Original subtitles

Provided by explosiveskull https://twitter.com/kaboomskull

Get 'em boys.

Get 'em!

David, I'm frightened.

I'm here, Julia.

I am right here.

No, no, please!

Be still, Julia.

You're never gonna see his face again.

- Please. - Get your hands off of me!

- Let's go, let's go! - Got you.

Julia, Julia!

On your knees!

Quiet!

Silence!

Which one of you is David Whitmer?

I am David Whitmer.

You know why you're here?

You know Joe Smith?

I do.

And you were with him when he saw the gold plates?

I was.

Oh, we're tired of you Mormons!

All you gotta do is admit

that you and Joe Smith made it up.

I'll let you and your friends go.

But if you don't...

David!

David.

It's the pretty one.

What do you want from us?

We want you gone.

No!

Throw it, throw it.

Get him out, get him out, get him out.

Get out.

I was told-

- I said, take your paper and get out.

So what he said was the truth?

John Murphy?

From the Hamiltonian last June.

First of all, I heard you saw an angel.

I never saw one.

I want your description of the shape, voice, brogue,

and construction of his language.

David Whitmer: It had no appearance or shape.

John Murphy says, then you saw nothing nor heard nothing?

Your response,

nothing in the way that you would understand him.

Who are you?

I'm a reporter.

I've already spoken to dozens of reporters.

Mr. Whitmer, did you see an angel?

Not according to John Murphy.

Well you are not the David Whitmer

that I was expecting to meet.

Well, they said, they said they believed you.

I don't.

You shall have three days

after you receive this communication to you,

including 24 hours in each day

to depart with your families peaceably.

Cast them out!

Cast them out!

Cast them out!

Cast them out!

But in that time, if you do not depart

we will use the means in our power to cause you to depart.

So help us, God.

Mr. Reporter!

I don't know why you are here

and frankly, I'm not sure I care.

But what you heard from Mr. John Murphy

of Caldwell County was not the truth.

It's Joe Smith, get him!

You got him?

He's over there.

I see him.

John Murphy's account differs

from other interviews that I've read.

My publisher, The Richmond Democrat,

sent me here to get the truth.

Are you willing to grant me an interview?

Why would you or your readers be interested?

I'm always interested in the truth, Mr. Whitmer.

Well then, Mr.?

Kelly, Edwin Kelly.

I shall endeavor to tell you the truth.

So.

Did you see an angel?

As clearly as I see you today.

But, Mr. Martin Harris did not?

Not at that time.

This angel showed you some unusual metal plates.

Yes.

Thin sheaves, made of gold?

That was their appearance.

The same plates uncovered on a hill

by a Mr. Joseph Smith.

That is correct.

This Joseph Smith collected the plates

and raced down a hill

where he was attacked by three different men.

That is my understanding.

So holding the plates in one hand,

he fought off three armed attackers with the other?

Carrying a bundle of gold that weighed, how much?

You miss the point.

So what is the point then?

That an angel delivered an ancient record.

Whether it was gold or brass or tin makes no difference.

Yes, so you said.

Did you hold the plates?

I did not.

But others did.

Alvin.

Alvin, yeah, asked me.

I have them.

What happened?

I was attacked.

How many?

Three.

Blasted thievers.

You won't catch them.

Put them on the table.

Fetch some water.

Carlos, go get Hiram.

Can we not see them?

No, I intend to keep my promise.

That's enough, Catherine.

It's okay, Ma.

Go ahead.

Just, keep them covered.

Joseph.

Are those the?

I'm having trouble getting beyond the

a record written on gold.

Yes, you and many others.

The secrecy.

Why not just show them to everyone?

What would you do

if I told you I had gold in this box?

And how long do you think I'd be able to keep it safe?

Somehow, the word got out

and people came from every creek and hollow

hoping to see the plates.

Several attempts were made to steal them.

Joseph moved the plates repeatedly.

He enlisted the help of Martin Harris,

a close friend and neighbor.

They haven't gone anywhere, Martin.

You asked for my help, but you can't show them to me?

Well, as I said, I've been commanded not to.

Well, they're either gold or lead.

And you don't have enough credit to purchase lead.

You know, I quizzed your family.

I asked each one of them about the plates

and they all told me exactly the same story.

Yes, we rehearsed it very carefully.

You mock me.

Martin.

Story's true,

all of it.

You must not blame me for not taking your word.

If it hadn't happened to me,

I don't think I could believe it myself.

We heard only rumors of Joseph's visions.

The thought of new scripture written

on gold plates was fascinating.

I was beyond curious.

I wanted to meet this Joseph Smith.

The man who talked with God.

What are you doing?

You startled me.

Where are you going?

What makes you think I'm going anywhere?

I didn't want to wake anyone.

I'm going to see Oliver.

Does Father know?

He does.

Do you really think that Joseph had a vision?

Oliver thinks so.

I'd love to know.

Me, too.

And, since I'm going,

I'm going to find this hill

that everyone keeps talking about.

You're sure that this is the place?

Maybe somebody got it before he did.

No, old Joe has it.

Pete saw him packing it down the mountain.

Yeah, and Pete's half blind.

