Without Disclosing My True Identity
Joseph learned of the plates, he told William Clayton, his scribe at the time, “You have the
same power in the priesthood as I. You fetch them and make your best guess.” Clayton later
reported, in his version of church history:
I have seen 6 brass plates...covered with ancient characters of language
containing from 30 to 40 on each side of the plates.^25 Prest J. [sic] has
translated a portion and says they contain the history of the person with
whom they were found and he was a descendent of Ham through the loins of
Pharaoh king of Egypt, and that he received his kingdom from the ruler of
heaven and earth.^26However, when it was reported in the official history of the Church, “Prest J.” was
changed to “I,” as if Joseph himself had written the account.^27 Joseph never saw the
Kinderhook plates. William Clayton saw them and made his own “best guess” as to what
they meant, while giving Joseph the credit so that Clayton’s own summation would seem
reliable. The men who had set the trap were ready to spring it in 1843, but never did. Why
not? Because Joseph didn’t “take the bait.” He knew that if there had been any other plates
to come forth, the Brothers or Moroni would have advised him of them. A quick glance into
the Urim and Thummim was all that was needed to know of the men’s deception. Joseph
decided not to tell the Saints at the time about the ruse, but let them, once again, create their
own stumbling block.
Specific Details Chosen to Support Real Truth
This biography has avoided a substantial amount of detailed information that is
recorded in the LDS Church’s so-called official history. However, under Joseph’s personal
direction, some excerpts in the DHC ) have been chosen that are more accurate than others.
When needed, these have been included to explain something he wanted said about his life
and the reasons why he did certain things. Nothing that was written during Joseph’s life,
however, revealed the real truth. As mentioned, most historical accounts are taken from
second- and third-hand hearsay, and that which was written and recorded by Joseph’s own
hand was almost entirely done while under the influence of the mandates he was given to
not disclose his true identity in giving the people what they expected. The exception to this
was the tenderness and love he showed to his wife in his letters. As quoted in this
biography, Emma was Joseph’s “one and only true friend.”^28
Hyrum’s Role as the Author of This Book
The advanced monitors had a specific plan in mind for the Mormon experiment. It
was important for Hyrum to gain the needed experiences during a previous mortality
(1800–1844 A.D.) to prepare for that time—even this day (1961–present)—when he
would return to the earth as another mortal in order to complete the work that Joseph
began. Being excruciatingly careful not to give any unfair or unequal advantage to his
beloved mortal brother, Joseph could not reveal his true feelings and thoughts, either by
verbal or written means, to the only other human besides Emma, whom he did
completely trust—Hyrum.