Joseph Smith Sermons of 1835

Date: 14 February 1835 (Saturday)

Location: Kirtland, Ohio, USA

Source: Oliver Cowdery Record in the Kirtland Council Minute Book, LDS (Kirtland Council Minute Book, 70-71)

This day a meeting was called of those who journeyed to Zion for the purpose of assisting [?] the foundation of its redemption last season with as many more of the brethren & sisters as felt disposed to attend. President Joseph Smith Junr. presided over the meeting. After the congregation assembled, he arose and requested the attention and read the 15th chapter of John and said, let us endeavor to solemnize our mind that we may receive a blessing by calling on the Lord & said let us pray.

After an appropriate and affecting prayer was made, the brethren who went to Zion were requested to take their seats together in one part of the house by themselves. President Smith arose and stated the reason why this meeting was called. It was this. God had commanded it and it was made known to him by vision and by the Holy Spirit. He then gave a relation of some of the circumstances attending us while journeying to Zion, our trials, sufferings &c. &c. He said God had not designed all this for nothing, but he had it in remembrance yet, and those who went to Zion with a determination to lay down their lives if necessary, it was the will of God that they should be ordained to the ministry and go forth to prune the vineyard for the last times, or the coming of the Lord which was nigh, even fifty six years should wind up the scene. He said many things, such as the weak things, even the smallest and weakest among us shall be powerful and mighty and great things should be accomplished by you even from this hour. He said you should begin to feel the whisperings of the Spirit of God, and the works of God shall begin to break forth from this time. You shall be endowed with power from on High.

President Smith then called upon all those who went to Zion to know if they were agreed with him in the statements which he had made, he said, if you are, arise upon your feet. All arose upon their feet. He then called upon the balance of the congregation to know also, if they would sanction the movement. They all raised the right hand. The names of those who went to Zion are as follows.

Date: 27 February 1835 (Friday)

Location:

Source: Oliver Cowdery Record in the Kirtland Council Minute Book, LDS (Kirtland Council Minute Book, 85-87)

After the company were assembled, and the meeting opened by prayer of President J. Smith Junr., he (President Smith) arose and said he had something to lay before the Council and he thought if he were heard patiently, he could lay before the Council an item which they would [consider] to be of importance. He had for himself learned a fact by experience, which on reflection, always gave him a deep sorrow. It is a fact (said President Smith) that if I now had in my possession every decision which has been had upon important items of doctrine and duties which have been given since the commencement of this work, I would not part with it for any sum of money. But we have neglected to take minutes of such things, thinking, perhaps, that they would never benefit us afterwards, which, had we now, would decide almost any point of doctrine which might be agitated. But this has been neglected and now we cannot bear record to the Church and to the world, of the great and glorious manifestations which have been made to us, with that degree of power and authority we otherwise could, if we now had these things to publish abroad. Since the Twelve are now chosen, I wish to tell them a course which they may pursue and be benefitted hereafter, in a point of light of which they are not now aware. If they will, on every time they assemble, appoint a person to preside over them during the meeting and one or more to keep a record of their proceedings, and on the decision of every question or item, let it be what it may, let such decision be noted down, such decision will forever remain upon record and appear at the time of covenant or doctrine. An item thus decided may appear at the time of little or no worth, but should it be published and one of you lay hands on it after, you will find [it] of infinite worth, not only to your brethren, but it will be a feast to your own soul.

Here is another important item. If you assemble from time to time and proceed to discuss important questions and pass decisions upon the same and fail to note them down by & by you will be driven to straits from which you will not be able to extricate yourselves, because you may be in a situation not to bring your faith to bear with sufficient perfection or power to obtain the desired information. Or perhaps, for neglecting to write these things when God revealed them, not esteeming them of sufficient worth, the Spirit may withdraw and God may be angry, and here is or was a vast knowledge of infinite importance which is now lost. What was the cause of this? It came in consequence of slothfulness or a neglect to appoint a man to occupy a few moments in writing all these decisions.

