Vuoden 1832 kertomus
Käsiala: Frederick G. Williams ja Joseph Smith nuor.
Itse kertomus on Smithin omalla käsialalla. Pantu muistiin
kesän ja marraskuun välillä v. 1832. Kappalejako
on tehty lukemisen helpottamiseksi.
A
History of the life of Joseph Smith Jr an account of his marvilous
experience and of all the mighty acts which he doeth in the name
of Jesus Chist the son of the living God of whom he beareth record
and also an account of the rise of the church of Christ in the
eve of time according as the Lord brought forth and established
by his hand
[firstly] he receiving the testamony from on high secondly the
ministering of Angels thirdly the reception of the holy Priesthood
by the ministring of Aangels to adminster the letter of the Gospel
- the Law and commandments as they were given unto him - and the
ordinencs, forthly a confirmation and reception of the high Priesthood
after the holy order of the son of the living God power and ordinence
from on high to preach the Gospel in the administration and demonstration
of the spirit the Kees of the Kingdom of God confered upon him and
the continuation of the blessings of God to him &c--------
I was born in the town of Charon in the [state] Of Vermont North
America on the twenty third day of December A D 1805 of goodly Parents
who spared no pains to instructing me in [the] christian religion
at the age of about ten years my Father Joseph Smith Siegnior
moved to Palmyra Ontario County in the State of New York and being
in indigent circumstances were obliged to labour hard for the Support
of a large Family having nine children and as it required the exertions
of all that were able to render any assistance for the Support of
the Family therefore we were deprived of the bennifit of an education
Suffice it to Say I was mearly instructed in reading {and}
writing and the ground [rules] of Arithmatic which constuted my
whole literary acquirements.
At about the age of twelve years my mind became seriously imprest
with regard to the all importent concerns for the wellfare of my
immortal Soul which led me to Searching the Scriptures believeing
as I was taught, that they contained the word of God thus applying
myself to them and my intimate acquaintance with those of differant
denominations led me to marvel excedingly far I discovered that
[they did not adorn] instead Of adorning their profession
by a holy walk and Godly conversation agreeable to what I found
contained in that Sacred depository this was a grief to my Soul
thus from the age of twelve years to fifteen I pondered many things
in my heart concerning the sittuation of the world of mankind the
contentions and divions the wickeness and abominations and the darkness
which pervaded the of the minds of mankind my mind become
excedingly distressed for I became convicted of my Sins and by Searching
the Scriptures I found that mand [mankind] did not come unto
the Lord but that they had apostatised from the true and liveing
faith and there was no society or denomination that built upon the
Gospel of Jesus Christ as recorded in the new testament and I felt
to mourn for my own Sins and for the Sins of the world for I learned
in the Scriptures that God was the same yesterday to day and forever
that he was no respecter to persons for he was God
for I looked upon the sun the glorious luminary of the earth and
also the moon rolling in their magesty through the heavens and also
the Stars Shining in their courses and the earth also upon which
I stood and the beast of the field and the fowls of heaven and the
fish of the waters and also man walking forth upon the face of the
earth in magesty and in the Strength of beauty whose power and intiligence
in governing the things which are so exceding great and marvilous
even in the likeness of him who created him [them] and when
I considered upon these things my heart exclaimed well hath the
wise man Said the [it is a] fool [that] Saith in his heart
there is no God
my heart exclained all all these bear testimony and bespeak an
omnipotent and omnipreasant power a being who makith Laws and decreeeth
and bindeth all things in theirbounds who filleth Eternity who was
and is and will be fron all Eternity to Eternity and when I considered
all these things and that [that] being Seeketh such to worship him
as worship him inspirit and in truth
therefore I cried unto the Lord for mercy forthere was none else
to whom I could go and to obtain mercy andthe Lord heard
my cry in the wilderness and while in [the] attitude of calling
upon the Lord [in the 16th* year of my age] a pillar of fire
lightabove the brightness of the Sun at noon day come down fromabove
and rested upon me and I was filld with the Spirit of God
and the [Lord] opened the heavens upon me and I Saw the Lord and
he Spake unto me Saying Joseph [my son] thy Sins are forgiven thee.
go thy [way] walk in my Statutes and keep my commandments behold
I am the Lord of glory I was crucifyed for the world that all those
who believe on my name may have Eternal life [behold] the world
lieth in sin and at this time and none doeth good no not
one they have turned asside from the Gospel and keep not [my] commandments
they draw near to me with their lips while their hearts are far
from me and mine anger is kindling against the inhabitants of the
earth to visit them acording to this ungodliness and to bring to
pass that which [hath] been spoken by the mouth of the prophets
and Apostles behold and lo I come quickly as it written of me in
the cloud [clothed] in the glory of my Father
and my Soul was filled with love and for many days I could rejoice
with great joy and the Lord was with me but could find none that
would believe the hevenly vision. ... Nevertheless I fell into transgression
and sinned in many things which brought wound upon my Soul and there
were many things which transpired that cannot be writen and my Fathers
family have suffered many persecutions and afflictions.
