1834-35 — Oliver Cowdery, with Joseph Smith’s help, published the first history of Mormonism in the LDS periodical Messenger and Advocate, Kirtland, Ohio, Dec. 1834, vol.1, no.3.
Principle elements of the account:
- A revival stirred in him a desire to “know for
himself of the certainty and reality of pure and holy
religion.”
- Desired to know if a Supreme being did exist, and
wanted manifestation that his sins were forgiven.
- Age 17 (1823)
- He was in his bedroom
- Vision of an angel
- Told sins were forgiven and Lord would do a work
through him
- Told about gold plates and their location
The Account
Scans: Messenger and Advocate, v. 1, p. 42
Messenger and Advocate, v. 1, p. 78
Messenger and Advocate, v. 1, p. 79
“You will recollect that I informed you, in my letter
published in the first No. of the Messenger and Advocate,
that this history would necessarily embrace the life and
character of our esteemed friend and brother, J Smith Jr.
one of the presidents of this church, and for information on
that part of the subject, I refer you to his communication
of the same, published in this paper. I shall, therefore,
pass over that, till I come to the 15th year of his life.
“It is necessary to premise this account by relating the
situation of the public mind relative to religion, at this
time: One Mr. Lane, a presiding Elder of the Methodist
church, visited Palmyra, and vicinity. Elder Lane was a
talented man possessing a good share of literary endowments,
and apparent humility. There was a great awakening, or
excitement raised on the subject of religion, and much
enquiry for the word of life. Large additions were made to
the Methodist, Presbyterian, and Baptist churches. … Then
strife seemed to take the place of that apparent union and
harmony which had previously characterized the moves and
exhortations of the old professors, and a cry — I am right —
your are wrong — was introduced in their stead. “In this
general strife for followers, his mother, one sister, and
two of his natural brothers, were persuaded to unite with
the Presbyterians. … “After strong solicitations to unite
with one of those different societies, and seeing the
apparent proselyting disposition manifested with equal
warmth from each, his mind was led to more seriously
contemplate the importance of a move of this kind.”
Oliver Cowdery continues the narrative in the next issue, on
page 78-79: “You will recollect that I mentioned the time of
a religious excitement, in Palmyra and vicinity to have been
in the 15th year of our brother J. Smith Jr.’s age — that
was an error in the type — it should have been in the 17th.
— You will please remember this correction, as it will be
necessary for the full understanding of what will follow in
time. This would bring the date down to the year 1823. “I do
not deem it necessary to write further on the subject of
this excitement. … “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. “… 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 … all he desired was to be prepared
in heart to commune with some kind of messenger who could
communicate to him the desired information of his acceptance
with God. “… 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 … It is no
easy task to describe the appearance of a messenger from the
skies … But it may be well to relate the 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;"
___________________________________
Cowdery's narrative continues from this point and parallels others given by Smith over the years. The angel tells Joseph of a restoration and a new book of Scripture. It is interesting that this account does not follow the two event, 'double visitation' pattern of Joseph's 1832, 1835-36, and 1838 accounts, but instead parallels the earliest accounts where a single spiritual being visits Joseph and tells him of the plates. It combines the following key elements into a single event.
- Joseph as a young spiritual seeker (rather than a
treasure seeker) who is unsure if God even exists
- Joseph's desire for and receiving of forgiveness
- the appearance of an angel
- first time mention of a local revival (which did
occur around 1823) as an external motivator for Joseph's
unrest
- the revelation about gold plates
In subsequent accounts Joseph Smith will divide these elements between two visionary experiences separated by several years.