Restoration of the Aaronic Priesthood--First Baptisms.
[Sidenote: The Aaronic Priesthood Restored.]
We still continued the work of translation, when, in the ensuing month
(May, 1829), we on a certain day went into the woods to pray and
inquire of the Lord respecting baptism for the remission of sins, that
we found mentioned in the translation of the plates. While we were thus
employed, praying and calling upon the Lord, a messenger from heaven
descended in a cloud of light, and having laid his hands upon us, he
ordained us, saying:
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 be taken
again from the earth, until the sons of Levi do offer again an
offering unto the Lord in righteousness. [1]
[Sidenote: Limitations of the Aaronic Priesthood.]
He said this Aaronic Priesthood had not the power of laying on hands
for the gift of the Holy Ghost, but that this should be conferred on
us hereafter; and he commanded us to go and be baptized, and gave
us directions that I should baptize Oliver Cowdery, and afterwards
that he should baptize me. Accordingly we went and were baptized. I
baptized him first, and afterwards he baptized me, after which I laid
my hands upon his head and ordained him to the Aaronic Priesthood, and
afterwards he {40} laid his hands on me and ordained me to the same
Priesthood--for so we were commanded.
[Sidenote: John the Baptist, May 15, 1829.]
The messenger who visited us on this occasion, and conferred this
Priesthood upon us, said that his name was John, the same that is
called John the Baptist in the New Testament, and that he acted under
the direction of Peter, James and John who held the keys of the
Priesthood of Melchizedek, which Priesthood he said would in due time
be conferred on us, [2] and that I should be called the first Elder
of the {41} Church, and he (Oliver Cowdery) the second. It was on the
15th day of May, 1829, that we were ordained under the hand of this
messenger and baptized.
{42} [Sidenote: Outpourings of the Spirit.]
Immediately on our coming up out of the water after we had been
baptized, we experienced great and glorious blessings from our Heavenly
Father. No sooner had I baptized Oliver Cowdery, than the Holy Ghost
fell upon him, and he stood up and prophesied many things which should
shortly come to pass. And again, so soon as I had been baptized by him,
I also had the spirit of prophecy, when, standing up, I prophesied
concerning the rise of this Church, and many other things connected
with the Church, and this generation of the children of men. We were
filled with the Holy Ghost, and rejoiced in the God of our salvation.
[3]
[Sidenote: Ordination and Baptism Kept Secret.]
{43} Our minds being now enlightened, we began to have the Scriptures
laid open to our understandings, and the true meaning and intention
of their more mysterious passages revealed unto us in a manner which
we never could attain to previously, nor ever before had thought of.
In the meantime we were forced to keep secret the circumstances of
having received the Priesthood and our having been baptized, owing to a
{44} spirit of persecution which had already manifested itself in the
neighborhood. We had been threatened with being mobbed from time to
time, and this, too, by professors of religion. And their intentions
of mobbing us were only counteracted by the influence of my wife's
father's family (under Divine providence), who had become very friendly
to me, and who were opposed to mobs, and were willing that I should
be allowed to continue the work of translation without interruption;
and therefore offered and promised us protection from all unlawful
proceedings as far as in them lay.
[Sidenote: Conversion of Samuel H. Smith.]
After a few days, however, feeling it to be our duty, we commenced
to reason out of the Scriptures with our acquaintances and friends,
as we happened to meet with them. About this time my brother Samuel
H. Smith [4] came to visit us. We informed him of what the Lord was
about to do for the children of men, and began to reason with him out
of the Bible. We also showed him that part of the work which we had
translated, and labored to persuade him concerning the Gospel of Jesus
Christ, which was now about to be revealed in its fulness. He was not,
however, very easily persuaded of these things, but after much inquiry
and explanation he retired to the woods, in order that by secret and
fervent prayer he might obtain of a merciful God wisdom to enable him
to judge for himself. The result was that he obtained revelation for
himself sufficient to convince him of the truth of our assertions
to him; and on the twenty-fifth day of that same month in which we
had been baptized and ordained, Oliver Cowdery baptized him; and he
returned to his father's house, greatly glorifying and praising God,
being filled with the Holy Spirit.
[Sidenote: Hyrum Smith's Inquiry.]