*could be 15th year
Words stroken indicate deletion by cross out-- words enclosed
by [] indicate insertion with ^ mark.
Vuoden 1835 kertomus
Oliver Cowderyn veljen Warren A. Cowderyn kirjoittama maanantaina,
9. marraskuuta 1835. Kappalejako on tehty lukemisen helpottamiseksi.
While sitting in his house this morning between the hours of ten
an eleven a man came in and introduced himself to him calling himself
Joshua the Jewish Minister. His appearance was something singular,
having a beard about three inches in length which is quite grey,
his hair was also long and considerably silvered with age. He had
the appearance of a man about 50 or 55 years old. He was tall and
straight, slender frame, blue eyes, thin visage, and fair complexion.
He wore a green frock coat and pantaloons of the same color. He
had on a black fur hat with a narrow brim. When speaking he frequently
shuts his eyes and exhibits a kind of scowl upon his countenance.
He (Joseph) made some inquiry after his name, but received no definite
answer.
The conversation soon turned upon the subject of Religion, and
after the subject of this narrative had made some remarks concerning
the bible, he commenced giving him a relation of the circumstances,
connected with the coming forth of the Book of Mormon, which were
nearly as follows.
Being wrought up in my mind respecting the subject of Religion,
and looking at the different systems taught the children of men,
I knew not who was right or who was wrong, but considered it of
the first importance to me that I should be right, in matters of
so much moment, matter involving eternal consequences.
Being thus perplexed in mind I retired to the silent grove and
there bowed down before the Lord, under a realizing sense (if the
bible be true) ask and you shall receive, knock and it shall be
opened, seek and you shall find, and again, if any man lack wisdom,
let of God who giveth to all men liberally & upbraideth not.
Information was what I most desired at this time, and with a fixed
determination to obtain it, I called on the Lord for the first time
in the place above stated, or in other words, I made a fruitless
attempt to pray
My tongue seemed to be swoolen in my mouth, so that I could not
utter, I heard a noise behind me like some one walking towards me.
I strove again to pray, but could not; the noise of walking seemed
to draw nearer, I sprang upon my feet and looked round, but saw
no person or thing that was calculated to produce the noise of walking.
I kneeled again, my mouth was opened and my tongue loosed; I called
on the Lord in mighty prayer. A pillar of fire appeared above my
head; which presently rested down upon me, and filled me with un-speakable
joy.
A personage appeared in the midst of this pillar of flame, which
was spread all around and yet nothing consumed. Another personage
soon appeared like unto the first: he said unto me thy sins are
forgiven thee. He testified also unto me that Jesus Christ is the
son of God. I saw many angels in this vision.
I was about 14 years old when I received this first communication...
V. 1838 tarina
Kronologisesti on ajassa seuraava kertomus se vuoden
1838 tarina, joka sisältyy Kallisarvoiseen Helmeen ja on
siis kirkon virallinen versio ja se, joka esitetään tutkijoille.
Ns. Wentworthin kirjeeseen sisältyvä kertomus
Kappalejako on tehty lukemisen helpottamiseksi.
At the request of Mr. John Wentworth, Editor, and Proprietor of
the "Chicago Democrat," I have written the following sketch of the
rise, progress, persecution, and faith of the Latter-Day Saints,
of which I have the honor, under God, of being the founder. Mr.
Wentworth says, that he wishes to furnish Mr. Bastow [George Barstow],
a friend of his, who is writing the history of New Hampshire, with
this document. As Mr. Bastow has taken the proper steps to obtain
correct information all that I shall ask at his hands, is, that
he publish the account entire, ungarnished, and without misrepresentation.
I was born in the town of Sharon Windsor co., Vermont, on the
23d of December, A. D. 1805. When ten years old my parents removed
to Palmyra New York, where we resided about four years, and from
thence we removed to the town of Manchester. My father was a fanner
and taught me the art of husbandry.
