This biographical sketch is adapted from the LDS
Biographical Encyclopedia, compiled and edited by Andrew Jenson, Vol.
1, p.271.
Martin Harris, one of the Three Witnesses to the Book
of Mormon, was born May 18, 1783, in Easttown, Saratoga county, New York,
and moved with his father's family in his ninth year to the town of Palmyra,
Wayne county, New York.
In the fall of 1827 he made the acquaintance of the
Prophet Joseph Smith, who at that time was severely
persecuted by his enemies, he having received from the angel Moroni the
holy plates, from which the Book of Mormon afterwards was translated. Martin
Harris made Joseph a present of fifty dollars, which enabled the latter
to remove from Manchester, N.Y., to Pennsylvania. In February, 1828, Martin
Harris visited Joseph Smith at his temporary home in Harmony, Penn. The
latter had copied some of the ancient characters from the plates and translated
them, which he gave to Martin Harris, who made a visit to New York city
and showed the characters with their translation to the celebrated Professor
Charles Anthon, skilled in ancient and modern languages.
The learned professor, after examination, spoke favorably
of the characters and of the translation and proffered his assistance;
but on learning from Mr. Harris that the book was given to Joseph Smith
by an angel and that a part of the book was sealed, etc., he sarcastically
remarked that "he could not read a sealed book," and then demanded back
a certificate, which he had given to Mr. Harris, testifying to the correctness
of the translation. After getting it back he tore it to pieces. Mr. Harris
then went to Dr. Mitchell, another man of learning, who sanctioned what
Professor Anthon had said respecting both the characters and the translation.
Martin Harris having returned from his tour to New York city and reported
the incidents of his journey to the Prophet, went home to Palmyra, arranged
his affairs and returned again to Joseph in Pennsylvania about the 12th
of April, 1828.
Immediately after his arrival he commenced to write
for the Prophet, thus becoming his first scribe. Joseph translated from
the plates and Martin Harris wrote after his dictation, which work they
continued until the 14th of June following, by which time 116 pages of
manuscript were written on foolscap paper. The Prophet writes: "Some time
after Mr. Harris had begun to write for me, he began to tease me to give
him liberty to carry the writings home and show them; and desired of me
that I would inquire of the Lord, through the Urim and Thummim, if he might
not do so. I did inquire, and the answer was that he must not. However,
he was not satisfied with this answer, and desired that I should inquire
again. I did so, and the answer was as before. Still he could not be contented,
but insisted that l should inquire once more. After much solicitation I
again inquired of the Lord, and permission was granted him to have the
writings on certain conditions, which were, that he show them only to his
brother Preserved Harris, his own wife, his father and his mother, and
a Mrs. Cobb, a sister to his wife. In accordance with this last answer,
I required of him that he should bind himself in a covenant to me in the
most solemn manner, that he would not do otherwise than he had been directed.
He did so. He bound himself as I required of him, took the writings, and
went his way. Notwithstanding, however, the great restrictions which he
had been laid under, and the solemnity of the covenant which he had made
with me, he did shew them to others, and by stratagem they got them away
from him, and they never have been recovered nor obtained back again unto
this day." Many have speculated that Martin's wife, Lucy, was the one who pilfered the writings.
For these doings Martin Harris was severely censured
and called a "wicked man" in a revelation given through the Prophet shortly
afterwards (Doc. and Cov., Sec. 3); and the Lord would not permit Joseph
Smith to translate that part of the record again, because of the cunning
and evil designs of wicked men. (Doc. and Cov., Sec. 10.)
After the Prophet's removal to Fayette in the summer
of 1829, Martin Harris again visited him and was permitted to be one of
the Three Witnesses. Subsequently, he furnished $3,000 toward the expenses
of printing the first edition of the book. He was baptized shortly after
the organization of the Church, and is mentioned as a Priest in the Church
records as early as June, 1830. He was ordained a High Priest by Lyman
Wight, June 3, 1831, at Kirtland, Ohio, whence he had removed from
the State of New York. In that same month (June, 1831) he was called by
revelation' to accompany the Prophet Joseph and other Elders to Missouri.