Not many days afterwards, my brother Hyrum Smith [5] {45} came to us
to inquire concerning these things, when at his earnest request, I
inquired of the Lord through the Urim and Thummim, and received for him
the following:
_Revelation, given to Hyrum Smith, Harmony, Susquehanna County,
Pennsylvania, May, 1829._ [6]
1. A great and marvelous work is about to come forth among the
children of men.
2. Behold, I am God; give heed to my word, which is quick and
powerful, sharper than a two-edged sword, to the dividing asunder
of both joints and marrow; therefore give heed unto my word.
3. Behold the field is white already to harvest, therefore, who
desireth to reap let him thrust in his sickle with his might, and
reap while the day lasts, that he may treasure up for his soul
everlasting salvation in the kingdom of God;
4. Yea, whosoever will thrust in his sickle and reap, the same is
called of God;
5. Therefore, if you will ask me, you shall receive; if you will
knock, it shall be opened unto you.
6. Now, as you have asked, behold, I say unto you, keep my
commandments, and seek to bring forth and establish the cause of
Zion.
7. Seek not for riches but for wisdom; and, behold, the mysteries
of God shall be unfolded unto you, and then shall you be made rich:
Behold, he that hath eternal life is rich.
8. Verily, verily, I say unto you, even as you desire of me, so it
shall be done unto you; and, if you desire, you shall be the means
of doing much good in this generation.
9. Say nothing but repentance unto this generation. Keep my
commandments, and assist to bring forth my work, according to my
commandments, and you shall be blessed.
10. Behold, thou hast a gift, or thou shalt have a gift if thou
wilt desire of me in faith, with an honest heart, believing in the
power of Jesus Christ, or in my power which speaketh unto thee.
11. For, behold, it is I that speak; behold I am the light which
shineth in darkness, and by my power I give these words unto thee.
12. And now, verily, verily, I say unto thee, put your trust in
that Spirit which leadeth to do good: yea, to do justly, to walk
humbly, to judge righteously, and this is my Spirit.
13. Verily, verily, I say unto you, I will impart unto you my
Spirit, which shall enlighten your mind, which shall fill your soul
with joy,
{46} 14. And then shall ye know, or by this shall you know, all
things whatsoever you desire of me, which are pertaining unto
things of righteousness, in faith believing in me that you shall
receive.
15. Behold, I command you that you need not suppose that you are
called to preach until you are called:
16. Wait a little longer, until you shall have my word, my rock, my
Church, and my Gospel, that you may know of a surety my doctrine.
17. And then, behold, according to your desires, yea, even
according to your faith, shall it be done unto you.
18. Keep my commandments, hold your peace, appeal unto my Spirit;
19. Yea, cleave unto me with all your heart, that you may assist in
bringing to light those things of which have been spoken--yea, the
translation of my work; be patient until you shall accomplish it.
20. Behold, this is your work, to keep my commandments, yea, with
all your might, mind and strength;
21. Seek not to declare my word, but first seek to obtain my word,
and then shall your tongue be loosed; then, if you desire, you
shall have my Spirit and my word, yea, the power of God unto the
convincing of men.
22. But now hold your peace, study my word which hath gone forth
among the children of men, and also study my word which shall come
forth among the children of men, or that which is now translating,
yea, until you have obtained all which I shall grant unto the
children of men in this generation, and then shall all things be
added thereto.
23. Behold, thou art Hyrum, my son; seek the kingdom of God, and
all things shall be added according to that which is just.
24. Build upon my rock, which is my Gospel;
25. Deny not the spirit of revelation, nor the spirit of prophecy,
for woe unto him that denieth these things;
26. Therefore, treasure up in your heart until the time which is in
my wisdom that you shall go forth.
27. Behold, I speak unto all who have good desires, and have thrust
in their sickle to reap.
28. Behold, I am Jesus Christ, the Son of God. I am the life and
the light of the world.
29. I am the same who came unto my own and my own received me not;
30. But verily, verily, I say unto you, that as many as receive me,
to them will I give power to become the sons of God, even to them
that believe on my name. Amen.
{47} [Sidenote: Assistance from Joseph Knight, Sen.]