And you say that he promised you part of the gold?

He promised.

He lied.

That's what he done.

Didn't give us what's ours.

So, they saw the plates.

They saw something.

Do you believe them?

It occurs to me that we are

asking the wrong people.

If we want to know if Joseph Smith has gold plates,

we should be asking Joseph Smith.

Oliver, what would you do with 50 pounds of gold?

It's not about the gold, David.

I was just asking.

Joseph was anxious to translate

the ancient record.

He had been given interpreters by the angel.

They contained seer stones,

but he wasn't sure how to use them.

He experimented, achieving a small measure of success.

Meanwhile efforts to steal the plates intensified.

They're on the way!

Mother, to the bedroom.

Come on, girls.

Where are the plates?

Father's shop.

The box is under the floorboards.

Joseph, I'm scared.

I'm scared too,

but I'll tell you a secret.

The louder you yell

the braver you become.

Really?

Works every time.

They're here.

Okay, just like we rehearsed.

- Ready? - Ready.

Quickly, men!

Martin Harris helped Joseph and Emma

move to Harmony, Pennsylvania,

where they enjoyed some measure of peace.

Joseph began translation with the interpreters

but soon became more comfortable with a seer stone.

At first, Emma was scribe.

After a time, Martin took over.

Be forever written.

Feel like I'm back in school.

How does it work?

What?

The seer stone.

What does it do?

You wouldn't believe me if I told you.

Can I try it?

No.

But that's not going to stop you from asking again, is it?

Let's get back to work.

But behold, my sons and my daughters.

I cannot go down to my grave,

save I should leave a blessing upon you.

Joseph.

Emma.

What are you doing up?

You need to get back into bed.

Very strange.

All is dark as Egypt.

Perhaps we should pray.

Dear Lord, we are struggling all of a sudden.

Lost without thy guidance.

If this is due to my own sins and weaknesses,

I ask for forgiveness.

Joseph,

it's my fault.

I switched the stones.

Why?

Why would you do that?

There are those who say you have memorized the words.

They say that I shouldn't be here.

That I'm wasting my time.

Who?

Who says that?

More than one.

I just wanted some proof.

I need some proof.

Martin, when will you believe?

Why do you want to go back?

Is it the gold?

Doesn't the gold intrigue you?

Hard work intrigues me.

This farm intrigues me.

Listening to God intrigues me.

And I am your son.

He's a good boy, Father.

Then what is it?

I don't know.

But what if God spoke to you?

He wouldn't speak about gold.

You don't understand, Father.

Does Joseph speak to God?

There is nothing wrong with our God.

Does our God speak to you?

David.

This is where we hear God.

We will discuss this after

the planting is finished.

You know your Father's right, David.

I know, Mother.

I will save the southern fields for you.

Don't count your chickens.

Where's Joseph?

Emma, you should be in bed.

He's taken the interpreters.

He's gone to inquire of the Lord,

to see if I might take the pages to show Lucy.

You weary the heavens with her demands.

What is this, the fourth time you've asked?

The third, just the third.

My wife I need to offer some proof

of what we're doing here.

Take them.

But guard them with your life.

Tell Lucy I don't want to hear another peep from her.

I will tell her.

No, you won't.

You're right, I won't.

You will show them only to these people.

And you will sign an agreement,

a covenant that you will do what I ask.

Thank you, Joseph.

And if it so be that they rebel against me,

they shall be a scourge unto thy seed

to stir them up in the ways of remembrance.

You can do this.

That we may preserve unto our children.

You can do this.

It came to pass that the Lord spake unto my Father

and it came to pass and it came to pass-

There's been a problem.

I wasn't finished.

Lucy, why do you mock our work?

I brought the translations for you

and you alone to read.

You realize that people think you're a fool?

Why do you spend so much time with Joseph?

Neglecting our family?

Wasting more money?

Lucy, that's enough.

What will you do if he asks for more?

Mortgage our farm?

If the Lord requires it, yes.

Oh, you've lost all respect.

That is enough.

You're an embarrassment.

Not one word more.

Why is this happening, Joseph?

I don't know.

I'm not sure I understand anything right now.

Can't you do something?

What, what would you have me do?

Can't you heal him?

Emma-

- Can't you raise him from the dead, Joseph?

No, Emma, it doesn't happen that way.

I can't just reach out my hand and raise the dead.

Peter did it.

I'm no Peter.

But you're a prophet.

Did you not see God?

Did he not speak to you?

Yes he did,

but he doesn't speak to me now.

If you can't sleep and you don't eat...

I have lost my son, Alvin.

I have lost my brother, Martin.

How can I sleep or eat?

It's been three weeks.

I can stay with my mother.

You have to go.

Are you sure you are well enough?

Go, go get Martin.

Is he still out there?

Yes, he is.

He's just sitting there, on a log.

He's just sitting?

Sitting.

Well, I'll not wait.

No.

Let him come on his own.

He's coming.

Come, sit, the food's getting cold.

It's been getting cold for three hours.

Hiram.

Yes, Father.

Dear Lord, please bless this food for our use

and bless us in thy service.

We're grateful to be visited by our brother

Joseph and joined for dinner

by brother Martin.

