JOSEPH SMITH SR. IMPRISONED FOR HIS FAITH (Compiled and written by David Kenison, Orem, Utah, [email protected]) The summer of 1830, following the organization of the Church, brought further particularly for the Smith family. Joseph Smith, Sr., father of the Prophet, was one of his On one occasion that fall, he was at home with his wife Lucy, and had been “rather ill.” A neighbors came to call, mostly critical of the reputation of the Smith family. One “Quaker came with a note for a fourteen-dollar debt owed him by Joseph Sr., demanding payment, apparently was not in great need of the money. Father Smith offered to pay the man six was all he had, and arrange to get the rest as soon as possible. According to Lucy, the Quaker man responded, “No, I will not wait one hour; and if thou pay me immediately, thou shalt go forthwith to the jail, unless (running to the fireplace and violent gestures with his hands towards the fire) thou wilt burn up those Books of wilt burn them up, then I will forgive thee the whole debt.” Mr. Smith emphatically declined the offer to free himself of the debt by destroying the Lucy offered the creditor a gold bead necklace, which he also refused.
Lucy bore a reply: “Now, here, sir,” I replied, “just look at yourself as you are. Because God has raised to bring forth a book, which was written for the salvation of the souls of men, for the soul as well as mine, you have come here to distress me by taking my husband to jail; and by this, that you will compel us to deny the work of God and destroy a book which was the gift and power of God. But, sir, we shall not burn the Book of Mormon, nor deny the A constable was waiting outside the door, and though he was quite sick, the father of the was ordered into a wagon to be taken to jail. To add insult to injury, while Joseph waited sun, “faint and sick,” the constable came back to the house and ate the food Lucy had her weakened husband. They then departed for Canadaigua, a nearby city, leaving Lucy small daughter, as all her sons were absent on business or missions. Joseph was verbally abused the whole way, told that if he would only deny his testimony of Mormon, he would be freed and have the debt excused. He made no reply. When they Canadaigua he was confined in a dungeon with a convicted murderer. Joseph said later, “I when I first heard these heavy doors creaking upon their hinges; but then I thought to not the first man who had been imprisoned for the truth’s sake; and when I should meet Paradise of God, I could tell him that I, too, had been in bonds for the Gospel which he preached.
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And this has been my only consolation.” He was confined for four days with only a bowl of weak broth to eat before his son to plead for his release. He was forced to remain in the city for a month working at a to repay the debt. During that month, he took time off to preach on Sundays, and baptized (See Lucy Mack Smith, _History of Joseph Smith_, pp. 179-186) —————————————————————– Copyright 1998, David Kenison and LDS-Gems, [email protected] Distributed on the Internet via the LDS-Gems listserver; for more information, see: http://www.xmission.com/~dkenison/lds/ch_hist/ – Vivian M. Adams is a gospel doctrine teacher in the Monument Park 16th Ward, Salt – This is the first in a series of articles, to be published weekly through July 2, marking the anniversary of the martyrdom of the Prophet Joseph Smith and his brother, Hyrum. The killed by a mob at Carthage Jail in Carthage, Ill., on June 27, 1844. When I was a child my father, Bruce R. McConkie, directed that our Sunday School and meeting talks center on the restoration of the gospel through the Prophet Joseph Smith.
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Joseph Joseph was born in the royal line of King David, but in his time the descendants of David no longer held power or wealth. He left his ancestral home of Bethlehem in Judea to become a builder and carpenter in the town of Nazareth in Galilee. There he met Maryland became engaged to her. When she became pregnant before their marriage, he was uncertain as to what he should do. He finally ...