Here let me prophesy. The time will come, when if you neglect to do this thing, you will fall by the hands of unrighteous men. Were you to be brought before the authorities and be accused of any crime or misdemeanor and be as innocent as the angels of God, unless you can prove yourselves to have been somewhere else, your enemies will prevail over you, but if you can bring twelve men to testify that you were in a certain place at that time, you will escape their hands. Now, if you will be careful to keep minutes of these things, as I have said, it will be one of the most important records ever seen, for every such decision will ever after remain as items for your consideration, and you are left to act according to your own judgments.

The Council then expressed their approbation concerning the foregoing remarks of President Smith and proceeded to appoint Elders Orson Hyde & Wm. E. McLellin to serve as clerks for the meeting. After which the following quotation was prepared by President Smith (viz.:) What importance is there attached to the calling of these Twelve Apostles different from the other callings or offices of the Church? After some discussion of Elders [David W.] Patten, [Brigham] Young, Wm. Smith & [Wm. E.] McLellin, President Smith gave the following discussion. They are the Twelve Apostles, who are called to the office of Traveling High Council, who are to preside over all the churches of the Saints among the Gentiles, where there is no presidency established, and they are to travel and preach among the Gentiles, until the Lord shall command them to go to the Jews. They are to hold the keys of this ministry, to unlock the door of the kingdom of heaven unto all nations, and to preach the Gospel to every creature. This is the power, authority and virtue of their apostleship.

The meeting closed by President J. Smith Junr. in prayer.

Date: 1 March 1835 (Sunday)

Location:

Source: Oliver Cowdery Record in the Kirtland Council Minute Book, LDS (Kirtland Council Minute Book, 90)

President Joseph Smith Junr. addressed the Church & the Council and the church [sic] upon the propriety of attending to this ordinance [i.e. the sacrament] with pure hearts and pure desires. He touched upon the propriety of this institution in the Church & urged the vast importance of doing it with acceptance to the Lord. He asked how long do you suppose a man may partake of this ordinance unworthily and the Lord not withdraw His Spirit from him? How long will he thus trifle with sacred things and the Lord not give him over to the buffetings of Satan until the day of Redemption? The Church should know if they are unworthy from time to time, to partake [and when they are] the servants of the Lord will be forbidden to administer it. Therefore our heart[s] ought to [be pure, and the saints should] humble themselves, and we [ought] to repent of our sins, and put away evil from among us.

Date: 7 March 1835 (Saturday)

Location:

Source: Oliver Cowdery Record in the Kirtland Council Minute Book, LDS (Kirtland Council Minute Book, 104)

The forenoon was occupied by Pr. J. Smith Junr. in remarks to the Church upon the propriety and necessity of purifying itself. In the p.m. the names of the [of] several [of] those who had assisted to build the House were taken and further remarks were made by President J. Smith Junr. He said that those who had distinguished themselves thus far by consecrating to the upbuilding of said House as well as laboring, were to be remembered. That those who build it should own it and have the control of it. After further remarks, he proceeded to call a vote of those who had performed this labor, whether they would still go on and perform the remaining part of the same.

Passed by unanimous voice.

Date: 2 May 1835 (Saturday)

Location:

Source: Oliver Cowdery Record in the Kirtland Council Minute Book, LDS (Kirtland Council Minute Book, 112-13, 115)

After conference was opened and the Twelve took their seats, he stated that it would be the duty of the Twelve to appoint the oldest one of their number to preside in their councils, beginning at the oldest and so on until the youngest has presided and then beginning at the oldest again. &c. The Twelve took their seats regularly according to their ages as follows: T. B. Marsh, David W. Patten, Brigham Young, Heber C. Kimball, Orson Hyde, Wm. E. McLellin, Parley P. Pratt, J. H. Boynton Luke Johnson, William Smith, Orson Pratt, John F. Boynton, Lyman Johnson.

The President then stated that the Twelve will have no right to go into Zion or any of its stakes and there undertake to regulate the affairs thereof where there is a standing High Council. But it is their duty to go abroad and regulate all matters relative to the different branches of the Church. When the Twelve are together, or a quorum of them in any church, they will have to do business by the voice of the Church. No standing High Council has authority to go into the churches abroad and regulate the matters thereof, for this belongs to the Twelve. No High Council will ever be established only in Zion or one of its stakes.