Amen.

Amen.

Joseph, the food will be good for you.

Martin, why do you not eat?

Are you ill?

No.

I have lost my soul.

I have lost my soul.

Martin, have you lost the translation?

Yes.

It is gone, and I know not where.

You made an oath to me,

and I made an oath to God.

And now you have condemned us both.

I'm so sorry.

You must find those pages!

I cannot!

Go and look again!

I am sorry, Joseph.

I have looked everyplace in my house.

I've ripped open beds and pillows.

It is gone. It is gone.

God entrusted me, and I entrusted you,

and the work we have done is in vain!

What will become of his work, Martin?

What will become of God's work?

Dear God, what have I done?

Were the pages ever found?

No.

So like the plates, they just disappeared.

You're a skeptical man, Mr. Kelly.

I'm a reporter.

Where do you think the Book of Mormon came from?

I don't know.

I haven't really given it much thought.

I think that Mr. Smith had a vivid imagination.

A man with no education,

who could barely compose a well-written letter,

wrote a 500 page book,

a book of scripture?

Really, Mr. Kelly?

So the work went on.

I'm a weak man, Joseph.

Though I don't mean to be.

I'll never have your faith.

It isn't easy, being chastised by the Lord.

No it isn't.

He chastised you?

He's taken away the plates

and I've lost the ability to translate.

But what will we do?

It's not the first time I've been reprimanded.

But this time Martin,

we will listen.

But it wasn't your fault.

- I was the one.- - Yes.

You're right, Martin, you were the one.

You were the one who came to me in my time of need.

And it's because of your generosity that Emma and I came

to this place away from those who would harm us.

And you were the one who left your farm to come here

and assist in the Lord's work.

It's you Martin, it's you whom the Lord loves.

You will see the plates.

The Lord has declared it.

If he will bow down before me and humble himself

in mighty prayer and faith in the sincerity of his heart,

then will I grant unto him a view of the things

which he desires to see.

You'll see the plates, Martin.

I have a letter from your friend, Oliver.

You'll finish the plowing, David.

Yes, father.

David, I pray all is well.

I've recently secured employment

as a school teacher in Manchester.

And I'm boarding with the Smith family.

Which Smith family, you ask?

Yes, he of the gold plates.

Or his parents, rather.

People talk of little else.

They continue to dig up the countryside.

Oliver?

Samuel.

Good evening.

I'll

I'll just be going to my room.

Did you need something, Oliver?

No, thank you.

Yes, there is something that I need.

Was I listening at the door?

Yes, I was.

You simply won't talk about it.

I have seen the plates.

What do you mean? How?

I haven't actually seen them.

It was a dream or something, but,

but I did as you suggested and I prayed

and I'm convinced the Lord has a work for me to do.

The school term ends in March

and I'll travel with Samuel.

Samuel's staying with Joseph through the spring.

I want to help Joseph. I need to help him.

Well then, it's settled.

Now, will you please take all that wet-

- Can we take the wagon?

No, I need the wagon.

You'll walk.

That's why the good Lord gave you two legs.

I want to go to.

No, of course not.

Then who'll do Samuel's work?

Don't suppose it matters

whether I give my blessing to this or not.

Which, of course I do.

Joseph!

Joseph! Joseph!

Samuel!

You brought someone with you.

This is Oliver Cowdery.

Mr. Smith. I come for the purpose of writing for you.

Have you?

You spoke of the translation?

He stayed with us over the winter.

It's kind of hard not to hear.

Well, let's talk it over after we get you cleaned up.

Little brother, you smell like

you've been on the road for a week.

It was as though Joseph and Oliver

had long known each other.

They talked late into the night

and Joseph readily accepted Oliver's offer to scribe.

Rather than try to retranslate the lost pages,

they moved forward with the work.

Are you ready?

Of course.

And now with God who has created you on whom you

are dependent for your lives

and for all that ye have and are-

Are you getting this?

Hmm? Oh, yes.

- Oliver. - Yes?

You need to write this exactly as I dictate.

And now if God, who has created you,

on whom you are dependent for your lives

and for all that ye have and are.

Doth grant unto you whatsoever ye ask that is right.

In faith, believing, ye shall receive.

A lawsuit brought by your wife.

We've separated, Lucy and.

I fear there is no reconciliation.

I'm sorry, Martin.

Who will testify?

Many.

She's poisoned them against you, Joseph.

If you could show me the plates, I will testify.

No, that I will not do.

But you promised.

Yes, in the Lord's time, not ours.

Then what am I to say?

The truth.

Tell them the truth.

The work of translation was unlike

anything Oliver had ever done.

While pondering an account in the record,

Joseph and Oliver sought answers concerning baptism.

A heavenly visitor taught them of power and authority.

Amen.

Now it is better than a man

should be judged of God than of man.

For the judgments of God are-

Oliver, are you getting this?

Actually, no.

I'm sorry, Joseph.

He prophesied.

Oliver did?

We were filled with the Holy Ghost.

Oliver has great gifts.

Hey, hey!

Two men on horseback.

They've run off.

Joseph, what are we going to do?

I don't know.

I think I might know someone who can help us.

