1. This is where Joseph and Emma lived in a small log house in Harmony. Much of the translation of the Book of Mormon took place here.

2. The Cooper Shop

3. Etching located at the Smith Farm in Palmyra

4. The Smith Frame Home

5. Fireplace in the Smith’s Frame Home

6. The Kitchen in the Frame Home

7. The Smith’s Log Home

8. The Smith’s log home

9. Chapter 4 – A Period of Preparation - 1823-29 Joseph, age 14-17 = High School Joseph, age 18-21= College There are 22 known appearances of Moroni to Joseph. There are eight different accounts of the visit of Moroni to Joseph Smith.

10. Concerning Joseph Smith’s life between the time of the First Vision and the appearance of the angel Moroni, Elder Gordon B. Hinckley, then a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, wrote: “His manner of living was not greatly different from that of the ordinary farm boy of his day, except that he was often referred to as a dreamer and was made an object of ridicule. But he continued to work on his father’s farm, to work for others in the area, and to associate with companions of his own age. Those acquainted with him describe him as a strong, active boy of cheerful disposition, who enjoyed wrestling and other sports” (Truth Restored 1947, 7).

11. A comparison of Moroni’s four visits to Joseph Smith on 21-22 September 1823: First visit of the night: Called Joseph by Name. Called Joseph by Name. Introduced himself to Joseph. Introduced himself to Joseph. Told Joseph that God had a work for him to do. Told Joseph that God had a work for him to do. Told Joseph that his name would be known for good and evil among all people. Told Joseph that his name would be known for good and evil among all people. Told Joseph about the Book of Mormon. Told Joseph about the Book of Mormon. Quoted Old and New Testament prophecies regarding the last days. Quoted Old and New Testament prophecies regarding the last days. Quoted many other passages of scripture. Quoted many other passages of scripture. Offered many scriptural explanations. Offered many scriptural explanations. Warned Joseph not to show the plates to anyone unless commanded or he would be destroyed. Warned Joseph not to show the plates to anyone unless commanded or he would be destroyed. Joseph saw in vision the place where the plates were deposited. Joseph saw in vision the place where the plates were deposited.

12. The prophecy given by the angel Moroni was that Joseph’s name “should be had for good and evil among all nations.” The adversary will be doing his relentless part with regard to the negative portion of that prophecy. By word and deed, faithful Church members must see to it that the positive portion is fulfilled (Neal A. Maxwell, But for a Small Moment, 133).

13. Second Visit: Repeated what he said during the first visit “without the least variation.” Repeated what he said during the first visit “without the least variation.” Added that great judgments were coming upon the earth, including desolations such as famine, sword, and pestilence. Added that great judgments were coming upon the earth, including desolations such as famine, sword, and pestilence. Third Visit: Repeated what he had said before. Repeated what he had said before. Added a caution concerning Satan’s temptation to use the gold plates to obtain wealth. Added a caution concerning Satan’s temptation to use the gold plates to obtain wealth. Told Joseph that he must have no other motive than to glorify God and build the kingdom of God. Told Joseph that he must have no other motive than to glorify God and build the kingdom of God.

14. Mormon 8:14-15 This scripture states that no one (including Joseph) would be allowed to get the plates: 1. To “get gain.” 2. “If their eyes were not single to his glory.” Certainly Joseph was honored to be in Moroni’s presence. Moroni would have been honored to be in Joseph’s presence as well. Remember, Joseph is the head of the dispensation of the fullness of times!

15. Fourth Visit: Called Joseph by name. Called Joseph by name. Related all that he had said the night before. Related all that he had said the night before. Commanded him to tell his father of the vision and the commandments he had received. Commanded him to tell his father of the vision and the commandments he had received.

16. Joseph told his father Lucy Mack Smith’s history of this event added the following information: “The messenger whom he saw the previous night, visited him again, and the first thing he said was, ‘why did you not tell your father that which I commanded you to tell him?’ Joseph replied, ‘I was afraid my father would not believe me.’ The angel rejoined, ‘He will believe every word you say to him’” (History of Joseph Smith by His Mother, ed. Preston Nibley (1958), 79).

