The following are excerpts from the autobiography of Mary Elizabeth Rollins (Lightner Smith Young) (1818-1913) (holograph is in the Susa Young Gates Papers, 1852-1932, box 12, fd. 6, MSS B 95, USHS; there is also a related holograph, Mary Elizabeth Rollings Lightner diary, 1863 May-September, MS 750, Church History Library)
Speaking
in Tongues
Oliver
Cowdery, John Whitmer, and Thomas B Marsh often spoke in tongues, in addressing
the People on the Sabbath day—and I wanted to understand what they said; so I
made it a subject of prayer, that the Lord would give me to understand what was
the meaning of their words; for they seemed to speak with great power. One evening
the Brethren Came to Uncles House, (I was living with him) to converse upon the
Revelations, that had been printed, as yet, but few had looked upon
them, for they were in large sheets, not folded. They spoke of them with
such Reverence, as coming from the Lord; they felt to rejoice that they
were counted worthy to be the means of publishing them for the benefit of the
whole world—While talking they were filled with the spirit, and spoke on toungues
[p5] I was called upon to interpret it—I felt the spirit of it in a
moment—I told them, that for the transgressions of Zion, the Lord would suffer
a mob to come upon us, and we should be driven from our Homes, and suffer great
loss of property &c—Oliver said that interpretation was of the Devil. Uncle
replied; that cannot be, for if she did not speak by the Holy Spirit I, am no
judge. another thing; She could not use the refined Language, and her
Countenance change so if it were not from God. Olliver and John Whitmer
both said, the Lord commanded us to come here and build up this, the Center
stake of Zion; and it is not likely he is going to suffer us to be mobbed, or
driven. Consequently the interpretation is false—There was so much feeling
manifested over it, that it was deemed expedient to present it before the
members of the Council, and David Whitmer who was appointed by Joseph to
preside over all the Church in Missouri—When David heard the matter, he said
Mary was right, for he had enquired of the Lord and the Lord answered that my
interpretation was Correct and would come to pass every word of it—this did not
satisfy them, so they wrote to Joseph at Kirtland, for the word of [the] Lord
on it. His reply was the same as Davids, he said furthermore; that
Interpretations belonged to the Priesthood, but, as they had not asked for the
gift, and I had it was taken from their Shoulders and put onto mine. So, I was
requested to Interpret for the church, while we remained in the Country. but the
prediction of Olliver in tongues was soon to be verified. (In Sacred
Loneliness: The Documents, ed. Todd M. Compton [Salt Lake City: Signature
Books, 2022], 145-46)
Angelic
Intervention
One
night, a great many got together and stoned our House part of which, was hewed
logs, the front was Brick, after Breaking all the Windows, they comenced to
tear of [off] the Roof of the Brick part, amid awful oaths and howls, that were
terrible to hear, all of a sudden, they left, and all was quiet. Next morning,
Olliver and John Whitmer came to the <House> and informed us, that
hearing the terrible noise in the night, they feared for our lives—and started
to come to our assistance But hapning to look up to the Roof of our House they
saw two Angels with drawn Swords in their hands, Standing on the Ridgepole, then
they retired knowing we were safe. Soon after, I saw Bishop Partridge Tarred
and feathered, also Brother Allen. from that time our troubles commenced in
earnest. (Ibid., 147)
Adam
and Baptism
Joseph
tried hard to go into the Water, but he said he did not feel worthy, but would
some other time. Joseph said to me that he never would be baptised, unless it
was a few moments before he died. . . . after we were baptized and confirmed he
turned to my husband and said, “Now Adam, its your turn.” Mr. Lightner said “no
Joseph I’ll wait till I quit smoking, I don’t feel worthy. I will some other
time.” (Ibid., 161)