Joe Smith told me the box was full of sand

and that he claimed it was gold to deceive the people.

Order!

Where is this Mr. Smith?

He is prepared, should he be subpoenaed, to testify.

Proceed.

What was this Mr. Smith hoping to achieve?

Money, pure and simple.

Objection, your honor. Speculation.

I don't need your help. Thank you very much.

Please refrain from asking your witnesses to speculate

on matters of which they have no knowledge.

Remember, exactly as we rehearsed.

The prosecution wishes to call Mrs. Martin Harris.

- The letter was to you. - Yes.

Oliver had written me periodically

to tell me of his experiences.

He would also send me passages

from the Book of Mormon.

- It was unbelievable. - I can imagine.

You may doubt me, Mr. Kelly, but Oliver was learned.

He was truthful.

He said he was visited by John the Baptist.

And others.

He was given priesthood power,

the power to baptize.

They were in need of help.

They wrote asking if they could come to Fayette.

They needed a safe place to finish the translation.

They wanted you to take them in?

With their golden Bible

and all the trouble that came with it?

I'm not sure I would've done it,

but my Father was a practical man.

He said I could go if I finished the plowing.

It was three days work,

but the next morning, it was done.

Well, what do you mean?

Who did it?

That's the question my Father asked.

David.

David!

Did you do this?

No, Father.

I don't understand.

What is at work here?

You didn't hire them?

Who?

There were three men here, yesterday.

Is this a sign from your God?

Father, may I go?

There is something in this.

You must go.

Go.

Giddy-up. Yah!

Yah, go, go go!

Your complaint charges that Mr.

Smith

never had the gold plates.

Mrs. Harris doesn't hear well.

If my colleague could please speak up.

I hear just fine.

When she wants to.

You're claiming Mr. Smith has no gold plates.

That is correct.

Your hope is that the court will require Mr. Smith

to produce the gold plates or go to jail.

I had but one thought,

to prevent the defrauding of others

as Mr. Smith has defrauded my husband.

And yet, you yourself gave money to Mr. Smith.

Yes, yes, I did.

$28, money given to you by your mother.

I said you gave $28.

I heard you.

Did you give Mr. Smith the $28 or not?

Yes, I did.

Were you defrauded?

He asked if you were defrauded.

I don't know what you mean.

Did he cheat you?

Did Joseph Smith cheat you?

Or did you give the money willingly?

Answer the question.

Did you willingly give Mr. Smith the $287?

Yes I did, but-

- All right.

- No more questions. - That is quite enough.

I have other witnesses, Your Honor.

I'm sure you do.

And they will all say the same thing.

Is Mr. Harris here?

Well, let's hear from him, shall we?

Push, push!

Mr. Harris, this Joe Smith.

Now he asked you for money, for what purpose?

He never asked me for money.

But you, you gave him money?

Yes.

And he promised you what in return, Mr. Harris?

He promised me nothing.

He asked for nothing.

He defrauded no one.

I did once, of my own free will and accord,

put $50 into his hands,

in the presence of witnesses,

for the purpose of doing the work of the Lord.

And as to these plates he professes to have,

if you continue to resist the truth,

it will one day be the means of damning your souls.

Order. Your Honor, do something.

Order.

I will do something.

The only people who have given Mr. Smith any money

are your client and her husband, both willingly.

I see no evidence that anyone was defrauded of anything.

This is folly.

Case dismissed.

Whoa.

Excuse me.

I'm looking for Oliver Cowdery.

You must be David.

You have the advantage of me.

I'm Joseph.

You're Joseph Smith?

Come inside.

Emma has dinner waiting.

- David. - Oliver.

I can't thank you enough.

Oh, hello, hello.

That was, that was Joseph.

The prophet.

Well, it seems as though you knew I was coming.

I wrote a letter,

but I knew that I would arrive before it did.

Oliver.

How did you know I was coming?

He sees things.

He's a seer.

You remember the stone?

Well, yes, you said that he uses it for the translation.

Among other things.

You rode hard the first night.

And then you stayed at the Central Hotel

in Colesville last night,

which is owned by a man

by the name of Stephen Bosworth.

You left early, very early this morning.

We knew you'd be here before dinner.

I rode through the first night

and stayed at the Central Hotel in Colesville last evening,

and left early this morning,

whether it is run by a man named Stephen Bosworth,

as you said, I don't know,

but I intend to find out.

He sees things?

It's been truly remarkable, all of it.

Gentlemen, dinner awaits.

We'll leave first thing in the morning.

1, he's so young.

I think it'll work just fine.

He's not exactly what I expected.

And what did you expect?

I'm not sure.

Moses, I suppose.

He's just like you and me, and then again,

he is the most remarkable man I have ever met.

When the book is done, Joseph has been commanded

to restore the true Church of Christ.

Restore?

Yes, and he thinks that you've been called

to play a major role.

Well, it would seem that there is work I need to get done.

- David. - Yes?

Joseph, Oliver.

- Brothers. - David.

Martin.

Our Father in heaven, as thy servants

we humbly kneel before thee and petition thee

for these, my brethren, that they might see

thy Holy Record.

