Although so remote from the States, rumors of a new prophet and a
"golden bible" had reached Mount Pleasant, and had been wondered over
and commented upon.
Freeman had been told that his parents had joined the new Church, and
he was rather disgusted with the information.
It will be necessary to say here that the old gentleman was indeed
full of the gospel he had embraced, and was so anxious for the eternal
welfare of his sons in Canada, that he had hitched up his carriage,
gone on a visit to Kirtland and prevailed upon the Prophet Joseph Smith
and Elder Sidney Rigdon to accompany him on a visit to his sons, Moses
and Freeman, in Mount Pleasant.
These two brethren were the strangers who were with the aged parents.
"Well father," said Freeman when told who they were, "I will welcome
them for your sake, but I would just about as soon you had brought a
nest of vipers and turned them loose upon us."
Moses and Freeman were wealthy merchants and men of influence in Mount
Pleasant. On the evening of the arrival, after the bustle of welcome
and a warm supper were over, everyone was too tired to talk, so all
retired to rest. Next morning many were the curious glances that Lydia
cast at this strange man who dared to call himself a prophet.
She saw a tall, well-built form, with the carriage of an Apollo, brown
hair, handsome blue eyes, which seemed to dive down to the innermost
thoughts with their sharp, penetrating gaze, a striking countenance,
and with manners at once majestic yet gentle, dignified yet exceedingly
pleasant.
Elder Rigdon was a middle-aged man of medium hight, stout and quite
good-looking, but without the noble grandeur that was so distinguishing
a mark of the prophet.
The day was spent by the travelers in examining a fine new store which
had just been erected by the Nickerson brothers, and in looking around
the premises as also in walking through the village itself.
The Elders were very wise. They said nothing about their views or
doctrines, but waited patiently until some one should express an
interest.
As evening drew near Mr. Nickerson became anxious to hear something of
the newcomer's faith.
"Oh," said he, "just let him talk; I'll silence him if he undertakes to
talk about the Bible. I guess I know as much about the scriptures as he
does."
This was to his wife whom he directed to place the family Bible on the
table in the parlor.
As soon as supper was over, he invited his visitors and family to go
up stairs to the parlor, where he said they would have some talk. All,
accordingly, repaired to the large well-furnished room, and then Mr. N.
said to the Prophet:
"Now, Mr. Smith, I wish you and Mr. Rigdon to speak freely. Say what
you wish and tell us what you believe. We will listen."
Turning to his wife, he whispered, "now you'll see how I shall shut him
up."
The Prophet commenced by relating the scenes of his early life. He told
how the angel visited him, of his finding the plates, the translation
of them, and gave a short account of the matter contained in the Book
of Mormon.
As the speaker continued his wonderful narrative, Lydia, who was
listening and watching him intently, saw his face become white and a
shining glow seemed to beam from every feature.
As his story progressed he would often allude to passages of scripture.
Then Mr. N. would speak up and endeavor to confound him. But the
attempt was soon acknowledged even by himself to be futile.
The Prophet bore a faithful testimony that the Priesthood was again
restored to the earth, and that God and His Son had conferred upon
him the keys of the Aaronic and Melchisedek Priesthoods. He stated
that the last dispensation had come, and the words of Jesus were now
in force--"Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel to every
creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that
believeth not shall be damned."
Elder Rigdon spoke after the Prophet ceased. He related some of his
early experiences, and told those present that he had received a
testimony for himself of the truth of what Joseph had said, and then
exhorted all present to take the advice of the ancient Apostle James,
and ask God, and the testimony would be given to each one; for God is
the same now as He was anciently, and has communicated His only gospel
to men. "God," said Elder Rigdon, "is no respecter of persons, but will
give to all that ask of Him a knowledge of the things Joseph Smith has
declared unto you whether they are true or false, of God or of man."
You may be sure that by this time Mr. N. was quite willing to sit and
listen, saying but little to interrupt or confound.
After both men were through speaking, many questions were asked by all
present for information. The listeners were honest-hearted people, and
when truth is told to such, they are constrained to accept and believe.
"And is this then," said Mr. N., "the curious religion the newspapers
tell so much about? Why if what you have just said is not good sound
sense, then I don't know what sense is."
A feeling of agreeable disappointment was felt by Mr. N. and family
that these strange men were so different to the various representations
of them.
Seldom have any petitions been sent up to heaven more fervent and
earnest than were those of the inhabitants of Mr. N.'s home that night.
Next day notice was sent out that there would be public preaching in
the Nickerson Bros', new store-house. A large and attentive audience
was present.