(Doc. and Cov., Sec. 52.) He started on this journey on the 19th of June,
and when Jackson county, Mo., two months later, was designated by the mouth
of the Lord as a gathering place for the Saints—as the land upon which
the new Jerusalem should be built, and where a full consecration of all
properties should be required and the holy United Order of God established—Martin
Harris was the first one called of God by name to set an example before
the Church in laying his money before the Bishop. (Doc. and Cov., Sec.
58, Verse 35.)
He was a member of the first High Council of the
Church, which was organized in Kirtland, Ohio, Feb. 17, 1834, and in 1835
he assisted in electing, ordaining and instructing the twelve Elders, who
were called to constitute the first quorum of Twelve Apostles in this dispensation.
As long as the Saints remained in Kirtland, Martin
Harris continued active and assisted in the public labors of the Church,
but when the Saints vacated that place and removed to Missouri, Martin
Harris remained in Ohio. This gave rise to many conjectures that he had
apostatized. But notwithstanding his long absence from the head-quarters
of the Church, he never faltered nor swerved in the least degree from the
great testimony given in the Book of Mormon. It is true that he went to
England in 1846, while under the influence of the apostate James J. Strang,
ostensibly for the purpose of opposing the Elders laboring there, but he
returned to America without doing any harm to anybody, except, perhaps,
to himself. ("Millennial Star," Vol. 8, pages 124 and 128.)
After residing for many years in Kirtland, Ohio,
he emigrated to Utah, arriving in Salt Lake City Aug. 30, 1870, in care
of Elder Edward Stevenson, who gives the following account: "While I was
living in Michigan, then a Territory, in 1833, near the town of Pontiac,
Oakland county, Martin Harris came there, and in a meeting, where I was
present, bore testimony of the appearance of an angel exhibiting the golden
plates, and commanding him to bear a testimony of these things to all people
whenever opportunity was afforded him to do so; and I can say that his
testimony had great effect in that vicinity. Martin had a sister living
in our neighborhood.
About this time, Oliver Cowdery,
another of the Three Witnesses, also, in company with Joseph Smith, the
Prophet, bore the same testimony, and further, Joseph the Prophet promised
those who with honest hearts obeyed the gospel should receive the Holy
Ghost, and signs would follow them. As a proof of their testimony, several
of that branch of the Church enjoyed various gifts; one, Elijah Fordham,
who recently died in this Territory, spoke in tongues, and as two French
travelers were passing they heard him speaking and said to a boy outside
the house, where they were, that he was speaking in French, bearing testimony
to the gospel, he having no knowledge of that language. Martin often bore
his testimony while in that neighborhood.
In the year 1869 I was appointed on a mission to
the United States. Having visited several of the Eastern States. I called
at Kirtland, Ohio, to see the first Temple that was built by our people
in this generation. While there, I again met Martin Harris, soon after
coming out of the Temple. He took from under his arm a copy of the Book
of Mormon, the first edition, I believe, and bore a faithful testimony,
just the same as that I heard him bear thirty-six years previous. He said
that it was his duty to continue to lift up his voice as he had been commanded
to do in defense of the book that he held in his hand, and offered to prove
from the Bible that just such a book was to come forth out of the ground,
and that, too, in a day when there were no Prophets on the earth, and that
he was daily bearing testimony to many who visited the Temple.
After patiently hearing him, I felt a degree of compassion
for him, and in turn bore my testimony to him, as I had received it through
obedience to the gospel, and that the work was still onward, and the words
of Isaiah, 2nd chapter, that 'the house of the Lord' was in the tops of
the mountains, and that under the leadership of Pres. Young all nations
were gathering to Zion to learn of God's ways and to walk in His paths,
and that the worst wish that we had, was for him to also prepare himself
and go up and be a partaker of the blessings of the House of the Lord.
