| 355 they went out with him, the child relapsed and died. Julia lived, though weaker than the boy.
"Q.-When did you first know Sidney Rigdon? Where?
"A.-I was residing at Father Whitmer's, when I first saw Sidney Rigdon. I think he came there.
"Q.-Was this before or after the publication of the Book of Mormon?
"A.-The Book of Mormon had been translated and published some time before. Parley P. Pratt had united with the church before I knew Sidney Rigdon, or heard of him. At the time the Book of Mormon was translated there was no church organized, and Rigdon did not become acquainted with Joseph and me till after the church was established in 1830. How long after that I do not know, but it was some time.
'Q.-Who were scribes for Father when translating the Book of Mormon?
"A.-Myself, Oliver Cowdery, Martin Harris, and my brother, Reuben Hale.
"Q.-Was Alva Hale one?
"A.-I think not. He may have written some; but if he did, I do not remember it.
"Q-What about the revelation on polygamy? Did Joseph Smith have anything like it? What of spiritual wifery?
"A.-There was no revelation on either polygamy, or spiritual wives. There were some rumors of something of the sort, of which I asked my husband. He assured me that all there was of it was, that, in a chat about plural wives, he had said, 'Well, such a system might possibly be, if everybody was agreed to it, and would behave as they should; but they would not; and, besides, it was contrary to the will of heaven.'
"No such thing as polygamy, or spiritual wifery, was taught, publicly or privately, before my husband's death, that I have now, or ever had any knowledge of.
"Q.-Did he not have other wives than yourself?
"A.-He had no other wife but me; nor did he to my knowledge ever have.
(page 355) |
