[17]. This is an instance of the Prophet Joseph's power as a seer. Another example is given by David Whitmer in his account of going to Harmony, Pennsylvania, after the Prophet and Oliver Cowdery, in order to take them to his father's home in Fayette, New York, in the summer of 1829, when the Book of Mormon was in course of translation. "When I arrived at Harmony," says David, "Joseph and Oliver were coming toward me, and met me some distance from the house. Oliver told me that Joseph had informed him when I started from home, where I had stopped the first night, how I read the sign at the tavern, where I stopped the next night, etc., and that I would be there that day before dinner and this was why they had come out to meet me; all of which was exactly as Joseph had told Oliver, at which I was greatly astonished." (David Whitmer's Statement to Orson Pratt and Joseph F. Smith, Millennial Star, vol. 40, nos. 49, 50.)
Chapter XX.
"The Evening and Morning Star."
Occupation of the Prophet, Summer of 1832.
As soon as I could arrange my affairs, I recommenced the translation of the Scriptures, and thus I spent most of the summer. In July, we received the first number of The Evening and Morning Star, which was a joyous treat to the Saints. Delightful, indeed, was it to contemplate that the little band of brethren had become so large, and grown so strong, in so short a time as to be able to issue a paper of their own, which contained not only some of the revelations, but other information also,which would gratify and enlighten the humble inquirer after truth.
Opposition of the Press.
So embittered was the public mind against the truth, that the press universally had been arrayed against us; and although many newspapers published the prospectus of our paper, yet it appeared to have been done more to calumniate the editor, than give publicity to the forthcoming periodical. Editors thought to do us harm, while the Saints rejoiced that they could do nothing against the truth but for it.
The following are extracts from The Evening and Morning Star, Independence, Missouri, June, 1832first number: