The Angel with
a Drawn Sword
Joseph Smith told several women and men that an angel with a drawn (or flaming) sword came and commanded that he live polygamy. Who did he tell? When did these stories first come about?
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Joseph Bates Noble
June 26, 1869
In an affidavit given by Joseph Bates Nobel on June 26, 1869, he spoke of Joseph Smith and the angel. Nobel does not mention any sword.
"Be it remembered that on this twenty-sixth day of June A.D. 1869—personally appeared before me, James Jack, a Notary Public in and for said county, Joseph Bates Noble, who was by me sworn in due form of law, and upon his oath saith that, in the fall of the year A.D. 1840 Joseph Smith taught him the principle of celestial marriage or a "plurality of wives," and that the said Joseph Smith declared that he had received a revelation from God on the subject, and that the angel of the Lord had commanded him (Joseph Smith) to move forward in the said order of marriage, and further, that the said Joseph Smith, requested him (Jos. Bates Noble) to step forward and assist him in carrying out the said principle, saying, "in revealing this to you, I have placed my life in your hands, Therefore do not in an evil hour betray me to my enemies."
Elizabeth Whitney
1877
In his book The Women of Mormondom, Edward W. Tullidge recorded Elizabeth Whitney's testimony (wife of Newell K. Whitney). Elizabeth wrote about Joseph Smith's polygamous marriage to her daughter Sarah Ann (Joseph Smith's fifteenth plural wife).
"It was during this time that Joseph received the revelation concerning celestial marriage; also concerning the ordinances of the house of the Lord. He had been strictly charged, by the angel who committed these precious things into his keeping, that he should only reveal them to such ones as were pure, and full of integrity to the truth, and worthy and capable of being entrusted with divine messages; that to spread them abroad would only be like casting pearls before swine; and that the most profound secresy was to be maintained, until the Lord saw fit to make it known publicly through his servants. Joseph had the most implicit confidence in my husband's uprightness and integrity of character, and so he confided to him the principles set forth in that revelation, and also gave him the privilege of reading and making a copy of it, believing it would be perfectly safe with him. It is this same copy that was preserved in the providence of God; for Emma (Joseph's wife), afterwards becoming indignant, burned the original, thinking she had destroyed the only written document upon the subject in existence.
My husband revealed these things to me. We had always been united, and had the utmost faith and confidence in each other. We pondered upon the matter continually, and our prayers were unceasing that the Lord would grant us some special manifestation concerning this new and strange doctrine. The Lord was very merciful to us, revealing unto us his power and glory. We were seemingly wrapt in a heavenly vision; a halo of light encircled us, and we were convinced in our own bosoms that God heard and approved our prayers and intercedings before him. Our hearts were comforted, and our faith made so perfect that we were willing to give our eldest daughter, then seventeen years of age, to Joseph, in the order of plural marriage. Laying aside all our traditions and former notions in regard to marriage, we gave her with our mutual consent. She was the first woman given in plural marriage with the consent of both parents. Of course these things had to be kept an inviolate secret; and as some were false to their vows and pledges of secresy, persecution arose, and caused grievous sorrow to those who had obeyed, in all purity and sincerity, the requirements of this celestial order of marriage. The Lord commanded his servants; they themselves did not comprehend what the ultimate course of action would be, but were waiting further developments from heaven. Meantime, the ordinances of the house of the Lord were given, to bless and strengthen us in our future endeavors to promulgate the principles of divine light and intelligence; but coming in contact with all preconceived notions and principles heretofore taught as the articles of religious faith, it was not strange that many could not receive it. Others doubted; and only a few remained firm and immovable."
[Edward W. Tullidge, The Women of Mormondom (New York), 1877), 368-369]
Lorenzo Snow
1884
In Eliza R. Snow's biography of her brother Apostle Lorenzo Snow she speaks of the angel with a sword and that her brother was taught these things by Joseph Smith.
