--- title: Improvement Era description: Monthly periodical of the Mormon church, 1897 onward. This library holds the issues of November 1897 to December 1930. authors: - Cowdery, Oliver collections: - periodicals tags: - magazine - improvement-era periodical: Improvement Era volume: 2 number: 6 published: 1899-04 publisher: Young Men’s Mutual Improvement Associations publisher_place: Salt Lake City language: en type: magazine reference: 'Cowdery, Oliver, "Early Scenes and Incidents in the Church," *Improvement Era* 2, no. 6 (April 1899): 419–423.' source: url: https://archive.org/details/improvementera26unse transcription: Transcribed from the Internet Archive scan of each issue (the item for each issue is named in the issue's own source); unnumbered advertising leaves are omitted, printed page numbers are kept as page markers. identifier: improvementera26unse start_page: 419 end_page: 423 rights: status: public-domain basis: US publication 1930 or earlier (published 1899-04) source: https://archive.org/details/improvementera26unse publication_year: 1899 note: The Internet Archive item metadata carries a blanket "© Copyright by Intellectual Reserve, Inc." notice. The library owner judged it inapplicable because this issue was published in 1899, before 1931; a scan-level notice does not restore copyright. --- # Early Scenes and Incidents in the Church EARLY SCENES AND INCGDENTS IN THE CHURCH. BY OLIVER COWDERY. LETTER IV. Dear Brother. —In my last, I apologized for the brief manner in which I should be obliged to give, in many instances, the history of this church. Since then yours of Christmas has been received. It was not my wish to be understood that I could not give the leading items of every important occurrence, at least so far as would effect my duty to my fellow-men, in such as contained important information upon the subject of doctrine, and as would render it intelligbly plain; but as there are, in a great house, many vessels, so in the history of a work of this magnitude, many items which would be interesting to those who follow, are forgotten. In fact, I deem every manifestation of the Holy Spirit, dictating the hearts of the saints in the way of righteousness to be of importance, and this is one reason why I plead an apology. You will recollect that I mentioned the time of a religious excitement in Palmyra and vicinity to have been in 17th year of our brother Joseph Smith, Jr.'s, age. This brings the date down to the year 1823. I do not deem it to be necessary to write further on the subject of this excitement. It is doubted by many whether any real or essential good ever resulted from such excitements, while others advocate their propriety with warmth. The mind is easily called up to reflection upon a matter of 420 IMPROVEMENT ERA. such deep importance, and it is just that it should be; but there is a regret occupying the heart when we consider the deep anxiety of thousands, who are lead away with a vain imagination, or a groundless hope, no better than the idle wind or the spider's web. But if others were not benefitted, our brother was urged forward and strengthened in the determination to know for himself of the certainty and reality of pure and holy religion. And it is only necessary for me to say, that while this excitement continued, he continued to call upon the Lord in secret for a full manifestation of divine approbation, and for, to him, the all important information, if a Supreme Being did exist, to have an assurance that he was accepted of him. This, most assuredly, — was correct it was right. The Lord has said long since, and his word remains steadfast, that to him who knocks it shall be opened, and whosoever will, may come and partake of the waters of life freely. To grant a humble penitent sinner a refreshing draught from this most pure of all fountains, and most desirable of all refreshments to a thirsty soul, is a matter for the full performance of which the sacred record stands pledged. The Lord never said "Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest," to turn a deaf ear to those who were weary when they call upon him. He never said by the mouth of the prophet, "Ho every one that thirsts, come ye to the waters," without passing it as a firm decree, at the same time, that he that should after come, should be filled with a joy unspeakable. Neither did he manifest by the spirit to John upon the isle — "Let him that is athirst, come," and command him to send the same abroad, under any other consideration, than that "whosoever would, might take the water of life freely," to the remotest ages of time, or while there was a sinner upon his footstool. These sacred and important promises are looked upon in our day as being given, either to another people, or in a figurative form, and consequently require spiritualizing, notwithstanding they are as conspicuously plain, and are meant to be understood according to their literal reading, as those passages which teach us of the creation of the world, and of the decree of its Maker to EARLY SCENES AND INCIDENTS IN THE CHURCH. 