Chapter VIII

Joseph Copies and Translates from the Plates--Martin Harris Again Comes Opportunely--Professor Anthon and the Characters--Martin's Labors as a Scribe--His Broken Trust--The Translation Lost to Joseph--The Prophet Punished for Willfulness

CHAPTER IX.

Oliver Cowdery is Sent of Heaven to Aid the Prophet--The Aaronic Priesthood is Brought to Earth by Christ's Forerunner--First Baptism of This Dispensation

CHAPTER X.

The Prophet's Brother Samuel Baptized by Oliver--Renewed Danger to the Work--Help From Fayette--Miraculous Interposition to Aid David Whitmer--Hyrum Smith and Others Believe and are Baptized

CHAPTER XI.

Eleven Chosen Witnesses View the Plates--Their Unimpeachable Testimony --Restoration of the Melchisedec Priesthood by Disciples of our Lord--The Apostleship Conferred--Other Baptisms--The Translation Completed

CHAPTER XII.

Organization of the Church at Fayette--Review of the Prophet's Labors--His Unpretentious Character--The Courage which Animated Him was shared by his Associates--The Witnesses and Early Members of the Church

CHAPTER XIII.

The All-Comprehending Character of Joseph's Inspiration--First Public Meeting of the Church after Organization--Believers Asking Baptism--Mobs seeking the Life or the Liberty of the Prophet--Twice Arrested and Acquitted--Joseph's Lawyer Hears a Mysterious Voice--Copying the Revelations

CHAPTER XIV.

Dissensions Within the Fold--Oliver Cowdery and Hiram Page Lead the Whitmer's Astray--Mobs at Colesville and Persecution at Harmony--Isaac Hale and his Family Oppose Joseph--The Prophet Removes to Fayette--Prophetic Outline of the Gathering

CHAPTER XV.

The Second Conference of the Church--Harmony and Love Among the Elders--Accessions to the Congregation--the Mission to the Lamanites--Individual Revelations--God's Chosen Servants in Missouri

CHAPTER XVI.

Sidney Rigdon and Edward Partridge Join the Church--Joseph Commences the Translation of the Scriptures--Saints Commanded to Gather at Ohio--Joseph Migrates from New York--The Kirtland Saints Fall into Error--God's Power Manifested--Important Revelations

CHAPTER XVII.

Fourth General Conference--God Designates Missouri as the Place of Holding the Next Conference--Transgression of the Thompson Branch--Joseph Goes to the Place of the New Jerusalem

CHAPTER XVIII.

On the Borders of the Wilderness--Laying the First Log--Dedication and Consecration of the Land of Zion and the Temple Site--Back to Civilization--Sign Seeking and Violence

CHAPTER XIX.

A Methodist Priest Converted by a Miracle--Wants Power to Smite--The Prophet at Hiram Engaged in Translating--Order for Publication of the "Evening and Morning Star"--Man-made Commandments

CHAPTER XX.

A Night of Fury--The Murderous Mob at Hiram--Joseph Dragged from his Bed, and is Stripped, Bruised and Almost Slain by a Profane and Drunken Crowd Led by Apostates and Sectarian Ministers

CHAPTER XXI.

Departure of the Prophet from Hiram for the Consecrated Land in Missouri--Accepted as the President of the High Priesthood--Returning from Zion, an attempt is made to Poison Him--Saved Under Bishop Whitney's Administration

CHAPTER XXII.

Brigham Young Receives the Gospel--His Memorable Meeting with the Prophet--His Constant devotion--"That Man will yet Preside over the Church"--A Revelation on Priesthood--Joseph Visits the Eastern States--His Numerous Labors--Prophecy Concerning the Civil War--Its Subsequent Fulfillment

CHAPTER XXIII.

Organization of the School of the Prophets--The Translation of the Scriptures--The Word of Wisdom Revealed--Joseph Selects Counselors--The Savior and Angels Appear after the Ordination--Lands Purchased in and around Kirtland

CHAPTER XXIV.

