SCRAPS OF BIOGRAPHY.
TENTH BOOK OF THE FAITH-PROMOTING SERIES.
Designed for the Instruction and Encouragement of Young Latter-day Saints
JUVENILE INSTRUCTOR OFFICE.
Salt Lake City.
1883
Copyright applied for at the Office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington, D. C., by A. H. Cannon.
PREFACE.
There is a gradually increasing interest among the young of this people for reading and study. It is now the ambition of nearly every son and daughter of the Saints to become well educated. Parents, also, are more deeply interested in the intellectual growth of the youth. Thus we are gradually ascending to a higher plane, and our influence is being felt in a more extended sphere.
The desire, however, to place matter in the hands of the young for reading and study, should not cause parents to be less careful in the selection of books. Truth expands the mind and quickens the understanding, while fiction dulls the perceptions and impairs the memory. The acquisition of the one is a source of joy to the possessor, while the constant perusal of the other unfits a person for the study of that which endures.
That truth is the foundation of all righteousness, and that righteousness is what we desire, no person among this people will deny. Hence our anxiety to teach the child from its earliest infancy the principle of the gospel. In order to assist in this great work of teaching the gospel principles, we have been led to publish the SERIES of which this book forms a part. Whether or not our endeavors have met with any success, we leave for others to say, but we can safely state that all who have read these little works cannot but realize the fact that "Truth is stranger than fiction."
That these "SCRAPS OF BIOGRAPHY" may help to instil the great principle of faith in the minds of the rising generation is the earnest desire of
THE PUBLISHER.
CONTENTS.
[SKETCH OF AN ELDER'S LIFE.]
Birth and Parentage of Elder John Tanner—Himself and Two Children are Bitten by a Mad Dog—They are Healed—He Becomes Wealthy—Afflicted With Unknown Disease—Physicians Fail to Cure Him—"Mormon" Elders Visit Him—He is Converted—Is Miraculously Healed—Goes to Kirtland—Freely Gives Money for the Benefit of the Church—His Elder's Certificate.
Receives Blessings in Temple—Assists With "Kirtland Bank"—Starts for Missouri—His Daughter Dies—Is Attacked by Mob—Nearly Murdered—Retained as a Prisoner—Released—Removes to Iowa—Receives the Prophet's Blessing—Goes to the Rocky Mountains—Loses His Property by Fire—Thrilling Indian Adventure—At Death's Door—Remarkable Escape—His Death.
[INCIDENTS OF EXPERIENCE.]
Account of My Ancestors—My Birth—Remarkable Vision—Its Effect Upon Those Who Heard of It—My Father and Grand-Father Become Interested in Reading the Scriptures—My Grand-Father's Prophecy—His Dislocated Shoulder Replaced by the Power of God—My Grand-Father's Vision and Death—"Mormon" Elders Visit the Neighborhood—I Go to Hear Them Preach—Believe Their Doctrines—My Father Opposed to the Elders.
My Covenant With the Lord—My Sister Desires Baptism—My Brother's Threat—Visit of Hyrum Smith—My Sister Baptized—I Break My Covenant—My Father's Dream—My Baptism—Exhortation to the Young—Spiritual Gifts Received—Meeting Disturbed by Mobs—After Talking to Them They Become Quiet and Leave the Place—Some of the Mob Join the Church—The Leader of the Mob Dies Suddenly—Mobbings Cease.
Ordained to the Priesthood—Invited to Preach—I Make Up a Sermon on my Way—Sermon Apparently a Failure to Me—My Hearers Satisfied With It—Abused by a Baptist Minister—He Desires a Sign—A Sign Promised and Fulfilled—Blessings Received in the Kirtland Temple—Words of the Prophet Joseph—Their Fulfilment—An Incident in Missouri—Literal Fulfillment of a Prediction Uttered by Joseph Smith—His Patriotism—Strange Phenomenon—Its Effect.
A Case of Palsy Healed—Its Effect on the People—Mr. Bridge's Unbelief—The Case of Widow Cade—She is Partially Cured by Faith—Tempts the Lord and Dies—I am Called on a Mission to Europe—Terrible Sea-storm—The Prayers of the Elders are Heard and the Winds Cease—We Arrive Safely in a Badly-Shattered Ship.
I Go to Switzerland—God's Power Manifested in My Behalf—A Prophecy Fulfilled—Condition of the Swiss Mission—Where Elders were Expelled Evil Spirits Take Possession—Karl G. Maeser Writes Me a Letter—I Return it, Thinking it is a Ruse to Entrap Me—I Receive it Again— Brother Maeser's Faith and Baptism—Elders Partake of Poisoned Food—Are Restored to Health—My Mission Ends.
[NEWEL KNIGHT'S JOURNAL.]
My Birth and Parentage—My Father's Business—He Employs Joseph Smith, Jun.—Character of this Youth—I Start in Business for Myself—My Health Compels Me to Change Occupation—Joseph Smith, Jun., a Constant Visitor at My House—He Relates His Experience—His Statements Leave no Room for Doubt in Me—He is Bitterly Persecuted.
Joseph Smith's Perseverance—Organization of the Church—Joseph Smith Visits Me—His Own Account of His Visit—He Asks Me to Pray—I Refuse—I Go to the Woods and Try to Offer up Prayer—Am Attacked by a Devil—Curious Actions while thus Afflicted—The Prophet Casts the Devil Out—The Spirit of God Shows Me Glorious Things—This Miracle Witnessed by Many Persons.
I am Baptized—First Conference of the Church—Remarkable Visions—The Prophet Visits the Colesville Branch—Holds Meeting—Persecution Begins—A Presbyterian Preacher Tries to Mislead My Sister-in-law, but Fails—Baptisms—Mob Gathers—Joseph Arrested by a Constable—Wicked Men Lie in Ambush for Him—He is Delivered from the Mob by the Constable—His Unjust Trial—He is Acquitted.
Joseph's Second Arrest—Cruelty of His Guard—His Trial—I, with Others, am Called as a witness—Chagrin of Prosecuting Attorney—Eloquence of Joseph's Lawyers—The Constable Begs Joseph's Forgiveness for His Cruel Conduct—He Delivers the Prophet from the Hands of the Mob—The Acquittal—At My House Our Leaders are Again Persecuted—Their Escape—Names of Our Leading Opponents.
I Visit Joseph at Harmony—Revelation Concerning the Sacrament —Persecutions at Harmony—The Brethren Visit Me—God Blinds the Eyes of Their Enemies—The Prophet Moves to Fayette—False Revelation—Bogus Stone—False Doctrine Overcome—Hyrum Smith Visits Me—I Labor in the Ministry with Him—My Aunt's Affliction—Remarkable Manifestation of God's Power.
Sidney Rigdon's Conversation—Third Conference of the Church—The Saints Commence to Gather—An Accident—My Aunt's Dream—Its Fulfillment—Missouri Chosen for a Gathering Place—My Mother's Wish—Reflections on the Past and Present—Temple Site Located—Labors Commence—The First Death.
My Appointment—A Visit from Joseph—According to Joseph's Promise, My Wife Bears Me a Son—New Revelations—My Aunt Overcome by the Evil One—She Misleads Many—Her Anguish and Restoration.
Mr. Pixley's Bitterness—Our Enemies Make Plans for Our Overthrow—Their Resolutions—Our Printing Office Destroyed—Brethren Tarred and Feathered—Our Appeal to the Governor—His Advice—Saints Driven—Unexpected Engagement—Several Killed and Wounded.
McCarty's Case—Justice Denied Us—The Sufferings of the Saints—The Brethren Disarmed—Joseph's Opinion of Governor Boggs—Correspondence Between the State Officials and Our People—Our Petition to the Governor.
Court in Jackson County—Officers Awed by a Mob—Zion's Camp—Mob Meeting—"A Man Stabled"—Campbell's Horrible Fate—God Interposes in behalf of Zion's Camp—The Cholera—I Go to Kirtland—My Labors There —Return to Clay County.
Saints Move to Caldwell County—Persecutions Begin Anew—Captain Bogart and His Mob—The Battle—Hawn's Mill Massacre—Colonel Hinkle's Treachery—The Brethren Imprisoned.
I Move to Commerce—No Safety for the Saints—John C. Bennett's Wickedness—Threats of the Mob—We Start for the West—Death of the Author.
SKETCH OF AN ELDER'S LIFE.
CHAPTER I.
BIRTH AND PARENTAGE OF ELDER JOHN TANNER—HIMSELF AND TWO CHILDREN ARE BITTEN BY A MAD DOG—THEY ARE HEALED—HE BECOMES WEALTHY—AFFLICTED WITH UNKNOWN DISEASE—PHYSICIANS FAIL TO CURE HIM—"MORMON" ELDERS VISIT HIM—HE IS CONVERTED—IS MIRACULOUSLY HEALED—GOES TO KIRTLAND— FREELY GIVES MONEY FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE CHURCH—HIS ELDER'S CERTIFICATE.
Elder John Tanner, son of Joshua and Thankful Tanner, and grandfather of Apostle F. M. Lyman, was born August 15th, 1778, in the state of Rhode Island. At the age of thirteen years his parents moved to Greenwich, Washington county, New York, where, at the death of his father, who was a farmer, he took charge of the business and settled his father's estate. Early in the year of 1800, he married Tabitha Bently, by whom he had a son, Elisha, born March 23rd, 1801. The mother died on the 9th of the following month. He afterwards married Lydia Stewart, by whom he had nine children, eight sons and one daughter.
One evening in 1808, when he returned home from his work, he found that two of his children had been bitten by his dog, which had gone mad, and in attempting to confine the dog, he also was bitten on the calf of the leg. Realizing immediately that he had no time to lose, he grasped a pair of sheep-shears, and cut out the affected parts and filled the wound with salt. He thus succeeded in saving his own life; and, with the aid of a prescription he obtained, was also successful in curing his children.
In the Spring of 1818, he moved with his large family to North West Bay, where a son and daughter were born. In 1823 he moved into the town of Bolton, and here, in 1825, he had another son born, but in May of that year his wife, Lydia, died. He then married a third wife, Eliza Benwick, by whom he had four sons.
At this time, notwithstanding all the care, labor and expenditure of raising his numerous family, he had acquired wealth, and had become a man of much influence, was extensively known and universally respected. His name was synonymous with benevolence, honesty and integrity.
In the mysterious dispensations of Providence, a terrible calamity was appointed him in the form of a painful disease, which, according to the most consummate human skill, was incurable, and entirely unknown to the medical faculty. His left leg from the thigh down was covered with black sores, through which the muscles of the limb, having formed into hollow tubes, or pipes, projected outward to the surface, out of which, matter was constantly oozing.
He had employed seven of the most eminent physicians in the country, but all their efforts were unavailing; the last one, Dr. Black, frankly told him that he could run up a heavy bill for medical attendance; "but," said he, "you are beyond the reach of medicine, and I can do you no good!"
For six months Mr. Tanner had neither let his diseased limb hang down nor his foot touch the floor, but was obliged to keep the leg in a right angle with his body, resting it on pillows placed on some object directly in front of him. And yet, with all his bodily suffering, his mind was active and his noble, generous heart, ever sympathizing with his fellow-man, beat with untiring zeal for the welfare of humanity. Feeling assured that he must soon die, he sought opportunities for doing good.