About the same time an old gentleman came to visit us of whose name
I wish to make honorable mention--Mr. Joseph Knight, Sen., [7] of
Colesville, Broome county, New York, who, having heard of the manner in
which we were occupying our time, very kindly and considerately brought
us a quantity of provisions, in order that we might not be interrupted
in the work of translation by the want of such necessaries of life;
and I would just mention here, as in duty bound, that he several times
brought us supplies, a distance of at least thirty miles, which enabled
us to continue the work when otherwise we must have relinquished it for
a season. {48} Being very anxious to know his duty as to this work, I
inquired of the Lord for him, and obtained the following:
_Revelation, given to Joseph Smith, Sen., at Harmony, Susquehanna
County, Pennsylvania, May, 1829._ [8]
1. A great and marvelous work is about to come forth among the
children of men.
2. Behold, I am God; give heed to my word, which is quick and
powerful, sharper than a two-edged sword, to the dividing asunder
of both joints and marrow; therefore, give heed unto my word.
3. Behold, the field is white already to harvest, therefore, whoso
desireth to reap, let him thrust in his sickle with his might, and
reap while the day lasts, that he may treasure up for his soul
everlasting salvation in the kingdom of God.
4. Yea, whosoever will thrust in his sickle and reap, the same is
called of God.
5. Therefore if you will ask of me, you shall receive; if you will
knock it shall be opened unto you.
6. Now, as you have asked, behold, I say unto you, keep my
commandments, and seek to bring forth and establish the cause of
Zion.
7. Behold, I speak unto you, and also to all those who have desires
to bring forth and establish this work;
8. And no one can assist in this work, except he shall be humble
and full of love, having faith, hope, and charity, being temperate
in all things, whatsoever shall be entrusted to his care.
9. Behold, I am the light and the life of the world, that speak
these words, therefore give heed with your might, and then you are
called. Amen.
[Sidenote: The Prophet's Removal to Fayette.]
Shortly after commencing to translate, I became acquainted with Mr.
Peter Whitmer, [9] of Fayette, Seneca county, New York, and also with
some of his family. In the beginning of the month of June, his son,
David Whitmer, [10] came to the place {49} where we were residing,
and brought with him a two-horse wagon, for the purpose of having us
accompany him to his father's place, and there remain until we should
finish the work. It was arranged that we should have our board free
of charge, and the assistance of one of his brothers to write for me,
and also his own assistance when convenient. Having much need of such
timely aid in an undertaking so arduous, and being informed that the
people in the neighborhood of the Whitmers were anxiously awaiting the
opportunity to inquire into these things, we accepted the invitation,
and accompanied Mr. Whitmer to his father's house, and there resided
until the translation was finished and the copyright secured. Upon our
arrival, we found Mr. Whitmer's family very anxious concerning the
work, and very friendly toward ourselves. They continued so, boarded
and lodged us according to arrangements; and John Whitmer, [11] in
particular, assisted us very much in writing during the remainder of
the work.
[Sidenote: David, John and Peter Whitmer, Jun., as Assistants.]
In the meantime, David, John and Peter Whitmer, Jun., [12] became our
zealous friends and assistants in the work; and being anxious to know
their respective duties, and having desired with much earnestness that
I should inquire of the Lord concerning them, I did so, through the
means of the Urim and Thummim, and obtained for them in succession the
following revelations:
_Revelation, given to David Whitmer, at Fayette, Seneca County, New
York, June, 1829._ [13]
1. A great and marvelous work is about to come forth unto the
children of men.
2. Behold, I am God; give heed to my word, which is quick and
powerful, sharper than a two-edged sword, to the dividing asunder
of both joints and marrow; therefore give heed unto my word.
{50} 3. Behold, the field is white already to harvest, therefore
whoso desireth to reap, let him thrust in his sickle with his
might, and reap while the day lasts, that he may treasure up for
his soul everlasting salvation in the kingdom of God;
4. Yea, whosoever will thrust in his sickle and reap, the same is
called of God;
5. Therefore, if you will ask of me you shall receive; if you will
knock, it shall be opened unto you.
6. Seek to bring forth and establish my Zion. Keep my commandments
in all things;
7. And if you keep my commandments and endure to the end, you shall
have eternal life, which gift is the greatest of all the gifts of
God.
8. And it shall come to pass, that if you shall ask the Father in
my name, in faith believing, you shall receive the Holy Ghost,
which giveth utterance, that you may stand as a witness of the
things of which you shall both hear and see, and also that you may
declare repentance unto this generation.
