Journal, December 1841–December 1842

  • Source Note
  • Historical Introduction
Page 166
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19 August 1842 • Friday
Friday 19th. This evening President Joseph had a visit from his Aunt Spent the day mostly in conversation and reading. At night went to the and concluded to tarry at home untill something further transpired with regard to the designs of his persecutors.
20 August 1842 • Saturday
Saturday 20th. Spent the day in the large Room over the . Was considerable sick all day. In the evening had an interview with , and , , & a few hours, conversing on the illegality of the proceedings of our oppressors &c.
21 August 1842 • Sunday
Sunday 21st. In the Room over the . To day went to the grove near the and there related before the congregation the following incident which took place in his family. He stated that his daughter Eliza [Elizabeth Rigdon] had been sick unto death all the skill of physicians having been of no avail. She continued to sink untill finally she appeared to die, and went cold. She continually wished to recover and expressed strong desires to live saying she did not want to die &c. He stated that she appeared to die three times and again recover. When she came to the last time she stated that she had something to say to her father, which was to the effect that he must be faithful in the cause, that this was the cause of truth &c. She also said that had it in his heart to deny the faith but if he did it would be his damnation, Also that had near denied the faith but if she did she would be damned. She also said that was a wicked man. that then stated that he felt himself a new man, that his constitution was renewed and his system invigorated. He also bore testimony to the truth of the work; he said he had been in it a number of years and knew for himself that it was the work of God &c. He also said it had been stated that he had said Joseph was a fallen prophet; this he denied in the strongest terms. After he had got through arose and spoke at great length and with great power. He cited s mind back to the Revelation concerning him, that if he would move into the midst of the city and defend the truth he should be healed &c and showed that what felt in regard to the improvement in his his health was a fulfilment of the Revelation. He then went on to show the folly of any person’s attempting to overthrow or destroy Joseph and read from the Book of Mormon in various places concerning the Prophet who was prophecied should be raised up in the last days, setting forth the work he was destined to accomplish and that he had only just commenced; but inasmuch as we could plainly see that the former part of the prophecy had been literally fulfilled we might be assured that the latter part would also be fulfilled and that Joseph would live to accomplish the great things spoken concerning him, notwithstanding his enemies might diligently and continualy seek his destruction; hence the danger of any man’s lifting his hand against him, for whosoever did it, would surely come to destruction and could not prosper. He asked if it had not already been proven that this was the fact. and that all who had persecuted the prophet had come to disgrace and shame, and how should any man prosper whilst seeking to injure him whom God had blessed and promised to protect and concerning whom the prophets had prophecied that he should live to fulfil the work committed to him [p. 166]
19 August 1842 • Friday
Friday 19th. This evening President Joseph had a visit from his Aunt Spent the day mostly in conversation and reading. At night went to the and concluded to tarry at home untill something further transpired with regard to the designs of his persecutors.
20 August 1842 • Saturday
Saturday 20th. Spent the day in the large Room over the . Was considerable sick all day. In the evening had an interview with , and , , & a few hours, conversing on the illegality of the proceedings of our oppressors &c.
21 August 1842 • Sunday
Sunday 21st. In the Room over the . To day went to the grove near the and there related before the congregation the following incident which took place in his family. He stated that his daughter Eliza Elizabeth Rigdon had been sick unto death all the skill of physicians having been of no avail. She continued to sink untill finally she appeared to die, and went cold. She continually wished to recover and expressed strong desires to live saying she did not want to die &c. He stated that she appeared to die three times and again recover. When she came to the last time she stated that she had something to say to her father, which was to the effect that he must be faithful in the cause, that this was the cause of truth &c. She also said that had it in his heart to deny the faith but if he did it would be his damnation, Also that had near denied the faith but if she did she would be damned. She also said that was a wicked man. then stated that he felt himself a new man, that his constitution was renewed and his system invigorated. He also bore testimony to the truth of the work; he said he had been in it a number of years and knew for himself that it was the work of God &c. He also said it had been stated that he had said Joseph was a fallen prophet; this he denied in the strongest terms. After he had got through arose and spoke at great length and with great power. He cited s mind back to the Revelation concerning him, that if he would move into the midst of the city and defend the truth he should be healed &c and showed that what felt in regard to the improvement in his his health was a fulfilment of the Revelation. He then went on to show the folly of any person’s attempting to overthrow or destroy Joseph and read from the Book of Mormon in various places concerning the Prophet who was prophecied should be raised up in the last days, setting forth the work he was destined to accomplish and that he had only just commenced; but inasmuch as we could plainly see that the former part of the prophecy had been literally fulfilled we might be assured that the latter part would also be fulfilled and that Joseph would live to accomplish the great things spoken concerning him, notwithstanding his enemies might diligently and continualy seek his destruction; hence the danger of any man’s lifting his hand against him, for whosoever did it, would surely come to destruction and could not prosper. He asked if it had not already been proven that this was the fact. and that all who had persecuted the prophet had come to disgrace and shame, and how should any man prosper whilst seeking to injure him whom God had blessed and promised to protect and concerning whom the prophets had prophecied that he should live to fulfil the work committed to him [p. 166]
Page 166