Progress of Affairs at Kirtland--Discovery of the Book of Abraham.
[Sidenote: Change of Editors on the "Messenger and Advocate."]
About the middle of May, W. W. Phelps and John Whitmer, Presidents
of the Church in Missouri, arrived at Kirtland, and John Whitmer was
appointed to take the place of President Oliver Cowdery, in conducting
the _Messenger and Advocate_.
[Sidenote: The "Northern Times."]
Frederick G. Williams was appointed to edit the _Northern Times_, a
weekly newspaper, which we had commenced in February last, in favor of
Democracy; and W. W. Phelps (with his son Waterman) made his home with
my family, and assisted the committee in compiling the Book of Doctrine
and Covenants.
_Minutes of Conference held at New Portage, June 6th_.
The Elders and brethren assembled in conference, June 6th, at New
Portage, Oliver Cowdery, presiding.
Elder David Matthews, who was suspended at a previous conference,
for unchristian conduct, was present.
After hearing the testimony, the council unanimously agreed that
there had been due contrition of spirit manifested by him, in his
walk and conversation since his suspension; and Elder Matthews was
restored.
Elder Barkdall preferred a claim against Elder Keeler, for services
said to be rendered some eight or nine years since, and to have
been awarded by a former council.
It appeared there had been a decision in favor of Elder Barkdall,
but no testimony was produced by either of the parties to
substantiate a claim, or prove a payment. It was, therefore,
Resolved:--That both {228} the accuser and the accused have
manifested a bad spirit, and deserve the severe rebuke of this
council.
Elder Milo Hays was tried for not obeying the Word of Wisdom, and
for covenant breaking.
Both charges were sustained by testimony, and Elder Hays was
excluded from the Church.
Several other cases of discipline were attended to, and conference
adjourned at 12 o'clock at night.
Sunday morning, President Oliver Cowdery preached, after which four
were baptized.
The council again organized in the evening, and ordained Jacob
Myers an Elder.
The case of Elders Barkdall and Keeler was again called up; four
councilors spoke on the subject, when it was decided that they have
one week and no more to settle their differences with each other,
and make confession to the Church, or lose their standing.
W. A. Cowdery, Clerk.
[Sidenote: Instructions of the Prophet to the Elders and Saints in
Missouri.]
The Presidency, Bishop, and High Council of Zion, having removed to
Kirtland, or gone forth in the vineyard, I caused it to be published
in the June number of the _Messenger and Advocate_, that according to
the order of the kingdom begun in the last days, to prepare men for the
rest of the Lord, the Elders in Zion or in her immediate region, have
no authority or right to meddle with her spiritual affairs, to regulate
her concerns, or hold councils for the expulsion of members, in her
unorganized condition. The High Council has been expressly organized to
administer in all her spiritual affairs; and the Bishop and his council
are set over her temporal matters; so that the Elders' acts are null
and void. _Now_, the Lord wants the wheat and tares to grow together;
for Zion must be redeemed with judgment, and her converts with
righteousness. Every Elder that can, after providing for his family (if
he has any) and paying his debts, must go forth and clear his skirts
from the blood of this generation. While they are in that region,
[Missouri] instead of trying members for transgression, or offenses,
let every one labor to prepare himself for {229} the vineyard, sparing
a little time to comfort the mourners, to bind up the broken-hearted,
to reclaim the backslider, to bring back the wanderer, to re-invite
into the kingdom such as have been cut off, by encouraging them to lay
to while the day lasts, and work righteousness, and, with one heart and
one mind, prepare to help to redeem Zion, that goodly land of promise,
where the willing and obedient shall be blessed. [1]
[Sidenote: The mission of Mr. Hewitt.]
