The last and 7th [damage] Joseph was 14 vision 7th [damage] night a man come in with a peddler’s budjet on his back he as liked <spoke to> saying Sir will you trade with me to day I told that I rather [… guessed?] not I have always traded with you and I have always called on you and I have found you strictly honest in all your deal your measures are always heaped and in measure your measure you always overrun—and now I have come to tell you that this is the last time that I shall <never> never <shall> call again and you may want […t?] thing and there is but one thing lacking for pertaining to your souls salvation I I then requested him to write upon pap er what it was that I lacked he said he would do so and I sprang forward very eagerly in order to get some paper and other materials for writing—and in my excitement I awoke

Shortly after my husband received the foregoing vision there was a great revival in religion,⁵ which extended to all the denominations of Christians in the surrounding country in which we resided.⁶ Many of the world’s people becoming concerned about the salvation of their souls, came forward and presented themselves as seekers after religion. Most of them were desirous of uniting with some church, but were not decided as to the particular faith which they would adopt. When the numerous meetings were about breaking up, and the candidates and the various leading church members began to consult upon the subject of adopting the candidates into some church or churches, as the case might be, a dispute arose,⁷ and there was a great contention among them.

While these things were going forward Joseph’s mind became considerably troubled with regard to religion; and the following extract from his history will show, more clearly than I can express, the state of his feelings, and the result of his reflections on this occasion:—⁸

“I was at this time in my fifteenth year. My father’s family was proselyted to the Presbyterian faith, and four of them joined that church, namely, my mother Lucy, my brothers Hyrum and Samuel Harrison, and my sister Sophronia.

“During this time of great excitement my mind was called up to serious reflection and great uneasiness; but though my feelings were deep, and often pungent,⁹ still I kept myself aloof from all those parties, though I attended their several meetings as often as occasion would permit. But in process of time my mind became somewhat partial to the Methodist sect, and I felt some desire to be united with them, but so great was¹⁰ the confusion and strife among the different denominations, that it was impossible for a person, young as I was, and so unacquainted with men and things, to come to any certain conclusion who was right and who was wrong. My mind at different times was greatly excited, the cry and tumult were¹¹ so great and incessant. The Presbyterians were most decided against the Baptists and Methodists, and used all their powers of either reason or sophistry to prove their errors, or at least to make the people think they were in error. On the other hand, the Baptists and Methodists, in their turn, were equally zealous to establish¹² their own tenets and disprove all others.

“In the midst of this war of words, and tumult of opinions, I often said to myself, What is to be done? Who, of all these parties, are right? or, are they all wrong together? If any one of them be right, which is it? and how shall I know it?

“While I was labouring under the extreme difficulties caused by the contests of these parties of religionists, I was one day reading the epistle of James,¹³ first chapter and fifth verse, which reads, ‘If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth unto all men liberally, and upbraideth not, and it shall be given him.’ Never did any passage of Scripture come with more power to the heart of man than this did at this time to mine. It seemed to enter with great force into every feeling of my heart. I reflected on it again and again, knowing that if any person needed wisdom¹⁴ from God, I did, for how to act I did not know, and, unless I could get more wisdom than I then had, would never know;¹⁵ for the teachers of religion of the different sects understood the same passage so differently, as to destroy all confidence in settling the question by an appeal to the Bible. At length I came to the conclusion, that I must either remain in darkness and confusion, or else I must do as James directs, that is, ask of God. I at length came to the determination to ask of God, concluding that if he gave wisdom to them that lacked wisdom, and would give liberally, and not upbraid, I might venture. So, in accordance with this my determination to ask of God, I retired to the woods to make the attempt. It was on the morning of a beautiful clear day, early in the spring of 1820. It was the first time in my life that I had made such an attempt; for amidst all my anxieties I had never as yet made the attempt to pray vocally. After I had retired into the place where I had previously designed to go, having looked around me, and finding myself alone, I kneeled down and began to offer up the desires of my heart to God. I had scarcely done so, when immediately I was seized upon by some power which entirely overcame me, and had such astonishing influence over me as to bind my tongue, so that I could not speak. Thick darkness gathered around me, and it seemed to me for a time as if I were doomed to sudden destruction. But exerting all my powers to call upon God, to deliver me out of the power of this enemy which had seized upon me, and at the very moment when I was ready to sink into despair, and abandon myself to destruction—not to an imaginary ruin, but to the power of some actual being from the unseen world, who had such a marvellous power as I had never before felt in any being; just at this moment of great alarm, I saw a pillar of light exactly over my head, above the brightness of the sun, which descended gradually until it fell upon me. It no sooner appeared than I found myself delivered from the enemy which held me bound. When the light rested upon me, I saw two personages, whose brightness and glory defy all description, standing above me in the air. One of them spake unto me, calling me by name, and said, pointing to the other, ‘This is my beloved Son; hear him!’

“My object in going to enquire of the Lord, was to know which of all the¹⁶ sects was right, that I might know which to join. No sooner, therefore, did I get possession of myself, so as to be able to speak, than I asked the personages who stood above me in the light, which of all the sects was right—for at this time it had never entered into my heart that all were wrong—and which I should join.¹⁷ I was answered that I should join none of them, for they were all wrong; and the personage who addressed me said that all their creeds were an abomination in his sight; that those professors were all corrupt. ‘They draw near me¹⁸ with their lips, but their hearts are far from me; they teach for doctrine the commandments of men, having a form of godliness, but they deny the power thereof.’ He again forbade me to join any¹⁹ of them; and many other things did he say unto me which I cannot write at this time. When I came to myself again, I found myself lying on my back, looking up into heaven.²⁰ Some few days after I had this vision, I happened to be in company with one of the Methodist preachers who was very active in the before-mentioned religious excitement, and conversing with him upon the subject of religion, I took occasion to give him an account of the vision which I had had. I was greatly surprised at his behaviour; he treated my communication not only lightly, but with great contempt, saying it was all of the devil; that there was no such thing as visions or revelations in these days; that all such things had ceased with the Apostles, and that there never would be any more of them. I soon found, however, that my telling the story had excited a great deal of prejudice against me among professors of religion, and was the cause of great persecution, which continued to increase; and though I was an obscure boy, only between fourteen and fifteen years of age, and my circumstances in life such as to make a boy²¹ of no consequence in the world, yet men of high standing would take notice sufficient to excite the public mind against me and create a hot²² persecution; and this was common among all the sects—all united to persecute me. It has often caused me serious reflection, both then and since, how very strange it was that an obscure boy, of a little over fourteen years of age—and one, too, who was doomed to the necessity of obtaining a scanty maintenance by his daily labour, should be thought a character of sufficient importance to attract the attention of the great ones of the most popular sects of the day, in a manner so as to create²³ in them a spirit of the hottest persecution and reviling. But strange or not, so it was, and was often cause of great sorrow to myself. However, it was, nevertheless, a fact that I had had a vision. I have thought since, that I felt much like Paul when he made his defence before King Agrippa, and related the account of the vision he had when he ‘saw a light and heard a voice’; but still there were but few who believed him [Acts 26:7-19]. Some said he was dishonest, others said he was mad, and he was ridiculed and reviled; but all this did not destroy the reality of his vision. He had seen a vision—he knew he had—and all the persecution under heaven could not make it otherwise; and though they should persecute him unto death, yet he knew, and would know unto his latest breath, that he had both seen a light and heard a voice speaking to²⁴ him, and all the world could not make him think or believe otherwise. So it was with me. I had actually seen a light, and in the midst of that light I saw two personages, and they did in reality speak unto me, or one of them did;²⁵ and though I was hated and persecuted for saying that I had seen a vision, yet it was true; and while they were persecuting me, reviling me, and speaking all manner of evil against me falsely, for so saying, I was led to say in my heart, Why persecute for telling the truth? I have actually seen a vision; and who am I that I can withstand God? or why does the world think to make me deny what I have actually seen? for I had seen a vision. I knew it, and I knew that God knew it; and I could not deny it, neither dare I do it—at least, I knew that by so doing I would offend God, and come under condemnation.”—Times and Seasons, vol. iii, p. 727. Supp. to Mil. Star, vol. xiv, p. 2.

From this time until the twenty-first of September, 1823, Joseph continued, as usual, to labour with his father, and nothing during this interval occurred of very great importance—though he suffered, as one would naturally suppose, every kind of opposition²⁶ and persecution from the different orders of religionists.

²⁷About this The 3 harvest time²⁸ had now arrived since we opened our new farm and all the our sons were actively employed in assisting their Father to cut down the grain and storing it away in order, for winter One evening we were sitting till quite late conversing upon the subject of the diversity of churches that had risen up in the world and the many thousand opinions in existence as to the truths contained in scripture. Joseph who never said many words upon any subject but always seemed to reflect more deeply than common persons of his age upon everything of a religious nature.

This After we ceased conversation he went to bed <and was pondering in his mind which of the churches were the true one> an but he had not laid there long till <he saw> a bright <light> entered the room where he lay he looked up and saw an angel of the Lord stood <standing> by him The angel spoke I perceive that you are enquiring in your mind which is the true church there is not a true church on Earth No not one Nor <and> has not been since Peter took the Keys <of the Melchesidec priesthood after the order of God> into the Kingdom of Heaven The churches that are now upon the Earth are all man made churches Joseph there is a record for you and you must get it one day get it There is a record for you and Joseph when you have learned to keep the commandments of God but you cannot get it untill you learn to keep the commandments of God <For it is not to get gain> But it is to bring forth that light and intelligence which has been long lost in the Earth Now Joseph <or> beware <or> when you go to get the plates your mind will be filld with darkness and all maner of evil will rush into your mind To keep <prevent> you from keeping the commandments of God <that you may not succed in doing his work> and you must tell your father of this for he will believe every word you say the record is on a side hill on the Hill of Cumorah 3 miles from this place remove the Grass and moss and you will find a large flat stone pry that up and you will find the record under it laying on 4 pillars—<of cement> then the angel left him

On the evening of the twenty-first of September, he retired to his bed in quite a serious and contemplative state of mind. He shortly betook himself to prayer and supplication to Almighty God, for a manifestation of his standing before him, and while thus engaged he received the following vision:—²⁹

