Chapter I: Front Matter

HISTORY

OF THE

CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST

OF

LATTER-DAY SAINTS.

PERIOD I.

History of Joseph Smith, the Prophet.

By Himself.

Volume I.

An Introduction and Notes

by

B. H. Roberts.

Published by the Church.

Deseret News. Salt Lake City, Utah. 1902.

{III}

Preface.

In publishing the History of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, it is felt that a solemn duty is being performed to the Saints and to the world. The events which make up the history of the Church in this age are the most important that history can chronicle. It is due therefore both to the Saints themselves and to the world that a faithful and complete history of the facts in which the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints had its origin, together with the events through which it was subsequently developed, and all the circumstances, experiences and trials through which it passed be made known to mankind. It is important, too, that so far as possible the events which make up the history be related by the persons who witnessed them, since such statements give the reader testimony of the facts at first hand; and there is placed on record at the same time the highest order of historical evidence of the truth of what is stated. It was these considerations which induced the Church authorities, under whose auspices this history is published, to take the narrative of the Prophet Joseph Smith as found in the manuscript History of the Church--now in the archives of the Historian's office--for the body of the work, rather than to authorize the writing of a history in the ordinary way. The editors of the work are not oblivious to the fact that to proceed in the manner followed in these volumes has its disadvantages; that it renders it impossible to correlate the facts, and give unity to the work; {IV} that it makes the body of the work more of the nature of annals than of history; with the accompanying result that the conclusion of an event, or even a series of events, is frequently postponed indefinitely, and each reader is left to be his own "philosopher of history" while perusing these pages; that is, to form his own conclusions upon the data here presented to him. To overcome, at least in some small degree, the obvious disadvantages of the style in which it has been determined to publish this history, marginal notes relating to important matters are given, which, while it is not claimed that they overcome the difficulties of the annalistic style of the main body of the work, will nevertheless, be of great service to the reader both in this respect and also in here and there enlarging upon the Prophet's narrative where the narrative does not include all the facts known upon the subject.

From the first the Prophet Joseph Smith had a clear apprehension of the importance of keeping a faithful record of the events connected with the great work which God was bringing forth through his instrumentality; and it is to his appreciation of the importance of that fact, and his never tiring energy respecting it, that we are indebted for the minute completeness of our Church annals. While the very rapidity with which events happened, together with the quickly changing circumstances through which the purposes of God were unfolded in the great Dispensation of the Fulness of Times, necessarily occupied the time of the Prophet, and well nigh made it impossible for him to give all the attention to the making of annals that is necessary to such work, still he quite thoroughly supervised the writing of his history, with the result that more complete historical data have been written and preserved {V} respecting the coming forth of the work of God in these last days than any other great movement whatsoever.

One difficulty the Prophet experienced in writing the annals of the Church, which he usually called his history, was the unfaithfulness of some whom he employed in this service, and the frequent change of historians, owing to the ever shifting conditions surrounding the Church in the early years of its existence. It would be marvelous indeed if under all these circumstances there had been no mistakes made in our annals, no conflict of dates, no errors in the relation of events. But whether these conditions are taken into account or not, the manuscript annals of the Church are astonishingly free from errors of dates, relation of facts, and anachronisms of every description. When the Church historians George A. Smith and Wilford Woodruff completed their publication of the _History of Joseph Smith_, down to the 8th of August, 1844, which history was published in installments in the _Deseret News_, Utah, and in the _Millennial Star_, England, they expressed themselves upon the correctness of what they had published in the following manner:

"_The History of Joseph Smith_ is now before the world, and we are satisfied that a history more correct in its details than this was never published. To have it strictly correct, the greatest possible pains have been taken by the historians and clerks engaged in the work. They were eye and ear witnesses of nearly all the transactions recorded in this history, most of which were reported as they transpired, and, where they were not personally present, they have had access to those who were. Moreover, since the death of the Prophet Joseph, the history has been carefully revised under the strict inspection of {VI} President Brigham Young, and approved by him. We, therefore, hereby bear our testimony to all the world, unto whom these words shall come, that the _History of Joseph Smith_ is true, and is one of the most authentic histories ever written."

Their statement assuredly is true; and yet by a careful revision of the work they did, and the correction of a few errors in dates and other details, the work has been brought to a still higher state of perfection. Where grammatical accuracy was violated in the original record it has been corrected, so far as observed; but no historical or doctrinal statement has been changed. Some changes will be observed in the matter of the biographies of the leading Elders of the early days of the Church. When a man of prominence connected himself with the Church, the Prophet Joseph usually gave a biographical sketch of him in his own history, then writing; and sometimes these biographies were long and unduly interrupted the movement of events. To rid the body of the work of this encumbrance it was decided to place all biographical matter in marginal notes; this made it necessary to condense very much those found in the Prophet's narrative, while severe brevity--after accuracy--has been the aim in those prepared by the annotator.

