/Sketch Book for the use of Joseph Smith, jr.

22 September 1835 • Tuesday [ edit ]

This day Joseph Smith, Jr. labored with Oliver Cowdery, 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.

23 September 1835 • Wednesday [ edit ]

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 d grant to continue his mercies unto my house, this night day for Christ sake. This day my Soul has desired the salvation of Brother Ezra, Thayr [Thayer]. Also Brother Noah, Packard. Came to my house and let the Chappel Committee have one thousand dollers, by loan, for the building the house of the Lord; Oh may God bless him with an hundred fold! even of the things of Earth, for this ritious 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 the delight of my soul to be honest. Oh Lord that thou knowes[t] right well! help me and I will give to the poor.

This day Brothers William, Tibbets John, and Joseph Tibbits [Tippets] Started for Mosoura the place designated for Zion or the Saints gathering they Came to bid us farewell the Brotheren Came in to pray with them and Brother David Whitmer acted as spokesman he prayed in the spirit a glorious time succeded his prayr Joy filled our hearts and we page 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

24 September 1835 • Thursday [ edit ]

This day the high Council met at my house to take into conside[r]ation the redeemtion of Zion and it was the voice of the spirit of the Lord that we petition to the Governer 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 Jackson County we truly had a good time and Covena[n]ted to strugle for this thing u[n]till death shall desolve this union and if one falls that the rest be not dis ha discouraged but pe[r]sue this object untill it is acomplished which may God grant u[n]to us in the name of Christ our Lord

This day drew up an Arti c le of inrollment for the redemtion of Zion that we may obtain volenteers to go me next Spring to Mo - 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 page 2

/ 25 September 1835 • Friday [ edit ]

This day I remained at home: nothing of note transpired. The twelve all returned from the east to day.

26 September 1835 • Saturday [ edit ]

This evening, the twelve having returned from the east this morning, we met them, and conversed upon some matters of difficulty which ware existing between some of them, and president Rigdon, and all things were settled satisfactorily.

27 September 1835 • Sunday [ edit ]

Attended meeting: brethren, Thomas B. Marsh, David W. Patten, Brigham Young and Heber C. Kimball preached and broke bread. The Lord poured out his Spirit, and my soul was edified.

28 September 1835 • Monday [ edit ]

High council met and tried brother Gladden Bishop: he was reproved, repented, and was reordained. The next was Lorenzo L. Lewis for fornication: he was cut off from the Church.

29 September 1835 • Tuesday [ edit ]

High Council met to-day and tried brother Allen Avery: he was acquited from any charge. Also Brother Phineas H. Young who was also acquited: also bro. Lorenzo Young, 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 CCh Church.

30 September 1835 • Wednesday [ edit ]

Stayed at home and visited many who came to enquire after the work of the Lord.

1 October 1835 • Thursday [ edit ]

This after noon labored on the Egyptian alphabet, in company with brsr. O. Cowdery and W. W. Phelps: The system of astronomy was unfolded.

2 October 1835 • Friday [ edit ]

To-day wrote a letter to be published in the Messenger and Advocate. page 3

/ 23 October 1835 • Saturday [ edit ]

held a high council on the case of Elder John Gould for giving credence to false and slanderous reports instigated to Injure bro Sidney Rigdon and also Dean Gould for thretning bro Sidney Rigdon and others in authority of the Elders. after due deliberation the[y] both confessed and wer[e] acquited. In the afternoon waited on the twelve most of them at my house and exhibited to them the ancient reccords in my possession and gave explanation of the same thus the day passed off with the blessings of the Lord

4 October 1835 • Sunday [ edit ]

started early in the morning with brother J. Carrell [John Corrill] to hold a meeting in Perry [Geauga County, Ohio] 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 Perry we were disappointed of a meeting through misarangements but conversed freely upon with Bro John Correls relatives which allayed much prejudice as we trust may the lord have mercy on their souls

5 October 1835 • Monday [ edit ]

returned home being much fatiegued riding in the rain spent the remainder of the day in reading and meditation &c and page 4 in the evening attend[ed] a high councel of the twelve apostles. had a glorious time and gave them many instruction[s] concerning their duties for time to come. told them that it was the will of God they should take their families to Missouri next season, also attend this fall the solemn assembly of the first Elders for the organization of the school of the prophets, and attend to the ordinence of the washing of feet and to prepare the[i]r hearts in all humility for an endowment 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

6 October 1835 • Tuesday [ edit ]

At home father or Elder Stevens came to my house and loaned F G Williams and Co 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 my father who was very sick with a fever some better towards evening spent the rest of the day in reading and meditation

7 October 1835 • Wednesday [ edit ]

went to visit my fathe[r] find him very low administered 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 N K Whitney and Bro Hyrum Smith started for buffalo [New York] to purchase good[s] to replenish the committe store by land in the stage may God grant in the name of Jesus that their lives may page 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 bro [Newel] Whitney even the bishop of the church of the latter day saints, for the bishoprick 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 deal with a liberal hand to the poor and the needy the sick and the afflicted the widow and the fatherless and marviously and miraculously shall the Lord his God provide for him, even that he shall be blessed with all the the a 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 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 page 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 anointed to exalt the poor and to humble the rich, therefore his name shall be on high and his rest among the sanctified this afternoon recommenced translating the ancient reccords