Threats of a Mob of Three Hundred at Independence--Purity Required of Church Members--Excommunication of Dr. P. Hurlbert--His Threats Against the Prophet--Pixley Joins the Mob--His Malicious Falsehoods--Meeting of a Base Element--Wicked Determinations--Destruction of the Saints' Printing Establishment--W. W. Phelps Driven from Home--Bishop Partridge and Elder Allen Tarred and Feathered--"You Must Leave the Country"--Another Meeting of the Enemy--The Saints Agree to Leave Jackson County

CHAPTER XXV.

The Corner Stone of the Kirtland Temple Laid--A Printing Establishment Opened--The Prophet's Mission to Canada--A Minister's Opposition--Baptisms--Persecutions at Kirtland--Wilford Woodruff Receives the Gospel

CHAPTER XXVI.

The Jackson County Persecutions--Appeal to Governor Dunklin--His Timid Reply--Heartless Drivings--A Brutal Murder--Boggs Allows the Mob to Organize as a Militia--Pitcher Placed in Command--Certain Men Taken in Custody by the Mob--Settlement in Clay County--Court of Inquiry

CHAPTER XXVII.

Hurlbert's Efforts to Destroy Joseph--High Councils Organized--The Camp of Zion--A Hard Journey--Rattlesnakes in Camp--The Prophet's Philosophy--Elder Humphrey's Experience

CHAPTER XXVIII.

Vain Appeal of the Jackson County Saints for Protection--The Approach of Zion's Camp--Attempts to Raise an Opposing Army--James Campbell's Prophecy and its Fulfillment--A Providential Storm--Remarkable Rise of Fishing River--Joseph States the Object of Zion's Camp--A Comforting Revelation

CHAPTER XXIX.

The Scourge of Zion's Camp--Joseph and Hyrum Attacked by Cholera--Their Deliverance--The Camp Disbanded--Threats Against the Prophet--His Fearlessness--Joseph Returns to Kirtland--Sylvester Smith's Charge of Impurity--The Prophet Vindicated--Visit to Michigan--The Law of Tithing

CHAPTER XXX.

The Calling of Christ's Apostles in the Last Dispensation of the Fullness of Times--Duties and Powers of the Twelve--Their Labors in the World--Organization of the Seventies

CHAPTER XXXI.

Joseph as a Restorer as well as a Prophet--The Book of Abraham--Joseph's Growth into Scholarship and Statesmanship--Difficulties with William Smith

CHAPTER XXXII.

Completion and Dedication of the Kirtland Temple--Sublime Visions to the Saints--The Words of the Divine Redeemer--Joseph's Grandmother Visits Him, then Dies in Peace--His Mission to the East

CHAPTER XXXIII.

Clay County Sorrowfully Bids the Saints to Migrate into the Wilderness--Joseph Sends a Dignified Letter to the Citizens--Continuance of Mob Autocracy in Jackson--Dunklin's Helplessness--The Saints Form the New County of Caldwell and Lay Out Far West

CHAPTER XXXIV.

The First Serious Apostasy and the First Great Missionary Movement--Dissensions at Kirtland, and Successful Labors in England--Joseph Meets John Taylor in Canada--Trials and Murderous Mobs at Painesville--The Prophet Wades Through Swamps in the Night, Carrying Sidney upon his back

CHAPTER XXXV.

John Taylor's Brave Defense of Joseph--The Prophet Encounters the Spirit of Apostasy in Missouri--Hyrum in the First Presidency--Brigham Young's Courage and Devotion--Joseph Driven from Kirtland--David W. Patten's Prophetic Objection--Sad Excommunications--Fate of Prominent Men--Adam-ondi-Ahman--The Gathering

CHAPTER XXXVI.

Peniston Arouses a Mob--His Exciting Speech Causes a Cruel Attack upon Twelve Unarmed Brethren--One Hundred and Fifty Mobocrats Drive them from the Polls--Adam Black's Promise--False Charges Against the Saints--The Sheriff of Daviess County Arrests Joseph--Boggs Orders the Raising of the Militia--The Prophet Perceives the Real Object of this Order

CHAPTER XXXVII.

Joseph Volunteers for Trial and Lyman Wight Follows--Beginning the Study of Law--The Trial Before a Coward Judge, with a Perjured Witness--Militia Called Out, but the Mob Practically Defies it--Boggs Continues the Work of Oppression

CHAPTER XXXVIII.

