Joseph Smith Biography

Without Disclosing My True Identity

other things of the kind, we obtained of Him the following, by the spirit of

prophecy and revelation; which not only gave us much information, but also

pointed out to us the precise day upon which, according to His will and

commandment, we should proceed to organize His Church once more here

upon the earth.^47

The “manner” in which Joseph gave the people religion was taught to him over the four
years of instruction that he received from the Brothers and from Moroni. He was good at what
he did; and this neither critic nor friend could ever deny. Although the portion of his history
that he was personally responsible for never allowed him to fully disclose this “manner,” Joseph
left a simple clue to what he had done in the LDS Temple Endowment presentation:

THE LONE AND DREARY WORLD

(Adam and Eve are shown full view for the first time. They are clad in animal skins

that cover their bodies to their knees. The lone and dreary world is represented by

desert scenery. They both walk away from the Garden of Eden. Adam stops to look

back. Eve looks at Adam and then forward. They both walk away from the Garden.

The scene changes. Adam kneels at his stone altar, spreading his hands to heaven and

piously invoking the Lord.)

NARRATOR: We now go with Adam and Eve into the lone and dreary world.
Brethren and sisters, this represents the Telestial kingdom, or the world in which we now
live. Adam, on finding himself in the lone and dreary world, built an altar and offered
prayer, and these are the words that he uttered:

ADAM: Oh God, hear the words of my mouth. Oh God, hear the words of my
mouth. Oh God, hear the words of my mouth.

(As Adam prays, Lucifer approaches from behind out of the shadows.)

LUCIFER: I hear you. What is it you want?

(Although Adam has already encountered Lucifer in the Garden of Eden, he fails to recognize
him at this appearance.)

ADAM: Who are you?

LUCIFER: I am the god of this world.

ADAM: You, the god of this world?

LUCIFER: Yes. What do you want?

ADAM: I am looking for messengers.