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 spirit of persecution became so strong in Harmony, that Joseph
Smith was forced to leave and take up his residence in Fayette. Even
his father-in-law, Isaac Hale, turned against him because of the
falsehoods which were circulated and the prejudice existing in the
neighborhood. This bitterness he retained throughout his life. In
August, Joseph and Hyrum Smith, with John and David Whitmer, went to
Colesville and visited the members of the Church residing there. They
prayed that the eyes of their enemies might be blinded, for the enmity
in Colesville was extreme. Their prayers were answered, and though they
passed by a number of the most bitter of the mobocrats, who looked
intently upon them, yet they were not recognized. In the evening of
the day of their arrival--a meeting was held and those who had been
previously baptized were all confirmed. They partook of the sacrament,
sang and praised the Lord in testimony without molestation. The next
morning the brethren took leave of the Saints in peace and in due time
arrived home in safety.
Spurious Revelations of Hiram Page
Shortly after Joseph Smith made his home in Fayette, Satan commenced
a subtle attack upon the work within the Church. Hiram Page, one of
the eight witnesses, obtained a stone with which he was receiving
revelations purporting to be for the guidance of the Church; but these
revelations were at variance with those given to Joseph Smith, and also
with the teachings of the Savior and his apostles, as contained in the
New Testament. Oliver Cowdery and members of the Whitmer family were
deceived. Through the Prophet the Lord gave a revelation to Oliver
Cowdery in which the order of heaven, in regard to revelation, was
pointed out for the guidance of the Church. "Behold, verily, verily, I
say unto thee," said the Lord, "no one shall be appointed to receive
commandments and revelations in this Church, excepting my servant
Joseph Smith, Jun., for he receiveth them even as Moses; and thou
shalt be obedient unto the things which I shall give unto him, even
as Aaron, to declare faithfully the commandments and the revelations,
with power and authority in the Church." It was further stated that
there should be none other appointed to receive revelations, until the
Lord should appoint another in his stead, for he held the keys of this
power. Oliver was instructed to take Hiram Page, alone, and tell him
that the revelations he had received were not from the Lord, but were
given through the power of Satan, who had deceived him. Oliver was also
instructed that he was to write by wisdom, but he was not to command
him who was at the head.
The Mission to the Lamanites
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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