| 457 the patriarch sat among them, a link in destiny's chain formed by the hand of God.
Next in historic importance in this group was Joseph Smith, oldest son of Joseph Smith, the Martyr, the man by whom the Book of Mormon was translated and given to the world. He was there at the request and selection of Father Whitmer, directed by the Spirit; associated with him, also by selection of Elder Whitmer, was P. Alma Page, son of Hiram Page, one of the eight witnesses, a firm believer in the book to which his father bore testimony.
Alexander H. Smith, third son of Joseph Smith; William H. Kelley, son of one of the elders who labored and toiled in the field in the days of Joseph and Hyrum, and Thomas W. Smith, one who had received the work under the Reorganized Church, were present as duly appointed representatives of the Latter Day Saints, members of the church in its primitive organization and its reorganized form-to fulfill the behest of the people of God, who have "remembered the Book of Mormon," with the purpose of "doing according to what is written therein."
The object of the assembling of these men in this "upper room" was to examine together, the written word of the Book of Mormon and the printed page of that work. And though it may appear that accident may have chosen the men who composed this group of six, it must be evident to those who believe in the watchfulness of the Spirit over the affairs of the Lord's Christ upon the earth, that the choice of these men for this duty was not that of accident but design, the design of Providence. The committee represented the strength and youth of the Reorganization, as found in the sons of the first elders of the church, and the new element won to the faith through the preaching of the word. They also represented that portion of the church found in the remnant left from the apostasy, who refused to strike hands with usurpation and false doctrines, and stood for the truth as it was at the first.
In the other portion of the group were represented the first and subsequent phases of the work, Elder Whitmer representing a class who believe firmly in the Book of Mormon and the gospel of Christ; but who, for reason, known to themselves and God, stand without affiliation with either the apostasy or the Reorganized Church, yet wishing good will and success to every worker for the truth. Of the same class is Philandi A. Page, son of Hiram Page, one of the eight before named. It was fitting that Joseph Smith, oldest son and representative heir of the one who translated the Book of Mormon should be associated with this committee of examination, for in him all classes represented in the group have placed their confidence, as one striving to "turn the hearts of the children to the fathers and the hearts of the fathers to the children," that all may finally be found of Christ in one.
To complete the remarkable character of this assembling in that "upper room in Father Whitmer's house," there met with them, from time to time, during the eight days in which they were engaged in their work,
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