He had a vehicle so constructed that he could move himself from place to place without assistance. In the fore part of September, 1832, a notice was circulated in the place where he lived, that two Latter-day Saint Elders would preach on a certain evening, at a place specified, not far from Mr. Tanner's residence. He hailed the announcement with delight. It afforded him an opportunity (he thought) of doing an immense amount of good. He was conversant with the Bible and felt himself amply qualified to battle with heresy, especially that of the Latter-day Saints, and by doing so, he could confer lasting benefit on his fellow-creatures. That was his aim and such his anticipations when the appointed evening arrived. He seated himself in his locomotive and wended his way to the meeting, feeling confident that he could silence the so-called "Mormons," whom he sincerely supposed were imposters; but long before the two Elders, who were Simeon and Jared Carter, finished their discourses, a wonderful change had come over the mind of Mr. Tanner, and when they closed the evening services, he invited them to his home.
That evening a new era dawned upon his existence. After spending the evening in earnest conversation, when the clock struck the hour of eleven, he told the missionaries he was ready to be baptized, but that it would not be possible for him to receive the ordinance. They asked him, "Why not?" He said on account of his lameness, as he had not put his foot to the floor for the last six months, and could not possibly do it. One of the Elders asked him if he did not think there was power enough in the gospel of Jesus Christ anciently to heal all manner of diseases, to which he replied in the affirmative. He was then asked if he did not think that the same cause produced the same effect in all ages, and if there was not sufficient power in the gospel to heal him. Mr. Tanner replied that such a thought had not occurred to him, but he believed that the Lord could heal him. Elder Jared Carter then arose and commanded him in the name of Jesus Christ to arise and walk, when, to use his own expression, "I arose, threw down my crutches, and walked the floor back and forth—back and forth, praising God, and I felt as light as a feather."
That same night he walked three-quarters of a mile to Lake George, and was baptized by Simeon Carter, and walked back, giving thanks to God, for his complete restoration to health.
As soon as the "Word of Wisdom" was made known to him, he quit the use of tobacco, tea, coffee and also the use of liquor, and never used them again during the remainder of his life.
In the Spring of 1834 he fitted out his two sons, John J. and Nathan and sent them up to Kirtland, where they joined Zion's Camp and went up to Missouri, with team, wagon and a first class outfit. A little later in the season he fitted out seven families, and sent them to Kirtland or to Missouri.
In the Fall of the same year he sold two large farms and two thousand and two hundred acres of timber land, preparatory to moving to Missouri in the coming Spring. About the middle of December he received an impression by dream or vision of the night, that he was needed and must go immediately to the Church in the West. He told his family of the instruction he had received and forthwith made preparations for the start, while his neighbors, with deep regret at what they considered an insane purpose, tried their utmost to dissuade him; but he knew the will of God in the present crisis and nothing could deter him from doing it.
On Christmas day he commenced his journey with all his earthly effects, and in the dead of Winter traveled the distance of five hundred miles, to Kirtland where he arrived about the 20th of January, 1835, on the Sabbath.
On his arrival in Kirtland, he learned that at the time he received the impression that he must move immediately to the Church, the Prophet Joseph and some of the brethren had met in prayer-meeting and asked the Lord to send them a brother or some brethren with means to assist them to lift the mortgage on the farm upon which the temple was being built.
The day after his arrival in Kirtland, by invitation from the prophet, he and his son, Sidney, met with the High Council, and were informed that the mortgage of the before mentioned farm was about to be foreclosed. Whereupon he loaned the prophet two thousand dollars and took his note on interest, with which amount the farm was redeemed. He loaned to the Temple Committee, Hyrum Smith, Reynolds, Cahoon and Jared Carter, thirteen thousand dollars in merchandize at cost prices in New York, and took their note for the same. This amount, and that loaned to the prophet, were not included in his liberal donations to the building of the temple, from time to time. He also signed a note with the Prophet Joseph and others for thirty thousand dollars for goods purchased in New York, in which he had no pecuniary interest. The foregoing is substantial proof of his confidence in the prophet and in the validity and importance of the work he had embraced.
Here follows a copy of his Elder's certificate:
"TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN.—This certifies that John Tanner has been received into this Church of the Latter-day Saints, organized on the sixth day of April, in the year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred and thirty, and has been ordained an Elder, according to the rules and regulations of said Church, and is duly authorized to preach the gospel agreeably to the authority of that office.
"From the satisfactory evidence which we have of his good moral character, and his zeal for the cause of righteousness, and diligent desire to persuade men to forsake evil and embrace truth, we confidently recommend him to all candid and upright people, as a worthy member of society.
"We therefore, in the name, and by the authority of this Church, grant unto this our worthy brother in the Lord, this letter of commendation as a proof of our fellowship and esteem; praying for his success and prosperity in our Redeemer's cause.
"Given by the direction of a conference of the Elders of said Church, assembled in Kirtland, Geauga county, Ohio, the third day of March, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty-six.
"F. G. WILLIAMS, Clerk.
"JOSEPH SMITH, JR., Chairman."
CHAPTER II.
RECEIVES BLESSINGS IN TEMPLE—ASSISTS WITH "KIRTLAND BANK"—STARTS FOR MISSOURI—HIS DAUGHTER DIES—IS ATTACKED BY MOB—NEARLY MURDERED—RETAINED AS A PRISONER—RELEASED—REMOVES TO IOWA—RECEIVES THE PROPHET'S BLESSING—GOES TO THE ROCKY MOUNTAINS—LOSES HIS PROPERTY BY FIRE—THRILLING INDIAN ADVENTURE—AT DEATH'S DOOR—REMARKABLE ESCAPE—HIS DEATH.
When the temple was finished he participated in its dedication. He also took part in the "solemn assembly" and the glorious gifts and manifestations of that memorable occasion. He received his washings and anointings in that, the first temple of God built by His direction in this dispensation.
With his characteristic energy, he put forth his best efforts to assist the prophet in sustaining the "Kirtland Bank," and for that object he purchased much of its paper; but there was a Judas under the counter, and the bank went down in spite of all their efforts. Those who had struggled hardest and invested most were the greatest losers, and Elder Tanner was one of the foremost, and was completely crippled financially. Just at that time an outside pressure in the form of religious persecution had become so unendurable that the Saints had to leave Kirtland and seek homes in the West; and Elder Tanner, with a journey of one thousand miles before him, found himself not only destitute of means but also in debt. Yet his courage and ability were equal to the emergency. Through the blessing of God he had acquired one large fortune and he knew that God lived, and that he was His servant.
But he had a large family depending on him, and a long journey was before him. The necessity of the occasion prompted, and faith in God inspired, him. In April, 1838, he fitted up with a turnpike-cart, a borrowed wagon, one horse of his own and three borrowed ones, twenty dollars in cash and a keg of powder to pay expenses, and started for Missouri with his family—eleven persons in all. When the money and powder were spent, they were under the necessity of appealing to the benevolence of the inhabitants on the road for buttermilk and sometimes for other food to sustain life.
He had two children, a son and a daughter, born in Kirtland. One of these, a lovely girl, died on this tedious journey, which was to Elder Tanner the greatest trial of that time.
On his arrival in Missouri, in conversation with a friend of his, after narrating the hardships, privations and many of the most trying circumstances of the journey, he said, "Well, if others have come up easier, they have not learned so much." This expression is characteristic of Elder Tanner's very happy faculty of drawing sunshine from the darkest cloud and honey from the most bitter herb. He acknowledged the hand of God in all things, knowing that He overrules all things for good to those who keep His commandments.
He arrived in Far West on the 3rd of July, and there he and his sons went to work. He paid up his debts, and had sufficient means on hand to meet the demands and exigences of life.
In the Autumn of 1838, he and his son Myron went to a mill about nine miles from the town, and when starting for home, the state militia in the form of a mob came upon them. He told Myron to run and take care of himself, which he did by crawling under a large pile of clearing brush, and was not discovered by the mob, which, however, came upon Elder Tanner. One of the mobbers, snapped his gun at this brave man, but it refused to go off. He then took hold of the muzzle and struck him over the head with the breach of the gun, cutting a large ugly gash. This blow would probably have killed him, had it not been for his heavy felt hat, the double thickness of which caught the blow first. This attempt at murder was made by Captain Myer Odell.
Elder Tanner was taken and held prisoner two or three days, wearing his bloody clothes, and stubbornly refusing to wash the blood from himself. He kept his team and wagon, and they let him go out upon his word of honor to take a wounded man to his family, after which, he returned to their custody and redeemed his word. At this time the Prophet Joseph was sentenced to be shot, but General Doniphan protested, and withdrew his men. On the day when the execution was to have taken place, the Saints laid down their arms, and some of the prisoners, among whom was Elder Tanner, were released.
During the militia raid just referred to, he lost very heavily as quite a number of his stock were stolen. As soon as he was set at liberty from mob custody, he went to work getting things together preparatory to leaving the state in obedience to the gubernatorial order, and on the third day of March, 1839, started with his family and his sons' families for Illinois. He arrived in New Liberty about the first of April, where he stopped one year to recruit, and was much prospered in his efforts.
About the middle of March, 1840, he again gathered his effects and moved within four miles of Montrose, Lee county, Iowa, where his daughter, Sariah, was born, July, 1840. Here he opened cultivated a large farm, plowing two hundred and fifty acres, and about two hundred acres he used for pasture. He enclosed all this by a good fence. In this place he lived and prospered six years.
At the April conference in 1844, he was called on a mission to the Eastern States. Before starting, he went to Nauvoo, where he saw the Prophet Joseph, and, meeting him on the street, gave him his note of hand for the two thousand dollars loaned in Kirtland, January, 1835, to redeem the temple land. The Prophet asked him what he wanted done with the note. Elder Tanner replied, "Brother Joseph, you are welcome to it." The Prophet then laid his right hand heavily on Elder Tanner's shoulder, saying, "God bless you, Father Tanner; your children shall never beg bread."
He aided very materially in the building of the Nauvoo Temple, from the commencement until its completion; and after it was dedicated he received therein his endowments, sealings and second anointing.
In the Spring of 1846, he sold his farm at a nominal price and journeyed to the Rocky Mountains with the Saints who were compelled to leave Nauvoo, the "City of Joseph." He started about the middle of May and joined the westward-bound stream of Latter-day Saints in their memorable exodus from Illinois. He also paid for the removal of two families besides his own, up to Council Bluffs. On the 16th of July, he fitted out two of his sons and sent them with the "Mormon Battalion" into Mexico to fight the battles of our country. On the herd-ground of the Saints, at a point north-west of Winter Quarters, he herded the stock for the whole camp of Israel, for three months.
After trials in journeyings—and in losses and hardships in various forms, he had to be tried by fire. About the middle of January 1847, his house and three wagon boxes with covers, used for sleeping rooms, supplies of provisions and groceries, and most of the wearing apparel, were destroyed by fire. Nothing was saved but beds and a portion of the bedding. But his noble mind and the persevering energies of his nature seemed superior to misfortune; and in the Spring he assisted in fitting out the Pioneers for their journey to the Rocky Mountains, opened up another farm and raised a good crop.
In the Summer of 1847, Elder Tanner had a thrilling adventure with Indians. The following account of the marvelous circumstance is from the journal of Jane Grover (afterwards Sister Stewart).
She says, "One morning we thought we would go and gather goose-berries. Father Tanner (as we familiarly called the good, patriarchal John Tanner) harnessed a span of horses to a light wagon, and, with two sisters by the name of Lyman, his little grand-daughter and I, started out. When we reached the woods we told the old gentleman to go to a house which was in sight, and rest, while we picked the berries.