I well how many times he recited to us the words: “Joseph Smith, the Prophet and Seer of has done more, save Jesus only, for the salvation of men in this world, than any other man When we visited our mother’s father, Joseph Fielding Smith, he would on occasion show pocket watch which had belonged to the Prophet and which had come to him by way of Joseph F. Smith, who was the son of Hyrum. Grandfather had a beautiful chair that had Hyrum, the Prophet’s older brother. The frame was exquisitely carved, and it was The Prophet owned a companion chair which is now in the bedroom of the Mansion Nauvoo, Ill. We thought sitting in Hyrum’s chair to be a great honor. These tangible things link for us with the reality of the Prophet’s life. Of greater impact than the artifacts, however, was the deep and abiding testimony that my father and my grandfather; my mother, Amelia Smith McConkie; and those who our youth. It was their testimony as it is now ours, that Joseph Smith was sent into the the greatest of all gospel dispensations, a work which he began in his youth, and to which the Church are by covenant committed to uphold and sustain. The Prophet Joseph was foreordained in premortal councils specifically to lay the great latter-day work, to build temples, and to provide ordinances for the redemption of (D&C 138:53.) He was among the noble and great, chosen to be rulers in the Church of in premortal existence that he first received lessons concerning his work and was prepared forth and labor “for the salvation of the souls of men.” (D&C 138: 53-56.) My father Joseph was one of a select group who stood “in intelligence and power and might next to T So vital was his mission that all prophets knew and testified of it. (Acts 3: 19-21.) exception of Christ and His atoning sacrifice, there is no subject receiving more prophetic than that of the restoration Joseph was to head. Isaiah’s profuse utterances concerning this work have earned him a title as a prophet of the restoration. (See Isa. 11; 29; and 2 Ne. was told that Joseph would be “like unto thee.” (Moses 1:41.) Joseph in ancient Egypt Joseph Smith should come through his loins, that “his name shall be called after me, and be after the name of his father. And he shall be like unto me.” (2 Ne. 3: 15.) This child of promise was born to humble circumstances on a farm belonging to his Solomon Mack, in Sharon, Windsor County, Vt. His mother wrote of his birth, “We had a whom we called Joseph, after the name of his father; he was born December 23, 1805.”2 words were the echo of prophecy and reveal the spiritual sensitivity of the Prophet’s The Lord had, in fact, been watching over the Prophet’s progenitors for many generations. Young taught, “The Lord had his eye upon him, and upon his father, and upon his fathers, their progenitors . . . to Adam.”3 When the Restoration occurred, the Prophet’s family ready to receive the gospel and support him in his call. The Prophet’s parents, Joseph Smith Sr. and Lucy Mack Smith, were of Pilgrim-Puritan ancestors were patriots to the bone, many having fought for American independence. The grandfather, Asael Smith, supposed the newly framed Constitution of the United States to stone cut out of the mountain without hands,” and directed his children to hold it as a Though deeply religious, the Prophet’s ancestors did not particularly conform to the religious systems of New England. Many of the Prophet’s ancestors believed there had universal apostasy which required a universal restoration. Grandfather Asael “had a habit and writing about gospel themes – the Restoration in particular.”5 He predicted “there prophet raised up in his family” who would do a work that would “revolutionize the of Church, hereafter HC) 2:443; Journal of Discourses 5:102.) The Prophet’s father, Joseph Smith Sr., was tall and vigorous, cheerful by nature, and integrity – an acknowledged Smith trait. The Prophet wrote that his father “stood six feet inches high, was very straight and remarkably well proportioned. His ordinary weight was pounds, and he was very strong and active. In his younger days he was famed as a Jacob-like, he never wrestled with but one man whom he could not throw.” (HC 4:191.) occasion the Prophet said his father possessed a holy and virtuous mind and that he mean act, that might be said to be ungenerous in his life.”6 The Prophet’s Mother, Lucy Mack, was small in stature, not five feet tall, judging by the wore. She was “possessed of a high sense of duty,” a woman of action who “sometimes weighty matters into her own hands and carried them through to successful completion.”7 Prophet declared his