Joseph Smith—History 1 יוֹסֵף סְמִית — תּוֹלָדוֹת פרק א׳

Hebrew translation, word by word with English glosses, the English verse beneath each. Open Joseph Smith—History 1 in the interlinear reader for transliteration, roots and notes.

1. 1

   בִּגְלַלBecause ofהַשְּׁמוּעוֹתthe reportsהָרַבּוֹתmanyאֲשֶׁרwhichהוֹצִיאוּhave put forthאֲנָשִׁיםmenרָעִיםevil-disposedוְעֵרוּמִיםand designingעַלconcerningהִתְהַוּוּתthe riseוְהִתְקַדְּמוּתand progressקְהִילַּתof the Church ofיֵשׁוּעַJesusהַמָּשִׁיחַChristשֶׁלofקְדוֹשֵׁיthe saints ofאַחֲרִיתthe latterהַיָּמִיםdays,וְכֻלָּםand all of whomנוֹעֲדוּhave been designedלִלְחֹםto militateנֶגֶדagainstמַעֲמָדָהּits characterוְהִתְקַדְּמוּתָהּand progressבָּעוֹלָםin the world,הִתְעוֹרַרְתִּיI have been inducedלִכְתֹּבto writeאֶת־הַתּוֹלְדוֹתthe historyהָאֵלֶּהthis,לְמַעַןso as toהָסֵרdisabuseמִדַּעַתthe mind ofהָעָםthe people,וּלְהַעֲמִידand putלִפְנֵיbeforeמְבַקְשֵׁיall who seek afterהָאֱמֶתtruthאֶת־הָעֻבְדּוֹתthe facts,כְּפִיas they haveשֶׁהָיוּtranspiredבְּקוֹרוֹתַיin relation to myselfוּבְקוֹרוֹתand toהַקְּהִילָּהthe Church,כְּכׇל־אֲשֶׁרso far asבִּידֵי׃I have such facts in my possession.

   Owing to the many reports which have been put in circulation by evil-disposed and designing persons, in relation to the rise and progress of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, all of which have been designed by the authors thereof to militate against its character as a Church and its progress in the world—I have been induced to write this history, to disabuse the public mind, and put all inquirers after truth in possession of the facts, as they have transpired, in relation both to myself and the Church, so far as I have such facts in my possession.

2. 2

   בְּהִיסְטוֹרְיָהIn a historyזוֹthisאֶכְתֹּבI shall presentאֶת־הַמְּאֹרָעוֹתthe eventsהַשּׁוֹנִיםvariousבְּיַחַסin relationלַקְּהִילָּהto the Churchהַזֹּאתthis,בֶּאֱמֶתin truthוּבְצֶדֶקand righteousness,כְּפִיas they haveשֶׁאֵרְעוּtranspired,וּכְפִיor asשֶׁהֵםtheyעַתָּהat presentקַיָּמִיםexist,וְעַתָּה1838being nowהַשָּׁנָהthe yearהַשְּׁמִינִיתeighthמֵאָזsinceהִתְיַסְּדָהthe organization ofהַקְּהִילָּה׃the Church.

   In this history I shall present the various events in relation to this Church, in truth and righteousness, as they have transpired, or as they at present exist, being now [1838] the eighth year since the organization of the said Church.

3. 3

   נוֹלַדְתִּיI was bornבִּשְׁנַתin the year ofאֲדֹנֵינוּour Lordאֶלֶףone thousandשְׁמֹנֶהeightמֵאוֹתhundredוְחָמֵשׁand five,בְּיוֹםon theהָעֶשְׂרִיםtwenty-וּשְׁלוֹשָׁהthirdלְדֵצֶמְבֶּרday of December,בְּעִירin the town ofשָׁרוֹןSharon,מְחוֹזcounty ofוִינְדְּסוֹרWindsorמְדִינַתState ofוֶרְמוֹנְטVermont.אָבִיMy father,יוֹסֵףJosephסְמִיתSmith, Sen.,יָצָאleftמִמְּדִינַתthe State ofוֶרְמוֹנְטVermont,וְעָבַרand movedלְפַלְמִירָהto Palmyra,מְחוֹזcounty ofאוֹנְטָרְיוֹOntarioעַתָּהnowוֵייןWayneבִּמְדִינַתin the State ofנְיוּNewיוֹרְקYork,בִּהְיוֹתִיwhen I wasבֶּןofעֶשֶׂרten years,בְּעֵרֶךְor thereabouts.כְּאַרְבַּעIn about fourשָׁנִיםyearsאַחֲרֵיafterבֹּאוֹhis arrivalלְפַלְמִירָהat Palmyra,עָבַרhe movedעִםwithמִשְׁפַּחְתּוֹhis familyלְמַנְצֶ׳סְטֶרinto Manchesterבְּאוֹתוֹin the sameהַמְּחוֹז׃county.

   I was born in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and five, on the twenty-third day of December, in the town of Sharon, Windsor county, State of Vermont. … My father, Joseph Smith, Sen., left the State of Vermont, and moved to Palmyra, Ontario (now Wayne) county, in the State of New York, when I was in my tenth year, or thereabouts. In about four years after my father's arrival in Palmyra, he moved with his family into Manchester in the same county of Ontario—

4. 4

   מִשְׁפַּחְתּוֹHis familyמָנְתָהconsisted ofאַחַתoneעֶשְׂרֵהtenנְפָשׁוֹתsouls,וְהֵםnamely,אָבִיmy father,יוֹסֵףJosephסְמִיתSmith;אִמִּיmy mother,לוּסִיLucyסְמִיתSmithאֲשֶׁרwhoseשְׁמָהּname,לִפְנֵיprevious toנִשּׂוּאֶיהָher marriage,הָיָהwasמַקMack,בַּתdaughter ofשְׁלֹמֹהSolomonמַקMack;אַחַיmy brothers,אַלְוִיןAlvinשֶׁמֵּתwho diedבַּתִּשְׁעָהon the nine-עָשָׂרteenthלְנוֹבֶמְבֶּר1823day of November,בִּשְׁנָתוֹin the year of his ageהָעֶשְׂרִיםtwenty-וְשֵׁשׁsixth,חִירָםHyrum,אֲנִיmyself,שְׁמוּאֵלSamuelהָרִיסוֹןHarrison,וִילְיָםWilliam,דּוֹןDonקַרְלוֹסCarlos;וַאֲחָיוֹתַיand my sisters,סוֹפְרוֹנְיָהSophronia,קָתְרִיןCatherine,וְלוּסִי׃and Lucy.

   His family consisting of eleven souls, namely, my father, Joseph Smith; my mother, Lucy Smith (whose name, previous to her marriage, was Mack, daughter of Solomon Mack); my brothers, Alvin (who died November 19th, 1823, in the 26th year of his age), Hyrum, myself, Samuel Harrison, William, Don Carlos; and my sisters, Sophronia, Catherine, and Lucy.

5. 5

   כִּשְׁנָתַיִםSome time in the second yearאַחֲרֵיafterעָבְרֵנוּour removalלְמַנְצֶ׳סְטֶרto Manchester,הָיְתָהthere wasבַּמָּקוֹםin the placeאֲשֶׁרwhereגַּרְנוּwe livedהִתְעוֹרְרוּתan excitementבִּלְתִּיnotרְגִילָהusualעַלonדְּבָרַיthe matters ofדָּתreligion.הֵחֵלָּהIt commencedעִםwithהַמֶּתוֹדִיסְטִיםthe Methodists,וּמְהֵרָהbut soonהִתְפַּשְּׁטָהbecame generalבְּכׇלamong allהָעֵדוֹתthe sectsבְּאוֹתוֹin thatאֵזוֹרregion ofהָאָרֶץcountry.אָכֵןIndeed,כׇּלthe wholeהָאָרֶץdistrict of countryנִרְאֲתָהseemedמֻשְׁפַּעַתaffectedמִמֶּנָּהby it,וַהֲמוֹנִיםand multitudesרַבִּיםgreatהִצְטָרְפוּunited themselvesלָעֵדוֹתto the partiesהַדָּתִיּוֹתreligiousהַשּׁוֹנוֹתdifferent,וְזֶהand thisגָּרַםcausedמְהוּמָהa stirוּמַחֲלֹקֶתand a divisionלֹאnotקְטַנָּהsmallבֵּיןamongstהָעָםthe people,אֵלֶּהsomeצוֹעֲקִיםcrying,הִנֵּהLo,פֹהhere!וְאֵלֶּהand others,הִנֵּהLo,שָׁםthere!אֵלֶּהSomeטוֹעֲנִיםwere contendingלֶאֱמוּנַתfor the faithהַמֶּתוֹדִיסְטִיםof the Methodists,אֵלֶּהsomeלַפְּרֶסְבִּיטֶרְיָנִיםfor the Presbyterians,וְאֵלֶּהand someלַבַּפְּטִיסְטִים׃for the Baptists.

   Some time in the second year after our removal to Manchester, there was in the place where we lived an unusual excitement on the subject of religion. It commenced with the Methodists, but soon became general among all the sects in that region of country. Indeed, the whole district of country seemed affected by it, and great multitudes united themselves to the different religious parties, which created no small stir and division amongst the people, some crying, "Lo, here!" and others, "Lo, there!" Some were contending for the Methodist faith, some for the Presbyterian, and some for the Baptist.

6. 6

   כִּיFor,אַףnotwithstandingשֶׁהָאַהֲבָהthe loveהָרַבָּהgreatאֲשֶׁרwhichהִבִּיעוּexpressedהַמִּתְגַּיְּרִיםthe convertsלָאֱמוּנוֹתto the faithsהַשּׁוֹנוֹתdifferentהָאֵלֶּהtheseבְּעֵתat the time ofהִתְגַּיְּרוּתָםtheir conversion,וְהַקִּנְאָהand the zealהָרַבָּהgreatשֶׁלofהַכֹּהֲנִיםthe respective clergy,אֲשֶׁרwhoהֵקִימוּwere active in getting upוְקִדְּמוּand promotingאֶת־הַמַּחֲזֶהthe sceneהַמֻּפְלָאextraordinaryהַזֶּהthisשֶׁלofרֶגֶשׁfeelingדָּתִיreligious,לְמַעַןin order thatשֶׁכֻּלָּםeverybodyיִתְגַּיְּרוּmight be converted,כְּפִיasשֶׁקָּרְאוּthey were pleased to callלָזֶהit,לְהִצְטָרֵףlet them joinלְכׇלwhatעֵדָהsectשֶׁיִּרְצוּthey pleased;אֲבָלyetכַּאֲשֶׁרwhenהֵחֵלּוּbeganהַמִּתְגַּיְּרִיםthe convertsלְהֵחָלֵקto file off,אֵלֶּהsomeלְכַתto a partyזוֹthis,וְאֵלֶּהand someלְאַחֶרֶתto another,נִרְאָהit was seenשֶׁרִגְשׁוֹתֵיהֶםthat their feelingsהַטּוֹבִיםgoodלִכְאוֹרָהseeminglyשֶׁלofהַכֹּהֲנִיםthe priestsוְהַמִּתְגַּיְּרִיםand the convertsהָיוּwereמְדֻמִּיםpretendedיוֹתֵרmoreמֵאֲמִתִּיִּיםthan real;וּמַחֲזֶהfor a scene ofמְבוּכָהconfusionגְּדוֹלָהgreat,וְרֶגֶשׁand feelingרַעbadבָּאensued—כֹּהֵןpriestמִתְוַכֵּחַcontendingנֶגֶדagainstכֹּהֵןpriest,וּמִתְגַּיֵּרand convertנֶגֶדagainstמִתְגַּיֵּרconvert;עַדso thatשֶׁכׇּלthat allרִגְשׁוֹתֵיהֶםtheir feelingsהַטּוֹבִיםgood,זֶהoneלָזֶהit,אִםifהָיוּthey hadכָּאֵלֶּהany,אָבְדוּwere lostלְגַמְרֵיentirelyבְּמַחֲלֹקֶתin a strifeדְּבָרִיםof wordsוּבְוִכּוּחַand a contestעַלoverדֵּעוֹת׃opinions.

   For, notwithstanding the great love which the converts to these different faiths expressed at the time of their conversion, and the great zeal manifested by the respective clergy, who were active in getting up and promoting this extraordinary scene of religious feeling, in order to have everybody converted, as they were pleased to call it, let them join what sect they pleased; yet when the converts began to file off, some to one party and some to another, it was seen that the seemingly good feelings of both the priests and the converts were more pretended than real; for a scene of great confusion and bad feeling ensued—priest contending against priest, and convert against convert; so that all their good feelings one for another, if they ever had any, were entirely lost in a strife of words and a contest about opinions.

7. 7

   בָּעֵתAt the timeהַזֹּאתthisהָיִיתִיI wasבִּשְׁנָתִיin myהַחֲמֵשׁfive-עֶשְׂרֵהteenth year.מִשְׁפַּחַתThe family ofאָבִיmy fatherנִמְשְׁכָהwere proselytedלֶאֱמוּנַתto the faith ofהַפְּרֶסְבִּיטֶרְיָנִיםthe Presbyterians,וְאַרְבָּעָהand fourמֵהֶםof themהִצְטָרְפוּjoinedלַקְּהִילָּהthe churchהַהִיאthat,דְּהַיְנוּnamely,אִמִּיmy mother,לוּסִיLucy;אַחַיmy brothersחִירָםHyrum,וּשְׁמוּאֵלSamuelהָרִיסוֹןHarrison;וַאֲחוֹתִיand my sisterסוֹפְרוֹנְיָה׃Sophronia.

   I was at this time in my fifteenth year. My father's family was proselyted to the Presbyterian faith, and four of them joined that church, namely, my mother, Lucy; my brothers Hyrum and Samuel Harrison; and my sister Sophronia.

8. 8

   בְּעֵתDuring the time ofהַהִתְרַגְּשׁוּתthe excitementהַגְּדוֹלָהgreatהַזֹּאתthisנִמְשַׁךְwas called upלִבִּיmy mindלְהִרְהוּרto reflectionכָּבֵדseriousוּלְדַאֲגָהand uneasinessגְּדוֹלָהgreatאַףthoughשֶׁרִגְשׁוֹתַיthough my feelingsהָיוּwereעֲמֻקִּיםdeepוּלְעִתִּיםand oftenחַדִּיםpoignant,עוֹדstillשָׁמַרְתִּיI keptעַצְמִיmyselfרָחוֹקaloofמִכׇּלfrom allהַכִּתּוֹתthe partiesהָאֵלֶּהtheseאַףthoughשֶׁבָּאתִיI attendedלַאֲסֵפוֹתֵיהֶםtheir several meetingsכְּכׇלas often asשֶׁיָּכֹלְתִּיoccasion would permit.בִּמְרוּצַתIn processהַיָּמִיםof timeנָטָהbecame partialלִבִּיmy mindקְצָתsomewhatלַמֶּתוֹדִיסְטִיםto the Methodist sect,וְחָשַׁקְתִּיand I felt some desireלְהִצְטָרֵףto be unitedאֲלֵיהֶםwith them;אֲבָלbutכֹּהsoגְּדוֹלָהgreatהָיְתָהwereהַמְּבוּכָהthe confusionוְהַמַּחֲלֹקֶתand strifeבֵּיןamongהַכִּתּוֹתthe partiesעַדthatשֶׁנַּעַרthat for a personצָעִירyoungכָּמוֹנִיas I was,שֶׁלֹּאand soהִכִּירunacquainted withאֲנָשִׁיםmenוּדְבָרִיםand things,לֹאnotיָכֹלcouldלָבוֹאcomeלְמַסְקָנָהto any conclusionבְּרוּרָהcertainמִיwhoצוֹדֵקwas rightוּמִיand whoטוֹעֶה׃was wrong.

   During this time of great excitement my mind was called up to serious reflection and great uneasiness; but though my feelings were deep and often poignant, still I kept myself aloof from all these parties, though I attended their several meetings as often as occasion would permit. In process of time my mind became somewhat partial to the Methodist sect, and I felt some desire to be united with them; but so great were the confusion and strife among the different denominations, that it was impossible for a person young as I was, and so unacquainted with men and things, to come to any certain conclusion who was right and who was wrong.

9. 9

   לִבִּיMy mindהִתְרַגֵּשׁwas excitedלִפְעָמִיםat timesמְאֹדgreatly,כִּיforהַצַּעֲקָהthe cryוְהַמְּהוּמָהand tumultהָיוּwereגְּדוֹלוֹתso greatוּבְלִיand withoutהֶרֶףceasing.הַפְּרֶסְבִּיטֶרְיָנִיםThe Presbyteriansהִתְנַגְּדוּwere most decidedבְּתֹקֶףfirmlyלַבַּפְּטִיסְטִיםagainst the Baptistsוְלַמֶּתוֹדִיסְטִיםand Methodists,וְהִשְׁתַּמְּשׁוּand usedבְּכׇלallכֹּחוֹתthe powers ofהַהִגָּיוֹןboth reasonוְהָעָרְמָהand sophistryלְהוֹכִיחַto proveאֶת־טָעֻיּוֹתֵיהֶםtheir errors,אוֹor,לְפָחוֹתat least,לְגָרוֹםto makeלָעָםthe peopleלַחְשֹׁבthinkשֶׁהֵםthey wereטוֹעִיםin error.מִצַּדOn theאַחֵרother hand,הַבַּפְּטִיסְטִיםthe Baptistsוְהַמֶּתוֹדִיסְטִיםand Methodistsגַּםin their turn,הֵםtheyקִנְאוּwere zealousבְּשָׁוֶהequallyלְהָקִיםin endeavoring to establishאֶת־עִקְּרֵיהֶםtheir own tenetsוּלְהַפְרִיךְand to disproveאֶת־שְׁאָרthe restכֻּלָּם׃all others.

