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Mormon History: 1830 to 1839

Lyman Wight's Vision and the Man of Sin

The Conference of April [4–5], 1831 is important for several reasons. It is the first conference of the church in Kirtland. The High Priesthood is bestowed for the first time §. Lyman Wight has a vision of the Savior on the right hand of God and prophesies of the second coming. Joseph tells the conference that John the Revelator is with the Ten Tribes, who will return for the second coming, that some present will witness the second coming, and some will be martyred. Three or more elders are possessed by the devil, who is either cast out or departs on his own.

The Far West Record reports only the names of those ordained. But we have seven eyewitness accounts—the largest number of first-hand reports of any Church meeting that I know of during Joseph Smith's lifetime. For most meetings in the Ohio/Missouri period we can rely solely on the Far West Record. Of the seven accounts, the first, by Levi Hancock, is the longest and is rich in detail §. It was written no later than August 1831 and could be based on an earlier draft. The second, by Ezra Booth, was written in October 1831 and also goes into considerable detail §. The accounts of John Whitmer § and John Corrill § were written between 1835 and 1838. Next follow the accounts of Lyman Wight (1857) §, Zebedee Coltrin (1878) §, and Philo Dibble (1892) §. The Manuscript History version was penned by W. W. Phelps §, who arrived in Kirtland ten or eleven days after the conference concluded.

	Levi Hancock Levi's journal by August 1831	Ezra Booth ¶ Ezra Booth Letters October 31, 1831		John Whitmer J. Whitmer, 69–70. [Fall 1835–Summer 1837]	Philo Dibble Juvenile Instructor 27, no. 1 (Jan. 1, 1892): 23. ¶ Joseph Remembered May 1892
					I saw Joseph Smith the Prophet when he first came to Kirtland,
				June 3, 1831. A general conference was called, and a blessing promised, if the elders were faithful, and humble before him. Therefore the elders assembled from the East, and the West, from the North and the South. And also many members.
	… About this time Solomon Came to see me and brought Zebedee Coltrin along he held some metings and wanted I should go to Kirtland with him we started the latter part of May got there by the Last of the month I lerned that on the fourth of June there was to be an indowment of some Elders.	As the 4th of June last was appointed for the sessions of the conference, it was ascertained, that that was the time specified, when the great and mighty work was to be commenced, and such was the confidence of some, that knowledge superceded their faith, and they did not hesitate to declare themselves perfectly assured that the work of miracles would commence at the ensuing conference.
		With such strong assurances, and with the most elevated expectations, the conference assembled at the time appointed.

		To give, if possible, energy to expectation, Smith, the day before the conference, professing to be filled with the spirit of prophecy, declared, that "not three days should pass away, before some should see their Savior, face to face."
	[89] The fourth of June came and we all met in a little string of Buildings under the hill nere Isaac Morleys in Kirtland Geauga County Ohio we all went to a school house on the hill about one fourth of a mile asending nearly all the way it was builded of logs they was filled with slab benches here the elders were seated				and was with him in the first conference held in that place, which was in a small school house.
	the meeting was opened as usual Joseph began to speak he said that the kingdom that Christ spoke of that was like a grain of musterd seed was now before him and some should see it put forth its branches And the angels of heaven would some day come like Birds to its branches just as the Saviour had said and Some of you shall live to see it come with great glory some of you must die for the testimony of this work	Soon after the session commenced, Smith arose to harangue the conference.	¶	Conference was opened by prayer and exortation by Joseph Smith Jr. the Revelator. After the business of the church was attended to according to the Covenants,	When he arose in our midst he said
		He reminded those present of the prophecy, which he said "was given by the spirit yesterday." He wished them not to be overcome with surprise, when that event ushered in. He continued, until by long speaking, himself and some others became much excited.			that before the conference closed there were those present who should see the heavens open and bear record of the coming of the Son of Man, Joseph makes a similar promise prior to the solemn assembly introducing the washing of feet ordinance. ¶ Minutes of November 12, 1835]
				The Lord made manifest to Joseph that it was necessary that such of the elders as were considered worthy, should be ordained to the high priesthood.
			¶	The spirit of the Lord fell upon Joseph in an unusual manner. And [he] prophecied that John the Revelator was then among the ten tribes of Israel who had been lead away by [70] Salmanaser, King of israel, to prepare them for their return, from their Long dispersion, to again possess the land of their fathers. He prophecied many more things ~~that the many, he said that if Joseph Wakefield~~ that I have not written.