{230} About this time, I received an introduction to Mr. Hewitt, a
preacher who had come out from Europe, with his wife, to examine this
work; he stated that he was delegated by his church for this purpose,
and presented a letter of commendation, a copy of which follows:
_To the Saints of the Most High_:
Dear Brethren in the Lord.--At a council of the pastors of our
church, held March 28th, 1835, upon the propriety of Reverend
John {231} Hewitt visiting you, it was resolved and approved that
as he had an anxious desire to go to America to see things that
are spoken of in one of your papers brought here by a merchant
from New York, he should have, as he desired, the sanction of the
council, and if it pleased the Lord, His approval. The Lord hath
seen our joy and gladness to hear that He was raising up a people
for Himself in that part of the New World, as well as here. O, may
our faith increase that He may have Evangelists, Apostles, and
Prophets, filled with the power of the Spirit, and performing His
will in destroying the works of darkness.
The Reverend Mr. Hewitt was professor of mathematics in Rotherham
Independent Seminary, and four years pastor of Barnsley Independent
church. He commenced preaching the doctrines we taught, about two
years since, and was excommunicated. Many of his flock followed
him, so that he was eventually installed in the same church, and
the Lord's work prospered. As he is a living epistle, you will
have, if all be well, a full explanation. Many will follow, should
he approve of the country, etc., who will help the cause, because
the Lord hath favored them with this world's goods. We had an
utterance during our meeting, which caused us to sing for joy. The
Lord was pleased with our brother's holy determination to see you;
and we understand that persecution had been great among you, or
would be, but we were commanded not to fear, for He would be with
us. Praise the Lord.
The time is at hand when distance shall be no barrier between
us; but when on the wings of love, Jehovah's messages shall be
communicated by His Saints. The Lord bless our brother, and may he
prove a blessing to you. Be not afraid of our enemies; they shall,
{232} unless they repent, be cast down by the Lord of Hosts. The
workers of iniquity have been used by the prince of darkness to
play the counterfeit; but discernment has been given to us, that
they were immediately put to shame, by being detected, so that the
flock never suffered as yet by them.
Grace, mercy, and peace be unto you from God our Father, and from
the Spirit, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
I am, dear sir,
Your brother in the Gospel,
Thomas Shaw.
Barnsley, April 21, 1835. [2]
The interview with Mr. Hewitt was brief, and he left with the
understanding that he would call again and renew his investigations.
As he did not return according to agreement, and hearing he was at
Fairport, the council of the Presidency sent him the following letter:--
_To the Reverend Mr. Hewitt_:
Sir--In consequence of your not returning as we understood you
would at your introduction to us, it was resolved and approved in
council, on the evening of the 14th instant, that the bearer of
this communication, Oliver Cowdery, one of the presiding Elders of
our Church, should proceed to Fairport, and ascertain if possible,
the cause of your delay; and this is done as one reason, that we
feel an anxious desire for the salvation of the souls of men, and
to satisfy your inquiries concerning the religion we profess. If at
Fairport it is the sincere desire of the council, that Mr. Hewitt
return, that we may satisfy him concerning our religion, and he
satisfy us concerning his; for we feel as great a desire for the
welfare of his people, as he can for ours.
With respect, etc.,
W. W. Phelps, Clerk.
{233} [Sidenote: The indifference of Mr. Hewitt.]
Elder Cowdery immediately repaired to Fairport, and on the day
following reported to the Council that Mr. Hewitt was not in the place:
that he left their letter with Mrs. Hewitt, who informed him that her
"husband had frequently spoken of his wish to become further acquainted
with the people whom he had come out from Europe to see." But the next
we heard of the Reverend John Hewitt was that he had opened a school in
Painsville, Ohio.
Mr. Hewitt was an elder of the Irvingite [3] church, in {234} Barnsley,
England, and was sent as a delegate from that church, as expressed
in the letter from Mr. Shaw, of April 21st, to visit the Saints in
America, and ascertain their faith and principles; and if Mr. Hewitt
found them as they expected, the Saints in America might expect help
from them (the church in Barnsley) as they were rich in temporal things
and had received the gift of tongues in the church.
[Sidenote: Subscriptions for the Temple.]