17. “We live in one of the greatest dispensations of all times --- a time former prophets looked forward to, prophesied of, and, I believe, yearned for. However, with all the heavenly blessings bestowed upon us, Satan, ever so real, ever so active, and conflicting messages are continually bombarding all of us. The angel Moroni warned the young Prophet Joseph Smith that his name would be known for good and evil throughout the world (Joseph Smith History 1:33), and never has the fulfillment of a prophecy been more evident. The Prophet gave his life for his testimony, and the attacks continue today against the Church and even the Savior Himself. The reality of the Savior, His atoning sacrifice, and its universal application for all of us is challenged and often dismissed as a myth or the baseless hope of a weak and uneducated mind. Furthermore, the reality of the Restoration of the gospel in these latter days continues to be challenged. The continual bombardment of such messages may cause confusion, doubt, and pessimism, each attacking the fundamental truths we believe in, our faith in God, and our hope in the future” (Bishop Edgley, “Faith --- The Choice is Yours,” Oct. 2010 General Conference).

18. September 21 st, 1823 During that four year period (college) George Q. Cannon and John Taylor testified that Joseph saw all of the Nephite Prophets (JD vol. 13:47; 17:374-5, 21:94). (D&C 128:21) Joseph could not sleep that night. It was late in the night and he was meditating and pondering about his prayers. He was confident that he would receive another vision.

19. “When Moroni appeared to the Prophet, he said that the stature of his personage was a little above the common size of a man during his time period” (Remember that the Smith men were taller than the normal size). Moroni’s robe was open so that Joseph could see his chest. Cal Stevens thought that it was to teach Joseph Smith about the nature of resurrected beings.

20. Lorenzo Snow one time said that “There is nothing on this earth that is more beautiful to gaze upon than a Celestial, resurrected being.” He should know, he saw several on many different occasions. The prophet on one occasion said that Moroni died and was later resurrected. There is an account from George Laub in Saint George telling that he had heard Joseph Smith say that when Moroni was an old man, four Lamanites came upon him. They had been hunting him from one end of the country to the other. Moroni dispatched the first three, but was so weary that the fourth one killed him.

21. Death of Moroni At a meeting at Spanish Fork, Utah Co., in the winter of 1896, Brother Higginson stated in my presence that Thomas B. Marsh told him that the Prophet Joseph Smith told him (Thomas B. Marsh, he being then President of the Twelve), that he became very anxious to know something of the fate of Moroni, and in answer to prayer the Lord gave Joseph a vision, in which appeared a wild country and on the scene was Moroni after whom were six Indians in pursuit; he stopped and one of the Indians stepped forward and measured swords with him. Moroni smote him and he fell dead; another Indian advanced and contended with him; this Indian also fell by his sword; a third Indian then stepped forth and met the same fate; a fourth afterwards contended with him, but in the struggle with the fourth, Moroni, being exhausted, was killed. Thus ended the life of Moroni (The Fate of Moroni, 1897, Division Archives, Charles David).

22. Moroni in Manti Some members of the Church are aware that at the dedication of the site for the temple in Manti, Utah, the following incident took place. At a conference held in Ephraim, Sanpete County, June 25 th, 1875, nearly all the speakers expressed their feelings to have a temple built in Sanpete County, and gave their views as to what point and where to build it, and to show the union that existed, Elder Daniel H. Wells said “Manti,” George Q. Cannon, Brigham Young, Jr., John Taylor, Orson Hyde, Erastus Snow, Franklin D. Richards, Lorenzo Young, and A.M. Musse said “Manti stone quarry,” I have given the names in the order in which they spoke.

23. At four p.m. that day President Brigham Young said: “The Temple should be built on the Manti stone quarry.” Early on the morning of April 25, 1877, President Brigham Young asked Brother Warren S. Snow to go with him to the Temple hill. Brother Snow said, “We two were alone: President Young took me to the spot where the Temple was to stand; we went to the southeast corner, and President Young said: “Here is the spot where the prophet Moroni stood and dedicated this piece of land for the Temple site, and that is the reason why the location is made here, and we can’t move it from this spot; and if you and I are the only persons that come here at high noon today, we will dedicate this ground” (Whitney, 436, Diary of Charles Lowell Walker).