   My mind at times was greatly excited, the cry and tumult were so great and incessant. The Presbyterians were most decided against the Baptists and Methodists, and used all the powers of both reason and sophistry to prove their errors, or, at least, to make the people think they were in error. On the other hand, the Baptists and Methodists in their turn were equally zealous in endeavoring to establish their own tenets and disprove all others.

10. 10

    בְּתוֹךְIn the midst ofמִלְחֶמֶתthe war ofהַדְּבָרִיםwordsהַזֹּאתthisוּמְהוּמַתand the tumult ofהַדֵּעוֹתopinions,פְּעָמִיםtimesרַבּוֹתmanyאָמַרְתִּיI saidבְּלִבִּיto myself:מָהWhat isלַעֲשׂוֹתto be done?מִיwhichמִכׇּלof allהַכִּתּוֹתthe partiesהָאֵלֶּהtheseצוֹדֵקare right;אוֹor,הַאִםareכֻּלָּןthey allטוֹעוֹתwrongיַחַדtogether?אִםIfאַחַתany oneמֵהֶןof themצוֹדֶקֶתbe right,מִיwhichהִיאis it,וְאֵיךְand howאֵדַע׃shall I know it?

    In the midst of this war of words and tumult of opinions, I often said to myself: What is to be done? Who of all these parties are right; or, are they all wrong together? If any one of them be right, which is it, and how shall I know it?

11. 11

    בְּעָמְלִיWhile I was laboringתַּחַתunderהַקֹּשִׁיthe extreme difficultiesהַגָּדוֹלthe greatהַזֶּהthisשֶׁנִּגְרַםcausedמִמַּחֲלֹקֶתby the contestsכִּתּוֹתthe partiesהַדָּתof religionistsהָאֵלֶּהthese,יוֹםdayאֶחָדoneקָרָאתִיI was readingבְּאִגֶּרֶתthe Epistle ofיַעֲקֹבJames,פֶּרֶקchapterאfirstוּפָסוּקand verseהfifth,הָאוֹמֵרwhich reads:אִםIfאֶחָדanyמִכֶּםof youחָסֵרlackחׇכְמָהwisdom,יִשְׁאַלlet him askמֵאֵתofהָאֱלֹהִיםGod,הַנּוֹתֵןthat givethלְכֹלto all menבְּנָדִיבוּתliberally,וְלֹאand notיְגָעֵרupbraideth;וְיִנָּתֵןand it shall be givenלוֹ׃him.

    While I was laboring under the extreme difficulties caused by the contests of these parties of religionists, I was one day reading the Epistle of James, first chapter and fifth verse, which reads: If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.

12. 12

    מֵעוֹלָםNeverלֹאdidבָּאdidפָּסוּקany passage of scriptureבְּכֹחַwith powerרַבmuchיוֹתֵרmoreאֶלtoלֵבthe heartאָדָםof manמֵאֲשֶׁרthanזֶהthisבָּאdidאֶלtoלִבִּיmine.בָּעֵתat the timeהַזֹּאתthisנִדְמָהIt seemedשֶׁנִּכְנַסto enterבְּכֹחַwith forceגָּדוֹלgreatאֶלintoכׇּלeveryרֶגֶשׁfeelingלִבִּיof my heart.הִרְהַרְתִּיI reflectedבּוֹon itשׁוּבagainוָשׁוּבand again,בְּיָדְעִיknowingשֶׁאִםthat ifאִישׁany personצָרִיךְneededחׇכְמָהwisdomמֵאֱלֹהִיםfrom God,אֲנִיIהוּאdid;לֹאnotיָדַעְתִּיI knewמָהhowלַעֲשׂוֹתto actוְאִםandלֹאunlessאַשִּׂיגI could getחׇכְמָהwisdomרַבָּהgreatיוֹתֵרmoreמִמַּהthan thatשֶּׁהָיְתָהwhich I hadלִיthen,לֹאnotאֵדַעI would knowלְעוֹלָםever;כִּיforמוֹרֵיthe teachersהַדָּתof religionשֶׁלofהַכִּתּוֹתthe sectsהַשּׁוֹנוֹתdifferentהֵבִינוּunderstoodאֶת־אוֹתָםthe sameפְּסוּקֵיpassages ofהַכָּתוּבscriptureכֹּהsoשׁוֹנֶהdifferentlyעַדas toשֶׁאָבַדdestroyכׇּלallבִּטָּחוֹןconfidenceבְּיִשּׁוּבin settlingאֶת־הַשְּׁאֵלָהthe questionעַלbyיְדֵיmeans ofפְּנִיָּהan appealאֶלtoהַמִּקְרָא׃the Bible.

    Never did any passage of scripture come with more power to the heart of man than this did at this time to mine. It seemed to enter with great force into every feeling of my heart. I reflected on it again and again, knowing that if any person needed wisdom from God, I did; for how to act I did not know, and unless I could get more wisdom than I then had, I would never know; for the teachers of religion of the different sects understood the same passages of scripture so differently as to destroy all confidence in settling the question by an appeal to the Bible.

13. 13

    לְבַסּוֹףAt lengthבָּאתִיI cameלִמְסַקָּנָהto the conclusionשֶׁעָלַיthat I mustאוֹeitherלְהִשָּׁאֵרremainבַּחֹשֶׁךְin darknessוּבַמְּבוּכָהand confusion,אוֹor elseלַעֲשׂוֹתI must doכַּאֲשֶׁרasיַעֲקֹבJamesמוֹרֶהdirects,כְּלוֹמַרthat is,לִשְׁאֹלaskמֵאֵתofהָאֱלֹהִיםGod.לְבַסּוֹףat lengthהֶחְלַטְתִּיI came to the determinationלִשְׁאֹלto askמֵאֵתofהָאֱלֹהִיםGod,בְּהַסִּיקִיconcludingשֶׁאִםthat ifהוּאheנוֹתֵןgaveחׇכְמָהwisdomלַחֲסֵרֶיהָto them that lacked wisdom,וְנוֹתֵןand would giveבְּנָדִיבוּתliberally,וְלֹאand notיְגָעֵרupbraid,אוּכַלI mightלְנַסּוֹת׃venture.

    At length I came to the conclusion that I must either remain in darkness and confusion, or else I must do as James directs, that is, ask of God. I at length came to the determination to "ask of God," concluding that if he gave wisdom to them that lacked wisdom, and would give liberally, and not upbraid, I might venture.

14. 14

    לְפִיSo, in accordance withזֹאתthis,הֶחְלָטָתִיmy determinationלִשְׁאֹלto askמֵאֱלֹהִיםof God,הָלַכְתִּיI retiredאֶלtoהַיַּעַרthe woodsלְנַסּוֹתto make the attempt.הָיָהIt wasזֶהthisבְּבֹקֶרon the morningיוֹםof a dayיָפֶהbeautiful,וּבָהִירclear,בְּרֵאשִׁיתearly inהָאָבִיבthe springשֶׁלofשְׁנַתthe yearשְׁמוֹנֶהeight-עֶשְׂרֵהteenמֵאוֹתhundredוְעֶשְׂרִיםand twenty.זֹאתItהָיְתָהwasהַפַּעַםthe timeהָרִאשׁוֹנָהfirstבְּחַיַּיin my lifeשֶׁנִּסִּיתִיthat I had attemptedדָּבָרa thingכָּזֶהsuch,כִּיforבְּתוֹךְamidstכׇּלallדַּאֲגוֹתַיmy anxieties,עוֹדas yetלֹאneverנִסִּיתִיhad I made the attemptלְהִתְפַּלֵּלto prayבְּקוֹל׃vocally.

    So, in accordance with this, my determination to ask of God, I retired to the woods to make the attempt. It was on the morning of a beautiful, clear day, early in the spring of eighteen hundred and twenty. It was the first time in my life that I had made such an attempt, for amidst all my anxieties I had never as yet made the attempt to pray vocally.

15. 15

    אַחֲרֵיAfterשֶׁבָּאתִיI had retiredאֶלtoהַמָּקוֹםthe placeאֲשֶׁרwhereתִּכְנַנְתִּיI had designedמֵרֹאשׁpreviouslyלָלֶכֶתto goאֵלָיוto,הִבַּטְתִּיhaving lookedסָבִיבaround me,וּמָצָאתִיand findingאֶת־עַצְמִיmyselfלְבַדִּיalone,כָּרַעְתִּיI kneeled downוְהֵחַלּוֹתִיand beganלְהַעֲלוֹתto offer upאֶת־מִשְׁאֲלוֹתthe desiresלִבִּיof my heartאֶלtoהָאֱלֹהִיםGod.כִּמְעַטI had scarcelyעָשִׂיתִיdoneכֵּןso,וּמִיָּדwhen immediatelyנֶאֱחַזְתִּיI was seized uponבְּכֹחַby powerכָּלְשֶׁהוּsomeשֶׁכָּבַשׁwhich overcameאוֹתִיme,לְגַמְרֵיentirelyוְהָיְתָהand hadלוֹitהַשְׁפָּעָהan influenceמַדְהִימָהastonishingכָּזֹאתsuchעָלַיover meלֶאֱסֹרas to bindאֶת־לְשׁוֹנִיmy tongueעַדsoשֶׁלֹּאthat notיָכֹלְתִּיI couldלְדַבֵּרspeak.חֹשֶׁךְdarknessכָּבֵדThickהִתְאַסֵּףgatheredסְבִיבִיaround me,וְנִדְמָהand it seemedלִיto meלְרֶגַעfor a timeכְּאִלּוּas ifנִגְזַרְתִּיI were doomedלַאֲבַדּוֹןto destructionפִּתְאֹמִי׃sudden.

    After I had retired to the place where I had previously designed to go, having looked around me, and finding myself alone, I kneeled down and began to offer up the desires of my heart to God. I had scarcely done so, when immediately I was seized upon by some power which entirely overcame me, and had such an astonishing influence over me as to bind my tongue so that I could not speak. Thick darkness gathered around me, and it seemed to me for a time as if I were doomed to sudden destruction.

16. 16

    אֲבָלBut,בְּכׇלexerting allכֹּחִיmy powersלִקְרֹאto call uponאֶלuntoהָאֱלֹהִיםGodלְהַצִּילֵנִיto deliver meמִכֹּחַout of the power ofהָאוֹיֵבthe enemyהַזֶּהthisשֶׁאָחַזwhich had seizedבִּיupon me,וּבָרֶגַעand at the momentמַמָּשׁveryשֶׁהָיִיתִיwhen I wasמוּכָןreadyלִשְׁקֹעַto sinkבְּיֵאוּשׁinto despairוּלְהִמָּסֵרand abandon myselfלַאֲבַדּוֹןto a ruinלֹאbeforeלַאֲבַדּוֹןto a ruinמְדֻמֶּהimaginary,אֶלָּאbutלְכֹחוֹto the powerשֶׁלofיְצוּרsome beingמַמָּשִׁיactualמֵעוֹלָםfrom the worldהַנִּסְתָּרunseen,שֶׁהָיָהwhoלוֹhadכֹּחַpowerמַדְהִיםmarvelousכָּזֶהsuchשֶׁמֵּעוֹלָםas neverלֹאbeforeהִרְגַּשְׁתִּיhad I feltבְּשׁוּםin anyיְצוּרsome beingבָּרֶגַעjust at the momentהַזֶּהthisשֶׁלofבֶּהָלָהalarmגְּדוֹלָהgreat,רָאִיתִיI sawעַמּוּדa pillar ofאוֹרlightבְּדִיּוּקexactlyמֵעַלaboveרֹאשִׁיmy head,מֵעַלaboveלְזֹהַרthe brightness ofהַשֶּׁמֶשׁthe sun,שֶׁיָּרַדwhich descendedלְאַטgraduallyעַדuntilשֶׁנָּפַלit fellעָלַי׃upon me.

    But, exerting all my powers to call upon God to deliver me out of the power of this enemy which had seized upon me, and at the very moment when I was ready to sink into despair and abandon myself to destruction—not to an imaginary ruin, but to the power of some actual being from the unseen world, who had such marvelous power as I had never before felt in any being—just at this moment of great alarm, I saw a pillar of light exactly over my head, above the brightness of the sun, which descended gradually until it fell upon me.

17. 17

    אַךְIt no soonerהוֹפִיעַappearedוּכְבָרthanמָצָאתִיI foundאֶת־עַצְמִיmyselfמֻצָּלdeliveredמִןfromהָאוֹיֵבthe enemyשֶׁאָסַרwhich held boundאוֹתִיme.וְהָאוֹרWhen the lightנָחrestedעָלַיupon meרָאִיתִיI sawשְׁנֵיtwoאֲנָשִׁיםPersonages,זָהֳרָםwhose brightnessוּכְבוֹדָםand gloryאֵיןdefyלְתָאֵרall description,עוֹמְדִיםstandingמֵעָלַיabove meבָּאֲוִירin the air.אֶחָדOneמֵהֶםof themדִּבֶּרspakeאֵלַיunto me,קוֹרֵאcallingבִּשְׁמִיme by nameוְאָמַרand said,בְּהַצְבִּיעוֹpointingאֶלtoהַשֵּׁנִיthe other—זֶהThis isבְּנִיMy SonאֲהוּבִיBeloved.שְׁמַעHearלוֹ׃Him!

    It no sooner appeared than I found myself delivered from the enemy which held me bound. When the light rested upon me I saw two Personages, whose brightness and glory defy all description, standing above me in the air. One of them spake unto me, calling me by name and said, pointing to the other—This is My Beloved Son. Hear Him!

18. 18

    מַטָּרָתִיMy objectבָּלֶכֶתin goingלִשְׁאֹלto inquireמֵאֵתofיְהוָהthe Lordהָיְתָהwasלָדַעַתto knowאֵיזוֹwhich ofמִכׇּלallהַכִּתּוֹתthe sectsצוֹדֶקֶתwas right,כְּדֵיthatשֶׁאֵדַעI might knowלְאֵיזוֹwhich toלְהִצְטָרֵףjoin.אַךְNo sooner,לָכֵןtherefore,שָׁלַטְתִּיdid I get possessionעַלofעַצְמִיmyself,עַדso asשֶׁיָּכֹלְתִּיto be ableלְדַבֵּרto speak,שָׁאַלְתִּיthan I askedאֶת־הָאֲנָשִׁיםthe Personagesהָעוֹמְדִיםwho stoodמֵעָלַיabove meבָּאוֹרin the light,אֵיזוֹwhichמִכׇּלof allהַכִּתּוֹתthe sectsצוֹדֶקֶתwas rightכִּיforבָּעֵתat the timeהַזֹּאתthisלֹאneverעָלָהhad it enteredעַלofלִבִּיmy heartשֶׁכֻּלָּןthat all wereטוֹעוֹתwrong—וּלְאֵיזוֹand which I shouldלְהִצְטָרֵף׃join.

    My object in going to inquire of the Lord was to know which of all the sects was right, that I might know which to join. No sooner, therefore, did I get possession of myself, so as to be able to speak, than I asked the Personages who stood above me in the light, which of all the sects was right (for at this time it had never entered into my heart that all were wrong)—and which I should join.

19. 19

    נַעֲנֵיתִיI was answeredשֶׁעָלַיthat I mustשֶׁלֹּאnotלְהִצְטָרֵףjoinלְאַחַתany oneמֵהֶןof them,כִּיforכֻּלָּןthey were allטוֹעוֹתwrong;וְהָאִישׁand the Personageשֶׁדִּבֶּרwho addressed meאֵלַיunto meאָמַרsaidשֶׁכׇּלthat allאֱמוּנוֹתֵיהֶןtheir creedsתּוֹעֵבָהwere an abominationבְּעֵינָיוin his sight;שֶׁאוֹתָםthat thoseהַמַּאֲמִינִיםprofessorsכֻּלָּםwere allמֻשְׁחָתִיםcorrupt;נִגָּשִׁיםthey draw nearאֵלַיto meבְּשִׂפְתוֹתֵיהֶםwith their lips,אֲבָלbutלִבָּםtheir heartsרָחוֹקare farמִמֶּנִּיfrom me,מְלַמְּדִיםthey teachתּוֹרוֹתfor doctrinesשֶׁהֵןwhich areמִצְווֹתthe commandments ofאֲנָשִׁיםmen,וְיֵשׁhavingלָהֶםto themצוּרַתa form ofיִרְאַתthe fear ofאֱלֹהִיםGod,אֲבָלbutכֹּחָהּthe power thereofהֵםtheyמַכְחִישִׁים׃deny.

    I was answered that I must join none of them, for they were all wrong; and the Personage who addressed me said that all their creeds were an abomination in his sight; that those professors were all corrupt; that: "they draw near to me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me, they teach for doctrines the commandments of men, having a form of godliness, but they deny the power thereof."