_June 18_.--Nine hundred and fifty dollars were subscribed for the
temple, by the Saints in Kirtland. Great anxiety was manifested to roll
on the work.
The twenty-first, being Sunday, I preached in Kirtland on the
Evangelical Order. [4]
_Thursday, June 25_.--There was a meeting in Kirtland to subscribe for
the building of the Temple; and $6,232.50 was added to the list. Joseph
Smith subscribed $500; Oliver Cowdery, $750; W. W. Phelps, $500; John
Whitmer, $500; and Frederick G. Williams, $500; of the above, all of
which they paid within one hour, and the people were astonished.
[Sidenote: Conference in Canada.]
{235} _June 29_.--Six of the traveling High Council, viz.:--David
W. Patten, Heber C. Kimball, Luke S. Johnson, Orson Pratt, John F.
Boynton, and Lyman E. Johnson, assembled in conference with the church
in Loborough, Upper Canada. The church in Loborough, composed of
twenty-five members, were uninformed in many principles of the new
covenant, not having had the same privilege of instruction as the
churches in the United States.
Brothers Henry and Jacob Wood, who had been suspended, had a rehearing,
but were cut off. Elder Frederick M. Van Leuven, was appointed
presiding Elder, and a number were added to the Church during their
stay.
[Sidenote: Michael H. Chandler and the Egyptian Mummies.]
On the 3rd of July, Michael H. Chandler came to Kirtland to exhibit
some Egyptian mummies. There were four human figures, together with
some two or more rolls of papyrus covered with hieroglyphic figures
and devices. As Mr. Chandler had been told I could translate them, he
brought me some of the characters, and I gave him the interpretation,
and like a gentleman, he gave me the following certificate:
Kirtland, July 6, 1835.
This is to make known to all who may be desirous, concerning the
knowledge of Mr. Joseph Smith, Jun., in deciphering the ancient
Egyptian hieroglyphic characters in my possession, which I have,
in many eminent cities, showed to the most learned; and, from the
information that I could ever learn, or meet with, I and that of
Mr. Joseph Smith, Jun., to correspond in the most minute matters.
Michael H. Chandler,
Traveling with, and proprietor of, Egyptian mummies. [5]
_Sunday 5_.--I preached in the afternoon.
[Sidenote: The case of Michael H. Barton.]
Michael H. Barton tried to get into the Church, but he was not willing
to confess and forsake all his sins--and he was rejected.
{236} [Sidenote: The Writings of Abraham and Joseph.]
Soon after this, some of the Saints at Kirtland purchased the mummies
and papyrus, a description of which will appear hereafter, and with W.
W. Phelps and Oliver Cowdery as scribes, I commenced the translation
of some of the characters or hieroglyphics, and much to our joy found
that one of the rolls contained the writings of Abraham, another the
writings of Joseph of Egypt, etc.,--a more full account of which will
appear in its place, as I proceed to examine or unfold them. Truly we
can say, the Lord is beginning to reveal the abundance of peace and
truth.
[Sidenote: Edmund Bosley Tried for Breaking Covenant.]
On the 9th I rode to Cleveland, in company with Elder Cowdery and
others. On the 14th a charge was preferred against Elder Edmund Bosley,
to a council of the Presidency, for unchristian-like conduct, in
breaking a certain sacred covenant, made September 4, 1834.
I instructed the council on points of duty, such as observing
covenants, etc., and testified to the truth of the above covenant.
President Oliver Cowdery testified that he himself framed the covenant
alluded to, and that at the time when Bosley said that he had a witness
that it was the will of the Lord that he should consecrate the surplus
of his property over and above what would be needful for his and his
family's support.
Bishop Whitney stated that Elder Bosley agreed to let the Presidency
and others have money on loan, for the printing of the Revelations, if
he could control his property in one year, or, as soon as he obtained
it.
Decided that Elder Bosley broke the covenant which he made September
4, 1834--therefore he is not a member of this Church, unless he make
satisfaction to those whom he injured.
