A Leaf from an Autobiography

It was during the time we lived at the Brick Store that Joseph received the revelation pertaining to Celestial Marriage; also, concerning the ordinances of the House of the Lord. He had been strictly charged by the angel who committed these precious things into his keeping that he should only reveal them to such persons as were pure, full of integrity to the truth, and worthy to be entrusted with divine messages; that to spread them abroad would only be like casting pearls before swine, and that the most profound secrecy must be maintained, until the Lord saw fit to make it known publicly through His servants. Joseph had the most implicit confidence in my husband’s uprightness and integrity of character; he knew him capable of keeping a secret, and was not afraid to confide in him, as he had been a Free Mason for many years. He therefore confided to him, and a few others, the principles set forth in that revelation, and also gave him the privilege to read it and to make a copy of it, knowing it would be perfectly safe with him. It was this veritable copy, which was preserved in the providence of God, that has since been published to the world; for Emma (Joseph’s wife), afterward becoming indignant, burned the original, thinking she had destroyed the only written document on the subject in existence. My husband revealed these things to me; we had always been united and had the utmost faith and confidence in each other. We pondered upon them continually, and our prayers were unceasing that the Lord would grant us some special manifestation concerning this new and strange doctrine. The Lord was very merciful to us; He revealed unto us His power and glory. We were seemingly wrapped in a heavenly vision, a halo of light encircled us, and we were convinced in our own minds that God heard and approved our prayers and intercessions before Him. Our hearts were comforted, and our faith made so perfect that we were willing to give our eldest daughter, then only seventeen years of age, to Joseph in the holy order of plural marriage. She had been raised in the strictest manner, regarding propriety, virtue, and chastity; she was as pure in thought, in feeling, and in impulse as it was possible for a young girl to be. Yet, laying aside all our traditions and former notions regarding marriage, we gave her with our mutual consent. She was the first woman ever given in plural marriage by or with the consent of both parents. Of course, these things had to be kept an inviolate secret, and as some were false to their vows and pledges, persecution arose and caused grievous sorrow to those who had obeyed, in all purity and sincerity, the requirements of the celestial order of marriage.

The Lord commanded His servants; they themselves did not comprehend what the ultimate course of action would be, but were waiting for further developments from heaven. Meantime, the ordinances of the house of the Lord were given to bless and strengthen us in our future endeavors to promulgate the principles of divine light and intelligence. However, coming in contact with all preconceived notions and principles heretofore taught as the articles of religious faith, it was not strange that many could not receive it; others doubted, and only a few remained firm and immovable. Among that number were my husband and myself; yet, although my husband believed and was firm in teaching this Celestial order of Marriage, he was slow in practice. Joseph repeatedly told him to take a wife, or wives, but he wished to be so extremely cautious not to do what would probably have to be undone, that in Joseph’s day he never took a wife. When he did so, he did it to fulfill a duty due to the principles of divine revelation as he understood his duty, and believing sincerely that every man should prove his faith by his works. But he afterward took several wives, and with one or two exceptions, they came into the same house with me and my children. Therefore, I believe I am safe in saying that I am intimately acquainted with the practical part of polygamy.

(To be continued.)