then must I," said Joseph, "return to my wife with such a tale as this ? Idare not do it, lest I should kill her at once. And how shall I appear before the Lord ? Of what rebuke am I not worthy from the angel of the Most High J** I besought him not to1 mourn so, for perhaps the Lord would forgive him, after a short season of humiliation and repentance. But what could I say to comfort him, when he saw all the family in the same situation of mind as himself; for sobs and groans, and the most bitter lamentations filled the house. However, Joseph was more distressed than the rest, as he better understood the consequences of disobedience- And he continued, pacing back and forth, meantime weeping and grieving, until 122 JOSEPH SMITH THE PROPHET, about sunset, when, by persuasion, he took a little nourishment. The next morning we set out for home. We parted with heavy hearts, for it now appeared that all which we had so fondly anticipated, and which had been the source of so much secret gratification, had in a moment fled, and fled for ever. CHAP. XXVL HART IN nARRIS*fl PERFIDY. I will now give a sketch of the proceedings of Martin Harris during the time he was absent from Joseph. t m After leaving Joseph he arrived at home with the manuscript in safety. Soon after he exhibited the manuscript to his wife and family. His wife was so pleased with it, that she gave him the privilege of locking it up in her own set of drawers, which was a special favour, for she had never before this allowed him even the privilege of looking into them. After he had shown the manuscript to those who had a right, according to his oath, to see it, he went with his wife to visit one of her relatives, who lived some ten or fifteen miles distant. After remaining with them a short time, he re- turned home, but his wife declined accompanying him back. Soon after his return, a very particular friend of his made him a visit, to whom he related all that he knew concerning the Record. The man's curiosity was much excited, and, as might be ex- pected, he earnestly desired to see the manuscript. Martin was so anxious to gratify his friend, that, although it was contrary to his obligation, he went to the drawer to get the manuscript, but the key AND HIS PROGENITORS 123 was gone. He sought for it some time, but could not find it. Resolved, however, to carry his purpose into execution, he picked the lock, and, in so doing, considerably injured his wife's bureau. He then took out the manuscript, and, after showing it to this friend, he removed it to his own set of drawers, where he could have it at his command. Passing by his oath, he showed it to any good friend that happened to call on him. when Mrs. Harris returned, and discovered the marred state of her bureau, her irascible temper was excited to the utmost pitch, and an intolerable storm ensued, which descended with the greatest violence upon the devoted head of her husband. Having once made a sacrifice of his conscience, Mr. Harris no longer regarded its scruples ; so he continued to exhibit the writings, until a short time before Joseph arrived, to anyone whom he regarded as prudent enough to keep the secret, except our family, but we were not allowed to set our eyes upon them. For a short time previous to Joseph's arrival, Mr. Harris had been otherwise engaged, and thought but little about the manuscript. . When Joseph sent for him, he went immediately to the drawer where he had left it, but, behold it was gone ! He asked his wife where it was. She solemnly averred that she did not know anything respecting it. He then made a faithful search throughout the house, as before related. The manuscript has never been found : and there is no doubt but Mrs. Harris took it from the drawer, with the view of retaining it, untU another transla- tion should be given, then, to alter the original translation, for the purpose of showing a discrepancy between them, and thus make the whole appear to be a deception. It seemed as though Martin Harris, for his trans- gression, suffered temporally as well as spiritually. The same day on which the foregoing circumstance took place, a dense fog spread itself over his fields, l 124 JOSEPH SMITH THE PBOPHET, and blighted his wheat while in the blow, so that he lost about two-thirds of his crop, whilst those fields which lay only on the opposite side of the road, received no injury whatever, I well remember that day of darkness, both within and without. To us, at least, the heavens seemed clothed with blackness, and the earth shrouded with gloom, I have often said within myself, that if a continual punishment, as severe as that which we experienced on that occasion, were to be inflicted upon the most wicked characters who ever stood upon the footstool of the Almighty — if even their punishment were no greater than that, I should feel to pity their condition. CHAR XXVII. THE LUIit AXD THUtfMlM AKI*! TAKHX KflOM .TOfiBPU— I1E RECEIVE* THEM AGAIN. For nearly two months after Joseph returned to his family, in Pennsylvania, we heard nothing from him, and becoming anxious about him, Mr. Smith and myself set off to make him a visit When w e came within three-quarters of a mile of the house, Joseph started to meet us, telling his wife, as he left, that father and mother were coining. When he met us, his countenance wore so pleasant an aspect, that I was convinced he had something agreeable to communicate with regard to the work in which he was ei^gaged* When I entered, the first thing which attracted my attention was a red morocco trunk, lying on Emma's bureau, which Joseph shortly informed me contained the Urira and Thummim, and the plates. And, in the evening, he gave us the following relation of what had trans- pired since our separation : — AND TITS PROGENITORS. 125 "On leaving you," said Joseph, <:I returned imme- diately home. Soon after my arrival, I commenced hum- bling myself in mighty prayer before the Lord, and, as I was pouring out my soul in supplication to God, that if possible, I might obtain mercy at his hands, and be tor- given of all that I had done contrary to his will, an angel stood before me, and answered me, saying, that I had sinned in delivering the manuscript into the hands of a wicked man, and, as I had ventured to become respon- sible for his faithfulness, I would of necessity have to suf- fer the consequences of his indiscretion, and 1 must now give up the Urira and Thunimim into his (the angel's) hands,*' Ck This I did as I wast directed, and as I handed them to him, he remarked, * If you are very humble and penitent, it maybe you will receive them again; if so, it will be on the twenty-second of next September/ " Joseph then related a revelation which he received soon atter the angel visited him, A part of which is as follows : — "Behold, you have been entrusted with these things, but how strict were your commandments, and remember, also, the promises which were made to you, if you did not transgress them ; and behold how oft yon have transgressed the commandments^ and the laws of God, and have gone on in the persuasions of men. For behold, you should not have feared man more than God. Although men set at nought the counsels of God, and despise his words, yet you should have been faithful, and he would have extended his arm, and supported you against all the fiery darts of the adversary, and he would have been with you in every time of trouble. " Behold, thou art Joseph, and thou wast chosen to do the work of the Lord ; but because of transgression, if thou art not aware, thou wilt fall. But remember, God is merciful ; therefore, repent of that which thou hast done, which is contrary to the commandment which I gave you, and thou art still chosen, and art again called to the work* Except thou do this, thou shalt be delivered up, and become as other men, and have no more gift. "And when thou deliveredat up that which God had given thee sight and power to translate, thou de- liveredat up that which was sacred, into the hand* of a 126 JOSEPH SMITH THE PROPHET wicked man, who has set at nought the counsels of God, and has broken the most sacred promises which were made before God, and has depended upon his own judg- ment, and boasted in bis own wisdom ; and this is the reason that thou hast lost thy privileges for a season, for thou hast suffered the counsel of thy director to be tram- pled upon from the beginning. u Nevertheless, my work shall go forth, for inasmuch as the knowledge of a Saviour has come unto the world through the testimony of the Jews, even so shall the knowledge of a Saviour come unto my people." For the sake of brevity, I have omitted part o( this revelation, but the reader will find it in the Doc. and Coi\, sec. xxx. I will now return to Joseph's recital. €i After the angel left me," said he, " I continued my supplications to God, without cessation, and on the twenty* second of September, I had the joy and satisfaction of again receiving the Urim and Thummim, with which I have again commenced translating, and Emma writei for me, but the angel said that the Lord would send me a scribe, and I trust his promise will be verified. The angel seemed pleased with me when he gave me back the Uriin and Thummim, and he told me that the Lord loved me, for my faithfulness and humility." A few months after Joseph received them, he in- quired of the Lord, and obtained the following revelation : — " Now, behold I ssy imto yon, that because you de- livered up those writings which you had power given unto you to translate, by the means of the Urim and Thuni- roiin, into the hands of a wicked man, you have lost them, and you also lost your gift at the same time, and your mind became darkened ; nevertheless, it is now restored unto you again j therefore, see that you are faithful, and continue on unto the finishing of the remainder of the work of translation as you have begun. Do not run faster, or labor more than you have strength and means provided to enable you to translate, but be diligent unto the end, pray always, that you may come o^ conqueror, yea, that you may conquer Satan, and that you mav esear>e the hands of the servants of Satan that do uphold his work axd ii rs rnoGEyiToiis, 127 Behold, they have sought to destroy you, yea, even the man in whom you have trusted, has sought to destroy you, and for this cause I said, that he is a wicked man, for he has sought to take away the things wherewith you have been entrusted, and he has also sought to destroy your gift ; and because you have delivered the writings into his hands, behold wicked men have taken them from you. Therefore, you have delivered them up, yea, that which was sacred, unto wickedness. And behold, Satan has put it into their hearts to alter the words which you have caused to be written, or which you have translated, which have gone out of your hands; and behold, I say unto you, that because they have altered the words, they read contrary from that which you translated and caused to be written ; and on this wise the devil has sought to lay a cunning plan, that he may destroy this work- For he has put it into their hearts to do this, that, by lying, they may say they ha* caught you in the words," — Doc. and Cov.t sec, xxxvL While on this visit we became acquainted with Emma's father, whose name was Isaac Hale ; also his family, which consisted of his wife, Elizabeth, his sons, Jesse, David, Alva, Isaac Ward, and Reuben ; and his daughters, Phebe, Elizabeth, and A They were an intelligent and highly respectable family. They were pleasantly situated, and lived in good style, in the town of Harmony, on the Sus- quehannah river, within a short distance of the place where Joseph resided. The time of onr visit with them, we passed very a<*reeably, and returned home relieved of a burden which was almost insupportable, and our present joy far overbalanced all our former grief. 128 JOSEPH SMITH THE PR'THET, CHAP. XXVIII. OLIVER COWI'KRY GOMMKNCKS WRITING FOR JOSEPH— THESV ATTKN* D to ill* oai>DfAiL£ or battism. When Mr* Smith and myself arrived at home, we found Samuel and Sophronia very sick, indeed, they were bo low that Hyrutn had left his own hou^e, and quitted business, in order to take care of them during our absence. They continued sick a length of time — Samuel did not altogether recover for a number of months. Soon after we returned from Harmony, a man by the name of Lynian Cowdery, came into the neigh- bourhood, and applied to Hyrum, (as he was one of the trustees,) for the district school A meeting of the trustees was called, and Mr. Cowdery was employed. But the following day, this Mr. Cow- dery brought his brother Oliver to the trustees, and requested them to receive him instead of liimself, as circumstances had transpired which rendered ^ it necessary for him to disappoint them, or which would not allow of his attending to the school himself j and he would warrant the good conduct of the school under his brother's supervision. All parties being satisfied, Oliver commenced his school, boarding for the time being at our house. He had been in the school but a short time, when he began to hear from all quarters concerning the plates, and as soon began to importune Mr. Smith upon the subject, but for a considerable length of time did not succeed in eliciting any information. At last, however, he gained my husband's confidence, so far as to obtain a sketch of the facts relative to the plates. Shortly after receiving this information, he told Mr, Smith that he was highly delighted with what he hail heard, that he had been in a deep study upon the subject all day, and that it was impressed A>TD HIS FROG ENTTO RS 129 upon his mind, that he should yet have the privilege of writing for Joseph, Furthermore, that he had determined to pay him a visit at the close of the eehool, which he was then teaching. On coming in on the following day, he said, " The subject upon which we were yesterday conversing seems working in my very bones, and I cannot, for a moment, get it out of my mind, finally, I have resolved on what I will do. Samuel, I understand, is going down to Pennsylvania to spend the spring with Joseph ; I shall make my arrangements to be ready to accomj>any him thither, by the time he recovers his health ; for I have made it a subject of prayer, and I firmly believe that it Ls the will of the Lord that I should go. If there is a work for me to do in this thing, I am determined to attend to it" Mr. Smith told him, that he supposed it was his privilege to know whether this was th* case, and advised him to seek for a testimony for himself, which he did, and received the witness spoken of in the Book of Doc. and Cow sec. viih From this time, Oliver was so completely absorbed in the subject of the Record, that it seemed impos- sible for him to think or converse about anything else. As the time for which we had agreed for the place was now drawing to a close, we began to make pre- parations to remove our family and eftects to the house in which Hvrum resided. We now felt more fa- keenly than ever the injustice of the measure which had placed a landlord over us on our own premises, and who was about to eject us from them. This I thought would be a good occasion for bringing to Oliver's mind, the cause of all our pre- sent privations, as well as the misfortunes which he himself was liable to if he should turn his back upon the world, and set out in the service of God. " Now, Oliver," said I, " see what a comfortable home we have had here, what pains each child we have has taken to provide lor us every thing necea- 130 JOSEPH SMITH THE FR0PHET, sary to make old age comfortable, and long life desirable. Here, especially, I look upon the handy- work of my beloved Alvin, who even upon his death-bed, and in his last moments, charged his brothers to finish his M ork of preparing a place of earthly rest for us; that if it were possible, through the exertions of the children, our last days might be our best days. Indeed, there is scarcely anything which I here see, that has not passed through the hands of that faithful boy, and afterwards, by his brothers, been arranged precisely according to his plan, thus showing to me, their affectionate re- membrance, both of their parents, and of the brother whom they loved. All these tender re- collections render .our present trial doubly severe, for these dear relics must now pass into the hands of wicked men, who fear not God, and regard not man. And upon what righteous principle has all this been brought about? Have they ever lifted a finger to earn any part of that which they now claim / I tell you they have not Yet I now give up all this for the sake of Christ and salvation, and I pray God to help me to do so, without a murmur or a tear- In the strength of God, I say, that from this time forth, I will not cast one longing look upon anything which I now leave behind me. However, in consequence of these things, Oliver, we cannot make you comfortable any longer, and you will be under the necessity of taking boarding somewhere else," "Mother," exclaimed the young man, "let me stay with you, for I can live in any log hut where you and fither live, but I cannot leave you, so do not mention it.11 In April, Samuel, and Mr. Cowdery set out for Pennsylvania. The weather, for some time previous, had been very wet and disagreeable— raining, freezing, and thawing alternately, which had rendered the roads almost impassable, particularly in the middle of the day. Notwithstanding, Mr, Cowdery was not to be detained, either by wind or AXD IUS PROGENITORS, 131 weather, and they persevered until they arrived at Joseph's. Joseph had been so hurried with his secular affairs, that he could not proceed with his spiritual concerns so fast as was necessary for the speedy completion of the work ; there was also another dis- advantage under which he laboured, his wife had so much of her time taken up with the care of her house, that she could write for hini but a small por- tion of the time. On account of these embarrass- ments, Joseph called upon the Lord, three days prior to the arrival of Samuel and Oliver, to send him a scribe, according to the promise of the angel ; and he was informed that the same should be forth- coming in a few days. Accordingly, when Mr. Cowdery told him the business that he had come upon, Joseph was not at all surprised. They sat down and conversed together till late. I^uriiii^ tlie evening, Joseph told Oliver his history, as far as was necessary for his present information, in the things which mostly concerned him. Ami the next morning they commenced the work of translation, in which they were soon deeply engaged. One morning they sat down to their work, as usual, and the first thing which presented itself through the Uriin and Thummim, was a command- ment for Joseph and Oliver to repair to the water, and attend to the ordinance of Baptism, They did so, and as they were returning to the house, they overheard Samuel engaged in secret prayer. Joseph said , that he considered th is as a sufficient testimony of his being a fit subject for Baptism ; and as they had now received authority to baptize, they spoke to Samuel upon the subject, and he went straightway to the water with them, and was bap- tized. After which, Joseph and Oliver proceeded with the work of translation as before. 