Q Then explain if you can, the system of plural marriage as taught you by Joseph Smith?

. . .

A–Yes sir it was taught to me by Joseph Smith, I can tell you that for that is something I know of my own knowledge. I did not see that revelation at that time, but it saw it afterwards after we came here and before it was printed in the book of Doctrine and Covenants. I heard it at that time in Nauvoo, I mean for the clerk of Joseph Smith by his request read that revelation on the celestial order of marriage in its entirety, and that was the doctrine contained in it. I don't think it needs any explaining for it will explain itself.

Q–Well when did you hear that read? That is something that I did not understand?

. . .

A–I couldn't give you any date at all. I remember once, I think it was the first time, and it was at Nobles, and another there were a few of us in the woods, setting out of the way and we were talking <together> and I heard about it.

Q–You were out in the woods you say? A–Yes sir, and I can make it clear to you in a little while that Joseph had to be on the run to keep out of the way of his enemies, and some times he would go out in the country to one of our neighbors, for he felt that he could trust any one that lived in the woods or forest down the river. . . .

Q–Have you read the revelation was published in the book of Doctrine and Covenants of the Utah Church?

A–Yes sir, I have.

Q–I will ask you to state what difference there is, if any, between the revelation as published by the Utah church, and the revelation you heard read? A–There is no difference whatever in the reading that I can now discover. I do not know of any difference and I will say this that I never heard the thing questioned until now. I don't think I ever heard it questioned until now.

Q–I will ask you to state whether you heard that revelation read before the death of Joseph Smith?

. . .

A–Yes sir.

Q–You did hear it before the death of Joseph Smith? A–Yes sir.

. . .

Q–Did Joseph Smith read it to you? A–No sir.

Q–Who did? A–The clerk.

Q– What clerk? A–Joseph's clerk.

Q–What clerk was it? A–I don't know.

. . .

Q–Who was present when you heard it read? A–Bates Noble.

Q–Any one else? A–Captain Daniel Davis was there also.

Q–Where was it you heard it read? A–Perhaps a mile or so out of town, perhaps a mile or so out of the town of Montrose, west of the town.

Q–That was where you hear it read? A–Yes sir, and I heard him teach it in Bates Noble's house also.

Q–Where was this place out in the woods that you spoke of? A–It was close to Bates Noble's house.

Q–What year was that in? A–It was in I think the last of the year 1843, but I would not be right positively sure as to the date for that is something I can't remember, but I think it was in the latter part of the year '43.

. . .

Q–Were there any others there? A–Yes sir.

Q–Who were they? A–I told you I could not remember who they were.

Q–You don't know who the others were that were there? A–No sir.

Q–Well can you think of any one else that was there A–I know there were more there, but I say I can't think of their names.

Q–Well, Joseph Smith was not there? A–Yes sir, he was there.