"It was not long before the little girl and I strayed some distance from the others, when, suddenly we heard shouts. The little girl thought it was her grandfather, and she was going to answer, but I prevented her, thinking it might be Indians. We walked forward until within sight of Father Tanner, when we saw he was running his team around. We thought it nothing strange at first, but as we approached, we saw Indians gathering around the wagon, whooping and yelling as others came and joined them. We got into the wagon to start, when four of the Indians took hold of the wagon, and two others held the horses by the bits, and another came to take me out of the wagon. I then began to be afraid as well as vexed, and asked Father Tanner to let me get out of the wagon and run for assistance. He said, `No, poor child, it is too late!' I told him they should not take me alive.
"Father Tanner's face was as white as a sheet! The Indians had commenced to strip him. They had taken his watch and handkerchief, and while stripping him, were trying to pull me out of the wagon. I began silently to appeal to my Heavenly Father. While praying and struggling, the Spirit of the Almighty fell upon me, and I arose with great power, and no tongue can describe my feelings. I was as happy as I could be. A few moments before, I saw worse than death staring me in the face, and now my hand was raised by the power of God, and I talked to those Indians in their own language. They let go the horses and wagon, and stood in front of me while I talked to them by the power of God. They bowed their heads and answered `yes' in a way that made me know what they meant. Father Tanner and the little girl looked on in speechless amazement. I realized our situation. Their calculation was to kill Father Tanner, burn the wagon, and take us women prisoners. This was plainly shown to me. When I stopped talking, they shook hands with all of us and returned all they had taken from Father Tanner, who gave them back the handkerchief, and I gave them berries and crackers. By this time the other two women came up and we hastened home.
"The Lord gave me a portion of the interpretation of what I had said, which is as follows: `I suppose you Indian warriors think you are going to kill us. Don't you know the Great Spirit is watching you, and knows everything in your hearts? We have come out here to gather some of our Father's fruit. We have not come to injure you: and if you harm us, or injure one hair of our heads, the Great Spirit will smite you to the earth, and you shall not have power to breath another breath. We have been driven from our homes and so have you. We have come out here to do you good and not to injure you. We are the Lord's people, and so are you; but you must cease your murders and wickedness. The Lord is displeased with it and will not prosper you if you continue in it. You think you own all this land, this timber, this water and all these horses. You do not own one thing on earth, not even the air you breathe. It all belongs to the Great Spirit.'"
In the latter part of June, 1848, Elder Tanner fitted up five teams and wagons, and with eighteen months' provisions, started for Salt Lake, celebrating the 4th of July, on the Elk Horn. Between Wood River and Laramie a six year old grand-son fell from the tongue of a wagon loaded with about 3,500 pounds. Both wheels passed obliquely over his bowels, and he died in twenty minutes. With the exception of this sad accident, the journey was prosperous, and he arrived in Salt Lake Valley on the 17th of October, and located in South Cottonwood.
In the Autumn of 1849, he was afflicted more or less with rheumatism, which continued to increase on him till the first of January, 1850, when he was confined to his bed and suffered severely until the 13th day of April, when he died "the death of the righteous." He was the father of twenty children, and has left an example worthy of imitation by his numerous posterity and by the youth of Zion everywhere.
INCIDENTS OF EXPERIENCE.
BY DANIEL TYLER.
CHAPTER I.
ACCOUNT OF MY ANCESTORS—MY BIRTH—REMARKABLE VISION—ITS EFFECT UPON THOSE WHO HEARD OF IT—MY FATHER AND GRAND-FATHER BECOME INTERESTED IN READING THE SCRIPTURES—MY GRAND-FATHER'S PROPHECY—HIS DISLOCATED SHOULDER REPLACED BY THE POWER OF GOD—MY GRAND-FATHER'S VISION AND DEATH—"MORMON" ELDERS VISIT THE NEIGHBORHOOD—I GO TO HEAR THEM PREACH—BELIEVE THEIR DOCTRINES—MY FATHER OPPOSED TO THE ELDERS.
I am a descendant of Job and Mary Tyler, which said Job Tyler was born in Wales or England, about the year 1619, or 1620, and emigrated to America about 1640, some ten years after the landing of the pilgrim fathers on Plymouth Rock. My emigrant ancestor, Job Tyler, settled in Andover, Massachusetts, where he raised a family of four sons and several daughters. I descended from Moses Tyler, the oldest son of Job and Mary. The town of Andover having been burned and the records destroyed, I have only tradition, which is rather vague, for much of the early history of my family. Enough, however, is known to show that several eminent lawyers, ministers, officers and soldiers of the war of the revolution were among them. My father, Andrews Tyler, was in the fourth generation from Job and Mary. He was born at Boxford, adjoining Andover. His father, Nathaniel Tyler, served as a lieutenant in the continental army in the revolutionary war. My grand-father with his family removed from Boxford, Mass., to Herkamer county, New York, where my father, Andrews Tyler, married Elizabeth Comins, daughter of lieutenant and regimental quartermaster, John Comins, Jr., in the year 1806, to whom were born eleven sons and one daughter.
I was born in Sempronious, Cayuga county, New York, on the 23rd of November, 1816.
About the year 1820, or early in 1821, I had a remarkable vision, which, after sixty-one years have passed away, is as vivid in my recollection as the scenes of yesterday. I had occasion to rise from my bed about midnight. Suddenly the room was filled with a brilliant light, brighter than the noon-day sun. I looked into the fire-place only to discern a few smouldering coals covered with ashes. I gazed upon everything visible in the house. All seemed natural except that the light gave things a brighter hue. I looked over head to an opening between two loose boards or planks where my father usually kept his saw, auger and other small tools. There I beheld a hand and wrist which were nearly transparent, with a wrist-band whiter than the pure snow. I called to my mother, who awoke at the second call and inquired what I wanted. I asked who was in the chamber, and was told there was no one there, and that if there had been I could not have seen him in the darkness. I replied it was not dark. On my stating that it was lighter than day-light, and that I could see to pick up a pin, I was told to go to bed, which I did, when the vision closed, and it was so dark I could not see my hand before me, although I held it close to my face.
On relating the vision to my mother next morning, she wept like an infant, and said: "O, my child, I fear you are not long for this world." I, however, began to amend from that time and soon recovered from a chronic ailment, and was soon quite well.
The news of the vision soon spread abroad, and was much exaggerated. As is natural, our house was thronged with visitors, and I had to relate the vision over and over again. The conclusion was that I would either die, or the Lord had a great work for me to do. It was predicted that I would become a preacher of the gospel. This was then considered about the greatest work in which mortals could engage.
In 1823, my father, with his family, moved to Springfield, Erie Co, Pa., where his father and some other relatives had previously gone. About this time my father and grand-father became unusually interested in reading the scriptures and talking about them to their neighbors. One day my father happened to open to Mark, 16th chapter, 16th and 17th verses. After reading them several times carefully he said, "There is not a true believer in the world," as the promise was that the signs spoken of should follow those who believed. He showed the passage to several ministers, mostly Methodists, and argued with them. The more he argued the more convinced he was that the gospel was not on the earth, and he was able to confound the most learned divines, although he was quite illiterate. My grand-father also had the same views and he prophesied that he would die, but my father would live to see the true church organized with all the apostolic gifts and blessings.
For this cause much unfavorable comment in the neighborhood was indulged in, and my grand-father was often asked, usually in a derisive way, why he did not have his dislocated shoulder, which had been out of place for some thirty years, replaced by the power of faith. He argued that it would be done if he had sufficient faith.
One morning he came from his bed room and told my father's family, with whom he lived, that the Lord had revealed to him that, "Whereas physicians had said your shoulder could not be set He would let them know it could be done, for He would do it Himself."
My father replied that if the Lord had given him such a revelation it would be so, for He could not lie. He, however, was rather incredulous, notwithstanding he had been advocating the doctrine of miracles for some time. It happened, not long afterwards, that while my grand-father was lying in his bed at the dawn of day, thinking quietly of the blessings of God to him, his shoulder slipped into place with a snap that he thought might have been heard for a distance of one or two rods. Previous to this he carried his arm in a sling most of the time and could not raise his hand to his head, but from that time it was as limber as the other and had its full strength. This was a testimony that could not be impeached. Outside of the family, however, it was looked upon as a mere accident; but the previous revelation to my grand-father convinced the family that it was done by the power of God. This was in 1827, and in 1829 my grand-father died.
After my grand-father was taken with his last illness, he told my parents that an angel appeared to him clothed in white, and told him he would not recover, for his sickness was unto death. Ten days later he died. To save ridicule, however, this vision was kept secret and only told me afterwards by my mother. The true church of Christ was not then on the earth (February, 1829), nor had such an occurrence been heard of by us at the time. Although the Father and the Son had appeared to Joseph Smith some years previously, we had not heard of the vision. The vision of my grand-father seemed so strange that my parents hardly knew whether to attribute it to imagination or a reality, as they could not question his sincerity, he having always been strictly reliable. I have never doubted, however, his having had the vision.
He walked half a mile to bid my parents good by, although in poor health. On parting, my grand-father wept like a child, and said, "This is the last time I shall over visit you while I live."
My father continued his researches of the scriptures, and found that everything he read confirmed his views. He never allowed a traveling minister to leave the neighborhood without an argument if he could avoid it, and his arguments were in no instance refuted.
In the Spring of 1832, Elders Samuel H. Smith and Orson Hyde, of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, came to our neighborhood and held a few meetings. Elder Smith read the 29th chapter of Isaiah at the first meeting and delineated the circumstances of the coming forth of the Book of Mormon, of which he said he was a witness. He knew his brother Joseph had the plates, for the prophet had shown them to him, and he had handled them and seen the engravings thereon. His speech was more like a narrative than a sermon. Elder Hyde made a few closing remarks and appointed another meeting. At the close of the first meeting my father, as his custom was, sprung his usual question about the spiritual gifts and was quite surprised to hear Elder Smith say, "That is our doctrine, and we have those gifts in our Church."
This meeting was held in the house of Mr. Joseph Hartshorn, one of our neighbors. At the close of the meeting I picked up the Book of Mormon, which they had left lying on the table, and began to read the preface in relation to Martin Harris losing 116 pages of the original manuscript. When I had read as far as a quotation from a revelation, now found in the Book of Doctrine and Covenants, my brother, William, took the book out of my hands and closed it, remarking that good people said it carried with it a spirit of witchcraft, which caused those who read it to be bewitched and join the "Mormon" church. I was then over fifteen years of age and my brother, who was next older than myself, was in his eighteenth year. He was wild and sometimes profane, especially when angry, and I was quite taken by surprise to hear him quote what "good people said," as previously I had never heard him speak of them, except in derision. The last words I read where so riveted upon my mind that I sometimes feared there was some truth in the remark about the book being bewitching. The words were, "I will show unto them" (the wicked who had designed to change the manuscript in case Joseph re-translated it) "that my wisdom is greater than the cunning of the devil."
Before leaving the place the Elders baptized three persons. My father soon became a bitter enemy. I believed every word of the first discourse referred to previously, but dared not make my belief known because of my youth and the bitterness of my father. He admitted that the "Mormon" doctrines were true, but claimed that the members of that church had adopted them to cover up a fraud. All classes of people joined in the cry, "Beware of false prophets who come to you in sheep's clothing," etc, telling ridiculous stories about "Old Joe Smith walking on the water," pretended miracles, angels being caught, etc. The stories were about the same as those which the Elders now have to refute.