9. Behold, I am Jesus Christ, the Son of the living God, who
created the heavens and the earth; a light which cannot be hid in
darkness.
10. Wherefore I must bring forth the fulness of my Gospel from the
Gentiles unto the house of Israel.
11. And behold, thou art David, and thou art called to assist;
which thing if ye do, and are faithful, ye shall be blessed both
spiritually and temporally, and great shall be your reward. Amen.
_Revelation given to John Whitmer, June, 1829._ [14]
1. Hearken, my servant John, and listen to the words of Jesus
Christ, your Lord and your Redeemer,
2. For behold, I speak unto you with sharpness and with power, for
mine arm is over all the earth,
3. And I will tell you that which no man knoweth save me and thee
alone;
4. For many times you have desired of me to know that which would
be of the most worth unto you.
5. Behold, blessed are you for this thing, and for speaking my
words which I have given you according to my commandments.
6. And now, behold, I say unto you, that the thing which will be of
the most worth unto you, will be to declare repentance unto this
people, {51} that you may bring souls unto me, that you may rest
them in the kingdom of my Father. Amen.
_Revelation given to Peter Whitmer, Jun., June, 1829._ [15]
1. Harken, my servant Peter, and listen to the words of Jesus
Christ, your Lord and your Redeemer,
2. For behold, I speak unto you with sharpness and with power, for
mine arm is over all the earth,
3. And I will tell you that which no man knoweth save me and thee
alone;
4. For many times you have desired of me to know that which would
be of the most worth unto you.
5. Behold, blessed are you for this thing, and for speaking my
words which I have given unto you according to my commandments.
6. And now, behold, I say unto you, that the thing which will be of
the most worth unto you, will be to declare repentance unto this
people, that you may bring souls unto me, that you may rest with
them in the kingdom of my Father. Amen.
[Sidenote: Early Baptisms.]
We found the people of Seneca county in general friendly, and disposed
to enquire into the truth of these strange matters which now began to
be noised abroad. Many opened their houses to us, in order that we
might have an opportunity of meeting with our friends for the purpose
of instruction and explanation. We met with many from time to time
who were willing to hear us, and who desired to find out the truth
as it is in Christ Jesus, and apparently willing to obey the Gospel,
when once fairly convinced and satisfied in their own minds; and in
this same month of June, my brother Hyrum Smith, David Whitmer, and
Peter Whitmer, Jun., were baptized in Seneca lake, the two former by
myself, the latter by Oliver Cowdery. From this time forth many became
believers, and some were baptized whilst we continued to instruct and
persuade as many as applied for information.
Footnotes
1. Doctrine and Covenants, sec. 13.
2. Restoration of the Melchizedek Priesthood.--The promise to confer
upon Joseph and Oliver the Melchizedek Priesthood was fulfilled; but as
there is no definite account of the event in the history of the Prophet
Joseph, or, for matter of that, in any of our annals, the evidences of
the fact of their ordination to the higher or Melchizedek Priesthood
promised them by John the Baptist are presented now, together with a
consideration of the place where, and the time when the great event
occurred. The Prophet Joseph, in a communication to the Church, under
date of September 6, 1842, makes undoubted allusion to the restoration
of the Melchizedek Priesthood in the course of an ecstatic review of
the great things God had revealed to him. He said: "And again, what
do we hear? Glad tidings from Cumorah. Moroni, an angel from heaven,
declaring the fulfilment of the prophets--the book to be revealed.
A voice of the Lord in the wilderness of Fayette, Seneca county,
declaring the three witnesses to bear record of the book. The voice of
Michael on the banks of the Susquehanna, detecting the devil when he
appeared as an angel of light. _The voice of Peter, James and John in
the wilderness between Harmony, Susquehanna county, and Colesville,
Broome county, on the Susquehanna river, declaring themselves as
possessing the keys of the kingdom, and of the Dispensation of the
Fulness of Times_." (Doctrine and Covenants, sec. 128:20.) In one of
the early revelations given to the Prophet Joseph, the Lord makes most
direct reference to the restoration of the higher Priesthood through
the ministration of Peter, James and John. The subject matter of the
revelation is the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper; and in the course
of it the Lord promises to "drink of the fruit of the vine" with His
servants on earth to whom the revelation is addressed; "and with
Moroni, * * * and also Michael, or Adam, the father of all, * * * and
also with _Peter, and James, and John, whom I have sent unto you, by
whom I have ordained you and confirmed you to be Apostles, and special
witnesses of my name_, and bear the keys of your ministry, and of the
same things which I revealed unto them; unto whom I have committed
the keys of my kingdom, and a dispensation of the gospel for the last
times; and for the fulness of times." (Doctrine and Covenants, sec.
