Heber C. Kimball - Joining The Latter Day Saint Church

Joining The Latter Day Saint Church

Kimball writes that he had always contemplated aspects of religion and salvation since he was about 12 years old. The directions provided by the priests and teachers of the various churches never satisfied him. However, while in New York, Kimball joined the local Baptist Church. He attended several of their meetings, and eventually received baptism. He claims that many of the teachings he agreed with, but there were many he did not believe in as well. He counted the association as a good thing, however.

Only three weeks after Kimball received baptism in the Baptist Church, three elders from the church Joseph Smith founded visited the house of his friend, Phinehas Young. Kimball visited the house at this time and was impressed with their teachings. He also witnessed the speaking of tongues and the interpretation of tongues during this visit. He claims to have been visited by the power of God.

During this time, he reported that, while he and several of the Young family were chopping wood, a vision opened up to them and they saw the "gathering of the Saints to Zion" and many other things. This and many other events led him to travel to Pennsylvania to visit with the elders some more, accompanied by some of the Youngs. They stayed six days with the elders and the church there. They witnessed more miracles such as speaking in tongues and the interpretation of tongues.

On April 14, 1832, Brigham Young was baptized by Eleazer Miller. Shortly thereafter, one of the elders called on Kimball while he was at work. During the conversation, Kimball jumped up and declared that he wanted to be baptized. They went immediately to a small stream in the woods and he was baptized in April 1832 by Alpheus Gifford. After the confirmation, the elder offered to give the priesthood, but Kimball refused it as he felt he was unready. Shortly after that, 30 more people were baptized in Mendon, and they formed a branch of the church.

About this time, people began calling Kimball "crazy", although he claims he was "clothed in the right mind". He claims the scriptures unfolded for him.

Local clergy and members of other faiths soon became antagonistic towards the small Latter Day Saint branch and its members. Kimball had several people make executions on his property to recall debt owed. Although the debt was great, he was able to secure the money necessary to pay them in full.