It was the advice of both Brother Hyrum and his wife, Jerusha, that the
marriage should take place at once, and, as Lydia's objections were all
overruled, preparations were made immediately.
On the 23rd of November, 1835, was the day chosen. Brother and Sister
Smith decided to have a wedding-supper and invite some guests.
Accordingly, in the afternoon of the 22nd he set out to invite the
friends of the family.
Going to father Smith's, he asked them all to be present. Hastening
on to Joseph's house he acquainted him with what was to take place
the following day, and then requested him to be present. As Hyrum was
hurrying away, Joseph called out:
"Stop, Brother Hyrum, don't be in such a hurry. Where are you going
now?"
"Oh, I can't stay, I must make haste, as I have to go down and ask
Seymour Brunson to come up and marry them."
"Stop, Hyrum! I tell you to wait a moment. You need not go down and ask
Brother Brunson, for I mean to marry that couple myself."
Hyrum looked at his brother in astonishment at this announcement, for
heretofore those who wished to be married were obliged to employ either
a justice of the peace or a licensed minister. The law of Ohio did not
recognize the "Mormon" Elders as ministers, and it was a punishable
offense for a lay man to officiate in that capacity. In fact, several
Elders had been arrested and fined for the performance of this act.
Seymour Brunson had been down in the southern part of the State where
prejudice did not run so high and had obtained a license to perform the
ceremony. Consequently the Saints employed him whenever there was a
couple to be married.
"Very well," replied Hyrum, "you know best. We will be very glad to
have you do so."
The evening of the 23rd, about a dozen people gathered in Brother
Hyrum's parlor, all of them intimate friends of the Patriarch and his
family.
The young couple stood up, and the Prophet arose and commenced the
ceremony. At its close he pronounced them husband and wife by the
authority of the Priesthood which he held.
Thus was the first marriage ceremony ever performed by the Prophet
Joseph Smith. Here was laid the foundation stone of the grand structure
of our marriage ceremony. The revelation of sealing was not given, but
after he had united the two he blessed them with fervor. Then turning
to the company he exclaimed:
"Our Elders have been wronged and prosecuted for marrying without a
license. The Lord God of Israel has given me authority to unite the
people in the holy bonds of matrimony. And from this time forth I shall
use that privilege and marry whomsoever I see fit. And the enemies of
the Church shall never have power to use the law against me."
And so it was. The following Sunday he married four couple in public
meeting, and continued to do so until his martyrdom without being
molested.
After Joseph had thus spoken, some of the company asked some questions
and he continued to speak and instruct them on the principle of
marriage. Much that was entirely new to the Saints was revealed in his
conversation, and again Lydia saw that strange, brilliant light shine
through his features, like the mellow radience of an astral lamp, only
purer and brighter.
The guests parted that evening with many good wishes for the two, who
had suffered so much and were now about to commence the ascent of
life's steep hill together. But few misgivings were felt, however, as
all knew how genuinely good both were.
The Patriarch gave Brother and Sister Knight a hearty invitation to
remain with his family during the Winter, and not attempt to set up
housekeeping until they removed to their western home. They gladly
accepted his offer, and spent several busy, happy months in this
pleasant home.
Newel continued his labors on the temple, and in the evenings attended
the schools for the Elders, organized that they might receive
instructions preparatory to their endowments. Occasionally a lecture
would be given, and at it always would be found Brother and Sister
Knight.
How glorious it was to live during those brief Winter months receiving
light upon light, revelation upon revelation as it flowed from the
prophetic lips of Joseph!
When the lower room of the temple was completed an invitation was
issued to all the Saints to assemble on the 27th of March, 1836, to
witness the dedication of the first temple that had been built to
the name of the Lord in these days. On the appointed day a large
congregation was gathered inside and outside the building.
At nine o'clock, services were commenced by Sidney Rigdon reading the
ninty-sixth and twenty-fourth Psalms. Singing and prayer were then
offered, after which a discourse was delivered by Elder Rigdon.
An intermission of twenty minutes was made between the morning and
afternoon services; the people, however did not leave their seats.
In the afternoon, after the usual preliminary exercises, Joseph made
a short address, and called upon the various quorums to sustain the
presidency of the Church and all those who were called to preside.
After singing, Joseph offered the dedicatory prayer, which will be
found in the Doctrine and Covenants, Sec. 109 of the new edition.
At the close of this sublime prayer the congregation shouted as with
one voice, "Hosanna! hosanna! hosanna to God and the Lamb! amen! amen
and amen!" The sacrament was then administered. F. G. Williams arose
and testified that while the prayer was being offered, a personage came
in and sat down between Father Smith and himself, and remained there
during the prayer. He described his clothing and appearance.
Joseph said that the personage was Jesus, as the dress described was
that of our Savior, it being in some respects different to the clothing
of the angels.
David Whitmer testified to seeing angels present.
The services were closed by singing and prayer. The Saints enjoyed a
glorious day, and the temple was filled, as Lydia says, with the glory
of God.
Cannot we, who are of the later generation, picture to ourselves this
grand meeting, when Jesus and His angels were present and the glory
of God was felt like a burning fire? What privileges our fathers and
mothers enjoyed! How blest were they! And as we look back, it seems to
us that we could gladly partake of their many and severe trials if we
might enjoy their glorious blessings.