/8 October 1835 • Thursday [ edit ]

at home nothing of note transpired of as we now recollect. I attended on my Father with feelings of great anxiety

9 October 1835 • Friday [ edit ]

at home nothing worthy of note transpired on this day waited on my Father

10 October 1835 • Saturday [ edit ]

at home, visited the house of my Father found him failing very fast

11 October 1835 • Sunday [ edit ]

visited my Father again who was verry sick in secret prayer in the morning the Lord said my servant thy father 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 mature years and experience renders them capable of administering the most wholsom advice; at Evening Bro. David Whitmer came in we called on the Lord in mighty prayer in the name of Jesus Christ, and laid our hands on him, and rebuked the diseas[e] and God heard and answered our prayers to the great Joy and satisfaction of our souls, our aged Father arose and dressed himself shouted and praised the Lord called page 7 Br Wm Smith who had retired to rest that he might praise the Lord with us by joining in Songs of praise to the most High

12 October 1835 • Monday [ edit ]

rode to Willoughby in company with my wife to purchase some goods at W[indsor P]. Lyons Store on our return we found a Mr. Bradly lying across the road he had been thrown from from his waggon [and] was much injured by the fall

13 October 1835 • Tuesday [ edit ]

visited my Father who was verry much recovered 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

14 October 1835 • Wednesday [ edit ]

at home

15 October 1835 • Thursday [ edit ]

Laboured in Fathers orchard gathering apples

16 October 1835 • Friday [ edit ]

was called into the printing office to settle some difficulties in that department, at evening on the same day I baptised Ebenezer Robinson the Lord poured out his spirit on us and we had a good time

17 October 1835 • Saturday [ edit ]

called my family together and aranged my domestick concerns and domestic dismissed my boarders

18 October 1835 • Sunday [ edit ]

attended meeting in the chapel confirmed several who had been baptised and blessed several blessings children with the blessings of the new and everlasting covenant Elder Parley P. Pratt preach[e]d in the fore noon, and Elder John F. Boynton in the after noon, we had an interesting time

19 October 1835 • Monday [ edit ]

at home, exibited the records of antiquity to a number who called to see them

20 October 1835 • Tuesday [ edit ]

at home preached at night in the School-house.

21 October 1835 • Wednesday [ edit ]

at home nothing page 8 of note transpired

22 October 1835 • Thursday [ edit ]

at home attending to my domestick concerns—

23 October 1835 • Friday [ edit ]

at home attended the prayer meeting see page 50

24 October 1835 • Saturday [ edit ]

Mr Goodrich and his lady called called to see the antient Records also called at Doct. F G. Williams to see the mummies, Brs. Hawks & Carpent er from Michigan visited us & taried over Sunday and attended meeting

25 October 1835 • Sunday [ edit ]

attended meeting President Rigdon preached in the fore noon, Elder Lyman Johnson in the afternoon, after which Elder S. Bronson [Seymour Brunson] joined Br. Wm Perry & Sister Eliza Brown 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[s] about one hour, the Lord pourd out his spirit and some glorious things were spoken in the gift of toungs, and interp[r]eted concerning the redemption of Zion

26 October 1835 • Monday [ edit ]

went to Chardon to attend the county Court in company with Brs Hyrum Samuel & Carloss Smith, Br. Samuel was called in question before this Court for not doing military duty, and was fined because we had not our conference minuets with us for testimony to prove that F G. Williams 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 Br Samuel page 9 of $20. including costs, for which Lawsuit he was obliged 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

27 October 1835 • Tuesday [ edit ]

in the morning I was called to visit at Br Samuel Smiths his wife was confined and in a verry dangerous situation, Br. Carloss [Don Carlos Smith] took one of my horses and went to Chardon after Doct. [Frederick] Williams 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 Fredrick 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 School house to a crowded congregation

28 October 1835 • Wednesday [ edit ]

at home attending to my family concerns &c

29 October 1835 • Thursday [ edit ]

Br W. Parish [Warren Parrish] commenced writing for me. Father & Mother Smith visit[ed] us and while we set writing Bishop Partrige [Edward Partridge] passed our window just returned from the East Br Parish commenced writing for me at $15.00 pr month I paid him $16.00 in advance out of the committee Store Br Parrish agrees to board himself, for which I agree to allow him four Dollars more pr. month making $19.00. I was then called to appear before the high Council which was page 10 setting to give my testimony in an action brought against Br. David Eliot for whiping his Daughter unreasonably my testimony was in his favour, returned to our writing room, went to Dr. Williams after my large Journal, made some observations to my Scribe concerning the plan of the City which is to be built up hereafter on this ground consecrated for a stake of Zion while at the Doct[or's] Bishop E Pa[r]trige came in, in company with President Phelps, I was much rejoiced to see him, we examined the mumies, returned home and my scribe commenced writing in my Journal a history of my life, concluding President Cowdery[Ôs 2d] letter to W. W. Phelps, which president Williams had begun Bishop Whitney & his wife with his Father & 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, Bishop Partrige & 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 satisfied & I expect to baptise 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 council, the Presidency arose and adjourned on my return Elder Boynton observed that long debates were bad. 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 super, after being seated around the table Bishop Whitney observed to Bishop Partrige that the thought had just occured to his mind that perhaps in about one year from this time they might be seated together around a table in on the land of Zion page 11 Sister Emma my wife observed that she hoped it might be the case that not only they but the rest 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 super I went to the high council in company with my wife and some others that belong to my house hold I was solicited to take a seat with the presidency and preside in a case of Sister Eliots I did so my Mother 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. William Smith arose and accused me of invalidating or doubting My mothers 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 on the account of his stubournness and was about to call leave the house, but my Father requ[e]sted me not to do so I complyed the house was brought to order after much debate upon the subject and we proceded to buisness & br. Eliot & his wife were both cleared from the charges prefered against them