CHAPTER II.
MY COVENANT WITH THE LORD—MY SISTER DESIRES BAPTISM—MY BROTHERS' THREAT—VISIT OF HYRUM SMITH—MY SISTER BAPTIZED—I BREAK MY COVENANT—MY FATHER'S DREAM—MY BAPTISM—EXHORTATION TO THE YOUNG—SPIRITUAL GIFTS RECEIVED—MEETING DISTURBED BY MOBS—AFTER TALKING TO THEM THEY BECOME QUIET AND LEAVE THE PLACE—SOME OF THE MOB JOIN THE CHURCH—THE LEADER OF THE MOB DIES SUDDENLY—MOBBINGS CEASE.
There was no human being to whom I dared make known the fact that I believed in the teachings of the despised "Mormons." I had, however, for some time been in the habit of engaging in secret prayer, and now, in this hour of trial, I went to my place of secret resort and poured out my soul to the Lord and made covenant with Him that in case my only sister would believe and be baptized I would go with her. I soon learned that she, like myself, had believed the work from the beginning and was resolved to be baptized at the first opportunity. She was then in service at one of our neighbors. When she came home on a visit father asked her if what he had heard, that she intended to join the "Mormons," was true. She answered that she believed they were right and felt it her duty to join them. He remonstrated until he saw that her mind was bent on being baptized at the first opportunity. He then said, "If you do join them, you must never darken my door afterwards." Still her resolution was unchanged. My older brothers told her they would shoot any "Mormon" Elder who dared to baptize her. Thus matters continued for several months, during which time I continued praying, not only for my sister, but for my parents and brothers, although my mother said but little either way.
About December, 1832, Elder Hyrum Smith, brother to the prophet, came to our neighborhood. My father told him that his daughter, who was present, was bent on being baptized into his church, stating at the same time, that the Elder who baptized her would do so at his peril. The Elder quite mildly remarked in substance as follows: "Mr. Tyler, we shall not baptize your daughter against your wishes. If our doctrine be true, which we testify it is, if you prevent your daughter from embracing it, the sin will be on your head, not on ours or your daughter's."
This remark pricked him to the heart. He began to think that possibly the "Mormons" were right and he was wrong. He therefore decided to counsel his daughter in the matter and then permit her to exercise her free agency. He would thus relieve himself of any responsibility.
His remarks to my sister were to the effect that if this new religion was true, it was the best religion in the world, but, if false, it was the worst. "These men," said he, "know whether it is true or false, but I do not." He wished her to reflect upon all these things before making a move in the matter. She replied that she had weighed them long ago and believed it to be her duty to be baptized. He took her on an ox-sled to Lake Erie, a distance of two miles, where, after a hole was cut through three feet of solid ice, she was baptized and confirmed into the Church by Elder Hyrum Smith.
But where was the writer who had covenanted with the Lord to go with his sister in case she was baptized?
He remained at home, a broken-hearted, bashful boy, without stamina enough to come out and confront a wicked world. Soon after, my grand-father appeared to my father in a dream, and told him that this was the people he prophesied of while living, and my parents were baptized. Then my persecuting brothers followed. When the last named went into the water I stood on the shore, feeling as though my ease was almost hopeless. I had twice failed to keep my covenants with the Lord and now the third promise was about to be broken. At this juncture my father, who knew nothing of my covenants, observing that I looked downcast, stepped to my side and asked what was the matter. I was speechless and could not utter a word. I had been studying how I could ever have a heart to call upon the Lord again. How could He trust me further? On my father asking if it was not hard for my sister, parents and brothers to leave me, I broke completely down and wept aloud. My father then for the first time told me I could be baptized if I wished. I, however, waited until the next Wednesday, this being on Sunday. During the interval, however, I plead with the Lord to forgive me of my sin of covenant-breaking; and when I came up out of the water, not before, did I feel that He had answered my prayers, and that all my sins were pardoned. This was on the 16th day of January, 1833. I was a little over sixteen years of age.
I hope my young readers will keep their covenants with the Lord and not have the sorrow of heart I had. It was so intense that I question very much whether I could survive the same length of time with my present infirmities of age. I had not the advantages of the present period. I had only what I had learned from reading the Bible. I had only heard perhaps from two to four gospel sermons and those mainly by young Elders. I do not mention this fact in justification of my course, yet I do believe that the Lord was more merciful towards me than He would have been if I had had the advantages that the people have now, especially those of our young people who have kind parents who are Latter-day Saints to encourage and lead them along in the right way. One kind word of invitation and persuasion on the part of my parents at a proper time would have removed all obstacles, and been hailed as a heavenly boon. I desired to break the fetters which seemed to bind me.
Here let me exhort all parents to do all they can to encourage their children to be baptized at eight years of age, and much earlier to pray, ask a blessing on the food, and attend the primary meetings and Sabbath schools. At and prior to the time of my serious convictions, of which I have spoken, such institutions and encouragement would have been prized above all earthly things.
I did attend a Methodist Sabbath school, the only one I knew anything about; but at the tender age of fifteen years I was better versed in the true interpretation of the scriptures than the teacher. But attending Sabbath school kept me out of the company of wicked boys, and had a tendency to teach me a reverence for the Sabbath day.
After I was baptized, however, I never attended the Methodist Sabbath school any more, although it was desired that I should. My teachers said I was always honest and truthful, and they believed I was sincere in my religion, and if I would continue to attend their Sunday school I would see my error. They believed I had been converted, and that when I got a few years older I would be called to preach the gospel, and would be the means of saving many souls.
I admitted having been converted and that I knew my sins were forgiven, and further testified that obedience to "Mormonism," so-called, was what had brought peace to my soul; and the nearer I lived to it, the more of the peace of the Holy Spirit I felt.
The gift of prophecy was poured out upon me. I also received the gift and interpretation of tongues. But what then and ever since has seemed to me the greatest gift I received was to speak easily and fluently in my own language. This was the first gift I received. It came upon me in great power. A few months after my baptism several leading Elders from Kirtland, Ohio, were about to be dragged from our school house by a mob who had assembled to tar and feather them. When the Elders and others failed to stop them from disturbing the meeting, I stepped upon a form or bench and began to talk to the people. Five minutes had not elapsed when, aside from my voice, a pin dropping upon the floor might have been easily heard. After I had spoken about ten or fifteen minutes the mob left the house, and, after consulting outside a few moments, retired, and we had a good meeting.
This circumstance had gone out of my mind until about 1849, while stopping over night at the house of a brother named Brim. Alfred O. Brim, who was one of the mob, called my attention to it, and asked me if I knew that they had a keg of tar and a feather bed in the carriage in which they came to the meeting.
I replied that I did not think I ever heard of it. He said they brought the tar and the feathers with the full intent to use them on the Elders, but they were so surprised at the power with which I spoke that they knew I was helped by some invisible spirit. They had known me since I was seven years old, and were satisfied that I had not made up the speech, and that I was not capable of doing so. They decided that it must be of the Lord or of the devil. Of this they could not be the judges, not, as they said, having the discerning of spirits. Hence one of them suggested that lest they be found fighting against God, they had better retire. All agreed to it and they left.
Brim and several of his brothers afterwards joined the church, and were at one time prominent tanners in Salt Lake county, Utah.
Dr. Rion, an eminent physician of Springfield, who, I believe, was the leader, it was said, died instantly of apoplexy, some time after, while sitting in his chair.
I never heard any more talk of mobbing in that neighborhood. Thus the Lord made use of a humble, unlearned boy to break up a spirit of mobocracy which had existed for some months, and saved His servants from cruel treatment and possible death.
CHAPTER III.
ORDAINED TO THE PRIESTHOOD—INVITED TO PREACH—I MAKE UP A SERMON ON MY WAY—SERMON APPARENTLY A FAILURE TO ME—MY HEARERS SATISFIED WITH IT—ABUSED BY A BAPTIST MINISTER—HE DESIRES A SIGN—A SIGN PROMISED AND FULFILLED—BLESSINGS RECEIVED IN THE KIRTLAND TEMPLE—WORDS OF THE PROPHET JOSEPH—THEIR FULFILLMENT—AN INCIDENT IN MISSOURI—LITERAL FULFILLMENT OF A PREDICTION UTTERED BY JOSEPH SMITH—HIS PATRIOTISM—STRANGE PHENOMENON—ITS EFFECT.
On the 4th day of August, 1834, I was ordained to the lesser Priesthood under the hands of Lorenzo Wells, who at the time presided over the branch. Within less than a month, I was invited to bring an Elder with me and preach in Mercer Co., Pa. I sent an appointment, but, being unable to get an Elder to accompany me, I resolved to go alone. The distance was about fifty miles.
On the way I preached in my mind the greatest sermon I ever had preached, and perhaps greater than I have ever been able to preach since. This sermon, of course, I intended to preach when I reached my destination. The arguments would be irresistible. When I arrived, I sang, opened the meeting by prayer, sang again, and read my text, but the sermon—alas, it was gone, and I would have given everything I possessed to have been back home. This was the first gospel sermon ever preached in the neighborhood, for although my made-up sermon was gone, I made an effort to teach the people the way of life. I read a great many passages of scripture on the first principles of the gospel, making brief comments on each as I could think of but little to say. After occupying perhaps three quarters of an hour, and, as I supposed disgusting every one, I brought the meeting to a close with a faint hope, and a very faint one, too, that I would be invited to speak again. In that case I would plead with the Lord to forgive me for making up a sermon beforehand and help my future efforts, and the people would not be so much disappointed, after all, if I could have an opportunity to redeem myself.
No sooner was the meeting closed than the people gathered around me and requested me to preach at their houses, and, I believe, four out of the remaining evenings of the week were engaged in much less time than it has taken me to write it.
While walking towards the residence of my friend I saw a thicket of underbrush not far from our path. To it I retired and poured out my soul to the Lord to forgive me my folly and aid me in the future.
While seated at the dinner table, my friend remarked:
"Well, Daniel, you had nearly all the big men of the county, from the county seat, to hear you, and what do you think they said about your preaching?"
I was ashamed to answer that I expected they would set it down as a fruitless effort to deceive the people, and felt badly hurt that he should ask me such a question in company. I, however, put on as bold a front as I could, and simply answered that I did not know.
In this case I learned that man's thoughts were not always as the Lord's thoughts, for the rule is, that when the Elder satisfies his own feelings, the hearers are pleased and edified; yet, in this case, the rule was reversed. My friend and former neighbor informed me that the learned judge and lawyers inquired of him where I had graduated, adding that they never heard a man quote so much scripture to prove his doctrines and apply it so well. In fine, it was the greatest sermon they ever heard.
Now, my young friends, it was not I that had preached a great sermon. I am sure it was not; for to this day I look upon it as one of my weakest efforts at preaching. It being only my fourth trial, I think you will come to a similar conclusion. The fact was, when I read to them the holy scriptures the Spirit of the Lord rested upon them, although they knew it not, and opened their eyes to see and understand the truth. This is what is meant by the scripture, "How shall they hear without a preacher, and how shall he preach except he be sent?" The Lord sends His servants to preach the gospel, and a portion of His Spirit rests upon those who hear, and they are "born again" to "see the kingdom of God," preparatory to being "born of water and of the Spirit," to enter into it. The first birth is being converted from error to truth, being able to see clearly that it is truth. The second is the immersion in water for remission of sins, and the laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost.