When the Twelve pass a decision it is in the name of the Church. Therefore, it is valid. No individual has a right to go into any church and ordain any minister for the Church, unless it is by the voice of the Church. No Elder has a right to go into any branch of the Church and appoint meetings or regulate the Church without the consent or voice of the presiding Elder of said branch.

If the first Seventy are all occupied and there is a call for more laborers, it will be the duty of the seven presidents of the first Seventy to call and ordain other Seventy and send them forth to labor in the vineyard until, if need be, they set a part apart seven times seventy, even until there shall be one hundred & forty and four thousand. The Seventy are not to attend the conferences of the Twelve unless they are called upon or requested to by the Twelve. The Twelve and the Seventy have particularly to depend upon their ministry for their support and that of their families, and they have a right by virtue of their offices to call upon the Church to assist them.

President J. Smith Junr. arose with the list in his hand and made some vary appropriate remarks relative to the deliverance of Zion and so much of the authority being present, he moved that we never give up the struggle for Zion even until death, or until Zion is redeemed. The vote was unanimous and with apparent deep feeling.

Date: 14 July 1835 (Tuesday)

Location:

Source: Oliver Cowdery Record in the Kirtland Council Minute Book, LDS (Kirtland Council Minute Book, 120)

President J. Smith Junr. addressed the Council in points of duty such as observing covenants &c.

Date: Autumn of 1835 (Sunday)

Location: Kirtland, Ohio, USA

Source: Truman O. Angell Autobiography in Our Pioneer Heritage 10 (1967): 195-213

After a residence of about a year and a half in Lima, I moved to Kirtland, Ohio, in the fall of 1835, arriving one Saturday about 4 or 5 o'clock p.m. The next day, Sunday, meeting assembled in the Temple on a loose floor which had been arranged for carpenters' benches etc., the house was partly filled, the people being seated on work benches and other things. President Joseph Smith, [Jr.,] during the meeting, arose to speak upon an order he had given to Oliver Cowdery to seek out a book for a Church Record; for such must be kept; this had been complied with, a good book had been selected and it pleased President Smith.

The book was not paid for, but was to be returned to Painesville if it did not suit; and the Prophet said he would be glad to have the Saints donate the amount, about $12.50, and make the purchase, and keep the book; it being of good paper and thoroughly well bound. A man arose near the middle of the house and said he wanted the leaves counted to see if it would not be better to buy the paper by the ream, the difference being that we might put it in a newspaper, or something of the kind. Brother Joseph spoke out and said the devil could not raise his head there, but he would know him. I note this to show the little means with which the Church was obliged to commence the history of a people destined to become great.

Date: 3 November 1835 (Tuesday)

Location: Kirtland, Ohio, USA

Source: Warren Parrish Record in Joseph Smith Journal, LDS Archives

I made some remarks [at the organization of the Elders School] called to order and I made some remarks upon the object of this School, and the great necessity there is of our rightly improving our time and reigning up our minds to a sense of the great object that lies before us, viz, that glorious endowment that God has in store for the faithful . . . at evening I preached at the School house to a crowded congregation.

Date: 9 November 1835 (Monday)

Location: Kirtland, Ohio, USA

Source: Warren Parrish Record in Joseph Smith Journal, LDS Archives

We soon commenced talking upon the subject of religion and after I had made some remarks concerning the bible

I commenced giving him a relation of the circumstances connected with the coming forth of the book of Mormon, as follows - being wrought up in my mind, respecting the subject of religion and looking at the differenct systems taught the children of men, I knew not who was right or who was wrong and I considered it of the first importance that I should be right, in matters that involve eternal consequences; being thur perplexed in mind I retired to the silent grove and bosed down before the Lord, under a relising sense that he had said (if the bible be true) ask and you shall receive knock and it shall be opened seek and you shall find and again, if any man lack wisdom let him ask of God who giveth to all men libarally and upbradeth not; information was what I most desired at this time, and with a fixed determination to obtain it, I called upon the LOrd for the first time, in the place above stated or in other words I made a fruitless attempt to pray, my toung seemd to be swolen in my mouth, so that I could not utter, I heard a noise behind me like some person walking towards me, I strove again to pray, but could not, the noise of walking ssmed to draw nearer, I sprung up on my feet, and looked around, but saw no person or thing that was calculated to produce the noise of walking, I kneeled again my mouth was opened and my toung liberated, and I called on the Lord in mighty prayer, a pillar of fire appeared above my head, it presently rested down upon me, and filled me with Joy unspeakable, a personage appeard in the midst of this pillar of flame which was spead all around, and yet nothing consumed, another personage soon appeard like unto the first, he said unto me thy sins are forgiven thee, he testyfied unto me that Jesus Christ is the Son of God; and I saw many angels in this vision I was about 14 years old when I received this first communication;