mother to be “filled with benevolence and philanthropy.” (Teachings, Lucy had little of this world’s substance, yet her home was open to all in need. A grandson “there never was a more earnest and social body than Mother Smith.”8 As with his father, the Prophet’s mother was fore-chosen by the Lord. During her Nauvoo Lucy Mack Smith reported a vision in which she was told, “Thou art a mother in Israel. arose and said in eternity, that it would take a body to be a mother to theT Prophet who should be raised up to save the last dispensation.”9 Spiritual matters were of first concern to Joseph Sr. and Lucy Mack Smith. “I was born . . goodly parents,” the Prophet wrote, “who spared no pains to instructing me in theT Christian religion.”10 The family met morning and evening for prayer, hymns, and reading. At times Joseph Sr. taught his nine children “in his own home school and used text.11 My father’s religious habits were strictly pious and moral,” Joseph’s younger reported.12 His mother, he said, “made use of every means which her parental love could to get us engaged in seeking for our soul’s salvation.”13 “Father used to carry his vest pocket,” William recalled, “and when us boys saw him feel for his specs we knew that Neither Joseph Sr. nor Lucy believed in the religious sects of the day. Lucy wrote that her “contended for the ancient order as established by our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and Apostles.”15 William noted that Father Smith had “faith in the universal restoration Lucy’s views paralleled her husband’s, yet she wished to do what she could with what she what she knew. She desired baptism because the scriptures taught it. She urged Church Joseph Sr., skeptical of clergy and doctrine, remained aloof. A significant stress developed Smith household on the approach to conventional religion. In 1811, the Prophet’s father had the first of seven dreams apparently received by way of for the restoration to come. In each, he seemed on the verge of salvation but it was just reach. Joseph Sr. shared these experiences with Lucy, and possibly others in the family of these visions. All were aware of his feelings. The early family training and the family dilemma left an indelible print. “There never was a were so obedient as mine,” Lucy said.17 Young Joseph had learned the principle of prayer believed implicitly in the word of God. His mother described Joseph as quiet and well to meditation and study. He indicated that on occasion he took his books to study in the Joseph also began to ponder the questions of salvation and authority. Father and Mother Smith having provided the rudiments, the Lord now brought Joseph to the revivals, and the Sacred Grove. The Smith family came to Palmyra, Ontario County, 10th year of Joseph’s age. They arrived, Lucy said, “with a small portion of our affects, As the family prospered they moved to Manchester in the same county. Sometime during year in Manchester, the surrounding country erupted in religious excitement. Competing meetings “caused no small stir and division amongst the people.” “Great multitudes,” the later wrote, united with one sect or another. (JS-History 1:3-5.) Joseph attended these yearned “to feel and shout like the others but could feel nothing.”21 The revivals provided of words and a tumult of opinion which “exceedingly distressed” young Joseph’s mind. He uneasy, his feelings “deep and often poignant.” (JS-History 1:8.) “I felt to mourn for my he wrote, “and for the sins of the world.” His anxiety took him to the scriptures, taught, that they contained the word of God.”22 Words from James struck Joseph with great force: “If any of you lack wisdom,” Joseph him ask of God, which giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given (James 1:5.) Joseph determined to do as James directed. On a spring morning in 1820, he place in the woods where his father had a clearing and where he had left his ax in a stump had quit work.23 There he knelt and offered up the desires of his heart to God. “Then followed the most glorious vision of which we have record in the entire history of dealings with men – the personal appearance of the Father and the Son, and the in of the greatest of all dispensations, the dispensation of the Fulness of Times. The mission and ministry of that prophet who was to do more, `save Jesus only, for the this world, than any other man that ever lived in it’ had commenced.” An obscure boy in his 15th year walked from the grove knowing more about God than any living. Joseph’s mind was “satisfied” with respect to religion; he was filled, he said, with a love and joy.26 He had