“While I was thus in the act of calling upon God, I discovered a light appearing in the room,³⁰ which continued to increase until the room was lighter than at noon-day, when immediately a personage appeared at my bed-side, standing in the air, for his feet did not touch the floor. He had on a loose robe of most exquisite whiteness. It was a whiteness beyond anything earthly I had ever seen, nor do I believe that any earthly thing could be made to appear so exceedingly white and brilliant. His hands were naked, and his arms also, a little above the wrist; so also were his feet naked, as were his legs a little above the ankles. His head and neck were also bare. I could discover that he had no other clothing on but this robe, as it was open, so that I could see into his bosom. Not only was his robe exceedingly white, but his whole person was glorious beyond description, and his countenance truly like lightning. The room was exceedingly light, but not so very bright as immediately around his person[.] When I first looked upon him I was afraid, but the fear soon left me. He called me by name, and said unto me me [sic] that he was a messenger sent from the presence of God to me, and that his name was Nephi;³¹ that God had a work for me to do, and that my name should be had for good and evil among all nations, kindreds, and tongues; or that it should be both good and evil spoken of among all people. He said there was a book deposited, written upon gold plates, giving an account of the former inhabitants of this continent, and the source from whence they sprang. He also said that the fulness of the everlasting Gospel was contained in it, as delivered by the Saviour to the ancient inhabitants. Also, that there were two stones in silver bows, and these stones fastened to a breastplate, constituted what is called the Urim and Thummim, deposited with the plates; and the possession and use of these stones were³² what constituted Seers in ancient or former times; and that God had prepared them for the purpose of translating the book. After telling me these things, he commenced quoting the prophecies of the Old Testament. He first quoted part of the third chapter of Malachi; and he quoted also the fourth or last chapter of the same prophecy, though with a little variation from the way it reads in our Bible.³³ Instead of quoting the first verse as it reads in our books, he quoted it thus: ‘For behold the day cometh that shall burn as an oven; and all the proud, yea, and all that do wickedly, shall burn as stubble, for they that come³⁴ shall burn them, saith the Lord of Hosts, that it shall leave them neither root or branch.’ And again he quoted the fifth verse thus: ‘Behold, I will reveal unto you the Priesthood by the hand of Elijah the prophet, before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord.’ He also quoted the next verse differently: ‘And he shall plant in the hearts of the children the promises made to the fathers, and the hearts of the children shall turn to their fathers; if it were not so, the whole earth would be utterly wasted at its³⁵ coming.’ In addition to these, he quoted the eleventh chapter of Isaiah, saying that it was about to be fulfilled. He quoted also the third chapter of Acts, twenty-second and twenty-third verses, precisely as they stand in our New Testament. He said that the Prophet was Christ, but the day had not yet come ‘when they who would not hear his voice should be cut off from among the people,’ but soon would come. He also quoted the second chapter of Joel, from the twenty-eighth verse to the last. He also said that this was not yet fulfilled, but was soon to be. And he further stated the fulness of the Gentiles was soon to come in. He quoted many other passages of Scripture, and offered many explanations which cannot be mentioned here. Again, he told me that when I got those plates of which he had spoken, (for the time that they should be obtained was not then³⁶ fulfilled,) I should not show them to any person, neither the breast-plate, with the Urim and Thummim, only to those to whom I should be commanded to show them: if I did I should be destroyed. While he was conversing with me about the plates, the vision was opened to my mind that I could see the place where the plates were deposited, and that so clearly and distinctly, that I knew the place again when I visited it.

“After this communication, I saw the light in the room begin to gather immediately around the person of him who had been speaking to me, and it continued to do so until the room was again left dark, except just around him; when instantly I saw, as it were, a conduit open right up into heaven, and he ascended up till he entirely disappeared, and the room was left as it had been before this heavenly light made its appearance.

“I lay musing on the singularity of the scene, and marvelling greatly at what had been told me by this extraordinary messenger, when, in the midst of my meditation, I suddenly discovered that my room was again beginning to get lighted, and, in an instant, as it were, the same heavenly messenger was again by my bed-side. He commenced, and again related the very same things which he had done at his first visit, without the least variation, which having done, he informed me of great judgments which were coming upon the earth, with great desolations by famine, sword, and pestilence; and that these grievous judgments would come on the earth in this generation. Having related these things, he again ascended as he had done before.”—Times and Seasons, vol. iii., p. 729. Suppl. to Mil. Star, vol. xiv., p. 4.

When the angel ascended the second time, he left Joseph overwhelmed with astonishment, yet gave him but a short time to contemplate the things which he had told him before he made his reappearance, and rehearsed the same things over, adding a few words of caution and instruction, thus: that he must beware of covetousness, and he must not suppose the Record was to be brought forth with the view of getting gain, for this was not the case, but that it was to bring forth light and intelligence, which had for a long time been lost to the world; and that when he went to get the plates, he must be on his guard, or his mind would be filled with darkness. The angel then told him to tell his father all which he had both seen and heard.

The next <day> he <and his father and> and his brother Alvin were reaping in the field togather when <sudenly> Joseph stopped and seemed to be in a deep study for sometime Alvin hurried <him> saying Joseph we will must keep to work or we shall not get our this task done Joseph worked again dilligently then stopped in the same way again <a second time> when alvin <his father> Saw that he look was very pale and urged him to go to the house to and tell his mother that he was sick he went a short distance till he came to a green sward under an apple tree here he lay down <on his face> for he was so weak he could go no farther³⁷

The next day, my husband, Alvin, and Joseph, were reaping together in the field, and as they were reaping Joseph stopped quite suddenly, and seemed to be in a very deep study.³⁸ Alvin, observing it, hurried him, saying, “We must not slacken our hands, or we will not be able to complete our task.” Upon this Joseph went to work again, and after labouring a short time, he stopped just as he had done before. This being quite unusual and strange, it attracted the attention of his father, upon which he discovered that Joseph was very pale. My husband, supposing that he was sick, told him to go to the house, and have his mother doctor him. He accordingly ceased his work, and started, but on coming to a beautiful green, under an apple-tree, he stopped and lay down, for he was so weak he could proceed no further.

He was here but a short time, when the messenger whom he saw the previous night, visited him again, and the first thing he said was, “Why did you not tell your father that which I commanded you to tell him?” Joseph replied, “I was afraid my father would not believe me.” The angel rejoined, “He will believe every word you say to him.”

he the said again when you get the record take it immediately into the house and lock it up as soon as possible and let no one see it till it is translated and then show it to such as the Lord chooses as a witness to the world now I will show you the difference between light and darkness and the operation of a <good> Spirit and an evil one an evil Spirit will try to crowd your mind with every evil and wicked thing to keep every good thought and feeling out of you ³⁹your mind <but you must keep your mind always staid upon God that that no evil may come into your heartth> Joseph then promised to do as he was told by the angel and rose up and went to his brother Alvin and requested Alvin to go to the house and ask his Father to come to the field for said he I have something to tell him when his Father went to him Joseph rehearsed to him all that he had and seen and heard

Joseph then promised the angel that he would do as he had been commanded. Upon this, the messenger departed, and Joseph returned to the field where he had left my husband and Alvin; but when he got there his father had just gone to the house, as he was somewhat unwell. Joseph then desired Alvin⁴⁰ to go straightway and see his father, and inform him that he had something of great importance to communicate to him, and that he wanted him to come out into the field where they were at work. Alvin did as he was requested, and when my husband got there, Joseph related to him all that had passed between him and the angel the previous night and that morning. Having heard this account, his father charged him not to fail in attending strictly to the instruction which he had received from this heavenly messenger.

Soon after Joseph had this conversation with his father, he repaired to the place where the plates were deposited, which place he describes as follows:—

“Convenient to the village of Manchester, Ontario co., New York, stands a hill of considerable size, and the most elevated of any in the neighbourhood. On the west side of this hill, not far from the top, under a stone of considerable size, lay the plates, deposited in a stone box. This stone was thick and rounding in the middle, on the upper side, and thinner towards the edges, so that the middle part of it was visible above the ground; but the edges⁴¹ all round were covered with earth. “Having removed the earth, and obtained a lever, which I got fixed under the edge of the stone, with a little exertion I raised⁴² it up. I looked, and there, indeed, did I behold the plates! the Urim and Thummim, and the breast-plate, as stated by the messenger.”—(Times and Seasons, vol. iii., p. 729. Suppl. to Mil. Star, vol. xiv., p. 5).

While Joseph remained here, the angel showed him, by contrast, the difference between good and evil, and likewise the consequences of both obedience and disobedience to the commandments of God, in such a striking manner, that the impression was always vivid in his memory until the very end of his days; and in giving a relation of this circumstance, not long prior to his death, he remarked, that “ever afterwards he was willing to keep the commandments of God.”⁴³

Furthermore, the angel told him, at the interview mentioned last, that the time had not yet come for the plates to be brought forth to the world; that he could not take them from the place wherein they were deposited until he had learned to keep the commandments of God—not only till he was willing, but able, to do it. The angel bade Joseph come to this place every year, at the same time of the year, and he would meet him there and give him further instructions.

When they came into the house in the evening—<Joseph> they told made known to the whole family the wonderful things which Joseph had made known to him Joseph told the whole family the wonderful things which he had been made known to Joseph When Joseph came in the evening he told all the <whole> family all that he had made known to his father in the field f

we sat up up very late and listened attentively to all that he had to say to us but his mind had been so exercised that he became very much fatigued

Sitting up late that evening, in order to converse upon these things, together with over-exertion of mind, had much fatigued Joseph;

When Alvin saw this he said now brother let us go to bed and we will get up early in the morning and go to work so as to finish our days labor by an an hour before sunset & if Mother will get our suppers early we will then have a fine long evening <and> to all set down and hear you talk The next day they <we> worked with great ambition by sunset

and when Alvin observed it, he said, “Now, brother, let us go to bed, and rise early in the morning, in order to finish our day’s work at an hour before sunset; then, if mother will get our suppers early, we will have a fine long evening, and we will all sit down for the purpose of listening to you while you tell us the great things which God has revealed to you.”⁴⁴

[Here an * appears in the margin. The next several lines, two versions of the same material, are interlinearly written but neither version is lined through. I have identified them as #1 and #2. #1:] and were ready by Sunset to give our whole attention to the discourseing of my son pertaining the obtaining of the plates the goodness of God his knowledge and power our a own liabillity to error and transgression and the great salvation that lay before the faithful Now said he Father and Mother the angel of the Lord says that we must be careful not to proclaim these things or to mention them abroad For we do not any of us know the wickedness of the world which is so w sinful and [#2] by sunset were ready to be seated and give our att undivided attention to Josephs recitals and this pre before he began to explain to us the instructions which he had received he told charged us to not to mention what he told us out of the family as the world was so wicked that if they when they did come to a knoweledge of these things they would try to take our lives and we must be careful not to proclaim these things or as soon as we obtained the plates our names would be cast out as evil by all people. [end of interlinear material] that when we get the plates they will want to kill us for the sake of the gold if they know we had <have> them and as soon as they do find that we pretend to have any such thing our names will be cast out as evil and we shall be scoffed at and and all maner of evil spoken con ⁴⁵concerning us This astonished us very much and we wondered in our hearts how these things could be so why any one could have a disposition to take our lives merely for a thing like this. The He then said But <he continued> if we are wise and prudent in all things <that> which is revealed to <us> God is able to make all things known to us do you believe it Said he to his Father why yes certainly answered Mr. Smith he has all power and wisdom Knowledge and understanding and of course can teach us all things if we are worthy and we will try to live in such a as to deserve thefa the favor of God that he may be pleased to instruct from day to day —

Accordingly, by sunset the next day we were all seated, and Joseph commenced telling us the great and glorious things which God had manifested to him; but, before proceeding, he charged us not to mention out of the family that which he was about to say to us, as the world was so wicked that when they came to a knowledge of these things they would try to take our lives; and that when we should obtain the plates, our names would be cast out as evil by all people. Hence the necessity of suppressing these things as much as possible, until the time should come for them to go forth to the world.

After giving us this charge, he proceeded to relate further particulars concerning the work which he was appointed to do, and we received them joyfully, never mentioning them except among ourselves, agreeable to the instructions which we had received from him.

From this time forth Joseph continued to receive ans instructions from time to time and every evening we gathered our children togather and gave our our time up to the discussion of those things which he imparted <un>to us I think that <we> presented the most peculiar aspect of any family that ever lived upon the Earth all seated in a circle father mother sons and Daughters listening in breathless anxiety to the <religious> teachings of a boy 16⁴⁶ years of age who had never read the Bible through by course in his life for Joseph was less inclined to the study of books than any child we had but much more given to reflection and deep study

We were now confirmed in the opinion that God was about to bring to light something upon which we could stay our minds, or that would give us a more perfect knowledge of the plan of salvation and the redemption of the human family. This caused us greatly to rejoice, the sweetest union and happiness pervaded our house, and tranquillity reigned in our midst.