24. That Moroni dedicated the Manti Temple site is one of the few statements the Brethren have made connecting a Book of Mormon figure with a specific current place and action. This aids us in documenting one of Moroni’s travels and priesthood assignments. Another reference happened when William McBride, patriarch from the Richfield Utah Stake, spoke at a prayer meeting in St. George in January 1881. After recalling many experiences from the Nauvoo period and quoting the Prophet Joseph Smith on many issues, Patriarch McBride referred to the route the old Nephites took traveling to Cumorah from the south and south-west of having to bury their treasures as they journeyed and finally burying the records and precious things in the Hill Cumorah; of Moroni dedicating the Temple site of what we now call St. George, Nauvoo, Jackson Co., Kirtland, and others we know not of as yet (Walker, 2:525-26, Diary of Charles Lowell Walker).

25. Celebration of the 4 th of July An Address by Elder Orson Hyde, delivered in the Tabernacle, Great Salt Lake City, July 4, 1854. It was by the agency of that same angel of God that appeared unto Joseph Smith, and revealed to him the history of the early inhabitants of this country, whose mounds, bones, and fortifications speak from the dust in the ears of the living with the voice of undeniable truth. This same angel presides over the destinies of America, and feels a lively interest in all our doings. He was in the camp at Washington; and, by an invisible hand, led on our fathers to conquest and victory; and all this to open and prepare the way for the Church and kingdom of God to be established on the western hemisphere, for the redemption of Israel and the salvation of the world.

26. This same angel was with Columbus, and gave him deep impressions, by dreams and by visions, respecting this New World. Trammeled by poverty and by an unpopular cause, yet is persevering and unyielding heart would not allow an obstacle in his way too great for him to overcome; and the angel of God helped him --- was with him on the stormy deep, calmed the troubled elements, and guided his frail vessel to the desired haven. Under the guardianship of this same angel, or Prince of America, have the United States grown, increased, and flourished, like the sturdy oak by the rivers of water.

27. Had the United States been as faithful a guardian to the Latter-day Saints as the angel of God has been to them, she would never know dissolution, nor be humbled in dishonor by the decrees of any foreign powers. I ask no earthly being to endorse this my testimony, or to adopt it as his own sentiment. A little time will prove whether Orson Hyde alone has declared it, or whether the heavenly powers will back up this testimony in the faces of all the world. When Justice is satisfied, and the blood of martyrs atoned for, the guardian angel of America will return to his station, resume his charge, and restore the Constitution of our country to the respect and veneration of the people; for it was given by the inspiration of our God.

28. What is the significance of the Bible references Moroni quoted to the Prophet Joseph Smith? Malachi 3 Isaiah 11 Acts 3:22-23 Joel 2:28-32 All of the passages Moroni quoted point to the same theme: The coming forth of the Book of Mormon would initiate a progression of events that would lead to the Second Coming, The wicked will be destroyed and the righteous will reign on the earth with Jesus Christ. In essence, Joseph Smith was being told that the work he was to do would help usher in Christ’s millennial reign and that the Savior’s coming would be “soon.”

29. Do we know what the “other Passages of scripture” were or what other explanations Moroni gave? We gain additional insights on this matter from a letter Oliver Cowdery wrote to William W. Phelps, which contained an account of Moroni’s visit to Joseph Smith: “God has chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; and base things of the world, and things which are despised, has God chosen; yea, and things which are not, to bring to naught things which are, that no flesh should glory in his presence” (I Corinthians 1:27-28) (Latter Day Saints’ Messenger and Advocate, Feb. 1835, 79). In his account, Oliver Cowdery cited Moroni quoting (sometimes only phrases) from Isaiah 28:21; 29:11-14; and John 10:16 (Messenger and Advocate, 79-80).

30. Isaiah 29 Remember that Moroni was quoting Isaiah 29 five years before it was fulfilled. Also, remember that it was not Martin Harris’s idea to take the characters to Charles Anthon and other experts. Joseph sent him to fulfill the prophetic statements of Isaiah. Isaiah 29:4, 11-14, 17-18, 24 And the eyes of the blind shall see out of obscurity, and out of darkness (D&C 1:30). Both President Packer and President Faust are on record as saying that the calling of President Hinckley fulfilled that prophecy.

