An Excerpt from Joseph's Journal

Ever Wondered What It Was Like to Witness the Restoration Firsthand?

Have you ever imagined being a fly on the wall during the Restoration, observing Joseph Smith as he faced the daily trials of building the Kingdom of God? What was his life really like? What challenges did he encounter, and how did he respond in his own words? Now, you can uncover these answers with The Journal of Joseph, a remarkable 400-page collection of Joseph Smith’s personal writings. No scribes, no commentary—just the prophet’s unfiltered thoughts as he labored in the greatest work on earth.

This book offers an intimate look into Joseph’s heart and mind, revealing the struggles, triumphs, and spiritual insights of the man chosen to restore Christ’s church. Whether you’re curious about LDS history, eager to deepen your testimony of the Restoration, or simply want to connect with Joseph Smith on a personal level, The Journal of Joseph brings his experiences to life.

A Glimpse Into a Pivotal Day: October 27, 1838

To show you the power of Joseph’s words, let’s explore one gripping entry from Saturday, October 27, 1838—the day Governor Lilburn W. Boggs issued Missouri Executive Order 44, infamously known as the Extermination Order. In this entry, Joseph describes the chaos of mob violence, the influence of Satan among both enemies and members and the betrayal of a trusted follower. Here’s what he wrote:

The Journal of Joseph – Saturday, October 27, 1838

"Great excitement now prevailed, and mobs were heard of in every direction, who seemed determined on our destruction. They burned the houses in the country, and took off all the cattle they could find. They destroyed corn fields, took many prisoners, and threatened death to all the Mormons.

Lilburn W. Boggs had become so hardened by mobbing the Saints in Jackson County, and his conscience so “seared as with a hot iron,” that he was considered a fit subject for the gubernatorial chair. His exterminating order of the twenty-seventh aroused every spirit in the state of the like stamp of his own, and the Missouri mobocrats were flocking to the standard of General Clark from almost every quarter.

Clark, although not the ranking officer, was selected by Governor Boggs as the most fit instrument to carry out his murderous designs, for bad as they were in Missouri, very few commanding officers were yet sufficiently hardened to go all lengths with Boggs in this contemplated inhuman butchery.

While the evil spirits were raging up and down in the state to raise mobs against the “Mormons,” Satan himself was no less busy in striving to stir up mischief in the camp of the Saints. Among the most conspicuous of his willing devotees was one Doctor Sampson Avard, who had been in the Church but a short time. Secretly aspiring to be the greatest of the great, he sought to form a secret combination by which he might rise a mighty conqueror, at the expense and the overthrow of the Church.

In these proceedings, he stated that he had the sanction of the heads of the Church for what he was about to do. He administered to the few under his control an oath, binding them to everlasting secrecy. Thus, Avard initiated members into his band, persuading them that the Church’s leaders had put him forward as a spokesman and leader of this band, which he named Danites.

Thus he duped many, which gave him the opportunity of figuring as a person of importance. He held his meetings daily, carrying on his crafty work in great haste. After those performances, he organized his men into companies of tens and fifties, appointing a captain over each. He then called his captains together and taught them in a secluded place.

At this lecture, all the officers revolted, saying such proceedings were in open violation of the laws of the country and contrary to the doctrine of Christ and the Church of Latter-day Saints.

Avard then said they had better drop the subject. The meeting broke up; his craft was exposed, and even his strongest followers lost confidence in him.

When a knowledge of Avard’s rascality came to the Presidency of the Church, he was cut off, and every means was used to destroy his influence. Enraged, he went about whispering evil insinuations. Failing to gain support, he turned conspirator once again, seeking to make friends with the mob."

What Joseph Faced Day-to-Day

This entry captures just one day in Joseph’s life, yet it reveals the immense pressures he endured. Externally, he faced violent mobs and a government-sanctioned order to exterminate the Saints, led by figures like Governor Boggs and General Clark. Internally, he dealt with betrayal and deception from individuals like Sampson Avard, who sought to undermine the Church for personal gain. Amidst this chaos, Joseph’s words reflect his clarity of purpose, his reliance on divine guidance, and his determination to protect the Saints and the Restoration.

The journal is filled with moments like these—days of hardship, faith, and revelation. From battling opposition to leading a growing church, Joseph’s daily experiences offer a raw, firsthand account of what it took to establish the Kingdom of God on earth.

Step Into Joseph’s World

The Journal of Joseph is more than a historical record; it’s a window into the soul of a prophet. Through his own handwriting, you’ll witness the sacrifices, the spiritual warfare, and the unwavering commitment that defined his life. Don’t miss your chance to explore this treasure of LDS history. Order your copy today at cedarfort.com and start discovering the Restoration through the eyes of Joseph Smith himself.