In the course of our evening conversations Joseph would give us some of the most ammusing recitals which could be immagined he would describe the ancient inhabitants of this continent their dress thier maner of traveling the animals which they rode The cities that were built by them the structure of their buildings with every particular of their mode of warfare their religious worship—as particularly as though he had spent his life with them

During our evening conversations, Joseph would occasionally give us some of the most amusing recitals that could be imagined. He would describe the ancient inhabitants of this continent, their dress, mode of travelling, and the animals upon which they rode; their cities, their buildings, with every particular; their mode of warfare; and also their religious worship. This he would do with as much ease, seemingly, as if he had spent his whole life with them.

it will be recollected by the reader that all that I mentioned and much more took place within the campass of one short year

The angel informed him at one time that he might make an effort to obtain the plates <on> the <22nd of the> ensueing september <he visted the place where the plates were laid and> and <thinking> <supposed [written under the line]> if he could keep every commandment given him that it would be possible for him to take them from their place and carry them home) but said the divine messenger you must take them into your hands and go straight to the house without delay not and not stopping <and put them in immediately and lock them up> Accordingly when the time arrived he went to the place appointed and removed the moss and grass from the surface of the rock and then pryed up the flat stone according to the directions which he had received he then discovered the plates laying on on 4 pillars in the inside of the box * [* After some further conversation Joseph] he put forth his hand <and> took them up <but> when he lifted them from their place the thought flashed across his mind that there might be something more in the box that might would be a benefit to him in a pecuniary point of view in the excitement of the moment he laid the record down in order in cover up the box least some one should come along and take away whatever else might be deposited there When he turned again to take up the record it was gone but where he knew not nor did he know by what means it was taken away

At this, as a natural consequence, he was much alarmed.⁵¹ He kneeled down and asked the Lord why the Record had been taken from him; upon which the angel of the Lord appeared to him, and told him that he had not done as he had been commanded, for in a former revelation he had been commanded not to lay the plates down, or put them for a moment out of his hands, until he got into the house and deposited them in a chest or trunk, having a good lock and key, and, contrary to this, he had laid them down with the view of securing some fancied or imaginary treasure that remained.⁵²

In the moment of excitement, Joseph was overcome by the powers of darkness, and forgot the injunction that was laid upon him.

Joseph was then permited to open raise the stone again and there he beheld the plates the same as before he reached forth his hand to take them but was hurled back <thrown (the angel gone> to the ground—* when he recov<ered he went ered was the angel was gone and he arose and went to the house>

Having some further conversation with the angel on this occasion, Joseph was permitted to raise the stone again, when he beheld the plates as he had done before. He immediately reached forth his hand to take them, but instead of getting them, as he anticipated, he was hurled back upon the ground with great violence. When he recovered, the angel was gone, and he arose and returned to the house, weeping for grief and disappointment.⁵³

As he was aware that we would expect him to bring the plates home with him, he was greatly troubled, fearing that we might doubt his having seen them. As soon as he entered the house, my husband asked him if he obtained the plates. The answer was, “No, father, I could not get them.”

His father then said, “Did you see them?”

“Yes,” replied Joseph, “I saw them, but could not take them.”

“I would have taken them,” rejoined his father, with much earnestness, “if I had been in your place.”

“Why,” returned Joseph, in quite a subdued tone, “you do not know what you say. I could not get them, for the angel of the Lord would not let me.”

We were much disturbed by this as it showed to us more strikingly than anything which had previously come to our understanding the insinuations & power of the adversary (And we doubled our diligence b in prayer before God that Joseph might be more fully instructed and preserved from all the wiles and machinations of the Power of the Him who lieth in wait to deceive.

We were still making arrangements to build us a comfortable house, the management and control of which devolved chiefly upon Alvin. And when Nov., 1822,⁵⁶ arrived, the frame was raised, and all the materials necessary for its speedy completion were procured. This opened to Alvin’s mind the pleasing prospect of seeing his father and mother once more comfortable and happy. He would say, “I am going to have a nice pleasant room for father and mother to sit in, and everything arranged for their comfort, and they shall not work any more as they have done.”⁵⁷

On the 15th of this month Alvin came in to the and said to me mother I am very sick

on the 15 of Nov Alvin was taken very sick with health about 10 oclock in the day with the bilious cholick and came to <the> house in great distress and requested his Father to go for a pysician which he accordingly did but as the Doctor whom generally attended upon our family being absent he was compelled to go farther than he expected however he found in the next village one Dr. Greenwood who when he came immediately administered to him although the patient objected much against it a heavy dose of Calomel

On the fifteenth of Nov. 1824,⁵⁹ about ten o’clock in the morning, Alvin⁶⁰ was taken very sick with the bilious colic. He came to the house in much distress, and requested his father to go immediately for a physician. He accordingly went, and got one⁶¹ by the name of Greenwood, who, on arriving, immediately administered to the patient a heavy dose of calomel. I will here notice that this Dr. Greenwood was not the physician commonly employed by the family; he was brought in consequence of the family physician’s absence. And on this account, as I suppose, Alvin at first refused to take the medicine, but by much persuasion he was prevailed on to do so.

This dose of calomel lodged in his stomach, and all the medicine which was freely⁶² administered by four very skilful physicians could not remove it.

on the 3rd day Doc Dr Mackentire the favorite of the family a man of Great skill and experience was brought and with him 4 others proffessors of Medicine but all their exertions were of no avail as Alvin declared to them and us <As> For said <he> the calomel is still lodged in same place and you cannot move it consequently it must take my life.⁶³

On the third day of his sickness, Doctor M’Intyre, whose services were usually employed by the family, as he was considered very skillful, was brought, and with him four other eminent physicians. But it was all in vain, their exertions proved unavailing, just as Alvin had said would be the case— he told them the calomel was still lodged in the same place, after some exertion had been made to carry it off, and that it must take his life.⁶⁴

On coming to this conclusion, he called Hyrum to him, and said, “Hyrum, I must die. Now I want to say a few things, which I wish to have you remember. I have done⁶⁶ all I could to make our dear parents comfortable. I want you to go on and finish the house, and take care of them in their old age, and do not any more let them work hard, as they are now in old age.”

he then called sophronia he said Sophronia You must be a good Girl and do all that lays in your power for Father & Mother never forsake them they have worked hard and they are now getting old be kind to them and remmember what they have done for us.

He then called Sophronia to him, and said to her, “Sophronia, you must be a good girl, and do all you can for father and mother— never forsake them; they have worked hard, and they are now getting old. Be kind to them, and remember what they have done for us.”

When in the later part of the 4 night he called for all the children and again exhorted them separately to the same effect as before but to Joseph I he said Joseph I am going to die now the distress which I suffer and the sensations that I have tell me my time is very short I want you to be a good boy & do everything that lays in your power to obtain the records be faithful in receiving instruction and keeping a every commandment that is given you t your brother Alvin is must now leave you but he remmember the example which he has set for you and set a good example for the children that are younger than you & always be kind to Father & Mother

In the latter part of the fourth night he called for all the children, and exhorted them separately in the same strain as above. But when he came to Joseph, he said, “I am now going to die, the distress which I suffer, and the feelings that I have, tell me my time is very short. I want you to be a good boy, and do everything that lies in your power to obtain the Record. Be faithful in receiving instruction, and in keeping every commandment that is given you. Your brother Alvin must leave you; but remember the example which he has set for you; and set the same example for the children that are younger than yourself, and always be kind to father and mother.”

He then asked me to take my little daughter Lucy⁶⁸ up, and bring her to him, for he wished to see her. He was always very fond of her, and was in the habit of taking her up and caressing her, which naturally formed a very strong attachment on her part for him. I went to her, and said, “Lucy, Alvin wants to see you.” At this, she started from her sleep, and screamed out, “Amby, Amby;[”] (she could not yet talk plain, being very young.) We took her to him, and when she got within reach of him, she sprang from my arms and caught him round the neck, and cried out, “Oh! my Amby,”⁶⁹ and kissed him again and again.

Lucy said <he> you must be the best girl in the world and take care of Mother you cant have your Amby any more Amby is going away he must leave little Lucy he then Kissed her and Said take her away I think my breath offends her we took hold of the child but she clenched hold of him⁷⁰ with such a desperate grasp that it was was very difficult to disengage her hands

“Lucy,” said he, “you must be the best girl in the world, and take care of mother; you can’t have your Amby any more. Amby is going away; he must leave little Lucy.” He then kissed her, and said, “take her away, I think my breath offends her.” We took hold of her to take her away; but she clinched him with such a strong grasp, that it was with difficulty we succeeded in disengaging her hands.

As I turned with the child to leave him, he said, “father, mother, brothers, and sisters, farewell! I can now breathe out my life as calmly⁷¹ as a clock.” Saying this, he immediately closed his eyes in death.

just the child still cried to go back to Alvin. One present said he Alvin is gone⁷² an angel has taken his spirit to Heaven when the babe heard this She renewed her cries and as I bent over his corpse she again threw her arms round it and kissed him repeatedly screaming as before—and untill the Body was taken from the House she continued constantly crying and showing such manifestation of affection & terror at the scene she presented before <her> as is seldom witnessed in a child and she would run out of the house and drag in a board and lay beside the corpse then take a white cloth and wrap herself in it and lay down on the board by his side.

The child still cried to go back to Alvin. One present observed to the child, “Alvin is gone; an angel has taken his spirit to heaven.” Hearing this, the child renewed her cries, and, as I bent over his corpse with her in my arms, she again threw her arms around him, and kissed him repeatedly. And until the body was taken from the house she continued to cry, and to manifest such mingled feelings of both terror and affection at the scene before her, as are seldom witnessed.

this harrowed up our feelings almost to distraction for he was a youth of such singular goodness of disposition and moral character Kind and amiable maners <so much so> that lamentation and mourning <filled> the whole neighborhood where we lived then it is not to be wondered at if <and of course> more than usual Grief filled the hearts of those from whose immediate <circle he was taken those who felt> saw the effects of his nobleness and generosity every hour of his existence

Alvin was a youth of singular goodness of disposition—kind and amiable—so that lamentation and mourning filled the whole neighborhood in which he resided.⁷³

By the request of the principal physician, Alvin was cut open, in order to discover, if it were possible, the cause of his death. On doing so, they found the calomel lodged in the upper bowels, untouched by anything which he had taken to remove it, and as near as possible in its natural state, surrounded as it was with gangrene.

A vast concourse of people attended his obsequies, who seemed very anxious to show their sympathy for us in our bereavement.