30 October 1835 • Friday [ edit ]

at home Mr. Fransis Porter called from Jefferson Co. 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 page 12 a member of our church could move into this vicinity and purchase lands and enjoy his own possessions & property without making it common Stock, he had been requested to do so by some brethren who live in the town of Leroy Jeff[erson] Co N. Y I replyed that I had a valuable farm joining the Temple Lot that I would sell & that there is other lands for sale in this place and that we have no common stock business among us, that every man enjoys his own property, or can if he is disposed, consecrate liberally or illiberally to the support of the poor & needy, or the building up of Zion, 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. Wm Smith the purport of which is that he is censured by the brethren on the account of what took place at the council 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

31 October 1835 • Saturday [ edit ]

in the morning br. Hyram Smith came in and said he had been much troubled all night and had not slept any page 13 that something was wrong while talking br. Wm Smith came in according to my requ[e]st last night br. Hyram 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 br. William introduced the subject of our difficulty at the council, I told him I did not want to converse upon the subject untill Hyrum 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. Hyrum Smith & br. Parish 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 there fore 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 br. Hyrum 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 jusifying himself throughout in transgressing the order of the council & treating the authority of the Presidency with contempt; after he had got through br. Hyrum began to make page 14 some remarks, in the spirit of meekness, he became enraged, I joined my brother 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 licence 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 levvin of iniquity among my brethren and especially prejudiced the mind of br. Samuel as I soon learned that he was in the street exclaiming against me, which no doubt our enemys rejoice at, and where the matter will end I know not, but I p[r]ay God to forgiv[e] 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 my wife and children, br. carloss & some others, we went to visit br. Roundy & family who live near Willoughby, we had an interesting visit at br. Roundy[Ôs] as soon as I returned I was called upon to baptise Samuel Whitney & his Wife and Daughter after baptism we returned to their house and offered Our thanks, in prayer I obtained a testimony that Br. William Would return and to the church and repair the wrong he had done page 15

1 November 1835 • Sunday [ edit ]

Verily thus Saith the Lord unto me, his servant Joseph Smith jr min[e] anger is kindle[d] against my servant Reynolds Cahoon 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 these words I went imediately and del[i]vired 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 Elder Carrill [John Corrill] preached a fine discourse, in the afternoon President Phelps continued the servises of the day by reading the 5th chapt. of Mathew also the laws regulating the High Council and made some remarks upon them after which sacrament was administered I then confirmed a number who had been baptised & blessed a number of children in the name of Jesus Christ with the blessings of the new and everlasting covenant, notice was then given that the Elders School wou[1]d commence on the morrow, I then dismissed the meeting.

2 November 1835 • Monday [ edit ]

was engaged in regulating the affairs of the School, I then had my team prepared & Sidney Oliver Frederick and my scribe and a number of others went to Willoughby to Hear Doct[or] Piexotto [Daniel Peixotto] deliver a lecture on the profession theory & practice of Physic [medicine] page 16 we called at Mr. [Nathan] Cushmans, had our horses put in the Stable took dinner, attended the lecture was treated with great respect throughout; returned home Lyman Wight came from Zion to day; George & Lyman Smith also from the East the question was agitated whether Frederick G. Williams or Oliver Cowdery Should go to New York to make arangements respecting a book bindery they refered to me for a decision, and thus cam[e] the word of the Lord unto me saying it is not my will that my servant Frederick should go to New York, 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.

3 November 1835 • Tuesday [ edit ]

Thus came the word of the Lord unto me saying concerning the Twelve 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, never the less 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 endowment to go forth in my name unto all nations, as for my Servant William let the Eleven humble themselves in prayer and in faith page 17 and wait on me in patience and my servant William 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 David W. Patten and my servant Orson Hyde and my servant Wm E. McLellen have sinned 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 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 Verely 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 sin[n]ed 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 solem[n] assembly page 18 and for the great day which is to come Verely thus saith the Lord Amen.