After the dedication, partial endowments were given to the Elders,
Newel receiving his with the rest of his quorum.
Shortly after this Brother Knight was released from his labors on the
temple, and decided to return to his home in Clay Co., Mo.
But how were they to get home? Newel had received no remuneration for
his year's labor on the temple, but he freely donated it to the cause
of God.
One day as they were talking over this difficulty Lydia remarked, "If
we only had the sum I gave to the Prophet when I first came in, we
could fit ourselves out very comfortably."
"Why, did you give the Prophet some money? Well I'm sure I thank God
that you were able to help him in his distress, and I have no fear but
what God will remember us as you remembered His servant."
This faith was not in vain. The following day Joseph stepped in, and,
after shaking hands, said,
"So, Newel, you are about to depart for your western home. Are you
amply provided for? Are you not in rather straightened circumstances? I
know how you have worked for nothing for the past year, and I know also
that you will get your reward."
"Yes, Brother Joseph, we are rather cramped just now for means,"
replied Newel.
"Just so. Sister Lydia, I have not forgotten how generously you helped
me when I was in trouble."
"Oh, Brother Joseph, I have never felt for one moment that you were
under the slightest obligation to me; I was only too glad to be the
humble instrument of your release from our enemies."
"All right, Sister Lydia. However, I shall remember you."
He then left the house, but returned again in a little while and placed
in the hands of this worthy couple about double the sum Lydia had given
him, telling them to fit themselves out, and go comfortably provided
for to their new home.
This little act well illustrates the just, and, at the same time,
generous character of our noble martyr.
Brother Hyrum Smith kindly provided them with a team and teamster to
take them to the Ohio river, from which place they could take a steamer
to their home.
Thus prepared, the couple started out, and in due time arrived at their
home, finding little Samuel (Brother Knight's boy) and the rest of his
relatives well, and very much pleased to see him and his young bride.
Their life here will be given in another chapter.
A description of the Patriarch Hyrum Smith will be interesting to
my readers, I am sure. When Lydia went to his house he was between
thirty-five and forty years of age, tall, well-framed, with a fine,
handsome countenance, and blue eyes, and his face was full of
intelligence and spirit. His manner was dignified, but he was amiable
and vivacious, and withal exceedingly courteous and fascinating to all
with whom he ever had intercourse. He was really a worthy brother of
the Prophet, and together they were a worthy pair.
Father Smith was the general Patriarch of the Church. Not many of his
blessings are now preserved, so thinking it will prove of interest to
the young, who never had the privilege of seeing this venerable man,
the blessing given to Lydia just before she left Kirtland for Clay Co.,
is here given:
A PATRIARCHAL BLESSING,
BY JOSEPH SMITH, SEN.
For Lydia Knight, who was born in Sutton, Worcester Co., Mass., June
9th, 1812.
"Sister Knight, in the name of Jesus Christ, I lay my hands upon
thy head and ask my Heavenly Father to give me wisdom and power to
pronounce such things as shall be according to the mind of the Holy
Spirit. I also ask God to prepare thee to receive blessings, and pour
them into thy soul even a fullness; and to give thee wisdom to abide
all things that shall come upon thee; and bless thee in thy out-goings
and in thy in-comings. I seal a father's blessing upon thee and thy
posterity. For thou shalt be a mother of many children. And thou shalt
teach them righteousness, and have power to keep them from the power of
the destroyer; and thy heart shall not be pained because of the loss
of thy children, for the Lord shall watch over them and keep them. And
your children shall be raised up for glory and be ornaments in the
Church.
"Thou hast been afflicted much in thy past days, and thy heart has
been pained. Many tears have fallen from thine eyes and thou hast wept
much. But thou shalt be comforted. The Lord loves thee and has given
thee a kind and loving companion for thy comfort. And your souls shall
be knit together, and nothing shall be able to dissolve them. Neither
distress nor death shall separate you. You shall be preserved in life,
and go safely and speedily to the land of Zion. Thou shalt have a good
passage, and receive an inheritance in Jackson county. Thou shalt also
see thy friends in Zion, thy brothers and sisters, and rejoice with
them in the glory of God. Angels shall minister unto thee; thy heart
shall be comforted. Thou shalt receive all thy heart's desire. Thy soul
shall be enlarged, and thou shalt stand to see Israel gather from their
dispersion, the ten tribes come from the land of the north country;
the heavens rend, and the Son of Man come in all the glory of His
Father. And thou shalt rise to meet Him and reign with Him a thousand
years, and thy offspring with thee. Great are thy blessings. I confirm
blessings on thee in common with thy husband. Blessings of the earth,
and all things which thou needest for thy comfort. And thou shalt be
a mother in Israel. Thou shalt relieve the wants of the oppressed and
minister to the needy. All needed blessings are thine. I seal them upon
thee, and I seal thee up unto eternal life, in the name of Jesus. Amen.
"(Sylvester Smith, Scribe)."
I will not endeavor to point out the many wonderful prophecies in this
blessing which have already been fulfilled, but will let events as they
are related speak for themselves.