Joseph Smith Receives the Record--The Priesthood Restored
1827-1829
Joseph Receives the Record
Each year, on the twenty-second day of September, between the years
1823 and 1827, Joseph went to the Hill Cumorah, as the angel had
instructed him, where he was taught in matters pertaining to his
sacred duties. At last the time arrived for the delivery of the
plates, the Urim and Thummim, and the breastplate. It was the 22nd day
of September, 1827. The Prophet went to the hill to keep the final
appointment with Moroni, before the record should be given into his
hands. Once more the angel instructed him in his duties and impressed
upon his mind the great responsibility now to be placed upon him,
saying:
"Now you have got the record into your own hands, and you are but
a man, therefore you will have to be watchful and faithful to your
trust or you will be overpowered by wicked men; for they will lay
every plan and scheme that is possible to get it away from you, and
if you do not take heed continually, they will succeed. While it
was in my hands, I could keep it, and no man had power to take it
away, but now I give it up to you. Beware, and look well to your
ways, and you shall have power to retain it."[1]
Moreover, he was told, if he let the record go out of his hands or
neglected his duty, he should be cut off, but through faithfulness and
perseverance he should be protected until the angel should come for the
record and again take it into his keeping.
Designs of the Wicked Frustrated
Joseph soon found that the warning of the angel was all too true
concerning the powers of darkness being arrayed against him, and the
desire of evil-disposed persons to destroy him and obtain the plates.
Scarcely was the record in his possession before strenuous exertions
were made by wicked persons to get them out of his hands. Every scheme
and invention which the powers of darkness could devise, were used.
Conjurors, diviners with peepstones and other means were employed. Mobs
gathered and searched the premises of the Smith home, even breaking
into the house and ransacking it. Under pretext of law searches were
made. At times it became necessary to hide the record in strange
places. Once they were hidden in a hollow log in the woods; again,
under the hearthstone in the house, and under the floor in a nearby
shop. When the Prophet departed for Pennsylvania he hid them in a
barrel of beans, and when a search was made they were not discovered.
The Lord was with him in his labor and the powers of darkness were
overcome and of no avail.
Martin Harris
So intense and bitter became the opposition in Manchester that the
Prophet sought a place of refuge in another locality. Having received
an invitation from his wife's parents to come to their home in Harmony,
Pennsylvania, he accepted the invitation and prepared to go. Being very
poor he experienced some difficulty in procuring the necessary means to
meet his obligations and make the journey. In this hour of distress,
and in the midst of persecution, he found a friend in Martin Harris, of
Palmyra, New York. Joseph, with his wife's brother, Alva Hale, had gone
to Palmyra to transact some business, and while there he was approached
by Martin Harris, who said to him: "How do you do, Mr. Smith? Here
are fifty dollars. I give this to you to do the Lord's work with; no,
I give it to the Lord for His own work." Joseph offered to take the
money and give his note which Alva Hale also agreed to sign, but Martin
Harris refused to take the note. This money enabled the Prophet to make
the journey to Harmony where he found a haven of rest.
Removal to Pennsylvania
Shortly after this event Joseph moved to Harmony, Susquehanna County,
Pennsylvania, to the home of Isaac Hale. Later he purchased from
Mr. Hale a small farm, to which he removed. Here in comparative
peace he commenced to make a copy of the characters on the plates,
which consisted of the learning of the Jews and the language, in
hieroglyphics, of the Egyptians. He also, by Urim and Thummim, made a
translation of some of them. This was done between December, 1827, and
the February following. In the month of February, 1828, Martin Harris
came to Harmony to visit with Joseph Smith. He had been much impressed
with the Prophet's story and desired to know more concerning the work.
The Prophecy of Isaiah Fulfilled
Martin Harris took the transcript that had been made together with the
partial translation, and departed for New York. Just what his object
was, and what he had in mind, is not made clear. That he was led to do
so by inspiration was later shown. He first submitted the characters to
Professor Charles Anthon of Columbia College with the request that he
examine them. He then took them to Dr. Samuel L. Mitchell, also of New
York. When Martin returned he made the following report:
"I went to the city of New York, and presented the characters
which had been translated, with the translation thereof, to
Professor Charles Anthon, a gentleman celebrated for his literary
attainments. Professor Anthon stated that the translation was
correct, more so than any he had before seen translated from the
Egyptian. I then showed him those which were not yet translated,
and he said that they were Egyptian, Chaldaic, Assyrian and Arabic;
and he said they were true characters. He gave me a certificate,
certifying to the people of Palmyra that they were true characters,
and that the translation of such of them as had been translated was
also correct. I took the certificate and put it into my pocket,
and was just leaving the house when Mr. Anthon called me back, and
asked me how the young man found out that there were gold plates in
the place where he found them. I answered that an angel of God had
revealed it unto him.