31. Isaiah 29:11 Joseph sent Sidney Martin Harris to help build his own confidence in translating and to fulfill Isaiah 29. Sidney showed the copy of the characters to three men: Professor Anthon: Knew Greek, not Egyptian. Six years after meeting Martin Harris he told Martin he was being tricked. Dr. Mitchell: He was a genius, many called him a walking dictionary, he remembered everything. Luther Bradish: He was an able linguist.

32. Alvin Smith “Alvin was a faithful and serious young man, and Joseph idolized him. Joseph saw in him a guileless person who lived an upright life. Alvin loved Joseph, too, and was greatly interested in the sacred record. As death neared he counseled Joseph: ‘I want you to be a good boy, and do everything that lies in your power to obtain the record. Be faithful in receiving instruction, and keeping every commandment that is given you’ (Lucy Mack Smith, History of Joseph Smith, 87). They all wondered if Joseph would ever be obedient enough to get the plates.

33. At Alvin’s funeral, Reverend Stockton while preaching the sermon said that Alvin was lost because he had never been baptized. Alvin was buried in the John Swift cemetery (the old cemetery in Palmyra). A year later, rumors circulated that his body had been dug up and mutilated. This rumor bothered Joseph Smith Sr. so much that he took a few men, went to the grave and dug Alvin up to see if anyone had tampered with his body. They found the body in tact and made sure that no one would be able to dig up the body in the future.

34. In October 1825, a man by the name of Josiah Stoal hired the prophet Joseph Smith. Josiah was already acquainted with the Smith family. He was a wealthy man who owned over 600 acres of land. Josiah had a business partner by the name of William Hale. While working for Josiah, Joseph would later meet Emma. This was the period of time when Joseph received the nick-name of being a “money-digger.” Josiah came to Joseph on account of having heard that he possessed certain means by which he could discern things invisible to the natural eye.

35. It was Joseph Smith Jr. who warned Josiah that his digging for treasure would be in vain. Joseph was confident that there wasn’t any treasure to be found. However, Josiah was inflexible in his purpose and offered high wages to those who would dig for him in search of the said mine. Joseph and several others returned with him and commenced digging. After laboring for the older gentleman (Josiah) about a month without success, Joseph prevailed upon him to cease his operations, which Josiah did. Josiah was so impressed with the Smith’s and their work ethic that he later listened to their message about the restored gospel and joined the Church.

36. Emma Smith Emma was born on July 10 th, 1804. She was one of nine children with six brothers and two sisters. Emma was about a year and a half older than Joseph. She was five feet nine inches tall. She had a beautiful form, long dark hair, brown eyes (hazel in other records), a dark complexion (olive).

37. She was meticulous and careful about how she looked. Joseph said that she had “splendid physical development.” She was a school teacher and a hard-line Methodist. She had a beautiful voice and sang in the local choir. A lot of men were interested in her!

38. “Emma was born in Harmony on July 10, 1804. She was reported to have been a beautiful woman, above average in size, dignified in body, with ‘bewitching dark eyes’ and raven hair. She had an attractive personality, intelligent and capable. For one year she attended an academy for girls, where she received training in social behavior. It was said of her that she ‘never used slang and was very particular about her grammar and choice of words.’ She had the reputation of being a meticulous housekeeper and an excellent cook. She, like her mother, was a member of the Methodist Church, had a good singing voice, and sang in the village choir” (Ivan J. Barrett, Joseph Smith and the Restoration).

39. Joseph’s mother, Lucy Mack Smith, wrote: “While Joseph was in the employ of Mr. Stoal, he boarded a short time with one Isaac Hale, and it was during this interval that Joseph became acquainted with his daughter, Miss Emma Hale, to whom he immediately commenced paying his addresses, and was subsequently married….”

40. Joseph called my husband and myself aside and said, “I have been very lonely ever since Alvin died and I have concluded to get married. If you have no objections to my uniting myself in marriage with Miss Emma Hale, she would be my choice in preference to any other woman I have ever seen.” We were pleased with his choice and not only consented to his marrying her, but requested him to bring her home with him and live with us (History of Joseph Smith, 92-93).