seen and heard for himself. Joseph was told that the fulness of the would be made known unto him and that “he would be an instrument in laying the kingdom of God.”26 He took the message the Lord had communicated to him home to his What Joseph’s spiritual thoughts and feelings were immediately following the First Vision know. We do know that he continued to labor with his father and brothers to obtain a maintenance. We also know that he was very much a boy. We also know that on Sunday, 1823, after much reflection he sought the Lord as to his “state and standing.” (JS-History At this point of readiness the Angel Moroni appeared to the young prophet and began a was intense and systematic. Moroni told Joseph the Lord had a work for him to do, and name would be had for good and evil among all nations, kindreds, and tongues. Joseph scriptural overview of the work he was to perform. He was informed of a book written on which contained “the fulness of the everlasting gospel.” (JS-History 1:34.) Joseph was to The angel repeated this same message three times that night and again the following day. was etched on his soul. Joseph called these visions “interviews,” suggesting an exchange ensuring that a 17-year-old boy understood what he was being taught. In the four years reported to the Hill Cumorah, where Moroni instructed him in “what the Lord was going how and in what manner his kingdom was to be conducted in the last days.” (JS History Joseph wrote that he received many visits from the angels of God prior to receiving the 537.) President John Taylor and Elder George Q. Cannon remarked that Nephi, Alma and ancient prophets and “apostles that lived on this continent came to him.”27 When Joseph his vision of Moroni to his family they felt it to be “something upon which we could stay In family gatherings Joseph described in detail ancient American inhabitants and their these meetings, Lucy said, “the sweetest union and happiness pervaded our h0ouse.”28 In spite of these happy scenes, Joseph found himself in hand-to-hand combat with Satan his infancy. The adversary had endeavored to destroy Joseph in the grove. A bitter followed the First Vision. Moroni warned Joseph that as his work commenced men would “destroy your reputation, and also will seek to take your life.”29 Joseph’s work was to mental and physical power he possessed. He was to be tested and tried. Joseph, his mother must not only be willing, but able to do the work.30 The work which Joseph Smith began in his youth is even now proceeding to the ends of just as Moroni outlined on that early September night. Joseph’s subsequent revelations first. The fulness promised in the First Vision included the building of temples and the ordinances for the living and dead. The completion of Joseph’s work required his life. In the days of Joseph Smith many converts recognized him at first sight, perhaps because premortal promises. Scripture tells us that Hyrum, Brigham Young, John Taylor, Wilford and other spirits came to the earth with Joseph to assist him. (D&C 138: 53.) As Church members we, by covenant, are also committed to sustain his work, to build on foundation he laid. Were we not reserved for this work we would not be where we are at As the Prophet’s father approached the end of his life, he blessed his son with these words: hast been called, even in thy youth to the great work of the Lord; to do a work inthis which no other man could do as thyself . . . . From thy childhood thou hast meditated God’sT law. Thou hast suffered much in thy youth . . . . Thou hast been an obedient great was this son, how great his obedience, how great was his work. 1Bruce R. McConkie, “A Revealer of Christ,” fireside address in the Marriott Center at 2Preston Nibley, ed., The History of the Prophet Joseph Smith by His Mother Lucy Mack Bookcraft, Salt Lake City, 1958, p. 46. 3Ivan J. Barrett, Joseph Smith and the Restoration, Brigham University Press, 1982, pp. 4Joseph Fielding Smith, The Life of Joseph F. Smith, Deseret News Press, 1938, p. 27. 5Mark L. McConkie, The Father of the Prophet, Bookcraft, Salt Lake City, 1993, p. 33. 7Journal of History, XII, p. 108; Mary Audentia Smith Anderson, Ancestry and Posterity 9The Father of the Prophet, p. 175 n 21. 10The Papers of Joseph Smith, Dean C. Jessee, ed., Deseret Book Company, Salt Lake 11The Father of the Prophet, p. I 1. 13Richard Bushman, Joseph Smith and the Beginnings of Mormonism, The University of Press, Urbana and Chicago, 1988, p. 39. 15The History of the Prophet Joseph Smith by His Mother Lucy Mack Smith, p. 46. 16The Father of the Prophet, p. 172 n 35. 