As the angel had commanded them, they repaired to the water where Joseph first baptized Oliver and then Oliver baptized Joseph. Immediately after coming out of the water they experienced great and glorious blessings, and being filled with the Holy Spirit, began to prophesy of the coming forth of the Church and the establishment of the great work of the Lord in the latter days. Their minds were now enlightened and the scriptures were opened to their understandings. For the first time in many centuries there now stood on the earth men with power to officiate in baptism for the remission of sin. The fear of opposition compelled them to keep secret the matter of their ordination and baptism, except where they revealed it to a few personal friends, whom they could trust. Restoration of the Melchizedek Priesthood In course of time, and very shortly after the coming of John the Baptist, Joseph and Oliver received the Melchizedek Priesthood from Peter, James and John. The date when this Priesthood was conferred is unknown, but it was only a few days after the first ordination. In a revelation given in 1842 (Doc. & Cov. Sec. 128) we are informed that it was between Harmony, Pennsylvania, and Colesville, New York, on the Susquehanna River, where it was conferred. In another revelation given in September 1830, we are informed that the restoration was under the hands of Peter, James and John, "whom I have sent unto you, by whom I have ordained you and confirmed you to be apostles, and special witnesses of my name" (Doc. and Cov. Sec. 27). Help from Joseph Knight While the work of translating was going on the Lord sent a friend in time of need to give material assistance to Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery. This was Joseph Knight, Sen., of Colesville, Broome County, New York. Having heard of the manner in which Joseph and Oliver were occupying their time, Mr. Knight brought them provisions from time to time, a distance of some thirty miles, and thus enabled them to continue their labor without interruption, which otherwise would have delayed the work. Joseph and Oliver Remove to Fayette It was not destined that the work of translation should go on in Harmony without interruption. Opposition finally made itself manifest and became so strong that even Isaac Hale--a man who believed in justice, law and order, but who did not express much faith in the mission of Joseph Smith--became somewhat bitter in his feelings. The necessity of a change of residence was apparent. Oliver Cowdery wrote to a young friend, David Whitmer of Fayette, New York, with whom he had previously corresponded regarding the coming forth of the Book of Mormon, desiring that he would come and take Joseph and himself to the Whitmer home in Fayette. This David Whitmer consented to do, and the removal was made in June, 1829.