JOSEPH AND OLIVER REMOVE TO WATERLOO--THEY FINISH THE TRANSLATION.
We will now return to Pennsylvania where we left Joseph and Oliver
busily engaged in translating the Record.
After Samuel left them, they still continued the work as before, until
about the time of the proceedings that took place in Lyons, New York.
Near this time, as Joseph was translating by means of the Urim and
Thummim, he received instead of the words of the Book, a commandment
to write a letter to a man by the name of David Whitmer, who lived in
Waterloo, requesting him to come immediately with his team, and convey
himself and Oliver to his own residence, as an evil-designing people
were seeking to take away his (Joseph's) life, in order to prevent
the work of God from going forth to the world. The letter was written
and delivered, and was shown by Mr. Whitmer to his father, mother,
brothers, and sisters, and their advice was asked in regard to the best
course for him to take in relation to the matter.
His father reminded him that he had as much wheat sown upon the ground
as he could harrow in two days, at least; besides this, he had a
quantity of plaster of paris to spread, which must be done immediately,
consequently he could not go, unless he could get a witness from God
that it was absolutely necessary.
This suggestion pleased David, and he asked the Lord for a testimony
concerning his going for Joseph, and was told by the voice of the
Spirit to go as soon as his wheat was harrowed in. The next morning,
David went to the field, and found that he had two heavy days' work
before him. He then said to himself that, if he should be enabled, by
any means, to do this work sooner than the same had ever been done
on the farm before, he would receive it as an evidence, that it was
the will of God, that he should do all in his power to assist Joseph
Smith in the work in which he was engaged. He then fastened his horses
to the harrow, and instead of dividing the field into what is, by
farmers, usually termed lands, drove around the whole of it, continuing
thus till noon, when, on stopping for dinner, he looked around, and
discovered to his surprise, that he had harrowed in full half the
wheat. After dinner he went on as before, and by evening he finished
the whole two days' work.
His father, on going into the field the same evening, saw what had been
done, and he exclaimed, "There must be an overruling hand in this,
and I think you would better go down to Pennsylvania as soon as your
plaster of paris is sown."
The next morning, David took a wooden measure under his arm and went
out to sow the plaster, which he had left, two days previous, in heaps
near his sister's house, but, on coming to the place, he discovered
that it was gone! He then ran to his sister, and inquired of her if she
knew what had become of it. Being surprised she said, "Why do you ask
me? was it not all sown yesterday?"
"Not to my knowledge," answered David.
"I am astonished at that," replied his sister, "for the children came
to me in the forenoon, and begged of me to go out and see the men sow
plaster in the field, saying, that they never saw anybody sow plaster
so fast in their lives. I accordingly went, and saw three men at work
in the field, as the children said, but, supposing that you had hired
some help, on account of your hurry, I went immediately into the house,
and gave the subject no further attention."
David made considerable inquiry in regard to the matter, both among
his relatives and neighbors, but was not able to learn who had done
it. However, the family were convinced that there was an exertion of
supernatural power connected with this strange occurrence.
David immediately set out for Pennsylvania, and arrived there in two
days, without injuring his horses in the least, though the distance was
one hundred and thirty-five miles. When he arrived, he was under the
necessity of introducing himself to Joseph, as this was the first time
that they had ever met.
I will observe, that the only acquaintance which existed between the
Smith and Whitmer families, was that formed by Mr. Smith and myself,
when on our way from Manchester to Pennsylvania to visit Joseph, at
which time we stopped with David over night and gave him a brief
history of the Record.
When Joseph commenced making preparations for the journey, he inquired
of the Lord to know in what manner he should carry the plates. The
answer was, that he should commit them into the hands of an angel, for
safety, and after arriving at Mr. Whitmer's the angel would meet him in
the garden and deliver them up again into his hands.
Joseph and Oliver set out without delay, leaving Emma to take charge of
affairs during her husband's absence. On arriving at Waterloo, Joseph
received the Record according to promise. The next day, he and Oliver
resumed the work of translation, which they continued without further
interruption until the whole work was accomplished.