My testimony impressed him. A Mr. Bond, who held the keys of the Temple,
and who had been present at the dedication, and then a faithful Latter-day
Saint, said to me he felt as though he would have been far better off if
he had kept with the Latter-day Saints, and that if I would preach in the
Temple he would open the doors to me. I promised to do so at some future
time.
After my arrival in Utah in 1870, I was inspired
to write to Martin Harris, and soon received a reply that the Spirit of
God, for the first time prompted him to go to Utah. Several letters were
afterwards exchanged. Pres. Brigham Young, having
read the letters, through Pres. Geo. A. Smith
requested me to get up a subscription and emigrate Martin to Utah, he subscribing
twenty-five dollars for that purpose.
Having raised the subscription to about two hundred
dollars, I took the railroad cars for Ohio, July 19, 1870, and on the 10th
of August, filled my appointment, preaching twice in the Kirtland Temple,
finding Martin Harris elated with his prospective journey. A very singular
incident occurred at this time. While Martin was visiting his friends,
bidding them farewell, his pathway crossed a large pasture, in which he
became bewildered. Dizzy, faint and staggering through the blackberry vines
that are so abundant in that vicinity, his clothes torn, bloody and faint,
he lay down under a tree to die. After a time he revived, called on the
Lord, and finally at 12 o'clock midnight found his friend, and in his fearful
condition was cared for and soon regained his strength. He related this
incident as a snare of the adversary to hinder him from going to Salt Lake
City.
Although in his 88th year he possessed remarkable
vigor and health, having recently worked in the garden, and dug potatoes
by the day for some of his neighbors. After visiting New York and calling
to visit the sacred spot from where the plates of the Book of Mormon were
taken, I found there an aged gentleman. 74 years old, who knew Martin Harris,
and said that he was known in that neighborhood as an honest farmer, having
owned a good farm three miles from that place. He further said he well
remembered the time when the 'Mormons' used to gather at Mormon Hill, as
he termed it, where it was said the plates came from.
Aug. 19, 1870, in company with Martin Harris, I left
Kirtland for Utah, and on the 21st he was with me in Chicago, and at the
American Hotel bore testimony to a large number of people of the visitation
of the angel, etc. * * * While in Des Moines, the capital of Iowa, Brother
Harris had opportunity of bearing testimony to many, and at a special meeting
held in a branch of our Church (Brother Jas. M. Ballinger, president) Martin
Harris bore testimony as to viewing the plates, the angel's visit, and
visiting Professor Anthon. On the following day I baptized a sister to
Pres. Ballinger, in the Des Moines river. The branch here contributed a
new suit of clothes to Brother Harris, for which he felt to bless them.
On the 29th of August we arrived in Ogden, and the
following day in Salt Lake City. Two members of the Des Moines branch of
the Church accompanied us to Utah." ("Mill. Star," Vol. 44, p. 78.)
In another article Elder Stevenson gives the following
additional particulars: "Many interesting incidents were related by Martin
on our journey (from Ohio to Utah in 1870), one of which I will relate.
He said that on one occasion several of his old acquaintances made an effort
to get him tipsy by treating him to some wine. When they thought he was
in a good mood for talk, they put the following question very carefully
to him: 'Well, now, Martin, we want you to be frank and candid with us
in regard to this story of your seeing an angel and the golden plates of
the Book of Mormon that is so much talked about. We have always taken you
to be an honest, good farmer and neighbor of ours, but could not believe
that you ever did see an angel. Now, Martin, do you really believe that
you did see an angel when you were awake?' 'No,' said Martin, 'I do not
believe it.' The anticipation of the delighted crowd at this exclamation
may be imagined. But soon a different feeling prevailed, when Martin Harris,
true to his trust, said, 'Gentlemen, what I have said is true, from the
fact that my belief is swallowed up in knowledge; for I want to say to
you that as the Lord lives I do know that I stood with the Prophet Joseph
Smith in the presence of the angel, and it was in the brightness of day.'
