The peaceful and blessed hours which the Prophet had hoped to enjoy in the performance of his holy work at his home in Harmony, were quickly intruded3 upon. Satan had been able already to excite Joseph's enemies to a frenzy4, and to make the conversion5 of even honest inquirers difficult, and in many cases impossible. Not satisfied with this, the evil one stirred up the hearts of some of Joseph's friends and associates to feelings of jealous vanity and fear.
Oliver Cowdery, at Fayette, was the first victim within the fold of the assaults of the adversary6. While the Prophet, aided by his wife, was transcribing7 the revelations, he received a startling letter, couched in stern and disrespectful terms, addressed to him by Oliver from Fayette. The letter demanded that Joseph should erase8 certain words from one of the commandments given by God to the Church, alleging9 that they had been incorrectly written. The Prophet was shocked and grieved, because he saw therein the snare10 which Satan had set for the feet of some of the flock of Christ. He knew, too, how prone11 Oliver was to be lifted up in the pride of his heart; and he saw in this a concession12 to evil by Oliver which must soon be checked and withdrawn13, or Oliver, and those who had sympathy for him, would soon be cast out. Joseph wrote a letter, full of loving admonition, and yet rebuking14 firmly the error to which Oliver was yielding. Joseph informed him that the revelation had been correctly written—it was the command of God, and no man had authority to take from it a single word.
Joseph soon followed his letter and visited his associates at Fayette. He found there a most deplorable state of affairs. Oliver Cowdery had yielded to the power of darkness. In the vanity of his heart he had set himself up against the Prophet of the Lord, and by skillful persuasion15 and flattery, had succeeded in winning the Whitmers to a belief in his views. Joseph felt that they were hardened toward him, and that the spirit which possessed16 them must at once be subdued17 and cast out, else they would be lost to the cause of Christ. He prayed for help, and labored18 earnestly and lovingly to show to Oliver and the others the error of their way. None of them at first would listen to his words. The influence which possessed them was perfectly20 aware that if they gave attention to Joseph's words they would soon discover their mistake; and it encouraged in them an obstinate21 and hateful feeling. After some time Christian22 Whitmer became convinced of their error. He saw the abyss into which the archenemy had endeavored to drag him; and he joined with Joseph in supplication23 to the Lord that his father and brothers and Oliver Cowdery might be turned aside from their evil course, and brought back into the right way. One by one they yielded to the voice of truth, and finally all—including Oliver Cowdery—confessed that they had been misled by Satan, and that they knew the Lord's words were not within the power of man to enlarge or diminish.
Thus, promptly24 met, was an error rooted out. If unchecked it would have led away some of those to whom angels had administered. This showed to Joseph and to all who were with him that constant vigilance was necessary to protect even the best from the devices of the evil one. They saw that it was against the elect that Satan directed his strongest efforts; and that, when blinded by his temptations, they were unable to see the way of righteousness from which they were departing or the mire25 of wickedness into which he was leading their feet. For some of them the lesson was long effective; but with others it was of but temporary avail. These latter seemed unable to long restrain their own eager ambition and vanity, or to close their ears to the tempting26 whispers of the adversary, who constantly plotted their downfall.
While Joseph was laboring27 in Fayette to restore peace to his brethren and prosperity to the cause, the sectarian preachers were stirring up the minds of the people at Harmony to think and act evilly toward the Prophet and his work. As soon as Joseph went back to his home he found that some persons who had been his friends now spoke28 and bore themselves coldly toward him. A Methodist minister in the neighborhood, taking advantage of Joseph's absence, had spoken all manner of evil things concerning him, and had succeeded in making the people distrust the Prophet and the work of God. Isaac Hale and his family were thus led away. When Joseph had left them to go to Fayette, they were filled with kindness toward him and his wife. They promised and accorded him protection and help; and they were examining the principles of the gospel so earnestly that Joseph hoped soon to welcome his wife's family into the fold. But the Methodist minister, who was influential29 with Isaac Hale, had whispered such untruths concerning the absent Prophet, and Satan had worked so effectively to blind the eyes and becloud the understanding of the people of Harmony, that nearly all were ready in persecution against Joseph. Isaac Hale and his family were turned from the work, and became from that hour its bitter opponents.
