Supernatural Voice Directing Truman Angell to Build Joseph Smith's House
Published March 25, 2026 at 3:31 AM

Contributed by
Todd Morgan
Beaumont, CA, 92223
While Truman O. Angell was working on the Kirtland Temple with just a day or two of work remaining, Joseph Smith came to him and asked him to build a store. Angell replied that as a seventy he was about to go out into the vineyard to preach. Joseph said, 'Go ahead,' and Angell continued his work. The next day, Angell saw the First Presidency of the Church standing together at a distance of about forty rods. He dropped his head and continued his work. At this time, a voice seemed to whisper to him, 'It is your duty to build that house for President Smith.' While Angell was meditating on this voice, he looked up and Brother Joseph Smith Jr. was standing close beside him. Joseph said, 'It is your duty to build that house.' Angell answered, 'I know it.' Thus Angell received the same message both through supernatural voice and through Joseph Smith's direct word, confirming his new calling.
In Their Own Words
“While I yet had a day or two more work, and while at work, Joseph Smith, Jr., the Prophet and Seer came to me and asked me to build a store. I answered that in consequence of being a seventy I was about to go out into the vineyard to preach. “Well,” he said, “Go ahead,” and I continued my work. The next day I looked up and saw the Presidency of the church together, at a distance of about forty rods. I dropped my head and continued my work. At this time a voice seemed to whisper to me, “It is your duty to build that house for President Smith,” and while I was meditating, I looked up and Brother Joseph Smith, Jr. was close to me. He said, “It is your duty to build that house.” I answered, “I know it.””
— Truman O. Angell, Autobiography, in Our Pioneer Heritage 10 (1967): 200
Sources & References
Truman O. Angell, Autobiography and portions of journal (1810-1856), from Our Pioneer Heritage Vol. 10 (1967) | Full text: http://earlymormonism.com/truman-o-angell-1810-1887/ Full first-person account: Our Pioneer Heritage, Vol. 10, pp. 200 https://doctrineandcovenantscentral.org/history/truman-o-angell
Filed under
Related Miracles
Similar miracle types and stories from the 1830s.
Miracle of the Week
One remarkable, documented account in your inbox every Monday, drawn from the full archive.