Bombardment of De Witt--Appeal of the Saints to Governor Boggs--His Heartless Reply--Joseph's Presence Encourages the Brethren--The Saints Leave their Possessions in De Witt--They go to Far West--Adam-ondi-Ahman Devastated--The Saints Organize for Defense--Joseph Controls a Mob who Design to Murder Him--Apostasy of Thomas B. Marsh--Death of David W. Patten--"Whatever you do Else, oh Do Not Deny the Faith."

CHAPTER XXXIX.

Boggs Issues an order of Extermination--General Atchison's Threat Against the Tyrant--Avard Organizes the Danites--The Haun's Mill Massacre--Far West Besieged--Three Noble Ones Refuse to Desert their Friends--Colonel Hinkle's Base Treachery--"These are the Prisoners I Agreed to Deliver up"--A Court-martial Sentences Joseph and his Companions to Death--General Doniphan's Noble Action--Demoniac Deeds Enacted in Far West

CHAPTER XL.

The Prophet's Life Saved by the Vanity of Lucas--Farewell of the Prisoners to their Families--On Toward Independence--Continued Ravages at Far West--General Clark's Inhuman Address--The Movement Against Adam-ondi-Ahman

CHAPTER XLI.

Joseph Preaches in Jackson and Fulfills his own Prophecy--Favor in the Eyes of their Captors--Drunken Guards--In Richmond Jail--Majesty in Chains--Clark's Dilemma--The mock Trial--Treason to Believe the Bible--Close of the Year 1838

CHAPTER XLII.

The Pledge for the Poor Saints in Missouri--Brigham Young Driven Forth--Efforts to Secure the Prophet's Release--Removal to Gallatin--Examination of the Case by a Drunken Jury--Wholesale Indictment--Change of Venue to Boone--Escape from Missouri to Illinois

CHAPTER XLIII.

The Exodus Completed--A Fragment of its Agonies--The Woes of a Martyr's Widow, a Type of the General Suffering--Threat that one of Joseph's Prophecies should Fail--But it is Fulfilled by Courageous Apostles--Missouri's Punishment and Atonement

CHAPTER XLIV.

The Location of Commerce--Nauvoo, the Beautiful--Pity from Prominent Men in Illinois--A Day of Miracles--The Prophet Raises the Sick at the Sound of his Voice--Joseph Sounds the Trump of Warning--The Mission of the Apostles--Their Self-sacrifice and Courage--Conference at Commerce

CHAPTER XLV.

Reasons for an Appeal to Washington--Joseph and Companions Depart for the National Capital--The Prophet's Act of Physical Heroism--He sees Ingratitude--Martin Van Buren and Joseph Smith--The Latter's Scorn--Cowardice and Chicanery--"Your Cause is Just, but I can do Nothing for you."

CHAPTER XLVI.

The Mission of the Apostles--Miraculous Opening of their way to the Old World--Ordination of Willard Richards--Special Labors of Each Apostle--The First Immigrants to Zion--Joseph's Letters of Instruction and Comfort to Elders and Saints Abroad

CHAPTER XLVII.

Nauvoo the Beautiful--Events There During the Year 1840--Renewal of Outrages by the Missourians--Death of the Prophet's Father and Edward Partridge--Return of Williams and Phelps--Joseph's Hope for His City--Demand by Governor Boggs for the Prophet and His Brethren

CHAPTER XLVIII.

Joseph Smith at Nauvoo--His Physical and Mental Personality--Views of his Opponent Commentators--Testimony of the Spirit of His Inspiration

CHAPTER XLIX.

Dr. J. C. Bennett Joins the Church--Nauvoo City Chartered--Nauvoo University and Legion Organized--Joseph Smith Commissioned as Lieutenant-General of the State Militia--Temple Site--Dedication of the Temple--An Important Conference

CHAPTER L.

Joseph's Visit to Governor Carlin at Quincy--Arrest on the Old Requisition from Missouri--A Sheriff Nursed by his Prisoner--Judge Douglas Discharges the Prophet on Writ of _Habeas Corpus_--Browning's Eloquent Appeal--Death of Don Carlos Smith--Events at Nauvoo, Closing 1841

CHAPTER LI.