". . . .the Prophet Joseph unbosomed his heart, and described the trying mental ordeal he experienced in overcoming the repugnance of his feelings, the natural result of the force of education and social custom, relative to the introduction of plural marriage. He knew the voice of God—he knew the commandment of the Almighty to him was to go forward—to set the example, and establish Celestial plural marriage. He knew that he had not only his own prejudices and prepossessions to combat and to overcome, but those of the whole Christian world stared him in the face; but God, who is above all, had given the commandment, and He must be obeyed. Yet the Prophet hesitated and deferred from time to time, until an angel of God stood by him with a drawn sword, and told him that, unless he moved forward and established plural marriage, his Priesthood would be taken from him and he should be destroyed! This testimony he not only bore to my brother, but also to others — a testimony that cannot be gainsayed."
Helen Mar Kimball
1884
In her own booklet titled "Why We Practice Plural Marriage" Helen Mar Kimball (who was Joseph Smith's twenty-fifth wife), wrote about the angel.
"From these mountains is to roll the little stone that will bring to pass the purposes of the Almighty and settle this social question by a practical reform in the marriage system. . . .This fact the Lord revealed to His prophet, Joseph Smith, as early as the year 1831. And yet, had it not been for the fear of His displeasure, Joseph would have shrunk from the undertaking and would have continued silent, as he did for years, until an angel of the Lord threatened to slay him if he did not reveal and establish this celestial principle."
Eliza R. Snow
1887
Eliza R. Snow also referred to it as a “flaming sword” as published in the St. Louis Globe-Democrat on August 18, 1887.
Apostle
Orson F. Whitney
1888
According to Apostle Orson F. Whitney, in his book The Life of Heber C. Kimball, he said that, “an angel with a flaming sword descended from the courts of glory and, confronting the Prophet, commanded him in the name of the Lord to establish the principle so long concealed from the knowledge of the Saints and of the world. That principle was the law of celestial or plural marriage!”
[Orson F. Whitney, The Life of Heber C. Kimball (Salt Lake City, 1888), 331-332]
Zina Huntington
January 12, 1895
"I wish to bear my testimony to the principle of celestial marriage, that it is true. When I think of the man that took his life in his hands and went from place to place where God told him to go, and in the midst of persecutions, trials and vexations of every kind, made covenant with the women of God that have stood true to him—most of them—when I think of his integrity, and of his obedience, I think what a lesson it should be to us, that we know that he did not do this of his own accord. He sent word to me by my brother, saying, "Tell Zina I put it off and put it off till an angel with a drawn sword stood by me and told me if I did not establish that principle upon the earth, I would lose my position and my life." President Young told us in several places—said he, 'Brethren, if you want wives take them, for the time will come when you can't.' But thanks to our Heavenly Father, there are many left upon the earth who were born under the celestial covenant, although they do not at present appreciate their position. The day will come when they will feel the Spirit of God resting upon them, and they will feel that it is an honor to be born in that covenant. I feel to bear my testimony to the truth of this work. I know it is the work of God, and that Joseph Smith was His prophet, and that Brigham Young was his successor, and those by whom I am surrounded are holy men, living to the best of their understanding, according to His will. Joseph Smith said: 'All you who will not find fault with the words of life and salvation that God reveals through me for the salvation of the human family, I will stand like an officer of the gate, and I will see you safe through into the celestial kingdom.' I became his wife at this time in Nauvoo, and I never in my life had a rebellious thought against that principle, for which I thank the Lord."
Mary Elizabeth Rollins Lightner
February 8, 1902
On February 8, 1902, Mary E. Lightnersigned a statement. She when was almost 84 years old. The original copy is owned by Mrs. Nell Osborne of Salt Lake City.
