Early Scenes and Incidents in the Church

EARLY SCENES AND INCIDENTS IN THE CHURCH. BY OLIVER COWDERY.

LETTER VIII. (CONCLUDED.)

At that instant he looked to the Lord in prayer, and as he prayed darkness began to disperse from his mind and his soul was lit up as it was the evening before, and he was filled with the Holy Spirit; and again did the Lord manifest his condescension and mercy; the heavens were opened and the glory of the Lord shone around about and rested upon him. While thus he stood gazing and admir- ing, the angel said, "Look!" and as he thus spake he beheld the prince of darkness, surrounded by his innumerable train of associ- ates. All this passed before him, and the heavenly messenger said, "All this is shown, the good and the evil, the holy and impure, the glory of God and the power of darkness, that ye may know here- after the two powers and never be influenced or overcome by that wicked oae. Behold, whatever entices and leads to good and to do good, is of God, and whatever does not is of that wicked one: men with evil, to walk in darkness and it is he that fills the hearts of

blaspheme God; and you may learn from henceforth, that his ways are to destruction, but the way of holiness is peace and rest. You now see why you could not obtain this record; that the commandment was strict, and that if ever these sacred things are obtained they must be by prayer and faithfulness in obeying the Lord. They are not deposited here for the sake of accumulating gain and wealth for the glory of this world: they were sealed by the prayer of faith, and because of the knowledge which they contain they are of no

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worth among the children of men, only for their knowledge. On them is contained the fullness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, as it was given to his people on this land, and when it shall be brought forth by the power of God it shall be carried to the Gentiles, of whom many will receive it, and after will the seed of Israel be brought into the fold of their Redeemer by obeying it also. Those who kept the commandments of the Lord on this land, through the prayer of faith obtained the promise, that if their descendants should transgress and fall away, that a record might be kept and in the last days come to their children. These things are sacred, and must be kept so, for the promise of the Lord concerning them must be fulfilled. No man can obtain them if his heart is impure, because they contain that which is sacred; and besides, should they be entrusted in unholy hands the knowledge could not come to the world, because they cannot be interpreted by the learning of this generation: consequently, they would be considered of no worth, only as precious metal. Therefore, remember, that they are to be translated by the gift and power of God. By them will the Lord work a great and a marvelous work: the wisdom of the wise shall become as naught, and the understanding of the prudent shall be hid, and because the power of God shall be displayed those who profess to know the truth but walk in deceit, shall tremble with anger; but with signs and with wonders, with gifts and with heal- ings, with the manifestations of the the power of God, and with the Holy Ghost, shall the hearts of the faithful be comforted. You have now beheld the power of God manifested and the power of Satan: you see that there is nothing that is desirable in the works of darkness; that they cannot bring happiness: that those who are overcome therewith are miserable, while on the other hand the righteous are blessed with a place in the kingdom of God where joy unspeakable surrounds them. There they rest beyond the power of the enemy of truth, where no evil can disturb them. The glory of God crowns them, and they continually feast upon his good- ness and enjoy his smiles. Behold, notwithstanding you have seen this great display of power, by which you may ever be able to de- tect the evil one, yet I give unto you another sign, and when it comes to pass then know that the Lord is God and that he will ful- fill his purposes, and that the knowledge which this record contains

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will go to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people under the whole heaven. This is the sign: When these things begin to be known, that is, when it is known that the Lord has shown you these things, the workers of iniquity will seek your overthrow: they will circulate falsehoods to destroy your reputation, and also will seek to take your life: but remember this, if you are faithful, and shall hereafter continue to keep the commandments of the Lord, you shall be preserved to bring these things forth; for in due time he will again give you a commandment to come and take them. When they are interpreted the Lord will give the Holy Priesthood to some, and they shall begin to proclaim this Gospel and baptize by water, and after that they shall have power to give the Holy Ghost by the laying on of their hands. Then will persecution rage more and more; for the iniquities of men shall be revealed, and those who are not built upon the rock will seek to overthrow this Church; but it will increase the more opposed, and spread farther and far- ther, increasing in knowledge till they shall be sanctified and receive an inheritance where the glory of God shall rest upon them; and when this takes place, and all things are prepared, the Ten Tribes of Israel will be revealed in the north country, whither they have been for a long season; and when this is fulfilled will be brought to pass that saying of the prophet — 'And the Redeemer shall come to Zion, and unto them that turn from transgression in Jacob, saith the Lord.' But, notwithstanding the workers of inquity shall seek your destruction, the arm of the Lord will be extended and you will be borne off conqueror, if you keep all his commandments. Your name shall be known among the nations, for the work which the Lord will perform by your hands shall cause the righteous to rejoice and the wicked to rage: with one it shall be had in honor, and the other in reproach; yet, with these it shall be a terror be- cause of the great and marvelous work which shall follow the com- ing forth of this fullness of the Gospel. Now, go thy way, remem- bering what the Lord has done for thee, and be diligent in keeping his commandments, and he will deliver thee from temptations and all the arts and devices of the wicked one. Forget not to pray, that thy mind may become strong that when he shall manifest unto thee, thou mayest have power to escape the evil, and obtain these pre- cious things."

