Joseph Fielding Diary (1832-1837)

Mormon History 1830-1844

Joseph Fielding Diary (1832–1837)

Reminiscence written in 1837. Five years in Canada: material success, Methodist doctrines of the millennium and Second Coming, difficult to "keep the Spirit;" religious study group. Parley P. Pratt teaches Mormonism from the Bible. Most reject his teachings but the Fieldings, Taylors, and others are baptized. Desire and fear of going on first mission to England.

	Preston August 8th 1837	J. Fielding diary 1832–1837, first 12 pages.
Left England March 25, 1832 Blessed in Canada Spiritually not as faithful	It was five years the 25th of last March since [I] left this my native Land for Canada in N. America here I lived and Farmed about 5 years during wih [which] time the Lord was very kind to me. As to temporal things I had all things needful and something more. As to Spiritual I was preserved from [outward?] but was not as faithful as I ought to have been, it [lacuna]
Hard to keep the Spirit Studied, attended meetings	and for some time very difficult to retain the Spirit of God. I would sometimes get stirred up afresh. It appeard almost impossible to keep it up. I was diligent in searching the Scriptures and attend [lacuna]
	Means of Grace, and liberal in supporting the [-] of God among the Methodists, who I suppose, as [-] of the Spirit and of Truth as any [--]
Irvingite millennium interest Christians do not understand Second Coming	I had for some time been much interested in the Subject [of] the Millennium &c. which had been revised by [Edward Irving], a Scotch Minister in London, and partly from writing & and partly by reading the word of God was fully convinced that the Christian world as it is called, was in a very different State to what [was] supposed. As to the second coming [of] Christ, it [was] almost entirely denyed or misunderstood as The Day of the Lord as spoken of [lacuna]
Churches believe they will convert the world	[2] Ezekiel and all the Prophets, in which the wicked [-] be destroyed was almost entirely overlooked, a great [lacuna] of professing Christian, for the greater part, believing or at least hoping that the Gospel would convert the World and [spread?] the Knowledge of the Lord over the whole Face thereof, each Sect imagening that their particular Christian would predominate and be the main Cause in the [lacuna]
	of God of finally accomplishing that End, though at the same time thought they saw the Wisdom of God …
Challenges Methodist interpretations Contends with preachers	[4] … While I was in this standing in Methodist Society I began to see that all was not right. Having for som[e] time been looking at the Scripture Prophesies I [-] plainly that they were not understood by professing Christians, that they contained something of far greater importance than the Preachers or Commentators of the Day had ever set forth. If I spoke of this, or questioned the propriety of their Explanations, I was said to be disaffected, and as I could not but speak of the second coming of Christ, it was frequently declared in the Pulpit that he would not come until the final Judgment. If I said that they were fallen they said it was because I myself was fallen, and they feared I should fall into hell.
Study group prays for fullnes, pastors from God	I plainly saw that they even mangled the Word of God. At [5] this I was often much grieved, so much so that I had but little Comfort in attending the Meetings, and was constrained often to pray the Lord to send us the Gospel in its fulness and Power, that he would raise up and send men as in Days of old, Pastures [pastors] after his own heart that should feed us with Knowledge and Understanding;
Mormon reputation Disappointed by other group	While I was thus searching the Scriptures and crying to the Lord, it pleased God in answer to Prayer to send his word unto us. We had before heard some few evil Reports of some People calld Mormons but as there had been several others bringing something new and strange, for which I had no relish, I thought it not best to encourge anything of that kind.
Parley P. Pratt comes Isabella Russell Walton Charleton relatives	At this time it was that Elder Parley P. Pratt came over to Toronto, about 10 miles from my home; he was said to be a Mormon Preacher; and Izabella Walton, who was the first to recieve him into her Hous in that Town, a faithful widow woman also formerly of the Methodist Society, she having Relations living by me, invited him to come out and preach to us, but so great were our Prejudises that we sent him word not to come. He however determind that as he had accepted the Invitation, he would come.	widow: ¶ Joseph Fielding letter; ¶ Parley P. Pratt letter. Isabella's husband had been First Lord Chamberlain of Toronto. They lived in a large house on Adelaide Street, Canada, 1.
Attends because of John Taylor Parley's power, wisdom, a scriptorian	When he came we received him [with] great coolness. We had determind [6] not to go to hear him, but as an old Friend, Bro Taylor, brought him to my House, I would not refuse to hear, and I soon discoverd that he had the Spirit and Power of God, and such Wisdom as none but God himself would have given to man, by which he could explain those Prophesies of which the preachers of the Day were ignorant, showing the great Design and Connection of the Scriptures throughout.
