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Scott H. Faulring, ed., An American Prophet's Record: The Diaries
& Journals of Joseph Smith, 2nd ed., (Salt
Lake City: Signature Books, 1989), lviii + 518 pages, Joseph Smith chronology
and bibliography, prominent characters, map, index, paperback, ISBN 0-941214-78-8
Joseph Smith's Uncensored Diaries
This extensive collection of the writings, personal musings and daily incidents
of Joseph Smith's life, contains eleven different documents arranged in chronological
order, and is bound in one inexpensive volume. Faulring has retained original
spelling and punctuation as much as possible, as this review does in its quotes
from the diaries and journals. The documents start with Joseph's first and only
known attempt to record in his own hand the events surrounding the first vision,
and chronicle his life from 1832 to June 22, 1844, five days before his death
at the hands of the Carthage mob.
This volume also includes a detailed introduction, a map of key locations,
an extensive "Joseph Smith Chronology," brief biographical sketches
of prominent characters and a "Joseph Smith Bibliography." As a suitable
ending, the book's final twenty-one pages contain a very useful index.
Joseph's Daily Life
The contents of the diaries and journals are in turn humorous, boring, informative,
dry and revealing. Through them we gain insight into Joseph's daily actions
and attitudes. For example, part of the entry dated Saturday December 5th, 1835
reads,
I received a letter today from . . . Parley Pratt's mother in
law from Herkimer Co, NY of no consequence as to what it contained, but
cost me 25 cents for postage. I mention this as it is a common occurrence
and I am subjected to a great deal of expence in this way by those who I
know nothing about, only that they are destitute of good manners . . . .
common respect and good breeding would dictate them to pay postage on their
letters. (p. 71)
These journals also record significant, and at times, amusing events within
the community of the Latter-day Saints. Under the date of Saturday, April 28,
1838 we have the account of one Aaron Lyon, a presiding High Priest, who was
in want of a wife, and accordingly "set his wits to work to get one."
The entry continues,
He commences by getting (as he said) revelations from God that
he must marry Mrs. Jackson, or that She was the woman to make his wife .
. . . He therefore told Mrs. Jackson that he had had a revelation from God
that her husband was dead & c. and that she must concent to marry him,
or she would be forever miserable; for he had seen her future State of existance
and that She must remember, that whoom soever he blessed,would be blessed,
and whom soever he cursed, would be cursed, influencing her mind if possible
to believe his [priesthood] power was sufficient to make her forever miserable
provided she complied not with his request &c. Accordingly they came
to an agreement and were soon to be married, but fortunately, or unfortunately
for both parties, previous to the arrival of the nuptial day, Behold! to
the asstonishment of our defendant, the husband of Mrs. Jackson arrived
at home . . .
The entry continues,
the old gentleman Lyon at this time (if not before) knew verry
well that his God who gave these revelations (if revelations he had) must
of course be no less than the devil and in order to palliate the justice
of his crime, Saddled the whole burden upon the devil . . . (p. 178).
After a severe verbal scourging by President Sidney Rigdon and George M.
Hinkle, mercy, in the person of President Joseph Smith stepped forward and speaking
on his behalf, ''saved him Still in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day
Saints, and in this last kingdom'' (p. 179).
This is an interesting insight into the life of Joseph Smith, for only eight
years previous he found himself in a situation similar to that of Bro. Lyon.
In 1830 Joseph had received a revelation that the brethren were to sell the
copyright to the Book of Mormon in Canada. They failed to do so, (partly because
the revelation sent them to the wrong town) and upon their return, accused Joseph
Smith of falsely prophesying. Joseph responded "Some revelations are of
God: some revelations are of man: and some revelations are of the devil."
(Comprehensive History of the Church, Vol. 1, p. 165). Now, having been
deceived by a false revelation himself, Joseph was able to show mercy to someone
in the same circumstance.
Women and the Priesthood
The various diaries and journals also shed historical light on some of today's
controversies. One example is that of women and the priesthood. At the present,
LDS women are denied direct access to the privileges and blessings of priesthood.
