Latter Day Saints' Messenger and Advocate/Volume 1/Number 4/Letter to Oliver Cowdery from Ambrose Palmer (Jan. 28, 1835)
BROTHER O. COWDERY:
Believing that a short history of that branch of the church of the Latter Day Saints at New Portage, may be interesting to those who read your paper, I here give you a sketch of the same:
In the year 1831, Ezra Booth preached at the "Bates Corners" in Norton, to a numerous assembly, where I, for the first time, saw the book of Mormon, and was taught from it. Not long after, we read Booth's letters as published in the Ohio Star; and although he did not prove that the book of Mormon was not true, yet he gave the whole work such a coloring, or appearance of falsehood, that the public feeling was, that "mormonism" was overthrown. However we afterward received preaching from brother R. Cahoon, David Whitmer, and Lyman Johnson, and after that, also by brother Thomas Marsh and others, which left an impression on the minds of many, that was not easily eradicated; and the way being thus prepared, the Lord in his providence, sent brother Milton Stow among us, who baptized a number of persons, some of whom belonged to the Methodist Church—which created much excitement in that church, and caused the preachers, which had charge of the circuit, to stand forth with great exertions to prevent its influence spreading further; and with strongest expression of their exasperated feelings, thundered out anathamies and divine vengeance on the heads of those "wolves in sheep's clothing," as they called the "mormon preachers." But this abuse, from men who professed to be the ministers of Christ, upon those men who had not injured them, and who appeared to be sincere, and were preaching much more glorious things than were heard from them, made many anxious to know more of "mormonism," as it was called.
At this time, being April, 1833, God, who is ever ready to bless men with the knowledge of the truth, if they will hearken and receive it, sent us brother Sidney Rigdon, who opened the scriptures to our understanding in that clear light in which we had never before understood them, even by showing us the fruits which the gospel produced in former ages, as also the gifts that were in the church—such as visions, revelation, the ministration of angels, the gift of the holy spirit, and prophecy—and that these were again restored to the world and were found in the "mormon church." Many now obeyed the gospel and were baptized at which time myself also, received baptism.
This little branch continued to increase rapidly for some time, rejoicing in the blessings and gifts of God, till the number, in the beginning of 1834, amounted to something more than sixty. For a few months the work of gathering seemed almost to cease, but our heavenly Father seems to again to smile in blessings upon us, and there has been additions to the church time after time, till the number now remaining, according to our church record, is ninety three: one has died; six have moved away, and two have been cut off from the church.
Our heavenly Father seems to be shedding forth a divine influence upon the people, that many are giving heed to the word preached about us, and also in a number of other townships, people are opening houses for our preaching, though some refuse to hear, and shut their eyes and ears against the truth.
Yours in the bonds of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
AMBROSE PALMER.
Jan. 28, 1835.