When about fourteen years of age I began to reflect upon the importance
of being prepared for a future state, and upon enquiring the plan
of salvation I found that there was a great clash in religious sentiment;
if I went to one society they referred me to one plan, and another
to another; each one pointing to his own particular creed as the
summum bonum of perfection: considering that all could not be right,
and that God could not be the author of so much confusion I determined
to investigate the subject more fully, believing that if God had
a church it would not be split up into factions, and that if he
taught one society to worship one way, and administer in one set
of ordinances, he would not teach another principles which were
diametrically opposed.
Believing the word of God I had confidence in the declaration
of James; "If any man lack wisdom let him ask of God who giveth
all men liberally and upbraideth not and it shall be given him,"
I retired to a secret place in a grove and began to call upon the
Lord, while fervently engaged in supplication my mind was taken
away from the objects with which I was surrounded,
and I was enwrapped in a heavenly vision and saw two glorious
personages who exactly resembled each other in features, and likeness,
surrounded with a brilliant light which eclipsed the sun at noon-day.
They told me that all religious denominations were believing in
incorrect doctrines, and that none of them was acknowledged of God
as his church and kingdom. And I was expressly commanded to "go
not after them," at the same time receiving a promise that the fulness
of the gospel should at some future time be made known unto me.
Orson Prattin kertomus 1840
Tämä on ensimmäinen julkaistu kertomus ensimmäisestä
näystä. Se sisältyi v. 1840 pamflettiin, jonka otsikkona
oli "Kiintoisa kertomus useista hämmästyttävistä
näyistä". Kappalejako on tehty lukemisen helpottamiseksi.
Mr. Joseph Smith, jun. who made the following important discovery,
was born in the town of Sharon, Windsor county, Vermont, on the
23d December, A.D. 1805. When ten years old, his parents, with their
family, moved to Palmyra, New York; in the vicinity of which he
resided for about eleven years, the latter part in the town of Manchester.
Cultivating the earth for a livelihood was his occupation, in which
he employed the most of his time.
His advantages for acquiring literary knowledge, were exceedingly
small; hence, his education was limited to a slight acquaintance,
with two or three of the common branches of learning. He could read
without much difficulty, and write a very imperfect hand; and had
a very limited understanding of the ground rules of arithmetic.
These were his highest and only attainments; while the rest of those
branches, so universally taught in the common schools, throughout
the United States, were entirely unknown to him.
When somewhere about fourteen or fifteen years old, he began seriously
to reflect upon the necessity of being prepared for a future state
of existence; but how, or in what way, to prepare himself, was a
question, as yet, undetermined in his own mind. He perceived that
it was a question of infinite importance, and that the salvation
of his soul depended upon a correct understanding of the same. He
saw, that if he understood not the way, it would be impossible to
walk in it, except by chance; and the thought of resting his hopes
of eternal life upon chance, or uncertainties, was more than he
could endure.
If he went to the religious denominations to seek information,
each one pointed to its particular tenets, saying--"This is the
way, walk ye in it;" while, at the same time, the doctrines of each
were in many respects, in direct opposition to one another. It also
occurred to his mind that God was the author of but one doctrine,
and therefore could acknowledg~ but one denomination as his church,
and that such denomination must be a people who believe and teach
that one doctrine, (whatever it may be,) and build upon the same.
He then reflected upon the immense number of doctrines, now in the
world, which had given rise to many hundreds of different denominations.
The great question to be decided in his mind, was--if any one
of these denominations be the Church of Christ, which one is it?
Until he could become satisfied in relations to this question, he
could not rest contented. "o trust to the decisions of fallible
man, and build his hopes upon the same, without any certainty, and
knowledge of his own, would not satisfy the anxious desires that
pervaded his breast. To decide, without any positive and definite
evidence, on which he could rely, upon a subject involving the future
welfare of his soul, was revolting to his feelings.
The only alternative, that seemed to be left him was to read the
Scriptures, and endeavor to follow their directions. He, accordingly
commenced persuing the sacred pages of the Bible, with sincerity,
believing the things that he read. His mind soon caught hold of
the following passage:--"If any of you lack wisdom let him ask of
God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it
shall be given him."-James 1:5.
From this promise he learned, that it was the privilege of all
men to ask God for wisdom, with the sure and certain expectation
of receiving liberally; without being upbraided for so doing. This
was cheering information to him; tidings that gave him great joy.
It was like a light shinning forth in a dark place, to guide him
to the path in which he should walk.
He now saw that if he inquired of God, there was not only a possibility,
but a probability; yea, more, a certainty, that he should obtain
a knowledge, which, of all the doctrines, was the doctrine of Christ;
and, which of all the churches, was the church of Christ.