Yet on April 28, 1842 Joseph showed the women of the newly formed "Female
Relief Society" how they would "come in possession of the privileges,
blessings and gifts of the Priesthood" (p. 244). Apparently this did take
place, for on Saturday, October 7,1843 "Hiram and his wife were blessed,
ordained, and anointed [to the fulness of the priesthood]" (p. 418). Later,
on Sunday October 23, "William Marks and wife anointed [to fulness of the
priesthood and quorum of the anointed] 24 present" (p. 423). Given this
precedent, one wonders if women will continue to be denied these same privileges
and blessings today.
The Word of Wisdom
Another issue raised by the diaries is how much weight should be placed on
the Word of Wisdom. There was obvious cause for confusion on the issue during
Joseph's lifetime. As early as February 1834 we have this statement by Joseph
Smith:
No official member in this Church is worthy to hold an office
after having the word of wisdom properly taught him; and he, the official
member, neglecting to comply with and obey it. The High Council of the Church
then voted unanimously to accept this decision (Teachings of the Prophet
Joseph Smith, p. 117).
We find enforcement of this ruling in the excommunication of David Whitmer
on April 13, 1838, the first charge against him being "for not observing
the words of wisdom" (p. 174). This was also the charge brought against
Elder Almon W. Babbitt on August19, 1835, as recorded in History of the Church,
Vol. II, p. 252. Elder Babbitt admitted to the offense and said, "that
he had taken the liberty to break the Word of Wisdom, from the example of President
Joseph Smith, Jun., and others. . ." This would seem like a typical attempt
at blame-shifting, except that we find repeated references throughout the diaries
to Joseph's own violations of the Word of Wisdom.
On January 20, 1843 the diary records, "Elder Hyde told of the excellent
white wine he drank in the east [Palestine]. Joseph prophecied in the name of
the Lord that he would drink wine with him in that country."
Another reference is under March 11, 1843. It reads,
Joseph said he had tea with his breakfast. His wife asked him
if [it] was good. He said if it was a little stronger he should like it
better, when Mother Granger remarked, "it is so strong and good I should
think it would answer Both for drink and food (p. 332).
Friday, May 31, 1844 ? "called to see Sister Richards who was very sick.
Laid on hands. Directed some Raspberry tea and she was better." (p. 486).
Saturday, June 1, 1844 ? "Drank a glass of beer at Moissers" (p.
486)
It is easy to see why the publication of these journals and diaries has made
some in the upper echelons of Church leadership uneasy. Not so much that Joseph's
drinking tea, wine or beer was wrong in and of itself but rather his inconsistency
in maintaining a double standard was wrong. Apparently it is for this reason
that all the above references to breaking the Word of Wisdom were edited out
by Church leaders when they printed Joseph Smith's History of the Church
(7 Vols.).
For example, in History of the Church, Vol. 6, p. 424, the entry for
Friday, May 31, 1844 now reads,
called to see Sister Richards, who was sick. I administered to
her laying on of hands, when she felt better.
Mysteriously, the raspberry tea has disappeared.
If the Bible does not support such restrictions, and Joseph himself did not
take them seriously, is it right to make keeping the Word of Wisdom a necessary
requirement for obtaining eternal life? (For one must go through the Temple
to gain exaltation, one cannot go to the Temple without a recommend, and one
cannot get a recommend if one has not kept the Word of Wisdom.)
The diaries contain much historical data, such as shedding further light
on the issue of the Danites (p. 198), Joseph's early account of the First Vision
which is quite different from the "official version" found in the
Pearl of Great Price (p. 5), and various visions and revelations (pp. 118, 152,
157, 248, 392, 432). They also document Joseph's private instruction on celestial
marriage to a few of the elders in May 1843 (p. 381), his own plural marriages
in April 1842 and June 1843 (p. 387, 396), and his public forbidding of both
the teaching and practice of plurality of wives on October 5, 1843 (p. 417).
Scott H. Faulring and Signature Books have done a great service to students
of Mormon history in letting the diaries speak for themselves. Obviously, all
the material is not "faith promoting," but for those wanting to dig
deeper into the life and times of Mormonism's founder, An American Prophet's
Record will prove to be a valuable tool.
? Joel B.Groat
Copyright © 1999 Institute for Religious Research.
All rights reserved.
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