Dr Mcintire & Dr Robinson performed the operation the last named Dr. was [beginning at this point, a long passage is marked out with an X] 70 years old of age he spoke long and earnestly to the younger physicians upon the danger of administering powerful medicines without a thorough knowledge of <the practice of> physick here said he is one of the loveliest youths that ever trod the streets of Palmira destroyed murdered as it were by the hand him at whose hand relief was expected— cut off from the face of Earth by a careless quack who even dared to trifle with the life of a fellow mortal. When the time for interment arrived the inhabitants of the surrounding country gathered to gather and during the funeral obsequies they the gave the most affectionate manifestations of thier sympathy but there was one that felt our grief more deeply than the rest a lovel [sic] young woman who was engaged to him be married to my son shortly after the time in which he died the disconsolate girl was rendered most desolate by his unexpected Death and as long as we knew her she never recovered her wonted animation and Good spirits The circumstance of this Death aroused the neighborhood to the subject of religion Now will the reader indulge me in a few reflections [end of X’d passage]

Thus was our happiness blasted in a moment when we least expected the blow it came upon us the spepo poisoned shaft entered our very hearts core and diffused its deadly effect throughout our veins we impossible for us to interest ourselves at all about the concerns of life the feeling of every heart was to make speedy preparation to follow him who had been too much the Idol of our hearts and then if it pleased God to take us also we would receive the call as a favor at his hands
from whom it came

Shortly after the death of Alvin, a man⁷⁶ commenced labouring in the neighbourhood, to effect a union of the different churches, in order that all might be agreed, and thus worship God with one heart and with one mind.⁷⁷

This I thought looked right and tried to persuade My Husband to join with them as I wished to do so myself and it was the inclination of them all except Joseph he refused from the first to attend the meeting with us He would say Mother I do not wish to prevent you from going to meeting or joining any church you like or any of the Family who desire the like only do not ask me to go <do so> for I do not wish to go But I will take my Bible and go out into the woods and learn more in two hours than you could if you were to go to meeting two years

This seemed about right to me, and I felt much inclined to join in with them; in fact, the most of the family appeared quite disposed to unite with their numbers;⁷⁸ but Joseph, from the first, utterly refused even to attend their meetings, saying, “Mother, I do not wish to prevent your going to meeting, or any of the rest of the family’s; or your joining any church you please; but, do not ask me to join them. I can take my Bible, and go into the woods, and learn more in two hours than you can learn at meeting in two years, if you should go all the time.”

To gratify me, my husband attended some two or three meetings, but peremptorily refused going any more, either for my gratification, or any other person’s.

Joseph also said I do not want to to keep any of you from joining any church you like but <if y it will do you no hurt to join them but> you will not stay with them long for you are mistaken in them you do not know the wickedness of their hearts

During this excitement, Joseph would say, it would do us no injury to join them, that if we did, we should not continue with them long, for we were mistaken in them, and did not know the wickedness of their hearts.

I will said he one day give you an example and you may set it down as a prophecy Now you look at deacon Joseph <Jessup> & you heare him talk very piously well you think he is a very good man but suppose that Mr (one of his poor neighbors) <who had 8 children) owed him the value of one cow well this man has eight small children suppose the poor man should be taken sick & die leaving his wife with one cow but destitute of every means of support for herself and family Now I tell you that deacon Jose<essu>p good <religious> as he is would not hesitate to take the last cow from the widow and orphans rather than loose the debt although he has an abundance of every thing

One day he said that he would give us an example, and that we might set it down as a prophecy; viz:— “You look at Deacon Jessup,” said he, “and you hear him talk very piously. Well, you think he is a very good man. Now suppose that one of his poor neighbours should owe him the value of a cow, and that this poor man had eight little children; moreover, that he should be taken sick and die, leaving his wife with one cow, but destitute of every other means of supporting herself and family— now I tell you, that Deacon Jessup, religious as he is, would not scruple to take the last cow from the poor widow and orphans, in order to secure the debt, notwithstanding he himself has an abundance of every thing.”

At that time this seemed impossible to us, yet one year had scarcely expired when we saw Joseph’s supposition⁸⁰ literally fulfilled.

After a short time however the first shock <occasioned by Alvins death> passed off and we began to resume our usual avocations and having the building of the house already paid for we thought it would be well to set the workmen <Mechanics> at the building <work> and have it completed We accordingly did so and ere long we had the a plasant commodious habitation ready to receive us and the Mr. Stoddard the principle workman on the house would have been very glad to have purchased it for $1500 But that was no temptation nothing could persuade Mr. Smith to abandon the scene of his L labor and the toiling of his family for here they had borne the burden and heat of the day⁸¹ and we contemplated much happiness and great enjoyment with the fruit of our labors

The shock occasioned by Alvin’s death, in a short time passed off, and we resumed our usual avocations with considerable interest. The first move towards business was to complete the house before mentioned. This we did as speedily as possible, and, when it was finished, Mr. Stoddard, the principal workman, offered for it the sum of fifteen hundred dollars; but my husband refused his offer, as he was unwilling to leave the scene of our labour, where we had fondly anticipated spending the remainder of our days.

A short time before the house was completed, a man by the name of Josiah Stoal, came from Chenango co., New York, with the view of getting Joseph to assist him in digging for a silver mine.⁸² He came for Joseph on account of having heard that he possessed certain keys, by which he could discern things invisible to the natural eye.⁸³

Joseph endeavoured to divert him from his vain pursuit, but he was inflexible in his purpose, and offered high wages⁸⁴ to those who would dig for him, in search of said mine, and still insisted upon having Joseph to work for him. Accordingly, Joseph and several others, returned with him and commenced digging.⁸⁵ After labouring for the old gentleman about a month, without success, Joseph prevailed upon him to cease his operations; and it was from this circumstance of having worked by the month, at digging for a silver mine, that the very prevalent story arose of Joseph’s having been a money digger.

While Joseph was in the employ of Mr. Stoal, he boarded a short time with one Isaac Hale, and it was during this interval, that Joseph became acquainted with the daughter, Miss Emma Hale,⁸⁶ to whom he immediately commenced paying his addresses, and was subsequently married.

When Mr. Stoal relinquished his project of digging for silver, Joseph returned to his father’s house.

[drawing of hand with pointing forefinger] A little previous to the completion of the house, <at this time> we received intelligence of the arrival of a new agent for the Everson Land of which our farm was a portion this caused us to bethink ourselves of the remmaining payment which was still due and which we would be under the necessity of making previous <prior> to obtaining the deed that <which> our bonds called for.

Shortly after this, a couple of gentlemen, one of whom was the beforenamed Stoal, the other a Mr. Knight, came into the neighbourhood for the purpose of procuring a quantity of either wheat or flour; and we, having sown considerable wheat, made a contract with them, in which we agreed to deliver a certain quantity of flour to them the ensuing fall, for which we were to receive a sufficient amount of money to make the final payment on our farm. This being done, my husband sent Hyrum to Canandaigua to inform the new agent of the fact, namely, that the money should be forthcoming as soon as the twentyfifth of December 1825.⁹⁰ This, the agent, said, would answer the purpose, and he agreed to retain the land until that time. Having thus, as we supposed, made all secure pertaining to the land, we gave ourselves no further uneasiness in regard to the matter.

When the time <had nearly> come that rendered it necessary for my Husband to set out for Pensylvania to get the money Joseph one day called Mr Smith and myself aside and told us that he had felt so lonely ever since Alvin’s death that he had come to the conclusion of getting married if we had no objections his and he though [sic] that no young woman that he ever saw was acquainted with was better calculated to render the man of her

When the time had nearly arrived for the last payment to be made, and when my husband was about starting for Mr. Stoal’s and Mr. Knight’s, in order to get the money to make the same, Joseph called my husband and myself aside, and said, “I have been very lonely ever since Alvin died, and I have concluded to get married; and if you have no objections to my uniting myself in marriage with Miss Emma Hale, she would be my choice in

preference to any other woman I have ever seen.”⁹² We were pleased with his choice, and not only consented to his marrying her, but requested him to bring her home with him, and live with us. Accordingly he set out with his father for Pennsylvania.⁹³

A few days subsequent to my husband’s departure, I set myself to work to put my house in order for the reception of my son’s bride; and I felt all that pride and ambition in doing so, that is common to mothers upon such occasions.

and My oldest son had a previous to this Married him a wife that was one of the most excellent of Women I anticipated <as> much happiness with my second daughter in law <&> as I had received great pleasure from the society of the first <and> I there was nothing in my heart which could give rise to any forebodings as to an unhappy connection which might have been the case had it been otherwise

My oldest son had, previous to this, formed a matrimonial relation with one of the most excellent of women, with whom I had seen much enjoyment, and I hoped for as much happiness with my second daughter-in-law, as I had received from the society of the first, and there was no reason why I should expect anything to the contrary.⁹⁴

one <very pleasant> afternoon immediately subsequent to this <being> I was by myself <ironing> [Beginning of an X’d-out passage] in a fine room of <that overlooked> calculenlated for a common setting room and <as> as I looked around me upon the various comforts that we [end of X’d out passage] by myself and some what at leisure having just <finished> arranged my house for the reception of My son and his bride <and contemplating the various comforts with which I found myself surrounded> were surrounded with that seemed to surpass our most flattering expectations I fell into an very agreeable train of reflections and I poured out my soul to God in thanks & praise for the many blessings which he had conferred upon us as a family the The day was eceeding [sic] fine and would of itself produce fine feelings but every thing seemed to contribute to raise in the heart those warm soothing and grateful emmotions that that we all have seasons of enjoying when the mind is at rest and the circumstances favorable As I stood musing upon the busy bustling life we had led and the apparent prospect of quiet and comfortable old age my attention was suddenly attracted across the yard to a trio of strangers who were entering upon nearer approach I recognized Mr. Stodard the man who took charge of the building the house that we now occupied.

One afternoon, after having completed my arrangements I fell into a very agreeable train of reflections. The day was exceedingly fine, and of itself calculated to produce fine feelings; besides this, every other circumstance seemed to be in unison, and to contribute to raise in the heart those soothing and grateful emotions which we all have seasons of enjoying when the mind is at rest.

Thus, as I stood musing, among other things, upon the prospect of a quiet and comfortable old age, my attention was suddenly arrested by a trio of strangers who were just entering. Upon their near approach I found one of these gentlemen to be Mr. Stoddard, the principal carpenter in building the house in which we then lived.⁹⁵

When they entered the house, I seated them, and commenced common-place conversation. But shortly one of them began to ask questions which I considered rather impertinent questions concerning our making the last payment on the place; and if we did not wish to sell the house; furthermore, where Mr. Smith and my son had gone, &c., &c.

“Sell the house!” I replied, “No, sir, we have no occasion for that, we have made every necessary arrangement to get the deed, and also have an understanding with the agent. So you see we are quite secure, in regard to this matter.”

They made no answer but went out to meet Hyrum who was then coming in & propounded the same questions to him and received the same answers when they had experimented in this way to their satisfaction they proceeded to inform my son that he need not put himself to any unnecessary trouble for said they we have bought the place and paid for it and we forbid you touching anything on the farm and moreover we warn you to leave forthwith and give possesion to the lawful owners as we have got the <deed> in our possesion

To this they made no answer, but went out to meet Hyrum, who was approaching the house. They asked him the same questions, and he answered them the same as I had done. When they had experimented in this way, to their satisfaction, they proceeded to inform my son that he need put himself to no further trouble with regard to the farm; “for,” said they, “we have bought the place, and paid for it, and we now forbid your touching anything on the farm; and we also warn you to leave forthwith, and give possession to the lawful owners.”

We were thunderstruck⁹⁶ why said I what can this mean Hyrum <said I> do you know how how this is that all which we have earned in the last 10 years is taken away from us in one instant and when we least expected it <what does this mean> Is this a reality or is it but a sham to startle and deceive us me but one collected look at these men convinced me of their purpose. I was overcome and fell back into a chair almost deprived of sensibility

This conversation passed within my hearing. When they re-entered the house, I said, Hyrum, is it a reality? or only a sham to startle us? But one collected look at the men convinced me of their fiendish determination— I was overcome, and fell back into my chair almost deprived of sensibility.