"I was sealed to Joseph Smith, the Prophet by commandment. In the Spring of 1831, the Savior appeared and commanded him to seal me up to Everlasting Life, gave me to Joseph to be with him in his kingdom, even as he is in the Father's Kingdom. In 1834, he was commanded to take me for a wife. I was a thousand miles from him. He got afraid. The angel came to him three times, the last time with a drawn sword and threatened his life. I did not believe. If God told him so, why did he not come and tell me? The angel told him I should have a witness. An angel came to me- it went through me like lightening- I was afraid. Joseph said he came with more revelation and knowledge than Joseph ever dare reveal. (Brigham Young sealed me to him, for time and all eternity- Feb 1842) Joseph said I was his before I came here and he said all the devils in hell should never get me from him. I was sealed to him in the Masonic Hall, over the old brick store by Brigham Young in Feb. 1842 and then again in the Nauvoo Temple by Heber C. Kimball - reconfirmed in the St. George Temple, also the Manti Temple and the Salt Lake Temple after I came to Utah.
Signed
Mary E. Lightner
Feb. 8th 1902
[Mary Elizabeth Rollins Lightner, "Statement," signed February 8, 1902]
Benjamin Johnson
1903
In 1903, Benjamin Johnson tells the story of how Hyrum Smith told him of how an angel visited his brother Joseph.
"And within a few days of this period [April 1843] my sister [Almera Johnson] accompanied me to Nauvoo, where at our sister Delcenas [Delcena Didamia Johnson] we soon met the Prophet with his Bro Hyrum and Wm. Clayton as his private sec who always accompanied him—Brother Hyrum at once took me in hand apparently in fear I was not fully converted and this was the manner of his talk to me—"Now Benjamin you must not be afraid of this new doctrine for it is all right—You know Brother Hyrum dont get carried away by worldly things, and he fought this principle until the Lord showed him it was true—I know that Joseph was commanded to take more wives and he waited until an angel with a drawn sword stood before him and declared that if he longer delayed fulfilling that command he would slay him." This was the manner of Bro Hyrums teaching to me, which I then did not need, as I was fully converted."
Mary Elizabeth Rollins Lightner
April 20, 1904
Mary Elizabeth Lightner (who was at the time of her polygamous union with Joseph already married to Adam Lightner) also spoke of the angel. (She was Joseph Smith's eighth plural wife). Her testimony was published by the Board of Publication of the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints by Elder J. D. Stead in the book Doctrines and Dogmas of Brighamism Exposed.
"Joseph the Seer taught me the principle of plural marriage in Nauvoo. He said God gave him a commandment in 1834, to take other wives besides Emma, and I was the one he was commanded to take, though I was a thousand miles from him. . . .Joseph told me that he was afraid when the angel appeared to him and told him to take other wives. He hesitated, and the angel appeared to him the third time with a drawn sword in his hand and threatened his life if he did not fulfill the commandment."
Mary Elizabeth Rollins Lightner
April 14, 1905
Mary Elizabeth Rollins Lightner wrote on April 14, 1905 about many of the events surrounding her polygamous union to Joseph Smith. She was at the time already married to Adam Lightner. In this account she speaks of Joseph's having been visited by an angel three times, she herself was visited by an angel, and that Joseph Smith had three children in polygamy.
"He preached polygamy and he not only preached it but he practised it. I am a living witness to it. It was given to him before he gave it to the Church. An Angel came to him and the last time he came with a drawn sword in his hand and told Joseph if he did not go into that principle he would slay him. Joseph said he talked to him soberly about it, and told him it was an abomination and quoted scripture to him.
He said in the Book of Mormon it was an abomination in the eyes of the Lord, and they were to adhere to these things except the Lord speak. I am the first being that the revelation was given to him for and I was one thousand miles away in Missouri for we went up to Jackson County in MI. I was there in all the tribulations and trials. I have been in houses that have been stoned. The rocks have been thrown criss-cross in every direction.
I have seen the Brethern shot and ruined for life. I saw the first martyr dead and a more heavenly corpse I never saw or expect to see on the face of the earth. His face was so happy. I have seen our Bishop [Edward Partridge] tarred and feathered, in the streets of Missouri. They took off his shirt and covered him with tar and then took a pillow and turned the feathers over him. I looked at him and I thought if ever man was <c>counted worthy to be a martyr he was. His life proved it for he lived an upright honorable life and was beloved by the Prophet while he lived and after he died the Prophet honored him. Two of his sisters were Joseph's wives. Emma took them by the hand and gave them to Joseph.
