Stories: "The Prophet Joseph Smith Preaches the Gospel at M
Displaying 1 - 1 of 1 -- Add Story
In October 1833, the Prophet Joseph Smith went to Canada along with Sidney Rigdon. Freeman Nickerson, a recent convert, persuaded the Prophet to journey to the vicinity of Mt. Pleasant to share the Gospel with his family. Freeman took the company to the home of his son, Freeman A. Nickerson. His son was not very enthusiastic about the visit. He told his father, "Well, Father, I will welcome them for your sake, but I would just as soon you had brought a nest of vipers and turned them loose on us." During the first day's visit, the visitors just visited pleasantly with the family; they did not have any gospel conversations. Freeman (the son) said to his wife, "Oh, just let [Joseph] talk; I'll silence him if he undertakes to talk about the Bible. I guess I know as much about the scriptures as he does." Later in the evening, he said to Joseph, "Now, Mr. Smith, I wish you and Mr. Rigdon to speak freely. Say what you wish and tell us what you believe. We will listen." He then was overheard as he whispered to his wife, "Now you'll see how I'll shut him up!" The Prophet Joseph Smith then commenced into a powerful discourse, testifying of seeing angels, of translating the gold plates, and shared gospel principles of the Restoration. Lydia Bailey (later wife of Newel Knight) was a tenant at the house who participated in this fireside meeting. She later described that Joseph's face became very white and had a shining glow beaming from every feature. Sidney Rigdon next spoke with great power. Their host was deeply touched and knew that they spoke the truth. A few days later, Freeman A. Nickerson was baptized, ordained an elder, and appointed the president of the branch at Mt. Pleasant (see "Lydia Knight's History," 20-23). |
|
|
|
|
List All | Add Story
|