Also Isaac H. Bishop was complained of as having spoken evil of the
High Council, by saying that "the High Council had the wrong tree to
bark up," which {237} was testified to by J. M. Corrill, President
Rigdon and others.
It was decided that Isaac H. Bishop shall make public confession to the
satisfaction of the injured, and walk as a saint in all things.
The hand of the Lord shall be upon them, until they repent in sackcloth
and ashes, and shall effect their temporal and spiritual interests
unless they repent.
Footnotes
1. The whole article is so valuable that, notwithstanding to publish it
entire leads to a repetition of part of the above, it is placed here in
a foot note.
To the Saints Scattered Abroad.
"Dear Brethren:--It is a duty which every saint ought to render to
his brethren freely--to always love them, and ever succor them. To
be justified before God we must love one another: we must overcome
evil; we must visit the fatherless and the widow in their affliction,
and we must keep ourselves unspotted from the world: for such virtues
flow from the great fountain of pure religion. Strengthening our faith
by adding every good quality that adorns the children of the blessed
Jesus, we can pray in the season of prayer; we can love our neighbor as
ourselves, and be faithful in tribulation, knowing that the reward of
such is greater in the kingdom of heaven. What a consolation! What a
joy! Let me live the life of the righteous, and let my reward be like
this!
According to the order of the kingdom begun in the last days, to
prepare men for the rest of the Lord, the Elders in Zion, or in her
immediate region, have no authority or right to meddle with her
spiritual affairs, to regulate her concerns, or hold councils for the
expulsion of members in her unorganized condition. The High Council has
been expressly organized to administer in all her spiritual affairs;
and the Bishop and his council, are set over her temporal matter: so
that the Elders' acts are null and void. Now the Lord wants the tares
and wheat to grow together: for Zion must be redeemed with judgment,
and her converts with righteousness. Every Elder that can, after
providing for (if he has any) and paying his debts, must go forth and
clear his skirts from the blood of this generation. While they are in
that region instead of trying members for transgressions, or offenses,
let every one labor to prepare himself for the vineyard, sparing a
little time to comfort the mourners; to bind up the broken-hearted; to
reclaim the backslider; to bring back the wanderer; to re invite into
the kingdom such as have been cut off, by encouraging them to lay to
while the day lasts, and work righteousness, and, with one heart and
one mind, prepare to help redeem Zion, that goodly land of promise,
where the willing and the obedient shall be blessed. Souls are as
precious in the sight of God as they ever were; and the Elders were
never called to drive any down to hell, but to persuade and invite all
men everywhere to repent, that they may become the heirs of salvation.
It is the acceptable year of the Lord: liberate the captives that they
may sing hosanna. The Priests, too, should not be idle: their duties
are plain, and unless they do them diligently, they cannot expect to be
approved. Righteousness must be the aim of the Saints in all things,
and when the covenants are published, they will learn that great things
must be expected from them. Do good and work righteousness with an eye
single to the glory of God, and you shall reap your reward when the
Lord recompenses every one according to his work. The Teachers and
Deacons are the standing ministers of the Church, and in the absence of
other officers, great things and holy walk are required of them. They
must strengthen the members' faith; persuade such as are out of the way
to repent, and turn to God and live; meekly persuade and urge every
one to forgive one another all their trespasses, offenses and sins,
that they may work out their own salvation with fear and trembling.
