Samuel H. Smith's Gift of a Book to a Poor Widow

After a night spent outdoors sleeping under an apple tree, Samuel H. Smith approached a small cottage inhabited by a poor widow near Palmyra, New York. In his own history, Samuel's mother, Lucy Mack Smith, records that he stopped there hoping for refreshment. The widow, who was very poor, prepared him food. After eating, he explained the history of the Book of Mormon. She listened attentively and believed his message but could not afford to purchase a book due to her poverty. Touched, Samuel presented her with one before proceeding on his journey to Bloomington, a distance of eight miles further.

Fuller account of this event (as retold in Lucy Mack Smith, Biographical Sketches of Joseph Smith, the Prophet, and His Progenitors for Many Generations (Liverpool: Orson Pratt, 1853), 154.):

In the morning he arose from his comfortless bed, and observing a small cottage at no great distance, he drew near, hoping to get a little refreshment. The only inmate was a widow, who seemed very poor. He asked her for food, relating the story of his former treatment. She prepared him some victuals, and, after eating, he explained to her the history of the Book of Mormon. She listened attentively, and believed all that he told her; but, in consequence of her poverty, she was unable to purchase one of the books. He presented her with one, and proceeded to Bloomington, which was eight miles further.