I asked him if Emma knew about me, and he said 'Emma thinks the world of you.' I was not sealed to him until I had a witness. I had been dreaming for a number of years I was his wife. I thought I was a great sinner. I prayed to God to take it from me for I felt it was a sin; but when Joseph sent for me <he> told me all of these things. 'Well' said I, 'don't you think it was an angel of the Devil that told you these things?' Said he 'No. It was an angel of God. God Almighty showed me the difference between an angel of Light and Satan's angels. The angel came to me three times between the year of '34 and '42 and said I was to obey that principle or he would slay me.' But', said he' they called me <a> false and fallen prophet but I am more in favor with my God this day than I ever was in all my life before. I know that I shall be saved in the Kingdom of God. I have the oath of God upon it and God cannot lie. All that He gives me I shall take with me for I have that authority and that power conferred upon me. 'Well, I talked with him for a long time and finally I told him, 'I would have a witness.' Said I 'If Go God told you that why does he not tell me?' He asked me if I was going to be a traitor. 'I have never told a mortal and shall never tell a mortal I had such talk from a married man,' said I.
'Well said he,' pray earnestly for the angel said to me you should have a witness.' Well Brigham Young was with me. He said if I had a witness he wanted to know it. 'Why should I tell you?' said I. 'Well' said he, 'I want to know for myself.' Said he 'do you know what Joseph said? Since we left the office the angel appeared to him and told him he was well pleased with him and that you should have a witness.' I made it a subject of prayer and I worried about it because I did not dare to speak to a living being except Brigham Young. I went out and got between three hay-stacks where no one could seen me. As I knelt down I thought why not pray as Moses did? He prayed with his hands raised. When his hands were raised Israel was victorious but when they were not raised the Philistines were victorious. I lifted my hands and I have heard Joseph say the angels covered their faces. I knelt down and if ever a poor mortal prayed I did. A few nights after that an angel of the Lord came to me and if ever a thrill went through a mortal it went through me. I gazed upon the clothes and figure but the eyes were like lightening. They pierced me from the crown of my head to the soles of me feet. I was frightened almost to death for a moment. I tried to waken my aunt but I could not. The angel leaned over me and the light was very great although it was night. When my aunt woke up she said she had seen a figure in white robes pass from our bed to my mother's bed and pass out of the window. Joseph came the next Sabbath. He said, 'have you had a witness yet?' 'No.' 'Well' said he the angel expressly told me you should have. Said I' I have not had a witness, but I have seen something I have never seen before. I saw an angel and I was frightened almost to death. I did not speak. 'He studied awhile and put his elbows on his knees and his face in his hands. He looked up and said, 'How could you have been such a coward? 'Said I, 'I was weak.' 'Did you think to say, 'Father help me?' 'No.' 'Well if you had just said that your mouth would have been opened for that was an angel of the living God. He came to you with more knowlege, intelligence, and light than I ever dared to reveal.' I said, 'If that was an angel of light why did he not speak to me?' 'You covered your face and for this reason the angel was insulted.' Said I 'will it ever come again?' He thought a moment and then said, No. Not the same one, but if you are faithful you shall see greater things than that.' And then he gave me three signs of what would take place in my own family, although my husband was far away from me at the time. Every word came true. I went forward and was sealed to him. Brigham Young performed the sealing, and Heber C. Kimball the blessing. I know he had six wives and I have known some of them from childhood up. I know he had three children. They told me. I think two are living today but they are not known as his children as they go by other names.
Mary Elizabeth Rollins Lightner
Summer, 1905
In a letter to Emmeline B. Wells in the Summer of 1905, Mary Elizabeth Rollins Lightner spoke again of the angel.
"he [Joseph Smith] said I was the first woman God commanded him to take as a plural wife, \in 1831/ [?] he was very much frightened about it until the Angel appeared to him three times. it was in the early part of Feb, 1842 before that he was compelled to reveal it to me personally, by the Angel threatening him."
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