41. Emma said, “I preferred him (Joseph) to any other man I knew.” They eloped against the wishes of her parents. She was the daughter of Isaac and Elizabeth Hale. Her family had above average wealth for the time period. Two reasons why Emma’s parents did not care for Joseph: 1. He was a money digger 2. His lack of education

42. Chastised One time coming back from the hill, Joseph was late for supper and his father asked him where he had been and Joseph said that he had just been chastised. Joseph Smith Sr. was outraged and wanted to know who had done such a thing to him. Joseph said “It’s alright father, it was Moroni. “Oh” was the response of his Father.

43. As Joseph was correcting his history he talked about the different visits from heavenly beings in 1823. He referred to Moroni and Nephi and sometimes he could not remember which one had appeared to him. If you or I saw an angel, we most certainly would remember who it was. Joseph was in such constant communion with the people on the other side, that he at times had trouble remembering which one it was that came to him.

44. How long before he would get the plates? Joseph had no idea! We sometimes teach this wrong!

45. As Joseph approached Hill Cumorah, he had thoughts about the poverty of his family and the possibility that the plates or the popularity of the translation would produce enough wealth to ‘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, 198).

46. He saw the plates, the breastplate and the Urim and Thummim in the cement box. Oliver Cowdery later mentioned that with a few more years of erosion to the Hill Cumorah a person would have been able to see the cement box under the rock. Joseph was shocked three times and wondered why he couldn’t get the plates. He was told by Moroni that it was not enough to be willing to keep the commandments, he must demonstrate that he could keep the commandments (Lucy Mack Smith, History of Joseph Smith, 81).

47. The four Visits to Cumorah (College) Visit #1September 21st, 1823 He saw two visions: The “vision of the damned” and “the vision of heaven.” Twenty years later he told his mother in Nauvoo that the vision of the damned was horrible beyond words. He said he saw those who had been overcome by the evil one and turned over to him.

48. Joseph Knight Sr. reported that after this failure to obtain the Nephite record, Joseph asked the angel, “’When can I have it?’ The answer was the 22 nd day of September next (year) if you bring the right person with you. Joseph (asked), ‘Who is the right person?’ The answer was, ‘Your oldest brother,’” meaning Alvin (Dean C. Jessee, “Joseph Knights' Recollection of Early Mormon History,” BYU Studies 17, no. 1 (fall 1976): 31). Katherine Smith reports the same instruction, but she says the Prophet asked the angel “What shall I do?” The angel replied, “Come here the next year at this time and bring your oldest brother with you, and you can receive the records” (Kansas City Times, 11 April 1895).

49. Visit #2 September 22, 1824 When Joseph arrived at the Hill Cumorah, Moroni was not there. He removed the stone, took the plates out of the cement box and placed them by his side. He then took his eyes off of the plates and looked back down into the cement box. He looked back at his side for the plates and discovered they were gone, he couldn’t find them anywhere (heart attack!). He looked back at the depository to find that the rock had been placed back over the cement box. He removed the rock again and looked in the cement box and there were the plates. He reached in to pick the plates up and was hurled violently back on to the ground. What an education!

50. Visits three and four, September 22 nd, 1825-26 There is no information on the 1825-26 visits. We don’t know what happened. We do know that Joseph spent many hours with his family talking about the things he had learned from Moroni and other heavenly messengers relative to the people of the Americas. We do know that Joseph was told to bring the right person to the hill on visit #4. Joseph Knight said that Joseph looked into the seer stone and discovered that the right person was Emma (Wilford Woodruff’s Journal, 18 th May, 1888). By the way, the right person is always your “spouse.” One evening Alvin said, “Now let’s all go to bed because Joseph is tired. Let’s get up a little earlier tomorrow and work a little harder, then Joseph will have more time after supper to tell us about these things.

51. “Long before sunrise on 22 September 1827, Joseph and his wife hitched Joseph Knight’s horse to Josiah Stowell’s spring wagon and traveled the three miles to Hill Cumorah. Leaving Emma at the base, Joseph climbed the hill for his final interview with Moroni. Moroni gave him the plates, the Urim and Thummim, and the Breastplate. It seemed that Joseph was not to receive the plates until he was married.

