The Latter-Day Prophet: History of Joseph Smith Written for Young People — John Shaqi
The Latter-Day Prophet: History of Joseph Smith Written for Young PeopleCannon, George Q. (George Quayle)
History
The Latter-Day Prophet: History of Joseph Smith Written for Young People
Cannon, George Q. (George Quayle)
Smith, Joseph, Jr., 1805-1844 -- Juvenile literature
Early in June, 1829, a young man drove up to Joseph's door after two
days of hard traveling. He said that he had come from Fayette, Seneca
Co., New York, one hundred and fifty miles away, for the purpose of
carrying the Prophet and his companion to Fayette if they wished to
go. He was David Whitmer, son of Peter Whitmer, and his father invited
Joseph to come to their home. They offered him protection and to
provide for his wants while he was working at the translation.
Joseph accepted the invitation and, leaving Emma with her father, he
and Oliver departed with David. Before setting out Joseph asked the
Lord how he should carry the plates. In answer to his prayer Moroni
appeared and took them from him, promising to return them again. When
he reached Fayette the angel visited him in Mr. Whitmer's garden and
gave them over to him.
The translation continued very rapidly, for when Oliver grew tired,
David or his brother John was ready to write at the Prophet's
dictation. When not translating, Joseph and Oliver spent their time in
teaching those who came to listen and in explaining what the Lord had
revealed to them.
There were many serious persons who wished to hear the truth. David
Whitmer had been remarkably aided that he might hasten to bring Joseph
to Fayette. Three strange men were seen scattering the plaster that
David had put in a heap upon one of his fields to fertilize it, and
they did it with more than human skill and speed. In harrowing in wheat
on another field David had done in one day more than he could usually
have done in two or three days. Many in the neighborhood hearing of
this were impressed that the Lord had helped him in bringing the two
young men and believed that they were His servants.
When any person became convinced that the work was divine and desired
to be baptized, that ordinance was performed. Joseph soon had the
pleasure of baptizing his brother Hyrum and David Whitmer, and at the
same time Oliver baptized Peter Whitmer, Junior. Soon there were so
many believers that baptisms were performed nearly every day in Seneca
lake, a beautiful body of water lying on the western border of Seneca
County.
While at work on the translation it was learned that three persons
should be shown the sacred plates in order that their testimony might
be given to the world. Oliver Cowdery, David Whitmer and Martin Harris
begged Joseph to ask the Lord if they could not be the ones. Joseph did
this during the month of June, 1829, and the Lord answered that if they
trusted in His words with full purpose of heart they should be shown
the plates, the breastplate, Urim and Thummim, sword of Laban and the
Liahona, or compass, given to Lehi in the wilderness. Soon after they
all went into the woods to pray that the Lord would show the plates,
which Joseph had given up for the time to the Angel Moroni.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account