When I was about 17 years old I saw another vision of angels int he night season after I had retired to bed I had not been asleep, but was meditating upon my past life and experience, I was verry conscious that I had not kept the commandments, and I repented hartily for all my sins and transgression, and humbled myself before Him whose eyes are over all things, all at once the room was iluminated above the brightness of the sun an angel appeared before me, his hands and feet were naked pure and white, and he stood between the floors of the room, clothed with purity inexpressible, he said unto me I am a messenger sent from God, be faithful and keep his commandments in all things, he told me of a sacred record which was written on plates of gold, I saw in the vision the place where they were deposited, he said the Indians were the literal descendants of Abraham he explained many of the prophesies to me, one I will mention which is in Malachi 4 chapt. behold the day of the Lord cometh &c. also that the Urim and Thumim, was hid up with the record, and God whould give me powre to translate it, with the assistance of this instrument he then gradually vanished out my sight, or the vision closed, while meditating on what I had seen, the gangel appeard to me again and related the same things and much more, also the third time bearing the same tiding, and departed; during the time I was in this vision I did not realize any thing around me except what was shown me in this communication: after the vision had all passed, I found that it was nearly day-light, the family soon arose, I got up also: - on that day while in the field at work with my Father he asked me if I was sick I replyed, I had but little strenght, he told me to go to the house, I started and went part way and was finally deprived of my strength and fell, but how long I remained I do not know; the Angel came to me again and commanded me to go and tell my Father, what I had seen and heard, I did so, he wept and told me that it was a vision from God to attend to it I went and found the place, where the plates were, according to the direction of the Angel, also saw them, and the angel as before; the powers of darkness strove hard against me. I called on God, the Angel told me that the reason why I could not obtain the plates at this time was because I was under transgression, but to come again in one year from that time, I did so, but did not obtain them also the third and fourth year, a which time I obtained them, and translated them into the english language, by the gift and power of God and have been preaching it ever since.

Date: 12 November 1835 (Thursday)

Location: Kirtland, Ohio, USA

Source: Warren Parrish Record in Joseph Smith Diary, LDS Archives

This evening viz the 12th at 6 oclock meet [met] with the council of 12. by their request, 9 of them were present council opened by singing & prayer, and I made some remarks as follows:- I am happy in the enjoyment of this opportunity of meeting with this council on this occasion, I am satisfyed that the spirit of the Lord is here, and I am satisfied with all the brethren present, and I need not say that you have my utmost confidence, and that I intend to uphold, you to the uttermost, for I am well aware that you have to sustain my character against the vile calumnies and reproaches of this ungodly generation and that you delight in so doing: - darkness prevails, at this time as it was, at the time Jesus Christ was about to be crucified, the powers of darkness strove to obscure the glorious sun of righteousness that began to dawn upon the world, and was soon to burst in great blessings upon the heads of the faithful,

and let me tell you brethren that great blessings awate [await] us at this time and will soon be poured out upon us if we are faithful in all things, for we are even entitled to greater blessings than they were, because the [they] had the person of Christ with them, to instruct them in the great plan of salvation, his personal presence we have not, therefore we need great faith on account of our peculiar circumstances and I am determined to do all that I can to uphold you, although I may do many things invertarilly [inadvertently] that are not right in the sight of God; you want to know many things that are before you, that you may know how to prepare your selves for the great things that God is about to bring to pass; but there is on [one] great deficiency or obstruction, in the way that deprives us of the greater blessings, and in order to make the foundation of this church complete and permanent, we must remove this obstuction, which is to attend to certain duties that we have not as yet attended to;

