Fourteen (1819)though falsely, believed. This peculiar ability in dealing with the people was one of the
most important parts of the role he would play in mortality.
For another example, Joseph could not tell the people that Christ’s only purpose as a
mortal was to teach them how to live in peace and harmony with each other; and that he
(Christ) had accomplished everything he was supposed to carry out before he was killed, as
written by his beloved Apostle John: “I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the
work which thou gavest me to do.”^5 Nor could he tell them that Christ was simply a human
(although an advanced human), just like the advanced creators of us all—advanced men
and women of flesh and bone.
He could not tell them that the Holy Ghost was nothing more than each individual’s
“light of Christ” that all have in common with each other,^6 or in other words, one’s common
sense. He could not tell them that the devil was nothing more than the “natural man,”^7 an
enemy of God since the beginning—the part of all mortals that fights the “Holy Ghost,” or
common sense. Neither could he tell them that the Bible was only an invention of the vain
and foolish imaginations^8 of people who thought they were better than everyone else.^9
Joseph could not reveal that there was an infinite number of planets in the Universe
inhabited by advanced humans; and that there were many planets just like this earth, where
these advanced humans were placed so that they could progress through the necessary state
of mortality as “fallen-advanced humans” in order to appreciate their eternal existence as
fully advanced humans. Yes, instead of being able to tell them all of the “mysteries,” Joseph
was mandated to only speak to the people in ways that would reconcile with their
preconceived notions and beliefs of truth.^10
What then, could be expected of a fourteen-year-old boy who had just discovered
some of the greatest secrets of the Universe? As we will see from the real story of his near
encounter with death, he needed to learn by experience that he’d better keep his mouth
shut, as advised by Christ upon their meeting.
Temptation to Confound the “Wise”—Timothy Intervenes in the Shooting Incident
Though occurring in the summer of 1820 (discussed in the next chapter), it cannot be
forgotten or overstated that the significance of this story is tied to the importance of
Timothy’s role in connection with the Smith family and to Joseph Jr. personally. Timothy’s
intervention had been instrumental in obtaining work and the proper residential location
for Joseph Sr. and his family. He also was to play a “hidden” role in the true account of this
dangerous encounter, which can now be fully revealed.
The story begins the year after Joseph Sr. arrived in Palmyra and after the First
Visitation on April 6th (1820). Joseph had been sent into the village of Palmyra to buy some
supplies at the general store. Being later in the day, he was told to hurry along so as not to
get caught without the sunlight to find his way home. Joseph was a typical teenager; and
having gained the knowledge that he did “some few days”^11 prior, he was as petulant and
incorrigible as any teenager could be, given the same circumstances.
The “right” situation did present itself as Joseph was walking by the front of the
tavern on his way home with the goods he was asked to purchase. A group of men were
engaged in a lively debate amongst themselves, spurred on by the local minister, about
the state of God and his kingdom. The men debated the same old doctrine and precepts
that had been debated in religious circles for centuries: no man had seen God,^12 so how
would anyone know what God was like?