Journal, 1835–1836
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Source Note
JS, “Sketch Book for the use of Joseph Smith, jr.,” Journal, Sept. 1835–Apr. 1836; handwriting of , an unidentified scribe, , , , JS, and ; 195 pages; JS Collection, CHL. Includes redactions and archival marking.The text block consists of 114 leaves—including single flyleaves and pastedowns in the front and back—measuring 12¼ x 8 inches (31 x 20 cm). The 110 interior leaves are ledger paper with thirty-four lines in faint—and now faded—black ink that has turned brown. There are nine gatherings of various sizes—each gathering about a dozen leaves. The text block is sewn all along over cloth tapes. The front and back covers of the journal are pasteboard. The ledger has a tight-back case binding with a brown calfskin quarter-leather binding. The outside covers are adorned in shell marbled paper, with dark green body and veins of light green. The bound volume measures 12⅜ x 8¼ inches (31 x 21 cm) and is 13/16 inches (2 cm) thick. One cover of the book is labeled “Repentence.” in black ink. The first page of ledger paper under that cover contains eight lines of references to the book of Genesis under the heading “Scriptures relating to Repentince”. The spine has “No 8” inscribed upside up when the book is standing upright for this side. When the volume is turned upside down and flipped front to back, the other cover is titled “Sabbath Day” with “No 9” written beneath in black ink. The first page of ledger paper under that cover contains two lines of references to the book of Genesis under the heading “Scriptures relating to the Sabbath day”. Thus the book was used to simultaneously house two volumes of topical notes on biblical passages. This book was apparently part of a larger series that included at least two other extant volumes—one bearing “Faith” and “10” on the cover, and the other bearing “Second Comeing of Christ” and “No 3” on one cover and “Gift of the Holy Ghost” on the other cover. In late 1835, JS and scribes began using the book to record his journal for 1835–1836, which begins on the recto of the second leaf of ledger paper. added the title “Sketch Book” to the cover, beneath “Repentence.”The entire journal is inscribed in black ink that later turned brown. Pages 25, 51, 77, 103, 129, and 154 bear the marks of adhesive wafers that were probably used to attach manuscripts until they were copied into the journal. The journal was used in , Illinois, in 1843 as a major source in composing JS’s multivolume manuscript history of the church. At this time, redactions were made in ink and in graphite pencil, and use marks were made in graphite. Also, apparently in Nauvoo, the cover of the journal side of the book was marked with a “D” and then with a larger, stylized “D”. At some point a white paper spine label was added with “1835–6 <> JOURNAL” hand printed or stenciled in black ink that later turned brown. The insertion “Kirtland” is written in graphite. Also, in the “Repentence” side of the volume, the rectos of the third through eighth leaves of ledger paper are numbered on the upper right-hand corners as 195, 197, 199, 201, 203, and 205—all written in graphite and apparently redactions. Except with regard to the title “Sketch Book”, none of the authors of the inscriptions mentioned previously have been identified. This volume is listed in Nauvoo and early Utah inventories of church records, indicating continuous custody.
Footnotes
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1
“Grammar & Aphabet of the Egyptian Language,” Kirtland Egyptian Papers, ca. 1835–1836, CHL; Kirtland Elders Quorum, “Record”.
Kirtland Egyptian Papers, ca. 1835–1836. CHL.
Kirtland Elders Quorum. “A Record of the First Quorurum of Elders Belonging to the Church of Christ: In Kirtland Geauga Co. Ohio,” 1836–1838, 1840–1841. CCLA.
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2
“Schedule of Church Records. Nauvoo 1846,” [1]; “Historian’s Office Catalogue,” [1], Catalogs and Inventories, 1846–1904, CHL; Johnson, Register of the Joseph Smith Collection, 7.
Historian’s Office. Catalogs and Inventories, 1846–1904. CHL. CR 100 130.
Johnson, Jeffery O. Register of the Joseph Smith Collection in the Church Archives, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Salt Lake City: Historical Department of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1973.
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1
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Historical Introduction
JS viewed himself as divinely commissioned to gather God’s people in the last days and prepare them for Jesus Christ’s second coming and millennial reign. By 1835, the , a temple in , Ohio, became the centerpiece of this commission and hence of this journal. The Latter-day Saints were commanded in revelations dated as early as December 1832 to establish “a house of God” and were chastised in June 1833 for not having begun the endeavor. Construction began 6 June 1833 after JS and colleagues saw in vision the completed structure. As writing in this journal began, construction was nearing completion. The newly established Quorum of the Twelve and Quorum of the Seventy were returning from preaching assignments and joining with church officers from and as well as with traveling elders. All converged on Kirtland to prepare with increasing intensity for the “solemn assembly” to be held in the House of the Lord, where they were to be “endowed with power from on high.” Thus empowered, they could better fulfill key elements of their mission: preaching God’s message for the last time throughout the world prior to the imminent Second Coming; gathering converts to Missouri, where they would find safety in Zion from the destruction that was to overtake the wicked; and ministering to the Saints. After a hiatus of more than nine months, JS renewed his journal keeping during this period of organization, purification, and preparation.The longest of any of JS’s journals published herein, this volume records his activities in and around during the half year from late September 1835 to early April 1836. It is the last journal that contains JS’s own handwriting: seven entries—four manuscript pages. Entries were sometimes made one or more days after the fact, but an entry was made for every day from the journal’s beginning to its end, providing a continuity lacking in JS’s previous journal and reflecting a time of relative stability for the church in Kirtland. JS is not embattled, defending his people and projects against enemies; rather, he is gathering and preparing his people for what they expect to be a pivotal experience. Blessings, rebukes, and counsel recorded here manifest the hopes and expectations of JS and others in church leadership.While JS, , and penned entries for the first two weeks of the journal, most of the remainder of the journal was kept by , often mentioned in the journal as “my scribe.” Parrish was hired as scribe for JS on 29 October 1835. His duties included keeping JS’s journal and minutes of church meetings and copying certain materials into JS’s 1834–1836 history, which Oliver Cowdery had begun the prior year. Parrish’s first recorded journal entry is for 8 October 1835, suggesting that journal keeping was three weeks behind when he started. Parrish inscribed entries covering the next six weeks. The journal was in Parrish’s possession during at least part of the time he was inscribing it, and the practice may have been for the assigned scribe to retain possession during his tenure. JS recorded four reflective entries for December 19–22 and indicated in the last of those entries that Parrish was ill. JS then passed the journal to Williams, whose entries covered four days ending 26 December 1835. Parrish resumed scribal duties for four weeks’ entries, but then his ill health forced him to relinquish journal keeping to , who recorded the next two weeks’ entries. On 7 February 1836, Parrish then resumed his work, recording entries for the next eight weeks, with occasional help from an unidentified scribe who copied or kept minutes of church meetings. In early April, Parrish was preparing to leave to proselytize, like many others who had sought empowerment in Kirtland for that purpose. Apparently Parrish’s scribal responsibilities for the journal and for JS’s 1834–1836 history were delegated at this time to , older brother of Oliver Cowdery. Cowdery used the first two months of material from the journal, 22 September to 18 November 1835, as the basis for a new section of the 1834–1836 history and also wrote the final two entries in the journal. Parrish’s mission departure was delayed until May. It was apparently during this delay that Parrish retrieved the history and the journal from Cowdery and added a final two months of material from the journal, 18 November 1835 through 18 January 1836, to the history—probably before leaving for his missionary assignment. Parrish made no additional entries to the journal before returning it to JS. Thus the journal ended with Cowdery’s entries.Much of the material in the journal seems to have been dictated by JS to the scribe or recorded as JS spoke to various gatherings. For example, the entry for 21 January 1836 is apparently a dictation because it reports a vision seen only by JS. JS may have had the scribe read back his dictations to him in order to make corrections, as he had sometimes done six years earlier in dictating his translation of the Book of Mormon. In the 21 January entry, the scribe writes, “I am mistaken,” and a paragraph in the entry corrects a statement made earlier in the entry. A few days later, wrote to JS that he could not continue to keep the journal for a time. He explained, “Writing has a particular tendency to injure my lungs while I am under the influence of such a cough”—a possible indication that his scribal duties required reading aloud.The journal reveals aspects not only of the inner spiritual life and the religious fellowship that JS shared with church members and leaders but also of his relations with adherents of other religious persuasions. Various entries describe his interactions with Presbyterians, Methodists, a Baptist, a Universalist, and a Unitarian. The journal records a visit JS received from two followers of the British religious reformer Edward Irving as well as a visit from JS’s contemporary —better known as the Prophet Matthias. During his visit with Matthews, JS shared the foundational religious experiences of his youth, including rare accounts of his visit from the angel Moroni and of his first vision of Deity.The journal also records several other revelations and visions. Of particular theological significance is the aforementioned 21 January 1836 vision of the “celestial kingdom” of heaven, with its revelation that “all who have died with[out] a knowledge of this gospel, who would have received it, if they had been permitted to tarry, shall be heirs of the celestial kingdom of God.” This foreshadows the Latter-day Saint doctrine of redeeming the dead through vicarious ordinances.A number of entries in this journal relate to JS’s revelatory translation of Egyptian writings. In July 1835, JS and associates had purchased from a four Egyptian mummies and some papyri unearthed at Thebes. Chandler had exhibited the artifacts in and other locations and had heard of JS’s claims as a translator. This journal provides glimpses of JS’s early efforts in transcribing and translating material from the papyri and recounts that JS exhibited the papyri to associates and visitors. Journal entries refer to them as the “records of antiquity,” the “Egyptian manuscripts,” the “Egyptian records,” the “sacred record,” the “ancient records,” the “records of Abraham,” or simply “the records.” JS’s efforts led to publication in 1842 of a work that he introduced as “purporting to be the writings of Abraham.”The events of this journal, as in JS’s 1832–1834 journal, unfold in the shadow of the dual priorities of redeeming Zion and preparing the . A revelation that JS announced in June 1834, prior to the close of the Mormons’ armed expedition to , laid out the course of action the Latter-day Saints were to pursue regarding their future in that state. The “redemption of Zion” in Missouri would not take place until church officers had been further instructed in their duties and empowered in the House of the Lord in .In the third entry in this journal, JS himself recorded further plans and preparations for . As the time for the promised endowment neared, so did the anticipated return to . The dispossessed Missouri Saints were again to petition Governor for support in reoccupying their Jackson County lands. JS and other church officers expressed determination to reenter Jackson County in spring 1836, at the risk of their lives if necessary. JS reported the beginning of efforts that same day to enlist a large volunteer army for this purpose—optimistic plans, fed perhaps by growth in church membership in the two years since their small “Camp of Israel” expedition had failed to accomplish the same goal. Less than two weeks later, he advised members of the Quorum of the Twelve to anticipate moving their families to Missouri.Latter-day Saints corresponded with , asking for his assistance and even suggesting that president Andrew Jackson be asked to rectify the Saints’ 1833 eviction from their property by vigilantes. In January 1836, Dunklin effectively foreclosed the possibility of aid from either the state or the federal government in the near future. He ruled out any request for federal intervention on constitutional grounds and again advised the Saints to pursue restoration of their property through the established legal system.Soon after receiving ’s letter, the Latter-day Saints modified their short-term plans for . By March 1836, they had apparently dropped the idea of assembling a large army, at least for the present. Church leaders moved their focus for the near future away from and instead commissioned agents to find a new location in Missouri and to purchase lands there on which to settle. The church’s presidency intended to move to Missouri to direct the relocation.During the time covered in the journal, the immediate attention of Latter-day Saints was focused on northeastern . Prerequisite to their major relocation in , church leaders from Missouri and elsewhere gathered to , the site of the that bore the name “the House of the Lord,” wherein the much-anticipated endowment and solemn assembly were to empower church officers in their ministry. Building the temple in Kirtland—which JS often referred to as the “chapel” or simply “the house”—had been a focal point since summer 1833, when a letter from JS, , and reported that there were only one hundred fifty Saints in Kirtland. In autumn 1834, JS himself helped quarry stone for the building. By late 1835, the nine hundred Mormons in Kirtland, plus the two hundred living nearby, included skilled individuals recruited specifically for the building project, freeing JS to pursue spiritual, educational, and administrative matters. A temple committee composed of JS’s brother , , and oversaw construction of the House of the Lord. The construction workers were compensated in part through goods available at the “.”Preparation for the promised endowment required much more than completion of the . JS’s vision for a church prepared for its expansive mission included an extensive and well-organized priesthood hierarchy. After adding three assistants to the church’s presidency in December 1834, JS further expanded his cadre of leaders. Drawn almost exclusively from the ranks of the 1834 expedition to , the Quorum of the Twelve and the Quorum of the Seventy, organized in February 1835, were assigned primarily to minister outside and Missouri, the two centers of the church. JS gave the new officers short-term assignments to preach in the East and seek financial support for Zion in Missouri and the temple in Ohio. Beginning in January 1836, JS worked to have every office and organization mentioned in the revelations fully staffed—to “set the different quorems in order.” With the entire array of priesthood leadership from both Ohio and Missouri in to prepare for empowerment, many of the regular Kirtland council meetings included the Missouri leadership, especially Missouri president and his counselors and . These three also often joined with the church’s presidency in Kirtland—JS, , , , , and —in a council of presidents that conducted much of the church business.Preparation of church officials for carrying out their responsibilities required ministerial training. This was accomplished in the Elders School, which was a revival of the earlier School of the Prophets. In early January 1836, an additional school was opened offering two months’ intensive study of biblical Hebrew under the tutelage of scholar . This instruction ran concurrently with the Elders School and involved many of the same students. JS himself participated as an enthusiastic student of Hebrew.JS insisted that in addition to being fully staffed and properly organized and trained, the church leadership must have unity and harmony. A prerequisite to the endowment was a sanctification process that in turn required collegiality and love. JS faced significant challenges from within the hierarchy and his own family as he sought to establish this unity. During the apostles’ 1835 mission, JS and other leaders in chastised the Quorum of the Twelve by letter for offensive statements two of them had made about . The Twelve also had reportedly failed to emphasize donations for construction while seeking funds for lands and other church needs. JS concluded later that the latter concern, based on a complaint by an observer in , was unwarranted. After the Twelve returned to Kirtland there were feelings to reconcile, apologies to make, and clarifications required concerning the role of the Twelve. The flurry of accusations and confessions in council meetings recorded in this journal were meant to heal breaches and promote harmony by airing and then resolving all disagreements.To JS’s great dismay, his confrontations with his volatile younger brother , an apostle in the church, contrasted starkly with JS’s ideals. The two strong-willed Smiths clashed in fall 1835. Harmony was not restored until convened a family New Year’s gathering to bring about reconciliation. Passages in this diary about their interaction offer revealing insights into the personalities and temperaments of JS and William.After resolving differences among church leaders, the officers were ready to receive the rituals associated with the and the anticipated endowment. This was a new development. The previous fall JS had told members of the Quorum of the Twelve that they were soon to attend the organization of a school of the prophets that would involve a solemn assembly and the ordinance of foot washing—patterned after Jesus’s ministration to his disciples after the Last Supper and mandated in the same revelation that first called for a temple to be built. This would have repeated the procedures followed at the organization of the initial School of the Prophets in 1833. Instead, JS organized the Elders School on 3 November 1835 without a solemn assembly, and the foot-washing ordinance was performed during a solemn assembly in the House of the Lord at the conclusion of a set of newly instituted ordinances. Before the Lord could “endow his servants,” recorded , “we must perform all the ordinances that are instituted in his house.” To this end, washing, anointing, and blessing the presidents of quorums began 21 and 22 January 1836. In the coming weeks, these rituals were administered in hierarchal order to each church officer in the House of the Lord. The ordinances were accompanied by exclamations of “hosanna” in unison. Visions and other spiritual manifestations were noted by numerous participants.On 27 March 1836, before a general audience of church members, JS dedicated the newly completed . His dedicatory prayer and the accompanying hymns and sermons expressed the vision he and his associates shared for the unfolding of God’s plan for the earth and the role they were to play as God’s authorized representatives. Not only their worldview and proximate goals but also their perceived challenges and obstacles were delineated in the journal’s report.Two days after the dedication of the , JS and the presidency sought revelation about the proposed move to . They emerged from an all-night session in the House of the Lord to announce that the key to redeeming Zion lay in proselytizing and gathering converts to Missouri. As for the presidency, their immediate concern was raising funds to purchase Missouri land. Apparently their planned move was postponed until after such purchases could be made.Now that the was dedicated to the Lord, the long-awaited solemn assembly was finally held. On 30 March 1836, three days after the dedication, about three hundred priesthood officers met in the House of the Lord and received a ritual washing of feet, an ordinance of purification before receiving the endowment of power. JS announced the celebration of a jubilee for the church. While preparing the sacrament of the Lord’s Supper to initiate a Passover feast, he instructed the officers that “the time that we were required to tarry in to be endued would be fulfilled in a few days.” Soon afterward, according to several accounts, many who were gathered in the solemn assembly experienced a powerful spiritual outpouring. They remained in the House of the Lord through the night, prophesying, speaking in tongues, and seeing visions. Many felt that the promise of an endowment of spiritual power had been fulfilled, and elders began leaving Kirtland the following day to perform missions.For those officers who remained, the jubilee and the Passover were a week of visiting, feasting, prophesying, and pronouncing blessings on one another. During the Sunday worship service held 3 April 1836, the day for which the final entry in the journal was made, JS and secluded themselves behind drawn curtains at the podium of the . There, the journal indicates, they experienced a vision of the resurrected Jesus Christ, who stated that he accepted the edifice as his house. Afterward, according to this account, Moses, Elias, and Elijah also appeared and conferred priesthood keys and authority for essential ministries over which they each had responsibility. The jubilee ended 6 April 1836, the first day of the church’s seventh year.
Footnotes
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1
Revelation, 27–28 Dec. 1832 and 3 Jan. 1833, in Doctrine and Covenants 7:36, 1835 ed. [D&C 88:119]; Revelation, 1 June 1833, in Doctrine and Covenants 95:1, 1835 ed. [D&C 95:2–3].
Doctrine and Covenants of the Church of the Latter Day Saints: Carefully Selected from the Revelations of God. Compiled by Joseph Smith, Oliver Cowdery, Sidney Rigdon, and Frederick G. Williams. Kirtland, OH: F. G. Williams, 1835. Also available in Robin Scott Jensen, Richard E. Turley Jr., Riley M. Lorimer, eds., Revelations and Translations, Volume 2: Published Revelations. Vol. 2 of the Revelations and Translations series of The Joseph Smith Papers, edited by Dean C. Jessee, Ronald K. Esplin, and Richard Lyman Bushman (Salt Lake City: Church Historian’s Press, 2011).
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2
Angell, Autobiography, 14–15.
Angell, Truman O. Autobiography, 1884. CHL. MS 12334. Also available in Archie Leon Brown and Charlene L. Hathaway, 141 Years of Mormon Heritage: Rawsons, Browns, Angells—Pioneers (Oakland, CA: By the authors, 1973), 119–135.
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3
Revelation, 22 June 1834, in Doctrine and Covenants 102:3, 1844 ed. [D&C 105:11]. For an account of the solemn assembly, see the journal entry for 30 March 1836.
The Doctrine and Covenants of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints; Carefully Selected from the Revelations of God. Compiled by Joseph Smith. 2nd ed. Nauvoo, IL: John Taylor, 1844. Selections also available in Robin Scott Jensen, Richard E. Turley Jr., Riley M. Lorimer, eds., Revelations and Translations, Volume 2: Published Revelations. Vol. 2 of the Revelations and Translations series of The Joseph Smith Papers, edited by Dean C. Jessee, Ronald K. Esplin, and Richard Lyman Bushman (Salt Lake City: Church Historian’s Press, 2011).
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4
Woodruff, Journal, 19 Apr. 1836.
Woodruff, Wilford. Journals, 1833–1898. Wilford Woodruff, Journals and Papers, 1828–1898. CHL. MS 1352.
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5
Woodruff, Journal, 27 May 1836.
Woodruff, Wilford. Journals, 1833–1898. Wilford Woodruff, Journals and Papers, 1828–1898. CHL. MS 1352.
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6
JS, Journal, 25 Jan. 1836.
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7
JS, Journal, 21 Jan. 1836.
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8
“The Book of Abraham,” Times and Seasons,1 Mar. 1842, 3:703–706; 15 Mar. 1842, 3:719–722; 16 May 1842, 3:783–784 [Abraham 1–5].
Times and Seasons. Commerce/Nauvoo, IL. Nov. 1839–Feb. 1846.
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9
Revelation, 22 June 1834, in Doctrine and Covenants 102, 1844 ed. [D&C 105].
The Doctrine and Covenants of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints; Carefully Selected from the Revelations of God. Compiled by Joseph Smith. 2nd ed. Nauvoo, IL: John Taylor, 1844. Selections also available in Robin Scott Jensen, Richard E. Turley Jr., Riley M. Lorimer, eds., Revelations and Translations, Volume 2: Published Revelations. Vol. 2 of the Revelations and Translations series of The Joseph Smith Papers, edited by Dean C. Jessee, Ronald K. Esplin, and Richard Lyman Bushman (Salt Lake City: Church Historian’s Press, 2011).
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10
JS, Journal, 24 Sept. 1835.
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11
JS, Journal, 5 Oct. 1835.
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12
Daniel Dunklin, Jefferson City, MO, to William W. Phelps et al., Kirtland, OH, 22 Jan. 1836, in JS History, vol. B-1, addenda, 3nH.
JS History / Smith, Joseph, et al. History, 1838–1856. Vols. A-1–F-1 (original), A-2–E-2 (fair copy). Historian’s Office, History of the Church, 1839–ca. 1882. CHL. CR 100 102, boxes 1–7. The history for the period after 5 Aug. 1838 was composed after the death of Joseph Smith.
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13
Whitmer, History, 83.
Whitmer, History / Whitmer, John. “The Book of John Whitmer Kept by Commandment,” ca. 1838–1847. CCLA. Available at josephsmithpapers.org.
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14
JS, Journal, 13 Mar. 1836.
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15
Sidney Rigdon et al., Kirtland, OH, to Edward Partridge et al., Independence, MO, 25 June 1833, JS Collection, CHL.
Smith, Joseph. Collection, 1827–1846. CHL. MS 155.
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16
JS History, vol. B-1, 553; Heber C. Kimball, in Journal of Discourses, 6 Apr. 1863, 10:165.
JS History / Smith, Joseph, et al. History, 1838–1856. Vols. A-1–F-1 (original), A-2–E-2 (fair copy). Historian’s Office, History of the Church, 1839–ca. 1882. CHL. CR 100 102, boxes 1–7. The history for the period after 5 Aug. 1838 was composed after the death of Joseph Smith.
Journal of Discourses. 26 vols. Liverpool: F. D. Richards, 1855–1886.
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17
Entries for 5 and 6 Dec. 1834, in JS History, 1834–1836, 17–20.
JS History, 1834–1836 / Smith, Joseph, et al. History, 1834–1836. In Joseph Smith et al., History, 1838–1856, vol. A-1, back of book (earliest numbering), 9–20, 46–187. Historian's Office, History of the Church, 1839–ca. 1882. CHL. CR 100 102, box 1, vol. 1.
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18
JS, Kirtland, OH, to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, 4 Aug. 1835, in JS Letterbook 1, pp. 90–93.
JS Letterbook 1 / Smith, Joseph. “Letter Book A,” 1832–1835. Joseph Smith Collection. CHL. MS 155, box 2, fd. 1.
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19
JS, Journal, 30 Jan. 1836.
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20
See Revelation, 27–28 Dec. 1832 and 3 Jan. 1833, in Doctrine and Covenants 7, 1835 ed. [D&C 88]; and Instruction on Priesthood, ca. Apr. 1835, in Doctrine and Covenants 3:11–12, 1835 ed. [D&C 107:27–33].