"He then said to me, 'Let me see that certificate.' I accordingly
took it out of my pocket and gave it to him, when he took it and
tore it to pieces, saying, that there was no such thing now as
ministering of angels, and that if I would bring the plates to him,
he would translate them. I informed him that part of the plates
were sealed, and that I was forbidden to bring them. He replied, 'I
cannot read a sealed book.' I left him and went to Mr. Mitchell,
who sanctioned what Professor Anthon had said respecting both the
characters and the translation."
A number of years later, when he discovered the use to which his
testimony had been given, Professor Anthon denied the statement of
Martin Harris, although he did confess that such a person called to see
him with such characters, but he treated it as a hoax. There may be
some slight errors in the account of Martin Harris, but in the main his
story must be true for it is the fulfilment of an ancient prophecy of
Isaiah[2] almost word for word. It is not likely that Martin Harris was
familiar with the prophecy of Isaiah at that time and without question
Professor Anthon had no intention of fulfilling prophecy in making his
answer, but nevertheless such proved to be the case.
The Lost Manuscript
The impression made on the mind of Martin Harris by this interview
resulted in his removal to Harmony to give further aid to Joseph Smith.
He arrived about the 12th of April, 1828, and immediately commenced
to write as the Prophet dictated his translation of the record.
Martin continued in this work until the 14th of June, at which time
one hundred and sixteen pages of manuscript on foolscap paper had
been prepared. Some time after Martin Harris commenced to write he
importuned the Prophet for the privilege of taking the manuscript home
and showing it to some skeptical friends, who had sorely criticized him
for the part he was taking in the work. He was desirous of convincing
them; and they had, without doubt, pleaded with him to do this thing.
Especially had his wife implored him for a look at the manuscript.
The Prophet inquired by Urim and Thummim, and the request of Martin
was denied. However he was not satisfied and importuned and pleaded
with Joseph again to inquire of the Lord. This he did, but the answer
was the same as before. Still Martin implored, and so insistent and
prolonged were his pleadings that Joseph Smith again, the third time,
inquired of the Lord. This time the answer was favorable. The request
was granted on certain positive conditions. Martin was to show the
manuscript to his brother, Preserved Harris, his wife, his father and
mother and his wife's sister, Mrs. Cobb. No other person was to see
the writings. In a most solemn covenant Martin bound himself to this
agreement. When he arrived home, and pressure was brought to bear
upon him, he forgot his solemn oath and permitted others to view the
manuscript, with the result that by stratagem it passed out of his
hands.
The Lord was displeased with Joseph Smith for his constant importuning,
and took from him the Urim and Thummim after the departure of Martin
Harris with the partial translation from the plates. When the fact
was known that Martin had lost the manuscript, the Prophet suffered
the torments of the damned. He found no rest; there was no peace of
conscience. In the bitterness of his soul he feared to approach the
Lord. This condition continued for some time until one day the angel
appeared to him, and returned the Urim and Thummim, that he might
through them receive a revelation from the Lord. (Doc. & Cov. Sec.
3.) In this revelation it was made known that the purposes of the
Lord were not frustrated, but the designs of men. Joseph was soundly
rebuked and warned against yielding to temptation. Nevertheless the
mercy of the Lord was extended to him because of his severe punishment
and sore repentance. After the revelation was received, both the
Urim and Thummim and the plates were taken from him, but in a few
days were restored again. This was the most bitter lesson Joseph
Smith ever received. It seemed necessary to prepare him for the great
responsibilities yet before him.
A few days later Joseph received another revelation (Doc. and Cov. Sec.
10) in which he was forbidden again to translate the portion of the
record which had been lost. Satan had put it into the hearts of wicked
men, the revelation declared, to alter the writing of the manuscript
and then, if Joseph Smith should translate again, they would say that
he could not do it twice alike, and thus they would catch him in his
words which he had pretended to translate.
What the Lost Record Contained
The lost manuscript contained the abridgment made by Mormon of the
record of Nephi, from the time Lehi left Jerusalem down to the reign
of King Benjamin, or to the words of Mormon, in the Book of Mormon.