20. 20

    שׁוּבHe againאָסַרforbadeעָלַיmeלְהִצְטָרֵףto joinלְאַחַתwith anyמֵהֶןof them;וּדְבָרִיםand thingsרַבִּיםmanyאֲחֵרִיםotherאָמַרdid he sayלִיunto me,שֶׁאֵינֶנִּיwhich Iיָכוֹלcannotלִכְתֹּבwriteבָּעֵתat the timeהַזֹּאתthis.וּכְשֶׁשַׁבְתִּיWhen I came againלְעַצְמִיto myself,מָצָאתִיI foundאֶת־עַצְמִיmyselfשׁוֹכֵבlyingעַלonגַּבִּיmy back,מַבִּיטlooking upלַשָּׁמַיִםinto heaven.וְכַאֲשֶׁרWhenהָאוֹרthe lightעָבַרhad departed,לֹאnoהָיָהhadלִיIכֹּחַstrength;אֲבָלbutמְהֵרָהsoonהִתְאוֹשַׁשְׁתִּיrecoveringמְעַטin some degree,וְהָלַכְתִּיI wentהַבַּיְתָהhome.וּבְהִשָּׁעֲנִיAnd as I leanedעַלup toהָאָחthe fireplace,שָׁאֲלָהinquiredאִמִּיmotherמַהwhatקָּרָהthe matter was.עָנִיתִיI replied,אַלNeverדְּאָגָהmind,הַכֹּלallבְּסֵדֶרis well—אֲנִיIבְּסֵדֶרam well enough off.אָזthenאָמַרְתִּיI saidלְאִמִּיto my mother,לָמַדְתִּיI have learnedלְעַצְמִיfor myselfשֶׁאֱמוּנַתthat the faith ofהַפְּרֶסְבִּיטֶרְיָנִיםthe Presbyteriansאֵינֶנָּהis notאֲמִתִּיתtrue.נִרְאֶהIt seemsכְּאִלּוּas thoughהַשָּׂטָןthe adversaryיָדַעwas aware,בְּשָׁלָבat a periodמֻקְדָּםearlyמְאֹדveryשֶׁלofחַיַּיmy life,שֶׁנּוֹעַדְתִּיthat I was destinedלִהְיוֹתto proveמַפְרִיעַa disturberוּמַטְרִידand an annoyerלְמַלְכוּתוֹof his kingdom;אַחֶרֶתelseמַדּוּעַwhyיִתְאַחֲדוּshould combineכֹּחוֹתthe powers ofהַחֹשֶׁךְdarknessנֶגְדִּיagainst me?מַדּוּעַWhyהַהִתְנַגְּדוּתthe oppositionוְהָרְדִיפָהand persecutionשֶׁקָּמוּthat aroseנֶגְדִּיagainst me,כִּמְעַטalmostבְּיַלְדוּתִי׃in my infancy?

    He again forbade me to join with any of them; and many other things did he say unto me, which I cannot write at this time. When I came to myself again, I found myself lying on my back, looking up into heaven. When the light had departed, I had no strength; but soon recovering in some degree, I went home. And as I leaned up to the fireplace, mother inquired what the matter was. I replied, "Never mind, all is well—I am well enough off." I then said to my mother, "I have learned for myself that Presbyterianism is not true." It seems as though the adversary was aware, at a very early period of my life, that I was destined to prove a disturber and an annoyer of his kingdom; else why should the powers of darkness combine against me? Why the opposition and persecution that arose against me, almost in my infancy?

21. 21

    יָמִיםdaysאֲחָדִיםSome fewאַחֲרֵיafterהַמַּרְאָהthe visionהַזֹּאתthisשֶׁרָאִיתִיI had,קָרָהit happenedשֶׁהָיִיתִיthat I wasבְּחֶבְרַתin company withאֶחָדone ofמִכֹּהֲנֵיof the preachers ofהַמֶּתוֹדִיסְטִיםthe Methodists,שֶׁהָיָהwho wasפָּעִילactiveמְאוֹדgreatlyבַּהִתְרַגְּשׁוּתin the excitementהַדָּתִיתreligiousהַנִּזְכֶּרֶתbefore mentioned;בְּדַבְּרִיin my speakingאִתּוֹwith himעַלonעִנְיְנֵיmatters ofדָּתreligionלָקַחְתִּיI tookהִזְדַּמְּנוּתoccasionלְסַפֵּרto give an accountלוֹto himאֶת־הַמַּרְאָהof the visionשֶׁרָאִיתִיwhich I had had.הִפְתִּיעָהsurprisedאוֹתִיmeמְאוֹדgreatlyהִתְנַהֲגוּתוֹhis behavior;הִתְיַחֵסhe treatedלִדְבָרַיmy communicationלֹאnotרַקonlyבְּקַלּוּתlightly,אֶלָּאbutבְּבוּזwith contemptגָּדוֹלgreat,וְאָמַרsayingשֶׁהַכֹּלit was allמִןof theהַשָּׂטָןdevil,שֶׁאֵיןthat there were noדְּבָרִיםsuch thingsכְּמוֹasמַרְאוֹתvisionsוְגִלּוּיִיםor revelationsבַּיָּמִיםin the daysהָאֵלֶּהthese;שֶׁכׇּלthat allהַדְּבָרִיםthingsהָאֵלֶּהthese;פָּסְקוּhad ceasedעִםwithהַשְּׁלִיחִיםthe apostles,וְלֹאand that neverיִהְיוּthere would beעוֹד׃any more of them.

    Some few days after I had this vision, I happened to be in company with one of the Methodist preachers, who was very active in the before mentioned religious excitement; and, conversing with him on the subject of religion, I took occasion to give him an account of the vision which I had had. I was greatly surprised at his behavior; he treated my communication not only lightly, but with great contempt, saying it was all of the devil, that there were no such things as visions or revelations in these days; that all such things had ceased with the apostles, and that there would never be any more of them.

22. 22

    מְהֵרָהI soonגִּלִּיתִיfound, however,שֶׁסִּפּוּרִיthat my telling the storyעוֹרֵרhad excitedדַּעַתprejudiceרַבָּהa great deal ofנֶגְדִּיagainst meבֵּיןamongהַמַּאֲמִינִיםprofessors of religion,וְהָיָהand wasסִבַּתthe cause ofרְדִיפָהpersecutionגְּדוֹלָהgreat,שֶׁהָלְכָהwhich continuedוְגָבְרָהto increase;וְאַףand thoughשֶׁהָיִיתִיI wasנַעַרa boyאַלְמוֹנִיobscure,רַקonlyבֵּיןbetweenאַרְבַּעfour-עֶשְׂרֵהteenלַחֲמֵשׁand fif-עֶשְׂרֵהteenשָׁנָהyears of age,וּנְסִיבוֹתand my circumstancesחַיַּיin lifeכָּאֵלֶּהsuchשֶׁעָשׂוּas to makeאוֹתִיmeלְנַעַרa boyלְלֹאof noחֲשִׁיבוּתconsequenceבָּעוֹלָםin the world;אֲנָשִׁיםyet menבַּעֲלֵיofמַעֲמָדstandingרָםhighשָׂמוּwould takeלֵבnoticeמַסְפִּיקsufficientלְעוֹרֵרto exciteאֶת־דַּעַתthe mind ofהַקָּהָלthe publicנֶגְדִּיagainst meוְלִיצֹרand createרְדִיפָהpersecutionמָרָהbitter;וְזֶהand thisהָיָהwasמְשֻׁתָּףcommonלְכׇלamong allהַכִּתּוֹתthe sects—כֻּלָּןallהִתְאַחֲדוּunitedלִרְדֹּףto persecuteאוֹתִי׃me

    I soon found, however, that my telling the story had excited a great deal of prejudice against me among professors of religion, and was the cause of great persecution, which continued to increase; and though I was an obscure boy, only between fourteen and fifteen years of age, and my circumstances in life such as to make a boy of no consequence in the world, yet men of high standing would take notice sufficient to excite the public mind against me, and create a bitter persecution; and this was common among all the sects—all united to persecute me.

23. 23

    גָּרַםIt causedלִיmeלְהִרְהוּרreflectionכָּבֵדseriousאָזthen,וּפְעָמִיםand timesרַבּוֹתmanyמֵאָזsince,עַדhowכַּמָּהveryמוּזָרstrangeהָיָהit wasשֶׁנַּעַרthat a boyאַלְמוֹנִיobscure,מְעַטof a littleמֵעַלoverאַרְבַּעfour-עֶשְׂרֵהteenשָׁנָהyears of age,שֶׁעוֹדand one, too,נֶאֱלָץwho was doomedלְהַשִּׂיגto the necessity of obtainingפַּרְנָסָהa maintenanceדַּלָּהscantyבַּעֲבוֹדַתby the labor ofיָדָיוhis handsהַיּוֹמִיתdaily,יֵחָשֵׁבshould be thoughtלְאִישׁa characterחָשׁוּבof importanceדַּיּוֹsufficientלִמְשֹׁךְto attractתְּשׂוּמַתtheלֵבattentionהַגְּדוֹלִיםof the great onesשֶׁלofהַכִּתּוֹתthe sectsהַנְּפוֹצוֹתpopularבְּיוֹתֵרmostבְּאוֹתָםofהַיָּמִיםthe day,וּבְאֹפֶןand in a mannerלִיצֹרto createבָּהֶםin themרוּחַa spirit ofרְדִיפָהpersecutionוְגִדּוּףand revilingהַמָּרִיםbitterבְּיוֹתֵרmost.אֲבָלButמוּזָרstrangeאוֹorלֹאnotכֵּןsoהָיָהit was,וְזֶהand itהָיָהit was,פְּעָמִיםtimesרַבּוֹתmanyסִבַּתthe cause ofצַעַרsorrowגָּדוֹלgreatלִי׃to myself.

    It caused me serious reflection then, and often has since, how very strange it was that an obscure boy, of a little over fourteen years of age, and one, too, who was doomed to the necessity of obtaining a scanty maintenance by his daily labor, should be thought a character of sufficient importance to attract the attention of the great ones of the most popular sects of the day, and in a manner to create in them a spirit of the most bitter persecution and reviling. But strange or not, so it was, and it was often the cause of great sorrow to myself.

24. 24

    אוּלָםHowever,הָיְתָהit wasזֹאתit;עֻבְדָּהa factשֶׁרָאִיתִיthat I had beheldמַרְאָהa vision.חָשַׁבְתִּיI have thoughtמֵאָזsinceשֶׁהִרְגַּשְׁתִּיthat I feltכְּמוֹmuch likeפּוֹלוֹסPaul,כַּאֲשֶׁרwhenהֵגֵןhe made his defenseעַלonעַצְמוֹhimselfלִפְנֵיbeforeהַמֶּלֶךְKingאַגְרִיפָּסAgrippa,וְסִפֵּרand relatedאֶת־מַרְאָתוֹthe account of the vision he hadכְּשֶׁרָאָהwhen he sawאוֹרa lightוְשָׁמַעand heardקוֹלa voice;אֲבָלButעוֹדstillמְעַטִּיםbut fewהֶאֱמִינוּwho believedלוֹhim;אֵלֶּהsomeאָמְרוּsaidשֶׁהוּאhe wasרַמַּאיdishonest,וַאֲחֵרִיםand othersאָמְרוּsaidשֶׁהוּאhe wasמְשֻׁגָּעmad;וְלָעֲגוּand ridiculedלוֹhimוְגִדְּפוּand reviledאוֹתוֹhim.אֲבָלButכׇּלallזֶהthisלֹאnotהָרַסdid destroyאֶת־אֲמִתּוּתthe reality ofמַרְאָתוֹhis vision.הוּאHeרָאָהhad seenמַרְאָהa vision,הוּאheיָדַעknewשֶׁרָאָהhe had,וְכׇלand allהָרְדִיפָהthe persecutionתַּחַתunderהַשָּׁמַיִםheavenלֹאnotיָכְלָהcouldלְשַׁנּוֹתmake otherwiseזֹאתit;וְאַףand thoughשֶׁיִּרְדְּפוּthey should persecuteאוֹתוֹhimעַדuntoמָוֶתdeath,עוֹדyetיָדַעhe knew,וְיֵדַעand would knowעַדtoנְשִׁימָתוֹhis breathהָאַחֲרוֹנָהlatest,שֶׁרָאָהthat he had both seenאוֹרa lightוְשָׁמַעand heardקוֹלa voiceמְדַבֵּרspeakingאֵלָיוunto him,וְכׇלand allהָעוֹלָםthe worldלֹאnotיָכֹלcouldלְגָרוֹםmakeלוֹhimוְגִדְּפוּand reviledאוֹתוֹhim.לַחֲשֹׁבthinkאוֹorלְהַאֲמִיןto believeאַחֶרֶת׃otherwise.

    However, it was nevertheless a fact that I had beheld a vision. I have thought since, that I felt much like Paul, when he made his defense before King Agrippa, and related the account of the vision he had when he saw a light, and heard a voice; but still there were but few who believed him; some said he was dishonest, others said he was mad; and he was ridiculed and reviled. But all this did not destroy the reality of his vision. He had seen a vision, he knew he had, and all the persecution under heaven could not make it otherwise; and though they should persecute him unto death, yet he knew, and would know to his latest breath, that he had both seen a light and heard a voice speaking unto him, and all the world could not make him think or believe otherwise.

25. 25

    כֵּןSoהָיָהit wasעִמִּיwith me.רָאִיתִיI had seenבֶּאֱמֶתactuallyאוֹרa light,וּבְתוֹךְand in the midst ofהָאוֹרthe lightהַהוּאthatרָאִיתִיI had seenשְׁנֵיtwoאֲנָשִׁיםPersonages,וְהֵםand theyדִּבְּרוּdid speakאֵלַיto meבֶּאֱמֶתactuallyוְאַףand thoughשֶׁשְּׂנֵאוּנִיI was hatedוּרְדָפוּנִיand persecutedעַלforאׇמְרִיsayingשֶׁרָאִיתִיthat I had seenמַרְאָהa vision,עוֹדyetאֱמֶתtrueהָיָהit wasוּבְעוֹדָםand while they wereרוֹדְפִיםpersecutingוּמְגַדְּפִיםrevilingאוֹתִיme,וּמְדַבְּרִיםme, and speakingעָלַיagainst meכׇּלall manner ofרָעevilבַּשֶּׁקֶרfalselyעַלforאׇמְרִיsayingכֵּןso,הִתְעוֹרַרְתִּיI was ledלֹאמַרto sayבְּלִבִּיin my heartלָמָהWhyרוֹדְפִיםpersecutingאוֹתִיmeעַלforאֲמִירַתtellingהָאֱמֶתthe truth?רָאִיתִיI have actually seenבֶּאֱמֶתactuallyמַרְאָהa vision;וּמִיand whoאֲנִיam Iשֶׁאוּכַלthat I canלַעֲמֹדwithstandנֶגֶדagainstהָאֱלֹהִיםGod,אוֹorלָמָהwhyחוֹשֵׁבdoes thinkהָעוֹלָםthe worldלְגָרוֹםto makeלִיmeלְהַכְחִישׁdenyאֵת־אֲשֶׁרwhatרָאִיתִיI have actually seen?בֶּאֱמֶתactuallyכִּיForרָאִיתִיI had seenמַרְאָהa vision;יָדַעְתִּיI knewזֹאתit,וְיָדַעְתִּיand I knewשֶׁאֱלֹהִיםthat Godיָדַעknewזֹאתit,וְלֹאand notיָכֹלְתִּיI couldוְלֹאneitherהֵעַזְתִּיdared Iלְהַכְחִישׁdenyזֹאתit;לְפָחוֹתat leastיָדַעְתִּיI knewשֶׁבַּעֲשׂוֹתִיthat by so doingכֵןsoאֶפְגַּעI would offendבֵּאלֹהִיםGod,וְאָבוֹאand comeתַּחַתunderדִּין׃condemnation.

    So it was with me. I had actually seen a light, and in the midst of that light I saw two Personages, and they did in reality speak to me; and though I was hated and persecuted for saying that I had seen a vision, yet it was true; and while they were persecuting me, reviling me, and speaking all manner of evil against me falsely for so saying, I was led to say in my heart: Why persecute me for telling the truth? I have actually seen a vision; and who am I that I can withstand God, or why does the world think to make me deny what I have actually seen? For I had seen a vision; I knew it, and I knew that God knew it, and I could not deny it, neither dared I do it; at least I knew that by so doing I would offend God, and come under condemnation.

26. 26

    הִשְׂבַּעְתִּיI had got satisfiedעַתָּהnowאֶת־דַּעְתִּיmy mindבְּנוֹגֵעַso far asלָעוֹלָםthe worldהַכִּתָּתִיsectarian was concerned—שֶׁלֹּאthat it was notחוֹבָתִיmy dutyלְהִצְטָרֵףto joinלְאַחַתwith anyמֵהֶןof them,אֶלָּאbutלְהִשָּׁאֵרto continueכַּאֲשֶׁרasהָיִיתִיI wasעַדuntilהוֹרָאָהdirectedנוֹסֶפֶתfurther.מָצָאתִיI had foundאֶת־עֵדוּתthe testimony ofיַעֲקֹבJamesאֲמִתִּיתto be true—שֶׁאָדָםthat a manהַחָסֵרwho lackedחׇכְמָהwisdomיָכוֹלmightלִשְׁאֹלto askמֵאֵתofהָאֱלֹהִיםGod,וּלְקַבֵּלand obtain,וְלֹאand notיִנָּזֵף׃be upbraided.

    I had now got my mind satisfied so far as the sectarian world was concerned—that it was not my duty to join with any of them, but to continue as I was until further directed. I had found the testimony of James to be true—that a man who lacked wisdom might ask of God, and obtain, and not be upbraided.

27. 27

    הִמְשַׁכְתִּיI continuedבַּעֲבוֹדוֹתַיto pursue my vocationsהָרְגִילוֹתcommonבַּחַיִּיםin lifeעַדuntilהָעֶשְׂרִיםthe twenty-וְאֶחָדfirstלְסֶפְּטֶמְבֶּרof September,אֶלֶףone thousandשְׁמוֹנֶהeightמֵאוֹתhundredוְעֶשְׂרִיםand twenty-וְשָׁלֹשׁthree,כׇּלallהַזְּמַןthe timeסוֹבֵלsufferingרְדִיפָהpersecutionקָשָׁהsevereמִכׇּלat the hands of allסוּגֵיclasses ofהָאֲנָשִׁיםmen,דָּתִיִּיםboth religiousוְלֹאand ir-דָתִיִּיםreligious,כִּיbecauseהִמְשַׁכְתִּיI continuedלְהַצְהִירto affirmשֶׁרָאִיתִיthat I had seenמַרְאָה׃a vision.

    I continued to pursue my common vocations in life until the twenty-first of September, one thousand eight hundred and twenty-three, all the time suffering severe persecution at the hands of all classes of men, both religious and irreligious, because I continued to affirm that I had seen a vision.