Doctrine and Covenants of the Church of the Latter Day Saints: Carefully Selected from the Revelations of God. Compiled by Joseph Smith, Oliver Cowdery, Sidney Rigdon, and Frederick G. Williams. Kirtland, OH: F. G. Williams, 1835. Also available in Robin Scott Jensen, Richard E. Turley Jr., Riley M. Lorimer, eds., Revelations and Translations, Volume 2: Published Revelations. Vol. 2 of the Revelations and Translations series of The Joseph Smith Papers, edited by Dean C. Jessee, Ronald K. Esplin, and Richard Lyman Bushman (Salt Lake City: Church Historian’s Press, 2011).
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21
JS, Journal, 5 Oct. 1835; Revelation, 27–28 Dec. 1832 and 3 Jan. 1833, in Doctrine and Covenants 7:45–46, 1835 ed. [D&C 88:138–141].
Doctrine and Covenants of the Church of the Latter Day Saints: Carefully Selected from the Revelations of God. Compiled by Joseph Smith, Oliver Cowdery, Sidney Rigdon, and Frederick G. Williams. Kirtland, OH: F. G. Williams, 1835. Also available in Robin Scott Jensen, Richard E. Turley Jr., Riley M. Lorimer, eds., Revelations and Translations, Volume 2: Published Revelations. Vol. 2 of the Revelations and Translations series of The Joseph Smith Papers, edited by Dean C. Jessee, Ronald K. Esplin, and Richard Lyman Bushman (Salt Lake City: Church Historian’s Press, 2011).
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22
Whitmer, History, 83.
Whitmer, History / Whitmer, John. “The Book of John Whitmer Kept by Commandment,” ca. 1838–1847. CCLA. Available at josephsmithpapers.org.
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23
JS, Journal, 29 and 30 Mar. 1836.
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24
JS, Journal, 2 Apr. 1836.
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1
Document Transcript
<Sketch Book> [front cover]
[Blank flyleaf followed by lined leaf with scriptural references regarding repentance on the recto]
Sketch Book for the use of
Joseph Smith, jr.
September 22, 1835. This day Joseph Smith, jr. labored with , in obtaining and writing blessings. We were thronged a part of the time with company, so that our labor, in this thing, was hindered; but we obtained many precious things, and our souls were blessed. O Lord, may thy Holy Spirit be with thy servants forever. Amen.
September 23.th [22nd] This day Joseph Smith, Jr. was at home writing blessings for my most beloved Brotheren <I>, have been hindered by a multitude of visitors but the Lord has blessed our Souls this day. May God grant <to> continue his mercies unto my house, this <night,> day For Christ sake. This day my Soul has desired the salvation of Brother . Also Brother . Came to my house and let the Chappel Committee have one thousand dollers, by loan, for the building the ; Oh may God bless him with an hundred fold! even of the <things of> Earth, for this ritious [righteous] act. My heart is full of desire to day, to <be> blessed of the God, of Abraham; with prosperity, untill I will be able to pay all my depts; for it is my <the> delight of my soul to <be> honest. Oh Lord that thou knowes right well! help me and I will give to the poor.
September 23d 1835 This day Brother, <Brothers> , Tibbets , and Started for the place designated for or the Saints they Came to bid us farewell the Brotheren Came in to pray with them and Brother acted as spokesman he prayed in the spirit a glorious time succeded his prayr Joy filled our hearts and we [p. 1] blessed them and bid them God speed and and promiced them a safe Journy and took them <by the hand> and bid them farewell for <a> season Oh! may God grant them long life and good days these blessings I ask <upon them> for Christ sake Amen
September 24th 1835 This day the met at my house to take into conside[r]ation the redeemtion of and it was the voice of the spirit of the Lord that we petition to the that is those who have been driven out <should> to do so to be set back on their Lands next spring and we go next season to live or dy to this end so the dy is cast in we truly had a good time and Covena[n]ted to strugle for this thing utill [until] death shall desolve this union and if one falls that the rest be not discouraged but pesue [pursue] this object untill it is acomplished which may God grant u[n]to us in the name of Christ our Lord
September 24th 1835 This day drew up an Article of inrollment for the redemtion of Zion that we may obtain volenteers to go we next Spring <to > I ask God in the name of Jesus that we may obtain Eight hundred men <or one thousand> well armed and that they may acomplish this great work even so Amen—— [p. 2]
Friday 25th September. This day I remained at home: nothing of note transpired. The twelve all returned from the east to day.
26th. This evening, the from the east this morning, we met them, and conversed upon some matters of difficulty which was <ware> existing between some of them, and , and all things were settled satisfactorily.
27th Sunday. Attended meeting: brethren, , , and preached and . The Lord poured out his Spirit, and my soul was edified.
28th. met and tried brother : he was reproved, repented, and was . The next was for fornication: he was cut off from the Church.
29th met to-day and tried brother Allen Avery: he was acquited from any charge. Also Brother , who was also acquited: also bro. , who confessed his error and was forgiven. In all these I acted on the part of the defence for the accused to plead for mercy. The Lord blessed my soul, and the council was greatly blessed, also. Much good will no doubt, result from our labors during the two days in which we were occupied on the business of the Church.
30th. Stayed at home and visited many who came to enquire after the work of the Lord.
October 1, 1835. This after noon labored on the , in company with brsr and : The system of astronomy was unfolded.
2nd. To-day wrote a letter to be published in the Messenger and Advocate. [p. 3]
Saturday 3d Oct held a on the case of Elder for giving credence to false and slanderous reports instigated to Injure bro and also for thretning bro and others in authority of the . after due deliberation the[y] both confessed and wer acquited.
In the afternoon waited on the most of them at my house and exhibited to them the ancient reccords in my possession and gave explanation of the same thus <this> the day passed off with the blessings of the Lord
Sunday 4 started early in the mornin with brother to hold a meeting in when about a mile from home we saw two Dears playing in the field which diverted our minds by giving an impatus to our thoughts upon the subject of the creation of God we conversed upon many topicks and the day passed off in a very agreeable manner and the Lord blessed our souls when we arived at we were disappointed of a meeting through misarangements but conversed freely upon with Bro s reletives which allayed much prejudice as we trust may the lord have mercy on their souls
Monday 5th returned home being much fatiegued riding in the rain spent the remainder of the day in reading and meditation &c and [p. 4] in the evening attend[ed] a of the , had a glorious time and gave them many instruction concerning their duties for time to come, told them that it was the will of God they should take their families to next season, also attend this fall the of the for the organization of the , and attend to the and to prepare their hearts in all humility for an from with power from on high to which they all agreed with one accord, and seamed to be greatly rejoiced may God spare the lives of the twelve with one accord to a good old age for christ the redeemers sake amen
Tuesday 6 At home father or Elder Stevens came to my house and loaned six hundred Dollars which greatly releaved us out of our present difficulties may God bless and preserve his soul for ever— Afternoon called to visit who was very sick with a fever some better towards evening spent the rest of the day in reading and meditation
Wednesday 7 went to visit administerd some mild herbs agreeable to the commandment may God grant to restore him immediately to health for christ the redeemers sake Amen This day bro and Bro started for to purchace good[s] to replenish the by land in the stage may God grant in the name of Jesus that their lives may [p. 5] be spared and they have a safe Journey and no accident or sickness of the least kind befall them that they may return in health and in safety to the bosom of their families—
Blessed of the lord is even the of the , for the shall never be taken away from him while he liveth and the time cometh that he shall overcome all the narrow mindedness of his heart and all his covetous desires that so easily besetteth him and <he> shall deliver deal with a liberal hand to the poor and the needy the sick and the afflicted the widow and the fatherless and marviously [marvelously] and miraculously shall the Lord his God provid for him. even that he shall be blessed with a <all the the> fullness of the good things of this earth and his seed after him from generation to generation and it shall come to pass that according to to the measure that he meeteth out with a liberal hand unto the poor so shall it be measured to him again by the hand of his God even an hundred fold Angels shall guard <his> house and shall guard the lives of his posterity, and they shall become very great and very numerous on the earth, whomsoever he blesseth they shall be blessed. whomsoever he curseth they shall be cursed. and when his enemies seek him unto his hurt and distruction let him rise up and curse and the hand of God shall be upon his enemies in Judgment [p. 6] they shall be utterly confounded and brought to dessolation, therefor he shall be preserved unto the utmost and his <life> day shall be precious in the sight of the Lord. he shall rise up and shake himself as a lion riseth out of his nest and roareth untill he shaketh the hills and as a lion goeth forth among the Lesser beasts, so shall the goings forth of him <be> whom the Lord hath to exalt the poor and to humble the rich, therefor his name shall be on high and his rest among the sanctified
this afternoon recommenced translating the ancient reccords
Thursday 8th at home nothing of note transpired of as we now recollect, < with feelings of great anxiety—>
Friday 9th at home nothing worthy of note transpired <on this day >
Saturday 10th at home<, visited the house of verry fast>—
Sunday 11th visited <again> who was <in secret prayer in the morning the Lord said my servant shall live> I waited on him all this day with my heart raised to god in the name of Jesus Christ that he would restore him to health again, that I might be blessed with his company and advise esteeming it one of the greatest earthly blessings, to be blessed with the society of Parents, whose maturer years and experience, renders them, capable of administering the most wholsom advise; at Evening Bro. came in we called on the Lord in mighty prayer in the name of Jesus Christ, and on him, and and God heard and answered our prayers to the great joy and satisfaction of our souls, our aged arose and dressed himself shouted and praised the Lord called [p. 7] Br who had retired to rest that he might praise the Lord with us by joining in Songs of praise to the most High
Monday 12th rode to in company with to purchase some goods at W. Lyons Store on our return we found a Mr. Bradly lying across the road he had been thrown from from his waggon was much injured by the fall
Tuesday 13th visited who was from his sickness indeed, which caused us <to> marvel at the might power and condesension of our Heavenly Father in answering our prayers in his behalf
Wednesday 14th at home
Thursday 15th Laboured in s orchard gathering apples
Friday 16th was called into the to settle some difficulties in that department, at evening on the same day I the Lord poured out his spirit on us and we had a good time
Saturday 17th called my family together and aranged my domestick concerns and domestic dismissed my boarders
Sunday 18th attended meeting in the several who had been and blessed several blessings childern with the blessings of the Elder preachd in the fore noon, and Elder in the after noon, we had an interesting time
Monday 19th at home, exibited the records of of antiquity to a number who called to see them
Tuesday 20th at home, preached at night in the .
