Twenty-Three (1828)The part of the story about Anthon giving Harris a certificate and then ripping it up,
however, is blatantly false and never happened.^69 For this reason, in his first published official
history, Joseph wrote of the incident: “I refer to his own account of the circumstances, as he
related them to me after his return.”^70 What did happen, however, was that Anthon, who was
cordial enough to Harris, examined the characters and he did not deny that they were
authentic. However, he said that he would like to examine the source from which they were
copied. When Harris told him the story about the plates, Anthon respectfully declined to
comment any further or to give any written certification of their authenticity.
Martin Harris was convinced that Anthon had authenticated the characters but
refused to issue a certificate because he was afraid of what the consequences would be if he
(a professor) gave any credence to Joseph’s claims. Because of this, Harris gave his own
version of the events, which eventually became part of LDS/Mormon lore. Regardless of the
outcome, Martin was thoroughly convinced that Joseph was translating an ancient record,
completely unaware that Joseph was not making a literal, character-to-character translation
of the plates.
Acting of His Own Accord
After Harris lost the 116-page manuscript, Joseph wanted nothing to do with him
again as a scribe. The stories of Joseph becoming distraught in public^71 are fabrications
made from the emotions of those who did not know the actual events. Joseph had
inquired through the Urim and Thummim to see if it was permissible to let Martin show
the finished Book of Lehi to his family. He got no response. One who is instructed
sufficiently in how to use the Urim and Thummim quickly realizes that, when the rocks
do not respond to an inquiry, then the inquiry is inappropriate.
Joseph also knew that he was given charge of the plates and could make some
decisions on his own. Aware of the general charge he had over the book, he would later say
that “the Lord” gave him permission to give Martin Harris the Book of Lehi,^72 but he did
not! Joseph acted of his own accord. When one realizes that Joseph knew all along that that
part of the dictation would not see the light of day in his lifetime, one will be able to better
understand the purpose for which the 116-page manuscript was allowed to be “lost” (see
published account).^73
Nevertheless, Joseph still disobeyed certain rules that govern the use of the U&T.
After he found out that the Book of Lehi had been lost, his only apprehension was believing
that, in not following the protocols as he already understood them, he had not done the
right thing in letting the manuscript out of his custody. Adding to Joseph’s emotional
environment was the fact that, about the same time that Harris lost the manuscript, Emma
had given birth to their first son, Alvin, on June 15, 1828,^74 who had died soon thereafter.^75
A Much-Needed Break From Translating
Because Joseph was in constant contact with the Brothers, they were able to
encourage him to take a break from the translation for a time. A full four years of
education, and then the immediate task of composing the text of the Book of Mormon,
compounded on top of the sadness of his beloved Emma at the loss of their son, was more
than any mortal could bear. Joseph gave the U&T and the plates to the Brothers so that he