I then went to assist in organizing the Elders School called to order and I made some remarks upon the object of this School, and the great necessity there is 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 glorious endowment 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 patriarchal meeting at Br Samuel Smiths, his wifeses parents were blessed also his child & named Susanah, at evening I preach[e]d at the Schoolhouse to a crowded congregation

4 November 1835 • Wednesday [ edit ]

in morning, at home attended school all during the school hours, made rapid progress in our studies, in the evening, lectured on grammar, at home on this day King Follet arived at this place from Zion

5 November 1835 • Thursday [ edit ]

attended School all day Isaac Morley came in from the east this morning I was called to visit Thomas Burdick who was sick, I took my scribe with me and we p[r]ayed for and laid our hands on him in the name of the Lord Jesus and rebuked his affliction Wm E. McLellen & Orson Hyde came in and desired to hear the revelation concerning the Twelve, my scribe read to him them they expressed some little dissatisfaction but after examining their own hearts, they acknowledged it to be the word of the Lord page 19 and said they were satisfied; after School Brigham Young came in and desired also to hear, it read also after hearing it he appeared perfectly satisfied; in the evening lectured on Grammar

6 November 1835 • Friday [ edit ]

at home. attended School 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 whom 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.

7 November 1835 • Saturday [ edit ]

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 Isaac Morley and my servant Edward Partridge, because of the integrity of their harts in laboring in my vinyard for the salvation of the souls of men, Verely I say unto you their sins are page 20 forgiven them, therefore say unto them in my name that it is my will that they should tarry for a little season and attend the school, and also the solem assembly for a wise purpose in me, even so amen

8 November 1835 • Sunday [ edit ]

went to meeting in the morning at the us[u]al hour, Z[erubbabel]. Snow preached a verry interesting discourse, in the after noon J[oseph]. Young preached; after preaching Isaac Hill 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 John Smith arose and made some remarks respecting the dealings of the high council on the case of the said Hill, that is that he should make a public confession of his crime and have it published in the messenger and Advocate, he proposed that Mr Hill should now make his confession before the congregatio n and then immediately observed that he had forgiven Mr Hill, which was in contradiction to the sentiment he first advanced, this I attributed to an error in Judgment not in design President Rigdon then arose and verry abruptly militated against the sentiment of Uncle John, 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 Mr Hills case wh 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 page 21 be received into the church by babtism which was administered acordingly. after I came home I took up a labour with uncle John and convinced him that he was wrong & he made his confession to my satisfaction; I then went and laboured with President Rigdon and succeded in convincing him also of his error which he confessed to my satisfaction.

The word of the Lord cam[e] unto me saying that President Phelps & President J[ohn] Whitmer are under condemnation before the Lord, for their errors for which they made satisfaction the same day ; I also took up a labour with John Carrill [Corrill] for leaving the meeting before not partaking of the sacrament, he made his confession; also my wife for the same leaving the meeting before sacrament she made no reply, but manifested contrition by weeping

9 November 1835 • Monday [ edit ]

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, unfathomable 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 ten & 11 this morning a man came in, and introduced himself to me, calling himself by the name of Joshua the Jewish minister [Robert Matthias], his appearance was some thing singular, having a beard about 3 inches in length which is quite grey, also his hair is long and considerably silvered with age page 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 at the different systems taught the children of men, I knew not who was right or who was wrong and I considered it of the first importance that I should be right, in matters that involve eternal consequ[e]nces; being thus perplexed in mind I retired to the silent grove and bow[e]d 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 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 p[r]ay, 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 page 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 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 testified 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 experience, 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 page 24 me, one I will mention which is this in Malachi 4 chapt. 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 powre 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 my Father 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 my Father, 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 page 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 Church of Christ in these last days, Joshua 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 Joshua 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 Nebuchadnazer 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 page 26 both Political and religious, and notwithstanding all the efforts that are made to bring about a union, society remains disunited, and all attempts to unite her are as fruitless, as to attemp[t] to unite Iron & Clay.

The feet of the Image, is the government of these united States, other Nations & Kingdoms are looking up to her, for an example, of union freedom 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 contemp[t]ible 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 com[e] out of Babylon but leav[e] it entirely lest we are overthrown in her ruins, we should keep improving and reforming; twenty-four 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 falls 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 looked 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 page 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 Jo[s]hua 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 feel impressed by the spirit to unfold it further at present, but perhaps he might at some other time. I then withdr[e]w to do some buisness with another gentleman that called to see me. He [Joshua] informed my Scribe that he was born in Washington County Town of Cambridge 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 Joshua was the noted [Robert] Mathias of New York, 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 page 28 since, after some, equivocating he confessed that he was realy Mathias: 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 New York. His name is Robert Mathias, 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

10 November 1835 • Tuesday [ edit ]

I resumed the conversation and desired him to enlighten my mind more on his views respecting the resurection, he says that he posses[ses] 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 schem[e] 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 [a] wicked and depraved spirit, although he professed to be the spirit of truth, itself, & he said also that he possesses the soul of Christ; he tarried until Wednesday 11th, 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 page 29 on monday th[e] 9th Mr. Beeman [Alvah Beman] of N. Y 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 Missouri next spring; I advised him to come here, and settle untill he could move to Zion

11 November 1835 • Wednesday [ edit ]

at home attended School during school Hours, returned home and spent the evening, around my fire-side, teaching my family the science of grammar; it commensed snowing this afterno[o]n, the wind is verry heavy indeed

12 November 1835 • Thursday [ edit ]

attended School 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 labour[er]s who commenced finishing the out side of the house Chappel were oblieged to brake off from their buisness at the commencement of this storm viz on the 11th they commenced plasturing and finishing the outside on monday the 2. Inst. this job is let to A[rtemus]. Millet & L[orenzo] Young, at $1,000 they have progressed rapidly since they commenced.