The most careful attention has been given to this work by those engaged in its preparation. The manuscript has been read to the Church Historian, President Anthon H. Lund, with constant reference to the original manuscript history and all copies of it published in the _Times and Seasons_ and the _Millennial Star_; and also to various editions of the Doctrine and Covenants, and the Book of Commandments published at Independence, Missouri, in 1833, {VII} where the revelations received by the Prophet Joseph Smith are contained. In the course of this work slight variations in phraseology were discovered in the several editions of the Doctrine and Covenants, that doubtless arose through careless proof reading; and as between the most carefully proof-read editions and the revelations found in the manuscript _History of the Church_ there were some slight differences, which were corrected to agree with the original manuscript; but the corrections were never made until first submitted to the First Presidency, and carefully considered and approved by them. We therefore feel that this great care has resulted in presenting to the Church and to the world the revelations which the Prophet Joseph Smith received in their most perfect form; and that a standard is created for all future publication of these revelations. Speaking of the revelations that appear in this book, it is proper to remark that one of the chief values of this volume of the _History of the Church_ will arise from the fact that the greater number of those revelations received by the Prophet Joseph Smith is published in it--one hundred and one, out of a hundred and thirty-three found in the Doctrine and Covenants; and as they are published in connection with the circumstances existing when brought forth, the student of the doctrines of the Church will find this volume of almost incalculable benefit to him.

In the Introduction it is believed the reader will find a fitting background from which are projected with majestic boldness the great events and splendid doctrines of the Dispensation of the Fulness of Times. That dispensation, of which this history is but the chronicle, bears an important relation to all former dispensations since {VIII} the world began. It is the ocean into which they as streams flow. It is their complement, and unifying force--it makes them all one; and demonstrates that while things to men appear but in parts, God forever stands in the presence of the whole, and dispenses His providences with reference to His perfect comprehension of the end from the beginning. It is to exhibit this relation of dispensations that the Introduction is written, and the importance of the subject must be the apology for its length.

{IX}

Table of Contents.

Volume I.

Preface.

Introduction.

Antiquity of the Gospel.

The Gospel Revealed to Adam.

Establishment of the Ancient Church.

The Gospel _Versus_ the Law.

From Moses to John the Baptist and Messiah.

The Dispensation of the Meridian of Time.

The Identity of the Dispensation of the Meridian of Time and the Dispensation of the Fullness of Times Considered.

Joel's Prophecy of the Dispensation of the Last Days.

Daniel's Prophecy of the Rise of the Kingdom of God in the Last Days.

The Announcement of the Universal Apostasy.

Character of the Early Christians.

The Rise of False Teachers.

The Development of False Doctrines After the Death of the Apostles.

The Revolution of the Fourth Century: Constantine.

Christianity Made a Persecuting Religion.

Persecution of "Heretics."

Christianity Before and After Constantine.

Decline in Moral and Spiritual Living Among Christians.

Loss of Spiritual Gifts.

Departure of "Christendom" from the True Doctrine of Deity.

The Christian Doctrine of God.

Paganization of the Christian Doctrine of God.

The Church of Christ Displaced by the Churches of Men.

Testimony of Prophecy to the Universal Apostasy.

Conclusion.

{X} CHAPTER I.

Joseph Smith's Birth and Lineage--The Prophet's First Vision--"This is My Beloved Son."

The Prophet's Introduction

Birth and Ancestry.

Religious Excitement in Western New York.

Reflection on Divided Christendom.

Perplexity of the Prophet.

The Promise of St. James Tested.

Effort of Satan to Destroy the Prophet.

The First Vision.

State of Christian World.

Sectarian opposition.

Reflections Upon Sectarian Oppositions.

All Doubts Settled.

CHAPTER II.

The Visitation of Moroni--Existence of the Book of Mormon Made Known.

Interval of Three Years, 1820-23.

Confession of Errors.

Appearing of Moroni.

Moroni's Message.

Ancient Prophecies Quoted.

Plates not to be Shown.

Second Appearing of Moroni.

Third Appearing of Moroni.

Fourth Appearing of Moroni.

The Hill Cumorah.

The Nephite Record.

Fourth Annual Visitation to Cumorah.

Story of Being a Money Digger.

The Prophet's Marriage.

CHAPTER III.

The Nephite Record Delivered to Joseph--The Angel's Warning The Work of Translation.

The Prophet Receives the Plates.

Efforts of Enemies to Get the Plates.

Misrepresentations.

Removal to Pennsylvania.

Words of the Book given to the Learned.

The Loss of 116 Pages of Manuscript.

Prophet's Journey to Manchester and Return to Pennsylvania.

Interpreters and Plates Returned to the Prophet.

Interval in the Work of Translation.

Three Witnesses Promised.

{XI} CHAPTER IV.

Oliver Cowdery Becomes the Prophet's Scribe--The Translation of the Plates Continued.

Oliver Cowdery.

Witness of the Spirit to Cowdery.

The Mission of John the Apostle.

Oliver desires to Translate.

CHAPTER V.

Restoration of the Aaronic Priesthood--First Baptisms.

The Aaronic Priesthood Restored.