28. 28

    בַּזְּמַןDuring the space of timeשֶׁעָבַרwhich intervenedבֵּיןbetweenהַזְּמַןthe timeשֶׁרָאִיתִיI hadאֶת־הַמַּרְאָהthe visionוּשְׁנַתand the yearשְׁמוֹנֶהeight-עֶשְׂרֵהteenמֵאוֹתhundredוְעֶשְׂרִיםand twenty-וְשָׁלֹשׁthree—נֶאֱסַרhaving been forbiddenעָלַיto meלְהִצְטָרֵףto joinלְכׇלanyכַּתsectדָּתִיתreligiousבְּאוֹתָםofהַיָּמִיםthe day,וּבִהְיוֹתִיand beingצָעִירof tender yearsמְאוֹדvery,וְנִרְדָּףand persecutedמֵאֵלֶּהby thoseשֶׁהָיוּwhoצְרִיכִיםoughtלִהְיוֹתto have beenיְדִידַיmy friendsוּלְהִתְיַחֵסand to have treatedאֵלַיmeבְּטוּבkindly,וְאִםand if theyחָשְׁבוּsupposedשֶׁאֲנִיme to beמְרֻמֶּהdeluded,הָיוּto haveצְרִיכִיםoughtלְנַסּוֹתendeavoredבְּאֹפֶןin a mannerנָאוֹתproperוְאוֹהֵבand affectionateלְהָשִׁיבto have reclaimedאוֹתִיmeנֶעֱזַבְתִּיI was leftלְכׇלto allמִינֵיkinds ofפִּתּוּיִיםtemptations;וּבְהִתְעָרְבִיand minglingעִםwithכׇּלallמִינֵיkinds ofפִּתּוּיִיםtemptations;חֶבְרָהsociety,נָפַלְתִּיI fellפְּעָמִיםtimesרַבּוֹתmanyבִּשְׁגִיאוֹתinto errorsשְׁטוּתִיּוֹתfoolishרַבּוֹתmanyוְהֶרְאֵיתִיand displayedאֶת־חֻלְשַׁתthe weakness ofהַנֹּעַרyouthוְחֻלְשׁוֹתand the foibles ofהַטֶּבַעnatureהָאֱנוֹשִׁיhuman;אֲשֶׁרwhich,צַרI am sorryלִיtoלוֹמַרsay,הוֹבִילוּledאוֹתִיmeלְפִתּוּיִיםinto temptationsשׁוֹנִיםdivers,פּוֹגְעִיםoffensiveבְּעֵינֵיin the sight ofהָאֱלֹהִיםGod.בְּהוֹדָאָהIn making confessionזֹאתthis,אַלlet noיַחְשֹׁבsupposeאֶחָדoneשֶׁאָשַׁמְתִּיme guilty ofבַּחֲטָאִיםof sinsגְּדוֹלִיםgreatאוֹorרָעִיםmalignant.נְטִיָּהA dispositionלַעֲשׂוֹתto commitכָּאֵלֶּהsuchלֹאnotהָיְתָהwasמֵעוֹלָםeverבְּטִבְעִיin my nature.אֲבָלButאָשַׁמְתִּיI was guilty ofבְּקַלּוּתof levityרֹאשׁof mind,וְלִפְעָמִיםand sometimesהִתְחַבַּרְתִּיassociatedעִםwithחֶבְרָהcompanyעַלִּיזָהjovial,וְכַדּוֹמֶהetc.,לֹאnotמַתְאִיםconsistentלָאֹפִיwith that characterשֶׁצָּרִיךְwhich oughtלִשְׁמֹרto be maintainedמִיby oneשֶׁנִּקְרָאwho was calledמֵאֵתofהָאֱלֹהִיםGod,כְּמוֹasשֶׁנִּקְרֵאתִיI had been.אֲבָלButזֶהthisלֹאnotיֵרָאֶהwill seemמוּזָרstrangeמְאֹדveryלְמִיto any oneשֶׁזּוֹכֵרwho recollectsאֶת־נְעוּרַיmy youth,וּמַכִּירand is acquainted withאֶת־טִבְעִיmy native temperamentהַשַּׂמֵּחַ׃cheery.

    During the space of time which intervened between the time I had the vision and the year eighteen hundred and twenty-three—having been forbidden to join any of the religious sects of the day, and being of very tender years, and persecuted by those who ought to have been my friends and to have treated me kindly, and if they supposed me to be deluded to have endeavored in a proper and affectionate manner to have reclaimed me—I was left to all kinds of temptations; and, mingling with all kinds of society, I frequently fell into many foolish errors, and displayed the weakness of youth, and the foibles of human nature; which, I am sorry to say, led me into divers temptations, offensive in the sight of God. In making this confession, no one need suppose me guilty of any great or malignant sins. A disposition to commit such was never in my nature. But I was guilty of levity, and sometimes associated with jovial company, etc., not consistent with that character which ought to be maintained by one who was called of God as I had been. But this will not seem very strange to any one who recollects my youth, and is acquainted with my native cheery temperament.

29. 29

    בִּגְלַלIn consequence ofהַדְּבָרִיםthingsהָאֵלֶּהthese,הִרְגַּשְׁתִּיI feltפְּעָמִיםtimesרַבּוֹתmanyמְגֻנֶּהcondemnedעַלforחֻלְשׁוֹתַיmy weaknessוְאִיandשְׁלֵמוּתִיmy imperfections;בְּעֶרֶבwhen, on the eveningהָעֶשְׂרִיםof the twenty-וְאֶחָדfirstלְסֶפְּטֶמְבֶּרof Septemberהַנִּזְכָּרabove-mentioned,אַחֲרֵיafterשָׁכַבְתִּיI had retiredעַלtoמִשְׁכָּבִיmy bedלַלַּיְלָהfor the night,פָּנִיתִיI betook myselfלִתְפִלָּהto prayerוּתְחִנָּהand supplicationאֶלtoאֵלGodשַׁדַּיAlmightyלִסְלִיחָהfor forgivenessעַלofכׇּלallחֲטָאַיmy sinsוּשְׁטֻיּוֹתַיand follies,וְגַםand alsoלְגִלּוּיfor a manifestationלִיto me,לְמַעַןthatאֵדַעI might knowאֶת־מַצָּבִיof my stateוּמַעֲמָדִיand standingלְפָנָיוbefore him;כִּיforהָיָהhadלִיIבִּטָּחוֹןconfidenceשָׁלֵםfullלְקַבֵּלin obtainingגִּלּוּיa manifestationאֱלֹהִיdivine,כַּאֲשֶׁרasקִבַּלְתִּיI hadלְפָנִיםpreviouslyאֶחָד׃one.

    In consequence of these things, I often felt condemned for my weakness and imperfections; when, on the evening of the above-mentioned twenty-first of September, after I had retired to my bed for the night, I betook myself to prayer and supplication to Almighty God for forgiveness of all my sins and follies, and also for a manifestation to me, that I might know of my state and standing before him; for I had full confidence in obtaining a divine manifestation, as I previously had one.

30. 30

    בְּעוֹדִיWhile I wasקוֹרֵאcallingכָּךְthusאֶלuponהָאֱלֹהִיםGod,גִּלִּיתִיI discoveredאוֹרa lightמוֹפִיעַappearingבְּחַדְרִיin my room,שֶׁהָלַךְwhich continuedוְגָבַרto increaseעַדuntilשֶׁהֶחָדֶרthe roomהָיָהwasמֵאִירlighterיוֹתֵרmoreמִבַּצׇּהֳרַיִםthan at noonday,וּמִיָּדwhen immediatelyנִרְאָהappearedאִישׁa personageעַלatיַדthe side ofמִשְׁכָּבִיmy bed,עוֹמֵדstandingבָּאֲוִירin the air,כִּיforרַגְלָיוhis feetלֹאdid notנָגְעוּtouchבָּרִצְפָּה׃the floor.

    While I was thus in the act of calling upon God, I discovered a light appearing in my room, which continued to increase until the room was lighter than at noonday, when immediately a personage appeared at my bedside, standing in the air, for his feet did not touch the floor.

31. 31

    הָיָהHe hadעָלָיוonגְּלִימָהa robeרְפוּיָהlooseלְבָנָהof whitenessנֶהְדֶּרֶתexquisiteבְּיוֹתֵרmost.לֹבֶןIt was a whitenessמֵעֵבֶרbeyondלְכׇלanyדָּבָרthingאַרְצִיearthlyשֶׁרָאִיתִיI had seenמֵעוֹלָםever;וְלֹאnorמַאֲמִיןdo believeאֲנִיIשֶׁדָּבָרthat any thingאַרְצִיearthlyיָכוֹלcould be madeלְהֵרָאוֹתto appearכֹּהso exceedinglyלָבָןwhiteוּבָהִירand brilliant.יָדָיוHis handsהָיוּwereגְּלוּיוֹתnaked,וּזְרוֹעוֹתָיוand his armsגַּםalsoמְעַטa littleמֵעַלaboveהַפֶּרֶקthe wrist;וְכֵןso, also,רַגְלָיוwere his feetגְּלוּיוֹתnaked,וְשׁוֹקָיוas were his legs,מְעַטa littleמֵעַלaboveהַקַּרְסֹלthe ankles.רֹאשׁוֹHis headוְצַוָּארוֹand neckגַּםalsoהָיוּwereגְּלוּיִיםbare.רָאִיתִיI could discoverשֶׁאֵיןthat he had noעָלָיוonלְבוּשׁclothingאַחֵרotherזוּלָתִיon butהַגְּלִימָהthe robeהַזֹּאתthisכִּיasהָיְתָהit wasפְּתוּחָהopenעַדso thatשֶׁיָּכֹלְתִּיI couldלִרְאוֹתto seeאֶלintoחָזֵהוּ׃his bosom.

    He had on a loose robe of most exquisite whiteness. It was a whiteness beyond anything earthly I had ever seen; nor do I believe that any earthly thing could be made to appear so exceedingly white and brilliant. His hands were naked, and his arms also, a little above the wrist; so, also, were his feet naked, as were his legs, a little above the ankles. His head and neck were also bare. I could discover that he had no other clothing on but this robe, as it was open, so that I could see into his bosom.

32. 32

    לֹאNotרַקonlyגְּלִימָתוֹhis robeהָיְתָהwasלְבָנָהwhiteבְּיוֹתֵרexceedingly,אֶלָּאbutכׇּלhis wholeגּוּפוֹpersonהָיָהwasנֶהְדָּרgloriousמֵעֵבֶרbeyondלְתֵאוּרdescription,וּפָנָיוand his countenanceבֶּאֱמֶתtrulyכַּבָּרָקlike lightning.הֶחָדֶרThe roomהָיָהwasמֵאִירlightמְאוֹדexceedingly,אֲבָלbutלֹאNotכֹּהso veryבָּהִירbrightכְּסָבִיבas immediately aroundגּוּפוֹhis person.בְּהַבִּיטִיWhen I lookedעָלָיוupon himבָּרִאשׁוֹנָהfirst,פָּחַדְתִּיI was afraid;אֲבָלbutהַפַּחַדthe fearעָבַרleft meמְהֵרָה׃soon.

    Not only was his robe exceedingly white, but his whole person was glorious beyond description, and his countenance truly like lightning. The room was exceedingly light, but not so very bright as immediately around his person. When I first looked upon him, I was afraid; but the fear soon left me.

33. 33

    קָרָאHe calledלִיmeבִשְׁמִיby name,וְאָמַרand saidלִיunto meשֶׁהוּאthat he wasשָׁלִיחַa messengerשָׁלוּחַsentמִלִּפְנֵיfrom the presence ofהָאֱלֹהִיםGodאֵלַיto me,וּשְׁמוֹand that his name wasמוֹרוֹנִיMoroni;שֶׁלֵּאלֹהִיםthat Godיֵשׁhadמְלָאכָהworkלִיfor meלַעֲשׂוֹתto do;וּשְׁמִיand that my nameיִהְיֶהshould beיָדוּעַhadלְטוֹבboth goodוּלְרַעand evilבֵּיןamongכׇּלallהַגּוֹיִםnations,וְהַמִּשְׁפָּחוֹתkindreds,וְהַלְּשׁוֹנוֹתand tongues,אוֹorשֶׁיְּדֻבַּרthat it should be spokenעָלָיוofלְטוֹבboth goodוּלְרַעand evilבֵּיןamongכׇּלallהָעַמִּים׃people.

    He called me by name, and said unto me that he was a messenger sent from the presence of God to me, and that his name was Moroni; that God had a work for me to do; and that my name should be had for good and evil among all nations, kindreds, and tongues, or that it should be both good and evil spoken of among all people.

34. 34

    אָמַרHe saidשֶׁיֵּשׁthere wasסֵפֶרa bookטָמוּןdeposited,כָּתוּבwrittenעַלuponלוּחוֹתplates ofזָהָבgold,הַמְסַפֵּרgivingאֶת־תּוֹלְדוֹתan account ofיוֹשְׁבֵיthe inhabitants ofהַיַּבֶּשֶׁתthe continentהַזֹּאתthisמִלְּפָנִיםformer,וְאֶתandהַמָּקוֹרthe sourceשֶׁמִּמֶּנּוּfrom whenceבָּאוּthey sprang.גַּםalsoאָמַרHe saidשֶׁמְּלֹאthat the fulnessהַבְּשׂוֹרָהof the Gospelהַנִּצְחִיתeverlastingבּוֹwas contained in it,כַּאֲשֶׁרasנִמְסְרָהdeliveredמֵאֵתbyהַמּוֹשִׁיעַthe Saviorלַיּוֹשְׁבִיםto the inhabitantsהַקְּדוּמִים׃ancient;

    He said there was a book deposited, written upon gold plates, giving an account of the former inhabitants of this continent, and the source from whence they sprang. He also said that the fulness of the everlasting Gospel was contained in it, as delivered by the Savior to the ancient inhabitants;

35. 35

    גַּםAlso,שֶׁיֵּשׁthat there wereשְׁנֵיtwoאֲבָנִיםstonesבְּמִסְגְּרוֹתin bows ofכֶּסֶףsilver—וְהָאֲבָנִיםand the stonesהָאֵלֶּהtheseמְחֻבָּרוֹתfastenedלְחֹשֶׁןto a breastplate,מְהַוּוֹתconstitutedאֵת־אֲשֶׁרwhatנִקְרָאִיםis calledהָאוּרִיםthe Urimוְהַתֻּמִּיםand Thummim—טְמוּנִיםdepositedעִםwithהַלּוּחוֹתthe plates;וְהַחֲזָקַתand the possessionוְשִׁמּוּשׁand use ofהָאֲבָנִיםstonesהָאֵלֶּהtheseהֵםwereאֲשֶׁרwhatהִוּוּconstitutedרוֹאִיםseersבַּזְּמַנִּיםin timesהַקְּדוּמִיםancientאוֹorהַקּוֹדְמִיםformer;וֵאלֹהִיםand that Godהֵכִיןhad preparedאוֹתָםthemלְמַטְּרַתfor the purpose ofתִּרְגּוּםtranslatingהַסֵּפֶר׃the book.

    Also, that there were two stones in silver bows—and these stones, fastened to a breastplate, constituted what is called the Urim and Thummim—deposited with the plates; and the possession and use of these stones were what constituted "seers" in ancient or former times; and that God had prepared them for the purpose of translating the book.

36. 36

    אַחֲרֵיAfterסַפְּרוֹtellingלִיmeאֶת־הַדְּבָרִיםthese things,הָאֵלֶּהtheseהֵחֵלhe commencedלְצַטֵּטquotingאֶת־נְבוּאוֹתthe prophecies ofהַתַּנַ״ךְthe Old Testament.רִאשׁוֹנָהfirstצִטֵּטHe quotedחֵלֶקpart ofמִפֶּרֶקof the chapterגthirdלְמַלְאָכִיof Malachi;וְצִטֵּטand he quotedגַּםalsoאֶת־הַפֶּרֶקthe chapterהָרְבִיעִיfourthאוֹorהָאַחֲרוֹןlastשֶׁלofאוֹתָהּthe sameנְבוּאָהprophecy,אַףthoughכִּיwithבְּשִׁנּוּיa variationקָטָןlittleמֵאֵיךְfrom the wayשֶׁנִּקְרָאit readsבַּמִּקְרָאin the Biblesשֶׁלָּנוּour.בִּמְקוֹםInstead ofלְצַטֵּטquotingאֶת־הַפָּסוּקthe verseהָרִאשׁוֹןfirstכְּפִיasשֶׁנִּקְרָאit readsבְּסִפְרֵינוּin our books,צִטֵּטhe quotedאוֹתוֹitכָּךְ׃thus:

    After telling me these things, he commenced quoting the prophecies of the Old Testament. He first quoted part of the third chapter of Malachi; and he quoted also the fourth or last chapter of the same prophecy, though with a little variation from the way it reads in our Bibles. Instead of quoting the first verse as it reads in our books, he quoted it thus:

37. 37

    כִּיForהִנֵּהbehold,הַיּוֹםthe dayבָּאcomethבֹּעֵרthat shall burnכַּתַּנּוּרas an oven,וְכׇלand allזֵדִיםthe proud,וְכׇלyea, and allעֹשֵׂיthat doרִשְׁעָהwickedlyיִבְעֲרוּshall burnכַּקַּשׁas stubble;כִּיforהַבָּאִיםthey that comeיְבַעֲרוּםshall burn them,אָמַרsaithיְהוָהthe Lordצְבָאוֹתof Hosts,וְלֹאthat notיַשְׁאִירit shall leaveלָהֶםthemשֹׁרֶשׁneither rootוְעָנָף׃nor branch.

    For behold, the day cometh that shall burn as an oven, and all the proud, yea, and all that do wickedly shall burn as stubble; for they that come shall burn them, saith the Lord of Hosts, that it shall leave them neither root nor branch.