Book of Mormon Angel tells Joseph of Nephites	He also spok of and introduced the Book of Mormon. Of this I need not here speak, for it will speak for itself. He at the same time [said] that the Angel made known the Record of the fallen People, the Nephites.
Churches fallen Covenant must be renewed Day of the Lord near Wicked destroyed before Second Coming In this generation	He spoke also of the present State of the Gentile Churches saying that they were in a fallen Condition, that they had all departed from the Truth, that there were none with whom the Lord was well pleased, that they had trasgressed the Law, changed the Ordinance, and broken the everlasting Covenant, and it was necessary that the Covenant should be renewed before a pure Church could be built up, to have the Ordinances, Gifts and Blessings of the Church of Jesus Christ, as established by himself, also that the Day of the Lord was nigh at hand, that those Prophesies which speak of that great and dreadful Day, in which the Wicked should be cut off and the Earth puryfied by [7] Fire, to prepare it for the coming of Christ to reign thereon with his Saints, was nigh at hand, even that the present Generation should not all pass away until all these things should be fulfilled.
Ordinances in Book of Mormon	Elder Pratt laid before us the Ordinances of the Gospel which were very plain, being in perfectly in accordance with the Scriptures, being still more clearly expressed in the Book of Mormon.
Many oppose Pratt We sometimes doubted but couldn't reject Spring 1836 baptized with sisters	Many strangers opposed the Work. False reports were raised &c. Sometimes our Faith was shaken, but the Word preached came with good Power, in demonstration of the Spirit; so that we could not reject the testimony but to our own condemnation. I therefore with my two Sisters then with me embraced it, and entered the Church of Latterday Saints by Baptism. This was in the Spring of 1836.	Joseph, Mary, and Mercy Fielding; John and Leonora Taylor; John Taylor's parents; and others were baptized May 9, 1836 in Black Creek, a half mile west of the Fielding home. Canada, 1.
Holy Ghost gives light and power Time to be taught Key period in history House of Joseph, other Israelites in America	I soon found that the Spirit of God was imparted unto me in a greater measure than I had before experienced, and instead of its bearing me as it were up in spite of my endeavourings, I found it increasing, giveing me more Light and more Power. I took some time for getting Instruction on the great and important Matters of the connected with the last Days, and [saw?] that we are living in an important Period of the World, more so than any other preceeding time, and that in order that the Gentiles might [-] in the comming [8] Kingdom and Glory of Christ, they must come into the Covenant which has been made in the last Days with the House of Israel, and that they as well Israel … House of Joseph now found in America with other Branches or Tribes of Israel.
Righteous beginning to gather Destruction after testimony	For this I felt very thankful as I had often wondered how the Righteous would be preserved in the midst of those Calamities which the Prophets so often speak of. I found that they were even beginning to gather as near as they could get to the Place appointed. I found that the Lord had told his Servants that after this their Testimony should come the Testimony of Judgments &c.
Ready to leave Canada	Therefore [I] began to prepare for leaving Canada, thinking I would make the best I could of my Business for the next year. But by the Providence of God, quite unexpectedly to me, my way was made plain, so that I got clear of my temporal concerns comfortably the next Spring.
Teacher Home meeting place	During the Summer I had been ordained a Teacher. All the members in my neighbourhood met at my House, as their Sanctuary until [9] I removed.
March 1837 leave Toronto Parley announces mission to England	In March I left my Farm, & while I was stopping in Toronto, Word came from the Church in Kirtland, by Elder Parley P. Pratt (h), that the way was opened for them to go to other Nations, and it was determined that some should go to England as soon as possible.
Desire to go to England Wrote family Hesitant to write again	It had been my earnest Prayer ever since I came into the Church, but especially during the winter, that the Lord would open the way [for] the glad Tidings go to my native Country, particularly to my Breathren in the Flesh. My Sisters and myself had written to them once on the Subject but I was affraid to write to them more lest I should not do it with that Wisdom which the Subject required and so might do harm instead of Good.	Joseph Fielding to Mary and Rachel (1837) ¶ Heber C. Kimball (h4)
Thought family would gladly receive Felt unqualified	I now felt much delighted, and perhaps too sanguine, as to the Prospect of those glourious things being made known to my Relations, thinking of Course that those important things which gave me such Pleasure would also be very delightful to them. I also had some desire to be among those that should go, but felt myself very ill qualified to God on so important mission and had I not known the Lord takes the weak things of the World to confound the Strong &c. I never could have thought of entering on such a work.