He therefore, retired to a secret place in a grove, but a short
distance from his father's house, and knelt down, and began to call
upon the Lord. At first, he was severely tempted by the powers of
darkness, which endeavored to overcome him; but he continued to
seek for deliverance, until darkness gave way from his mind, and
he was enabled to pray in feverency of the spirit, and in faith.
And while thus pouring out his soul, anxiously desiring an answer
from God, he at length, saw a very bright and glorious light in
the heavens above; which, at first, seemed to be a considerable
distance. He continued praying, while the light appeared to be gradually
descending towards him; and as it drew nearer, it increased in brightness
and magnitude, so that, by the time that it reached the tops of
the trees, the whole wilderness, for some distance around was illuminated
in a most glorious and brilliant manner.
He expected to have seen the leaves and boughs of the trees consumed,
as soon as the light came in contact with them; but perceiving that
it did not produce that effect, he was encouraged with the hope
of being able to endure its presence. It continued descending slowly,
until it rested upon the earth, and he was enveloped in the midst
of it.
When it first came upon him, it produced a peculiar sensation
throughout his whole system; and immediately, his mind was caught
away, from the natural objects with which he was surrounded; and
he was enwapped in a heavenly vision, and saw two glorious personages,
who exactly resembled each other in their features or likeness.
He was informed that his sins were forgiven. He was also infonned
upon the subjects, which had for some time previously agitated his
mind, viz.--that all the religious denominations were believing
in incorrect doctrines; and consequently, that none of them was
acknowledged of God, as his church and kingdom. And he was expressly
commanded, to go not after them; and he received a promise that
the true doctrine--the fulness of the gospel, should, at some future
time, be made known to him; after which, the vision withdrew, leaving
his mind in a state of calmness and peace, indescribable.
Orson Hyden kertomus
Alunperin julkaistu saksalaisessa
pamfletissa v. 1842 Hyden palatessa Jerusalemista Frankfurtin
kautta. Käännetty v. 1960. Kappalejako on tehty lukemisen
helpottamiseksi.
Joseph Smith, Jr., to whom the angel of the Lord was sent first,
was born in the town of Sharon, Windsor County, Vermont, on the
23rd of December, 1805. When ten years old, his parents with their
family, moved to Palmyra, New York, in the vicinity of which he
resided for about eleven years, the latter part in the town of Manchester.
His only activity was to plow and cultivate the fields.
As his parents were poor and had to take care of a large family,
his education was very limited. He could read without much difficulty,
and write a very imperfect hand; and had a very limited understanding
of the elementary rules of arithmetic. These were his highest and
only attainments; while the rest of those branches, so universally
taught in the common schools throughout the United States, were
entirely unknown to him.
When some where about fourteen or fifteen years old, he began
seriously to reflect upon the necessity of being prepared for a
future state of existence; but how, or in what way to prepare himself,
was a question, as yet, undetennined in his own mind; he perceived
that it was a question of infinite importance. He saw, that if he
understood not the way, it would be impossible to walk in it, except
by chance; and the thought of resting his hopes of eternal life
upon chance or uncertainties, was more than he could endure. He
discovered a religious world working under numerous errors, which
through their contradicting nature and principles, gave cause to
the organization of so many different sects and parties, and whose
feelings against each other were poisoned through hate, envy, malice
and rage.
He felt that there should be only one truth, and that those who
would understand it correctly, would understand it in the same manner.
Nature had gifted him with a strong, discerning mind and so he looked
through the glass of soberness and good sense upon these religious
systems which all were so different; but nevertheless all drawn
from the scripture of truth.
After he had sufficiently assured himself to his own satisfaction
that darkness was covering the earth, and gross darkness the minds
of the people, he gave up hope ever to find a sect or party that
was in the possession of the pure and unadulterated truth. He accordingly
commenced persuing the sacred pages of the Bible with sincerity,
believing the things that he read. His mind soon caught hold of
the following passage--"If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of
God, that giveth to all men liberally and upbraideth not; and it
shall be given him."--James I:5. From this promise he learned that
it was the privilege of all men to ask God for wisdom, with the
sure and certain expectation of receiving liberally, without being
upbraided for so doing. And thus he started to send the burning
desires of his soul with a faithful determination.
He, therefore, retired to a secret place, in a grove, but a short
distance from his father's house, and knelt down and began to call
upon the Lord. At first, he was severely tempted by the powers of
darkness, which endeavoured to overcome him. The adversary benighted
his mind with doubts, and brought to his soul all kinds of improper
pictures and tried to hinder him in his efforts and the accomplishment
of his goal.