					and that the man of sin should be revealed.

Levi Hancock Levi's journal by August 1831	Ezra Booth ¶ Ezra Booth Letters (4–6) October 31, 1831		John Whitmer J. Whitmer, 69–70. [Fall 1835–Summer 1837]	Zebedee Coltrin High priests record, Spanish Fork February 5, 1878	Philo Dibble ¶ Joseph Remembered May 1892
				At father Billings a revelation was given when some of the brethren undertook to correct the language as being ungrammatical, when Joseph rebuked them and said that every word of that revelation had been dictated by Jesus Christ. There were twelve persons present who were all the Elders then belonging to the Church with the exception of four then in Missouri. Joseph thanked God that he had as many members as Jesus had in the beginning when he first organized the Church.	Zebedee conflates at least one of the November 1, 2, 8, 1831 meetings, where the language of the revelations was an issue, with the June [3]–[6] conference. All in Favor?
	He then laid his hands on the head of Elder Wight, who had participated largely in the warm feeling of his leader, and ordained him to the High Priesthood. He was set apart for the service of the Indians, and was ordained to the gift of tongues, healing the sick, casting out devils, and discerning spirits;		After he had prophecied, he laid his hands upon Lyman Wight [and ordained him] to the High Priesthood after the holy order of God.	Then Lyman Wight was ordained a High Priest.	While he talked he laid his hand upon the head of Lyman Wight.
	and in like manner he ordained several others; and then called upon Wight to take the floor.				He then laid his left hand upon the head of Harvey Whitlock.
and looked at Lyman Wight and said you shall see the Lord and met him nere the Corner of the house and laid his hands upon him and blessed him with the visions of heaven				Joseph told him he should see the heavens opened,
	Wight arose, and presented a pale countenance, a fierce look, with his arms extended, and his hands cramped back, the whole system agitated, and a very unpleasant object to look upon. He exhibited himself as an instance of the great power of God, and called upon those around him "if you want to see a sign, look at me."		And the Spirit [blank] fell upon Lyman
	He then [189] stepped upon a bench,				Lyman Wight stepped into the middle of the room
			and he prophecied concerning the coming of Christ.		and bore record of the coming of the Son of Man.
			He said that there were some in this congregation that should live until the Savior shoud decend from heaven with a shout, with all the holy angels with him. He said the coming of the Savior should be like the Sun rising in the east and will cover the whole earth. So will the coming of the Son of man be. Yea, he will appear in his brightness and consume all before him. And the hills will be laid low, and valies be exalted, and the crooked be made straight, and the rough Smooth.
			And some of my brethren Shall suffer marterdom for the sake of the religion of Jesus Christ and seal the testimony of Jesus with their blood.
[90] he then stepped out on the floor and said I now see God, and Jesus Christ at his right hand let them kill me, I should not feel death as I am now	and declared with a loud voice, he saw the Savior: and thereby, for the time being, rescued Smith's prophecy from merited contempt.—		He saw the hevans opened, and the Son of man sitting on the right hand of the Father, Making intercession for his brethren, the Saints.	and after he was ordained he stood on his feet and testified that he could see the heavens open and Jesus standing at the right hand of God.
			He said that God would work a work in these last days that tongue cannot express, and the mind of is not capable to conceive. The glory of the Lord shone around.
		¶	At this conferen[c]e these were ordained to the high priesthood, namely Lyman Wight, Sidney Rigdon, John Murdock, Reynolds Cahoon, Harvey Whitlock, and Hyrum Smith were ordained by ~~Lyman Wight excet S~~ Joseph Smith Jr except Sidney Rigdon.
	It, however, procured Wight the authority to ordain the rest. So said the spirit, and so said Smith. The spirit in Smith selected those to be ordained, and the spirit in Wight ordained them. But the spirit in Wight proved an erring dictator; so much so, that some of the candidates felt the weight of hands thrice, before the work was rightly done.		The following [were ordained] by Lyman Wight by commandment. Parley P. Pratt (h), Thomas B. Marsh (h), Isaac Morley, Edward Partridge, Joseph Wakefield, Ezra Thayer, Martin Harris, Ezra Booth who denied the faith, Harvey Whitlock denied the [71] faith, also Joseph Wakefield, Joseph Smith Sr., Joseph Smith Jr., John Whitmer.	In the Far West Record, Sidney Rigdon is ordained by Lyman Wight. ¶ Minutes of June [3–6], 1831
