Ebenezer Robinson Receives Divine Confirmation Through Spiritual Manifestation at Baptism
Published March 25, 2026 at 6:25 PM
Contributed by
Todd Morgan
Beaumont, CA, 92223
Ebenezer Robinson documented a powerful spiritual experience at his baptism in October 1835, when Joseph Smith himself baptized him. As Robinson wrote: 'We repaired to the water, (the Chagrin River which flows through Kirtland) and, after a season of prayer, Brother Joseph Smith, Jr., baptized us by immersion, and as we arose from the water it seemed that everything we had on left us, and we came up a new creature, when we shouted aloud, "Glory to God." Our heart was full to overflowing, and we felt that we had born again in very deed, both of water and of the spirit.' Joseph Smith then said to the brethren: 'I am not afraid of Brother Robinson ever denying the faith.' This profound spiritual confirmation and affirmation from the Prophet served as an anchor to Robinson throughout his life. He testified: 'We thank our Heavenly Father that a doubt of the truth of the glorious gospel of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, which we then obeyed, has never found lodgement in this poor heart from that day to this (April 25, 1889), for one single moment.'
In Their Own Words
“We repaired to the water, (the Chagrin River which flows through Kirtland) and, after a season of prayer, Brother Joseph Smith, Jr., baptized us by immersion, and as we arose from the water it seemed that everything we had on left us, and we came up a new creature, when we shouted aloud, “Glory to God.” Our heart was full to overflowing, and we felt that we had born again in very deed, both of water and of the spirit. In going up from the water Brother Joseph Smith said to the brethren, “I am not afraid of Brother Robinson ever denying the faith.” We thank our Heavenly Father that a doubt of the truth of the glorious gospel of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, which we then obeyed, has never found lodgement in this poor heart from that day to this (April 25, 1889), for one single moment. Our soul rejoices in it still, and we trust it will, by his grace assisting us, while our Heavenly Father gives us breath.”
— Ebenezer Robinson, 'Items of Personal History of the Editor,' The Return
Sources & References
Ebenezer Robinson, 'Items of Personal History of the Editor,' The Return 1–3 (1888–1890); full text reproduced at Doctrine & Covenants Central, 'Ebenezer Robinson' (https://doctrineandcovenantscentral.org/history/ebenezer-robinson/) and at sidneyrigdon.com (http://www.sidneyrigdon.com/RigWrit/M&A/Return1.htm). (research confidence: high) Full first-person account: Ebenezer Robinson, 'Items of Personal History of the Editor,' The Return 1 (1889) https://doctrineandcovenantscentral.org/history/ebenezer-robinson/
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