38. 38

    וְעוֹדAnd again,צִטֵּטhe quotedאֶת־הַפָּסוּקthe verseהַחֲמִישִׁיfifthכָּךְthus:הִנֵּהBehold,אֲגַלֶּהI will revealלָכֶםunto youאֶת־הַכְּהֻנָּהthe Priesthood,בְּיַדby the hand ofאֵלִיָּהוּElijahהַנָּבִיאthe prophet,לִפְנֵיbeforeבֹּאthe coming ofיוֹםthe day ofיְהוָהthe Lordהַגָּדוֹלgreatוְהַנּוֹרָא׃and dreadful.

    And again, he quoted the fifth verse thus: Behold, I will reveal unto you the Priesthood, by the hand of Elijah the prophet, before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord.

39. 39

    גַּםalsoאֶת־הַפָּסוּקthe verseהַבָּאnextצִטֵּטHe quotedבְּשֹׁנֶהdifferently:וְנָטַעAnd he shall plantבְּלֵבin the hearts ofהַבָּנִיםthe childrenאֶת־הַהַבְטָחוֹתthe promisesאֲשֶׁרwhichנֶאֶמְרוּwere madeלָאָבוֹתto the fathers,וְלֵבand the hearts ofבָּנִיםthe childrenיָשׁוּבshall turnאֶלtoאֲבוֹתָםtheir fathers.לוּלֵאIf it were notכֵןso,הָיְתָהwould beכׇּלthe wholeהָאָרֶץearthנֶחֱרֶבֶתwastedכֻּלָּהּutterlyבְּבוֹאוֹ׃at his coming.

    He also quoted the next verse differently: And he shall plant in the hearts of the children the promises made to the fathers, and the hearts of the children shall turn to their fathers. If it were not so, the whole earth would be utterly wasted at his coming.

40. 40

    נוֹסָףIn additionעַלtoאֵלֶּהthese,צִטֵּטhe quotedאֶת־פֶּרֶקthe chapterיאeleventhלִישַׁעְיָהוּof Isaiah,וְאָמַרsayingשֶׁעוֹמֵדthat it was aboutלְהִמָּלֵאto be fulfilled.גַּםalsoצִטֵּטHe quotedאֶת־פֶּרֶקthe chapterגthirdבְּמַעֲשֵׂיof the Acts ofהַשְּׁלִיחִיםthe Apostles,פְּסוּקִיםversesכבtwenty-secondוכגand twenty-third,בְּדִיּוּקexactlyכְּפִיasשֶׁהֵםthey standבַּבְּרִיתin the TestamentהַחֲדָשָׁהNewשֶׁלָּנוּour.אָמַרHe saidשֶׁאוֹתוֹthat thatנָבִיאprophetהָיָהwasהַמָּשִׁיחַChrist;אֲבָלbutהַיּוֹםthe dayעוֹדyetלֹאhad notבָּאcomeשֶׁאֵלֶּהwhen theyאֲשֶׁרwhoלֹאwould notיִשְׁמְעוּhearלְקוֹלוֹhis voiceיִכָּרְתוּshould be cut offמִקֶּרֶבfrom amongהָעָםthe people,אֲבָלbutבְּקָרוֹבsoonיָבוֹא׃would come.

    In addition to these, he quoted the eleventh chapter of Isaiah, saying that it was about to be fulfilled. He quoted also the third chapter of Acts, twenty-second and twenty-third verses, precisely as they stand in our New Testament. He said that that prophet was Christ; but the day had not yet come when "they who would not hear his voice should be cut off from among the people," but soon would come.

41. 41

    גַּםalsoצִטֵּטHe quotedאֶת־פֶּרֶקthe chapterבsecondלְיוֹאֵלof Joel,מִפָּסוּקfrom the verseכ״חtwenty-eighthעַדtoהַסּוֹףthe last.גַּםalsoאָמַרHe saidשֶׁזֶּהthat thisעוֹדyetלֹאwas notנִמְלָאfulfilled,אֲבָלbutבְּקָרוֹבwas soonיִמָּלֵאto be.וְאָמַרAnd he statedעוֹדfurtherשֶׁמְּלֹאthat the fulnessהַגּוֹיִםof the Gentilesקָרוֹבwas soonלָבוֹאto come in.צִטֵּטHe quotedפְּסוּקִיםpassages of scriptureרַבִּיםmanyאֲחֵרִיםother,וְנָתַןand offeredהֶסְבֵּרִיםexplanationsרַבִּיםmanyשֶׁאֵינֶנִּיwhich cannotיָכוֹלbeלְהַזְכִּירmentionedפֹּה׃here.

    He also quoted the second chapter of Joel, from the twenty-eighth verse to the last. He also said that this was not yet fulfilled, but was soon to be. And he further stated that the fulness of the Gentiles was soon to come in. He quoted many other passages of scripture, and offered many explanations which cannot be mentioned here.

42. 42

    עוֹדAgain,אָמַרhe toldלִיme,כַּאֲשֶׁרthat whenאֶקַּחI gotאֶת־הַלּוּחוֹתthose platesשֶׁדִּבֶּרwhich he had spokenעֲלֵיהֶםof—כִּיforהַזְּמַןthe timeלְקַבְּלָםthat they should be obtainedעוֹדyetלֹאwas notהִגִּיעַfulfilled—אַלI should notאַרְאֶהshowאוֹתָםthemלְאִישׁto any person;וְלֹאneitherאֶת־הַחֹשֶׁןthe breastplateעִםwithהָאוּרִיםthe Urimוְהַתֻּמִּיםand Thummim;רַקonlyלְמִיto thoseשֶׁאֲצֻוֶּהto whom I should be commandedלְהַרְאוֹתָםto show them;אִםifאֶעֱשֶׂהI didאֶשָּׁמֵדI should be destroyed.בְּעוֹדוֹWhile he wasמְדַבֵּרconversingאִתִּיwith meעַלaboutהַלּוּחוֹתthe plates,נִפְתְּחָהwas openedהַמַּרְאָהthe visionלְדַעְתִּיto my mindעַדthatשֶׁיָּכֹלְתִּיI couldלִרְאוֹתseeאֶת־הַמָּקוֹםthe placeשֶׁהַלּוּחוֹתwhere the platesטְמוּנִיםwere deposited,וְכֹהand that soבְּרוּרclearlyוּמְפֹרָשׁand distinctlyעַדthatשֶׁהִכַּרְתִּיI knewאֶת־הַמָּקוֹםthe placeשׁוּבagainכַּאֲשֶׁרwhenבִּקַּרְתִּיI visitedבּוֹ׃it.

    Again, he told me, that when I got those plates of which he had spoken—for the time that they should be obtained was not yet fulfilled—I should not show them to any person; neither the breastplate with the Urim and Thummim; only to those to whom I should be commanded to show them; if I did I should be destroyed. While he was conversing with me about the plates, the vision was opened to my mind that I could see the place where the plates were deposited, and that so clearly and distinctly that I knew the place again when I visited it.

43. 43

    אַחֲרֵיAfterהַדִּבּוּרthe communicationהַזֶּהthisרָאִיתִיI sawאֶת־הָאוֹרthe lightבַּחֶדֶרin the roomמַתְחִילbeginלְהִתְאַסֵּףto gatherמִיָּדimmediatelyסְבִיבaroundגּוּףthe person ofהַמְדַבֵּרhim who had been speakingאֵלַיto me,וְהִמְשִׁיךְand it continuedכָּךְto do so,עַדuntilשֶׁהֶחָדֶרthe roomנִשְׁאַרwas leftחָשׁוּךְdark,שׁוּבagainחוּץexceptמִסָּבִיבjust aroundלוֹhim;מִיָּדwhen, instantlyרָאִיתִיI saw,כְּאִלּוּas it were,צִנּוֹרa conduitנִפְתַּחopenעַדright upלַשָּׁמַיִםinto heaven,וְהוּאand heעָלָהascendedעַדtillשֶׁנֶּעֱלָםhe disappearedכֻּלּוֹentirely,וְהֶחָדֶרand the roomנִשְׁאַרwas leftכְּפִיasשֶׁהָיָהit had beenלִפְנֵיbeforeשֶׁהָאוֹרthe lightהַשְּׁמֵימִיheavenlyהַזֶּהthisהוֹפִיעַ׃had made its appearance.

    After this communication, I saw the light in the room begin to gather immediately around the person of him who had been speaking to me, and it continued to do so until the room was again left dark, except just around him; when, instantly I saw, as it were, a conduit open right up into heaven, and he ascended till he entirely disappeared, and the room was left as it had been before this heavenly light had made its appearance.

44. 44

    שָׁכַבְתִּיI layוְהִרְהַרְתִּיmusingעַלbyמוּזָרוּתthe singularityהַמַּחֲזֶהof the scene,וּמִשְׁתָּאֶהand marvelingמְאוֹדgreatlyעַלbyמָהwhatשֶׁסִּפֵּרhad been toldלִיto meהַשָּׁלִיחַby the messengerהַמֻּפְלָאextraordinaryהַזֶּהthis;וּבְתוֹךְwhen, in the midstהִרְהוּרַיof my meditation,פִּתְאֹםsuddenlyגִּלִּיתִיI discoveredשֶׁחַדְרִיthat my roomמַתְחִילwas beginningשׁוּבagainלְהֵאִירto get lighted,וּבְרֶגַעand in an instant,כִּבְיָכוֹלas it were,אוֹתוֹthe sameשָׁלִיחַmessengerשְׁמֵימִיheavenlyשׁוּבwas againעַלbyיַדthe side ofמִשְׁכָּבִי׃my bed.

    I lay musing on the singularity of the scene, and marveling greatly at what had been told to me by this extraordinary messenger; when, in the midst of my meditation, I suddenly discovered that my room was again beginning to get lighted, and in an instant, as it were, the same heavenly messenger was again by my bedside.

45. 45

    הֵחֵלHe commenced,וְשׁוּבand againסִפֵּרrelatedאֶת־אוֹתָםthe sameדְּבָרִיםthingsמַמָּשׁveryשֶׁסִּפֵּרwhich he had doneבְּבִקּוּרוֹat his visitהָרִאשׁוֹןfirst,בְּלִיwithoutשִׁנּוּיvariationכָּלְשֶׁהוּthe least;אַחֲרֵיwhichעֲשׂוֹתוֹhaving doneכֵןso,סִפֵּרhe informedלִיmeעַלofמִשְׁפָּטִיםjudgmentsגְּדוֹלִיםgreatהַבָּאִיםwhich were comingעַלuponהָאָרֶץthe earth,עִםwithשְׁמָמוֹתdesolationsגְּדוֹלוֹתgreatמֵרָעָבby famine,וּמֵחֶרֶבsword,וּמִדֶּבֶרand pestilence;וְשֶׁהַמִּשְׁפָּטִיםand that judgmentsהַכְּבֵדִיםgrievousהָאֵלֶּהthese,יָבֹאוּwould comeעַלofהָאָרֶץthe earthבַּדּוֹרin the generationהַזֶּהthis.אַחֲרֵיHavingסַפְּרוֹrelatedאֶת־הַדְּבָרִיםthingsהָאֵלֶּהthese,שׁוּבhe againעָלָהascendedכְּפִיasשֶׁעָשָׂהhe had doneלְפָנִים׃before.

    He commenced, and again related the very same things which he had done at his first visit, without the least variation; which having done, he informed me of great judgments which were coming upon the earth, with great desolations by famine, sword, and pestilence; and that these grievous judgments would come on the earth in this generation. Having related these things, he again ascended as he had done before.

46. 46

    בָּעֵתBy the timeהַזֹּאתthis,כֹּהsoעֲמֻקִּיםdeepהָיוּwereהָרְשָׁמִיםthe impressionsבְּדַעְתִּיmade on my mind,עַדthatשֶׁבָּרְחָהhad fledהַשֵּׁנָהsleepמֵעֵינַיfrom my eyes,וְשָׁכַבְתִּיand I layהָמוּםoverwhelmedבְּהִשְׁתָּאוּתin astonishmentמִמַּהat whatשֶּׁרָאִיתִיI had both seenוְשָׁמַעְתִּיand heard.אֲבָלButמַהwhat wasהַפְתָּעָתִיmy surpriseכַּאֲשֶׁרwhenשׁוּבagainרָאִיתִיI beheldאֶת־אוֹתוֹthe sameשָׁלִיחַmessengerעַלatיַדthe side ofמִשְׁכָּבִיmy bed,וְשָׁמַעְתִּיand heard.אוֹתוֹhimמְחַזֵּרrehearseעָלַיto meשׁוּבor repeatאֶת־אוֹתָםthe sameדְּבָרִיםthingsכְּלִפְנֵיasכֵןbefore;וְהוֹסִיףand addedאַזְהָרָהa cautionלִיto me,בְּאׇמְרוֹtelling meשֶׁהַשָּׂטָןthat Satanיְנַסֶּהwould tryלְפַתּוֹתto temptאוֹתִיmeבִּגְלַלin consequence ofנְסִיבוֹתthe circumstancesהָעֹנִיindigentשֶׁלofמִשְׁפַּחַתthe family ofאָבִיmy father,לָקַחַתto getאֶת־הַלּוּחוֹתthe platesלְמַטְּרַתfor the purpose ofהִתְעַשְּׁרוּתgetting rich.זֹאתThisאָסַרhe forbadeעָלַיto meוְאָמַרsayingשֶׁאָסוּרthat I must notלִיto me,לִהְיוֹתhaveלִיto me,מַטָּרָהobjectאַחֶרֶתotherבְּקַבָּלַתin gettingהַלּוּחוֹתthe platesאֶלָּאbutלְפָאֵרto glorifyאֶת־הָאֱלֹהִיםGod,וְאָסוּרand must not beלְהֻשְׁפַּעinfluencedמִמָּנִיעַby any motiveאַחֵרotherמִלְּבַנּוֹתthan that of buildingאֶת־מַלְכוּתוֹhis kingdom;אַחֶרֶתotherwiseלֹאnotאוּכַלI couldלְקַבְּלָם׃get them.

    By this time, so deep were the impressions made on my mind, that sleep had fled from my eyes, and I lay overwhelmed in astonishment at what I had both seen and heard. But what was my surprise when again I beheld the same messenger at my bedside, and heard him rehearse or repeat over again to me the same things as before; and added a caution to me, telling me that Satan would try to tempt me (in consequence of the indigent circumstances of my father's family), to get the plates for the purpose of getting rich. This he forbade me, saying that I must have no other object in view in getting the plates but to glorify God, and must not be influenced by any other motive than that of building his kingdom; otherwise I could not get them.

47. 47

    אַחֲרֵיAfterהַבִּקּוּרthe visitהַשְּׁלִישִׁיthirdהַזֶּהthis,שׁוּבhe againעָלָהascendedלַשָּׁמַיִםinto heavenכְּלִפְנֵיasכֵןbefore,וְשׁוּבand againנֶעֱזַבְתִּיI was leftלְהַרְהֵרto ponderעַלonמוּזָרוּתthe strangeness ofאֲשֶׁרwhatזֶהjustעַתָּהnowחָוִיתִיI had experienced;כִּמְעַטwhen almostמִיָּדimmediatelyאַחֲרֵיafterעֲלוֹתhad ascendedהַשָּׁלִיחַthe messengerהַשְּׁמֵימִיheavenlyמֵעָלַיfrom meבַּפַּעַםfor theהַשְּׁלִישִׁיתthird time,קָרָאcrowedהַתַּרְנְגוֹלthe cock,וְגִלִּיתִיand I foundשֶׁהַיּוֹםthat dayמִתְקָרֵבwas approaching,כָּךְso thatשֶׁשִּׂיחוֹתֵינוּour interviewsמִלְּאוּmust have occupiedאֶת־כׇּלthe whole ofהַלַּיְלָהthe nightהַהוּא׃that.

    After this third visit, he again ascended into heaven as before, and I was again left to ponder on the strangeness of what I had just experienced; when almost immediately after the heavenly messenger had ascended from me for the third time, the cock crowed, and I found that day was approaching, so that our interviews must have occupied the whole of that night.

48. 48

    זְמַןA timeקָצָרshortאַחֲרֵיafterכֵןthis,קַמְתִּיI aroseמִמִּשְׁכָּבִיfrom my bed,וְכָרָגִילand, as usual,הָלַכְתִּיwentלַעֲבוֹדוֹתto the labors ofהַיּוֹםthe dayהַנְּחוּצוֹתnecessary;אֲבָלbut,בְּנַסּוֹתִיin attemptingלַעֲבֹדto workכְּבִפְעָמִיםas at timesאֲחֵרוֹתother,מָצָאתִיI foundכֹּחִיmy strengthתָּשׁוּשׁexhaustedכֹּהsoעַדasשֶׁלֹּאto render meיָכֹלְתִּיunableכְּלָלentirely.אָבִיMy father,שֶׁעָבַדwho was laboring alongאִתִּיwith meגִּלָּהdiscoveredשֶׁמַּשֶּׁהוּsomethingלֹאwas notכַּשּׁוּרָהrightאִתִּיwith me,וְאָמַרand toldלִיmeהַבַּיְתָהhome.הִתְחַלְתִּיI startedבְּכַוָּנָהwith the intentionלָלֶכֶתof goingהַבַּיְתָהto the house;אֲבָלbut,בְּנַסּוֹתִיin attemptingלַעֲבֹרto crossאֶת־הַגָּדֵרthe fenceמִןout ofהַשָּׂדֶהthe fieldשֶׁהָיִינוּwhere weבּוֹwere,עָזַבleftאוֹתִיmeכֹּחִיmy strengthתָּשׁוּשׁexhaustedכֻּלּוֹentirely,וְנָפַלְתִּיand I fellחֲסַרhelp-אוֹנִיםlessלָאָרֶץon the ground,וּלְרֶגַעand for a timeלֹאnotהָיִיתִיI wasמוּדָעconsciousלְכׇלof anyדָּבָרthingכְּלָל׃quite.

