[Brother O. Cowdery:]

              Joseph Smith to Oliver Cowdery. Latter- day Saints’ Messenger and Advocate ( Kirtland,
Ohio) 1, no. 3 ( December 1834): 40.
Brother O. Cowdery:
Having learned from the first No. of the Messenger and Advocate, that you were, not
only about to “ give a history of the rise and progress of the church of the Latter Day Saints;” but,
that said “ history would necessarily embrace my life and character,” I have been induced to give
you the time and place of my birth; as I have learned that many of the opposers of those
principles which I have held forth to the world, profess a personal acquaintance with me, though
when in my presence, represent me to be another person in age, education, and stature, from
what I am.
I was born, ( according to the record of the same, kept by my parents,) in the town of
Sharon, Windsor Co, Vt. on the 23rd of December, 1805.
At the age of ten my father’s family removed to Palmyra, N. Y. where, and in the vicinity
of which, I lived, or, made it my place of residence, until I was twenty one— the latter part, in the
town of Manchester.
During this time, as is common to most, or all youths, I fell into many vices and follies;
but as my accusers are, and have been forward to accuse me of being guilty of gross and
outrageous violations of the peace and good order of the community, I take the occasion to
remark, that, though, as I have said above, “ as is common to most, or all youths, I fell into many
vices and follies,” I have not, neither can it be sustained, in truth, been guilty of wronging or
injuring any man or society of men; and those imperfections to which I allude, and for which I
have often had occasion to lament, were a light, and too often, vain mind, exhibiting a foolish
and trifling conversation.
This being all, and the worst, that my accusers can substantiate against my moral
character, I wish to add, that it is not without a deep feeling of regret that I am thus called upon
in answer to my own conscience, to fulfill a duty I owe to myself, as well as to the cause of truth,
in making this public confession of my former uncircumspect walk, and unchaste conversation:
and more particularly, as I often acted in violation of those holy precepts which I knew came
from God. But as the “ Articles and Covenants” of this church are plain upon this particular point,
I do not deem it important to proceed further. I only add, that ( I do not, nor never have,
pretended to be any other than a man “ subject to passion,” and liable, without the assisting grace
of the Savior, to deviate from that perfect path in which all men are commanded to walk!)
By giving the above a place in your valuable paper, you will confer a lasting favor upon
myself, as an individual, and, as I humbly hope, subserve the cause of righteousness.
I am, with feelings of esteem, your fellow laborer in the gospel of our Lord.
JOSEPH SMITH jr.