1830.
THE CHURCH ORGANIZED--JOSEPH ACCEPTED AS LEADER--THE HOLY GHOST
CONFERRED--JOSEPH CASTS THE DEVIL FROM NEWEL KNIGHT--THE FIRST
CONFERENCE.
On the sixth day of April, in the year eighteen hundred and thirty, was
organized at the home of Peter Whitmer in Fayette, Seneca county, New
York, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Six men made the
organization, and their names are Joseph Smith, Jr., Oliver Cowdery,
Hyrum Smith, Peter Whitmer, Jr., Samuel H. Smith and David Whitmer.
It was a humble beginning for the Church of Jesus Christ, as was His
beginning humble when He came upon the earth. At that time mighty
mansions and gorgeous palaces stood as the dwelling places of royalty,
but the Great King was born where cattle and beasts of burden were
housed. Now splendid churches and magnificent cathedrals stood as
places of worship, but Christ's Church was organized and the mighty
work of salvation begun in a house of logs in an obscure village and by
country men of little worldly learning.
But the Spirit of God and the holy Priesthood were there. Jesus had
revealed the manner of organization and the day, and had commanded that
it be called after Him since it was His Church. The six men had been
forgiven of sin through baptism. Under these circumstances the rudeness
of the surroundings was of little account.
The meeting opened by prayer. Joseph and Oliver were first accepted
as spiritual teachers, and then Joseph laid his hands on Oliver's
head and ordained him an Elder in the Church of Jesus Christ of
Latter-day Saints. Oliver ordained Joseph to the same office, and they
administered the sacrament. They now possessed the authority to confer
the Holy Ghost, and they did so by laying their hands upon the heads of
their companions, and at the same time they confirmed them members of
the Church.
As on the day of Pentecost when the Holy Ghost, coming down from Heaven
like cloven tongues of fire, gave to the Apostles new understanding,
so now the minds of those who received it were filled with light. Some
prophesied, and all rejoiced and praised God with thankful hearts. To
Joseph was given a revelation calling him to the leadership and Oliver
to the place of second Elder and preacher in the Church and commanding
the members to give Joseph their obedience. The Spirit also directed
Joseph and Oliver to call out and ordain some of the members to
different offices in the Priesthood.
A number of persons besides the six members were present at the meeting
on the sixth of April and they soon asked that they might be baptized
and received into the Church. Joseph's father and mother and Martin
Harris were among these. On the following Sunday, April 11th, Oliver
Cowdery preached the first sermon of this dispensation of the Gospel.
The meeting was again at Peter Whitmer's house and many were present.
Six more desired baptism, and Oliver performed the ordinance in Seneca
Lake. A week later he baptized seven others in the same place.
Soon after the Church was organized the Prophet set out to visit the
family of Joseph Knight, at Colesville, Broome county. You remember
that Mr. Knight had helped Joseph, and the work, a year before by
bringing provisions to Harmony. In gratitude Joseph now carried to
him what is better than food in the greatest hunger--the Gospel. He
was very kindly received and had the privilege of holding a number
of meetings. Many honest souls became interested and sought for
testimonies.
Newel Knight, the son of Joseph Knight, was one of these and had
promised the Prophet that he would pray in meeting. When the time
came, however, he was unwilling, and said that he would pray first in
secret. Joseph could not induce him to call upon the Lord there. Newel
came back from the woods next morning, where he had retired, very much
distressed. He had tried to pray, but he felt he had done wrong to
refuse when called upon and now it was very hard to ask the Lord for
light. He grew ill and sent his wife for Joseph.
When the Prophet reached the house Newel was in a frightful condition.
His features and limbs were twisted out of shape and he was being
thrown violently around the room. A number of persons had come, but
they knew not what to do. Joseph at length caught his hand and Newel
immediately spoke and begged the Prophet to cast the devil out of
him. Joseph rebuked the evil spirit, and in the name of Jesus Christ
commanded it to depart. Newel was instantly freed from it, and declared
that he saw the devil come out of him and disappear.
He was in his natural state only for a moment. Another power seized him
and raised him to the ceiling where he remained for a time unconscious.
But this was the Spirit of God, not of the devil, and when he came to
himself he told of a heavenly vision of unspeakable beauty that had
been given him.
Those present in the room were astonished. They had seen the destroying
power of Satan and the enlightening power of God. They had beheld a
miracle such as the world had not seen since the time of the Apostles,
and they were convinced that Joseph held the same power as did they of
old.
Joseph soon went back to Fayette, and continued his teaching among the
people. On the first day of June, 1830, the first conference of the
Church was held, at the Whitmer home. It opened by singing and prayer
and the sacrament was administered. A number of confirmations were
made and the Holy Ghost again descended upon the Saints. The spirit of
prophecy rested upon some, while others beheld glorious visions and
sank to the floor overcome.
Newel Knight, who had journeyed to Fayette shortly before and been
baptized by David Whitmer, had the curtain of heaven again drawn aside.
He looked upon his Redeemer Jesus sitting beside the Eternal Father,
and he realized that some day it would be his blessed privilege to come
into their presence and dwell forever. The future was unfolded before
him and he saw the progress of God's Kingdom on earth.
Much instruction was given the Saints, and they were filled with
gratitude for what they had seen and heard. Their hearts overflowed
with joy and love and they felt eager to press forward in the work.
Once more believers came forth and requested baptism, and David Whitmer
was appointed by the Prophet to perform it.