But Joseph must not falter30 in his labor19. The branch of the Church at Colesville was also suffering persecution; and the Prophet had to forget for the time all his personal afflictions. In the latter part of August, 1830, he called to his company John Whitmer, David Whitmer and Hyrum Smith, and went to comfort and instruct Joseph Knight31 and those who were associated with him. Such fierce threats had been uttered by the mobocrats who sympathized with the Presbyterian ministers, that Joseph and his brethren felt that they were risking their lives in thus journeying to Colesville. They joined together in mighty32 prayer, beseeching33 God that He would blind the eyes of their enemies, and permit them to go and come without recognition by the wicked. The Prophet informed his companions that their prayer would be answered, and the angel of the Lord would protect them and cover with a veil the vision of the murderous mob. They made no effort to disguise themselves, but traveled through Colesville to the house of Joseph Knight in broad day, meeting a score of their persecutors. A reward had been offered to anyone who would give information of Joseph's return; and among those whom they met were many who would gladly have earned the money, even at the expense of the Prophet's life. But no one said a harsh word to Joseph and his companions, and they were treated merely as ordinary strangers passing through the village. A meeting of the branch was held that night, and the Spirit of God was poured out upon the believers in rich abundance. They were all made firm by the blessing34 given, and filled with a determination to yield nothing of their faith, though the anger of the wicked should be visited upon them through robbery or even death.
The next morning Joseph and his party started back to Harmony. A few hours after they were gone, a howling mob descended35 upon the house of Joseph Knight and demanded the persons of the Prophet and his companions—swearing to visit vengeance36 in case of a refusal. This mob was composed of some of the persons who had been incited37 by sectarian ministers on other occasions to offer violence to the Prophet. This time they were more fierce than ever before. All day long they surged around the houses of Joseph Knight and his son Newel, cursing and threatening. Nothing apparently38 would appease39 them until, exhausted40 by their own evil passions, they were forced to disperse41.
The situation in Pennsylvania was not improved; and soon it became apparent that the Prophet could not work in the vicinity of Harmony with any degree of vigor42 and freedom. Persecution flourished on every side. But while the Prophet was suffering all this in body and in spirit, a messenger brought an invitation from Peter Whitmer, asking Joseph once more to come to Fayette and establish his home. The peace of the Holy Spirit had filled the hearts of the brethren at Fayette, and they desired to have the Prophet among them, to bless him with their faith, and aid him by their works in the accomplishment43 of his ministry44. After a brief time Joseph Knight came to Harmony. Seeing the situation of the Prophet, he offered his wagon45 and horses for the conveyance46 of Joseph's family to Fayette; and in the last week of August, 1830, the Prophet found himself established once more in the house of Peter Whitmer.
Wearied with the buffetings of the world, Joseph would have been glad to enjoy a little season of peace; but on his arrival at Fayette he found that the old spirit of vanity had gained an entrance, even while he was journeying from Harmony. One of the brethren named Hiram Page, had been inspired by the evil one to make known revelations which he declared he had received for the Church, through a stone he had, which were utterly47 at variance48 with the spirit of the gospel and opposed to the commands of God, previously49 given through Joseph, the ordained50 Prophet. These tempting declarations made by Hiram Page had met with the favor of Oliver Cowdery and some of the Whitmers. They were deceived by him; they had not yet fully51 learned that Satan could give revelations. Joseph rebuked52 again, and this time more sternly, the childish folly53 of these people. They were anxious to do right; and yet, without his presence, they were certain to do evil. He demanded that they should forsake54 the false doctrines55 which Hiram Page was promulgating56, and that all should unite with him in asking God to reveal to them His will concerning the manner in which His commands should be given to the world. The answer to this petition was that revelation, given to Oliver Cowdery early in September, 1830, establishing once and forever the order of Heaven concerning God's revelations to men. It was made known to Oliver therein that God had but one head for His Church, and that head was His chosen servant, Joseph Smith. No one else should be appointed by the Church until God should so direct, to receive commandments; for Joseph held the keys of the mysteries and the revelations which were sealed, and through him alone should they be given, until some other should be chosen by the Lord in his stead. Oliver's place was defined to him: He should receive revelations, but not to be written by way of command to the Church. It was his duty to labor in secret with his brother, Hiram Page, and declare to him that the things which Hiram had written as revelations from that stone, were not of God and that Satan was deceiving him. When these things should be finished, Oliver was told, it would be his duty to go to the land of the Lamanites, or Indians, among whom the gospel must be proclaimed, and by whose borders a city should be built.
