Without Disclosing My True Identity
As Joseph Sr. approached the tavern, he noticed two “Injuns” tending to some horses
tied outside. In unison, the two brothers looked up to Joseph Sr. with a sincere smile and a deep
respect. Although he thought their gentle smiles odd, the circumstance didn’t concern Joseph
much, as it was not uncommon for Native Americans to act as subordinates to the white
(generally wealthy) males of the time; but of course, they had no right to enter a public tavern.
Unbeknownst to him, Joseph Sr. had just passed by two of the Three Nephites,
seeing them for the first time in his life. Of course, Joseph Sr. had already encountered the
third (Timothy) a few years before, when “Homer” and Alvin were co-workers and again on
a lonely road when he was wont to abandon his family. “Homer” was already in the bar
enjoying a glass of ginger water (Timothy doesn’t drink alcohol) with his boss, Zechariah
Seymour, when Joseph Sr. entered the tavern.
As had become customary for him, Joseph Sr. had no money at the time and hoped
that he could set up a credit account with the tavern owner. Because he was a stranger to the
area, the owner had no interest in extending any credit to him. Feeling a bit dejected and
now even more in need of a drink, Joseph Sr. reluctantly began to leave. Having observed
this exchange from where he sat, Timothy rose out of his chair and offered to buy Joseph Sr.
a drink. He thought he might be recognized as the “Homer” from their previous roadside
encounter, the night the dejected patriarch had taken flight from his family; from “Homer’s”
encouragement and suggestion, the Smith’s had moved to this area. Nevertheless, Joseph Sr.
was clueless and accepted the kind offering, spending the better part of the evening
enjoying drinks (all purchased by Timothy) in company with “Homer” and Seymour.
During the course of the conversation, Joseph Sr.’s need for land came up. Being a
shrewd and cautious businessman, Mr. Seymour had no intention of offering to help a man
without money even for a drink. This is when Timothy intervened to do what he was there
in that tavern to do—secure some land for the Smith family exactly where the advanced
monitors of Joseph Jr.’s future role needed him to be.^1 Timothy suggested to Seymour that
he was in need of a few extra hands on some tracts of land south of Palmyra on the way to
Manchester, and that if Joseph Sr. was willing, he could sure use the help. Unreported in the
annals of LDS/Mormon history, this is how Joseph Sr. got his first break, which would
eventually lead to his ability to make a contract for 100 acres of land.
Accepting his offer for work, Joseph Sr. told Homer and Seymour that he also had a few
sons that were hard workers if they needed even more laborers. Seymour left this up to Homer.
But as one who was always under the direction of a much higher authority, Timothy feigned
reluctance to guarantee work for the Smith boys. This was because the time had not yet arrived
for Joseph Jr. to become intimately acquainted with Timothy and the two “Injuns” outside the
tavern, whom he would eventually come to know as his most trusted counsel and support.
Therefore, though puzzled over Homer’s response concerning employment for his sons, Joseph
Sr. left the tavern with the improved prospects for himself and his family—all stemming from
his “chance” meeting and cordialities with “Homer” and Mr. Seymour.
The Smith family soon arrived in Palmyra and settled on land rented from Zechariah
Seymour. Once settled, the Three Nephites kept their contact with the family on an infrequent
basis, until Joseph Jr. was ready for the constant and immediate support he needed after his
meeting with advanced beings. This was because their identities needed to be protected, as they
would be involved, incognito, with Joseph Jr. for the rest of his life. Eventually, after a couple of
years on the parcel of land, Zechariah Seymour extended a contractual offer to Joseph Sr. to
purchase the tract. Once the necessary tract had been secured, “Homer” and the two “Injuns”
quit working for Seymour altogether—though they did not leave the area.