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Though I am unable to paint before the mind, a perfect de- scription of the scenery which passed before our brother, I think I have said enough to give you a field for reflection which may not be unprofitable. You see the great wisdom of God in leading him thus far, that his mind might begin to be more matured, and there- by be able to judge correctly the spirits. I do not say that he would not have obtained the record had he gone according to the direction of the angel — say that he would: but God knowing I all

things from the beginning, began thus to instruct his servant. And in this it is plainly to be seen that the adversary of truth is not sufficient to overthrow the work of God. You will remember that I said,two invisible powers were operating upon the mind of our brother while going to Cumorah. In this, then, I discover wisdom in the dealings of the Lord: it was impossible for any man to trans-

late the Book of Mormon by the gift of God, endure the afflictions, and temptations, and devices of Satan, without being overthrown, unless he had been previously benefited with a certain round of ex- perience: and had our brother obtained the record the first time, not knowing how to detect the works of darkness, he might have been deprived of the blessing of sending forth the word of truth to this generation. Therefore, God knowing that Satan would thus lead his mind astray, began at that early hour, that when the full time should arrive, he might have a servant prepared to fill his purpose. So, however afflicting to his feelings this repulse might have been^ he had reason to rejoice before the Lord and be thankful for the favors and mercies shown: that whatever other instruction was necessary to the accomplishing of this great work, he had learned, by experience, how to discern between the Spirit of Christ and the spirit of the devil.

From this time to September, 1827, few occurrences worthy of note, transpired. As a fact to be expected, nothing of importance could be recorded concerning a generation in darkness. In the meantime our brother of whom I have been speaking, passed the time as others, in laboring for his support. But in consequence of certain false and slanderous reports which had been circulated, justice would require me to say something upon the private life of one whose character has been so shamefully traduced. By some he is said to have been an idle, lazy, vicious, profligate fellow.

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These I am prepared to contradict, and that too by the testimony of many persons with whom I have been intimately acquainted, and know to be individuals of strictest veracity, and unquestionable in- tegrity. All these strictly and virtually agree in saying, that he was an honest, upright, virtuous, and faithful and industrious young man. And those who say to the contrary can be influenced by no other motive than to destroy the reputation of one who never in- jured any man in either property or person. While young, I have been informed, he was afflicted with sick- ness, but I have been told by those for whom he had labored, that he was a young man of truth and industrious habits. And I will add further that it is my conviction, if he never had been called to the exalted station which he now occupies, he might have passed down the stream of time with ease and in respectability, without the foul and hellish tongue of slander being employed against him. It is

no more than to be expected, I admit, that men of corrupt hearts will try to traduce his character and put a spot upon his name: in-

deed, this is according to the word of the angel ; but this does not prohibit me from speaking freely of his merits, and contradicting those falsehoods — I feel myself bound so to do, and I know that my testimony, on this matter, will be received and believed while those Who testify to the contrary are crumbled to dust, and their words swept away in the general mass of lies when God shall purify the earth! Connected with this is the character of the family, and on this I say as I said concerning the character of our brother — I feel myself bound to defend the innocent always when opportunity offers. Had not those who are notorious for lies and dishonesty, also assailed the character of the family I should pass over them in silence; but now I shall not forbear. It has been industriously circulated that they were dishonest, deceitful and vile. On this I have the testimony of responsible persons, who have said and will say, that this is basely false; and besides, a personal acquaintance for seven years, has demonstrated that all the difficulty is, they were once poor, (yet industrious,) and have now, by the help of God, arisen to note, and their names are like to (indeed they will,) be handed down to posterity, and had among the righteous. They are industrious, honest, virtuous and liberal to all. This is their char-