132 JOSEPH SMITIt THE rROPlTET, CHAP. XXIX. MRS. j|A UISls PaOHBCUTKS JfoKFTT, About the first of August, Samuel returned home, bringing us news of Joseph's success. This intel- ligence produced in Martin Harris a great desire to go down to Pennsylvania to see how they were prospering* This being made known to hia wife, she resolved to prevent him from going, also to bring Joseph into difficulty, which would perhaps hinder him from ever accomplishing the work in which he was engaged. To this end, she undertook to prove, that Joseph never had the Record which he professed to have, and that he pretended to have in his possession certain gold plates, for the express purpose of obtaining money. Accordingly, she mounted her horse, flew from house to house through the neigh- bourhood, like a dark spirit, making diligent inquiry wherever she had the least hopes of gleaning any- thing, and stirring up every malicious feeling which would tend to subserve her wicked purpose. Having ascertained the number and strength of her adherents, she entered a complaint against Joseph, before a certain magistrate of Lyons, She then sent word to Lyman Cowdery, requesting him to come thither, prepared to go pQst haste to Pennsylvania, (provided the decision should be given against Joseph,) to assist the officers in securing and con- fining him in prison. This call. Lyman Cow- dery answered immediately, and all things seemed going on prosperously with Mrs. Uarris. She made affidavit to many things herself, and directed the officers whom to subpoena. Among the number was her husband, who was a principal witness in the case. When the day of trial came on, the neighbours came and informed us, that the witnesses had gone to Lyons with the declared intention to obtain a AND HIS PROGENITORS 133 verdict against Joseph, if it could be done by swearing. Immediately after our friends left, Hyrura came in, and i asked him what could be done, " Why, mother." said he, "we can do nothing, except to look to the Lord : in him is all help and strength ; he can deliver from every trouble." I had never neglected this important duty, yet, seeing such confidence in my son, strengthened me in this hour of trial. Not being accustomed to lawsuits of this character, I trembled for the issue, for this was the first time a suit had ever been preferred before a court against any of my family. I retired to a secluded place, and poured out my whole soul in entreaties to God, for the safety of my son, and continued my supplication for some time ; at length the spirit fell upon me so powerfully, that every foreboding of ill was entirely removed from my mind, and a voice spoke to me, saying, u not one hair of his head shall be harmed." I was satisfied. I arose, and repaired to the house. I had never before in my life experienced such happy moments. I sat down and began to read, but my feelings were too intense to allow me to do so, My daughter-in-law, Jerusha, came into the room soon after this, and when she turned her eyes upon me, she stopped short, and exclaimed, 44 why ! mother ! what is the matter ? I never saw you look so strangely in my life." I told her, that I had never felt so happy before in my life, that my heart was so light, and my mind so completely at rest, that it did not appear pos- sible to me that I should ever have any more trouble while I should exist. I then informed her in rela- tion to the witness which I luid received from the Lord, In the evening the proceedings of the court were . rehearsed to us, which were as follows : — The witnesses, being duly sworn, the first arose and testified, that Joseph Smith told him that the box which he had, contained nothing but sand ; and 134 JOSEPH SMITH THE PROPHET, lie, Joseph Smith, said it was gold, to deceive the people. Second witness swore, that Joseph Smith had told him that it was nothing but a box of lead, and he was determined to use it as he saw fit. Third witness declared, that he once inquired of Joseph Smith what he had in that box, and Joseph Smith told him that there was nothing at all in the box, saying, that he had made fools of the whole of them, and all he wanted was, to get Martin Har- ris's money away from him, and that he (witness) wiia knowing to the fact that Joseph Smith had, by his persuasion, already got two or three hundred dollars. Next came Mrs. -Harris's affidavit, in which she stilted, that she believed the chief object which Joseph Smith had in view, was to defraud her husband out of all his property, and that she did not believe that Joseph Smith had ever been in posses- sion of the gold plates which he talked so much about. The magistrate then forbid the introduction of any more witnesses, until .Martin Harris should be sworn. Martin being called upon, testified with bold- ness, decision, and energy, to a few simple facts. When he arose, he raised his hand to heaven, and said, "I can swear, that Joseph Smith never has got one dollar from me by persuasion, since God made me. T did once, of my own free will and accord, put fifty dollars into his hands, in the pre- sence of many witnesses, for the purpose of doing the work of the Lord. This. I can pointedly prove ; and I can tell you, furthermore, that I have never seen, in Joseph Smith, a disposition to take any man's money, without giving him a reasonable compensation for the same in return. And as to the plates whieh he professes to have, gentlemen, if you do not believe it, but continue to resist the truth, it will one day be the means of damning your souls," After hearing this testimony the magistrate told AND HIS PROGENITORS* 135 them they need not call any more witnesses, but ordered them to bring him what had been written of the testimony already given. This he tore in pieces before their eyes, and told them to go home about their business, and trouble him no more with such ridiculous folly. And they did go home, per- fectly discomfited. - CHAR XXX. JOBKPJE AND OLIVER REMOYK TO WATKRLOO— TU F. V FINISH TliK TRANSLATION. We will now return to Pennsylvania, where we left Joseph and Oliver busily engaged in translating the Book of Mormon* After Samuel left them, they still continued the work as before, until about the time of the trial that took place in New York. Near this time, as Joseph was translating by means of the Urim anil Thummini, he received, instead* of the words of the Book, a commandment to write a letter to a man by the name of David Wliitmer, who lived in Waterloo, requesting him to come immediately with his team, and convey himself and Oliver to his own residence, If as an evil-designing people were staking to take away his (Joseph's) life, in order to prevent the work of God from going forth to the world. The letter was written and delivered, and was shown by Mr. Wliitmer to his father, mother, brothers, and sisters, and their advice was asked in regard to the best course for him to take in relation to the matter. Hia father reminded him that he had aa much, wheat sown upon the ground as he could harrow in in two days, at least ; besides this, he had a quantity of plaster of paris to spread, which must be done immediately, consequently he could not go, unless he M 136 JOSEPH SMITH THE PROPHET, could get a witness from God that it was absolutely necessary* This suggestion pleased Davhl, and he asked the Lor<l for a testimony concerning his going for Jo- seph, and was told by the voice of the Spirit to go as soon as his wheat wan harrowed in. The next morning, David went to the field, and found that he had two heavy - lays' work before him. He then said to himself that, if he should be enabled, by any means, to il< i this work sooner than the same had ever been done on the farm l>efore, he would receive it as an evidence, that it was the will of God, that he should do all in his power to assist Joseph Smith in the work in which lie was engaged. He then fastened his horses to the harrow, and* instead of dividing the field into what is, by fanners, usually termed bauds, be drove round the whole of it, continuing thus till noon, when, on stopping for dinner, he looked around, and discovered, to his surprise, that he had harrowed in full half the wheat. After dinner he went on as before, and by evening he finished the whole two days' mrork. His father, on going into the field the same even- ing, saw what had been done, and he exclaimed, u There must be an overruling hand in this, and I think you had better go down to Pennsylvania as soon as your plaster of paris is spread. * The next morning, David took a wooden measure under his arm, and went out to spread the plaster, which he had left, two days previous, in heaps near his sister's house, but, on com Ufa to the place, he dis- covered that it was gone ! He then ran to his sister, and inquired of her if she knew what had become of it. - Being surprised, she said, u Why do you ask me ? was it not all spread yesterday ?" "Not to my knowledge," answered David. k" I am astonished at that," replied his sister ; ufor the children earne to me in the forenoon, and begged of me to go out and see the men sow plaster in the field, saying, i ha t thi-y never saw anybody sow- plaster so fast in their lives. 1 accordingly went, AND TTIS PROGENITORS 137 and saw three nieu at work in the field, as the children said, but, supposing that you had hired some help, on account of your hurry, I went imme- diately into the house, and gave the sid hl\ t no further attention*" David made considerable inquiry in regard to the matter, both among his relatives and neighbours, but was not able to learn who had done it. How- ever, the family were convinced that there was an exertion of supernatural power connected with this strange occurrence. David immediately set out for Pennsylvania, and arrived there in two days, without injuring his horses in the least, though the distance was one hundred and thirty-five miles. When he arrived, he was under the necessity of introducing himself to Joseph, as this was the first time that they had ever met. I will observe, that the only acquaintance which existed between the Smith and Whitmer families, was that formed by Mr. Smith and myself, when on our way froni Manchester to Pennsylvania to visit Joseph, at which time we stopped with David ^ver night, and gave him a brief history of the EeeonL When Joseph commenced making preparation. ' for the journey, he inquired of the Lord to know in what manner he should carry the plates. The an- swer that he should commit them into the hands of an angel, for safety, and after arriving at Mr. Whitmer' s, the angel would meet him iiTthe garden, and deliver them up again into his hands. Joseph and Oliver set out without delay, leaving Emma to take charge of affairs during her husband's absence. On arriving at Waterloo, Joseph received the Record according to promise. The next day, he and Oliver resumed the work of translation, which they continued without further interruption until the whole work was accomplished. 138 * JOSEPH SMITII TITB PROPHET, CHAP. XXXI. TITK PLATES AI1R TO TWELVE WITNESSES — JORRPIT MARKS AR- nANOKMUNT.4 FOR FRlJTTING THE BOOK OF MORMON. As soon as the Book of Mormon was translated, Joseph despatched a messenger to Mr. Smith, tear- ing intelligence of the completion of the work, and a request that Mr. Smith and myself should come immediately to Waterloo. The same evening, we conveyed this intelligence to Martin Harris, for we loved the man, although his weakness had- cost us much trouble. Hearing this, he greatly rejoiced, and determined to go straightway to Waterloo to congratulate Joseph upon his success. Accordingly, the next morning, we all set off together, and before sunset met Joseph and Oliver at Mr. Whitmer's. The evening was spent in reading the manuscript, and it would be superfluous for me to say, to one who lias read the foregoing pages, that we rejoiced < \vn dingly. It then appeared to those of us who did not realize the magnitude of the work, as if the greatest difficulty was then surmounted ; but Joseph better understood the nature of the dispensation of the Gospel which was committed unto him. The next morning, after attending to the usual services, namely, reading, singing, and praying, Jo- seph arose from his knees, and approaching Martin Harris with a solemnity that thrills through my veins to this day, when it occurs to my recollection, said, " Martin Harris, yon have got to humble your- self before your God this day, that you may obtain a forgiveness of your sins. If you do, it is the will of God that you should look upon the plates, in company with Oliver Cowdery and David Whitmer," In a few minutes after this, Joseph, Martin, Oliver, and David, repaired to a grove, a short distance from the house, where they commenced calling upon AND HIS PROGENITORS. 130 the Lord, and continued in earnest supplication, until he permitted an angel to come down from his presence, and declare to them, that all which Joseph had testified of concerning the plates was true. When they returned to the house it was between three and four o'clock f.m, Mrs. Whitmer, Mr. Smith, an- 1 my>elf, were sitting in a bedroom at the time. On coming in, Joseph threw himself down W.le me, and exclaimed, » Father, mother, you do not know how happy 1 sun ; the Lord has now caused tin' plates to he .shown to l!mv mure besides my.seli" They have seen an angel, who has testified to them, and they will have to bear witness to the truth of what I have said, for now they know for themselves, that I do not go about to deceive the people, and I feel an if i was relieved of a burden which was almost too heavy for me to bear, and it rejoices my soul, that I am not tiny longer to be entirely alone in the world" Upon this, Martin Harris came in : he seemed almost overcome wfith joy, and testified boldly to what he had l>oth seen and heard. And so did David and Oliver, adding, that no tongue could express the joy of their hearts, and the greatness of the things which they had both seen and hearth their written testimony, which is contained in the Book of Mormon, is as follows : — THE TESTIMONY OF THREE WITNESSES. "Re it known unto all nations, kindreds, tongues, and people, unto whom this work shall come, that we, through the grace of God the Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ, have seen the plates which contain this Record, which is a Record of the people of Nephi, and also of the Laraanites, their brethren, and also of the people of Jared, who came from the tower, of which hath been spoken ; and wo also know that they have been translated by the gift and power of God, for his voice hath declared it unto ua ; wherefore we know of a surety that the work is true. And we also testify that we have seen the engravings which are upon the plates ; and they have been shown unto us by the power of m - * . 