I supposed I had established this church on a permanent foundation when I went to the Missouri and indeed I did so, for if I had been taken away it would have been enough, but I yet live, and therefore God requires more at my hands:

The item to which I wish the more particularly to call your attention to night is the ordinance of washing of feet, this we have not done as yet but it is necessary now as much as it was in the days of the Saviour, and we must have a place prepared, that we may attend to this ordinance, aside from the world; we have not desired much from the hand of the Lord, with that faith and obediance that we ought, yet we have enjoyed great blessings, and we are not so sensible of this as we should be: when or wher [where] has God suffered one of the winesses or first Elders of this church to fall? never nor nowhere amidst all the calamities and judgments that have befallen the inhabitants of the earth his almighty arm has sustained us, men and Devils have raged and spent the [their] malice in vain. we must have all things prepared and call our solem assembly as the Lord has commanded us, that we may be able to accomplish his great work: and it mut [must] be done in Gods own way, the house of the Lord must be prepared, and the solem assembly called and organized in it according to the order of the house of God and in it we must attend to the ordinance of washing of feet: it was never intended for any but official members, it is calculated to unite our hearts, that we may be one in feeling and sentiment and that our faith may be strong, so that satan cannot over throw us, nor have any power over us, -

the endowment you are so anxious about you cannot comprehend now, nor could Gabriel explain it to the understanding of your dark minds, but strive to be prepared in your hearts, be faithful in all things that when we meet in the solem assembly that is such as God shall name out of all the official members, will meet, and we must be clean evry [every] whit, let us be faithful and silent brethren, and if God gives you a manifestation, keep it to yourselves, be watchful and prayerful, and you shall have a prelude of those joys that God will pour out on that day, do not watch for iniquity in each other if you do you will not get an endowment for God will not bestow it on such; but if we are faithful and live by every word that procedes forth from the mouth of God I will venture to prophesy that we shall get a blessing that will be worth remembering if we should live as long as John the revelator, our blessings will be such as we have not realized before, nor in this generation.

The order of the house of God has and ever will be the same, even after Christ comes, and after the termination of the thousand years it will be the same, and we shall finally roll into the celestial Kingdom of God and enjoy it forever: - you need an endowment brethren in order that you may be prepared and able to over come all things,

and those that reject your testimony will be damned the sick will be healed the lame made to walk the deaf to hear and the blind to see through your instrumentality; But let me tell you that you will not have power after the endowment to heal those who have not faith, nor to benifit [benefit] them, for you might as well expect to benefit a devil in hell as such an one, who is possessed of his spirit and are willing to keep it for they are habitations for devils and only fit for his society but when you are endowed and prepared to preach the gospel to all nations kindred and toungs [tongues] in there own languages you must faithfully warn all and bind up the testimony and seal up the law and the destroying angel will follow close at your heels and execute his tremendeous mission upon the children of disobediance, and destroy the workers of iniquity, while the saints will be gathered out from among them and stand in holy places ready to meet the bride groom when he comes. -

I feel disposed to speak a few words more to you my brethren concerning the endowment, all who are prepared and are sufficiently pure to abide the presence of the Saviour will see him in the solem assembly.

Date: 14 November 1835 (Saturday)

Location: Joseph Smith, Jr. Home, Kirtland, Ohio, USA

Source: Warren Parrish Record in Joseph Smith Journal, LDS Archives

A Gentleman called this after noon by the name of Erastus Holmes of Newbury Clemon [Newberry, Clermont] Co. Ohio, he called to make enquiry about the establishment of the church of the lattery-day Saints and to be instructed more perfectly in our doctrine &c I commenced and gave him a brief relation of my experience while in my juvenile years, say from 6 years old up to the time I received the first visitation of Angels which was when I was about 14. years old and also the the visitations that I received afterward, concerning the book of Mormon, and a short account of the rise and progress of the church, up to this, date.

