History of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Volume 5

by Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints; Jr. Joseph Smith

It should be remarked, in conclusion, that these peculiarities of scope, structure, phraseology, re-appearance of principles, texture of composition and the like, which identify this revelation on marriage as the composition of Joseph Smith (under the inspiration of the Lord, of course) are not forced into the revelation. Its composition gives no evidence of being a conglomerate of Joseph Smith's thought-gems held together by some one else's clay. It is all of one piece, it is not patch work. Unity above all things is characteristic of it. Words, phrases, sentences, ideas all blend together, preserving strict unity of style and that style Joseph Smith's. No one else could have written it. The literary peculiarities of that revelation as readily proclaim it to be Joseph Smith's composition to those familiar with his literary style, as the contour of his face, the form of his features, the color of his hair and eyes, the tint of his complexion, the intonation of his voice, together with his form and bearing would reveal his physical personality to those who familiarly knew him in life. There will be no doubt whatever as to Joseph Smith being the author of it in the minds of those who will give it literary analysis. Whatever has come of it, or whatever may come of it in the future, Joseph Smith is the author of that revelation, and is responsible before God and the world for the introduction of that marriage law into the Church—the law that contemplates marriage as an eternal union, and the rightfulness of a plurality of wives under certain conditions and divine sanctions, when permissible under the laws of the land and the law of the Church.

HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS.

VOL. V.

HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS.

PERIOD 1.

HISTORY OF JOSEPH SMITH, THE PROPHET.

CHAPTER I.

INAUGURATION OF ENDOWMENT CEREMONIES—PERFIDY AND EXPOSURE OF JOHN C. BENNETT—HIS RESIGNATION AS MAYOR OF NAUVOO—EPISTLE OF THE HIGH COUNCIL TO THE SAINTS.

Tuesday, May 3, 1842.—Passed the day mostly with my family.