When I recovered, we (Hyrum and myself) talked to them some time, endeavouring to persuade them to change their vile⁹⁷ course; but the only answer we could get from them was, “Well, we’ve got the place, and d—n you, help yourselves if you can.”

Hyrum went straightway to Dr Robinson (an old Friend <of ours who lived in Palmira)> of whom I spoke on the detail of Alvin’s death) a man of influence and notoriety to him he told the whole story this gentleman sat down and wrote the charecter of <my> family our industry and faithful exertion’s to obtain a home in <the> forest where we had setled ourselves with many commendations caculated to beget confidence in us as to buisness transactions. This he took in his own hands and went through the village and in an hour there was attached to the paper the names of 60 subscribers He then sent the same by the hand of Hyrum to the land Agent in Canandaguia.

Hyrum, in a short time, went to an old friend, Dr. Robinson, and related to him the grievous story. Whereupon, the old gentleman sat down, and wrote at some considerable length the character of the family—our industry, and faithful exertions to secure a home, with many commendations calculated to beget confidence in us with respect to business transactions. And, keeping this writing in his own hands, he went through the village, and in an hour procured sixty subscribers.⁹⁸ He then sent the same by the hand of Hyrum, to the land agent, who lived in Canandaigua.

On receiving this, the agent was highly enraged. He said the men had told him that Mr. Smith and his son Joseph had run away, and that Hyrum was cutting down the sugar orchard, hauling off the rails, burning them, and doing all manner of mischief to the farm. That, believing this statement, he was induced to sell the place, for which he had given a deed, and received the money.

⁹⁹After Hyrum related the circumstances under which his father left home and informed him also that there was a probability of his being detained on the road on buisness—The Agent directed him to write to his Father by the first mail and have letters deposited in every public house on the road which Mr. Smith travelled & it might be that these letters would some of them meet his eye before he arrived at the end of his journey and cause him to return more speedily this being done he dispatched a messenger to bring the men who had taken the deed of our farm in order to make some compromise with them if <&> possible get them to relinquish their claim on the place But they refused to come The Agent then sent an officer after them another message to them that if they did not make their appearance forthwith he would fetch them with a warrant The gentlemen came with the return of the despatch

Hyrum told him the circumstances under which his father and brother had left home; also the probability of their being detained on the road, to attend to some business. Upon this, the agent directed him to address a number of letters to my husband, and have them sent and deposited in public-houses on the road which he travelled, that, perchance some of them might meet his eye, and thus cause him to return more speedily than he would otherwise. He then despatched a messenger to those individuals to whom he had given a deed of the farm in question, with the view of making a compromise with them;¹⁰⁰ but they refused to do anything respecting the matter. The agent sent a message to them, stating that if they did not make their appearance forthwith, he would fetch them with a warrant. To this they gave heed, and they came without delay.

The agent strove to convince them of the disgraceful and impolitic course which they were pursuing, and endeavoured to persuade them to retract, and let the land go back into Mr. Smith’s hands again.

But they were for a long time inexorable aswering every argument with taunting sneers like the following We’ve got the land sir & we’ve got the deed so just let smith help himself. Oh no matter about smith he has gold plates gold money and gold Bibles he’s rich he do’nt want any thing—At lenght [sic] however they agreed that if Hyrum could raise $1000 by saturday at 10 oclock in the evening they would give up the deed

For some time they said but little, except in a sneering and taunting way, about as follows:—“We’ve got the land, sir, and we’ve got the deed, so just let Smith help himself. Oh, no matter about Smith, he has gold plates, gold bibles, he is rich— he don’t want anything.” But finally, they agreed, if Hyrum could raise them one thousand dollars, by Saturday, at ten o’clock in the evening, they would give up the deed.

It was now Thursday near noon & he was at cannandagua from here he must ride Home the distance of 9 miles before he could make the first move towards it he went home with a heavy heart suposing it impossible to effect anything towards redeeming the land but when he arrived there he found his father there as he had found one of the letters within fifty miles of home

It was now Thursday about noon, and Hyrum was at Canandaigua, which was nine miles distant from home, and hither he must ride before he could make the first move towards raising the required amount. He came home with a heavy heart. When he arrived, he found his father, who had returned a short time before him. His father had fortunately found, within fifty miles of home, one of those letters which Hyrum had written.

The next day Mr. Smith requested me to go to one Mr. [blank] an old Gentleman who was a quaker a man with whom we had been intimate since our first commencement on the farm now

The following day, by the request of my husband, I went to see an old Quaker,¹⁰¹ a gentleman with whom we had been quite intimate since our commencement on the farm, and who

had always seemed to admire the neat arrangement of the same. We hoped that he would be both able and willing to purchase the place, that we might at least have the benefit of the crops that were upon the ground, as he was a friend and would be disposed to show us favour. But we were disappointed, not in his will or disposition, but in his ability. He had just paid out to the land agent all the money he could spare, to redeem a piece of land belonging to a friend in his immediate neighborhood. If I had arrived at his house thirty minutes sooner, I would have found him with fifteen-hundred dollars in his pocket.

When I told him what had occurred he was much distressed for us & regretted having no means of releiving our necessity—But said he if I have no money I will try to do something for you so Mrs. smith say to your Husband that I will see him as soon as I can & let him know what the prospects are

When I rehearsed to him what had taken place, he was much distressed for us, and very much regretted his inability to relieve our necessity. He said, however, “If I have no money, I will try to do something for you, and you may say to your husband, that I will see him as soon as I can, and let him know what the prospect is.”

It was near nightfall and the country new and my road lay through a dense forrest & I had 10 miles to ride alone however I hastend to inform Mr. Smith of my disapointment

It was nearly night—the country was new, and my road lay through a dense forest. The distance that I had to travel was ten miles, and that alone, yet I hastened to inform my husband of the disappointment that I had met with.

The old gentleman, as soon as I left, started in search of some one that could afford us assistance, and hearing of a Mr. Durfee, who lived four miles distant, he came the same night, and directed us to go and see what he could devise for our benefit.¹⁰²

Mr Smith went immediately and found Mr. D. still in his bed as it was not light but he sent Mr Smith still 3 miles farther to a son who was high Sherif and bid him say to the young man that his Father wished to see him as soon as possible Mr. Durfy the younger came without delay After breakfasting the 3 proceeded together to the farm when they It was now saturday 10 oclock A M they dined and rode on to meet the Agent and our competitors—

Accordingly, my husband started without delay for Mr. Durfee’s, and arrived at his house before daylight in the morning. He sent my husband three miles further, to one of his sons, who was High Sheriff, instructing him to say to the young man that his father wished to see him as soon as possible. Mr. Durfee, the younger, was obedient to the call. Immediately after he arrived at his father’s, the three proceeded together to see the farm, and arrived about ten o’clock A.M. They tarried a short time, then rode on to see the agent and those villains who held the deed of our place.

What I felt and suffered in that short day no one can imagine who has not experienced the same I did not feel our early losses so much for I realized that we were young and might by exertion better our situation and I furthermore had not felt the inconveinience of poverty so much as I had now done and consequently did not appreciate the value of property justly but at this time I now felt that all must go at one fell swoop if this last resort failed and we be left in the decline of life destitute a burden upon our childrens hands And I looked upon the proceeds of our industry which smiled on every side of me with a yearning attachment that I had never felt before

The anxiety of mind that I suffered that day can more easily be imagined than described. I now looked upon the proceeds of our industry, which smiled around us on every hand, with a kind of yearning attachment that I never before had experienced; and our early losses I did not feel so keenly, for I then realized that we were young, and by making some exertions we might improve our circumstances; besides, I had not felt the inconveniences of poverty as I had since.

My husband, and the Messrs. Durfee, arrived in Canandaigua at half-past nine o’clock in the evening. The agent sent immediately for Mr. Stoddard and his friends, and they came without delay; but in order to make difficulty, they contended that it was after ten o’clock; however, not being able to sustain themselves upon this ground, they handed over the deed to Mr. Durfee, the High Sheriff, who now became the possessor of the farm.¹⁰³

With this Gentleman we were now to sipulate as renters upon premises which one week before we considered ourselves as much the entire possessors as did Adam and Eve the garden of Eden before satan entered it but Mr Durfy gave us the priviledge of the place one year with this provision that samuel our 4th son was to labor for him 6 months¹⁰⁴

A short time subsequent to this Mr smith sent These things were all settled upon and The conclusion was that if after we had kept the place in this way one year we still chose to remain we could have the priviledge

Now Joseph who returned from his journey with his Father began to <turn his mind to> the same object again which occupieid his attention previous to our disaster And he set out for Pennsylvania a second time and had such fine success that he returned with his wife in january in fine health & spirits

When Mr Knight heard of the movement which Mr. Stodard and his associates had made with regard to the Place they came up immediately to see how the affair had terminated But just before

<Soon after> this Mr Smith had occasion to send Joseph to Manchester on buisness he set out in good season and we expected him <to be> at home as soon as 6 oclock but he did not arrive We had always had a peculiar anxiety about this child for it seemed as though something was always occurring to place his life in jeopardy* [no corresponding insertion] and if he was absent one 1⁄2 <an> hour unexpectedly we were always apprehensive of some evil befalling him.

Not long subsequent to his return, my husband had occasion to send him to Manchester, on business. As he set off early in the day, we expected him home at most by six o’clock in the evening, but when six o’clock came, he did not arrive. We always had a peculiar anxiety about him whenever he was absent, for it seemed as though something was always taking place to jeopardize his life.

[An “X” is drawn through the next several lines.] one instance occurred when this child <he> was 14 years old which alarmed us very much he was out at play <on an errand> one evening about twilight When he was returning through <the> door yard a gun was fired across the pathway in which was walking with evident intention of hitting Joseph he sprang to door threw it open and fell upon the floor with fright we went in search of the person who fired the gun but found no trace of him untill the next morning when we tracked him from under a waggon where he lay when he fired the gun <but> we never found the man <out out> nor ever suspected the cause of the act but we found the balls that were discharged from his piece the next day in the head & neck of a cow that stood oppposite the wagon in a dark corner. [end of X’dout passage.]¹⁰⁶

This is but one of many instances which I have passed over in order to be brief in my recital. It is true he was now a man grown and capable of using suficient judgment to keep out of common difficulties but we were now aware that God intended him for a good and an important work consequently we expected that the powers of darkness would strive with him on this account more than any other to overthrow him—

But to return to the <first> circumstance which I commenced relating he did not return home till the night was considerably advanced his Father and myself were together no one else was present when he entered the house he threw himself into a chair seemingly much exhausted he was <as> pale as ashes his Father exclaimed “Joseph why have <you> staid so late has anything happened you we have been in distress about you these 3 hours

[beginning of an X’ed out passage] after Joseph recovered himself a little he said Father I have had the severest chastisement that I ever had in my life

Chastisement indeed! said Mr Smith Well upon my word I would like to who has been takeing you to task and what their pretext was its pretty well too, if you are to be detained till this time of night to take lectures for your bad practises.

My husband, supposing that it was from some of the neighbours, was quite angry, and observed, “I would like to know what business anybody has to find fault with you!”

Joseph smiled to see his Father so hasty and indignant. Father said he it was the angel of the Lord. he says I have been negligent that the time has now come when the record should be brought forth and that I [end of X’edout passage] must be up and doing that I must set myself about the things which God has commanded me to do but Father give yourself no uneasiness as to this reprimand <for> I know what course I am to pursue an all will be well”.