17“Lucy Mack Smith,” Encyclopedia of Mormonism, Ludlow, Daniel H., ed. McMillan Company, New York, 1992, Vol. 3, p. 1356. 18History of the Prophet, p. 67 and 82. 19Joseph Smith and the Restoration, p. 43. 20The History of the Prophet Joseph Smith by His Mother, Lucy Mack Smith, p. 63. 21Joseph Smith and the Beginnings of Momonism, p. 6. 22The Papers of Joseph Smith, pp. 5-6; 125. 23See JS History 1: 11-15; Joseph Smith and The Beginnings of Mormonism, p.4. 24Bruce R McConkie. Doctrinal New Testament Commentary, Bookcraft, Salt Lake City, 25JS-History 1: 26; and see The Papers of Joseph Smith, p. 7. 26HC 4:537 and see Larry C. Porter and Susan Easton Black, eds., The Prophet Joseph, the Life and Mission of Joseph Smith, Deseret Book, Salt Lake City, 1988, p. 3 1. 27Joseph Smith and the Restoration, p. 73 n. 28The History of Joseph Smith, p. 83. 29Joseph F. McConkie, Sustaining and Defending the Faith, Bookcraft, Salt Lake City, 31The Prophet Joseph, Essays on the Life and Mission of Joseph Smith, p. 138. Moroni, the last Nephite prophet, his up a record of his people written on plates of gold in a stone box and buried it in the earth. Fourteen-year-old Joseph Smith was visited by God the Father and Jesus Christ the Son in a grove near his fathers farm in Palmyra, New York. They came in answer to 1823: September 21-22 Joseph’s First Interview with Moroni Late in the evening on Sunday, 21 September, seventeen-year-old Joseph, concerned about his standing before the Lord, prayed earnestly for forgiveness of his sins full expecting another divine manifestation. In answer to his prayer the resurrected being, Moroni, visited Joseph in his room. He described to Joseph the appearance, contents, purpose, and exact location of the record that he had buried over 1400 years earlier. Joseph was to translate and publish this record. Moroni quoted many scriptures by Biblical prophets concerning the preparations in the last days for the Second Coming of Christ. Moroni returned 2 more times that night and repeated to Joseph the exact message given the on the first visit, adding information each time. On the last visit, Joseph is instructed that his only purpose for obtaining this record must be to glorify God. These interviews lasted most of the night and at the end of his third visit, Joseph heard the rooster crow. JS-H 1:27-47 Joseph arose as usual to perform his labors on the farm but was so weak from the experience of the night before that his father sent him home. On his way home, Joseph collapsed. Upon hearing his name, Joseph opened his eyes to see Moroni, standing above him in the air. Moroni repeated his message to Joseph for the 4th time and told him to tell his father of the vision. Joseph did so and his father urged him to follow Moroni’s instructions. Joseph immediately traveled the three miles from his home to the location on the Hill Cumorah that he had seen so clearly in vision. Upon his arrival, Joseph pried off the large stone that served as a lid for the box which contained the While travelling, Joseph’s mind had been occupied with thoughts that so much gold would “raise him above a level with the common earthly fortunes of his fellow men, and relieve his family from want” (Oliver Cowdery, Messenger and Advocate, July 1835, p. 157) As he reached for the plates he received a shock and could not remove the plates from the box. Each subsequent attempt produced the same results until, after his third attempt he cried out, “Why can I not obtain this book?” Moroni then appeared and told him that he could not obtain the plates because he had yielded to the temptations of Satan to het them for riches rather than for God’s glory as he had been commanded. Repentant, Joseph sought the Lord in prayer and was filled with the Spirit. A vision was opened and the “glory of the Lord shone round about and rested upon him… He beheld the prince of darkness… The heavenly messenger [Moroni] said, ‘All this is shown, the good and the evil, the holy and impure, the glory of God and the power of darkness, that you may know hereafter the two powers and never be influenced or overcome by that wiched one… You now see why you could not obtain this record; that the commandment was strict, that if ever these sacred things are obtained they must be by prayer and faithfulness in obeying the Lord. They are not deposited here for the sake of accumulating gain and wealth for the glory of this world: they were sealed by the payer of faith, and because of the knowledge which they contain they are of nor worth among the children of men, only for their knowledge.'” (Cowdery, Oct 1835, p 198) Moroni finished by telling