27). This revelation was given some time early in August, 1830, but
only the first four verses were written at that time. The rest of
it was written in September of that year. (See chapter 11 of this
volume). These two allusions--the one by the Prophet and the other by
the Lord--to the restoration of the Melchizedek Priesthood not only
make clear the fact that the Melchizedek Priesthood was restored in
accordance with the promise of John the Baptist when conferring the
Aaronic Priesthood, but they make it possible to fix upon the place
where, and approximately the time when, the event occurred. Undoubtedly
the _place_ where the ordination was performed was on the banks of the
Susquehanna river, in the wilderness between Colesville, in Broome
county, New York, and Harmony, in Susquehanna county, Pennsylvania; for
it is there the Prophet says the voice of Peter, James and John was
heard declaring themselves as "possessing the keys of the kingdom, and
of the Dispensation of the Fulness of Times;" for which appearing and
declaration there could be no other occasion than the ordination of
Oliver and Joseph to the Melchizedek Priesthood in fulfilment of the
promises made by John the Baptist. The _time_ at which the ordination
took place was evidently between the 15th of May, 1829, and August,
1830. The last named date is the one under which the Lord so definitely
referred to the circumstance of having sent Peter, James and John to
ordain Joseph and others to be Apostles, even special witnesses of
His name, and unto whom He had committed the keys of the kingdom.
Hence the time of the ordination must have been between those two
dates. From information contained in other revelations, however, this
period within which the Melchizedek Priesthood was restored may be
considerably reduced. In April, 1830, a revelation was given concerning
the organization and government of the Church, and in that revelation
the Lord said: "Which commandments [i. e. to organize the Church] were
given to Joseph Smith, Jr., who was called of God and ordained an
apostle of Jesus Christ to be the first Elder of this Church; and to
Oliver Cowdery, who was also called of God, an Apostle of Jesus Christ,
to be the second Elder of this Church, and ordained under his hand."
(Doctrine and Covenants, sec. 20:2, 3.) This allusion to the ordination
of these men to the apostleship reduces the time of their ordination
to the period between the 15th of May, 1829, and April 6, 1830. But
the time within which the ordination took place may be still further
reduced. In a revelation bearing the date of June, 1829, making known
the calling of the Twelve Apostles in these last days, and addressed
to Oliver Cowdery and David Whitmer, the Lord said: "I speak unto
you, even as unto Paul mine Apostle, _for you are called even with
that same calling with which he was called_." As this could scarcely
be said of men who had not been ordained to the same holy apostleship
as that held by Paul, and consequently to the Melchizedek Priesthood,
the conclusion is reasonable that the ordination promised by John the
Baptist, doubtless occurred some time between May 15, 1829, and the
expiration of the month of June of that same year. That there was a
distinct administration of angels in the restoration of the Melchizedek
Priesthood is sustained by the testimony of Oliver Cowdery. On the
occasion of his returning to the Church at Kanesville, Iowa, in the
fall of 1848, after an absence of eleven years from the body of the
Saints, in the course of the public address which he then delivered, he
said: "I was present with Joseph when an holy angel from God came down
from heaven and conferred on us, or restored, the lesser or Aaronic
Priesthood, and said to us, at the same time, that it should remain
upon the earth while the earth stands. _I was also present with Joseph
when the higher or Melchizedek Priesthood was conferred by the holy
angel from on high_. This Priesthood, we then conferred on each other
by the will and commandment of God." The authority for the foregoing
statement is the report of Bishop Reuben Miller, who was present on
the occasion of Oliver Cowdery's delivering the address from which
the above is quoted. Bishop Miller's notes of Cowdery's remarks were
published in the _Deseret News_ of the 13th of April, 1859. It is to
be observed that Oliver Cowdery, in this quotation, is represented as
saying with reference to the restoration of the Melchizedek Priesthood,
that it was by the "holy angel," whereas, according to the statement
of the Prophet, that Priesthood was restored by three angels--Peter,
James and John. The discrepancy may arise from imperfect recording of
Oliver's language. In a signed statement which Oliver Cowdery gave to
Samuel W. Richards, under date of January 13, 1849--the statement has
been published a number of times in our Church periodicals--being about
two months and a half after delivering the address reported by Bishop
Miller, he said: "John the Baptist, holding the keys of the Aaronic
Priesthood; Peter, James and John, holding the keys of the Melchizedek
Priesthood, have also ministered for those who shall be heirs of
salvation, and with these administrations ordained men to the same
Priesthood. These Priesthoods, with their authority, are now, and must
continue to be in the body of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day
Saints. * * * Accept assurances, dear brother, of the unfeigned prayer
of him who, in connection with Joseph, the Seer, was blessed with the
above administrations."