“Stop, father, stop,” said Joseph, “it was the angel of the Lord: as I passed by the hill of Cumorah, where the plates are, the angel met me, and said that I had not been engaged enough in the work of the Lord; that the time had come for the Record to be brought forth; and that I must be up and doing, and set myself about the things which God had commanded me to do. But, father, give yourself no uneasiness concerning the reprimand which I have received, for I now know¹⁰⁹ the course that I am to pursue, so all will be well.”

It <was> signified to him when he should make annother effort to obtain the plates which was september 22 but at this time he did not make this known to us

It was also made known to him, at this interview, that he should make another effort to obtain the plates, on the twenty-second day of the following Sept., but this he did not mention to us at that time.

On the 20th of Sept Mr Knight came with his friend to see how we were man<ag>ing matters with Mr Stodard and company they remained with us untill the 22

On the twentieth of September,¹¹⁰ Mr. Knight and his friend Stoal came to see how we were managing matters with Stoddard and Co.; and they tarried with us until the twenty-second.¹¹¹

On the night of the 21st I sat up very late as my buisness pressed upon my hands. & I did not retire untill past 12 about 12 Joseph came to me and asked me if I had a chest with a lock and key I knew in a moment what it was wanted for and <not> was frigtened for the isue as I had broken every lock in the house in moving <having a lock but what was broken I was alarmed fearing that this might be a matter of great importance to him at that time> I told him this but he replied <But Joseph replied> never mind I can do very well just now without it and bid me be Calm all was <is> right

On the night of the twenty-first, I sat up very late, as my work rather pressed upon my hands. I did not retire until after twelve o’clock at night. About twelve o’clock, Joseph came to me, and asked me if I had a chest with a lock and key. I knew in an instant what he wanted it for, and not having one, I was greatly alarmed, as I thought it might be a matter of considerable moment. But Joseph, discovering my anxiety, said, “Never mind, I can do very well for the present without it—be calm—all is right.”

but I found it very difficult to do so for I had not forgotten the first failure he left soon after with his wife taking Mr. Knights horse and wagon I spent the night in prayer and at reasonable time for rising I went to preparing breakfast my heart fluttering at every footfall for I now expected Joseph & Emma every moment and was in dread of a second disapointment in his obtaining the plates

Shortly after this Joseph’s wife passed through the room with her bonnet and riding dress; and in a few minutes they left together, taking Mr. Knight’s horse and waggon. I spent the night in prayer and supplication to God, for the anxiety of my mind would not permit me to sleep. At the usual hour, I commenced preparing breakfast. My heart fluttered at every footstep, as I now expected Joseph and Emma momentarily, and feared lest Joseph might meet with a second¹¹² disappointment.

When the male portion of the family were seated at the breakfast table, Mr. Smith enquired for Joseph, for he was not aware that he had left home. I requested my husband not to call him, for I would like to have him take breakfast with his wife that morning.

No. No. said My Husband I must have Joseph come and eat with me. Well now T Mr Smith says I do let him eat with his new wife this morning he most always takes breakfast <with you> at the first table just indulge him a little this time

“No, no;” said my husband, “I must have Joseph sit down here and eat with me.”

“Well, now, Mr. Smith,” continued I, "do let him eat with his wife this morning; he almost always takes breakfast with you.”

His Father at last <finally> consented to eat without jo him and I thought that there would no danger of any farther inquiry as to Joseph or his busy any thing else caculated to lead to an exposure of the cause of his abscence but in a few minutes Mr. Knight came in quite disturbed Why Mr Smith said he my horse is gone I cant find him on any part of the premises and I want to start home in half an hour why never mind the horse said I Mr Knight does not know all the nooks and corners in the pasture I will call william (this <was> my 5th son) he will soon bring him

His father finally consented, and eat¹¹³ without him, and no further questions were made concerning his absence, but in a few minutes Mr. Knight came in quite disturbed.¹¹⁴

“Why, Mr. Smith,” exclaimed he, “my horse is gone, and I can’t find him on the premises, and I wish to start for home in half an hour.”

“Never mind the horse,” said I. “Mr. Knight does not know all the nooks and corners in the pastures; I will call William, he will bring the horse immediately.”

This satisfied him for the time being; but he soon made another discovery. His waggon also was gone. He then concluded, that a rogue had stolen them both.¹¹⁵

Well now said I do be quiet I would be ashemed to have you go about gearing your own horse and waiting upon yourself just go out and talk with Mr. Smith till William comes & if you really must go home you shall be attended upon like a gentleman— he went and while he was absent Joseph returned

“Mr. Knight,” said I, “do be quiet; I would be ashamed to have you go about, waiting upon yourself— just go out and talk with Mr. Smith until William comes, and if you really must go home, your horse shall be brought, and you shall be waited upon like a gentleman.¹¹⁶ He accordingly went out, and while he was absent Joseph returned.¹¹⁷

I was trembled so much with fear lest all might be lost aging [sic] by some small failure in keeping the commandments that I was under the necessity of laving the room to conceal my feelings Joseph saw this and followed me Mother said he do not be uneasy all is right see here said he I have got the key

I trembled so with fear, lest all might be lost in consequence of some failure in keeping the commandments of God, that I was under the necessity of leaving the room in order to conceal my feelings. Joseph saw this, and said, “Do not be uneasy, mother, all is right—see here, I have got a key.”

I knew not what he meant, but took the article of which he spoke into my hands, and, upon examination, found that it consisted of two smooth three-cornered diamonds set in glass, and the glasses were set in silver bows, which were connected with each other in much the same way as old fashioned spectacles.¹¹⁸ He took them¹¹⁹ again and left me, but said nothing respecting the Record.

soon after he came again and asked my advice what it was best to do about getting a chest made I told him to go to a cabbinet maker who had been making some furniture for my oldest daughter and tell the man we would pay him for making a chest as we did for the other things viz half money and half produce he said he would but did not know where the money would come from for there was not a shilling in the house.

In a short time he returned, and inquired of me in regard to getting a chest made. I told him to go to a certain cabinet-maker, who had made some furniture for my oldest daughter, and tell him that we would pay him for making a chest, as we did for the other work which he had done for us, namely, one half in cash and the other in produce.¹²⁰ Joseph remarked that he would do so, but that he did not know where the money would come from, for there was not a shilling in the house.¹²¹

The following day one Mr. Warner came to him, and told him that a widow by the name of Wells, who was living in Macedon, wanted some labour done in a well, for which she would pay the money, and that she was anxious to have him (Joseph) do this labour for her. As this afforded us an opportunity to pay the cabinet maker for the chest, Joseph went immediately to the house of Mrs. Wells, and commenced work.

Joseph had been absent but a little while when one of the neighbor began to ask Mr Smith many questions about the plates. here let me mention that no one knew anything of the this business <from us> except one confidential friend of My Husband’s to whom he named it some 2 or 3 years before. It now seemed that satan had stirred up the hearts of those who had in any way got a hint of the matter to search into it and make every possible move towards preventing the work

The next day after he left home, one of the neighbours asked Mr. Smith many questions concerning the plates. I will here observe, that no one ever heard anything from us respecting them, except a confidential friend,¹²² whom my husband had spoken to about them some two or three years previous. It appeared that Satan had now stirred up the hearts of those who had gotten a hint of the matter from our friend, to search into it, and make every possible move towards thwarting the purposes of the Almighty.

My husband soon learned that ten or twelve men were clubbed together, with one Willard Chase, a Methodist class leader, at their head; and what was still more ridiculous, they had sent sixty or seventy miles for a certain conjuror, to come and divine the place where the plates were secreted.¹²³

we were apprehensive that the pates [sic] were taken out and secreted some where and <we> were somwhat uneasy least they might like Moses who was hid in the bulrushes be discovered by our enemies—accordingly the morning after we heard of their plans Mr Smith went over a hill that <lay> east of <us> to see what he could discover among the neighbors there there at the first house he came to he found the conjuror Willard chase and the company all together this was the house of one Mr Laurence he made an errand and went in and sat down near the door leaving the door ajar for the men were so near that he could hear their conversation they were devising many plans and schemes to find Joe Smiths gold bible as they termed it the conjurer was really animated although <he> had travelled 60 miles during the latter part of the day and the night before.

We supposed that Joseph had taken the plates, and hid them somewhere, and we were apprehensive that our enemies might discover their place of deposit. Accordingly, the next morning, after hearing of their plans, my husband concluded to go among the neighbours to see what he could learn with regard to the plans of the adverse party. The first house he came to, he found the conjuror and Willard Chase, together with the rest of the clan. Making an errand, he went in and sat down near the door, leaving it a little ajar, in order to overhear their conversation. They stood in the yard near the door, and were devising plans to find “Joe Smith’s goldb ible,” [sic] as they expressed themselves. The conjuror seemed much animated, although he had travelled sixty miles the day and night previous.

Presently, the woman of the house becoming uneasy at the exposures they were making, stepped through a back door into the yard, and called to her husband, in a suppressed tone, but loud enough to be heard distinctly by Mr. Smith, “Sam, Sam, you are cutting your own throat.” At this the conjuror bawled out at the top of his voice, “I am not afraid of any body—we will have them plates in spite of Joe Smith, or all the devils in hell.”

<when> the woman came in again Mr Smith laid aside a paper which he been holding in his hand with the pretence of reading and coolly remarked that he beleived he could not then finish the article which he was reading and returned home

When the woman came in again, Mr. Smith laid aside a newspaper which he had been holding in his hand, and remarked, “I believe I have not time to finish reading the paper now.” He then left the house, and returned home.

we went to Emma Joseph’s wife and asked her if she knew aught of the record whether Joseph had taken them out or where they were She said she did not know he then related what he had seen and heard

Mr. Smith, on returning home, asked Emma if she knew whether Joseph had taken the plates from their place of deposit, or if she was able to tell him where¹²⁴ they were. She said, she could not tell where they were, or whether they were removed from their place. My husband then related what he had both seen and heard.

Upon this Emma said that she did not know what to do, but she supposed if Joseph was to get the Record, he would get it, and, that they would not be able to prevent him.

“Yes,” replied Mr. Smith, “he will, if he is watchful and obedient; but remember, that for a small thing, Esau lost his birthright and his blessing. It may be so with Joseph.”

Well said Emma if I had a horse I would go and see him about it Mr Smith said she should have one in 15 minutes—as there had been a stray horse on the premises 2 days

“Well,” said Emma, “if I had a horse I would go and see him.”

