Henrietta Cox: Recollection of Joseph Smith

Joseph Smith, Jr., was born on December 23, 1805. In the midst of the Christmas season, it is good to pause to remember his great contributions to our dispensation, second only to the Savior Himself.
Gordon B. Hinckly once said:


"This is a season for giving and a time for gratitude. We remember with appreciation the birth of the Prophet Joseph Smith, which is celebrated this same month of December, two days before Christmas.
"How great indeed is our debt to him....
"Let us not forget him. Let not his memory be forgotten in the celebration of Christmas. God be thanked for the Prophet Joseph."

The following recollection of the Prophet was written by Henrietta Cox:

"In the spring of 1841 my parents were both baptized into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and soon after started for Nauvoo in company with some other Saints. After reaching their destination the company camped for a few days on the bank of the Mississippi until they had opportunity to find homes, a Brother Sherwood kindly giving them the use of one small log house which he owned.

"While the Saints camped here the Prophet visited them. A meeting was held in the aforementioned log house. I remember that when the Prophet came into the room he shook hands with all, old and young, who had assembled. I cannot remember much that was said that day in meeting, as I was so very young, but one incident of the day's proceedings fastened itself so firmly upon my mind that I have never forgotten it.

"Brother Joseph was sitting with his head bent low, as if in deep thought, and had not spoken for a few minutes, when one of the elders present began to chide him for being bowed in spirit, and said, 'Brother Joseph, why don't you hold your head up and talk to us like a man?'
"Brother Joseph presently answered the elder by calling his attention to a field of ripening grain, saying that many heads of grain in that field bent low with their weight of valuable store, while others there were which, containing no grain to be garnered, stood very straight.

"Proof of the correctness of his words was given shortly after, as the elder to whom they were addressed soon after apostatized and went back east.
"I know of a surety that Joseph Smith was a Prophet of God, and have had abundant testimony that the work which he established is the work of our Father in Heaven."


(Henrietta Cox, "Recollections," _Juvenile Instructor_ 27:203, April 1, 1892)

Compiled and written by David Kenison