140 - JOSEPH SMITH THE PROPHET, God, and not of man* And we declare, with words of soberness, that an angel of God came down from heaven, and he brought and laid before our eyes, that we beheld and saw the plates, and the engravings* thereon ; and we know that it is by the grace of God the Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ, that we beheld and bear record that these things are true ; and it Ls marvellous in our eyes, nevertheless, the voice of the Lord command «jd n< that wo should bear record of it ; wherefore, to be obedient unto the commandments of God, we bear testimony of these things. And we know that if we are faithful in Christ, we shall rid our garments of the blood of all men, and be found spotless before the judgment-seat of Christ* and shall dwell with lum eternally in the heavens. And the honor be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost, which is one God- Amen. " Oliver Cowdeht, m David Whitmkk, " Martin Haukis." The following day, we returned, a cheerful, happy company. In a few days we were followed by Joseph, Oliver, and the Wh itinera, who came to make us a visit, and make some arrangements about getting the book printed. Soon after they came, all the male part of the company, with my husband, Samuel, and Hyrum, retired to a place where the family were in the habit of offering up their secret devotions to God, They w ent to this place, because it had l>een revealed to dost-ph that the plates would l>e carried thither by one of the ancient Nephites. Here it was, that those eight wi tnesses, whose names are recorded in the Book of Mormon, looked upon them and handled them. Of which they bear record in the following words : — THE TESTIMONY OF EIGHT WITNESSES. " Be it known unto all nations, kindreds, tongues, and people, unto whom this work shall come, that Joseph Smith, Jr. the translator of this work, haa shown unto u& the plates of whieh hath been spoken, which have the appearance of gold ; and as many of the leaves as the said AND ITIS PROGENITORS 141 Smith has translated, we did handle with our hands ; and we also saw the engravings thereon, all of which has the appearance of ancient work, and of curious workmanship. And this we bear record, with words of soberness, that the said Smith has shown unto us, for we have seen and hefted, and know of a surety, that the said Smith has got the plates of which we have spoken. And we give our names unto the world, to witnesses unto the world that which we have seen ; imd we he not, God bearing witness of it- u Christian Whither, " Hiram Page, "Jacob Whither, "Joseph Smith, Sen., "Peteu Wiiitmer, Jun,, "Hyrum Smith, "Joid* Whitmek, "Samuel H, Smith." A fler these witnesses returned to the house, the angel again made his appearance to Joseph, at which time Joseph delivered up the plates into the angel's hands. The ensiling evening, we held a meeting, in which all the witness. U>re testimony to the facts, aa stated al>ove ; and all of our family, even to Dun Carlos, who wan but fourteen years of age, testified of the trail i of the Latter-day Dispensation — that it was then ushered in* in a few <lays, the whole company from Waterloo, went to Palmyra to make arrangements for getting the book printed ; and they succeeded in making a contract with one E. B. Graudin, but did not draw the writings at that time. The next day, the company from Waterloo returned home, except- ing Joseph, nud Peter Wiiitmer, Joseph remaining to draw writings in regard to the printing of the manuscript, which was to be done on the day following. When Joseph wiis about starting for Palmyra, where the writings were to be executed, Dr. M4Intyre came in and informed us, that forty men were collected in the capacity of a mob, with the view of waylaying Joseph on his way thither; that they re- quested him (Dr. M4Iutyre) as they had done once before, to take command of the company , and, that upon his retiming to do so, one Mr. Huzzy, a hatter of Palmyra, proffered his services, and wan chosen a* their leader. 142 JOSEPH SMITH THE PROPHET, On hearing this 1 besought Joseph not to go ; but he smiled at my fears, saying, "never mind, mother, just put your trust in God, and nothing will hurt me to day." In a short time he set out for Palmyra. On his way thither, lay a heavy strip of timber, about half a mile in width, and. beyond it, on the right side uf t lie road, lay a field belonging to David Jacaway. When he came to this field, he found the mob seated on the string of fence running along the road. Coming to Mr. Huzzy first, he took off his hat, and good-naturedly saying, fci Good morning, Mr. Huzzy," passed on to the next, whom he saluted in lite maimer, and the next, and so on till he came to the last. This struck them with confusion, and while they were pondering in amazement, he passed on, leaving them perched upon the fence, like so many roosting chickens, and arrived at Palmyra without being mo- lested, Here lie met Mr. Grandin, and writings were drawn up 1 between them to this effect : That half of the price for printing was to be paid by Martin Harris, and the residue by my two sous, Joseph and Hyruim These writings were afterwards signed by all the parties concerned. When Joseph returned from Palmyra, he said, " Well, mother, the Lord has l>een on my side to-day, the devil has not overpowered me in any of my pro- ceedings. Did I not tell you that I should be de- livered from the hands of all my enemies ! They thought they were going to perform great feats ; they have done wonders to prevent me from getting the lwiok printed; they mustered themselves to- gether, and got upon the fence, made me a low bow, and went home, and Vll warrant you they wish they had stayed there in the first place. Mother, then- is a God in heaven, and I know it/' Soou after this, Joseph secured the copyright ; and before lie returned to Pennsylvania, where he had left his wife, he received a commandment, which was, iu substance, as follows ; — First, that Oliver Cowdery should transcribe the AND FITS PROGENITORS, 143 whole manuscript Second, that he should take but one copy at a time to the office, so that if one copy should get destroyed, there would still be a copy re- maining. Third, that in going to and from the office, he should always have a guard to attend him, for the purpose df protecting the manuscript Fourth, that a guard should be kept constantly on the watch, both night and day, about the house, to protect the manuscript from malicious j arsons, who would infest the house for the purpose of destroying the manu- script. All these things were strictly attended to, cLs the Lord commanded Joseph. After giving these inst ructions, Joseph returned to Pennsylvania. CHAR XXXIL the mnrrnrG is pro™— a meeting or ttie citizens iield re RlSFEfiESCB TO THE HOOK. Oliver Cowdery commenced the work immediately after Joseph left, and the printing went on very well for a season, but the clouds of persecution again be* gan to gather. The nibble, and a party of restless religionists, l>egan to counsel together, as to the most efficient means of putting a stop to our proceed- ings. About the first council of this kind was held in a room adjoining that in which Oliver and a young matt by the name of Robinson were printing. Mr, Eobmfion, being curious to know what they were do- ing in the next room, applied his ear to a hole in the partition wall, and by this means overheard several persons expressing their fears in reference to the 144 JOSEPH SMITH THE FROFITETj Book of Mormon. One said, u it was destined to break down every tiling before it, if not put a stop to," and, " that it was likely to injure the prosj>ects of their ministers," and then inquired, whether they should endure it, '"No, no," was the unanimous reply. It was then asked, "how shall we prevent the printing of this book ?" Upon which it was re- solved by the meeting, that three of their comj>any should be appointed to go to the house of Mr. Smith, on the following Tuesday or Wednesday, while the men were gone to their work, and request Mrs. Smith to iv M the manuscript to them ; that, after she had done reading it, two of the company should endeavour to divert her attention from it to some other object, while the third, seizing the opportunity, should snatch it from the drawer, or wherever it should be kept, and commit it immediately to the flames. "Again" said the speaker, "suppose we fail in this, and the l>ook is printed in defiance of all that we can do to the contrary, what means shall we then adopt? Shall we buy their books and allow our families to read them They all responded, "No" They then entered into a solemn covenant, never to purchase even a single copy of the work, or permit one member of their families to buy or read one, that they might thus avert the awful calamity which threatened them. Oliver Cowdery came home that evening, and, after relating the whole affair with much solemnity, he said, "Mother, what shall I do with the manu- script ? where shall I put it to keep it away from them ?" u Oliver," said I, u I do not think the matter so serious after all, for there is a watch kept constantly about the house, and I need not take out the manu- script to read it to them unless I choose, and for its present safety I can have it deposited in a chest, under the head of my bed, in such a way that it never will be disturbed." 1 then placed it in a chest, whicli was so high, that when placed under AND HIS mOGEN'ITOPS. 145 the bed, the whole weight of the bedstead lasted u]>on the lid. Having "made this arrangement, we felt quite at rest, and, that Bight, the family retired to rest at the usual hour, all save Peter Whitmer, who spent the nii^ht on guard. But as for myself, soon after I went to bed I fell into a train of reflections which occupied my mind, and which caused sleep to forsake my eyelids till the day dawned, for, when I meditated upon the days of toil, and nights of anxiety, through which we had all passed for years previous, in order to obtain the treasure that then lay beneath my heart ; when I thought upon the hours of fearful apprehensions which we had all suffered on the same account, and that the object was at last accomplished, I could truly say that my soul did magnify the Lord, and my spirit rejoiced in God my Saviour. I felt that the heavens were moved in our behalf, and that the angels who had power to put down the mighty from their seats, and t*> exalt them who were of low degree, were watching over us ; that those would be tilled who hungered and thirsted after righteousness, when the rich would be sent empty away ; that God had helped his servant Israel in remembrance of his promised mercy, and in bringing forth a Record, by which is made known the seefd of Abraham, our father. Therefore we could safely put our trust in him, as he was able to help in every time of need. On the fourth day subsequent to the afore-men- tioned council, soon after my husband left the house to go to his work, those three delegates appointed by the council, came to accomplish the work assigned them. Soon after they entered, one of them began "Mrs. Smith, we hear that you have a gold bible ; we have come to see if you will be so kind as to show it to us ?n *• i4 No, gentlemen " said 1, 6k we havenogold bible, but ' we have a translation of some gold plates, which have been brought forth for the purpose of milking known to the world the plainness of the Gospel, and also to *ive a history of the people which formerly inhabited 146 JOSEPH SMITH THE PROPHET, this continent" I then proceeded to relate the substance of what is contained in the Book of Mor- mon, dwelling particularly upon the principles of religion therein contained. 1 endeavoured to show them the similarity between these principles, and the simplicity of the Gospel taught by Jesus Christ in the New Testament " Notwithstanding all this," said 1, " the different denominations are very much opposed to us. The Universalis^* are alarmed lest their re- ligion should suffer loss, the Presbyterians tremble for their salaries, the Methodists also come, and they rage, for they worship a God without body or parts, and they know that our faith comes in contact with this principle." After hearing nie through, the gentlemen said, 44 can we see the manuscript, then t" " No, sir," replied I, <£ you cannot see it I have told you what it contains, and that must suffice/' He made no reply to this, but said, " Mrs, Smith, you and the most of your children have belonged to our church for some length of time, and we respect you very highly. You say a great deal about the Book of Mormon, which your son has found, and you believe much of what he tells you, yet we cannot bear the thoughts of losing you, and they do wish — I wish, that if you do believe those things, you would not say anything more upon the subject— I do wish you would not." "Deacon Beckwith" said I, "if you should stick my flesh full of faggots, and even burn me at the stake, I would declare, as long as God should give me breath, that Joseph has got that Record, and that I know it to be true." At this, lie observed to his companions, u You see it is of no use to say anything more to her, for we cannot change her mind." Then, turning to me, he said, " Mrs. Smith, I see that it is not possible to persuade you out of your belief, therefore I deem it unnecessary to say anything more upon the subject" * No, sir,* said I, u it is not worth your while," He then bid me farewell, and went out to see AKD HJS PROGENITORS 147 Hyrum, when the following conversation took place between them. Deacon Beckwith. "Mr. Smith, do you not think that you may be deceived about that Record, which your brother pretends to have found 1" Hyrmi. " No, sir, I do not" Deacon Beckwith. " Well, now, Mr. Smith, if you find that you are deceived, and that lie has nut got the Record, will you confess the fact to me f* Hyrum. "Will you, Deacon Beckwith, take one of the books, when they are printed, and read it, asking God to pve you an evidence that you may know whether it is true V9 Deacon Beckwith. " I think it beneath me to take so much trouble, however, if you will promise that you will confess to me that Joseph never had the plates, I will ask for a witness whether the book is true" Ilyrmn. u I will tell you what I will do, Mr. Beck- with, if you do get a testimony from God, that the book is not true, I will confess to you that it is not true/' Upon this? they parted, and the Deacon next went to Samuel, who quoted to him, Isaiah, lvi., 9 — 11 : " All ye beasts of the field, corne to devour ; yea, all ye beasts in the forest. His watchman are blind : they are all ignorant, they are all dumb dogs, they cannot bark ; sleeping, lying down, loving to slumber ; yea, they are greedy dogs, which can never have enough, and they are shepherds that can- not understand : they all look to their own way, every one for his gain, from his quarter/* Here Samuel ended the quotation, and the three gentlemen left without ceremony. N 148 JOSEPH SMITH THE PROPHET, CHAP, XXXIII. ESQUIRE COLE*S DOGBERRY PAPKft — SECOND MKbTlXC* OF THE CITIZEN* Tuk work of printing still continued w ith little or no interruption, until one Sunday afternoon, when Hyruni became very uneasy as to the security of the work left at the printing office, and requested Oliver to accompany him thither, to see if nil was right. Oliver hesitated for a moment, as to the propriety of going on Sunday, but finally consented , and they set off together. On arriving at the printing establishment, they found it occupied by an individual by the name of Cole, an ex-justice of the peace, who was busily eniployed in printing a newspaper. Hyrum was much surprised at finding him there, anil remarked, How is it, M r. Cole, that you are so hard at work on Sunday?" Mr, Cole replied, that he coidd not have the pres*, in the day time during the week, and was obliged to do his printing at night, and on Sundays. Upon reading the prospectus of his paper, they found that he had agreed with his subscribers to publish one form of u Joe Smith's Gold Bible" each week, and therein furnish them with the principal portion of the book in such a way that they would not lie obliged to pay the Smiths for it. His paper wius entitled, Dogberry Paper on Winter Hill. In this, he had thrown together a parcel of the most vulgar, disgusting prose, and the meanest, and most low-lived doggrel, in juxtaposition with a portion of the Book ot Mormon, which he hail pilfered. At this perversion of common sense and moral feeling, Hyrum was shocked, as well as indignant at the dishonest course which Mr. Cole had taken, in order to posaescd himself of the work. AND IITS PROGENITORS. 149 " Mr. Cole," said he, " what right have you to print the Book of Mormon in this manner ] Do you not know that we have secured the copyright ? " u It is none of your business/* answered Cole, " I have hired the press, and will print what I please, ho help yourself," *' Mr* Cole/' rejoined Hyrum, "that manuscript i« sacred, and I forbid your printing any more of it." "Smith/' exclaimed Cole, in a tone of anger, "I don't care a d — n for you : that d — d gold bible is going into my paper, in spite of all you can do," Hyrum endeavoured to dissuade him from his purple, but finding him inexorable, left him to issue his paper, as he had hitherto done ; for when they found him at work, he had already issued six or eight numbers, and by taking them ten or twenty miles into the country, had managed to keep them out of our sight. On returning from the office, they asked my husband what course was best fur them to purnue, relative to Mr. Cole, He told them that he con- sidered it a matter with which Joseph ought to be inade acquainted. Accordingly, lie set out himself ! for Pennsylvania, and returned with Joseph the ensuing Sunday. The weather wTas so extremely 90M, that they -came near perishing before they arrived at home, nevertheless,* as soon as Joseph made himself partially comfortable, he went to the printing office, w here he found Cole employed, as on the Sunday previous. w How do you do, Mr. Cole/' said Joseph, " You seem hard at w ork." u How do you do, Mr. Smith/' answered Cole, dryly. Joseph examined his Dogberry Paper, and then said firnily, " Mr. Cole, that book, [the Book of Mor- mon] ami the right of publishing it, belongs to me, and I forbid you meddling with it any further" At this Mr. Cole threw otf his coat, rolled up his sleeves, and came towards Joseph, smacking his fists together with vengeance, and roaring out, " do you want to fight, sir I do you want to fight ? I will pub- 150 JOSEPH SMITH THE PROPHET, lish jnst what I please. * Now, if you want to fight, just come on." Joseph could not help smiling at bis grotesque appearance, for his behaviour was too ridiculous to excite indignation. " Now, Mr. Cole," said he, " you had better Keep your coat on — it is cold, and I am not going to fight you, nevertheless, I assure you, sir, that you have got to stop printing my book, for I know my rights, and shall maintain theni*" " Sir/' bawled out the wrathy gentleman, " if you think you are the best man, just pull off your coat and try it." " Mr. Cole," said J oseph, in a low, significant tone, " there is law, and you will find that out, if you do not understand it, but I shall not fight you, sir." At this, the ex-justice began to cool off a little, and finally concluded to submit to an arbitration, which decided that he should stop his proceedings forth- with, so that he made us no farther trouble. Joseph, after disposing of this affair, returned to Pennsylvania, but not long to remain there, for when the inhabitants of the surrounding country per- ceived that the work still progressed, they became uneasy, and again called a large meeting. At this time, they gathered their forces together, far and near, and organizing themselves into a committee of the whole, they resolved, as before, never to purchase one of our books, when they should be printed. They then appointed a committee to wait upon E. B. Grandin, and inform him of the resolutions which they had passed, and also to explain to him the evil consequences which would result to him therefrom. The men who were appointed to do this errand, fulfilled their mission to the letter, and urged upon Mr. Grandin the necessity of his putting a stop to the printing, as the Smiths had lost all their pro- perty, and consequently would be unable to pay him for his work, except by the sale of the books. And this they would never "be able to do, for the people would not purchase them. This information caused Mr. Grandin to stop printing, and we w ere again AND HIS FROGESIT0U8. 