Without Disclosing My True Identity
Mathoni and Mathonihah were able to accomplish what they did and continue to
do in Europe because they were/are real American Indians (not “Nephites”) who posed
as immigrants from America—a land few Europeans knew anything about—especially
not the truth about how the Native Americans were treated. Because the Book of Mormon
spoke of the ancestors of the American Indians, and Mathoni and Mathonihah were true
blue Native Americans, the Europeans’ hearts were more open and they listened to what
the Brothers had to say. John, with the exception of those times when he was needed to
assist the chosen true messenger, would generally live the rest of his days in and around
the Middle East, where he was born.
Bitter News of Alvin Smith’s Death
Before Moroni departed on September 22, 1823, he explained the role Alvin had
played in helping Joseph develop throughout his childhood and teenage years. Because
of Alvin’s free will, and Joseph’s mortal, brotherly love and respect for him, it was
explained that Alvin would get in the way of his role. Joseph was told that Alvin would
be taken from mortality shortly.
Unlike the dates given in some published records, Alvin actually died on
November 19, 1823,^47 but not before Joseph explained to him all about what had
happened three years earlier—about the visitation of Christ to him when he was only
fourteen, and about what happened with Moroni and the Brothers just two months
earlier. Joseph figured that, since Alvin was going to die anyway, it would not harm
the work to reveal everything to him. Alvin, therefore, knew things about Joseph and
his work that no other mortal was allowed to know. The advanced monitors
recognized that Alvin hated organized religion and would have fought Joseph as he
put together a church and did what the people desired, as he had been commanded.
Instead of allowing the possibility of contention developing between the loving
brothers, Alvin was taken away. He fulfilled his role in mentoring the young Joseph and
helping him acquire the emotional and mental strength that he needed while he was
growing up. Alvin was Joseph’s greatest support while he was alive; and, even though he
was taken, all of the experiences Joseph shared with his oldest brother would be
remembered. The memory of his older brother would continue to support Joseph
throughout his life.
These are the last words Alvin said to Joseph before he died:You well know that I must now die. Your brother must leave you to wage the
battle between good and evil alone. I hope that my example has been enough
for you; and that you take from me the best parts that providence has
allowed between us. Be faithful and true to the instructions you have
received. I can only hope that what you have told me is true and that one day
we unite our mutual brotherly bonds and friendship.Alvin also spoke to his other siblings before he died. But not once did Alvin mention
God, Jesus, or anything of a religious nature. Although he was one of the most loving sons and
brothers any mortal could hope for, Alvin was a consummate atheist, in terms of the gods of
religion. Alvin’s only hope was in what Joseph explained to him about advanced human beings