That they might go forth

and testify of it's truth in order that I,

that I might not carry this truth alone any longer.

In Jesus' name, Amen.

Oliver, will you pray?

Our dear Lord,

we bow our heads in deep humility

and ask thee to show us thy Holy Record.

We kneel before you as imperfect men

who have toiled and sacrificed in thy name.

Please, God give us this, thy blessing.

David.

- Dear God- - It's my fault.

I'm not worthy of this experience.

I do not have enough faith.

Martin, please.

No, it's fine.

I mean, it's not fine.

But you should carry on without me.

David, continue.

Ha, ha.

Dear God,

Julia!

Julia!

I've seen them.

Seen what?

I've seen the plates.

David! David!

What happened?

It's finished.

You're finished?

Yes, the translation is complete.

We must celebrate.

Come, we must celebrate.

Mother!

Mother, the book is done!

The book is remarkable.

It covers a thousand years of history.

This doctrine is sublime.

A 500 page book translated in less than three months.

Some say it was written by someone else.

Because it's easier to believe

that it was written by someone else

than it came from an angel on plates of gold.

Yet, I saw both the angel and the plates of gold.

Have you read the book of Mormon, Mr. Kelly?

I have dabbled in its pages.

Perhaps you should withhold judgment

til you become better acquainted with the book.

Point taken.

Joseph thought that once the book was published,

his work was done, but it was just the beginning.

His revelations came much more quickly.

You would have us go to Ohio.

The Lord wills it.

The timing is

awkward.

The Lord's timing is seldom convenient.

What is it, David?

We had hoped to be married.

That's wonderful.

And have you asked her?

Not yet.

She'll be very happy.

You saw it in the stone?

I don't need a stone to bless a happy union.

Bring her to Ohio, David.

I will,

I will.

We shall be married.

What?

Married.

The Lord had promised Joseph a new Zion.

Converts flock to the new faith.

Among them was Sidney Rigdon, a fiery preacher

who was reluctant to leave his congregation behind.

Some of you have heard

that I have been drawn to a new faith.

I am not here to abandon you,

rather to proclaim my unmitigated faith

in the Lord Jesus Christ,

who is the author of our salvation

and the head of the restored church.

Amen!

That I'm committed to sharing

with each and every one of you.

Will you hear me?

Yes.

I am humbled and grateful.

Will you love and trust me just one hour longer?

Yes.

Will you hear the entire tale?

Yes.

Good.

Then open your Bibles to the gospel of John.

Chapter 10, verse 16.

As I share with you from a new text.

Your work has been a great blessing

to the church Brother Rigdon.

Many people found the truth because of you.

The Lord speaks to you, Brother Rigdon.

Thank you, Joseph.

I have long been a student of his words.

I don't think you understand.

The Lord speaks to you.

The Lord speaks to me?

Personally?

Yes.

Your work has been acknowledged.

You have been as John,

sent forth to prepare the way.

The Baptist?

Yes, but now, now you will baptize with authority.

It is my greatest wish.

You have been called to write, Sidney.

As your scribe?

Yes.

And what about Oliver?

Without Oliver's work,

Brother Rigdon would not be with us.

What do you say, Sidney? Will you do it?

Yes.

I, I would be most honored.

Consider it done Brother Joseph.

Good.

It is done then.

It was the first hint of division.

Joseph was grateful for every new convert sent by God,

but we chafed at Sidney's new-found power.

We looked for our own authority and found it

in what we thought was a new revelation,

received by Hiram Page, my sister's husband.

Newel Whitney broke the news to Joseph.

Dinner's ready.

He's been there for some time.

That is not unusual.

Who knows about this?

I'm not sure.

But he called it a revelation?

Sixteen pages, given to Hiram Page.

David's brother-in-law.

What does David think?

He's convinced it's true.

All of the Whitmers are convinced.

And Oliver.

Yes.

Why do they not just come to me?

Can you not just tell them that the revelation is false?

It's not that easy.

It's pruning the branch without Killing the tree.

You said anyone could receive revelation.

That is true.

You encouraged it.

That is also true.

This, however, is not true.

How do you know that?

Because these words are at variance

with the order of God's house.

Does Hiram Page have authority to speak

in the name of the Lord?

You said even the least Saint may know all things

as fast as he is able to bear them.

Yes, but all things must be done in order.

Only one can speak for the Lord.

But he used a stone.

He used a Seer Stone?

You no longer use the stone, Joseph.

God gave me the stone as milk to a child.

When the child eats meat the milk is put away.

He prophesied great things through the stone.

He knows the location of the City of Zion.

He has been deceived.

And you have been deceived.

You flirt with apostasy.

No one shall be appointed to receive commandments

in revelation in this church

excepting my prophet, Joseph Smith.

Thus sayeth the Lord.

You had differences with Joseph?

Not in the beginning.

I loved him.

Joseph, Joseph only listened to his own counsel.

And yet he asked you to succeed him

as president of the church?

I was asked to preside over the church in Missouri.

You helped build the Kirtland Temple.

And when it was completed,

more angels?

Yes.

I saw angels.

As did many others.

Joseph was dragged from his bed, tarred and feathered.

You remember?

I remember.

