History of the Prophet Joseph by his Mother
Lucy Smith
As Revised By George A. Smith and Elias Smith.
IMPROVEMENT ERA: Salt Lake City, Utah, 1902.
INTRODUCTION.
This history of the Prophet Joseph Smith, originally entitled, "The
History of Mother Smith, by Herself," was written at the dictation of
Lucy Smith, mother of the Prophet, by Mrs. Martha Jane Knowlton Coray
who acted as her amanuensis. It was taken from the words of Mother
Smith and dictated from memory mostly, but she also made use of such
historical memoranda of the events related as were within her reach.
Of the original manuscript one copy was taken which was left with Lucy
Smith, while the original was retained by the writer. This original,
Mrs. Coray held in her possession until her arrival in Utah, when she
subsequently deposited a copy of it with President Brigham Young.
Lucy Smith died near Nauvoo, May 5, 1855; but years prior to this date,
some of her effects were left in the hands of her son, William Smith,
among them being the manuscript copy of this history. From William
(who was the last surviving brother of the Prophet, and whose death
occurred at Osterdock, Clayton county, Iowa, November 13, 1893,) the
document fell (surreptitiously it is declared by George A. Smith) into
the hands of Isaac Sheen, who was at one time a member of the Church,
in Michigan. When, in September, 1852, Apostle Orson Pratt went on a
mission to England, he called on Mr. Sheen on his way East, and, being
shown the manuscript copy, he purchased it for a certain sum of money,
took it to Liverpool with him, where, without revision and without the
consent or knowledge of President Young or any of the Twelve, it was
published under his direction, in 1853. It was afterwards discovered
that the book contained errors, occasioned by its not being carefully
compared with historical data. Some of the statements in the preface
written by Elder Pratt were also in error; one especially that the book
was mostly written in the lifetime of the Prophet, and that he had read
it with approval, was incorrect, since it was written in 1845, the year
following his martyrdom. For these reasons, and others mostly of a
financial character, it was disapproved by President Young, on August
23, 1865, and the edition was suppressed or destroyed. While some
statements contained in the work were considered somewhat overdrawn,--a
circumstance easily accounted for when we remember the age of Mother
Smith, the losses she had sustained in the death of a husband and
four sons, and the consequent lapses of her memory,--its many merits
were fully recognized by the authorities, many of whom were greatly
disappointed at the necessity of issuing the order to temporarily
suppress its further circulation.
Subsequently, a committee of revision was appointed by President Young,
consisting of President George A. Smith and Judge Elias Smith, cousins
of the Prophet, men personally familiar with the family, and thoroughly
conversant with Church history. They were instructed carefully to
revise and correct the original work throughout, which they did,
reporting their labors to President Brigham Young, to his entire
satisfaction. The revised and only authentic copy thus prepared and
reported upon was retained by President George A. Smith, and shortly
after his death, September 1, 1875, it was committed into my keeping,
where it has remained until now.
Recently the question of printing the work as a serial in the
Improvement Era came up for consideration, and there was a unanimous
sentiment among the members of the General Board of Y. M. M. I. A.
favorable to its publication. The subject was accordingly submitted and
explained to President Lorenzo Snow, who gave his sanction, and his
hearty approval of the enterprise.
By the presentation of this work to the public, a worthy record is
preserved, and the testimony of a noble and faithful woman--a mother
indeed, and heroine in Israel--is perpetuated. The book, besides giving
an extended account of the progenitors of the Prophet, and the Smith
and Mack families, contains much interesting and valuable information,
found in no other publication, relating to the life of the Prophet
Joseph Smith, who, through the will of God, was the chosen instrument
to perform the foundation labor for the "marvelous work and a wonder"
which God has established as his Church, in the last days.
Believing that both old and young will be pleased as well as benefitted
by the perusal of its pages, and praying that it may inspire them with
renewed zeal, and create in them additional faith in the great work of
the Lord, I commend to the reader this History of the Prophet Joseph.
Joseph F. Smith.
Salt Lake City, October 8, 1901.
CONTENTS.
Introduction
CHAPTER I.
Solomon Mack, the Father of Lucy Mack--Extract from his
Narrative
CHAPTER II.
History of Jason Mack
CHAPTER III.
Lovisa and Lovina Mack
CHAPTER IV.
Life of Stephen Mack
CHAPTER V.
Lydia Mack, third Daughter of Solomon Mack
CHAPTER VI.
Daniel Mack--He Rescues Three Men from a Watery Grave
CHAPTER VII.
Solomon Mack
CHAPTER VIII.
Early Life of Lucy Mack--Her Marriage with Joseph Smith
CHAPTER IX.