Brethren, bear and forbear one with another, for so the Lord does
with us. Pray for your enemies in the Church and curse not your foes
without: for vengeance is mine, saith the Lord, and I will repay. To
every ordained member, and to all, we say, be merciful and you shall
find mercy. Seek to help save souls, not to destroy them: for verily
you know, that "there is more joy in heaven, over one sinner that
repents, than there is over ninety and nine just persons that need no
repentance." Strive not about the mysteries of the kingdom; cast not
your pearls before swine, give not the bread of the children to dogs,
lest you and the children should suffer, and you thereby offend your
righteous Judge. Your brethren who leave their families, with whom
they have enjoyed an earthly measure of peace and joy, to carry glad
tidings around the world, expect great things of you, while you are
privileged to enjoy the blessings of the Saints' society. They pray
our heavenly Father that you may be very prayerful, very humble, and
very charitable; working diligently, spiritually and temporally for the
redemption of Zion, that the pure in heart may return with songs of
everlasting joy to build up her waste places, and meet the Lord when He
comes in His glory. Brethren, in the name of Jesus Christ, we entreat
you to live worthy of the blessings that shall follow after much
tribulation, to satiate the souls of them that hold out faithful to the
end."--_Messenger and Advocate_, vol. 1, No. 8, pp. 137-8.
The substance of the foregoing article from the _Messenger and
Advocate_ is also contained, according to John Whitmer's history
(manuscript page 52) in a letter to Hezekiah Peck, signed by Joseph
Smith, Jun., Oliver Cowdery, Sidney Rigdon, Frederick G. Williams,
W. W. Phelps and John Whitmer; the opening paragraph of which is as
follows:
"The Presidency of Kirtland and Zion say that the Lord has manifested
by revelation of His spirit, that the High Priests, Teachers,
Priests, and Deacons, or in other words, all the officers in the
land of Clay county, Missouri, belonging to the Church, are more or
less in transgression, because they have not enjoyed the Spirit of
God sufficiently to be able to comprehend their duties respecting
themselves and the welfare of Zion; thereby having been left to act
in a manner that is detrimental to the interest, and also a hindrance
to the redemption of Zion. Now if they will be wise, they will humble
themselves in a peculiar manner that God may open the eyes of their
understanding. It will be clearly manifested what the design and
purposes of the Almighty are with regard to them, and the children of
Zion that they should let the High Council, which is appointed of God
and ordained for that purpose, make and regulate all the affairs of
Zion, and that it is the will of God that her children should stand
still and see the salvation of redemption." Then follows the substance
of the _Messenger and Advocate_ article. This letter has the following
_post script_ written personally by the Prophet, to Brother Peck, and
is a gem which manifests the profound sympathy of the Prophet for the
faithful in Israel:
"P.S.--Brother Hezekiah Peck: We remember your family with all the
first families of the Church who first embraced the truth. We remember
your losses and sorrows; our first ties are not broken; we participate
with you in the evil as well as the good, in the sorrows as well as the
joys; our union, we trust, is stronger than death, and shall never be
severed. Remember us unto all who believe in the fullness of the Gospel
of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. We hereby authorize you, Hezekiah
Peck, our beloved brother, to read this epistle and communicate it unto
all the brotherhood in all that region of country.
"Dictated by me, your unworthy brother, and fellow laborer in the
testimony of the Book of Mormon. Signed by my own hand in the token of
the everlasting covenant. _Joseph Smith, Jun_."
2. This communication in the Prophet's history as published in the
_Millennial Star_ appears under the date of April 21st, 1835; but it
was thought to be a better grouping of events to bring it down to this
date--first half of June--where the whole incident may be disposed of
in a single reference to it. Following is a remark of the Prophet's
respecting the letter as published in the _Star_, but which under our
present arrangement of the matter is not necessary in the text of the
History: "One object, and only one, has induced us to lay the foregoing
letter from England, before our matters; and that is, the good of the
cause of God. It might have remained in our possession, perhaps for
years, in silence, had it not been for circumstances, which we will
briefly mention hereafter." These "circumstances" are those relating to
the indifferent actions of Mr. Hewitt, as set forth in the text.