		¶	The Bishop then proceeded and blessed the above named and others by the laying on of hands.
			Isaac Morley and John Corrill were ordained as bishops counsellors to Edward Partridge.
			Joseph Smith Jr. Prophecied the day Previous that the man of Sin should be revealed.
Joseph put his hands on Harvey Whitlock and Ordained him to the high Priesthood he turned as black as Lyman was white his fingers was set like Claws he went round the Room and showed his hands and tried to speak his eyes was in the shape of Ovil Oes.	Another Elder, who had been ordained to the same office as Wight, at the bidding of Smith, stepped upon the floor. Then ensued a scene, of which you can form no adequate conception; and which, I would forbear relating, did not the truth require it. The Elder moved upon the floor, his legs inclining to a bend; one shoulder elevated above the other, upon which the head seemed disposed to recline, his arms partly extended; his hands partly clenched; his mouth partly open, and contracted in the shape of an italic O; his eyes assumed a wild ferocious cast, and his whole appearance presented a frightful object to the view of the beholder.—		While the Lord poured out his spirit upon his servants, the Devil took occation to make known his power. He bound Harvey Whitlock <and John Murdock> so that he could not speak and others were affected,	Harvey Whitlock was ordained next with the same promise but after his ordination, when standing on his feet, he seemed paralyzed. His mouth was drawn into the shape of an italic O, and his arm was stretched out as if nailed to a cross.	Then Harvey Whitlock stepped into the middle of the room with his arms crossed, bound by the power of Satan, and his mouth twisted unshapely.
	"Speak, Brother Harvey" said Smith. But Harvey intimated by signs, that his power of articulation was in a state of suspense, and that he was unable to speak.
Hyrum Smith said Joseph that is not of God	Some conjectured that Harvey was possessed of the devil,				Hyrum Smith arose and declared that there was an evil spirit in the room.
Joseph said do not speak against this	but Smith said, "the Lord binds in order to set at liberty."		but the Lord showed to Joseph the Seer the design of this thing,		Joseph said, "Don't be too hasty," and Hyrum sat down.
I will not believe said Hyrum unless you inquire if God owns it					Shortly Hyrum rose the second time, saying, "I know my duty and will do it," and stepping to Harvey, commanded the evil spirits to leave him, but the spirits did not obey.
Joseph bowed his head a short time got up and Commanded Satan to leave Harvey laying his hands upon his head at the same time	After different opinions had been given, and there had been much confusion, Smith learnt by the spirit, that Harvey was under a diabolical influence, and that Satan had bound him; and he commanded the unclean spirit to come out of him.		he commanded the devil in the name of Christ and he departed to our joy and comfort. ~~Also~~	Joseph rebuked the power that had seized him, and it left him,	Joseph then approached Harvey and asked him if he believed in God. Then we saw a change in Harvey.
			Therefore a part of the Revelation given at Fayette New York was fulfilled.	Fayette revelations: D&C 14–18, 20, 22, 28–31, 33–36, 38–40, 42.
	It now became clearly manifest, that "the man of sin was revealed," for the express purpose that the elders should become acquainted with the devices of Satan; and after that they would possess knowledge sufficient to manage him. This, Smith declared to be a miracle, and his success in [190] this case, encouraged him to work other and different miracles.		man of sin: "Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;" Thessalonians 2:3. "Let no man deceive you by any means; for there shall come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;" Joseph Smith Translation
	Taking the hand of one of the Elders in his own, a hand which by accident had been rendered defective, he said, "Brother Murdock, I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to straighten your hand; in the mean while endeavoring to accomplish the work by using his own hand to open the hand of the other. The effort proved unsuccessful; but he again articulated the same commandment, in a more authoritative and louder tone of voice; and while uttering with his tongue, his hands were at work; but after all the exertion of his power, both natural and supernatural, the deficient hand returned to its former position, where it still remains. [End]