Wednesday 21st at home nothing [p. 8] of note transpired
Thursday 22d at home attending to my domestick concerns
Friday 23d at home attended the prayer meeting
Saturday 24th Mr. Goodrich and his lady called called to see the antient Records also called at Doct. to see the mummies, Brs. Hawks & Carpenter from visited us & taried over Sunday and attended meeting—
Sunday 25th attended meeting preached in the fore noon, Elder in the after noon, after which Elder joined Br. & Sister in matrimony, and I blessed them with long life and prosperity in the name of Jesus Christ, at evening I attended prayer meeting opened it and exorted, the brethren & Sister about one hour, the Lord pourd out his spirit and some glorious things, were spoken in the gift of toungs, and interpeted concerning the redemption of
Monday 26th went to to attend the county Court in company with Brs & , was called in question before this Court for not doing military duty, and was fined because we had not our minuets with us for testimony to prove that was clerk of the conference,— this testimony we should have carried with us had it not been for the neglect of our Council, or Lawyer, who did not put us in possession of this information this we feel was a want of fidelity to his client, and we concider it a base insult <practised> upon us on the account of our faith, that the ungodly might have unlawful power over us and trample us under their unhallowed feet; <&> in consequence of this neglect a fine was imposed on [p. 9] of $20, including costs, for which Lawsuit, he was oblieged to sell his cow, to defray the expenses of the same, and I say in the name of Jesus Christ that the money that they have thus unjustly taken shall be a testimony against them and canker & eat their flesh as fire
Tuesday 27th in the morning I was called to visit at Br s was confined an[d] in a verry dangerous situation, took one of my horses and went to after I went out into the field and bowed before the Lord and called upon him in mighty prayer in her behalf the word of the Lord came unto me saying my Servant shall come and shall have wisdom given him to deal prudently and my handmaden shall be delivered of a living child & be spared, he come in a bout one hour after that and in the course of about 2. hours she was delivered and thus what God had manifested to me was fulfilled every whit, on the night of the same day I preached in the to a crowded congregation
Wednesday 28th at holm attending to my family concerns &c
Thursday 29th Br commenced writing for me, & visit[ed] us and while we set writing passed our window just returned from the East— commenced writing for me at $15.00 p[e]r month I paid him $16.00 in advance out of the agrees to board himself, for which I agree to <allow him> four Dollars more p[e]r. month making $19.00. I was then called to appear before the which was [p. 10] setting to give my testimony in an action brought against Br. for whiping his Daughter unreasonably my testimony was in his favour, returned to our writing room, went to after my large journal, made some observations to concerning the plan of which is to be built up hereafter on this ground consecrated for a of .
while at the came in, in company with , I was much rejoiced to see him, we examined the mumies, returned home and commenced writing in <my> journal a history of my life, concluding 2d letter to , which had begun & with his & Mother called to Visit us, his parents having lately arived here from the East called to make enquiry concerning the coming forth of the book of Mormon, & some others came in I then set down and taught <related to> them the history of the coming forth of the book the administration of the Angel to me the rudiments of the gospel of Christ &c they appeared well satisfyed & I expect to them in a few days, or this is my feelings upon the subject altho they have not made any request of this kind at present, went to the , the arose and adjourned on my return observed that long debates were had. I replyed that it was generally the case, that to[o] much, altercation was generally indulged in, on both sides and their debates protracted to an unprofitable length; we were seated called to sup[p]er, after being seated around the table observed to that <the> thought had just occured to his mind that perhaps in about one yea[r] from this time they might be seated together around a table in on the land of Zion [p. 11]
Sister Emma <> observed that she hoped it might be the case that not only they but the rest of the of the company present might be seated around her table in the land of promise; the same sentiment was reciprocated, from the company round the table and my heart responded Amen God grant it, I ask in the name of Jesus Christ, after sup[p]er I went to the in company with and some others that belong to my house hold I was solicited to take a seat with the and preside in a case of Sister Eliots [Mary Cahoon Elliott] I did so was called as testimony and began to relate circumstances that had been brought before the church and settled I objected against such testimony the complainant Br. arose and accused me of invalidating or doubting s testimony which I had not done nor did I desire to do I told him he was out of place & asked him to set down he refused I repeated my request he become enraged I finally ordered him to set down he said he would not unless I knocked him down I was agitated in my feeling at on the account of his stubournness and was about to call leave the house, but requsted me not to <do so> I complyed the house was brought to order after much debate upon the subject and we proceded to buisness & & his wife were both cleared from the charges prefered against them
Friday 30th at home Mr. Fransis Porter called from New York a member of the Methodist Church, called to make some inquiry about lands in this place whether there is any farmes for sale that are valuable and whether [p. 12] a member of our church could move into this vicinity and purchase lands and enjoy his own possessions & property with out making it common Stock, he had been requested to do so by some brethren who live in the town of Jeff [Le Ray, Jefferson] Co N.Y I replyed that he <I> had a valuable farm joining the Lot that he <I> would sell & that there is other lands for sale in this place and that we have no commonstock business among us, that every man enjoys his own property, or can if he is disposed, liberally or illiberally to the support of the poor & needy, or the building up of , he also enquired how many members there are in this church I told him that there is about five or six hundred who commune at our chapel and perhaps a thousand in this vicinity:— at evening I was presented with a letter from Br. the purport of which is that he is censured by the brethren on the account of what took place at the last night and wishes to have the matter settled to the understanding of all, that he may not be censured unjustly, concidering that his cause was a just one, and that he had been materially injured; I replied that I thought we parted with the best of feelings, that I am not to blame on the account of the dissatisfaction of others, I invited him to call and talk with me, and that I would give <talk with> him in the spirit of meekness and give him all the satisfaction I could.— this reply was by letter copy retained
Saturday 31st in the morning br. came in and said he had been much troubled all night and had not slept any [p. 13] that something was wrong while talking br. came in according to my requst last night observed that he must go to the Store I invited him to stay he said he would go and do his business & return he did so while he was gone introduced the subject of our difficulty at the , I told him I did not want to converse upon the subject untill returned, he soon came in I then proposed to relate the occurrences of the council before named and wherein I had been out of the way I would confess it and ask his forgivness, and then he should relate his story and make confession wherein he had done wrong he said he had not done wrong and then leave it to br. & to decide the matter between us and I would agree to the decission & be satisfyed there with; he observed that he had not done wrong, and that I was always determined to carry my points whether right or wrong and therefore he would not stand an equal chance with me; this was an insult, but I did not reply to him in a harsh manner knowing his inflamatory disposition, but tryed to reason with him and show him the propriety of a complyance with my request, I finally succeeded with the assistance of in obtaining his assent to the proposition that I had made. I then related my story and wherein I had been wrong I confessed it and asked his forgivness after I got through he made his statements justifying himself throughout in transgressing the order of the council & treating the authority of the with contempt; after he had got through began to make [p. 14] some remarks, in the spirit of meekness, he [] became enraged, I joined in trying to calm his stormy feelings, but to no purpose he insisted that we intended to add abuse to injury, his passion increased, he arose abruptly and declared that he wanted no more to do with them us or the church and said we might take his for he would have nothing to do with us, he rushed out at the door we tryed to prevail on him to stop, but all to no purpose, he went away in a passion, and soon sent his licence to me, he went home and spread the levavin [leaven] of iniquity in among my brethren and especially prejudiced the mind of as I soon learned that he was in the streets exclaiming against, me, which no doubt our enemys rejoice at, and where the matter will end I know not, but I pray God to forgive him and th[e]m, and give them humility and repentance, the feelings of my heart I cannot express on this occasion, I can only pray my heavenly Father to open their eyes that they may discover where they stand, that they may extricate themselves from the snare they have fallen into: after dinner I rode out in company with and children, & some others, we went to visit & family who live near , we had an interesting visit at as soon as I returned I was called upon to & his Wife and Daughter after baptism we returned to their house and offered our thanks, in prayer I obtained a testimony that would return and to the church and repair the wrong he had done [p. 15]
Sunday Morning November 1st 1835 Verily thus Saith the Lord unto me, his servant Joseph Smith jun mine anger is kindle[d] against my servant because of his iniquities his covetous and dishonest principles in himself and family and he doth not purge them away and set his house in order, therefore if he repent not chastisment awaiteth him even as it seemeth good in my sight therefore go and declare unto him this <these> word<s> I went imediately and delvired this message according as the Lord commanded me I called him in & read what the Lord had said concerning him, he acknowledged that it was verily so & expressed much humility,— I then went to meeting preached a fine discourse, in the after noon continued the servises of the day by reading the 5th chapt. of Mathew also the laws regulating the and made some remarks upon them after which was administered I then a number who had been & blessed a number of children in the name of Jesus Christ with the blessings of the , notice was then given that the woud commence on the on the morrow, I then dismissed the meeting,
Monday morning 2d was engaged in regulating the affairs of the , I then had my team prepared & and a and a number of others went to to Hear deliver a lecture on the profession theory & practice of Physic [p. 16] we called at s, had our horses put in the Stable took dinner, attended the lecture was treated with great respect, throughout; returned home, came to from to day;— & also from the East the question was agitated whether or Should go to to make arangements respecting a book bindery they refered to me for a decision, and thus came the word of the Lord unto me saying it is not my will that my servant should go to , but inasmuch as he wishes to go and visit his relatives that he may warn them to flee the wrath to come let him go and see them, for that purpose and let that be his only business, and behold in this thing he shall be blessed with power while to overcome their prejudices, Verily thus saith the Lord Amen.
Thus came Tuesday 3d. Thus came the word of the Lord unto me saying concerning the, <saying>
behold they are under condemnation, because they have not been sufficiently humble in my sight, and in consequence of their covetous desires, in that they have not dealt equally with each other in the division of the moneys which came into their hands, nevertheless some of them, dealt equally therefore they shall be rewarded, but Verily I say unto you they must all humble themselves before Me, before they will be accounted worthy to receive an to go forth in my name unto all nations, as for my Servant let the Eleven humble themselves in prayer and in faith [p. 17]
and wait on me in patience and my servant shall return, and I will yet make him a polished shaft in my quiver, in bringing down the wickedness and abominations of men and their shall be none mightier than he in his day and generation, nevertheless if he repent not spedily he shall be brought low and shall be chastened sorely for all his iniquities he has commited against me, nevertheless the sin which he hath sined against me is not even now more grevious than the sin with which my servant and my servant and my servant have sinded against me, and the residue are not sufficiently humble before me, behold the parable which I spake concerning a man having twelve Sons, for what man amon[g] you having twelve Sons and is no respecter to them and they serve him obediantly and he saith unto the one be thou clothed in robes and sit thou here, and to the other be thou clothed in rages [rags] and sit thou there, and looketh upon his sons and saith I am just, ye will answer and say no man, and ye answer truly, therefore Verily thus saith the Lord your God I appointed these twelve that they should be equal in their ministry and in their portion and in their evangelical rights, wherefore they have sined a verry grevious sin, in asmuch as they have made themselves unequal and have not hearkned unto my voice therfor let them repent speedily and prepare their hearts for the [p. 18]
and for the great day which is to come Verely thus saith the Lord Amen.
I then went to assist in organizing the called to order and I made some remarks upon the object of this School, and the great necessity there is in <of> our rightly improving our time and reigning up our minds to the a sense of the great object that lies before us, viz, that that God has in store for the faithful I then dedicated the School in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. after the School was dismissed I attended a meeting at Br s, ses parents were blessed also his child & named , at evening I preachd at the to a crowded congregation
Wednesday 4th in morning, at home attended all during the school hours, made rapid progress in our studies, in the evening, lectured on grammar, at home, on this day Br , arived at this place from
Thursday 5th attended all day, came in from the east this morning I was called to visit who was sick, I took with me and we prayed for and on him in the <name> of the Lord Jesus and —
& came in and desired to hear the revelation concerning the , read to him them they expressed some little dissatisfaction but after examining their own hearts, they accknowledged it to be the word of the Lord [p. 19] and said they were satisfied; after came in and desired also to hear, it read also after hearing it he appeared perfectly satisfied; in the evening lectured on Grammar
Friday morning 6th at home. attended during the school hours returned and spent the evening at home I was this morning introduced to a man from the east, after hearing my name he replied remarked that I was nothing but a man: indicating by this expression that he had supposed that a person, <to> who<m> the Lord should see fit to reveal his will, must be something more than a man, he seems to have forgotten the saying that fell from the lips of St. James, that Elias was a man of like passions like unto us, yet he had such power with God that He in answer to his prayer, shut the heavens that they gave no rain for the space of three years and six months, and again in answer to his prayer the heavens gave forth rain and the earth brought forth fruit; and indeed such is the darkness & ignorance of this generation that they look upon it as incredible that a man should have any intercourse with his Maker.
Saturday 7th spent the day at home attending to my domestic concerns; The word <of the Lord> came to me saying, behold I am well pleased with my servant and my servant , because of the integrity of their harts in laboring in my vinyard for the salvation of the souls of men, Verily I say unto you their sins are [p. 20] forgiven them, therefor say unto them in my name that it is my will that they should tarry for a little season and attend the , and also the for a wise purpose in me, even so amen
Sunday 8th went to meeting in the morning at the us[u]al hour, preached a verry interesting discourse, in the after noon preached; after preaching came forward to make some remarks by way of confession, he had been previously excommunicated from the church for lying & for an attempt to seduce a female; his confession was not satisfactory to my mind <Uncle> arose and made some remarks respecting the dealings of the on the case of said . that is that he should make a public confession of his crime and have it published in the messenger and Advocate, he proposed that should now make his confession before the congregation and then immediately observed that he had forgiven , which was in contradiction to the sentiment he first advanced, this I attributed to an error in judgment not in design then arose and verry abruptly militated against <the sentiment of> , which had a direct tendency to destroy his influence and bring him into disrepute in the eyes of the church, which was not right, he also misrepresented s case and spread darkness rather than light upon the subject a vote was then called of the church was then called on his case and he was restored without any further confession; that he should [p. 21] be received into the church by which was administered acordingly.
after I came home I took up a labour with and convinced him that he was wrong & he made his confession to my satisfaction; I then went and laboured with and succeded in convincing him also of his error which he confessed to my satisfaction.