151 compelled to send for Joseph. These trips, back and forth, exhausted nearly all our means, yet they seemed unavoidable. When Joseph came, he went immediately with Martin Harris to Grandin, and succeeded in removing his fears, so that he went on with the work, until the books were printed, which was in the spring of eighteen hundred and thirty. CHAP. XXXIV. Tim CHURCH ORGANIZED. About the first of April of the .same year in which the Book of Mormon was published, Joseph came again from Pennsylvania, ami preached to us several times. On the morning of the sixth day of the same month, my husband and Martin Hams were baptized. When Mr. Smith came out of the water, Joseph stood upon the shore, and taking his father by the hand, he exclaimed, with tears of joy, "Oh, my God ! have I lived to see my own father baptized into the true Church of Jesus Christ!" On the same day, April G, 1830, the Church was organized. Shortly alter this, my sons were all ordained to the ministry, even Don Carlos, who was but four- teen years of age. Samuel was iliivcted to take a miml>er of the Books of Mormon, and go on a mission to Livonia, to preach, and make sale of the books, if possible. Whilst he waa making preparations to go on this mission, Miss Almira Mack arrived in Manchester from Pontiac. This young woman was a * laughter of my brother, Stephen Mack, whose history 1 have already given* She received the Gospel as soon as she heard it- and waa baptized 152 JOSEPH SMITH THE PROPIIET, immediately, and has ever since remained a faithful member of the Church. On the thirtieth of June, Samuel started on the mission to which he had been set apart by Joseph, and in travelling twenty-five miles, which was his first day's journey, he stopped at a number of places in order to sell his books, but was turned out of doors as soon as he declared his principles. When even- ing came on, he was faint and almost discouraged, but coming to an inn, which was surrounded with every appearance of plenty, he called to see if the landlord would buy one of his booka On going in, Samuel inquired of him, if he did not wish to pur- chase a history of the origin of the Indians, u I do not know," .replied the host, " how did you get hold of it?" " It was translated," rejoined Samuel, u by my brother, from some gold plates that he found buried in the earth." "You d— d liar!" cried the landlord, " get out of my house — you shan't stay one minute with your books" Samuel was sick at heart, for this was the fifth time he had been turned out of doors that day. He left the house, and travelled a short distance, and washed his feet in a small brook, as a testimony against the man. He then proceeded five miles further cm his journey, and seeing an apple tree a short dis- tance from the road, he concluded to pass the night under it ; anil here he lay all night upon the cold, damp ground. In the morning, he arose from his comfortless bed, and observing a small cottage at no great distance, he drew near, hoping to get a little refreshment. The onlv inmate was a widow, who seemed wry poor. He asked her for food, relating the story of his former treatment. She prepared him some victuals, and, after eating, he explained to her the history of the Book of Mormon. She listened attentively, and believed all that he told her, but, in consequence of her poverty, she was unable to pur- chase one of the books, He presented her with one, AND HIS PROGENITORS. 153 and proceeded to Blooniington, which was eight miles further. Here he stopped at the house of one J ohn P. Green, who was a Methodist preacher, and was at that time about starting on a preaching mission. He, like the others, did not wish to make a purchase of what he considered at that time to l>e a nonsensical fable, however, he said that lie would take a sub- scription paper, and if he found any one on his route who was disposed to purchase, he would take his name, and in two weeks, Samuel might call again, and he would let him know what the prospect was of selling. After making this arrangement, Samuel left one of his hooks with him, and returned home. At the time appointed, Samuel started again for the Rev. John P. Green's, in order to learn the success which this gentleman had met with in finding sale for the Book of Mormon. This time, Mr. Smith, and myself accompanied him, and it was our intention to have passed near the tavern, where Samuel was so abusively treated a fortnight previous, but just before we came to the house, a sign of small-pos intercepted us. We turned aside, and meeting a citizen of the place, we inquired of him, to what extent this disease prevailed. He answered, that the tavernkeeper and two of his family had died with it not long since, but he did not know that any one else had caught the distemper, and that it was brought into the neighlxmrhood by a traveller, who stopped at the tavern over nignt. This is a specimen of the peculiar disposition of some individuals, who would purchase their death for a few shillings, but sacrifice their soul's salva- tion rather than give a Saint of God a meal of victuals. According to the Word of God, it shall be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrah, in the day of judgment, than for such persons. We arrived at Esquire Beaman's, in Livonia, that night. The next morning Samuel took the road to Mr. Green's, and finding that he hail made no sale of the books, we returned home the following da\ ■ 154 JOSEPH SMITH THE PROPHET, CHAR XXXV. Joseph gurrn, bbxioe, axd dok carlos, visit Stockholm Soon after the Church was organized, my husband Bet out, with Don Carlos, to visit his father, Asael Smith. After a tedious journey, they arrived at the house of John Smith, my husband's brother. His wife Clarissa, had never before seen my hus- band, but as soon as he entered, she exclaimed, u There, Mr. Smith, iff your brother Joseph." John, turning suddenly, cried out, "Joseph, is this you !" " It is I," said Joseph, " is my father yet alive ? I have come to see him once more, before be dkV For a particular account of this visit, I shall give my readers an extract from brother John Smith's journal, lie writes as follows : — " The next morning after brother Joseph arrived, we set out together for Stockholm to see our father, who was living at that place with our brother Silas, We arrived about dark at the house of my brother Jesse, who was ab- sent with his wife. The children informed us, that their parents were with our father, who was supposed to be dying. We hastened without delay to the house of brother Silas, and upon arriving there were told# that father was ju*t recovering from a severe fit, and, as it was not considered advisable to let him or mother know- that Joseph was there, we went to spend the night with brother Jesse. " As soon as we were settled, brothers Jesse and Joseph entered into conversation respecting their families. Joseph briefly related the history of lus family, the death of Alvin, &c. He then began to speak of the discovery and translation of the Book of Mormon, At this, Jesse grew very angry, and exclaimed, 1 If you say another word about that Book of Mormon, you shall not stay a minute longer in my house, and if I can't get yuu out any other way, I will hew you down with my broad axe,1 AXD rilS PROGENITORS. 155 " We had always been accustomed to being treated with much harshness by our brother, but he had never carried it to so great an extent before. However, we spent the night with him, and the next morning visited our aged parents. They were overjoyed to see Joseph, for he had been absent from them so long, that they had been fearful of never beholding his face again in the flesh. "After the usual salutations, enquiries, and expla- nations, the subject of the Book of Mormon was intro- duced. Father received with gladness, that which Joseph communicated; and remarked, that he had always ex- pected that something would appear to make known the true Gospel. '* In a few minutes brother Jesse came in, and on hear- ing that the subject of our conversation was the Book of Mormon, his wrath rose as high as it did the night before. * My father's mind/ said Jesse, 1 is weak, and I will not have it corrupted with such blasphemous stuff, bo just shut up your heads.' Brother Joseph reasoned mildly with him, but to no purpose* Brother Silas then said, * Jesse, our brother has come to make us a visit, and I am glad to see him, and am willing he should talk as he pleases in my house/ Jesse replied in so insulting a man- ner, and continued to talk bo abusively, that Silas was under the necessity of requesting him to leave the house. tft After this, brother Joseph proceeded in conversation, and father seemed to be pleased with every word which he said. But I must confess that I was too pious, at that time, to believe one word of it. u I returned home the next day, leaving Joseph with my father. Soon after which, Jesse came to my house and informed me, that all my brothers were coming to make me a visit, ' and as true as you live/ said he, * they all believe that cursed Mormon book, every word of it, and they are setting a trap for you, to make you believe it/ " I thanked him for taking so much trouble upon him- self, to inform me that my brothers were coming to see me, but told him, that I considered myself amply able to judge for myself in matters of religion, ' I know/ he replied, ' that you are a pretty good judge of such things, but I tell you, that they are as wary as the devil. And I want you to go with me and see our sisters, Susan and Fanny, and we will bar their minds against Joseph s influ- ence/ 156 . JOSEPH SMITH THE PBOPHET, H We accordingly visited them, and conversed upon the subject as we thought proper, and requested them to be at my house the next day, "My brothers arrived according to previous arrange- ment, and Jesse, who cainealso, was very careful to hear every word which passed among us, and would not allow one word to be said about the Book of Mormon. They agreed that night to viait our sisters the following day, and as we were about leaving, brother Asael took ine aside and said, ' Now, John, I want you to have some conversation with Joseph, but if you do, you must cheat it out ofJes.se. And if you wish, I can work the card for you/ " I told him that I would be glad to talk with Joseph alone, if I could get an opportunity. " 1 Well/ replied Asael, 'I will take a certain number in my carriage, and Silas will take the rest, and you may bring out a horse for Joseph to ride, but when we are out of sight, take the horse back to the stable again, aud keep Joseph over night*1 44 1 did as Asael advised, and that evening Joseph explained to me the principles of ' Mormonism/ the truth of which I have never since denied. il The next morning, we (Joseph and myself) went to our sisters, where we met our brothers, who censured me very sharply for keeping Joseph over night — Jesse, be- cause he was really displeased ; the others, to make a Bhow of disappointment. u In the evening, w hen we were about to separate, I agreed to take Joseph in my waggon twenty miles on his journey the next day, Jesse rode home with me that evening, leaving Joseph with our sisters. As Joseph did not expect to see Jesse again, when we were about starting, Joseph gave Jesse his hand in a pleasant, affectionate manner, and said, 1 Farewell, brother Jesse !' ■ Farewell, Jo, for ever,' replied Jesse, in a surly tone, * I am afraid/ returned Joseph in a kind, but solemn manner , * it will be for ever, unless you repent' u This was too much for even Jesse's obdurate heart. He melted into tears ; however, he made no reply, nor ever mentioned the circumstance afterwards, " I took my brother twenty miles on his journey the next day, as I had agreed. Before lie left me, he re- quested uie to promise him, that I would read a Book of Momidn, which he had given me, and even should I not AND HIS PROGENITORS 137 believe it, that I would not condemn it ; * for/ B&id he, * if you do not condemn it, you shall have a testimony of its truth-* I fulfilled my promise, and thus proved his testimony to be true,1' Just before my husband's return, as Joseph was about commencing a discourse one Sunday morning. Parley P. Pratt came in, very much fatigued. He had heard of us at some considerable distance, and had travelled very fast, in order to get there by meet i ng time, its he wished to hear what we had to say, that he might l*e prepared to show us our error. But when Joseph had finished his discourse, Mr. Pratt arose, and expressed his hearty concurrence iu every sentiment advanced The following day, he was baptized and ordained. In a few days he set off for Canaan, N. Y. where his brother OiW© resided, whom he baptized on the nineteenth of September, 1830. After Joseph ordained Parley, he went home again to Pennsylvania, for he was only in Man- chester on business. About this time, his trouble commenced at Colesviile with the mob, who" served, a writ upon him, and dragged him from the desk as he waa alxmt taking his text to preach. But as a rela- tion of this affair is given in his history f* I shall Me ntion old y one circumstaiice.pertainuig to it, for which 1 am dependant upon Esquire Held, Joseph's counsel in the case, and I shall relate it as near in his own words tts ni) memory will admit : — ^ **I was so busy at that time, when Mr. Smith sent for me, that it was almost impossible for nie to attend the case, and never having seen Mr. Smith, I determined to decline giving. But soou after coming to this conclusion, I th< ; hi I heard some one say to me, 4 You must go, an< I deliver the Lord's Anointed !' Supposing that it was the man who came after me, I replied, 'the Lord's Anointed \ What do you mean by the Lord's Anointed V He was surprised at - being accosted in this manner, and replied, 4 what do you mean, sir 1 I said nothing about the Lord\s 4 S>cc Times and twax^ vol, Pp. 40 and Gi Supp. lo Mil. $iart vol. xjv., p. 31, 158 JOSEPH SMITH THE PROPHET, Anointed/ I was convinced that he told the truth, for these few words filled my mind with peculiar feelings, such as I had never before experienced ; and T immediately hastened 10 the place of trial Whilst I was engaged in the case, these emotions increased, and when I came to speak upon it, I wan inspired to an eloquence which was altogether new to me, and which was overpowering and irresistible- I succeeded, as I i-xpected, in obtaining the prisoner's discharge. This the more enraged the adverse psu+y, and I soon discovered that Mr. Smith was liable to abuse from them, should he not make his escape. The most of them being fond of liquor, I invited them into another room to drink, and thus succeeded in attracting then- attention, until Mr. Smith was beyond their reach. I knew not where he went, but I was satisfied that he was out of their hands." Since this circumstance occurred, until this day, Mr. Reid has been a faithful friend to Joseph, although he hag never attached himself to the Church. After escaping the hands of the mob, Joseph travelled till day-break the next morning, before he ventured to ask for victuals, although he had taken nothing, save a small crust of bread, for two days. About day-break he arrived at the house of one of his wife's sisters, where he found Emma, who had suffered great anxiety about him, since his first arrest. They returned home together, and im- mediately afterwards Joseph received a com- mandment by revelation, to move his family to Waterloo. We had at this time just completed a house, which Joseph had built on a small farm, that he had purchased of his father-in-law ; however, he locked up his house with his furniture in it, and repaired with Emma, immediately to Manchester. About the time of his iirrival at our house, Hyrum had settled up his business, for the purpose of being at liberty to do whatever the Lord required of him : AND CIS PHOGENITORS. 