Levi Hancock Levi's journal by August 1831	Zebedee Coltrin High priests record, Spanish Fork February 5, 1878	Philo Dibble ¶ Joseph Remembered May 1892
	when the heavens opened to him and he testified as Lyman had done, that he saw the heavens open and Jesus standing at the right hand of God the Father.	He also bore record of the opening of the heavens and of the coming of the Son of Man, precisely as Lyman Wight had done.
	This was the beginning in our day of ordinations to the office of a High Priest.
		Next a man by the name of Harvey Green was thrown upon his back on the floor by an unseen power. Some of the brethren wanted to administer to him by laying on of hands, but Joseph forbade it. Harvey looked to me like a man in a fit. He groaned and frothed at the mouth. Finally he got upon his knees and came out of it.
	First saw the Prophet Joseph at a prayer meeting at the house of father Morley. He was then a beardless young man. During the meeting the powers of darkeness were made manifest in a remarkable degree, causing some to make horrid noises, and others to throw themselves violently around,
At that very instant an Old man said to way two hundread and fourteen pounds sitting in the window turned a complete summersett in the house and came his back across a bench and lay helpless	One man by the name of Lemon Copley, standing at the back side of the house was taken by a supernatural power, and thrown into the window.	Next thing I saw a man came flying through the window from outside. He was straight as a man's arm as he sailed into the room over two rows of seats filled with men, and fell on the floor between the seats and was pulled out by the brethren. He trembled all over like a leaf in the wind.
Joseph told Lyman to cast Satan out he did. The man's name was [91] Leman Copley formaly a Shaker The evil spirit left him and as quick as lightning	Then Joseph said to Lyman "Go and cast the devil out of Lemon." He did so,	He was soon apparently calm and natural. His name was Lemon Copley. He weighed over two hundred pounds. This I saw with my own eyes and know it is all true, and bear testimony to it. [End]
Harvey Green fell bound and screamed like a Panther. Satan was cast out of him but imediately entered so I heared it continued all day and the greater part of the knight	and the devil entered into a brother by the name of Harvey Green and threw him upon the floor in convulsions. Then Joseph laid hands upon him and rebuked the spirit from him and from the house,
	upon which the spirit left him, and went outside among a crowd of men standing near the door and made a swath among them several feet wide, throwing them violently to the ground.
	Joseph said this was a fulfillment of the scriptures, where it says that the man of sin should be revealed [End of Zebedee Coltrin account]