Martin Harris related this circumstance to me substantially as I give it,
adding that, although he drank wine with them as friends, he always believed
in temperance and sobriety.
While on our journey, and more particularly at the
Des Moines river, at the baptism of the woman spoken of, I took occasion
to teach Brother Martin the necessity of his being rebaptized. At first
he did not seem to agree with the idea, but I referred him to the scriptural
words, 'Repent and do the first works, having lost the first love, etc.,
(Rev., 2:5.) Finally, he said if it was right, the Lord would manifest
it to him by His Spirit, and He did so, for Martin, soon after his arrival
in Salt Lake City, came to my house and said the Spirit of the Lord had
made it manifest to him, not only for himself personally, but also that
he should be baptized for his dead, for he had seen his father seeking
his aid. He saw his father at the foot of a ladder, striving to get up
to him, and he went down to him taking him by the hand and helped him up.
The baptismal font was prepared, and by arrangement I led Martin Harris
down into the water and rebaptized him. Five of the Apostles were present,
viz,. John Taylor, Wilford
Woodruff, Orson Pratt, Geo. A. Smith and
Joseph F. Smith; also John D. T. McAllister
and others. After baptism, Orson Pratt confirmed him, being joined with
the rest of the brethren, by the laying on of hands; after which he was
baptized for some of his dead friends, and to add to the interest of the
occasion, Martin's sister also was baptized for their female friends.
* * * I wish to add that Brother Harris having been
away from the Church so many years did not understand more than the first
principles taught in the infantile days of the Church, which accounts for
his not being posted in the doctrine of the gospel being preached to the
spirits who are departed, which was afterwards taught by Joseph Smith,
the Prophet.
* * * The economy of Martin Harris was particularly illustrated on the
occasion of our visit to the Fifteenth Ward of Salt Lake City. The meeting
was crowded, as usual, with those anxious to see him and to hear his constant,
undeviating testimony. Sister Sarah M. Kimball,
of the Fifteenth Ward, eminent in the Relief Societies, on their behalf
offered to have a new set of artificial teeth made for Brother Harris,
to which he replied, 'No, sisters, I thank you for your kindness, but I
shall not live long. Take the money and give it to the poor.' This calls
to my mind a little incident or two that he related to me while we were
on our journey from Ohio to Utah. He said that Joseph Smith, the Prophet,
was very poor, and had to work by the day for his support, and he (Harris)
often gave him work on his farm, and that they had hoed corn together many
a day, Brother Harris paying him fifty cents per day. Joseph, he said,
was good to work and jovial and they often wrestled together in sport,
but the Prophet was devoted and attentive to his prayers.
Brother Martin Harris gave Joseph $50 on one occasion
to help translate the Book of Mormon. This action on the part of Martin
Harris so displeased his wife that she threatened to leave him. Martin
said that he knew this to be the work of God, and that he should keep the
commandments of the Lord, whatever the results might be. His wife subsequently,
partially separated from him, which he patiently endured for the gospel's
sake.
* * * At an evening visit of some of my friends at
my residence in Salt Lake City, to see and hear Brother Harris relate his
experience (which always delighted him), Brother James T. Woods, who is
now present while I am writing this article, reminds me that himself and
G. D. Keaton were present on that occasion, and asked him to explain the
manner in which the plates, containing the characters of the Book of Mormon,
were exhibited to the witnesses.
Brother Harris said that the angel stood on the opposite
side of the table on which were the plates, the interpreters, etc., and
took the plates in his hand and turned them over. To more fully illustrate
this to them, Brother Martin took up a book and turned the leaves over
one by one. The angel declared that the Book of Mormon was correctly translated
by the power of God and not of man, and that it contained the fullness
of the gospel of Jesus Christ to the Nephites, who were a branch of the
lost sheep of the House of Israel, and had come from the land of Jerusalem
to America.