159 and he requested Joseph to ask the Lord for a reve- lation concerning the mutter. The answer given was, that he should take a bod, his family, and what clothing he needed for them, and go straightway to Oolesville, for his enemies were combining in secret chambers to take away his life. At th e same time. Mr. Smith received a connnandmenl to go forthwith to Waterloo, and prepare a place for oar family, as our enemies also sought his destruction in the neigh- bourhood in which we then resided, but in Waterloo he should find favour in the eyes of the people. The next day, by ten o'clock, Hynini was on hi* journey* Joseph and Emma left for Macedon, and William went away from home in another direction, on busi- ness. Samuel was absent on a third mission to Livonia, for which he md set out on the 1st of Oc- tober, soon alter the arrival of my husband and Don Carlos from their visit to father Smith. Catherine and Don Carlos were also away from home. Calvin Stodard and his wife, Sophronia, bad moved several miles distant some time previous. This left no one but Mi\ Smith, myself, and our little girl, Lucy, at home. CHAP. XXXVL JOSEPH rarm, senior, im pk i i?on ed— a y attempt to take iiYRrir* Ox the same day that Hyrum left for Oolesville, which was Wednesday, the neighbours began to call, one after another, and inquire very particularly for Hyrum. This gave me great anxiety, for I knew that they had no business with him. The same night, my hus- band was taken rather ill, and, continuing unwell the next day, he was unable to take breakfast with o 16L> JOSEPH S2.I1TH THE PROPHET, me. About teii o'clock I commenced preparing him some milk porridge, but, before it was ready for him, a Quaker crentleman called to see him, and the following is the substance of their conversation : — Quaker. "Friend Smith, I have a note against thee of fourteen dollars, which I have lately bought, and I have come to see if thou hast the money for me." Mr. Smth. " Why, sir, did you purchase that note? You certainly was in no want of the money ? " Quaker. "That is business of my own ; I want the money, and must have it," Mr. &nith. * I can pay you six dollars now, — the rest you will have to wait for, as I cannot get it fur you.*1 Quaker. u No, I will not wait one hour ; and if thou dost not pay me immediately, thou shalt go forthwith to the jail, unless [ra/iiiidg to the fire place, and m/iking violent gestures with his hands towards the fire) thou wilt burn up those Books of Mormon ; but if thou wilt burn them up, then I will forgive thee the whole debt.'* Mi\ Smith (decidedly). "That I shall not do." Quaker. " Then, thou shalt go to jail" "Sir," I interrupted (taking > v/ </ >Al beads from my neck, and lidding them towards him), "these beads are the full value of the remainder of the debt. I beseech you to take thern, and give up the note.** Quaker. "No, I will not. Thou must pay the money, or thy husband shall go straightway tu jail." i "Now, here, sir," I replied, " just look at yourself as you are. Because God has raised up my son to bring forth a book, which was written for the salva- tion of the souls of men, for the salvation of your soul as well as mine, you have come here to distress me, by taking my husband to jail ; and you think, by this, that you will compel us to deny the work oi" God, and destroy a book which was translated by AND Ill$3 PROGENITORS 101 the gift and power of God. But, sir, wo shall not burn the Book of Mormon, nor deny the inspiration of the Almighty/1 The Quaker then stepped to the door, and called ;i constable, who was waiting there for the signal. The constable came forward, and, laying his hand on Mr. Smith's shoulder, said, You are my pri- soner," I entreated the officer to allow me time to get some one to become my husband's security, but he V refused, I then requested that he might be permit- ted to eat the porridge which I had been preparing, as he had taken no nourishment since the night be- lore. This was alao denied, and the Quaker ordered my husband to get immediately into a waggon which stood waiting to convey him to prison. After they had taken him to the waergon, the Quaker stood over him as guard, and the officer came back and eat up the food which I had prepared for my husband, who sat in the burning sun, faint and sick, I shall make no remarks in regard to my feelings on this occasion. Any human heart can imagine how I felt. But verily, verily, those men will have their reward. They drove off with my husband, leaving me alone with my little girl. The next morning, I went on foot several miles to see a friend by the name of Abner Lackey, who, I hoped, would assist me. I was not disappointed. He went without delay to the magistrate s office, and had my papers prepared, s*o that I could get my husband out of the prison cell, although he would still be confined in the jail yard. Shortly after I returned home, a pert young gen- tleman came in, and asked if Mr, Hyruin Smith was at home. I told him, as I had others, that he was in Colesville. The young man said that Hyrum was owing a small debt to Dr. M'Intyre, and that he had come to collect it by the doctor's orders, as he (M;Intyre) was from home. I told the young man 162 JOSEPH SMITH THE PROPHET, that this debt was to be paid in corn and beans, which should be sent to hiiu the next day. I then hired a man to take the produce the following day to the doctor's house, which was accordingly done, and, when the man returned, he informed me that the clerk agreed to erase the account. It was now too late in the day to set out for ( <anandaigua, where my husband was routined iu prison, and I concluded to defer going, till the next morning, in hopes that some of my eons would return during the interval. The night came on, but neither of my sons made their aji] <; trance. When the night closed in, the darkness was hideous, scarcely any object was dis- cernible. I sat down and began to contemplate the situation of myself and family. My husband, an affectionate companion and tender Either, as ever blessed the confidence of a family, wag an imprisoned debtor, torn from his family and immured in a dun- geon, where he had already lain two dismal nights, and now another must be added to the number, be- fore I could reach him to render him any assistance. And where were his children ? Alvin was mur- dered by a quack physician ; but still he lay at peace. Hyrum was flying from his home, and why I knew not ; the secret combinations of his enemies were not yet fully developed. Joseph had but recently escaped from his persecutors, who sought to accomplish his destruction. Samuel was gone, without purse or scrip, to preach the Gospel, for which he was as much despised and hated as were the ancient disciples. William was also gone, and, I had not, unlike Naomi, even my daughters-in-law to comfort my heart in this the hour of my affliction. While I was thus meditating, a heavy rap at the door brought me suddenly to my feet. I bid the stranger enter. He asked me, in a hurried manner, where Hyruni was. I answered the question, as usual. Just then a second person came in and the first observed to a second, " Mrs. Smith says her son is not at home." The person addressed looked suspiciously around, and remarked, "he is AJHD HIS PROGENITOR^ 1C3 at home, for your neighbours have seen him here to- day." ** Then, sir,** I replied, " they have seen what I have not." " We have a search warrant,' * rejoined he, £l and, if you do not give him up, we shall be un- der the necessity of taking whatever we find that belongs to him." Finding some corn, stored in the chamber above the room where Hyrum had lived, they declared their intention of taking it, but I forbade their meddling with it. At this instant, a third stranger entered, and then a fourth. The last observed," ki 1 do nut know, but you will think strange of so many of us coining in, but my candle was out, and I came in to re-light it by your fire," I told him 1 did not know what to think, I had but little reason to consider myself safe either day or night, and that I would like to know what their business was, and for what cause they were seizing upon our property. The foremost replied that it was wanted to settle a debt which Hyruni was ow- ing to Dr. M'lntyre. 1 told him that it was paid. He disputed my word, and ordered his men to take the corn. As they were going up stairs, I looked out of the window, and one glance almost turned my head giddy. As far as I could ^ee by the light of two candles and a pair of carriage lamps, the heads of men appeared in every direction, some on foot, some on horseback, and the rest in waggons* I saw that there was no way but for me to sit quietly down, and see my house pillaged by a banditti of blacklegs, religious bigots, and cot-throats, who were united in one "purpose, namely, that of destroying us from the face of the earth. However, there was one resource, and to that I applied. I went aside and kneeled before the Lord, and begged that he would not let my children fall into their hands, and that they might be satisfied with plunder without taking life. Just at this instant, William bounded into the hnu.M.\ "Mother." he cried, u in the name of God, what is this host of men doing here i Are they rob- bing or murdering ? What are they about I" 164 JOSEPH SMITH THE PROPHET, I told him, in short, that they had taken his father to prison, and had now come after Hyrum, but, not finding him, they were plundering the house. Hereupon William seized a large handspike, sprang up stairs, and, in one instant, cleared the scoundrels out of the chamber. They scampered down stairs ; he flew after them, and, bounding into the very midst of the crowd, he brandished his handspike in every direction, exclaiming, <fc Away from here, you cut-throats, instantly, or I will be the death of every one of you." The lights were immediately extinguished, yet he continued to harangue them boisterously untif he discover ed that his audience had left him. They seemed to believe*what he said, and fled in every direction, leaving us again to ourselves. Between twelve and one o'clock, Calvin Stodard and his wife, Sophronia, arrived at our house. Cal- vin said he had been troubled about us all the after- noon, and, finally, about the setting of the sun, he told Sophronia that he would even then start for her father's if she felt inclined to go with bim. Within an hour after their arrival, Samuel came. He was much fatigued, for he had travelled twenty- one miles after sunset. I told him our situation, and that I wished him to go early the next morning to Canandaigun, ;md procure his father's release from the dungeon. "Well, mother," said he, "I am sick ; fix me a bed, that I may lie down and rest myself, or I shall not be nble to go, for I have taken a heavy cold, and my bones ache dreadfully.'1 However, by a little nursing and .some rest, he was able to set oft* by sunrise, and arrived in Canan- daigua at ten o'clock. After informing the jailor of his business, he requested that his father might be immediately liberated from the cell. The jailor refused, because it was Sunday, but permitted Samuel to go into the eel!, where he found my hus- band confined in the same dungeon with a man committed f»r murder. Upon Samuel inquiring what his treatment had been, Mr. Smith replied as follows ; — AND HIS PROGENITORS* 1U5 ft Immediately after I left your mother, the men by whom I was taken commenced using every possible argu- ment to induce me to renounce the Book of Mormon, saying, ' how much better it would be for you to deny that silly thing, than to be disgraced and imprisoned, when you might not only escape this, but also have the note back, as well as the money which you have paid on it* To this I made no reply. They still went on in the same manner till we arrived at the jail, when they hur- ried me into this disinal dungeon, I shuddered when I first heard these heavy doors creaking upon their hinges ; but then. I thought to myself, I was not the first man who had been imprisoned for the truth's sake ; and when I should meet Paul in the Paradise of God, I could tell him that I, too, had been in bonds for the Gospel which he had preached. And this has been my only con- solation* w From the time that I entered until now, and this is the fourth day, I have had nothing to eat, save a pint basin full of very weak broth ; and there {pointing to the opposite side of the eeff) lies the basin yet." Samuel was very much "wounded by this, and, having obtained permission of the jailor, he immedi- ately went out and brought his father some com- fortable food. After which he. remained with him until the nest morning, when the business was attended to, and Mr. Smith went out into the jail yard to a cooper's shop, where he obtained employ- ment at coopering, and followed the same until he was released, which was thirty days. He preached during his confinement here every Sunday, and when he was released he baptized two persona whom he had thus converted. 1G6 JOSEPH SMITH THE PROPHET, CHAR XXXVII. THE FAMILY OF JOSEPH SMITH, SENIOR, REMOVE TO WATERLOO* Samuel returned from Canandaigua the same day that my husband was liberated from the cell. After relating to us the success he had met with at Canandaigua, he gave us an account of his third niUsion to Livonia :— "When I arrived at Mr. Green's," said he, " Mrs. Green informed me that hey husband w«ia absent from home, that there was no prospect of selling my books, aud even the one which I had left with them, she expected I would have to take away, as Mr. Green had no disposition to purchase it, although she had 'read it herself, and was much pleased with it I then talked with her a short time, aud, binding my knapsack upon my shoulders, rose to depart; but, as I bade her farewell, it was impressed upon my mind to leave the book with her. I made her a present of it, and told her that the Spirit forbade my taking it away. She burst into tears, and requested me to pray with hen ' I did so, and afterwards explained to her tli«' most profitable manner of reading the book which I had left with her ; which was, to ask God, when she read it, for a testimony of the truth of what she ha-. I read, aud she wottW *^|yc the Spirit of God, which would enable her to discenrWiB things of God, I then left her, and returned home.1* I shall now turn aside from my narrative, and give a history of the above book. When Mr. Green returned home, his wife requested him to read it, informing him very particularly, with regard to what Samuel had said to her, relative to obtaining a testimony of the truth of it. This, he, for a while, refused to do, but finally yielded to her persuasions, and took the book, and commenced perusing the same, calling upon God for the testimony of his Spirit. The result of which was, that he and Mrs. Green were in a short time baptized. They gave AND HIS PROGENITORS 167 the book to Phineas Young, Mrs. Green's brother, who read it, and commenced preaching it forthwith. It was next handed to Brighain Young, and from him to Mrs. Murray, his sister, who is also the mother of Heber C. Kimball's wife. They all received the work without hesitancy, and rejoiced in the truth thereof. Joseph Young was at this time in Canada, preaching the Methodist doctrine; but, as soon as Brigham became convinced of the truth of the Gospel, as contained in the Book of Mormon, he went straightway to his brother Joseph, and persuaded him to cease preaching Methodism, and embrace the truth, as set forth in the Book of Mormon, which he carried with him. Thus was this buck tin.1 means of convincing this whole family, and bringing them into the Church, where they have continued faithful members from the commencement of their career until now. And, through their faithfulness and zeal, some of them have become as great and honorable men as ever stood upon the earth. I shall now resume my subject The first business which Samuel set himself about after he returned home, was preparing to move the family to Water- loo, according to the revelation given to Joseph. And after much fatigue and perplexities of various kinds, lie succeeded in getting us there. We moved into a house belonging to an mclivyhial lythe name of Kelk>g. Shortly after arrivjSPThere, we were made to realize that the hearts of the- people were in the hands of the Lord ; for we had scarcely un- packed our goods, when one of our new neighbours, a Mr. Osgood, came in and invited us to drive our stock and teams to his barn-yard, and feed them from his barn, free of cost, until we could make fur- ther arrangements. Many of our neighbours came in, and welcomed us to Waterloo. Among whom was Mr. Hooper, a tavern-keeper, whose wife came with him, and brought us a present of some delicate eatables. Such manifestations of kindness as these were shown us from day to day, during our con-- n.;s JOSEPH SMITH THE PROPHET, tinuance in the.