	Levi Hancock		John Whitmer
	But to return to the meeting said Joseph now if you elders have sinned it will do you no good to preach if you have not repented. Heman Bassett you sit still the Devil wants to sift you		The churches of the State of New York had moved to Ohio with their Wives and their children, and all their Substance. Some purchased farms, others rented. And thus they situated themselves as convenient as they could.
	and then ordained Jacob Scott and some others to the high Priesthood		The being now far spent, and the conference was adjourned. [End pf John W\hitmer account]
	he came to Zebedee Coltrin and myself and told us that we had another calling as high as any man in the house I was glad of that for I was so scared I would not stir without his liberty for all the world And I knew the things I had seen was not made
	said Joseph John was to tarry untill Christ came he is now with the ten tribes a preaching and when we can get ready for them they will come
	[92] Joseph Smith Called on Lyman Wight to lay his hands on his head and say what God should tell him to say he did and the thing was so large I cannot write them
	After this we went down to the house And hered Harvey Whitlock say when Hyrum Smith said it was not God, he disdained him in his hart and when the Devil was cast out he was convinced it was Satan that was in him and he then new it I also hered Harvey Green say that he could not describe the Awful feelings he exspearnced while in the hands of Satan
	June fifth we all assembled on the hill in a field whare there was a larg concours of people collected Lyman White spoke. Joseph said that from time the elders would have large congregations to speak to and they must soon take there departure into the Regions west when the meeting was out we went to Gilberts and sung some and we talk with brother Whitnies and told him what happened at the conference
	[93] He asked me if what Joseph had said was fulfilled about someone seeing the Lord I told him I considered it so [End of Levi Hancock account]

		John Corrill 1838
		… there was a revelation received, requiring the prophet to call the elders together, that they might receive an endowment. This was done, and the meeting took place some time in June. About fifty elders met, which was about all the elders that then belonged to the church. The meeting was conducted by Smith. Some curious things took place. The same visionary and marvellous spirits spoken of before, got hold of some of the elders; it threw one from his seat to the floor; it bound another, so that for some time he could not use his limbs nor speak; and some other curious effects were experienced, but, by a mighty exertion, in the name of the Lord, it was exposed and shown to be from an evil source. The Melchizedek priesthood was then for the first time introduced, and conferred on several of the elders. In this chiefly consisted the endowment—it being a new order—and bestowed authority. However, some doubting took place among the elders, and considerable conversation was held on the subject. The elders not fairly understanding the nature of the endowments, it took some time to reconcile all their feelings.		Corrill history, 18. Source

		Lyman Wight August 1857
		On the 4th of June 1831, a conference was held at Kirtland, <Ohio> represented by all the above mamed [named] branches; Joseph Smith our modern Prophet presided; and here I again saw the visible manifestations of the power of God as plain as could have been on the day of pentecost and here for the first time I saw the Melchisedec priesthood introduced into the church of Jesus Christ as anciently; whereunto I was ordained under the hands of Joseph Smith, and I then ordainded Joseph and Sidney and sixteen others such as he chose unto the same priesthood. The spirit of God was made manifest to the heeling of the sick, cast<ing> out devils, speaking in unknown tongues, discerning of spirits, and prophesying [6] with mighty power, After the two days the conference broke up receiving the revelation which appointed 28 elders their Mission to Missouri		Lyman Wight sketch, 5–6.
		MH-A [1841–1843] W. W. Phelps scribe Willard Richards redactor
		On the 6th of June, the elders from the various parts of the country where they were laboring, came in and the conference before appointed, convened in Kirtland, and the Lord displayed his power <to the most perfect satisfaction, of the saints> ~~in a manner that could not be mistaken. The man of Sin was revealed, and the authority of the melchisedec <priesthood> was manifested and~~ <I> conferred, <the high priesthood> for the first time, upon Several of the elders. It was clearly evidint that the Lord gave us power in proportion to the work to be done and strength according to the race set before us; and grace and help as our needs required. Great harmony prevailed. Several were ordained; Faith was strengthened: and humility, so necessary for the blessing of God to follow prayer, characterized the saints. The next day as a kind continuation of this great work of the last days, I received [D&C 52].		MH-A, 118.

Minutes of August 4, 1831 Minutes of June [4], 1831 First Conference in Kirtland Kirtland 1830–1831 Home