Читать книгу History of Joseph Smith, the Prophet and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints - Joseph F. Smith - Страница 67

1. Freeman Nickerson was born in South Dennis, Barnstable county, Massachusetts, February 5, 1778. His Father's name was Eleazer Nickerson, his mother's Thankful Chase Nickerson. Her father was a seaman. In 1800 Freeman emigrated to Vermont, and settled in Windsor county; and here he married Huldah Chapman, daughter of Eliphalet and Abigail Chase Chapman, on January 10, 1801. He served in the war of 1812 and was commissioned a lieutenant. He received the Gospel at Dayton, Cattaraugus county, New York, in April, 1833, being baptized by Elder Zerubbabel Snow, and was soon after ordained a Deacon. Brother Nickerson performed a mission among the Saints in Kirtland and vicinity in the early fall of 1833, and on the 5th of October started for Canada in company with the Prophet and Sidney Rigdon, taking them on this journey with his own team and conveyance.—"Obituary Record," (Ms.), page 45.

2. Ashtabula is in Ashtabula county, Ohio, some forty miles northeast of Kirtland.

3. While on this journey to Canada the Prophet kept a daily journal, from which the narrative he gives in the text was evidently taken. This journal is in the Prophet's own handwriting, and is one of the interesting relics among the records of the Church. At various points in the Prophet's narrative of this mission, I shall quote whatever may be of interest in addition to the narrative given in the text. Of this meeting at Rudd's the Prophet says: "Had a great congregation—paid good attention. O God, seal our testimony to their hearts!"—(Page 6).

4. Springfield is in the western part of Erie county, Pennsylvania.

5. Westfield was in Chautauqua county, New York, near the shore of Lake Erie.

6. The Prophet in his Journal also says under this date (11th of October): "I feel very well in my mind. The Lord is with us, but have much anxiety about my family."—(Journal page 7).

7. This was Brother Freeman Nickerson who was conveying them to Canada, and this Perrysburg, Cattaraugus county, New York, was his place of residence.

8. Doctrine and Covenants, sec. c.

9. Waterford is immediately south of Brantford, in the adjoining county of Norfolk.

10. "The result is in the hands of God," adds the Prophet. (Journal, page 14.) I also add the Prophet's entry for the 25th, which is omitted in his narrative. Friday, 25th "This afternoon, at a Mr. Patrick's, expect to hold a meeting this evening. People very superstitious. O God, establish thy word among this people. Held a meeting this evening; had an attentive congregation; the spirit gave utterance." (Page 14.)

11. "May God carry on His work in this place," adds the Prophet, "till all shall know Him. Amen." (Page 16.)

12. "May God," adds the Prophet, "increase the gifts among them for His Son's sake." (Journal, page 17.) On the 29th the Prophet's party started for home. "May the Lord prosper our journey. Amen," he writes in his Journal, page 17.

These excerpts from the Prophet's Daily Journal omitted from the narrative made up from it, have been reproduced in these notes in order that the deeply religious and prayerful nature of the Prophet might be observed. They are indeed gems of expression, and exhibit the Prophet's profound reliance upon God and his blessings. "O God, seal our testimony to their hearts:" "I feel very well in my mind." "The Lord is with us;" "The Lord gave His spirit in a remarkable manner to some Saints, for which I am thankful to the God of Abraham," he exclaims. "Lord bless my family, and preserve them," is a frequent prayer. "This day we expect to start for Canada. Lord be with us on our journey. Amen." And thus in all things he remembers the Lord, seeks the guidance of His Spirit, trusts in Him, relies upon Him for success, and pleads for the presence of His protecting power.