Mr. Smith then said, “you shall have one in fifteen minutes; for although my team is gone, there is a stray on the place, and I will send William to bring him immediately.”

so he sent William for the Horse who brought him up with a large hickory withe around his neck as it was necessary acording to law to put a withe round the neck of a stray horse before turning him into an inclosure— and Emma was soon on her way to her <husband> husband

In a few minutes William brought up the horse with a large hickory withe round¹²⁵ his neck (for it was according to law, to put a withe round the neck of a stray before turning it into an enclosure;) and Emma was soon under way for Macedon.

when she found him <he was in the well when she arrived but having a sudden impression to get out of the well he come up and met her> she informed of the situation of affairs at home and he <went> immediately inform to Mrs. Wells and told her that he must return home to attend to some important buisness

Joseph kept the Urim and Thummim constantly about his person, by the use of which he could in a moment tell whether the plates were in any danger. Just before Emma rode up to Mrs. Wells, Joseph, from an impression that he had had, came up out of the well in which he was labouring, and met her

not far from the house. Emma immediately informed him of what had transpired, whereupon he looked in the Urim and Thummim, and saw that the Record was as yet safe; nevertheless, he concluded to return with his wife, as something might take place that would render it necessary for him to be at home where he could take care of it.

she was not willing for him to leave but upon his promising to come back when he was at liberty again she consented and sent a boy to bring him a horse Which he mounted in his linen frock with his wife by his side with the her horse in decorated as before with a green hickory withe on his neck and thus they rode through the village of Palmira

He then told Mrs. Wells that business at home rendered it necessary for him to return. To this she did not agree at first, but finally consented. She then sent a boy for a horse, which Joseph mounted in his linen frock, and with his wife by his side on her horse, decorated as before with a hickory withe round his neck, he rode through the village of Palmyra, which was on the way home.

when he came he met his father a mile from the house pacing back and forth in great anxiety of mind Father said he there is no danger all is perfectly safe there is no cause of alarm

On arriving at home, he found, his father pacing the ground near his door, in great anxiety of mind. Joseph spoke to him, saying, “Father, there is no danger—all is perfectly safe—there is no cause of alarm.”

When he had taken a little refreshment, he sent Carlos, my youngest son, to his brother Hyrum’s, to have him come up immediately, as he desired to see him.

when Hyrum came Joseph requested him to bring a chest that had a good lock and Key and have it <here immediately so that it may be ready> there there said Joseph by the time I get home

When he came, Joseph requested him to get a chest, having a good lock and key, and to have it there by the time he (Joseph) should return. And, after giving these instructions, Joseph started for the plates.

having left these directions he went to bring the record which he had deposited in a cavity in a birch log 3 miles distant he too and covered it with the bark of the same he took the plates from their place and wrapping them in his linen frock put them under his arm and started for home the house¹²⁶

The plates were secreted about three miles from home, in the following manner. Finding an old birch log much decayed, excepting the bark, which was in a measure sound, he took his pocket knife and cut the bark with some care, then turned it back, and made a hole of sufficient size to receive the plates, and laying them in the cavity thus formed, he replaced the bark; after which he laid across the log, in several places, some old stuff that happened to lay near, in order to conceal, as much as possible, the place in which they were deposited.

Joseph, on coming to them, took them from their secret place, and, wrapping them in his linen frock, placed them under his arm and started for home.

after walking a short distance in the rod road he concluded it would be safer to go across through the woods accor in a moment he struck through the timber where there was a large windfall to cross he had not proceeded far in this direction till upon as he was jumping over a log a man spran [sic] up and gave him a heavy blow with a gun Joseph struck <leveled> him to the ground and ran at the top of his speed about 1⁄2 a mile farther he was met again in precisely the same way he soon brought this one down also and ran <on> again—but before he got home he was accosted the 3 time in with a severe stroke with a gun when he struck the last one he dislocated his thumb which however he did not notice till he came in sight of the house where he threw himself down in the the a corner of the fence to recover his breath and as soon as he could get on he rose and finished his race for the house— where he arrived altogether speechless from fright and exhaustion

after a moment’s rest he said mother tell send carlos for father and Mr. Knight and his friend and tell them to go and see if they can find those <some> men who have been pursueing me then let carlos go tell Hyrum to bring his chest

After resting a few moments, he desired me to send Carlos for my husband, Mr. Knight, and his friend Stoal, and have them go immediately and see if they could find the men who had been pursuing him. And after Carlos had done this, he wished to have him sent to Hyrum’s, to tell him to bring the chest.

I did as I was requested, and when Carlos arrived at Hyrum’s, he found him at tea, with two of his wife’s sisters. Just as Hyrum was raising a cup to his mouth Carlos touched his shoulder. Without waiting to hear one word from the child, he dropped the cup, sprang from the table, caught the chest, turned it upside down, and emptying its contents on the floor, left the house instantly with the chest on his shoulder.

the young ladies were much surprized at his singular behaviour and protested to his wife (who was bedfast her oldest daughter Lovina being but 4 days) that her husband was positively crazy

The young ladies were greatly astonished at his singular behaviour, and declared to his wife—who was then confined to her bed, her oldest daughter, Lovina,¹²⁸ being but four days old—that he was certainly crazy.

she laughed heartily O! not in the least said she has just thought of something that he has neglected and it’s just like him to fly off in a tangent when he thinks of anything that way

His wife laughed heartily, and replied, “Oh, not in the least; he has just thought of something which he has neglected, and it is just like him to fly off in a tangent when he thinks of anything in that way.”

When the chest came Joseph locked up the record and threw himself on the bed after resting himself so a little so that he could converse he went out & related his adventure to his father and Mr Knight who had come back from their scouting expedition without seeing any one—he showed his thumb saying I must stop talking Father and get you to put my thumb in place for it is very painful

When the chest came, Joseph locked up the Record, then threw himself upon the bed, and after resting a little, so that he could converse freely, he arose and went into the kitchen, where he related his recent adventure to his father, Mr. Knight, and Mr. Stoal, besides many others, who had by this time collected, with the view of hearing something in regard to the strange circumstance which had taken place. He showed them his thumb, saying, “I must stop talking, father, and get you to put my thumb in place, for it is very painful.”

I will here mention that my husband, Mr. Knight, and Mr. Stoal, went in pursuit of those villains who had attempted Joseph’s life, but were not able to find them.

When he <Joseph> took the plates into his hands at this time the angel of the Lord stood by and said now you have have got the record into your own hands and you are but a man therefore you will have to be watchful and faithful to your trust or you will be overpowered by wicked men for they will lay every plan and scheme that is possible to get them away from you and if you do not take heed continually they will suceed while they were in my hands I could keep them and no man had power <to take> them away but now I give them up to you beware and look well to your ways— <and you shall have power to keep retain them untill the time for them to be translated>

When Joseph first got the plates, the angel of the Lord stood by, and said:—

“Now you have got the Record into your own hands, and you are but a man, therefore you will have to be watchful and faithful to your trust, or you will be overpowered by wicked men, for they will lay every plan and scheme that is possible to get it away from you, and if you do not take heed continually, they will succeed. While it was in my hands, I could keep it, and no man had power to take it away; but now I give it up to you. Beware, and look well to your ways, and you shall have power to retain it, until the time for it to be translated.”

That of which I spoke, which Joseph termed a key, was indeed, nothing more nor less than the Urim and Thummim, and it was by this that the angel showed him many things which he saw in vision; by which he could also ascertain,¹³⁰ at any time, the approach of danger, either to himself or the Record, and on account of which he always kept the Urim and Thummim about his person.¹³¹

JOSEPH BRINGS HOME THE BREASTPLATE— MARTIN¹³² HARRIS AND HIS WIFE INTRODUCED—THE TRANSLATION COMMENCES—MRS. HARRIS BEGINS TO OPPOSE THE WORK.

he now commenced work with his Father on the farm in order to be near the treasure that was commited to his care

After bringing home the plates, Joseph commenced working with his father and brothers on the farm, in order to be as near as possible to the treasure which was confided to his care.

Soon after this, he came in from work, one afternoon, and after remaining a short time, he put on his great coat, and left the house. I was engaged at the time, in an upper room, in preparing some oil-cloths for painting. When he returned, he requested me to come down stairs. I told him, that I could not leave my work then, yet, upon his urgent request, I finally concluded to go down, and see what he wanted, upon which he handed me the breast-plate spoken of in his history.

It was wrapped in a thin muslin handkerchief, so thin that I could see the glistening metal, and ascertain its proportions¹³³ without any difficulty.

It was concave on one side and convex on the other, and extended from the neck downwards, as far as the centre of the stomach of a man of extraordinary size. It had four straps of the same material, for the purpose of fastening it to the breast, two of which ran back to go over the shoulders, and the other two were designed to fasten to the hips. They were just the width of two of my fingers, (for I measured them,) and they had holes in the ends of them, to be convenient in fastening.

The whole plate was worth at least five hundred dollars; after I had examined it, Joseph placed it in the chest with the Urim and Thummim.¹³⁴

one day he came to the house in haste and inquired if there had been <a> company of men there I told him there had no one came to the house since he left it he said that there would be a mob there that night if not before to search for the records and that it must be removed

Soon afterwards, a man by the name of Braman¹³⁵ came in from the village of Livonia, a man in whom we reposed much confidence, and who was well worthy of the same. Joseph told him his apprehensions of a mob being there that night, and that they must prepare themselves to drive them away; but that the first thing to be attended to, was to secure the Record and breast-plate.

In view of this, it was determined that a portion of the hearth should be taken up, and that the Record and breast-plate should be buried under the same, and then the hearth be relaid, to prevent suspicion.

this was carefully and speedily done and the hearth was scarcely laid down when a large company of men came rushing up to the house armed with guns. Joseph threw the door open and taking a hint from the stratagem of his Grandfather Mack he halooed to the as if he had a legion at his command hand giving the word of command with great immportance and in a tone like stentor¹³⁶ at the same time the males that belonged to the house from the Father down to little carlos ran out to with such vehemence upon the men that they thought it best to give leg bail while they were able and fled <and were> pursued by our little spartan band away into the woods and dispersed themselves to their several homes

This was done as speedily as possible, but the hearth was scarcely relaid when a large company of men well armed came rushing up to the house. Joseph threw open the doors, and taking a hint from the stratagem of his grandfather Mack, hallooed¹³⁷ as if he had a legion at hand, in the meanwhile, giving the word of command with great emphasis; while all the male portion of the family, from the father down to little Carlos, ran out of the house with such fury upon the mob, that it struck them with terror and dismay, and they fled be fore the little Spartan band into the woods, where they dispersed¹³⁸ themselves to their several homes.

In a short time Joseph received another intimation of the approach of a mob, also of the necessity of removing the Record and breast-plate from the place wherein they were secreted, consequently he took them out of the box in which they were placed, and wrapping them in clothes, carried them across the road to a cooper’s shop, and laid then [sic] in a quantity of flax which was stowed in the shop loft. After which he nailed up the box again, then tore up the floor of the shop, and put it under the same.

As soon as it was dark the mob came on and ransacked the place but did come into the house after mat a satisfactory research they went away

As soon as night came, the mob came also, and commenced ransacking the place. They rummaged round the house, and all over the premises, but did not come into the house. After making satisfactory search they went away.

the next morning we found the floor of the cooper shop taken <up> and the wooden box which was put under it Split to peices

The next morning we found the floor of the cooper’s shop torn up, and the box which was laid under it shivered in pieces.

In a few days afterwards we learned the cause of this last move— why their curiosity led them in the direction of the cooper’s shop. A young woman by the name of Chase, sister to Willard Chase, found a green glass, through which she could see many very wonderful things, and among her great discoveries she said that she saw the precise place where “Joe Smith kept his gold bible hid,” and obedient to her directions, the mob gathered their forces and laid seige to the cooper’s shop.

but went away disapointed But this did not shake their confidence in Miss chase for they still went from place to place by her suggestion determined to get possession of the object of their research

Notwithstanding their disappointment in not finding the plates in the shop, their confidence was not in the least shaken in Miss Chase, for they still went from place to place by her direction, determined to get, if possible the much desired object of their search.¹⁴⁰

soon It soon became necessary to take some measures to accomplish the translation of the record into English but he was instructed to take off a fac simile of the alphabet Egyptian characters <composing the alphabet which were called reformed egyptian> Alphabetically and send them to all the learned men that he could find and ask them for the translation of the same. Joseph was very solicitous about the work but as yet no means had come into his hands of accomplishing the same it.

