1824-27.
THE FOUR YEARS OF WAITING--JOSEPH WORKS IN PENNSYLVANIA--MARRIAGE--THE
LAST VISIT TO THE HILL--OUTRUNS THE ROBBERS.
For two years after this second great vision, Joseph labored at
ordinary work, sometimes on his father's farm, other times as hired
help away from home. His father and brothers also worked hard and
through their industry were able to live comfortably. Alvin, Joseph's
oldest brother, died in November, 1824, and this was a sad blow for
the young Prophet, for Alvin constantly comforted him in persecution
and rejoiced in the work he was to do. If he had lived he would have
been as brave and steadfast as was Hyrum, but he died and in dying gave
Joseph a brother's blessing.
In October, 1825, Joseph left home and went to work for Josiah Stoal
in what was said to be an old Spanish silver mine. It was situated in
Harmony, Susquehannah County, near the northern border of the state of
Pennsylvania. After digging uselessly for a month Joseph induced his
employer to stop the work, for he saw it was only a waste of labor. Mr.
Stoal had grown to like this tall, clear-headed youth and continued to
employ him.
Joseph boarded, while at Harmony, with Isaac Hale, and while living
there, fell in love with Mr. Hale's daughter Emma. She was a worthy
girl of high character, and they became engaged. There are some girls
that have not enough love within them to marry a man unless he is rich
or popular, or at least approved of by their friends or relatives; but
Emma Hale was not of this class. Joseph was poor, and did not have a
home of his own. He was persecuted also, and Emma's family objected to
her marrying a man who had so many enemies. But she knew he was a manly
man and believed him a chosen servant of God; she loved him and was
willing to leave a comfortable home and live in poverty among strangers
with him. They went to Squire Tarbill at South Bainbridge, New York,
to be married, and Joseph, leaving Mr. Stoal's employ, went home to
Manchester to work with his father.
The marriage occurred January 18th, 1827, less than a month after
Joseph's twenty-first birthday. He was a man now and the time was
drawing near when he should receive the plates. As Moroni commanded
him, he had gone each year to Cumorah and had seen the contents of the
stone box. The angel had taught him a great deal on each visit and had
encouraged him to do right.
On September 22, 1827, the four years of waiting ended, and for the
fifth time Joseph went to the hill. This time he opened the box, and
Moroni, who had watched over it for fourteen hundred years, gave him
the plates, the Urim and Thummim and the breastplate. The angel told
him that he must guard them with his life, if necessary, and if he lost
them through carelessness the Lord would reject him. Moroni warned him
that wicked men would try as hard as they could to get the plates from
him, but if Joseph did his best to keep them the Lord would help him.
The plates were about eight inches wide and each one was thinner than
common tin. There were so many, however, that it made a book about six
inches thick. All the sheets were bound together by three golden rings
that passed through one edge, and three smaller rings fastened the
other edge of about one third, so that this part was sealed. Each sheet
was engraved on both sides with small beautiful characters, but they
were very strange and not at all like anything Joseph had seen before.
The breastplate was of pure gold as were the plates. This was made to
cover the bosom of a large man and four golden straps extended from
the corners for the purpose of fastening it to the body. The Urim and
Thummim was attached to the breastplate though it could be removed. The
Urim and Thummim was like a large pair of spectacles with silver bows
and, instead of glasses, clear stones.
Joseph examined these beautiful things and was glad that the Lord
had entrusted them to him, but he felt, too, that it was a great
responsibility. He had learned much during the past four years and
knew that the possession of the plates would not increase his worldly
pleasures. He placed the treasures under his coat and, full of
determination to protect them, he set out for home. On the way wicked
men tried to rob him; they struck him with a heavy club; but Joseph was
a tall, strong man and a swift runner, and he escaped. They chased him
almost to his father's house without overtaking him, although he was
handicapped by the great weight that he carried.