Essentials in Church History: A History of the Church from the Birth of Joseph Smith to the Present Time (1922), with Introductory Chapters on the Antiquity of the Gospel and the "Falling Away" — John Shaqi
Essentials in Church History: A History of the Church from the Birth of Joseph Smith to the Present Time (1922), with Introductory Chapters on the Antiquity of the Gospel and the "Falling Away"Smith, Joseph Fielding
History
Essentials in Church History: A History of the Church from the Birth of Joseph Smith to the Present Time (1922), with Introductory Chapters on the Antiquity of the Gospel and the "Falling Away"
Smith, Joseph Fielding
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints -- History
The impression made on the mind of Martin Harris by this interview
resulted in his removal to Harmony to give further aid to Joseph Smith.
He arrived about the 12th of April, 1828, and immediately commenced
to write as the Prophet dictated his translation of the record.
Martin continued in this work until the 14th of June, at which time
one hundred and sixteen pages of manuscript on foolscap paper had
been prepared. Some time after Martin Harris commenced to write he
importuned the Prophet for the privilege of taking the manuscript home
and showing it to some skeptical friends, who had sorely criticized him
for the part he was taking in the work. He was desirous of convincing
them; and they had, without doubt, pleaded with him to do this thing.
Especially had his wife implored him for a look at the manuscript.
The Prophet inquired by Urim and Thummim, and the request of Martin
was denied. However he was not satisfied and importuned and pleaded
with Joseph again to inquire of the Lord. This he did, but the answer
was the same as before. Still Martin implored, and so insistent and
prolonged were his pleadings that Joseph Smith again, the third time,
inquired of the Lord. This time the answer was favorable. The request
was granted on certain positive conditions. Martin was to show the
manuscript to his brother, Preserved Harris, his wife, his father and
mother and his wife's sister, Mrs. Cobb. No other person was to see
the writings. In a most solemn covenant Martin bound himself to this
agreement. When he arrived home, and pressure was brought to bear
upon him, he forgot his solemn oath and permitted others to view the
manuscript, with the result that by stratagem it passed out of his
hands.
The Lord was displeased with Joseph Smith for his constant importuning,
and took from him the Urim and Thummim after the departure of Martin
Harris with the partial translation from the plates. When the fact
was known that Martin had lost the manuscript, the Prophet suffered
the torments of the damned. He found no rest; there was no peace of
conscience. In the bitterness of his soul he feared to approach the
Lord. This condition continued for some time until one day the angel
appeared to him, and returned the Urim and Thummim, that he might
through them receive a revelation from the Lord. (Doc. & Cov. Sec.
3.) In this revelation it was made known that the purposes of the
Lord were not frustrated, but the designs of men. Joseph was soundly
rebuked and warned against yielding to temptation. Nevertheless the
mercy of the Lord was extended to him because of his severe punishment
and sore repentance. After the revelation was received, both the
Urim and Thummim and the plates were taken from him, but in a few
days were restored again. This was the most bitter lesson Joseph
Smith ever received. It seemed necessary to prepare him for the great
responsibilities yet before him.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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