    I shortly after arose from my bed, and, as usual, went to the necessary labors of the day; but, in attempting to work as at other times, I found my strength so exhausted as to render me entirely unable. My father, who was laboring along with me, discovered something to be wrong with me, and told me to go home. I started with the intention of going to the house; but, in attempting to cross the fence out of the field where we were, my strength entirely failed me, and I fell helpless on the ground, and for a time was quite unconscious of anything.

49. 49

    הַדָּבָרThe thingהָרִאשׁוֹןfirstשֶׁיָּכֹלְתִּיthat I canלִזְכֹּרrecollectהָיָהwasקוֹלa voiceמְדַבֵּרspeakingאֵלַיunto me,קוֹרֵאcallingבִשְׁמִיme by name.הִסְתַּכַּלְתִּיI lookedלְמַעְלָהup,וְרָאִיתִיand beheldאֶת־אוֹתוֹthe sameשָׁלִיחַmessengerעוֹמֵדstandingמֵעַלoverרֹאשִׁיmy head,מֻקָּףsurrounded byאוֹרlightכְּלִפְנֵיasכֵןbefore.אָזthenשׁוּבagainסִפֵּרHe relatedלִיunto meאֵת־כׇּלallאֲשֶׁרthatסִפֵּרhe had relatedלִיto meבַּלַּיְלָהthe nightהַקּוֹדֵםprevious,וְצִוָּהand commandedעָלַיmeלָלֶכֶתto goאֶלtoאָבִיmy fatherוּלְסַפֵּרand tellלוֹhimאֶת־הַמַּרְאָהof the visionוְאֶתandהַמִּצְווֹתcommandmentsאֲשֶׁרwhichקִבַּלְתִּי׃I had received.

    The first thing that I can recollect was a voice speaking unto me, calling me by name. I looked up, and beheld the same messenger standing over my head, surrounded by light as before. He then again related unto me all that he had related to me the previous night, and commanded me to go to my father and tell him of the vision and commandments which I had received.

50. 50

    צִיַּתְתִּיI obeyed;חָזַרְתִּיI returnedאֶלtoאָבִיmy fatherבַּשָּׂדֶהin the field,וְסִפַּרְתִּיand rehearsedלוֹto himאֶת־כׇּלthe wholeהָעִנְיָןmatter.עָנָהHe repliedלִיmeשֶׁזֶּהthat itמֵאֵתwas ofהָאֱלֹהִיםGod,וְאָמַרand toldלִיmeלָלֶכֶתto goוְלַעֲשׂוֹתand doכַּאֲשֶׁרasצִוָּהcommandedהַשָּׁלִיחַby the messenger.עָזַבְתִּיI leftאֶת־הַשָּׂדֶהthe field,וְהָלַכְתִּיand wentאֶלtoהַמָּקוֹםthe placeשֶׁאָמַרwhere had toldלִיmeהַשָּׁלִיחַthe messengerשֶׁהַלּוּחוֹתthe platesטְמוּנִיםwere deposited;וּבִגְלַלand owing toבְּהִירוּתthe distinctness ofהַמַּרְאָהthe visionשֶׁהָיְתָהwhich I hadלִיmeעָלָיוconcerning it,הִכַּרְתִּיI knewאֶת־הַמָּקוֹםthe placeבְּרֶגַעthe instant thatבֹּאִיI arrivedלְשָׁם׃there.

    I obeyed; I returned to my father in the field, and rehearsed the whole matter to him. He replied to me that it was of God, and told me to go and do as commanded by the messenger. I left the field, and went to the place where the messenger had told me the plates were deposited; and owing to the distinctness of the vision which I had had concerning it, I knew the place the instant that I arrived there.

51. 51

    סָמוּךְConvenientלִכְפַרto the village ofמַנְצֶ׳סְטֶרManchester,מְחוֹזcounty ofאוֹנְטָרְיוֹOntario,נְיוּNewיוֹרְקYork,עוֹמֵדstandsגִּבְעָהa hillבְּגֹדֶלof sizeנִכְבָּדconsiderable,וְהַגְּבוֹהָהand the elevatedבְּיוֹתֵרmostבַּסְּבִיבָהof any in the neighborhood.בְּצִדָּהּOn the sideהַמַּעֲרָבִיwestשֶׁלofהַגִּבְעָהthe hillהַזֹּאתthis,לֹאnotרָחוֹקfarמֵהַפִּסְגָּהfrom the top,תַּחַתunderאֶבֶןa stoneבְּגֹדֶלof sizeנִכְבָּדconsiderable,שָׁכְבוּlayהַלּוּחוֹתthe plates,טְמוּנִיםdepositedבְּאַרְגַּזin a box ofאֶבֶןstone.הָאֶבֶןThe stoneהַזֹּאתthis,הָיְתָהwasעָבָהthickוּמְעֻגֶּלֶתand roundingבְּאֶמְצָעָהּin the middleמִלְמַעְלָהon the upper side,וְדַקָּהand thinnerיוֹתֵרmoreלִקְרַאתtowardsהַשְּׂפָתַיִםthe edges,כָּךְsoשֶׁחֶלְקָהּthat the part of itהָאֶמְצָעִיmiddleנִרְאָהwas visibleמֵעַלaboveהָאֲדָמָהthe ground,אֲבָלbutשְׂפָתָהּthe edgeסָבִיבall aroundהָיְתָהwasמְכֻסָּהcoveredבֶּעָפָר׃with earth.

    Convenient to the village of Manchester, Ontario county, New York, stands a hill of considerable size, and the most elevated of any in the neighborhood. On the west side of this hill, not far from the top, under a stone of considerable size, lay the plates, deposited in a stone box. This stone was thick and rounding in the middle on the upper side, and thinner towards the edges, so that the middle part of it was visible above the ground, but the edge all around was covered with earth.

52. 52

    אַחֲרֵיHavingהֲסָרַתremovedהֶעָפָרthe earth,הִשַּׂגְתִּיI obtainedמָנוֹףa lever,אֲשֶׁרwhichקָבַעְתִּיI got fixedתַּחַתunderשְׂפַתthe edge ofהָאֶבֶןthe stone,וּבְמַאֲמָץand with exertionקָטָןa littleהֲרִימוֹתִיraisedאוֹתָהּit up.הִבַּטְתִּיI lookedפְּנִימָהin,וְשָׁםand thereאָכֵןindeedרָאִיתִיdid I beholdאֶת־הַלּוּחוֹתthe plates,אֶת־הָאוּרִיםthe Urimוְהַתֻּמִּיםand Thummim,וְאֶתandהַחֹשֶׁןthe breastplate,כַּאֲשֶׁרasאָמַרstatedהַשָּׁלִיחַthe messenger.הָאַרְגַּזThe boxשֶׁשָּׁכְבוּwhich they layבּוֹinנַעֲשָׂהwas formedמֵהַנָּחַתby layingאֲבָנִיםstonesיַחַדtogetherבְּמִיןin some kind ofמֶלֶטcement.בְּתַחְתִּיתIn the bottom ofהָאַרְגַּזthe boxהוּנְחוּwere laidשְׁתֵּיtwoאֲבָנִיםstonesלְרֹחַבcrossways ofהָאַרְגַּזthe box,וְעַלand onאֲבָנִיםstonesאֵלֶּהtheseשָׁכְבוּlayהַלּוּחוֹתthe platesוּשְׁאָרand the otherהַדְּבָרִיםthingsעִמָּהֶם׃with them.

    Having removed the earth, I obtained a lever, which I got fixed under the edge of the stone, and with a little exertion raised it up. I looked in, and there indeed did I behold the plates, the Urim and Thummim, and the breastplate, as stated by the messenger. The box in which they lay was formed by laying stones together in some kind of cement. In the bottom of the box were laid two stones crossways of the box, and on these stones lay the plates and the other things with them.

53. 53

    נִסֵּיתִיI made an attemptלְהוֹצִיאָםto take them out,אֲבָלbutנֶאֱסַרְתִּיwas forbiddenעַלbyיְדֵיthe hands ofהַשָּׁלִיחַthe messenger,וְשׁוּבand was againנֶאֱמַרinformedלִיmeשֶׁהַזְּמַןthat the timeלְהוֹצִיאָםfor bringing them forthעוֹדyetלֹאhad notהִגִּיעַarrived,וְלֹאneitherיַגִּיעַwould it,עַדuntilאַרְבַּעfourשָׁנִיםyearsמֵעַתָּהfrom that time;אֲבָלbutאָמַרhe toldלִיmeשֶׁעָלַיthat I shouldלָבוֹאcomeאֶלtoהַמָּקוֹםthe placeהַהוּאthatבְּדִיּוּקpreciselyבְּעוֹדinשָׁנָהone yearמֵעַתָּהfrom that time,וְהוּאand that heיִפְגֹּשׁwould meetאוֹתִיwith meשָׁםthere,וְשֶׁעָלַיand that I shouldלְהַמְשִׁיךְcontinueלַעֲשׂוֹתto doכֵּןsoעַדuntilשֶׁיָּבוֹאshould comeהַזְּמַןthe timeלְקַבֵּלfor obtainingאֶת־הַלּוּחוֹת׃the plates.

    I made an attempt to take them out, but was forbidden by the messenger, and was again informed that the time for bringing them forth had not yet arrived, neither would it, until four years from that time; but he told me that I should come to that place precisely in one year from that time, and that he would there meet with me, and that I should continue to do so until the time should come for obtaining the plates.

54. 54

    כַּאֲשֶׁרAccordingly, asצֻוֵּיתִיI had been commanded,הָלַכְתִּיI wentבְּסוֹףat the endכׇּלof eachשָׁנָהyear,וּבְכׇלand at eachפַּעַםtimeמָצָאתִיI foundאֶת־אוֹתוֹthe sameשָׁלִיחַmessengerשָׁםthere,וְקִבַּלְתִּיand receivedהוֹרָאָהinstructionוּמֵידָעand intelligenceמִמֶּנּוּfrom himבְּכׇלat eachאַחַתoneמִפְּגִישׁוֹתֵינוּof our interviews,עַלrespectingמָהwhatשֶׁיְּהוָהthe Lordהוֹלֵךְwas goingלַעֲשׂוֹתto do,וְאֵיךְand howוּבְאֵיזֶהand in whatאֹפֶןmannerתִּתְנַהֵלwas to be conductedמַלְכוּתוֹhis kingdomבְּאַחֲרִיתin the lastהַיָּמִים׃days.

    Accordingly, as I had been commanded, I went at the end of each year, and at each time I found the same messenger there, and received instruction and intelligence from him at each of our interviews, respecting what the Lord was going to do, and how and in what manner his kingdom was to be conducted in the last days.

55. 55

    מֵאַחַרAsשֶׁנְּסִיבוֹתthe circumstances ofאָבִיmy fatherהָעוֹלָמִיּוֹתworldlyהָיוּwereמֻגְבָּלוֹתlimitedמְאוֹדvery,נֶאֱלַצְנוּwe were under the necessityלַעֲבֹדof laboringבְּיָדֵינוּwith our hands,לְהִשְׂתַּכֵּרhiring outבַּעֲבוֹדַתby the work ofיוֹםa dayוּבְאֹפֶןand other-אַחֵרwise,כְּפִיasשֶׁיָּכֹלְנוּwe couldלְהַשִּׂיגgetהִזְדַּמְּנוּתopportunity.לִפְעָמִיםSometimesהָיִינוּwe wereבַּבַּיִתat home,וְלִפְעָמִיםand sometimesבַּחוּץabroad,וּבַעֲבוֹדָהand by laborמַתְמֶדֶתcontinuousהִצְלַחְנוּwere enabledלְהַשִּׂיגto getפַּרְנָסָהa maintenanceנוֹחָה׃comfortable.

    As my father's worldly circumstances were very limited, we were under the necessity of laboring with our hands, hiring out by day's work and otherwise, as we could get opportunity. Sometimes we were at home, and sometimes abroad, and by continuous labor were enabled to get a comfortable maintenance.

56. 56

    בִּשְׁנַת1823In the yearסָבְלָהmet withמִשְׁפַּחַתthe family ofאָבִיmy fatherצָרָהan afflictionגְּדוֹלָהgreatמִמּוֹתby the death ofאָחִיmy brotherהַבְּכוֹרeldest,אַלְוִיןAlvin.בְּחֹדֶשׁIn the month ofאוֹקְטוֹבֶּר1825October,נִשְׂכַּרְתִּיI hiredלְזָקֵןwith an old gentlemanבְּשֵׁםby the name ofיֹאשִׁיָּהוּJosiahסְטוֹאָלStoal,שֶׁגָּרwho livedבִּמְחוֹזin the county ofצֶ׳נָנְגוֹChenango,מְדִינַתState ofנְיוּNewיוֹרְקYork.הוּאHeשָׁמַעhad heardמַשֶּׁהוּsomethingעַלofמִכְרֵהa mine ofכֶּסֶףsilverשֶׁפָּתְחוּhaving been openedהַסְּפָרַדִּיםby the Spaniardsבְּהַרְמוֹנִיin Harmony,מְחוֹזcounty ofסָסְקְוֶהָנָהSusquehanna,מְדִינַתState ofפֶּנְסִילְבֶנְיָהPennsylvania;וְהָיָהand had,לִפְנֵיprevious toשֶׁנִּשְׂכַּרְתִּיmy hiringלוֹto him,חוֹפֵרa diggerלְמַעַןin order,יַגְלֶהto discoverאִםifאֶפְשָׁרpossible,אֶת־הַמִּכְרֶהthe mine.אַחֲרֵיAfterשֶׁהָלַכְתִּיI wentלָגוּרto liveאִתּוֹwith him,לָקַחhe tookאוֹתִיme,עִםwithשְׁאָרthe rest ofפּוֹעֲלָיוhis hands,לַחְפֹּרto dig forאֶת־מִכְרֵהthe mine ofהַכֶּסֶףsilver,וּבָזֶהat whichהִמְשַׁכְתִּיI continuedלַעֲבֹדto work forכִּמְעַטnearlyחֹדֶשׁa month,בְּלִיwithoutהַצְלָחָהsuccessבַּמַּאֲמָץin the undertakingשֶׁלָּנוּour,לְבַסּוֹףand finallyשִׁכְנַעְתִּיI prevailed withאֶת־הַזָּקֵןthe old gentlemanלְהַפְסִיקto ceaseלַחְפֹּרdiggingאַחֲרָיוafter it.מִכָּאןHenceנוֹצַרaroseהַסִּפּוּרthe storyהָרוֹוֵחַvery prevalentשֶׁהָיִיתִיof my having beenחוֹפֵרa diggerכֶּסֶף׃of money.

    In the year 1823 my father's family met with a great affliction by the death of my eldest brother, Alvin. In the month of October, 1825, I hired with an old gentleman by the name of Josiah Stoal, who lived in Chenango county, State of New York. He had heard something of a silver mine having been opened by the Spaniards in Harmony, Susquehanna county, State of Pennsylvania; and had, previous to my hiring to him, been digging, in order, if possible, to discover the mine. After I went to live with him, he took me, with the rest of his hands, to dig for the silver mine, at which I continued to work for nearly a month, without success in our undertaking, and finally I prevailed with the old gentleman to cease digging after it. Hence arose the very prevalent story of my having been a money-digger.

57. 57

    בִּזְמַןDuring the timeשֶׁהָיִיתִיthat I wasמוּעֲסָקemployedכָּךְthus,שֻׁכַּנְתִּיI was put to boardאֵצֶלwithמִסְטֶרa Mr.יִצְחָקIsaacהֵיילHale,מֵאוֹתוֹof thatמָקוֹםplace;שָׁםit was thereרָאִיתִיI sawלָרִאשׁוֹנָהfirstאֶת־אִשְׁתִּיmy wifeבִּתּוֹhis daughter,אֶמָּהEmmaהֵיילHale.בְּיוֹםOn theהַשְּׁמוֹנָהeigh-עָשָׂרteenthלְיָנוּאָר1827of January,נִשֵּׂאנוּwe were married,בְּעוֹדִיwhile I was yetמוּעֲסָקemployedבַּעֲבוֹדַתin the service ofמִסְטֶרMr.סְטוֹאָל׃Stoal.

    During the time that I was thus employed, I was put to board with a Mr. Isaac Hale, of that place; it was there I first saw my wife (his daughter), Emma Hale. On the 18th of January, 1827, we were married, while I was yet employed in the service of Mr. Stoal.

58. 58

    מֵאַחַרOwing toשֶׁהִמְשַׁכְתִּיmy continuingלְהַצְהִירto assertשֶׁרָאִיתִיthat I had seenמַרְאָהa vision,הָרְדִיפָהpersecutionעוֹדstillרָדְפָהfollowedאוֹתִיme,וּמִשְׁפַּחַתand the family ofאֲבִיthe father ofאִשְׁתִּיmy wifeהִתְנַגְּדָהwere opposedמְאוֹדvery muchלְנִשּׂוּאֵינוּto our being married.לָכֵןtherefore,נֶאֱלַצְתִּיI was under the necessityלָקַחַתof takingאוֹתָהּherלְמָקוֹםelse-אַחֵרwhere;וְכָךְsoהָלַכְנוּwe wentוְנִשֵּׂאנוּand were marriedבְּבֵיתat the house ofשׁוֹפֵטSquireטַרְבִּילTarbill,בְּסָאוּתin Southבֵּיינְבְּרִידְג׳Bainbridge,מְחוֹזcounty ofצֶ׳נָנְגוֹChenango,נְיוּNewיוֹרְקYork.מִיָּדImmediatelyאַחֲרֵיafterנִשּׂוּאַיmy marriage,עָזַבְתִּיI leftאֶת־מִסְטֶרMr.סְטוֹאָלStoal's,וְהָלַכְתִּיand wentאֶלtoאָבִיmy father's,וְעָבַדְתִּיand farmedאִתּוֹwith himבָּעוֹנָהthe seasonהַהִיא׃that.