This is from an account by Luke Johnson

from the Millennial Star.

"My Father hearing the outcry of the family,

went to the door.

Finding it held by someone on the outside,

he called for his gun.

He pursued and was knocked down

and his collarbone was broken.

He was taken back to the house and hands laid upon him

by David Whitmer and immediately healed.

You remember that?

There are others.

Shall I read them?

It's not necessary.

I remember.

And yet you left the church.

Why?

Joseph was gaining confidence

in his role as the Lord's prophet.

Converts came and went, leaders rose and fell.

But, but Joseph moved forward.

He tackled a new undertaking.

The restoration of the Bible.

It brought new questions.

As such-

I would have a word with you.

Yes, of course.

Alone.

I'm sure there's nothing we have to talk about

that Sidney can't hear.

I'm pretty sure that there is.

Alone.

Sidney, would you please give us a few minutes?

Of course, Joseph.

Of course.

What is troubling you?

This has gone too far.

I speak of Fanny Alger, your housemaker,

or is she your wife?

Oliver, I feel your outrage, I do.

Please, sit down, and we can talk this over.

We were sealed by the power of God and under his authority.

So God did it.

As part of the restoration of all things

in the same manner as Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

Is this the same God who

will not allow me to sell my property?

You should know better than anyone

that we buy property to serve the church, not ourselves.

It is the right of every citizen

in this country to hold property.

We are the citizens of God.

Joseph, my brother, Joseph, don't you see?

See what?

You are intoxicated by the power

of leading a believing people.

That power is a sacred trust.

One that you must not, cannot betray,

or as God as my witness, you will be smitten.

Joseph, my dear Joseph.

I have heard God's voice flow through you like living water.

I have stood in the presence of angels with you.

But I fear you have been deceived.

And if you are smitten, what will become of us?

I'm not deceived Oliver.

I will always maintain a true principle,

even if I stand alone in it.

Kirtland was on edge.

Every day brought wagon loads of people to the city.

Joseph was desperate to care for them.

The brethren devised a simple solution, a bank.

Oh, I'm so sorry, Brother Whitmer.

It would appear that I'm fine.

Happy to help.

The Saints were asked to make deposits.

The money would then be used to help the new arrivals.

Joseph's vision of God's kingdom in Kirtland

was astonishing, but sadly, our faith was fragile.

Things are going well then?

Yes, we're quite busy.

Joseph talked to you.

He did. I'm here to buy stock.

That's wonderful. David-

- You have cash? I do.

And these people?

Loans, they are all here for loans.

I need more bank notes.

- How many? - How many have you got?

The people in Kirtland were happy to get the loans,

but when it came time to pay them back,

they couldn't do it.

The bank notes were worthless.

All the investors lost their money.

Joseph, Sidney, almost everything they had

was tied up in the bank.

My losses have been devastating.

We've all lost money, Oliver, you know that.

The only way to succeed now is to stay the course.

The temporal and the spiritual do not mix, Joseph.

I need to go my own way.

Hey, you best come with me.

Requiring silver for the notes is impractical.

Land is a wise compromise.

Land is what we have.

Without it, the bank never could have opened.

We were promised that the bank

was instituted by the will of God.

We were promised that it would not fail,

that it could not fail.

Who made you that promise?

Whoever made you that promise had no authority to so.

I have been very clear from the beginning

that unless this institution is conducted

on principles of righteousness, it will not stand.

We must remain united.

- You have no proof. - It's gone.

What more proof do I need?

- That proves nothing. - It proves everything.

I will not stand here to be accused.

Brothers, Brothers!

What is happening?

Warren and I were just discussing

the loss of some banknotes.

I'm not sure I understand.

Brother Parish, what is he talking about?

Unfounded accusations.

He says I've been stealing bank notes.

$20,000!

Perhaps you've been careless.

Careless?

Warren was the only one that-

Joseph, Joseph, I'm sorry.

Warren was the only one who had access.

What's going on? What happened?

The bank's gone bust. There's no money!

Three weeks after it opened,

there was a run on the bank.

Joseph's enemy hoarded bank notes.

And when they demanded payment,

there wasn't enough to pay them.

The bank was closed.

As were many others.

It was a bad time financially across the nation.

But he was a prophet.

Joseph's notion of society

could only succeed in a perfect world.

We were far from perfect.

Many who once supported Joseph now doubted him.

Others, including Martin Harris refused to support the bank.

Joseph remained undaunted.

Hello, Joseph.

Martin, I need your help.

You need my money, you mean.

That's all you've ever needed from me.

For which the Lord has blessed you.

Yes.

He has blessed me.

Martin, you've been a good and faithful brother,

but, yes, the Lord needs your help one more time.

These are hard times in Kirtland.

The bank.

The bank.

I warned you it was not wise.

You cannot just print paper money

that is not backed up by real assets, gold, silver.

And had those with the ability to do so joined in,

we would not be having this discussion.

I was your first and faithful friend, Joseph

And Oliver, David, Sydney,

they have taken my place.

They have been given high and holy callings.

And I have been stuck with the churches bills.

$5,062.

- And $0.83. - And $0.83.

The deed for 230 acres of Kirtland Township.