J[acob]. Bump has the job of plastering the inside of the house 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 met with the council of 12. by their request, 9 of them were present page 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 character 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 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 page 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 Missouri 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 ordinance of washing of feet, 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[e] has God suffered one of the witnesses or first Elders 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[ir] malice in vain. page 32 we must have all things prepared and call our solem assembly as the Lord has commanded us, that we may be able to accomplish his great work: and it mu[s]t be done in Gods own way, the house of the Lord 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 ordinance of washing of feet; it was never intended for any but official members, 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 endowment 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 page 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 house of God 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 celestial Kingdom of God and enjoy it forever: you need an endowment brethren in order that you may be prepared and able to over come all things, and those that reject your testimony will be damned the sick will be healed 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 an 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 seal 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 page 34 the workers of iniquity, while the saints will be gathered out from among them and stand in holy places ready to meet the bride groom when he comes.—

I feel disposed to speak a few words more to you my brethren concerning the endowment, all who are prepared and are sufficiently pure to abide the presence of the Saviour will see him in the solem assembly.

The brethren expressed their gratification for the instruction I had given them, we then closed by prayer. - I then returned home and retired to rest

13 November 1835 • Friday [ edit ]

attended school during school hours, returned home after School; Mr Messenger of Bainbridge Chenango Co. N[ew] Y[ork] came in to make some enquiry about H[ezekiah]. Peck's family he is a Universalian Minister we entered into conversation upon religious subjects, we went to President Rigdon'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

14 November 1835 • Saturday [ edit ]

Thus came the word of the Lord unto me saying: verily thus saith the the Lord unto my servant Joseph concerning my servant Warren [Parrish] 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 hiden things, and shall be endowed with a knowledge of hiden 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 Warren 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 Erastus Holmes of Newbury Clemon [Newberry, Clermont] Co. Ohio, he called to make enquiry about the establishment of the church of the latter-day Saints and to be instructed more perfectly in our doctrine &c I commenced and gave him a brief relation of my experience while in my page 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 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.

15 November 1835 • Sunday [ edit ]

he went with me to meeting, which was held in the School-house on account of the Chappel not being finished plastering. President Rigdon 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. Mr. Holmes was well satisfied, he came home with me and dined.

Said Holmes 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 afternoon, before partaking of the sacrament Isaac Hills case was agitated again, and settled after much controversy, and he retained in the church by making an humble acknowled[g]ement before the church, and concenting to have his confession published in the Messenger and advocate, after which the ordinance of the Lord[Ôs] Supper was administered, and the meeting closed, verry late, returned home and spent the evening. page 37

16 November 1835 • Monday [ edit ]

at home, dictated a letter for the Advocate, also one to Harvey Whitlock. Father [Alvah] Beeman called to council with me Elder [Elial] Strong and some others

/ Copy of the Letter from Harvey Whitloc[k:]

Dear sir having a few leisure moment[s] 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 predominent 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 record 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[s].

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 page 38 God: and the abyss into which I have fallen, is a subject that swells / my heart to 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 [and] 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 page 39 quick to devise wicked imaginations: nevertheless I am impressed with the sure thought that I am fast hastning 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 ruged assent to make their way to the realms of end less felicity, and delight, to stop not for anchors here below, follow not my example. but steer your course onward in spite 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 page 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 o breath into the ears of thy servant the Prophet, words suitably 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

Harvey Whitlock

to Joseph Smith page 41

Copy of a Letter sent Harvy Whitlock in answer to his

Kirtland Nov. 16th 1835

Bro Harvey Whitlock

I have received your letter of the 28th Sept. 1835, and I have read it twice, and it gave me sensations that are better imagined than discribed; 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 Harvey, 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 Kirtland 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 livith 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 receive you again into fellowship.

I hope on the recept of this, you will not loose any no time in coming to page 43 Kirtland: for if you get here in season, you will have the privilege of attending the School of the prophets, which has already commenced and, also receive 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 Kirtland, it will be explained to you why God has condescended to give you a revelation according to your request.