Date: 17 November 1835 (Tuesday)

Location: School House at Kirtland, Ohio, USA

Source: Warren Parrish Record in Joseph Smith Journal, LDS Archives

This Evening at early candleight I prached [preached] at the School house, returned home and retired to rest,

Date: 18 November 1835 (Wednesday)

Location: Preserved Harris Home, Kirtland, Ohio, USA at the Funeral of Nathan Harris

Source: Warren Parrish Record in Joseph Smith Journal, LDS Archives

Went to Preserved Harris's, to preach his fathers funeral Sermon, by the request of the family I preached on the subject of the resurrection, the congregation were verry attentive

Date: 19 November 1835 (Thursday)

Location: Kirtland, Ohio, USA

Source: Warren Parrish Record in Joseph Smith Journal, LDS Archives

I met Loyd & Lorenzo Lewis and conversed with them upon the subject of their being disaffected. I found they were not so, as touching the faith of the church but with some of the members:
I returned home and spent the day in translating the Egyptian records : this has been a warm & pleasant day-

Date: 20 November 1835 (Friday)

Location: Kirtland, Ohio, USA

Source: Warren Parrish Record in Joseph Smith Journal, LDS Archives

In morning at home: the weather is warm but rainy, we spent the day in translating, and made rapid progress
At Evening, President Cowdery returned from New York, bringing with him a quantity of Hebrew books for the benefit of the school, he presented me with a Hebrew bible, lexicon & grammar, also a Greek Lexicon and Websters English Lexicon.

Date: 23 November 1835 (Monday)

Location: Kirtland, Ohio, USA

Source: Warren Parrish Record in Joseph Smith Journal, LDS Archives

Several brethren called to converse with me, and see the records; rec'd a letter from Jared Carter, spent the day in conversing, and in studying, the hebrew, language
This has been a stormy day.

Date: 24 November 1835 (Tuesday)

Location: Kirtland, Ohio, USA

Source: Warren Parrish Record in Joseph Smith Journal, LDS Archives

At home, spent the fore no on instructing those that called to inquire concerning the things of God, in the last days: in the after-noon, we translated some of the Egyptian, records;

I had an invitation to attend a wedding at Br. Hiram Smith's in the evening also to solemnize the matrimonial ceremony, between Newell Knight & Lydia Goldthwaite I and my wife, went, when we arrived a conciderable company, had collected, the bridegroom & bride came in, and took their seats, which gave me to understand that they were ready. I requested them to arise and join hands. I then remarked that marriage was an institution of heaven instituted in the garden of Eden, that it was necessary that it should be Solemnized by the authority of the everlasting priesthood, before joining hands however, we attended prayers. I then made the remarks above stated; The ceremony was original with me it was in substance as follows. You covenant to be each others companions through life, and discharge the duties of husband & wife in every respect to which they assented. I then pronounced them husband & Wife in the name of God and also the blessings that the Lord confered upon adam & Eve in the garden of Eden, that is to multiply and replenish the earth, with the addition of long life and prosperity; dismissed them and returned home.

Date: 25 November 1835 (Wednesday)

Location: Kirtland, Ohio, USA

Source: Warren Parrish Record in Joseph Smith Journal, LDS Archives

Spent the day in Translating. To-day [David] Harvey Redfield & Jesse Hitchcock arived here from Missourie; the latter says that he has no doubt, but that a dose of poison was administered to him in a bollof milk but God delivered him.

Date: 26 November 1835 (Thursday)

Location: Kirtland, Ohio, USA

Source: Warren Parrish Record in Joseph Smith Journal, LDS Archives

At home, we spent the day in transcribing Egyptian characters from the papyrus. -I am severly afflicted with a cold.-to day Robert Rathbone [Rathbun] and George Morey arrived from Zion [Missouri].

Date: 30 November 1835 (Monday)

Location: Kirtland, Ohio, USA

Source: Warren Parrish Record in Joseph Smith Journal, LDS Archives

This afternoon, Henry Capron called to see me, he is an old acquaintance of min, from Manchester New York, shewed him the Egyptian records.

