Abigail Harris Statement on Joseph Smith, Jr.
Palmyra, Wayne Co. N. Y. 11th mo, 28th, 1833.
In the early part of the winter in 1828, I made a visit to Martin
Harris' and was joined in company by Jos. Smith, sen. and his wife. The Gold
Bible business, so called, was the topic of conversation, to which I paid
particular attention, that I might learn the truth of the whole matter. -- They
told me that the report that Joseph, jun. had found golden plates, was true, and
that he was in Harmony, Pa. translating them -- that such plates were in
existence, and that Joseph, jun. was to obtain them, was revealed to him by the
spirit of one of the Saints that was on this continent, previous to its being
discovered by Columbus. Old Mrs. Smith observed that she thought he must be a
Quaker, as he was dressed very plain. They said that the
plates he then had in possession were but an introduction to the Gold Bible --
that all of them upon which the bible was written, were so heavy that it would
take four stout men to load them into a cart -- that Joseph had also discovered
by looking through his stone, the vessel in which the gold was melted from which
the plates were made, and also the machine with which they were rolled; he also
discovered in the bottom of the vessel three balls of gold, each as large as his
fist. The old lady said also, that after the book was translated, the plates
were to be publicly exhibited -- admitance 25 cents. She
calculated it would bring in annually an enormous sum of money -- that money
would then be very plenty, and the book would also sell for a great price, as it
was something entirely new -- that they had been commanded to obtain all the
money they could borrow for present necessity, and to repay with gold. The
remainder was to be kept in store for the benefit of their family and children.
This and the like conversation detained me until about 11 o'clock. Early the
next morning, the mystery of the Spirit being like myself (one of the order
called Friends) was revealed by the following circumstance: The old lady took me
into another room, and after closing the door, she said, "have you four or five
dollars in money that you can lend until our business is brought to a close? the
spirit has said you shall receive four fold." I told her that when I gave, I did
it not expecting to receive again -- as for money I had none to lend. I then
asked her what her particular want of money was; to which she replied, "Joseph
wants to take the stage and come home from Pennsylvania to see what we are all
about." To which I replied, he might look in his stone and save his time and
money. The old lady seemed confused, and left the room, and thus ended the
visit.
In the second month following, Martin Harris and his wife were at my house. In
conversation about Mormonites, she observed, that she wished her husband would
quit them, as she believed it was all false and delusion. To which I head Mr.
Harris reply: "What if it is a lie; if you will let me alone I will make
money out of it!" I was both an eye and an ear witness of what has been
stated above, which is now fresh in my memory, and I give it to the world for
the good of mankind. I speak the truth and lie not, God bearing me witness.
ABIGAIL HARRIS