Before leaving the neighborhood a learned Baptist minister by the name of Peters, arose at the close of a meeting held in a private house and abused me in a shameful manner, frothing at the mouth. I replied briefly to all that was worth answering, and he was confounded. He subsequently came to my lodgings, and we sat and conversed on the principles of the gospel until after midnight.
Like others of his spirit, he was desirous of having a sign. I finally told him I would give him a sign, which was that, if he did not speedily repent and be baptized for the remission of his sins, the judgments of God would overtake him. He left me with a downcast look. He doubtless expected that I would hunt up some sick person and heal him. About three weeks afterward my friend came to our place on a visit and informed me that my prediction was literally fulfilled. The learned Mr. Peters, who boasted of being proficient in three dead languages, had been thrown from a horse, and crippled for life. The last I heard of him he was a helpless, imbecile pauper.
I had the inestimable blessing of receiving my endowments in the temple at Kirtland, being anointed a priest after the order of Aaron. It would be impossible for me to describe all the blessings bestowed upon the different quorums of the priesthood. Some saw angels, others saw the horses and chariots of Israel. Some spoke in tongues and others predicted many of the great calamities that are now befalling the nations, such as pestilence, war, famine, tornadoes, etc.
All felt that they had a foretaste of heaven. In fact, there were several weeks in which we were not tempted of the devil; and we wondered whether the millennium had commenced. At or near the close of the endowments, the Prophet Joseph addressed us. Among other things he said: "Brethren, for some time Satan has not had power to tempt you. Some have thought that there would be no more temptation. But the opposite will come; and unless you draw near to the Lord you will be overcome and apostatize."
A few months later, four of the Apostles were cut off from the Church for apostasy, and the standing of one or two others was very doubtful. Numbers from other quorums also fell away and were cut off.
Brief descriptions of the Missouri persecutions have been published at different times. If a detailed account of the mobbings the Saints endured while in Missouri were to be published it would make a large volume.
I will mention one prophecy among the many predictions of the Prophet Joseph Smith that was literally fulfilled.
During the persecutions in the fall of 1838, one of the brethren happened to be a stranger in Richmond, Ray Co., Missouri, a distance of some thirty or forty miles from Far West, in Caldwell county, where the Saints dwelt. About sundown he saw men loading guns into a carriage, and learned that they were to be taken that night to the mob in Daviess county, to fight the "Mormons." He feigned to be traveling in the opposite direction, and took a circuitous route to Far West, but did not arrive there until about eight o'clock the next morning. He related what he had seen of the actions of the mob, and a call was immediately made for ten volunteers to accompany Captain Allred, of the militia, to intercept and take the arms. To do this we had about twenty miles to ride across a trackless prairie, to reach the road leading from Richmond to Daviess county, where the mob was quartered. The man with the guns had a good, smooth road, free from rocks or obstructions of any kind, and, to all human appearance, might have reached his destination before we obtained the news of his having the arms.
When all were mounted, the Prophet Joseph said to Brother Allred, "I want you to ride as fast as your horses can carry you," (pointing the direction, that he might not reach the road in rear of the carriage) "and you will get those arms." These last words inspired faith in the little band, and even the horses did not seem to become weary.
When we neared the road, we cast our eyes towards Richmond, and at a distance of about half a mile we discovered a black-covered carriage standing in the road, without any team attached to it. On nearing it, we saw that it was empty. We examined and found that one of the axles was newly broken in two. Here was the carriage described, but where were the guns? We soon discovered a trial in the high grass where something heavy had been dragged from near the carriage. We followed this trial a short distance and found a wooden box, containing seventy-four United States yaugers. While consulting how to get them to the town, we looked in the direction of the mob and discovered two men coming, about as fast as they could drive, in a lumber wagon. When they discovered us, supposing us to be mobs, they swung their hats and shouted "hurrah!" two or three times, and our little troop responded in the same way.
They got very near before they discovered their mistake. Brother Allred directed the teamster to drive along side of the box. He then told the two men to get out and put it into the wagon, and then follow him. We returned the way we came, and reached our destination about sundown, when, after the guns were taken from the wagon, the men and team were released. The prediction of the prophet was fulfilled, and the long-range guns, which were the best then known, designed for our destruction, were in our hands.
Joseph, knowing that the guns were government property, sent a dispatch immediately to notify General Atchinson and Colonel Doniphan of Clay county, what had been done. They directed that the arms should be delivered over to them, they pledging their honor that they should not be used against our people.
The prophet's patriotism would not allow him to retain government property, although it had been obtained by our enemies for our destruction. If this was not a test of loyalty I fail to see an opportunity where a test could be given.
I will relate one incident which occurred during the exodus of the Saints from Missouri: On the 13th of February, 1839, about two o'clock in the afternoon, an object was seen flying diagonally across our road, apparently about two hundred yards in front of us. To me, at first sight, it had the appearance of a large prairie hawk. It assumed the form of a fish to Brother Stephen M. St. John, and it appeared differently to others during the less than one minute it was in sight. It was seen all over the state, and the people were considerably frightened, fearing that it was a forerunner of some terrible calamity, which would befall them for their "unjust and inhuman treatment of the Mormons." The result was that we were more kindly treated during the remainder of our exodus from the state.
CHAPTER IV.
A CASE OF PALSY HEALED—ITS EFFECT ON THE PEOPLE—MR. BRIDGES UNBELIEF—THE CASE OF WIDOW CADE—SHE IS PARTIALLY CURED BY FAITH—TEMPTS THE LORD AND DIES—I AM CALLED ON A MISSION TO EUROPE—TERRIBLE SEA-STORM—THE PRAYERS OF THE ELDERS ARE HEARD AND THE WINDS CEASE—WE ARRIVE SAFELY IN A BADLY SHATTERED SHIP.
While traveling and preaching in the state of Mississippi, in 1841 or 1842, I was invited to remain all night with a Mr. John Knight, who was prostrate with the palsy, and had been in that condition for several weeks. This man was an infidel although his family belonged to the Methodist church. Being called upon to pray, before going to bed, I remembered the afflicted head of the family. When the prayer was ended he said, that as I was praying for him, a warming influence such as he had never felt before, extended down his palsied side. After I had tarried over a few nights with him, he desired to receive the ordinance of the laying on of hands. I called in two other Elders, and we explained to him that should he be healed and then refuse to obey the gospel he would incur a great responsibility. He finally agreed that if he ever was so far relieved as to be able to get to the water he would be baptized. At this time he had lain upon what is termed a cricket, or tribet, for about six or eight weeks. His left side and limbs were powerless. When he desired to be turned over it was done by pulling a blanket, kept under him for that purpose. There lived in that vicinity a Methodist preacher by the name of Bridges. Like many of his class, he persecuted the Saints, never forgetting to demand a sign. In his public discourses he would say, "Let the Mormons heal old man Knight and we will all believe on them." But we did not propose to tempt the Lord by asking a sign to gratify the curiosity of a wicked man. We, however, anointed the palsied side, according to Mr. Knight's request, and laid our hands upon him, and when the palsey was rebuked he straightened the afflicted arm while our hands were yet upon him.
I now had to go out in my district and fill appointments which I had made; but when I returned at the end of two weeks, I learned that Mr. Knight had walked nearly half a mile and had been baptized. A goodly number of others had also been baptized, and we organized a branch of the Church with Samuel L. Gully (known as Lieutenant Gully, in the history of the Mormon Battalion), as presiding Elder. All apostatized shortly afterwards excepting Elder Gully and a few others who had believed and were anxious to get baptized before this remarkable case of healing occurred, thus proving the truth of the revelation which says, "Those who seek signs shall have signs, but not unto salvation." Even the man who received this manifestation of God's power went back to the beggarly elements of the world, although he still bore testimony to the fact that he was healed, but said he "did not know whether Joseph Smith was a true prophet or an imposter."
But what of Mr. Bridges? This wicked preacher, when reminded of his own sayings in regard to believing if shown a sign, answered that the old man had been "playing the possum" all the time, and that there had been nothing the matter with him. "Playing the possum," simply means pretending to be sick when one is well. The proverb is derived from an animal known as the "opossum." It is something larger than a common domestic cat, and when pursed by dogs or men will lie upon the ground and feign itself dead. Thus the preacher pretended to believe Mr. Knight feigned his illness to "palm off a Mormon deception," although he had been prostrated some time before he knew anything about the Latter-day Saints, or they of him.
During my travel, I often stopped with a widow woman by the name of Cade. She had two sons living with her, one a widower, the other a bachelor; all where friendly and had some little faith. This lady, whom I should judge was about seventy years of age, had a wen, or growing tumor, on her throat about the size of a hen's egg. On one of my calls she requested me to administer to her for the removal of this tumor. I complied with her request, and in half an hour afterwards the lump was half gone. I left her with the swelling still going down; but my story ends badly, for after I was gone, Satan tempted her sons to believe that the virtue was in the olive oil with which she was anointed. This view weakened her faith and the healing power departed from her. Her sons went to the store and purchased a bottle of oil, similar to that which I had anointed her with, but to no effect. The circumstance was related to a physician of the neighborhood, who told the family that what had happened to her was simply the natural effect of the oil in softening the tumor; that it could only be cured by being taken out with surgical instruments; that he could remove it without difficulty and prolong her life, but it would eventually prove fatal unless removed. She consented to have the doctor try his skill on her, and she died under the operation. There were not a few, even among outsiders, who attributed her death to tempting the Lord. That their conclusion was correct, I think none of my young readers will doubt. I always felt sorry for her, as she was a kind-hearted, good woman, but was deceived by the persuasion of others. Her sons always regretted what they had done, but never joined the Church.
Had her faith continued in the Lord she would doubtless have been entirely healed in a very short time and lived to glorify God for a number of years.
Thus we see that His "anger is kindled against those who do not acknowledge His hand in all things." I hope no one who reads this little book will be guilty of tempting the Lord as this woman did, or fail to acknowledge His hand in all things. Even in losses, sickness or death in our families His hand should be acknowledged, and all will be sanctified for our good in the end.
At the Spring conference, in 1853, I was called on a mission to Europe, with a number of others. While crossing the ocean, when about two hundred miles from Liverpool, we encountered, what the captain said, was the severest storm he had experienced during thirty years of sea-faring life. There were seven Elders on board the English sail ship, Ashburton. When the storm became the most severe only four could be got together. We had taken second cabin passage, and, of course, had a room with bunks in which to sleep. To this room Elders Charles R. Dana. Israel Barlow and myself repaired, leaving Brother Thomas Colburn outside to watch and tend the door while we prayed and rebuked the raging wind and boisterous sea. We had but just commenced to pray when the door of the ventilator of our room flew open and let a large stream of water upon us. Brother Barlow sprang upon one of the upper bunks and closed the door and held it to its place while Brother Dana and myself continued the prayer. By this time the ship had come so near capsizing that a bottle of ink being open and standing over one door-post, which was about six feet high, emptied its contents upon the opposite post about one and a half feet from the door sill, making an angle, by actual measurement, of over fifty degrees, which was just about as far as she could go without capsizing. Just at this juncture the wind was rebuked by the servants of the Lord, and so sudden was the reaction that the ship creaked from stem to stern and we did not know but what she might fall to pieces. But the main damage done was to lose her sails and cause the yard-arm to fall and break the ship-carpenter's leg. The cargo was shiped to one side so that she could not run level during the remainder of the voyage. We had on board, among other passengers, a Presbyterian temperance lecturer, with whom we had had many arguments on the use of the spiritual gifts, he taking the view that they were done away because no longer needed. His berth was on the opposite side of the ship. Before the prayer was closed and the door opened, he stood trembling with excitement outside No sooner was the door opened than he exclaimed hastily and in an excited manner, "Havn't you been praying? havn't you been praying?" On Elder Dana inquiring why he asked that question, he nervously answered, "I thought you had; the wind stopped blowing so suddenly."