* place. And they were duly appre- ciated, for we tuid experienced the opposite so severely, that the least show of good feeling gave rise to the liveliest sensations of gratitude. Having settled ourselves in this place, we es- tablished the practice of spending the evenings in singing and praying- The neighbours soon became aware of this, and it caused our house to become a place of evening resort, for some dozen or twenty persons. One evening, soon after we commenced singing, a couple of little boys came in, and one of them, stepping softly up to Samuel, whispered, "Mr. Smith, won't you pray pretty soon? Our mother said, we must be home by eight o'clock, and we would like to hear you pray before we go." Samuel told them, that prayer should be attended to immediately. Accordingly, when we had finished the hymn, which we were then singing, we closed the evening services with prayer, in order that the little boys might be gratified. After this, they were never absent during our evening devotions, while we remained in the neighbourhood. CHAP. XXXVIII. TUFf PI EST WESTERN MISSION— JbSF.PTI SMITH, JUNIOR, VOYJH TO i ; I mentioned, in a foregoing chapter, that when Joseph and Emma *left Manchester, they went to Macedon. Here, he commenced his ministerial labors, and continued, for some time, to preach suc- cessively, in this place, Colesville, Waterloo, Palmyra, and Manchester, till, finally, he sent to Pennsylvania - AND HIS PROGENITORS, for his goods, and settled himself in Waterloo- Soon after which, a revelation was given, commanding Parley P. Pratt, Ziba Peterson, Peter Whitroer, and Oliver Cowdery, to take a missiof to Missouri, preaching by the way. As soon as this revelation was received, Emma Smith, and several other sisters, began to make arrangements to furnish those who were set apart for this mission, with the necessary clothing, which was no easy task, as the most of it had to be manufactured out of the raw material* Emma's health at this time was quite delicate, yet she did not favor herself on this account, but what- ever her hands found to do, she did with her might, until she went so tar beyond her strength, that she brought upon herself a heavy fit of sickness, which Listed four week*. And, although her strength was exhausted, still her spirits were the same, which, in fact, was always the case with her, even under the most trying circumstances. I have never seen a woman in my life, who would endure every species of fatigue and hardship, from month to month, and ' from year to year, with that unflinching courage, zeal, and patience, which she has ever done ; for I know that which she has had to endure — she has been tossed upon the ocean of uncertainty— she has breasted the storms of persecution, and buffeted the rage of men and devils, which would have borne down almost any other woman. It may be, that many may yet have to encounter the same I — I pray God, that this may not be the case ; but, should It be, may they have grace given them ac- cording to their day, even as has been the case I with her. As soon as those men designated in the Kevelatiou, were prepared to leave home, they started on their mission, preaching and baptizing on their way, wherever an opportunity afforded. On their route they passed through Kirtland, where they preached a short time, and raised up a branch of twenty or thirty members. Before leaving this place, they addressed a letter to Joseph, desiring him to send 170 JOSEPH SMITH THE TROPHET, an Elder to preside over the branch which they had raised up. Accordingly, Joseph despatched John Whitmer to take the presidency of the Church at Kirtland ;*and when he arrived there, those appointed to go to Missouri, proceeded on their mission, preaching and baptizing as before. In December of the same year, Joseph appointed a meeting at our house. While he was preaching, Sidney Kigdon and Edward Partridge came in, and seated themselves in the congregation. When Joseph had finished his discourse, he gave all who had any remarks to make, the privilege of speaking. Upon this, Mr. Part rid y arose, and stated that he had been to Manchester, with the view of obtaining further information respecting the doctrine which we preached j but, not finding us, he had made some inquiry of our neighbours concerning our characters, which they stated had been unimpeachable, until Joseph deceived ua relative to the Book of Mormon. He also said, that he had walked over our farm, and observed the good order and industry which it exhibited ; and, having seen what we had sacrificed for the sake of our fait h, and having heard that our veracity was not questioned upon any other point than that of our religion, he believed our testimony, and was ready to be baptized, " if," said he, *' brother Joseph will baptize me.** " You are now" replied Joseph, "much fatigued, brother Partridge, and yon had better rest to-day, and be baptized to-morrow." 41 Just as brother Joseph thinks best," replied Mr. Partridge, " 1 am ready at any time." He was accordingly baptized the next tlar. Before he left, my hu^bHkd returned home from pri- son, bringing along with him considerable clothing, which he had earned at coopering in the jail yard. The latter part of the same month, Joseph received a letter from John Wliitmer, desiring his immediate assistance at Kirtland in regulating the affairs of the Church there. Joseph inquired of the Lord, and received a commandment to go straightway to AKD HIS PROGENITORS 171 Kirtland with his family and effects ; also to send a message to Hyrtim to have him take that branch of the Church, over which he presided, and start im- mediately for the same place. And my husband was commanded, in tin: ^mu> revelation, to meetHyrum at the most convenient point, ami accompany him to Kirtland, Samuel was sent cm a mission, into the same region of country, while I, and my two sons, William and Carlos, were to be left till the en- duing spring, when we were to take the remain- der th'/ branch at Waterloo, and move also to Kirtland, It was but a short time till Joseph and Emma were on their way, accompanied by Sidney Kigdon, Edward Partridge, Ezra Thayre, and Newel Knight. When they were about starting, they preached at our house on Seneca River ; and, on their way, they preached at the house of Calvin Stodard, and likewise at the house of Preserved Harris. At each of these places, they baptized several individuals into the Church. On Joseph's arrival at Kirtland, he found a Church consisting of nearly one hundred members, who were, in general, good brethren, though a fewot them had imbibed some very erroneous ideas, being tested itself anions them in strange contortions of the visage, and sudden unnatural exertions of the body. This they supposed to be a display of the power of God, Shortly after Joseph arrived, he called the Church together, in order to show them the difference between the Spirit of (rod, and the spirit of the devil. He said, if a man arose in meeting to speak, and was seized with a kind of paroxysm, that drew his face and limbs, in a violent and unnatural manner* which made him appear to be in pain ; and if he gave utterance to strange sounds, which were incomprehensible to his audience, they might rely upon it, that he had the spirit of the devil But, on the contrary, when a man speaks by the Spirit of God, he speaks from the abundance of tly deceived by a singula r power, which rnani- r 1/2 JOSEni SMITH THE mOPIIET, his heart — his mind is filled with intelligence, and even should he be excited, it does not cause him to do anything ridiculous or unseemly. He then called upon one of the brethren to speak, who arose and made the attempt, but was immediately seized with a kind of spasm, which drew his face, arms, and fingers in a rno^t astonishing manner. Hyrum, by J oseph's request, laid hands on the man, whereupon he sunk back in a state of com- plete exhaustion, Joseph then called upon another man to speak, who stood leaning in an open window. This man also attempted to speak, but was thrown forward into the house, prostrate, unable to utter a syllable. He was administered to, and the same effects followed a*r in the first instance. These, together with a few other examples of the same kind, convinced the brethren of the mistake under which they had been labouring ; and they all rejoiced in the goodness of God, in once more con- descending to lead the children of men by revelation, and the gift of the Holy Ghost. * CHAP. XXXIX. TliE 1>JFFERKST BRANCHES OF TILE CTK'RCK KEMOVE TO KIRTLAM> — * M1UACLB AT BUFFALO. Soon after my husband and Joseph left for Kirt- land, William, l>eiug one of the teachers, visited the Church ; and calling upon each family, he remained with them until each individual belonging to the house had prayed in his hearing. When the brethren considered the Hpring suf- ficiently open for travelling on the water, we began to prepare for unr removal to Kirtland. We hired a boat of a certain Methodist preacher, and AND HIS PROGENITORS. 173 appointed a time to meet at our house, for the pur- pose of setting off together ; and when we -were thus collected, we numbered eighty souls. The people of the surrounding country came and bade us farewell, invoking the blessing of heaven upon our heads* A few minutes before we started, an old brother by the name of Humphry, arrived from Potsdam. This man was brought into the Church by Don Carlos, at the time that he visited his grandfather in company with my husband. At this time, brother Humphry was the oldest Elder in the Church, and Don Carlos the youngest. On account of brother Humphry's age, I wished him to take charge of the company, but he refused, saying, that every thing should be done, just as mother Smith said ; and to this the whole company responded, "yes." At that instant, one Esquire Chamberlain came on board, and asked me, if T had what money 1 wanted to make my family comfort- able. I replied, that I had an abundance for myself and children, but he might, perhaps, find some on board, who stood in need of .assistance. " Well," said he, here is a little money, and you can deal it out as you like," and, handing me seventeen dollars, he left the boat. Soon after this we were pushed off and under fine headway. I then called the brethren and sisters together, and reminded them that we were travelling by the commandment of the Lord, as much as father Lehi was, when he left J erusalem ; and, if faithful, we had the same reason to expect the blessings of God, I then desired them to be solemn, and to lift their hearts to God continually in prayer, that we might be prospered. We then seated ourselves and sang a hymn. The captain was so delighted with the music, that he called to the mate, saying, u Do, for God's sake, come here, and steer the boat ; for I must hear that singing," He afterwards expressed his pleastire and surprise at seeing such an appearance of devotion among us, stating that his wife had refused to 171 JOSEPH SMITH THE PROPHET, accompany him, on account of her prejudice against us, which he very much regretted. At the approach of sunset, we seated ourselves, and sang another hymn. The music sounded beauti- fully upon the water, and had a salutary effect upon every heart, filling our souls with love and gratitude to God, for his manifold goodness towards us* The services of the evening being ended, I inquired of the brethren concerning the amount of provisions which they had on hands for the journey ; and, to my surprise, I ascertained that we had on board, be- sides twenty grown persons, thirty children,who were almost destitute of food. This was unaccountable to me at first, but I afterwards learned that they had converted their substance into clothing, ex- pecting that those who were in better circum- stances would support them, as well as defray their travelling expenses ; those, however, from whom they expected the most assistance, disappointed them, consequently, the burthen was thrown entirely upon my shoulders. From this time forward, I fur- nished the whole fifty persons with food from day to day, I soon discovered among the mothers, a kind of carelessness with regard to their children, even when their lives were in danger. So I called them together, and endeavoured to impress upon their minds the importance of doing their duty to their children ; that in such a place as this, especially, they ought to keep them constantly by their side ; that they should consider, that children were given to them for a blessing, and if they did not treat them as such, they would be taken from them. Still they were negligent, and excused themselves by saying, that their children were disobedient. I told the sisters, that I could manage their children, and if they were not better controlled by their mothers, I should take the control of them. I then called the children around me, and said to them, "Now, children, mark what I say to you* When I come up stairs, and raise my hand, you AND HIS PROGENITORS 175 must, every one of you, run to me as fast as you can* Will you do as I tell you 1" u Yes," they replied, with one unanimous voice. And they strictly kept their faith to the end of the journey. On getting about half way to Buffalo, the canal broke. This gave rise to much murmuring and dis- contentment, which was expressed in terms like the following : — " Well, the canal is broke now, and here we are, and here we are likely to be, for we can go no fur- ther. We have left our homes, and here we have no means of getting a liviog, consequently we shall have to starve." "No, no," said I, "you will not starve, brethren, nor anything of that sort ; only do be patient and stop your murmuring, I have no doubt but the hand of the Lord is over us for good ; perhaps it is best for us to be here a short time. It is quite pro- bable that the boats cannot leave Buffalo harbour on account of the ice : if so, the town must inevitabiv be crowded with families, in which case it would be next to impossible for us to get into a comfortable house. Are we not in far better circumstances in our present situation P* 4i Well, well," returned the sisters, " I suppose you know best ; but it does seem as if it would have been better for us to have staid where we were, for there we could sit in our rocking chairs, ami take as much comfort as we pleased, but here we are tired out, and have no place to rest ourselves." Whilst this was passing, a citizen of the place came on board, and after inquiring what denomina- tion we Ijelongedto, he requester! that, if there were any preachers on board, a meeting might be aj>- poiated in the neighbourhood. I introduced him to Eiders Humphry and Page, who appointed a meeting for the next day, which was held on a beautiful green, bordering on the canal, and of suffi- cient size U > acci immodate a hundred persons. They listened with attention, and requested that another 176 JOSEPH SMITH THE moraET, meeting might be appointed for the succeeding day, I >ut, as the canal was repaired by eleven o'clock, we proceeded on our journey, and arrived at Buffalo on the fifth day after leaving Waterloo. Here we found the brethren from Coles ville, who informed us that they had been detained one week in this place, waiting for the navigation to open. Also, that Mr, Smith and Hyrum had gone through to Kirtland by land, in order to be there by the first of April, I asked them if they confessed to the people that they were " Mormons," " No, indeed," they replied, neither mu^t you mention a word about your reli- gion, for if you do you will never be able to get a house, or a boat either." I told them I should tell the people precisely who I was ; " and/' continued I, " if you are ashamed of Christ, you must not expect to be prospered 5 and I shall wonder if we do not get to Kirtland before you. While we were talking with the Colesville breth- ren, another boat landed, having on board about thirty brethren, among whom was Thomas B. Marsh who immediately joined us, and, like the Colesville brethren, he was decidedly opposed to our attending to prayer, or making known that we were professors of religion. He said that if our company persisted in singing and praying, aa we had hitherto done, we should be mobbed before the next morning, "Mob it is, then," said I, "we shall attendto prayer before sunset, mob or no mob." Sir. Marsh, at this left considerably irritated, I then requested bro- thers Humphry and Page to go around anions the boatmen, and inquire for one Captain Blake, wh<T was formerly captain of a boat belonging to my brother General Mack, and who, upon my brothers decease* purchased the boat, and still commanded the same' They went in search of the man, and soon found him, and learned from him that his boat was already laden with the usual amount of passengers and freight. He said, however, that he thought lie could AKD 1113 PROGENITORS 177 make room for us if we would take a deck passage. As this was our only opportunity, we moved our goods on board the next day, and by the time that we had fairly settled ourselves, it began to rain* This rendered our situation very uncomfortable, and some of the sisters complained bitterly because we had not hired a house till the boat was ready to start. In fact, their case was rather a trying one, for some of them had sick children ; in consequence of which, brother Page went out for the purpose of getting a room for the women and sick children, but returned unsuccessful At this the sisters renewed their complaints, and declared that they would have a house, let the consequences be what they might. In order to satisfy them, I set out myself, with my son William, although it was still raining very fast, to see if it were possible to procure a shelter for them and their children. I stopped at the first tavern, and inquired of the landlord if he could let me have a room for some women and children who were sick. The landlord replied that he could easily make room for them. At this, a woman, who was present, turned upon him very sharply, saying, u I have put up here my- self, and I am not a-going to have anybody's things in my way. I'll warrant the children have got the whooping cough or measles, or some other contagi- ous disease, and, if they come, I will go somewhere else," " Why, madam," said the landlord, " that is not necessary, you can still have one large room." * I don't care/' said she, " I want 'em both, and if I cant have 'em, I won t stay — that's it." i£ Kever mind," said I, Sl it is no matter ; I sup- pose I can get a room somewhere else, just as well." "No, you can't though " rejoined the lady, u for we hunted ail over the town, and we could not find one single one till we got here." I left immediately, and went on my way. Pre- ITS JOSEPH SMITH THE PROPHET, sently I came to a long row of rooms, one of which appeared to be almost vacant. I inquired if it could be rented for a few days. The owner of the build- ings, I found to be a cheerful old lady, near seventy years of age, I mentioned the circumstances to her, as I before had done to the landlord. "Well, I don't know," said she ; " where be you going |M " To Kirtland " I replied. " What be you ? " said she. " Be you Baptists ? * I told her that we were " Mormons.'