Chapter I: Preface

Joseph and Hyrum are now dead; but like the first martyr they yet speak. Their united voice is one of testimony, admonition and warning to the world.

They lived men of God. They died pure and holy, sealing their testimony with their blood.

No men ever suffered greater persecution than they: no men were ever less understood by their generation.

It is in the hope that the Saints may find joy in reading of their beloved Prophet and Patriarch, and that the world may judge more fairly of these benefactors of mankind, that this book is written.

To the Author its preparation has been a loving duty. In the midst of a somewhat busy and laborious life, he has found comfort in the contemplation of this great subject. The closing chapters, detailing the final sufferings upon earth of the Prophet of God and his ever-constant brother, were finished in prison for adherence to the principles which they taught, and for this, the Life is invested with a dearer regard. To send the work away now is like being torn from a beloved companion, when most the solace of his friendly presence is needed.

In some respects this volume may be imperfect; the circumstances which surrounded its preparation were not favorable to the collection and arrangement of materials, but it is believed to be truthful and just.

To many friends the Author is indebted for information here embodied; and he takes this occasion to thank them, hoping to live yet to meet them and express his gratitude in the flesh.

That the sublime example and inspired teachings of Joseph the Prophet of the last Dispensation, may be of eternal benefit to all who read this Life, is the heart-felt wish of

THE AUTHOR.

Utah Penitentiary, October 1, 1888.

CONTENTS.

The Life of Joseph Smith the Prophet

Preface

The Ripened Time

The Apostasy and the Restoration

Joseph Smith at Nauvoo

The "Choice Seer"

CHAPTER I.

Joseph's Humble Extraction--The Godliness and Fair Fame of His Ancestry--A Premonition of His Work

CHAPTER II.

Birth of Joseph--Family Circumstances--Toil and Poverty--Removal to New York--Intense Religious Excitement

CHAPTER III.

Light from the Scriptures--The Prayer and its Answer--"This is my Beloved Son: Hear Him"--Persecution and Scoffing of the Multitude--Joseph Doubts Himself and Supplicates for Renewed Help

CHAPTER IV.

The Angel Moroni Visits Joseph Thrice in One Night--A Record to be brought forth--vision of Cumorah

CHAPTER V.

A Mid-day Visitation--Joseph Confides in His Earthly Father--Cumorah and the Sacred Box--A New Probation is Fixed--Successive Visits and Ministrations of the Angel--Joseph's Growth in Godliness

CHAPTER VI.

Joseph's Willing Toil--Four Years of Waiting--He Finds Work in Pennsylvania--His Marriage with Emma Hale--The Probation Completed

CHAPTER VII.

Final Visit to Cumorah--Delivery of the Plates by the Angel Moroni--Solemn Caution to Joseph--Attacks by Assassins and Robbers--Poverty and Persecution--Help from Martin Harris--Removal to Pennsylvania