[Signed] Oliver Cowdery.
3. It may be well at this point to call attention to the singular and
important fact that the Prophet, neither in his narrative of the above
really great and dramatic event, nor in any of those great visions
and revelations which precede or follow it, stops to comment or grow
eloquent over the importance of an administration or the grandeur of
an occasion. He may never have heard the maxim, "A true tale speeds
best being plainly told," but had he heard of it and adopted it as his
motto, he could not have followed it more closely than unconsciously
he has done in his narrative. He seems to have but one object in view,
and that is to get on record the plain truth pertaining to the coming
forth of the work of God. Oliver Cowdery, however, who shared in this
ministration of the angel, John the Baptist, has left upon record a
description of the scene and the impressions it left upon his mind,
and which, withal is of such singular beauty and power that I think
the history of the event should not go to the world without it. After
speaking of his own and the Prophet's desire to hear the commandment
given, "Arise and be baptized," he says: "This was not long desired
before it was realized. The Lord, who is rich in mercy, and ever
willing to answer the consistent prayer of the humble, after we had
called upon him in a fervent manner, aside from the abodes of men,
condescended to manifest to us His will." On a sudden, as from the
midst of eternity, the voice of the Redeemer spake peace to us, while
the veil was parted and the angel of God came down clothed with glory
and delivered the anxiously looked for message, and the keys of the
Gospel of repentance. "What joy! what wonder! what amazement! While the
world was racked and distracted--while millions were groping as the
blind for the wall, and while all men were resting upon uncertainty,
as a general mass, our eyes beheld--our ears heard. As in the 'blaze
of day;' yes, more--above the glitter of the May sunbeam, which then
shed its brilliancy over the face of nature! Then his voice, though
mild, pierced to the center, and his words, 'I am thy fellow-servant,'
dispelled every fear. We listened, we gazed, we admired! 'Twas the
voice of an angel from glory--'twas a message from the Most High, and
as we heard we rejoiced, while His love enkindled upon our souls,
and we were rapt in the vision of the Almighty! Where was room for
doubt? Nowhere; uncertainty had fled, doubt had sunk, no more to rise,
while fiction and deception had fled forever. But, dear brother,
think further, think for a moment what joy filled our hearts and with
what surprise we must have bowed, (for who would not have bowed the
knee for such a blessing?) when we received under his hands the Holy
Priesthood, as he said, 'Upon you my fellow servants, in the name of
Messiah, I confer this Priesthood and this authority, which remain upon
earth, that the sons of Levi may yet offer an offering unto the Lord in
righteousness!'
"I shall not attempt to paint to you the feelings of this heart, nor
the majestic beauty and glory which surrounded us on this occasion; but
you will believe me when I say, that earth, nor men, with the eloquence
of time, cannot begin to clothe language in as interesting and sublime
a manner as this holy personage. No; nor has this earth power to give
the joy, to bestow the peace, or comprehend the wisdom which was
contained in each sentence as it was delivered by the power of the
Holy Spirit! Man may deceive his fellow man; deception may follow
deception, and the children of the wicked one may have power to seduce
the foolish and untaught, till naught but fiction feeds the many, and
the fruit of falsehood carries in its current the giddy to the grave,
but one touch with the finger of his love, yes, one ray of glory from
the upper world, or one word from the mouth of the Savior, from the
bosom of eternity, strikes it all into insignificance, and blots it
forever from the mind! The assurance that we were in the presence of an
angel; the certainty that we heard the voice of Jesus, and the truth
unsullied as it flowed from a pure personage, dictated by the will
of God, is to me, past description, and I shall ever look upon this
expression of the Savior's goodness with wonder and thanksgiving while
I am permitted to tarry, and in those mansions where perfection dwells
and sin never comes, I hope to adore in that day which shall never
cease."--(_Messenger and Advocate_, 1834.)