Please give my respects to your family, and bee assured I am yours in the bonds of the new and everlasting covenant

Joseph Smith Jun

on this evening, viz the 16th [November 1835] a council was called at my house to council with Father Alva Beeman on the subject of his mooving to the Missourie; I had previously told him that the Lord had said that he had better go to the Missourie, next Spring: however he wished a council, called, the council met President D[avid] Whitmer 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 Mr. H[o]lmes case, he had desired that I would inquire at the hand of the Lord whether it was page 44 his duty to be baptised here, or wait until he returned home: - The word of the Lord came unto me saying, that Mr. Holmes 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 ene[m]ys

17 November 1835 • Tuesday [ edit ]

exibited the Alphabet some of the ancient records to Mr. Holmes and some others, went with him to F G. Williams to see the Mumies, 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 School house, returned home and retired to rest,

18 November 1835 • Wednesday [ edit ]

at home in the fore noon, untill about 11 oclock. I then went to Preserved Harris'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 My wife my mother and my scribe 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 page 45 at evening Bishop Whitney his wife Father and Mother, and Sister in law, came in and invited me and my wife to go with them & visit Father Smith & family my wife was unwell and could not go; however I and my Scribe 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 q[u]estion 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 desided by the presidents of the debate in the negative; which was a righteous descision I discovered in this debate, much warmth displayed, to much zeal for mastery, to much of that enthusiasm that characterizes 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 due deference to the opinions of others and with an eye single to the glory of God. page 46

19 November 1835 • Thursday [ edit ]

went in company with Doct. Williams & my scribe to see how the workmen prospered in finishing the house; the masons on the inside had commenced puting on the finishing coat of plastureing. on my return I met Loyd [Lloyd] & Lorenzo Lewis 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 translating the Egyptian records: on this has been a warm & pleasant day

20 November 1835 • Friday [ edit ]

in morning at home: the weather is warm but rainy, we spent the day in translating, and made rapid progress

At Evening, President Cowdery returned from New York, bringing with him a quantity of Hebrew books for the benefit of the school, he presented me with a Hebrew bible, lexicon & grammar, also a Greek Lexicon and Websters English Lexicon.

President Cowdery had a prosperous journey, according to the prayers of the saints in Kirtland

21 November 1835 • Saturday [ edit ]

at home, spent the day in examining my books and studying the my hebrew alphabet, at evening met with our hebrew class to make some arrangments about a Teacher, it was decided by the voice of the School to send [p.47] to N. York for a Jew to teach us the language, if we could get released from the engagement we had made with Doct. Piexotto [Peixotto] to teach the language, having asertained that he was not qualified to give us the knowledge we wish to acquire

22 November 1835 • Sunday [ edit ]

went to meeting at the us[u]al hour. Simeon Cater [Carter] preached from the 7th Chapt of Mathew; President Rigdon's brother in Law & Some other relatives were at meeting, in the after noon the meeting was held in the Schoolhouse also in the evening had a meeting, and Elder [Andrew Jackson] Squires who had withdrawn from the Church made application, to return after giving him a severe chastisment, he was recieved, and his licence restored to him; when the case of Elder Squires was introduced, we organized into a regular council. Sylvester Smith 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

23 November 1835 • Monday [ edit ]

several brethren called to converse with me, and see the records; rec'd a letter from Jared Carter, spent the day in conversing, and in studying, the hebrew, language

This has been a stormy day page 48

24 November 1835 • Tuesday [ edit ]

at home, spent the fore noon instructing those that called to inquire concerning the things of God, in the last days: in the afternoon, we translated some of the Egyptian, records; I had an invitation to attend a wedding at Br. Hiram Smith's in the evening also to solemnize the matrimonial ceremony, between Newell Knight & Lydia Goldthwaite I and my wife, went, when we arrived a conciderable company, had collected, the bridegroom & bride came in, and took their seats, which gave me to understand that they were ready. I requested them to arise and join hands. I then remarked that marriage was an institution of h[e]aven instituted in the garden of Eden, that it was necessary that it should be Solemnized by the authority of the everlasting priesthood, 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 page 49

25 November 1835 • Wednesday [ edit ]

spent the day in Translating. Today [David] Harvey Redfield & Jesse Hitchcock arived here from Missourie; 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 deli vered him

26 November 1835 • Thursday [ edit ]

at home, we spent the day in transcribing Egyptian characters from the papyrus. I am severely afflicted with a cold. Today Robert Rathbone [Rathbun] and George Morey arrived from Zion

27 November 1835 • Friday [ edit ]

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 stud reading Hebrew at home.

The weather continues cold and unpleasant. Br. Parrish my scribe being afflicted with a cold, asked me to lay my hands on him in the name of the Lord I did so, and in return I asked him to lay his hands on me & we were both relieved.

See page 9th 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, Oliver Cowdery, David Whitmer, Hirum Smith John Whitmer, Sidn[e]y Rigdon, Samuel H. Smith, Frederick G. Williams, and Wm. W. Phelps, 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 deliver Zion in the appointed page 50 time 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 Missourie 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 Zion, and that we may purchase inheritances in that land, even enough to carry on and accomplish the work unto which he was appointed us; and also that he will assist all others who desire, according 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 Celestial Kingdom. Amen.

Oliver Cowdery Clerk

28 November 1835 • Saturday [ edit ]

at home, spent the morning in compareing our journal.

This Elder Josiah Clark called this morning to see me, he lives in Cam[pb]el County K[entucky] about three miles above Cincinate.

I am conciderably recovered from my cold, & I think I shall be able in a few days to translate again, 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 blasts of rigid winter.