Limitation of the Aaronic Priesthood.

John the Baptist, May 15, 1829.

Outpourings of the Spirit.

Ordination and Baptism Kept Secret.

Conversion of Samuel H. Smith.

Hyrum Smith's Inquiries.

Assistance from Joseph Knight, Sen.

Prophet's Removal to Fayette.

David, John, and Peter Whitmer, Jun., as Assistants.

Early Baptisms.

CHAPTER VI.

The Testimony of the Especial Witnesses to the Book of Mormon.

Provision made for Special Witnesses.

Seeking the Fulfillment of the Promise.

The Order of Prayer.

The Visitation of the Angel--Viewing the Plates.

Martin Harris Views the Plates.

Statement of the Witnesses.

Early Progress in the Work.

CHAPTER VII.

The Day Appointed for Organizing the Church--Revelation on Church Government.

Directions for the Organization of the Church.

Instructions on Church Organization.

{XII} CHAPTER VIII.

The Book of Mormon Published--The Church Organized.

Price for Publishing Book of Mormon.

The Title Page.

Procedure in the Organization of the Church.

Joseph Smith, Jun., Appointed Prophet, Seer, and Revelator to the Church.

The Church of Jesus Christ Begins its Career.

Word of the Lord to Several Persons.

CHAPTER IX.

The Commencement of the Public Ministry of the Church.

The First Public Discourse.

The Prophet's Ministry at Colesville.

Labors of the Prophet with Newel Knight.

The First Miracle in the Church.

Remarkable Experience of Newel Knight.

Effect of Publishing the Book of Mormon.

First Conference of the Church.

Effect of Spiritual Manifestations.

Baptisms.

Labor of the Prophet at Colesville.

The Adventures of Emily Coburn.

Mobbings.

The Prophet Arrested.

The Prophet Escapes the Mob.

Excitement over the Prophet's Case.

The Trial.

Daughters of Mr. Stoal as Witnesses.

The Acquittal.

The Prophet's second Arrest.

Unnecessary Severity.

The Second Trial.

Newel Knight vs. Lawyer Seymour.

Plea for the State.

Plea for the Defendant.

Change in Sentiment.

The Prophet Acquitted.

CHAPTER X.

The Molestation at Colesville by Mobs--The Revelation Embodying the vision of Moses.

The Second Flight from Colesville.

Reflections on Persecution.

The Strength which God gave.

Encouragement from Inspired Dreams.

Compilation of Revelations.

Cowdery's Error.

Prophet's Correction of Error.

{XIII} CHAPTER XI.

Further Light Respecting the Sacrament--Prophet's Removal to Fayette.

Instructions on the Sacrament.

A Confirmation Meeting.

The Prophet's Father-in-law Embittered.

The Eyes of Enemies Blinded Through Faith.

The Prophet Finds an Asylum at Fayette.

Spurious Revelations Through Hyrum Page.

The Conference of September 26th.

Satisfactory Results of the Conference.

Mission to the Lamanites.

Departure of the Lamanite Mission.

Arrival at Kirtland.

Previous Relations of Pratt and Rigdon.

Presentation of the Book of Mormon to Sidney Rigdon.

Public Ministry at Mentor.

The Work Opened at Kirtland.

Conversion of Sidney Rigdon.

CHAPTER XII.

Lost Books of Ancient Scripture--Commandment to the Church in New York to Move to Ohio.

Readiness of the Lord to Impart Knowledge.

Orson Pratt Seeks to Know the Will of the Lord.

Sidney Rigdon and Edward Partridge Visit the Prophet.

Of the Lost Books of Scripture.

CHAPTER XIII.

Prospects of the Church at the Opening of the year 1831--Removal of the Prophet Joseph From New York to Ohio--Doctrinal Development.

Prospects of the Church, 1831.

Why Covill Rejected the Commandment.

The Prophet Removes to Ohio.

The Branch of the Church at Kirtland.

Revelation Giving the Law of the Church.

Pretensions of a Woman to Revelations, etc.

A Special Conference, 3rd-6th of June.

{XIV} CHAPTER XIV.

Effort to Overwhelm the Church By Falsehood--Sundry Revelations Leading to Doctrinal Development.

Efforts Through the Press to Retard the Work.

The Gifts of the Holy Ghost.

John Whitmer Appointed Historian.

On the Purchase of Land in Ohio.

The Shaking Quakers.

Inquiry on Spiritual Manifestations.

Arrival in Ohio of the New York Saints.

CHAPTER XV.

The Important conference of June 3rd-6th--Arrival of the Elders in Western Missouri.

Important Conference of June 3rd-6th at Kirtland.

Difficulty in the Thompson Branch.

Report of Oliver Cowdery on Conditions on Western Missouri.

Marsh and Thayre Separated as Missionary Companions.

Departure of the Prophets and Company for Missouri.

Treatment by the Way.

Arrival in Missouri.

Questions and the Answer by Revelation.

The First Sabbath in Zion.

Arrival of the Colesville Branch.