4. Samuel H. Smith was born in Tunbridge, Vt., March 13, 1808. He was
the fourth son of Joseph and Lucy Smith.
5. Hyrum Smith was born in Tunbridge, Vt., February 9, 1800. He was the
second son of Joseph and Lucy Smith, and at this time the oldest son
living.
6. Doctrine and Covenants, sec. 11.
7. There is no record in the Church annals of the time and place of the
birth of Joseph Knight, Sen. He was well advanced in life, however,
when the work of God in these last days began to come forth. From the
journal of his son, Newel Knight, it is learned that Joseph Knight,
Sen., married Polly Peck; that he moved into the state of New York and
settled on the Susquehanna river, near the great bend, in Chenango
county, in 1809. Two years later he removed to Colesville, Broome
county, New York, where he remained nineteen years. "My father," says
Newel Knight in his journal, "owned a farm, a grist mill and carding
machine. He was not rich, yet he possessed enough of this world's goods
to secure to himself and family, not only the necessaries, but also
the comforts of life. His family, consisting of my mother, three sons
and four daughters, he reared in a genteel and respectable manner,
and gave his children a good, common school education. My father was
a sober, honest man, generally respected and beloved by his neighbors
and acquaintances. He did not belong to any religious sect, but was a
believer in the Universalian doctrine." The business in which Joseph
Knight, Sen., engaged, made it necessary at times for him to hire men,
and the Prophet Joseph was occasionally employed by him. To the Knight
family, who were greatly attached to him, the young Prophet related
many of the things God had revealed respecting the Book of Mormon, then
as yet, to come forth. So far at least was the elder Knight taken into
the Prophet's confidence that he purposely so arranged his affairs as
to be at the Smith family residence, near Manchester, at the time the
plates of the Book of Mormon were given into Joseph's possession. Mr.
Knight had driven to the Smith residence with a horse and carriage,
and in this conveyance, according to the statement of both Lucy Smith,
mother of the Prophet, (See Lucy Smith's _History of the Prophet_, ch.
23), and Joseph Knight, Sen., Joseph, in company with his wife Emma,
drove away very early--before daylight--on the morning of September
the 22nd. It is presumed, of course, the Prophet drove to Cumorah, and
there received from Moroni the plates of the Book of Mormon, the Urim
and Thummim and Breastplate, which were, for some time--excepting the
Urim and Thummim--concealed in the woods. Mr. Knight remained at the
Smith residence several days, and was there the day Joseph brought
home the plates; and in company with Joseph Smith, Sen., and Mr.
Stoal--who was also present at the Smith residence in company with
Mr. Knight--went in search of those men who had assailed the Prophet
while on his way home with the plates, but they did not find them. From
Joseph's narrative in the text it will be seen that the senior Joseph
Knight's interest in the work continued.
8. Doctrine and Covenants, sec. 12.
9. Peter Whitmer, Sen., was born April 14, 1773. Of the place of his
birth there is no record in the Church annals, but it was doubtless
in the state of Pennsylvania. He married Mary Musselman, who was born
27th of August, 1778; and to them were born eight children. The Elder
Whitmer was a strict Presbyterian, and trained his children in that
faith. In the early years of the 19th century he moved from the state
of Pennsylvania to New York, and settled in Fayette township, about
three miles south of Waterloo, where the Prophet made his acquaintance.
10. David Whitmer was born near Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, January 7th,
1805, and was the fourth son of Peter Whitmer, Sen., and Mary Musselman
Whitmer.
11. John Whitmer was born August 27th, 1802. He was the third son of
Peter Whitmer, Sen., and Mary Musselman Whitmer.
12. Peter Whitmer, Jun., was born September 27th, 1809, and was the
fifth son, but sixth child of Mary Musselman and Peter Whitmer, Sen.
13. Doctrine and Covenants, sec. 14.
14. Doctrine and Covenants, sec. 15.
15. Doctrine and Covenants, sec. 16.
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