However, the overflowing mercy of God came to buoy him up, and
gave new impulse and momentum to his dwindling strength. Soon the
dark clouds disappeared, and light and peace filled his troubled
heart. And again he called upon the Lord with renewed faith and
spiritual strength.
At this sacred moment his mind was caught away from the natural
objects with which he was surrounded, and he was enwrapped in a
heavenly vision, and saw two glorious personages, who exactly resembled
each other in their features or likeness.
They told him that his prayers had been answered, and that the
Lord had decided to grant him a special blessing. He was told not
to join any of the religious sects or any party, as they were all
wrong in their doctrines and none of them was recognized by God
as His Church and kingdom.
He received a promise that the true doctrine--the fulness of the
gospel--should, at some future time, be made known to him; after
which, the vision withdrew, leaving his mind in a state of calmness
and peace indescribable.
23.9.1843 kertomus sanomalehdessä The New York Spectator
(ei mormonien omistama)
[Pittsburg Gazetten päätoimittajan mukaan Joseph
Smith sanoi]:
The Lord does reveal himself to me. I know it. He revealed himself
first to me when I was about fourteen years old, a mere boy. I will
tell you about it. There was a reformation among the different religious
denominations in the neighborhood where I lived, and I became serious,
and was desirous to know what Church to join.
While thinking of this matter, I opened the Testament promiscuously
on these words, in James, Ask of the Lord who giveth to all men
liberally and upbraideth not. I just determined I'd ask him. I immediately
went out into the woods where my father had a clearing, and went
to the stump where I had stuck my axe when I had quit work, and
I kneeled down, and prayed, saying, O Lord, what Church shall I
join? Directly I saw a light, and then a glorious personage in the
light, and then another personage, and the first personage said
to the second, Behold my beloved Son, hear him.--I then addressed
this second person, saying, O Lord, what Church shall I join? He
replied, "don't join any of them, they are all corrupt." The vision
then vanished, and when I came to myself, I was sprawling on my
back and it was sometime before my strength returned.
When I went home and told the people that I had a revelation,
and that all the churches were corrupt, they persecuted me, and
they have persecuted me ever since.
Alexander Neibaurin, saksalaisen maahanmuuttajan kertomus 24.5.1844
After Dinner . . . called at BR. J.S. met Mr. Bonnie. Br. Joseph
tolt us the first call he had a Revival Meeting, his Mother, Br.
and Sisters got Religion. He wanted to get Religion too, wanted
to feel and shout like the rest but could feel nothing, opened his
Bible of the first Passage that struck him was if any man lack wisdom
let him ask of God who giveth to all men liberallity & upbraideth
not. Went into the Wood to pray, kneels himself Down, his tongue
was closet cleaveh to his roof--could utter not a word, felt easier
after awhile--saw a fire toward heaven came near and nearer; saw
a personage in the fire, light complexion, blue eyes, a piece of
white cloth Drawn over his shoulders his right arm bear after a
while a other person came to the side of the first. Mr. Smith then
asked, must I join the Methodist Church. No, they are not my People,
have gone astray There is none that Doeth good, not one, but this
is my Beloved Son harken ye him, the fire drew nigher, Rested upon
the tree, enveloped him comforted I endeavored to arise but felt
uncomen feeble got into the house told the Methodist priest, said
this was not a age for God to Reveal himself in Vision Revelation
has ceased with the New Testament.
Muistelusten kertomisesta yleensä
Yleisesti voidaan sanoa, että muistot haalistuvat, käyvät
sekaviksi ja aikaa myöten epäluotettavammiksi. Kun henkilö
kertoo samaa tarinaa useaan kertaan, on katseltava epäluuloisemmin
vuosien kuluessa tarinalle uusia ja siihen lisättyjä osasia.
Silloinkin kun
nuo lisätyt osaset näyttävät tarinan kertojasta
täysin tosilta, ne harvemmin ovat sitä. Ne syntyvät
myöhempien tapahtumien ja vuosien kuluessa suoritetun alkuperäisen
tarinan mietiskelyn perusteella sekä aivojen neurologisesta
muutoksesta johtuen.
Tutkimukset
ihmisen harhautuneesta muistikyvystä osoittavat tämän
selvästi. Lyhyesti sanoen ovat uudet yksityiskohdat ja ristiriidat
alkuperäisen tarinan kanssa yleensä vääriä
muistoja. Jopa monet seikat kertomuksen alkuperäisessä
versiossa saattavat olla vääriä, ja silti tuntua
aidoilta kertojasta itsestään.
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