Will you be turning the deed over to Joseph, Mr. Harris?

No, Mr. Holbrook, this investment is for me.

I fear I have lost them.

Who?

David, Martin, Oliver.

The list is long.

I have done everything God asks.

And yet I face opposition at every turn.

Maybe God wants you to learn something.

Seems I'm only capable of learning from my mistakes.

Moses didn't make mistakes.

But you do learn, eventually.

Yeah, eventually.

Emma, I will do as God asks.

There are many who claim that you are no longer a prophet.

I know.

And what does a prophet's wife think?

That you are too generous to run a bank.

That is certainly true.

But I believe you speak for God.

It must be by a large majority and-

- We've waited long enough.

The time is now.

The time for what?

You speak apostasy.

The bank is ruined.

We've all lost money.

How could a true prophet fail to perceive this?

You are the one that stole money from the bank.

Our duty is to depose the fallen prophet

and correct the course for God,

It is not up for us to decide.

I propose that David Whitmer be placed

as president of the church.

Why should it be David?

Who would you have it be?

It'll be Joseph and Joseph only.

What say you David, will you lead the church?

We have to act now.

Now is the moment.

Father Smith will be preaching.

And what about Joseph?

Joseph's in Toronto.

Wait outside, Luke.

Watch for the Constable.

When I get through, send them.

Today, we take the temple.

While most continued to support Joseph,

opposing voices grew ever louder.

One of the boldest groups was led by Warren Parish.

These people would stop at nothing.

We didn't join them, but we listened, as did many others.

And set my standard to the people and they.

Share the floor.

We'll be asking you to leave in a peaceable manner

as we have business to attend to.

As do we.

We asked you to leave.

There's no need for violence, good sir.

The temple belongs to us.

The temple belongs to the Lord.

Brother Cowdery, bring them to order.

This man is a justice of the peace.

He'll have you arrested.

What we discuss today is a most serious matter.

That of dissension.

As brother Joseph noted,

a house divided against itself cannot stand,

but must fall.

Here, here.

You and I must decide what we shall do.

If the leading brethren of our church

can not remain united, how will we stand?

Yes.

Brother Cowdery.

This is to inform you that the

high council convened Sunday night last

to consider your worthiness to remain a member

of the church in full fellowship.

Oliver, what's wrong?

The charges against Brother Cowdery

- are as follows. - Oliver, what is it?

For aspiring to a church leadership role

other than that to which he was appointed.

Unchristian-like conduct in neglecting

to attend church meetings.

For declaring that he would not be governed

by ecclesiastical authority in his temporal affairs.

For refusing to leave Kirtland, Ohio,

and join with the saints in Missouri.

For proclaiming himself President of the Church of

Christ

in an insulting letter to the high council.

You are here by ex-communicated.

And released from your position,

the first presidency thereof.

Yeah.

Ye are the salt of the earth.

Here, here.

But if the salt have lost his savor,

wherewith shall it be salted.

Yes.

It is thenceforth good for nothing

but to be cast out and trod under foot of men.

Here, here.

Have you lost your savor,

then you are good for nothing

but to be cast out and trod at the foot of men.

Cast them out!

Cast them out!

Cast them out!

Cast them out!

Cast them out!

Cast them out!

Cast them out!

Cast them out!

Cast them out!

You shall have three days

after you receive this communication to you,

to depart with your families peaceably.

If you do not depart,

we will use the means in our power to cause you to depart.

So help us God.

David.

So who wrote the letter?

I don't know, but 83 men signed it.

Joseph did not, nor did Sidney.

He's either hiding or he's gone.

Said you were leaving.

I didn't believe it.

Can't truly believe that they'll hurt you.

You read the letter.

I read it.

Those were Dr. Hayford's words.

Maybe.

Let's go, girl.

They cast you out?

Under the threat of violence.

Who?

Does it matter?

With nothing to cling to,

we were scattered on the wind.

We each went our separate ways.

The one thing that remained firm, however

was our testimony of the Book of Mormon.

Martin needed something to follow.

He joined a church formed by Warren Parish,

but it didn't last.

Our brother, Martin Harris.

Now, then, to other orders of business.

As to our tenets of belief,

I feel it necessary to separate ourselves

from the previous church.

And as such hold that the Book of Mormon,

that so-called revelation,

coming from the mouth of the vile, fallen prophet

Joseph Smith should be renounced.

This church will rise to prominence on-

Brother Harris, you have something to say?

Hear me well.

The Book of Mormon is no fake.

I know what I know.

I have seen what I have seen and

I have heard what I have heard.

I have seen the gold plates

from which the book of Mormon is written.

I have seen an angel bear record of truth

and I have heard the voice of God.

Never doubt it.

You do so at your own peril.

So, that's when you came here, to Missouri.

Yes, Richmond became my home.

Did Joseph ever reached out to you?

Did he invite you back?

Joseph was forgiving.

He made it clear we could always return.

I didn't bring you out here

to clear brush Heber.

I know, Joseph.

I figured we would talk when you were ready.

This has been on my mind for some time.

I'd like you to write a letter to Oliver.

Oliver Cowdery?

There's only one Oliver.