Elder Clark above mentioned, has been biten by a mad dog some three or four page 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 layed our hands on him, in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and anointed him with oil, and rebuked his affliction, praying our heavenly Father to hear and answer our prayers according to our faith

29 November 1835 • Sunday [ edit ]

went to meeting at the us[u]al hour Elder Morley preachd and Bishop Partridge 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 pitchers 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 Zion brethren came forward and recieved their blessing

Solon Foster was ordained to the office of an Elder; the Lord's supper was then administered, and the meeting closed. returned home and spent the evening. The storm continues, the weather is verry cold page 52

30 November 1835 • Monday [ edit ]

yet the snow is falling and is sufficiently deep for slay 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 Gathering; this afternoon, Henry Capron called to see me, he is an old acquaintance of mine, from Manchester New York, shewed him the Egyptian records

1 December 1835 • Tuesday [ edit ]

at home spent the day in writing, for the M & Advocate, the snow is falling and we have fine sleighing.

2 December 1835 • Wednesday [ edit ]

a fine morning I made preparation, to ride to Painsvill[e], with my wife and children family, also my Scribe, we had our sleigh and horses prepared and set out, when we arived were passing through Mentor Street, 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 Mentor Street inhabitants, who are ready to abuse and scandalize, men who never laid a straw in their way, and in fact those whos faces they never saw, and cannot bring an acusation, against, either page 53 of a temporal or spir[i]tual 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 Painsvill[e] we called at Sister Harriet How[e']s, and left my wife and family to visit her while we rode into Town to do some business, returned called and visited H. Kingsbury Returned and dined with Sister How[e], and returned home, had a fine ride the sleighing is fine good and weather pleasant page 54

3 December 1835 • Thursday [ edit ]

at home, wrote a letter to David Dort, Rochester Michigan, another to Almyra Scoby [Almira Mack Scobey Covey] Liberty Clay co., Mo. at home all day, at evening, was invited with my wife, to attend, at Thomas Caricoes, to join W[arren] Parrish & Martha H. Raymond 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, 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 Church of the latter day saints, closed by singing and prayer, took some refreshment, and retired; having spent the evening, agreeably

4 December 1835 • Friday [ edit ]

to day, in company with Vinson Knights, we drew, three hundred and fifty Dollars, out of Painsvill[e] Bank, on three months credit, for which we gave, the names of F G. Williams & Co N. K. Whitney John Johnson, & Newel Vinson Knights, I also settled with Br. Hiram Smith, and V. Knights, and paid said [K]nights $2045 two hundred and forty five dollars, I also paid, or have it in my power to pay, J. Lewis 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 page 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. John Holister of Portage County Ohio called to see me on 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 enqui[r]er 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 over night 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

5 December 1835 • Saturday [ edit ]

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 Doct. Williams & President Cowdery, I am labouring under some indisposition of health. laid down and slept a while, and page 56 and arose feeling tolerable well through the blessings of God. I received a letter to day from Reuben McBride, Vilanova [Chautauqua Co.] N. Y also another from Parley Pratts mother in law from Herkimer Co. 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 wou[1]d dictate, them to pay the postage on their letters.

6 December 1835 • Sunday [ edit ]

went to meeting at the us[u]al hour. G. Carter preached a splendid discourse, in the after noon we had an exortation, and communion. 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 page 57

7 December 1835 • Monday [ edit ]

received a letter from Milton Holmes, 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. John Hollister 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

8 December 1835 • Tuesday [ edit ]

at holm spent the day in reading hebrew in company with, President Cowdery Doct. Williams Br. H[yrum]. Smith & O[rson]. Pratt.

In the evening I preached, as us[u]al at the School House, had great liberty in speaking the congregation, were attentive, after the servises closed the brethren proposed to come and draw wood for me

9 December 1835 • Wednesday [ edit ]

at home, the wind is strong and chilly, from the south, and their is a prospect of a storm Elder [Noah] Packard 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 Jesse Hitchcock, on which page 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 their hearts in great liberality and payed me at the committee Store the sums set oposite their respective names

John Corrill $5.00 Levi Jackman 3.25 Elijah Fordham 5.25 James Em[m]ett 5.00 Newel Knight 2.00 Truman Angell 3.00 Wm Felshaw 3.00 Emer Harris 1.00 Truman Jackson 1.00 Samuel Rolph 1.25 Elias Higbee 1.00 Albert Brown 3.00 Wm F. Cahoon 1.00 Harlow Crosier .50 Salmon Gee .75 Harvey Stanley 1.00 Zemira Draper 1.00 George Morey 1.00 John Rudd .50 Alexander Badlam 1.00 40.50. with the adition of the 2 notes above 24.00

My heart swells with gratitude inexpressible w h en I realize the great condescention of my heavenly Fathers, in opening the hearts of these, my beloved brethren page 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[e]ned hog for the be[ne]fit of my family.

