THE CHURCH ORGANIZED.
About the first of April of the same year in which the Book of Mormon
was published, Joseph came again from Pennsylvania, preached to us
several times. My husband and Martin Harris were baptized. When Mr.
Smith came out of the water, Joseph stood upon the shore, and taking
his father by the hand, he exclaimed, with tears of joy, "Praise to my
God! that I lived to see my own father baptized into the true Church of
Jesus Christ!" On April 6, 1830, the Church was organized.
Shortly after this, my sons were all ordained to the ministry, even
Don Carlos, who was but fourteen years of age. Samuel was directed to
take a number of the Books of Mormon, and go on a mission to Livonia,
to preach, and make sale of the books, if possible. Whilst he was
making preparations to go on this mission, Miss Almira Mack arrived in
Manchester from Pontiac. This young woman was a daughter of my brother,
Stephen Mack, whose history I have already given. She received the
Gospel as soon as she heard it, and was baptized immediately, and has
ever since remained a faithful member of the Church.
On the thirtieth of June, Samuel started on the mission to which he had
been set apart by Joseph, and in traveling twenty-five miles, which was
his first day's journey, he stopped at a number of places in order to
sell his books, but was turned out of doors as soon as he declared his
principles. When evening came on, he was faint and almost discouraged,
but coming to an inn, which was surrounded with every appearance of
plenty, he called to see if the landlord would buy one of his books.
On going in, Samuel enquired of him, if he did not wish to purchase a
history of the origin of the Indians.
"I do not know," replied the host; "how did you get hold of it?"
"It was translated," rejoined Samuel, "by my brother, from some gold
plates that he found buried in the earth."
"You d--d liar" cried the landlord, "get out of my house--you sha'nt
stay one minute with your books."
Samuel was sick at heart, for this was the fifth time he had been
turned out of doors that day. He left the house, and traveled a short
distance, and washed his feet in a small brook, as a testimony against
the man. He then proceeded five miles further on his journey, and
seeing an apple tree a short distance from the road, he concluded to
pass the night under it; and here he lay all night upon the cold,
damp ground. In the morning, he arose from his comfortless bed, and
observing a small cottage at no great distance, he drew near, hoping
to get a little refreshment. The only inmate was a widow, who seemed
very poor. He asked her for food, relating the story of his former
treatment. She prepared him some victuals, and, after eating, he
explained to her the history of the Book of Mormon. She listened
attentively, and believed all that he told her, but, in consequence of
her poverty, she was unable to purchase one of the books. He presented
her with one, and proceeded to Bloomington, which was eight miles
further. Here he stopped at the house of John P. Greene, who was a
Methodist preacher, and was at that time about starting on a preaching
mission. He, like the others, did not wish to make a purchase of what
he considered at that time to be a nonsensical fable, however, he said
that he would take a subscription paper, and, if he found anyone on
his route who was disposed to purchase, he would take his name, and in
two weeks, Samuel might call again, and he would let him know what the
prospect was of selling. After making this arrangement, Samuel left one
of his books with him, and returned home. At the time appointed, Samuel
started again for the Rev. John P. Greene's, in order to learn the
success which this gentleman had met with in finding sale for the Book
of Mormon. This time, Mr. Smith, and myself accompanied him, and it
was our intention to have passed near the tavern, where Samuel was so
abusively treated a fortnight previous, but just before we came to the
house, a sign of small-pox intercepted us. We turned aside, and meeting
a citizen of the place, we enquired of him, to what extent this disease
prevailed. He answered, that the tavern keeper and two of his family
had died with it not long since, but he did not know that any one else
had caught the disease, and that it was brought into the neighborhood
by a traveler, who stopped at the tavern over night.
This is a specimen of the peculiar disposition of some individuals,
who would sacrifice their soul's salvation rather than give a Saint of
God a meal of victuals. According to the word of God, it will be more
tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrah, in the day of judgment, than for such
persons.
We arrived at Esquire Beaman's, in Livonia, that night. The next
morning Samuel took the road to Mr. Greene's, and, finding that he had
made no sale of the books, we returned home the following day.