Lucy Mack Smith's complete Book 7: Martin Harris insists on taking 116 translated pages home to Palmyra; swears oath to show only 5 family; departs July 1828. Emma gives birth to son Alvin who dies sa

[p. 1] Book 7 — Harris insisted upon taking that which he had writen home with him that he might show his family... Joseph for a long time resisted... Harris now took the most solemn oath that he would not show the writing manuscript to any save 5 individuals... he was now fully prepared to set out for home which he did carrying with him 116 pages of the record in manuscript this was in july immediately after his departure Emma was confined became the Mother of a son but she had but little comfort... he was very soon snatched from her arms... [p. 2] so uncertain seemed her fate for a season that in the space of 2 weeks her husband never slept one hour in undisturbed quiet... she called her husband to her and asked him what he thought about the manuscript I feel so uneasy said she that I cannot rest... After much persuasion he concluded to leave his wife in the care of her mother-in-law for a few days and set out on the before mentioned journey... [p. 3] He cast his eyes abroad upon the age now upon the earth and reflected that he stood alone an unlearned youth opposed to all the casuistry and learning and ingenuity of the combined world... He had not now that feeling of justification which assured him of the especial favor of God for he awfully feared that he had ventured too far in vouching for the safety of the manuscript... [p. 4] The hot displeasure of the Almighty would be kindled against him... he had regarded man more than his maker... he neither ate nor sleeped while on the rout... a fellow traveller insisted on accompanying him the remaining 20 miles on foot... Joseph told the gentleman that he had left his wife in so low a state of health... also he had buried his first and only child but a few days previous... there was heavy trouble laying at his heart that he did not dare to mention... [p. 5] the stranger was under the necessity of leading Joseph by his arm for nature was too much exhausted to suport him... Joseph requested us to send with all possible speed for Martin Harris... at half past 12 we saw him walking with a slow and measured tread... he got upon the fence and sat some time with his hat drawn over his eyes... [p. 6] Martin pressed his hands upon his temples and cried out in a tone of anguish Oh! I have lost my soul I have lost my soul. Joseph sprang from the table exclaiming Oh! Martin have you lost that manuscript!... yes replied Martin it is gone and I know not where— Oh! My God My God said Joseph... all is lost... I have sinned... Martin said I have even ripped open beds and pillows and I know it is not there... [p. 7] JS wept and grieved like a tender infant untill about sunset... the next morning he went home... When he arrived at home he was not slow to exhibit the manuscript to his wife and family... his wife seemed highly pleased... she gave her husband the priviledge of locking it up in a set of drawers which she had never before permited him to look into... [p. 8] he showed it to any good friend that happened to call on him... Mrs Harris returned and beheld the marred and injured state of her beaureau her irracible temper knew no bounds... when Joseph arrived he went immediately to his drawer— but the manuscript was gone— he asked his wife where it was— she solemnly averred that she did not know anything about it... We never heard from our unfortunate son untill 2 months after... We (Mr Smith and myself) went down to Harmony to make him a visit... Joseph started off to meet us... his joy did not arise wholely from seeing us... [p. 9] I poured out my soul in supplication... an Angel stood before me and answered me saying that I had sinned... he must now give back the plates... if you are sufficiently humble and penitent you will receive them again on the 22 of september... [revelation:] The works and designs and purposes of God cannot be frustrated... [p. 11] on the 22 of september I had the Joy and satisfaction of again receiving the record and Urim and Thummin into my possession... Emma writes for me now... Mr. Isaac Hale... his Family consisted of Elizabeth his wife and Jesse, David, Alva, Isaac Ward, and Reuben his sons also his Phebe Elizabeth his daughters they were a lovely intelligent and highly respectable Family... [p. 12] We spent the time very agreeably and returned home... we found sophronia and samuel lying at the point of Death... there came a man into our neighborhood by the name of Lyman Cowdray... the next day he brought his brother Oliver and requested them to receive him in the place of himself... Oliver requested my husband to take him as a boarder... he began to hear about the plates from all quarters and immediately he commenced importuneing Mr. Smith upon the subject.