The word of God had its effect, and the evil which had been done was repented57 of by all. Hiram Page and the Whitmers forsook58 that which had been condemned59 and asked forgiveness.
Besides settling the grand principle that individuals can receive revelations for their own comfort, but not as commandments for the Church, and that the chosen Prophet who stands at the head shall alone have that authority, the Lord in this revelation informed His children of a purpose which to them must have been a source of amazement60. It was within this divine purpose that a city of the Saints should be built; and yet here was but a handful of people, with a Prophet persecuted61, threatened, driven, until he had no place to lay his head, except through the charity of his brethren.
Doubtless these people, who were now reconciled to Heaven and united with each other, felt wonder that they should be called upon to engage in any labor likely to attract anew the vengeful feeling of mobs. But whatever worldly fear may have assailed62 them, they were soon blessed and encouraged by another revelation, which followed in a few days. It came through Joseph in the presence of six elders at Fayette; and it declared that they were chosen out of the world to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ with the sound of rejoicing as with the voice of a trump63. They were informed that their duty would be to bring to pass the gathering of God's people upon the earth. This was the spiritual inception64 of that great missionary65 movement designed by God to bring out from every nation, kindred, tongue and people to the land which He should designate as a place of gathering, every honest soul who would have faith and accept the requirements of the gospel.
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1
persecution
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| n. 迫害,烦扰 | |
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gathering
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| n.集会，聚会，聚集 | |
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intruded
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| n.侵入的，推进的v.侵入，侵扰，打扰( intrude的过去式和过去分词 )；把…强加于 | |
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frenzy
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| n.疯狂，狂热，极度的激动 | |
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conversion
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| n.转化，转换，转变 | |
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adversary
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| adj.敌手，对手 | |
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transcribing
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| （用不同的录音手段）转录( transcribe的现在分词 )； 改编（乐曲）（以适应他种乐器或声部）； 抄写； 用音标标出（声音） | |
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8
erase
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| v.擦掉；消除某事物的痕迹 | |
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alleging
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| 断言，宣称，辩解( allege的现在分词 ) | |
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snare
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| n.陷阱，诱惑，圈套；（去除息肉或者肿瘤的）勒除器；响弦，小军鼓；vt.以陷阱捕获，诱惑 | |
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11
prone
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| adj.(to)易于…的，很可能…的；俯卧的 | |
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concession
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| n.让步，妥协；特许(权) | |
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13
withdrawn
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| vt.收回；使退出；vi.撤退，退出 | |
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rebuking
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| 责难或指责( rebuke的现在分词 ) | |
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15
persuasion
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| n.劝说；说服；持有某种信仰的宗派 | |
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possessed
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| adj.疯狂的；拥有的，占有的 | |
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subdued
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| adj. 屈服的，柔和的，减弱的 动词subdue的过去式和过去分词 | |
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18
labored
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| adj.吃力的，谨慎的v.努力争取(for)( labor的过去式和过去分词 )；苦干；详细分析；（指引擎）缓慢而困难地运转 | |
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labor
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| n.劳动，努力，工作，劳工；分娩；vi.劳动，努力，苦干；vt.详细分析；麻烦 | |
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20
perfectly
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| adv.完美地，无可非议地，彻底地 | |
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obstinate
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| adj.顽固的，倔强的，不易屈服的，较难治愈的 | |
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Christian
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| adj.基督教徒的；n.基督教徒 | |
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supplication
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| n.恳求，祈愿，哀求 | |
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promptly
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| adv.及时地，敏捷地 | |
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mire
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| n.泥沼，泥泞；v.使...陷于泥泞，使...陷入困境 | |
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26
tempting
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| a.诱人的, 吸引人的 | |
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laboring
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| n.劳动，操劳v.努力争取(for)( labor的现在分词 )；苦干；详细分析；（指引擎）缓慢而困难地运转 | |