The word of the Lord came unto me saying that & President are under condemnation before the Lord, for their iniquities; I also took up a labour with for leaving the meeting before <not partaking of the> , he made his confession; also for the same leaving the meeting before sacrament she made no reply, but manifested contrition by weeping
Editorial Note
The following entry describes a visit to JS by , more commonly known as the Prophet Matthias. In Albany, New York, in 1830 and in , New York, in 1831, Matthews launched his career as a prophet with attempts to win over recent converts from Charles G. Finney’s revivals. In 1832, Matthews converted Elijah Pierson and a few of his Bowery Hill Kingdom disciples in . Following the death of Pierson, Matthews was charged with his murder. Although acquitted, Matthews was jailed for whipping his daughter and for contempt of court. Suffering from internal dissension, public spectacle, and Matthews’s four-month incarceration, Matthews’s kingdom crumbled. Three months after his release from county jail, Matthews was reported to be traveling in and asking for directions to . A few days later he arrived at the home of JS. His visit prompted JS to relate, as JS characterized it, a “brief history of the establishment of the Church of Christ in these last days.” A visitor later in the week heard a similar recounting, though one recorded in much less detail.
Monday morning 9th. after breckfast Sister <Mary> Whitcher came in and wished to see me, she I granted her request she gave a relation of her griveances which were, unfathonable at present, and if true sore indeed, and I pray my heavenly Father to bring the truth of her case to light, that the reward due to evil doers may be given them, and <that> the afflicted & oppressed may be delivered;— while setting in my house between the hours of nine <ten> & 10 11 this morning a man came in, and introduced himself to me, calling <himself> self <by the name of> , his appearance was some what < thing> singular, having a beard about 3 inches in length which is quite grey, also his hair is long and considerably silvered with age [p. 22] I should think he is about 50 or 55 years old, tall and strait slender built of thin visage blue eyes, and fair complexion, he wears a sea green frock coat, & pantaloons of the same, black fur hat with narrow brim, and while speaking frequently shuts his eyes, with a scowl on his countinance; I made some enquiry after his name but received no definite answer; we soon commenced talking upon the subject of religion and after I had made some remarks concerning the bible I commenced giving him a relation of the circumstances connected with the coming forth of the book of Mormon, as follows— being wrought up in my mind, respecting the subject of religion and looking upon <at> the different systems taught the children of men, I knew not who was right or who was wrong and concidering it of the first importance that I should be right, in matters that involved eternal consequences; being thus perplexed in mind I retired to the silent grove and bowd down before the Lord, under a realising sense that he had said (if the bible be true) ask and you shall receive knock and it shall be opened seek and you shall find and again, if any man lack wisdom let him ask of God who giveth to all men libarally and upbradeth not; information was what I most desired at this time, and with a fixed determination I to obtain it, I called upon the Lord for the first time, in the place above stated or in other words I made a fruitless attempt to pray, my toung seemed to be swolen in my mouth, so that I could not utter, I heard a noise behind me like some person walking towards me, <I> strove again to pray, but could not, the noise of walking seemed to draw nearer, I sprung up on my feet, and [p. 23] and looked around, but saw no person or thing that was calculated to produce the noise of walking, I kneeled again my mouth was opened and my toung liberated, and I called on the Lord in mighty prayer, a pillar of fire appeared above my head, it presently rested down upon my <me> head, and filled me with joy unspeakable, a personage appeard in the midst, of this pillar of flame which was spread all around, and yet nothing consumed, another personage soon appeard like unto the first, he said unto me thy sins are forgiven thee, he testifyed unto me that Jesus Christ is the son of God; <and I saw many angels in this vision> I was about 14. years old when I received this first communication; When I was about 17 years old I saw another vision of angels, in the night season after I had retired to bed I had not been a sleep, when but was meditating upon my past life and experiance, I was verry concious that I had not kept the commandments, and I repented hartily for all my sins and transgression, and humbled myself before Him; <whose eyes are over all things>, all at once the room was iluminated above the brightness of the sun an angel appeared before me, his hands and feet were naked pure and white, and he stood between the floors of the room, clothed <with> in purity inexpressible, he said unto me I am a messenger sent from God, be faithful and keep his commandments in all things, he told me of a sacred record which was written on plates of gold, I saw in the vision the place where they were deposited, he said the indians, were the literal descendants of Abraham he explained many things of the prophesies to [p. 24] me, one I will mention which is this in Malachi 4 behold the day of the Lord cometh &c; also that the Urim and Thumim, was hid up with the record, and that God would give me power to translate it, with the assistance of this instrument he then gradually vanished out of my sight, or the vision closed, while meditating on what I had seen, the Angel appeard to me again and related the same things and much more, also the third time bearing the same tidings, and departed; during the time I was in this vision I did not realize any thing else around me except what was shown me in this communication: after the vision had all passed, I found that it was nearly day-light, the family soon arose, I got up also:— on that day while in the field at work with he asked me if I was sick I replyed, I had but little strenght, he told me to go to the house, I started and went part way and was finally deprived deprived of my strength and fell, but how long I remained I do not know; the Angel came to me again and commanded me to go and tell , what I had seen and heard, I did so, he wept and told me that it was a vision from God to attend to it I went and found the place, where the plates were, according to the direction of the Angel, also saw them, and the angel as before; the powers of darkness strove hard against me, I called on God, the Angel told me that the reason why I could not obtain the plates at this time was because I was under transgression, but to come again in one year from that time, I did so, but did not obtain them [p. 25] also the third and the fourth year, at which time I obtained them, and translated them into the english language; by the gift and power of God and have been preaching it ever since.
While I was relating this brief history of the establishment of the in these last days, seemed to be highly entertained after I had got through I observed that, the hour of worship & time to dine had now arived and invited him to tarry, which he concented to,
After dinner the conversation was resumed and proceded to make some remarks on the prophesies, as follows:
He observed that he was aware that I could bear stronger meat than many others, therefore he should open his mind the more freely;— Daniel has told us that he is to stand in his proper lot, in the latter days according to his vision he had a right to shut it up and also to open it again after many days, or in the latter times; Daniels Image whose head was gold, and body, armes, legs and feet was composed of the different materials described in his vision represents different governments, the golden head was <to represent> Nebuchodnazer King of Babylon, the other parts other kings & forms of government, which I shall not now mention in detail, but confine my remarks, more particularly to the feet of the Image; The policy of the wicked spirit, is to separate what God has joined togather and unite what He has separated, which he has succeded in doing to admiration, in the present state of society, which is like unto Iron and clay, there is confusion in all things, both [p. 26] both Political and religious, and notwithstanding all the efforts that are made to bring about a union, society is remains disunited, and all attempts to <unite her> are as fruitless, as to attemp to unite Iron & Clay.
The feet of the Image, is the government of these , other Nations & kingdoms are looking up to her for an example, of union fredom and equal rights, and therefore worship her, like as Daniel saw in the vision, although they are begining to loose confidence in her, seeing the broils and discord that distract, her political & religious horizon this Image is characteristic of all governments and institutions or most of them; as they begin with a head of gold and terminate in the contempible feet of Iron & clay: making a splendid appearance at first, proposing to do much more than the[y] can perform, and finally end in degradation and sink, in infamy; we should not only start to come out of Babylon but leav it entirely lest we are overthrown in her ruins, we should keep improving and reforming, twenty-fours hours for improvement now is worth as much as a year a hundred years ago; the spirit of the Fathers that was cut down, or those that were under the altar, are now rising this is the first resurection the Elder that fall’s first will rise last; we should not form any opinion only for the present, and leave the result of futurity with God: I have risen up out of obscurity, but was lookd. up to when but a youth, in temporal things: It is not necessary that God should give us all things at first or in his first commission to us, but in his second. John saw the angel deliver the gospel in the last days, which would not be necessary if [p. 27] it was already in the world this expression would be inconsistent, the small lights that God has given, is sufficient to lead us out of babylon, when we get out we shall have the greater light. I told that I did not understand him concerning the resurection and wishd him to be more explanitory on the subject; he replied that he did not feell impressed by the spirit to unfold it further at present, but perhaps he might at some other time.
I then withdrew to do some buisness with another gentleman that called to see me.
He [] informed that he was born in Washington County New York. he says that all the railroads canals and other improvements are performed by spirits of the resurection.
The silence spoken of by John the Revelator which is to be in heaven for the space of half an hour, is between 1830 & 1851, during which time the judgments of God will be poured out after that time there will be peace.
Curiosity to see a man that was reputed to be a jew caused many to call during the day and more particularly at evening suspicions were entertained that said was the noted of , spoken so much of in the public prints on account of the trials he underwent in that place before a court of justice, for murder manslaughter comtempt of court whiping his Daughter &c for the two last crimes he was imprisoned, and came out about 4, months [p. 28] since, after some, equivocating he confessed that he was realy : after supper I proposed that he should deliver a lecture to us, he did so sitting in his chair; he commenced by saying God said let there be light and there was light, which he dwelt upon through his discource, he made some verry exelent remarks but his mind was evidently filled with darkness, after he dismissed his meeting, and the congregation disperced, he conversed freely upon the circumstances that transpired in ,
His name is , he say[s] that Joshua, is his priestly name.
