Walking on Water Story

Mormon History 1830-1844

Walking on Water Story

In April 1834 the Saturday Courier (Philadelphia) publishes the story of a Mormon hoax that is discovered and foiled by some clever townsfolk. The Evening and Morning Star reprints the story verbatim, ridicules it, and challenges the Courier to reveal its source. In fact, the story is a folk tale that goes back at least as far as Jemima Wilkinson, "the Publick Universal Friend," (1752–1819).
		Of Jemima Wilkinson		Of a Mormon Preacher	Of Joseph Smith
		Of Jemima Wilkinson				Jemima Wilkinson (Nov. 29, 1752–July 1, 1819), aka the Publick Universal Friend. Established settlement west of Lake Seneca [1788], pop. 260, then in Jerusalem township near Crooked (now Keuka) Lake in Yates County, NY. "Jemima Wilkinson," Western Palladium (New Lisbon, Ohio), Sept. 5, 1839. Source
September 5, 1829		The Western Palladium (New Lisbon, Ohio) publishes a story about Jemima Wilkinson:
Jemima will walk across Seneca Lake White handkerchiefs Do you believe? Yes. Then no need.		A late traveller relates one of Jemima's miracles, which is quite as convincing as those of the prince bishop Bohmlee. She announced her intention of walking across Seneca Lake, and alighting from her carriage, walked to the water on the white handkerchiefs strewed in the road by her followers; she stopped ankle deep into the water, and then turning to the multitude, inquired whether they had faith that she could not; on receiving an affirmative answer she returned to her carriage, declaring that as they believed in [her] power, it was unnecessary to display it. Jemima died some years ago.

[1830–1833]		Men and Manners in America, a two-volume travel guide to the United States, publishes the story in 1834.
Jemima speaking in tongues Predictions Near ferry White handkerchiefs Do you believe? Yes. Then no need.	¶	The banks of the Seneca, like those of the Gareloch, have been the chosen seat of miracles. Some years ago, a woman called Jemima Wilson [Wilkinson], announced herself as the Saviour of the world, and attracted a few followers somewhat more mad than herself. While her miraculous endowments were displayed only in the jabbering of unknown tongues, and unintelligible predictions, she stood on safe ground, but unluckily her ambition pointed to the honour of more palpable miracles. "Near Rapelyeas ferry," says the Northern Tourist, "the frame is still standing which Jemima constructed to try the faith of her followers. Having approached within a few [306] hundred yards of the shore, she alighted from an elegant carriage, and the road being strewed by her followers with white handkerchiefs, she walked to the platform, and having announced her intention of walking across the lake on the water, she stepped ankle-deep into the clear element, when suddenly pausing, she addressed the multitude, enquiring whether they had faith that she could pass over, for if otherwise, she could not; and on receiving an affirmative answer, returned to her carriage, declaring, that as they believed in her power, it unnecessary to display it.				Men and Manners 2:305–306. Source Gareloch: a salt-water inlet 63 miles long and one mile wide west of Glasgow.

Pressure to walk on water Swanzey, Massachusetts		Those who had no faith in her preaching, and looked upon her as an imposter, stated to her that Jesus Christ waslked on the water, and if she was charged with a divine mission from Heaven, it was expected she could do the same; and some of her followers also felt a strong desire to see her give some evidence of the truth of her assertions concerning herself … Trusting therefore to accident and the resources of her cunning mind for escaping exposure, she appointed a time at which she would meet her friends on the margin of Taunton river, in the town of Swanzey, and convince them of the reality of what she had taught them to believe, by walking on the water.				Jemima memoir, 184–187 Note that this was published in 1821. Swanzey [Swansea] / Bristol Co., is in SE Massachusetts, near the Rhode Island border.
Prays, speaks on lack of faith		She made her appearance … [185] then commenced with an eloquent and fervent prayer … after which she proceeded to the delivery of a discourse, in which she lectured her audience with considerable ability and great everity, particularly on account of their want of faith.
Could do it if they had faith		She told them that if they had faith to believe that she could perform the work of the Lord, they might rest satisfied, for it would be well with them, and as to those who did not believe, they are
Unbelievers seek a sign			an evil generation: they seek a sign; and there shall be no sign be given it, but the sign of Jonas the prophet.			Luke 11:29
			Why doth this generation seek after a sign? Verily I say unto you, there shall no sign be given to this generation.			Mark 8:12
Wicked and adulterous generation			A wicked and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given unto it, but the sign of the Prophet Jonas.			Matthew 16:4
Harsh on sign seekers		She continued her discourse at considerable length … [186] and was particularly severe and bitter against those who had required this evidence of the truth of her words.
Universal Friend Authoritative		She then addressed the whole in kind and affectionate language, proclaimed that she was the “Universal Friend of Mankind,” and that those who believed in the truth of her doctrines, obeyed her precepts and followed her advice, would be sure of a final pasport to Heaven, while those who denied her authority and rejected her counsels, would be cut off without the hope of pardon or mercy.
Varied reactions		After hearing her through and receiving her blessing, the assembly seperated and peaceably retired to their homes, some filled with awe and fear of her power and authority, some with commisseration at her delusion, and others with contempt for her hypocricy.