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28
spoke
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| n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说 | |
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29
influential
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| adj.有影响的，有权势的 | |
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30
falter
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| vi.(嗓音)颤抖，结巴地说；犹豫；蹒跚 | |
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knight
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| n.骑士，武士；爵士 | |
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mighty
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| adj.强有力的；巨大的 | |
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33
beseeching
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| adj.恳求似的v.恳求，乞求（某事物）( beseech的现在分词 ) | |
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34
blessing
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| n.祈神赐福；祷告；祝福，祝愿 | |
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35
descended
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| a.为...后裔的，出身于...的 | |
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36
vengeance
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| n.报复，报仇，复仇 | |
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37
incited
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| 刺激，激励，煽动( incite的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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38
apparently
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| adv.显然地；表面上，似乎 | |
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39
appease
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| v.安抚，缓和，平息，满足 | |
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40
exhausted
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| adj.极其疲惫的，精疲力尽的 | |
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41
disperse
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| vi.使分散；使消失；vt.分散；驱散 | |
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42
vigor
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| n.活力，精力，元气 | |
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43
accomplishment
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| n.完成，成就，（pl.）造诣，技能 | |
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44
ministry
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| n.(政府的)部；牧师 | |
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45
wagon
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| n.四轮马车，手推车，面包车；无盖运货列车 | |
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46
conveyance
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| n.(不动产等的)转让，让与；转让证书；传送；运送；表达；（正）运输工具 | |
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47
utterly
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| adv.完全地，绝对地 | |
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48
variance
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| n.矛盾，不同 | |
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49
previously
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| adv.以前，先前（地） | |
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50
ordained
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| v.任命（某人）为牧师( ordain的过去式和过去分词 )；授予（某人）圣职；（上帝、法律等）命令；判定 | |
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51
fully
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| adv.完全地，全部地，彻底地；充分地 | |
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52
rebuked
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| 责难或指责( rebuke的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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53
folly
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| n.愚笨，愚蠢，蠢事，蠢行，傻话 | |
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54
forsake
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| vt.遗弃，抛弃；舍弃，放弃 | |
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55
doctrines
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| n.教条( doctrine的名词复数 )；教义；学说；（政府政策的）正式声明 | |
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56
promulgating
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| v.宣扬（某事物）( promulgate的现在分词 )；传播；公布；颁布（法令、新法律等） | |
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57
repented
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| 对（自己的所为）感到懊悔或忏悔( repent的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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58
forsook
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| forsake的过去式 | |
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59
condemned
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| adj. 被责难的, 被宣告有罪的 动词condemn的过去式和过去分词 | |
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60
amazement
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| n.惊奇，惊讶 | |
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61
persecuted
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| （尤指宗教或政治信仰的）迫害(~sb. for sth.)( persecute的过去式和过去分词 )； 烦扰，困扰或骚扰某人 | |
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62
assailed
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| v.攻击( assail的过去式和过去分词 )；困扰；质问；毅然应对 | |
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63
trump
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| n.王牌，法宝；v.打出王牌，吹喇叭 | |
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inception
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| n.开端，开始，取得学位 | |
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missionary
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| adj.教会的，传教(士)的；n.传教士 | |
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