Chapter 13
The
Smiths move from Tunbridge to
Royalton, then to Sharon, Windsor County, Vermont, where they rent a farm from Solomon Mack, Lucy’s father. Births of Joseph
Jr., Samuel Harrison, Ephraim, and William mentioned. First
and second in a series of seven visions or dreams given
to Joseph Smith Sr. First, the dream of the box, and second,
the dream of the tree of life.
Summer
1803 to late summer 1812
The
loss of the Tunbridge farm was
a considerable trial to us, for it deprived us at once not
only of the comforts and conveniences of life, but also
a home of any description. After selling the farm at Tunbridge, we took our three oldest children and moved only
a short distance to the town of Royalton. [1] Here we resided a few months, then moved again
to Sharon, Windsor County, Vermont. [2] Here my husband rented a farm of my father, which
he cultivated in the summer season and in the winter taught
school. In this way my husband continued laboring for a
few years, during which time our circumstances gradually
improved until we found ourselves quite comfortable again.
click
to enlarge
Site of the house (where the three large trees stand) in
winter where Joseph Smith the Prophet was born. 38 1/2 foot
granite-shaft monument placed at the centennial of his birth
can be seen to the left.
Here
it was that my son Joseph was born, December 23, 1805, one
who will act a more conscious part in this work than any
other individual.
We
moved thence to Tunbridge. Here
we had another son, whom we named Samuel Harrison, born
March 13, 1808. We lived in this place a short time, then
moved to Royalton, where Ephraim was born, March 13, 1810,
who died in his infancy. [3] We continued here until we had another son, born
March 13, 1811, whom we called William.
About
this time my husband’s mind became much excited upon the
subject of religion; yet he would not subscribe to any particular
system of faith, but contended for the ancient order, as
established by our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and his
Apostles.
One
night my husband retired to his bed in a very thoughtful
state of mind, contemplating the situation of the Christian
religion, or the confusion and discord that were extant.
He soon fell into a sleep, and before waking had the following
vision, which I shall relate in his own words just as he
told it to me the next morning: [4]
“I
seemed to be traveling in an open, barren field, and as
I was traveling, I turned my eyes towards the east, the
west, the north, and the south, but could see nothing save
dead, fallen timber. [5] Not a vestige of life, either animal or vegetable,
could be seen; besides, to render the scene still more dreary,
the most deathlike silence prevailed. No sound of anything
animate could be heard in all the field. I was alone in
this gloomy desert, with the exception of an attendant spirit,
who kept constantly by my side. Of him I inquired the meaning
of what I saw, and why I was thus traveling in such a dismal
place. He answered thus: ‘This field is the world which
now lieth inanimate and dumb in
regard to the true religion or plan of salvation, but travel
on and by the wayside you will find on a certain log a box,
the contents of which, if you eat thereof, will make you
wise, and give unto you wisdom and understanding.’
“I
carefully observed what was told me by my guide, and proceeding
a short distance, I came to the box. I immediately took
it up, and placed it under my left arm. Then with eagerness
I raised the lid and began to taste of its contents; upon
which all manner of beasts, horned cattle, and roaring animals
rose up on every side in the most threatening manner possible,
tearing the earth, tossing their horns, and bellowing most
terrifically all around me, and they finally came so close
upon me, that I was compelled to drop the box and fly for
my life. Yet, in the midst of all this I was perfectly happy,
though I awoke trembling.” [6]
From
this time forward, my husband seemed more confirmed than
ever in the opinion that there was no order or class of
religionists that knew any more concerning the kingdom of
God than those of the world, or such as made no profession
of religion whatever.
In
1811, we moved from Royalton, Vermont, to the town of Lebanon,
New Hampshire. [7] Soon after arriving here, my husband received
another very singular vision, which I will relate:
“I
thought,” said he, “I was traveling in an open, desolate
field which appeared to be very barren. As I was thus traveling,
the thought suddenly came into my mind that I had better
stop and reflect upon what I was doing before I went any
farther. So I asked myself, ‘What motive can I have in traveling
here, and what place can this be?’
“My
guide, who was by my side as before, said, ‘This is the
desolate world, but travel on.’ The road was so broad and
barren that I wondered why I should travel in it, for, said
I to myself, ‘Broad is the road, and wide is the gate that
leads to death, and many there be that walk therein; but
narrow is the way, and strait is the gate that leads to
everlasting life, and few there be that go in thereat.’ [8]
“Traveling
a short distance further, I came to a narrow path. This
path I entered, and, when I had traveled a little way in
it, I beheld a beautiful stream of water which ran from
the east to the west. Of this stream I could see neither
the source nor yet the mouth, but as far as my eyes could
extend I could see a rope, running along the bank of it
about as high as a man could reach, and beyond me was a
low but very pleasant valley in which stood a tree such
as I had never seen before. It was exceedingly handsome,
insomuch that I looked upon it with wonder and admiration.
Its beautiful branches spread themselves somewhat like an
umbrella, and it bore a kind of fruit, in shape much like
a chestnut bur, and as white as snow, or, if possible, whiter.
I gazed upon the same with considerable interest, and as
I was doing so, the burs or shells commenced opening and
shedding their particles, or the fruit which they contained,
which was of dazzling whiteness. I drew near and began to
eat of it, and I found it delicious beyond description.
“As
I was eating, I said in my heart, ‘I cannot eat this alone,
I must bring my wife and children, that they may partake
with me.’ Accordingly, I went and brought my family, which
consisted of a wife and seven children, and we all commenced
eating and praising God for this blessing. We were exceedingly
happy, insomuch that our joy could not easily be expressed.
“While
thus engaged, I beheld a spacious building standing opposite
the valley which we were in, and it appeared to reach to
the very heavens. It was full of doors and windows, and
they were all filled with people, who were very finely dressed.
When these people observed us in the low valley, under the
tree, they pointed the finger of scorn at us, and treated
us with all manner of disrespect and contempt. But their
contumely we utterly disregarded.
“I
presently turned to my guide and inquired of him the meaning
of the fruit that was so delicious. He told me it was the
pure love of God, shed abroad in the hearts of all those
who love him and keep his commandments. He then commanded
me to go and bring the rest of my children. I told him that
we were all there. ‘No,’ he replied, ‘look yonder, you have
two more, and you must bring them also.’ Upon raising my
eyes, I saw two small children standing some distance off.
I immediately went to them and brought them to the tree,
upon which they commenced eating with the rest, and we all
rejoiced together. [9] The more we ate, the more we seemed to desire,
until we even got down upon our knees and scooped it up,
eating it by double handfuls.
“After
feasting in this manner a short time, I asked my guide what
was the meaning of the spacious building which I saw. He
replied, ‘It is Babylon, it is Babylon, and it must fall.
The people in the doors and windows are the inhabitants
thereof, who scorn and despise the Saints of God because
of their humility.’ I soon awoke, clapping my hands together
for joy.” [10]
Read
Chapter 14 Here
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Notes