Date: 2 December 1835 (Wednesday)

Location: Remarks on Verbal Abuse He Received on a Sleighride from Kirtland, Ohio to Painsville, Ohio, USA

Source: Warren Parrish Record in Joseph Smith Journal, LDS Archives

A fine morning I made preparation to ride to Painsvill with my wife and family, also my Scribe, we had our sleigh and horses prepared and set out, when we were passing through Mentor Street, we overtook a team with two men on the sleigh. I politely asked them to let me pass, they granted my request, and as we passed them, they bawled out, do you get any revelation lately, with an adition of blackguard that I did not understand, this is a fair sample of the character of Mentor Street inhabitants, who are ready to abuse and scandalize, men who never laid a straw in their way, and infact those whos faces they never saw, and cannot bring an acusation, against, either of a temporal of spirtual nature; except our firm belief in the fulness of the gospel and I was le to marvle at the long suffering and condescention of our heavenly Father, in permitting, these ungodly wretches, to possess, this goodly land, which is indeed as beautifully situated, and its soil as fertile, as any in this region of country, and its inhabitance, wealthy even blessed, above measure, in temporal things, and fain, would God bless, them with, spiritual blessings, even eternal life, were it not for their evil hearts of unbelief, and we are let to mingle our prayers with those saints, that have suffered the like treatment before us, whose souls are under the altar crying to the Lord for vengance upon those that dwell upon the earth and we rejoice that the time is at hand when, the wicked who will not repent will be swept fromt he earth with the besom of destruction and the earth become an inheritance for the poor and the meek. -

Date: 3 December 1835 (Thursday)

Location: Kirtland, Ohio, USA

Source: Warren Parrish Record in Joseph Smith Journal, LDS Archives

At evening, was invited with my wife, to attend [a marriage] . . . when, we arived, we opened our interview with singing & prayer, after which, I delivered an address, upon the subject of matrimony, I then invited the parties to arise, who were to be joined in wedlock, and, solemnized the institution in a brief manner, and pronounced them husband and wife in the name of God according to the articles, and covenants of the Church of the latter day saints.

Date: 4 December 1835 (Friday)

Location: Kirtland, Ohio, USA

Source: Warren Parrish Record in Joseph Smith Journal, LDS Archives

This evening, a Mr. John Holister of Portage County Ohio called to see me on the subject of religion, he is a member of the close communion baptise Church, he said he had come to enquire concerning the faith of our church having heard many reports of the worst character about us, he seemed to be an honest enquier after truth. I spent the evening in talking with him, I found him to be an honest candid man, and no particular peculiarities about him, only his simplisity, he tarrie over night with me, and acknowledged in the morning that although he had thought he knew something about religion he was now sensible that he knew but little, which was the greatest, trait of wisdom that I could discover in him.

Date: 7 December 1835 (Monday)

Location: Kirtland, Ohio, USA

Source: Warren Parrish Record in Joseph Smith Journal, LDS Archives

Spent the day reading the hebrew. Mr. John Hollister called to take the parting hand with me, and remarked that he had been in darkness all his days, but had now found the light and intended to obey it. also a number of brethren called this Evening to see the records. I exibited and explained them to their satisfaction.

Date: 8 December 1835 (Tuesday)

Location: School House at Kirtland, Ohio, USA

Source: Warren Parrish Record in Joseph Smith Journal, LDS Archives

In the evening I preached, as usal at the School House, had great liberty in speaking the congregation, were attentive, after the servises closed the brethren proposed to come and draw wood for me.

Date: 10 December 1835 (Thursday)

Location: Kirtland, Ohio, USA

Source: Warren Parrish Record in Joseph Smith Journal, LDS Archives

This evening I spent at hom[e], a number of brethren called to see the records which I exibited to them, and they were much pleased with their interview.

Date: 12 December 1835 (Saturday)

Location: Kirtland, Ohio, USA

Source: Warren Parrish Record in Joseph Smith Journal, LDS Archives

At home, spent the fore noon in reading, at about 12 oclock a number of young persons called to see the Egyptian records I requested my Scribe to exibit them, he did so, one of the young ladies, who had been examining them, was asked if they had the appearance of Antiquity, she observed with an air of contempt that they did not, on hearing this I was surprised at the ignorance she displayed, and I observed to her that she was an anomaly in creation for all the wise and learned that had ever examined them, without hesitation pronounced them antient, I further remarked that, it was downright wickedness ignorance bigotry and supersitition that caused her to make the remark, and that I would put it on record, and I have done so because it is a fair sample of the prevailing spirit of the times showing that the victims of priestcraft and superstition, would not believe though one should rise from the dead.