During the remainder of the journey, whenever there was more than a gentle breeze of wind, this man and his friends were sure to find their way to our cabin, as though they thought, if all the balance of the ship sank, our side would float all right.
This is one of the many incidents that might be cited to show that our enemies are not sincere in opposing our doctrines. I firmly believe that many people who hear the gospel preached have an inward conviction of its truth; but the love of riches and popularity with the fear of their friends deserting them and the frowns of the world, in many instances, cause their love to grow cold and they smother their convictions and become our enemies. On this subject the Lord has said, "Every ear shall hear and every heart shall be penetrated." I think both occur at the same time; that there may be a time in the future when they will feel it much stronger, when it is too late to benefit them, I also admit; for they will even seek death and not be able to find it.
Among the passengers was a young man, son of an Irish widow, who lived in Dublin, Ireland. Becoming consumptive, he went to New York for his health. Growing worse, he decided to return and die in the land of his fathers, and have a tender mother's care to soothe his last hours. But, alas, when the land-breeze struck him, the night before we sighted land, he expired, and was buried in the sea.
We sailed along at the rate of about ten miles per hour until about seven o'clock in the evening when the sky was suddenly darkened by a thick fog, a contrary wind arose and simultaneously with it a brig struck our ship's stern, took off her helm or rudder, got tangled in her rigging and took off her top-mast and top-sail and damaged her generally. The brig's rudder was also taken away by our ship, and she was so damaged that her captain asked permission to lash her to our ship, but our captain replied that his ship was so badly damaged that he dared not allow it. A wail went up from the little craft that they would all go to the bottom. They were soon out of our sight.
The wind and fog continued, and Captain Williams, of the Ashburton, lay drunk in his cabin, most of the time. There was but one man on board who understood the channel in which we were sailing. And he was mate of another vessel of the same line (the "Black Ball"), which sailed previous to ours. He was on a spree when his ship left New York, and, although an excellent officer, could not be induced for love or money to go on board until "he had had it out." Being over his drunken spree he entered our ship, the control of which, during our last calamity, was intrusted entirely to him. Our only method of guiding the ship was by a rope tied to the corner of the main sail and pulling it from one side to the other. To do this required the assistance of all the passengers and for three days and nights we barely escaped being dashed to pieces on the rocks which abounded all around us. Finally we succeeded in landing in Belfast harbor.
Here we left our ship waiting repairs and took steamer for Liverpool, where we arrived a few hours later.
The brig we came in contact with was wrecked on the coast of the Isle of Man, but no lives were lost.
During my stay in England, which was less than a year, there were many cases of healing and other incidents of interest occurred, but such things being usual with all the Elders I need not rehearse them.
CHAPTER V.
I GO TO SWITZERLAND—GOD'S POWER MANIFESTED IN MY BEHALF—A PROPHECY FULFILLED—CONDITION OF THE SWISS MISSION—WHERE ELDERS WERE EXPELLED EVIL SPIRITS TAKE POSSESSION—KARL G. MAESER WRITES ME A LETTER—I RETURN IT, THINKING IT A RUSE TO ENTRAP ME—I RECEIVE IT AGAIN—BROTHER MAESER'S FAITH AND BAPTISM—ELDERS PARTAKE OF POISONED FOOD—ARE RESTORED TO HEATH—MY MISSION ENDS.
In the fall 1854, I was sent to Switzerland, to take charge of the Swiss and Italian missions; the French and German missions were subsequently added.
Here was fulfilled a prediction spoken in tongues by a Sister More, in the tenth Ward, of Salt Lake City, the year before I was called on my European mission. I was at the time going on crutches, with a broken leg, and having but little hope of ever being able to walk. The leg was badly fractured, and by getting out of place and having to be reset caused the bones to be very slow in knitting together. It was about seven months before I could bear any weight upon my broken limb. While in this condition, I went on my crutches to a little prayer meeting in a private house, there being no public meeting house then built in the ward.
In going to the meeting, my worst fears of always being a cripple had loomed up before me like a great mountain, and, like Jonah, I felt that "it was better for me to die than to live." This was a weakness in me, of course, but so it was.
After the meeting was opened, Sister More arose and began to speak in tongues. She addressed her remarks to me, and I understood her as well as though she had spoken the English language. She said: "Your leg will be healed, and you will go on a foreign mission and preach the gospel in foreign lands. No harm shall befall you, and you shall return in safety, having great joy in your labors."
This was the substance of the prophecy. It was so different from my own belief and the fears of many others that I was tempted not to give the interpretation, lest it should fail to come to pass. The Spirit, however, impressed me and I arose, leaning upon my crutches, and gave the interpretation.
Not long afterwards I was told in a dream what to do to strengthen my fractured limb, and it began to receive strength immediately, and in the short space of about one week I dispensed with my crutches and walked with a cane.
Although Switzerland was a republic, the people were not prepared for a free government. After a few months, most of the American and English Elders were banished, and the work devolved mainly on the native Elders, and even they were sometimes cast into prison.
On one occasion, a zealous youth, whom I had directed to be ordained a Priest, took some tracts printed in the German language to distribute among the people. He left one with an invalid woman who had been several years confined to the house. She believed, and asked to be administered to that she might be healed, in order that she could be baptized. I sent an Elder to learn whether she wanted a sign or whether she was sincere. If found sincere and humble, he was to administer to her by anointing her with oil and laying his hands upon her. He found that she believed with all her heart. He attended to the ordinance and went a distance of about four miles to stay over night. The next morning she walked all that way to be baptized.
Among the remarkable incidents in the Swiss mission is the fact that after the Elders were driven out for preaching the doctrine of direct revelation, strange noises were heard in people's houses, especially in the city of Zurich, from which place all foreign Elders had been banished. The noises consisted of rapping upon cupboards, tables, dishes and other like things. The Saints were not troubled with them, but they became so frequent that they created great excitement among the outside people.
Elder John Bar wrote to me to know what it meant, and asking if it was of the Lord, and, if so, why did it not visit the Saints?
I answered that the people had rejected revelation from the Lord, and banished the Elders who taught inspiration. That it was known in America as spirit-rapping, and that it would probably take definite shape soon. Soon after circles were formed around tables, and the rapping in other places ceased.
I believe this was the first introduction of Spiritualism into the cantons, and, so far as known, in Europe, and was similar to the first in the United States made known to "the Fox girls" of New York. Thus, my young readers will perceive that these false spirits and other delusions follow the rejection of the gospel.
About this time, I received a letter, inquiring about the Saints and their doctrines, from Karl G. Maeser, a professor of theology in Dresden, in Saxony. In consideration of the excitement and desire on the part of many of the police authorities to trap the Elders; Elder Chislett and myself looked upon it as a snare to entrap us. I returned the letter without answer. No sooner had I dropped it into the letter box than a strong feeling came over me that the man might be an honest enquirer after truth. On telling this to Elder Chislett, he said if such be the case the door would be closed.
I answered, "No, that letter will return."
He said, "No; you may get another, but the same letter will never come back."
I repeated, "If he is an honest enquirer after truth that letter will return, and I will accept it as an evidence of sincerity."
Elder Chislett said, "If it does return I will set you down as a prophet."
On receipt of his returned letter, Professor Maeser forwarded it to Elder John Van Cott, at Copenhagen. As Elder Van Cott knew I was presiding over the German mission, he mailed the letter to me, explaining that he had directed the professor to me, as he was doing nothing in the German language, and he believed him to be an honest inquirer after truth. I answered Professor Maeser's letter, and he wanted to know more. I sent him German publications: he believed them all and said during an approaching vacation he would come to Geneva, a distance of about six hundred miles, and be baptized.
Thinking this might be an opening to establish the gospel in the heart of Germany, where it had not been preached for about eighteen hundred years, I wrote and told the professor that if there was free toleration of religion perhaps I might send an Elder to preach the gospel to others as well as to instruct him further in its principles. He wrote, in answer, that no religion, except the Lutheran, was allowed to be taught, and that was the national religion.
He thought, however, that as all persons who took up their abode in the kingdom had to make known their business, an Elder might go under the guise of a teacher of the English language. On my informing him that I apprehended such a policy might draw a class around him who would be liable to betray him to prison and banishment, and as I had an Elder under my charge who had some knowledge of the German language, I asked him whether it would not be better that his object be known to be to complete his education in the same. Simple as this suggestion was, it struck him with great force. Knowing that I was unacquainted with their laws and customs and that he had been taught them from childhood, in fact, was a leading teacher among his fellows, he referred to this fact and said he could see the wisdom of the Lord in it, and it was another evidence to him that the Latter-day Saints were His people, and he would be exceedingly glad if I could send an Elder to baptize him.
An important duty now devolved upon me which was to inform the learned professor that our Elders, like the ancient disciples, traveled and preached the gospel "without purse or scrip," and, if an Elder was sent, he would have to sustain him free of charge. Most men of his type would have spurned such a proposition. Not so with this humble servant of the Lord. In his reply he said: "If you send an Elder, my house shall be his house, my table shall be his table, all I have shall be his as well as mine."
Apostle Franklin D. Richards, president of the European mission, who had recently arrived in Geneva from Liverpool, on hearing this letter read, immediately decided to send Elder William Budge, who was then in England, having been banished from Zurich, a prominent Swiss canton.
On Elder Budge's arrival, he was reported as a gentleman from England, having come to complete his education in the German language, which was, of course, one part of his mission. He was instructed to confine his labors principally to the professor and his family, and to baptize none until he had further instructions.
President Richards now decided to visit Italy, where there were a few Saints in the Waldensian valleys under the presidency of Elder Samuel Francis. These Saints were very poor, and the most of them lived very hard. Some of them having to subsist five months in the year on roasted chestnuts, and, perhaps, a little sheep's or goat's milk, without any other food, having to winter in stables in order to receive warmth from the animals in the absence of fuel. Brother Richards was accompanied by Elders Wm. H. Kimball, John L. Smith, John Chislett, and myself.
About the time of our arrival one of the native brethren had by mistake eaten poison mushrooms, taking them for the variety often used as food in that country. He reeled as he walked to a chair, or stool, to receive the ordinance of laying on of hands. President Richards rebuked the poison, and he recovered. Shortly afterwards an outsider collected some of the same variety, which were cooked, and the man with his wife and children, died through eating them.
Shortly after our return from Italy, President Richards and Elder Kimball repaired to Dresden, the capital of Saxony, where they were heartily greeted by Elder Budge and Professor Karl G. Maeser. They remained a few days, during which time President Richards baptized the professor and eight others, and organized a branch of the Church, with Brother Maeser as presiding Elder. When the authorities learned to their satisfaction that he had joined the Church of the Saints they not only dropped him from his position, but banished him from the kingdom. Of his standing and usefulness among the Saints but little need be said. His charge of the Brigham Young Academy at Provo, and the blessings accruing to the youth of Zion, are too well known and appreciated to require any eulogy from me. Suffice it to say, that I had felt that I was doing but little good beyond filling a plain duty in responding to the call to go on a mission from England to Switzerland.
