Footnotes
[1]. This date in the prophet's history, published in the Millennial Star (Supplement), vol. 14, p. 12, is set down as the 15th of April, and the day Oliver began writing as Joseph translated is said to be the 17th of April. The 15th and 17th, however, are typographical errors. In the original manuscript of the History of the Church, in the Historian's Office, the dates are written the 5th and 7th; see also Times and Seasons, vol. I, p. 201, where Oliver Cowdery gives the dates 5th and 7th of April, 1829.
[2]. Statement of David Whitmer, in Kansas City Journal, June 5, 1881.
[3]. Doc. and Cov., sec. 6. The reader may think I am quoting over copiously from these revelations given while the translation of the Book of Mormon was in progress; and he may think that these incidents have little or nothing to do with the story of the translation, and the story of the translation itself but little to do with the object of this work. I would suggest, however, that this history of the translation is necessary to future arguments to be made when I come to the considerations of the objections to the Book of Mormon, in part IV, where I shall examine other theories for the origin of the Book of Mormon. Besides, I want the reader to know the atmosphere in which this work of translation was done; and for that purpose call especial attention to the spirit of the several revelations that have been quoted.
[4]. Times and Seasons, vol. II, p. 201.
[5]. Chapter 14.
[6]. Chapter 14.
[7]. Whitmer's statement, Kansas City Journal, June 5, 1881.
[8]. History of the Church, vol. I, p. 47.
[9]. History of the Church, vol. I, p. 44.
[10]. Whitmer's statement, Kansas City Journal, June 5, 1881. Also report of visit to David Whitmer, by Orson Pratt and Joseph F. Smith, Millennial Star, vol. 40, pp. 769-774.
[11]. Statement of David Whitmer, Pratt and Smith Report, Millennial Star, vol. 40, pp. 769-774.
Let it be observed that this reported conversation was published during the life time of David Whitmer. It took place on the 7th of Sept., 1878; and Whitmer did not die until 25th Jan., 1888.
[12]. Cannon's Life of Joseph Smith, pp. 67, 68.
[13]. Statement of David Whitmer, Pratt and Smith Report, Millennial Star, vol. 40, pp. 769-774. Another instance that in like manner illustrates the seership of the prophet Joseph is related in the church history, and which occurred while making a journey from Independence, Missouri, to Ohio, in company with Bishop Newel K. Whitney. Near New Albany their horses took fright and while they were running at full speed Bishop Whitney attempted to jump out of the conveyance, but caught his foot in the wheel and had his leg and foot broken in several places. This occasioned delay of several weeks among a not very friendly people; for besides their manifest coldness an attempt was made to poison the Prophet. And now the Prophet's statement: "Brother Whitney had not had his foot moved from the bed for nearly four weeks, when I went into his room, after a walk in the grove, and told him if he would agree to start for home in the morning, we would take a wagon to the river, about four miles, and there would be a ferry boat in waiting which would take us quickly across, where we would find a hack which would take us directly to the landing, where we should find a boat, in waiting, and we would be going up the river before 10 o'clock, and have a prosperous journey home. He took courage and told me he would go. We started next morning, and found everything as I had told him, for we were passing rapidly up the river before 10 o'clock, and landing at Wellsville, took stage coach to Chardon, from thence in a wagon to Kirtland, where we arrived some time in June." (History of the Church, vol. I, p. 272.)
[14]. Whitmer's statement, Pratt and Smith Report, Millennial Star, vol. 40, pp. 769-774.
[15]. Pratt and Smith Report, Millennial Star, vol. 40, p. 772.