3. This is not the name accepted by the Church which Mr. Hewitt
represented. The religious body usually called "Irvingites" object
to any designation "which implies sectarianism" and therefore, they
themselves use no other name than the "Catholic Apostolic Church," of
which the congregation at Barnsley, England, was but a branch. Such
was the prominence, however, for learning, social and ecclesiastical
standing of Reverend Edward Irving that when he gave the influence of
his name and standing to what was probably a really spiritual awakening
among some of the people in western and southern Scotland, the movement
received his name, hence "Irvingites." Mr. Irving was born in Annan,
Dumfrieshire, August 15, 1792, and in his early ministry was associated
with such men as Doctors Chalmers and Canning. He created no little
stir in higher circles of religious society in London for a time; but
his announcement of the near approach of the coming of the Son of Man,
attended by the judgments of God, together with his strictures against
the looseness of fashionable life, soon displeased the worldly who for
a time flocked to hear him; and the people of fashion soon separated
from his congregation. He taught the doctrine that the spiritual gifts
of the Gospel were to continue forever in the Church, together with the
New Testament organization of the Church. The Irvingite views of this
New Testament organization are set forth in the following: "There are,
as in the apostolic times, four ministeries:1st, that of 'apostle;'
2nd, that of 'prophet;' 3rd, that of 'evangelist;' and 4th, that of
'pastor.' The apostles are invested with spiritual prerogatives; they
alone can administer the Holy Ghost by laying on of hands; to them the
mysteries of God are revealed and unfolded to the Church; and they
decide on matters of order and discipline. Nothing that transpires in
any Church in the way of 'prophetic utterance' can be authoritatively
explained save by them; and the various 'angels of the Churches' are
bound to bring all such utterances under their cognizance, in order
that they may be rightly interpreted. The function of the 'prophet' has
been already indicated. The work of an 'evangelist' mainly consists
in endeavoring to 'bring' in, those who are without. The 'angel' of
the Catholic Apostolic Church, corresponds with the bishop of other
Christian denominations. The ministers of each full congregation
comprise an angel, with a four-fold ministry (consisting of elders,
prophets, evangelists, and pastors;) and a ministry of deacons to take
charge of temporal matters. This ministry is supported by tithes,
the people giving a tenth of their income for the support of the
priesthood. Church affairs were managed by a council of ministers of
all classes, whose selection and arrangement are conceived to have
been foreshadowed in the structure of the Mosaic tabernacle." The
sympathy of the members of the Catholic Apostolic Church at Barnsley
who believed in the spiritual gifts of the Gospel, and what they
understood to be the New Testament organization of the Church, readily
explains the interest they would naturally feel in the Latter-Day
Saints in America, when they would come to hear of the things which
God had established among them; and it is regretted that they did not
send a more faithful representative than Mr. Hewitt to enquire into the
work of the Lord as developed in divine manifestations to the Prophet
Joseph. "This Mr. Hewitt," says John Whitmer in his manuscript history
of the Church, page 52, "did not obey the Gospel; neither would he
investigate the matter. Thus ended the mission of Mr. Hewitt."
4. Of the evangelical or patriarchal order of Priesthood in the Church
it is said in the revelations of God: "The order of this Priesthood was
confirmed to be handed down from father to son, and rightly belongs
to the literal descendants of the chosen seed, to whom the promises
were made. This order was instituted in the days of Adam, and came
down by lineage in the following manner." Then follow the names of
those who successively held the evangelical Priesthood in ancient
times (Doctrine and Covenants, sec. 107). According to the word of the
Lord, at the time this order of Priesthood was conferred upon Hyrum
Smith, brother of the Prophet, it is said "The Patriarch holds the
keys of the patriarchal blessings upon the heads of all my people,
that whoever he blesses shall be blessed, and whoever he curses shall
be cursed; that whatsoever he shall bind on earth shall be bound in
heaven; and whatsoever he shall loose on earth shall be loosed in
heaven." (Doctrine and Covenants, 124, 92, 93.) It was undoubtedly upon
this order of priesthood that the Prophet spoke in the meeting of the
twenty-first of June.
5. Mr. Chandler is responsible for the English of the above
certificate, and I do not feel at liberty to edit it.
{238}