* "Mormons!" ejaculated she, in a quick, good- natured tone. " What be they ? I never heard of them before." " I told you that we were 1 Mormons,* " I replied, " because that is what the world call us, but the only name we acknowledge is Latter-Day Saints," "Latter-Day Saints!" rejoined she, "I never heard of them either," I then informed her that this Church was brought forth through the instrumentality of a Prophet, and that I was the mother of this Prophet " What ! " said she, " a Prophet in these days ! I never heard of the like in my life ; and if you will come and sit with me, you shall have a room for your sisters and their children, but you yourself must come and stay with me, and tell me all about it" This I promised to do, and then returned to the boat, and had the sisters, and their sick children, removed to the old lady's house ; and after making them comfortable, I went into her room. We soon fell into conversation, in which I explained to her, as clearly as I could, the principles of the Gospel! On speaking of the laying on of hands for the recep- tion of the Holy Ghost, she was as much surprised as those disciples were whom Paul found at Epbesus, and she asked me, " What do you mean by the Holy Ghost V I continued my explanations until after two o'clock the next morning, when we removed to the boat again. On arriving there. Captain Blake AND HIS PROGENITORS, 179 requested the passengers to remain on board, as he wished, from that time, to be ready to start at a moment's warning ; at the same time he sent out a man to measure the depth of the ice, who, when he returned, reported thai it was piled up to the height of twenty feet, and that it was his opinion that we would remain in the harbour at least two weeks longer. At this, Porter Rockwell started on shore to see his uncle. His mother endeavoured to prevent hiiu, but he paid no attention to her, and she then appealed to me, saying, "Mother Smith, do get Por- ter back, for he won't mind any body but you." I told him that, if he went, we should leave him on shore, but he could do as he liked. He left the boat, and several others were about following him ; but when I spoke to them, they replied, "We will do just as you say, Mother Smith," and returned imme- diately. Just then, William whispered in my ear, " Mother, do see the confusion yonder ; won't you go and put a stop to it!" I went to that part of the boat where the prin- cipal portion of our company were. There I found several of the brethren and sisters engaged in a warm debate, others murmuring and grumbling, and a number of young ladies were flirting, gig- gling, and laughing with gentlemen passengers, who were entire strangers to them, whilst hundreds of people on shore and on other boats were witnessing this scene of clamour and vanity among our breth- ren with great interest, I stepped into their midst. " Brethren and sisters/1 said I, " we call ourselves Saints, and profess to have come out from the world for the purpose of serving God at the expense of all earthly things ; and will you, at the very onset, subject the cause of Christ to ridicule by your own unwise and improper conduct ? You profess to put your trust in God, then how can you feel to murmur and complain aa you do ! You are even more un- reasonable than the children of Israel were ; for 180 JOSEPH SMITH TITK TOornET, here are my sisters pining for their rocking chairs, and brethren from whom I expected firmness and energy, declare that they positively believe they shall starve to death before they get to the end of their journey. And why is it so ? Have any of you lacked ? Have not I set food before you every day, and made you, who had not provided for your- selves, as welcome as my own children ? Where is your faith ? Where is your confidence in God ? Can you not realize that all things were made by him, and that he rules over the works of his own hands ? And suppose that all the Saints here should lift their hearts in prayer to God, that the way might be opened before us, how easy it would be for him to cause the ice to break away, so that in a moment we could be on our journey ! * Just then a man on shore cried, w Is the Book of Mormon true 1* "That book" replied I, "was brought forth by the power of God, and translated by the gift of the Holy Ghost ; and, if I could make my voice sound as loud as the trumpet of Michael, the Archangel, I would declare the truth from land to land, and from sea to sea, and the echo should reach to every isle, until every member of the family of Adam should be left without excuse. For I do t&stify that God has revealed himself to man again in these last days, and set his hand to gather his people upon a goodly land, and, if they obey his commandments, it shall be unto them for an inheritance ; whereas, if they rebel against his law, his hand will be against them to scatter them abroad, and cut them off from the face of the earth ; and that he has commenced a work which will prove a savour of life unto life, or of death unto death, to every one that stands here this day— of life unto life, if you will receive it, or of death unto death, if you reject the counsel of God, for every man shall have the desires of his heart ; if he desires the truth, he may hear and live, but if he tramples upon the simplicity of the word of God, he will shut the gate of heaven arainst himself:** Then. AN'D HIS PROGENITORS 181 turning to our own company, I said, " Now, breth- ren and sisters, if you will all of you raise your desires to heaven, that the ice may be broken up, and we be set at liberty, as sure as the Lord lives it will be done/' At that instant ;i noise was heard, like bursting thunder. The captain cried, " Every man to his post." The ice parted, leaving barely a passage for the boat, and so narrow, that as the boat passed through, the buckets of the water- whet4 were torn off with a crash, which, joined to the word of command from the captain, the hoarse answering of the sailors, the uoise of the iee, and the cries and confusion of the spectators, presented a scene truly terrible. We had barely passed through the avenue, when the ice closed together again, and the Colesville brethren were left in Buffalo, unable to follow us. As we were leaving the harbour, one of the by- standers exclaimed, " There goes the Mormon com- pany ! That boat is sunk in the water nine inches deeper than ever it was before, and, mark it, she will sink — there is nothing surer.1' In fact, they were so sure of it, that they went straight to the office and had it published that we were sunk, so thatwht nwe arrived at Fairport, we read in the papers the news of our own death. After our miraculous escape from the wharf at Buffalo, we called our company together, and had a prayer meeting, in which we offered up our thanks to God for his mercy, which he had manifested to- wards us in our deliverance ; but before our meet- ing was broken up, the captain's mate caine to me and said, "Mrs. Smith, do, for God's sake, have your children stop praying, or we shall all go to hell together ; we cannot keep one single man to his jpost, if we should go to the devil, for they are so taken up with your praying." Therefore our meet- ing was broken up. Soon after leaving Buffalo, some of our company began to feel the effects of the motion of the boat, and were overcome with sea-sickness. I went to 182 josErn smith the PiiornET, the conk, and, handing him twenty-five cents, asked him if he could let me have some hot water for the sick folks. He complied with my request, and I was thus furnished with the means of making them comfortable. Upon further acquaintance with the captain, I made myself knowm to him as the sister of General Mack. He seemed highly pleased to find in me a relative of his old friend ; and I was treated with great attention and respect, both by himself and crew, while I remained on the boat. A short time before I arrived at Fairport, brother Humphry and myself went on shore to do some trading for the company. AVhile on shore, this bro- ther told me that I was making a slave of myself unnecessarily ; that those sisters whose families I had the care of could as well wait upon their own husbands and children, as for me to do it ; that, as for himself, he was not going to stay on board much longer. I thanked him for his kindness, btit told him that I thought I could get along with the work, without injuring myself. Nothing further passed between us upon the subject. At the next landing, he left, and whither he w^ent I did not know. On drawing near Fairport, where we were to land, the captain, passengers, and crew, bade me farewell in tears. After landing, our company were more disheartened than evei% and the brethren came around me and requested that I should set their wives to sewing blankets together, and making tents of them, that the men might camp by their goods and watch them, for they had no hopes of getting any further. I told them I should do nothing of the kind- As for the sisters, some of them were crying, some pouting, and a few of them were attending to the care of their families. As I passed among them, my attention was attracted by a stranger, who sat a short distance from us on the shore of the lake. I inquired of him the distance to KArtland. He, starting up, exclaimed, " Is it possible that thirf is A^D HIS VRO^EXITORS. 183 mother Smith ? I hare sat here looking for you these three days." Replying to his question in the affirmative, I asked him if it won!-! possible to procure teams \ to take our goods to Kirtland. He told me to give myself no uneasiness about the matter, that Joseph I was expected every hour, and in less than twenty- four hours there woult I In; 'earns sufficient to take 5 all our company to houses that were waiting to receive them. When he mentioned Joseph's name, I started, for I just began to realize that I was so soon to see both my husband and my sons. I turned from the stranger, and met Samuel, who was coming [ towards me, closely followed by Joseph. T extended I my right hand to Samuel and my left to Joseph. [ They wept for joy upon seeing me — Samuel, because he had been warned of Clod in a dream to meet the | company from Waterloo, and feared that some dis- aster had befallen me; and Joseph, because of the • information which he had received from brother Humphry, who had arrived at Kirtland a short [ time before this, he having informed Joseph that he apprehended, from the fatigue*! was undergoing, > that my life was in danger. After they informed me of these things Joseph said he should take me from the company. As the sisters begged to go with me, lie took them as far as Pains vi lie, where we stopped at the house of brother Partridge. Here we found a fine supper prepared for the whole company. Soon after partaking of this refreshment, I was taken to Brother Kingsbury's, in his own carriage, where T was treated with great kindness And re- Sfkeet From this place I went with Joseph to Kirt- land, The first house that I entered was brother ■Morley's. Here I met my beloved husband, and great was our joy. Many of my readers may know my present situation* These can imagine with what feelings I recite such scenes as that which fol- lowed the re-union of our family ; but let it pas^ — imagination most supply the ellipsis. Were I to 184 JOSErn SMITH THE rfcOrUET, indulge my feelings upon such occasions as this, my strength would not support me to the end of my narrative. Soon after arriving at Kirtland, a pair of twins were brought to Emma, which were given to her to iill the place of a pair of her own that had died. CHAP. XL ] SAMUEL SMITH'S FIRST MISSION" TO MISSOURI. We remained two .weeks at Mr. Morley's, then removed our family to a farm which had been pur- chased by Joseph tor the Church. On this farm my family were all established with this arrangement, that we were to cultivate the farm, and, from the fruits of our labour, we were to receive our sup- port ; but all over and above this was to be used fur the comfort of strangers or brethren, who were travelling through the place. I About this time Joseph was requested by Parley P. Pratt and his company, who were then 111 Mis- souri, to send some Elders to assist them. He inquired of the Lord, and received the revelation contained in the Times and Seasons* vol, v. p. 416, in which Samuel H. Smith and Reynolds Gaboon were appointed to go together to Missouri* They departed immediately on their mission. Before they had proceeded far, they called at a town, the name <.f which T do not remember, where they found William E, Me Lellin, who was employed as a clerk in a store. After making a little inquiry, they found that Mr. Mc Lellin was anxious to hear AND ITTS PROGENITORS. 185 them preach, and that he was willing to make some exertion to obtain a house and congregation for them, for the name of Latter-Day Saint was new to him, and he felt curious to hear what the princi- ples of our faith were. So, by his interposition, they soon had a large congregation seated in a com- fortable room. They preached that evening, and the next morning they pursued their journey. Shortly after they left* Mr. Mc Leliin became very uneasy respecting his new acquaintances ; he felt that it was his duty to have gone with them and assisted them on their journey. This feeling worked so stroogly in his breast, as to deprive him of rest all the ensuing night ; and, before morning, he concluded to set out for Missouri, at the hazard of business, character, and everything else. Accord- ingly, after settling with his employer, he started in pursuit of Samuel, and brother Cahoon, He passed them < iii their way, find got to Missouri, and was baptized before they arrived there. On their route, Samuel and brother Cahoon suffered great privations, such as want of rest and food. At the time that they started for Missouri, near fifty others also set out for the same place, all taking different routes. When they arrived, they dedicated the spot for the Temple. About this time, or soon after, a number of revelations were received which the reader will find by tallowing the History of Joseph in the Times and Seasons, vol. v., from p. 448 to 466. A clause in one of these reads as follows : — " Let my servant Reynolds Cahoon, and my servant Samuel H, Smith, with whom I am well leased, be not separated until they return to their omes, and this for a wise purpose in rae." p. 465. And here, let me say, that Samuel was never censured by revelation, to my knowledge, for he always per- formed his missions faithfully, and his work was well approved. ISC JOSEPH SMITH THE moriJKT, CHAP, XLL LUCY SMITH VISITS PBTKOir. As Hymm, my eldest son, was directed to go to Missouri by the way of Detroit, I thought it would be a good opportunity to visit the family of my brother, General Mack. Accordingly, my niece, Almira Mack, Hyruni, — brothers Murdock, Lyman Wight, and Curril and I, set out together for Detroit. When we first we^nt on b >ard the vessel which took us across the lake, we concluded to keep perfectly still upon the subject of religion ; but it was after- wards proposed by Hyrum, that mother Smith should say just what she pleased, and if she got into difficulty, the Elders should help her out of it. Shortly after this I was sitting at the door of the cabin, reading the book of Mormon, when a lady carue up and inquired of me what book I was read- ing, " The Book of M ormon " I replied. But the title of the book lifts no advantage to her, for she had never before heard of thej'e being such a work in existence. By her request I pave her a brief history of the discovery and translation of the book. This delighted her, and when I mentioned thai it was a record of the origin of the Aborigines of America, she said, -'how 1 do tci<h I could get one of your books to carry to my husband, for he is now a missionary among the Indians/1 Just then, another lady, who was a doctor's wife, came near us, with the appearance of wishing to hear our conversation. She was gorgeously dressed, and carried herself very daintily, I assure you. She wore a splendid satin senrf, which, as she walked to and fro before us, she would occasionally let fall from the left shoulder, and expose a neck and bosom decorated with very brilliant jewels. Pre^ntly she stopped short, and said, u I do not want to boar any AND TII3 rUOGEXITOltS, 1ST more of that stuff, or anything more about Joe Smith either. They say that he is a Mormon Prophet ; but it is nothing but deception and lies* There was one Mr. Murdock, who believed in Joe Smith's doctrines ; and the Mormons all believe they can cure the sick and raise the dead ; so when this I r. Murdock1 