during all this time I did not contradict his sentiments, wishing to draw out all that I could concerning his faith; the next morning Tuesday 10th I resumed the conversation and desired him to enlighten my mind more on his views respecting the resurection, he says that he poss[ess]es the spirit of his fathers, that he is a litteral decendant of Mathias the Apostle that was chosen in the place of Judas that fell and that his spirit is resurected in him, and that this is the way or scheme of eternal life, this transmigration of soul or spirit from Father to Son: I told him that his doctrine was of the Devil that he was in reality in possession of wicked and depraved spirit, although he professed to be the spirit of truth, it self, also that he possesses the soul of Christ; he tarried until Wednesday 11.th, after breckfast I told him, that my God told me that his God is the Devil, and I could not keep him any longer, and he must depart, and so I for once cast out the Devil in bodily shape, & I believe a murderer [p. 29] on monday th[e] 9th of [blank] came here to ask advice of me concerning purchasing lands, whether it is best for him to purchase in this vicinity and move into this church, or not, he says that he cannot arrange his buisness so as to go to the next spring; I advised him to come here, and settle untill he could move to
Wednesday Morning 11th. at home attended during school Hours, returned home and spent the evening, around my fire-side, teaching my family the science of grammar; it commensed snowing this afternon, the wind is verry heavy indeed
Thursday 12th attended again, during school Hours, rain & snow is still falling, it is about one inch in dept[h], the wind is verry heavy, and the weather extremly unpleasant, the labours [laborers] who commenced finishing the out side of the house were oblieged to brake off from their buisness at the commencement of this storm viz on the 11th.. they commenced plasturing and finishing the out side on Monday the 2. Inst. this job is let to & , <at $1,000> they have progressed rapidly since they commenced
has the job of plastering the inside of the through, out at $15.00. he commenced on Monday the 9th. and is continueing it notwithstanding the inclemency of the weather. This evening viz the 12th at 6 oclock meet with the . by their request, 9 of them were present [p. 30] council opened by singing & prayer, and I made some remarks as follows;— I am happy in the enjoyment of this opportunity of meeting with this council on this occasion, I am satisfyed that the spirit of the Lord is here, and I am satisfied with all the breth[r]en present, and I need not say that you have my utmost confidence, and that I intend to uphold, you to the uttermost, for I am well aware that you do and delight in so doing have to sustain my character my charcter against the vile calumnies and reproaches of this ungodly generation and that you delight in so doing:— darkness prevails, at this time as it was, at the time Jesus Christ was about to be crucified, the powers of darkness strove to obscure the glorious sun of righteousness that began to dawn upon the world, and was soon to burst in great blessings upon the heads of the faithful, and let me tell you brethren that great blessings awate us at this time and will soon be poured out upon us if we are faithful in all things, for we are even entitled to greater blessings than they were, because the[y] had the person of Christ with them, to instruct them in the great plan of salvation, his personal presence we have not, therefore we need great faith on account of our peculiar circumstances and I am determined to do all that I can to uphold you, although I may do many things <invertaintly [inadvertently]> that are not right in the sight of God; you want to know many things that are before you, that you may know how how to prepare your selves for the [p. 31] great things that God is about to bring to pass; but there is on[e] great deficiency or obstruction, in the way that deprives us of the greater blessings, and in order to make the foundation of this church complete and permanent, we must remove this obstruction, which is to attend to certain duties that we have not as yet attended to; I supposed I had established this church on a permanent foundation when I went to the and indeed I did so, for if I had been taken away it would have been enough, but I yet live, and therefore God requires more at my hands:— The item to which I wish the more particularly to call your attention to night is the , this we have not done as yet but it is necessary now as much as it was in the days of the Saviour, and we must have a place prepared, that we may attend to this ordinance, aside from the world; we have not desired much from the hand of the Lord, with that faith and obediance that we ought, yet we have enjoyed great blessings, and we are not so sensible of this as we should be; When or wher has God suffered one of the witnesses or of this church <to> fall? never nor nowhere amidst all the calamities and judgments that have befallen the inhabitants of the earth his almighty arm has sustained us, men and Devils have raged and spent the malice in vain. [p. 32] we must have all things prepared and call our as the Lord has commanded us, that we may be able to accomplish his great work: and it must be done in Gods own way, the must be prepared, and the solem assembly called and organized in it according to the order of the house of God and in it we must attend to the ; it was never intended for any but , it is calculated to unite our hearts, that we may be one in feeling and sentiment and that our faith may be strong, so that satan cannot over throw us, nor have any power over us,— the you are so anxious about you cannot comprehend now, nor could Gabriel explain it to the understanding of your dark minds, but strive to be prepared in your hearts, be faithful in all things that when we meet in the solem assembly that is such as God shall name out of all the official members, will meet, and we must be clean evry whit, let us be faithful and silent brethren, <and> if God gives you a manifestation, keep it to yourselves, be watchful and prayerful, and you shall have a prelude of those joys that God will pour out on that day, do not watch for iniquity in each other if you do you will not get an endowment for God will not bestow it on such; but if we are faithful and live by every word that procedes forth from the mouth of God I will venture to prophesy that we shall get a [p. 33] blessing that will be worth remembering if we should live as long as John the Revelator, our blessings will be such as we have not realized before, nor in this generation. The order of the has and ever will be the same, even after Christ comes, and after the termination of the thousand years it will be the same, and we shall finally roll into the of God and enjoy it forever;— you need an brethren in order that you may be prepared and able to overcome all things, and those that reject your testimony will be damned the the lame made to walk the deaf to hear and the blind to see through your instrumentality;
But let me tell you that you will not have power after the endowment to heal those who have not faith, nor to benifit them, for you might as well expect to benefit a devil in hell as such a<n> one, who is possessed of his spirit and are willing to keep it for they are habitations for devils and only fit for his society but when you are endowed and prepared to preach the gospel to all nations kindred and toungs in there own languages you must faithfully warn all and bind up the testimony and up the law and the destroying angel will follow close at your heels and execute his tremendeous mission upon the children of disobediance, and destroy [p. 34] the workers of iniquity, while the saints will be gathered out from among them and stand in holy places ready to meet the bridegroom when he comes.—
I feel disposed to speak a few words more to you my brethren concerning the , all who are prepared and are sufficiently pure to abide the presence of the Saviour will see him in the .
The brethren expressed their gratifycation for the instruction I had given them, we then closed by prayer,— I then returned home and retired to rest
Friday 13th attended during school hours, returned home after School; Mr Messenger [George Messinger Jr.] of Chenango Co.N. Y. came in to make some enquiry about ’s family he is a Universalian minister we entered into conversation upon religious subjects, we went to ’s and spent the evening in conversation, we preachd the gospel to him, and bore testimony to him of what we had seen and heard, he attempted to raise some objections but, the force of truth bore him down, and he was silent, although unbelieving; returned home and retired to rest
Saturday morning 14th Thus came the word of the Lord unto me saying:
verily thus saith the the Lord unto my servant Joseph concerning my servant , behold [p. 35]
his sins are forgiven him because of his desires to do the works of righteousness therefore in as much as he will continue to hearken unto my voice he shall be blessed with wisdom and with a sound mind even above his fellows, behold it shall come to pass in his day that he shall <see> great things shew forth themselves unto my people, he shall see much of my ancient records, and shall know of hid[d]en things, and shall be with a knowledge of hid[d]en languages, and if he desires and shall seek it at my hand, he shall be privileged with writing much of my word, as a scribe unto me for the benefit of my people, therefore this shall be his calling until I shall order it otherwise in my wisdom and it shall be said of him in a time to come, behold the Lords Scribe, for the Lords Seer whom he hath appointed in Israel; Therefore <if he will> keep my commandments he shall be lifted up at the last day, even so Amen
A Gentleman called this after noon by the name of of Clemon [Clermont] Co. Ohio, he called to make enquiry about the establishment of the and to be instructed more perfectly in our doctrine &c I commenced and gave him a brief relation of my experience while in my [p. 36] juvenile years, say from 6, years old up to the time I received the first visitation of Angels which was when I was about 14, years old and also the the visitations that I received afterward, concerning the book of Mormon, and a short account of the rise and progress of the church, up to this, date he listened verry attentively and seemed highly gratified, and intends to unite with the Church he is a verry candid man indeed and I am much pleased with him.
On Sabath morning the 15th he [] went with me to meeting, which was held in the on account of the not being finished plastering; preached on the subject of men’s being called to preach the gospel and their qualifications &c we had a fine discourse it was verry interesting indeed; was well satisfied, he came home with me and dined.
Said has been a member of the Methodist Church, and was excommunicated for receiving, the Elders of the church of the latter-day Saints into his house
Went to meeting in the afternon, before partaking of the s case was agitated again, and settled after much controversy, and he retained in the church by making an humble acknowledement before the church, and concenting to have his confession published in the Messenger and advocate, after which the of the Lord Supper was administered, and the meeting closed, verry late,— returned home and spent the evening.— [p. 37]
Monday the 16th at home, dictated a letter for the Advocate, also one to . called to council with me Elder Strong and some others
Copy of a Letter from
Dear sir having a few leisure moment I have at last concluded to do what my own Judgment has long dictated would be right but the allurements of many vices has long retarded the hand, that would wield the pen to make intelligent the communication that I wish to send to you: And even now that ambition which is a prevaling and predominant principles among the great mass of natural men even now forbids that plainness of sentiment with which I wish to unbosom my feelings, write. For know assuredly sir to you I wish to unbosom my feelings, and unravil the secrets of my heart: as before the omnicient Judge of all the earth.
Be not surprised when I declare unto you, as the spirit will bear reccord that my faith is firm and unshaken in the things of the everlasting gospel as it is proclaimed by the servants of the latter-day saint.
Dear brother Joseph (If I may be allowed the expression) when I considder the happy times and peaseful moments, and pleasant seasons I have enjoyed with you, and and this people; contrasted with my now degraded state; together with the high, and important station I have held before [p. 38]
God: and the abyss into which I have fallen, is a subject that swells, my heart to[o] big for utterance, and language is overwhelmed with feeling, and looses its power of description.
and as I desire to know the will of God concerning me; Believing it is my duty to make known unto you my real situation.
I shall therefore, dispasionately procede to give a true and untarnished relation; I need not tell you that in former times, I have preached the word; and endeavored to be instant in season out of season, to reprove rebuke exhort and faithfully to discharge that trust reposed in me. But Oh! with what grief & lamentable sorrow and anguish do I have to relate that I have fallen, from that princely station where unto our God, has called me. Reasons why are unnecessary. May the fact suffice; and believe me when I tell you, that I have sunk myself, (since my last separation from this boddy) in crimes of the deepest dye, and that I may the better enable you to understand what my real sins are, I will mention (although pride forbids it) some that I am not guilty of, my <hands> have not been stained with inocent blood; neither have I lain couched around the cottages of my fellow men to seize and carry off the booty; nor have I slandered my neighbor, nor bourn fals testimony, nor taken unlawful hire, nor oppressed the widdow nor fatherless, neither have I persecuted the Saints. But my hands are swift to do iniquity, and my feet are fast running in the paths of vice and folly; and my heart [p. 39]
quick to devise wicked imaginations: nevertheless I am impressed with the sure thought that I am fast hast[e]ning into a whole world of disembodied beings, without God & with but one hope in the world; which is to know that to er[r] is human, but to forgive is divine: much I might say in relation to myself and the original difficulties with the church, which I will forbear, and in asmuch as I have been charged with things that <I> was not guilty of I am now more than doubly guilty. and am now willing to forgive and forget only let me know that I am within the reach of mercy; If I am not I have no reflections to cast, but say that I have sealed my own doom and pronounced my own sentence. If the day is passed by with me may I here beg leave to entreat of those who are still toiling up the rug[g]ed assent to make their way to the realms of endless felicity, and delight, to stop not for anchors here below, follow not the <my> example. but steer your course onward inspite of all the combined powers of earth and hell, for know that one miss step here is only retrievable by a thousand groans and tears before God. Dear Brother Joseph, let me entreat you on the reception of this letter, as you regard the salvation of my soul, to enquire at the hand of the Lord in my behalf; for I this day in the presence of God, do covenant to abide the word that may be given, for I am willing to receive any [p. 40]
chastisement that the Lord sees I deserve.
Now hear my prayer and suffer me to break forth in the agony of my soul. O ye Angels! that surround the throne, <of God,> Princes of heaven, that excell in strength, ye who are clothed with transcendant brightness, plead O plead for one of the most wretched of the sons of men. O ye heavens! whose azure arches rise immensely high and strech immeasurably wide, grand ampitheater of nature, throne of the eternal God bow to hear the prayer of a poor wretched bewildered way wanderer to eternity, O thou great Omnicient & omnipresent Jehovah, thou who siteth upon the throne before whom all things are present, thou maker moulder & fashioner of all things visible and invisable breath[e] o breath[e] into the ears of thy servant the Prophet, words sutably adapted, to my case, and situation, speak once more, make known thy will concerning me, which favours I ask in the name of the Son of God Amen
N.B I hope you will not let any buisiness prevent you from answering this letter in hast[e]
Yours Respectfully
to Joseph Smith [p. 41]
Copy of a Letter sent in answer to his
Nov. 16th 1835
Bro
I have recieved your letter of the 28th Sept. 1835, and I have read it twice, and it gave me sensations that are better imagined than described; let it suffice, that I say the verry flood-gates of my heart were broken up: I could not refrain from weeping, I thank God, that it has entered into your heart, to try to return to the Lord, and to his people; if it so be, that he will have mercy upon you.
I have inquired of the Lord concerning your case, these words came to me
Verily thus saith the Lord unto you; let him who was my servant , return unto me;— and unto the bosom of my Church, and forsake all the sins wherewith he has offended against me and persue from hence forth a virtuous and upright life, and remain under the direction of those whom I have appointed to be pillars, and heads of my Church, and behold, saith the Lord, your God; his sins shall be blotted out from under heaven, and shall be forgotten from among men, and shall not come up in mine ears, nor be recorded as <a> memorial against him, but I will lift [p. 42]
him up as out of deep mire, and he shall be exalted upon the high places, and shall be counted worthy to stand ammong princes, and shall yet be made a polished shaft in my quiver, of bringing down the strong holds of wickedness, among those who set themselves up on high, that they may take council against me, and against annointed ones in the last days.
