Description

Daniel Tyler and Joseph Smith in Prayer

It was in the fall of 1835 that tensions arose between Joseph Smith and his younger brother, William. It became so heated that William attempted to resign as an apostle and went about Kirtland turning people against the Prophet. Then December 16, 1835 at a public debate at William’s home in Kirtland, conflict erupted again. It became increasingly heated until it became violent. According to Joseph’s journal as Joseph attempted to take off his coat, William attacked him and beat him to the point where he left the house “bruised and wounded.” Joseph was “grieved beyond expression at the wickedness of his brother who Cain-like had sought to kill him.”

It was during this time tumultuous period that Daniel Tyler records this testimony.

“At the time William Smith and others rebelled against the Prophet, as recorded in his history, when the walls of the Kirtland Temple were raised but a few feet above the ground. I attended a meeting “on the flats,” where “Joseph” presided. Entering the schoolhouse a little before meeting opened, and gazing upon the man of God, I perceived sadness in his countenance and tears trickling down his cheeks. I naturally supposed the all-absorbing topic of the difficulty must be the cause. I was not mistaken. A few moments later a hymn was sung and he opened the meeting by prayer. Instead, however, of facing the audience, he turned his back and bowed upon his knees, facing the wall. This, I suppose, was done to hide his sorrow and tears. I had heard men and women pray–especially the former–from the most ignorant, both as to letters and intellect, to the most learned and eloquent, but never until then had I heard a man address his Maker as though He was present listening as a kind father would listen to the sorrows of a dutiful child. Joseph was at that time unlearned, but that prayer, which was to a considerable extent in behalf of those who accused him of having gone astray and fallen into sin, that the Lord would forgive them and open their eyes that they might see aright– that prayer, I say, to my humble mind, partook of the learning and eloquence of heaven. There was no ostentation, no raising of the voice as by enthusiasm, but a plain conversational tone, as a man would address a present friend. It appeared to me as though, in case the veil were taken away, I could see the Lord standing facing His humblest of all servants I had ever seen. Whether this was really the case I cannot say; but one thing I can say, it was the crowning, so to speak, of all the prayers I ever heard. After the prayer another hymn was sung. When Joseph arose and addressed the congregation, he spoke of his many troubles, and said he often wondered why it was that he should have so much trouble in the house of his friends, and he wept as though his heart would break. Finally he said: “The Lord once told me that if at any time I got into deep trouble and could see no way out of it, if I would prophesy in His name, he would fulfill my words,” and added: “I prophesy in the name of the Lord that those who have thought I was in transgression shall have a testimony this night that I am clear and stand approved before the Lord.” The next Sabbath his brother William and several others made humble confessions before the public. What their testimonies were, I never knew.”

Sources:

Joseph Smith Papers Documents Volume 5 p. 110-113

http://www.boap.org/LDS/Early-Saints/REC-JS.html