At evening attended a debate, at Br. Wm. Smiths, the question proposed to debate upon was, as follows.-was it necessary for God to reveal himself to man, in order for their happiness.-I was on the affirmative and the last one to speak on that side of the question,-but while listening, with interest to the, ingenuity displayed, on both Sides of the qustion, I was called, away to visit, Sister Angeline Work[s], who was supposed to be dangerously sick, Elder Corrill & myself went and prayed for and layed hands on her in the name of Jesus Christ, She appeard to be better, -returned home.

Date: 13 December 1835 (Sunday)

Location: Isaac McWithy Home near Kirtland, Ohio, USA

Source: Warren Parrish Record in Joseph Smith Journal, LDS Archives

At the usual hour for meeting . . . I then made some remarks respecting prayer meetings . . . We then rode to Mr. McWithy's a distance of about 3 miles . . . where I had been Solicited, to attend and solemnize, the matrimonial covenant betwen Mr. E. Webb & Miss E. A. McWithy . . . and having been requested, to make some preliminary remarks upon the subject of matrimony, touching the design of the All Mighty in this institution, also the duties of husbands & wives towards eac [sic] other, and after opening our interview with singing and prayer, I delivered a lecture of about 40 minuets in length, during this time all seemed to be interested, except one or two individuals, who manifested, a spirit of grovling contempt, which I was constrained to reprove and rebuke sharply, after I had closed my remarks, I sealed the matrimonial ceremony in the name of God, and pronounced the blessings of heaven upon the heads of the young married couple.

Date: 14 December 1835 (Monday)

Location: Kirtland, Ohio, USA

Source: Warren Parrish Record in Joseph Smith Journal, LDS Archives

This morning a number of brethren from New York call to visit me, and see the Egyptian records. [Later] counciled also on other affairs of a temporal nature.

Date: 15 December 1835 (Tuesday)

Location: Kirtland, Ohio, USA

Source: Warren Parrish Record in Joseph Smith Journal, LDS Archives

Spent the day at home, and as usal [sic] was blessed with much company, some of which called to see the records.

Date: 16 December 1835 (Wednesday)

Location: Kirtland, Ohio, USA

Source: Warren Parrish Record in Joseph Smith Journal, LDS Archives

Returned home[,] Elder McLellen Elder B. Young and Elder J. Carter called and paid me a visit, with which I was much gratified. I exibited and explaind the Egyptian Records to them, and explained many things to them concerning the dealings of God with the ancients and the formation of the planetary System, they seemed much pleased with the interview.

Date: 20 December 1835 (Sunday)

Location: Kirtland, Ohio, USA

Source: Joseph Smith Record in Joseph Smith Journal, LDS Archives

At home all day and took solled [solid] Comfort with my Family had many serious reflections also Brother [Ambrose] Palmer and [Jonathan] Tailor Came to see me I showed them the sacred record to their Joy and satifaction O may God have mercy upon these men and keep them in the way of Everlasting life in the name of Jesus Amen.

Date: 22 December 1835 (Tuesday)

Location: Kirtland, Ohio, USA

Source: Joseph Smith Record in Joseph Smith Journal, LDS Archives

At home Continued my studys O may God give me lerning even Language and indo [endue] me with qualifycations to magnify his name while I live I also deliv[er]ed an address to the Church this Evening the Lord blessed my Soul.

Date: 29 December 1835 (Tuesday)

Location: School House at Kirtland, Ohio, USA

Source: Frederick G. Williams Record in Joseph Smith Journal, LDS Archives

At early candlelight I went and prached at the school house to a crowded congregation, who listened with attention, while I delivered a lecture of about 3, hours in length, I had liberty in speaking, some presbyterians were present, as I after learned, and I expect that some of my sayings set like a garment that was well fited, as I exposed their abominations in the language of the scriptures, and I pray God that it my be like a nail in a sure place, driven by the master of assemblies.

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