421 bring its inhabitants to judgment. But to proceed with my narrative On the evening of the 21st of September, 1823, previous to retiring to rest our brother's mind was unusually wrought up on the subject which had so long agitated his mind — his heart was drawn out in fervent prayer, and his whole soul was lost to everything of a temporal nature that earth, to him, had lost its charms, and all he desired was to be prepared in heart to commune with some kind messenger who would communicate to him the desired information of his acceptance with God. At length the family retired, and he, as usual, bent his way, though in silence, where others might have rested their weary frames "locked fast in sleep's embrace," but repose had fled, and accustomed slumber had spread her refreshing hand over others — beside him he continued still to pray — his heart, though once hard and obdurate, was softened, and that mind which had often flitted, like the "wild bird of passage," has settled upon a deter- mined basis not to be decoyed or driven from its purpose. In this situation hours passed unnumbered how many or — how few I know not, neither is he able to inform me; but suppose it must have been eleven or twelve and perhaps later, as the noise and bustle of the family, in retiring, had long since ceased. While continuing in prayer for a manifestation in some way that his sins were forgiven; endeavoring to exercise faith in the scriptures, on a sudden a light like that of day, only of a purer and far more glorious appearance and brightness burst into the room. Indeed, to use his own description, the first sight was as though the house was filled with consuming and unquenchable fire. This sudden appearance of a light so bright, as must naturally be expected, occasioned a shock or sensation, visible to the extremities of the body. It was, however, followed with a calmness and serenity of mind, and an overwhelming rapture of joy that surpassed understanding, and in a moment a personage stood before him. Notwithstanding the room was previously filled with light above the brightness of the sun, as I have before described, yet there seemed to be an additional glory surrounding or accompanying this personage, which shone with an increased degree of • 422 IMPROVEMENT ERA. brilliancy, of which he was in the midst; and though his countenance was as lightning, yet it was of a pleasing, innocent and glorious appearance, so much so, that every fear was banished from the heart, and nothing but calmness prevaded the soul. It is no easy task to describe the appearance of a messenger — from the skies indeed, I doubt there being an individual clothed with perishable clay, who is capable to do this work. To be sure, the Lord appeared to his apostles after his resurrection, and we do not learn as they were in the least difficulted to look upon him; but from John's description upon Pattnos, we learn that he is there represented as most glorious in appearance; and from other items in the sacred scriptures we have the fact recorded where angels appeared and conversed with men, and there was no diffi- culty on the part of the individuals, to endure their presence; and others where their glory was so conspicuous that they could not endure. The last description or appearance is the one to which I refer, when I say that it is no easy task to describe their glory. But it may be well to relate particulars as far as given. The stature of this personage was a little above the common size of men in this age: his garment was perfectly white, and had the appearance of being without seam. Though fear was banished from his heart yet his surprise was no less when he heard him declare himself to be a messenger sent by commandment of the Lord, to deliver a special message, and to witness to him that his sins were forgiven, and that his prayers were heard; and that the scriptures might be fulfilled which say "God has chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; and the base things of the world, and the things which are despised, has God chosen; yea, and the things which are not, to bring to naught things which are, that no flesh should glory in his presence. Therefore, says the Lord, I will proceed to do a marvelous work among this people, even a marvelous work and a wonder; the wisdom of their wise shall perish, and the understanding of their prudent shall be hid; for according to his covenant which he made with his ancient saints, his people the house of Israel, must come to a knowledge of the gospel, and win that Messiah whom their fathers rejected, and EARLY SCENES AND INCIDENTS IN THE CHURCH. 423 with them the fullness of the Gentiles be gathered in, to rejoice in one fold under one Shepherd." ''This cannot be brought about until first certain preparatory things are accomplished, for so has the Lord purposed in his own mind. He has therefore chosen you as an instrument in his hand to bring to light that which shall perform his act, his strange act, and bring to pass a marvelous work and a wonder. Where ever the sound shall go it shall cause the ears of men to tingle, and where ever it shall be proclaimed, the pure in heart shall rejoice, while those who draw near to God with their mouths, and honor him with their lips while hearts are far from him, will seek its overthrow, and the destruction of those by whose hands it is carried. Therefore, marvel not if your name is made a derision, and had as a by- word among such if you are the instrument in bringing it, by the gift of God, to the knowledge of the people." He then proceeded and gave a general account of the promise made to the fathers, and also gave a history of the aborigines of this country, and said they were literal descendants of Abraham. He represented them as once being an enlightened and intelligent people, possessing a correct knowledge of the gospel, and the plan of restoration and redemption. He said this history was written and deposited not far from that place, and that it was our brother's privilege, if obedient to the commandments of the Lord, to obtain, and translate the same by the means of the Urim and Thummim, which were deposited for that purpose with the record. "Yet," said he, "the scripture must be fulfilled before it is translated, which says that the words of a book, which were sealed, were presented to the learned; for thus has God determined to leave men without excuse, and show to the meek that his arm is not shortened that it cannot save." A part of the book was sealed, and was not to be opened yet. The sealed part, said he, contains the same revelation which was given to John upon the isle of Patmos, and when the people of the Lord are prepared, and found worthy, then it will be unfolded unto them. On the subject of bringing to light the unsealed part of this record, it may be proper to say, that our brother was expressly