The Power of Human Harmony--Changing Hell to Heaven--Joseph as a Servant--His Sketch of the Church--A Ringing Editorial--Organization of the Relief Society--Bennett Begins his Plots

CHAPTER LII.

Bennett's Impurities--His Cowardly Stab at the Prophet's Name and Life--Fellowship Withdrawn from the Evil-doer--Quoting his own Letters to Injure the Saints--Attempt to Kill Boggs--Absurd Charges Against "The Mormons"--Joseph's Horse, "Joe Duncan"--A Prophecy

CHAPTER LIII.

The Prophet Charged with being an Accessory to the Attempted Assassination of Boggs--Orrin Porter Rockwell Accused of the Crime--The Governor's Requisition--The Arrest--The Prophet's Desire for Peace--Wilson Law's Brave Words--Emma Smith's Noble Appeal to the Governor--Carlin's False Reply--Amasa M. Lyman Ordained an Apostle--Three Hundred and Eighty Faithful Volunteers

CHAPTER LIV.

Attempt to Capture Joseph--Reward Offered--Tricks to Entrap the Prophet--He Submits to Arrest--Visits Governor Ford--His Examination and Release--A Traitor's Threat

CHAPTER LV.

A Breathing Spell--Joseph's Anticipation of his Sacrifice--Many Prophecies and an Important Theological Epoch in the Early Part of 1843--Wrestling and Other Manly Sports--Extracts from his Sermons--Attack on the Nauvoo Charter--The Lull was Brief

CHAPTER LVI.

The Celestial Order of Marriage--Eternity and Plurality of the Covenant--The Revelation Written and Delivered to the High Council--Joseph, Hyrum and Others Obey it

CHAPTER LVII.

An Evil Quartette--Reynolds, Ford, Bennett and Owens--A New Writ--Joseph Kidnapped at Dixon and Threatened with Death--Efforts for Release on _Habeas Corpus_--a Wrestling Match--Entry into Nauvoo--Joseph Released--The Kidnappers ask for a Mob Army--Independence Day at Nauvoo

CHAPTER LVIII.

Growth of Nauvoo--The Mansion--Sidney Rigdon's Recreancy--Mobocratic Conventions at Carthage--Inciting the Missourians to Kidnap--The Prophet Checks a Bombastic Politician--Appeals for Redress--Joy on a Christmas Day--Orrin Porter Rockwell Back from Missouri

CHAPTER LIX.

Joseph Smith for President of the United States--An Inspired Candidate--His Views of the Powers and Policy of the General Government--How the Country could have Saved the Carnage of War

CHAPTER LX.

Pacific Address by the Prophet--The Mob ask God to Bless their Work of Massacre--Looking to the West--A Sublime Sermon--Apostates and their Work--Joseph Indicted for Polygamy

CHAPTER LXI.

The First and Only Issue of the Nauvoo "Expositor"--Its Murderous Purpose--Removal of a Nuisance and Eradication of its Cause--Trial of the Mayor and Others, and Their Acquittal in an Honest Court--Gathering of the Mobs--Threats of Extermination--Nauvoo Under Martial Law

CHAPTER LXII.

Joseph's Dream--His Last Public Address--Consciousness of his Impending Fate--His Love for his Brethren

CHAPTER LXIII.

Pontius Pilate Ford's Entrance upon the Scene at Carthage--The Old Cry of "Crucify!"--Joseph's Final Effort to Avert Danger from Nauvoo--Lack of Faith and Suspicions of Cowardice--A Fatal Blindness--Like a Lamb to the Slaughter--The Arms Demanded--Farewell to Nauvoo--At Carthage

CHAPTER LXIV.

Voluntary Yielding to Process--Joseph and Hyrum Charged with Treason--Ford's Cowardice and Falsehood--In Carthage Jail--The First Day and Night--Preaching to the Guards--Ford Leaves the Martyrs to their Fate

CHAPTER LXV.

Administration of the Holy Endowments--The work of the Closing Months --Union of Satanic Forces Against the Prophet--A Momentary Glance at him Before the Final Hour