s wife was sick, lie refused to send for a doctor, although the poor woman wanted him to do so, and so by his neglect his wife died." I told her I thought she must be a little mistaken, that I was acquainted with the family, and knew something in regard to the matter. u I know all about it," said the lady, 44 Well now, perhaps not7' said I, "just stop a moment and I will explain it to you." " No, I wont," returned the woman. " Then " said I u I will introduce you to Mr. Mur- doek, and let him tell the story himself." I then turned to Mr. Murdock, who stood near, and gave her an introduction to him. Before this, however, the chambermaid went down stairs and complained t<> the doctor of his wife's unbecoming behaviour, and before she had heard a dozen words from our brother, her husband came bustling up stairs, '•Here,'* said he, to his wife, "they tell me that you are abusing this old lady ;** and taking her hand, he drew it within his arm, and marched her off without further ceremony. This circumstance introduced the subject of "Mor- monisnr ' among the passengers, and it continued to be the topic of conversation until we arrived at Detroit. On landing in Detroit we repaired imme- diately to a tavern, as my niece, Mrs. Cooper, rag exceedingly nervous, and we deemed it imprudent to disturb her that evening. The next morning, Almira Mack and myself visited Mrs. Coo]>er, who was Almira's sister. Almira went into her room, and found her lying on the bed. After the usual salutations she informed Mr . Cooper that aunt Lucy was in the parlor waiting to see her, and requested the privilege of inviting me into her 188 Joseph smith the ruornET, room ; but it was some time before her nerves were sufficiently settled to see me. However, before I was admitted into her presence, she was further informed that her cousin Hyrimi, ?ts also several other Elders, had come to Detroit in company with me, and that I would expect them to be invited as well as myself, But this was refused, Mr*. Cooper, declaring that she eoidd not endure the presence of so many visitors. She sent for me, but forbade her sisters inviting any one else. I went to her, and after the compliments were over, I said, "Lovisa, I have with me four of my ; brethren, one of whom is your cousin Hyrum, if I stay they must be invited also" "Oh! no, no;" I never can consent to it," ex- claimed she, — u Why, aunt, I am so nervous I am scarcely ever able to see any company." [ "Now, Lovisa," I replied, "do you know what ► ails you / I can tell you exactly what it is : there j is a good spirit and an evil one operating upon you, and the bad spirit has almost got possession of you ; I and when the good spirit is the least agitated, the } evil one strives for the entire mastery, and sets the good spirit to fluttering, just ready to be gone, ] because it has so slight a foothold. But you have been so for a long time, and you may yet live many j years. These men who are with me are clothed ! with the authority of the Priesthood, and through j their administration you might receive a blessing ; and even should you not be healed, do you not wish to know something about your Saviour before you j meet him. Furthermore, if you refuse to receive my brethren into vour house, I shall leave it myself." It was finally concluded that a sumptuous dinner should be prepared, and that the brethren should all 1 invited. While they tarried with her they fer* mistered to her t wice by the laying on of hands, in the name of the Lord. They stopped with her during the day, and in the evening left for Pontiac. j When she learned that they were not expected back AND U1S P ROUES 1T0IIS- 189 again, she seemed greatly distressed, because she. Lad not urged them to stay and preach. The next morning, I and my niece set out for Fontiae, in the first stage, to visit sister Mack, my brother's widow, and her daughter, Mrs. Whiter- more. Here we were treated with great attention and respect by Mr. White rmore and his family. The subject of religion was introduced immediately after our arrival, and continued the theme of con- versation until near tea-time, when sister Mack arose, saying, hi sister Lucy, you must excuse me, for I find my nerves are so agitated I cannot bear con- versation any longer ; the subject is so entirely new, it confuses my min i/' I requested her to stop a moment. I then repeated to her the same that I had done two days previous to Lovisa, adding, " suppose a company of fashionable people were to come in and begin to talk about balls, parties, and' the latest style of making dresses, do you think that would agitate you so V* She smiled at this, and said, " I do not know that it would, sister Lucy ; you know that those are more common things " I then told her that I would excuse her, and that she might go where she pleased, concluding in my own mind never to mention the subject to her again, unless it should be by her own request. That ni^ht we slept in the same room. When I was about retiring to rest; she observed, " do not let my presence prevent you from attending to any duty which you have practised at home." And soon afterwards she again remarked, t£ the house is now still, and I would be glad to hear you talk, if you are not too much fatigued." I told her I would have no objections, provided the subject of religion would not make Iter nervous ; and, as she did not think it would, we commenced conversation, the result of which was, she was convinced of the truth of the Gospel* % In a few days subsequent to this, we all set out to visit Mrs. Stanly, who was also my brother's daughter, Here Mr. Whitermore gave me an intro- 190 JOSEPH SMITH TUB PROPHET, duction to one Mr. Ruggles, the pastor of the Presbyterian church to which this Mr. Whitermore belonged. "And you," said Mr. Ruggles, upon shaking hands with me, "are the mother of that poor, foolish, silly boy, Joe Smith, who pretended to translate the Book of Mormon" I looked him steadily in the face, and replied, " I am, sir, the mother of J oseph Smith ; but why do you apply to him such epithets as those ?" "Because," said his reverence, "that he should imagine he was going to break down all other churches with that simple Mormon book." "Did you ever read that book ?" I inquired. "No," said he, " it is beneath my notice" " But" rejoined I, "the Scriptures say, i prove all things and, now sir, let me tell you boldly, that that book contains the everlasting Gospel, and it was written for the salvation of your soul, by the gift and power of the Holy Ghost." "Pooh," said the minister, " nonsense — I am not afraid of any member of my church being led astray by such stuff ; they have too much intelligence." "Now, Mr. Ruggles" said It and I spoke with emphasis for the Spirit of God was upon me, mark my words — as true as God lives, before three years we will have more than one-third of your church; and, sir, whether you believe it or not, we will take the very Deacon too'7 This produced a hearty laugh at the expense of the minister. Not to be tedious, I will say that I remained in this section of country about four weeks, during which time I labored incessantly for the truth's hake, and succeeded in gaining the hearts of many, among whom were David Dort and his wife. Many desired me to use my influence to have an yder sent into that region of country, which I agreed to do. As I was about starting home, Mr. Cooper observed that our ministers would have more influence if they dn-^ed in broadcloth. ASM U1S PllOdfcMTOItS. 191 Whnn I returned, I made known to Joseph the situation of things when' T had been, so he des- patched brother Jared Carter to that country. And in order that he might not lack influence, he was dressed in a suit of superfine broadcloth. He went immediately into the midst of Mr. Ruggles* church, and, in a short time, brought away seventy of his best members, among whom was the Deacon^ just as I told the minisu . Tins Deacon was bro- ther Bent, who now presides over the High Council. In loss than a month after my arrival, Samuel returned home from Missouri, and remained until the succeeding October, at which time a revelation wax given, commanding him and Wni. Mc Lellin to go to the town of Hiram, which was about thirty miles distant. Samuel commenced making pre- Earations, but before he was ready to start, he eard a voice in the night, which said, u Samuel, arise immediately, and go forth on the mission which thou wast commanded to take to Hiram**1 He arose from his bed and took what clothing he had in readiness, and set off without further delay. On arriving at the above-mentioned place, he found Wm. E, Mc Lellin there according to previous appointment. Here they commenced preaching together, and after labouring a while in this town, they wrent from place to place, bejiring testimony of the truth in whatever city, town, or village they entered, until the twenty-seventh of December, at which time they arrived at Kirtland. Samuel was not long permitted to remain at home in quiet ; on the first of January lie was sent, with Orson Hyde, on a mission into the eastern country. They went ■and preached from city to city until they were called home to receive the ordinance of The Washing of Feet 192 JOSEril SMITH the roornET CHAP. XLII. AX EXTRACT yftOM TU1L HISTORY OP JOSEPH TIfE PROPHET— 8IPNT.Y lUGDO.Vs TRANSGRESSION— TRGOLK 11T JACKSOX COEXTY. I sit all now return to the month of September, 183L Joseph, at this time, was engaged in trans- lating the Bible, and Sidney Ri<xdon was writing for him. About the first of this month, Joseph came tv the conclusion to remove himself and clerk, aa well as their . families, to the before-mentioned town of Hiram, in order to expedite the work. They moved to the house of Father Johnson, and lived with him in peace until the following March, when a circumstance occurred, which I shiill relate in his own words : — "On the twenty-fifth of March, (1S32,) the twins before mentioned, which had been sick of the measles for some time, caused us to be broke of our rest in taking care of them, especially my wife. In the evening, I told her she had better retire to rest with one of the children, and I would watch with the sickest child. In the night, she told me I had better lie down on the trundle bed, and I did sot and was soon after awoke by her screaming mur* dtrf when I found myself going out of the door in the hands of about a dozen men ; some of whose hands were in my hair, and some hold of my shirt, drawers, and limbs. The foot of the trundle bed was towards the door, leaving only room enough for the door to swing. My wife heard a gentle tapping on the windows, which she then took no particular notice of (but which was un- questionably designed for ascertaining whether we were ail asleep), and, soon after, the mob burst open the door and surrounded the bed in an instant, and, as I said, the first I knew, I was going out of the door, in the hands of an infuriated mob. I made a desperate struggle, as I was forced out, to extricate mjself, but only cleared one leg, with which I made a pass at one man, and he fell on the door steps. I was immediately confined again, and they AND HIS PROGEXITOItS. 193 swore by God they would kill me if I did not be still, which quieted me. As they passed wound the house with me, the fellow that I kicked, came to me and thrust his hand into my face all covered with blood, (for I hit him on the nose,) and with an exulting horse laugh, muttered * ge, gee, God d — mn ye, III fi,c ye.* ** They then seized me by the throat, and held on till I lost my breath. & After I came to, aa they passed along with me, about thirty rods from the house, I saw- Eider Kigdou stretched out on the ground, whither they had dragged him by the heels. I swppoeed he was dead. '•1 began to plead with them, saying, you will have niercy and spare my life, I hope. To which they replied, 4 Hod d — mn yet call on yer God for help, well show ye no mercy;* and the people began to show themselves in every direction : one coming from the orchard had a plank, and I expected they would kill me, and carry me off on a plank* They then turned to the right, and went on about thirty rods further — about sixty rods from the house, and about thirty from where I saw Elder Rigdon — into the meadow, where they stopped, and one said, ' Kimonds, Simonda,' (meaning, 1 supposed, Simonds Hider,) 'pull up his drawers, pull up his drawers, he will take cold.' Another replied, *' A'nt ye going to Jc'dl Hrnt A* at ye going to kilt *imf when a group of mob- bers collected a little way off, and said, 'Simonds, Simonds, come here ; 1 and Sinionds charged those who had hold of me to keep me from touching the ground (m they had done all the time), lest I should get a spring upon them. They went and held a council, and as I could occasionally overhear a word, I supposed it was to know whether it was beat to kill me. They returned, after a while, when I learned that they had concluded not to kill me, but pound and scratch me well, tear off my shirt and drawers, and leave me naked : one cried, 'Simonda, Simonds, where u the tar bucket V lJ don& know,* answered one, * where 'tis, Elis Irft it* They ran back and fetched the bucket of tar, when one exclaimed, ' God d—mn it, let tar wp Ids month;* and they tried to force the tar paddle into my mouth ; I twisted my head around, so that they could not ; and they cried out, ' God d — f*m ye, hold up your head and let %8 give ye some tar.y They then tried to force a vial into my mouth, and broke it in my teeth. All my clothes were torn off me, 194 JOSEPH SMITH THE PROPHhT, except my shirt collar; and one man fell on me and scratched my body with his nails like a mad cat, and then muttered out, * God d — win ye, diaJs the way the Holy Ghost fall* on folks? u They then left nic, and I attempted to rise, but fell again : I pulled the tar away from my lips, &c, so that I could breathe more freely, and after a while I began to recover, and raised myself up, when I saw two lights. I made my way towards one of them, and found it was father Johnson's. When I had come to the door I was naked, and the tar made me look as though I was covered with blood; and when my wife saw me, she thought I wa* all mashed to pieces, and fainted. During the affray abroad, the sisters of the neighbourhood had collected at my room. I called for a blanket, they threw me one and shut the door; I wrapped it around me, and went in. * * • » ** My friends Hj^ent the night in scraping and removing the tar, and wasliing and cleansing my body ; so that by morning I was ready to be clothed attain. This being Sabbath morning, the people assembled for meeting at the usual hour of worship, and among those came also the mobbers, viz., Simond^ Rider, a Campbellite preacher, and leader of the mob ; one M'Clentie, son of a Campbel- lite minister; and Pelatiah Allen, Esq., who gave the mob a barrel of whiskey to raise their spirits ; and many other*. With my flesh all scarified and defaced, I preached to the congregation, a* usual, and in the after- noon of the same day baptised three individuals." — Times and Season*, vol, 5, p. 611. MUL iuual S(arP vol H, p. 148. Sidney Rigdon went immediately to Kirtland, but Joseph remained at father Johnson's to finish his preparations for a journey, whieh he contem- plated making to Missouri. Immediately after Sidney s arrival at K irtland, we met for the purpose of holding a prayer meeting, and, as Sidney had not been with ua for some time, we hoped to hear from him upon this occcasion. We waited a long time before ne made his appearance ; at last he came in, seemingly much agitated. He did not go to the stand, but began to pace back anil forth through the house. My husband said, u Brother Sidney, we AND HIS PROGENITORS. 195 would like to hear a iliscourse from you to-day." Brother Bigdon replied, in a tone of excitement, "The keys of the kingdom are rent from the Church, and there shall Dot be a prayer put up in this house this day." 4iOh ! no/' said Air. Smith, " 1 hope not** "I tell you they are," rejoined Elder Rigdon, (<and no man or woman shall put up a prayer in this place to-day/* This great iy disturbed the minds of many sisters, and some brethren. The brethren stared and turned pale, and the sifters cried. Sister Howe, in particular, was very much terrified : M Oh dear me !" said she, '* what shall we do I what shall we do ? The keys of the kingdom are taken from us, and what shall we do I * ** ] tell you again," said Sidney, with much feeling, u the keys of the kingdom are taken from V"U. iii . u nrver will have them again until you built rue a new house. Hyriun was vexed at this frivolous nonsense, and, taking his hat, he went out of the house, saying, " I'll put a stop to this fuss, pretty quick ; I'm going for Joseph/' u Oh don't," said sister Howe, " for pity's sake, don't go for him. Brother Sidney says the keys of the kingdom are taken from us, and where is the use of bringing Joseph here." Hyrum took a horse, and wpiit immediately to father Jo] m son's, for Joseph. He arrived then* in the after-part of the night, ami having aroused Joseph, he said, " You uiu4 go straight with me to Kirtland ; we are having terrible times there, and I want you to come up and see to things." Joseph beiug informed of the precise situation of affairs, he <rot a home of father Johnson, and started without delay, with Hyrum, for Kirtland. On his arrival there, the brethren were collected for meeting. Joseph went upon the stand, and informed the brethren that they were under a great mistake, that the Church had not transgressed ; u and, as for the keys of the kingdom,** said he,