Delayed, but not destroyed

We all know that the early Church members were persecuted. But when exactly did it start? And why? In the section heading for Doctrine & Covenants 24, it reads: "Revelation given to Joseph Smith the Prophet and Oliver Cowdery, at Harmony, Pennsylvania, July 1830. HC 1: 101–103. Though less than four months had elapsed since the Church was organized, persecution had become intense, and the leaders had to seek safety in partial seclusion. The following three revelations were given at this time to strengthen, encourage, and instruct them." I wanted to know more about this persecution since it was just after the Church was established. As I researched, I was humbled and felt increased gratitude for those early pioneers of this great work; I hope you feel the same.

Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery had traveled to Colesville, NY,in April of 1830. While they were there, Joseph was able, by the power of God, to cast an evil spirit out of Newel Knight. This was considered the first miracle of the Church. Several people who had been in attendance and heard of this miracle desired to be baptized; a few months later, in June of 1830, Joseph and Oliver returned to Colesville to perform the baptisms.

The large number of people who wanted to be baptized brought a lot of attention to the new Church...with that attention came persecution. A dam which had been built for the baptisms was destroyed by a mob. This could not deter the saints who rebuilt the dam and continued with the baptisms as planned. The work was delayed but could not be destroyed. The mob followed the Prophet after the baptisms, threatening to harm the new members as well as hurling insults at the Prophet and those who were with him.

That evening a meeting was to be held in which the new converts were going to be confirmed and receive the Gift of the Holy Ghost. Before that meeting took place, Joseph Smith was arrested on charges of being a 'disorderly person'. The constable who arrested Joseph was able to protect him from the mobs that tried to intercept him on the way to prison. After a day of trial, Joseph was acquitted of those charges .

However, the relief was short-lived because directly following Joseph's acquittal, a constable from another county served up another warrant on the same charges, immediately taking Joseph into custody and escorting him the 15 miles to Broome County. This constable was abusive and accompanied the Prophet to a tavern where a group of men spit on Joseph, pointing fingers at him and demanding, "Prophesy! Prophesy!", unknowingly imitating those who crucified the Savior. The second trial, which came the next morning, bore the same results: Joseph was acquitted. Mobs still followed and harassed the Prophet until, as the section heading indicates, he was able to "seek safety in partial seclusion" at his sister's home and then his own in Harmony, PA.

The saints in Colesville who had been baptized, remember, had still not been confirmed. Mighty prayers were offered, both by the Colesville saints and the leaders of the Church, that the Prophet might be able to return for that purpose. The Lord protected the Prophet and those who traveled with him on his return to Colesville where the saints were confirmed and the sacrament administered. As you can imagine, this was a time of joy and rejoicing among this small group. The work was delayed but could not be destroyed

This was a time of great persecution, to be sure, but also great revelation. It was during these months that Joseph received the first chapter of the Pearl of Great Price and also began his "inspired translation of the Bible" (i.e. Joseph Smith Translation). Indeed, Satan may delay some aspects of growth, but he cannot destroy the work from moving forward!

I absolutely know that the Gospel of Jesus Christ was restored through the Prophet Joseph Smith. I know that this is God's work and His church. I know that there is an Adversary who would like to destroy the work of God, but he will never be permitted. The power of God is greater than that of Satan.

What are some of your impressions as you read this account?

How would you have felt as a new converts in Colesville? Would the persecution have destroyed or strengthened your faith?

You can read more about this period here (pages 71-73), here, and here.