Seven Generations of the Smith Family--Four Generations of
the Mack Family
CHAPTER X.
A Present of One Thousand Dollars, from John Mudget and
Stephen Mack, to the Author
CHAPTER XI.
Sickness in Randolph
CHAPTER XII.
Joseph Smith, Senior, Loses his Property and Becomes
Poor--Receives a Visit from Jason Mack--The History of the Latter
Concluded
CHAPTER XIII.
The Author's Dream
CHAPTER XIV.
First Vision of Joseph Smith, Senior--The Box--Second
Vision--The Tree and the Spacious Building
CHAPTER XV.
Sickness at Lebanon--Sophronia's Miraculous Recovery
CHAPTER XVI.
The Sufferings of Joseph Smith, Junior, with a Fever
Sore--Extraction of Large Fragments of Bone from one of his Legs
CHAPTER XVII.
Joseph Smith, Senior, removes to Norwich, thence to
Palmyra--His Dream of the Images--of the Judgment
CHAPTER XVIII.
History of Joseph the Prophet Commences--Seventh Vision
of Joseph Smith, Senior
CHAPTER XIX.
The Angel Visits Joseph again--Joseph Tells his
Father what he has Seen and Heard--He is Permitted 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
CHAPTER XX.
Alvin's Sickness and Death
CHAPTER XXI.
Religious Excitement--Joseph's Prophecy--He Works for Mr.
Stoal--Becomes Acquainted with Emma Hale
CHAPTER XXII.
Joseph Smith, Senior, Loses his Farm--Joseph, Junior,
is Married--Has Another Interview with the Angel, by Whom he is
Chastised--Receives Further Instructions
CHAPTER XXIII.
Joseph Obtains the Plates
CHAPTER XXIV.
Joseph Brings Home the Breast-plate--Martin Harris and
his Wife Introduced--The Translation Commences--Mrs. Harris Begins to
Oppose the Work
CHAPTER XXV.
Martin Harris is Permitted to take the Manuscript Home
with him--He Loses it--The Season of Mourning which Ensued
CHAPTER XXVI.
Martin Harris's Perfidy
CHAPTER XXVII.
The Urim and Thummim are Taken from Joseph--He Receives
them Again
CHAPTER XXVIII.
Oliver Cowdery Commences Writing for Joseph--They
Attend to the Ordinance of Baptism
CHAPTER XXIX.
Mrs. Harris Prosecutes Joseph--Ex-parte Examination
CHAPTER XXX.
Joseph and Oliver Remove to Waterloo--They Finish the
Translation
CHAPTER XXXI.
The Plates are Shown to Twelve Witnesses--Joseph Makes
Arrangements for Printing the Book of Mormon
CHAPTER XXXII.
The Printing is Begun--A Meeting of the Citizens Held in
Reference to the Book
CHAPTER XXXIII.
Esquire Cole's Dogberry Paper--Second Meeting of the
Citizens
CHAPTER XXXIV.
The Church Organized
CHAPTER XXXV.
Joseph Smith, Senior, and Don Carlos Visit Stockholm
CHAPTER XXXVI.
Joseph Smith, Senior, Imprisoned--An Attempt to Take
Hyrum
CHAPTER XXXVII.
The Family of Joseph Smith, Senior, Remove to Waterloo
CHAPTER XXXVIII.
The First Western Mission--Joseph Smith, Junior, Moves
to Kirtland
CHAPTER XXXIX.
The Different Branches of the Church Remove to
Kirtland--Miracle at Buffalo
CHAPTER XL.
Samuel Smith's First Mission to Missouri
CHAPTER XLI.
Lucy Smith Visits Detroit
CHAPTER XLII.
An Extract from the History of Joseph the Prophet--Sidney
Rigdon's Transgression--Trouble in Jackson County
CHAPTER XLIII.
Building of a House--Joseph and Hyrum Return from
Missouri--They Rehearse the History of their Trouble
CHAPTER XLIV.
The Lord's House at Kirtland Commenced--A Letter from the
Prophet to his Uncle Silas
CHAPTER XLV.
The House of the Lord Completed--A Division in the Church
CHAPTER XLVI.
Joseph Smith, Senior, and his Brother John, go on a
Mission to the East--The Death of Jerusha Smith
CHAPTER XLVII.
The Persecution Revives--Don Carlos and his Father Fly
from their Enemies--Joseph Moves to Missouri
CHAPTER XLVIII.
Joseph Smith, Senior, Moves with his Family to
Missouri--Commencement of the Persecution in Caldwell
CHAPTER XLIX.