52. President John Taylor said: “When Joseph Smith was raised up as a Prophet of God, Mormon, Moroni, Nephi and others of the ancient Prophets who formerly lived on this Continent, and Peter and John and others who lived on the Asiatic Continent, came to him and communicated to him certain principles pertaining to the Gospel of the Son of God” (JD, 17:374).

53. Lucy Mack Smith wrote: “During our evening conversations, Joseph would occasionally give us some of the most amusing recitals that could be imagined. He would describe the ancient inhabitants of this continent, their dress, mode of traveling, and the animals upon which they rode; their cities, their buildings, with every particular; their mode of warfare; and also their religious worship. This he would do with as much ease, seemingly, as if he had spent his whole life among them” (History of Joseph Smith, 83).

54. More facts about getting the plates! Joseph Smith Jr. showed his mother the two smooth three-cornered diamonds set in glass, which were set in silver bows connected to each other like old- fashioned spectacles. Joseph said that it seemed that Satan had stirred up the hearts of those who had in any way gotten a hint of the matter, to search into it and make every possible move towards preventing the work..

55. Joseph kept the Urim and Thummim constantly with him, by which he could in a moment tell whether the plates were in danger. When Hyrum came, Joseph requested him to get a chest that had a good lock and key, and to have it at their house when he got home later that night. Willard Chase, a neighboring farmer, along with other treasure seekers, sent for a sorcerer to come and find the place where the plates were hidden.

56. The actual box that the plates were locked in the first night Joseph received them.

57. 14 inches by 16 inches

58. On September 22 nd, 1827 Joseph hid the plates in a log and later brought them to his home to be locked in this box. The pictures of the box are from the Religious Education Archives at BYU.

59. Hyrum delivered the chest and lock that night. When Joseph first took the plates into his hands,the angel of the Lord stood by and said: “Now you have got the record in your own hands, and you are but a man, therefore you will have to be watchful and faithful to your trust, or you will be overpowered by wicked men, for they will lay every plan and scheme that is possible to get them away from you. And if you do not take heed continually, they will succeed. That while they were in my hands I could keep them, and no man had power to take them away. Beware, and look well to your ways, and you shall have power to retain them until the time for them to be translated.”

60. The night Joseph got the plates he fought off three different men during the three mile journey. During the scuffle with the last man he dislocated his thumb which his dad set for him later that evening. Some records indicate that this happened after he had received the plates and while he was working in Macedon. Emma heard of the plot to get the plates and went to Macedon and warned him (History of Joseph Smith, 108). Joseph arrived home speechless, frightened and exhausted.

61. What were the different places the plates were hid? A hollow birch log A hollow birch log A chest in his Father’s home A chest in his Father’s home Beneath the hearthstone of the family living room Beneath the hearthstone of the family living room A pile of flax in the cooper’s loft A pile of flax in the cooper’s loft A barrel of beans A barrel of beans Father Beman’s Ontario glass box Father Beman’s Ontario glass box Emma’s red Morocco trunk Emma’s red Morocco trunk (History of Joseph Smith, 112-13)

62. Heber C. Kimball, who at this time lived just eighteen miles from the Smiths and was yet unaware of the Restoration, later recorded: “I had retired to bed, when John P. Greene, who was living within a hundred steps of my house, came and woke me up, calling upon me to come out and behold the scenery of the heavens. I called my wife Vilate and Sister Fanny Young (sister to Brigham), who was living with us, and we went out of doors. It was one of the most beautiful starlight nights, so clear that we could see to pick up a pin. We looked to the eastern horizon, and beheld a white smoke arise toward the heavens; as it ascended it formed itself into a belt, and made a noise like the sound of a mighty wind, and contained southwest, forming a regular bow dipping in the western horizon. After the bow had formed, it began to widen out and grow clear of transparent, of a bluish cast; it grew wide enough to contain twelve men abreast.