Elder Sidney Rigdon spoke to the people with great clearness on the
first principles of the gospel, and closed with a strong testimony to
the truth of so-called "Mormonism."
The Prophet then arose and poured forth a golden stream of words,
many of which were verily pearls without price. Setting forth the
restoration of the gospel and the great work that had commenced on the
earth. With power he exhorted every one who was present to seek for the
truth of his and his companion's words from the source of all light,
all truth, all religion, and a knowledge of the truth of the same
should surely follow.
Great was the excitement among the peaceful dwellers in Mount Pleasant.
The next day Mr. N. and wife, his father and mother, accompanied by the
two strangers, went a distance of ten miles to visit some particular
friends and tell them of these wonderful things they had heard and by
this time fully believed.
Returning the following day, religious services were again held in the
Nikerson store-house.
A large and attentive audience listened to all that was said, and at
the close of the meeting several persons came forward and requested
baptism.
The day following a meeting was again held, and after it was over the
Prophet baptized twelve persons, among whom was Lydia Bailey, Mr. N.
and all of his household. She who was always so sober and full of
reflection had received the glad message with trembling joy. She was
filled with a bright, peaceful influence and was full of gratitude that
God had spared her to hear and accept His glorious gospel. How often we
wish and even pray for that which would be our greatest misfortune! The
lonely girl had thought of death and its rest with a longing heart, but
now, why here was life, life eternal! Life filled to the utmost with
good works, joy, and happiness. No matter what should come now, she
should know it was all for the best. That is one of the greatest charms
of our holy religion. Whatever is, is always for the best if we are
only true and pure.
So into the water goes Lydia with a light step and happy heart. She was
so filled with the Holy Ghost while standing in the water after she was
baptized that she was constrained to cry aloud,
"Glory to God in the highest! Thanks be to His holy name that I have
lived to see this day and be a partaker of this great blessing."
In the evening, the new members of the Church assembled in Mr. N.'s
house for confirmation. God bestowed His Spirit very freely and the
Prophet gave much valuable instruction.
Two more persons came to the Prophet and requested baptism at the
meeting the next day. It was attended to and a branch of the Church was
organized. Freeman Nickerson was ordained as the presiding Elder.
The evening of this day (which was the seventh day, the Prophet had
been there, and came on Monday, October 24, 1833), the family were
all seated around the wide, old-fashioned fire-place in the parlor
listening to the Prophet's words and full of rejoicing.
"I would be so glad if some one who has been baptized could receive the
gift of tongues as the ancient Saints did and speak to us," said Moses
Nickerson.
"If one of you will rise up and open your mouth it shall be filled, and
you shall speak in tongues," replied the Prophet.
Every one then turned as by a common instinct to Lydia, and said with
one voice, "Sister Lydia rise up."
And then the great glory of God was manifested to this weak but
trusting girl. She was enveloped as with a flame, and, unable longer to
retain her seat, she arose and her mouth was filled with the praises
of God and His glory. The spirit of tongues was upon her, and she was
clothed in a shining light, so bright that all present saw it with
great distinctness above the light of the fire and the candles.
The visitors had desired to return on the next day, which was Tuesday.
Accordingly, preparations were made for their departure. It was decided
that the Prophet and Elder Rigdon should return by crossing Lake Erie,
Freeman giving them the money to do so. They all started out together--
old Mr. and Mrs. Nickerson, and Joseph and Sydney. The journey was
thus shortened by two or three hundred miles for the Prophet and his
companion.
That morning, while the team was being hitched up, Joseph paced back
and forth in the sitting room in deep study. Finally he spoke up and
said:
"I have been pondering on Sister Lydia's lonely condition, and
wondering why it is that she has passed through so much sorrow and
affliction and is thus separated from all her relatives. I now
understand it. The Lord has suffered it even as He allowed Joseph of
old to be afflicted, who was sold by his brethren as a slave into a
far country, and through that became a savior to his father's house
and country. Even so shall it be with her, the hand of the Lord will
overrule it for good to her and her father's family."
Turning to the young girl he continued: "Sister Lydia, great are your
blessings. The Lord, your Savior, loves you, and will overrule all
your past sorrows and afflictions for good unto you. Let your heart be
comforted. You are of the blood of Israel descended through the loins
of Ephraim. You shall yet be a savior to your father's house. Therefore
be comforted, and let your heart rejoice, for the Lord has a great work
for you to do. Be faithful and endure unto the end and all will be
well."
Immediately after that the party set out, and left behind many warm and
faithful friends.
The good work thus commenced continued with unabated vigor and numbers
came forward and were baptized.