Martin Harris Inspired by the Spirit in 1818 to Join No Church — Awaiting the Restoration

Twelve years before the Church was organized, Martin Harris received a clear spiritual witness that he should join none of the existing churches. He recorded this in his own words in 1870:

'In the year 1818, fifty-two years ago I was inspired of the Lord and taught of the spirit that I should not join any church, although I was anxiously sought for by many of the sectarians.'

He was pressed by Methodists, Presbyterians, and others, all of whom he resisted on the basis of this spiritual prompting. He explained that the Spirit told him plainly: 'The spirit told me to join none of the churches, for none had authority from the Lord, for there will not be a true church on the earth until the words of Isaiah shall be fulfilled.'

He maintained this position for twelve years, until Joseph Smith organized the Church of Jesus Christ in 1830 — at which point the same spirit bore testimony that this was the Church he had been waiting for, and he was baptized.