And do you think he'll listen?

I think Oliver has been gone long enough.

It's time he returns.

Let's clear some brush.

Dearest Oliver, we thought, perhaps,

our longest esteemed friend might feel

he had wandered long enough

and that he might have a disposition to return.

We are ready to receive you.

We are not your enemies, but your brethren.

Your dwelling place ought to be in Zion.

Joseph Smith Junior, having been commissioned as

Jesus Christ, I baptize you in the name of the Father,

and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.

Joseph!

Elizabeth!

He's gone.

They shot him.

Who, Sweetheart, who?

Joseph.

He's dead.

Joseph!

It's okay.

Sorry.

It's okay.

Was it the same?

It just won't let go of me.

No matter where I am, I can't outrun this thing.

Maybe it's time you make peace with it.

Maybe it is.

I turn to the scriptures in the Old Testament.

To Samuel, that great and faithful prophet.

In the second book of Samuel, chapter 19 verse seven,

it states "now therefore arise,

go forth and speak comfortably unto thy servants."

Are we willing to speak comfortably?

Are we willing to be bold?

To arise and go forth in the name of the Lord?

Welcome, Oliver.

Be a part of the great gathering

in the last days.

You think they'll let me stay?

Be faithful.

It's been so long.

Be the window-

- Come with me.

We have been called,

as the children of Israel

out of the world to invite all to come to Christ.

For I swear by the Lord.

If thou go not forth-

We welcome you, Oliver Cowdery.

It has been far too long.

Please come with me.

It is not often that we are graced with the presence

of one of the founding members of our church.

Oliver Cowdery, the church's second elder, will address us.

I never thought I'd have the opportunity

to address the body of the saints again.

I will not waste it.

I'm not currently affiliated with this honored company.

Something I hope to quickly rectify.

I'm not here to seek power, nor to interfere

with the business or callings of those men

who've born the burden since the death of Joseph.

My request is to be a mere member of Christ's church.

I throw myself at your feet.

And I ask to be one of your number, I,

I, I wish only to be aligned again

with brother Joseph and with God.

Oliver Cowdery

I baptize you, in the name of the Father.

Is it possible that Joseph deceived you

when he showed you the plates?

Joseph did not show me the plates.

An angel did.

Is it possible that Joseph mesmerized you

or created some kind of hallucination?

I was not under any hallucination.

Nor was I deceived.

I am no fool.

I saw with these eyes and I heard with these ears.

I know whereof I speak.

There were others who questioned.

There were others who doubted.

And some even threatened.

No, take your hands off us.

No, don't touch her!

Julia! Julia!

Silence!

Welcome, friends.

Which one of you is David Whitmer?

I am David Whitmer.

Do you know why you're here?

You know Joe Smith?

I do.

And you were with him when he saw the gold plates?

I was.

And you expect us to believe that.

What you believe doesn't change the truth.

Oh, we're tired of you Mormons.

And we just want you to leave,

one way or another.

All you gotta do is admit that you and Joe Smith made it up.

And no angel showed you no gold plates.

And I'll let you and your friends go.

But if you don't-

David!

David!

It's the pretty one.

Take her.

No, no, please don'.

So what's it gonna be?

Let her go.

Okay.

What do you want from us?

I thought I made myself pretty clear.

We want you gone.

No, no, no!

Now, tell us the truth of your lie

and all will be forgiven.

I am afraid I might disappoint you.

What do you mean?

The truth is,

it is not a lie.

God almighty knows that I have seen the gold plates.

And I fear him a lot more than I fear you.

I know what I've seen.

I know what I am promised.

I will not deny

what I have learned about my Lord and savior, Jesus Christ.

Jesus Christ.

He is my savior.

Just shoot him.

Get him, boss.

Let him go.

What, boss?

Let him go.

What, why?

I just have one last question, Mr. Whitmer.

When we began this interview, you said

that Martin Harris saw the plates?

In the testimony of three witnesses

will I send forth of my word.

Those were the words of the Lord.

On that same afternoon Oliver and I saw the angel,

Joseph went in search of Martin.

Dear God, thou knowest my weaknesses,

but even more, thou knowest my heart.

Grant me strength.

Grant me wisdom.

Grant me thy grace.

And I will endeavor to do all

in my power to further thy work.

This I pray, in thy Holy name.

The Lord loves you, Martin.

And I love you.

Tis enough.

Tis enough.

Mine eyes have beheld.

Mine eyes have beheld.

It's a remarkable story.

Do you believe me, Mr. Kelly?

What I believe Mr. Whitmer,

Is that you are a man of integrity.

As for John Murphy, Caldwell County.

I'm less inclined to say the same for him.

I'm a reporter, Mr. Whitmer.

I ask questions.

Sometimes, I can't help myself.

The box?

Just an old letter.

And a manuscript.

Is it?

The Book of Mormon,

the printer's manuscript.

Given to me by Oliver Cowdery, shortly before his death.

You realize this doesn't prove anything?

The Book of Mormon was not meant to be proven, Mr. Kelly.

It has to be read.

Then ask he who governs all.

Mr. Whitmer.

I'll send you a copy of my article when it is printed.

I look forward to it.

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