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Some Notes on the Research and Writing Process
In April 1842 Joseph Smith said that generations yet unborn would “dwell with peculiar delight” on the scenes through which he and other faithful Saints had passed in laying the foundation of Church. (See Joseph Smith, History of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Vol. 4:609-610). As never before, members of the Church are focusing with great interest on the events of Restoration and the life of the Prophet.
In the process of researching and writing this book, I learned many fascinating facts. I found items of significance in the scriptures and in events of the Restoration that many people may overlook. Discovering these meaningful details can be an exciting adventure. Some of these insights are included as parts of the historical vignettes which accompany each poem in Praising the Prophet.
For example, consider Joseph Smith’s name. There are several individuals named Joseph in the Bible and Book of Mormon, and the life of Israel’s son, Joseph, in many ways paralleled the mission of the Prophet Joseph. But why the name Smith? A verse in the Old Testament suggests a possible connection. Behold I have created the smith that bloweth the coals in the fire, and that bringeth forth an instrument for his work. . . (Isaiah 54:16). I made the image of the blacksmith an integral part of Uncommon Man, a poem which tells about Joseph’s grandfather Asael who, even though he had a one of the most common surnames in the United States, had an uncommon mission and an uncommon posterity.
What about the time of the Prophet’s birth (the winter solstice) and the name of the Prophet’s birthplace? Isaiah 65:10 says, “...and Sharon shall be a fold of flocks...” This verse has particular significance in light of Joseph’s comment on his way to Carthage that he was going “like a lamb to the slaughter,” so Birthplace mentions lambs, as does Offering in June..
It is interesting that in 1827 the feast of trumpets, mentioned in Leviticus, occurred on September 22, the day that Moroni delivered the gold plates to Joseph for translation. The fact that statues of Moroni blowing a trumpet are placed atop so many temples, becomes more significant when we know about this Jewish celebration.
When writing about the organization of the Church, I thought, “Wouldn’t it be interesting if there was a full moon on the night of 6 April1830!” I found a virtual reality moon phase picture on the U.S. Naval Observatory website which indicated that was the case. This gave added significance to the scriptural words “fair as the sun, clear as the moon.” (See D & C 105:31). This phrase became the title for the poem which ends with a reference to the full moon.
On 6 April 1841 the cornerstones for the Nauvoo temple were set in place. Brigham Young later explained that placing the four stones began at the southeast corner because “there is the most light.” (Journal of Discourses 1:33) It is interesting that Alpha and Omega, the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet, denotes the first and last, and the chief cornerstone was the beginning and the ending spot for laying the foundation, as indicated in Laying the Foundation - Reflections on the 6th of April.
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