Not long after the circumstance of the mob’s going into the cooper’s shop, and splitting in pieces the box, Joseph began to make arrangements to accomplish the translation of the Record. The first step that he was instructed to take in regard to this work, was to make a facsimile of some of the characters, which were called reformed Egyptian, and to send them to some of the most learned men of this generation, and ask them for the translation thereof.

The reader will here observe, that on a preceding, page of this volume, I spoke of a confidential friend to whom my husband merely mentioned the existence of the plates, some two or three years prior to their coming forth. This was no other than Martin Harris, one of the witnesses to the book subsequent to its being translated.

With the view of commencing the work of translation, and carrying it forward as speedily as circumstances would permit, Joseph came to me one afternoon and requested me to go to this Mr. Harris, and inform him that he had got the plates, and that he desired to see Mr. Harris concerning the matter. This, indeed, was an errand which I much disliked, as Mr. Harris’s wife was a very peculiar woman, one that was natuarlly [sic] of a very jealous disposition; besides this, she was rather dull of hearing, and when anything was said that she did not hear distinctly, she suspected that it was some secret, which was designedly kept from her.¹⁴¹ So I told Joseph that I would rather not go, unless I could have the privilege of speaking to her first upon the subject. To this he consented, and I went according to his request.

On arriving at Mr. Harris’s, I cautiously detailed the particulars with regard to Joseph’s finding the plates, so far as wisdom dictated and necessity demanded, in order to satisfy Mrs. Harris’s curiosity. However, she did not wait for me to get through with my story, before she commenced urging upon me a considerable amount of money, that she had at her command. Her husband always allowed her to keep a private purse, in order to satisfy her singular disposition, and it was this private money that she wished me to receive. She also had a sister living with her who desired me to receive an amount of money, I think some seventy-five dollars, to assist in getting the Record translated.

I told her that I came on no such business, that I did not want her money, and that Joseph would attend to his own affairs; but, that I would like to talk with Mr. Harris a moment, and then return home, as my family would soon be expecting me. Yet, notwithstanding all this, she was determined to assist in the business, for she said she knew that we should want money, and she could spare two hundred dollars as well as not.

Contextual note: Lorenzo Saunders, interviewed in 1884, described Lucy H. Harris as “pretty high on combativeness” and “large on self esteem … She had an irritable temper and was a hard piece to live with. Martin used to whale her” (Vogel 2:133). Although Lucy Smith’s sympathies are obviously with Martin in describing the Harris marriage, Lucy Harris also claimed that Martin was both unfaithful to her with a neighbor’s wife and physically abusive. On 29 November 1833, she gave Ebert D. Howe an affidavit:

He is naturally quick in his temper and in his mad-fits frequently abuses all who may dare to oppose him in his wishes … He has whipped, kicked, and turned me out of the house. About a year previous to the report being raised that Smith had found gold plates, … I would not give credit to the report … In one of his fits of rage he struck me with the but end of a whip, which I think had been used for driving oxen, and was about the size of my thumb, and three or four feet long. He beat me on the head four or five times, and the next day turned me out of doors twice, and beat me in a shameful manner … The marks of his beating me … remained more than two weeks. (Vogel 2:35-36)

Jesse Townsend, pastor of Palmyra’s Western Presbyterian Church, 1817-20, and at nearby Sodus, 1827-31, asserted that Martin Harris “has whipped his wife and beaten her so cruelly and frequently, that she was obliged to seek refuge in separation. He is considered here, to this day, a brute in his domestic relations, a fool and dupe to Smith in religion, and an unlearned, conceited hypocrite, generally” (Vogel 3:23; note omitted).

Rhett B. James has written a sympathetic interpretation of Lucy Harris’s character in light of the extenuating circumstances of her deafness. Because Mrs. Harris is, by Lucy’s account, loquacious, he hypothesizes that Mrs. Harris’s ailment was a progressive condition, possibly accompanied by “severe pain.” He cites psychological literature that identifies some symptoms of deafness as being “fear of failure, fear of ridicule, … fear of being slighted, avoided, made conspicuous,” suspicion, and depression. Recognizing that “‘deafness seems to be a powerful stimulus to any latent paranoid trend in the personality,’” James calls for a “more compassionate” view of her. He also challenges the idea that they were divorced but does not address Lucy Harris’s own accusations that Martin beat her. Harris made his wife a private allowance and placed eight acres of land in her name (Walker, 35-36), in addition to making another settlement on her in April 1831 when he left New York for Ohio. While Lucy Smith describes herself and Joseph Jr. as repelling Lucy Harris’s financial advances, Abigail (“Nabbie”) Harris, who was married to Lucy Harris’s brother Peter, makes a different claim in describing a visit to Martin and Lucy Harris some time between December 1827 and February 1828 when Joseph Jr. was in Harmony. Joseph Sr. and Lucy visited the Martin Harrises that night and discoursed on the “Gold Bible” at length. Nabbie Harris found Lucy Smith’s orientation decidedly pecuniary:

The old lady said also, that after the book was translated, the places were to be publicly exhibited—admittance 25 cents. She calculated it would bring in annually an enormous sum of money—that money would then be very plenty, and the book would also sell for a great price, as it was something entirely new—that they had been commended [sic] to obtain all the money they could borrow for present necessity, and to repay with gold … Early the next morning … the old lady took me into another room, and after closing the door, she said, “have you four or five dollars in money that you can lend until our business is brought to a close? the spirit has said you shall receive four fold.” I told her that when I gave, I did it not expecting to receive again—as for money I had none to lend. I then asked her what her particular want of money was; to which she replied, “Joseph wants to take the stage and come home from Pennsylvania to see what we are all about.” To which I replied, he might look in his stone and save his time and money. The old lady seemed confused, and left the room, and thus ended the visit.

Abigail Harris also claimed to overhear Martin Harris say he did not care if the Book of Mormon was a fraud but he “would make money out of it” (Vogel 2:32-33; italics omitted).

but finally she went with me to her Husband & told him I wanted to speak to him he said he was not going to stop his work for said he I am now just laying the last brick of this hearth

you see this is the last work that I have to do for one year on the House or about the house or on the farm and when this is done I am going away to hire a hand to work a year for me as I shall travel 12 month before I settle myself at home again

“You see,” said he, “this is the last work I have to do on the house, and it is the last work I shall do about the house, or on the farm, in one year. And when this is done, I am going to hire a hand to work a year for me, as I shall travel that length of time before I shall settle myself at home again.”

he soon left and after being gone a short time he came and told me that he was now a free man his hands were altogether untied to go and come and do as he pleased.

After completing the work in which he was engaged, he left the house, but was absent only a short time. On returning, he came to me and said, “Now I am a free man—my hands are altogether untied—I can come and go and do as I please.”

I related, in short, the errand on which I had come. He said that he would see Joseph in the course of a few days. At this his wife exclaimed, “Yes, and I am coming to see him too, and I will be there on Tuesday afternoon, and will stop over night.”

accordingly she came as soon <as> she came in and was well seated she began to importune my son as to the truth of what he said now declaring that she would see the Gold plates if he really had any and she was resolv resolved to help him in publishing them.

Accordingly, when Tuesday afternoon arrived, Mrs. Harris made her appearance, and as soon as she was well seated, she began to importune my son relative to the truth of what he had said concerning the Record, declaring that if he really had any plates, she would¹⁴² see them, and that she was determined to help him publish them.

he told her that she was mistaken that she could not see them as [written over “and”] he was not permitted to exhibit them to any one except those whom the Lord will appoint to testify of them and as to assistance I always prefer dealing with men rather than their wives

He told her that she was mistaken— that she could not see them, for he was not permitted to exhibit them to any one, except those whom the Lord should appoint to testify of them.¹⁴³ “And, in relation to assistance,” he observed, “I always prefer dealing with men, rather than their wives.”

This highly displeased Mrs Harris for she was a woman who piqued herself upon her superiority to her husband—well now Joseph said she are you not telling me a lie can you look full in my eye and say before God that you have in reality found that record as you pretend

This highly displeased Mrs. Harris, for she considered herself altogether superior to her husband, and she continued her importunities. She would say, “Now, Joseph, are you not telling me a lie? Can you look full in my eye, and say before God, that you have in reality found a Record, as you pretend?”

To this Joseph replied, rather indifferently, “Why, yes, Mrs. Harris, I would as soon look you in the face, and say no, as not, if that will be any gratification to you.”

well Now Joseph said she I will tell what I will do If I can get a witness that you do speak the truth I will beleive it and I want to do something about the translation and I mean to help you any way

Then said she, “Joseph, I will tell you what I will do, if I can get a witness that you speak the truth, I will believe all you say about the matter, and I shall want to do something about the translation I mean to help you any way."

She went to bed and in the morning told us a very remarkable dream she said that a personage had appeared to her the night before and said to her that inasmuch as she had disputed the servant of the Lord and said that his word was not to be believed and asked him many improper questions that she had done that which was not right in the sight of God Now said behold here are the plates look upon them and believe

This closed the evening’s conversation. The next morning, soon after she arose, she related a very remarkable dream which she said she had had¹⁴⁴ during the night. It ran about as follows She said that a personage appeared to her, who told her, that as she had disputed the servant of the Lord, and said his word was not to be believed, and had also asked him many improper questions, she had done that which was not right in the sight of God. After which he said to her, “Behold, here are the plates, look upon them and believe.”

she then described them record minutely and again said that she had made up her mind as to what she would do that she had in her possesion 28 dollars that her mother gave her and just before she died when she was on her death bed Joseph should take that and if he would he might give his note but he should certainly accept of it on sone [sic] terms

After giving us an account of her dream, she described the Record very minutely, then told us that she had made up her mind in relation to the course which she intended to pursue, namely that she had in her possession twenty-eight dollars which she received from her mother just before she died, while she was on her death bed, and that Joseph should accept of it.¹⁴⁵ If he would¹⁴⁶ he might give his note, but he should certainly take it upon some terms.

this last proposition he acceeded to in order get rid of her importunities

Shortly after this Alvin Hale Joseph’s brotherinlaw came to our house from Pennsylvania for the purpose of moving my son and his wife to Mr Hale his Father’s house as word had been sent to them that it was their wish to go to her father’s as soon as my son could settle <up> his buisness in New York They were Alvin and Joseph were one day in Palmira at a public house doing some buisness with the landlord When Mr. Haris entered the room there was many strangers present when he came in he walked up to my son giving his said how do you do Mr Smith then taking a bag of silver from his pocket said here Mr Smith is $50 I give it to you to do the Lords work with. “No said he I give it to the Lord for his own work

Soon afterwards, Alva Hale,¹⁴⁷ Joseph’s brother-in-law, came to our house from Pennsylvania for the purpose of moving Joseph to his fatherin-law’s, as word had been sent to them that Jospeh [sic] desired to move there as soon as he could settle up his business.¹⁴⁸ During the short interval of Alva’s stay with us, he and Joseph were one day in Palmyra, at a public-house, transacting some business. As they were thus engaged, Mr. Harris came in: he stepped immediately up to my son, and taking him by the hand, said, “How do you do, Mr. Smith.” After which, he took a bag of silver from his pocket, and said again, “Here, Mr. Smith, is fifty dollars; I give this to you to do the Lord’s work with; no, I give it to