I refer to this incident to encourage the young Elders who read this little book to not feel discouraged because they do not baptize as many as some others. I hope they will not feel that they are not being useful on that account. I baptized none personally while on that mission of about three and a half years, and yet, although I suffered much affliction and persecution, I look back upon it as one of the happiest times of my life.
NEWEL KNIGHT'S JOURNAL.
CHAPTER I.
MY BIRTH AND PARENTAGE—MY FATHER'S BUSINESS—HE EMPLOYS JOSEPH SMITH, JUN.—CHARACTER OF THIS YOUTH—I START IN BUSINESS FOR MYSELF—MY HEALTH COMPELS ME TO CHANGE OCCUPATION—JOSEPH SMITH, JUN., A CONSTANT VISITOR AT MY HOUSE—HE RELATES HIS EXPERIENCE—HIS STATEMENTS LEAVE NO ROOM FOR DOUBT IN ME—HE IS BITTERLY PERSECUTED.
I was born September 13th, 1800, in Marlborough, Windham county, Vermont. My father's name was Joseph and my mother's maiden name was Polly Peck.
My father moved into the state of New York, when I was nine years of age, and settled on the Susquehanna river, near the bend in Chenango county, town of Bainbridge, and stayed there two years. He then moved down the river six miles into Broome county, town of Colesville, and there remained nineteen years.
My father owned a farm, a grist-mill and carding machine. He was not rich, yet he possessed enough of this world's goods to secure to himself and family, not only the necessaries, but also the comforts of life.
His family, consisting of my mother, three sons and four daughters, he raised in a genteel and respectable manner, and gave his children a good common school education.
My father was a sober, honest man, generally respected and beloved by his neighbors and acquaintances. He did not belong to any religious sect, but was a believer in the Universalian doctrine.
The business in which my father was engaged often required him to have hired help, and among the many he from time to time employed was a young man by the name of Joseph Smith, Jun., to whom I was particularly attached. His noble deportment, his faithfulness and his kind address, could not fail to win the esteem of those who had the pleasure of his acquaintance. One thing I will mention, which seemed to be a peculiar characteristic with him in all his boyish sports and amusements; I never knew any one to gain advantage over him, and yet he was always kind and kept the good-will of his playmates.
I continued to live with my father until I was twenty-five years old, or nearly so; and on June 7th, 1825, I married a respectable young lady, by the name of Sally Coburn. Her health was rather delicate. She had long held an honorable position in the choir of one of the most respectable churches in the vicinity; her father was a musician, and spent much of his time from home, which threw a heavy burden upon her mother in raising the family; this, however, she bore with much patience.
On leaving my father I went a few miles distant and put in operation a carding machine, but I soon sold it, and afterwards became engaged in running a grist-mill. During this time my wife gave birth to a child, which did not live and her sufferings were very great. I found my health was gradually declining, and was advised to leave the mill, as it did not agree with my constitution to work in it. I had no taste for farming, so I continued in the mill business until the physician told me I had the consumption, and he thought my case doubtful. I applied to a skillful Indian doctor, from whom I obtained some relief, but was obliged to change my business, and I moved back to Colesville, near to where my father lived.
In settling up my business affairs I suffered a heavy loss, and this, with the expenses incurred by my sickness, considerably reduced my pecuniary affairs. But I was not discouraged, for all my labor prospered in my hands, and I again entered into business.
My oldest brother. Nahum, was married, and lived close at hand; also my sisters Esther and Anna, with their husbands William Stringham, and Freeborn Demill, so that I was happy, not only in the society of my father's immediate family, but also of many relatives who lived in the same vicinity. Peace, prosperity and plenty, seemed to crown our labors, and indeed we were a happy family, and my father rejoiced in having us around him.
During this time we were frequently visited by my young friend, Joseph Smith, who would entertain us with accounts of the wonderful things which had happened to him. It was evident to me that great things were about to be accomplished through him—that the Lord was about to use him as an instrument in His hands to bring to pass the great and mighty work of the last days. This chosen instrument told us of God's manifestations to him, of the discovery and receiving of the plates from which the Book of Mormon was translated, of his persecutions for the gospel's sake, and many other items of his eventful life.
So honest and plain were all his statements that there was no room for any misgivings with me on the subject. Besides, I found by reading and searching the Bible, that there would be a great falling away from the gospel as preached and established by Jesus and His apostles, that in the last days God would set His hand again to restore that which was lost. Then why should any one persecute this boy? I could not. Yet, to my certain knowledge, many did; and those who professed to be preacher's of the gospel, were often his vilest persecutors; and notwithstanding they all professed to doubt the reality of his having the plates of which he had spoken, yet so eager were they to get them from him, that it was only by the Lord, or a kind angel, warning him from time to time of the pursuit of his enemies, that he was enabled to preserve the sacred records. In fact, it seemed very much like it was with Joseph and Mary, the mother of Jesus, being warned of God to flee from place to place, to save the young child; so has Joseph Smith been warned many times, and then barely escaped his pursuers. Of this I can bear a faithful testimony.
CHAPTER II.
JOSEPH SMITH'S PERSEVERANCE—ORGANIZATION OF THE CHURCH—JOSEPH SMITH VISITS ME—HIS OWN ACCOUNTS OF HIS VISIT—HE ASKS ME TO PRAY—I REFUSE—I GO TO THE WOODS AND TRY TO OFFER UP PRAYER—AM ATTACKED BY A DEVIL—CURIOUS ACTIONS WHILE THUS AFFLICTED—THE PROPHET CASTS THE DEVIL OUT—THE SPIRIT OF GOD SHOWS ME GLORIOUS THINGS—THIS MIRACLE WITNESSED BY MANY PERSONS.
Joseph persevered, and the Lord raised up friends who aided him in the great work of translating and printing the record which the unsealed part of the sacred plates contained. The title given to the book being THE BOOK OF MORMON.
On the sixth day of April, 1830, by revelation and commandment from God, a Church was organized, called, "The Church of Jesus Christ," which consisted of only six members, viz., Joseph Smith, Jun., Oliver Cowdery, Hyrum Smith, Peter Whitmer, Jun., Samuel H. Smith, and David Whitmer.
On Sunday, April 11th, 1880, the first public discourse, preached by a Latter day Saint, was delivered by Oliver Cowdery, at the house of Peter Whitmer, Sen. During the same month the prophet honored me with a visit, during which time I received a great manifestation, one long to be remembered, and in order that my children may know how the Lord has dealt with me I will make this extract from Joseph Smith's history.
"During this month of April I went on a visit to Mr. Joseph Knight, of Colesville, Broome Co., N. Y., with whom and his family I had been previously acquainted, and of whose name I have made mention as having been so kind and thoughtful towards us, while translating the Book of Mormon. Mr. Knight and his family were Universalists, but were willing to reason with me upon my religious views, and were as usual friendly and hospitable. We held several meetings in the neighborhood, we had many friends, and some enemies. Our meetings were well attended, and many began to pray vocally to Almighty God, that He would give them wisdom to understand the truth. Among those who attended our meetings regularly, was Newel Knight, son of Joseph Knight. He and I had many serious conversations on the important subject of man's eternal salvation; we had got into the habit of praying much at our meetings and Newel had said he would try and take up his cross, and pray vocally during meeting; but when we again met together he rather excused himself. I tried to prevail upon him, making use of the figure, supposing that he should get into a mudhole, would he not try to help himself out? and that we were willing now to help him out of the mudhole, he replied that provided he had got into a mudhole through carelessness, he would rather wait and get out himself than have others help him, and so he would wait until he should get into the woods by himself, and there he would pray. Accordingly he deferred praying until the next morning, when he retired into the woods; where (according to his own account afterwards) he made several attempts to pray, but could scarcely do so, feeling that he had not done his duty, but that he should have prayed in the presence of others. He began to feel uneasy, and continued to feel worse both in mind and body, until upon reaching his own house, his appearance was such as to alarm his wife very much. He requested her to go and bring me to him. I went, and found him suffering very much in his mind, and his body acted upon in a very strange manner. His visage and limbs were distorted and twisted in every shape and appearance possible to imagine; and finally he was caught up off the floor of the apartment and tossed about most fearfully. His situation was soon made known to his neighbors and relatives, and in a short time as many as eight or nine grown persons had got together to witness the scene. After he had thus suffered for a time, I succeeded in getting hold of him by the hand, when almost immediately he spoke to me, and with great earnestness requested of me, that I should cast the devil out of him, saying that he knew he was in him, and that he also knew that I could cast him out. I replied, if you know that I can, it shall be done, and then almost unconsciously I rebuked the devil; and commanded him in the name of Jesus Christ to depart from him; when immediately Newel spoke out and said that he could see the devil leave him and vanish from his sight. This was the first miracle which has been done in this Church, or by any member of it, and it was done by God, and by the power of godliness; therefore let the honor and the praise, the dominion and the glory, be ascribed to the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, forever and ever, Amen.
"The scene was now entirely changed, for as soon as the devil had departed from our friend, his countenance became natural, his distortion of body ceased, and almost immediately the Spirit of God descended upon him, and the visions of eternity were opened to his view. He afterwards related his experience as follows: `I now began to feel a most pleasing sensation resting upon me, and immediately the visions of heaven were opened to my view. I felt myself attracted upwards, and remained for sometime enwrapt in contemplation, insomuch that I knew not what was going on in the room. By and by I felt some weight pressing upon my shoulder and the side of my head; which served to recall me to a sense of my situation, and I found that the Spirit of the Lord had actually caught me up off the floor, and that my shoulder and head were pressing against the beams.'
"All this was witnessed by many, to their great astonishment and satisfaction, when they saw the devil thus cast out, and the power of God and His Holy Spirit thus made manifest. As soon as consciousness returned, his bodily weakness was such that we were obliged to lay him upon his bed and wait upon him for some time. As may be expected, such a scene as this contributed much to make believers of those who witnessed it, and, finally, the greater part of them, became members of the Church."
CHAPTER III.
I AM BAPTIZED—FIRST CONFERENCE OF THE CHURCH—REMARKABLE VISIONS—THE PROPHET VISITS THE COLESVILLE BRANCH—HOLDS MEETING—PERSECUTIONS BEGIN—A PRESBYTERIAN PREACHER TRIES TO MISLEAD MY SISTER-IN-LAW, BUT FAILS—BAPTISMS—MOB GATHERS—JOSEPH ARRESTED BY CONSTABLE—WICKED MEN LIE IN AMBUSH FOR HIM—HE IS DELIVERED FROM THE MOB BY THE CONSTABLE—HIS UNJUST TRIAL—HE IS ACQUITTED.
DURING the last week in May I went on a visit to Fayette and was baptized by David Whitmer.
On the first day of June, 1830, the first conference was held by the Church. Our number consisted of about thirty, besides many others who came to learn of our principles, or were already believers, but had not been baptized. Having opened the meeting by singing and prayer, we partook of the emblems of the body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ. A number were confirmed who had lately been baptized, and several were called and ordained to various offices in the Priesthood. Much good instruction was given, and the Holy Ghost was poured out upon us in a marvelous manner. Many prophesied, while others had the heavens opened to their view. It was a scene long to be remembered. I felt my heart filled with love, with glory, and with pleasure unspeakable. I could discern all that was going on in the room and a vision of futurity also suddenly burst upon me, and I saw, represented, the great work, which, through the instrumentality of Joseph Smith, was to be accomplished. I saw the heavens opened, I beheld the Lord Jesus Christ seated at the right hand of the Majesty on High, and it was made plain to my understanding that the time would come when I should be admitted into His presence, to enjoy His society for ever and ever.
