FOURTEEN
(1819)
Life in Palmyra and Manchester, New York was routine for Joseph and his family. Timothy assisted
Joseph Sr. in acquiring a tract of land in Palmyra for his family to rent out and eventually own. A full
description is given of how Timothy later protected Joseph Jr. in an attempt on his life.
The real meaning of Christ’s role in “redeeming us from the fall” is explained.A Fresh Start for Joseph Sr. and His Family
Much has been written by LDS/Mormon biographers about the Smith’s lifestyle and
circumstances during the first few years they lived in the area of Palmyra and Manchester,
New York. Most of it is of little importance. At this time in Joseph’s life, he worked
alongside his brothers and father, helping to establish a sense of security and stability for
their large family. Inasmuch as “divine intention” was the reason for their relocation here
and held the purposes for which they would remain in that area for some time, it is not
surprising that some much-needed assistance would soon be forthcoming from sources that
the world has never known nor heard about in any other biography.
Having preceded his family to the area, Joseph Sr., though a dismal farmer and
businessman, “somehow” (through the intervention of advanced human beings) was able to
convince a man that he had the fortitude to be trusted with a parcel of land from which he
was eventually able to make a living for a time.
Securing Land for the Smith Family.......................................................................................
A man by the name of Zechariah Seymour was a wealthy land agent in that area and
controlled large tracts of land. To make the land more presentable, he spent a couple of years
clearing portions and developing some of the more valuable tracts. To do this, he needed
laborers. After interviewing a group of men for labor positions, he chose one (who went only
by the name of Homer) to supervise his other laborers, in spite of the man’s small stature.
Homer insisted that he be allowed to hire two “Injuns” (as Seymour referred to
them) to be his main workers. Even though Seymour had a personal distrust for Native
Americans, he somehow felt a special trust for Homer and allowed him to hire whomever
he wanted. Timothy (previously identified as Homer) hired Mathoni and Mathonihah as his
additional laborers. Of those whom Seymour hired, this trio of laborers outperformed them
all. Together, the “Three Nephites” worked for almost two years, gaining the trust and
respect of Zechariah Seymour.
As Joseph Sr. arrived in the area and began to search for some land to rent for his
family, Seymour became his best hope. There were no credit scores at that time boasting the
credit-worthiness of a person, so the best a man could generally depend on was the first
impression he made on a creditor. As it turned out, Joseph Sr. met Mr. Seymour for the first
time at the local tavern. Spited by his own foibles, Joseph Sr. needed ‘something’ or
‘someone’ other than a good first impression to get Seymour to give him a chance; and those
circumstances were about to present themselves over drinks inside the tavern.