Testimony of Hyrum Smith
CHAPTER L.
Removal of the Smith Family to Illinois
CHAPTER LI.
Joseph and Hyrum Escape from their Persecutors, and Return
to their Families
CHAPTER LII.
A Purchase Made in the Town of Commerce--Joseph the
Prophet Goes to Washington--Death of Joseph Smith, Senior
CHAPTER LIII.
Joseph Arrested at Quincy--Discharged at Monmouth--Joseph
Charged with an Attempt to Assassinate ex-Governor Boggs
CHAPTER LIV.
Joseph and Hyrum Assassinated
APPENDIX.
A Journal Kept by Don C. Smith while on a Mission with George A. Smith,
his Cousin
Letters of Don C. Smith to his Wife, Agnes
Elegy on the Death of Joseph Smith, Senior, the Patriarch
Lines on the Death of Don Carlos Smith
Lines Written on the Martyrdom of Joseph and Hyrum Smith
CHAPTER I.
SOLOMON MACK, THE FATHER OF LUCY MACK--EXTRACT FROM HIS NARRATIVE.
My father, Solomon Mack, was born in the town of Lyme, New London
county, State of Connecticut, September 26, 1735. His father, Ebenezer
Mack, was a man of considerable property, and lived in good style,
commanding all the attention and respect which are ever shown to those
who live in fine circumstances, and habits of strict morality. For a
length of time he fully enjoyed the fruits of his industry. But this
state of 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 neighboring farmer, where he
remained until he was nearly twenty-one years of age, about which time
he enlisted in the service of his country.
I have a sketch of my father's life, written by himself, in which
is detailed an account of his several campaigns, and many of his
adventures, while in the army. From this, I extract the following:
At the age of twenty-one years, I 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.
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 1855
[should likely read 1775--Transcriber]. During this expedition, 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 service, which was
employed in carrying the general's baggage. While thus engaged,
I went one morning to yoke my team, but three of my oxen were
missing. When this knowledge came to 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! rush on my boys!
we'll have the devils. The only weapon I had, was 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.
I hastened to Stillwater the next day, as aforementioned, and
finding my oxen soon after I arrived there, I returned the same
night to Fort Edwards, a distance of seven miles, the whole of
which was a dense forest.
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 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.
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 army then returned
to Lake George, and, on its way thither, a large scouting party
of the enemy came round by Skeenesborough, and, at 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 we 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 Woodcreek, and thence to Fort Ann,
where we arrived on the 13th day of the month. We had just reached
this place, when the sentry gave information that the enemy was all
around us, in consequence of which we were suddenly called to arms.
Major Putman led the company, and Major Rogers brought up the rear.
We marched but three-quarters of a mile, when we came suddenly
upon a company of Indians that were lying in ambush. Major Putman
marched his men through their ranks, whereupon the Indians fired,
which threw our men into some confusion. Major Putnam was captured
by them, and would have 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
as I was in the foremost rank, the retreat of my company brought me
in the rear, and the tomahawks 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, however, 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.
In this encounter, a man named Gersham 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.
The 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 carry them, was nearly fourteen miles. To
carry so many thus far, was truly very fatiguing, insomuch that
when we arrived at the place of destination, my strength was about
exhausted.
I proceeded immediately to Albany, for the purpose of getting
supplies, and returned again to the army as soon as circumstances
would admit.
Autumn having now arrived I went home, where I tarried the ensuing
winter.
In the spring of 1759, the army marched to Crownpoint, 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 wealth, living in the town of East Haddam, Connecticut. To this
young woman I was married shortly after becoming acquainted with
her.
Having received a large amount of money for 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 fulfill this 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
fulfill my part of the contract; but he ran away with the money,
without performing the labor, and the consequence was, I lost the
land altogether.
In 1761, we moved to the town of Marlow, where 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 calling them together both
morning and evening, and teaching them to pray; meanwhile urging
upon them the necessity of love toward 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
disposition.
In 1776, I 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.
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 of their men, with our small
arms, which caused the enemy to abandon their purpose.
My son Stephen, in company with the 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, as 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 destruction on every hand. At the head of
this party of boys, was Stephen Mack, my second son, a bold and
fearless stripling of fourteen.
In this contest the enemy was far superior to us in point of
numbers, yet we maintained our ground with such valor that they
thought it better to leave us, and accordingly did so. Soon after
this, we hoisted sail and made for New London.
When hostilities ceased and peace and tranquility were again
restored, we freighted a vessel for Liverpool. Selling both ship
and cargo in this place, we embarked on board Captain Foster's
vessel, which I afterwards purchased; but, 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 purpose, and take up the history of his children.