| 528 This number also contains intelligence from Elders D. W. Patten and W. Parrish that they had opened the work in Tennessee, were preaching to large congregations, and had baptized seven at Paris. Letters from James Blakeslee, Woodville, New York; D. Nelson and M. Wilbur, Providence, Rhode Island; B. F. Bird, Southport, New York; John Lawson, Kortright, New York; W. A. Cowdery, Freedom, New York; Zerubbabel Snow, Mount Pleasant, Canada; Zebedee Coltrin and N. West, Liberty, Indiana; Abel Allton, Jay, Vermont; and J. H. Hitchcock and S. Chase, Franklin County, Missouri, give encouraging accounts of the spread of the work at that period.
forth to the world profess a personal acquaintance with me though when in my presence represent me to be another person in age education and stature, from what I am.
I was born, (according to the record of the same kept by my parents ) in the town of Sharon Windsor County Vermont on the 23d of December 1805.
At the age of ten my father's family removed to Palmyra, New York where and in the vicinity of which I lived or made it my place of residence until I was twenty-one-the latter part in the town of Manchester.
During this time, as is common to most of all youths I fell into many vices and follies; but as my accusers are and have been forward to accuse me of being guilty of gross and outrageous violations of the peace and good order of the community I take the occasion to remark that though as I have said above "as is common to most, of all youths, I fell into many vices and follies," I have not, neither can it be sustained in truth been guilty of wronging or injuring any man or society of men; and those imperfections to which I allude and for which I have often had occasion to lament were a light and too often vain mind exhibiting a foolish and trifling conversation.
This being all and the worst that my accusers can substantiate against my moral character I wish to add that it is not without a deep feeling of regret that I am thus called upon in answer to my own conscience, to fulfill a duty I owe to myself as well as to the cause of truth in making this public confession of my former uncircumspect walk and unchaste conversation: and more particularly, as I often acted in violation of those holy precepts which I knew came from God. But as the "Articles and Covenants" of this church are plain upon this particular point I do not deem it important to proceed further. I only add that I do not nor never have pretended to be any other than a man subject to passion and liable without the assisting grace of the Savior to deviate from that perfect path in which all men are commanded to walk!
By giving the above a place in your valuable paper you will confer a lasting favor upon myself as an individual and as I humbly hope subserve the cause of righteousness.
I am, with feelings of esteem your fellow laborer in the gospel of our Lord,
JOSEPH SMITH, JR.
Messenger and Advocate, vol. 1,
(page 528) |
