Essentials in Church History. Joseph Fielding Smith

away without action being taken against him in an official way. While the Prophet lived, they retained their bitterness of spirit and remained aloof, but during all those years, and to the end of life, all three were steadfast in their testimony as found in the Book of Mormon. In the year 1848, after the Church had been driven from Nauvoo, Oliver Cowdery returned to the Church, at Kanesville and humbly begged to be re-admitted as a member. Martin Harris also sought again a place and standing in the Church and in the year 1870 he came to Utah to make his home. He died in 1875, at Clarkston, Utah, at the age of 92 years. David Whitmer never came back to the Church, but shortly before his death, in refutation of the statements that had gone forth that he had denied his testimony, he published it again to the world, in which he said: “It is recorded in the American Cyclopedia and the Encyclopedia Britannica, that I, David Whitmer, have denied my testimony as one of the Three Witnesses to the divinity of the Book of Mormon; and that the other two witnesses, Oliver Cowdery and Martin Harris, denied their testimony to that book. I will say once more to all mankind, that I have never at any time denied that testimony or any part thereof. I also testify to the world, that neither Oliver Cowdery nor Martin Harris ever at any time denied their testimony. They both died reaffirming the truth of the divine authenticity of the Book of Mormon.”³

Impossibility of Collusion

       Table of Contents

      If there had been collusion between Joseph Smith and the witnesses, then of necessity they would have had to hold together and tell the same story. A disagreement on the part of any, or all of them, would have meant destruction to their plan, if it were not true. The boldness with which Joseph Smith and the Church met the situation, when these men rebelled, and took action against them and severed them from the Church, would never have been done if there had been fraud and collusion. The Prophet and the high council would not have dared to do it. This fact together with the other fact that after they were severed from the Church and had become estranged, they all three bore the same testimony, and all told the same story which they told when in the Church, precludes even the remotest possibility that they had planned together to deceive. These truths together with much more evidence which cannot be mentioned here, is strong presumptive evidence of the authenticity of the solemn message given by these witnesses to the world.

The Angel Receives the Plates

       Table of Contents

      After the completion of the translation of the Book of Mormon in 1829, the angel again appeared to Joseph Smith and received back the plates into his keeping. Of this circumstance the Prophet wrote in 1838: “By the wisdom of God, they [the plates] remained safe in my hands, until I had accomplished by them what was required at my hand. When, according to arrangement, the messenger called for them, I delivered them up to him, and he has them in his charge until this day.”

The Book of Mormon Printed

       Table of Contents

      The question of printing the manuscript now confronted Joseph Smith. Not only was he without the necessary means, but printers were scarce and those who were approached were either prejudiced through bigotry, or unwilling for fear of the opposition of customers. Martin Harris, who possessed the means, came to the rescue with a promise to pay for the printing of the book. Finally a contract was entered into with Mr. Egbert B. Grandin, of Palmyra, who consented to print five thousand copies of the Book of Mormon for three thousand dollars. In the meantime the copyright to the book had been secured. The appearance of the words “Author and Proprietor” which appear on the title page of the first edition of the Book of Mormon, have caused some ridicule by enemies of Joseph Smith. This expression was printed in the book in accord with the law governing copyrights, and in no way detracts from the validity of the story of the translation of the record.

      Soon after the completion of the translation and the securing of the copyright, the Lord commanded that Oliver Cowdery should transcribe the entire manuscript, and that in furnishing copy to the printer, the second copy should be used, and that only sheet by sheet, as the type should be set up. It was further provided that in going to and from the printing office, there should always be a guard to protect the manuscript, and that a guard should be placed at the home constantly to watch and protect the translation from evil disposed persons. These precautions were necessary because of the malicious opposition which prevailed in and about Palmyra, where the work was done. At times attempts were made to get the manuscript from the possession of Joseph and those who, with him, had the work in charge.

      One man, named Cole, more cunning than the others who opposed the work, devised the plan of anticipating the publication of the book. Cole, an ex-justice of the peace, was printing a paper which he called Dogberry Paper on Winter Hill. He had announced to his subscribers that he would furnish them weekly installments of the Book of Mormon in his paper. Having access to the Grandin printing office, he commenced his publication by working on Sundays when the office was closed. In this manner he was able to publish a number of issues containing garbled extracts from the printed sheets of the Book of Mormon. As the copyright was secured, he was warned and finally stopped from this method of stealing. The work of printing the book continued, but not without interruption, for great pressure was brought to bear upon the printer who was threatened by enemies of the latter-day work, with a withdrawal of trade that would ruin his business. This came near to breaking the contract. However, after some delays, the book was finished some time in the spring of 1830, and made ready to go forth, as the Nephite prophets had foretold, to the Gentiles and then to the house of Israel as a voice speaking out of the dust.

      Notes

      1. 2 Nephi 27:12–13. Ether 5:2–4. Compare John 8:16–18.

      2. History of the Prophet Joseph, p. 139. Lucy Smith

      3. An Address to All Believers in Christ, David Whitmer. Compare Millennial Star, 43:301.

      Chapter 11

       Table of Contents

      Revelation on Doctrine and Church Government

      1829–1830

Revelation to the Witnesses

       Table of Contents

      Before the Church could be organized it was essential that there be revealed such matters as pertained to the organization of the Church. This was done between the time the witnesses viewed the plates of the ancient record and the sixth of April, 1830. The first of these (Doc. and Cov. Sec. 18) was given to Joseph Smith, Oliver Cowdery and David Whitmer, at Fayette. It made known the calling of the Twelve Apostles who should be chosen in this dispensation, although it was about six years before they were called. It gave instructions “relative to the building up of the Church of Christ according to the fulness of the Gospel.” It was also stated that the Book of Mormon contained “all things written concerning the foundation” of the Church and the Gospel. The Church, when organized, should be built upon the foundation of the Gospel and “the gates of hell shall not prevail” against it. Moreover, it was declared that “the world is ripening in iniquity, and it must needs be that the children of men are stirred up unto repentance, both the Gentiles and also the house of Israel.” To Oliver Cowdery and David Whitmer, the Lord said that all men were now called on to repent, for the Priesthood was restored and the opportunity given for the remission of sins. These men had been called as special witnesses, and therefore were under obligation to warn the world. Until this time men had not