When Mormon made his abridgment of the records of the Nephites, the
Lord directed him to attach also the small plates of Nephi, which
contained the record of the people covering the same period of time as
the abridgment down to the reign of King Benjamin. In this manner there
were two accounts of that history, the abridgment and the original.
Now the translation of the abridgment was lost; but the better account
could still be translated, and the designs of Satan be defeated. Thus
the "wise purpose" of the Lord, in directing Mormon to include Nephi's
plates, was made known to Joseph Smith.
The Coming of Oliver Cowdery
Martin Harris was never permitted to act as scribe again. For a time
the Prophet was without assistance. For several months he was under the
necessity of "laboring with his hands" on his small farm in Harmony
and otherwise seeking employment. The work of the Lord was lagging.
He must be about his mission. He prayed to the Lord for help. On the
6th of April, 1829, a young school teacher, Oliver Cowdery, came to
Harmony to inquire of Joseph Smith regarding his work. Oliver Cowdery
had been teaching school near the home of the Smiths in Manchester,
and part of the time boarded with that family. From them he learned
of the Prophet's vision, the coming of Moroni, and of the plates. He
had a feeling that these stories were true and desired to investigate
at close quarters. He was convinced of the truth of Joseph's story,
and two days after his arrival in Harmony commenced to write as the
Prophet translated from the record. Later in the month of April the
Lord gave to Oliver a revelation through Joseph Smith in which he was
called to the work. In that revelation things were revealed that only
Oliver Cowdery knew. From that time forth he continued to act as the
amanuensis for Joseph Smith, until the Book of Mormon was finished.
Restoration of the Aaronic Priesthood
While translating, Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery discovered that the
question of baptism for the remission of sins was mentioned several
times in the record. This caused them to marvel, for the doctrine of
baptism was misunderstood in the world. They concluded to inquire of
the Lord for light. On the 15th day of May, 1829, they retired to the
woods and prayed for instruction on this question. While thus engaged
in prayer a heavenly messenger descended in a cloud of light and said
that he was John, known as John the Baptist in the New Testament. He
said he acted under the direction of Peter, James and John, who held
the keys of the Melchizedek Priesthood, and had been sent to confer on
Joseph and Oliver the Aaronic Priesthood, which holds the keys of the
temporal Gospel. He laid his hands upon their heads and said:
"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."
He stated that the Melchizedek Priesthood would soon he conferred
upon them and that Joseph Smith should be called the first and Oliver
Cowdery the second elder of the Church.
Joseph and Oliver Baptized
This messenger, after conferring the Priesthood, instructed Joseph and
Oliver to go down into the water and baptize each other. After which
they were to lay hands upon each other and re-confer the Priesthood
which he had bestowed upon them. There are two reasons why they should
be commanded to do this thing. First, to confer the Priesthood before
baptism, is contrary to the order of the Organized Church, therefore
they were commanded to confer the Priesthood upon each other in the
regular way, after they were baptized. Second, the angel did for
them that which they could not do for themselves. There was no one
living in mortality who held the keys of this Priesthood, therefore it
was necessary that this messenger, who held the keys of the Aaronic
Priesthood in the Dispensation of the Meridian of Time, should be
sent to confer this power. It is contrary to the order of heaven for
those who have passed beyond the veil to officiate and labor for the
living on the earth, only wherein mortal man cannot act, and thereby it
becomes necessary for those who have passed through the resurrection
to act for them. Otherwise John would have followed the regular order,
which is practiced in the Church, and would have first baptized Joseph
Smith and Oliver Cowdery and then conferred upon them the Aaronic
Priesthood.
As the angel had commanded them, they repaired to the water where
Joseph first baptized Oliver and then Oliver baptized Joseph.
Immediately after coming out of the water they experienced great and
glorious blessings, and being filled with the Holy Spirit, began to
prophesy of the coming forth of the Church and the establishment of
the great work of the Lord in the latter days. Their minds were now
enlightened and the scriptures were opened to their understandings. For
the first time in many centuries there now stood on the earth men with
power to officiate in baptism for the remission of sin.
The fear of opposition compelled them to keep secret the matter of
their ordination and baptism, except where they revealed it to a few
personal friends, whom they could trust.
Restoration of the Melchizedek Priesthood
In course of time, and very shortly after the coming of John the
Baptist, Joseph and Oliver received the Melchizedek Priesthood from
Peter, James and John. The date when this Priesthood was conferred is
unknown, but it was only a few days after the first ordination. In a
revelation given in 1842 (Doc. & Cov. Sec. 128) we are informed that
it was between Harmony, Pennsylvania, and Colesville, New York, on the
Susquehanna River, where it was conferred. In another revelation given
in September 1830, we are informed that the restoration was under the
hands of Peter, 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" (Doc. and Cov. Sec. 27).
