Seventeen (1822)them that are under the law; To them that are without law, as without law,
that he might gain them that are without law. To the weak became he as
weak, that he might gain the weak: he was made all things to all men, that he
might by all means save some.^56It took over seven years to turn a young boy into one of the greatest true messengers
that has ever lived upon the earth—one who knew real truth and who he really was, but
who never disclosed his true identity. Again and again, had he disclosed his true identity,
he surely would have been killed.
Under a Watchful Eye
Except for the experience of dealing with other mortals who didn’t have a clue about
their true reality, the year 1822 passed without any significant events occurring. However, it
is well to note that Timothy, Mathoni, and Mathonihah were in the local area where Joseph
lived, watching and interacting incognito whenever necessary to protect Joseph from
himself. They knew that a teenager is his own worst enemy. Without revealing their
identities, the Three Nephites listened carefully to the comments made about the young boy
within his locale, ascertaining whether or not intervention and adjustments were necessary
to counter something done by the boy that could have led to his demise.
It has already been reported how Timothy saved Joseph’s life from Thomas Burlock.
(See chapter 14.) Unbeknownst to the boy, Timothy would sometimes speak with the angry
men (“the great ones of the most popular sects of the day”^57 ) whom Joseph left in his wake,
countering what Joseph would discuss with them by attributing “the boys ramblings” to the
vanity of youth. Being dark-skinned, Mathoni and Mathonihah (who are Lamanites, not
Nephites) presented themselves as Timothy’s slaves, actually having the proper paperwork
proving that they were indentured to the man “Homer.” Just as Timothy quelled the
excitement left after some of Joseph’s encounters with the fuming men, the two brothers
were never far away so that they could intervene if things turned on their “master.”
Although all three of the “Nephites” were small in stature, there’s not a man on earth who
would be left standing but a few seconds if physically confronted by one of them.
It would be another year, however, before the “Three Nephites” and John would
make Joseph’s acquaintance and began their roles, according to proper protocol, as Joseph’s
advisers, mentors, and friends—and like Joseph, these semi-mortals never disclosed their
true identity to anyone but him.
NOTES
(^1) TSP, 35:14, 36.
(^2) See Introduction, n. 56.
(^3) Compare BOM, Alma 12:10.
(^4) BOM, Ether 4:15.