1829.
OLIVER COWDERY BECOMES SCRIBE--JOSEPH AND OLIVER PRAY FOR NEW
LIGHT--THE PRIESTHOOD RESTORED--THE FIRST BAPTISMS--KINDNESS OF JOSEPH
KNIGHT.
Joseph was now twenty-three years old, and his life up to this time had
been in a sense only a preparation for his work. He had held the plates
for a year and a half and though he had studied them and had translated
a considerable part yet through Martin Harris' sin he was still at the
beginning of the book. But that time had been valuable for him, though
he had little to show for it. He had learned what the displeasure of
the Lord means and, though forgiven, he had been taught a lesson that
he never forgot. Still he had been true to his trust in guarding the
plates and no mortal eyes except his own had looked upon them.
As the sun was setting on Sunday, April 5, 1829, a young man came into
Harmony and sought Joseph for the purpose of making his acquaintance
and of helping him. This man was Oliver Cowdery, who during the past
winter had taught school at Manchester and, as teachers in country
schools used to do, he boarded around at the students' homes. In these
visits he came to live with the family of Joseph Smith, Senior, and
there he heard of the younger Joseph and his work. He was at first
struck by the strangeness of it all, and then prayed seriously to God
to learn whether He really had revealed Himself in this day. The Holy
Ghost manifested to him that Joseph had assuredly been visited by
celestial beings and that he was called to aid the young Prophet in his
work.
When school had closed, therefore, Oliver came to Pennsylvania, and two
days after meeting Joseph, the young men set themselves earnestly to
the work of translation. There were few interruptions, and as Oliver
was used to writing, the progress was rapid. Sometimes they found
things in the Book of Mormon or the Bible that they did not understand,
although they talked them over together and studied them ever so hard,
and when this happened they asked the Lord to explain these matters to
them. Sometimes they prayed just as we do, and sometimes Joseph put on
the Urim and Thummim besides; but the Lord always answered them and
showed them what they did not understand.
When tired of writing they would often go for a walk in the woods or
down to the river for recreation and healthful exercise. A favorite
pastime was to throw stones into the stream. Joseph especially was very
fond of jumping and wrestling, and was expert at both. It is said that
he could walk under a pole--he was six feet tall--and then, taking a
step or two back, jump over it. He was a noted wrestler, and in later
life even, he often enjoyed a vigorous bout. Though his life was a most
busy one he still found time to keep his body strong and healthy and to
relax his mind by athletic practice.
About a month after beginning work, Joseph translated from the plates
a passage that spoke of baptism. It said that it is necessary to be
baptized in order that a person's sins may be washed away and forgiven.
Neither Joseph nor Oliver had been forgiven of past sins by baptism,
and after talking over the matter earnestly, on the fifteenth of May,
1829, they went into the woods to pray for light. While they were
kneeling a voice from the midst of heaven bade them have peace, then
the veil parted and John the Baptist came down before them. This is
the same brave prophet who preached repentance and the coming of the
Savior, in the wilderness of Judea and baptized Him in Jordan. John
was beheaded while in prison by Herod, but now he came quickened and
clothed with glory.
He calmed them with his gentle yet thrilling voice, telling them he was
their fellow-servant and acting under the direction of Peter, James
and John. He laid his hands upon their heads and ordained them to the
Aaronic Priesthood, which he represented in life. His words were:
"Upon you my fellow servants, in the name of Messiah, I confer the
priesthood of Aaron, which holds the keys of the ministering of
angels and of the gospel of repentance and of baptism by immersion
for the remission of sins; and this shall never again be taken from
the earth until the sons of Levi do offer again an offering unto
the Lord in righteousness."
John then directed Joseph to baptize Oliver and that Oliver should
baptize Joseph; after this in the same way they should ordain each
other to the Aaronic Priesthood. He said that they must not lay on
hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost as that was not the power of the
Priesthood of Aaron. Later the Melchizedek Priesthood would be given
them and then they could lay on hands and perform other holy offices.
There was a river nearby and Joseph and Oliver went into it together,
prepared to perform the sacred ordinance. It was a strange sight on
earth, and no doubt the hosts of heaven were glad, for since the
righteous Nephites no man had been cleansed from sin in the waters
of baptism. Joseph seriously spoke the simple words of the ordinance
and then laid Oliver beneath the water. As he drew him up, suddenly
the spirit of prophecy came upon Oliver. He was filled with joy and
foretold glorious things that were about to come to pass. Oliver then
baptized Joseph and the Holy Spirit fell in a like manner upon him. He
prophesied concerning the rise of the Church and of its progress, and
declared many things that were to happen in that generation.
Filled with these exalted feelings, Joseph laid his hands upon Oliver's
head and ordained him a Priest after the order of Aaron, and Oliver did
the same to Joseph. They already held the Priesthood, because that was
given by John, but they re-ordained each other as a pattern for others,
since the Priesthood was to be conferred in the future after baptism.
From this time on the minds of the young men were enlightened and they
understood things that had been mysteries before. Persecution had
begun, and for a time they said nothing about what had taken place; but
soon they began explaining the scriptures to all who would listen.
Joseph's brother Samuel, who came on a visit at this time, was shown
the translation already made, and heard the testimony of Joseph and
Oliver. After a time he became partially converted and went alone
to pray and learn from the Lord whether the work was true. A strong
testimony was given him, and soon after Oliver baptized him. On coming
out of the water he too began to prophesy remarkable things, as Oliver
and Joseph had done. Samuel returned home and Hyrum came to Harmony. He
heard the truth and believed.
A very kind service was done the Prophet at this time by Joseph Knight,
an old gentleman living in Broome County, New York. Now and at other
times, he brought a load of provisions in order that Joseph and Oliver
might keep on translating. But though supplied with food and protected
from violence by the family of Isaac Hale, still persecution grew very
severe against them and it seemed necessary to move from Harmony, if
they wished to work in peace.