Samuel Smith & the Tomlinson Inn
We would like to relate the happenings of the first missionary venture in this dispensation, to Mendon New York, about 20 miles from Palmyra.
Samuel Smith, the prophet’s brother, ventured out from Palmyra to try to sell copies of the newly published Book of Mormon. Printing was expensive, so they were trying to sell the book for $1.75 (which was then equal to two days wages). The price was soon reduced to $1.25. Let me quote from an article by Majorie H. Rice, “Living, in a Chapter of Church History”, Ensign, Oct. 2007, p 56-61.
Samuel’s attempts to sell copies of the newly published Book of Mormon, with its seemingly incredible story of angels and visions, had met with little success until he arrived at the Tomlinson Inn in April 1830. Samuel Smith gathered his courage, strode boldly into the inn, and walked across the room directly to Phineas Young [Brigham’s brother]. Holding out a Book of Mormon to him, Samuel said simply, “there is a book, sir, I wish you to read.” Surprised by the young man’s direct approach, Phineas hesitated a moment, and asked, “Pray, sir what book have you?” “the Book of Mormon”, said Samuel, “or, as it is called by some, the Golden Bible.” Samuel then testified that the book was a revelation from God and added, “if you will read this book with a prayerful heart, and ask God to give you a witness, you will know the truth of this work.” He requested that Phineas look at the testimony of the witnesses in the front of the book. After doing so and asking the young man his name, Phineas remarked that Samuel was on of those witnesses who testified of seeing and handling the gold plates from which the book was translated. “yes, said Samuel, I know the book to be a revelation from Bod, translated by the gift and power of the Holy Ghost, and that my brother Joseph Smith, jun., us a Prophet, Seer and Revelator.” Phineas was intrigued. He bought the book and took it home. Neither Phineas or Samuel realized that their short meeting ---would later bring about the conversion of a man who would become a mighty prophet of the Lord. [end of direct quotes]
The following is a paragraph written by a Rochester senior mission couple, who are presently living in the John Smith home built by John and his son Brigham. We had a family home evening with them in the Young home and the Tomlinson Inn, in July 2012.
Phineas thought that he could prove the book a hoax by reading it. He became so intrigued that he read it through twice. He felt that the book was true doctrine. He was a preacher and shared his testimony of the book with his father, John Young, who then took the book home and read it in the house that we are living in today (Nov. 2011). John said it was, “the greatest work and the clearest of error of anything he had ever seen, the Bible not excepted.” Phineas then passed the book on to his sister, Fanny, who also declared it a revelation. Fanny passed it on to Brigham, and the book was later given to Heber Kimball. We find if fascinating to be living in this piece of amazing history.”
It is a joy to serve a mission for the Lord, especially in this sacred area. We have attached a few photos of the Inn and the John Young home, as well as the baptism place of Brigham Young. He built a home and a mill at the baptism site, which no longer stands. We have attached a few photos of the area.
With Love,
Elder & Sister Haskell/Mom/Dad/Grandpa/Grandma/Uncle/Aunt/Friends
Heber C Kimball - Vision in Heavens on Sept. 21-22 1827
It was the eventful night of September 22, 1827. says Heber C. Kimball: “I had retired to bed, when John P. Greene, who was living within a hundred steps of my house, came and waked me up, calling up, calling upon me to come out an behold the scenery in the heavens. I woke up and called my wife and sister Fanny Young (sister to Brigham Young), who as living with us, and we went out-of-doors.
It was one of the most beautiful starlight nights, so clear that we could see to pick up a pin. We looked to the ear\tern horizon, and beheld a white smoke arose toward the heavens; as it ascended it formed itself into a belt, and made a noise like the sound of a might wind, and continued southwest, forming a regular bow dipping in the western horizon. After the bow had formed, it began to widen out and grow clear and transparent, of a bluish cast; it grew wide enough to contain twelve men abreast.
In the bow an army moved, commencing from the east and marching to the west; they continued marching until they reached the western horizon. They moved in platoons, and walked so close that the rear ranks trod in the steps of their file leaders, until the whole bow was literally crowded with soldiers. We could distinctly see the muskets, bayonets and knapsacks of the men, who wore caps and feathers like those used by the American soldiers in the last war with Britain; and also saw their officers with their swords and epuipage, and the clashing and jingling of their implements of war, and could discover the forms and features of the men. The most profound order existed throughout the entire army; when the foremost man, every man stepped at the same time; I could hear the steps. When the front rank reached the western horizon a battle ensued, as we could hear the repost of arms and the rush.
“No man could judge my feelings when I beheld that army of men, as plainly as ever I saw armies of men in the flesh; it seemed as though every hair of my head was alive. This scenery we gazed upon for hours, until it began to disappear.
“After I became acquainted with Mormonism, I learned that this took place the same evening that Joseph Smith received the records of the Book of Mormon from the angel Moroni, who had held those records in his possession.
“John Young, Sen;, and John P. Greene’s wife, Rhoda, were also witnesses.
My wife, being frightened at what she saw, said, ‘Father Houng, what does all this mean?” “Why, it’s one of the signs of the coming of the Son of Man,’ he replied, in a lively, pleased manner.
The next night similar scenery was beheld in the west by the neighbors, representing armies of men who were engaged in battle.
A wonderful foreshadowing, truly of the warfare to be waged between the powers of good and evil, from the time Truth sprang from earth and Righteousness looked down from heaven upon the boy Joseph, predestined to bring to light the buried records of the past. (Orson F. Whitney, Life of Heber C. Kimball, p. 15-17)
Added note: Brigham Young, who then lived in Port Byron about 30 miles to the east, also saw the same vision in the sky. It was sometime after Brigham and Heber were baptized that they discovered they had both seen the same vision, and had both come to know of its significance.