Such scenes as these were calculated to inspire the hearts of the Saints with joy unspeakable, and fill us with awe and reverence for that Almighty Being, by whose grace we had been called and made the happy partakers of such glorious blessings as were poured out upon us—to find ourselves engaged in the very same order of things as were observed and practiced by the holy apostles of old. To realize the importance and solemnity of the great work which had fallen upon our young friend Joseph, and to witness and feel with our natural senses the like glorious manifestations of the power of the Priesthood, the gifts and blessings of the Holy Ghost and the goodness and condescension of a merciful God unto such as obey the everlasting gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, combined to create within us sensations of rapturous gratitude and inspire us with fresh zeal and energy in the cause of truth, and also to confirm our faith in Joseph Smith being the instrument in the hands of God to restore the Priesthood again to man on earth and to set up the kingdom of God, which shall never more be overcome.
Soon after conference Joseph Smith the Prophet, accompanied by his wife, Oliver Cowdery, John Whitmer and David Whitmer, came to Colesville to make us a visit. There were many in our neighborhood who believed, and were anxiously waiting for an opportunity to be baptized. Meeting was appointed for the Sabbath, and on Saturday afternoon we erected a dam across a stream which was close by, with the intention of baptizing those who applied on Sunday, but during the night a mob collected and tore away the dam. This prevented us from attending to the ordinance of baptism that day. It was afterwards ascertained that the mob had been instigated to this act of molestation, by certain sectarian priests of the neighborhood, who began to think their craft was in danger, and took this plan to stop the progress of truth. The sequel will show how determinedly they prosecuted, their opposition, as well as to what little purpose in the end.
The Sabbath arrived, we held our meeting, Oliver Cowdery preached, others bore testimony to the Book of Mormon, the doctrine of repentance, baptism for the remission of sins, and the laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost, etc. In the audience were those who had torn down the dam. They seemed desirous of giving us trouble, but did not until after the meeting was dismissed, when they immediately commenced talking to those whom they considered our friends, to try to turn them against us and our doctrine.
Among those present I will mention the case of one young lady—Miss Emily Coburn, my wife's sister. The Rev. Mr. Shearer, a divine of the Presbyterian faith, who had considered himself her pastor, understanding that she was likely to believe our doctrine, came to labor with her a short time previous to our meeting. He spent some time without being able to persuade her against us, and then endeavored to have her leave her sister's house, and go with him to her father's, who lived ten miles distant: for this purpose he had recourse to stratagem, he told her that her brothers were waiting for her at a certain place and wished her to go home with them. He succeeded thus in getting her a little way from the house, when seeing that her brothers were not waiting for her, she refused to go farther with him. He thereupon took her by the arm and tried to force her along; my wife, her sister, was soon with them, and the two women being one too many for him he was obliged to sneak off without accomplishing his errand, after all his labor and ingenuity. Nothing daunted, however, he went to her father, and represented something to him, which induced the old gentleman to give him a power of attorney. Thus armed he returned, and as soon as our meeting was out on the Sunday evening, he served process upon her, and immediately carried her off to her father's residence. All his labor was in vain, however, for the said Emily Coburn in a short time afterwards was baptized and confirmed a member of the Church.
Early on Monday morning we were on the alert, and before our enemies were aware of it, Oliver Cowdery proceeded to baptize Emma Smith, Hezekiah Peck and wife, Joseph Knight and wife, William Stringham, Joseph Knight Jun., Aaron Culver and wife, Levi Hall, Polly Knight and Julia Stringham. But before the baptism was entirely finished, the mob began to collect again. We retired to my father's house, and the mob, which numbered about fifty surrounded the house, raging with anger, and apparently wishing to commit violence against us. So violent and troublesome were they, that the brethren were obliged to leave my father's house and they succeeded in reaching mine. The mob who soon found where they had gone, followed them and it was only by great prudence on our part and help from our Heavenly Father that they were kept from laying violent hands upon us.
A meeting had been appointed for the evening to confirm those who had been baptized in the morning. The time appointed had arrived, and our friends had nearly all collected together, when, to our great surprise and sorrow, the constable came and arrested Brother Joseph Smith, Jun., on a warrant charging him with being a disorderly person, and of setting the country in an uproar, by preaching the Book of Mormon. The constable soon after he had arrested Joseph, told him that the plan of those who had got out the warrant for his arrest, was to get him into the hands of the mob who were now lying in ambush for him, and that he, the constable, was determined to save Joseph from them, as he found him to be a different person to what he had been represented. This proved true, for they had not proceeded far from the house, when the wagon in which Joseph and the constable were riding, was surrounded by the mob, who seemed only to await some signal from the constable, but to their great discomfiture, he gave the horses the whip and was soon out of their reach. As the constable was driving briskly along, one of the wagon wheels came off, which accident left them almost in the hands of the mob, who had pursued them closely. But the constable was an expert man and managed to get the wheel on again, before the mob overtook him, and soon left them in the rear once more.
He drove on to the town of South Bainbridge, Chenango county, where he lodged Joseph in an upper room of a tavern; and in order that all might be safe for himself and Joseph, he slept, or laid during the night with his feet against the door, and kept a loaded gun by him, (Joseph occupied a bed in the same room) and declared that if they were unlawfully molested he would fight for Joseph, and defend him to the utmost of his ability.
On the following day a court was convened for the purpose of investigating the charges which had been made against Joseph Smith, Jun. On account of the many scandalous reports which had been put in circulation, a great excitement prevailed.
My father, Joseph Knight, Sen., did not let pass this opportunity of doing all in his power to assist this persecuted boy. He went to two of his neighbors. James Davidson and John Reid, Esqs., respectable farmers who were well versed in the laws of their country, and retained them in behalf of Joseph during his trial.
The trial commenced among a crowded multitude of spectators, who generally seemed to believe Joseph guilty of all that had been alleged against him, and, of course were zealous to see him punished for his crimes.
Among the many witnesses called up against Joseph, was one Josiah Stoal, a gentleman for whom Joseph formerly worked. He was examined as follows:
Question—"Did not the prisoner, Joseph Smith have a horse from you?"
Answer—"Yes."
Q.—"Did he not go to you and tell you an angel had appeared unto him, and told him to get the horse from you?"
A.—"No; he told me no such thing."
Q.—"Well, how did he get the horse from you?"
A.—"He bought it from me the same as any other man would do."
Q.—"Have you had your pay?"
A.—"That is not your business."
The question being repeated, the witness replied, "I hold his note for the price of the horse, which I consider as good as the money, for I am well acquainted with Joseph Smith, Jun., and know him to be honest, and, if he wishes, I am ready to let him have another horse on the same terms."
Mr. Jonathan Thompson was next called and examined.
Question—"Has not the prisoner, Joseph Smith, Jun., had a yoke of oxen of you?"
Answer—"Yes."
Q.—"Did he not obtain them from you by telling you that he had a revelation to the effect that he was to have them?"
A.—"No; he did not mention a word of the kind concerning the oxen; he purchased them the same as any other man would."
After several more similar attempts the court was detained for a time in order that two young ladies, daughters of Josiah Stoal, with whom Joseph had at times kept company, might be sent for, in order if possible, to elicit something from them which could be made a pretext against Joseph.
The young ladies came, and were each examined as to his character and conduct in general, but in particular as to his behavior towards them in public and private; they both bore such testimony in Joseph's favor, as to leave his enemies without a cause for complaint. Several attempts were made to prove something against Joseph, and even circumstances which were alleged to have taken place in Broome county were brought forward. But these Joseph's lawyers would not admit against him, in consequence of which his persecutors managed to detain the court until they had succeeded in obtaining a warrant from Broome county. This warrant they served upon him at the very moment he had been acquitted by the court.
CHAPTER IV.
JOSEPH'S SECOND ARREST—CRUELTY OF HIS GUARD—HIS TRIAL—I, WITH OTHERS, AM CALLED AS A WITNESS—CHAGRIN OF PROSECUTING ATTORNEY—ELOQUENCE OF JOSEPH'S LAWYERS—THE CONSTABLE BEGS JOSEPH'S FORGIVENESS FOR HIS CRUEL CONDUCT—HE DELIVERS THE PROPHET FROM THE HANDS OF THE MOB—THE ACQUITAL—AT MY HOUSE OUR LEADERS ARE AGAIN PERSECUTED—THEIR ESCAPE—NAMES OF OUR LEADING OPPONENTS.
The constable who served this second warrant upon Joseph had no sooner arrested him, than he began to abuse him; and so heartless was he, that, although Joseph had been kept all day in court without anything to eat since the morning, he hurried him off to Broome county, a distance of about fifteen miles, before allowing him to eat. The constable took him to a tavern, where were gathered a number of men, who used every means to abuse, ridicule, and insult him. They spit upon him, pointed their fingers at him, saying, "Prophesy! prophesy!" and used their utmost ability to pain and torment his mind; and thus did they imitate those who crucified the Savior of mankind, not knowing what they did. The tavern was but a short distance from Joseph's own house; he wished to spend the night with his wife, offering to give any bail desired, for his appearance; but this was denied him. He applied for something to eat. The constable ordered him some crusts of bread and some water, which was the only fare he received that night. At length he retired to bed; the constable made him lie next to the wall, he then laid himself down, threw his arms around Joseph, as if fearing that he intended to escape; and in this not very agreeable manner was Joseph compelled to spend the night. Next day he was brought before the magistrate's court of Colesville, Broome county, and placed on trial. His friends and lawyers were again at his side, and his former persecutors were arrayed against him with the rage and fury of demons visible upon their countenances, and manifested in their actions. Many witnesses were again examined, some of whom swore to the most palpable falsehoods, just as those had done who appeared against him the previous day. But they contradicted themselves so plainly that the court would not admit their testimony. Others were called who showed by their zeal that they were willing to prove anything against him, but all they could do was to tell some things they had heard somebody else say about him.
They proceeded for a considerable time in this frivolous and vexatious manner, when finally I was called upon, and examined by Lawyer Seymour, who had been sent for specially for this occasion. One lawyer, Burch, was also retained on the prosecution, but Mr. Seymour seemed to be a more zealous Presbyterian, and seemed more anxious and determined that the people should not be deluded by any one professing godliness and not denying the power thereof.
As soon as I had been sworn, Mr. Seymour proceeded to interrogate me as follows:
Question.—"Did the prisoner, Joseph Smith, Jun., cast the devil out of you?"
Answer.—"No, sir."
Q.—"Why, have you not had the devil cast out of you?"
A.—"Yes, sir."
Q.—"And had not Joseph Smith some hand in it being done?"
A.—"Yes, sir."
Q.—"And did he not cast him out of you?"
A.—"No, sir, it was done by the power of God, and Joseph Smith was the instrument in the hands of God on this occasion. He commanded him to come out of me in the name of Jesus Christ."
Q.—"And are you sure it was the devil?"
A.—"Yes, sir."
Q.—"Did you see him after he was cast out of you?"
A.—"Yes, sir, I saw him."
Q.—"Pray, what did he look like?"
(Here one of the lawyers on the part of the defense told me I need not answer that question). I replied:
"I believe, I need not answer you that question, but I will do it if I am allowed to ask you one, and you can answer it. Do you, Mr. Seymour, understand the things of the Spirit?"