The public ministry of the Church begins. Many others join the ranks, such as Hiram Page, Katharine Page, Christian Whitmer, Anne Whitmer, Jacob Whitmer, Elizabeth Whitmer, Peter Whitmer, Mary Whitmer, William Jolly, Elizabeth Jolly, Vincent Jolly, Richard B. Peterson, and Elizabeth Ann Whitmer. Newel Knight disobeys a commandment to pray vocally, and later encounters the devil. Joseph Smith casts the devil out of him:
"This was the first miracle which was done in the Church, or by any member of it; and it was done not by man, nor by the power of man, but it was done by God, and by the power of godliness; therefore, let the honor and the praise, the dominion and the glory, be ascribd to the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, for ever and ever. Amen."
Brother Newel Knight, the same who had been possessed of the devil, later saw a glorious vision:
"He felt his heart filled with love, with glory, and pleasure unspeakable, and could discern all that was going on in the room; when all of a sudden a vision of the future burst upon him. He saw there represented the great work which through my instrumentality was yet to be accomplished. He saw heaven opened, and beheld the Lord Jesus Christ, seated at the right hand of the majesty on high, and had it made plain to his understanding that the time would come when he would be admitted into His presence to enjoy His society for ever and ever. When their bodily strength was restored to these brethren, they shouted hosannas to God and the Lamb, and rehearsed the glorious things which they had seen and felt, whilst they were yet in the spirit."
"The first acquaintance I had with Gen. Smith, was about the year 1823. He came into my neighborhood, being then about eighteen years of age, and resided there two years; during which time I became intimately acquainted with him. I do know that his character was irreproachable; that he was well known for truth and uprightness; that he moved in the first circles of community, and he was often spoken of as a young man of intelligence, and good morals, and possessing a mind susceptible of the highest intellectual attainments." (Times and Seasons, 1 June 1844, p. 549.)
"I early discovered that his mind was constantly in search of truth, expressing an anxious desire to know the will of God concerning His children here below, often speaking of those things which professed Christians believe in. I have often observed to my best informed friends (those that were free from superstition and bigotry) that I thought Joseph was predestinated by his God from all eternity to be an instrument in the hands of the great Dispenser of all good to do a great work. What it was I knew not. After living in that neighborhood about three years, enjoying the good feelings of his acquaintance as a worthy youth, he told his particular friends that he had had a revelation from God to go to the west about eighty miles to his father's, in which neighborhood he should find hid in the earth an old history written on golden plates, which would give great light and knowledge concerning the will of God towards His people in this generation, unfolding the destiny of all nations, kindreds and tongues. He said that he distinctly heard the voice of him that spake."
"This was the first miracle which was done in the Church, or by any member of it; and it was done not by man, nor by the power of man, but it was done by God, and by the power of godliness; therefore, let the honor and the praise, the dominion and the glory, be ascribd to the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, for ever and ever. Amen."
Brother Newel Knight, the same who had been possessed of the devil, later saw a glorious vision:
"He felt his heart filled with love, with glory, and pleasure unspeakable, and could discern all that was going on in the room; when all of a sudden a vision of the future burst upon him. He saw there represented the great work which through my instrumentality was yet to be accomplished. He saw heaven opened, and beheld the Lord Jesus Christ, seated at the right hand of the majesty on high, and had it made plain to his understanding that the time would come when he would be admitted into His presence to enjoy His society for ever and ever. When their bodily strength was restored to these brethren, they shouted hosannas to God and the Lamb, and rehearsed the glorious things which they had seen and felt, whilst they were yet in the spirit."
All of these things took place around the time of the first conference of the Church. It is reminiscent of the miracles that took place during the ministry of the Savior and the formation of His Church in ancient Palestine. It filled the members of the Church with "fresh zeal" and "energy in the cause of truth." (p. 86)
As a dam was built for the purpose of baptism, mobs began to grow more intense in their persecutions. Joseph Smith was arrested on false charges and imprisoned. He was arraigned before a court full of false accusations but others defended his character. One witness exclaimed: "I am well acquainted with Joseph Smith, Jun., and I know him to be an honest man." Joseph Smith was reviled, ridiculed, and spat upon by people who knew not what they did. He was removed from the company of his family, received very little food, and was forced to sleep in the clutches of a paranoid constable.
One other person who defended Joseph Smith was a man named Mr. Reid:
"The first acquaintance I had with Gen. Smith, was about the year 1823. He came into my neighborhood, being then about eighteen years of age, and resided there two years; during which time I became intimately acquainted with him. I do know that his character was irreproachable; that he was well known for truth and uprightness; that he moved in the first circles of community, and he was often spoken of as a young man of intelligence, and good morals, and possessing a mind susceptible of the highest intellectual attainments." (Times and Seasons, 1 June 1844, p. 549.)
That's a great tribute. But there's more:
"I early discovered that his mind was constantly in search of truth, expressing an anxious desire to know the will of God concerning His children here below, often speaking of those things which professed Christians believe in. I have often observed to my best informed friends (those that were free from superstition and bigotry) that I thought Joseph was predestinated by his God from all eternity to be an instrument in the hands of the great Dispenser of all good to do a great work. What it was I knew not. After living in that neighborhood about three years, enjoying the good feelings of his acquaintance as a worthy youth, he told his particular friends that he had had a revelation from God to go to the west about eighty miles to his father's, in which neighborhood he should find hid in the earth an old history written on golden plates, which would give great light and knowledge concerning the will of God towards His people in this generation, unfolding the destiny of all nations, kindreds and tongues. He said that he distinctly heard the voice of him that spake."
Persecutions were heaped upon the innocent Prophet while his "cheeks blossomed with the beauty of youth." (p. 95) Some of his accusers apologized to him, but others grew more rabid in their accusations. Joseph Smith was acquitted, and returned to his wife, after experiencing trials that are reminiscent of the Apostle Paul before Felix. (p. 96)
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