| 33 under which he labored, his wife had so much of her time taken up with the care of her house, that she could write for him but a small portion of the time. On account of these embarrassments, Joseph called upon the Lord, three days prior to the arrival of Samuel and Oliver, to send him a scribe, according to the promise of the angel; and he was informed that the same should be forthcoming in a few days. Accordingly, when Mr. Cowdery told him the business that he had come upon, Joseph was not at all surprised."-Pp. 138, 139.
During the month of April the translation continued with little delay. Of this experience Oliver Cowdery says:-
"These were days never to be forgotten-to sit under the sound of a voice dictated by the inspiration of heaven, awakened the utmost gratitude of this bosom! Day after day I continued, uninterrupted, to write from his mouth, as he translated, with the Urim and Thummin, or, as the Nephites would have said, 'Interpreters,' the history, or record, called 'The Book of Mormon."'-Messenger and Advocate, vol. 1, p. 14.
From the amount of work accomplished we think it probable that the date of commencement given by Oliver Cowdery; viz., April 7, is correct.
The point as to the day they commenced we do not, however, consider a material one, as the error is probably typographical. We give both simply because there is a discrepancy, and we wish to give the reader the benefit of it, that he may form his own conclusions.
Joseph says:-
"A difference of opinion arising between us about the account of John the Apostle, mentioned in the New Testament, John, twenty-first chapter and twenty - second verse, whether he died or whether he continued-we mutually agreed to settle it by the Urim and Thummin."
This was the occasion of the receiving of a revelation. 6
6 1. And the Lord said unto me, John, my, beloved, what desirest thou? For if ye shall ask, what you will, it shall be granted unto you. And I said unto him, Lord, give unto me power over death, that I may live
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