Pratt says the Lord wants Joseph to go	[10] While I was thinking upon it, Elder Pratt said he believed it was the Mind of the Lord that I should go if I wished it. I did wish it but was much afraid. I desired however to know and do the Will of God.
John Taylor prophesies Joseph will go	At this Time a Conference held in Churchville U. C. Bro John Taylor prophesied with much of the Spirit and great Power, upon several of us present. He said the Spirit of God should be upon Brother Fielding, and he should lift up his Voice in his native Land &c. I have not heard a Prophesy delivered more manifestly by the Spirit of God than this was.
Began to believe he would go Ordained a Priest	From this I began to believe that the Lord had called me to go to England. At [a] Meeting in Toronto also this was confirmed by Elder Pratt and others. In short, these appeard to be but one Opinion on the Subject. This, together with my way having been opened so unexpectedly, fully satisfied me of my Call, and I was ordained to the office of Priest.
Dissolve business partnership with Taylor	I had engaged with Brother Taylor and others to enter into Business at Kirtland, but now had to decline it, and remove to Kirtland to wait until the Elders were ready to start.
Taylor interprets tongues, prophesies, heals without fail Unbelievers reject manifestations	I had traviled sometime with Bro Taylor in Canada and had seen much of the power of God manifested in speaking with Tongues, healing [11] the Sick, preaching, Prophesying in Tongues. Bro T. was mighty, and in interpretation and in Prophesying and in healing he scarcely ever fail'd. I have [-] known several Cases quite remarkable, one in my own House. But nothing of this kind ever seem'd to have any Effect on Unbelievers, though they often said, if they could see such a thing, they should think it was of God. I found that if they did not believe our testimony it was in vain to expect them to believe at all.
Canada if not in England	I saw there was much to be done, and felt something of the Spirit of the Work, so much so that I determind not to settle to busyness, but to go off into Canada if the Church would allow it; i.e., if I should not go to England, and do what I could. I fully believed that this was the [-] the Lord designed me for as well as others of my family.
Descendant of Joseph, therefore hopes and prays for family	It was told me in my Patriareal Blessing that I was a literal descendant of Joseph, that if I were faithful the priesthood should be confirmed upon me. Of course my Fathers Family were of the same Tribe and I hoped they would all come to the same Priesthood or be connected with it. This was my highest Ambition. I prayed much that the Lord would prepare my Breathren to receive the Truth [12] ] in its fullness as I had received it.
Parley, others prophecy destruction in Toronto Strife and evidence of famine	About this time several of our Brethren in the Church <April 1837> prophesied of Calamities coming on Canada as fearful Omens had been given of War and Famine. Elder P. P. Pratt in his parting Address, in Tears, declared the Sword and Blood awaited that Place (Toronto). Bro William Knoles had several times spoken to the same effect. There was nothing but Contention, Political and Religious, and every Appearance of approaching Scarcity if not of Famine.
Contention in Kirtland	On my arrival at Kirtland I was much cast down and troubled. I found the Saints were far from being all righteous. There was great contention among them. This, together with another Circumstance which I forbear to mention, caused me much Sorrow of heart. I see many things which have appeard dark have been for my Good.
2 or 3 weeks in Kirtland Joseph tried for hiring assassins	During two or three Weeks stopping there I [witness?] several unpleasant Circumstances. One was the President Joseph Smith, Jun. on Trial on a Charge of hireing two Men to kill one Newel. He was the first tried at a Majestrate's Court, where he was entirely released by the Judge, and his accusers put to Shame.	Did Joseph Plot to Murder Grandison Newell?
Accused by elders, apostles, Three Witnesses	[13] He was also much accused by some of the Elders, by some of the twelve, and by the three Witnesses. But as it was not in my Place to judge, I forbear to say more, but pray Lord guide us in the right Way, that thy Work may proceed and be accomplished.
Mercy marries Robert Thompson	I also witnessed there a Marriage of my Sister Mercy to Brother Robert Thompson, a priest in the Church.	Robert Thompson, John Goodson, Isaac Russell, and John Snyder were Canadian converts. ¶ Willard Richards (h) Heber C. Kimball (h4)
Missionies to England	On the thirteenth of June, Elders Heber C. Kimball and Elder Orson Hyde, two of the twelve, Elder [blank—Willard] Richards and myself having been set apart by the Presidency for that Purpose, left Kirtland for New York, there to meet Elder John Goodson, Elder Isaac Russell, and Brother John Snyder, then Priest, and thence to start for England. We came to New York on the 22nd.
Joseph Fielding Diary (1847–1849) Joseph Fielding Diary (1849–1859) Upper Canada Home