    Owing to my continuing to assert that I had seen a vision, persecution still followed me, and my wife's father's family were very much opposed to our being married. I was, therefore, under the necessity of taking her elsewhere; so we went and were married at the house of Squire Tarbill, in South Bainbridge, Chenango county, New York. Immediately after my marriage, I left Mr. Stoal's, and went to my father's, and farmed with him that season.

59. 59

    לְבַסּוֹףAt lengthהִגִּיעַarrivedהַזְּמַןthe timeלְקַבֵּלfor obtainingאֶת־הַלּוּחוֹתthe plates,אֶת־הָאוּרִיםthe Urimוְהַתֻּמִּיםand Thummim,וְאֶתandהַחֹשֶׁןthe breastplate.בְּיוֹםOn theהָעֶשְׂרִיםtwenty-וּשְׁנַיִםsecondלְסֶפְּטֶמְבֶּרday of September,אֶלֶףone thousandשְׁמוֹנֶהeightמֵאוֹתhundredוְעֶשְׂרִיםand twenty-וְשֶׁבַעseven,אַחֲרֵיhavingשֶׁהָלַכְתִּיgoneכָּרָגִילas usualבְּסוֹףat the end ofשָׁנָהyearנוֹסֶפֶתanotherאֶלtoהַמָּקוֹםthe placeשֶׁהֵםwhere theyטְמוּנִיםwere deposited,אוֹתוֹthe sameשָׁלִיחַmessengerשְׁמֵימִיheavenlyמָסַרdeliveredאוֹתָםthemלִיup to meעִםwithהַמִּצְוָהthe chargeהַזֹּאתthis:שֶׁאֶהְיֶהthat I should beאַחֲרַאיresponsibleעֲלֵיהֶםfor them;שֶׁאִםthat ifאֲשַׁלֵּחַI should let goאוֹתָםthemבְּרַשְׁלָנוּתcarelesslyאוֹorמִזְּנִיחָהthrough any neglectשֶׁלִּיof mine,אֶכָּרֵתI should be cut off;אֲבָלbutאִםthat ifאֶשְׁתַּמֵּשׁI would useבְּכׇלallמַאֲמַצַּיmy endeavorsלִשְׁמֹרto preserveעֲלֵיהֶםthem,עַדuntilשֶׁהוּאhe,הַשָּׁלִיחַthe messenger,יִקְרָאshould callלָהֶםfor them,יִהְיוּthey should beמֻגָּנִים׃protected.

    At length the time arrived for obtaining the plates, the Urim and Thummim, and the breastplate. On the twenty-second day of September, one thousand eight hundred and twenty-seven, having gone as usual at the end of another year to the place where they were deposited, the same heavenly messenger delivered them up to me with this charge: that I should be responsible for them; that if I should let them go carelessly, or through any neglect of mine, I should be cut off; but that if I would use all my endeavors to preserve them, until he, the messenger, should call for them, they should be protected.

60. 60

    מְהֵרָהI soonגִּלִּיתִיfound outלָמָּהthe reason whyקִבַּלְתִּיI had receivedהוֹרָאוֹתchargesקְפֵדָנִיּוֹתstrictכֹּהsuchלִשְׁמֹרto keep safeעֲלֵיהֶםthem,וְלָמָּהand why it was thatהַשָּׁלִיחַthe messengerאָמַרhad saidשֶׁכַּאֲשֶׁרthat whenאֶעֱשֶׂהI had doneאֵת־מָהwhatשֶׁנִּדְרַשׁwas requiredמִמֶּנִּיat my hand.הוּאheיִקְרָאwould callלָהֶםfor them.כִּיForבְּרֶגַעno soonerשֶׁנּוֹדַעwas it knownשֶׁיֵּשׁthat Iלִיhadאוֹתָםthem,נַעֲשׂוּthan were usedהַמַּאֲמַצִּיםthe exertionsהַחֲזָקִיםstrenuousבְּיוֹתֵרmostלָקַחַתto getאוֹתָםthem,מִמֶּנִּיat my hand.כׇּלEveryעׇרְמָהstratagemשֶׁיָּכְלָהthat couldלְהִמָּצֵאbe inventedנֶעֶשְׂתָהwas resorted toלְמַטָּרָהfor purposeזוֹthat.הָרְדִיפָהThe persecutionנֶעֶשְׂתָהbecameמָרָהbitterוְקָשָׁהand severeיוֹתֵרmoreמִלְּפָנִיםthan before,וְהָמוֹנִיםand multitudesהָיוּwereעֵרִיםon the alertתָּמִידcontinuallyלָקַחַתto getאוֹתָםthem,מִמֶּנִּיat my hand.אִםifאֶפְשָׁרpossibleאֲבָלButבְּחׇכְמַתby the wisdom ofהָאֱלֹהִיםGod,נִשְׁאֲרוּthey remainedבְּטוּחִיםsafeבְּיָדַיin my hands,עַדuntilשֶׁהִשְׁלַמְתִּיI had accomplishedבָּהֶםby themאֵת־אֲשֶׁרwhatנִדְרַשׁwas requiredמִמֶּנִּיat my hand.כַּאֲשֶׁרWhen,לְפִיaccording toהַהֶסְדֵּרarrangements,קָרָאcalledלָהֶםfor themהַשָּׁלִיחַthe messengerמָסַרְתִּיI deliveredאוֹתָםthem upלוֹto him;וְהֵםand they areבִּרְשׁוּתוֹin his chargeעַדuntoהַיּוֹםthe dayהַזֶּהthis,שֶׁהוּאbeingהַיּוֹםthe dayהַשֵּׁנִיsecondלְמַאיof May,אֶלֶףone thousandשְׁמוֹנֶהeightמֵאוֹתhundredוּשְׁלֹשִׁיםand thirty-וּשְׁמוֹנֶה׃eight.

    I soon found out the reason why I had received such strict charges to keep them safe, and why it was that the messenger had said that when I had done what was required at my hand, he would call for them. For no sooner was it known that I had them, than the most strenuous exertions were used to get them from me. Every stratagem that could be invented was resorted to for that purpose. The persecution became more bitter and severe than before, and multitudes were on the alert continually to get them from me if possible. But by the wisdom of God, they remained safe in my hands, until I had accomplished by them what was required at my hand. When, according to arrangements, the messenger called for them, I delivered them up to him; and he has them in his charge until this day, being the second day of May, one thousand eight hundred and thirty-eight.

61. 61

    אוּלָםhowever,הַהִתְרַגְּשׁוּתThe excitementעוֹדstillנִמְשְׁכָהcontinued,וְהַשְּׁמוּעָהand rumorבְּאֶלֶףwith her thousandלְשׁוֹנוֹתֶיהָtonguesהָיְתָהwasמוּעֲסֶקֶתemployedכׇּלallהַזְּמַןthe timeבַּהֲפָצַתin circulatingשְׁקָרִיםfalsehoodsעַלaboutמִשְׁפַּחַתthe family ofאָבִיmy father,וְעָלַיand about myself.לוּIf I wereסִפַּרְתִּיto relateחֵלֶקa partאֶחָדoneמֵאֶלֶףof a thousandמֵהֶםof them,הָיָהit wouldמְמַלֵּאfillכְּרָכִיםvolumes.הָרְדִיפָהThe persecution,אוּלָםhowever,נֶעֶשְׂתָהbecameכֹּהsoבִּלְתִּיin-נִסְבֶּלֶתtolerableעַדthatשֶׁנֶּאֱלַצְתִּיI was under the necessityלַעֲזֹבof leavingאֶת־מַנְצֶ׳סְטֶרManchester,וְלָלֶכֶתand goingעִםwithאִשְׁתִּיmy wifeלִמְחוֹזto the county ofסָסְקְוֶהָנָהSusquehanna,מְדִינַתin the State ofפֶּנְסִילְבֶנְיָהPennsylvania.בְּהִתְכּוֹנְנוּתֵנוּWhile preparingלָצֵאתto start—וּבִהְיוֹתֵנוּbeingעֲנִיִּיםpoorמְאוֹדvery,וְהָרְדִיפָהand the persecutionכֹּהsoכְּבֵדָהheavyעָלֵינוּupon usעַדthatשֶׁלֹּאthat noהָיָהthere wasסִכּוּיprobabilityשֶׁנִּהְיֶהthat we would ever beאַחֶרֶתotherwise—בְּתוֹךְin the midst ofצָרוֹתֵינוּour afflictionsמָצָאנוּwe foundיָדִידa friendבְּאִישׁin a gentlemanבְּשֵׁםby the name ofמַרְטִיןMartinהָרִיסHarris,שֶׁבָּאwho cameאֵלֵינוּto usוְנָתַןand gaveלִיmeחֲמִשִּׁיםfiftyדּוֹלָרdollarsלְעׇזְרֵנוּto assist usבְּדַרְכֵּנוּon our journey.מִסְטֶרMr.הָרִיסHarrisהָיָהthere wasתּוֹשַׁבa resident ofעִירִיַּתthe township ofפַּלְמִירָהPalmyra,מְחוֹזcounty ofוֵייןWayne,מְדִינַתin the State ofנְיוּNewיוֹרְקYork,וְאִכָּרand a farmerמְכֻבָּד׃of respectability.

    The excitement, however, still continued, and rumor with her thousand tongues was all the time employed in circulating falsehoods about my father's family, and about myself. If I were to relate a thousandth part of them, it would fill up volumes. The persecution, however, became so intolerable that I was under the necessity of leaving Manchester, and going with my wife to Susquehanna county, in the State of Pennsylvania. While preparing to start—being very poor, and the persecution so heavy upon us that there was no probability that we would ever be otherwise—in the midst of our afflictions we found a friend in a gentleman by the name of Martin Harris, who came to us and gave me fifty dollars to assist us on our journey. Mr. Harris was a resident of Palmyra township, Wayne county, in the State of New York, and a farmer of respectability.

62. 62

    בְּעֶזְרָהBy aidזוֹthisבָּעִתָּהּtimelyיָכֹלְתִּיwas I enabledלְהַגִּיעַto reachלִמְקוֹםthe place ofיַעֲדִיmy destinationבְּפֶנְסִילְבֶנְיָהin Pennsylvania;וּמִיָּדand immediatelyאַחֲרֵיafterהַגִּיעִיmy arrivalלְשָׁםthereהִתְחַלְתִּיI commencedלְהַעְתִּיקcopyingאֶת־הָאוֹתִיּוֹתthe charactersמִןoffהַלּוּחוֹתthe plates.הֶעְתַּקְתִּיI copiedמִסְפָּרa numberנִכְבָּדconsiderableמֵהֶםof them,וּבְאֶמְצָעוּתand by means ofהָאוּרִיםthe Urimוְהַתֻּמִּיםand ThummimתִּרְגַּמְתִּיI translatedחֵלֶקsomeמֵהֶםof themאֲשֶׁרwhichעָשִׂיתִיI didבֵּיןbetweenזְמַןthe timeהַגִּיעִיof my arrivalלְבֵיתat the house ofאֲבִיthe father ofאִשְׁתִּיmy wife,בְּחֹדֶשׁin the month ofדֵּצֶמְבֶּרDecember,וּבֵיןandפֶּבְּרוּאָרFebruaryשֶׁלְּאַחֲרָיו׃following.

    By this timely aid was I enabled to reach the place of my destination in Pennsylvania; and immediately after my arrival there I commenced copying the characters off the plates. I copied a considerable number of them, and by means of the Urim and Thummim I translated some of them, which I did between the time I arrived at the house of my wife's father, in the month of December, and the February following.

63. 63

    מִתִּישֶׁהוּSometimeבְּחֹדֶשׁin the month ofפֶבְּרוּאָרFebruaryהַזֶּהthis,בָּאcameמִסְטֶרMr.מַרְטִיןMartinהָרִיסHarrisהַנִּזְכָּרthe aforementionedלִמְקוֹמֵנוּto our place,לָקַחgotאֶת־הָאוֹתִיּוֹתthe charactersאֲשֶׁרwhichהֶעְתַּקְתִּיI had drawnמִןoffהַלּוּחוֹתthe plates,וְיָצָאand startedאִתָּםwith themלְעִירto the city ofנְיוּNewיוֹרְקYork.לְמָהFor whatשֶׁקָּרָהtook placeלוֹrelative to himוְלָאוֹתִיּוֹתand the characters,אֲפַנֶּהI referלְסִפּוּרוֹto his accountשֶׁלּוֹownעַל־הַנְּסִיבוֹתof the circumstances,כַּאֲשֶׁרasסִפֵּרhe relatedלִיthem to meאַחֲרֵיafterשׁוּבוֹhis return,וְזֶהwhich wasכָּךְ׃as follows:

    Sometime in this month of February, the aforementioned Mr. Martin Harris came to our place, got the characters which I had drawn off the plates, and started with them to the city of New York. For what took place relative to him and the characters, I refer to his own account of the circumstances, as he related them to me after his return, which was as follows:

64. 64

    הָלַכְתִּיI wentלְעִירto the city ofנְיוּNewיוֹרְקYork,וְהִצַּגְתִּיand presentedאֶת־הָאוֹתִיּוֹתthe charactersשֶׁתֻּרְגְּמוּwhich had been translated,עִםwithתִּרְגּוּמָןthe translation thereof,לַפְּרוֹפֶסוֹרto Professorצַ׳רְלְסCharlesאַנְתּוֹןAnthon,אִישׁa gentlemanמְפֹאָרcelebratedבְּהֶשֵּׂגָיוfor his attainmentsהַסִּפְרוּתִיִּיםliterary.פְּרוֹפֶסוֹרProfessorאַנְתּוֹןAnthonאָמַרstatedשֶׁהַתִּרְגּוּםthat the translationנָכוֹןwas correct,יוֹתֵרmore soמִכׇּלthan anyמָהthatשֶׁרָאָהhe had seenמִלְּפָנִיםbeforeמְתֻרְגָּםtranslatedמִןfromהַמִּצְרִיתthe Egyptian.אָזI thenהֶרְאֵיתִיshowedלוֹhimוְשֶׁתִּרְגּוּםand that the translation ofאֵלֶּהsuch of themשֶׁתֻּרְגְּמוּas had been translatedשֶׁעוֹדwhich were yetלֹאnotתֻּרְגְּמוּtranslated,וְאָמַרand he saidשֶׁהֵםthat they wereמִצְרִיתEgyptian,וְכַשְׂדִּיתChaldaic,וְאַשּׁוּרִיתAssyriac,וַעֲרָבִיתand Arabic;וְאָמַרand he saidשֶׁהֵםthey wereאוֹתִיּוֹתcharactersאֲמִתִּיּוֹתtrue.נָתַןHe gaveלִיmeתְּעוּדָהa certificate,הַמְאַשֶּׁרֶתcertifyingלַאֲנָשִׁיםto the people ofבְּפַלְמִירָהPalmyraשֶׁהֵםthat they wereאוֹתִיּוֹתcharactersאֲמִתִּיּוֹתtrue,וְשֶׁתִּרְגּוּםand that the translation ofאֵלֶּהsuch of themשֶׁתֻּרְגְּמוּas had been translatedגַּםalsoהוּאwasנָכוֹןcorrect.לָקַחְתִּיI tookאֶת־הַתְּעוּדָהthe certificateוְשַׂמְתִּיand putאוֹתָהּitבְּכִיסִיinto my pocket,וְהָיִיתִיand wasרַקjustעוֹזֵבleavingאֶת־הַבַּיִתthe house,כַּאֲשֶׁרwhenמִסְטֶרMr.אַנְתּוֹןAnthonקָרָאcalledלִיmeבַחֲזָרָהback,וְשָׁאַלand asked meאֵיךְhowגִּלָּהfound outהַנַּעַרthe young manשֶׁיֵּשׁthat there wereלוּחוֹתplates ofזָהָבgoldבַּמָּקוֹםin the placeשֶׁמָּצָאwhere he foundאוֹתָםthem.עָנִיתִיI answeredשֶׁמַּלְאַךְthat an angel ofאֱלֹהִיםGodגִּלָּהfound outלוֹ׃unto him.

    "I went to the city of New York, and presented the characters which had been translated, with the translation thereof, to Professor Charles Anthon, a gentleman celebrated for his literary attainments. Professor Anthon stated that the translation was correct, more so than any he had before seen translated from the Egyptian. I then showed him those which were not yet translated, and he said that they were Egyptian, Chaldaic, Assyriac, and Arabic; and he said they were true characters. He gave me a certificate, certifying to the people of Palmyra that they were true characters, and that the translation of such of them as had been translated was also correct. I took the certificate and put it into my pocket, and was just leaving the house, when Mr. Anthon called me back, and asked me how the young man found out that there were gold plates in the place where he found them. I answered that an angel of God had revealed it unto him.

65. 65

    אָזHe thenאָמַרhad saidלִיto me,תֵּןLetלִיmeלִרְאוֹתseeאֶת־הַתְּעוּדָהthat certificate.לָכֵןaccordinglyהוֹצֵאתִיI tookאוֹתָהּitמִכִּיסִיout of my pocketוְנָתַתִּיand gave itלוֹto him,הוּאwhen heלָקַחtookאוֹתָהּitוְקָרַעand toreאוֹתָהּitלִגְזָרִיםto pieces,וְאָמַרsayingשֶׁאֵיןthat there was noדָּבָרthingכָּזֶהsuchעַכְשָׁוnowכְּשֵׁרוּתas ministering ofמַלְאָכִיםangels,וְשֶׁאִםand that ifאָבִיאI would bringלוֹto himאֶת־הַלּוּחוֹתthe platesהוּאheיְתַרְגֵּםwould translateאוֹתָםthem.הוֹדַעְתִּיI informedלוֹhimשֶׁחֵלֶקthat partמִןofהַלּוּחוֹתthe platesחָתוּםwere sealed,לִיmeלְהָבִיאto bringאוֹתָםthem.עָנָהHe replied,לֹאnotאוּכַלI canלִקְרֹאreadסֵפֶרa bookחָתוּםsealed.עָזַבְתִּיI leftאוֹתוֹhimוְהָלַכְתִּיand wentלַדּוֹקְטוֹרto Dr.מִיטְשֶׁלMitchell,אֲשֶׁרwhoאִשֵּׁרsanctionedאֵת־אֲשֶׁרwhatאָמַרhad saidפְּרוֹפֶסוֹרProfessorאַנְתּוֹןAnthonעַלrespectingהָאוֹתִיּוֹתthe charactersוְעַלandהַתִּרְגּוּםthe translationגַּםbothיַחַד׃together.

