Audible Divine Communication

Joseph Smith's encounter with the still small voice while in retreat

Published October 4, 2026 at 8:17 AM

1840s · 1842
Nauvoo

Contributed by

Millennial Star Research

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After parting with his friends at a secret retreat, Joseph Smith felt discouraged until the still small voice spoke to him, comforting him regarding his friends' faithfulness.

Fuller account of this event (in the witness’s own words):

Many were the thoughts that swelled my aching heart, while they were toiling faithfully with their oars. I did so, and the still small voice whispered to my soul, these that share your toils with such faithful hearts, shall reigne with you in the kingdom of their God; but I parted with them in silence and came to my retreat. I hope I shall see them again that I may toil for them and administer to their comfort also. They shall not want a friend while I live. My heart shall love those; and my hands shall toil for those, who love and toil for me, and shall ever be found faithful to my friends. Shall I be ungrateful? verily no! God forbid!

In Their Own Words

“Many were the thoughts that swelled my aching heart, while they were toiling faithfully with their oars. They complained not at hardship and fatigue to secure my safety. My heart would have been harder than an adamantine stone if I had not prayed for them with anxious and fervent desire. I did so, and the still small voice whispered to my soul, These, that share your toils with such faith, shall not want a blessing. — Millennial Star 19:44”

Sources & References

The Latter-day Saints' Millennial Star (Manchester, later Liverpool, England, May 1840–1970), 31 October 1857 (Vol. 19, No. 44). https://archive.org/details/per_utah-and-the-mormons_the-latter-day-saints-millennial-star_1857-10-31_19_44 (account extracted verbatim from the issue's Internet Archive OCR text; research confidence: high) Fuller account: Journal, December 1841–December 1842, Page 165 https://www.josephsmithpapers.org/paper-summary/journal-december-1841-december-1842/42

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