Therefore let him prepare himself speedily and come unto you; even to and inasmuch as he shall harken unto all your council from henceforth he shall be restored unto his former state, and shall be saved unto the uttermost, even as the Lord your God liveth Amen.
Thus you see my dear Brother the willingness of our heavenly Father to forgive sins and restore to favour all those who are willing to humble themselves before him, and confess their sins and forsake them, and return to him with full purpose of heart (acting no hypocrisy) to serve him to the end.
Marvle not that the Lord has condescended to speak from the heavens and give you instructions whereby you may learn your duty, he has heard your prayers, and witnessed your humility; and holds forth the hand of paternal affection, for your return; the angels rejoice over you, while the saints are willing to recieve you again into fellowship.
I hope on the recipt of this, you will not loose any no time in coming to [p. 43]
: for if you get here in season, you will have the privelege of attending the , which has already commenced and, also received instruction in doctrine, and principle, from those whom God has appointed whereby you may be qualified to go forth, and declare the true doctrines of the kingdom according to the true doctrines of the mind and, will of God. and when you come to , it will be explained to you why God has condescended to give you a revelation according to your request.
please give my respects to you family, and bee assured I am yours in the bonds of the
Joseph Smith Jun
on this evening, viz the 16th a council was called at my house to council with Father on the subject of his mooving to the ; I had previously told him that the Lord had said that he had better go to the , next Spring: however he wished a council, called, the council met President arose and said the spirit manifested to him that it was his duty to go; also others bore the same testimony.
The same night that I received the word of the Lord on case, he had, desired that I would inquire at the hand of the Lord whether it was [p. 44] his duty to be here, or wait until he returned home;— The word of the Lord came to unto me saying, that had better not be baptised here, and that he had better not return by water, also that there were three men that were seeking his destruction, to be ware of his eneys [enemies]
Tuesday 17th exibited <the Alphabet> some of the ancient records to and some others, went with him to to see the Mumies, he we then took the parting hand, and he started for home, being strong in the faith of the gospel of Christ and determined to obey the requirements of the same.
I returned home and spent the day dictating and comparing letters.
This has been a fine pleasant day although cool, this Evening at early candlelight I pr[e]ached at the , returned home and retired to rest,
Thursday <Wednesday> 18th at home in the fore noon, untill about 11, oclock. I then went to ’s, to preach his fathers funeral Sermon, by the request of the family I preached on the subject of the resurection, the congregation were verry attentive and went with me to the funeral, we rode in a waggon, had a pleasant ride, the weather was pleasant, when we went. but cloudy and cool when we returned [p. 45]
at evening and Mother, and wife Sister in law, came in and invited me and to go with them & visit & family was unwell and could not go; however I and went, when we got there, we found that some of the young Elders, were about engaging in a debate, upon the subject of miracles, the question was this; was or was it not the design of Christ to establish his gospel by miracles,
After an interesting debate of three hours or more, during which time much talent was displayed, it was decided by the presidents of the debate in the negative; which was a righteous descision I discovered in this debate, much warmth displayed, to[o] much zeal for mastery, to[o] much of that enthusiasm that characterises a lawyer at the bar, who is determined to defend his cause right or wrong. I therefore availed myself of this favorable opportunity, to drop a few words upon this subject by way of advise, that they might improve their minds and cultivate their powers of intellect in a proper manner, that they might not incur the displeasure of heaven, that they should handle sacred things verry sacredly, and with a due deference to the opinions of others and with an eye single to the glory of God [p. 46]
Thursday 19th went in company with & to see how the workmen prospered in finishing the ; the masons on the inside had commenced puting on the finishing coat of plastureing, on my return I met & and conversed with them upon the subject of their being disaffected. I found that they were not so, as touching the faith of the church but with some of the members:
I returned home and spent the day in : on this has been a warm & pleasant day—
Friday 20th in morning at home: the weather is warm but rainy, we spent the day in , and made rapid progress
At Evening, returned from , bringing with him a quantity of Hebrew book’s for the benefit of the , he presented me with a Hebrew bible, lexicon & Grammar, also a Greek Lexicon and Websters English Lexicon.
had a prosperous journey, according to the prayers of the saints in
Saturday 21st at home, spent the day in examining my books and studying <the> my hebrew alphabet, at evening met with our to make some arrangments about a Teacher, it was decided by the voice of the to send [p. 47] to for a Jew to teach us the language, if we could get released from the engagement we had made with to teach the language, having asertained that he was not qualified to give us the knowledge we wish to acquire
Sunday 22d went to meeting at the us[u]al hour, preached from the 7th Chapt of Mathew; ’s brother in Law & Some other relatives were at meeting, in the after noon the meeting was held in the also in the evening had a meeting, and who had withdrawn from the church made application, to return after giving him a severe chastisment, he was recieved, and his restored to him; when the case of was introduced, we organized into a regular , was chosen Clerk and after conciderable altercation upon the subject & keen rebuke he was restored by the voice of the council & church & the clerk ordered to give him his licence as above stated. On this night we had a snow storm
Monday 23d Several brethren called to converse with me, and see the records; recd. a letter from , spent the day in conversing, and <in> studying, the hebrew, <language>
This has been a stormy day [p. 48]
Tuesday 24th at home, spent the fore noon, instructing those that called to inquire concerning the things of God, in the last days: in the after-noon, we ; I had an invitation, to attend a wedding at Br. ’s in the evening also to solemnize the , <between & > I and , went, when we arrived a conciderable company, had collected, the & came in, and took their seats, which gave me to understand that they were ready, I requesteded them to arise and join hands, I then remarked that marriage was an institution of h[e]aven institude [instituted] in the garden of Eden, that it was necessary that it should be Solemnized by the authority of the everlasting , before joining hands however, we attended prayers. I then made the remarks above stated; The ceremony was original <with me> it was in substance as follows, You covenant to be each others companions through life, and discharge the duties of husband & wife in every respect to which they assented, I then pronounced them husband & Wife in the name of God and also pronounced the blessings that the Lord confered upon adam & Eve in the garden of Eden; that is to multiply and replenish the earth, with the addition of long life and prosperity; dismissed them and returned home.— The weather is freezing cold, some snow on the ground [p. 49]
Wednesday 25th spent the day in Translating.— To-day & arived here from ; <the latter says that he has no doubt, but that a dose of poison was administered to him in a boll of milk but God delivered him>
Thursday 26th at home, we spent the day in from the papyrus.— I am severely afflicted with a cold.— to day and arrived from
Friday 27th much afflicted with my cold, yet able to be about and I am determined to overcom in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ,— spent the day in reading Hebrew at home.
The weather continues cold and unpleasant.— my scribe being afflicted with a cold, asked me to on him in the name of the Lord I did so<, and in return I asked him to lay his hands on me & .—>
Copy of a prayer offered up. on the 23d day of Oct 1835, by the following individuals, at 4 oclock P.M. viz. Joseph Smith jn, ; , , , , , and assembled and united in prayer, with one voice before the Lord, for the following blessings:
That the Lord will give us means sufficient to deliver us from all our afflictions and difficulties, wherein we are placed by means of our debts; that he will open the way and
and that without the shedding of blood; that he will hold our lives precious, and grant that we may live to the common age of man, and never fall into the hands nor power of the mob in nor in any other place; that he will also preserve our posterity, that none of them fall even to the end of time; that he will give us the blessings of the earth sufficient to carry us to , and that we may purchase inheritances in that land, even enough to carry on <and accomplish> the work unto which he has appointed us; and also that he will assist all others who desire, accordingly to his commandments, to go up and purchase inheritances; and all this easily and without perplexity, and trouble; and finally, that in the end he will save us in his . Amen.
Clerk
Saturday 28th at home, spent the morning in compareing, our journal.—
This Elder called this morning to see me, he lives in K.Y about three miles above .
I am conciderably recovered from my cold, & I think I shall be able in a few days to , with the blessing of God.— The weather is still cold and stormy, the snow is falling, & winter seems to be closing in verry fast, all nature shrinks before the chilling blast<’s> of rigid winter.—
above mentioned, has been biten by a mad Dog some three or four [p. 51] years since, has doctered, much, and received some benefit by so doing, but, is much afflicted notwithstanding, he came here that he might be benefited by the prayers of the church, accordingly we prayed for and on him, in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and him with oil, and , praying our heavenly Father to hear and answer our prayers according to our faith
Sunday morning 29th went to meeting at the us[u]al hour preachd and in the afternoon; their discourses were well adapted to the times in which we live, and the circumstances under which we are placed, their words were words of wisdom, like apples of gold in picture’s of silver, spoken in the simple accents of a child, yet sublime as the voice of an angels, the saints, appeared to be much pleased with the beautiful discourses of these two fathers in Israel; after these servises closed, three of the came forward and recieved their blessing
was to the office of an ; the was then administered, and the meeting closed.
returned home and spent the evening. The storm continues, the weather is verry cold [p. 52]
Monday morning 30th yet the snow is falling, and is sufficiently deep for sleighing, this is an uncommon storm for this country, at this season of the year
spent the day in writing a letter for the Messenger & Advocate on the Subject of the ;— this afternoon, called to see me, he is an old acquaintance of mine, from New York, shewed him the Egyptian records
Tuesday December 1st 1835, at home spent the day in writing, for the M[essenger] & Advocate, the snow is falling and we have fine sleighing.