Folk tale Various locations	¶	The legend most commonly associated with Jemima Wilkinson in every region where she is remembered is about walking on water. Like a true folk tale, it is always told in reference to a specific location, which varies, of course, with the storyteller. Sneech Pond and other bodies of water in Cumberland and Smithfield, Worden Pond in South Kingstown, Yawgoog Pond in Exeter, the Taunton River near Swansea, the Housatonic River near New Milford, the Schuylkill River near Philadelphia, and various sites on the Seneca and Keuka lakes are all credited with being the exact place.				Jemima Wilkinson, 174–175.
Variants If ye have faith, ye need no evidence		The story has several variants, although not as many as locations. In the most common version Jemima agreed to satisfy skeptics of her divine power by walking on the water like Christ. A crowd gathered at the appointed place, and Jemima appeared in her usual robes and began to preach a stirring sermon on faith, punctuated by the question, “Do ye have faith?” Finally at the end of her long exhortation she looked straight at the assembled group and asked, “Do ye have faith? Do ye believe that I can do this thing?” “We believe,” chorused [175] the crowd. “It is good,” declared the prophetess, and added, as she departed with a flourish, “If ye have faith ye need no other evidence.”
Cannot do it without your faith	¶	Another form of the tale demonstrates the same Yankee astuteness. This time the crowd was more skeptical and, when asked if they had faith, replied that they wanted proof. Again the tables were turned on them when Memima declared, “Without thy faith I cannot do it.”
Planks removed		Still other versions have a synthetic flavor. In these Jemima is represented as actually walking on the water supported by a platform built just below the surface. Of course, someone removed several boards, and she tumbled in to the discomfort of the faithful and the delight of the skeptics.
Associated with Joseph Smith	¶	The device of appealing to the faith of listeners is of course an old one; it is used in Arabian folk tales. The walking-on-water notion was also used by others; it became associated with Joseph Smith, of Mormon fame, and so moved west after Jemima Wilkinson’s death.

		Of a Mormon preacher
April 19, 1834		Philadelphia's Saturday Courier publishes the "tragical story of a Mormon preacher" provided "by the editor of the Independent Messenger on the authority of a gentleman from the western part of the state of New York."				"Tragical Event," Saturday Courier (Philadelphia), Apr. 19, 1834. Source
Mormon hoax discovered Mischief makers cut the plank	¶	In a town where the delusion had made numerous converts the disciples were summoned to assemble in a wild place, circumjacent to a pond, on the water of which, a gifted elder announced that he should walk and preach. … But it seems there were a few wicked Lamanites, who secretly set themselves to make mischief. … They soon discovered a line of plank laid in a particular direction completely across the pond, sunk about four inches under the surface of the water. … They resolved on preventing the miracle by sawing the concealed bridge in pieces, just where it crossed the deepest and most dangerous part of the pond. …
Preacher sinks and drowns		The expected day arrived, the congregation placed themselves as in an amphitheatre on the surrounding slopes and the preacher appeared at the edge of the water. … and as he paced his invisible bridge with a step apparent unearthly taught and warned the people. All ears were open, and every eye strained from its socket with astonishment. But alas! … he stepped upon one of the detached pieces of plank sallied side-ways, and instantly plunged, floundering and sinking in the deep water mire … the tale closes with the close of his life and the consequent close of Mormonism in that vicinity.

Oliver Cowdery debunks story		The church paper reprints the Courier article with the introductory note that "Some two or three years since, a smiliar story was hatched up by (we presume) the priests, or their dupes; but we had supposed that it had either gone back to its native region to dwell with its author the father of lies, or like its first promulgator from him, sunk into disgrace to rise no more." Editor Oliver Cowdery challenges the Courier to publish the name of its source.				EMS 2, no. 19 (Apr. 1834): 151. The story is repeated under the heading, "THOU SHALT NOT LIE.—Moses" in EMS 2, no. 3 (Dec. 1835): 230.