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acter; and though many take advantage of their liberality, God will reward them; but this is the fact, and this testimony shall shine upon the records of the Saints, and be recorded on the ar- chives of heaven to be read in the day of eternity, when the wicked and perverse, who have vilely slandered them without cause or provocation, reap their reward with the unjust, where there is

weeping, wailing and gnashing of teeth — they do not repent. if

Soon after this visit to Cumorah, a gentleman from the south part of the state, (Chenango County,) employed our brother as a common laborer and accordingly he visited that section of the country; and had he not been accused of digging down all, or nearly so, the mountains of Susquehanna, or causing others to do it by some art of necromancy, I should leave this for the present unnoticed. You will remember, in the meantime, that those who seek to vilify his character, say that he has always been notorious for his idleness. This gentleman whose name is Stowel, resided in the town of Bainbridge, on or near the head-waters of the Susque- hanna river. Some forty miles south, or down the river, in the town of Harmony, Susquehanna County, Pa., is said to be a cave or subterraneous recess, whether entirely formed by art or uot, I am uninformed, neither does this matter; but such is said to be the case — where a company of Spaniards, a long time since, when the country was uninhabited by white settlers, excavated from the bowels of the earth ore, and coined a large quantity of money, after which they secured the cavity and evacuated, leaving a part still in the cave, purposing to return at some distant period. A long time elapsed and this account came from one of the individuals who was first engaged in this mining business. The country was pointed out and the spot minutely described. I believe is the sub- This, stance, so far as my memory serves, though I shall not pledge my veracity for the correctness of the account as I have given it.

Enough, however, was credited of the Spaniard's story, to excite the belief of many that there was a fine sum of precious metal lying coined in this subterraneous vault, among whom was the employer; and accordingly our brother was required to spend a few months with some others in excavating the earth in pursuit of this treasure. While employed here he became acquainted with the family of

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Isaac Hale, of whom you read in several of the productions of those who have sought to destroy the validity of the Book of Mormon. It may be necessary hereafter, to refer you more particularly to

the conduct of this family, as their influence has been consider- ably exerted to destroy the reputation of our brother, probably because he married a daughter of the same, contrary to some of their wishes; and in connection with this, to certain statements of some others of the inhabitants of that section of the country. But in saying this I do not want to be understood as uttering aught against Mrs. Smith, (formerly Emma Hale.) She has certainly evinced a decidedly correct mind and uncommon ability of talent and judgment, in a manifest willingness to fulfill on her part that passage in sacred writ — "and they twain shall be one flesh" by — accompanying her husband against the wishes and advice of her relatives, to a land of strangers: and however I may deprecate their actions, can say in justice her character stands as fair for morality, piety and virtue, as any in the world. Though you may say, this is a digression from the subject proposed, I trust I shall be indulged, for the purpose of satisfying many who have heard so many slanderous reports that they are led to believe them true be- cause they are not contradicted ; besides, this generation are de- termined to oppose every item in the form or under the pretense of revelation, unless it comes through a man who has always been as pure as Michael the great prince, and as this is the fact, and my oppressors have put me to the necessity, I shall be more prolix, and have no doubt, before I give up the point, shall prove to your satis- faction and to that of every man, that the translator of the Book of Mormon is worthy the appellation of a seer and a prophet of the Lord. In this I do not pretend that he is not a man subject to passion like other men, beset with infirmities and encompassed with weaknesses; but if he is, all men were so before him and a pretense to the contrary would argue a more than mortal which would at once destroy the whole system of the religion of the Lord Jesus; for he anciently chose the weak to overcome the strong, the foolish to confound the wise, (I mean considered so by this world,) and by the foolishness of preaching to save those who believe. On the private character of our brother I need add nothing further, at present, previous to his obtaining the records of the

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Nephites, only that while in that country, some very officious per- son complained of him as a disorderly person, and brought him be- fore the authorities of the county; but there being no cause for action he was honorably acquitted. From this time forward he continued to receive instructions concerning the coming forth of the fullness of the Gospel, from the mouth of a heavenly messenger, until he was directed to visit again the place where the records were deposited. For the present I close, with a thankful heart that I am permitted to see thousands rejoicing in the assurance of the promises of the Lord confirmed unto them through the obedience of the everlasting covenant. As ever your brother in the Lord Jesus.