the 17-year-old Joseph that he would not be able to get the plates “until he had learned to keep the commandment of God — not only till he was willing but able to do it… The ensuing evening, when the family were altogether, Joseph made known to them all that he had communicated to his father in the field, and also of his finding the record, as well as what passed between him and the angel while he was at the place where the plates were deposited.” Lucy Mack Smith, The History of Joseph Smith, ed. Preston Nibley (Salt Lake City:Bookcraft, 1958), p 81 Alvin Smith, Joseph’s oldest brother, died after 4 days of illness. Joseph and Hyrum, his brother, scouted the countryside for work to support the family, continued the work of building the new Smith home, and prepared for Hyrum’s upcoming marriage to Jerusha Barden. This year brought some great religious revivals to Palmyra. Joseph’s mother attempted to persuade Joseph to attend a few meetings but he insisted that “he could learn more in the woods from the Bible than from any number of meetings.” Bushman, Beginnings of Mormonism, p 65 1824: September 22 Joseph’s Second Interview with Moroni Joseph Smith returned to Cumorah for his interview with Moroni and to obtain the plates. He was able to remove the plates from the box and after setting them down, he looked back into the box to see if there was anything else he should remove. When he turned back, the plates were gone. As Joseph prayed to find out why they were taken, the angel Moroni appeared and reminded Joseph that he was not to put the plates for even a moment out of his hands until he had gotten them home and deposited them in a strongbox with a good lock. He was again permitted to peer into the box and saw the plates resting securely inside. Joseph wept as he returned home to share his disappointing experience but was comforted by his family. 1825: September 22 Joseph’s Third Interview with Moroni Joseph received “instruction and intelligence… respecting what the Lord was going to do, and how and in what manner his kingdom was to conducted in the last days”JS-H Joseph and his father traveled to South Bainbridge, NY to work for Josiah Stowell. While boarding with the Hales, Joseph Smith met his future wife, Emma Hale. Because of financial need, Joseph and his father agreed to search for buried treasure for Mr. Stowell. After a month without success, they convinced Josiah Stowell to stop digging and they returned home. Upon their arrival, the Smith’s lost their farm to Lemuel Durfee, Joseph Smith was arrested upon complaint of Mr. Stowell’s nephew. Josiah and his daughters testified in behalf of Joseph’s character but he was still convicted though “designedly allowed to escape” because of his youth. (A.W. Benton letter in Evangelical Magazine and Gospel Asvocate, 9 April 1831, p 120) Joseph, having learned his lesson, completely forsakes any form of treasure hunting. Richard Lloyd Anderson, “The Mature Joseph and Treasure Seeking,” BYU Studies 24[Fall Joseph returns home to work at home and prepare for his upcoming interview. 1826: September 22 Joseph’s Fourth Interview with Moroni The angel Moroni told Joseph that he could receive the record the following September if he brought with him the right person. By revelation, Joseph determined the right person was Emma Hale. “Joseph Knight’s Recollection,” p31 Joseph returns to South Bainbridge and was married to Emma Hale on January 18 by the Justice of the Peace. Because her father would not consent to the marriage, Joseph and Emma eloped. A few months after the marriage, Joseph went to Manchester on business for his father. He was expected back by six in the evening but he did not return till after nine. He told his family that on his way home as he passed the Hill Cumorah, Moroni had appeared and chastised him severally. Moroni told him that he “had not been engaged enough in the work of the Lord; that the time had come for the record to be brought forth and that I [Joseph] must be up and going and set myself about the things which God had commanded me to do” Lucy Smith, History of Joseph Smith, p 1827: September 21-22 Joseph’s Fifth Interview with Moroni
The Term Paper on Mormonism Joseph Smith
... being who said his name was Moroni. It was Moroni who told Joseph Smith where the gold leaves or ... existed in the Primitive Church, viz. , apostles, prophets, pastors, teachers, evangelists, etc. 7. We believe in ... 1. We believe in God, the Eternal Father, and in His Son, Jesus Christ, and ... fact about Mormonism is their tremendous missionary work. Most Christian missionaries believe in ministering to ...