And a few days since Elder S[hadrach] Roundy 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

10 December 1835 • Thursday [ edit ]

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 heav[e]n to rest upon them even all and their families, and I ask my heavenly Father page 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 understand-ing 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 Zion 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 celestial Kingdom of God, which blessings I ask in the name of Jesus of Nazareth. Amen

I would remember Elder Leonard Rich 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 page 61

This afternoon, I was called in company with President David Whitmer, to visit Sister Angeline Works, 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 layed hands on her 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 restored to health, she said she was better. On our return we found the brethren engaged, in putting out the board kiln which had taken fire, and after labouring for about one hour, against 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 there was much lumber in the kiln

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 page 62

11 December 1835 • Friday [ edit ]

a fire broke out in a shoe-makers shop owned by Orson Johnson, but was soon, extinguished, by the active exertions of the brethren, but the family were much alarmed, the shop being connected with their 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. today Elder Dayly & his wife left for home.

12 December 1835 • Saturday [ edit ]

at home, spent the fore noon in reading, at about 12 0 clock a number of young person[s] called to see the records Egyptian records I requested my Scribe 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 page 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. Wm. Smiths, 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 Angeline Work[s], who was suposed to be dangerously sick, Elder Corrill & myself went and prayed for and layed hands on her in the name of Jesus Christ, She appeard to be better, returned home

13 December 1835 • Sunday [ edit ]

at the us[u]al hour for meeting viz. at 10 ocl[o]ck attended meeting, at the School house on the flats, Elder J[esse]. Hitchcock preachd a verry feeling discourse indeed, in the afternoon Elder Peter Whitmer, related his experiance, after which President F G. Williams 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 sacrament of the Lords Supper was administered, under the superintendance of President D. Whitmer, who presided over the meeting during the day. I then made som[e] remarks respecting 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 Scribe, rode to Mr. E[benezer]. Jennings, where I joined Eb[e]nezer Robinson and Angeline Works, in matrimony, according to previous arangements. Miss Works 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 Mr. [Isaac] McWithy's a distance of about 3 miles from Town, where I had been Solicited, to attend and solemnize, the matrimonial covenant betwen Mr. E[dwin]. Webb & Miss E[liza]. A. McWithy, 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 Groom & bride, 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, except 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 sealed the matrimonial [p.65] 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 pronounc[e]d a blessing, upon the company and withdrew, and returned home

To day the board kiln, took fire again

14 December 1835 • Monday [ edit ]

this morning a number of brethren from New York call[ed] to visit me, and see the Egyptian records. Elder [Martin] Harris also returned this morning from Palmyra N. York. Br. Frazier Eaton, of the same place called and paid me a visit, a verry fine man also Sister Harriet How[e] called to pay us a visit

After dinner we went to attend the funeral of Sylvester Smiths 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 a temporal nature.

To day Samuel Branum [Brannan] came to my house, much afflicted with a swelling on his left arm, which was occasioned by a bruise page 66 on his elbow, we had been called to pray for him and anoint him with oil, but his faith was not sufficient to effect a cure, and my wife 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 form Elder Orson Hyde from his own hand

15 December 1835 • Tuesday [ edit ]

spent the day at home, and as us[u]al was blessed with much company, some of which called to see the records Samuel Brannum [Brannan], is verry sick in consequence of his arm, it being much inflamed

This afterno[o]n Elder Orson Hyde, 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 William Smith, also requested me to reconcile the revelation, given to the 12, 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 page 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 Nazareth 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 Elders to receive an endument [endowment], in thy house, even according to thine own order from time to time as thou seeest them worthy to be called into thy Solemn Assembly page 68

16 December 1835 • Wednesday [ edit ]

the weather is extremely cold, this morning I went to the council room, to lay before the presidency the letter that I received yesterday from Elder O. Hyde, but when I arived, I found that I had lost said letter, but I laid the substance of it as far as I could recollect before the council, but they had not time to attend to it on the account of other buisness, accordingly we adjourned untill Monday Evening the 20th Inst.

Returned home Elder McLellen Elder B. Young and Elder J[ared] Carter called and paid me a visit, with which I was much gratified. I exibited and explaind the Egyptian Records to them, and explained many things to them concerning the dealings of God with the ancients and the formation of the planetary System, they seemed much pleased with the interview.

This evening according to adjournment I went to Br. Wm. Smiths, to take part in the debate that was commenced on Saturday evening last. after the debate was concluded, and a desision given in favour of the affirmative of the question, some altercation took place, upon the impropr[i]ety of continueing the school fearing that it would not result in good.

Br. Wm opposed these measures and insisted on having another question proposed, and at length become much enraged particularly at me and used page 69 violence upon my person, and also upo[n] Elder J. Carter and some others, for which I am grieved beyond expression, and can only pray God to forgive him inasmuch as he repents of his wickedness, and humbles himself before the Lord

17 December 1835 • Thursday [ edit ]

at home. quite unwell. This morning Elder Orson Hyde called to see me, and presented me with a copy of the letter that he handed me on Tuesday last, which I had lost The following is a copy

Dec. 15th 1835

President Smith

Sir you may esteem it a novel circumstance to receive a written communication from me at this time.

My reasons for writing are the following. I have some things which I wish to communicate to you, and feeling a greater liberty to do it by writing alone by myself, I take this method; and it is generally the case that you are thronged with buisness and not convenient to spend much time in conversing upon subjects of the following nature. Therefore let these excuses paliate the novelty of the circumstance and patiently hear my recital.

After the committee had received their stock of fall 