63. “In this bow an army moved, commencing from the east and marching to the west; they continued marching until they reached the western horizon. They moved in platoons, and walked so close that the rear ranks trod in the step of their file leaders, until the whole bow was literally crowded with soldiers. We could distinctly see the muskets, bayonets and knapsacks of the men, who wore caps and feathers like those used by the American soldiers in the last war with Britain; and also their officers with their swords and equipage, and the clashing and jingling of their implements of war, and could discover the forms and features of the men. The most profound order existed throughout the entire army; when the foremost men stepped, every man stepped at the same time; I could hear the steps. When the front rank reached the western horizon a battle ensued, as we could distinctly hear the report of the arms and the rush. “No man could judge of my feelings when I beheld that army of men as plainly as ever I saw armies of men in the flesh; it seemed as though every hair of my head was alive. This scenery we gazed upon for hours, until it began to disappear.

64. “After I became acquainted with Mormonism, I learned that this took place the same evening that Joseph Smith received the records of the Book of Mormon from the angel Moroni” Quoted in Orson F. Whitney, Life of Heber C. Kimball, Collector’s Edition (Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1992, 15- 17). Joseph Knight recorded that Joseph Smith told him that the plates were ten times better than he expected. Joseph described to him the length, width and thickness of the plates. Joseph Knight mentioned that Joseph Smith seemed to be more impressed with the Urim and Thummim than he was of the plates, for he said, “I can see anything; they are marvelous” (Backman, Eyewitness Accounts, 72).

65. Because of Joseph’s involvement with the Josiah Stowell affair near Harmony (in digging for buried treasure, silver mine), it appeared that those who worked with Joseph may have felt that any of the group who found buried treasure (including Joseph) would share it equally with the others. Martin Harris stated: “The money-diggers claimed that they had as much right to the plates as Joseph did, as they were in company together. They claimed that Joseph Smith had been a traitor, and had appropriated to himself that which belonged to them. For this reason Joseph was afraid of them, and continued to conceal the plates” (Porter, “Origins,” 81-82). Martin Harris estimated the weight of the plates at between forty and fifty pounds. William Smith, who was once allowed to lift the plates while they were covered by a pillowcase, estimated the weight at sixty pounds (Backman, Eyewitness Accounts, 70). Remember, Joseph ran for three miles with the plates under his arm.

66. Hill Cumorah An interesting event related in a sermon delivered by the late President Brigham Young at Farmington, Utah, 17 June 1877: “I believe I will take the liberty to tell you another circumstance that will be as marvelous as anything can be. This is an incident in the life of Oliver Cowdery, but he did not take the liberty of telling such things in a meeting as I take. I tell these things to you, and I have a motive for doing so. I want to carry; them to the ears of my brethren and sisters, and to the children also, that they may grow to an understanding of some things that seem to be entirely hidden from the human family. Oliver Cowdery went with the Prophet Joseph when he deposited the plates.

67. Joseph did not translate all of the plates, there was a portion of them sealed, which you can learn from the book of Doctrine and Covenants. When Joseph got the plates, the angel instructed him to carry them back to the Hill Cumorah, which he did. Oliver says that when Joseph and Oliver went there, the hill opened, and they walked into a cave, in which there was a large and spacious room. He said he did not think, at the time, whether they had the light of the sun or artificial light; but that it was just as light as day. They laid the plates on a table; it was a large table that stood in the room. Under this table was a pile of plates as much as two feet high, and there were altogether in this room more plates than probably many wagon loads; they were piled up in the corners and along the walls. The first time they went there the sword of Laban hung upon the wall;

68. but when they went again it had been taken down and laid upon the table across the gold plates; it was unsheathed, and on it was written these words: ‘This sword will never be sheathed again until the kingdoms of this world become the kingdom of our God and His Christ.’ I tell you this as coming not only from Oliver Cowdery, but others who were familiar with it, and who understood it just as well as we understand coming to this meeting, enjoying the day, and by and by we separate and go away, forgetting most of what was said, but remembering some things. So it is with other circumstances in life. I relate this to you, and I want you to understand it. I take this liberty of referring to those things so that they will not be forgotten and lost” (JD, 19:38).

69. The Family of Joseph and Emma Smith 1. Alvin: A boy, born and died on 15 th of June 1828 at Harmony. 2. Louisa: A girl, one of the twins, lived about three hours, born on April 30 th, 1831 at Kirtland, Ohio. 3. Thaddeus:A boy, one of the twins, lived about three hours on April 30 th, 1831 at Kirtland, Ohio.

