Get to Know Joseph Smith Part 7: Joseph Waits
During Joseph Smith’s four-year wait for receiving the gold plates he was receiving instruction from the Lord. Joseph’s family would gather together and listen to the instruction Joseph had received. Lucy Mack Smith wrote, “I presume our family presented an aspect as singular as any that ever lived upon the face of the earth-all seated in a circle, father mother, sons and daughters, and giving the most profound attention to a boy, eighteen years of age, who had never read the Bible through in his life…”
Tragedy Strikes
Also during this time, Joseph’s family experienced a tragedy. On November 15, 1823, Joseph’s older brother Alvin came down with bilious colic which is a severe stomach pain. Joseph Sr. immediately went and got a Dr. Greenwood who prescribed a heavy dose of calomel which unfortunately is mercury. At first, Alvin refused the medicine but eventually took it after some persuasion. Alvin continued to be sick and on the third day, the family’s regular doctor came along with four other eminent physicians and attempted to cure Alvin. They determined that the camel was still lodged in Alvin’s intestines and attempts to get it out failed.
When it was determined that Alvin would not survive, he gave his last words to family members. For Joseph, he said, “I want you to be a good boy, and do everything that lies in your power to obtain the Record. Be faithful in receiving instruction, and in keeping every commandment that is given to you.
Alvin died on November 19, 1823.
Joseph and Emma
Joseph went to work in Harmony, Pennsylvania for a man by the name of Josiah Stowell. It was rumored that explorers had hidden a cache of silver they had mined and Mr. Stowell believed he would be able to find it with the help of Joseph Smith. Joseph signed a contract of employment with Josiah Stowell and Issac Hale served as a witness. Issac had a daughter age 21 by the name of Emma Hale.
Eventually, Joseph and Emma met and began a friendship. As the friendship blossomed Emma’s parents became concerned about the couple’s involvement. They had hoped that Emma would marry one of the local more prosperous young men and Issac had become distrustful of Joseph’s role in the treasure hunt.
Even without Emma’s parents’ approval, Joseph determined that Emma was the one he wanted to marry and in January 1827 Joseph proposed to Emma at the Stowell’s home.
Emma was conflicted about the disapproval of her parents and her desire to marry Joseph. On January 18, 1827, Joseph and Emma eloped and were married at the home of the local justice of the peace. The new couple moved to Manchester to live in the home of Joseph’s parents.
Continue reading with Getting to Know Joseph Part 8: Joseph Receives the Plates
Image credit: Screenshot of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints film Joseph Smith: Prophet of the Restoration Watch it here
