BY GEORGE Q. CANNON
SECOND EDITION
Salt Lake City, Utah
1907
Joseph and Hyrum are now dead; but like the first martyr they yetspeak. Their united voice is one of testimony, admonition and warningto the world.
They lived men of God. They died pure and holy, sealing their testimonywith their blood.
No men ever suffered greater persecution than they: no men were everless understood by their generation.
It is in the hope that the Saints may find joy in reading of theirbeloved Prophet and Patriarch, and that the world may judge more fairlyof these benefactors of mankind, that this book is written.
To the Author its preparation has been a loving duty. In the midstof a somewhat busy and laborious life, he has found comfort in thecontemplation of this great subject. The closing chapters, detailingthe final sufferings upon earth of the Prophet of God and hisever-constant brother, were finished in prison for adherence to theprinciples which they taught, and for this, the Life is invested witha dearer regard. To send the work away now is like being torn from abeloved companion, when most the solace of his friendly presence isneeded.
In some respects this volume may be imperfect; the circumstances whichsurrounded its preparation were not favorable to the collection andarrangement of materials, but it is believed to be truthful and just.
To many friends the Author is indebted for information here embodied;and he takes this occasion to thank them, hoping to live yet to meetthem and express his gratitude in the flesh.
That the sublime example and inspired teachings of Joseph the Prophetof the last Dispensation, may be of eternal benefit to all who readthis Life, is the heart-felt wish of
THE AUTHOR.
Utah Penitentiary, October 1, 1888.
The Life of Joseph Smith the Prophet
Preface
The Ripened Time
The Apostasy and the Restoration
Joseph Smith at Nauvoo
The "Choice Seer"
Joseph's Humble Extraction—The Godliness and Fair Fame of HisAncestry—A Premonition of His Work
Birth of Joseph—Family Circumstances—Toil and Poverty—Removal to NewYork—Intense Religious Excitement
Light from the Scriptures—The Prayer and its Answer—"Thisis my Beloved Son: Hear Him"—Persecution and Scoffing of theMultitude—Joseph Doubts Himself and Supplicates for Renewed Help
The Angel Moroni Visits Joseph Thrice in One Night—A Record to bebrought forth—vision of Cumorah
A Mid-day Visitation—Joseph Confides in His Earthly Father—Cumorahand the Sacred Box—A New Probation is Fixed—Successive Visits andMinistrations of the Angel—Joseph's Growth in Godliness
Joseph's Willing Toil—Four Years of Waiting—He Finds Work inPennsylvania—His Marriage with Emma Hale—The Probation Completed
Final Visit to Cumorah—Delivery of the Plates by the AngelMoroni—Solemn Caution to Joseph—Attacks by Assassins andRobbers—Poverty and Persecution—Help from Martin Harris—Removal toPennsylvania
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