History draft; handwriting of , John L. Smith, Jonathan Grimshaw, Robert L. Campbell, , , and ; 101 numbered pages plus several inserted pages; CHL. This manuscript covers the period from 1 March 1843 to 31 December 1843.
It is my meditation all the day, & <more than> my meat & drink to know how I shall make the Saints of God to comprehend the visions that roll like an overflowing surge, before my mind. O how I could delight to bring before you things which you never thought of, but poverty & the cares of the world prevent; but I am glad I have the privilege of communicating to you some things, which if grasped closely, will be a help to you when <earthquakes bellow,> the clouds are gathering <the lightnings flash,> & the storms are ready to burst upon you like peals of thunder; lay hold of these things, & let not your knees <or any joints> tremble, nor your hearts faint, & then what can Earthquakes, Wars & tornadoes do? nothing. all your losses will be made <up> to you in the resurrection, provided you continue faithful. <By the vision of the Almighty, I have seen it.>
More painful to me the thoughts of annihilation, than death; if I had no expectation of seeing my <Father> Mother, Brothers, Sisters & friends again, my heart would burst in a moment, & I should go down to my grave. The expectation of seeing my friends in the morning of the resurrection, cheers my soul, & makes me bear up against the evils of life; it is like their taking a long journey & on their return we meet them with increased joy.
God has revealed his Son from the heavens & the doctrine of the resurrection also, & we have a knowledge that those we bury here, God will bring them up again, clothed upon, & quickened by the Spirit of the great God, & what mattereth it, whether we lay them down, or we lay down with them, when we can help them no longer. then let them sink down, like a ship in the storm, the mighty anchor holds her safe, in the storm, so let these truths sink down in our hearts, that we may even here begin to enjoy that which shall be in full hereafter. Hosanna, Hosanna, Hosanna to Almighty God, that rays of light begin to burst forth upon us, even now. I cannot find words to express myself; I am not learned, but I have as good feelings as any man, O<h> that I had the language of the Archangel to express my feelings once to my friends, but I never expect to in this life. When others rejoice I rejoice, when they mourn I mourn.
¶ To let me administer comfort, you shall soon have the company of your companion in a world of glory; & the friends of , & all the Saints who are mourning; this has been a warning voice to us all to be sober & diligent & lay aside mirth, vanity & folly, & be prepared to die tomorrow. (preached about 2 hours)
said he was a boarder with Prest. Jos. Smith; the first week he was in , he helped to carry the chain for the Surveyor, & helpd to lay out the first city lots.
Prest. Joseph Smith said as President of this house, I forbid any man leaving this house, just as we are going to close the meeting, he is no Gentleman who will do it, I don’t care who it comes from, even if it were the King of . I forbid it.