The witnesses were required to bear their testimony
of these things, and of this open vision to all people, and he (Harris)
testified, not only to those present, but to all the world, that these
things were true, and before God whom he expected to meet in the day of
Judgment he lied not. Brother Woods testifies that he was present at the
time above mentioned, and to him it was marvelous to see the zeal that
was manifested by Martin Harris, and the spirit of the Lord that accompanied
his words. That Martin Harris was very zealous, somewhat enthusiastic,
and what some would term egotistical, is no doubt the case; but the Lord
has shown this generation that he can carry on His work independently of
all men, only as they live closely and humbly before Him.
I will give one or two instances of Martin's enthusiasm.
When Pres. Geo. A. Smith and others of us were being driven by John Henry
Smith in a carriage to take a bath in the Warm Springs, near Salt Lake
City, while passing over a high hill Pres. Smith directed the curtains
of the carriage to be raised, giving a magnificent view of the city below.
The immense Tabernacle and the Temple—and in fact the beautiful city in
full view—looked wonderful to Brother Harris, who seemed wrapped in admiration
and exclaimed, 'Who would have thought that the Book of Mormon would have
done all this?' On one occasion, while celebrating a baptism, several persons
being in attendance, Brother Harris with joyful feelings said, 'Just see
how the Book of Mormon is spreading.' Having been absent so long from the
body of the Church and considering his great age, much charity was necessarily
exercised in his behalf. His abiding testimony, and his assistance with
his property to publish the Book of Mormon, have earned a name for him
that will endure while time shall last. Soon after he had received his
endowments and performed some work for his dead, he retired to live with
his son, Martin Harris, jun., at Smithfield, Cache valley, where he was
comfortably cared for in his declining old age.
On the afternoon of his death he was bolstered up
in his bed, where, with the Book of Mormon in his hand, he bore his last
testimony to those who were present." ("Mill. Star," Vol. 48, p. 367.)
Soon after his arrival in Utah Martin Harris located in Smithfield, and
later in Clarkston, Cache county, where he died July 10, 1875, nearly ninety-three
years old. A few hours before his death, when prostrated with great weakness.
Bishop Simon Smith came into his room; Martin Harris stretched forth his
hands to salute him and said, "Bishop, I am going."
The Bishop told him that he had something of importance
to tell him in relation to the Book of Mormon, which was to be published
in the Spanish language, by the request of Indians in Central America.
Upon hearing this, Martin Harris brightened up, his pulsation improved,
and, although very weak, he began to talk as he formerly had done previous
to his sickness. He conversed for about two hours, and it seemed that the
mere mention of the Book of Mormon put new life into him.
His son Martin Harris, jun., in a letter addressed
to Pres. Geo. A. Smith and dated Clarkston, July 9, 1875, says: "He (Martin
Harris) was taken sick a week ago yesterday, with some kind of stroke,
or life became so weak and exhausted, that he has no use in his limbs.
He cannot move, only by our aid. * * * He has continued to talk about and
testify to the truth of the Book of Mormon, and was in his happiest mood
when he could get somebody to listen to his testimony; if he felt dull
and weary at times, and some one would come in and open up a conversation
and give him an opportunity of talking, he would immediately revive and
feel like a young man for a little while. We begin to think that he has
borne his last testimony. The last audible words he has spoken were something
about the Three Witnesses of the Book of Mormon, but we could not understand
what it was."
At his funeral every respect that could be paid to
him was manifested by the people. In dressing him, a Book of Mormon was
put in his right hand and the book of Doctrine and Covenants in his left
hand. On the head board of his grave was placed his name, date and place
of his birth and death, with the words, "One of the witnesses of the Book
of Mormon." Also their testimony.