Help from Joseph Knight
While the work of translating was going on the Lord sent a friend in
time of need to give material assistance to Joseph Smith and Oliver
Cowdery. This was Joseph Knight, Sen., of Colesville, Broome County,
New York. Having heard of the manner in which Joseph and Oliver were
occupying their time, Mr. Knight brought them provisions from time
to time, a distance of some thirty miles, and thus enabled them to
continue their labor without interruption, which otherwise would have
delayed the work.
Joseph and Oliver Remove to Fayette
It was not destined that the work of translation should go on in
Harmony without interruption. Opposition finally made itself manifest
and became so strong that even Isaac Hale--a man who believed in
justice, law and order, but who did not express much faith in the
mission of Joseph Smith--became somewhat bitter in his feelings. The
necessity of a change of residence was apparent. Oliver Cowdery wrote
to a young friend, David Whitmer of Fayette, New York, with whom he
had previously corresponded regarding the coming forth of the Book of
Mormon, desiring that he would come and take Joseph and himself to the
Whitmer home in Fayette. This David Whitmer consented to do, and the
removal was made in June, 1829.
When David was on the journey to Harmony on this mission, he was
met some distance from the town of Harmony by Joseph and Oliver. In
referring to this circumstance some years later, David Whitmer wrote:
"Oliver told me that Joseph had informed him when I started from home,
where I stopped the first night, how I read the sign at the tavern,
where I stopped the next night, etc., and that I would be there that
day for dinner, and this is why they had come out to meet me. All of
which was exactly as Joseph had told Oliver, at which I was greatly
astonished" (_Millennial Star_, vol. 40:769-774).
At the Whitmer Home
When they arrived in Fayette, they found Mr. Peter Whitmer, father of
David, ready to receive them and anxious to know more concerning the
work, Joseph and Oliver received their board free at the Whitmer home,
and other timely assistance was also given them by members of the
Whitmer family. David, John and Peter Whitmer, Jr., became very zealous
in the work. The Lord spoke to each of them by revelation, calling them
to cry repentance to their generation. The people of Seneca County, in
which Fayette was situated, were friendly, and many houses were opened
by those desiring to know more of the Prophet's message. Many were
convinced and showed a willingness to obey the Gospel. Hyrum Smith,
who had come to Fayette, David Whitmer and Peter Whitmer, Jr., were
baptized, the first by the Prophet and the others by Oliver Cowdery.
Samuel H. Smith, younger brother of the Prophet, had been baptized
while the Prophet and Oliver were in Harmony, Pennsylvania. He was the
third person baptized in this dispensation, receiving the remission of
his sins on the twenty-fifth day of May, 1829, just ten days after the
appearing of John the Baptist; Oliver Cowdery baptizing him. Samuel
had accompanied Oliver from Manchester to Harmony early in April when
Oliver came to inquire concerning the Prophet and the record he claimed
to have, and remained with his brother Joseph during the spring. Samuel
Smith had not taken to the Prophet's story as readily as other members
of the family, and was rather hard to convince that Joseph and Oliver
had been ordained and baptized. After much inquiry and explanation by
Joseph and Oliver, Samuel retired alone to the woods, and in secret
prayer obtained a revelation for himself. Now convinced, he was anxious
to be baptized and to engage in the work of establishing "the cause of
Zion."
Notes
1. _History of the Prophet Joseph_, p. 106, Lucy Smith.
2. Isaiah's prophecy is as follows: "And the vision of all is become
unto you as the words of a book that is sealed, which men deliver to
one that is learned, saying, Read this, I pray thee: and he saith, I
cannot; for it is sealed: And the book is delivered to him that is
not learned, saying, Read this, I pray thee: and he saith, I am not
learned. Wherefore the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw near
me with their mouth, and with their lips do honor me, but have removed
their heart far from me, and their fear toward me is taught by the
precept of men: Therefore behold, I will proceed to do a marvelous work
among this people, even a marvelous work and a wonder; for the wisdom
of their wise men shall perish, and the understanding of their prudent
men shall be hid" (Isa. 29:11-14).
For a discussion of this point see the _History of the Mormon Church_,
by B. H. Roberts, chapter 8. Also _Orson Pratt's Works_, Chapter 6, and
the Book of Mormon, 2 Nephi, 27th chapter.