George A. Smith debunks story (about Joseph Smith)	¶	Editors published their false statements, one of which, no doubt, will be remembered—a pretended miracle of walking on the water. It was said that the Prophet placed planks two or three inches under the surface of the water, and walked on them, to convince the multitude of the truth of his doctrine: but just as all were convinced, and the Prophet was about to step on shore, some rogues pulled out the plank, and he fell into the water, and was drowned.				George A. Smith, Salt Lake Tabernacle, Jan. 10, 1858, reported by G. D. Watt, JD 7:112. ¶ Doings and Sayings

"Angel" walks on water Hoax uncovered Plank cut Angel shrieks		Two Disciples, J. J. Moss and Isaac Moore, investigated the Mormons at this time [when Thomas Campbell challenged Sidney Rigdon to debate in 1831]. These two men pretended to be interested so they could enter the inner circle of the movement to expose its weakneses. Moss wrote in his diary of an incident connected with the so-called angelic visitations at Kirtland which turned out disastrously for the angel. He claimed when the Mormons baptized at night, it was a common sight to see an angel walk out on the water as if to imply [84] divine approval. Upon examination of the local in daylight, the investigators (Moss and Moore) found a two-inch plank fixed like a springboard just beneath the surface of the water. They sawed the plank almost in half; so the next night, when the “angel” walked on the water, the plank gave way, causing a mighty splash and a very un-angelic shriek!				"Autobiography of a Pioneer Preacher," Christian Standard [M. M. Moss, ed.], Jan. 15, 1938, cited in Buckeye disciples, 83–84. Disciples: Disciples of Christ (Campbellites)

		Of Joseph Smith
J. F. Goldsmith Foils scheme of Joseph, et. al.		John A. Eddy learned the carpenter trade with my father, and married my sister. He told me that Jo Smith announced in a Mormon meeting; at such a time he would walk on the water. Grandison Newell and your father paid me one dollar a night to watch and see what the Mormons did. The night before the walking was to be, Jo Smith, Rigdon, Brigham Young, and William Aldrich worked half the night and drove forked stakes in the river in the form of a horseshoe, the ends being on one bank and in deep water. They placed green sycamore slabs which would sink in the water on the crotched stakes which were eight or more inches under water, altogether between two and three hundred feet long. After they left, I removed one of the slabs near the center. According to appointment, prophet Jo Smith came with several hundred Mormons and Jo addressed them. He said they could walk on the water if they only had faith. Jo arrayed in a long white robe, walked some distance, turned and walked backward, and where the slab had been removed, went in all over. He got to shore by the aid of the limb of a tree. Jo said at once to the audience, "Oh ye of little faith, if you had faith as large as a grain of mustard seed, I could remove mountains."				"J. F. Goldsmith's Statement," NTAM, Apr. 1888, p. 2 col. 5. Signed and witnessed statement obtained by Arthur B. Deming. Source Ancestry.com has a William Aldrich, b. 1807 in Lisbon, Grafton county, New Hampshire; md. Hannah Kelly Montgomery, March 7, 1833 in Whitefield, Coos county, New Hampshire; 2 children born in Kirtland, May 6, 1837 and May 22, 1840; and four born in Spring Prairie, Walworth county, Wisconsin beginning 1845. Listed on Kirtland tax records 1836–1839. Kirtland profile, 132, Census for 1850, 1860, 1870 has him living in Spring Prairie.

Sunday night		… our Mormon neighbors informed us Jo Smith, on Sunday night, was going to walk on the water and urged our family to go. My brother and I went with Enos and Joel Smith, whose parents were Mormons.				“Joel Miller's Statement,” NTAM 1, no. 2 (Apr. 1888): 2, col. 6. Source
After meeting Joseph in white robe Crowd jeer	¶	After attending a meeting in the school house at the Flats in Kirtland, at which Jo and I think Rigdon spoke, we all went to the river east and below the bridge. Jo Smith again spoke to the crowd and put on a white robe and began to walk. He said something about faith and talked as he walked in a curve. He was out of water except his feet and was successful for a time. He walked slowly and finally went down. The Gentiles shouted loudly, laughed and jeered in many ways. The Mormons said Jo's faith had failed. I saw several men step into the water and reach for Jo to help him out. I soon after learned planks had been fixed in the water for him to walk on and one had been removed.

Leonard Rich tells story Members' faith failed		Leonard Rich, a Mormon elder, told me he saw Jo Smith walk on the water. He said planks had been fixed in the water and one had been removed so Jo went down where he got out of the water. Jo said he could have walked if the brothers' and sisters' faith had not failed.				"William Rockafellow," Mar. 19, 1885, NTAM 1, no. 2 (Apr. 1888): 2, col. 6. Source

Joseph's faith failed		I well remember going to Kirtland one evening with a two horse wagon load of men and boys to see the Mormon prophet, Jo Smith, walk on the water. There was a large crowd on both banks of the river below the bridge east of the Flats. Jo addressed the crowd on Faith some time. He said all that was needed to perform miracles was faith. He put on a white robe and began his walk and talked of his faith bearing him up. He suddenly went down and the Gentiles shouted and said the plank had failed. The Mormons said his faith had failed. He was helped out of the water. I was seventy five to a hundred feet from him.				"J. M. Granger's Statement," NTAM 1, no. 2 (April 1888): 2, col. 7. Source
		Kirtland 1834 Ohio