70. 4. Joseph Smith III: Boy, born on the 6 th of December, 1832 in Kirtland. Died December 1914 in Independence Missouri. Joseph Smith III had three wives and 17 children. On April 6 th, 1860 he became the Prophet of the Re- organized Church and retained that office until 1914. His third son Frederick with Mertha Madison succeeded him as president of the Church.

71. 5. Frederick Granger Williams: Boy, born on 20 th of June, 1836 in Kirtland Ohio. Died in 1862 at Nauvoo when he was 26. He was a farmer and a merchant. 6. Alexander Hale: A boy, born in 1838 at Far West and died August of 1909 in Nauvoo. 7. Don Carlos: A boy, born 13 th of June 1840, Nauvoo. Died 15 th of August 1841 at the age of 14 months, also in Nauvoo. 8. A boy: Born 26 th of December 1842 in Nauvoo who did not survive his birth.

72. 9. David Hyrum: Born 17 th of November 1844 in Nauvoo just five months after the martyrdom. He died on the 29 th of August 1904 at the age of 60 at Elgin Illinois. Adopted Children; 10. Joseph Smith Murdock: A twin, born 30 th April, 1831 at Kirtland Ohio, died 29 th of March 1832. 11. Julia Murdock: A twin, born 30 th April 1831 at Kirtland Ohio, died in 1880 from breast cancer near Nauvoo.

73. The Breastplate, Lucy Harris’s Dream, &Trickery (1827-1828) Lucy said that Joseph asked her to come downstairs to see the breastplate. It was wrapped in a thin muslin handkerchief, so thin that she could see the glistening metal and ascertain its proportions without any difficulty. It was concave on one side and convex on the other, and extended from the neck downwards as far as the center of the stomach of a man of extraordinary size. It had four straps of the same material for the purpose of fastening it to the breast, two of which ran back to go over the shoulders, and the other two were designed to fasten to the hips. They were just the width of two of her fingers for she measured them, and they had holes in the end of them to be convenient in fastening. Lucy said the whole plate was worth at least 500 dollars. After Lucy examined it, Joseph put it in the chest with the Urim and Thummim.

74. Shortly after the circumstance, Joseph came to the house in great haste and inquired if there had been a company of men there. Lucy said no, and Joseph said they would be there by night, which came to pass. It was later learned that the cause of mobs coming to steal the plates was the result of a young woman who was a sister to Willard Chase. She supposedly had a green glass through which she could see many wonderful things, including the exact place where the gold bible was hidden.

75. Lucy Harris’s dream actually took place after Lucy Mack Smith had told her of the plates and Joseph Smith needing money and help to translate them. Lucy Smith went to her first before approaching Martin with Joseph’s permission because she did not want to go behind Lucy Harris’s back. A few days later Lucy Harris visited with Joseph Smith and asked to see the plates and that she would be willing to help with money contributions. Joseph told her that she could not see them and he was not permitted to show them to anyone except those whom the Lord told him he could.

76. Lucy Harris actually spent the night at the Smith house and the next morning shared the following dream: She said that a personage had appeared to her the night before and told her that insomuch as she had disputed the servant of the Lord, that his word was not to be believed, and asked many improper questions, that she had done that which was not right in the sight of God. Then he said, “Behold, here are the plates, look upon them and believe.”

77. Lucy Harris thought that she was superior to Martin Harris and Joseph Smith. She coined the name “the Grand Imposter” for Joseph Smith. A young man by the name of Dikes had been paying attention to Lucy’s daughter, also named Lucy. Dike was very fond of Lucy and Lucy Harris used this to her advantage. She promised Dike that he could marry her daughter if he would scheme and get a copy of the Egyptian characters out of her husbands possession (the characters he took to New York City). Mr. Dikes did and Lucy Harris received a copy of the characters.

78. Lucy Harris often showed the copy of the Egyptian characters and informed others that Joseph Smith was not the only one in possession of this great curiosity. She told others that Joseph Smith had deceived her husband with his specious (deceptively attractive) pretensions and was exerting all his powers in order to induce Martin.