Wednesday. 2ond a fine morning I made preparation, to ride to , with and children, family, also , we had our sleigh and horses, prepared and set out, when we arived were passing through , we overtook a team with two men on the sleigh. I politely asked them to let me pass, they granted my request, and as we passed them, they bawled out, do you get any revelation lately, with an adition of blackguard that I did not understand, this is a fair sample of the character of inhabitants, who are ready to abuse and scandalize, men who never laid a straw in their way, and infact those whos faces they never saw, and cannot, bring an acusation, against, either [p. 53] of a temporal or spirtual nature; except our firm belief in the fulness of the gospel and I was led to marvle that God at the long suffering and condescention of our heavenly Father, in permitting, these ungodly wretches, to possess, this goodly land, which is the indeed as beautifully situated, and its soil as fertile, as any in this region of country, and its inhabitance, as wealthy even blessed, above measure, in temporal things, and fain, would God bless, them with, with spiritual blessings, even eternal life, were it not for their evil hearts of unbelief, and we are led to cry in our hearts mingle our prayers with those saints that have suffered the like treatment before us, whose souls are under the altar crying to the Lord for vengance upon those that dwell upon the earth and we rejoice that the time is at hand when, the wicked who will not repent will be swept <from the earth> with the besom of destruction and the earth become an inheritance for the poor and the meek.—
when we arived at we called at Sister , and left and family to visit her while we rode into Town to do some buisness, returned called and visited —
Returned and dined with , and returned home, had a fine ride the sleighing, is fine <good> and weather pleasant— [p. 54]
Thursday the 3d at home, wrote a letter to , Michigan Michigan, another to Clay co. Mo. at, home all day,— at Evening, was invited with , to attend, at , to join & in mattrimony, we found a verry pleasant and respectable company, waiting when, we arived, we opened our interview with singing & prayer, after which, I delivered an address, upon the subject of matrimony, I then invited the, <parties> couple to arise, who were to be joined in wedlock, I and, solemnized the institution in a brief manner, and pronounced them husband and wife in the name of God according to the articles, and covenants of the , closed by singing and prayer, took some refreshment, and retired; having spent the evening, agreeably
Friday 4th to day, in company, with , we drew, three hundred and fifty Dollars, out of , on three months credit, for which we gave, the names of , & Newel , I also settled with Br. , and , and paid said $20045 two hundred and fortify forty five dollars, I also paid, or have it in my power to pay, for which, blessing, I feel hartily, to thank my heavenly Father, and ask him, in the name of Jesus Christ, to enable us to extricate [p. 55] ourselves, from all the embarasments whatever that we may not be brought into disrepute, in any respect, that our enemys may not have any power over us;— spent the day at home, devoted some time in studying <the> hebrew, language.— this has been a warm day with, some rain; our snow is melting verry fast,— This evening, a Mr. of Ohio called to see me on Saturday <the subject> of religion, he is a member of the close communion baptise Church, he said he had come to enquire concerning the faith of our church having heard many reports, of the worst character about us, he seemed to be an honest enquirer after truth. I spent the evening in talking with him, I found him to be an honest candid man, and no particular peculiarities about him, only his simplisity, he tarried overnight with me, and acknowledged in the <morning> that although he had thought he knew something about religion he was now sensible that he knew but little, which was the greatest, trait of wisdom that I could discover in him
Saturday 5th the weather is cold and freezing, and the snow is falling moderately, and there is a prospect of sleighing again, spent the forenoon in studying, hebrew with & , I am labouring under some indisposition of health laid down and slept a while, and [p. 56] and arose feeling tolerable well through the blessings of God,— I received a letter to day from , N. Y also another from, s mother in law from N. Y of no consequence as to what it contained, but cost me 25, cents for postage, I mention this as it is a common occurence, and I am subjected to a great deal of expence in this way, by those who I know nothing about, only that they are destitute of good manners, for if people wish to be benefited with information from me, common respect and good breeding woud dictate, them to pay the postage on their letters.—
Sunday 6th 1835, went to meeting at the us[u]al hour, preached a splendid discourse, in the after, <noon> we had an exortation, and .— Br. Draper insisted on leaving the meeting, some 2, or 3 weeks, since, before communion, and would not be prevailed upon to tarry a few moments although, we invited him to do so as we did not wish to have the house thrown into confusion, he observed that he would not if we excluded him from the church, to day, he attempted to make a confession, but it was not satisfactory to me, and I was constrained by the spirit to deliver him over to the bufetings of Satan. untill he should humble himself, and repent, of his sins, and make a satisfactory confession before the Church— [p. 57]
Monday 7th received a letter from , and was much rejoiced to hear from, him, and of his prosperity in proclaiming the gospel, wrote him a letter requesting, him to return to this place,
Spent the day in reading the hebrew. Mr. called and to take the parting hand with me, and remarked that he had been in darkness all his days, but had now found the light and intended to obey it, also a number of brethren called this Evening to see the records, I exibited and explained them to their satisfaction. We have fine Sleighing
Tuesday morning the 8th at holm, spent the day in reading hebrew in company with, Br. & ,
In the evening I preached, as us[u]al at the , had great liberty in speaking the congregation, were attentive, after the servises closed the brethren proposed to come and draw wood for me
Wednesday 9th at home, the wind is strong and chilly, from the South, and their is a prospect of a storm came in this morning and made me a present, of 12, dollars which he held in a note against me, may God bless him for his liberality, also James Aldrich, sent me my note by the hand of , on which [p. 58] there was 12, dollars, due, and may God bless him, for his kindness to me
also the brethren whose names are written below opened the hearts in great liberality and payed <me> at the the sums set oposite their respective names
| $5.00 | |
| 3.25 | |
| 5.25 | |
| 5.00 | |
| 2.00 | |
| 3.00 | |
| Wm. Felshaw | 3.00 |
| 1.00 | |
| 1.00 | |
| 1.25 | |
| 1.00 | |
| 3.00 | |
| 1.00 | |
| Harlow Crosier | .50 |
| .75 | |
| 1.00 | |
| Zemira Draper | 1.00 |
| 1.00 | |
| .50 | |
| 1.00 | |
| $40.50 | |
| with the adition of the 2, notes above | 24.00 |
My heart swells with gratitude inexpressible when I realize the great condescention of my heavenly Fathers, in opening the hearts of these, my beloved brethren [p. 59] to administer so liberally, to my wants and I ask God in the name of Jesus Christ, to multiply, blessings, without number upon their heads, and bless me with much wisdom and understanding, and dispose of me, to the best advantage, for my brethren, and the advancement, of thy cause and Kingdom, and whether my days are many or few whether in life or in death I say in my heart, O Lord let me enjoy the society of such brethren
To day Elder Tanner brought me the half of a fat[te]ned hog for the be[ne]fit of my family.
And a few days since Elder brought me a quarter of beef and may all the blessings, that are named above, be poured upon their heads, for their kindness toward me—
of <Wednesday <Thursday>> morning 10th a beautiful morning, indeed, and fine sleighing, this day my brethren, meet according, to previous arangement, to chop and haul wood for me, and they have been verry industrious, and I think they have supplyed me, with my winters wood, for which I am sincerely grateful to each and every, one of them, for this expression of their, goodness towards me
And in the name of Jesus Christ I envoke the rich benediction of heavn to rest upon them, even all and their families, and I ask my heavenly Father [p. 60] to preserve their health’s and those of their wives and children, that they may have strength. of body to perform, their, labours, in their several ocupations in life, and the use and activity of their limbs, also powers of intellect and understanding hearts, that they may treasure up, wisdom, and understanding, until and inteligence, above measure, and be preserved from plagues pestilence, and famine, and from the power of the adversary, and the hands of evil designing, men and have power over all their enemys; and the way be prepared before them, that they may journey to the land of and be established, on their inheritances, to enjoy undisturbe[d], peace and happiness for ever, and ultimately, to be crowned with everlasting life in the of God, which blessings I ask in the name of Jesus of Nazareth. Amen
I would remember Elder who was the first one that proposed to the brethren, to assist me, in, obtaining wood for the use of my family, for which I pray my heavenly Father, to bless <him> with all the blessings, named above, and I shall ever remember him with much gratitude, for this testimony, of benevolence and respect, and thank the great I am, for puting into his heart, to do me this kindness, and I say in my heart, I will trust in thy goodness, and mercy, forever, for thy wisdom and benevolence <O Lord> is unbounded and beyond the comprehension; of men and all of thy ways cannot be found out [p. 61]
This afternoon, I was called in company with President , to visit, Sister , who lives at Elder Booths we found her verry sick, and so much deranged, that She did not, recognize her friends, and intimate acquaintences, we prayed for and her in the name of Jesus Christ, and commanded her in his name to receive he[r] senses, which was immediately restored to her we also asked a healing blessing
prayed that she might be ; she said she was better.— On our return we found the brethren engaged, in putting out the which had taken fire, and after labouring for about one hour, against the <this> distructive, element they succeded in conquering it, and, probably will save about one fourth part of the lumber, that was in it, how much loss the committee have sustained by this fire I do not know but it is conciderable as their was much lumber in the
There was about 200 brethren engaged on this occasion and displayed, much activity, and interest, for which they deserve much credit.
This evening I spent at hom[e], a number of brethren called. to see the records which I exibited to them, and they were much pleased with their interview [p. 62]
Thursday Friday morning the 11th a fire broke out in a shoe-makers shop owned by , but was soon, extinguished, by the active exertions of the brethren, but the family were much alarmed, the shop being connected with the<ir> house <dwelling> house, they carryed their furniture into the street, but not much damage was sustained,— This is a pleasant morning, and their is a prospect of a thaw
Spent the day at home, in reading, and instructing, those who called for advise,— to day Elder Dayly & his wife left for home.
Friday Saturday morning 11th <12th> at home, spent the fore noon in reading, at about 12 oclock a number of young person[s] called to see the records Egyptian records I requested to exibit them, he did so, one of the young ladies, who had been examining them, was asked if they had the appearance of Antiquity, she observed with an air of contempt that they did not, on hearing this I was surprised at the ignorance she displayed, and I observed to her that she was an anomaly in creation for all the wise and learned that had ever examined them, without hesitation pronounced them antient, I further remarked that, it was downright wickedness ignorance bigotry and superstition that caused her to make the remark, and that I would put it on record, and I have done so because it is a fair sample of the prevailing spirit of the times [p. 63] showing that the victims of priestcraft and superstition, would not believe though one should rise from the dead.
At evening attended a debate, at Br. s, the question proposed to debate upon was, as follows.— was it necessary for God to reveal himself to man, in order for their happiness,— I was on the affirmative and the last One to speak on that side of the question,— but while listning, with interest to the, ingenuity displayed, on both sides of the qu[e]stion, I was called, away to visit, Sister , who was suposed to be dangerously sick, & myself went and prayed for and in the name of Jesus Christ, She ,— returned home
Sunday morning the 13th at the us[u]al hour for meeting viz. at 10, oclk attended meeting, at the , Elder preach’d a verry feeling discourse indeed, in the afternoon Elder , related his experiance, after which President related his also, they both spoke of many things connected with the rise and progress of this church, which were interesting, and the Saints, listened, with much attention, after these serv[ic]es closed, the of the Lords Supper was administered, under the superintendance of President , who presided over the meeting during the day. I then made som remarks respecting [p. 64] prayer meetings, and our meeting was brought to a close, by invoking the blessings of heaven,
We then returned home, I ordered my horse saddled and myself and , rode to Mr. E Jennings, where I joined and , in matrimony, according to previous arangements, had so far recoverd from her illness, that she was able to sit in her easy chair while I pronounced the mariage ceremony.—
We then rode to ’s a distance of about 3, miles from Town, where I had been Solicited, to attend, and solemnize, the matrimonial covenant betwe[e]n Mr. & Miss , the parents and many of the connections of both parties were present, with a large and respectable company of friends, who were invited as guests; and after making the necessary arangements the company come to order, and the & , with the attendants politely came forward, and took their seats, and having been requested, to make some preliminary remarks upon the subject of matrimony, touching the design of the All Mighty in this institution, also the duties, of husbands & wives towards eac[h]other, and after opening our interview, with singing and prayer, I delivered a lecture of about 40, minuits in length, during this time all seemed to be interested, excepting one or two individuals, who manifested, a spirit of grovling contempt, which I was constrained to reprove and rebuke sharply, after I had been closed my remarks, I the matrim [p. 65]onial ceremony in the name of God, and pronounced the blessings of heaven. upon the heads of the young married couple we then closed by returning thanks.
A sumptuous feast was then spread and the company were invited to seat themselves, at the table by pairs, male & female commencing with the oldest, and I can only say that the interview was conducted with propriety and decorum, and our hearts were made to rejoice, while together, and all cheerfulness prevailed, and after spending the evening agreeably untill 9, oclock, we pronouncd a blessing, upon the company and withdrew, and returned hom[e]
To day the , took fire again
Monday 14th this morning a number of brethren from, call[ed] to visit me, and see the Egyptian records, also returned this morning, from N[ew] York, Br. , of the same place called and paid me a visit, a verry fine man also Sister called to pay us a visit
After dinner we went to attend the funeral of s youngest child. in the evening meet according to notice previously given to make arangements to guard against fire, and organized a company for this purpose, counciled also on other affairs of temporal nature
To day came to my house, much afflicted with a swelling on his left arm, which was occasioned by a bruise [p. 66] on his elbow, we had been called to pray for him and him with oil, but his faith was not sufficient to effect, a cure, and prepared a poultice of herbs and applyed to it and he tarryed with me over night
Spent the day at home, reading hebrew, and visiting friends who called to see me,
To day I received a letter from Elder from his own hand
Tuesday 15th spent the day at home, and as us[u]al was blessed with much company, some of which called to see the records , is verry sick in consequence of his arm, it being much inflamed
This afternon Elder , handed me a Letter, the purport of which is that he is dissatisfyed with the committee, in their dealings, with him in temporal affairs, that is that they do not deal as liberally in <with> him as they do with Elder , also requested me to reconcile the revelation, given to the , since their return from the East,
That unless these things and others named in the letter, could be reconciled to his mind his honour would not stand united with them,— this I believe is the amount of the contents of the letter although much was written, my feelings on this occasion, were much laserated, knowing that I had dealt in righteousness with him in all things and endeavoured to promote his happiness and well being, as much as lay in my power, and I feel that these reflections are [p. 67] ungrateful and founded in jealousy and that the adversary is striving with all his subtle devises and influence to destroy him by causing a division amon[g] the twelve that God has chosen to open the gospel kingdom in all nations, but I pray my Heavenly Father in the name of Jesus of Nazeareth that he may be delivered from the power of the destroyer, and that his faith fail not in this hour of temptation, and prepare him and all the to receive an