    "He then said to me, 'Let me see that certificate.' I accordingly took it out of my pocket and gave it to him, when he took it and tore it to pieces, saying that there was no such thing now as ministering of angels, and that if I would bring the plates to him he would translate them. I informed him that part of the plates were sealed, and that I was forbidden to bring them. He replied, 'I cannot read a sealed book.' I left him and went to Dr. Mitchell, who sanctioned what Professor Anthon had said respecting both the characters and the translation."

66. 66

    בְּיוֹםOn theהַחֲמִישִׁיfifthלְאַפְּרִיל1829day of April,בָּאcameאוֹלִיבֶרOliverקָאוּדֶרִיCowderyלְבֵיתִיto my house,עַדuntilאָזwhich timeלֹאnotרְאִיתִיוhad I seen himמֵעוֹלָםever.אָמַרHe statedלִיto meשֶׁבְּלַמְּדוֹthat having been teachingבְּבֵיתin aסֵפֶרschoolבַּשְּׁכוּנָהin the neighborhoodשֶׁגָּרwhere residedאָבִיmy father,וְאָבִיand my fatherהָיָהbeingאֶחָדoneמֵאֵלֶּהof thoseשֶׁשָּׁלְחוּwho sentלַבֵּיתto theסֵפֶרschoolהָלַךְhe wentלְהִתְאַכְסֵןto boardבְּבֵיתוֹat his houseלִתְקוּפָהfor a season,וּבִהְיוֹתוֹand whileשָׁםthereסִפְּרָהrelatedלוֹto himהַמִּשְׁפָּחָהthe familyאֶת־נְסִיבוֹתthe circumstances ofקַבָּלָתִיmy having receivedאֶת־הַלּוּחוֹתthe plates,וּלְפִיכָךְand accordinglyבָּאhe had comeלְבָרֵרto make inquiriesאֶצְלִי׃of me.

    On the 5th day of April, 1829, Oliver Cowdery came to my house, until which time I had never seen him. He stated to me that having been teaching school in the neighborhood where my father resided, and my father being one of those who sent to the school, he went to board for a season at his house, and while there the family related to him the circumstances of my having received the plates, and accordingly he had come to make inquiries of me.

67. 67

    יוֹמַיִםTwo daysאַחֲרֵיafterבֹּאthe arrivalמִסְטֶרof Mr.קָאוּדֶרִיCowderyבְּיוֹםbeing theהַשְּׁבִיעִיseventhלְאַפְּרִילof AprilהִתְחַלְתִּיI commencedלְתַרְגֵּםto translateאֶת־סֵפֶרthe Book ofמוֹרְמוֹןMormon,וְהוּאand heהֵחֵלbeganלִכְתֹּבto writeבִּשְׁבִילִי׃for me.

    Two days after the arrival of Mr. Cowdery (being the 7th of April) I commenced to translate the Book of Mormon, and he began to write for me.

68. 68

    עוֹדstillהִמְשַׁכְנוּWe continuedבִּמְלֶאכֶתthe work ofהַתִּרְגּוּםtranslation,וּבַחֹדֶשׁwhen, in the monthהַבָּאensuingמַאי1829May,הָלַכְנוּwe wentיוֹםon a dayאֶחָדcertainלַיַּעַרinto the woodsלְהִתְפַּלֵּלto prayוְלִשְׁאֹלand inquireמֵאֵתofיְהוָהthe Lordעַלrespectingטְבִילָהbaptismלִסְלִיחַתfor the remission ofחֲטָאִיםsins,אֲשֶׁרthatמָצָאנוּwe foundמֻזְכֶּרֶתmentionedבְּתִרְגּוּםin the translation ofהַלּוּחוֹתthe plates.בְּעוֹדֵנוּWhile we wereעֲסוּקִיםthus employed,מִתְפַּלְּלִיםprayingוְקוֹרְאִיםand callingאֶלuponיְהוָהthe Lord,יָרַדdescendedשָׁלִיחַa messengerמִןfromהַשָּׁמַיִםheavenבַּעֲנַןin a cloud ofאוֹרlight,וּבְשׂוּמוֹand having laidיָדָיוhis handsעָלֵינוּupon us,סָמַךְhe ordainedאוֹתָנוּus,וְאָמַר׃saying:

    We still continued the work of translation, when, in the ensuing month (May, 1829), we on a certain day went into the woods to pray and inquire of the Lord respecting baptism for the remission of sins, that we found mentioned in the translation of the plates. While we were thus employed, praying and calling upon the Lord, a messenger from heaven descended in a cloud of light, and having laid his hands upon us, he ordained us, saying:

69. 69

    עֲלֵיכֶםUpon youעַבְדַיmy servantsחֲבֵרַיfellow,בְּשֵׁםin the name ofהַמָּשִׁיחַMessiah,אֲנִיIמַעֲנִיקconferאֶת־כְּהֻנַּתthe Priesthood ofאַהֲרֹןAaron,הַמַּחֲזִיקָהwhich holdsאֶת־מַפְתְּחוֹתthe keys ofשֵׁרוּתthe ministering ofהַמַּלְאָכִיםangels,וּבְשׂוֹרַתand of the gospel ofהַתְּשׁוּבָהrepentance,וּטְבִילָהand of baptism by immersionלִסְלִיחַתfor the remission ofחֲטָאִיםsins;וְזֹאתand thisלֹאshall neverתִלָּקַחbe takenעוֹדagainמִןfromהָאָרֶץthe earth,עַדuntilשֶׁבְּנֵיthe sons ofלֵוִיLeviיַקְרִיבוּdo offerשׁוּבagainקׇרְבָּןan offeringלַיהוָהunto the Lordבִּצְדָקָה׃in righteousness.

    Upon you my fellow servants, in the name of Messiah, I confer the Priesthood of Aaron, which holds the keys of the ministering of angels, and of the gospel of repentance, and of baptism by immersion for the remission of sins; and this shall never be taken again from the earth until the sons of Levi do offer again an offering unto the Lord in righteousness.

70. 70

    אָמַרHe saidשֶׁכְּהֻנַּתthat the Priesthood ofאַהֲרֹןAaronהַזֹּאתthisאֵיןhad notלָהּto herכֹּחַthe power ofסְמִיכַתthe laying on ofיָדַיִםhandsלְמַתַּןfor the gift ofרוּחַ־הַקֹּדֶשׁthe Holy Ghost,אֲבָלbutזֹאתthat thisתִּנָּתֵןshould be conferredלָנוּon usאַחַרhere-כָּךְafter;וְצִוָּהand he commandedעָלֵינוּusלָלֶכֶתto goוּלְהִטָּבֵלand be baptized,וְנָתַןand gaveלָנוּusהוֹרָאוֹתdirectionsשֶׁאֲנִיthat Iאַטְבִּילshould baptizeאֶת־אוֹלִיבֶרOliverקָאוּדֶרִיCowdery,וְאַחֲרֵיand that after-כֵןwardsהוּאheיַטְבִּילshould baptizeאוֹתִי׃me.

    He said this Aaronic Priesthood had not the power of laying on hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost, but that this should be conferred on us hereafter; and he commanded us to go and be baptized, and gave us directions that I should baptize Oliver Cowdery, and that afterwards he should baptize me.

71. 71

    בְּהֶתְאֵםAccordinglyהָלַכְנוּwe wentוַנִּטָּבֵלand were baptized.הִטְבַּלְתִּיI baptizedאוֹתוֹhimרִאשׁוֹנָהfirst,וְאַחַרand after-כָּךְwardsהוּאheהִטְבִּילbaptizedאוֹתִיme—אַחַרafterכָּךְwardsשַׂמְתִּיI laidיָדַיmy handsעַלuponרֹאשׁוֹhis headוּסְמַכְתִּיוand ordained himלִכְהֻנַּתto the Priesthood ofאַהֲרֹןAaron,וְאַחַרand after-כָּךְwardsהוּאheשָׂםlaidיָדָיוhis handsעָלַיon meוּסְמָכַנִיand ordained meלְאוֹתָהּto the sameכְּהֻנָּהPriesthood—כִּיforכָּךְwardsצֻוֵּינוּ׃we were commanded.

    Accordingly we went and were baptized. I baptized him first, and afterwards he baptized me—after which I laid my hands upon his head and ordained him to the Aaronic Priesthood, and afterwards he laid his hands on me and ordained me to the same Priesthood—for so we were commanded.

72. 72

    הַשָּׁלִיחַthe messengerשֶׁבִּקֵּרwho visitedאוֹתָנוּusבְּהִזְדַּמְּנוּתon the occasionזוֹthis,וְהֶעֱנִיקand conferredעָלֵינוּupon usאֶת־הַכְּהֻנָּהthe Priesthoodהַזֹּאתthis,אָמַרsaidשֶׁשְּׁמוֹthat his name wasיוֹחָנָןJohn,אוֹתוֹthe sameהַנִּקְרָאthat is calledיוֹחָנָןJohnהַמַּטְבִּילthe Baptistבַּבְּרִיתin the TestamentהַחֲדָשָׁהNew,וְשֶׁהוּאand that heפָּעַלactedתַּחַתunderהַנְחָיַתthe direction ofפֶּטְרוֹסPeter,וְיַעֲקֹבJames,וְיוֹחָנָןand John,הַמַּחֲזִיקִיםwho heldאֶת־מַפְתְּחוֹתthe keys ofכְּהֻנַּתthe Priesthood ofמַלְכִּי־צֶדֶקMelchizedek,אֲשֶׁרwhichכְּהֻנָּהPriesthoodזוֹthis,אָמַרhe said,תִּנָּתֵןwould be conferredבְּעִתָּהּin due timeלָנוּon us,וְשֶׁאֲנִיand that Iאֶקָּרֵאshould be calledזָקֵןElderרִאשׁוֹןfirstשֶׁלofהַקְּהִילָּהthe Church,וְהוּאand heאוֹלִיבֶרOliverקָאוּדֶרִיCowderyהַשֵּׁנִיthe second.הָיָהIt wasזֶהthisבְּיוֹםon theהַחֲמִשָּׁהfif-עָשָׂרteenthלְמַאי1829day of May,אֲשֶׁרthatנִסְמַכְנוּwe were ordainedתַּחַתunderיַדthe hand ofהַשָּׁלִיחַthe messengerהַזֶּה׃this,וְנִטְבַּלְנוּand baptized.

    The messenger who visited us on this occasion and conferred this Priesthood upon us, said that his name was John, the same that is called John the Baptist in the New Testament, and that he acted under the direction of Peter, James and John, who held the keys of the Priesthood of Melchizedek, which Priesthood, he said, would in due time be conferred on us, and that I should be called the first Elder of the Church, and he (Oliver Cowdery) the second. It was on the fifteenth day of May, 1829, that we were ordained under the hand of this messenger, and baptized.

73. 73

    מִיָּדImmediatelyבְּעָלוֹתֵנוּon our coming upמִןout ofהַמַּיִםthe waterאַחֲרֵיafterשֶׁנִּטְבַּלְנוּwe had been baptized,חָוִינוּwe experiencedבְּרָכוֹתblessingsגְּדוֹלוֹתgreatוְנֶהְדָּרוֹתand gloriousמֵאָבִינוּfrom our FatherשֶׁבַּשָּׁמַיִםHeavenly.אַךְNo soonerהִטְבַּלְתִּיhad I baptizedאֶת־אוֹלִיבֶרOliverקָאוּדֶרִיCowdery,נָפְלָהthan fellעָלָיוupon himרוּחַ־הַקֹּדֶשׁthe Holy Ghost,וְהוּאand heקָםstood upוְנִבָּאand prophesiedדְבָרִיםthingsרַבִּיםmanyאֲשֶׁרwhichבְּקָרוֹבshould shortlyיִקְרוּcome to pass.וְשׁוּבAnd again,כְּשֶׁהוּאso soon as he hadהִטְבִּילbaptizedאוֹתִיme,גַּםalsoלִיIהָיְתָהhadרוּחַthe spirit ofהַנְּבוּאָהprophecy,וּבְעׇמְדִיwhen, standing up,נִבֵּאתִיI prophesiedעַלconcerningקוּמַתthe rise ofהַקְּהִילָּהthe Churchהַזֹּאתthis,וּדְבָרִיםand thingsרַבִּיםmanyאֲחֵרִיםotherהַקְּשׁוּרִיםconnectedלַקְּהִילָּהwith the Church,וְלַדּוֹרand the generationהַזֶּהthisשֶׁלofבְּנֵיthe children ofהָאָדָםmen.נִמְלֵאנוּWe were filled withרוּחַ־הַקֹּדֶשׁthe Holy Ghost,וְשָׂמַחְנוּand rejoicedבֵּאלֹהֵיin the God ofיִשְׁעֵנוּ׃our salvation.

    Immediately on our coming up out of the water after we had been baptized, we experienced great and glorious blessings from our Heavenly Father. No sooner had I baptized Oliver Cowdery, than the Holy Ghost fell upon him, and he stood up and prophesied many things which should shortly come to pass. And again, so soon as I had been baptized by him, I also had the spirit of prophecy, when, standing up, I prophesied concerning the rise of this Church, and many other things connected with the Church, and this generation of the children of men. We were filled with the Holy Ghost, and rejoiced in the God of our salvation.

74. 74

    וּבְהֵאִירbeing enlightenedדַּעְתֵּנוּOur mindsעַתָּהnow,הֵחַלְנוּwe beganלִרְאוֹתto haveאֶת־הַכְּתוּבִיםthe scripturesנִפְתָּחִיםlaid openלַהֲבָנָתֵנוּto our understandings,וְאֶתandהַמַּשְׁמָעוּתthe meaningהָאֲמִתִּיתtrueוְהַכַּוָּנָהand intentionשֶׁלofפְּסוּקֵיהֶםtheir passagesהַמִּסְתּוֹרִיִּיםmysteriousיוֹתֵרmoreנִגְלוּrevealedלָנוּunto usבְּאֹפֶןin a mannerשֶׁלֹּאwhich neverיָכֹלְנוּwe couldלְהַשִּׂיגattain toלְפָנִיםpreviously,וְלֹאnorחָשַׁבְנוּhad thoughtעָלָיוofמֵעוֹלָםever before.בֵּינְתַיִםIn the meantimeנֶאֱלַצְנוּwe were forcedלִשְׁמֹרto keepבְּסוֹדsecretאֶת־נְסִיבוֹתthe circumstances ofקַבָּלַתour having receivedהַכְּהֻנָּהthe Priesthoodוְהִטָּבְלֵנוּand our having been baptized,בִּגְלַלowing toרוּחַa spirit ofרְדִיפָהpersecutionשֶׁכְּבָרwhich had alreadyהִתְגַּלְּתָהmanifested itselfבַּשְּׁכוּנָה׃in the neighborhood.

    Our minds being now enlightened, we began to have the scriptures laid open to our understandings, and the true meaning and intention of their more mysterious passages revealed unto us in a manner which we never could attain to previously, nor ever before had thought of. In the meantime we were forced to keep secret the circumstances of having received the Priesthood and our having been baptized, owing to a spirit of persecution which had already manifested itself in the neighborhood.

75. 75

    אֻיַּמְנוּWe had been threatenedבְּאַסְפְסוּףwith being mobbed,מִזְּמַןfrom timeלִזְמַןto time,וְזֶהand this,גַּםtoo,מִמַּאֲמִינֵיby professors ofדָתreligion.כַּוָּנוֹתֵיהֶםAnd their intentionsלְהַסִּיתof mobbingאַסְפְסוּףa mobנֶגְדֵּנוּusרַקwere onlyנֶעֱצְרוּcounteractedעַלbyיְדֵיthe hands ofהַשְׁפָּעַתthe influence ofמִשְׁפַּחַתthe family ofאֲבִיthe father ofאִשְׁתִּיmy wifeתַּחַתunderהַשְׁגָּחָהprovidenceאֱלֹהִיתDivine,אֲשֶׁרwhoנַעֲשׂוּhad becomeיְדִידוּתִיִּיםfriendlyמְאוֹדveryאֵלַיto me,וְהִתְנַגְּדוּand who were opposedלַאֲסַפְסוּפִיםto mobs,וְהָיוּand wereמוּכָנִיםwillingלְהַרְשׁוֹתthat I should be allowedלִיto meלְהַמְשִׁיךְto continueבִּמְלֶאכֶתthe work ofהַתִּרְגּוּםtranslationבְּלִיwithoutהַפְרָעָהinterruption;לָכֵןand thereforeהִצִּיעוּofferedוְהִבְטִיחוּand promisedלָנוּusהֲגָנָהprotectionמִכׇּלfrom allפְּעֻלָּהproceedingsבִּלְתִּיun-חֻקִּיתlawful,כְּפִיas far asיְכָלְתָּם׃in them lay.

    We had been threatened with being mobbed, from time to time, and this, too, by professors of religion. And their intentions of mobbing us were only counteracted by the influence of my wife's father's family (under Divine providence), who had become very friendly to me, and who were opposed to mobs, and were willing that I should be allowed to continue the work of translation without interruption; and therefore offered and promised us protection from all unlawful proceedings, as far as in them lay.